Results - Week 1

[clauderainsrm.livejournal.com]

This is the worst part of the job, closing the poll and announcing the contestants being eliminated.

It's the first time Season 6 has faced this, but it won't be the last.

I'm going to tear off the bandaid and announce them, and come back later to add a few words.

Before I do though I want to take a moment to thank each and every one of you for coming out to play this season, and for the voters for once again making a really tough decision. If the last two weeks are any indication of the talent this season, it's going to be difficult every single round to make that call.

But I digress:

The 5 individuals leaving this week are:

celrock: Honestly? I thought it was an interesting take on the subject. It certainly took the topic with it's own spin. Did that hurt or help? I don't know. It was pretty shocking to see the very first poll eliminate a seasoned veteran though. One of those "it could be anybody" moments. Not really sure I've completely processed this one to the point that I can adequately say anything - and yet I'm doing it anyway! The one thing that I *do* know is that you are definitely going to be missed.

gaea_rising: Of the 6 I knew her the best. As in I actually *know her*. Which means that it hits in a far more personal way. Of course it also means that I can say "Dude - poetry? Week 1? Really" and she knows that I'm just giving her a hard time. I happened to like the poem. I know a lot of people did. It just rarely gets the respect it deserves when it comes to the vote. I thought she would struggle as a result. I didn't forsee her being eliminated though. Really sorry to see you go. Don't kick me too hard the next time we run into each other, OK?

conandammit: So much of Idol comes down to wanting it and pushing through. When I saw the "vote for someone else" I knew it was going to be an uphill battle. The fact that it was still that close means that other people saw the same thing that I did. There is a great deal of raw talent there waiting to be tapped and explored. I was looking forward to seeing that progess over the course of weeks. Now, I'm really hoping to see some Home Game entries, where there isn't the pressure of producing every week or the risk of exposing any more than you want. I hope that helps. Some days, with some struggles, just showing up is a victory.

taliface: In the middle of a move, she opted to write rather than take a bye. I think that says everything you really need to know about her. She could have easily sat this round out and concentrated real life, but she threw herself right into the middle of the fray instead. I wish the gamble had paid off. It may not have, but I'll just say that I admired the hell out of that decision.


and
ravenofdreams: Again, another one where I have to look and go "man, tough tribe". They are all. But when I read this one, before tribes were finalized, I didn't think that I would be writing this particular goodbye. Sometimes you DO really have to know what to say, and unfortunately this is another time where I don't. Hopefully you will know that this gesture is anything but empty even if all it can say is that I'm really sorry to be seeing you go.

But wait - there are *6* tribes - why are there only 5 eliminations?
Because shortly after the polls opened thenew20s37 announced that she was dropping out.
A post-poll drop is considered a sacrifice. You are literally giving your tribe a free vote and no one else has to go home. I didn't announce it because there are so many great entries in that tribe that I wanted to make sure people didn't have an excuse *not* to read them!

As for thenew20s37: I'd say that this was the biggest surprise of the week *for me*. Granted, she realized that she didn't have the time. It could happen to everyone. But based on her introduction? I was expecting to see her for a really long time. It was sad to see that dropping out post. I know she said that she would be reading though, so there is some consolation. But I maintain that she could have gone far this season.

Thank you so much to the 6 of you, I hope you do stick around, and perhaps play the Home Game. You never know what is going to happen next.

Comments

[elderwoodpixie.livejournal.com]

Sorry to see anyone go but I hope you guys won't be too disheartened. Stick around for the home game and try again next year.

[poppetawoppet.livejournal.com]

awwww congratulations to those who made it through, and best wishes to those who didn't. I'm kind of sad panda now...

[sdaisyk.livejournal.com]

I was crossing my fingers for gaea_rising, I really liked her entry. Sad to see her go :-(

[joeymichaels.livejournal.com]

Seconded.

[lyrical-liessss.livejournal.com]

:( I wish we didn't have to do this each week :(. Thanks for playing guys!

[applespicy.livejournal.com]

Farewell to the fallen writers ♥

[mstrobel.livejournal.com]

This is the sucky part :(

[joeymichaels.livejournal.com]

Thank you to the departing six for letting us read your work this week and I'm sorry we won't get to read more of it.

[onda-bianca.livejournal.com]

This.

[malruniel11.livejournal.com]

This is always the hardest part, and I always tear up when I read the names.

♥ I hope you guys stick around for the home game! ♥

[ewok-626.livejournal.com]

*snuggles, cocoa, and cookies to those leaving*

[onda-bianca.livejournal.com]

And sex!:)

[ellistrae.livejournal.com]

*sadface* Oh, this is harder than I expected. I hope you all come back next year and continue to be active in the community. Heck, play the home game. Hope to see you all around!

[geniusinmaine.livejournal.com]

I thought celrock's entry was one of the best this week. It's sad that she got eliminated this early.

[onda-bianca.livejournal.com]

Do they do "wild card" rounds like in American Idol?

(I just ask because I honestly haven't kept up with this community long enough to see all the twists that go on...it could be a fun twist!)

[drippedonpaper.livejournal.com]

Last time, there was an option at one point for the winner of the week (or something like that, I can't remember) to bring back in someone who had been eliminated.

So..there's hope!

Sorry you six:(

[stormkitty.livejournal.com]

Oooh, this part sucks. I don't like this part at all. :(

[jo-mako.livejournal.com]

=( Good writers too. I hope you keep reading and playing the home game eh?

[viagra.livejournal.com]

:-/ I thought I would feel alright because I pretty much knew I wasn't going anywhere this round, but it actually sucks to see the post with eliminated people on it.

[mermaidkween.livejournal.com]

Trufax.

[alephz.livejournal.com]

Tch.

I preface my comment by saying that I'm sad about everyone who got eliminated, however...

Man, I am bummed to see ravenofdreams go. I really, really was looking forward to seeing the next thing that she put up.

Yeah, sometimes we get favourites. It just sucks when it happens so early in the game.

[libra-dragon.livejournal.com]

I really hate this part...I am so sorry to see you all go.

[jenandbronze.livejournal.com]

I personaly like Gary's touch of complimenting the players who were eliminated. It is *NO* fun to have to do this, but it has to come... Great job, and I look forward to seeing your home game entries, and continue to support other competitors in the game as we all move along, and we are just a "big" family *grin*

[conandammit.livejournal.com]

Thanks, I'll try this stunt at home.

[thenew20s37.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the shout-out! And I am trying to read the entries, at least all of those who friended me after I wrote my introduction. I feel like I can enjoy the contest without the pressure now. Next season I'll compete!

[lilly-rose.livejournal.com]

I'm always sorry to see folks go. Good luck you guys and thanks for sticking your necks out there to share yourselves with us.

[beldar.livejournal.com]

Hope this doesn't discourage those eliminated. There will be future seasons -- and there's always the "home game"

I noticed no one on my friends list was "sent home" -- coincidence?
...Well, yeah, actually. =)

[faerie-spark.livejournal.com]

Wow, this is my first season playing here, and I can already tell it's going to be tough EVERYSINGLE WEEK. The anxiety of watching the polls each week, and seeing talented and interesting writers be eliminated may just do me in.

To those eliminated this first round I want to say: Never stop writing! Writing is art, and serves a much broader function than being voted on, or even being seen by others.

Whew! Now on to week two?

[gaea-rising.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Gary. And yes, I know... "Poetry in Week 1? Really?" was actually what I said to myself more than once, but the topic just wouldn't let me write it any other way. I'm glad I broke out of my box a little bit and I have every intention of continuing to write Home Game entries as we go along.

Congratulations to everyone who made it past the first hurdle! Keep it up! I'll be over here on the sidelines handing out coffee and cake to the Home Gamers and passing out Gatorade along the path of those continuing the race. :)

[connie]

Oh Gary, I really like this touch of small notes about everyone who was eliminated, and I'm really glad to see you start it this early in the game. I hope you'll keep it going!

[jenandbronze.livejournal.com]

second, I hope you continue to do this!