Well, Well, Well...

Back in March, I got a wild hair up my butt to look into applying for Top Shot.  I don't remember why the thought ever crossed my mind, but I came across something that said if I was interested, I should shoot an email off to the casting agency to express my interest.

So, while I was still not in my right mind, I sat down and composed this lame-o email:

My name is GunDiva and I want to be the next Top Shot!


I am a third generation native of Fort Collins, Colorado (yes, home of Fat Tire beer). I started shooting seriously about eight years ago, competing in our local monthly defensive pistol matches, where I had the opportunity to shoot against Bud Bond (who bested Jerry Miculek in the 2001 World Shoot-off Championships). One day, when we were shooting head-to-head the shooting gods smiled upon me and allowed me to beat Bud not once, but twice. Truth be told, both times were flukes, but he took an interest in me and mentored me - as he did many Northern Colorado shooters - for a few months. I've been extremely lucky to have an excellent support system - from the guys at the gun shop, to my instructors, to my fellow shooters - that has always encouraged my shooting goals.

While I am by no means a professional or competitive shooter, I am enthusiastic and eager to learn about all types of weaponry.

Ugh.  I was not thrilled with my email and had even asked Tara to write something on my behalf, but then I came to my senses and dropped it.  You've all read the email - would you contact me?  I wouldn't.

So I put it out of my mind, didn't spend another second thinking about it.  They opened up the application process for Season Four, but I didn't apply.  Like I said, I'd regained my senses.

Yesterday, a call came in from an unfamiliar number.  Since I was at work, I let it go to voicemail.  Imagine my surprise when I checked my voicemail and this is what I heard:

Hey, GunDiva, my name is Greg, I'm the casting producer for Top Shot on History Channel.  I got your email and I want to follow up with you, so give me a call.  Again, this is Greg from Top Shot.

Y'all, my heart stopped.  Ashinator and Monster were in the store buying something to drink when I checked my messages, so I saved it and waited until they got back in the car.  They knew something was up and I played them the message.  They couldn't believe it either.  I couldn't wait to get back to the house and share it with RCC.

I called Greg back and talked with him for a short bit.  He asked several questions that I didn't have a coherent response for; I should have been thinking about the answers all along, but since I never expected anything to come of my email, I was caught flat-footed for several of the questions.

I'm not kidding myself, I know probably the only reason he contacted me was because I'm a female shooter and there probably aren't that many female applicants.  I'm not a competitive shooter and I may not even fit the bill for a recreational shooter, but I am a female shooter who loves it and I want to share my love of shooting with, well, everyone.

The biggest question he asked me: "Can you win Top Shot?"

I hesitated while I thought about my answer - lots of thoughts were tumbling around my itty-bitty brain at that point.  I was mentally replaying all of the episodes I'd watched and how many times I thought, I can do that.  And I answered, "Yes, I believe I can."

I don't have all the fancy shooting credentials that even their amateurs have; I've only shot locally at our gun club, but damn it, why not me?  Why shouldn't a nobody shooter from Colorado win?  Heck, if I make it through all of the steps of the application/audition process, I've got just the same chance as everyone else who makes it through, so why not me?

At the end of our conversation, Greg asked me to submit an application and submission video.  The timeframe is short - I only have until the 20th to get my video together and to him.  Let's hope that working on the application and video tomorrow on Mother's Day brings me luck, because that's the only time I've really got to do it.

I've got so much to do - I don't want to be caught flat-footed again.  I've got to work out harder and longer; I've got to get lead down range (lots and lots of lead); I've got to re-familiarize myself with guns I haven't handled in a while; I've got to get my hands on other types of weaponry so that I don't look like a total doofus; and I've got to convince my boss to let me have up to seven weeks off this year.

The phone call from Greg was one tiny step in the process.  The next step is to make it through the application process.

Wish me luck.