Green Room - Week 0 - Day 1

[clauderainsrm.livejournal.com]

Good morning and welcome to the first day of the poll! http://therealljidol.livejournal.com/713877.html

I've seen various questions floating around from the newbies, so I figured that I would answer some of them here. I'll answer others of them in the emails that they sent me, and still others I will answer in my own head. The voices there have quite a few questions.

"What is happening???" - Life. Universe. Everything. The TRUE answer isn't 42, that's just how many times you will be refreshing the poll every hour. :)

"How many people can we vote for in each tribe?" - You can vote for as many entries as you feel deserve your vote/support. That's the difference between a check box poll and a radial one. The check box means you can select as many options as you like.

"Why are the tribes arranged like that?" Because that's how the English language alphabet is set up.

"I have more than one eligible account, can I vote with all of them?" I have a hammer that's really good at smashing things. Can I borrow your fingers?


"How do I know when things are due?" I will make a Topic post with that information for every topic. You may want to subscribe to the "Topic" tag. OR, read the daily Green Room. I try to remind everyone about important information in here. I may also say things that make no sense and/or threaten you. That just goes with the terrority.

"Did you really extend the Sign Up period?" Yes, I did. I had several emails from people saying "I want to play" who hadn't signed up yet. Plus, I've been seeing quite a few "What is that?" comments on people's Introduction posts. My hope is that by giving them a little extra time, that they will decide to sign up and play. Normally, my reaction would be "Sorry, you missed it!" but there's no "Well, you can play next season!" So I'm trying the whole "being a little bit more generous" tact and seeing how that works for me! :)

So tell people about it: http://therealljidol.livejournal.com/711493.html

"Is it true that Flight MH370's passengers are now Idol contestants?" No. They are all former Idol contestants who didn't sign up for this season. That's why no one can find them.

"Why are you so awesome?" Just because.

Comments

[pen-name.livejournal.com]

Good morning - Guess that makes me first.

[n3m3sis43.livejournal.com]

First! *hands you a cookie*

[anyonesghost.livejournal.com]

So I'm trying the whole "being a little bit more generous" tact and seeing how that works for me! :)

Documenting for posterity. This will all end in tears, I know it.

[n3m3sis43.livejournal.com]

It usually does. XD

[n3m3sis43.livejournal.com]

Damn, I guess it's a good thing I signed up for Idol... and that skipping the intro post didn't qualify me for the Mysterious Disappearance Club (yet).

[adpaz.livejournal.com]

Same here. I've been dealing with a lot of joint pain over the last week and it's made typing rough. (I just love childhood illnesses that have worse/different symptoms in adults. :-/)

[adpaz.livejournal.com]

Good morning, all! I'm looking forward to today. Both kids in school, a "me" day ahead of me, and permission given to treat myself. Yeah, I'm looking forward to today....

[kajel.livejournal.com]

Yay! I am going to have about 2 hours of me time real quick here. Hurray for preschool.

[jem0000000.livejournal.com]

I've got two more, but only the first one is specifically for you -- one, when is the new deadline for signups, and two, is LJ being (comments and formatting) weird for anyone else, or do I need to fiddle with the internet settings on my end to fix it?

[clauderainsrm.livejournal.com]

LJ is being LJ. Which is why I can't edit the Sign up post right now.

But when I do, it's going to say that the new date is Monday, March 17th (St Patricks Day!) at 7pm EDT.

[kajel.livejournal.com]

Off to take the kiddos to preschool, then to read intros.

[shay-writes.livejournal.com]

Good morning everyone! I'm starting my new LJ Idol schedule today. No more sleeping in if I want to read all the entries.

The love of a good woman has mellowed Gary. It is a wonderful thing to behold.

[alien-writings.livejournal.com]

Refreshing the poll ONLY 42 times an hour? Why, Gary, you underestimate us!

[n3m3sis43.livejournal.com]

It's probably an average that includes people like me who didn't write an intro and therefore aren't bothering to check their votes at all. :)

[baxaphobia.livejournal.com]

Good morning! Hope all are well today. I probably won't be too chatty today. I need to read as many intros as I can. And in between I might get some actual work done. hahah! Everyone have a great day!

[shay-writes.livejournal.com]

On Monday morning I was happy I only had 20 more to read. Then last night that number tripled! (This doesn't mean I don't enjoy the intros, just my free time isnt as vast as I would like it and I'm suppose to be editing)

Good morning Bax!

[sweeny-todd.livejournal.com]

You really are awesome. :-)

I had all these plans of getting to bed early tonight (although it is still before 10, so that could happen...)

but I got side tracked. my parents are coming to visit in May, so I have planned this massively whirlwind trip, and I am currently trying to decide which onsen ryokan to take them to.

I thought I had found the perfect one, but it doesn't have non smoking rooms, and now I think I have almost decided on this one (http://english.ichinoyu.co.jp/shinanoki/room/index.html), then again, maybe this one! (http://english.ichinoyu.co.jp/honkan/room/index.html). but I am so not sure!

anyway, so that is what I have been doing instead of getting ready for bed :-/

[kajel.livejournal.com]

lol You and I are thinking alike. I spent all afternoon yesterday looking for an inexpensive place to stay when I visit Tucson, Arizona in April!

ooo, the one facing the river!!!!

[millysdaughter.livejournal.com]

So I'm trying the whole "being a little bit more generous" tact and seeing how that works for me! :)

Hahahahahahaaaaa

Gary just wants more new hippies to kick

[shay-writes.livejournal.com]

*giggles*

by the numbers

[clauderainsrm.livejournal.com]

"100 place in default community rating"

We are currently the 100th most popular community on LJ. (there are A LOT of communities!)


Thank you! Now let's go after those ONTD groups! ;)

Re: by the numbers

[jem0000000.livejournal.com]

Ooooo! Commando raids and cookie fights!

...How do you raise a community rating? Is it members-based, or posts, or what?

[kittenboo.livejournal.com]

The thing about being new to idol is its scary, but you have a mountain of ideas from which to choose from to write about, literally anything you ever thought about could be the beginnings of an entry. When you have played for several seasons you feel comfortable but, at least for me, have a harder time determining what to write. Because I've written about most or all of my best stories. So what is left? And then there are things that I could continue to write on, but I can't just start where I left off because who knows who remembers that or even read it.

Just something I'm thinking about this morning.

Anyone else have any thoughts on the matter?

[monkeysugarmama.livejournal.com]

So true! Our memories are finite so that makes it tough to continually come up with strong stories that fit the prompts year after year.

I'm hoping, as it's been a few years since I played, that I have restocked the pond as it may be and have enough new stories to tell that it won't be too difficult to be entertaining.

Also, there's no rule saying we can't share a familiar story that we have new insight about. That might be interesting - culling through other seasons' recollections and writing the same stories with the perspective of having lived another decade since I wrote them!

[eternal-ot.livejournal.com]

Haha...that last line made me chuckle for sure...phew!! glad that everyone has some queries and you are generous enuf to answer them...:)...as for the reason I'm so awesome..well ain't I participating In LJ Idol now!!

[xo-kizzy-xo.livejournal.com]

Good morning greenies! Right now I'm on break. I'm trying to stay awake. Very difficult while you're standing up :p

[joyfulfeather.livejournal.com]

I'm also trying to stay awake - I kept dozing off at my desk earlier! I'm a little better now that I've had caffeine, at least.

Don't fall asleep standing up and fall over!

[roina-arwen.livejournal.com]

Our Internet was out most of last night, then I tried to get to sleep early (ie: before midnight) since I had to be up an hour early today to do front desk duty at work. Of course, I slept like crap - I'm still blaming DST - but at least I have a triple-shot hazelnut macchiato to help with the woozies! *Yawn*

Bowling league tonight; that will be fun!

[banyangirl1832.livejournal.com]

Hazelnut flavored drinks are so yummy!

[adoptedwriter.livejournal.com]

Morning GR! I'm subbing in the AM. Proctoring tests. Bo-ring! Running errands w The Mothership in the PM and working at Curves in the PM.
With an extended deadline, maybe I'll have more reading time? I can hope!
Jellybean is hanging in there, basking in all the praises and complements from " her" entry. She's one determined, old kitty.
AW

[clauderainsrm.livejournal.com]

Other deadlines are not impacted by this.

[isle-of-apples.livejournal.com]

Reading entries is going to drastically overhaul my morning Internet routine. Not that this is a bad thing.

[kickthehobbit.livejournal.com]

^This.

[kickthehobbit.livejournal.com]

reading, commenting on entries, AND commenting in the Green Room?

...let's see how long this lasts.

[vaudy.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it won't take me too long to get to the point where reading and voting is about all I can manage, with the occasional Green Room appearance.

[momebie.livejournal.com]

It is Taco Tuesday. I thought you all should know.

[clauderainsrm.livejournal.com]

West Coast Avengers <3

[shay-writes.livejournal.com]

OH GRAP!

After voting for the first poll, I realized I need a spreadsheet but have no idea how to make one. (I know right?)

Is anyone willing to hook me up with a basic template or something? (I have no idea what I'm doing where spreadsheets are concerned)

*flails*

I need a flailing Kermit icon too!

*runs in circles*

I didn't realize my brain fog memory would be so wonky. I was looking at the poll and thinking "I don't remember reading this user's entry" for a large number of people.

[lrig-rorrim.livejournal.com]

Here you go (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Ao5PT8UfSHwMdHd0ajYtbmI1R3hnOW8tUUhvY3VSN2c&usp=sharing)

That's got all the contestant's names (I think - I was going by the poll last night, but I still might have missed someone or messed something up) down one side, and the week/topic across the top.

Now, that particular spreadsheet is a copy of the one I use for making notes and coloring stuff and keeping track of things, and it's public and open to everybody and anybody, so you won't want to take notes in that particular one (unless you want everyone to see what you think and who you're voting for, and also be able to edit it. Heh. Doesn't sound like a good idea to me).

Use this as a template. Select the A column, copy it, and paste it into a new spreadsheet (you can make one on google doc/drive/whatever they're calling it, and make it private for yourself). Then just add in the topic at the top, and you're good to go.

Edit: If you've got questions about navigating around a spreadsheet, feel free to ask me. I'm not expert, but I've played with them a little bit and they're handy.

Is it just me

[reborn-spirit.livejournal.com]

Or is anyone else wishing there were "like" buttons for comments / entries?

Re: Is it just me

[p-m-cryan.livejournal.com]

No, I want a "like" button, too!

[tigrkittn.livejournal.com]

My husband is calling himself an "Idol widow" already. Which is ridiculous because I'm spending much more time (so far!) doing other things besides Idol.

We're moving in NINE DAYS and have approx seven boxes packed. This is not good.

The busy season at work has hit early.

I'm doing ten hours a week of Elance freelance because Mr. Kittn got laid off a week before we closed on the house.

Plus I'm taking seven credits/three classes this semester.

Has anyone seen my brain? I was sure I had it right here, a week or month or something ago...

[clauderainsrm.livejournal.com]

Have him sign up, then he can see you again! :)

[p-m-cryan.livejournal.com]

It's morning here for twenty more minutes, so Good Morning Green Room!

I am working my way through all your entries, and I have vowed that this season I will be better at replying to comments left on my blog, Idol-related or not.

My music this morning has been The Alan Parsons Project - I ROBOT; Genesis - FROM GENESIS TO REVELATION; and The Beatles - RUBBER SOUL. I expect the afternoon is going to include Dick Dale, Black Eyed Peas, Daikaiju, Pale Young Gentlemen, The Cramps and The Dubliners.

What are you listening to?

[lrig-rorrim.livejournal.com]

I'm listening to a mix from one of my sweeties, which includes a ridiculous amount of TMBG (I am not complaining about this), quite a lot of DaVinci's Notebook, some Jonathan Coulton and Kate Covington, a splash of The Postal Service, and a few things from Nate Borofsky and Django Jones.

Your selection sounds awesome. I haven't listened to The Alan Parson's Project in forever, and now I find myself wanting to hear them...

[theun4givables.livejournal.com]

Need to get crackin' on reading the rest of the introductions -- I have read the first 100 of them, but still have at least that left to read. Ouch.

In the meantime, I am keeping a fierce eye on my child because he was very pukey last night. Knowing him, he's totally 100% fine right now, but I still had to keep him home from preschool etc just to make sure.

But at least he's eating and keeping food down?

[p-m-cryan.livejournal.com]

I hope he keeps food down. Poor little guy... and sympathies for you. I know that's not helping your sleep or state of mind.