Post by Stephanie Valencia on Mar 23, 2013 23:18:11 GMT -5
Well, I think I just put in a good day's worth of work. 
While the game itself hasn't officially begun, I started playing from the second I signed in. Being a strong social player is a key element of my strategy in this game. I can't predict how I'll do in competitions (though I hope to perform relatively well), so establishing myself as someone with whom others feel comfortable is an important first step in the pre-game phase of the season. That being said, I don't want to come on too strong, lest people think I'm being totally fake (which, in some cases, I am). So while I'm saying hi to everyone and exchanging basic niceties and information, I'm being careful with who I really share myself with. And it's already gotten pretty interesting.
Kat is hilarious. We talked all night about totally random things—school, TV shows, phone cases (yes, phone cases)—but not a single word relating to the game. I'm cool with that. We can be friends, get to know each other, and eventually get to a point where she's built a certain amount of trust in me, independent of the game. That's something I can use to my advantage later so I'mma keep building that bridge. The same goes for Danni and Brenda. No game talk, just lots of personal conversation, which I really think is important in terms of building trust.
Adam and I spoke briefly. He immediately asked me if I knew Andrea and I told him that I had a suspicion of who she might be. My suspicions have been confirmed; she is, in fact, the insane hot mess cheating hacker that I suspected. And her thumbnail photo couldn't be more appropriate for a shit-eating bitch like her. Adam said that she'll be an asset to whatever tribe she's on because she's a good competitor. Frankly, I couldn't care less; I hate cheaters because they ruin the game, and if she's on my tribe, you best believe she'll be out of my tribe the first chance we get.
Matt is a sweetheart. He and I are in an (admittedly super early) alliance with Boston Rob…to whom I'll get later. We did a small amount of game talk but most of our conversation was personal too and we get along really well. I may have been a little too flirtatious with him, though; he dropped an oddly abrupt reference to his girlfriend, which kind of put the brakes on things. I would be lying if I said I wasn't turning on my charm somewhat more with the men. I don't intend to put the 'ho' in showmance (or do I?) but there's definitely something advantageous in a bit of sexual tension.
And that brings me to Rob. I'm kicking myself as I type this because it's so early in the game, but it is what it is. Rob is my number one right now and I hope that it stays that way. Naturally, I have doubts about his loyalty (as anyone would on Day One), but we gave each other our word and, unless I have a reason to suspect he's backstabbing me, I have every intention of remaining 100% loyal to him. Rob and I both got a good feeling from Matt, so Rob proposed the alliance to him and the three of us agreed to work together and eventually find two more people to add to our stable as the game goes on. But regardless of who else we're working with, Rob and I are a solid pair. The way that I'm approaching Rob is a lot like the way I approach a new boyfriend, and I'll be the first to admit that there's an implicit element of manipulation in it. Men like to feel like men. They like to feel in control, they like to have their opinions and efforts vindicated, and they like women who, while attentive and honest, are ultimately acquiescent to them. It's important for Rob to feel like a leader and so I'm going to do everything I can to nurture that sense of masculine authority. I'm going to groom him into my guide and protector. I know that sounds so sinister, but right now, that's my angle. As the game goes on, that might change. Maybe I'll grow more suspicious of him—if he can propose a deal like that to me on Day One, what's stopping him from doing the same with someone else tomorrow?—or maybe I'll become increasingly convinced of his loyalty and the manipulation won't be necessary.
We'll see how it goes. For now, I'm going to keep doing what I'm doing: talk to everyone, feign interest in their lives, build trust with Matt, and keep stroking Boston Rob's…ego.
While the game itself hasn't officially begun, I started playing from the second I signed in. Being a strong social player is a key element of my strategy in this game. I can't predict how I'll do in competitions (though I hope to perform relatively well), so establishing myself as someone with whom others feel comfortable is an important first step in the pre-game phase of the season. That being said, I don't want to come on too strong, lest people think I'm being totally fake (which, in some cases, I am). So while I'm saying hi to everyone and exchanging basic niceties and information, I'm being careful with who I really share myself with. And it's already gotten pretty interesting.
Kat is hilarious. We talked all night about totally random things—school, TV shows, phone cases (yes, phone cases)—but not a single word relating to the game. I'm cool with that. We can be friends, get to know each other, and eventually get to a point where she's built a certain amount of trust in me, independent of the game. That's something I can use to my advantage later so I'mma keep building that bridge. The same goes for Danni and Brenda. No game talk, just lots of personal conversation, which I really think is important in terms of building trust.
Adam and I spoke briefly. He immediately asked me if I knew Andrea and I told him that I had a suspicion of who she might be. My suspicions have been confirmed; she is, in fact, the insane hot mess cheating hacker that I suspected. And her thumbnail photo couldn't be more appropriate for a shit-eating bitch like her. Adam said that she'll be an asset to whatever tribe she's on because she's a good competitor. Frankly, I couldn't care less; I hate cheaters because they ruin the game, and if she's on my tribe, you best believe she'll be out of my tribe the first chance we get.
Matt is a sweetheart. He and I are in an (admittedly super early) alliance with Boston Rob…to whom I'll get later. We did a small amount of game talk but most of our conversation was personal too and we get along really well. I may have been a little too flirtatious with him, though; he dropped an oddly abrupt reference to his girlfriend, which kind of put the brakes on things. I would be lying if I said I wasn't turning on my charm somewhat more with the men. I don't intend to put the 'ho' in showmance (or do I?) but there's definitely something advantageous in a bit of sexual tension.
And that brings me to Rob. I'm kicking myself as I type this because it's so early in the game, but it is what it is. Rob is my number one right now and I hope that it stays that way. Naturally, I have doubts about his loyalty (as anyone would on Day One), but we gave each other our word and, unless I have a reason to suspect he's backstabbing me, I have every intention of remaining 100% loyal to him. Rob and I both got a good feeling from Matt, so Rob proposed the alliance to him and the three of us agreed to work together and eventually find two more people to add to our stable as the game goes on. But regardless of who else we're working with, Rob and I are a solid pair. The way that I'm approaching Rob is a lot like the way I approach a new boyfriend, and I'll be the first to admit that there's an implicit element of manipulation in it. Men like to feel like men. They like to feel in control, they like to have their opinions and efforts vindicated, and they like women who, while attentive and honest, are ultimately acquiescent to them. It's important for Rob to feel like a leader and so I'm going to do everything I can to nurture that sense of masculine authority. I'm going to groom him into my guide and protector. I know that sounds so sinister, but right now, that's my angle. As the game goes on, that might change. Maybe I'll grow more suspicious of him—if he can propose a deal like that to me on Day One, what's stopping him from doing the same with someone else tomorrow?—or maybe I'll become increasingly convinced of his loyalty and the manipulation won't be necessary.
We'll see how it goes. For now, I'm going to keep doing what I'm doing: talk to everyone, feign interest in their lives, build trust with Matt, and keep stroking Boston Rob's…ego.
