To quote my dearest Bridget "Hurrah! The wilderness years are over!"

Even though it was only, what, a few weeks? Hmm.

Am finally back, with internet on the weekends, and Gilmore Girls and Buffy on Tuesday nights. And we are in fact keeping our cable, becaues the mother decided she really liked it.

None of you probably cared about any of that, but, well, that hasn't stoped me from posting before. I do have one thing I'd like to say though about this week's IC.

I was torn between voting for Matt and voting for Raw. I thought Raw turned in a most excellent entry, but as I thought more about what the topic was, I thought that Matt did a better job of impersonating Mike. And because that was the challenenge, I voted for Mike. But I just wanted Raw to know that I thought she turned in a splindiferous entry.

That's all. I'm headed back to the cave now.

Woops, sorry, I've been kind of neglecting this thing lately, with the whole being busy and whatnot, I've barely found time to update my own diary.

I have to say thanks to snowy? was it? that sent in this suggestion, as it gave me a day off from writing.

I will now quote mychai, for no reason whatsoever. Dumbmotherf*ckerDumbmotherf*ckerDumbmotherf*ckerDumbmotherf*ckerDumbmotherf*cker.

Ok, so maybe it was just to say Dumbmotherf*cker. But, I was still polite, and bleeped out the u. See, so polite.

Now, who's going to write my next entry for me? And can the next immunity challenge be "Cook and clean for the judges" ?

Mike (racer96)

i don't want to vote for anyone because none of them picked me to write about. is that wrong?

(doing finger circle around ear thing)

So, does the complete lack of activity on the contestant blog mean that Kim really was the only thing keeping it going, or does it mean that she was the last one to leave? I hope she turned out the light and locked the door...

Tel, you're hurting my feelings again. I think I'll write a few diary entries about you now. Let me see if I can dig up that AIM convo we had a few weeks ago...

Fear not, Meg — there will always be a place in my life for the truly crazy.

(doing *b-b-b-b* thing with finger and lips)

What? You mean we aren't going to be best friends forever Tel? Mattu? Jon-athan? LL? And YOU?
First my sister tells me there is no Santa Clause. Now this?

Kim, your apology was appreciated, but not necessary. I never told you your comments were getting on my nerves, so how could you know? That's hardly your problem...it's my problem for not telling you sooner. However, I refuse to speak up simply for the benefit of those who wanted me to do something about you. I didn't want to play into their agenda, and I still will not. If my editorial yesterday had any coincidental effect that pleases them, it was really not my intention.

I still want everyone to say and do as they please. I just wanted everyone to know that my personal policy is to not censor anyone for doing so.

But, again, I do appreciate your apology. I know it was sincere, and I respect you a lot for that. I think a lot of people have a lot of misconceptions about — well, about pretty much everyone associated with this competition. However, I know that nothing is going to change that, so we just need to try and tolerate each other until this is all over. Then we can go back to not being involved in each others' lives just like it was before the game started.

Trust me, folks...we will all survive Survivor.

Up to this point, I've felt that not acknowledging all the artificial controversy was the smartest course of action. I still feel that way. However, I am going to address a couple key points, just so the contestants and the judges know that this game hasn't devolved into the joke some loudmouths in the gallery seem to believe it has.

First there's the issue of blogs, message boards, guestbooks, and mailing lists. It is the policy of the host to NEVER restrict free speech. To instruct anyone on how to conduct themselves publicly or privately simply because they are associated with Diaryland Survivor would be hypocritical. And it would be stupid. And, most of all, it would invite even more of the sort of allegations we've seen already.

To allow free speech is to allow free stupidity. Some readers and former contestants view themselves as staunch defenders of free speech. Their techniques are crude and damaging at best. But they believe in what they are doing, and to restrict them would be to oppose their right to have such idiotic opinions.

The view of the majority of readers is that ousted contestants should be banned from the blog. The purpose of that poll was to gather information for a possible future edition of Diaryland Survivor. To enact a change as big as that mid-game would be grossly unfair. And it would affect EVERYONE, not just the two particular players we all seem to be weary of.

It should also be noted that silence as to their behavior is not an implicit agreement of their statements. To accuse anyone of that is to be incredibly closed-minded and judgmental. I personally have found the actions of some of my online friends to be downright stomach-churning. But I have never condemned them because, quite frankly, what would be the point? Well, it seems to be the view of many critics that "the point" would be to placate those who oppose them. In my case (and in the case of MOST of the judges and contestants), choosing silence is an endorsement of neither side.

The second issue is one of judge integrity. As previously said, it is our belief that the opinions of the judges should not be restricted. The reliability of a judge is based on other things, such as voting record. And by that, I don't simply mean "do they vote every week?" I also mean, who do they vote for? If a judge is observed voting for the same contestant week after week, they are removed from the judges' pool. It would be very illuminating to many outsiders to see how the public statements of the judges seldom matter when it comes time to vote for Immunity. I can say with pride that all the current judges ARE impartial and fair. And they are opinionated and talented as well. They all deserve a lot more credit than they receive.

It is regrettable that a former contestant was driven to the point of locking her diary. I personally find that goes against everything this game stands for, and it flies right in the face of the free speech that some people claim to defend. But it is her personal choice, and she alone has the power to change her mind. Just as others have the power to stop flinging false accusations and tired insults. Those people should stop looking to others for action, and start taking it upon themselves to correct their behavior.

Thank you for giving this a moment of consideration.

I was in a bad mood and couldn't sleep last night. Everyone gasp! Plus, there wasn't enough drama on the blogs. Telutci is kicking ass as co-host and everything is okay. Thanks for the offers. Awww, I just love you judges. Jonny, if you really want to help...

Meg, Tel, I'll wave my hand, too, if there's something I can do.

i'll help in any way i can. so will leroy. because, you know, i like volunteering other people for stuff.

Anyone want to co-host the rest of the contest with Telutci?

you know, there's what, five contestants left in the game? wouldn't it be great if someone actually was talking about them? granted they're not creating any drama, which is likely why they've lasted this long. and if there is some sort of an alliance, now is about the time they'll start turning on each other. believe me.