Episode #12 [Day 34-39]

[cody]

I'm bummed jermaine Jedda and Quanz didn't post before I have to go to sleep tonight... I gotta be up in 4 hours and will be gone until Sunday. Eek

[cody]

Oct 19, 2013 15:18:57 GMT -5 quanz said:

Animal, you were alot of fun to play and seem like a really great guy. I'm going to have a really tough time deciding between you and Joe for who should take home the million bucks. I'm having a lot of trouble coming up with a question to ask you, and I don't know why. But, this fairly generic one will have to do. If you could change one move in the game, which one would increase your chances of winning one million dollars(Nothing isn't acceptable)?

Hey Quanz! I totally agree that you are a fun person to play with and definitely a great guy. I think I've said it already that our Skype calls were some of the "little things" about this game that I came to appreciate the most, and I definitely miss them. We were great together, yo! Anyway, thanks for your statements and question. I understand it's going to be a hard decision and I don't expect to be handed a vote whatsoever, so I'm glad you're willing to hear us out to see who you think should win in the end...

In response to your question: I know "nothing" is not a viable answer, but I honestly don't think I would have changed up any of the boot orders, since I think since merge, each boot was the most beneficial for me to be honest.

(F10: Even though the first round of merge I'd rather Nax go over Nicole, Nicole leaving eliminated double vote so it was best.
F9: Brookie quit.
F8: Woods being blindsided without my help kept the blood of Woods off my hands + eliminated someone people deemed me to be the "bitch" of.
F7: Ricky was eliminated in a challenge.
F6: Nax left, he voted Brenda out anyway and I didn't want to vote B.
F5: I was the only one who wanted Jermaine to go (Brenda wanted what I wanted, Jermaine wanted me to go, Jedda wanted Joe to go, Joe wanted Jedda to go. I got what I wanted.
F4: Jedda had to go for everyone's benefit.)

The only boot I wasn't sure about was yours, tbh. I preferred Brookie to be the boot, but we settled on you because of idol paranoia which is understandable, and given the circumstances, I think we worked best with what we had, even though if I looked back on it now, I'd much rather push to keep you over Brookie.. As I said, I think with the knowledge we had at the time, it was the best move so idk if I would say that was the single move I'd go back and change.

So I guess if I could change anything in particular about my game, it would be Jury Management. I don't really know what else to change, because given the hand I was dealt, I feel like I've done virtually everything in my power to get myself here with the best odds I had to win, which I think I've described. I forged an an alliance between my two groups Brenda/Woods and Joe/Jermaine and formed the rebellion against the Axis of Evil, and I think it was largely due to my connections that set this up and helped my group make it to the end. I masterminded the Jermaine boot, and the Jedda boot (I had to convince Brenda to go through with it if Joe hadn't won immunity- which I believe I did.) I think if I went to the end with Ricky's group, I would have lost. If I went to the end with Jermaine, I would have stood uneven odds. If I went to the end with Woods, I would have been called his bitch. So I think this was my best odds. The only other thing I could think of would be switching you and Brookie at least since she wound up quitting anyway and you deserved and earned your Jury spot. xD - which you got anyway! Yay

I hope this answers your question, and if you have any follow up questions, please let me know! Good luck with your vote, Quanzy! <3

[cody]

Oct 19, 2013 20:07:01 GMT -5 Jermaine said:

Now, moving on lets put Cody "Animal" Lasso in the hot seat

Honestly Cody, I have read through all of your statements and answers, and I really don't have a whole lot to ask you. Throughout this game you were always soo much fun to talk to, but I do feel like I was constantly trying to read where your head was and I think it's safe to say you were doing the same with me. So now you sit there in the finals, having played a very strong game and I sit here a "bitter juror" as some might say You have already answered any questions I had about your gameplay so I'm not going to give you anything really difficult to answer at all...In fact, I'm not going to even ask you a question. If you would like to address me with any statements, comments, etc, you are more then welcomed to, otherwise consider this a break from the heavy questions you were already given 

Sorry it took a bit to get this up! I was literally out camping last night and I haven't slept since, so I definitely apologize in advance if this is sloppy/all over the place, but I wanted to get you the answer you deserve up ASAP, so here goes nothing!

Thank you for your statements! It was definitely a pleasure talking to you and working with you throughout the game. We got along so well and even though we probably picked each other's brains out to figure where the other stood, I think we both had a mutual realization that we were each other's biggest threat to win the game. Honestly, I respected the decisions you made in the game, because it clearly showed that you were fighting to win and you were preparing a resume for that win, so when you could get to the FTC, you would have a lot to flaunt to the Jury. I thought that was super impressive, and it definitely intimidated me.

I was working on the rebellion of Ricky/Cult of Ricky from the beginning of the game and when you solidified yourself with us, I think that's when the rebellion became real, and I wound up legitimately with it as well, so I think your game - and my game - were both very impressive in that sense, so I wanted you out so I could (not only build up my resume but also) have what I perceived to be "the most" moves made.

I think I was like the only person in the final 5 who wanted you to go, and you wound up going. It's obviously not personal, since we wound up voting against one another, but I just knew you were my biggest roadblock left in my way of winning the game. If you didn't go then, I don't think I stood a chance at winning, so I hope you can respect the move made for what it was, since I feel like that's what you were trying to do as well? If you thought I was your biggest threat left to win, then I would hope you'd strongly consider voting for me as well, but if not I totally understand and we're all cool. I obviously don't know everything behind your full reasoning- you were obviously closer to Joe and Jedda, so that's up to you.

Honestly toward the beginning of the game, I felt there were two sides, "Animal vs. Ricky" and going into final 5- there were two other sides: "Animal vs. Jermaine" and I feel like I had a huge role this season, so I don't want all my efforts to go to waste, but you are obviously entitled to do what you want with your vote and everyone has had different impressions this entire season!

Thank you for your time Jermaine, I think you're an amazing person and if I sound arrogant or all over the place, I apologize because it's our goal to sell you our games, and I have only gotten one hour of sleep in the past 2 days (5 hours in the past 3 days) so I obviously need Starbucks ;] - I hope nothing I said came out wrong or anything!

[cody]

I feel like I have Woods locked.

Joe might have Jermaine?

Hopefully I get the Axis of Evil: Nax, Nicole, and Ricky - and that wins me the game.

I feel Jedda would vote me? Since he voted me out on his way out he thought I was playing the best? Idunno.

Quanz is up in the air. I hope me. :3

[cody]

I feel less confident today than I did yesterday. Eek

[cody]

Why did Nax not give me the same love :@ RUDE!

[cody]

- apologize n explanations , he was a bloody drongo n i was a bloody sook -
- Jedda / Brenda -
- Woods / Ricky -
- Make him jelly , be a whore, slut, etc. But also prob ignore him and pretend he doesn't exist , etc. If I wanted to get dirty I'd prob TP and/or egg his house and yah -

[cody]

I hope I get Jedda's vote. I love him, ugh. <3

Votes I need:
- Woods
- Ricky
- Nicole
- Jedda

Votes I want:
- Nax

Votes I have no clue what to expect:
- Quanz

Votes I don't expect:
- Jermaine

[cody]

everything aside i fucking love this cast in general lol i love everyone <33333

[kirin]

What about votes you don't want? =P

[cody]

[: Animal's Closing Statement :]

Alright, hey guys. This is it: the end of our journey. I can't say I didn't have my share of fun, laughter, excitement, stress, and disappointment, but it all came together to make this one of the best gaming experiences I've ever had in my life. I came in questioning whether I'd be able to handle a game where I play as myself, and I come out of it feeling more empowered than ever. I made a few friends along the way, and I can genuinely say I've enjoyed my time getting to know each and every one of you, despite half of us starting off on the wrong foot - we certainly ended up better than ever, so thank you guys for that. Thank all of you for the hand you all had in making this experience what it was.

My game included a series of polarizing (yet in-the-middle) strategic decisions. I wanted to be polarizing from the beginning for a reason: I wanted to be noticed. From the beginning of the game, I was Anti-Ricky's group, not only because I wanted to take down a group that I noticed I wasn't a part of, but because I wanted to be someone who made a difference in this game and who had enough spotlight on them to win the game in the end. I realized being polarizing from the beginning would put a target on my back and it would make it extremely difficult to make it to the end, yet somehow I am still here. I was never an Under the Radar player unlike my two opponents, and despite what Joe or Brenda say- they didn't NEED to be Under the Radar, and I'm living proof of that, and so is Rob Mariano (for Joe). Two of the biggest stages of this game were festered by the strategic rivalries of myself and Ricky, followed by the strategic rivalries of myself and Jermaine. Since I "won" both rivalries, some may say I played a deserving game, but that is up to you guys.

Since I was so polarizing, yet protected by my allies and immunities, when the merge hit I knew I needed to appeal to everyone. With that, I aligned myself with Nicole and Ricky as well. Not only did I not want to be targeted by their group, but I wanted a safety net in case my group didn't pull through for me, since I wasn't positive. I know "polarizing (yet in-the-middle)" sounds like an oxymoron (and I guess it is), but I say this because I was so contested by half of the cast, that I found it best to align with the entire cast, and wound up in a situation where I was polarizing, yet literally in the middle of the alliance spectrum. I guess this is because when I knew someone would want to target me, I tried aligning with them in an attempt to thwart their efforts.

When everyone called me the #1 threat to win the game, I sensed I needed to lay low for one single round, and I did. My UTR round was very different from Brenda or Joe's UTR pre-merge, because not only was it only one round for me, but it was for good reason: because everyone said I was the biggest threat to win, and the fact that I understood this and translated it into a game move proves that I was well aware and able to adjust my strategy based on how I'm being perceived. When Brenda and Joe played UTR, they had no reason to other than to let others make moves and so they could remain clean.

Anyway I made it to the end despite being called out numerous times on being threatening, and I think people like Jedda and Jermaine realized this, because on their way out: they targeted me. But due to the relationships and alliances I had set up, I remained safe, and managed to make it to the end.

~~

This game is about three components, and I don't mean outwit, outplay, and outlast.

I am talking about one's strategic, social, and physical games.

~ Physically ~

I was safe from elimination 4/5 of the pre-merge Tribal Council (granted, one of which was because Jordan quit.) and I won 1 individual immunity, but I was second place in quite a few. Of the finalists, I went the longest in the endurance challenge, and I was first in the first two challenges of this very game - and people viewed me as a threat - but no, I did not play UTR because of that.

~ Strategically ~

I made several alliances (1] myself, Joe, Jermaine, 2] myself, Woods, Brenda, 3] myself, Ricky, Nicole, Jedda, 4] #AnimalHouse, 5] INDIVIDUAL alliances with Joe, Brenda, Woods, Zack, Jedda, etc.) I pitted alliances against each other, and I strategically wanted Brenda to win the F5 immunity to ensure Jermaine's elimination (I figured Jedda and Joe would be more likely to keep me over Jermaine than they would be likely to keep Brenda over Jermaine: paid off when I stayed 3-0 in the re-vote), I "switched sides" when the times called, I placed myself in the final 3 with the final 3 that I wanted, and I basically considered every single option on every round- I always wanted options and never turned anything down because I wanted the ability to pick and choose.

~ Socially ~

I feel I played a very social game in which I made myself available at all times. If I wasn't on the computer, I signed on Skype from my phone if I was available. I always fancied a talk, and wasn't afraid to Voice Chat to be able to connect with people. I feel like I was relatable to people and always got along with everyone, even when on opposite sides as them (except when Nicole and I had our blow-up <3), but even after that, we wound up aligning and being able to have a chat: hence, I always made myself available and never wanted to completely cross anything off the table. That all said socially, I believe I have made true and lasting friendships in this game, because I don't think I was ever fake just for the sake of a game, and I genuinely enjoyed conversations with you all. You all made this game fun and I look forward to how we all are after the game, regardless of the outcome.†

Due to a combination of my physical, social, and strategic game play, I think I played the most deserving of a win. I hope you all can see it that way, but if not: that's okay. We've all come a long way and the game is winding down, so thank you all for your time, good luck with your votes, and may the best (wo)man win!

Good luck Joe and Brenda as well. I love you guys!

PS. If anyone has any questions at any point, feel free to ask more. Even though this is my closing statement, I am still available to answer any of your questions, so you can post on the board, or you know where to find me. So with that said - thank you for your time, and good luck with your decisions.

<3

[cody]

I feel confident-ish again. Mrah.

I really want Joe to get second, he deserves that. I love Brenda and she did great and deserves to be here.