The first poll is up for the Week 0/Introduction - https://therealljidol.livejournal.com/1064361.html
I've given you extra time in this Week 0 (and probably will during the first few weeks) because it's important to take the time to read each other's work and comment. Everyone likes acknowledgement, so stop in and say hi - and remember to vote for your favorites! You can vote for as many entries as you feel compelled to support.
In future weeks those votes are going to be what determines who stays and who leaves us. So keep that in mind as you see people putting out work you enjoy - that without your support, they won't last as long as they "should". We are in this together. Well, YOU are in this together. I am the guy who put you into the locked room together with assorted weapons and a key on the far side of the room to see what would happen! :)
Idol polls are things of beauty - and this is a small one! So that's a good thing about Livejournal's decline, if it had been another 300ish person poll, I probably would have never gone to sleep!
***
I've been asked if I could extend the deadline to sign up given that LJ has been giving folks problems. It was also pointed out that I "usually" give people until the first deadline to sign up. I'm a sucker for tradition, so sure - I will give you until the Week 1 deadline to join us. https://therealljidol.livejournal.com/1060711.html
It also gives people more time to take advantage of that referral program of getting two friends to sign up - and if they survive Week 4, you get an extra bye.
I can sense the old timers who are returning laughing at how soft I've gotten over the years! :D it's true.
***
Speaking of byes, I think I can say now that based on the numbers, that everyone will receive *2 byes*.
For those who don't know what that is, a bye is a sports term for a week where the teams take off and don't have to play. It means exactly the same, but in Idol you can use yours at any time between Week 1 and the Top 50.
Instead of posting an entry, just post that you are using your bye. That's B-Y-E. For some reason folks seem to think it's buy. It is not. :)
***
Happy Pelikan Hub Day to all those who celebrate!! (it's a fountain pen thing. You don't need to google it unless you like diving into those waters, or like free stuff)
***
What do you have planned for this weekend - other than reading entries?
I've given you extra time in this Week 0 (and probably will during the first few weeks) because it's important to take the time to read each other's work and comment. Everyone likes acknowledgement, so stop in and say hi - and remember to vote for your favorites! You can vote for as many entries as you feel compelled to support.
In future weeks those votes are going to be what determines who stays and who leaves us. So keep that in mind as you see people putting out work you enjoy - that without your support, they won't last as long as they "should". We are in this together. Well, YOU are in this together. I am the guy who put you into the locked room together with assorted weapons and a key on the far side of the room to see what would happen! :)
Idol polls are things of beauty - and this is a small one! So that's a good thing about Livejournal's decline, if it had been another 300ish person poll, I probably would have never gone to sleep!
***
I've been asked if I could extend the deadline to sign up given that LJ has been giving folks problems. It was also pointed out that I "usually" give people until the first deadline to sign up. I'm a sucker for tradition, so sure - I will give you until the Week 1 deadline to join us. https://therealljidol.livejournal.com/1060711.html
It also gives people more time to take advantage of that referral program of getting two friends to sign up - and if they survive Week 4, you get an extra bye.
I can sense the old timers who are returning laughing at how soft I've gotten over the years! :D it's true.
***
Speaking of byes, I think I can say now that based on the numbers, that everyone will receive *2 byes*.
For those who don't know what that is, a bye is a sports term for a week where the teams take off and don't have to play. It means exactly the same, but in Idol you can use yours at any time between Week 1 and the Top 50.
Instead of posting an entry, just post that you are using your bye. That's B-Y-E. For some reason folks seem to think it's buy. It is not. :)
***
Happy Pelikan Hub Day to all those who celebrate!! (it's a fountain pen thing. You don't need to google it unless you like diving into those waters, or like free stuff)
***
What do you have planned for this weekend - other than reading entries?
A few words from Gary:
beeker121's No Entry Received– Votes For This Contestant Will Not Count
bichoose's No Entry Received– Votes For This Contestant Will Not Count
brienneofsnark's No Entry Received– Votes For This Contestant Will Not Count
copyright1983's No Entry Received– Votes For This Contestant Will Not Count
elegantwriter's No Entry Received– Votes For This Contestant Will Not Count
elledanger's No Entry Received– Votes For This Contestant Will Not Count
encrefloue's No Entry Received– Votes For This Contestant Will Not Count
impoetry's No Entry Received– Votes For This Contestant Will Not Count
indiestarlight's No Entry Received– Votes For This Contestant Will Not Count
invisible_girl's No Entry Received– Votes For This Contestant Will Not Count
karmasoup's No Entry Received– Votes For This Contestant Will Not Count
kate_spencer's No Entry Received– Votes For This Contestant Will Not Count
kdcowan's No Entry Received– Votes For This Contestant Will Not Count
kenken27's No Entry Received– Votes For This Contestant Will Not Count
lawchicky's No Entry Received– Votes For This Contestant Will Not Count
lebonheurbum's No Entry Received– Votes For This Contestant Will Not Count
mrstotten's No Entry Received– Votes For This Contestant Will Not Count
shioneh's No Entry Received– Votes For This Contestant Will Not Count
stellina_s's No Entry Received– Votes For This Contestant Will Not Count
taleanea's No Entry Received– Votes For This Contestant Will Not Count
tijuanagringo's No Entry Received– Votes For This Contestant Will Not Count
veritas_st's No Entry Received– Votes For This Contestant Will Not Count
watching_ships's No Entry Received– Votes For This Contestant Will Not Count
It took me forever to realize why the clicky boxes weren’t showing up. It was because I was using the Dreamwidth code on Livejournal!
There were a few stray marks that came nearly ruined dinner and a ticking clock reminding me that sleep is needed before I can wake up in the morning to go to work and act like a functioning human being.
But before that, there is the poll.
If this is your first time at Idol - welcome. As I’ve said, Week 0 is a test run. No one is being eliminated, but I like to give everyone a test run to help work out the system before it starts counting for something.
That includes you making the deadline on time, and remembering to link it back to the Topic post. (some of you didn’t. But I think I found all of them)
It also includes me - with setting up the polls. Honestly, I’m pretty sure there is a name that should be on the poll, but isn’t. I was hoping that they had submitted an Introduction, which would have made it easier, but it doesn’t look like it. So if you don’t see your name, and know that you signed up - speak up and let me know!
Also, if you see any links that aren’t working or go to the wrong place… and extra spaces, whatever, this is a great time to let me know about it. Because once a poll goes up it’s up. But it means I can fix it for next time.
Normally this is the time when I will tell you how many folks we are losing this week, which, in this case is none.
It’s also when I inform you that the poll will be closing. In this particular case it will be closing Tuesday, September 24th at 8pm EDT. I want to give you a little extra time to read and comment to those who submitted entries.
It’s also the place where I say “Good Luck to Everyone”, because, well, I want to wish you luck, and I hope you all survive. This is the only round where that will happen!
There will be an official announcement about byes in the next couple of days - but until then, remember to read, comment and vote for your favorites! (Oh, and before I forget, you can vote for as many entries as you want! People are often not sure about that, and yes, you can vote for yourself. )
I think that’s everything. If not, I’m sure someone will ask. So - good luck to everyone! And now I’m going to sleep! :)
12(2.7%)
6(1.4%)
8(1.8%)
9(2.0%)
10(2.3%)
11(2.5%)
8(1.8%)
9(2.0%)
beeker121's No Entry Received– Votes For This Contestant Will Not Count2(0.5%)
9(2.0%)
bichoose's No Entry Received– Votes For This Contestant Will Not Count2(0.5%)
11(2.5%)
10(2.3%)
brienneofsnark's No Entry Received– Votes For This Contestant Will Not Count3(0.7%)
7(1.6%)
7(1.6%)
copyright1983's No Entry Received– Votes For This Contestant Will Not Count2(0.5%)
9(2.0%)
9(2.0%)
8(1.8%)
10(2.3%)
elegantwriter's No Entry Received– Votes For This Contestant Will Not Count2(0.5%)
elledanger's No Entry Received– Votes For This Contestant Will Not Count3(0.7%)
encrefloue's No Entry Received– Votes For This Contestant Will Not Count3(0.7%)
8(1.8%)
7(1.6%)
7(1.6%)
12(2.7%)
10(2.3%)
10(2.3%)
8(1.8%)
impoetry's No Entry Received– Votes For This Contestant Will Not Count2(0.5%)
indiestarlight's No Entry Received– Votes For This Contestant Will Not Count3(0.7%)
invisible_girl's No Entry Received– Votes For This Contestant Will Not Count2(0.5%)
9(2.0%)
karmasoup's No Entry Received– Votes For This Contestant Will Not Count2(0.5%)
kate_spencer's No Entry Received– Votes For This Contestant Will Not Count3(0.7%)
kdcowan's No Entry Received– Votes For This Contestant Will Not Count2(0.5%)
kenken27's No Entry Received– Votes For This Contestant Will Not Count2(0.5%)
10(2.3%)
7(1.6%)
lawchicky's No Entry Received– Votes For This Contestant Will Not Count4(0.9%)
lebonheurbum's No Entry Received– Votes For This Contestant Will Not Count2(0.4%)
9(1.6%)
8(1.5%)
15(2.7%)
11(2.0%)
10(1.8%)
8(1.5%)
8(1.5%)
8(1.5%)
11(2.0%)
mrstotten's No Entry Received– Votes For This Contestant Will Not Count2(0.4%)
7(1.3%)
10(1.8%)
12(2.2%)
8(1.5%)
13(2.4%)
9(1.6%)
9(1.6%)
9(1.6%)
8(1.5%)
9(1.6%)
9(1.6%)
9(1.6%)
8(1.5%)
shioneh's No Entry Received– Votes For This Contestant Will Not Count2(0.4%)
8(1.5%)
11(2.0%)
8(1.5%)
12(2.2%)
11(2.0%)
stellina_s's No Entry Received– Votes For This Contestant Will Not Count2(0.4%)
9(1.6%)
8(1.5%)
10(1.8%)
9(1.6%)
taleanea's No Entry Received– Votes For This Contestant Will Not Count2(0.4%)
tijuanagringo's No Entry Received– Votes For This Contestant Will Not Count3(0.5%)
8(1.5%)
10(1.8%)
9(1.6%)
9(1.6%)
veritas_st's No Entry Received– Votes For This Contestant Will Not Count3(0.5%)
watching_ships's No Entry Received– Votes For This Contestant Will Not Count2(0.4%)
12(2.2%)
10(1.8%)
14(2.6%)
10(1.8%)
It's deadline day!
Topic 0 is due tonight - https://therealljidol.livejournal.com/1062306.html
Reminder, it is optional, but it's a pretty good idea to participate in it if you can. Especially since none of the rest of the weeks are going to be optional. So it's smart to get into the groove of things now rather than struggle next week on Topic 1.
Sign Ups officially close tonight as well - https://therealljidol.livejournal.com/1060711.html
Which brings me to a special announcement. I get suggestions all the time. Most have some merits but usually there is something about it that means that I can't implement it. Either it's too late in the process and the idea has to wait, or it just doesn't fit the way it is presented, so I have to think about how *I* would do it... Every once in awhile though there is an idea that just fits the moment. In this case, it was from
emo_snal.
Lately most of his ideas involve chasing beautiful women around the world and asking them to marry him. This idea of his though involved fewer chances of running up against immigration authorities, (and my wife would like it more than if *I* started doing that! :D) ) so it was more practical for me.
If, when the game officially starts - you have gotten TWO newbies to sign up to play this season (as in, folks who have not played, under any name) - and they both survive until Week 4, you will receive an extra bye that will be good until the Top 50. For those just joining us, a bye is a "free week" where you don't have to turn something in. It's a powerful tool in the competition given how often real life can strike! Just email me at clauderainsrm@gmail.com if you qualify, so I can keep track.
Note: This is also good if YOU are the newbie and get two friends to sign up!
***
What's going on in YOUR life?
Topic 0 is due tonight - https://therealljidol.livejournal.com/1062306.html
Reminder, it is optional, but it's a pretty good idea to participate in it if you can. Especially since none of the rest of the weeks are going to be optional. So it's smart to get into the groove of things now rather than struggle next week on Topic 1.
Sign Ups officially close tonight as well - https://therealljidol.livejournal.com/1060711.html
Which brings me to a special announcement. I get suggestions all the time. Most have some merits but usually there is something about it that means that I can't implement it. Either it's too late in the process and the idea has to wait, or it just doesn't fit the way it is presented, so I have to think about how *I* would do it... Every once in awhile though there is an idea that just fits the moment. In this case, it was from
emo_snal. Lately most of his ideas involve chasing beautiful women around the world and asking them to marry him. This idea of his though involved fewer chances of running up against immigration authorities, (and my wife would like it more than if *I* started doing that! :D) ) so it was more practical for me.
If, when the game officially starts - you have gotten TWO newbies to sign up to play this season (as in, folks who have not played, under any name) - and they both survive until Week 4, you will receive an extra bye that will be good until the Top 50. For those just joining us, a bye is a "free week" where you don't have to turn something in. It's a powerful tool in the competition given how often real life can strike! Just email me at clauderainsrm@gmail.com if you qualify, so I can keep track.
Note: This is also good if YOU are the newbie and get two friends to sign up!
***
What's going on in YOUR life?
Good Morning and welcome to the day before you can no longer sign up for this season. https://therealljidol.livejournal.com/1060711.html
So if you are dragging your feet on this, don't. It will come faster than you are expecting it.
As a reminder, if you have played before, under a different name - please let me know for my records. No one else has to know. But I do. So send me a message at clauderainsrm@gmail.com
If you are newbie, let me know that as well, so that I can make sure you are properly hazed!
That is of course a joke. I do not haze anyone. I just "aggressively welcome them". :D
***
There is also an optional Topic 0, which serves to both introduce everyone to each other and a great way of testing the process. https://therealljidol.livejournal.com/1062306.html
So far, less than half of you have submitted something. Which would be concerning if it wasn't for the fact that it's Idol tradition to wait until the last possible moment to submit. It's a horrible tradition that drives me crazy, but those seem to be the traditions people love.
***
I'm really nervous/excited to get started on Season 11. It's like when you plan a party and then start waiting to see who is actually going to show up. You think you've got a decent game plan to make the event cool, but what if no one shows? What folks are actually going to be there, will they bring friends? What if someone drinks a little too much and makes an ass out of themselves? What if you run out of snacks? There are a lot of variables and you never know for sure how the party is going to go until it's happening... and even then, a lot of times you don't have a clear idea until after it's over and you start hearing comments from the people who attended.
So that's where I am right now. Waiting to see what happens next. Waiting to see what I didn't anticipate and hoping that I can fix it on the fly. :) Mostly though I'm hoping everyone has a good time.
If you need me, I'll be in the kitchen putting together the snack trays and making sure we have enough ice.
So if you are dragging your feet on this, don't. It will come faster than you are expecting it.
As a reminder, if you have played before, under a different name - please let me know for my records. No one else has to know. But I do. So send me a message at clauderainsrm@gmail.com
If you are newbie, let me know that as well, so that I can make sure you are properly hazed!
That is of course a joke. I do not haze anyone. I just "aggressively welcome them". :D
***
There is also an optional Topic 0, which serves to both introduce everyone to each other and a great way of testing the process. https://therealljidol.livejournal.com/1062306.html
So far, less than half of you have submitted something. Which would be concerning if it wasn't for the fact that it's Idol tradition to wait until the last possible moment to submit. It's a horrible tradition that drives me crazy, but those seem to be the traditions people love.
***
I'm really nervous/excited to get started on Season 11. It's like when you plan a party and then start waiting to see who is actually going to show up. You think you've got a decent game plan to make the event cool, but what if no one shows? What folks are actually going to be there, will they bring friends? What if someone drinks a little too much and makes an ass out of themselves? What if you run out of snacks? There are a lot of variables and you never know for sure how the party is going to go until it's happening... and even then, a lot of times you don't have a clear idea until after it's over and you start hearing comments from the people who attended.
So that's where I am right now. Waiting to see what happens next. Waiting to see what I didn't anticipate and hoping that I can fix it on the fly. :) Mostly though I'm hoping everyone has a good time.
If you need me, I'll be in the kitchen putting together the snack trays and making sure we have enough ice.
Tom Petty said it best. The waiting is indeed the hardest part.
I ordered something for Cynthia's birthday on the 22nd. But it was on back order. (it said "in stock" until you were finalizing the order, and then it said "on back order") I contacted the seller and they assured me that it was coming in the following week. When it didn't ship that week, they informed that it was coming the following week.
I contacted them to say to cancel the order, so that I could get my money back. No response. But a day later I received the notice that the label had been created for USPS to ship. Several business days later, that is still the most recent information on the tracking.
We are now almost a month away from the date of the initial order. Her birthday is past. I could have ordered it from another place (where it was on sale over Labor Day), but I didn't because I had already purchased it.
I'm pretty patient. But that patience is being tested.
I also get that it's not this person's full time job. It's a hobby and this is just a side business for them. But I know that if I waited this long to get back to someone about an issue at Idol, that person would be pissed off with me - and money isn't even involved!
***
I'm mostly just venting. But also providing the background information if you hear about me flying out to Iowa and assaulting someone. So you know what happened. :D
***
Something that's NOT testing my patience is the Sign Up Sheet: https://therealljidol.livejournal.com/1060711.html That has two more days being open and I still know a couple folks who told me they were signing up this season who haven't made an appearance. Hopefully they will... hmmm... maybe that *is* something trying my patience now that I think about it! Come on people! ;)
The deadline for Week 0's entry is also on Thursday. https://therealljidol.livejournal.com/1062306.html Those entries have been coming in slowly. So make sure to take the time to read them now. If it's anything like every other season, there are going to be a lot of entries coming in at the last possible moment. If you are reading before the poll goes up, that means you have a better chance of being able to check out everything!
I ordered something for Cynthia's birthday on the 22nd. But it was on back order. (it said "in stock" until you were finalizing the order, and then it said "on back order") I contacted the seller and they assured me that it was coming in the following week. When it didn't ship that week, they informed that it was coming the following week.
I contacted them to say to cancel the order, so that I could get my money back. No response. But a day later I received the notice that the label had been created for USPS to ship. Several business days later, that is still the most recent information on the tracking.
We are now almost a month away from the date of the initial order. Her birthday is past. I could have ordered it from another place (where it was on sale over Labor Day), but I didn't because I had already purchased it.
I'm pretty patient. But that patience is being tested.
I also get that it's not this person's full time job. It's a hobby and this is just a side business for them. But I know that if I waited this long to get back to someone about an issue at Idol, that person would be pissed off with me - and money isn't even involved!
***
I'm mostly just venting. But also providing the background information if you hear about me flying out to Iowa and assaulting someone. So you know what happened. :D
***
Something that's NOT testing my patience is the Sign Up Sheet: https://therealljidol.livejournal.com/1060711.html That has two more days being open and I still know a couple folks who told me they were signing up this season who haven't made an appearance. Hopefully they will... hmmm... maybe that *is* something trying my patience now that I think about it! Come on people! ;)
The deadline for Week 0's entry is also on Thursday. https://therealljidol.livejournal.com/1062306.html Those entries have been coming in slowly. So make sure to take the time to read them now. If it's anything like every other season, there are going to be a lot of entries coming in at the last possible moment. If you are reading before the poll goes up, that means you have a better chance of being able to check out everything!
Good Morning and welcome to all the newbies who have been signing up over the last few days! https://therealljidol.livejournal.com/1060711.html
I'd welcome returning veterans as well. But you will probably suspect that it's some kind of trap! :)
Sign ups will continue until Thursday - which is also the deadline for our Week 0 (non-mandatory practice run) topic: https://therealljidol.livejournal.com/1062306.html
***
There was a request for an index of "Idol terms". When you are around for 13 years, a community can develop specific terms and shortcuts that might confuse folks coming in for the first time. There is a link to one made a few years ago in the FAQ. https://therealljidol.livejournal.com/1060564.html If you have other questions that pop up, feel free to ask here in the Green Room (or whatever Green Room is posted on that way) or email me directly at clauderainsrm@gmail.com and I'll try to get you up to speed!
***
So how was your weekend?
Do anything exciting? See anything cool? Did you spend the entire time chained to your desk writing your Introduction?
I'd welcome returning veterans as well. But you will probably suspect that it's some kind of trap! :)
Sign ups will continue until Thursday - which is also the deadline for our Week 0 (non-mandatory practice run) topic: https://therealljidol.livejournal.com/1062306.html
***
There was a request for an index of "Idol terms". When you are around for 13 years, a community can develop specific terms and shortcuts that might confuse folks coming in for the first time. There is a link to one made a few years ago in the FAQ. https://therealljidol.livejournal.com/1060564.html If you have other questions that pop up, feel free to ask here in the Green Room (or whatever Green Room is posted on that way) or email me directly at clauderainsrm@gmail.com and I'll try to get you up to speed!
***
So how was your weekend?
Do anything exciting? See anything cool? Did you spend the entire time chained to your desk writing your Introduction?
Happy Cynthia's birthday to everyone who celebrates it!
It is, of course, an internationally recognized holiday at Idol!
How have you been celebrating?
***
I hope that you are getting your Week 0 entries in, for those who want to take part in the non-mandatory "practice round". Which, considering that you are here to write, I'd imagine that most of you would want to get in on this! https://therealljidol.livejournal.com/1062306.html
The deadline for that is the same deadline for signing up: https://therealljidol.livejournal.com/1060711.html so if there are still folks out there on the fence about jumping in, there is still time!
It is, of course, an internationally recognized holiday at Idol!
How have you been celebrating?
***
I hope that you are getting your Week 0 entries in, for those who want to take part in the non-mandatory "practice round". Which, considering that you are here to write, I'd imagine that most of you would want to get in on this! https://therealljidol.livejournal.com/1062306.html
The deadline for that is the same deadline for signing up: https://therealljidol.livejournal.com/1060711.html so if there are still folks out there on the fence about jumping in, there is still time!
It's another day and another anniversary of a tragic event, something that shook the world to its core and pretty much changed everything...
Where were YOU when you first heard about the Camp Crystal Lake Massacre?
***
The Week 0 topic is over here: https://therealljidol.livejournal.com/1062306.html
The Sign Up Sheet is still open, and gaining a few more people every day - so make sure to keep spreading the word! https://therealljidol.livejournal.com/1060711.html
***
How are you doing today? Any big weekend plans?
I will be celebrating my wife's birthday. So happy Pre-Cynthia's Birthday to You!
(Also my niece's birthday, which is tomorrow. We haven't gotten her anything yet. Because the only thing she is into now is horse riding, and she does that all the time)
Where were YOU when you first heard about the Camp Crystal Lake Massacre?
***
The Week 0 topic is over here: https://therealljidol.livejournal.com/1062306.html
The Sign Up Sheet is still open, and gaining a few more people every day - so make sure to keep spreading the word! https://therealljidol.livejournal.com/1060711.html
***
How are you doing today? Any big weekend plans?
I will be celebrating my wife's birthday. So happy Pre-Cynthia's Birthday to You!
(Also my niece's birthday, which is tomorrow. We haven't gotten her anything yet. Because the only thing she is into now is horse riding, and she does that all the time)
I posted the Week 0 topic - https://therealljidol.livejournal.com/1062306.html
It's wordier than usual, but I wanted to cover the basics to make sure everyone was on the same page.
I have also set the official date for the Sign Up Sheet to close. One week from today. https://therealljidol.livejournal.com/1060711.html
So please keep spreading the word.
***
For those interested in such things, we have a Patreon page. https://www.patreon.com/user?u=70027 I was asked about it yesterday, so I promised that I would post about it. So here I am, posting about it. :D
There are a couple benefits that come into play during a full season - at the $5/month level you receive an extra bye that you can give to another player. So anyone giving back to Idol is going to be able to give someone an extra week in the game!
Also, at the $10 level, you can send me three potential topics and I guarantee that *one* of them will be used during the course of this season! Which, I know you have ideas for that sort of thing. :)
***
I promise that not every day is going to talking about death, but yesterday Daniel Johnston died.
He was 58 years old, which is really young to die of a heart attack.
So, take care of yourself.
He was a musician and an artist.
For those not familiar with his work - it's been called "outsider" and "pure/child-like". But I think the biggest takeaway from his work is that it was sincere. There was something about him, about the things that he wrote and the way he would sing them. He BELIEVED in every line, and you could tell.
That's something writers should try to capture in their own voice.
https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-49673013
Two of my personal favorite Daniel Johnston stories - there are a lot of them, but here are two:
- His "big break" happened when he ended up being on MTV in the 80s. I say "ended up" because he wasn't supposed to be on. He heard that they were coming to film about the Austin music scene and he just showed up and started playing! :D
- When he started making music, he would make tapes and go around Austin handing them out. But he didn't know how to make copies - so every single one of those tapes was an unique performance!! (If there were 20 tapes, that meant he sat down and played everything, all the through, 20 times!)
It's wordier than usual, but I wanted to cover the basics to make sure everyone was on the same page.
I have also set the official date for the Sign Up Sheet to close. One week from today. https://therealljidol.livejournal.com/1060711.html
So please keep spreading the word.
***
For those interested in such things, we have a Patreon page. https://www.patreon.com/user?u=70027 I was asked about it yesterday, so I promised that I would post about it. So here I am, posting about it. :D
There are a couple benefits that come into play during a full season - at the $5/month level you receive an extra bye that you can give to another player. So anyone giving back to Idol is going to be able to give someone an extra week in the game!
Also, at the $10 level, you can send me three potential topics and I guarantee that *one* of them will be used during the course of this season! Which, I know you have ideas for that sort of thing. :)
***
I promise that not every day is going to talking about death, but yesterday Daniel Johnston died.
He was 58 years old, which is really young to die of a heart attack.
So, take care of yourself.
He was a musician and an artist.
For those not familiar with his work - it's been called "outsider" and "pure/child-like". But I think the biggest takeaway from his work is that it was sincere. There was something about him, about the things that he wrote and the way he would sing them. He BELIEVED in every line, and you could tell.
That's something writers should try to capture in their own voice.
https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-49673013
Two of my personal favorite Daniel Johnston stories - there are a lot of them, but here are two:
- His "big break" happened when he ended up being on MTV in the 80s. I say "ended up" because he wasn't supposed to be on. He heard that they were coming to film about the Austin music scene and he just showed up and started playing! :D
- When he started making music, he would make tapes and go around Austin handing them out. But he didn't know how to make copies - so every single one of those tapes was an unique performance!! (If there were 20 tapes, that meant he sat down and played everything, all the through, 20 times!)
Every season I come in with the idea that I'm going to start things off like a rocket. But then the time comes, and I start realizing that folks might need to ease into things.
This is one of those times.
So we have a Week 0 topic to go over what you can expect.
I will make a post like this - It will say "Topic - Week (insert week here)". That will include several pieces of valuable information.
It will have the topic for the week. I will put it in bold, and separate it so that you can identify it.
For Week 0, the topic is
Introduction
Sometimes I will say a few words about it, like pointing out that although it's a standard Week 0 topic, that every season is going to have folks who have no idea who you are, and an introduction is always a nice way to set the tone of who you are and what sort of thing folks can expect from you. It's a good way of making connections.
Introductions aren't just "Hi, I'm..." though. These topics are jumping off points. Maybe you want to tell a story about meeting someone for the first time. Maybe you want to introduce them to a fictional world. There are all kinds of ways to go with this. Don't limit yourself.
***
Once I establish that, I will give you a deadline. I will also put that in bold, along with your instructions:
Entries should be linked back to this thread by Thursday Sept 19th at 7pm EDT
When I say "link back to this thread", you can cut and paste the Url from your entry and paste it as a comment. Or, if you want to make it fancier, you can do that too. But you don't have to. Just cut and paste is more than fine.
Unless otherwise noted, all deadlines will be on Eastern (US) time. Because that is where I am. The only times that won't be the case is if I happen to be traveling to another time zone that way. Which is RARE.
A full week is a long time for an Idol deadline. But again, I wanted to give you the space to get something done for the first time. I'm also extending the sign-ups until that point.
Week 0 is OPTIONAL. You don't have to post anything for it. (Unlike every other Week). But it's good practice. There will be a poll. But no one will be eliminated.
There are two other pieces of information that are important, but probably won't be stated every time - Topic posts are ONLY for links. If you want to tell someone how great their entry was (or even "Your link doesn't work), do it elsewhere. This keeps the thread clean and easier to put into a poll. (and follow along with for those who like to read ahead, and I recommend doing that)
Also - they are for Current Contestants Only. Once we get further into the game, and if there is interest, I will post "Home Game" entries for those who still want to write but have been eliminated. (or missed the sign up deadline)
So to sum up:
Week 0 Topic - Introduction
Deadline - Thursday Sept 19th at 7PM EDT
Oh, and HAVE FUN!
Writing should be fun.
This is one of those times.
So we have a Week 0 topic to go over what you can expect.
I will make a post like this - It will say "Topic - Week (insert week here)". That will include several pieces of valuable information.
It will have the topic for the week. I will put it in bold, and separate it so that you can identify it.
For Week 0, the topic is
Introduction
Sometimes I will say a few words about it, like pointing out that although it's a standard Week 0 topic, that every season is going to have folks who have no idea who you are, and an introduction is always a nice way to set the tone of who you are and what sort of thing folks can expect from you. It's a good way of making connections.
Introductions aren't just "Hi, I'm..." though. These topics are jumping off points. Maybe you want to tell a story about meeting someone for the first time. Maybe you want to introduce them to a fictional world. There are all kinds of ways to go with this. Don't limit yourself.
***
Once I establish that, I will give you a deadline. I will also put that in bold, along with your instructions:
Entries should be linked back to this thread by Thursday Sept 19th at 7pm EDT
When I say "link back to this thread", you can cut and paste the Url from your entry and paste it as a comment. Or, if you want to make it fancier, you can do that too. But you don't have to. Just cut and paste is more than fine.
Unless otherwise noted, all deadlines will be on Eastern (US) time. Because that is where I am. The only times that won't be the case is if I happen to be traveling to another time zone that way. Which is RARE.
A full week is a long time for an Idol deadline. But again, I wanted to give you the space to get something done for the first time. I'm also extending the sign-ups until that point.
Week 0 is OPTIONAL. You don't have to post anything for it. (Unlike every other Week). But it's good practice. There will be a poll. But no one will be eliminated.
There are two other pieces of information that are important, but probably won't be stated every time - Topic posts are ONLY for links. If you want to tell someone how great their entry was (or even "Your link doesn't work), do it elsewhere. This keeps the thread clean and easier to put into a poll. (and follow along with for those who like to read ahead, and I recommend doing that)
Also - they are for Current Contestants Only. Once we get further into the game, and if there is interest, I will post "Home Game" entries for those who still want to write but have been eliminated. (or missed the sign up deadline)
So to sum up:
Week 0 Topic - Introduction
Deadline - Thursday Sept 19th at 7PM EDT
Oh, and HAVE FUN!
Writing should be fun.
