- Wed Feb 24, 2021 12:08:49 pm
#63949
Okay I'll update this now. In my mind I was the correct vote for Hope, Michael, and Jess last night but I'm not complaining. And I figured Hope was telling the truth so I feel bad because she trusted me enough to split the vote, and then we used that to get rid of her and make it 3-2-1. But I guess that's the game. Idk. Breaking or exploiting trust isn't enjoyable to me but we all have to do it eventually if we want to win.
Only a few tribals left before you plead your case to the jury. Take this opportunity to look back at your game and figure out what your path to the win was: were you the social butterfly? the challenge beast? the strategist? the UTR threat? If you can't articulate your game, how do you expect the jury to respect it!?!
I'm not the strategist, and I haven't been the HBIC or anything like that. I've been social, adaptable, and level-headed... while being authentic and not being OVERLY fake unless the situation called for it.
That's what I'll have to pitch to the jury. Knowing when to pick my battles too. I don't have the flashiest game, but there's nothing that's hidden either. I'm not counting on any last-minute reveals because I feel like my game has been simple... yet also out enough in the open. Winning a couple more challenges couldn't hurt, but that's easier said than done.
1-We're all suckers for a good story arc. What is your story this season? Is it the story you would have expected for yourself coming into the game? What loose ends still need to be tied up to complete your arc?
I was a villain on Faroe Islands, and a control freak even if I denied it at the time. Coming in, I felt those same tendencies creeping up. When the first vote didn't go my way I wanted those people out, and I wasted no time establishing myself into a better position during the first swap.
Then on the second swap we were running the tribe... which was oddly similar, but less intense, than my first season when I held Jessica hostage. And holding Elizabeth hostage in a sense felt very similar even though we came into that tribe with less numbers. But when we voted Jed out over her I was worried I had just made the same mistake again.
And I continued to look like a big threat pre-merge winning challenges, getting my way, and spending a ton of coins to grab that immunity and save Tai too. That's kind of my nature I feel like... not even to call myself a "control freak" but I do naturally drift to filling Big Threat roles and that's what I was fine doing. Even Missy was allegedly trying to get rid of me from the other tribe because I was "such a big threat."
At the merge I was getting flashbacks to FI because it felt like nobody would talk to me... and our alliance was getting backed into a corner. So I agreed to getting rid of Tai, and changed up my approach.
I was able to go from one of the big threats abs almost a pariah... to someone who was more UTR and willing to talk and work with folks. Without being fake either, and never hiding who I was/wasn't cool with. All to make it with the allies I came into the merge with, successfully downplaying my threat level and their collective threat levels enough to get through to the end... with some lying and deception but not excessively so.
I think it's a great arc. It shows growth, self-awareness, adaptability, and a strong game sense and read of the dynamics. As I keep saying it's not been the flashiest merge, but it's an arc I'm proud of and would be able to defend and talk up in a FTC. It's probably to my benefit too that "controlling votes" won't be a part of my speech at all if I'm in the end. Because I know trying to take credit for round outcomes is obnoxious and thankfully my game stands on its own without needing that aspect.
My story also has a lot of gaining and losing power throughout while maintaining a clear head and calmly outlasting those who left me out of votes.
2-At final 5, it's hard to maneuver your way out of a tough position. What are some possible roadblocks that would stop you from making FTC?
If Matt or Sherri get cold feet about our F3 - or if either of them were out all along - then that would be a roadblock. And I don't want to speak too soon, but we've played the entire game together and idk if any of us would have the heart to flip now. Plus they both found idols and have been more involved and active strategically than me, especially lately... if I were them I'd want to be sitting next to me in the end too.
So right now it's looking good. But if either of them flip, yea. Or if Jess/Michael win the FIC but even then I don't think I'd be perceived as the biggest threat to take out.
3-How did Hope leaving impact your chances at winning the game?
Hope really insisted that she was "a goat" but I always viewed her as one of the best players and a huge threat to win. So her leaving improved my chances, especially since now we have a 3-2 majority over Michael and Jess with no more items to worry about.
The one thing I'd worry about is if she goes into the jury and starts up this narrative that I'm a "goat" but it's not like I have any control over that now.
4-Who is your favorite host, and why is it me?
I will piss everyone off, including this person themselves, and say Caryn! <3
