Who Wants To Be a Millionaire? (Pt.3)

So, as already mentioned, we signed some pretty serious non-disclosure paper when the videos were shot in February.  The six of us (Dylan, Emi, Mike, Rachel, Tom and I) sorta got our stories straight and worked hard to keep the lid on the whole thing for almost two months.  I think we did a pretty good job.  One idea that made it easier was that we figured that it would be so much more fun for everyone else to watch the show on April 17th in order to find out.  That doesn't mean that there weren't a few souls who pressed for answers.  There were more and more of them (you?) as the time drew near.  But we pulled it off.


As the airing of the show approached, it became a little more complicated.  7pm Eastern, 6pm Central, and All Over The Map Pacific.  Some cable/satellite providers scheduled it for 4pm, others at 7pm and still others at 6 or 9.  Some people had friends or relatives who saw it at 4 and called them with the spoiler, not realizing the difference in airing time.  Ah, no worries, though.


Dylan and Emi found a little restaurant, not usually open in the evening, that agreed to let 50+ people come in to party and watch their nice big TVs.  The Soccer Cafe in the Mission turned out to be the perfect place.  

Friends of Dylan, Emi and Rachel, plus a few of Dylan's students drifted in gradually for about an hour before the show, pretty much filling the place up.  Dylan had ordered up some Mexican hors d'oeuvres for everybody.  

Then Macy's Million Dollar Makeover started and everyone focused.

It was a really fun hour.  The six of us had no idea how they would tell the story.  We were all somewhat relieved to see how little footage of the rest of us made it in.  We were very interested to see Pat and Katie and their product.  Half-way through the show, Dylan passed around Pat's Cheesecake balls for dessert.  A classy move, I say.  He had ordered them from her for that evening.  

We loved watching the challenge cubicles take shape and it was so interesting to hear what the judges had to say.  We know there was much more that didn't make the show.  And, of course, we loved watching the watchers in the restaurant.  If they suspected, they didn't show it.  

So, when Dylan was declared the winner, the place went crazy!  It was so cool!  You can pretty much determine which photo tells that story.  

Dylan, then got up and thanked everyone for their support and friendship and, after a little while, the crowd dwindled to just us, again.  Best party ever.  It was something I'll never forget.

So, what now?


Dylan is connecting with people who can help him organize his business and new financial situation.  He'll need to hire a few key people and update some tools--maybe even the CNC machine, which is tempermental, to say the least.  He'll probably cut down, but not curtail entirely, his teaching schedule at California College of the Arts.  Macy's has promised to work with him to merchandise some of his furniture.  Most of all, he has the wherewithall to move in the directions he's dreamed of and make a living doing it.


He'll also have the opportunity to have more regular hours (because of the help he'll have) and say goodbye to the all-nighters.  We'll see, right?  


To say we're very proud and excited about all this is an understatement.  Our heads are also still spinning.  It's a crazy turn of events in the last three months.  We're quite sure it's going to be wonderful. It already has been.  Friends and family have been so supportive and happy for him!  We're very grateful for everybody and their enthusiasm!


And, though I've always been kind of allergic to shopping, I may even have grown rather fond of Macy's Department Store.  Maybe we call this The Miracle in the Mission.  OK.  The reference is too obscure.  How 'bout, The Miracle on 16th Street?  You know, from the movie, The Miracle on 34th Street which featured Macy's?  The restaurant is on 16th, which is in the Mission area of San Francisco, and, ah, well...