Green Room - Week 1 - Day 6

[clauderainsrm.livejournal.com]

I have some good news!

I can now confirm that Season 10 of LJ Idol will be set 30 years after Season 9's finale, and feature the children (and grandchildren) of this season's contestants!

That may have been news about something else, but I'm going to assume that I heard correctly and confirm it anyway!

***

I have more good news, which I don't have to re-check, that the Week 1 poll is happening now: http://therealljidol.livejournal.com/716621.html

For those people looking at the numbers and panicking just a little: Keep in mind that the poll doesn't close until tomorrow night. That means that a lot of people haven't read yet, and most of them probably haven't voted. If you are down, you're not out!

If you are up, that also means you might not be completely safe!

There is a rule in the Amazing Race "don't be last". You don't have to finish with the highest numbers every week. The secret is to not finish with the lowest!

(so much for my reassurance mode)

The best thing to do is if you see an entry that you love, make sure other people know about it! What is it? Why is it so great?

Make your pitch! Do it here, or anywhere else people might be able to read what you are saying! (Just remember to encourage them to actually *read* the entries!! That's really important. It kind of defeats the purpose of getting support if you're not actually gaining readers!)

***

Something else to keep in mind, and despite how diverse the group is, it's something that often gets lost in the shuffle. A wise man once said, "The world don't move to the beat of just one drum. What might be right for you, might not be right for some".

That wisdom has lived on through the ages, and definitely applies here. People are going to have different opinions on "good", "bad" and everything in-between. They are going to have opinions on what came off poorly, and what worked just right.

I know that I've had favorites who "go out early". I can't really do anything about it, because I only have one vote (and I vote for everyone). But you can.

This is your space and your time. "Newbie", "veteran", "real furry blue thing from Alpha Centauri", "person who can't recall if they have ever been here before due to massive head trauma" - you get to decide how this season shapes out. Use that power wisely.

Comments

[kandigurl.livejournal.com]

Frist?

[kandigurl.livejournal.com]

Second dance!

[agirlnamedluna.livejournal.com]

No one is ever safe with you *shudders*

[kandigurl.livejournal.com]

NOW THAT I HAVE ACTUALLY READ THE POST:

I haven't read everybody yet, because I am Slow-y McSlowerPants when it comes to reading, but here's who I'm really digging thus far:

eeyore_grrl, kathrynrose, ljidolvillian, theun4givables, and whipchick.

I'm sure I'll have more to add after today. :)

[theun4givables.livejournal.com]

<3 <3 <3 <3

Thank youuuuu. :D

[i-will-not-say.livejournal.com]

I have yet to read everything and make a Proper Rec List(tm), but I wanted to drop by and say that heeroluva is getting nowhere NEAR the votes her entry deserves. You all should check her intriguing and well-written story out! :D

[bleodswean.livejournal.com]

Just did and you're right. Thanks for pointing it out.

[n3m3sis43.livejournal.com]

Hm, random ones I've really liked:
abigailendersby
locknkey
muchtooarrogant
tamaraland
theun4givables

(I've only read about 75% of the posts so far)

Uhhhh... I forget what else I was going to say. I haven't looked at the poll yet because it makes me twitchy.

[theun4givables.livejournal.com]

I still appreciate your help/feedback on mine. :) You're right, you could really tell which entry I wanted to actually write, hah.

[theun4givables.livejournal.com]

hosticle_fifer's entry amused the ever living crap out of me -- and I haven't even played the game in question (though I know of it). ;)

kickthehobbit's post is a perfect example of this week's topic, told in an easy and down to Earth way that rings true (which is good, because it is!) and keeps your interest the whole way through.

kandigurl's post about TURTLE MAN makes me wish I could see the Legend in action. <3

muchtooarrogant's post is the perfect Dad Joke and certainly brightened my mood a bit, this morning. I'm sure his daughter will eventually regret the acquisition of braces -- eventually. ;)

witchwife took this week to a whole new level with her Choose Your Own Adventure take on this topic, with each piece just as engaging and amusing as the last. :D

...and that's it for my poor little rec list. Read, people! Read everyone's! There's some really good stuff out there. :)

[kickthehobbit.livejournal.com]

thank you! :)

[dreamsreflected.livejournal.com]

I must confess GR I am one of those terrible people who hasn't finished with the reading/commenting/voting. But I have a babysitter for 8 hours so I suspect by the end of that I will have soldiered through.

What kind of morning go-juice do you recommend? coffee? tea? kale smoothie? rocket fuel? baby has been up 2-5 times a night for an hour at a time every night for the last two weeks so I might actually be clinically insane at this point. ohhhh look a squirrel!!

[i-will-not-say.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry you're not getting proper sleep. That sucks. :/

If your mind is that far gone, you'll fit right in here in Idol Land, at least?

Also, my go-to morning fuel is coffee. Mmm... COFFEE!!! (Which is why my icon is of a teacup, of course....)

[cacophonesque.livejournal.com]

I want to encourage everyone to read raven_annabelle, who I talked into playing for the first time. I felt a strong connection with her entry--and I know that as a newbie, she might not be getting noticed much.

Also my friend ohelectricshock, whom I talked into coming back again for a full season (she did Exhibit A). Her entry this week was beautifully written and emotionally raw. She's nearly a newbie, so I also don't want to see her get overlooked.

As for me, last night the SO turns to me, points to my entry (which is open on his tablet) and asks "Did you write this?" I was a little confused since he was the one who took over bedtime for our daughter so I could finish my entry. I was like, yeah... why? And then he told me that I don't talk like that. To which I replied "I did when I was 18!"

[whipchick.livejournal.com]

I am LOVING reading through entries and re-discovering writers whose work I love, as well as finding new voices! There's some particularly clever, exciting and fun work out there this week.

I'm not done reading, but here's a bit of a rec list so far -

alephz simultaneously writes and sends up a genre, very skillfully!

kickthehobbit captures the double nostalgia for one's youth and one's past, and the difficult feeling of mourning the death of someone you weren't that close to.

shimmerdream is clever and fun, using the prompt in multiple and unexpected ways.

talonkarrde88 writes a chilling moment in a defendant's head. Extra-squicky, but not gratuitous at all.

the_lettersea made me laugh out loud, and a certain distinguished poet roll in her grave.

Happy reading!

[kickthehobbit.livejournal.com]

...dang. Thank you! :3 doubly-proud because it's something I wrote as well as something I edited (Sean's).

[porn-this-way.livejournal.com]

Why does the furry blue thing gotta be from Alpha Centauri, hmmm? Just what are you implying about fuzzy cerulean life forms?!

[anyonesghost.livejournal.com]

That they're Real furry blue things from Alpha Centauri. Not wishy-washy or milquetoasty. They're like a combination of Lewis & Clark, Paul Bunyan, Jack Bauer, Squirtle, and Gonzo the Great all rolled into one.

(I forget which Hitchhiker's Guide book Gary's referencing here, unfortunately, else I'd cite Chapter/Verse.)

[phoenixejc.livejournal.com]

I have some good news, too!

I got the big job I interviewed for on Monday!! WOOT!!!!

Anyone want to join in a big happy dance with me??

*kermit flail*

[p-m-cryan.livejournal.com]

Dance dance dance!

[p-m-cryan.livejournal.com]

I loved many entries this round, but one that isn't getting enough votes, in my humble opinion, is the one written by morleysnow. It stands out to me as completely original and it just resonated with me a helluva lot.

[thenodrin.livejournal.com]

We went out and celebrated my sweetie's birthday last night with a dinner at The Melting Pot. We were out late and I'm having trouble staying awake.

Hopefully, I'll be awake by noon for my scheduled "writing time."

[roina-arwen.livejournal.com]

Last night was my hubby's birthday too! Tell your sweetie Happy Birthday from me.

Mmm... The Melting Pot! Yum. Did y'all get the free dipped strawberries? They always email me a coupon for the strawberries around my birthday... :)

[p-m-cryan.livejournal.com]

I am sooooooooooooo tired.

No real point to make, but I think I'll curl up in the corner for a while.

[roina-arwen.livejournal.com]

Here, have a comfy chair!

Rec list

[eternal-ot.livejournal.com]

here's my rec list -
alexpgp
banyagirl1832
bewize
kagomeshhuko
kajel
kandigurl
kathynrose
penpusher
roina arwen
smittenz
whipchick
witchwife
And do check mistearyusdiva2 she's a newbie here..:)...i am just halfway thru..sorry for ppl i haven't reached yet...till tomorrow!

Re: Rec list

[roina-arwen.livejournal.com]

Aww - thank you kindly! :)

I'm only about halfway through the polls myself - two down, two to go. :)

[eeyore-grrl.livejournal.com]

So. Much. Reading.

Wow, there is so much Jayus in my head it's ridiculous! And inspiring, yay writers!

[x-disturbed-x.livejournal.com]

It's a word none of us will ever forget now. :P

[suesniffsglue.livejournal.com]

I've really enjoyed being back in idol. The one thing I love most about this community is that the writing is so central. It would be so easy to just self-promote and vote only for our own entries, but instead, feedback and genuine appreciation is valued more than personal progression in the game. Such a very awesome thing. I am picturing us all as a Seussian little town of happy writers.

[clauderainsrm.livejournal.com]

I've really enjoyed having you back! :)

[x-disturbed-x.livejournal.com]

I am terrible at making rec lists but here we go. It really follows no method and is just completely random. XD

kittenboo
poppetawoppet
i_will_not_say
caile
sweeny_todd

[i-will-not-say.livejournal.com]

Aw, thank you. <3

Mr. Creepy is pleased his entry showed up here, though the guy also just thinks he deserves to be on a rec list. I think he has a bit of an ego....

[lrig-rorrim.livejournal.com]

I've read and voted in two of the four polls, and I'm hoping to get through the other two today, and then there shall be lists and a bit of a commenting spree.

"This is your space and your time. "Newbie", "veteran", "real furry blue thing from Alpha Centauri", "person who can't recall if they have ever been here before due to massive head trauma" - you get to decide how this season shapes out. Use that power wisely.

I... Have... The POWAH. How exciting. And I'm pleased to hear that this is my space and time. I've been working hard on seizing this timeline for my very own. Acknowledgement of that success makes me happy. (Psssst. Don't tell anyone else I'm a real blue fuzzy thing from Alpha Centauri. I've tricked them into thinking they're seeing things due to the head trauma.)

It is snowing. Again. And I may go out for tea and miso soup later, because there are insufficient quantities of both those things in my house.

[roina-arwen.livejournal.com]

With the caveat that I have mostly only gone through Polls 1 and 3 at this point (with the occasional random other entry here and there pre-poll), these are some of the entries that I enjoyed that aren't doing especially well right now and could use more love/attention:

alifetolove, allie63, Heather_Hambel_Curley, ljidolvillian, locknkey, malruniel11, paws2see, rayaso, and rswndrlst

Just my 02 cents, but they are all worth checking out!

[paws2see.livejournal.com]

thanks for the mention! :)

[dusty-chenille.livejournal.com]

I'm brand-new this year, and I have been enjoying reading all of the entries. It's nice to have such a wealth of writing to check out.

And maybe I'll even make some new friends along the way - bonus.

[i-will-not-say.livejournal.com]

Random question for you Idolers: do you ever have dreams about your characters or stories?

That doesn't actually happen to me, but a friend of mine had a dream about one of MY characters. He didn't show up in my brain, but he showed up in hers. I thought that was amusing and interesting. The character's gone viral (though it's a localized infection)!

[abigailendersby.livejournal.com]

All the time! Sometimes I really wish I wouldn't because I just end up with so many AUs... >.>

by the numbers

[clauderainsrm.livejournal.com]

We ended up with our second highest contestant count. (behind only Season 8). The downside of this is that it's the first time that the initial contestant count has been down rather than up.

It changed this morning as more sites became active, but I happened to check the "Community standings" LJ rankings last night as in the "past 24 hours social ranking" we were 5th! (actually beating out a couple of ONTD groups!!! Glee and the Japanese one, but comeon, those count! ;) The only non-ONTD other than us in that Top 5 was customers_suck. (just checked, we are currently 8th!)

57th overall in LJ groups for activity! Pretty much every other group above us allows every single member to post directly to the community and end up being spam-filled!

This season we have a NEW "youngest ever contestant"! (not sure if I've mentioned that before. Probably did! I just think it's cool) (previous record holder was 5, this one is 3)

This season has the most "people that I know from RL" as well as someone that I knew from somewhere else online, who decided to throw their hat into the Idol-ring. So that's exciting/intimidating for me!

Re: by the numbers

[whipchick.livejournal.com]

How cool!

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

How I Met the Winner of Season 10?

[clauderainsrm.livejournal.com]

I'm going to start telling that story now. I'll be finished by 2024.