Green Room - Week 25 - Day 1

[clauderainsrm.livejournal.com]

Good morning.

Before we get to anything else this week, there is an important piece of business from an Idol alumni. She asked if we could boost the signal, so I am doing that. I hope other people follow the lead:

http://users.livejournal.com/astriana_/213874.html

So, if you've got some spare bone marrow just sitting around, and you aren't really doing anything with it other than adding to your bone marrow collection like a hoarder. . .

******

Back in the realm of Idol proper - yesterday had a lot of ups and downs. The downs being losing people: http://therealljidol.livejournal.com/459301.html

The ups being the new topic: http://therealljidol.livejournal.com/459809.html

I'm not sure where people taking the chance of putting their necks out for Round Two fits in, but it should be fun! http://therealljidol.livejournal.com/459721.html

****

It was brought up in a few comments in the results thread, and I thought this was an interesting question to put out there, meta about meta:

Did Video Kill the Radio Star?
How does reading meta commentary from folks impact how you view certain subjects? How does it impact how you view certain contestants?

Comments

[theafaye.livejournal.com]

I love me some meta! It's always good to discuss how different people view situations where there's no hard and fast right answer. Personally, I'm dubious that meta impacted on the polls this week, especially when vote totals were so low and so close for most of it.

ETA: And I also love me a first!

[xo-kizzy-xo.livejournal.com]

WOOT!!!!!!!! :throws confetti:

[pixiebelle.livejournal.com]

Yay first!!!

[tamaraland.livejournal.com]

Wow, I'm actually relieved to have made it through a round two already!

[theafaye.livejournal.com]

You and me both. I was looking at it and thought that I had to write again and I was pondering the valet topic and wondering whether I really wanted to go up against the might of Basric, Joey and the Vernacular...

[xo-kizzy-xo.livejournal.com]

Obligatory Elimination Post right here (http://xo-kizzy-xo.livejournal.com/1098413.html)

I was quite surprised by how low the vote totals were, too, this week. Granted, it was Mothers Day, but I honestly don't think it would have made THAT much of a difference compared to, say, Christmas. It was just very curious. In all honesty, it made me wonder if people by and large are really reading everything.

[theafaye.livejournal.com]

It wasn't Mother's Day everywhere. And that's one day out of how many to vote?

By this stage you'd be expecting readership to be going up, not down. Certainly by now I'd started reading everything when I was following season four. But I am with you in wondering.

[serpentpixie.livejournal.com]

Meta? What is this "Meta"?
I just vote for good writing.

[serpentpixie.livejournal.com]

(Although I should point out that I know this is a hilariously subjective definition. Perhaps I should say "Writing I Enjoy Reading")

[comedychick.livejournal.com]

I don't think what someone says in their meta discussion affects my thoughts about that person. Though them willing to talk at all and discuss their ideas and thoughts might make me like them more. I'm not sure. I haven't thought about this to that extent. :P

Anyway, hubby time now!

[the-vernacular.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I agree with this! 99% of the time what someone says in meta doesn't bother me one way or another. But the fact that they participate in meta makes me more interested in what they write because I feel like I know them better as a writer.

The two times what someone says in meta bothers me:

1) When people complain in a way that makes them sound like they think that someone is out to get them or that Idol is unfairly rigged.
2) When someone suggests that there is only one right way to play the game, or that there is only one right type of writing to submit.

These won't necessarily change whether I vote for something as long as people aren't nasty about it.

If people are actively engaged in meta, it makes me excited to talk with them more.

[joyfulfeather.livejournal.com]

I don't think the meta this week affected my voting - I really wasn't thinking about groups of who had or hadn't won before. I will say, though, that the discussion from a few weeks ago about what constitutes writing to the topic has affected me. I'm more lenient than I used to be. So meta can definitely have an effect.

[vaguelyclear.livejournal.com]

about what constitutes writing to the topic has affected me.

Honestly, when I decide whether to vote for an entry, how it relates back to the topic is so far down on my checklist, it's not even funny. A lot of the time, I tend to forget about the topic when reading! I don't really see the topic as being something you *must* write to. I think it should relate in some way, since that's what this game is all about, but it doesn't need to be an obvious connection. Not for me, anyway.

[agirlnamedluna.livejournal.com]

Obligatory timezone bitching:

Gary, round two is really not very fair on us outside of Us timezones. I saw the announcement this morning, when all spots were already filled. Even if I stay up to see the polls, there's no way I can justify staying up even later to write something before the spots fill up.

You close the polls at 1-3AM ... not exactly fair to add a time sensitive round on top of that.

[vaguelyclear.livejournal.com]

when all spots were already filled.

All spots for round two? They haven't filled up yet. Only five people have posted for round two so far; there are still seven spots left :)

[beldar.livejournal.com]

Radio Stars usually die by substance abuse or aircraft incidents, but I suspect some are bucking the trend and dying of natural causes related to age.

The meta discussions haven't really influenced my voting; I leave that to the entries themselves.

Thanks for including me among "legendary icons" of Idol in the elimination post. For more gratitudes, see my LJ (http://beldar.livejournal.com/736239.html).

[xo-kizzy-xo.livejournal.com]

Whoops, I completely forgot about the "legendary icons" comment! That's what I get when I first read when I'm overtired, like I was last night...

Wow, we're legendary icons. Who would've thought?

:boggle:

[pixiebelle.livejournal.com]

I'm really not sure if the meta had anything to do with the results or if it's just a coincidence considering how many vets were left? There was a high number than usual, correct? I wouldn't think the number of newbies would have the power to get rid of all vets, nor do I see the remaining newbies doing something like that.... This whole season has just been crazy with who goes when. Nothing is ever predictable and it sure keeps me on my toes, as I imagine it does for everyone else too.

I'm just sad to be at work after an amazing weekend. I'm not ready to be here yet. The San Diego adventure with java_fiend was wonderful beyond words. We competed in the race, hung out in the Gaslamp quarter for a bit and then went to the San Diego zoo on Sunday! Soooo much fun! I'm glad to have someone in my life who can be completely goofy and childish with me :)

[the-vernacular.livejournal.com]

I sort of forgot about the newbie/vet meta! The fiction/nonfiction meta definitely made me think a lot more.

[nyxocity.livejournal.com]

Meta doesn't affect me one way or the other. Nothing does, honestly, except for whether or not I enjoy what someone's written. One exception: People who are mean to other contestants or complain vociferously re: Idol will not receive my vote ever again. But that only happened for me with one person, and they've been out of the competition for a LONG time now.

I'm pretty sure the meta didn't affect the voting. Considering the high number of vets left, it doesn't seem that odd for four of them to go out this week. If the trend continues over the next few voting rounds, then I'll break out my conspiracy theory tin foil hat. :)

Not happy about it being Monday again. I want to be back in bed, snuggling with my big shaggy beasts. I need more coffee, or something.

[pixiebelle.livejournal.com]

I'm with you on meta not affecting my voting. I agree, there are people that I really have angered me that I might choose not to vote for based on them being outright mean or an ass...but that's rare since Idol people are, for the most part, great. There have been a couple in the last two seasons...I'm not a fan of Idol bashing. If you don't like it here, leave. Don't ruin the fun for the rest of us. I have no qualms of seeing someone going our that bitches about how horrible the game is...there are plenty of people who went out that would rather be here and others who want to be here while they obviously don't. I'd rather keep someone here that wants to be rather than someone who doesn't, regardless of ability sometimes. But that's very rarely come up so I don't think about it much.

My giant dog has been sleeping next to me, head on her pillow and all close like a human. It's too sweet and cute, I find it hard to get up when I just want to snuggle with her :)

[roina-arwen.livejournal.com]

Astriana's sister is at the same hospital (Moffitt) where my cousin Peter received treatment for his leukemia (he died over a year ago, just FYI). I'm apparently not eligible to be a bone marrow donor due to my diabetes, but I feel for her.

As regards to your meta question, I don't read all that much of it, so it doesn't really view how I feel about other contestants, any more than Rec posts would.

Today we are in Niagara Falls, and our hotel is about a 4 block walk from the American side of the falls. We will be heading over there shortly - whee!

[http://users.livejournal.com/astriana_/]

Thanks, roina_arwen. Although I know he was at the best possible place for treatment, I'm sorry for your brother's loss.

It's been a crazy-hectic couple of days between the drive and our brother arriving from Germany. (He had to leave again this morning.) Our end total from Monday's drive was 70 people who came out to be tested. Even if none of them are a match for Susie (which will be hard to take), they will all be part of the National Bone Marrow Donor registry and could be someone else's hero. Susie is home between treatments right now, and mostly feeling okay, but her number continue to be too low for transplant right now, donor or not. It's been a rough road so far - especially considering how close to true remission she was before the bottom fell out.

[lawchicky.livejournal.com]

I love reading meta. Sometimes it winds up giving me a lot more insight into the post (which can be a good thing or a bad thing really). Either way, I like to read it. However, I'd have to say that it rarely influences my vote. I tend to vote for the entries I enjoy the most. Some weeks I'm more selective than others. It depends on what's out there.


I was thinking about throwing my hat into the second chance ring, but I had some more work piled onto my plate this morning, so that deadline is looking very tough. I'm glad to see we have until Thursday for our regular entries though. I'm pretty sure I know what I'm writing for the main topic. I just need some time to sit and write.

Otherwise, it's another week here of work work work, kids kids kids. I SO need a vacation, but I'm closing in on the 5-week mark until we leave for Seattle, so I can't complain too much!

[pixiebelle.livejournal.com]

I wanted to throw my hat into this weeks round 2 to get it out of the way...if that's going to be my downfall, I'd rather not stress about it since I have to do it one way or another...but I lost Sunday (my usual writing day) due to our trip and I lose one evening to an MRI, leaving very little time for my main entry as it is since I only get a couple hours after work each day as it is. I hope I can do it next week and maybe the stars will align to let me get it in this week after all...but that's doubtful.

But man, this is a rough twist!

[xo-kizzy-xo.livejournal.com]

I am now dressed and ready to start my day!

:boggle:

Heh, I was just thinking of how many Mondays I've spent in the GR...

Anyhoo, Kidz must be walked and I must go out and about for a bit. Catch everyone later!

:blows kisses:

[drjeff.livejournal.com]

Here's all I've got today. :)

(http://www.flickr.com/photos/sistermaryeris/5700732769/)

[pixiebelle.livejournal.com]

I saw it on FB and didn't get a chance to say congratulations!!!

[joyfulfeather.livejournal.com]

Here's a non-meta-related meta question: is there a general cutoff for what you feel is "too short" for an idol entry, particularly this late in the game?

[the-vernacular.livejournal.com]

I think it depends on what it is? I mean, I know that a 40-line poem can take longer and more effort than a 700-word piece of prose. I'd never not-vote for something based on length alone.

But I would say shorter pieces get more scrutiny as far as me thinking about why the writer chose short.

[beeker121.livejournal.com]

It's Monday and I'm at work. Which I know is normal for most of the world but really weird for me, and everyone in the room. It should be interesting.

[serpentpixie.livejournal.com]

Work? What is Work?

[joeymichaels.livejournal.com]

I've been in the national bone marrow registry for years because of Alana Dung (http://www.alanadungfoundation.org/). Thousands of us in Hawaii registered our marrow when her story initially broke. I update my information whenever they request. Twice now, I've been a candidate for donation, but both times they found a better match before they needed to do any blood or marrow work on me.

Seriously, if you're healthy and willing, being a part of the national blood marrow registry (or any similar registry in our home country) can potentially save a person's life - and not like when you donate blood and it saves many lives. One particular person out there might need your particular marrow.

[http://users.livejournal.com/astriana_/]

Thank you so much for your input, joeymichaels - and for being in the registry. Who knows, maybe you'll end up being Susie's match! ;p

[snarkerdoodle.livejournal.com]

I love to read meta posts when people do them, as I find it fascinating to see how other people view the contest and the people and the aspects of everything.

Does meta affect my voting? Not really. Someone posting really interesting meta might get me 'noticing' them more or something, but I would still vote on the strengths of their work, etc. And someone posting negative meta -- I guess the difference would be 'unpopular opinion' versus 'being an asshat.' The former, I don't think I could care too much about that. I'd just disagree in my head and move on, lol. But someone who's just being an outright ass to people or something (not that I've seen this happen), it's likely I might pass them by.

[joeymichaels.livejournal.com]

Oh! Meta response!

I don't think that meta effected the outcome of the votes, but I do thing that the fact that the outcomes of the votes reflected something about the meta discussion may (and I stress "may") be relevant. To whit, there are some uncontrollable forces at play that lead to certain outcomes in this particular contest. I don't really have any theories as to why the "female, American, newbie" stereotype tends to win LJI, but the fact that that always had happened so far (and that last week's votes reflect that) does seem to have some significance.

I would suggest it is more a correlation relationship, though, than a causation relationship. To whit, being aware of the stereotype is not the thing that makes it happen.

Indeed, the total number of votes per person each week is so comparably small and there are so many competing strategies at play that I suspect that there is no real discernible pattern.

One statistic that I do think is of note, for me at least, is total number of journal reads per entry. Four weeks ago, 120 people viewed my entry (using LJ stats). Last week, 64 people viewed my entry. I assume there were a few bots mixed in with real people there. My total number of views is almost half of what it was four weeks ago.

The total number of voters in the poll has remained fairly consistent in that time frame.

Are other people experiencing an LJ Stats notable drop in viewership? Is this a function of LJ Stats not being reliable? Do fewer people read as the season approaches its end?

[the-vernacular.livejournal.com]

I hadn't even thought of doing this! Are you calculating stats for the whole week or just the day or posting?

Here are my views and unique visits for the day of posting on my posts from Week 20 on.

Week 20: 190/39
Week 21: 164/37
Week 22: 173/38
Week 23: 139/38
Week 24: 158/34
Week 24, Round 2: 267/52


So, up until that Round 2 entry, not too much of a discernable difference.

[http://users.livejournal.com/astriana_/]

Gary, many thanks from my family and me for posting this and boosting the signal. We had a total of 70 people show up to be tested. Even if not one of them is a match for Susie, they could still help save someone's life. Also big thanks to anyone who happened to see the note and either show up to the drive or go to the website (http://www.bethematchfoundation.org/site/TR/TeamBeTheMatch/TeamBeTheMatch-FY10TeamRaiser?px=1483498&pg=personal&fr_id=1461) for more information.

(I apologize for the delay in responding. Between the drive and our brother's arrival from Germany, I haven't been on the computer since late Sunday night.)