LJ Idol Presents:

The extra long week is finally done, and we are forced to take a look at what the voter's decided.

If you couldn't tell from the Love Thread that there is a lot of respect for the talent's of everyone in this competition, you certainly could by how close the votes were for the duration of the poll.

It was insanely close at times.

The only one that I *knew* was leaving was rayaso, who sacrificed. The rest were up in the air.

I had planned on saying goodbye to 5, but there is a tie for that last spot, so it looks like next week will have a return of Redemption Tribe for a head-to-head battle!

I can't say we are "only" saying goodbye to 3 more, because there is no "only" when it comes to these people. They are all awesome and have brought more than a few pleasant surprises this season, for me at least. (and again, from the Love Thread I know that I wasn't alone)

Goodbye to
oxymoron67
malinaldarose
ellakite

Thank you for coming out this season, it's been a pleasure.

I really hope to see you in the Home Game. (and in the Green Room!)

Public service announcement: A bus is bigger than your car. Unless you are driving a semi or an assault vehicle of some kind, if you attempt to merge into the lane currently occupied by the bus - you are going to lose.

Take this as an analogy for life - or as something that happened to me this morning while riding the bus. (Note: it's the latter. Although messing with people much bigger than you because "you can" probably holds some dangers as well)

The woman who hit the bus was fine. Her side mirror was left hanging - and everyone on the bus was annoyed, but OK.

***

What are people NOT OK with? Missing out on this week's poll! http://therealljidol.livejournal.com/803824.html

(Like how I did that? ;) )

So don't do it!!

It's already looking like it's going to be another "close race", so if you want to suggest any entries you think need a little more love - this would be the time to do so!

A few words from clauderainsrm:

This week I asked our writers to “Bring their A-game” to showcase their talents in an “Open Topic”, which means that they could write whatever they wanted. They will rise, or fall, entirely on those choices.

The events of Week 26 turned LJ IDOL upside down.

What is happening in Week 27 continues that trend, only this time - literally.

The alphabet has been flipped, giving our writers at the backend of the alphabet a chance at being read first.

You might also notice that the Redemption Tribe has been reabsorbed into the main poll. Which should make things a little more interesting as we move to our Top 50.

That’s right. I said - Top 50.

Which means that we are losing FIVE this week.

I said “Bring your A-game”, and I meant it. There are no “Gatekeepers” this week. But it will decide who does, and does not, make it into the Top 50 of LJ IDOL Season 9!

I’d say that’s pretty “high-stakes”.

The poll closes Thursday, Nov 13th at 9pm EST

Good luck to everyone!

( Click here to Vote! )

Our Love Threads/Q&A comes to an end with the final 14 contestants in the alphabet. the l

But don't let that stop expressing yourself and furthering bonds with your fellow contestants. After all, that was the point of all of this.

The first two blew up like Artie Lange's Twitter feed: http://therealljidol.livejournal.com/802311.html and http://therealljidol.livejournal.com/802740.html
Whereas yesterday's was, in comparison, more like the line to his booking agent: http://therealljidol.livejournal.com/802866.html

There's still plenty of time to correct that though, go back and make sure to give them more love and attention.

Save some for this thread though as well, because all of the threads have an equal number (well, almost...) of fantastic writers, and people!

***

While you are involved with all of this though, make sure you remember that there is a deadline on Monday.

That's why we are here after all! http://therealljidol.livejournal.com/800348.html

Depending on where you live and what your political affiliation is, you are either really upset or really happy right now.

I completely agree with you. (regardless of what your feeling is, I'm just going to give you my blanket agreement. I share your rage/excitement! :D)

Some things that *can* bring people together:

The deadline is next Monday: http://therealljidol.livejournal.com/800348.html
There is still a Work Room: http://therealljidol.livejournal.com/800648.html

We have a Tribute to agirlnamedluna happening: http://therealljidol.livejournal.com/801771.html

(Also, if anyone wants to contribute any words, that would be appropriate, to the power point they will be showing at the service, please let me know ASAP. I was asked to send them to her family)

***

We also have this Love Thread/Q&A thing going. If you have things you want to say about a current contestant or even just have questions because you want to get to know them better, this is the place to do so!

Yesterday, I started with the first 14. http://therealljidol.livejournal.com/802311.html (feel free to keep contributing to that)

Today is the next 14.

I have something in my eye.

I'm not just saying that because of the horrible news from this weekend: http://therealljidol.livejournal.com/801355.html

Or that there was an arrest in what has been confirmed to be a murder of the granddaughter of Shay (not tagging her, but long-time Idol contestants know who I'm talking about)

Or the death of Sammy Jo's brother.

Or the wife of Cynthia's co-worker suffering from depression who jumped off the roof of a hospital.

Or a couple other recent deaths of acquaintances (friends of friends) - all of which occurred with a week or so of the first anniversary of the death of my former mother-in-law (who, for a time during my first marriage, was there for me more than my actual Mom)

No, it's not for those reasons.

I went out to get some aggression out yesterday afternoon and did some tree trimming - and ended up getting something in my eye. Literally.

I've been able to flush most of it out. But either there is still something in there, or something is scratched. Either way, it's really annoying and makes me really glad that I pushed back the poll, because it would be difficult for me to be able to ensure accuracy http://therealljidol.livejournal.com/800348.html

The new deadline is NEXT MONDAY, so I fully expect everyone will have enough time to get to the starting line. If you are having trouble, there is a Work Room to bounce ideas in: http://therealljidol.livejournal.com/800648.html

and while you are waiting, I posted a special Home Game thread. EVERYONE can participate in it: http://therealljidol.livejournal.com/801771.html After all, it's about Luna's favorite activity - killing me! How can you *not* want to do that??!

One thing that I have seen a lot of is "I didn't really know her", which makes me sad - not just because I think you've missed out on someone really special, but also because Idol has always been a family, and I think that the more people move away from interacting with each other, the weaker that bond has become between contestants. I think the Exhibits helped strengthen that sense of togetherness in some, but it feels like it's still not what it "should" be... then again, people are going to get the experience they want from this. I can't force you to become friends with everyone else! (well, I can... but that's using my brainwashing powers - and I'm already using them for other purposes in your lives. ;) )

I think this is good opportunity to not only tell people you love them - but to also reach out to folks, tell them how much their work has meant to you, and maybe get to know them a little better in the process.

In the wake of the devastating news about agirlnamedluna http://therealljidol.livejournal.com/801355.html

I postponed the deadline until NEXT Monday http://therealljidol.livejournal.com/800348.html

I was going to scrap them altogether, but she loved messing with me when it came to deadlines. Canceling one didn't seem to be in her spirit at all.

I did however post a "Special Home Game"/"Luna Tribute" thread with something to keep you occupied and hopefully amused during your extra time. http://therealljidol.livejournal.com/801771.html

***
I used to write special goodbyes to everyone who left. She was the only one who got her own special one (as opposed to being grouped with others) during Season 6 http://therealljidol.livejournal.com/367945.html

What was your favorite of her entries?

Last night had more action than an Instagram picture of Michael Che cosplaying as Jian Ghomeshi!

There were eliminations: http://therealljidol.livejournal.com/800008.html
A new topic: http://therealljidol.livejournal.com/800348.html
A Work Room: http://therealljidol.livejournal.com/800648.html

and today we added a The Home Game (with a twist): http://therealljidol.livejournal.com/801010.html

***

Happy Halloween - what are you dressed up as today?

Also, Happy New Year to the pagans out there! :)

If you missed it, the Spirit of LJ IDOL, for Season 8, was revealed last night: http://therealljidol.livejournal.com/588074.html

What you haven't missed, yet, is the poll: http://therealljidol.livejournal.com/587399.html

It's a big poll, with big stakes. Which is what has been keeping the vampires away.

There may be big steaks as well. So let the cook know how you want them.

This is the morning of the last day of your life.

Just ask that guy with the butcher knife, standing just behind you, in the shadows. He knows.

But in case you somehow dodge and outrun him – there is still a poll to deal with: http://therealljidol.livejournal.com/568274.html

And it’s the last day for that as well.

***

It’s weird, knowing that there isn’t an episode of Survivor tonight! It’s even more strange knowing that we started this when South Pacific was still fairly new, and went through One World!

Will we be here to start the Philippines? ;) (No. Even though it’s the first group of “returning players” who I am actively excited to see. Those three are going to be a lot of fun!)

What do you have planned for your evening – other than poll watching? (and congratulating pixie117 on her new job/wishing people happy birthday - not sure who, but I'm sure there is someone)