Green Room - Week 36 - Day 19

[clauderainsrm.livejournal.com]

I was going to haul out a story from the Top 7 of Season 3 that I suddenly remembered. But when I looked it up, to make sure that I had the details right, I realized that I had one important one wrong - It happened in Season 4!

I'm sensing a theme!;)

There was a well-liked contestant, who liked to let people know the poll was going on, and of course, to let people know that she was in said poll.

There were some disagreements about the ethics of pimping. Even back then, it was an old argument.

So, since she was going to asking people to come out and vote, she decided that she might as well do some social good at the same time - she would make a donation to a social cause for every round she survived. (There's more to it, but that's the basics)

The internet exploded.

Some people thought it was horrifying that someone would offer something for votes. Other people thought it was a good use of the platform she was on, to promote giving to charity.

The furor had a pretty huge impact on her, as a contestant, and more importantly, as a human being.

Because that's the one thing that everyone has in common - we are all just people. People who have been at this for a very long time, and who are coming off a stressful and intense week.

Some people are going to react to those circumstances in ways that they might not normally. Some will be more heated. Some will come up with ideas to promote themselves that might go right up to that line, and poke a toe or two over.... stress does funny things to a person.

The people who manage to hold it all together have a better chance of actually making it to the end in one piece.

There isn't a single person who doesn't deserve their spot, and who didn't more than prove themselves during the course of the season, and especially last week.

Looking at the contestant only votes that are coming in, I'm actually impressed by the diversity in most of them. Even at this late stage, you see contestants supporting each other. Which is important.

Ultimately, only one person can win this thing. Which means there are going to be 6 unhappy folks in a couple of weeks.

After all, everyone (even the ones who say that they don't) wouldn't be still in this thing if they didn't *want* to win, if it wouldn't actually *mean something* to them. Everyone has something to prove, that means that, deep down, they would like to get a little further than the next person... which doesn't mean that they don't like you. It just means they also like the idea of winning. Just as much as YOU like it!

Try to remember that.

So eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow I destroy some hopes and dreams: http://therealljidol.livejournal.com/595911.html ! Maybe yours!!!

Comments

[mstrobel.livejournal.com]

So eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow I destroy some hopes and dreams

I almost inhaled my juice the wrong way! Gary, you rock ;)

[mstrobel.livejournal.com]

Ooops. Accidental first! Guess I checked my flist at the right second :D

But Gary, I'd like to comment on one thing you said, while I procrastinate getting ready for work and sit here in my underwear.

Ultimately, only one person can win this thing. Which means there are going to be 6 unhappy folks in a couple of weeks.

I'd hope that those 6 unhappy folks aren't the non-winning 6 of the top 7. I'm not just being all rose-coloured glasses or whatever here, I think I'm speaking somewhat authoritatively as a non-winning finalist who's, y'know, been there. Seeing amenquohi's name as winner made me cheer out loud! There's nothing unhappy about getting to the end, no matter where you place.

[xo-kizzy-xo.livejournal.com]

WOOT, you're FIRST!!!!!!!`

[alien-infinity.livejournal.com]

You're FIRST!!! ^_^

[myrna-bird.livejournal.com]

Woo hoo! Hurray on being first!

[kathrynrose.livejournal.com]

Oh yay! A new Green Room.

I was about to take a sage stick and some holy water to the last one. :)


I remember that Season 4 event. We had some crazy times...

Where's my rocking chair?

[ashgaelsonaria.livejournal.com]

Gee I mustard missed something.
I hope that black n white candles weren't needed.
Also, I have two athames that disappeared round about some were.
Old houses hea. Collect spirits and for you know it there are as many noncoporial residents as the corporeal
ttfn

[xo-kizzy-xo.livejournal.com]

:pulls up another rocking chair next to you:

Ah, yes, the good old days...

Where's my Geritol?

[roina-arwen.livejournal.com]

Your rocking chair is out here on the porch, right next to mine, LOL.

Would you like a tall glass of lemonade, Granny?

[ashgaelsonaria.livejournal.com]

Hm things seem fairly civil.
I did have some trog leave ash add comments on a bunch of my youtube videos the other day with less time twinx the comments the needed to view um.
Well you cant destroy my hopes and dreams cause I don't have any.
Did go to the doctors and got antibiotics so I should actually get better soon.
My temp.was within normal range. So that was decent.

[lilycobalt.livejournal.com]

I've read over the comments from yesterday, and I'm still thinking over the pimping issue. Strictly from the sidelines, I don't have any problem asking people to vote for me. But I can't take the next step and ask people to vote for my friends. I can think of two reasons for that:

(1) I'm a softie. I don't want to see anyone go, and if I ask people to vote for my friends, then another talented writer will be going instead.

(2) Then, when all the writers are this good, I want my friends list to actually read the entries and make up their own minds instead of just listening to what I have to say on the subject. Everyone on my friends list has a mind of his or her own. I want them to read the entries and use those minds. So this week, I went the route of the rec list instead. I don't know if any non-Idolers from my friends list have come out to vote, but what I do know is that rec lists were one of the things that made LJ Idol look like fun when I was too scared to compete in season 6.

So good luck to everyone!

[impoetry.livejournal.com]

FYI, I do accept cookies and pictures of megalodons in exchange for votes. That's right, megalodons.

[alycewilson.livejournal.com]

Found one for you. It seems appropriate for the discussion:

[porn-this-way.livejournal.com]

(OH COME ON, somebody had to do it!)

[n3m3sis42.livejournal.com]

[roina-arwen.livejournal.com]

Here you go!

[sarcasmoqueen.livejournal.com]

Maybe it's me, but it appears that the link to the poll is not working. Now I'm going to have to find it all on my own...

Ohh, and what a change since last time I looked at it! Can't say I blame the top 7 for being nervous... hugs to all, remember we love you no matter what happens... xoxox

[mstrobel.livejournal.com]

Gary was so excited he accidentally attached an exclamation mark to the address ;)

[roina-arwen.livejournal.com]

I pointed out the messed up link to him. It's been fixed now. :)

[roina-arwen.livejournal.com]

I'm all for pimping. It's the fuzzy purple hats that I'm against... :D

[agirlnamedluna.livejournal.com]

*peeks in and waves* Hi everyone, how are you doing? :) I can't even remember if I played this season or not, but I miss writing for this :(

[roina-arwen.livejournal.com]

*Waves* We miss you!

[roina-arwen.livejournal.com]

Hey Gary, you say "tomorrow I destroy some hopes and dreams" but you posted this GR after midnight, and the poll closes TODAY. So really it should be "today I destroy some hopes and dreams". Just so we're clear on that, LOL.

Hey, I could always Beta your GR posts... or would that disqualify me as Gatekeeper material too? *wink*

[kathrynrose.livejournal.com]

I'm going to sit on my hands today and see how long I can keep my mouth shut, while watching the poll go nuts.

It is now officially a pimping contest. Might as well rename it.

edit - oh, well apparently it didn't last until I could hit the submit button.

[n3m3sis42.livejournal.com]

It was a pimping contest before... I just decided to officially join. ;-)

Oh, and clearly we come from the same tribe. Because I know I should have kept my mouth shut. Oh well.

[xo-kizzy-xo.livejournal.com]