Post by Jeff on Jun 17, 2015 18:54:37 GMT
Last round was insane with an extra little side of crazy. I honestly thought that last round's vote should have been so simple, yet for some reason, it was the most difficult and chaotic vote we've had to date. I assume the main catalysts in that were both Ian and Stephanie because they were literally stirring the pot all night long and all throughout the day.
Initially the vote was supposed to be Joaquin, but something inside me felt like I could really trust him right now. I think I know who he is (Erik from Twisted), but I'm not letting that affect anything. I feel like I can trust him at least for the time being and now I'm kind of in a good enough position where even if I can't, I don't have to worry. It's kind of nice I guess. For the first time in this game, I feel in the top ranks of the tribe. This also leaves me pretty vulnerable to an extent, but it seems that everyone on this tribe wants to work with me and trusts me somehow despite this last round, so honestly, I think I'm doing alright. I also officially outlasted Penner, so that's great!
Getting rid of Ian was completely strategic to me because he was the main person throwing my name around and putting me in danger. I'm sure this wouldn't be the last time he would do this and the less people that throw my name around, the better for me. So, bring my name up multiple times and scheme like that, I'll find a way to get rid of you. Let it be known! But right now where I sit, I feel good and that's a nice change of pace. The only issue I see still is why that idol was played by Ian. Nerves? He really did seem like a paranoid wreck, so I wouldn't be shocked if he played it simply out of nerves...but then he played it on Joaq who was our initial target. I think I remember Chelsea saying to me at one point that she thought Crystal might be suspicious or something like that. Not sure why Crystal got suspicious and how they knew the target was going to be Joaq, but I have a feeling Chelsea had a lot to do with it and nearly lost us our numbers advantage in the game. I knew Chelsea and Crystal had been gettin' all buddy-buddy, but I didn't realize it was such a big deal. I now know I need to watch how I approach Chelsea and about what. So I've been acting apologetic worried about Crystal's feelings and still wanting to work with her and hoping she does too...yada yada. I need Crystal to continue to trust me. But right now, I'm not sure there are a ton of people I do trust, especially not fully.
Anyway, Crystal told me she has the idol this round. I'm still not sure when I'm going to happen upon this stupid thing, but oh well. I haven't needed it yet and if I had it, I might have wasted it already, so maybe it's best I hold off. Anyway, Crystal telling me is great because it lets me know she still trusts me. I didn't have to do as much damage control with her and Joaq as I thought I might have to, but they both seemed like they would have been fine with Ian going, only it wasn't the perfect timing for that to happen to them. I think Joaq and Ian were closer than Crystal and Ian and splitting Ian off was pretty important for me I felt. But Crystal having that idol could also prove to be an issue if we happen to go to Tribal. From either side of the tribe, my choice to go next if we lost again would be either Joaq or Steph. I think Crystal could be very bad to bring deep into the game, but for now, I think she could be the big link between myself and the other Barras and that is important to me that I get integrated with them as soon as possible come another swap or a merge. Keeping Crystal is in my best interest, but first chance I have after a merge to cut her out, I definitely will.
This challenge is killer, but I've done a lot for the tribe in terms of guessing the right people. How they all fit together...well that's a whole other thing that I haven't even bothered meddling with. I feel that me guessing over half of these people alone is going to be help enough to be safe if we lost and I'm not even sure challenge strength will matter much anymore from here on out. If we lose, the people voted out won't be people who sucked in the challenges, but mostly about who can be trusted and who can't. I'm just hoping my move from last round won't affect any of my game relationships too terribly or beyond repair. It really was just a small move that I wasn't even planning to make until I got approached. Now, the vote for Ian over Joaq was definitely me and if I have a chance to use that to get some ground with Joaq, then I will.
