LJ Idol Presents:

With the Gatekeeper post now out of the way http://therealljidol.livejournal.com/814499.html

We can now move on to why you have been injuring your F5 finger over the last couple hours. Who is going to be eliminated this week.

Of course we know that eska818 sacrificed, taking up one of those 8-12 spots.

I'm going to just post the names in a moment, but before I do, I want to take a moment to thank of those leaving this evening for writing their asses off for 30 weeks (in some cases less because of Last Chance, but still, it hasn't been easy and you absolutely deserve to have made it to this point!) Thank you for being awesome and I hope that we will continue to see you around the Home Game and hanging out in the Green Room cheering on your favorites, or just relaxing now that you have the time. ;)

With that said. I'm taking a deep breathe and posting the results. It's always sad to lose people... OK, I said I was actually going to POST... so here it is...

( Read more... )

Oh yeah, totally forgot to mention this: WELCOME TO THE JURY!! Where, every week until I announce otherwise, you will be voting on who gets immunity!!

Some days, it just takes one comment for everything to dovetail right into each other, and make a lot of things snap into place mentally for you.

In this case, it was one from yesterday where someone doubted their own qualifications to offer concrit over at the Killing Floor: http://therealljidol.livejournal.com/811580.html

The responses to it were great - but I just want to add one of my own: You are here because you love to write, as well as read. As someone who does both - you have something to offer.

Maybe it won't be the "This sentence would work better if you did X to it" or "drop this section". But you can say "This part didn't quite work for me" and offer insights into why you felt that way.

You have something to offer.

***

Which brought me back to all of the times over the years (from pre-Idol right up to earlier this season) when there has been someone overly critical of the work of others. It's easy to tear things down. It's much more difficult to see the potential in something that's not quite there, and figure out a way to help that person "get it there".

That's a fight I've been involved in all of my life. Trying to get people to understand that they have something to say that's *worth hearing*.

For all of the people over the years who have advocated restricting Idol and who should be allowed to compete, or who was "wasting our time" (something I've definitely heard from some corners) it's the people who have been struggling, but then make a breakthrough, even if it's just a minor one - those are the people that I love seeing, that I love helping.

The Idol process can make good writers even better. Part of that process is seeing people of all sorts of backgrounds and skill levels side by side, working together toward that goal.

Everyone has something to offer.

I believed it then. I believe it now.

***

Which brought me to thinking back on how many years I ignored the cries "We want Idol merchandise!" and the "Allow us to give you money!!!" because I didn't think I was worth it. There are tons of great causes out there, and people doing good things. I didn't see myself as one of them, despite all of the emails I would get telling me what a "life changing experience" Idol was.

I'm finally at a point in my life that I've decided "What the hell" and am starting to see if there is actually a market for that kind of stuff. (Of course, if I had done it back in Season 3 and 4, I probably could have made a lot more. :D But I wasn't ready for it, and honestly, it would have led to more problems then as well, because of that)

The modifications to the Menu now work - all the links go where they are supposed to go.

The T-shirt is also available: http://teespring.com/LJIdol

Of course, I thought of a bunch of ways I could have made it better (and then did a mock up of it, and it would have increased the price of the shirt to about $15 instead of $11) but I'm going to continue with this run. (10 shirts ordered is what is needed to make the run, and we have 4 orders in less than 24 hours) If nothing else, you can say you have a "first run of the Idol shirts". :)

I needed the confidence in myself in order to get to this point. Of course that has a momentary blip whenever I have a "Why do you need money?" response. :D But fortunately, I haven't gotten very much of those... I think it's pretty obvious why anyone "needs money". ;)

As I should - Idol is something that I believe in. Always have. Always will. We are doing great things here.

***

Which brings me to "What we are doing here" - which is waiting for the Gatekeepers to render their decision.

Some people are going to be really happy. Some are going to be sad.

But everyone who has reached this point - however they got here, should be proud of themselves. You have something to offer, and I hope that, regardless of the outcome, you keep on offering it!

A few words from clauderainsrm:

This week was all about the choices we make: YOU had to choose between picking one of your “Favorite” entries and writing a brand new piece with the topic “Critical Hit”.

Some decided on one route. Others took a different one.

But that’s what is so great about making choices isn’t it? It’s the Choose Your Own Adventure book of life. You make it, and then you just keep going as one choice leads you into the next one.

You made yours.

One of you actually made the choice to sacrifice this week. Which is unfortunate. But I know Real Life has a way of doing that to people.

It’s a shame though, she’s going to miss the fun.

( Click here to Vote! )

Good luck to all of you.

There is approximately 24 hours left until deadline and the following people have yet to post - thus ensuring themselves on being on the List of Shame!!

Luna would approve. :)

However, no one will approve if you don't make it to the starting line on time!

So make sure to get your entries in! http://therealljidol.livejournal.com/811500.html



ALL IN

People have been upset about all of the recent eliminations - and to show that we *have heard you*, we have taken this information to a grand jury. I am confident that they will give a fair hearing to see if charges should be brought against me.

Stay tuned.

Oh wait... they're back already?

No charges are going to be filed. Sorry guys, better luck next time!

***

As for the things that will directly impact your life in the coming days - there is a lot going on here at LJ Idol! Which - does anything more directly impact your life than that? Nope. Those "family" and "friends" are distracting you from what is truly important - fear of being eliminated!!!

The topic is up: http://therealljidol.livejournal.com/811500.html with a twist. So make sure you read it.

Part of that twist involves the Home Game/Killing Floor: http://therealljidol.livejournal.com/811580.html

None of the twist involves the Work Room, but it's always a good place to stick your head in and see what is going through other people's minds at the moment when it comes to writing and general process: http://therealljidol.livejournal.com/811782.html

***

Look for some site adjustments over the next week. Nothing dramatic, just a few cool new toys. Our Friendly Neighborhood LJ Overlords are in the building, so look presentable! :)

(Note: actually everyone that I've dealt with so far from LJ and SUP have been really nice and helpful. But I can't let a good "LJ Overlords" opportunity go to waste!)

***
As of Week 29, the entry count is 19,686. Getting closer...

In honor of Week 30, we are doing something a little different this time around.

You have TWO things to do:

Pick your FAVORITE piece that you have written this season AND Write a brand new entry as inspired by the topic

Critical Hit

Here is where your choice comes in: YOU ONLY LINK ONE OF THOSE ENTRIES HERE. The other one is linked to the Home Game/Killing Floor. It doesn't matter which one. Just make sure to label it when you post.

One of them faces the voters. One of them faces constructive criticism of your peers.

Which one will you decide on?

The deadline to have BOTH entries linked is Monday, Dec 8th at 8pm EST

Have fun!

Decisions, decisions. http://therealljidol.livejournal.com/811500.html

Do you go with the old familiar or take the risk writing something new?

How do you decide?

Should you write the new piece and decide what you like better? Should you make the decision right away?

There is definitely strategy involved in the decision, as well as some potential insight to be gained into the remaining competitors. :)

Or maybe not! I guess we will see.

***

Where is your brain at with the new topic, and what do you think you have to offer it that no one else can?

There is still time to get in your votes! http://therealljidol.livejournal.com/577661.html

Every time I think I have a clear handle on at least half of who will be leaving, another series of votes comes in, and I am forced to re-evaluate that notion! Which makes life that much more exciting, as well as speaking, quite loudly, to the quality of material out there from the remaining contestants!

Given how many potential votes are still out there, I can’t even declare anyone (other than the two saved by special powers, the remaining bye and immunity) as being “safe”! Because who knows what will happen as the deadline gets a little closer!

Other things that require exclamation marks! Because I’m shouting! But without the capital letters! ‘Nuff Said, True Believer!

What’s got YOU exclaiming today???

(speaking of exclaiming - HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO someone who I think it's fair to say is one of everyone's favorite LJ IDOL CONTESTANTS OF ALL TIME - and definitely better than that hack she is related to: HAPPY BIRTHDAY 04summer_rain04!!)

Sitting in the Panera, next to the AA Bible Study Group meeting, I was wondering if everyone was going to make it across the finish line this week.

Maybe it was the prayer circle, or the adherence to the structure of their study guide, or how close their discussion of putting yourself into the hands of a higher power who will bend you to their will - and how closely that matches the conversations of Idol contestants... but I think everyone did pretty damn well!

There were two who decided to be smelly hippies and drop. ;)

They know who they are, but in case they are looking for their names - goodbye to lawchicky and rattsu! It’s actually sad to see you go, I was looking forward to torturing you for awhile longer!!

As for the remaining contestants, jacq22 only finished 5 of the 6 entries, due to her surgery. Considering the timing of the announcement, and the surgery, it fell into that pocket of “No Man’s Land” where I’m honestly not sure if she even saw it posted. So, I’m going to show some mercy, and give her a *shot* at sticking around...

Because voting is going to work a little differently this week. Which, you kind of expected that, now didn’t you?

There are 6 entries from each contestant.

This is a Season contestant only voting round. Which means IF YOU SIGNED UP AND COMPETED DURING THIS SEASON OF LJ IDOL, YOU ARE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE!!!

(Just make sure to identify yourself)

Send an email to clauderainsrm@gmail.com with your 5 FAVORITE ENTRIES FROM EACH TOPIC! http://therealljidol.livejournal.com/574285.html

We will be losing the 6 contestants with the lowest overall selections/scores.

The deadline for people to send me their votes is Thursday, June 21st at 7pm EDT - so, if you haven’t started yet, GET READING!!!

Good luck to everyone!

Even though it really doesn't feel like "the weekend" to me! Or maybe it does, but the more natural "back to weekend routine" version of the weekend!

It was strange not to wake up in the middle of a campground - and to bacon, pancakes and cheese grits!

What seems strange to you this morning/afternoon/whatever time you get around to reading this?

I've totally cut and pasted the information you need from yesterday's post:

The topic thread (with the #6 topic) is located: http://therealljidol.livejournal.com/574285.html

and the work room: http://therealljidol.livejournal.com/574652.html

and of course the Home Game http://therealljidol.livejournal.com/575725.html

It's cut, for her pleasure!