Green Room - Week 1 - Day 8

[clauderainsrm]

 For the newbies, and veterans who are relearning everything as we get going most weeks aren't going to be as long as this one has been/is going to be.  Everyone needs time to get up to speed though. 

I just realized that for people who don't know this "Week" not even starting the poll until Day 8 is probably kind of weird.  :) 

Hopefully a few more people will use this time to sign up: therealljidol.dreamwidth.org/1219874.html     and everyone else will use the time to make sure they have their entries in! https://therealljidol.dreamwidth.org/1224892.html

After all, right now we still have 30 people or so who haven't posted yet! Which is another reason (if you are already done and are waiting) it's good to read ahead, That way you are ready for those 30+ entries when they come in! 

      ***

This should probably be a Sidenote, but it's just going to be a "remember when?"  The polls were bigger than LJ polls would allow, so I had to break them up into smaller groupings. The FIRST time this happened was a complete surprise and I had to scramble to figure out how to do that. I immediately came up with the idea of "Tribes", and person from each of them was going to be eliminated.  The next version of that involved the lowest vote-getters for the first round (that survived the poll) becoming the "Team Captain" to select who they wanted in a schoolyard pick. That way the "less powerful" ended up having the most influence in that moment and, in theory, could gain some goodwill and/or more attention. 

My favorite version of the tribes though is when I was getting frustrated with all the last minute entries! So I put something in place that used the tribe format that also helped in that capacity. I gave the first "tribe" to have ALL their entries posted IMMUNITY for that week. None of them were being eliminated.  :D   I've got to say that for the time it lasted, people were actually posting their writing much sooner on average.  :)  Of course that also put the people on tribes with one of our famed "last minute" posters at a disadvantage. But it was an interesting experiment, from my perspective. 

I'll probably talk about more of that stuff at some point. But I was just thinking about it. 

***

Speaking of polls, there are going to be additions, changes and in general some bumps especially for the first few polls. I appreciate your patience. I'll get them posted as soon as I can. 

*** 

I did make a promise to a long time supporter that unlike in the past (when I'd only do it a few times a season, I would post more reminders about the Patreon! But I won't do that while a poll is up. So again, here is the link for anyone who wants it and for those who don't, please keep scrolling. Cut and pasted from the FAQ.  

"I DO have a Patreon  https://www.patreon.com/c/u70027  Rewards have varied over the years, the one right now is feeling good about yourself AND exemption from being attacked by the mostly trained rabid pack of wolves that has been known to wander through Dreamwidth. Also invisibility to bears.  (Note: That last one has not been tested)  

If you want to drop something in the hat before, during or after the season - my email is clauderainsrm@gmail.com you can use that in PayPal/Venmo/Cash App/Zelle.  The rewards for that are pretty similar to the Patreon ones.  Except you are ONLY safe from bears riding unicycles wearing little pointy clown hats. "

And yes, it is pretty weird that other people are more invested in reminding people of the various ways to support keeping Idol going. But probably not all that surprising. I'm pretty bad about that sort of thing! If I promise someone something though, I try my best to do it. Which is why they made me actually promise them.  :) 





    ***

How is your week going? I'm up far too late again. I left work early. Came back to the apartment and immediately went to sleep for 4 1/2 hours. Woke up, had a salad, watched Lanterns,, logged on to read some of that Idol history I'd been asked to check out, and then logged back onto work for a couple hours. Now this, and very soon, hopefully more going to bed until I have to get up to repeat the process! 

Comments

[bsgsix]

FRIST.

(Had to be done.)

Good midnight/night/early morn, all! It's been... a week. Migraines, bad news, and a lot of emotional upheaval. But we do what we can, and we keep moving on.

In cute news, my cat is kneading the hell out of my leg and wanting my attention, so, that gets to win, and I'm going to go be her willing scratching post.

LOTS of history I want to comment about, but the cat wins first. ;)

[halfshellvenus]

:( I'm sorry.

[banana_galaxy]

I do not remember any immunity being granted to tribes, so that must've been a pre-season 6 thing.

I already got my start reading ahead with entries, but it's going slower than I would've liked. I should have more time today before I go out to hang out with a friend tonight though.

[halfshellvenus]

I'm reading, reading, reading. And yet, I know there'll probably still be about 1/3 of the entries left (at least) by the time the poll goes up. :O

[aggienaut]

I'm curious, do many people attempt (and/or succeed?) in reading every entry every week? And if now how do you choose which ones to read?

I actually only aim to read about 20, but I aim to make it a _different_ 20 each time. Plus a few of my favorites I'll read every time, I try to read the ones in danger of elimination in the last 24 hours to see if one is worth trying to save with my vote, and if a person is getting way more votes than usual I'll see if its a particularly remarkable entry.

Is this scandalous disregard to a moral imperative to read them all, in your opinion, or do others do something simlar?

[hafnia]

I read them every week. I do not comment on every entry, mostly because I don't always have something to say, but I do read everything. I read faster than most people do (my husband and other friends have verified this), and in the early weeks, at least, I begin reading well before the poll goes up.

I realize in the early weeks at least it's difficult not to read everything, but it feels unfair to me not to read everything and then vote.

[hafnia]

Today was a migraine day, but I got errands run and my spouse agreed to help me with my cold frame project, so, hey! :)

I also (and I do not think anyone here will care about this, but perhaps I will be pleasantly surprised) beat Blue Prince's Cursed Mode. For people that don't know, this is the hardest mode of the game. If you go off of achievements, only about 2% of people who play the game end up successfully completing it, so now I am among that 2%! :D

[pixiebelle]

Okay I should check out Blue Prince. I googled it to see what it is. I doubt I could beat cursed mode but I do love a challenge! Congrats!!!

My husband and I beat Honor mode of Baldurs Gate 3 on our first try at Honor Mode, and I still brag about it to this day (we’d played the game on hard mode about eight times before we did it). Honor mode is a one save thing where if you die, you start at the beginning again.

[pixiebelle]

I remember the tribes. I’m not sure if I remember the immunity part or not… I do remember somehow I got to be tribe leader and pick my tribe my first time playing. I don’t remember why, but it was Thanksgiving and I was looking at all these unfamiliar names trying to assemble a tribe really quickly 😂 at least I think that’s what happened? Maybe I’m wrong.

I just woke up for the day. My week is going fairly well, no complaints. Tomorrow will be busy. I have to get a mammogram/ultrasound. I’m a bit behind on it because I’ve been stressed with IVF stuff and honestly, post-cancer scans are anxiety-inducing (my doctor also wants me to get a PET scan just to make sure I haven’t had a recurrence while off my meds though she’s not concerned, I am). The mammogram is the first step toward getting back on track for my other medical appointments besides just IVF (which is another story for another time and I hope to write it for Idol at some point)

[gardeningatnight]

Good luck with your mammogram! And just, getting back on track with your medical appointments.

[pixiebelle]

Oh and I was caught up on reading as of last night. It’s been helpful to read as they get posted. It would be nice if I could do that every week, but most weeks I’ll likely not get my entry in so early.

I have a looooong list of people to vote for this week. A lot of really good stuff.

[aggienaut]

Update: I've started reading the entries for this week and.... is it just me or is a weirdly high percentage of people writing about their grandmothers??

[gardeningatnight]

I don't think it was *that* many, although I get what you're feeling, because I did notice a couple of recurring themes in the entries this week. Which is fine, because I also feel like each one was a different approach.

[kizzy]

Good morning, I just posted a friends only rant on my DW about having no effing time because of my effing job, yaddayaddayadda, which is what my issue has always been when it comes to reading. I made a stab last night trying to read Idolers on my feed and I fell asleep but not because of whose entry I was reading, LOL, but because I'd been up since 3AM without a nap. I'm off today so I'm going to make another stab and see if it sticks.

I remember tribes! IIRC it was a logical way for Gary to divide everyone because of LJ's poll creation parameters. Also a Survivor thing ;) I think this has been the largest group since we've been at DW, so it'll be interesting to see if we're also divided into tribes when the poll goes up.

Season 4 and Tulip...I can only speak from a fellow contestant side, but I remember a lot of animosity pointed toward her because she never tried hiding the friendship she had with you, Gary. In some ways it felt like she was attempting to manipulate you.

[clauderainsrm]

"I think this has been the largest group since we've been at DW, so it'll be interesting to see if we're also divided into tribes when the poll goes up." I've found a way to compress the number of code lines. It's pretty straight forward, but the me from a couple years ago would be impressed by it. :D (No one else will be!)

"but I remember a lot of animosity pointed toward her because she never tried hiding the friendship she had with you, Gary. In some ways it felt like she was attempting to manipulate you."


I DO know that for quite some time it made me feel like I couldn't actually have friends. Which really sucks considering all this started as something I did with my friends!!

[gardeningatnight]

I continue to dig my way through reading. It's a lot to do, but I get rewarded with some interesting content, and that helps keep me going. There are a few that I read days ago and find myself still thinking about, which is really nice--my attention span and memory retention are maybe a little better than they once were. (Though also not quite as good as they once were, at an earlier time).

I do remember tribes, but not tribal immunity, which suggests it was not a season 6 phenomenon. Although there were other forms of immunity. I remember the tribes because one of the very first ones in season 6 was tribe talonkarrde86, because he'd had one of the lowest vote totals in week 0. And then he ended up being a fan favorite and making it super far, which I thought was really cool.

This week is Homecoming at my kid's school, so they're having spirit week theme days. Today's was "Rhyme without a reason" which I guess is usually a partners costume thing. But my kid came home yesterday and announced that she was going to dress up as an Existential Rapper. Which delights me because 1. it's such an absurd little idea and 2. it came from my kid.

(As a side note, I feel like "Rhyme without a reason" is the perfect theme for onda_bianca)

My week is going okay. Laboring for my employer. Trying to tackle chores enough that the household can continue to function. Doing my best to be a responsible citizen in the land of Idol. So far it's a pretty mundane week. But that's okay. I've seen some of the alternatives, and I'm old enough to appreciate dull.

[clauderainsrm]

onda_bianca's rhymes always have a reason - to make learning fun!! <3

[missspiff]

Good morning! I hope you were able to get restful sleep & did not pull an all-nighter. I plan on reading through entries today & the next couple of days. I have yet to read any entries, due to my own health and everything being so chaotic at times...

I have a limited income, but plan on donating once my next paycheck hits.

Cheers & best of luck to all the writers! I am so excited to be a part of this and thankful to be surrounded by talented people. I am most excited to dive into all the minds of all the writers in this competition through their submissions. I truly love seeing what the mind comes up with and the thought process of others. It's fascinating.

[clauderainsrm]

After writing the above I went to sleep. Woke up at 5. Worked remotely for about an hour. (I have to send morning reports that don't generate until 6) sent my boss a text saying that I would be there "in a few hours" took another Melatonin and woke back up at around 10. Ate "lunch" and came into work! I'm really lucky to have an understanding boss.

Wellburtin has the great side effect of making me not constantly wanting to die. But the not so great side effect of feeling like my brain is going to explode from sheer lack of sleep.

[legalpad819]

In the past, I have tried to read all of the entries, but I'm not sure I'll be able to do it this time, especially in these early weeks. As a new contestant, this would have troubled me greatly. Now I feel like people understand. We're all busy.

I'm typing up some documents now to close out an estate and put on Mad Men in the background.

[kizzy]

Now I feel like people understand. We're all busy.

I think it's more acceptable now to be busy with Real Life compared to when we were all on LJ. Funny how that works the older we become.

Unsolicited Advice

[clauderainsrm]

"Hey Gary!"
"Oh hey random voice in my head. What's up?'
"I was wondering if you had any advice on prioritizing reading. Other people have been giving it. What do you think?"
"No one cares what I think Random Voice."
"I Do!"
"No you don't. You're just a device I'm using to set up this bit. You don't really even exist!"
"YOU don't really exist"
"Shouldn't that be 'your Mom doesn't really exist?"
"Only if this was a couple decades ago. Not sure where 'Your Mom' jokes land these days! Unless it's directed at emo_snal. Like 'You know who brings me cookies and is just an all around sweet and kind lady that I like very much - YOUR MOM!"
"Do you still want to know what I think about prioritizing reading entries?"
"I asked didn't I?"

"OK. Just as a general policy, if you have the time, absolutely read and comment on everything. If you are in a SEVERE time restriction: read the entries that don't have many votes. These are the people who need a little more support and encouragement at the moment. With a just regular schedule but maybe not enough to read everything - obviously you need to prioritize better. Do you really need to 'EAT AND SLEEP'? Of course not. Idol will provide those things for you!!! I'm getting off track again, sorry...

Concentrate on the newbies and the people you've never read before. (returning veterans or people who played in seasons before/after yours.) Sure, old favorites are great, there is a reason why they are your old favorites. But finding new favorites is far more exciting!"

"What do YOU do?"
"I scan everything when it comes in trying to get ahead of any links that might not work. Depending on how much time I have I might read them as they come in. If it immediately grabs my attention I'll read it right then. If not, I'll swing back later as I'm linking entries for the poll. Sometimes I'll swing back again once it's open to see what the comments are like. In general though, all you hippies look, and smell, the same to me!"

"This is why no one likes you Gary... this is why..."
"It's just one of many, many reasons voice in my head. Just one of many..." :)

Re: Unsolicited Advice

[gardeningatnight]

Look, it's been so long since I played that while I can recall the names of some of my old favorites, I often couldn't remember why I had liked them. So now it's interesting to see if I still feel the same way or to have a moment where I'm like "Oh yeah, that deep well of nerdiness is why I still have abiding feelings of fondness and warm fuzzies."

I have also found a new favorite. They write with the honeyed voice of an eldritch god and it delights me so.

[adoptedwriter]

Morning all. My Bell 3 student I aide for is absent today so I lucked into a bit of free time. I’ve been reading and keeping up w entries so far. Easy work week so far. On Friday we are having a 9-25 day, AKA 9-To-5 Day, as in Wear country western bling wear for Dolly Parton Day. lol.

I was just thinking about this:

[clauderainsrm]

I'm not answering because I don't want to put a target on anyone. But you can! :)

Who is YOUR pick for the Cirie Fields of LJ Idol - Greatest writer to never win. (yet)

Re: I was just thinking about this:

[clauderainsrm]

Other than the obvious of course - "everyone EXCEPT kittymichaels", because really he is the only one who has TRULY won in every season, before and after his time. Other people might think they won. But they haven't. He's the true winner. <3

[jake67jake]

I didn't mean to be a last minute poster (or at least a last day poster), but that is how my week turned out.

Also, I don't like to read other entries before I post because if I haven't fleshed out my idea, I am afraid that I may inadvertently "steal" someone's take, or if someone has a similar idea to what I'm thinking, I will panic and try to change mine, and wind up scrambling to get a "new" idea.

SO close to 100

[gardeningatnight]

Like, we're really close to 100 people signed up! I think it's 95 and 2 maybes?

There must be at least a few more old timers who would sign up and submit a few half-assed posts just to give the rest of us an extra bye. Right? Right?

I mean... there must be a few more old timers who would sign up because of their undying love of Gary and the game. >.>

Re: SO close to 100

[clauderainsrm]

I've seen an entry from the only maybe listed. He just hasn't posted the declaration. (changed that maybe to a yes)

There's a couple people who asked me for the link again. So *crosses fingers*

No one is coming back for their undying love of me. :D

Week 1 advice

[clauderainsrm]

Since I've been looking through some Idol history, a piece of advice struck me as important enough to share/remind people about. Not just for Idol, but really anywhere in your life want to apply it:

Play your own game.

I hope it doesn't happen as much this time around, but there's usually someone who tries to get you to play by their rules. Why? Because they will win playing their rules. :)

"Do it this way. Don't do it that way."

Heck, people have tried it with ME before! :D I take the notes that make sense. I discard others that don't. (It's me, so I file away the ones that don't to process them later and see if there's a way to make them work in the context of what I'm doing.)

You can take advice. You cannot take advice. Ultimately there's only two people you should be listening to: Me (in terms of what the prompt is, deadlines and any rules. I'm the ONLY one who sets any of those) and whatever muse you have tucked inside of you.

[simplyn2deep]

I'm in it to get as far as I can. I had to make a spreadsheet with everyone's name as I read their submission, so I could keep track. I'm still tweaking it because now my brain is like "you should put a link to their entry..." and I really don't need to do that - I just need the link to the prompt entry, and I can find it that way.

Also, I have the office to myself, which is how I was able to create the spreadsheet, and now I'm working on homework a bit before going to the park outside my building for some tacos. This university is great at providing free food to the students, faculty, and staff.

I'm like 3.5 spoons overwhelmed by the number of green room entries. I simply cannot keep up and I really want to 😭

[alycewilson]

My week is going pretty well so far, but it's only Tuesday! LOL

[clauderainsrm]

This whole month have flown by!! People have less than a week to figure out what they are getting me for my birthday!!

I asked the Wheel

[clauderainsrm]

how many people should be eliminated this week. It said 99. So I guess this is a super short season!! ;)

(NOTE: I did not actually ask the Wheel, nor do I plan to ask the Wheel this particular question this season. I *could* do it in a future week. I reserve that right. But did not, and will not be doing it for Week 1.)

Re: I asked the Wheel

[simplyn2deep]

I don't know how many people signed up/committed, but my list has 85 names. That's a lot of people

[gardeningatnight]

Y'all what was I thinking?!

As I've been reading through entries (in the order they were posted), I've been keeping track of my impressions.

In a notebook.

Like, handwriting user names and general vibe...

Which is lovely, except it's IN A FREAKING NOTEBOOK. PAPER. WIRE BOUND.

Meaning there is no way to sort it alphabetically.

I'm not sure why, several days ago, I decided this was going to be "easier" than setting up a spreadsheet.

(I'll still probably do it again, though, because making spreadsheets is too adjacent to my job).

[hafnia]

If you have a smartphone, it may have the option to extract text from a photo, which you can then dump into a spreadsheet or Word document and alphabetize :)

(I have also been there!)

[clauderainsrm]

Me then: I'll drag my feet to give time for some more people to show up.

Me now: WTF am I missing? What's not closed? ;)

[humanbeansradio]

SO three byes then, eh? Sweet.