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[personal profile] clauderainsrm
Good morning from the bus!

How is your week going so far? The Governor gave us off from Monday until Christmas next week. Which some people are seeing as generous and others are wondering just what anyone is going to get accomplished on Thursday and Friday. :D

***
To answer some questions/comments from the last Green Room:

- Yes. It’s true that there was a mini season where there were two winners. If you recall though the THEME of that mini season centered around “intersections” where people would partner up. So that result got the theme AND they went quite a few rounds of tie breakers that went nowhere. In other words, very specific situation that, to me, does not fit into this mini season theme or foreseen circumstances. I mean never say never. But it’s not something I’d count on either as we approach the finale.

- There’s a theme to this mini season? Yes. I never said it outloud but it’s “back to basics”/old school. The few twists there have been are all things that appeared in the first 3 seasons. (Or are slight variations on them )

- Woukd I move the competition to Facebook? I allowed writers to compete FROM their Facebook before. Back when “Notes” was a thing. LJ allowed people to vote FROM their Facebook and other social media which boosted our visibility and IMO was a very good thing to get that exposure. But as others have stated, FB doesn’t have the basic capacity to function the way Idol would need it to function. Groups have polls, but as someone who runs other groups on FB, they don’t allow for links in the poll which is very important. So - would I consider FB as an alternative’s answer is “Yes” IF it was something completely different than it actually is. 😝. (In other words, no. It’s not viable even before you get to the privacy issues.)

***
Here’s a poll. Make with the clicks! https://www.dreamwidth.org/poll/?id=32372
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[personal profile] clauderainsrm
It looks like Helena may be coming for a visit.

Which is very unwelcome. Hopefully she continues to pass us by, but even so, unless she stays further out in the Gulf, that's still the business end of a storm that has been pretty unpredictable as far as path and strength.

I'm mentioning this because the deadline is Thursday  therealljidol.dreamwidth.org/1164341.html

If for some reason that is unable to happen, I'll let you know. But the plan is still on.  

If you don't know what I'm talking about or want to follow along, check out Mike's Weather Page  spaghettimodels.com/

It's not the site that I've always pointed people to over the years, But that one didn't see this forming. It wasn't even a speck. My bosses kept pointing people to Mike's, which showed this system as an area of concern *last week*. 

Stay safe - and keep reading, commenting and voting! 
clauderainsrm: (Default)
[personal profile] clauderainsrm
 There is a vote, of a sort, happening right now therealljidol.dreamwidth.org/1160666.html

It's definitely not the vote that was planned.  In fact, it runs completely contrary to the "big picture" of this mini season of getting back to basics.... although, and I'm literally realizing it as I write this. Back in the first 3 seasons, when people missed the deadline they competed to see who was eliminated and everyone else played for special prizes, like Immunity!  So it's really a "back to basics" idea that I happened to stumble on accidentally.  :) 

I hate the idea of shifting something in midstream, but honestly I think this has the potential to make things a little more interesting in the coming weeks. Like the Black Mark hanging out! So it's two old school twists right in a row! (Is this a prelude to the next mini season??? *cue the suspenseful music* ) 

With the byes about to expire, I know people have been hanging on to them strategically to get to the next step. I guess the "strategic" question now is do you use them and lose out on a potential opportunity to gain an advantage but guarantee your safety, or do you roll the dice and keep them in your pocket to attempt to gain another advantage??

***

Anyway, how are you doing? 


***

oh, and as of this moment I've recorded and responded to all of the votes I've received. So if I haven't responded to you, let me know so I can check my spam folder!


clauderainsrm: (Default)
[personal profile] clauderainsrm
 Just as a reminder that anyone with a DW/Open ID (which includes LJ) is able to vote. If you don't have a DW account, you can click on the "Open iD" option on the Log In page. therealljidol.dreamwidth.org/1147601.html

***

The big local story here is that the Tampa Bay Rays have finally finalized a deal for a new stadium.  Which means they are staying in the area, an option that at one point seemed highly unlikely. 

But if you don't care about baseball, you probably don't care about that.  Fortunately though, I live in Florida. Which means there are always "Florida Man" stories! 

wjbr.com/2024/07/25/man-jumps-between-hotel-balconies/

lawandcrime.com/crime/who-wants-that-mojo-on-them-florida-man-wanted-for-repeatedly-stealing-stretchers-from-funeral-homes-cops-say/

www.fox35orlando.com/news/man-arrested-after-running-over-florida-beachgoer-e-bike-deputies

www.fox35orlando.com/news/florida-man-pulls-gun-former-boss-threatens-kill-everyone-over-75-deputies

www.wftv.com/news/central-florida-man-accused-drunkenly-driving-golf-cart-leading-deputies-chase/06783f5e-de77-4b3b-a69b-2af4d5ef89cf/





clauderainsrm: (Default)
[personal profile] clauderainsrm
The new poll is up:therealljidol.dreamwidth.org/1147601.html

***

I've been doing busy work for most of the day today while we waited for IT to set up my access. It wasn't until this afternoon that someone mentioned that it was done. In the meantime, a bunch of emails came in (including an invite to a Town Hall meeting that was this morning. No one mentioned it to me.). I set up my Outlook and saved a bunch of sites to my Favorites and stared at the 3 giant monitors in front of me with that "What if I'm a fraud? How am I going to learn all of this?" 

The answer to the second part is, of course, OVER TIME.  I'm going to learn it the same way everyone does, learning it as I actually start doing it. Falling down. Getting up. Being better. Asking questions at every stage. 

But in that moment I had one of those "I need to run!" fear wash over me. So I just took a few minutes and found a couple small tasks that were easy to accomplish. 

***

Anyone else excited about Deadpool and Wolverine? Or am I the only one who has heard of this obscure Indy film that will be playing in some out of the way cafe in Portland? 
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[personal profile] clauderainsrm
The poll closes tomorrow night.  Have you been reading?  Have you been voting? (I can say from the number of votes, and checking to see who has/hasn't voted that the majority of you should be saying "Not yet" for that last question.)   therealljidol.dreamwidth.org/1144477.html

Every vote is critical to someone's survival. So make sure to get out and support the entries you love! Are there any entries that you don't think are getting enough attention? Now is the perfect time to call them out and stump for them!




clauderainsrm: (Default)
[personal profile] clauderainsrm
 Today is the day!  Which is true with every day. Regardless of the specific day, it's ALWAYS "The DAY!"

But in this case, it's a special day to us specifically. The first poll is closing tonight and it's pretty close in who might be voted out.   therealljidol.dreamwidth.org/1142509.html

So if you haven't voted yet,  now is the time to make a difference!

If those of you who HAVE been reading, and voting.... what are some of your personal favorites from this week's entries that you don't think are getting enough attention? 

For those who haven't been reading - what are some of the hurdles you've encountered this week that put you behind on keeping up? 




clauderainsrm: (Default)
[personal profile] clauderainsrm
 Good Morning and welcome to July!

More importantly than that - welcome to the day of the first topic/prompt is going to be posted and we get started with whatever this particular journey is going to look like. 

The sign-up sheet is open until 7pm ET. today  (Thank you to the person who messaged me reminding me that I forgot to put the time zone. It's those details that were once standard in my head that I need to remember. :D)  therealljidol.dreamwidth.org/1138078.html

I have noticed a couple things on that thread though that I need to remind YOU about. 

Make sure you are linking to a specific entry and not your main journal. That becomes important when your weekly entries because who wants to scroll down to find which one you are asking people to check out? 
The other is locked/friends only journal entries. I can not, and will not, tell anyone "You need to make those public!" because it's your space. BUT I can tell you that if no one outside your immediate circle is able to read it, no one outside your immediate circle is going to be able to enjoy it/give you feedback and ultimately cast a vote for it to keep you in the competition. So that's your choice, but that's some unsolicited information.

***

We currently have 43 contestants so far. Which is pretty good. I wasn't sure what to expect this time around. Included in those are *3* people with the possibility of crossing the 200 entry mark! 1 of them is almost guaranteed to do it. For the other 2 it will depend on various circumstances. But if nothing else they will come a little closer. 

***
It's the start of new week, a new month, and for many (including my old job) it's the start of a new fiscal year!  It's a chance to start again. 

What do you have planned to make the most of your reset? 
clauderainsrm: (Default)
[personal profile] clauderainsrm
Good Morning, or whatever time it is when you read this.

Last night, we had the results of our FINALE!! Only to find out, due to yet another tie in this mini season of ties, it was just the first stage in the finale. https://therealljidol.dreamwidth.org/1066088.html

***

I also confirmed via email with those handling Kate's memorial that not only is it OK to have the Kathrynrose Spirit of Idol award - but that next season there WILL be a prize for the recipient, that they will be donating.

It makes me wish we had been in a place to set something up for Siggy after Luna died. Which is kind of the opposite of what I'm talking about... but that's how my brain is working right now.

Anyway, this has been a rough mini season emotionally. I'm going to celebrate the winner and get started on the next full season - but in between I'm definitely going to try my best to get some rest in there as well! :)
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[personal profile] clauderainsrm
Rod Stewart sang "Tonight's the Night" (recorded at Muscle Shoals, so of course the backing band is the best part of the song. :D)

In this case, he was right. Tonight is indeed the deadline night. It's up for debate on if everything is "gonna be alright" though. That is for the voters to decide, and if today's voting is anything like the last couple of days - and weeks - and months, there is no telling how this is going to shake out. https://therealljidol.dreamwidth.org/1061039.html

The only thing that I *do* know is that a talented writer is going to be leaving us. The only mystery will be "which one".
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[personal profile] clauderainsrm
The poll is still happening: https://therealljidol.dreamwidth.org/1058515.html
and it's still anyone's guess how this is going to work out - especially with the Jury making their final decision!

***

I'm in that weird place of "there's a lot I should be saying in these final days" combined with "I'm not sure what it is that I should be saying". :)

I'm kind of it in that same place with the next season. I know it's happening. I know when it's happening. When it's happening. I even have a plan for what I need to be doing in the off-season. But I'm also "If my plan works - I'll be a LOT busier than I was this time!" :) It's that catch-22 of wanting to bring in new faces up against the comfort of things being how they are. ;) The problem being that at the rate we're losing folks - there won't be anyone left soon! :O So stay healthy and well!!! More importantly STAY ALIVE, and not in the Bee Gees way!
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[personal profile] clauderainsrm
The poll is ending today and we will be losing two more contestants https://therealljidol.dreamwidth.org/1055546.html

It's still really close, and spoiler - so is the Jury's voting for immunity. So I really have no idea how this is going to end up shaking out today, other than we are going to be losing two talented writers from the competition, and gaining the final two members of the Jury.

So if you want to make sure your favorites survive to fight another week - I suggest voting for them and getting the word out for folks to read, comment and vote!

***

So how many tickets to you get to see End Game and how long did it take you to get them? (since that seems to be what is all over my social media feed right now)
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[personal profile] clauderainsrm
Plans don't tend to change that often when it comes to Idol, which is why I like to be upfront and tell you when it does, and why.

I had planned on announcing the new topic last night. But as I was about to do so, I had a change of heart and decided to instead start everyone on the same footing in Week 13. So it will be announced following the results of the Write Offs.

Which, speaking of the Write Offs, that's another thing that changed. I had intended them to be regular polls. I was created them. I was in the process of posting them. After an hour of weird error messages and the poll itself not showing up (to the point that I ended up checking to make sure my paid time hadn't expired, it hasn't. Yet. It's close though) I was at the point where I started considering other options. The one that made the most sense was to have a Contestant Only email poll.

Given that this is for who is moving forward, I might as well put it before a true Jury of Your Peers to make the call. Especially since the general readership was unable to make a clear decision.

I've had a few ineligible people email me - and I've had to let them know that I couldn't take their ballots. Which sucks. I would love to take as many votes as possible - but to be clear: Contestant Only means "if there was a poll posted RIGHT NOW, your name would be in it". (or could be in it, given that there is a Write-Off happening. :D)
If your name would be in the poll - I can take your ballot.

If not, then I can't.

Voting is VERY close again, but there are a lot of voices that haven't been heard from yet. So who knows how this will play out. You only have until tonight though - https://therealljidol.dreamwidth.org/1034807.html


***

How was your weekend? Did you enjoy the giant blood moon? (or whatever it's called)
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[personal profile] clauderainsrm
Second Chance's first poll comes to an end tonight! Only you can save your favorites! Make sure you do it, before someone else saves theirs!! *cue dramatic music* https://therealljidol.dreamwidth.org/1026480.html

There's also one more day for the main competition's poll - with that same advice - https://therealljidol.dreamwidth.org/1026883.html *cue even more dramatic music*

***
*cue the most dramatic music of all*

I mentioned this elsewhere, but I did have a dream about our Final 10. Some of it is fuzzy, and of course I won't name names... and most importantly, my dreams don't vote - and I vote for everyone. So I can't determine how this is actually going to shake out. My only reluctance of saying is that I then put targets on people. But as long as you keep in mind that I'm just discussing a dream...

And of course, all of this is utter speculation based upon this dream. Which means it's completely meaningless other than to... *cue dramatic music that goes beyond even the most dramatic music* get you thinking "does he mean ME???" :)

Based solely upon this dream:

- 1 "high profile contestant" (who people think has a great chance of winning) drops/byes out before the Top 20. Another before the Top 15.

- There is at least 1 "flame out"/melt down before the Top 10.

- Before the Top 5 there is a dramatic finish resulting in a shocking elimination. (or they decide to quit. Either way it's on the home stretch of the game and it causes a shake up)

- At least 3 members of the Top 10 are going to be from Second Chance.

- 1, possibly two, members of the Top 4 aren't on anyone's radar as winner picks right now. There's a good shot, if they get there, that one of them actually wins this thing.

(Which, to be fair, that's usually the case - it's either "underdog triumphs and finishes strong with surprise ending OR "Goliath does what is expected, and crushes their competition". :D )

*cue disco music and opens the dance floor*
*shoots disco music*
clauderainsrm: (Default)
[personal profile] clauderainsrm
We had a few more Golden Tickets come into the game last night, for a total of 9. I'm currently trying to resolve a problem someone was having ordering, so there is a chance of a couple more coming in this morning. Just a heads up that the number might change.

The other important number, is that as of right now, our Purse stands at $403.59! Keep in mind that up to $500 is going to be matched. So we are getting closer to that goal. If we do end up getting it up to $500, that means our Final Four will be walking out of here with $125 each! That's pretty exciting. At least to me.

***

Another thing that is exciting, to me, and maybe to the rest of you as well - tonight is when the Gatekeepers are going to finish turning in their votes. Which always makes me nervous. Keep in mind that at any given Gatekeeper round, the majority (if not all) of the people involved are former Idolers and in Idol tradition, they make me sweat until the last minute to see if they are actually going to be on time or not! :D

In their voting, so far (combined with the last few weeks) I think I see a potential Top 20, it's the first time when I can truly say that I've been in a place where I can start playing out a projected "end game"... BUT the great thing is, Second Chance has the potential to completely blow that up!


Make sure YOU let our contestants know what you think of their work by commenting! https://therealljidol.dreamwidth.org/1021851.html


***

Speaking of Second Chance, the sign up sheet is going up tonight!! So make sure to let people know!!!

***

and speaking of letting people know - How many of you watched the Survivor finale last night? What did you think? What are you thinking about Edge of Extinction?
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[personal profile] clauderainsrm
Voting is SLOW right now, which means that it's going to be one of those "heavy at the end" kind of polls. It also means that every single vote is going to end up being that much more important. So if you want to keep your favorites in, make sure to vote!

https://therealljidol.dreamwidth.org/1019856.html

Note: Right now I have *one* vote that has come in that I haven't officially received and recorded. So if you haven't heard from me, make sure to check in to make sure that it didn't end up going astray. (It's rare, but it's always good to make sure you've received a receipt)

***

Also of note, I've noticed an influx of Garys on social media and on my television. Especially on commercials. The name seems to have taken off back into popular usage after being in obscurity for most of my life.

I am taking credit for this. I assume that all mentions of "Gary" are characters based on me. Even if it's someone you know in Real Life, I think it's completely reasonable to assume that they were named after me. Unless they were born first. In which case they are time travelers who were named after me.

Ultimately though, these other Garys are poor substitutes. Accept only the original, and the best. The me.
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[personal profile] clauderainsrm
The poll closes tonight: https://therealljidol.dreamwidth.org/1016945.html so make sure that your voice is heard.

It's funny, because I took time yesterday to reread the ones "at risk" (many of them have since changed) and I enjoyed all of them. Which just may be where we are in the mini season.

Tastes are going to be different, and of course, the deep we get into the month of December the more scarce votes *could* become (just by the nature of the month). So here on the edge of it, let's make sure to keep all of your favorites in! (Whoever they may be, because they might not be someone else's favorites)

So if there is something that caught your attention this week - *especially* if it's someone "in danger" - now would be a really good time to mention it, to make sure that other people have seen it!
clauderainsrm: (Default)
[personal profile] clauderainsrm
Who isn't getting enough love this week? https://therealljidol.dreamwidth.org/1013689.html

I know that you are looking at some of the current results going "Why is ____ not getting more votes?" So now is your chance to bring it up so that other people, who haven't voted yet, can make sure to go check it out!

After all, the poll closes TONIGHT. So this is your "speak now" moment - one last chance to give someone a chance to be thankful for *you*!
clauderainsrm: (Default)
[personal profile] clauderainsrm
https://therealljidol.dreamwidth.org/1002642.html is where all the poll fun is happening - why not go join them?

Read. Comment. Vote for your favorites!

***

I finished a book the other day. Which isn't huge news, people finish reading books all the time. What is remarkable about it though is that it left me feeling "blah". Not a "this is awful", more of "why did I spend my time reading that?"

I'm not going to "book shame". ;) But it's been awhile since I picked up a book that while it kept me reading it, it really didn't make me feel like it was worth my time by the time I reached the end.

Which I think is a cardinal sin that all writers need to be acknowledge - make it worth the reader's time! Granted, other people may feel differently (I checked the reviews and it has a 3.3 on Goodreads, so decidedly mixed). Ultimately though, you need to be writing to justify MY time reading it. Me. Gary. Other readers? Do we really care about them? No, of course not...
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[personal profile] clauderainsrm
The sad part of any week is losing someone to elimination.

It's really difficult at the end, but it's really rough at the start as well - because really anything can happen. Someone might not have their feet yet. They could still be figuring things out. I've seen some strong writers go out in the first couple of weeks just because no one got around to reading them yet.

Unfortunately, it's the nature of the beast that needs to be fed.

But there's a way to make sure that YOUR favorites don't get eaten - TELL PEOPLE ABOUT THEM!

What have you read that really stood out to you this week? Especially if it's from someone you've never read before!

The poll closes tomorrow, so there is still time to spread the word and change the fates! https://therealljidol.dreamwidth.org/999752.html

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