RPG OtakuBoards Survivor 4

[Aaryanna_Mom]

The Sunflowers accept the apology for the delay. ;) As for the topic for the Aces... We assign them the task of writing an article on [B]The Mario Forum[/B].

[Sandy]

[font=Century Gothic]So finally both teams have their assignments.

[COLOR="Gold"]The Sunflowers[/COLOR] are to write about the [B]Yu Yu Hakusho Forum[/B], while [COLOR="Red"]The Aces[/COLOR] will make an article about the [B]Mario Forum[/B]. With such similar topics, in order to win the article must be more creative, informative, extensive and most of all [I]interesting[/I] than it's rival.

Remember to post the articles into the Otakupedia thread, not here. And do not forget the reviews afterwards!

Your team's future in the game is dependent on this! [B]Go go go[/B]!

[B]Update:[/B] about ten days to go until the deadline, and neither article is posted yet. You better get the hustle on if you want to make the reviews on time. ;D[/font]

[Aaryanna_Mom]

[quote name='Sandy'][font=Century Gothic][B]Update:[/B] about ten days to go until the deadline, and neither article is posted yet. You better get the hustle on if you want to make the reviews on time. ;D[/font][/QUOTE]Actually, our original deadline that we set for ourselves was to have the article ready by no later than the 24th. Which would have left the other team a full week to do the review. However, since we worked hard on it to get things completed before my teammates returned to school today, I have now posted the completed article. :catgirl: I would have had it up earlier today but the site was down when I tried to log on.

[Sandy]

[font=Century Gothic]Alright, both articles are up now. Let's see if you can whip up the [B]reviews[/B] in mere five days. Mind you that they don't need to be long, you just need to tell how you think the opposing team handled the topic you gave them.

After the reviews are up, I will make my decision and send one team packing (or rather, into the Jury). After that, we head for the semifinal challenges.

[B]Go, teams, go![/B][/font]

[Aaryanna_Mom]

[CENTER][B]Our Review of the article written by The Aces for: [U]The Mario Forum[/U][/B][/CENTER]
[U]
[B]Strong points:[/B][/U]

The article is to the point and clearly explains just what The Mario Forum was, as well as when it was added to OtakuBoards. Along with information as to who moderated it, and other interests surrounding it such as the motivation for creating it, the proposed ShineGet.com for Super Mario Brothers, even though said website was never built.

It also talked a bit about the threads that were a part of The Mario Forum as well as even linking to one of the more interesting threads created when The Mario Forum was a part of OtakuBoards. And interesting trivia such as the “Mushroom Kingdom Award” made the article interesting to read. Overall, it ended nicely with a bit about how the forum never generated much interest and how it’s removal from the boards was barely noticed.
[U]
[B]Weak points:[/B][/U]

A little more information on ShineGet.com might have been interesting seeing that it was supposedly the entire basis for creating The Mario Forum in the first place. Though without asking James directly it is impossible to know if there was more information to be had, but again that could have been included in the article, in the form of a short response from James.

The bit about the “Mushroom Kingdom Award” though interesting was a bit confusing in that many newer members have no clue what Otaku Awards is. So perhaps a tiny bit as to just what Otaku Awards actually is would have made the article a bit more interesting, or even a link to the thread in question so members could look for themselves if they were curious. Because without further information, it is not clear as to why James getting this award was even connected to The Mario Forum.

[U][B]Overall:[/B]
[/U]
We are quite pleased with the article produced by The Aces. We feel that they did an excellent job in tracking down information and putting together a nice article that explains a bit about the long gone Mario Forum of OtakuBoards. Excellent work. :catgirl:

[Ezekiel]

[INDENT][SIZE="1"][B]Good[/B]

The article was very [B]comprehensive[/B], and written in a style that was clear to understand with [B]subheadings[/B] and [B]appropriate links[/B]. A format like this means anyone looking for specific information, dates, etc could find it pretty easily.

The [B]links[/B] in themselves were a positive all alone. They lead to outside information that others could find interesting and informative pertaining to the subject at hand, especially when outside opinions seemed to be involved.

The [B]date system[/B] lead to a style of article that was like one that was found in a textbook, rather than a big block of text like others. Seeing as the forum was quite old, it would be good for members who weren?t around for as long to be able to see a timeline of how it developed, or, as was pointed out, perhaps didn?t.

[B]Bad[/B]

The article was [B]long[/B] and ?fluffed up? with a lot of information that has nothing to do with the Yu Yu Hakusho forum. Frequently, I found myself thinking I was reading a general article on ?separate forums? For example, the deviation to the Suggestion and Feedback thread and a more general background on the other forums around at the time.

A lot of information was taken from [B]interviews[/B] with Shy and others, rather than occasionally referred to. It would have been much more reassuring to see the information conveyed more factually with occasional quotes from Shy dropped in to enforce your writing, rather than big chunks of text taken straight from what he said, making it seem like less effort was put into the writing.

As far as the linking goes, if there was information that was important enough to be linked, then possibly filtering it into the article itself would have been better. If it didn?t have much to do with the Yu Yu Hakusho forum then they weren?t really necessary at all.

[B]Overall[/B]

The article was clearly very impressive and [B]well written[/B], with everything [B]catalogued[/B] nicely [B]by date[/B]. However, it seems as though the Sunflowers took all the information they found even surrounding the YYH forum and put it all in, even though a lot of it only alluded to the subject at hand. The article could have been a lot [B]more concise[/B], and some points appeared to be [B]repeated[/B]. The ending comments, for example, are all basically the same. I see they were just trying to make a point that, yes, people found it ?spammy?, but there seemed a lot of text to say just that when smaller quotes would have been sufficient.[/SIZE][/INDENT]



[SIZE="1"][COLOR="Red"]Woah, yes, finished at 2:17 of the AM. 8D Damn, I'm good. Sorry to have taken so long, little bit of confusion and such on the team caused a delay.[/COLOR][/SIZE]

[Sandy]

[FONT="Century Gothic"]I want to say that I'm so glad both teams finished before the deadline, since it saved me from some very ugly decisions.

At least now everything's fair and square, since both teams have contributed. This was a very decisive challenge, since the other team will be cut out of the game and sent into the Jury in it's entirety. Nevertheless, I don't feel the decision I'm about to make is especially difficult this time. I'll explain why in a while.

But first, I want to comment about the three stages of this challenge.
[indent]First, [B]choosing a topic[/B]. I have to say that, at least to me, neither topic seemed particalry challenging or even that interesting. You really had a chance to affect the outcome of this challenge in this early stage, but both of the teams apparently chose to be nice rather than competitive. And on the other hand, I respect that, it just isn't a very clever strategy in a contest. As a side note, I wasn't impressed with The Aces' stalling with their topic to The Sunflowers.

Secondly, the [B]articles[/B]. Great differences here. [COLOR="Gold"]The Sunflowers[/COLOR] made a long article with lots of quotes, and it showed a lot of effort was put into it, but that lacked a proper focus. Honestly, like The Aces wrote in their review, the article was repetitive and overly long with so little real susbtance.

As for [COLOR="Red"]The Aces[/COLOR], their article was much shorter but had more information in it. It was a neat, tight package. However, from what I've gathered, it wasn't really a team effort. It seems that Shy made the article all by himself, without much support from his team.

The [B]reviews[/B], on the other hand, were both excellent and fair, and they really helped me to evaluate the articles. It's also great that Ezekiel took the responsibility to make it.[/indent]

It all boils down to this: if The Aces were a proper team and had put a combined effort to this challenge, they probably would've won. But compared to The Sunflowers, who have [I]shown[/I] to try their best in each challenge despite constantly losing, they lack the team spirit and will to win. So how could I cut out the one [I]true[/I] team over a bunch of talented but largely passive individuals?

Yes, [B][COLOR="Gold"]The Sunflowers[/COLOR][/B] - Kathy, Bethany, Darren - you [B]win[/B]! Congratulations, for the three of you will now move onto the individual stage of the game, and soon one of you will be awarded with the title of the [B]Survivor of OtakuBoards[/B]!

---

As for [B][COLOR="Red"]The Aces[/COLOR][/B], your team ceases to be, and your team thread will consecutively be closed. But your part in the game isn't over yet, for I'd be extremely honored to have you five - Tiana, Josh, Matt, Jamie and Stephen - to form the majority of the Jury. One of the Sunflowers will join you after the next challenge, after which the six of you along with the vast public of OB will vote who will win this whole shebang.

If you wish to decline this favor, please PM me to let me know so I won't be expecting your final vote in vain. Thousand thanks to all of you for playing, you really are talented people, each one of you!

You are free to post your goodbyes to this thread, if you so wish.

---

[B]Aaryanna, Aaryanna_Mom, Rachmaninoff[/B]... In a matter of days, you three will face each other in a penultimate match that tests what you have learned during the course of this game.

[i]Be prepared for anything.[/i][/FONT]

[Ezekiel]

[SIZE="1"]I'm honestly very glad of the decision you made, Sandy. Shy put a lot of effort into the article and despite my best digging all I could get was some extra info from James in the form of a PM. He put in a lot of effort to get as much as he did.

I'm dissapointed in my team, one person didn't reply to a single PM, others just appeared to lose interest. It's a shame to lose out at this point, but I'm really, really pleased the better team won.

Good luck you three, it'll be hard to decide on the winner![/SIZE]

[TheResplendent]

[quote name='Ezekiel'][SIZE="1"]
I'm dissapointed in my team, one person didn't reply to a single PM, others just appeared to lose interest. It's a shame to lose out at this point, but I'm really, really pleased the better team won.
[/SIZE][/QUOTE]

[FONT="Tahoma"]Couldn't agree more. No offense to anyone on a personal level as you're all great people, but the effort definitely drained toward the end.

In any case, as I said in another PM to my former team...i'm content with staying on the judge panel and watching the rest of it from the sideline so you can count on my further participation, Sandy. As it goes for this particular challenge though, the better team did win.[/FONT]

[Shy]

[size=1]Oh well! It was fun while it lasted.

-Shy[/size]

[Sandy]

[font=Century Gothic]It is due time to enter the exciting, exhilarating and exquisite extravaganza known as the [B]semifinal[/B]. Only three out of the twenty-one contestants remain to fight for the spot in the final two, and here they are:
[INDENT][I][B]Aaryanna/Bethany[/B], who has truly been the life of this party. She's perky, spunky and unafraid to say what she thinks. Yet she also shows an incredible amount of maturity for a person her age. She's remembered for stepping up to be the captain of the Mercenaries after indifference's eviction in the second challenge. Who could also forget her cuddly and funny diorama that combined eggs and nails in a most painful way?

[B]Aaryanna_Mom/Kathy[/B], who is the mother figure of this competition, as well as this whole message board. She's been true to her beliefs of justice and fair play throughout the game, and has shared her wisdom and advice with her teams as well as the judge on countless occasions. She was the captain in every team she was in, starting from Team Argo, jumping to the Mercenaries and ending up into the merged team of the Sunflowers. In fact, this is her first time in the game when she isn't a captain.

[B]Rachmaninoff/Darren[/B], who is without a doubt between a rock and a hard place with the two strong women. He was actually voted out after the third challenge by the Laugh Out Louds, but chosen to join the Mercenaries after the very next challenge. He's been a laid-back yet very active contestant all through the game. He is remembered for valianty facing White in a gruesome rap battle - and almost beating him. Now he must show his real teeth if he wants to beat the women.[/I][/INDENT]

---

Bethany, Kathy, Darren... I think we can all agree that you three have earned your place in the top three. But now it's time for you to face your destiny in...

[CENTER][SIZE="5"]Eleventh Challenge: Triple Trouble[/SIZE][/CENTER]

In this last of the challenges, you have to complete three tasks that are very different from each other. You will face the [B]Past[/B], the [B]Present[/B] and the [B]Future[/B]. Hope you're ready for that...
[indent]
[CENTER][B]Task from the Past:[/B][/CENTER]
Remember those [B]funky titles[/B] I came up for the challenges? Well, they've been erased from this thread now, and you will have to list as many of them as you can remember. Remembering a title exactly right will give you [B]2 points[/B], while getting somewhat close merits you with [B]1 point[/B]. I'm only asking the names of the earlier ten challenges, though, so a maximum of 20 points can be gained.

[CENTER][B]Task from the Present:[/B][/CENTER]
You have done all sorts of things during this competition, from song lyrics to dioramas to movie scripts. Now it's time to put those skills in use again. Choose [B]any method[/B] to create something with the [B]theme "Victory"[/B]. It can really be anything: a song, a story, a poem, a piece of art, a sculpture, a video - whatever you feel like doing. It doesn't even have to be something you've done in this game. The best outcome will receive [B]20 points[/B], the second best [B]10 points[/B], and the third place is awarded with [B]5 points[/B].

[CENTER][B]Task from the Future:[/B][/CENTER]
Respect towards others are always good qualities in a contestant. So please [B]tell me why the other two contestants deserve to win this game over you[/B]. Answering this question will not give you any points, but it can affect the outcome (for example in the need of a tie-breaker).[/indent]

There's no other rules for the challenge really, except that you have to send the answers/outcome of these three task to me through a [B]private message[/B]. I repeat, do [B]not[/B] send them into this thread yourself. You wouldn't want your rivals to find out your answers and abuse them, would you?

When all the results are in, I will judge and calculate the points (the absolute maximum is 40 points), and then post everybody's answers here. The [B]winner[/B] will then choose who they want to join them in the final two. The third player will move into the last place in the Jury, and help to decide the outcome of this whole shebang.

As always, all questions regarding this challenge as well as the final events of the game can be send to this thread to be answered. Good luck, and have fun with this last challenge.

[B]Go Survivors, Go Go Go![/B][/font]

[Aaryanna]

[COLOR="goldenrod"][FONT="Comic Sans MS"]I only have one question, and that's what kind of time frame are we looking at? The second challenge is the one I'm thinking will take a little longer. ^_~ And with school and homework, I will be able to get started on what I have in mind, but I would imagine I won't have that done until this weekend, say Saturday or Sunday. Would that be soon enough?[/FONT][/COLOR]

[Sandy]

[font=Century Gothic]Since this is the last actual challenge, I see no point in rushing. You three usually get your things done in a moderate amount of time, so I trust you to do that this time as well.

So no deadlines for now.[/font]

[Aaryanna_Mom]

I've sent you my responses Sandy. And just like the other two, I'm excited to see the outcome. :catgirl: It's been a lot of fun so I'll be sorry to see it finally come to a close.

[Sandy]

[FONT="Century Gothic"]The answers to the eleventh challenge are in! Let's find out how the top three did... Note that my comments are in [I]italics[/I].

[CENTER][SIZE="5"]Task from the Past[/SIZE][/CENTER]
[I]You had to remember the names for the ten past challenges.[/I]

[U]Aaryanna:[/U]
First Challenge: Teaming Up
Second Challenge: Seek the eSSence
Third Challenge: Otakuwood Studios Proudly Present
Fourth Challenge: Controversy
Fifth Challenge: Smells Like Team Spirit
Sixth Challenge: SurviWars
Seventh Challenge: Teaming Up Again!
Eighth Challenge: Duel or Die
Ninth Challenge: Animania
Tenth Challenge Otakupedagogy

[I]All correct – thanks to your smarts in using caches! [B]20/20 Points[/B][/I]

[U]Rachmaninoff:[/U]
1 - Teaming up
2 - [can't remember]
3 - OtakuBoards Proudly Present
4 - [can't remember]
5 - Team Spirit
6 - SurvivalWars
7 - Teaming up again
8 - Duel or Die
9 - [can't remember]
10 – Otakupedogy

[I]Some were exactly right, some were almost there. [B]10/20 Points[/B][/I]

[U]Aaryanna_Mom:[/U]
First – Teaming Up
Second – Seek the SS’s
Third – Otaku Studios Proudly Presents
Fourth – This one I don’t remember at all.
Fifth – I don’t remember this one either.
Sixth – Survival Wars
Seven – Teaming Up Again!
Eight – Duel!
Ninth – Anime
Tenth – Otakupediagy

[I]So many were so close. [B]10/20 Points[/B][/I]

[CENTER][SIZE="5"]Task from the Present[/SIZE][/CENTER]
[I]You had to create something - anything - out of the theme "Victory".[/I]

[U]Aaryanna:[/U]
For this part I have made a video. A totally silly bit on advising other dogs on how to avoid being bathed by their owners. Tips to make them victorious over their vicious owners who would bathe them! XP All of the graphics were done by me including filming my dog and getting the video clips onto my computer. So I present to you, my video: Victory

[CENTER][url]http://youtube.com/watch?v=c23ZLJtp7mw[/url][/CENTER]

[I]Your dog is adorable, and the video certainly fits the theme, but you should’ve expanded beyond the cuteness of your beloved pet a bit more. A fun video, but it didn’t quite catch the depth of the other two entries. [B]5/20 Points[/B][/I]

[U]Rachmaninoff:[/U]
Poetry may not be my forte, but still, I had to do this since it was the first thing I thought of when I read the challenge. :)

[B][CENTER]Hallowed Victory[/CENTER][/B]
[CENTER][SIZE="1"]A blinding light, far greater than the brilliant sun tore through my eyes
As I stood speechless with deepening awe among a forest that was so tall
Indifferent to my utter surprise as well as my startled frightened cries
With pleading hands I reached out, in hope of acceptance as I recall

Through streaming tears and trembling hands I tried eagerly to see
Where strong and powerful ones had gathered, ready for a grand quest
I caught a glimpse of greatness and glory through the beautiful trees
A contest, a rival, a test, which would showcase the utmost best

Twenty strong how could it be? It was easy to see how they dwarfed all
I was so tiny, so small. Why am I here? How can I even compete?
I struggled, I fought and still I did fail and I wondered as I took a fall
Why did I try? I could not meet the demand and I knew that I was beat

When all was lost and I had left, they called to me and I raised my head
An outstretched hand, an encouraging simile, don’t give up, you have done well
With renewed courage and determination I picked myself up and stifled the dread
I can’t give up this quest, nor walk away; it’s too soon to give my last farewell

Strengthened by virtue of being within their kind and gentle midst, we rose
With ringing tones of victory our names striking fear wherever we went
From known to mysterious lands we conquered all in places where anything goes
A glorious cause, a golden goal, with our firm stance taking on a victorious bent

But Victory’s path is often unkind, not caring as I traveled where my feet would go
Time and time again our goal was now thwarted, cast aside in every way
Undaunted we fought though we toiled in vain, mercilessly crushed by the flow
Compassion was not shown as we were thrust down both night and day

After all that we had done, the downward slopes were unforgiving and cruel
Harsh and remorseless we fell, landing hard through dark and deep a ravine
With iron determination and a will that would not die we struggled to regain our rule
But victory eluded our grasp and would not be had determined to not be seen

At last in the final hours when darkness descended and radiance seemed to be lost
The light was finally seen, brilliant and beautiful though winds and blinding showers
With a glad cry and tears of joy, we rose as one once more to fight the cost
With laughter and shouts of delight to finally break the cold despairing hours

By friendship and courage and a will far stronger than what bell may toll
Or trials past undaunted, unfazed our gaze not stopped by what may not be
As we look forward having passed the test, we’ll take whatever fate may roll
We came as one, doing our best to earn at last a hard fought for, cherished Victory[/SIZE][/CENTER]

[I]Your match with White certainly seems to have paid off, since this is quite a masterpiece. You recount your experiences with this game wonderfully, the language is rich and symbolic, and the theme is evident from it. [B]20/20 Points[/B][/I]

[U]Aaryanna_Mom:[/U]
My entry for this is about what I see as a victory from being a part of this RPG. I am sure you have heard the phrase “[U]Friends are the flowers in the garden of life.[/U]” Well in my opinion, that is my victory, all the friends I have made. So I made a little cross-stitch of flowers, each one a team color. It’s the sort of thing you then either put on a bookmark or use as a decoration in a page for scrap booking.

[CENTER][IMG]http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/8473/victoryflowersmi7.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER]

[I]This is certainly pretty, and I hugely appreciate good ol’ handcraft, mainly because I feel it’s a dying skill at least in western countries. The symbolism is very nice, and although the theme didn’t quite open up to me from it at first, I find it respectable that you have taken a different approach to “victory”. [B]10/20 Points[/B][/I]

[CENTER][SIZE="5"]Task from the Future[/SIZE][/CENTER]
[I]You had to give reasons why the other two contestants should win this game over you.[/I]

[U]Aaryanna:[/U]
"There are so many reasons why both Rach and my Mom deserve to win. Both of them are hard working and always gave 100% in every single challenge that I got to work with them on. I think both of them have put in so much more effort than I ever did. Rach never gave up, even after getting booted out once, or when his own personal schedule was hectic. No matter what, you always knew you could depend on him.

My Mom has far more patience and a better understanding of all the contestants. Even though the objective is to win, she’s always tried to play in a fair and evenhanded manner. Never once being harsh or too critical towards others and often tossed in a word or two of advise for everyone.

Both of them deserve to win for their dedication and tireless devotion to the teams they were a part of throughout this challenge."

[U]Rachmaninoff:[/U]
"It's easy to see why Kathy and Bethany deserve to win the competition. Kathy was in so many ways more of a mother as she always set a good example that there was more to the game than a win. She was always playing fair, handing out advice and following through on her suggestions that though inspired by the game were essentially separate. Her work in the OtakuBoards Newspaper is proof that for her it's about more than winning and that makes her the most deserving.

Bethany is creative, dedicated and has also put so much into the game. She has constantly put so much into each competition and supported her teammates. She clearly has a firm grasp on teamwork and doing one's best since she has effortlessly shown that winning is about having fun as well. Most notably with her diorama with the eggs.

In the end the main reason they deserve to win is because they inspired me to continue. In all honesty the game at times frustrated me to the point that I wanted to just walk away, but seeing how those two worked so hard I could not. So I know that without those two I would have never made it this far. They both deserve to win far more than I do."

[U]Aaryanna_Mom:[/U]
"I think that the other two contestants deserve to win for many reasons. My daughter Aaryanna has consistently shown her creative and determined side throughout this challenge, even surprising me at times with her insight and ability. In truth, she’s put far more effort into this game than I ever have.

Rachmaninoff deserves to win for his perseverance. No matter how hard the challenges were, he never gave up, even when he wanted to. Showing that in the end, he is a true survivor. He put so much work and time into hunting through the threads for the Otakupedia article. Without him, we never would have gotten it done.

Both of them have consistently done far more in terms of effort and outright determination to do one’s best. As much as I’ve enjoyed this, I cannot say that I was equally as dedicated. I know I wouldn’t have made it here without their diligent work and effort."

[I]I'm just glad that the points didn't tie up, since it would've been extremely for me to decide the winner from these. Beautiful words, everybody.[/I]

---

[CENTER][i]Total Points:[/i]
Aaryanna: 25/40
Rachmaninoff: 30/40
Aaryanna_Mom: 20/40[/CENTER]

This means that [B]Rachmaninoff[/B] has won the challenge by five points! Congratulations, you've guaranteed yourself a spot in the grande finale!

Alas, you have to make the difficult decision of choosing either Aaryanna or Aaryanna_Mom to join you in the Final Team Council. You can just voice out your decision to this thread. The one you don't choose will move into the Jury to help decide the winner.

The mother or the daughter, which one shall it be?[/FONT]

[Rachmaninoff]

I'm sure you already know this Sandy, just how hard it was to make a decision between the two. >_< But I said I wouldn't take too long so I finally made my choice...

I choose [B]Aaryanna[/B] to join me in the Final Team Council. Thank you for everything you two. I've really enjoyed working with both of you and now competing in the final stretch. :catgirl: Best of luck to both of us!

[Sandy]

[font=Century Gothic]So be it: [B]Rachmaninoff[/B] and [B]Aaryanna[/B] will be facing the Final Team Council within a few days time. Meanwhile, I want both of you to recount something about your experience with this game to this thread, maybe remember the early stages and people who've been voted off during these nine months.

As for [B]Aaryanna_Mom[/B], you will be joining the ex-Aces in the Jury. I just want to thank you, you've truly been an awesome contestant through and through. You can now say your goodbyes to this game.[/font]

[Aaryanna_Mom]

Excellent choice Rachmaninoff. :catgirl: I couldn't be more pleased to see both of you move to the Final Team Council. I look forward to being a part of the jury and seeing this come to a close. It's certainly been a lot of fun. Anyway, I know it's going to be a very difficult choice to pick only one. Especially since both of you definately deserve to win. Best wishes, both of you. :catgirl:

[Aaryanna]

[COLOR="goldenrod"][FONT="Comic Sans MS"][quote name='Sandy'][font=Century Gothic]So be it: [B]Rachmaninoff[/B] and [B]Aaryanna[/B] will be facing the Final Team Council within a few days time. Meanwhile, I want both of you to recount something about your experience with this game to this thread, maybe remember the early stages and people who've been voted off during these nine months.[/font][/QUOTE]Yay! I got chosen! :catgirl: Anyway... as for recounting something, the one thing that stuck out the most in this or rather the one thing that stuck out the most for the first time was this post here: [URL="http://www.otakuboards.com/showpost.php?p=764989&postcount=36"][U]BKstyles[/U][/URL] It was something that really stuck with me, since I thought people were assuming that since Gavin and Crystia were both older than the rest of the Mercenaries it made them stronger somehow.

Now I'm sure that probably wasn't the case, but that single post really got my team fired up to prove them wrong! lol We worked so hard on our story if only to prove BKstyles wrong about his statement a little later on that there was no way his team could lose the challenge. When we won with our "Hopeless" horror story I was so proud of Anomaly and Darren who had put so much effort into it.

There were other great moments like the debate over abortion, doing the song & RPG bit when Rach had become a member of our team and even working as the Sunflowers and finally coming out on top.

In the end the "Hopeless" story was probably my favorite moment of the entire thing, with the diorama of the eggs and the nails coming in second. Making that was a lot of fun. :catgirl: Regardless of who wins, I've enjoyed every minute of this game. [/FONT][/COLOR]

[Rachmaninoff]

[quote name='Sandy'][font=Century Gothic]So be it: [B]Rachmaninoff[/B] and [B]Aaryanna[/B] will be facing the Final Team Council within a few days time. Meanwhile, I want both of you to recount something about your experience with this game to this thread, maybe remember the early stages and people who've been voted off during these nine months.[/font][/QUOTE]Something about my experience... Well the moment that stood out the most was when I got asked to return and work with the Mercenaries. In all honestly it wasn't until that moment that I really got into the game. I think some of that had to do with the nature of the challenges, I enjoyed making the team song as well as the rpging we did together as a team. Where some of the previous challenges were in an area that I had little to no strength in doing.

And later in the Sunflowers team, even though I got clobbered time and time again, it still didn't matter, I loved working with Anomaly, Aaryanna, Beth and Kathy. It was really hard losing team members as well as having to choose between Aaryanna and Kathy. >_< I feel like I got here on their strengths more than my own, which is what my final poem was about really. It was the members of the Mercenaries and then the Sunflowers who stood out the most to me.

If I were to pick a favorite challenge or one I enjoyed the most, it would definately be the team song we did as the Mercenaries. It was the first challenge where I feel like I really got to contribute to the overall piece.

Anyway, I'm with Aaryanna, no matter how much I got frustrated, or how it turns out, I've enjoyed being a part of Survivor. :)

[Sandy]

[font=Century Gothic]The Final Council thread is now up, and I will close down this thread. Thanks again to all of you who've played and watched, it's been awesome![/font]