It's night 24 at Camp Aiga. Kelly is gone. EGG says his work is done and tells us his is a work of art, not unlike Picasso. Even Dave congratulates EGG on his fine work. The women of the former Galu tribe though, whisper that EGG is sneaky. This is of little concern to EGG and Shambo who laugh about how tribal council went down.
As day dawns on day 25, EGG is already out looking for the immunity idol (which Dimples has assured us has been put back into play) while the others sleep. While EGG is turning the jungle upside down, Shambo is talking to John and trying to get him onside to get rid of Laura.
The reward challenge involves having two teams. One member of each team lies face down in a suspended cradle while their team-mates maneuver the cradle using four ropes. The person in the cradle tries to pick up 15 flags. The first to collect all of their flags wins a trip to a neighbouring island, to have a picnic by a waterfall. They also get a Sprint phone with which to take pictures of the trip.
Natalie does a masterful job of hanging from her cradle suspended by one thigh and a string bikini to win it for her team (Shambo, Brett, EGG, Dave and Laura). So they head off on their trip where they discover that their Sprint phone has both a text message and a video clue to the whereabouts of the immunity idol. The text message talks about a rolling stone gathering no moss and the video shows a large square moss-covered rock being overturned to reveal the idol.
Back at camp Jaison and Mick are trying to woo Monica into voting Laura off, telling her that they already have a firm five notes. Monica guesses that the fifth vote is Galu's very own Shambo.
When the reward challenge winners arrive back at camp there is a mad scramble to find the hidden idol. Everyone is prowling the jungle looking for moss covered rocks. Dave (obviously thinking that EGG has some idol-finding radar) elects to follow EGG through the jungle. The scene reaches a Keystone Cops level as the two of them run through the trees. But EGG eventually gives Dave the slip, circles back to a promising area, overturns a rock under a small overhang and turns up the immunity idol.
As the idol hunt unfolds, Monica is telling Laura that there is a conspiracy against her. Don't trust Shambo, she says. Convinced that Foa Foa is out to get her she tells us that she must win a third immunity challenge to stay safe.
Right on cue, Dimples shows up in his alternative pale green shirt. The immunity challenge involves throwing a rock at rows of ceramic tiles. Each Survivor gets one rock and one throw. If they break a tile they get a spear and move on to stage two of the challenge. If they break a tile belonging to someone else, that person gets the spear. Laura throws her rock last and misses all of the tiles, causing Shambo to laugh out loud and shamelessly. Brett, Jaison, Monica, Mick all earn spears and move on to the final round, where Miok wins immunity. Shambo tells us it is now Laura's destiny to go home. EGG is certainly ready to get rid of her, and tells Brett that she is too strong and too manipulative to leave in the game. There is no more Galu, he tells Brett. For her part, Laura wants to get rid of EGG. A lot of plots and counterplots are hatched, but when the votes are counted at Tribal council it is, indeed, Laura who is heading home. But the vote is, by no means, straightforward. The first vote ends in a tie between Natalie and Laura. They vote again and in the second vote Laura is voted out. With Laura goes Debbie from our pool. Lets all wave to Debbie and Laura! Sadly, Jack voted for Laura to win so he is also crying in his pale American beer tonight.
Until next week,
Outwit, Outplay, Outlast
Pat (aka Erik I should get an award for being the jury member able to convey the most without using any actual words Cardona)
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Survivor Samoa Update - November 12, 2009
This is a turning point in this season of Survivor. This is the night where I gained a grudging respect for EGG. Its the same kind of respect one might have for the guys who figured out how to put satanic messages on 33 1/3 RPM records so that they could only be heard when played backwards. You don't really like them for it but you think its kind of cool they could do it. But lets not get ahead of ourselves.
Things really get rolling when Natalie, the southern belle, kills a rat with a stick and brings it back to camp in a coconut shell. She then shares in the booty, declaring it to taste like chicken. All of this gains her respect from the rest of the survivors, especially Jaison, who admires how far Natalie has come. Meanwhile EGG is wondering if, perhaps, a new immunity idol has been introduced to the game and if he might be able to find it without clues. He has, after all, already found one idol, played at the last Tribal Council.
Tree mail arrives talking about a digital display and nuts. From his position inside his powder blue shirt, Dimples randomly divides the group into two teams. The teams go out in twos to retrieve long wooden poles, threaded with white and black coconuts. Once all the poles have been retrieved they must be strung up in horizontal rows to reveal a four digit digital number hidden within the pattern of the coconuts. Once the four digit number is established, a single blindfolded member of the tribe must use the number to open a combination lock. The winning tribe gets to go on a picnic beside a beautiful natural rock slide. As the odd person out, Natalie gets to pick the team she thinks will win. If they win she gets to go along on the picnic. If the other team wins, Natalie has to stay behind and hang with the losers. As it turns out Natalie picks the wrong team. Monica, Dave, Shambo, John and Kelly win reward. In the midst of their picnic basket they find a note, telling them that there is another immunity idol hidden at camp. They decide to keep this information exclusive to the former members of Galu. They also decide that EGG should be the next person to go, although Shambo doesn't think this is a good idea. Little do they know that while they are swimming, sliding and feasting, EGG is back at camp looking for the idol that he has already anticipated is there. And wonder of wonders, he finds it under the bridge.
Once the tribe is reunited back at camp, EGG tells Shambo that he has the idol. They devise a plan whereby they will focus all the attention on EGG so that Galu will vote for him. Meanwhile Foa Foa will vote for Laura. EGG will then play his idol and Laura will be gone. Shambo tells us that the only thing that can go wrong is if Laura wins immunity. Do you see where this is going??
The Immunity Challenge involves throwing grappling hooks out to retrieve bags of puzzle pieces. Each Survivor must retrieve two bags. The first three to do so move on to the second round. Mick and Shambo are the first two to get their bags. Russel snags his second bag and takes a little time to look around and smile smugly at the others. Meanwhile Laura has snagged her second bag and is reeling it in. Sure enough Laura narrowly beats out EGG and moves on to the final. In this round they have to fit the puzzle pegs into a board. Laura takes charge and never looks back, handily winning immunity for the second time in a row. And so Foa Foa, and their ally Shambo, need to go to Plan B. Plan B looks a lot like Plan A, except that Foa Foa all vote for Kelly, while hoping that Galu will all vote for EGG. And when the ballots are counted their plan has worked like a charm. For the second Tribal Council in a row, EGG plays his immunity idol. As a result, the Galu votes (all for him) are discarded, leaving only votes for Kelly to be counted. And so Kelly is heading back to her hairdressing career (with a brief stop on the jury, alongside Erik [my guy] Cardona). With Kelly goes her partner from our pool, Marie. No one voted for Kelly to take the money.
Is EGG really as smart as he thinks he is? Will Natalie get her own series opposite Les Stroud (Oh c'mon, surely I'm not the only one who watches Survivorman?)Will Shambo ever figure out she is a pawn? Stay tuned for the answers to these and other questions.
Outwit, Outplay, Outlast
Pat (aka Erik I really didn't enjoy getting slagged at Tribal council tonight Cardona)
Things really get rolling when Natalie, the southern belle, kills a rat with a stick and brings it back to camp in a coconut shell. She then shares in the booty, declaring it to taste like chicken. All of this gains her respect from the rest of the survivors, especially Jaison, who admires how far Natalie has come. Meanwhile EGG is wondering if, perhaps, a new immunity idol has been introduced to the game and if he might be able to find it without clues. He has, after all, already found one idol, played at the last Tribal Council.
Tree mail arrives talking about a digital display and nuts. From his position inside his powder blue shirt, Dimples randomly divides the group into two teams. The teams go out in twos to retrieve long wooden poles, threaded with white and black coconuts. Once all the poles have been retrieved they must be strung up in horizontal rows to reveal a four digit digital number hidden within the pattern of the coconuts. Once the four digit number is established, a single blindfolded member of the tribe must use the number to open a combination lock. The winning tribe gets to go on a picnic beside a beautiful natural rock slide. As the odd person out, Natalie gets to pick the team she thinks will win. If they win she gets to go along on the picnic. If the other team wins, Natalie has to stay behind and hang with the losers. As it turns out Natalie picks the wrong team. Monica, Dave, Shambo, John and Kelly win reward. In the midst of their picnic basket they find a note, telling them that there is another immunity idol hidden at camp. They decide to keep this information exclusive to the former members of Galu. They also decide that EGG should be the next person to go, although Shambo doesn't think this is a good idea. Little do they know that while they are swimming, sliding and feasting, EGG is back at camp looking for the idol that he has already anticipated is there. And wonder of wonders, he finds it under the bridge.
Once the tribe is reunited back at camp, EGG tells Shambo that he has the idol. They devise a plan whereby they will focus all the attention on EGG so that Galu will vote for him. Meanwhile Foa Foa will vote for Laura. EGG will then play his idol and Laura will be gone. Shambo tells us that the only thing that can go wrong is if Laura wins immunity. Do you see where this is going??
The Immunity Challenge involves throwing grappling hooks out to retrieve bags of puzzle pieces. Each Survivor must retrieve two bags. The first three to do so move on to the second round. Mick and Shambo are the first two to get their bags. Russel snags his second bag and takes a little time to look around and smile smugly at the others. Meanwhile Laura has snagged her second bag and is reeling it in. Sure enough Laura narrowly beats out EGG and moves on to the final. In this round they have to fit the puzzle pegs into a board. Laura takes charge and never looks back, handily winning immunity for the second time in a row. And so Foa Foa, and their ally Shambo, need to go to Plan B. Plan B looks a lot like Plan A, except that Foa Foa all vote for Kelly, while hoping that Galu will all vote for EGG. And when the ballots are counted their plan has worked like a charm. For the second Tribal Council in a row, EGG plays his immunity idol. As a result, the Galu votes (all for him) are discarded, leaving only votes for Kelly to be counted. And so Kelly is heading back to her hairdressing career (with a brief stop on the jury, alongside Erik [my guy] Cardona). With Kelly goes her partner from our pool, Marie. No one voted for Kelly to take the money.
Is EGG really as smart as he thinks he is? Will Natalie get her own series opposite Les Stroud (Oh c'mon, surely I'm not the only one who watches Survivorman?)Will Shambo ever figure out she is a pawn? Stay tuned for the answers to these and other questions.
Outwit, Outplay, Outlast
Pat (aka Erik I really didn't enjoy getting slagged at Tribal council tonight Cardona)
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Survivor Samoa - November 5/09
It's night 18. Foa Foa has just sent Liz home, leaving only four of them to tuck each other in at night. There is general concern about going into the merge with such low numbers but Evil Garden Gnome (EGG)says he isn't worried at all. He is too good for this game, he tells us.
There is tension over at Camp Galu the next morning when Laura can't find her canteen. She asks Shambo where it is, whereupon Shambo goes into a tirade about power stuggles, 90210 young things and high school cheerleaders. Shambo is obviously working through some troubling high school experiences! From his home in the trunk of a tree, Erik tells us that they all know Shambo is crazy, so fighting with her just makes the fighter look bad.
Tree mail arrives with vague references to full bellies. Not knowing what to expect but wanting to be prepared for a merge, EGG takes his hidden immunity idol with him, lest they not return to camp. It turn out to be a good idea. When the tribes arrive at the clearing, there is no Dimples, just a treasure chest containing new blue buffs and a note indicating that the tribes will merge, there will be a feast and they will be living at the former Galu camp. So the members of Galu and Foa Foa all set about getting to know one another. EGG comments that Foa Foa is doing exactly what he told them to do (schmooze with Galu) and that he is the king of the kingdom.
When the tribes arrive at the former Galu camp they set about to choose a new name. They settle on Aiga which, according to John, means extended family in Samoan. Privately Erik tells us that he has an immunity idol and wonder how you say "get the hell off my island" in Samoan. Meanwhile EGG has decided that the way to make friends and influence Galuans is to show them his immunity idol. He starts with Laura. He tells Laura that if she takes him to the final 7 he will give her the idol. Laura is aghast that EGG would show her the idol, but when he tells her what the "rules" are she balks. EGG says one of the former Galuan men must be the next to go. Laura says that won't happen so EGG wanders away muttering that Laura will be the next to go. The next stop is Monica where he finds a more receptive audience (or at least one who can keep her qualms to herself). Finally, EGG shows the idol to John. But EGG finds his biggest ally in Shambo (and he doesn't even have to show her the idol). EGG believes Shambo is a good person (I'm not really sure what it means when EGG says you are a good person?. In any case EGG finds, in Shambo, a willing accomplice to help him get rid of his new enemy Laura. In no time at all there is consensus that Laura should go. EGG tells us that its way easier to control the minds of these people than he thought.
Everyone arrives at the immunity challenge to find Dimples wearing (gasp) a pale green shirt. It turns out that the challenge involves a game of Survivor T-Ball. The ball is batted into an area assigned with a specific point value. There is one shot per Survivor and the man and woman with the highest points both win immunity. John and Laura are the winners. And so the Aigavians have to develop a new strategy, since it seems that Laura will be staying for a while yet. Laura tells Erik that EGG has the immunity idol. They decide to get the word out that EGG is the one being voted out, in order to get him to play his idol. Meanwhile they will vote for Jaison. It is a brilliant plan for the 30 seconds or so that it is in effect. Foa Foa, and Jaison in particular has taken a dislike to Erik. Then the women of Galu begin to turn on him too (nooooooo, Erik is MY guy!). Whatever is going on, even EGG admits that he doesn't know what's going on. At Tribal Council Erik slags all of the former Foa Foa members with his nastiest comments reserved for Jaison. When the votes are cast EGG turns in his immunity idol. It turns out it was in vain though because EGG doesn't get a single vote. Instead it is Erik (and me) who are trudging out of Tribal Council with what I can only describe as "oh shit" expressions. And so both idols are out of the game and we are down to one tribe of 11 people. Who will be next? See you next week to find out. Until then...
Outwit, Outplay, Outlast
Pat (aka Erik oh shit Cardona)
There is tension over at Camp Galu the next morning when Laura can't find her canteen. She asks Shambo where it is, whereupon Shambo goes into a tirade about power stuggles, 90210 young things and high school cheerleaders. Shambo is obviously working through some troubling high school experiences! From his home in the trunk of a tree, Erik tells us that they all know Shambo is crazy, so fighting with her just makes the fighter look bad.
Tree mail arrives with vague references to full bellies. Not knowing what to expect but wanting to be prepared for a merge, EGG takes his hidden immunity idol with him, lest they not return to camp. It turn out to be a good idea. When the tribes arrive at the clearing, there is no Dimples, just a treasure chest containing new blue buffs and a note indicating that the tribes will merge, there will be a feast and they will be living at the former Galu camp. So the members of Galu and Foa Foa all set about getting to know one another. EGG comments that Foa Foa is doing exactly what he told them to do (schmooze with Galu) and that he is the king of the kingdom.
When the tribes arrive at the former Galu camp they set about to choose a new name. They settle on Aiga which, according to John, means extended family in Samoan. Privately Erik tells us that he has an immunity idol and wonder how you say "get the hell off my island" in Samoan. Meanwhile EGG has decided that the way to make friends and influence Galuans is to show them his immunity idol. He starts with Laura. He tells Laura that if she takes him to the final 7 he will give her the idol. Laura is aghast that EGG would show her the idol, but when he tells her what the "rules" are she balks. EGG says one of the former Galuan men must be the next to go. Laura says that won't happen so EGG wanders away muttering that Laura will be the next to go. The next stop is Monica where he finds a more receptive audience (or at least one who can keep her qualms to herself). Finally, EGG shows the idol to John. But EGG finds his biggest ally in Shambo (and he doesn't even have to show her the idol). EGG believes Shambo is a good person (I'm not really sure what it means when EGG says you are a good person?. In any case EGG finds, in Shambo, a willing accomplice to help him get rid of his new enemy Laura. In no time at all there is consensus that Laura should go. EGG tells us that its way easier to control the minds of these people than he thought.
Everyone arrives at the immunity challenge to find Dimples wearing (gasp) a pale green shirt. It turns out that the challenge involves a game of Survivor T-Ball. The ball is batted into an area assigned with a specific point value. There is one shot per Survivor and the man and woman with the highest points both win immunity. John and Laura are the winners. And so the Aigavians have to develop a new strategy, since it seems that Laura will be staying for a while yet. Laura tells Erik that EGG has the immunity idol. They decide to get the word out that EGG is the one being voted out, in order to get him to play his idol. Meanwhile they will vote for Jaison. It is a brilliant plan for the 30 seconds or so that it is in effect. Foa Foa, and Jaison in particular has taken a dislike to Erik. Then the women of Galu begin to turn on him too (nooooooo, Erik is MY guy!). Whatever is going on, even EGG admits that he doesn't know what's going on. At Tribal Council Erik slags all of the former Foa Foa members with his nastiest comments reserved for Jaison. When the votes are cast EGG turns in his immunity idol. It turns out it was in vain though because EGG doesn't get a single vote. Instead it is Erik (and me) who are trudging out of Tribal Council with what I can only describe as "oh shit" expressions. And so both idols are out of the game and we are down to one tribe of 11 people. Who will be next? See you next week to find out. Until then...
Outwit, Outplay, Outlast
Pat (aka Erik oh shit Cardona)
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Survivor Samoa - October 29/09
It's night 15 and both tribes have arrived back at camp thanking their lucky stars that, what was supposed to be a double elimination Tribal Council, eliminated no one. Galu is wondering what to do now that Russell the Good has been evacuated for medical reasons. The men of the tribe, led by Erik (my guy) decide to ensure that Shambo is elected as the new chief. Their rationale is that she will be flattered and so will be deep in Erik's pocket. Erik suggests a quick vote where everyone gets a number then they hold up dirty fingers to indicate who they think should be chief. With the combined votes of the men, Shambo is elected chief while the women sit in stunned disbelief. Laura wonders if a vote at Tribal Council didn't happen after all. Now, its important to understand that the men haven't selected Shambo because they think she will make a great leader. In fact they opt to keep her completely in the dark about their plans since, as Dave tells us "Shambo is so dim she could screw up out plans if we tell her anything".
The reward challenge, for an all expenses paid trip on a sailboat complete with lunch, involves a match game. There are 13 covered tables on a field. Under each cover is a survival item. Most have a match elsewhere on the field, although four are rogues with no match. Members from each tribe alternately go out and uncover two items. When a match is made the tribe can either return the items and score a point, or keep the items. Galu makes the first match which is a fire making kit. The kit comes wrapped in a tarp which holds more appeal for them than the kit itself. Galu goes on the win the challenge and the sailboat ride. Shambo, in her new role as chief, has to select someone to go over to Foa Foa. Needless to say, Laura isn't happy. Perhaps Shambo's choice had something to do with the furious looks Laura was handing out when Shambo was "elected" chief?
So while Galu paddles out to spend the day eating stew and fresh bread on a pirate ship, Laura is being warmly greeted by the Foa Foamers. EGG starts cultivating Laura, thinking that he must now pin everything on the merge and on making allies in Galu. So the two chat about their similar religious background. Privately, in his most godly manner EGG tells us he is working more of his Houdini magic, and working Laura like a fine too. Laura and Natalie get into a discussion about Harleys and book club selections while Liz struggles to make a fire. Liz is angry, thinking a little help would be nice. But EGG tells us liz is so stupid he is not sure how she can walk. Surely she should understand that her needs are secondary to EGG's need to befriend everyone on Galu.
Dimples arrives at the Immunity challenge in a beautiful robin's egg blue shirt. He instructs the tribes to paddle out into the ocean where they will find 6 strings of fish-shaped puzzle pieces. Its a close race but Foa Foa seems to have a slight lead getting the puzzle together. However Jaison gives up on the puzzle and stands back to let the others do it. Galu wins the challenge and sends Foa Foa back to camp with their tails between their legs yet again. EGG wonders now if Jaison should go instead of Liz. Liz is a better competitor, but Jaison is more trustworthy. Even Jaison admits that he was dead weight to the tribe during the challenge. At Tribal Council Dimples makes them all feel a lot better when he tells them that they have lost eight our of ten challenges and have put in the worst performance of any tribe in the history of Survivor. And so, with their egos fully charged, Foa Foa votes and it is Liz who heads home. Trailing along behind Liz is our own Selina. Sorry to see you go Selina! No one voted for Liz to win.
That's it for this week. See you next time. Until then...
Outwit, Outplay, Outlast
Pat (aka Erik I'm using Shambo like a fine tool Cardona)
The reward challenge, for an all expenses paid trip on a sailboat complete with lunch, involves a match game. There are 13 covered tables on a field. Under each cover is a survival item. Most have a match elsewhere on the field, although four are rogues with no match. Members from each tribe alternately go out and uncover two items. When a match is made the tribe can either return the items and score a point, or keep the items. Galu makes the first match which is a fire making kit. The kit comes wrapped in a tarp which holds more appeal for them than the kit itself. Galu goes on the win the challenge and the sailboat ride. Shambo, in her new role as chief, has to select someone to go over to Foa Foa. Needless to say, Laura isn't happy. Perhaps Shambo's choice had something to do with the furious looks Laura was handing out when Shambo was "elected" chief?
So while Galu paddles out to spend the day eating stew and fresh bread on a pirate ship, Laura is being warmly greeted by the Foa Foamers. EGG starts cultivating Laura, thinking that he must now pin everything on the merge and on making allies in Galu. So the two chat about their similar religious background. Privately, in his most godly manner EGG tells us he is working more of his Houdini magic, and working Laura like a fine too. Laura and Natalie get into a discussion about Harleys and book club selections while Liz struggles to make a fire. Liz is angry, thinking a little help would be nice. But EGG tells us liz is so stupid he is not sure how she can walk. Surely she should understand that her needs are secondary to EGG's need to befriend everyone on Galu.
Dimples arrives at the Immunity challenge in a beautiful robin's egg blue shirt. He instructs the tribes to paddle out into the ocean where they will find 6 strings of fish-shaped puzzle pieces. Its a close race but Foa Foa seems to have a slight lead getting the puzzle together. However Jaison gives up on the puzzle and stands back to let the others do it. Galu wins the challenge and sends Foa Foa back to camp with their tails between their legs yet again. EGG wonders now if Jaison should go instead of Liz. Liz is a better competitor, but Jaison is more trustworthy. Even Jaison admits that he was dead weight to the tribe during the challenge. At Tribal Council Dimples makes them all feel a lot better when he tells them that they have lost eight our of ten challenges and have put in the worst performance of any tribe in the history of Survivor. And so, with their egos fully charged, Foa Foa votes and it is Liz who heads home. Trailing along behind Liz is our own Selina. Sorry to see you go Selina! No one voted for Liz to win.
That's it for this week. See you next time. Until then...
Outwit, Outplay, Outlast
Pat (aka Erik I'm using Shambo like a fine tool Cardona)
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Survivor Samoa - October 22/09
Welcome to day 15 of Survivor Samoa. It has now been raining for 5 days on the remaining 14 Survivors. They are cold. Even as I write this I have to go and get my fleece jacket. THAT's how cold it is. Mick has stuffed himself into the depression of a tree trunk to stay warm and tells us that he is a little bit jealous of Ashley, who presumably is warm, dry and eating bon bons by now. Meanwhile, Jaison is laughing hysterically while trembling from the cold. All in all, it looks like Foa Foa may be losing their grip on reality. Except, of course, for the EGG-man who is having the time of his life. It's just water he tells us. EGG feels his tribe- mates are just lazy babies.
Things aren't exactly rosy over at Camp Galu either. In fact, disparaging glances are being sent Russell's way for choosing blankets instead of the tarp in a recent reward challenge.Erik crawls out of his hole in a tree trunk after 26 hours of confinement. As he does so the rain stops and there is a rainbow. They all stand and gaze at the rainbow and the blue sky with an intensity usually observed in men looking at women with implants.
The prize in the reward challenge is a pizza which the winning tribe gets to eat in front of the losing tribe at Tribal Council. However both tribes are told that they will be voting someone off. For the reward challenge, one member of each tribe is put into a huge wicker ball. From there they must guide their blindfolded tribe mates in rolling the ball along a path. At the end of the path is a platform with a table maze. They must roll the ball up onto the platform. From there the tribe member inside the ball verbally directs her tribe mates to get a small ball through a table maze. Things are going well for Foa Foa who have taken an a-mazing (hehehe) lead. Suddenly, Russell the Good begins to stagger. Then he rests his head on the corner of the maze table. Finally he collapses, held up only by his t-shirt which gets caught on the corner of the table. Once Dimples realizes that something is really wrong he calls a halt to the challenge and calls in the Aussie medics. As it turns out Russell's blood pressure is low and his heart rate is up and down like a toilet seat. Dimples makes the call and pulls him from the game. A devastated Russell breaks down and cries (possibly because Dimples spends ten minutes telling him how he had it all and how unfortunate this is). The other Survivors are all sent away without pizza.
At Galu the rain has started again. They are now leaderless. Worst of all they have to go back to Tribal Council to vote off another member. The women of Galu think Shambo should go but the men are more appreciative of Shambo's contribution and think Monica should be the one packing her bags. At Foa Foa the decision is between Natalie and Elizabeth with EGG-man pushing for Elizabeth.
At Tribal Council emotions are high. Erik tears up when asked about the rain and the harsh conditions, and when Foa Foa talks about making a come-back Erik tells them that Galu will be putting Russell's sweat into every challenge (ewwwww). After asking the usual in-depth questions and making my poor Erik cry, Dimples tells them that no one will be going home this night. Due to the unprecedented events (the first time ever a challenge has not been completed) Dimples tells them that everyone can stay for a while longer. And so, dear pool members, we are safe for another week. Until next time...
Outwit, Outplay, Outlast
Pat (aka Erik I just get so emotional when I pray inside a tree Cardona)
Things aren't exactly rosy over at Camp Galu either. In fact, disparaging glances are being sent Russell's way for choosing blankets instead of the tarp in a recent reward challenge.Erik crawls out of his hole in a tree trunk after 26 hours of confinement. As he does so the rain stops and there is a rainbow. They all stand and gaze at the rainbow and the blue sky with an intensity usually observed in men looking at women with implants.
The prize in the reward challenge is a pizza which the winning tribe gets to eat in front of the losing tribe at Tribal Council. However both tribes are told that they will be voting someone off. For the reward challenge, one member of each tribe is put into a huge wicker ball. From there they must guide their blindfolded tribe mates in rolling the ball along a path. At the end of the path is a platform with a table maze. They must roll the ball up onto the platform. From there the tribe member inside the ball verbally directs her tribe mates to get a small ball through a table maze. Things are going well for Foa Foa who have taken an a-mazing (hehehe) lead. Suddenly, Russell the Good begins to stagger. Then he rests his head on the corner of the maze table. Finally he collapses, held up only by his t-shirt which gets caught on the corner of the table. Once Dimples realizes that something is really wrong he calls a halt to the challenge and calls in the Aussie medics. As it turns out Russell's blood pressure is low and his heart rate is up and down like a toilet seat. Dimples makes the call and pulls him from the game. A devastated Russell breaks down and cries (possibly because Dimples spends ten minutes telling him how he had it all and how unfortunate this is). The other Survivors are all sent away without pizza.
At Galu the rain has started again. They are now leaderless. Worst of all they have to go back to Tribal Council to vote off another member. The women of Galu think Shambo should go but the men are more appreciative of Shambo's contribution and think Monica should be the one packing her bags. At Foa Foa the decision is between Natalie and Elizabeth with EGG-man pushing for Elizabeth.
At Tribal Council emotions are high. Erik tears up when asked about the rain and the harsh conditions, and when Foa Foa talks about making a come-back Erik tells them that Galu will be putting Russell's sweat into every challenge (ewwwww). After asking the usual in-depth questions and making my poor Erik cry, Dimples tells them that no one will be going home this night. Due to the unprecedented events (the first time ever a challenge has not been completed) Dimples tells them that everyone can stay for a while longer. And so, dear pool members, we are safe for another week. Until next time...
Outwit, Outplay, Outlast
Pat (aka Erik I just get so emotional when I pray inside a tree Cardona)
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Survivor Samoa - October 15/09
This is going to be short and snappy as I have been up since 5:00 and its now 1:00 a.m.I spent the morning and early afternoon with a wonderful group of women from across Canada at a workshop in Ottawa, and the rest of the day has been spent sitting in airports, riding in planes or driving to get home. But enough wining...
Its night 11. Galu has returned from Tribal Council minus the company of Yasmin. Shambo has realized that she is out of synch with the rest of her tribe and Monica has realized that Shambo voted for her, making her go hmmmmm.
The next morning tree mail arrives announcing an icky food challenge. Survivors spin a wheel to determine the ingredients of the "smoothie" they will drink. The ingredients include such things as giant clam, octopus, jelly fish, sea cucumbers, sea urchins and sea slug guts. Two by two Survivors from opposing tribes come up, learn the components of their blender drink and gulp it down. Amazingly everyone gets their smoothy down until the very last pair, when Ashley from Foa Foa falters, giving Galu the win. The reward is a great heap of meat including steaks, hamburgers and sausages. But before Galu can chow down they have to select someone to go home with Foa Foa. Russell picks Shambo to go again and she is not at all happy about having to miss the barbeque.
As Foa Foa returns to camp, Shambo openly slags her tribe and asks for a group hug from Foa Foa. Meanwhile Ashley is feeling badly about losing the challenge for her tribe. Natalie comforts her but viewers can see a bullseye growing on Ashley's back. Shambo decides to share all three of her clues with her new Foa Foa friends. The clues make it quite clear that the idol should be in the hollow tree by the fire, but it is not there. There is talk that Ben may have had the idol when he was sent home, and never played it. But Liz suspects that Russell (EGG) has it and tells him so. Naturally EGG isn't please about being found untrustworthy (even though he is untrustworthy, and creepy too).
At Galu, Russell is trying to light the fire while explaining to his tribe why it was necessary to send Shambo over to Foa Foa. She lost the chicken and she needs to experience the consequences.Meanwhile Dave is getting frustrated by Russell's inability to light a fire. Russell tells Dave that he is all talk and no action. Eventually (after being formally asked), Dave steps forward to get the fire going so they can cook their meat. Privately Dave tells us that being the only one who can make a fire makes him invaluable but he is smart enough to keep quiet about it.
On night 13 the rain begins to fall, and fall, and fall. Both tribes are cold and wet but Galu is particularly miserable. Kelly regrets taking the blankets instead of the tarp at an earlier immunity challenge.
Immunity challenge involves having a man and a woman from each tribe hang onto a rope. The rope is attached to a basket. Opposing tribe members throw coconuts into those baskets making them progressively heavier. The last person to let go of their rope will win immunity for their tribe. EGG goes out first leaving tiny Liz to hang on for Foa Foa. She fights well but finally gives way, giving the victory, once again, to Galu. Poor Foa Foa can't even strategize. The incessant rain keeps them huddled together and no one can have a private discussion. But, after the Foa Foavians have warmed themselves at the Tribal Council fires, and Dimples has counted the votes, it is Ashley who is heading home. With Ashley goes Jack, one of our right honourable (honorable) members from New Hampshire.
So Foa Foa continues to struggle. Will they recover? Or will they simply ooze away into the Samoan mud. Stay tuned! Until next week...
Outwit, Outplay, Outlast
Pat (aka Erik the ocean is angry and fickle Cardona)
Its night 11. Galu has returned from Tribal Council minus the company of Yasmin. Shambo has realized that she is out of synch with the rest of her tribe and Monica has realized that Shambo voted for her, making her go hmmmmm.
The next morning tree mail arrives announcing an icky food challenge. Survivors spin a wheel to determine the ingredients of the "smoothie" they will drink. The ingredients include such things as giant clam, octopus, jelly fish, sea cucumbers, sea urchins and sea slug guts. Two by two Survivors from opposing tribes come up, learn the components of their blender drink and gulp it down. Amazingly everyone gets their smoothy down until the very last pair, when Ashley from Foa Foa falters, giving Galu the win. The reward is a great heap of meat including steaks, hamburgers and sausages. But before Galu can chow down they have to select someone to go home with Foa Foa. Russell picks Shambo to go again and she is not at all happy about having to miss the barbeque.
As Foa Foa returns to camp, Shambo openly slags her tribe and asks for a group hug from Foa Foa. Meanwhile Ashley is feeling badly about losing the challenge for her tribe. Natalie comforts her but viewers can see a bullseye growing on Ashley's back. Shambo decides to share all three of her clues with her new Foa Foa friends. The clues make it quite clear that the idol should be in the hollow tree by the fire, but it is not there. There is talk that Ben may have had the idol when he was sent home, and never played it. But Liz suspects that Russell (EGG) has it and tells him so. Naturally EGG isn't please about being found untrustworthy (even though he is untrustworthy, and creepy too).
At Galu, Russell is trying to light the fire while explaining to his tribe why it was necessary to send Shambo over to Foa Foa. She lost the chicken and she needs to experience the consequences.Meanwhile Dave is getting frustrated by Russell's inability to light a fire. Russell tells Dave that he is all talk and no action. Eventually (after being formally asked), Dave steps forward to get the fire going so they can cook their meat. Privately Dave tells us that being the only one who can make a fire makes him invaluable but he is smart enough to keep quiet about it.
On night 13 the rain begins to fall, and fall, and fall. Both tribes are cold and wet but Galu is particularly miserable. Kelly regrets taking the blankets instead of the tarp at an earlier immunity challenge.
Immunity challenge involves having a man and a woman from each tribe hang onto a rope. The rope is attached to a basket. Opposing tribe members throw coconuts into those baskets making them progressively heavier. The last person to let go of their rope will win immunity for their tribe. EGG goes out first leaving tiny Liz to hang on for Foa Foa. She fights well but finally gives way, giving the victory, once again, to Galu. Poor Foa Foa can't even strategize. The incessant rain keeps them huddled together and no one can have a private discussion. But, after the Foa Foavians have warmed themselves at the Tribal Council fires, and Dimples has counted the votes, it is Ashley who is heading home. With Ashley goes Jack, one of our right honourable (honorable) members from New Hampshire.
So Foa Foa continues to struggle. Will they recover? Or will they simply ooze away into the Samoan mud. Stay tuned! Until next week...
Outwit, Outplay, Outlast
Pat (aka Erik the ocean is angry and fickle Cardona)
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Survivor Samoa - October 8/09
It's night 8 on the balmy beaches of Samoa. Foa Foa has just returned from Tribal Council where Ben and his white hood have been sent home. Russell (EGG) tells us that Ben did himself in at Tribal Council and he (EGG) was forced to let him go. That isn't exactly how I remember it but as we all know EGG is calling all the shots so it must be true (insert note of sarcasm here). For his part, Jaison tells us that coming on Survivor was the worst decision of his life. EGG says that Jaison is ready to go home and wonders "what kind of man is that?" EGG thinks that maybe Jaison should be voted off next. "After all", he tells us, "whoever I want to be gone is gone. They're all under my thumb right now".
The next morning we look in at camp Galu where Shambo has returned after her visit with Foa Foa. She finds her tribe somewhat lacking. At Foa Foa she was a somebody. She connected. At Galu everyone is lazy. Lazy but not stupid. Erik and John pump Shambo for the clues to the whereabouts of the hidden immunity idol. They reason that the same clues that lead to the idol hidden at Foa Foa may lead them to the idol in their own camp. Shambo takes about oh...a nanosecond...to give them the clues, thinking that it will guarantee their protection later on. They even promise to give her the idol if they find it. Oh Shambo! What have you done? I share a body with Erik and I can tell you he has no intention of giving you that idol!
Tree mail arrives with a map and instructions. The chief of each tribe is to select two members of their tribe to participate in a challenge that appears to involve food as a reward. Not knowing what to expect, both tribe leaders select one person who is smart and/or good at puzzles (Natalie and Shambo) and one person who is more physical (Dave and EGG). They head off to the specified location where they stand around wondering "where is Dimples and what colour shirt will he wear today?" But no Dimples arrives. Instead they are left to stare at a crate containing three live chickens with a sign saying "reward". On the other side of the clearing is a large treasure chest. After a few minutes of uncomfortable silence waiting for Dimples, the Survivors begin to discuss what they should do. Should they just take the chickens? Should they look in the chest? Finally when EGG makes a move to the chest they all fly into action. It turns out the chest contains a number of coloured balls,a flag and instructions. The crate contains...well...chickens. They are to put the flag in the ground and throw the balls at it alla bocce ball/horseshoes/curling. The closest ball to the flag at the end wins the chickens. Foa Foa has this on in the bag. Every ball they throw gets them closer to the flag. It comes down to a final throw by Danger Dave for Galu. Dave pulls off a perfect shot, rolling his ball right to the flag. Once more Foa Foa tastes the sting of defeat as they shuffle back to camp to think about who to blame for the loss.
Back at Galu, Erik is hard at work. He is happy to have some alone time to look for the hidden idol. Yasmin leaves camp and John is sleeping, so Erik starts looking. He eventually finds the idol hidden in a tree beside the fire. What he doesn't know is that John wakes up and sees him searching for the idol. "Wait a minute", thinks a sleepy John, "wasn't I supposed to be in on that action?". Shortly after Erik gets the idol tucked away behind a rock for safe keeping, the challenge winners arrive back at camp with the chickens. Russell assigns Shambo to look after them so she proceeds to talk to them - in chicken. Dave is ecstatic that he won the challenge for the tribe but is careful not to be too cocky. The next morning Shambo is busy talking to the chicken, apparently praising it for laying an egg (not THAT EGG...he isn't getting laid until he gets home and can find someone stupid enough...did I type that out loud?).Anyway, the chicken is running around in the jungle, Erik and Shambo are chasing it, and no one else in the tribe seems to care very much one way or the other. In a comedic highlight Erik is running through the jungle after the chicken when he gets clotheslined by the clothesline. This would have been much funnier if Erik wasn't MY guy. Meanwhile, amid the chicken rodeo, there is talk that Yasmin does not contribute at camp and should be sent home if Galu should ever lose an immunity challenge.
Right on cue, Dimples, refreshed after having the last challenge off, arrives with an immunity challenge. Each tribe must run across a net to retrieve a set of blocks. Once they have these on their mat the must stack the blocks. Once the stack is complete they have to make their way over a rope bridge to get a second set of blocks and stack those. The stacks are tall so the tribe has to put someone on their shoulders to reach the top of the stack. It's close, but Foa Foa wins their first immunity challenge.
Galu has all kinds of potential evictees. Shambo lost the chicken. Yasmin is lazy. Monica did poorly in the challenge. It comes down to a choice between Yasmin and Monica. Russell thinks it should be Monica because he is all about strength in the challenges. But the tribe votes against him and it is Yasmin who is pitter pattering away from Tribal Council is her high heels.With Yasmin goes Barb who, coincidentally, also has a fine shoe collection.
And so, goodnight from beautiful Pasqua Lake, where the snow continues to fall. It would be pretty in December. In October it's just wrong. Until next week...
Outwit, Outplay, Outlast
Pat (aka Erik wahoo I got me an idol Cardona)
The next morning we look in at camp Galu where Shambo has returned after her visit with Foa Foa. She finds her tribe somewhat lacking. At Foa Foa she was a somebody. She connected. At Galu everyone is lazy. Lazy but not stupid. Erik and John pump Shambo for the clues to the whereabouts of the hidden immunity idol. They reason that the same clues that lead to the idol hidden at Foa Foa may lead them to the idol in their own camp. Shambo takes about oh...a nanosecond...to give them the clues, thinking that it will guarantee their protection later on. They even promise to give her the idol if they find it. Oh Shambo! What have you done? I share a body with Erik and I can tell you he has no intention of giving you that idol!
Tree mail arrives with a map and instructions. The chief of each tribe is to select two members of their tribe to participate in a challenge that appears to involve food as a reward. Not knowing what to expect, both tribe leaders select one person who is smart and/or good at puzzles (Natalie and Shambo) and one person who is more physical (Dave and EGG). They head off to the specified location where they stand around wondering "where is Dimples and what colour shirt will he wear today?" But no Dimples arrives. Instead they are left to stare at a crate containing three live chickens with a sign saying "reward". On the other side of the clearing is a large treasure chest. After a few minutes of uncomfortable silence waiting for Dimples, the Survivors begin to discuss what they should do. Should they just take the chickens? Should they look in the chest? Finally when EGG makes a move to the chest they all fly into action. It turns out the chest contains a number of coloured balls,a flag and instructions. The crate contains...well...chickens. They are to put the flag in the ground and throw the balls at it alla bocce ball/horseshoes/curling. The closest ball to the flag at the end wins the chickens. Foa Foa has this on in the bag. Every ball they throw gets them closer to the flag. It comes down to a final throw by Danger Dave for Galu. Dave pulls off a perfect shot, rolling his ball right to the flag. Once more Foa Foa tastes the sting of defeat as they shuffle back to camp to think about who to blame for the loss.
Back at Galu, Erik is hard at work. He is happy to have some alone time to look for the hidden idol. Yasmin leaves camp and John is sleeping, so Erik starts looking. He eventually finds the idol hidden in a tree beside the fire. What he doesn't know is that John wakes up and sees him searching for the idol. "Wait a minute", thinks a sleepy John, "wasn't I supposed to be in on that action?". Shortly after Erik gets the idol tucked away behind a rock for safe keeping, the challenge winners arrive back at camp with the chickens. Russell assigns Shambo to look after them so she proceeds to talk to them - in chicken. Dave is ecstatic that he won the challenge for the tribe but is careful not to be too cocky. The next morning Shambo is busy talking to the chicken, apparently praising it for laying an egg (not THAT EGG...he isn't getting laid until he gets home and can find someone stupid enough...did I type that out loud?).Anyway, the chicken is running around in the jungle, Erik and Shambo are chasing it, and no one else in the tribe seems to care very much one way or the other. In a comedic highlight Erik is running through the jungle after the chicken when he gets clotheslined by the clothesline. This would have been much funnier if Erik wasn't MY guy. Meanwhile, amid the chicken rodeo, there is talk that Yasmin does not contribute at camp and should be sent home if Galu should ever lose an immunity challenge.
Right on cue, Dimples, refreshed after having the last challenge off, arrives with an immunity challenge. Each tribe must run across a net to retrieve a set of blocks. Once they have these on their mat the must stack the blocks. Once the stack is complete they have to make their way over a rope bridge to get a second set of blocks and stack those. The stacks are tall so the tribe has to put someone on their shoulders to reach the top of the stack. It's close, but Foa Foa wins their first immunity challenge.
Galu has all kinds of potential evictees. Shambo lost the chicken. Yasmin is lazy. Monica did poorly in the challenge. It comes down to a choice between Yasmin and Monica. Russell thinks it should be Monica because he is all about strength in the challenges. But the tribe votes against him and it is Yasmin who is pitter pattering away from Tribal Council is her high heels.With Yasmin goes Barb who, coincidentally, also has a fine shoe collection.
And so, goodnight from beautiful Pasqua Lake, where the snow continues to fall. It would be pretty in December. In October it's just wrong. Until next week...
Outwit, Outplay, Outlast
Pat (aka Erik wahoo I got me an idol Cardona)
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