Post by Robb Zbacnik on Jan 7, 2009 0:07:44 GMT -5
When I was told that we would be walking past the torches of our fallen tribemates, I immediately knew how I wanted to approach it. I wanted to take a substantial amount of time at each torch, and really reflect on each person. Not throw out a bunch of BS. Because, contrary to popular opinion, I'm a good kid with a good heart, trying to be the best person he can be - and the pathway to spritual fulfillment cannot be traveled alone. No matter how minutely, each of these people has affected my life in some way, and the only way to grow is to take it to heart.
Aras
Aras my friend, you were the first to go, so obviously I didn't know you - but I owe everything to you in a way don't I? I wouldn't be this far if someone didn't get voted out first. Thanks for playing.
Alex
I didn't get to hang with you at all, so I don't know what to say, other than I hope you had fun while you lasted...
Elisabeth
I really wish we could've been on a tribe together at some point. You seemed like you would have been fun, and you had an air of spunk about you.
Dan Barry
I don't understand it, man. Why would you pretend to be someone you're not? I honestly enjoy getting to know people, and because you put up that wall, it was tough to make any kind of real connection. I'm glad I wasn't around when it got ugly, because I heard it did, because you seemed like an okay guy overall.
Ace
I don't think I've ever seen quite like what happened with you...I don't know what you did to get under the hosts skin so badly, but its a shame that it happened. I never met you so I don't want to judge, but its a pity that anything like that stained this game. Hopefully whatever it was, you at least grew a bit from it.
Susie
Isn't it weird that we were on the same original tribe but I never spoke to you? I had a tough time figuring you out - I couldn't put my finger on your motivations for playing, or for why you acted so strangely. I just hope you got what you came for.
Sherea
Aww...Sherea! You know, I kind of developed elder brotherly feelings for you at a certain point, and I wanted to protect you to a certain extent. You were such a sweetie, and maybe its good that you got out quickly, before you had to face some of the viciousness that inevitably happens after the merge. But I missed having you around after we got split up.
Amber
Amber Damber - you getting voted out was kind of like the watching the other team's star quarterback get hurt in the first quarter. On the one hand, you're happy because it will make the game much easier, but on the other, you're a bit sad for him, because he didn't really deserve it. That's you. You deserved to go so much farther in this game. But, for that very reason, I wanted to get you out early. Nothing but respect for you, though.
Matty
You seemed like such a big personality, but I never got to meet you, which is a shame. I think you showed a severe lack of class and maturity after your ousting, and you have much growing yet to do, but I don't think such things are unforgivable offenses. You had to have done something right to survive as many tribals as you had to face, right? So, I'm really bummed that I didn't get to at least have one or two conversations with you, so I could form my own opinion.
Eliza
Eliza - what to say. I think if we knew each other outside of this game we would be good friends...to a certain extent you reminded me of my friends out in the real world. I don't think you trusted me after we got split up, though - and I was a bit confused as to why you would throw a vote at your last tribal council. I like to tell myself that you were trying to help me, but I'm not sure. But its the only vote against me this whole game, which bums me out a little. Why is it that that lone vote came from one of my favorite people in the game? But at any rate, I'm glad you played, and you are the only person on the jury that I didn't vote out.
Dan Kay
Its too bad that you couldn't finish this game strong, but I am so very impressed at your chivalry in asking to be voted out. It would have been so easy to have not said anything and just floated as far as you could, so even though you leaving hurt me, I would like to thank you for doing the right thing. I think you're a good kid, and you have your heart in the right place, and you might have even taught me a little something about what it means to be honorable, so thanks.
Tina
Tina, Tina, Tina. I wanted you out so badly for so long. Just like with everyone, I tried to get to know you, but for whatever reason, I just didn't feel like we clicked. I don't think you're a bad person, our relationship was just off for whatever reason. But you, more than any other person in this game, motivated me to be at my best for every single challenge. Every time I went to compete when I knew you were playing, it made me push that much harder to win. You were the badass of Survivor: Back to Lima, and I'm just glad I could get you out when I did.
Keith
Let me give you my prediction. If we were on a tribe together in the beginning, we would have double teamed every single other person in this game, rode to the end together, and then you would have beaten me in the end. I had a good time getting to know you - you are a real, unique individual, and I have no hesitation in saying that we would probably be boys out in the real world.
Kathy
Kathy, my heart is making me say that I am sorry for what I did to you. It was 100% me, I put it all together, and from a game standpoint, I don't regret it at all. But, on a personal note - I admire you, and have nothing but the best of words for you. Hopefully you will understand that I came to play a game, and everything I did throughout this whole adventure was to try to win. But, you're already a huge winner in life, so I guess I shouldn't feel too bad.
Gary
And finally, Gary. You played a fantastic social game - I don't think there is any doubt of that. But, you fell into the classic trap that so many great people have done: hubris. As I interacted with you throughout the game, and the numbers started to dwindle, it seemed like you developed a strong sense of entitlement. At first I thought you were just confident, and had faith in your allies, but your entire tone started to shift. I don't think you are totally to blame, because everyone kept patting you on the back and telling you how great you were - but most everyone started to notice it. I specifically remember that question you were asked one tribal council: "Are you a lock to win this game?" It was a stupid, ridiculous question, and anyone with even a dash of humility would have answered it as such, but you just said that you wouldn't say you were a lock...as if you thought it might be a possibility. And it ultimately led to your downfall. You threw a strategically irrelevant vote at someone who dared cross you, which directly led to your best friend being voted out, and you folloewd right after. I know I'm starting to babble, but I just hope you take this chance to grow a bit as a person. "If you assume a humble attitude, your own good qualities will increase; whereas when you are full of pride, there is no way to be happy." --His Holiness the XIVth Dalai Lama.
Aras
Aras my friend, you were the first to go, so obviously I didn't know you - but I owe everything to you in a way don't I? I wouldn't be this far if someone didn't get voted out first. Thanks for playing.
Alex
I didn't get to hang with you at all, so I don't know what to say, other than I hope you had fun while you lasted...
Elisabeth
I really wish we could've been on a tribe together at some point. You seemed like you would have been fun, and you had an air of spunk about you.
Dan Barry
I don't understand it, man. Why would you pretend to be someone you're not? I honestly enjoy getting to know people, and because you put up that wall, it was tough to make any kind of real connection. I'm glad I wasn't around when it got ugly, because I heard it did, because you seemed like an okay guy overall.
Ace
I don't think I've ever seen quite like what happened with you...I don't know what you did to get under the hosts skin so badly, but its a shame that it happened. I never met you so I don't want to judge, but its a pity that anything like that stained this game. Hopefully whatever it was, you at least grew a bit from it.
Susie
Isn't it weird that we were on the same original tribe but I never spoke to you? I had a tough time figuring you out - I couldn't put my finger on your motivations for playing, or for why you acted so strangely. I just hope you got what you came for.
Sherea
Aww...Sherea! You know, I kind of developed elder brotherly feelings for you at a certain point, and I wanted to protect you to a certain extent. You were such a sweetie, and maybe its good that you got out quickly, before you had to face some of the viciousness that inevitably happens after the merge. But I missed having you around after we got split up.
Amber
Amber Damber - you getting voted out was kind of like the watching the other team's star quarterback get hurt in the first quarter. On the one hand, you're happy because it will make the game much easier, but on the other, you're a bit sad for him, because he didn't really deserve it. That's you. You deserved to go so much farther in this game. But, for that very reason, I wanted to get you out early. Nothing but respect for you, though.
Matty
You seemed like such a big personality, but I never got to meet you, which is a shame. I think you showed a severe lack of class and maturity after your ousting, and you have much growing yet to do, but I don't think such things are unforgivable offenses. You had to have done something right to survive as many tribals as you had to face, right? So, I'm really bummed that I didn't get to at least have one or two conversations with you, so I could form my own opinion.
Eliza
Eliza - what to say. I think if we knew each other outside of this game we would be good friends...to a certain extent you reminded me of my friends out in the real world. I don't think you trusted me after we got split up, though - and I was a bit confused as to why you would throw a vote at your last tribal council. I like to tell myself that you were trying to help me, but I'm not sure. But its the only vote against me this whole game, which bums me out a little. Why is it that that lone vote came from one of my favorite people in the game? But at any rate, I'm glad you played, and you are the only person on the jury that I didn't vote out.
Dan Kay
Its too bad that you couldn't finish this game strong, but I am so very impressed at your chivalry in asking to be voted out. It would have been so easy to have not said anything and just floated as far as you could, so even though you leaving hurt me, I would like to thank you for doing the right thing. I think you're a good kid, and you have your heart in the right place, and you might have even taught me a little something about what it means to be honorable, so thanks.
Tina
Tina, Tina, Tina. I wanted you out so badly for so long. Just like with everyone, I tried to get to know you, but for whatever reason, I just didn't feel like we clicked. I don't think you're a bad person, our relationship was just off for whatever reason. But you, more than any other person in this game, motivated me to be at my best for every single challenge. Every time I went to compete when I knew you were playing, it made me push that much harder to win. You were the badass of Survivor: Back to Lima, and I'm just glad I could get you out when I did.
Keith
Let me give you my prediction. If we were on a tribe together in the beginning, we would have double teamed every single other person in this game, rode to the end together, and then you would have beaten me in the end. I had a good time getting to know you - you are a real, unique individual, and I have no hesitation in saying that we would probably be boys out in the real world.
Kathy
Kathy, my heart is making me say that I am sorry for what I did to you. It was 100% me, I put it all together, and from a game standpoint, I don't regret it at all. But, on a personal note - I admire you, and have nothing but the best of words for you. Hopefully you will understand that I came to play a game, and everything I did throughout this whole adventure was to try to win. But, you're already a huge winner in life, so I guess I shouldn't feel too bad.
Gary
And finally, Gary. You played a fantastic social game - I don't think there is any doubt of that. But, you fell into the classic trap that so many great people have done: hubris. As I interacted with you throughout the game, and the numbers started to dwindle, it seemed like you developed a strong sense of entitlement. At first I thought you were just confident, and had faith in your allies, but your entire tone started to shift. I don't think you are totally to blame, because everyone kept patting you on the back and telling you how great you were - but most everyone started to notice it. I specifically remember that question you were asked one tribal council: "Are you a lock to win this game?" It was a stupid, ridiculous question, and anyone with even a dash of humility would have answered it as such, but you just said that you wouldn't say you were a lock...as if you thought it might be a possibility. And it ultimately led to your downfall. You threw a strategically irrelevant vote at someone who dared cross you, which directly led to your best friend being voted out, and you folloewd right after. I know I'm starting to babble, but I just hope you take this chance to grow a bit as a person. "If you assume a humble attitude, your own good qualities will increase; whereas when you are full of pride, there is no way to be happy." --His Holiness the XIVth Dalai Lama.