I'm writing this blog on Saturday afternoon, and it will either serve as my eviction "speech" or my final three blog. I really don't know which it'll be. I have a feeling Sapphy might take this vote, so I'm sort of expecting it to be the former.
I joined my first Stars game three weeks ago. I've only been on this site for less than two months, and there have been a lot of ups and downs. Obviously, more ups, or I wouldn't be here. When I played my first game, I walked into a game full of Stars vets -- lots of people who had been on Tengaged for a long time and had a large following -- not to mention, there was already a large alliance (nine people, I think!) planning to get me out the door. I ended up in 12th place, which disappointed me a bit, but it was an educational experience.
I didn't let it get me down, and two weeks later, I enrolled in Stars for the second time. A week later, I'm still here, and I'm proud that I've made it this far.
This time, I came in ready to play -- I was PMing like crazy and chatting up everyone. EssexGirl also joined the game, and I was thrilled because she's a great friend of mine on Tengaged. It was comforting to know there was one person I could trust 100% in the house.
Kit approached me about an alliance almost immediately and EG and I joined up with him. He brought in Hexy and AnnaMarie, and then there were five. Anna also joined another alliance including Corey, Yankee, and others I can't remember. Corey invited me to join the alliance and when I said "oh sure" he told me it had fallen apart. I had screen shots from Anna that proved otherwise. :)
Our group successfully nominated several pairs and got rid of some threats early. I had some trust issues and questioned whether or not some of my alliance was out to get me. Of course some of them were.
When EssexGirl and I were nominated together, that was a huge blow. Sure, I could've seen her as a "threat," because she could've easily won this game, but I felt nothing but horrible about the prospect of her leaving. When she was gone, I felt alone.
As the game progressed, I became closer to Kit, Vindication, and Hexy. But I continued to talk to everyone! Before each set of nominations, I talked to everyone and asked them who the noms were going to be. I was careful to never say "Ok, I will nom him/her" but instead gave ambiguous responses like "Sounds good" or responded with further questions like "Oh really? Are the votes out there to do that?" Really put my PR/political communication concentration from grad school to use!
There were some REALLY bad liars in the house! My favorite was still Friday when NO ONE nominated me! Or maybe earlier today when no one voted! haha. I FULLY admit that I voted every time!
I played hard. I didn't let myself be manipulated into becoming someone's puppet, in spite of efforts both inside and outside the game. I never allowed myself to get angry. I NEVER got overconfident. I just took one day at a time, and stayed true to myself throughout the game. It was obvious that I was going to be a target throughout (and clearly I should have been -- someone who survives eviction after eviction as I did is obviously a threat!) so when I faced eviction, I fought to stay. Campaigning is part of the game and I played that part very well, I believe.
Finally, a blog about my experience in Stars 8 would not be complete without acknowledgement of the many people who voted to save me again and again. In a short time, I've made a lot of great friends on Tengaged, and Stars has helped me realize exactly how many of you there are. Some of you went above and beyond -- posting blogs on my behalf (which I never asked for) and tolerating me and my stress behind the scenes. I can't possibly name all of you, but you're all wonderful.
There are two possible conclusions to this blog -
In one, I will say that this has been a fun experience, and I'm proud to have earned 4th place, and I look forward to playing again in a bit, once I recover from this season, which could take a while. I will wish Sapph, Maggie, and JM best of luck in the finale.
In my other conclusion, I will thank all of you for helping me get to the final three.(!!!!!!) I will congratulate Sapphire for a great game, and wish the best of luck to my fellow final three housemates - Maggie and JM. They both played very different games from me, but I believe we all deserve to be here.
And I will ask, yet again, if you could support me by giving me your vote to WIN Stars 8. I appreciate every one of you.
Wow, you've come along way Noel against alot of obstacles.. That wasn't an easy game and to get to the finals insane is amazing lol... Now just go and Win this game!!! - Mand
Thanks, Rich! I know some people disagree, but I know how hard I worked for this. :) I believe Maggie and JM are both very deserving too, though, of course!
