Spellerrific

I'm absolutely loving the contestants in the National Spelling Bee. They're not only amazing spellers, but they're funny, too. Thoughts as I watch the program:

• My favorite line : (after hearing audience laughter when the word was first announced) "numb nuts?" ...much more laughter.... (after he is advised to listen to the word again) "Ohhhh! Numnah!"
• "Oh, Nietzschean!" (I'm sorry that she's out. She was funny. When she was reminded to look at the clock as she was running out of time, she said, "Yes, that's a very pretty clock.")
• The gal with the curly hair had a hilarious look of happiness on her face when she knew the word, but asked for more hints anyway.
• The Asian kid sounded like he was drugged or something, and I kept thinking that he wouldn't get the words, but he did just fine. Maybe hewas on Spellling Steroids.
• I'm always amazed by the very gentle "ding" of the bell that signifies that the word was spelled wrong. It so politely tells them that their dream has just been squelched by one letter. Ah, memories of spelling "vacuum" with 2 "c"s and only one "u," and hearing the disappointment of my entire grade as I became only the Honorable Mention instead of the winner. I'll never forget that moment as long as I live. Go ahead. Ask me when I'm senile. I dare you.
• So I'm trying to spell these obscure words without looking at the TV, and when I do look at the TV, I realize that I'm WAY off. Makes me kinda glad that I didn't win the school spelling bee, in order to avoid a humiliating experience on a larger scale.
• ...although, hello, I spelled "Kulturkampf" correctly.
• Yay, SAMIR!!!! From "numb nuts" to the end, you certainly deserve that "guerdon"!!! What a perfect word to end the bee.