Round 1

[Stephanie Valencia]

The tribes have been decided and it looks like I'm a Tingbani girl for now. I love Brenda and Kat, Morgan and Corinne are interesting characters, Danni is kind of a cold fish, and Natalie W is nonexistent. On the bright side, Morgan and Corinne are begging for alliances and being all loud and crazy and ESL about it, so Brenda and I are using that to our advantage to make sure we always have the majority, control the votes, and last until the merge. Brenda's totally my girl, I have her back and I trust her to have mine. She feels good about Rob and Matt, but I'm not going to propose a formal alliance until we get to the merge.

Adam and I are getting really close. We spend a lot of time talking—always about personal stuff—and he messaged me before I went to bed last night and again when I woke up this morning to wish me a good day today. (Keep in mind the time difference, people! His time zone is fifteen hours ahead of mine!) He's honestly so unbelievably sweet and, while I should be totally suspicious of that kind of behaviour in a game, I really do believe he's genuine. And that's what I'm struggling with right now. I always put the game first and I take no game moves personally, just as I'd expect other players to be good sports and not take things personally. But that doesn't mean I don't have feelings or sympathy or a heart. It's hard to betray people when you form a personal connection with them. Right now, I don't know how Adam fits into the greater scheme of things. I have a while to figure it out, so I'm not worried. But it's a good idea for me to start coming to terms with the fact that I'm probably going to break his heart.

There's only one person responsible for that, of course. And that's Rob. I don't know if you know this—has he talked about it?—but Rob and I are in a pretty deep showmance. We flirt and cuddle and talk about…marketing and consulting and theatre history. You know, the really hot and heavy stuff. But it needs to stay on the DL for now. I'll update you soon.

Oh, did I mention I'm MVP for the first Immunity Challenge? That's because I want a fire crystal. I want all the crystals. I want a spot on QVC selling my enormous crystal collection next to Joan fucking Rivers. It's on.

[Stephanie Valencia]

FUCKING SNAPPING.
FUCKING SNAPPING.
FUCKING SNAPPING.

Where the fuck is my tribe?! We need three people online at once to get this challenge done and Corinne and I are the only people around?!?! I know I took on the responsibility of being MVP and that's because I was ready to do the work it required. But come the fuck on! That doesn't mean these other bitches get to take naps and slack off. I am SO BEYOND DISAPPOINTED in these girls right now. I busted my ass to get my 40 posts done in as little time as possible. My efforts aren't going to go unrecognized. If we lose this Immunity Challenge, my torch isn't going anywhere.

[Stephanie Valencia]

Thank god; Brenda just came back. That was a close one. She'll take over for Corinne and I'll pick up the fourth and seventh legs so we can keep playing.

Jesus Christ, Corinne's taking forever. Slow at posting; noted.

Update (7:57pm)

I'm going to straight-up lose my shit. First, Corinne takes four hundred years to post. I took 11 minutes to post 40 times; she took 12 minutes to post only 30 times.

Now, Brenda is taking another four hundred years to GRAB THE FUCKING BATON.

I know I have anger issues when it comes to challenges. I'm fiercely competitive and I'm sure it's bad for my blood pressure. I just want a really great head-start over the other two tribes. Must. Get. That. Crystal.

Update (8:12pm)

I need to relax and stop being so hard on these girls. Because Karma is alive and well, my computer froze and I had to reboot my internet…while frantically posting on my phone instead. At least I still get shit done.

Update (8:16pm)

Brenda just asked me how many posts before starting. Girl, start posting and THEN ask. You have 15-second breaks so use them. And get rid of that damn .gif in your signature! It slows down my refresh function!!!

Breathe, Stephanie.

Update (8:37pm)

Alright, realistically, we're not going to be able to keep this going nonstop with just the three of us. Corinne is already complaining that she's tired…and the other four members of my tribe are conveniently nowhere to be found. Not amused. At all. But it's cool. I need to relax and take it in stride. Even if we lose—I mean, we better not lose—but even if we lose, I really don't think there's a chance I'll be voted off the tribe. Well, except for the fact that I've become a complete tyrant during this challenge. I may have scared Brenda a bit. I need to seriously cool it, rein in my competitiveness a bit, and just…go with the flow.

Update (8:41pm)

But Corinne is posting only twice a minute. As in…half the desired speed.
Face…meet desk.
Fists…MEET WORLD.

Update (8:59pm)

Theoretically, if every post is exactly on time, one full lap should take just over half an hour. Obviously, that's in a vacuum situation and is totally unfeasible. But we're closing in on our second lap and it's been an hour and a half. That's somewhat slower than I'd hoped. I just hope the other two tribes are taking even longer.

Update (9:22pm)

Cutting back on the micromanaging but stepping up the guilt tripping. Corinne asked, "Make a little break?" And like the vicious tyrant I am, I said no. Well, not exactly. I said I wasn't going to take a break and wanted to put up my 40 posts so that anyone else could follow me at their leisure. She felt guilty and decided to stay and do another 30.

When I was halfway through my 40 posts for the third lap, I checked in with Rob and he told me Saayazu was just finishing their second lap. I think we have a pretty healthy lead; we just need to make sure we don't lose it.

Update (9:33pm)

Kat is finally here. I briefed her on the challenge and told her when to post.
Corinne, go to bed.

Update (10:05pm)

Just had my fastest round of 40 yet. I found a great way to shave off those extra seconds because of the 15-second stipulation. I'm using a stopwatch so I'm clicking literally every fifteen seconds on the dot (or as close to the dot as possible). And during my breaks, I'm flirting it up with Rob.

Update (11:10pm)

Danni is finally here. Another slow one. She's chatting away with us on AIM while she's supposed to be posting. Man, I run a tight ship. In any case, I've just been keeping my mouth shut. If I come off like a tyrant, no one will want to work with me. And honestly, we're all working together so I can't complain. The four of us—Brenda, Kat, Danni and I—are probably going to be online for a while so I think we have a really good shot of winning. Boo, who is MVP for his tribe, told me that he's really slowed down because he's watching a movie with his family. Whether that's true or not I don't know. And it looked like Nyonni was stalled for a while there when only Brandon was online. Does this bode well for Tingbani? Let's hope so!

Update (11:17pm)

No, honestly, I can't deal. Fifteen posts in seventeen minutes.
Danni, SIT OUT.


Update (11:24pm)

I'mma knock this bitch out.

Danni: what can i say...i love being the one to make tribe life more fun

SHUT THE FUCK UP. STOP TALKING AND START POSTING.
Oh, the nerves! The nerves tonight!

Update (12:01am)

We've been at this for four and a half hours. I think we're operating on a pretty good rhythm. (You know, when Danni's not slow-motioning the shit out of the challenge.) But I'm starting to get restless and my eyes are playing tricks on me as I scroll through my posts. Rob is helping me enjoy my breaks though, which is really cool of him. He goes out of his way to make me laugh and we're really getting to know each other on a personal level. He's really funny and honestly so sweet. Sigh. I can truthfully say I didn't foresee anything like this. What's happening to me?

Update (1:06am)

Alright, almost six hours later, I'm calling it a night for now. We finished five laps and I posted the first 40 feet so that the MVP's leg is done. Anyone who wants to continue the relay later tonight or tomorrow (ahem, Morgan?) should take the initiative. Or maybe Danni can do the next 30 posts. She should probably be done by sunrise.

I think that we've set a really competitive pace. Obviously, I can't know for sure how far the other tribes have gotten but I'm confident we'll get immunity and I'm very optimistic that Tingbani will win and I'll get the first Fire Crystal. I'm really intrigued by the Crystals twist and, as of right now, I think I want to win and hoard as many as I can so I can use them later. We'll see what happens. Obviously, that can change as the game develops. For now, I'm going to focus on this Immunity Challenge, my budding showmance with Rob, and my continued flirtation with…where the hell is Adam tonight?

Update (11:20am)

Fuck this. I'm so disappointed in my tribe. We literally need someone to run ONE FOOT so that we can finish this lap and start a new one. This is unreal. Brenda has been totally on it this whole challenge. But everyone else? Not impressed.

Did I mention that we're now in last place? And I have class for three hours this afternoon. Just wonderful.

Update (1:47pm)

Mar 27, 2013 12:36:44 GMT -5 Danni Boatwright said:

I'm enjoying my tribe...we're all a bunch of kickass girls

This useless bitch. Brenda finished posting her 30 feet twenty minutes ago. And what's this dumbass doing? Running her mouth instead of supporting our team. Natalie W is inactive but if/when we lose this challenge, I'm tempted to send Danni packing instead. I'd rather work four solid girls than four solid girls and a useless liability.

[Stephanie Valencia]

I'm going to stop live-updating the challenge because its basically over for us. I can't even properly express how upset and frustrated and disappointed I am in my tribe (excluding Brenda, who has been fantastic). Both Saayazu and Nyonni have multiple people online at once, working together, keeping it going. And here I am, the only person online, waiting for someone else to post so that I can fulfill my two-person rule and post again. I feel totally unsupported and disillusioned. It's all talk with these girls. I tried to encourage them and motivate them and pump them up before the challenge started and all they did was let me down. I'm going after Danni hard when this is over. And I'm not going to be quiet about it. I don't care that Natalie W isn't here. Danni slowed us down just as much as an inactive player, and for her to sign on, see that she can post, and stay online for twenty minutes without doing anything...is a slap in the face to this whole tribe. Fuck you, Danni.
This is about to get loud and messy, and if it backfires and ends up getting me voted out (which, yes, is a distinct possibility), then so be it. These girls are screwed without me. If this is what their work ethic is like, Tingbani is doomed.

[Ted Rogers]

Mar 27, 2013 13:17:33 GMT -5 Stephanie Valencia said:

I'm going to stop live-updating the challenge because its basically over for us. I can't even properly express how upset and frustrated and disappointed I am in my tribe (excluding Brenda, who has been fantastic). Both Saayazu and Nyonni have multiple people online at once, working together, keeping it going. And here I am, the only person online, waiting for someone else to post so that I can fulfill my two-person rule and post again. I feel totally unsupported and disillusioned. It's all talk with these girls. I tried to encourage them and motivate them and pump them up before the challenge started and all they did was let me down. I'm going after Danni hard when this is over. And I'm not going to be quiet about it. I don't care that Natalie W isn't here. Danni slowed us down just as much as an inactive player, and for her to sign on, see that she can post, and stay online for twenty minutes without doing anything...is a slap in the face to this whole tribe. Fuck you, Danni.
This is about to get loud and messy, and if it backfires and ends up getting me voted out (which, yes, is a distinct possibility), then so be it. These girls are screwed without me. If this is what their work ethic is like, Tingbani is doomed.

I have to admit I am surprised myself since last night you guys had quite a lead on Nyonni. It ain't over yet though!

[Stephanie Valencia]

I'm not giving up! I skipped class so I could stay home and monitor the board until someone (anyone!) signs in and picks up the next leg. But realistically, I've already resigned myself to the fact that we lost. Nyonni is going to end up doubling us lol. It's fine.

[Stephanie Valencia]

Well, I skipped class for absolutely nothing because NO ONE—not a single person besides Brenda and me—signed on to participate in the challenge. It sucks because it's completely out of my control; there's literally nothing I can do.
Fuck. This. Tribe.
Too bad I can't mutiny right now.

[Ted Rogers]

Sorry you missed class over it! Hope you can get notes online or from someone.

[Amanda Kimmel]

Yeah, sorry you missed class over this. At least we enjoy people who are that hardcore <3

[Stephanie Valencia]

*Sigh* Thanks, guys. It's okay, I'm tight with the prof who teaches this course so she won't mind that I missed a class.
Get ready for Tribal Council.
It's going to be a bloodbath.

[Stephanie Valencia]

I called out Danni during Tribal Council, talked to Morgan and made sure to pit her against Danni too. Brenda completely agrees with me but thinks that taking out Danni right now may not be the wisest move. Because Natalie is an absentee tribemate, she might cause a major problem if the next Immunity Challenge requires every member of the tribe to participate. Personally, I don't care. I still want Danni out, but I need to navigate between emotion and rationality. Brenda makes an obviously valid point. It just sucks to have Danni sticking around, especially with the inevitable tension that's going to exist after my having called her out. I actually don't even care that much, though. If she has a rebuttal to what I said in Tribal Council, that's perfectly fine, but I'm not going to waste my time talking to her privately or on AIM. If she stays, you best believe I'll be gunning for her.

My boys have been completely supportive. Adam was there for me this afternoon, trying to make me feel better about Tingbani's impending doom. Matt messaged me after the results were announced to reassure me that everything was going to be okay. Rafe and I have been messaging each other back and forth and he's really cool. He definitely puts a smile on my face, so that helps. And, of course, Rob checked up on me to make sure that I was okay and reminded me to keep my chin up and watch my back. Oh, Boston Rob…



I couldn't help but notice. Too cute. <3

[Stephanie Valencia]

Brenda messaged me to tell me that all the girls are voting off Danni because of my Tribal Council rant. She didn't seem too pleased about it and, honestly, I feel bad disappointing an ally like that. But who knew I was so influential?! I mean, I intentionally structured that tirade to make the other girls feel like Danni insulted and disrespected them, but I didn't expect it to work instantly! I thought I'd have to talk to them individually and explain my rationale first. Guess not. So if that's the case, I have no qualms sating my bloodthirst and voting out Danni too.
I think I'm starting to emerge as the de facto leader of Tingbani. I'm not sure I intended for that to happen but I really do feel like Corinne, Morgan, and even Kat, to a degree, all defer to me in matters of decision making. Brenda is a lot more open with me in terms of exchanging ideas so I don't think she sees it that way, and I'm okay with that. Maybe we're co-leaders? All I know is…I'm in an interesting position in this tribe. If I do this properly, I'll coast to the merge and then finally use all of my relationships with the boys to make it to the end. My preoccupation now is not to abuse my power. Because all it takes is one conversation behind my back where they agree that I'm too much of a dictator…and I'm gone.