<a href="http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2012/09/ill-give-you-a-little-story-time/photo-5/" rel="attachment wp-att-12071"><img src="http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/photo1-500x500.jpg" alt="truffle contest see&#039;s candy" title="truffle contest see&#039;s candy" width="500" height="500" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-12071" /></a>

I've participated in my fair share of contests over the years. 

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There was the time I ate my weight in tacos (or at least felt like I did): 

<a href="http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/09/compadres-taco-eating-contest/46040_437668732912_85786297912_5060847_1634741_n/" rel="attachment wp-att-1830"><img src="http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/46040_437668732912_85786297912_5060847_1634741_n-500x333.jpg" alt="Compadres Taco Eating Contest from Compadres Facebook" title="Compadres Taco Eating Contest from Compadres Facebook" width="500" height="333" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-1830" /></a>

And the time I cried into my glass of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=3895044811761&set=a.1986821707376.2107183.1148295116&type=1&theater">root beer milk</a> with Dave Davis when LeAnne Taylor beat us in a Girl Scout cookie eating contest (which was broadcast live): 

<script type='text/javascript' src='http://KOTV.images.worldnow.com/interface/js/WNVideo.js?rnd=35700;hostDomain=www.newson6.com;playerWidth=664;playerHeight=400;isShowIcon=true;clipId=6753831;flvUri=;partnerclipid=;adTag=News;advertisingZone=;enableAds=true;landingPage=;islandingPageoverride=false;playerType=STANDARD_EMBEDDEDscript;controlsType=overlay;galleryType=wncategory'></script><a href="http://www.newson6.com" title="NewsOn6.com - Tulsa, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports - KOTV.com | ">NewsOn6.com - Tulsa, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports - KOTV.com | </a>

And the time I took on my friend Holly Wall to fight for a (badly needed) makeover: 

<iframe width="500" height="281" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ICXJRAPPavo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

And the time when I (oh-so-courageously) took a spot on the line behind the counter at See's Candy in a truffle-packing race: 

<a href="http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2012/09/ill-give-you-a-little-story-time/photo-5/" rel="attachment wp-att-12071"><img src="http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/photo1-500x500.jpg" alt="truffle contest see&#039;s candy" title="truffle contest see&#039;s candy" width="500" height="500" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-12071" /></a>

And now, this Friday night, I wage war yet again: This time, it's on the battlefield that is Tulsa's second-ever Literary Death Match. 

<a href="http://www.literarydeathmatch.com/" target="_blank">LDM pits wordsmith against wordsmith in an evening-long throwdown</a> that gives each warrior a chance to protect the honor of the publications where they're used to picking up their paychecks. At the crossroads of fame and shame I, representing <a href="http://www.thislandpress.com/" target="_blank">This Land Press</a>, shall meet Joe O'Shansky of <em>Urban Tulsa Weekly</em>, Jerry Wofford of <em>Tulsa World</em>, and Jeff Van Hanken from <em>TulsaPeople Magazine</em>. We're each subject to the whims of a panel of three celebrity judges, who will ultimately decide which of us takes home the bragging rights: P.C. Cast (you know the name from the Oklahoma Writers' Hall of Fame), Guggenheim fellow Geoffrey Brock, and Lou Berney, author of <em>Gutshot Straight</em> and <em>Whiplash River</em>. 

While I assure you that the literary subjugation of my fellow competitors by yours truly will be wildly entertaining, I want you to know that there's going to be other entertainment, too: Look for drinks, live music, prizes, and other entertainment about which I've been informed and then sworn to secrecy. 

Because I am a formidible literary ninja. And formidable literary ninjas are pretty good at keeping secrets. 

The event is hosted by Adrian Todd Zuniga, creator of Literary Death Match, and <a href="http://www.booksmarttulsa.com" target="_blank">Jeff Martin, the guy who launched Booksmart Tulsa</a>. 

Where: All Souls Unitarian Church, Emerson Hall (2952 S. Peoria Avenue) 
When: Friday, Sept. 21, doors at 7 p.m., battle bagpipes sound at 8:30 p.m. (there won't actually be battle bagpipes, but I'll still imagine they're there)
Cost: $7 advance tickets (<a href="http://www.literarydeathmatch.com/buy-tickets/" target="_blank">buy 'em here</a>), $10 at the door; or, <a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/toddzuniga/literary-death-match-tv-the-pilot" target="_blank">fund the Literary Death Match Kickstarter and get in free</a> 

Come. 