e1 Confessionals: That Wild Ride

[Lynne]

Lynne's thoughts...there is no rhyme or reason to the order...

Once more I'm back in the game. I think it say wonders of the host and the competition that I am back to play when I'd thought I'd sworn off an online social life.

I'm moving to Burlington the week after Christmas. I received a job offer that I couldn't pass on. It will be interesting to face Jai with this information.

All-Stars means you're playing against your reputation. Those who can overcome or outgrow it move on. Those who are bound to it are at risk of playing the same game all over again.

I made a few mistakes in Wonderland (and the old games: SWU and Senkaku).
- Visibility: I am often portrayed as a power player and as such there are expectations I have failed to meet. A power player who is barely visible and minimally online is shady and not to be trusted.
- Trust/Loyalty: If a person jumps at the right time to gain my alliance-my loyalty- they'll never need to doubt it. In SWU that was Reno, who I did eventually cast a vote for at F4 because I'd been convinced he was voting me. In Senkaku it was Aurelia, who had faith in me from early on and even brought me back from being voted out, and who was probably one of the nicest people I've played the game out with. In Wonderland it was Chuck, and in that case (1 out of 3) I was wrong in giving him my loyalty.
- Self-Sacrifice: Self-sacrifice never felt so good. I want to win, never doubt it, but the next best thing is an ally winning. I practiced this in Senkaku for the aforementioned Aurelia and I was more pleased with her making the F2 then I ever would've been making it myself. I know in a game like this I'll never find a sweet, naive, newbie to mold like I did with Lia but I'd love a chance to get a real relationship behind an alliance, one that I would be happy sacrificing for.
- WoT: How many times have I sworn to play by the rules of WoT (Wheel of Time for all those literary-impaired)? “The truth an Aes Sedai tells you is not always the truth you think you hear.” Maybe I’m not witty or crafty enough for this tactic – in fact after watching Kelly (Avalon) play with it I know I’m not. Back to the drawing board for a more Lynne-friendly strategy.
- Unexpected Alliances: I gained the upper ground in SWU by aligning with the one person no one expected me to align with –Reno. I’d hate to recycle that strategy but retro is so in style I’m almost tempted to.
- Friendships: Do I have any close ones? No. Does that mean I’m more likely to have enemies? Yes. If I can get to Jai I’ll be safer for it. She is well liked but more importantly could become my worst enemy. Jai is better as a friend and ally than as an enemy. Everyone would do well to remember that *lol*

Jai. Am I sorry? Yes. When I see her I’ll have one thing to say: “We always said if we ever faced off in Survivor we’d work together to go forward. Why not try that for old time’s sake? I know we disagree but I’ve been told many times that you still respect me as a player.”

This will be a damn-fine game and I anticipate it being a full out brawl. May the best Survivor win (yup and its going to be me)!

[Lynne]

Will: Adorable! I quite like conversing with him, flirting with him and I’m sure that playing with him will be great. I think that it would be natural for me to desire to align with him because we hit it off so well. And I much prefer someone I can converse and joke around with than someone who I cannot. Which might’ve been the mistake I made in originally aligning with Chuck in Wonderland.

Kevin: Cute kid, and he’s made a point through Paradise that he is not to be underestimated. I think he’d be a great choice for my main alliance, but I can’t believe that I would be his only choice even if I were the only one on the tribe that he recognizes.

Matt: He’s never played in the series before and his communication skills are severely lacking. He’s pleasant enough and I give him props for being online and even IMing me. But its one thing to make that move and then totally go lax in the conversation. Asking questions like “where are you from” don’t quite do it for me considering its on the profile for the tribe members anyways.

Laurel: I can already tell I’m not going to care for her. I can tell we’re going to clash. I’m the alpha female of the group and I’ve always found it difficult to clash with another woman who would vie for the male attention. I’ve gotten along with many alpha women in games but I knew before I met them that I would happily share the spotlight with. But I don’t see that happening. That’s not to say I won’t try and make it work, but I could easily become irritable around her and that could be dangerous for me.

As for the rest? Not a single familiar face. Should be interesting when I do get to talk with them. I am going out tonight, which is Friday, but I should have plenty of time to get to know people when I get home, tomorrow night or on Sunday.

[Lynne]

Mike: I don't care if you're studying for the fuckin bar exam you take 10 minutes and do the "get to know you" bullshit! this kid is totally on my shit list.

Lexie: Does she even exist? She showed up the challenge alright, but I'm beginning to wonder what she's worth.

Mike: Still fucking hate him.

Laurel: Growing on me, we'll see how that pans out.

[Lynne]

Step 1: Secure Alliance
Step 2: Numbers Game
Step 3: Make Merge

At the moment I’m at Step 1, having securing my alliance and am transitioning into Step 2, waiting to play the numbers game out. If we can Network this tribe it’s a winning strategy. I watched it done in SWU and it would’ve worked if JN and DK didn’t have to quit. It’s a loose alliance with an unknown core. You vote based in your best interests of self preservation. And self preservation? Well isn’t that just the key to winning survivor – OUTLAST.

I really almost hope we lose this challenge to stretch my wings, crack my knuckles and test these gears. I’ve been in situations before where you forgo Tribal Council and the tribe goes limp, it gets slack, and you’re sitting there itching to vote someone out. So that when the time does come it’s a hundred times worse because you’ve been building and building and building to that moment.

Best thing is to lose that first immunity, sack someone and buckle in for a long haul. Normally once drama is averted its easier to find a flow and a groove that can win you challenges.

As of now the most disliked person on the team, for me is Mike. I really hate how he doesn’t talk in IMs, posts on boards and what not. I hated how he took control of the challenge thread. Look I’m sorry you have to be accommodating to all types of people when you play Survivor. Lucky you you’re still in school and can accommodate a challenge until midnight. I can’t handle that, and neither can Kevin. You need to read into people. My occupation is a Real Estate Agent, obviously I’m not going to be waking up at 11am.

To sum up Mike: He can’t hold a conversation but he’s aiming for a leadership role. Failing strategy.

I may have made a move too soon with Kevin and Will but you know what I’m thinking about that? I’m thinking that these are 2 people whom I recognize, who have played this series and who I can converse with at ease. I never struggle to find words to say, its smooth flowing and entertaining. If it weren’t for them I may have checked out of the game early.

So lets see what the other tribes can manage in this task and lets see how we fall. Tribal Council or Immunity? We know which I’d prefer.

[Lynne]

I have some catching up to do with my Confessional. I've had a few notes written on various pieces of paper that needed to make their way into a formalized confessional. This is from the first year.



This signing online thing is harder than it looks. If I can survive until and through the move it should be a lot easier. And if I can convince my tribe to partake in earlier challenges I'll be golden.

- Challenge:
The first group (Laurel, Kevin, Matt and myself) worked well together. We got 8 right with 18 minutes left for the second group. They didn't get to the bonus question and only got 7 right. Its clear that we had a system that worked. Its a shame that Laurel is suddenly acting very distant to us now.

- People:
I don't think I can be clearer about who I trust than to say the following: I ONLY trust Kevin and Will.
Mike is a scumbag, Lexie hardly exists, Laurel is distant, and Tilghman too. That leaves Matt, who is a nice enough guy.

- Alliances:
So the boundries appear to be drawn in the sand.
Mike/Lexie/Laurel/Tilghman
VS. Kevin/Lynne/Will
Matt?
The good nws is I am best at playing the underdog. The role was made for me. I owned it in SWU and Senkaku. Its when I'm in the majority power that I lose.


- Immunity:
Winning immunity means that we won't have to scramble. We can now spend our time cultivating a close knit alliance rather than cultivating paranoia. It also gives the opposing alliance time for cultivation too though.
However it could be good-if we continue. Seeing very little of Lexie we can aim our target at her w/o suspicion. So long as we remain active and drama free we'll give them no excuses to aim our way.

[Sam]

These confessionals are awesome.

This will be a damn-fine game and I anticipate it being a full out brawl. May the best Survivor win (yup and its going to be me)!

*cheers*

[Lynne]

I live and serve to entertain you Sam : )

[Jamie]

All-Stars means you're playing against your reputation. Those who can overcome or outgrow it move on. Those who are bound to it are at risk of playing the same game all over again.

As usual you have a great handle on the situation! Can't wait to see the rest of wisdom you give to us all ::bows before she that is Lynnie::

“We always said if we ever faced off in Survivor we’d work together to go forward. Why not try that for old time’s sake? I know we disagree but I’ve been told many times that you still respect me as a player.”

Would've been interesting to see my response then...

[Lynne]

*lmao* thnx for the compliments jai, thank god i'm on your good side now is what i say ; ) someone to make me feel better about my game! *g*