LJ Idol Presents:

Every season is different. There are different people, in different combinations and if I were to map out how each of them were going to go, I would fail at it every time.

This season's theme was modeled after the Muppet Show, a crazy cast of characters all doing their own thing, with a frantic frog trying his best to make it work as a coherent show.

I think the Muppets may have been based on real life LJ Idol events. :)

The season itself certainly fulfilled that theme. It was long, it was difficult at times, but I hope, at the end of the day, that it was fun.

The poll is now closed and the votes have been examined. Which means that it's now time to make the official announcements:

In third place we have one of this season's biggest cheerleaders and (I hope) someone who is going to be around to help push this competition into the future. It's kind of fitting that someone like her would finish in the same spot that agirlnamedluna did in *her* first season.

Congratulations to bleodswean

In second place, I will come right out and call her this season's powerhouse. Because that's what she is - and I have a feeling that she will continue the proud tradition of Second Place finishers like notodette in knocking things out of the park for a long time to come.

Congratulations to gratefuladdict

In first place... well, that could only be one person now couldn't it?

She first showed up in Idol during Season 4 and ended up taking a far too long sabbatical from us, and writing on a regular basis. Now she has become the second veteran to win, as well as being a genuine, all-around kind person and talented writer! None of those are easy to obtain.

Congratulations to our Winner, Your LJ IDOL for Season 9- suesniffsglue!!!

Thank you to all of our finalists and to all of you who participated in making this season so very special.

I hope that you know how much I truly appreciate your continued support.

LJ Idol will return for a mini-season and a Season 10, but for now...

Dreslinski out!

Thanks to my friends in the Indiana Legislature - after this week's vote, I am going to pass a rule barring me from having to serve same sex couples, on religious grounds.

I will also not be serving different sex couples.

Couples in general.

Single people.

People in general

Other life forms participating in Livejournal.

Other life forms participating in any form of social media.

Things that may or may not be considered "life forms"

Once this vote is over, I will not be serving anyone, for any reason... until of course it's time to start up again. :)

Until then though - there is still a poll: http://therealljidol.livejournal.com/850328.html and what a huge difference 24 hours made. I imagine that the next 24 will probably provide another shift in votes. Make sure you are making *your voice* heard on who will win!

Heck, once this is over - I may follow that guy in California's lead and declare that it's OK to start shooting people I don't like! :)

A few words from clauderainsrm:

The road was long and filled with pitfalls.

But all roads come to an end, and all adventures must cease at some point, so that we can look back on them and see the full picture.

That’s what is happening now. We are going to decide how this adventure is going to end.

There are three outstanding writers. But, I’m happy to say, there are also three outstanding people. I would be proud to call any of them the winner of this season, and honestly, this is one of those times when if I didn’t already vote for everyone, I would.

Read their words. Reflect on their journeys, and your own. Comment to their entries - and then make that decision on which of these women will be forever called 9. (or the winner of the LJ Idol Season 9, but I will just call them 9! :D)

The poll, and the season, closes Thursday, March 26th at 10pm EST

Good luck to everyone!

[Poll #2005194]

It's the start of our last week together.

There were results last night http://therealljidol.livejournal.com/849155.html as well as the Final Topic of the season going up: http://therealljidol.livejournal.com/849591.html

Yes, I did say that it was "our last week together". By this time next week - Season 9 will be a thing you can look back on. There were definitely times when it seemed like that would never happen.

What is the plan going forward?

Well, I'm going to be resting for a little bit.

I would still like to do that "Idol Jr" idea, if people are still interested/think they know someone who would be.

After that, I'll need to find someone to design the new page/maybe work with LJ designers (something that I've resisted, but maybe it's time to do that) on creating something for the next mini-season. No idea when that will start. It will probably be a few months.

So enjoy these last few Green Rooms, and these last few moments together.

It came down to a couple votes.

Which is the way it should be with these four.

But, unfortunately, someone had to leave right before the finals.

That someone is crisp_sobriety, who came out of Last Chance Idol and managed to battle it out week after week, producing some amazing work in the process.

I can't even say "I hope you Home Game for the rest of the season", because the "rest of the season" is just a couple days away from ending. But I will say that I really hope that we will continue to see you around these parts, not only as a contestant, but as a community member, because I think you really brought a lot of good things to the table.

Thank you for coming out and helping to make this season special.

*sets out the brunch buffet*

There will be cake later.

Until then, I hope you enjoy.

Happy 1,600th Green Room.

Sure, it's an odd number to be celebrating - but I thought we needed a little celebration around this place, followed by "I wonder how many Green Rooms have we had?" :)

***

Speaking of something to celebrate - we have some terrific entries: http://therealljidol.livejournal.com/848632.html

The Home Game: http://therealljidol.livejournal.com/847888.html

and that tribute to Fran where there's already one great entry, and I hope to be seeing more over the next couple of days: http://therealljidol.livejournal.com/845386.html

***

anyway - back to the buffet, what are you going to grab first?

Happy St Patrick's Day! What could be more "St Patricks Day" than a GREEN room?

Or maybe it's UnHappy Day After the Results: http://therealljidol.livejournal.com/847519.html depending on your mood.

At this point, everyone has fans and supporters - and anyone leaving is going to be rough - and everyone is hoping that it's going to be rougher for people they *aren't* backing! :)

Which is normal. People get emotionally attached and everyone has their own bias.

MY bias is that we have a great season and a winner I can point to and say "They did a great job!", as well as someone who is willing to email with me and talk me off a ledge or two. :)

I want someone who is going to be supportive of Idol in the future.

I think all 4 of the remaining contestants are people who will be that.

(Heck, I think any of the Top 20 would have been good picks. But the voters have been making some tough decisions over the last few weeks, that I'll be honest - I'm glad I didn't have to make those calls!)

There's one more topic between now and the end! http://therealljidol.livejournal.com/847866.html

I just put up a Home Game thread, so if anyone wants to link their own pieces - they can! http://therealljidol.livejournal.com/847888.html

The great joeymichaels has just posted a tribute entry for the walkertxkitty memorial thread: http://therealljidol.livejournal.com/845386.html You should definitely check it out, and add one of your own.

***

and yes, Kristin has continued to win, so check her out again on Jeopardy tonight! It's always thrilling to see someone you know do well!

(btw - tomorrow is our 1,600th Green Room! Who is bringing the cake?)

This is your LAST topic before the finals. That's right, it's a Final 3.

What is it?

It's an OPEN topic.

Which means there is absolutely no restriction on you. Let loose.

This is your final chance to put your stamp on this season, because we all know what the last topic is...

So make this one count.

Link your entry back to this thread by Tuesday, March 17th at 10pm EDT

Did I just give you a 24-hour deadline?

Yes. I just did.

Bring your A-Game! (and have fun!)

No, I haven't forgotten about you. :)

Hopefully *you* haven't forgotten about the poll that is closing today! http://therealljidol.livejournal.com/846929.html

There are some pretty big decisions taking place over these next couple of weeks, that are going to determine who is going to win this thing!

***
Speaking of winning - Friend of Gary - Kristin Sausville will be on Jeopardy! again this evening!

***

So, how have *you* been doing?

Greetings from Spring Break, and the relaxation that I have been needing with all of the stress going on right now.

You on the other hand still have quite a bit of stress happening. You have a deadline!

http://therealljidol.livejournal.com/846266.html

I know that there have also been a few people asking if they can still submit entries for the walkertxkitty tribute. Of course you can! http://therealljidol.livejournal.com/845386.html In fact, I'd encourage that people do so.

***

In other news, my friend Kristin, from the Survivor group that I am on, won her first round of Jeopardy last night (Wednesday). This means that you have the chance to cheer her on tonight as well!

Granted, the episodes were filmed a couple months ago, but it's still pretty exciting, since she hasn't been able to talk about it until the episodes air!

***

I hope that your 24-hours have been even a fraction as good as mine have been.