Losing Grip On Reality?

SPOILER ALERT! If you haven’t watched the season finale of Survivor 19 and don’t want to know who won; DO NOT read any further.

I have to say the season finale of Survivor last night has left a very bitter taste in my mouth to say the least. Considering I have never written about any episodes; I must say this one had an impact. Perhaps I’ll start another blog about Survivor next February and detail my take episode by episode. Hmmm. Whatever, back to the unfortunate events of last night’s finale.
Is it just me or has everyone taken this “reality” show too far? Don’t get me wrong I love Survivor and watched every season; this reality show is still just a game, right? No matter how tough the conditions are or how real the social side of the Survivor is; it’s still a game of outwitting, outplaying and outlasting the other players. AH HA! I thought so, those statements would indicate this to be a game of some sort. There is the crux of my issue with this season’s outcome. Everyone on jury seemed to forget they were playing a game, nothing more than a silly game. Let’s be honest. Anyone who plays a game of any kind (whether they admit it openly or not) is willing to do what it takes to win within confines of the rules. I am NOT suggesting people are willing to break the rules or cheat to win, because I don’t believe that to be true or right. But taking advantage of the rules in play for any given game should be considered a well executed plan. No?
The fact that Russell did not win Survivor is a disappointment and frustrating too. I do understand the concept of social engineering and building relationships, however, having respect for someone who arguably played the game better than anyone in history has to be factored in. The fact that Russell essentially brought four Foa Foa members to the final four (minus Brett winning three consecutive immunities) against what seemed like insurmountable odds is simply brilliant. Whether you like Russell or not should not matter. I am simply looking at his cunning and ability to understand social dynamics better than anyone. He understood what it took to maintain his power in the game. He knew which people to use, he knew which people to discard and when. He was smart enough to quickly discover people’s weaknesses and use them to his advantage. He said it best when he was burning socks and empting canteens, “I believe I can control how people act, if I control how they feel.” Brilliant from a game play stand point. I know people will be going hog wild about my statements, questioning my integrity because of it but again that is simply sad and judgemental. Survivor is a game people! I believe Russell’s statement about who he is in life outside of the game of Survivor; an honest, loyal man with integrity. I also know I would not want to play a game with him unless I did my homework because he is intelligent and will be exploit my weaknesses. I know one thing, part of the goal as a coach is to impart knowledge to my athletes. One very important piece of information is to have the athletes to look for the opponent’s weaknesses and report them back to us on the sidelines. Once we have the information we plot a course to use those weaknesses to our advantage. I don’t recall anyone booing or hissing for using that information during the reality game on the grid iron?
The problem this season was simple. The Gulu tribe was full of some very bitter and small minded individuals who were beat at their own game. It is REAL easy to sit in the first juror’s seat and pontificate about morals and ethics. Sorry Erik but you are a sad little man. Anyone who thinks they can claim a moral centre throughout the game of Survivor lies. Find a moment off camera and its not hard to plot in secrecy. Bottom line if Erik had not been removed from the game when he was he would have had to cross the bridge into “breaking his word” land at some point to make the final three. At least Russell was open and honest about his plans and created no illusions of how he intended on playing the game.
Back to the bitter bunch…let’s review. The merge brought together 4 Foa Foa and 8, count’em 8, Gulu. Russell managed to eliminate 8 Gulu members (not single handed mind you, his cast of puppets were integral), no wonder Gulu members were so bitter. It was just discouraging that none of these apparent adults could not get out of the sand box long enough to see the game for what it was; a game. A game played masterfully by one guy. The fact that the entire Gulu tribe was on the jury after making the merge with 2 to 1 numbers should have been a tip off to them that someone in the game was a genius at playing the people like a first string violinist commands their instrument at Julliard.
In the end Natalie won Survivor 19 and I hope she donates half her winnings to Erik, not because he is deserving for his game play, although his drama queen status ranks right up there. Erik’s caustic tirade may very well have cost Russell the game and delivered a million dollar cheque on a silver platter to Natalie. As history will teach us, season after season those players that flew under the radar and rode another player’s coat tails have been looked upon poorly. Natalie was a powerful pawn in Russell’s game. Its funny how all these jury members, sour from their early exit were blinded by these sour emotions, to the reality that was Natalie. They claimed her innocence for her and felt she did nothing. On the contrary she executed, possibly the biggest move of the game, Erik’s blind side, of course it is important to note this devious plot twist was orchestrated by Russell who sent his minion to plant the seed of doubt in to Laura’s head. Russell knew he had zero clout with Laura and was smart enough to send Natalie and not Mick or Jaison. Even in the little clip they showed of Natalie’s life in the game we see the point in time where she approaches Laura and says “I don’t trust Erik”, this led to his own tribe turning on him and sending him to seat number one on the jury. She wasn’t so innocent and quite frankly a lot more devious then she wanted to be seen as. Erik’s speech was so sad and sick, it made me want to kick my TV and it was at that moment I felt Russell lost. All the jurors who were on the fence, feeling they didn’t like any of their choices; sat back and thought “Yah, what he said!” and decided to vote for Natalie. Even Shambo; without a doubt Russell’s biggest pawn, he used her for as long as he needed her and discarded her; voted for him. She knew what happened when it was all said and done, but despite being used; respected Russell’s game play and understood it was a game and that Russell wasn’t personally out to hurt Shambo. It appears the most kid-like adult on the show turned out to be the most mature. Good on you Shambo.
I think in the end Russell’s biggest problem was his arrogance. Although he informed everyone how he intended on playing the game, no one bought it. He should have announced his style to everyone once and let the chips fall where they may, rather than continually remind them he was “The Man”. It’s completely ironic how the game ended. Russell was accused of lying and unethical behaviours, however, he was 100% honest with everyone about how he intended on playing the game. He let the World know he planned on playing the game and did not concern himself with the inevitable collateral damage he would have to create to win the game. Interesting isn’t it? Russell was painted with the liars brush, yet he told them how he would do it, in the end he didn’t lie to them. In turn, their own arrogance, not Russell’s sealed their fate as spectators in this game.
Perhaps this is coming full circle. Russell was the victim of some individuals wanting to exact revenge because they were too arrogant themselves to believe he could play the game the way he said he would. They all had more than enough opportunity to vote his ass off the island, but their own egos blurred their vision of how the game would play out.
The winner is Natalie, but the best Survivor in season 19 was Russell by a LONG shot.

My Two Cents
Jamie

Christmas Music Is Awesome!

Sitting here listening to some Christmas music. I love Christmas music. Not entirely sure why! After years of working retail you'd think the moment a single bar of Christmas music were to fill the air I would be sent screaming into the night!
Nah. I love it. I feel so happy when I'm listening to Christmas music. I'm at work on a Saturday and working very, very hard; well I did. I got all my stuff done and some extra stuff too and I have a couple more things to complete before I go home, but for now I typing away.
Because I'm working alone I have the music CRANKED! Its pretty awesome! Actually makes the work not so bad? Bah, who am I kidding, it would be quickly ruined by an end user whining about some lame computer problem. For now I will sing along to White Christmas and be merry.
We are all ready for Christmas too; which is a great way to get into the spirit. No worries about facing crowds and shopping till ya drop. Today we also have a Christmas Family gathering, which is also awesome. My day is filled with awesomeness apparently. Hey the music stopped; be right back………ahhhh that’s better, now where was I… oh yes…awesomeness! I know it’s a week early but my Mom’s family gathers when we can because the family is so HUGE. Although this is the first year it’s before Christmas; kinda weird, but I am looking forward to seeing my cousins. I think this will work out well. Christmas can be sooooo hectic that by the time we get to the offset Christmas gathering with my Mom’s family the holiday spirit can be long gone. At least for me it goes fairly fast, simply due to the manic state we are in from noon on Christmas Eve right through till the New Year; and for me, this year, it starts at 6:30am on the 24th (I work 8am to Noon). Today will be a great kick off to Christmas fun and family gatherings with still a week of rest leading up to the big days of Christmas.
I have to run, complete some final tasks, check a few things and blow this popsicle stand! If I don’t manage another post then Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all. God Bless you and your families throughout the holiday season.

My Two Cents
Jamie

Laughing All The Way

Here it is Wednesday, eight short days till the fun begins. Fun is relative term isn't it? The Christmas season should be fun, I think, but so often its not for many.
This year in the frozen tundra of Winnipeg I think we were all caught a little off guard. Our weather in November was above normal and beautiful. Perhaps a false sense of "there's lots of time till Christmas" set in without any snow to speak of. I guess living in the snowy climate, as we do, creates a certain need for snow to inform us its time to get shopping. Sure there are plenty of people who start shopping earlier, however, in my humble opinion that's weird! I need the infusion of the Christmas spirit and the feeling of giving helps over look the crowds and think about the concept of giving. Its like having blinders on while shopping. Works for me!
I have heard a lot of the same things from my family this year. No one seems to know what to get anyone and are threatening with gift cards as last minute choices. I don't particularly enjoy gift cards, neither giving or receiving. A gift should be personal and as individual as the person receiving the gift. Why not just agree to not exchange gifts if all your prepared to give is a gift card? It's just cash, no? I give you cash and you give me cash, let's call the whole thing off and agree our gift cards cancel one another out!
Well I'm basically ready for Christmas. A few things here and there to buy, nothing major. Feels nice to have found gifts for everyone that they will enjoy and appreciate, at least I hope.
Merry Christmas and happy holidays to everyone.

Just a note for the new year: I will be starting a new Blog! Cooking will be the theme. My Twp Cents isn't going anywhere, but just a separate space for some recipes I've collected over the years. They are awesome and most are simple enough for every day preparing.

My Two Cents
Jamie
Sent from my BlackBerry

Impact of a Feather

It's Thursday. The day is dragging along at the usual snail's pace. Clickety clack is the predominant sound filling the air as my crime fighting (and by crime fighting I mean ridding the World of annoying Computer problems) co-workers type away on their keyboards. I presume typing about work…just like I am! Oh the funny I spew forth!

A week or so ago everything seemed to be moving along nicely until a speed bump seems to have sent me off the rail. I was supposed to meet a friend for lunch. Seems simple enough and relatively harmless. He canceled on me, which in of itself isn't a big deal. I know he is busy and this is fairly normal for him. I've come to expect it more than be surprised by it.
But, here in lies the rub. What impact am I having on people in my life? I tried to limit the drama to slightly below queen status, however, I simply could not ignore the facts. Time and time again I am being passed over for other events, people, or whatever better offer is looming on the horizon. Either I am a terrible person that nobody wants to spend time with or my loyalty and friendship is being taken for granted. I have to believe it is the second option; mostly because I know I am not a terrible person and quite frankly I am a good person, with integrity. So what gives? Is it that they are so comfortable with knowing I'm in their corner that little effort is required to maintain that bond? I guess the problem is, they are right. Loyal to a fault.
It may seem like one simple lunch, but it is hundreds of lunches, movies, parties or whatever I've invited people to in the past. It is just getting more and more difficult to find someone to say yes to a cup of coffee! I hear the same thing universally from people; "Ya, we should get together! It would be fun!" or "We should do this more often" or "Call anytime and we'll set something up". But unless I call, I swear I would never hear from them again. So again I ask what is my impact on people. My impact must be so powerful that I must maintain consistent week to week contact with someone or I would never hear from them again?? My impact is in fact, non-existent. Apparently I make a lot of noise, but nobody is listening.It's truly amazing, if I make noise and stay on the radar nobody hears me, but if I go quiet everyone sits up and says what's wrong with Jamie and where did he go? Which would lead me to believe that as long as I am appearing okay everyone will simply go about their business and get to me when they have time. Here's an interesting piece of information…..if you don't make time for people (yourself included) before you know it years have pasted and you wish you had them back,
Here's a news flash. I'm not fine! Unless of course you mean Frazzled Insecure Neurotic and Emotional, then fine I am. No worries though, I got it, I'm managing to work through it on my own. No need to squeeze me in to your busy schedule. Please don't misunderstand I'm not angry, I just have taken inventory and understand a few things more clearly, which of course should help resolve some of the lingering skeletons in the closet. My loyalty and integrity have not wavered. I feel very strongly about who my friends are. Rest assured I'm not going anywhere and when you have time, however long in to the future that may be, I will be in the same place you last saw me…..by your side.

My Two Cents
Jamie