2010-07-27: Yesterday I received a most wonderful, surprising birthday present from a wonderful fan out of Brooklyn, NY, Mr. Reid Rosefelt, who made a short movie about my competitive eating career.  I was really touched (and shocked) by his dedication.  Thank you so much Reid. I don't know what to say, so I'll let the clip speak for itself.  Go to http://my-life-as-a-blog.com/post/2010/07/26/See-My-New-Movie-e2809cSonya-Thomas-is-The-Black-Widowe2809d-in-Glorious-Lo-Def!.aspx.  It is also available on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ufe6JDOcCVg. 

2010-07-17: I was fortunate to have been given the chance to participate in the 2010 Taco Bell Why Pay More Challenge in San Juan, Puerto Rico, last Thursday, the cause for which was to benefit Boys and Girls Clubs in Puerto Rico. Taco Bell donated $125.00 for every Taco I ate.  That was my first ever trip to Puerto Rico and I thought everyone was so sweet, especially the children. They're adorable!

I was given a goal to eat 50 Tacos, so I ate 53 in 12 minutes, which amounted to a donation of $6,625. That total reflects what was actually swallowed at the 12-minute buzzer.  For a short video clip during an exhibition leading up to Thursday's event go to http://www.elnuevodia.com/videos-pasionporlostacos-166243.html 

2010-07-11: Next week I will be treking to Puerto Rico to participate in Taco Bell's "Why Pay More Challenge" to eat Soft Tacos for the benefit of Boys and Girls Clubs in Puerto Rico. Upon learning that Taco Bell will donate $125.00 to the Boys and Girls Clubs for every Taco I eat, I became totally committed! I don't know how many minutes I will have, but I intend to do my absolute best for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Puerto Rico.  I am wholeheartedly into this initiative and I will ensure that Taco Bell will make a sizable donation to a most worthwhile cause!  You can obtain more information at http://ifoce.com/news.php?action=detail&sn=811.

2010-07-04: Congratulations to Joey "Jaws" Chestnut on another decisive victory at Nathan's today, with 54 Hot Dogs and Buns in 10 minutes! Tim "Eater X" Janus put in a valiant effort with 45 to easily finish in second, and "Deep Dish" Bertoletti grabbed third by downing 37.  The heat was intense, which is the reason the numbers were not higher.  Under such conditions fitness and conditioning play a major role, and that's why Tim's perfomance today is most impressive!  He keeps himself in great shape!

As for me I finished in 4th with 36.  Though I was aiming to break my female record, all things considered I can't complain. I did eat two more than I qualified with, which was indoors with AC, and that's without any practice whatsoever.  You can check out the rest of the placings at http://twitter.com/EatingContest.

DO I THINK KOBAY WOULD HAVE WON HAD HE COMPETED?   I can only say that Joey has done what it takes to win 4 years in a row.  That aside, a 4th of July without Takeru Kobayashi is more like the 5th of July.  It seems like an ordinary day.  I am truly sorry he was not there.

2010-07-03 (Recently asked question): SONYA, DO YOU THINK YOU HAVE A SHOT TO BREAK YOUR FEMALE RECORD OF 41 HOT DOGS AND BUNS FROM LAST YEAR? Yes, that's my goal.

2010-07-01: To paraphrase George Shea, Chairman of Major League Eating (MLE), "What could be more American than eating Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs on Coney Island on the 4th of July?" With that said, I hope some of you can make it out to the corner of Surf and Stillwell on Coney Island, July 4th for our annual Hot Dog-Eating Contest. If you can't it will be televised live on ESPN, July 4th at 12:00 PM.

You can check out my interview with Fox News at http://www.myfoxchicago.com/dpps/news/sonya-the-black-widow-thomas-nathans-hot-dog-contest-dpgo-20100629-fc_8398097. 

Actually, I think Joey Chestnut is a lock in Hot Dogs. He has it down to a science. But there remains much suspense!

• Will Koby show? (Personally, I don't think so.)
• If Koby doesn't show, who will come in second, Pat Bertoletti or Tim "Eater X" Janus?  That's what it amounts to. Koby is the only person in this world with a chance to top Joey in Hot Dogs.
• Who will round out the top five?

If you're rooting for me to win, thanks, but I have no chance, unlike Oysters, Clams, Lobster, or Crawfish,  and a few other foods, for which I have World Records (go to http://www.sonyatheblackwidow.com/id3.html).

May each of you have a wonderful and safe 4th of July!