Green Room - Week 14 - Day 2

[clauderainsrm.livejournal.com]

It's pretty interesting - I tried to listen to my own advice and today was a pretty awesome day all around.

Sure, maybe not ideal. But it definitely one of the better days of the last few weeks.

I won't lie, happening to see some really positive and introspective meta about what Idol means to people certainly didn't hurt. ;)

But all in all it was just a really good day. Even the start of a season of Survivor that I wasn't exactly jumping up and down about (for the first time ever) turned out to be much better than anticipated.

So - Good Job Wednesday, and here's to Thursday that continues the trend!

What do we have on tap for your viewing and Idoling pleasure? We have a New Topic http://community.livejournal.com/therealljidol/428897.html

and our First Home Game thread of the season http://community.livejournal.com/therealljidol/429997.html - Which means plenty of new things to read!

If you are stuck, or just want to talk about your entry/what you like in an entry you can wander over to the Work Room http://community.livejournal.com/therealljidol/429153.html and of course there is the matter of a Tie-Breaker going on, so there are two people who really want you to read their entries fairly immediately and make your voice be heard http://community.livejournal.com/therealljidol/429765.html

How have you been working on your week? What new avenues are opening up in Casa You? (Which, avenues probably "shouldn't" be inside of a building, but maybe your life is a really big building!!)

Comments

[millysdaughter.livejournal.com]

**brings cookies**

Hello?
Anybody here?

[pixiebelle.livejournal.com]

I'm here...but just to grab a cookie and run!

[roina-arwen.livejournal.com]

Ooooh - cookies! *nom*

[wookiewife.livejournal.com]

Mmm...cookies...

[dreamchaser.livejournal.com]

*waves hello, then grabs a cookie*

[pixiebelle.livejournal.com]

I actually wanted to write positive Idol meta this week, but RL is a killer...so glad some folks have done it though as there's so much good to be said. I don't get those naysayers who claim to despise Idol, yet come back and keep playing. If I really dislike something, I don't have anything to do with it. Period. Heck, even stuff I do like gets pushed aside for Idol...that should show you how much I like it here. I revolve my life around deadlines and even deprive myself of sleep to post in the GR :D

I've met great people here, I love the challenges that are presented and I'm a freak that likes the evil twists (as long as I survive them that is). This game is awesome and I find it sad that more people don't take the time to write about the good. We let the negative folks spread their opinions while keeping our happy thoughts to ourselves.

What I'm really trying to say is...I love you guys :-)

[comedychick.livejournal.com]

<3 Much love to you!

[clauderainsrm.livejournal.com]

I will say, after years of doing this, that the vast majority of the time when you see a negative comment that it doesn't have a lot to actually do with Idol.

Sure - there's a "I don't like this twist" or "this set up" heck, there's a few "I just plain don't like Gary all that much". It happens.

When the person is able to articulate them, sometimes those things actually lead into twists for future seasons. (The Work Room being a prime example of something that came from a "negative comment" that I took to heart quite some time ago and wanted to figure out a way to make that happen for them.)

The Tie-Breaker system is another really good example. Or this season's tribal system, as controversial as it is in some corners.

So I do listen. I just don't change things for every random comment and some things require some thought to determine if it's a legitimate complaint or just someone venting. Most times it's someone venting - because it's easier to go off on an internet writing competition and how unfair it is than to address how unfair some aspect of your personal life seems to you.

I've already had it happen a couple times this season where someone had a few "choice words" about Idol, and when I talked to them in private, wanting to make sure they were OK and find out what was going on, it turned out there were personal issues.

I think that is the case more times than not.

Not just with people going off on Idol, but with life in general - it's easier to hit something unrelated than it is to tackle the big problems. We all are guilty of it at one time or another.

I'm not saying that it doesn't suck.

I'm not saying that when I read them I don't take it extremely to heart.

I am saying that I think even the biggest "naysayer", who keeps coming back, has something about Idol that they love. I'm glad that is the case. I like to think there are enough things with this place, and this game, that people who don't agree on a single other thing can show up, write and interact side by side for months on end and even though they end up annoying each other to distraction - both of them, at the end of the day, still have a really good time.

At least that's the hope. :)

[momebie.livejournal.com]

This is my first year in Idol and I just love it because I've learned so much. I've learned about other people and points of view and my own writing. And since those are my favorite things to study I'm happy as a clam. I've been ignoring negativity when I see it. Otherwise I just sit at my laptop feeling paranoid that no one likes me and that I'm doing everything wrong. It's my first try! You guys have to tell me if I'm failing at it!

[drjeff.livejournal.com]

Aw. Love you back.

[roina-arwen.livejournal.com]

I'm here, I've watched Survivor, and am catching up on the most recent episode of Worst Cooks in America. I recorded it the other day, but something must have run late as the last 20 minutes got cut off, argh. Fortunately, I just turned on Food Network, and the episode was replaying so I'm catching the last 10 minutes of it. Not perfect, but at least I'll get to see who gets cut!

Also, I've written and posted my topic for this week, so with luck I'll be able to get ahead in the reading for a change, w00t.

Work it kicking my butt this week - it's hard to get data entry done with up to 8 phone lines interrupting me all the time. C'est la vie...

[wookiewife.livejournal.com]

Oh shoot, I completely forgot about Worst Cooks in America this week! *facepalm* Maybe I can bribe the babies to be mellow during naptime tomorrow so I can catch it on-demand!

[the-vernacular.livejournal.com]

Whew, I just finished my post for this week. I think I took a big risk with it, but I wanted to push my own personal boundaries and comfort level as far as the type of thing I can write.

[roina-arwen.livejournal.com]

I got mine posted too! Yay us - it's a big load off, isn't it? :)

[comedychick.livejournal.com]

I'm with Pixie. I've got a lot of good things I could say about Idol, but I just don't get around to writing them down and sharing them. So maybe I should in this Green Room.

1. I have met some pretty damn amazing people here. In fact, I don't even IM anyone these days who hasn't participated in Idol in one way or another. The people I IM who I knew pre-Idol have, minimally, voted at least a few times, but majority have at least participated either as a contestant in the main game or second chance. I've heard positive thoughts from them, too. The people I IM most, though, are all people I met through Idol. They've become really good friends to me. I've even been lucky enough to meet a couple Idolers in person and hope to meet more.

2. The deadlines. Man, without these weekly deadlines, I just wouldn't likely be writing. Idol has pushed me to write things I've wanted to write but never got around to, like screenplays, fiction, and even a song.

3. Heck, I wouldn't have even made my music video in Hawaii if it weren't for Idol.

4. Reading some pretty awesome writing. Okay, not everything submitted is going to be everyone's cup of tea, but chances are you will find something you like if you read enough. I'm not a big reader, but I come here to LJ to read because I find it easier to find things I'll enjoy here.

I think Idol basically becomes what you make of it. If you look at it positively and seek out what you want to get out of it, you'll get that. If you focus on the negative stuff, though, that's all you're going to see.

[pixiebelle.livejournal.com]

I figured more people could write what they love...we just don't because we think it's obvious in our interactions and participation week after week.

Would I drive myself this crazy writing for deadlines and topics that make me think if I didn't love it?!? That's how I often feel.

[wookiewife.livejournal.com]

I just got completely sidetracked by Cookie Monster on Top Chef. Sorry. What were you saying?
My entry for this week is not coming out. I think we're going to have to slice my brain open to extract it soon. Here's hoping that inspiration strikes before the scalpel.

[millysdaughter.livejournal.com]

**loves Cookie Monster**

Coooooooooooo-keee!

[creature-girl08.livejournal.com]

What is happening at casa creature_girl08? Um, let's see, got up, dressed, had coffee and took meds, then left for the day. Came home about an hour ago and cleaned the bathroom. Yuck! Gunna visit my bed right quick here after catching up on LJ for the day.

[xo-kizzy-xo.livejournal.com]

I'd take up the entire GR with everything I could say about Idol. And maybe kick Gary a couple of times too ;)

The bottom line is:

If I didn't freakin' love this place, this game, and all of you, I sure as hell wouldn't be here.

Simple!

[comedychick.livejournal.com]

LOL. Look how much room I took up. :P

[puppetmaker40.livejournal.com]

I have to take my second pass this week due to entirely too much going on at home.

Toy Fair was fun now onto Farpoint.

[joeymichaels.livejournal.com]

Hey, after reading your entry about how you are a repository for all mythic knowledge, I dropped a couple of small details into my current entry with you in mind. There's a barely hidden Greek myth connection.

You're probably super busy, but if you have a chance, swing on by. :D

[momebie.livejournal.com]

It's Thursday! I woke up yesterday morning thinking it was Thursday and was plum disappointed to remember that it was only Wednesday.

I want to apply for a new position within my company that I'm probably not qualified for but that would make me happy. Because of this I sent my resume to a friend to look over. My resume got me an A+ in both my Writing for Public Relations and Advertising Campaigns classes way back in 2006, but since I'm a) not in college anymore and b) a good five years older, there are apparently a lot of things that need to be changed. This makes me despair slightly, but it'll be good for me, this whole review process of which parts of me are relevant for the task at hand and which aren't.

It's actually a lot like the struggle I'm having with writing now. Heh. I also sent off my Idol post for this week last night. We'll see how people react to that and if IT needs lots of changes before I can put it up.

[pixiebelle.livejournal.com]

Good luck with the new position! I hope you're able to get it! *fingers crossed*

[tigrkittn.livejournal.com]

I was just thinking the other day that I wish there was a Meta Thread, because I love Meta and feel as if I often miss the good stuff, either because they're not on my friends list or I miss the GR post about it.

Other than a few local friends and my husband, pretty much all my favorite people in my life now are ones I met through Idol. This has been an amazing experience and brought me some truly wonderful friends I hope I get to keep forever.

I hadn't written anything other than regular journal entries in 15 years before I joined this game, and based on reading some older entries I think my work's been getting better from having deadlines forcing me to practice.

I do complain about the tribe system, but only because I got put in the wrong tribe where I was totally outclassed!! ;)

And I joke that Gary's evil (ok, it's not 100% a joke...) but I'm really totally in awe of what he does for us and the time and effort he puts into this project, in exchange for... mostly hearing people complain about him being evil. *offers Gary belated Valentines cookies*

[pixiebelle.livejournal.com]

But look at how you survived in the most brutal tribe. That should tell you something about yourself since while it's been close, you've made it week after week while others haven't :)

[ckocher.livejournal.com]

I have two television programs to tape today. Then I'm taking tomorrow off! A forecast of 55 degrees, melting snow, garden beds that are just begging to feel the gentle caress of my shovel ... oh, that's definitely my happy place. Or at least one of them. :-)

[pixiebelle.livejournal.com]

That sounds nice :)

I've always wanted to garden...but I don't exactly live in a place that I can do that.

[ravenshrinkery.livejournal.com]

I'd like to tell my Idol story.

I first directly encountered Gary while over on Dreamwidth. I am part of the service's volunteer staff (I head up spamfighting) and tried to use that leverage with the userbase to start a game similar to Idol over there. In particular the hope was to create a game that wouldn't result in having to wait several months before you could play again if you got knocked out.

(Side note: this was what made me rather uncomfortable with people using alt journals in the main game here - part of the spur to put out my level best every week is knowing that if I really flub it I'm likely done and won't get another crack at it for quite some time).

We had a heart to heart chat about it all, there was a solid mutual respect and understanding for each other's position, and we actually grew to like each other. I'm sure I wouldn't have played if those conversations had gone sour. DW Idol didn't get off the ground, which was rather disappointing for me because there is so much talent over there, but it's a very different sort from here. DW is well known for attracting fandom, but also for attracting controversial writing of all sorts because our policies are very strict: if it's legal speech within the USA and Maryland it is allowed and we'll vehemently defend it even if we vehemently disagree with it.

I credit actually writing in Idol with bringing out a creative spark that I never knew I had. I've had a few nailbiters while playing, not quite as many as some people, and I've also enjoyed the elation that comes from lots of positive comments and high ranking in polls. I've had people thank me in private for things I've written and call me out in public for things I shouldn't have. I even had one person buy me paid time to encourage me to keep writing (and it wasn't my spouse). I think the pressure of Idol (and in general, the pressure of deadlines and quality expectations) inspires my best work and I've already learned so much about it.

Sometimes I'm a cynic about it - for instance, I regard a "safe" entry at this point in the game as something I call "Dark Chicken Soup". What I mean by that is a slice-of-life entry that's generally depressing but with a slight bit of uplifting hope towards the end. It won't likely win any polls, but it's generally not something one would go out on if it's well executed and generally on topic. A piece of humor gets votes based on how funny the readers thought it was, not on how well crafted it was. Politics can be dangerous, especially if expressing an unpopular opinion. Poetry goes over poorly because people (myself included) don't understand the devices that require skill to execute well. I was encouraged early on to take chances and experiment with different styles and voices, and while I'm very glad I did, the same pressure that spurs my writing also makes me feel like my options are limited if I want to survive.

There's also the issue of strategic voting, which seems to be one of those subjects that nobody wants to bring up. I can't blame people for doing it - no matter how good someone's entry is, if you're close to being eliminated and so are they I would try to preserve myself. "Pimping" is somewhat controversial, but I am looking more and more at it as reminding people who would otherwise be inclined to vote that they should and that it's important :). There are more wild accusations during things like the contestant-only votes that strategic voting was used to get rid of really strong writers in the interest of "taking down the ace". I personally think that's a bit over the top, but I think attitudes like that contribute a lot to why nobody wants to talk about it.

I don't know how much actual truth is in the above, which is why I think my view is cynical. That may very well come up as a byproduct of trying to chase down my Muse any given week. So I pose it to all of you for comment.

[pixiebelle.livejournal.com]

Hey now....so you must not like most of my entriessince I tend to play it "safe" and leave a happy message at the end of my depressing entries? :P

I will say my reason is not to play it safe. I write what calls to me. Sometimes, I need to write about stuff I'd never tell another soul in typical conversation. Things from my past that I need to deal with. But I don't do pity well. I despise it. So by putting a happy twist on it, I feel less like a pity play. Plus, I'm a positive person who always tries to put a positive spin on stuff in my life. I wasn't always that way and by adding a happy spin, it helps change my "woe is me" mindset on the subject. It's cathartic to me.

But man, now you have me re-thinking everything :P

What you say is true. I never thought I could write some of the things I've produced. I'm rather cynical about my own abilities, but I sometimes surprise myself. Watching the polls and doing well, getting amazing feedback from others...all that really helps me feel better about my abilities. Which is saying a lot because I'm downright mean and hateful to myself.

This proves that once I start going, I NEVER SHUT UP.

[tentaclecore]

I've been thinking about replying to this since it was posted, and inbetween fighting with my outline for my novel_bigbang project and house stuff, I've formulated something semi-coherent. Apologies in advance for the tl;dr.

I joined IDOL to play with rejeneration. I had seen her entries during season six and didn't really know the mechanics of it, just knew that, "hey, this is the sort of stuff I want like to write and she has a place that welcomes it right here!" So I tracked the community and waited for the next sign-up to come around. I in no way expected to stay in here as long as I have, especially after I found out about the tribe system and such, but these last fourteen weeks have definitely been a total trip.

Whenever I sign up for something writing related, it's an extremely selfish endeavor. I'm looking to improve, and if this thing I'm looking at won't help me there, then fuck it. So IDOL for me has been a multitude of things, little improvements that add up over time, most of which I didn't even forsee back at week one, or even week ten.

+ Trying new things. The sort of entries I've posted for IDOL are things I've never posted, not even when I was in fandom. I realised early on that my weakness is in plot and strength is in character study--because nothing really happens in those, see--and have been poking at the problem ever since. This leaves me writing and posting things I'm not comfortable with, but stretch me as a writer because it's out of my safety zone. And the positive feedback that comes with each and every nervous venture outside my little box encourages me to keep going for it, keep trying the different angles until I figure out whatever I'm trying to figure out. So far this season I've managed humorous-on-purpose, serial killers without getting gory (ugh), mental people without the cliche (uhm, still working on that), and dialogue. Oh, dialogue. My nemesis. I'd stab you in the face if I could.

+ Socialisation. I am naturally a lazy person when it comes to correspondence, which comes from being an insomniac in a city full of early-risers. I lose threads of conversation easily, don't reply for days on end, plain forget until I'm cleaning out my inbox and realise, Shit, didn't reply to that. So IDOL has forced me to be relatively prompt in my responding to comments, in actually getting out there and saying something on other entries (and yet I still don't comment as much as I'd like, alas D:) and just generally being more sociable. I know how to be polite, but I don't know how to stick my neck out from behind the walls of my pillow fort and say hello.

+ Deadlines. Getting much better with them because of IDOL, which is awesome. They used to make me break out in a cold sweat, now it's total "eh" up in my house when the new topic is posted. It'll get done when it gets done. No use freaking and peeking about it.

+ Love of first person perspective. I HATED first person when IDOL started, but have come to sort of adore it after thirteen weeks of reading well-written entries in that p.o.v. Thank you for fixing some of the damage Twilight had wrought.

+ Semicolon usage! I had honestly forgotten how to use that little punctuation mark, and a few weeks ago I managed to figure it out again. THE POWER OF THE SEMICOLON IS RUNNING THROUGH MY VEINS AGAIN! PLEASE EXCUSE ME WHILE I GO BLOW UP THAT METEOR CURRENTLY HEADING FOR EARTH! *plays Aerosmith*

+ Friends! There are a couple of people I haven't got the confidence to approach and ask to friend, but for the people who I have gotten to know outside of IDOL, I adore completely and fully. You guys are all awesome, seriously ♥

This turned more into a waffing love post than anything. I blame being awake for two days and currently experiencing an overdose of coffee. COFFEE.

Re: This proves that once I start going, I NEVER SHUT UP.

[drjeff.livejournal.com]

Mmmmm... waffing.

[drjeff.livejournal.com]

There's this great old Peanuts comic strip in which Linus and Charlie Brown are walking to school together. It's show and tell day, and Charlie Brown asks Linus what he's bringing. Linus pulls a scrap out of his bag and tells Charlie Brown that it's a piece of the Dead Sea Scrolls, and goes on to explain a little bit about it. Linus asks Charlie Brown what he's bringing, and he says, "well... I was going to bring this fire truck."

That's how I feel about posting in this thread after reading the huge thoughtful entries above. Hope you like my fire truck. :)

[dizzydog.livejournal.com]

Heheh, at least you have a fire truck to bring. I'm at the "I got a rock" stage of Charlie Browning it :D

I want to post a bit more than "Me too!" but there's a lot of what I feel stated in the GR already :)

[java-fiend.livejournal.com]

What new avenues are opening up in Casa Me? I dunno that I like how that sounds, buster.

Still grinding through on my entry... but it's coming along.

Just kind of a clusterf**k today. I'm just kind of all over the board today. Ever have those days where your head just isn't quite right and everything is just... off? Yeah... weirdness. This too shall pass.

Hope everybody is having a great Thursday!

[pixiebelle.livejournal.com]

*hugs* I sorry your day is that way, honey....

[beeker121.livejournal.com]

At the moment I am mostly damp. It was raining and blowing so hard on my earlier walk across campus that my umbrella turned inside out. I thought that only happened in movies.

[comedychick.livejournal.com]

Ahaha. No, not only in movies. I've had that happen to me a few times too.