Results - Finale

[clauderainsrm.livejournal.com]

Wow.

Let me look at that again.

Wow.

196 people came out to vote this week.

I saw some *old* friends in those numbers. It's always nice to know that people are paying attention even when they aren't active in the community.

Every time people say that LJ is dead, look at what can happen if you just push a little to get them to come out! :)

This was a back and forth struggle between two Titans of LJ Idol that had me on the edge of my seat the entire time!


In the end though, by a narrow margin - our second place finisher was the always fantastic gratefuladdict, who has managed to do this "going to the finals" thing two times. Which is, by the way, the first time that's been done!

Our winner is the first male to ever take home the crown on his own - the one, the only prog_schlock!!!

You did kittymichaels proud. He would have been really happy to see this. (Well, he would have won. But maybe he would have made you think you had something to do with it)

Congratulations to both of you!

Congratulations as well to everyone who came out for this mini season and left it all on the field. Thank you for your continued love and support!

Dreslinski out.

Comments

[kickthehobbit.livejournal.com]

! Congratulations! :D

[prog-schlock.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I look forward to reading more of your work in season 10!

[kathrynrose.livejournal.com]

Congratulations everyone!

[gratefuladdict.livejournal.com]

It was a hell of a ride!! Thanks so much to all of you for reading, commenting, voting, and being part of this great adventure. I couldn't be more pleased for my dear friend Joey - he is the perfect LJ Idol, and he'll make kittymichaels so proud!

Thank you, Gary, for making this crazy machine go. It's one of my favorite things.

♥

[noodledays.livejournal.com]

you're a terrific writer, and way to go on all you've accomplished!

[eternal-ot.livejournal.com]

Congratulations! And thanks for an Amazing Finale..:) *hugs*

[prog-schlock.livejournal.com]

You are still my favorite. Much love.

[notodette.livejournal.com]

CONGRATULATIONS!

[prog-schlock.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[murielle.livejournal.com]

Congratulations prog_schlock! What a close race that was, right up to the end. I always looked forward to your entries, and your comments were wonderful. Thanks to you and your fe-lion friends, and again congratulations,

And congratulations to gratefuladdict, too because it was such a close race. So many lovely entries from you too! Can't wait for it all to start again.

Now here's the thing. Right after congratulations and commiserations I always immediately checked out the topics for the next week whether I was writing or not. What am I supposed to do now, Gary? ;-)

[clauderainsrm.livejournal.com]

Rest, and keep an eye on the Idol page for future announcements!

[murielle.livejournal.com]

Putting eye on Idol page. :-D

[prog-schlock.livejournal.com]

I don't know what I'm going to do with myself for the next bit of time until season 10. I'll probably fall back on my normal topic - what are my cats doing right now?

Thank you!

[murielle.livejournal.com]

Me too! Well since a kitten, or maybe even two, seems to be a distinct possibility for me in the coming weeks I might just be turning into a crazy old cat lady and posting endless entries on cuteness galore.

[prog-schlock.livejournal.com]

That is just my speed! :)

[murielle.livejournal.com]

Discovered something else I can do. Catch-up and keep abreast of my flist. I completely ignored my friends while I was Idol-ing. My very bad!

[bleodswean.livejournal.com]

Congratulations to both of the finalists!! Amazing work!

And an especial CONGRATULATIONS to prog_schlock who was truly the "spirit" of Idol this mini-season. Each one of your entries affected me on so many levels. Your comments were nothing short of astonishing in their breadth and generosity. And your personal "playlists" a source of endless delight.

What a finale! Great season EVERYONE! Thank you, Gary!!!

[prog-schlock.livejournal.com]

I loved so many of your entries this season. It was a pleasure reading and thinking about them. Please finish your Persephone novella!

Thank you for being so supportive and encouraging this season.

[lrig-rorrim.livejournal.com]

*tosses confetti*

Super congratulations!

[prog-schlock.livejournal.com]

Can you teach me the secret idol handshake later?

Thank you so much and i can't wait to read more of your writing next season.

[adoptedwriter.livejournal.com]

CongrAts to Prog / Joey and Grateful/ Stacy! You both rocked! Also, thank you, Gary for another fantastic season of writings, enrichments, ups and downs and opportunities for us to connect with other talented and amazing folks! You cannot put a price on the rewards of all the positive feedback, encouragement and education moments resulting from a season of hanging with these fine writers.

Love to all!

AW

[prog-schlock.livejournal.com]

You're wonderful and in so grateful for all your support and encouragement.

[prog-schlock.livejournal.com]

Holy cats what the what? I'm gobsmacked. I'm at a loss for words but I have a ton to say. I just got back from a long, long drive and can't keep my eyes open. I'll write more tomorrow but want to say now:

I meant every word I've written about gratefuladdict. I'm her fourth biggest fan (after her husband and kids) and love her and her writing. I would have been overjoyed to see her win. Love you, GA.

Second, thank you Gary for making LJI happen and for encouraging me to play this year. You're a diabolic mastermind with a strong work ethic and a heart of gold (dedicated to evil). I think Kitty Michaels would be more filled with admiration for you.

Third, thank you to everyone who voted, commented, competed and supported this whole season. I've had a great time reading and interacting with everyone. I genuinely have no idea who you people voting for me might be but I thank you all. I'm honored to be your choice this season.

More later. Thank you everyone again.

[noodledays.livejournal.com]

it's very well earned, congratulations!

[prog-schlock.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[eternal-ot.livejournal.com]

Woot! Way to go! Congratulations!! It sure was a nail-biting finish..:)Cheers!

[prog-schlock.livejournal.com]

Right? Crazy high numbers.

Thank you!

[swirlsofblue.livejournal.com]

~*Congratulations*~

[prog-schlock.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[prog-schlock.livejournal.com]

Ok a little more to say...

sharya introduced me to LJI for season 6. She was my cheerleader and (patient and tireless) editor for season 6 and 7. I didn't tell her I was competing this season until pretty late but I'm grateful to her for getting me involved and keeping me wiring for those first two seasons. I played it solo this season, but i spent a lot of time thinking "what would Sharya say" as i was writing this season. Major thanks to her.

I want to thank everyone who teamed with me both on Team Clueless (ellison, sinnamongirl, inteus_mika and i_love_freddie) and the week 19 team (bleodswean, halfshellvenus, porn_this_way and whipchick). Teams were a really cool part of this season and while i still feel a little Clueless about them, i really enjoyed interacting more closely with all of you.

When i joined this season, I wanted to try to get out of my LJI comfort zone (fiction in collaboration with a trusted editor) and also try to just start writng again. There have been many weeks this season when I hit "post" on an entry and thought "well, that's it, I'm done. " I'd read the other entries and there world be a dozen pieces that were better written and more compelling than mine. That's not lip service or false modesty. The ratio of great writing to meh writing was especially high this season. Making it into the top 20 was a thrill and I was honored and stunned each time i survived another round. You guys really brought your A game - reading everything was my biggest pleasure this season.

Anyhow my point is that I didn't have a survival strategy or a voting pool. I did call in some friends during super power week but I've not done any "vote pimping" otherwise. I really have no idea where all those voters came from yesterday. If you were out drumming up votes, thank you whomever you are. I'm mystified and touched and gobsmacked and honored. Thank you for your support.

I've had a genuinely great time playing this season. An enormous part of that has been because of gratefuladdict for dozens of reasons. I've said a bunch about her general awesomeness everywhere but just want to reiterate it one more time.

I've also thanked Gary before, but thank you Gary again.

It's really been a pleasure. I'm honored to be part of the LJI roller coaster. What a ride!

[halfshellvenus.livejournal.com]

Congratulations to you both-- both terrific writers and contestants.

There was no unhappy ending here for me. :D