I'm so glad that Pischina and the kids and the pets are okay. That's quite a dramatic approach to take to get out of voting, don't you think? Please know that I'm thinking of you. And if there's anything I can do for you, from here, let me know.

Throcky - I wonder if the fact that alot of us are voting for creativity here is due to the fact that it wasn't appreciated when we were competing?

Not that I'm complaining about the judging during Diary Survivor 3 or anything because you guys were just the best (but why you rarely ever gave me a vote during an immunity challenge still has me quite miffed in a non-miffed sort of way)

And remember everyone: "MY MOTHER IS A FISH". Faulkner. AS I LAY DYING. Sometimes, Mike, reality is strange. Reality is perception and journal entries and IC submissions can hew to a reality that might not make sense to you.

I am NOT meaning to imply that AlternaMommy has ANYTHING in common with the Bundren family, however. But yep, sometimes one's mother is a fish. And sometimes whey one lays dying one is a fish. Submitted for your provocation by Mr. William Faulkner.

Mike, I myself do not "deduct" anything if the entries swerve from the "letter of the law." I like creativity, imagination, and the unreal. On the other hand, I think it can POTENTIALLY hurt an entry. My entry on the "point of view" IC did not do well because the whole point of my entry was that things can happen--big things, indeed, without people thinking through their point of view. People can act without knowing what they are doing. So even though I had a rather harrowing story to tell, I think that the judges did not like the fact that I did not stick to the primary instruction for the IC.
As a judge, I like to see some play, some range, some creativity, and a mix of intelligence, introspection, and wit.

Oh, Pischina! That is really really terrible. I am so glad that you are ok, though. I hope that everything works out for you...somehow.

With sympathy,
Throcky

Dear Survivors,
My house burned down Thursday night and I was not able to vote for the IC because I was shoveling soot and crap and broken glass all day and I tried to post that yesterday from the home I am temporarily staying in but their computer booted me out.
[Insert much foul language to any survivor who bitched about me not voting]
Sorry, I know ya'll didn't know, but give me a break, I'm a bit pissy right now.
The fact is you don't know why ANY judge didn't vote so just shut up until you find out.
Sorry.
End rant.
P.S. I may not be able to continue being a judge since I do not have a Home or Possessions or Vehicle or email and I may or may not have time to read all IC entries from work. I do wish everyone good luck with the rest of the game, and hopefully I will be able to return.
See ya's.
P.P.S. Yes Meg, I got rid of the ad banner but you may NOT buy me presents! Love you...

Ahem.

Hi what's up? What's the haps? How was your day? Mine was fab, Kaluha anyone?

I want to say that yes getting judges to vote has been a problem in the past and that is why we ARE required to vote this time around. Those who do not vote twice are booted from the judges booth, one judge has been booted so far. Of the seven judges who did not vote, MOST of them do not post on this blogger. So please don't use that "the judges aren't playing the game" tone of voice with me missy! Because frankly, you don't really know what you are talking about.

Two judges did tell Meg, in advance, that they would be unable to vote in this week's IC. They have personal reasons, if you have a problem with that, well I am sure you will find plenty of space to bitch about it in your blog :D

In a few weeks I will (most likely) not be able to vote because I will be in Beijing doing the tourist thing. And as much as I enjoy reading your entries (and I am being honest here), I don't see how I can tour all day then look for an internet cafe so I can read ICs. Sorry guys, but I am in China ffs, are you in China? No you aren't! But if you were, would you want to spend your time in a internet cafe where all the patrons stare at you because you are a foreigner, no i don't think so! :D

Lastly, leave Meg alone, she can only take so much whining and, hell, after DS3, well I think she may blow up soon.

Oh yeah I almost forgot this. There are (were) twenty judges, which means twenty different opinions, twenty different personalities and twenty different ways of being evil. So please don't group us all in the "all the judges" thing when only one of us has pissed you off about something.

Contestants, I feel your pain. DS3 went through the exact same thing. However, there were legit reasons for a couple of the no votes. And Meg is doing all she can to enforce us judges. I dunno what else to say, but, I do apologize for us not getting our acts together.

As far as what Mocksie had to say. Well, do take it with a grain of salt. That said, I think what she said was more than just a little too harsh. But, she's just speaking her mind. If I was you (and I'm not) I'd just say a big ole "Fuck you" right back, and then move on. She says that it's a great topic because it's real and thought provoking. Talking about an imaginary event, is in no way real. Thought provoking, sure, look at all the great bantering we got out of it, but it's not real. Hell, look at Alterna's winning entry, it was her viewpoint as a fish. That's so real, it cuts me to my soul.

Anyways, it's late again, and I've got a beautiful woman sleeping in my bed and I'm up here replying to you guys. Come on, dedication or what? (I'd say stupidity, but again, that's just me)

Mike (racer96)

Jonny, argh, sorry I keep adding 'h's into your name. Blame the canadian part of me that likes to add u's into words. And, I didn't mean for it to sound all accusatory or something about the alliance thing. I was just trying to say that even if the contestants are all saying they aren't in an any alliances (and, they may all think that they aren't) it doesn't mean that alliances haven't been unknowingly formed. I wasn't trying to get you all agitated again. Please don't hit me with your poking stick. :D

Pisch, see, all I get here is a crude poking stick. You get a fancy electric powered device. I wondered what that buzzing sound was that was coming from your general direction. :D

Sin, you're so not right. Wrong wrong wrong! Don't make me get all ancestry on your ass and force me to opress you. :D I luvs ya too. :D

Meg, uhm, would you like me to have a look at the blog? I got fruzz all sorted out with hers. But, I'm not saying I can fix anything though. I mean, I am template boy after all. :D

Tel, I like both sorts of entries. Ones that have to be structured are interesting, because you get all sorts of similarities, and it's neat to see how different personalities put their own spin on things. I also like free reign type entries, but, that's more what their actual diaries are there for. However, we don't vote based on their diaries, but, based on their immunity challenge. At least, I think that's what we do? Like I said, I really don't know what anyone else is using for their guidelines.

For me though, I do almost automagically deduct from entries that stray way off from the directions given. Yep, I like me some creativity, but, if the directions say "Make a lemon pie" and I'm given a lime pie, I may love that lime pie, but, well, it kinda has to lose some points, doesn't it?

Or, maybe it doesn't.

And why are you approaching me with a buzzing thing on a stick?

Have a good weekend everyone. Enjoy the extra hour of sleep.

Mike (racer96)

I say this not to be contrary to Mocksie, but to maybe spur a little thoughtful debate: Should we be challenging the contestants with the ICs, or should they be challenging themselves?

I always felt that, the less structured the IC, the better. Really, the ultimate IC would just read "Write an entry." As a judge, I always voted for the person who took the IC and really made it their own. I think bending over backwards to write a truly challenging IC is almost counterproductive.

Okay, discuss...

Mocksie, who supplied the topic for Immunity Challenge # 3: speaks.

And regarding Blogger, who took the ads off of the contestants' blog? Pischina? Do I have to start sending you more presents? Cause I will, I'm warning you! Also, I can't even access the 'help' section of blogger, and I am an admin. But then, the Fruzz usually helps me with the tech stuff for blogger. Unfortunately, she can't even get online, as the judges know.

Get those votes in judges!

I think the final total was four obits, 2 eulogies, so I take that as proof that I am at least partially right. And as long as I am, I am happy :D

Geez, Mike, just because I am Chinese and you are Japanese doesn't mean you have to disagree with me on everything. Can't you just copy everything I do instead? That's more in your peeps style anyway :D

I love you Mike tee hee.

Electric! OOH, I like that!
BZZZZZT!!!!! BZZT!!! BZZZZZZTTT!!!
Take *that*, Survivors!!!

Didn't you hear? First-year gets a stick, and second-year gets to go electric! Here's some batteries...

Hey, who let Mike have the Poking Stick?
I thought only 2nd year and older judges got the poking stick!

i never said i wasn't in an alliance (well, maybe during the game), i just disagreed with your definition of it. i never voted for anyone because someone else told me to. i could go into more detail, but do we really need to rehash all of this again? let me know, because i would be more than happy to. i'm just fairly certain most everyone else is bored with it.

my other thought is that given the way DS3 worked, and how the application process suggested alliances, it's no wonder that one or two of them have cropped up. and i think the less we know about it, the more fun for us.

Oh, and could someone have a look at why the archives for this blog aren't showing up? Anyone? Hello?

Mike (racer96)

Sin, well, this is the IC topic "Tell us the story of how you die. Include details of how you felt when it happened, how it happened, how your family/friends reacted, and your funeral" To me, that topic is completely different than writing your own obituary.So, just because contestants may sway off the chosen direction, and come up with the same sort of response, doesn't mean that the actual given topic, is way different. So there. :D

You truly haven't been getting the sex0r though, if you're asking me to kiss your ass now. :D

Uber, well, uhm, who knows. I know that in the beginning stages of DS3, there were some big vote blocks, and I don't think alliances had truly been formed yet. But, again, it comes down to everyone's own individual thought on what an alliance actually is. I think Johnny still says that he wasn't in an alliance. Or something like that.

Loud, you say you're out in the open, but you keep swaying to and fro, faster than an epileptic watching pokemon. And, since when did a whole passive aggressiveness, or a "if I don't say anything and go along with her" type attitude = having more balls? :D

Raw, I wasn't trying to protect you there, honest, I was just putting all things out into the open. For Loud is an open book, as she says :D

And really, for all that care, there isn't any war going on here. I'm just enjoying the use of my judge's poking stick. *poke*poke*

Mike (racer96)

Wow, this is the first time I'll have to go home and re-read all the IC entries again before I vote.
Whether funny or serious, I loved something about each one of them.

I'm sorry for the repetition before, but I can't believe that I was actually able to post here! I keep getting that annoying "503" error, and according the the Blogger FAQ only an admin can do what's necessary to stop it happening.

Yes, you're right, it does look sort of like Loudwoman vs. everyone, which makes her ouster look a little less like the work of a secret alliance. However, the way Heather was voted off last round has "alliance" written all over it.

Mike, it can't be that different considering that so far (I haven't finished reading yet) there has been one written obit style and one written eulogy style.

I think that yes it could come out very differently (obits generally being impersonal and informative) but I know I wrote mine from a more personal standpoint that doesn't differ that much from some of the ICs I have just read. :D

That and kiss my ass Mike, KISS IT :D

Uber, are all the contestants fighting amongst themselves? I thought it was just a bunch of contestants arguing with Loud? Or, am I missing more behind the scenes stuff?

Pisch, if there is more behind the scenes stuff that's going on, do you think you could perhaps videotape it, and release some sort of documentary for me? I'd totally appreciate that. :D

And as far as the reasoning behind not wanting to write about this IC topic, I imagine it's different for everyone. I would have done something light and fluffy, because of reasons that only matter to me.

Loud, oh, loud loud loud, you try to mask it, but, it's inevitable, your drugged up self wants me. You just haven't fully realized it yet. Just like how you say you love raw out of one side of your mouth, but trumpet her being a dong from the other side of your mouth. One day you'll see what you haven't yet fully realized. :D

But yes, I'm compliment hungry. Compliment me damnit! Although, I enjoy , what's your term, joisting? , nearly as much. :)

And, when it comes to rimshot, all the boys in cellblock D say you're the expert. :D

Mike (racer96)

I'm going to throw my last two cents in here about the IC on Death, then I'll shut up about it, I swear...
Someone mentioned this was supposed to be a "fun writing contest", but really, writing isn't always fun, and GOOD writing is sometimes very painful.
While I certainly don't wish to inflict emotional pain or nightmares on anyone, and I'm VERY sorry if this IC did that, sometimes the best writing comes when you are very emotional about something.
I heard some very good arguments about why some Survivors were uncomfortable about this topic, but when you feel that strongly about a subject you really should *embrace* it. Purge yourself by writing about it. Write about (whatever subject) using all that pain and fear and you will turn out the best entry of your lives, one that will hit every reader in the gut. This shouldn't apply to only Diary Survivor, this should be how you write even when you're not in a contest.

Okay, that's it for me. I promise. On to the Fun ICs!

Glad to see I wasn't the last to figure it out for once!

Holy smokes! The contestants have turned mean! Just like I predicted, although I would have rather been wrong. Now I think I'll use some spare copies of the Pledge of Niceness to sop up some of this blood...

Holy smokes! The contestants have turned mean! Just like I predicted, although I would have rather been wrong. Now I think I'll use some spare copies of the Pledge of Niceness to sop up some of this blood...

Sin, I've got to agree with those that said writing an obit, and describing your own death are completely different topics. That said though, the contestants are sucking up and doing it. Doesn't mean that they (or we) can't voice their opinions on the subject.

Contestants, boy you guys are verbose. Lookee you, all posting and stuff in the blog. It brings a tear to my eye.

Loud, yep, I've got an odd fascination for punctuation. Beats me where it comes from. And man, you say you don't have any affections for me, but then you read my diary, and the first thing you think of is, well, my penis. And then , the next thing you talk about in the blog, is, my dong. Freud would have a field day. :D

Welp, I'm enjoying the fact that Loud's exit from the game, is actually causing her to be more vocal, and more involved in the game. She's DS4's version of our dear Miss Throcky. :D

*

Hey, Kinetix--I wasn't trying to stir up trouble. You suggested someone ask. I was the first person on after that, so I asked. That's all.

As far as the IC3 topic goes, I'm sorry several of you had issue with it. And I wouldn't question WHY you were/are uncomfortable with it--it's your life, they're your feelings--but I think there are ways to work with it that would both satisfy the question and make you okay. THat's why it's an immunity CHALLENGE.

Jonathan, thanks for the new Camden Point. I can stop going through withdrawals now.

I really do not understand all the annoyance at the topic. Didn't we write our own obits in DS2? *shuffles through diary entries* Oh yes, here it is http://survivor2.diaryland.com/ic6.html and damn that one was hard as hell. But we sucked it up and did it.

Pischina loves me, she really really loves me. Now, how come you're not humping my leg? Loudwoman is still there, granted, but, CMM has finished up and left. Although, he didn't clean up. Is that why?

Loudwoman, save face over what? I don't know what exactly I'm supposed to be trying to save face over. The fact that I think you are immature and a hack? Although, I am oftentimes delusional. Now please, stop humping my leg.

Mike (racer96)

I'm either the most naive woman on the planet, or just completely left out of the loop on Everything!
I remember last year how stupid I felt after being SO SURE there was no alliance...
And now after going through judges' and Survivors' diaries and guestbooks I realize there is ALL KINDS of Drama going on behind the scenes.
Wow.
And we're barely up to IC#3.
This is going to be a looooong contest...

Yeah, we do sometimes have "whacked out views" on what is good, but that's the great thing about having so many judges from so many different backgrounds. You Survivors are being judged very fairly whether you agree with us or not.

Racer96 = Hilarious

And I'm loving that Telutci is taking a more visible role in the game. Many *kisses* to Telutci.

Awwww, I'm a bear! Loudwoman loves me, she really really loves me. Now stop humping my leg.

Mike (racer96)

Ditto to what Telutci, Kit and Pisch have said. The IC's get voted on based on their own merits. That's not to say that some of my fellow judges don't have whacked out views on what they think is a good entry. (I kid, I kid, ok, maybe not)

Kit , feel free to stalk me, however, be prepared to do alot of driving and not much sleeping.

CMM , you love me, you really really love me. Now stop humping my leg.

Loud , you = kicked off in the second round. Who luvs ya baby, well, no one it seems. :D

Mike (racer96)

Telutci is exactly right in everything he said, you can call us all the names you would like and we'll still judge the Survivors fairly.

And KLo, SSSSHHHHHHH, we don't want Jonny to *know* we're stalking him, otherwise he'll lock his doors and windows! So don't tell him, kay?

Who started all this back and forth? Sure is a great way to keep me occupied. A special Thank You to everyone involved in the hype. But now I'm scared. Do you want to know why? Because Telucti posted all sincere and helpful...what in the heck is up with that? We've turned him into the Stepford Diary Survivor 4 Executive Producer! I want my dry-humored cynical Telutci back!!!!!

But...I do agree with him and you all should know that I'll be voting unbiasedly. Even though I have several favorites competing (Hi Favorites!) Even though some of the contestants are mad at me (Hi Favorites!), I will never let that get in the way of how I vote.

Sinnamon - I love you. Really I do. I'm just not good with the public display of affection thing.

Regarding Ms. M calling us "Psychophants" I don't know about you all, but I think she was calling us fat-assed nut cases. I don't know. My PDR (Physician's Desk Reference) doesn't list psychophants. Must be new medical lingo. I'm out of that loop, too.

We're not stalking Jonny? What aren't we stalking Jonny? I want to stalk Jonny! There is no fun around here...no fun at all!!!!

Can we stalk Mike?

I think I may have to write this Immunity Challenge for myself. See what the fuss is all about.

Oh poop. I've got to run. Thing 2 hates it when I leave him at school, abandoned and crying. I'll be back later with more of my precious opinions.

I'm going to break my silence for a moment to address something that Chrome said:

"After reading my long ass rant I'm sure now I'll never win an immunity challange."

I want to assure you – and everyone – that the judges are completely impartial and honest. Anything you say in your journal, anything you say on the contestants blog, anything you say on a message board or a guestbook...NONE of it will influence any of the judges when it comes time for voting on Immunity Challenges. If anybody even *suggests* that they are being biased, they will be beaten up by the rest of us so fast, they'll probably drop out on their own.

This is a serious matter – probably the ONLY serious matter. We don't care if the contestants are biased and petty in the TC's (that's part of the game), and lord knows the judges have to entertain themselves somehow. But we are always going to be 100% fair when it comes time to vote. I don't want anybody doubting that. Keep in mind that the judges really only have one job, and that's to vote. Everything else is just play.

If any of the contestants ever has a question or a comment that they want to make to me personally (I'm not sure why you would, but the offer is here all the same), please feel free to email me at telutci@ihateyahoo.com. I'll be as straightforward as I can be. Also, Meg Probst is always available.

Thanks, and try to have fun playing the game. When it stops being fun, it stops being a game. We don't want anyone thinking of this as punishment – that's no fun for anybody.

Hmmm. I didn't like the IC topic, but I didn't think about it too much. Then I read Ginger's entry and my heart dropped into the pit of my stomach. As a woman who has been raped, I don't want to cause ANYONE to EVER feel that uncomfortable with a topic. If I was her, I would have blown it off somehow. It wouldn't surprise me if quite a few of them do.

Lots and lots of typey type. Too much for me to even try to talk about in point form.

But that's never stopped me before.

To the contestants: Have fun. Sure, some parts of it might suck, be it us judges, be it fellow contestants, or be it strange people signing your guestbooks. But remember that you signed up, because you thought that it would be a fun thing to do. So have some fun.

To the judges: Meh. Whatever. :D

Re: The current IC topic. I think it's a horrible topic. I'm looking forward to reading alot of half assed "get it over with" type entries. I know that's what I'd do. And I really can't blame contestants for talking of dropping out.

To Telutci: Well, with the publishing of your guys' little message board club, I guess we all know now why you've gotten so many votes for evil judge of the decade. And here I thought it was all because I called you a dink last game.

To Loudwoman: I didn't read you before the game, won't be reading you after the game. You come across as immature, and not in a good way. And that was even before I read you on the message board (which I'm taking with a grain of salt, it's fun to bitch and whine on message boards :D) And, really, I thought that you missed the point hard on the first immunity challenge. Heck, you didn't even come close to doing what it asked of you. Lack of effort would have made me vote you out, and, it looks as if your fellow contestants thought the same way. (I really don't think anyone cares about who's popular or not, well, aside from Loudwoman) :D

To me: Get to sleep you stupid bastard. You're pissing people off and since it's late at night and I (your last 9 remaining brain cells) have already called it a night, you're just randomly hitting keys, going for the whole million monkeys and a million typewriters thing.

Mike (racer96)

PS: Meg, the skinny elvis is now booked. It seems that fat elvis didn't want to jump out of the plane anyways.

First off I would just like to say that I am not a DS3 psychophant, I am a DS2 psychophant damnit!

Secondly, I honestly do not care if you guys get your panties in a bunch over anything I say in the blog. I am postivitely sure that several DS3 members thought I was a horrible person when they were contestants also. Now that they are on this side of the fence, they are right by my side with the poking stick. Of course some of them might still think I am a horrible person, but that's okay, it just makes me cry at night when I am lonely. GOD K-LO WHY DON'T YOU LOVE ME?

Everyone has different reasons why they vote off a particular person, some of them are valid, some of them are petty, that's just the game. You vote off who you vote off. I am not pointing my finger at anyone and saying "HEY YOU, SURVIVOR, MISTER SCUD (I have picked Scud here because we are good friends and I know he won't care if I use him as an example) I KNOW YOU ARE A CHEATING MOFO BASTARD WITH AN ALLIANCE BEHIND YOUR EVERY MOVE YOU DIRTY WHORE!" Please! I just sat down at this keyboard and some words came out I knew some of you wouldn't like it, but I am not here to make people smile and sing happy songs! I am just here to judge, which btw, I have done neutrally. Voting for ICs and posting here on the blog have absolutely nothing to do with each other. The judges are just here to observe and give some unwanted and unappreciated commentary. Here's a novel idea: if you don't like what we have to say then don't read it, it's pretty much has little effect on the game. Jonathan gave some good advice there.

Now, you can play nicey nice all you like but there's still going to be some underhanded dealings. That's how the game is SUPPOSED to be played. We picked you because you write well which means you are intelligent, cunning even. Not because you are the best at playing house with the other children. If you want to spend the entire time licking each other's bums and pretending to like the taste, you are welcome to it. But eventually (if not already) someone is going to figure out exactly how they want this game to go and they are going to do what they can to move in that direction. I hope you don't all cry about the pact when that does happen.

I have really enjoyed the game so far, even from halfway across the world. So don't let mean judges/contestants, and/or difficult topics make you quit. You agreed to play this game with your word, through it all. Don't crap out on us now. Be tough and kick ass!

I also see nothing wrong with this ic. Not all the ic's can be fun and happy.

I thought the "Cereal Box" IC from DS2 was much worse than anything we have planned for DS4. I don't see anything wrong with this IC.

This week's IC topic makes people consider quitting the game? Not the intended effect. Not my topic, but I think the author wanted to...hell I'm not going to put words into someone else's mouth. It's thought provoking. Serious, as some of the topics will be. Judges, thoughts?

Oh, and Meg, I've seen plenty of (always dark) pictures of you, you're beautiful. Not another word out of you!
And Jonny, we're not really stalking you, it's okay to leave your doors and windows unlocked, Really!
heh heh heh heh.....

Hey Kinetix, I didn't ask anything! I haven't even posted in two days! Don't be mad at me!!!
Besides, I'm probably the one fool judge from last year who refused to believe there was an alliance! I was so surprised to find out the other judges were right - and also so very proud of the Survivors who thought it up.
As for this vote, my first thought was maybe there was another alliance, but then again, I would have voted for LoudWoman too, strictly because she seemed the most popular writer. Everyone has their own reasons, and if you're in an alliance well that's a good enough reason right there.
To all DS4 Survivors: Ignore us judges, we're just trying to have fun too. Our only job is to give one of you immunity each week, otherwise the entire direction of the game is in your hands.
HAVE FUN, I mean that.
Love,
Pischina

ms. m called us in diary 3 psychophants. i'm not sure if she was being clever merging sycophant and psycho, which would be completely valid. regardless, funny comment. thought i would share.

and another memo to the contestants: i had a lot more fun with the game when i simply learned how to ignore the judges. that and when me and leroy ate babies and kicked puppies.

and yes, my comment was directed at you meg. and everyone else. i'm a happy guy right now, so i'm spreading the love. you know, like cheezwhiz.

Wow, so much to catch up on. You know, when Jonny writes "you look nice today" directed at no one in general (I think?), in the judges blog, I instinctively turn around to see if someone is looking in my window. Meanwhile he's the one who should be checking the locks on his windows and doors. Pischina and I really are stalking you Jonathan. Pischina, I wish I was prettier than the girl in White Oleander. Oh how you flatter! The person who made the comment, my friend Shelly's fiance, was here this weekend (with her of course!) and she said that he wouldn't shut up and kept repeating during the movie "It's Meg! Look hon!" After she got him more popcorn he was quiet for a while though. I hate pictures of myself, so the one in my yahoo profile is the most recent, taken about a month ago I think. Yuck!

Mike, I want a skinny Elvis, don't forget.

All of the contestants are amazing. I don't think any of the judges are trying to be mean or overly critical. I think Jenistar is right, we just talk smarmy and snarky to play our part. Behind the scenes, we're fans of group hugs and fluffy bunnies and stuff. I've never had a problem with alliances and strategy in Diary Survivor. Do what you have to do and what feels right for you contestants. It's just a game. When you get voted off, you're still a part of DS4. Keep posting in the blogs. I'll still be reading your diaries.

K.Lo - Jeff Probst is hysterical! He even said "dude" to Robb. While I think he's harsh at times, I'm loving it. It's about time the editors show us more Probsty crankiness and reaction shots. Like when Erin fell off the flower puzzle, the camera panned to Jeff who made this weird face, wincing in pain yet grinning, like "that was smooth."

I have no clue what is up with blogger. I keep getting error messages too. Uberhamster, keep hitting publish or copy and paste then re-post and publish. That's what I've been doing. Blogger offers no explanation or help for the problems, only that they're "Working on it."
Grrrrrr. Contestants, are you having problems posting in blogger?

I like this Scud guy (even though he's a giggler). The guy tells it like it is. I do, however, disagree with his feelings about Loudwoman not meeting the "criteria" because, well, there is no criteria. Unless you sunsabitches judges are keeping the criteria memo from me!!! Great...I'm out of the loop not only in DS3 but DS4 as well.

And now, I bid you all goodbye! I can't post another thing today because it's starting to look like I have nothing better to do than read the blogs and add my two cents worth. When in reality, I have tons to do but I'm just avoiding doing it.

i can see why you judges had so much fun picking on us last time.

but remember, the first couple votes that we were accused of having an alliance, there were actually only a couple of mini-alliances that happened to think the same way. it wasn't until the mariel vs. leroy vote that it was solid, and by then, everyone knew most everything anyway.

i know how stuff appears, but just because six people voted the same way, doesn't mean six people knew how they would all vote beforehand.

and i also don't think any contestant should have to justify their vote while they are still in the contest. they need to keep their strategies about them and i'm sure we will hear all about it eventually. (just a word of advice kinetix - just because you can tell, doesn't mean you should).

and to the contestants saying we should be neutral: we are. just because we have our favorites, doesn't mean we vote that way. one of the judges told me i was his or her favorite last time and they actually only voted for me once or twice.

and another thing... you look nice today. is that a new shirt?

Klo -

I'm SORRY! You know I didn't mean it to sound like that. I was picking on you specifically because I know you're a good sport! Sometimes my sarcasm gets the best of me and I forget to filter it for the folks who are sarcasm-deficient.

Yelnad

Dear Contestants:

Yelnad didn't mean to say that I said you were full of crap. I don't think you're full of crap. Actually, I like a whole lot of you guys (remember when we just read each other's diaries and signed guestbooks?) I'm still that same, loveable diarist you knew before. I'm just thinking out loud people. Thinking out loud. It's how I think. Sad, but true!!!

Keep this in mind...just because you haven't been invited to a secret alliance, doesn't mean that there isn't one. Just means you're out of the loop. And if you have been invited to a secret alliance remember this...it doesn't mean it's going to help you in the end. We DS3 contestants learned our lesson the hard way.

I'm just bitter. I was out of the DS3 loop. I just can't let that go!!!!

Now keep doing what you're doing...writing terrific immunity challenges and giving us judges shit!!!!

p.s. Yelnad? Don't be putting any more words in my mouth!!! I can't handle any more shit shovelling than I actually dole out myself!

Dearest Contestants,

Please be careful of judging the judges as one group. Just because K-Lo thinks you're full of crap and voting as an alliance, doesn't mean that I do :)

Love and giggles,
Yelnad

Heh. Hey, fellow DS3 survivors, remember when we all hated the judges? That was shortly before we started hating each other!

Just kidding. I never hated any of you. The whole voodoo doll thing was just a joke. Honest.

Hey, Survivors--we love you! Remember that we picked each and every one of you 'cause we thought you were the cat's meow, the creme' de la creme', top of the list, hey number one...

Sinatra aside, our job is to watch the game, to think of good topics for y'all to write about and to make snarky comments amongst ourselves (isn't it? Meg? Aren't the snarky comments part of the deal?). And you can't blame the DS3 players-turned-judges to try to sniff out a rat on the vote--look at the numbers. It may be that it's just coincidence, and the judge-who-cried-alliance is wrong. Or it may be that y'all are much sneakier than we thought. Either way, it's all good. We're just the judges.

And on the topic of the last IC, there were SEVERAL good entries. Good enough to win, even. But as was stated before, we can each only vote for one.

Doesn't mean the rest were cat poo.

I smell it. I smell jealousy!!! Okay, maybe it's my meatloaf I'm smelling. Damn! Wish I had more!

I'm jealous. I'm jealous of Loudwoman's writing. I want to hang out in her store. I'm jealous that she has a shoe store and I don't! Hell, I'm still jealous over Throcky's writing.

It just seems so odd that these votes go in gaggles. Gaggles? Schools? Groups. If it's not covert colusion than it's subliminal. Like when I walk into Target and it's all red and red is a hot color which triggers shopping and eating needs. I'm thinking it's the poll that subconsciously got into the contestant's craws and made most of them vote her out. I have lots of theories in case anyone's interested.

I have no idea what I just said. I'm hoping it makes sense to you like it does to me, only it won't come out exactly like I want it to. (Do you see why I have writing envy issues?)

If there's no alliance thing happening. No e-mails back and forth behind the scenes happening...than what's up?

It's not that I smell jealousy in the game, but I do catch a wafting scent of strategy and competition. Waft waft waft. PS. Note to contestants: I personally find having a pact of keeping DS4 all about fun and niceness to be incredibly amusing. Pact still equals alliance, not matter how many bright and pretty words you attach to it. PPS. Time to figure out for yourself if this is a game about surviving or about choosing the best writer. Hint: The 'S' in DS4 stands for "Survivor."

Uh, okay, Kinetix. I'll bite.

So what gives over there on the DS4 island?

Yes I definitely smell some jealousy here! But now we are going to be bombarded with "The judges are so mean, I didn't vote off LW because I felt threatened, I voted her off because....um...because...um....she used to eat paste! Yeah! That's it! God the judges don't know anything!"

Oh, K Lo, how I agree with you. I was shocked and saddened to see Loud Woman had so many votes.
Will the winner of this past week's IC be the next to go? While Loud Woman is no Sally Field, I too "really really like her". We need to wait until next week to see if an IC win is the kiss of death or if there's a mass conspiracy going on.
Throcky

It's looking pretty fishy to me, Loudwoman being voted off with such a high number! I am pretty bummed. I wanted to see her writing in the immunity challenges more. For shame scared little Diary Survivor contestants! For shame!!!!! I'm sure it was a case of "Oh my...she's everybody's favorite. We better vote her off because she's more popular and people like her. They really really like her!"

Hmm...could Loudwoman's voting off this round have anything to do with the other contestants feeling threatened? Or perhaps there is a lot going on behind the scenes that I don't know about. Either way, she was a great writer, sad to see another one go.

Man, I am gone for two days and the slutting is in full mofo swing over here.

Pish, you can talk about Survivor all you want, I am not even BOTHERING with it. I didn't even ask my BF to tape it for me because I knew that I would find out everything and it would be ruined, so go ahead, spill all beans.

And I know you liked my spanking woman. Just admit it.