Steph is here

[Stephenie LaGrossa]

Hi guys, I just want to say congratulations to you all on making the final 3.
All of you have had very different methods of gameplay, some I like, some I don't like.

Joel, you'll find after this game that I was one of the people who bitched about you in the jury house. I love you so much as Bo, as Joel, not so much. You really bent the rules so much in this game imo... I'm definitely not saying it's rigged but you had a LOT of negative influence in this game

That said... my vote is not decided yet. I've been out of this game so long now and I know a LOT has gone down since then so...

My question to the 3 of you is:
Which of the 3 of you guys played the worst game? Give some reasons as to what you would have done to improve upon their game. (Yes I want some anarchy here )

[Ken Hoang]

Hi there Steph, thanks for the congrats.

Pretty devious of you to try and start up some anarchy yourself. With that being said I'll be the first to shed blood in a sense and say that Russ played the weakest game of us three. The thing about Russ is that yeah, he didn't take all that many bullets during the duration of this game either and knew how to stay quiet too when necessary, but as you saw in my opening statement a major point of my gameplay was taking what I felt was the weakest points of their game and improving upon it for myself. In his case I do not feel that he stood out much as an individual playing this game as much as he should have.

A large majority of the time when decisions were made, Russ would be the one to come up to either Joel or myself to confirm what to do or not to do, asking what the plan is and everything and one of us coming up with said plan. I never found this to be the opposite, I never found myself going up to Russ and asking 'What should I do?' 'Got a plan?' or anything of the sort. No offense to Russ because I <3 the individual playing as him but in a game perspective I feel he was WAY too reliant on myself & Joel, the latter a bit more than me which I came to find out the hard way in F4 when I said something to him and come to find out that he immediately went to Joel about what I said.

To improve upon Russell's game I would have worked a bit harder in making some notable strategic ploys and taking action in the game so that when I got to the end of all this I could easily stand up and say "Look, THIS is why I shouldn't be considered and cast as a supporting role in all this anarchy and strategic plays made, I'm just as much of a main role as so-and-so." I mean maybe I'm assuming too much, maybe Russ will come into this final tribal and make me eat my words which if he does have enough substantial reasoning to prove what I say is false then all the power to him and I apologize for running my mouth, but I am just saying what I've seen since the beginning of this game. I feel he relied heavily on us and mirrored a lot of our decisions without it ever being us mirroring his.

Thanks for your time Steph! xD

[Joel Anderson]

Hey Steph! <3 You!

I first want to step in to defend myself on your "bending the rules" comment. I really don't understand how ANYONE can sit there and say I "bent the rules" in this game. That just doesn't make sense to me. Rules are rules and NOBODY is an exception to that. When Coach and Candice BOTH broke the Exile Island rule they were BOTH fully aware that they were FORBIDDEN to talk about the game to ANYONE not at Exile. It clearly said that in doing so you risk being removed from the game. I get SO MUCH heat for these moves for it being "unfair" or "low" when I wasn't the one breaking rules. Coach and Candice were! All I did was bust them for it. I'm sorry, but I should not be looked down on for it and I think anyone and everyone who DOES look down on me...needs to get off their high horse. Outside of the Exile Island removals...there's nothing in this game that I did that would be considered "bending the rules".

In my honest opinion I think the one of us 3 that played the worst game would be Ken. I'll be honest in saying that out of Candice, Myself, Ken & Russell...Candice & I made most of the moves and created most of the ideas. I have the Skype and AIM logs as proof.

When it came to Russell, yes he wasn't as bold as we were and no he didn't do anything in the game before discussing it with the rest of us...BUT...neither did Ken! Not once in this game did Ken EVER do something on his own before/without talking it out with the rest of us. Not one of the plans we enacted did he create. In fact the only ONE plan he EVER made...I had already planned in full detail and had discussed with the host (I'd always ask a million questions to learn the full details of every twist). So while he did think of the move...I thought of it first...and it was never even used so it didn't even matter.

Russell stood out in the fact that he dominated Exile Island and was able to be a little ninja to learn information when it was time to. It was Russell who found the Double Vote item at Exile Island. It was Russell who TOLD Ken where and how to find the Hidden Idol. It was Russell who later earned not only a second Double Vote but also a Vote Nullifier. As far as being our ninja, when people are around Russell on Skype or in chats they tend to forget about him. He knows this and used it to his advantage MANY times by listening in on conversations where people forgot he was there to learn information we needed. It's how we found out Coach's plans, which is why we targeted him to begin with. It's how we learned Natalie had a Fire Idol. It's how we learned Rupert's true identity AND that he had his own Water Idol. Russell was very key to us getting here so for someone to sit there and say Russell did nothing in this game just goes to show they really didn't know what was going on in the game themselves.

Ken never won anything on his own. Ken never stepped outside the box. Ken never brought anything to the table that we actually used. And on top of it all...he played this game VERY hypocritically. For example, when I made the Coach move he went on a rant about how he was morally better than us and that he'd NEVER give his vote to someone to win after doing a move like that. Then as you'll see in the chat I showed Tyson...he went and tried to do the very thing he said he was better than! As much as I adore Ken...he came across as hypocritical and fake the entire game.

So if you ask me who I feel played the worst game of us 3...my answer is Ken. Why?

Because I may have been an ass...but I was genuine and contributed to us getting here. Russell may have been a flake...but he was genuine and contributed to us getting here. Ken...no to both.

[Ken Hoang]

It's fine that you think I wasn't genuine in this game and that I didn't contribute to us getting to the final three, that's your problem and I think enough people here know me because they've been on a tribe with me long enough that what you see is what you get, I may not have been the most competitively strong person of the pack but I always tried. I may not have been the hardcore strategist that resulted in most of the jury being where they are, but I did what I could and I think a number of my actions were both justified and respectable to where I can be viewed as a strategic player. I may not have been the most outspoken but sometimes knowing when to speak and to be quiet can be the difference between a good social game and a bad one.

Then as you'll see in the chat I showed Tyson...he went and tried to do the very thing he said he was better than! As much as I adore Ken...he came across as hypocritical and fake the entire game.

The entire game? Wow you seem so sure of yourself that you even know how I played the entire game. Yeah I'll honestly man up and say that I did do something similar to that but only for your sake, I didn't do it as some strategic ploy to try and advance myself. I didn't find it necessary. I did it because I wanted to help you and Russ out so I personally find it amusing you are trying to call me someone who has been a hypocrite this entire game considering the fact I only did it once and not for the reasons you and Candice did all that. I did it because I cared and had your back.

So while he did think of the move...I thought of it first...and it was never even used so it didn't even matter.

You're right this doesn't matter anymore, there's no way you can prove that you 'thought of it first' nor can I so we'll just drop it there. (If this seems confusing we're talking about a F8 plan we both came up with on our own about if myself/Russ or Joel/Rupert had won immunity we would exile the other and then target Jerri/Candice. Their Earth Idols would activate upon being voted out and backfire onto Tyson & Parvati, leaving us four in the F4 to avoid any confusion.)

It was Russell who later earned not only a second Double Vote but also a Vote Nullifier.

I do not feel that this can really be counted as some amazing strategic move either because he 'earned' it by dropping out of a competition that Joel told him to drop out of (Final Four). He can accuse me of being the first person out so I can't really talk, yeah, but everyone who was there including the hostess saw that my internet randomly disconnected. Had it not I would've been there for the long haul... alas it's a 'what if' scenario but the point stands that while I can't use that as sympathetic material for myself, Joel can't use it as suggesting I didn't even try either.

I did what I could for the sake of my alliance whenever possible, I had many times where deals were offered (Ex: Parvati) to jump ship and I didn't. I had times where I felt defeated mentally in this game but Joel would be like; "Don't give up! We need you around." I pushed forward not only because I want this win SO badly, but I didn't want to let down the people I gave my word and trust to in this game. I didn't want to succumb to my problems in past ORGs where my struggle of feeling self-confident screwed me over. Joel basically implying that I wasn't necessary should show his true colors and it's your guys' call in the long run if you want to vote the person who has been astonishingly polarizing or the person who has been trying his best and stuck to his guns even when things were looking down or got rough. In the end even if you vote for Joel I will respect your guys' decision but I honestly feel like I did the better overall game and that I feel confident about. I have to be.

[Greg Buis]

Can someone explain the "Double Vote" and "Vote Nullifier" to me? When and how were the earned, and what would they have done?

[Ken Hoang]

They were earned during the F4 challenge, we were given a number of offers during the course of the endurance portion and at one point Russell dropped in order to earn those items. As I said in my response to Joel, Russell earned them by dropping out of the challenge, and the Double Vote was used to double her vote on Jerri. I don't recall the Vote Nullifier being used though.

[Greg Buis]

So the person who had the Double Vote could use it to add an extra vote to his/her target. Does the Vote Nullifier do what it sounds like? Thanks

[Ken Hoang]

Yeah, that's how the Double Vote worked and I'm 95% sure the Vote Nullifier could have been used to nullify one of our votes. I think both prizes could apply to the jury votes as well although I can't remember exactly, sorry bro. ^^;

[Greg Buis]

Jess, can you comment on what Ken said? Is there a possibility that a juror's vote will not count?

[Joel Anderson]

Russell earned 1 Double Vote from Exile Island...and 1 Double Vote from the Final 4 Immunity Challenge. One of which has been used against Jerri the round she left. The other was given to Sandra. As a finalist we're not allowed to vote. Nor can it be used on votes not belonging to us. So Russell gave the prize to Sandra, who now has 2 Juror votes technically.

The Vote Nullifier was earned in the Final 4 Immunity Challenge and has not been used yet. Russell still has possession of the prize and to my understanding is allowed to use it to void the Juror vote of any 1 Juror she feels.

This is how it was explained to me when I asked. Jess, if I made an error please fix, but I believe it's correct.

[Joel Anderson]

It's fine that you think I wasn't genuine in this game and that I didn't contribute to us getting to the final three, that's your problem and I think enough people here know me because they've been on a tribe with me long enough that what you see is what you get, I may not have been the most competitively strong person of the pack but I always tried. I may not have been the hardcore strategist that resulted in most of the jury being where they are, but I did what I could and I think a number of my actions were both justified and respectable to where I can be viewed as a strategic player. I may not have been the most outspoken but sometimes knowing when to speak and to be quiet can be the difference between a good social game and a bad one.

If you feel you contributed to us getting here then please name 1 thing you did that you can take sole credit for that was vital in us 3 being here in the finale. Seriously. If you can then I'll give props to you for it and I'll retract my previous statement.

The entire game? Wow you seem so sure of yourself that you even know how I played the entire game. Yeah I'll honestly man up and say that I did do something similar to that but only for your sake, I didn't do it as some strategic ploy to try and advance myself. I didn't find it necessary. I did it because I wanted to help you and Russ out so I personally find it amusing you are trying to call me someone who has been a hypocrite this entire game considering the fact I only did it once and not for the reasons you and Candice did all that. I did it because I cared and had your back.

Yes. The entire game. Almost the entire game you'd say things about people behind their backs but then be all best friends with them to their faces. At least I was upfront with how I felt about people. If I didn't like someone...they knew it. If I was mad at someone...they knew it. You weren't. Instead, you were fake with people. So yeah...I stand by my statement.

Also, does the reasoning behind WHY you tried to remove someone change anything? You still tried to do the very same thing we accomplished. You're not a "better person" because you failed to do it or because your reasons were "more noble".

I do not feel that this can really be counted as some amazing strategic move either because he 'earned' it by dropping out of a competition that Joel told him to drop out of (Final Four). He can accuse me of being the first person out so I can't really talk, yeah, but everyone who was there including the hostess saw that my internet randomly disconnected. Had it not I would've been there for the long haul... alas it's a 'what if' scenario but the point stands that while I can't use that as sympathetic material for myself, Joel can't use it as suggesting I didn't even try either.

First, I never said you did nothing in that challenge. Please don't put words in my mouth. Second, Russell stepped down to protect us so Jerri didn't get the items...not because she was greedy or because she was told to.

Joel basically implying that I wasn't necessary should show his true colors and it's your guys' call in the long run if you want to vote the person who has been astonishingly polarizing or the person who has been trying his best and stuck to his guns even when things were looking down or got rough. In the end even if you vote for Joel I will respect your guys' decision but I honestly feel like I did the better overall game and that I feel confident about. I have to be.

I never once said you weren't loyal, didn't try, or even that you weren't there for us when needed. I tried my best and stuck to my guns as well...so...

And I'd hate to spoil your fun but my "true colors" have been out in the open for all to see since Day 1. I've never claimed that this has been anything more than business for me.

[Ken Hoang]

If you feel you contributed to us getting here then please name 1 thing you did that you can take sole credit for that was vital in us 3 being here in the finale. Seriously. If you can then I'll give props to you for it and I'll retract my previous statement.

Unfortunately anything that I say you would shoot down because you want to act like I was chopped liver and want to keep me down at that level to try and prove some invalid point. I could have flipped on you numerous of times and I didn't because logic dictated to me that those moves could have cost me the win. I knew if I kept you and Russell around that I would have the best shot at winning because people DID NOT respect a number of the things you did in this game, you were way too aggressive and Russell I already made my case in point.

Yes. The entire game. Almost the entire game you'd say things about people behind their backs but then be all best friends with them to their faces. At least I was upfront with how I felt about people. If I didn't like someone...they knew it. If I was mad at someone...they knew it. You weren't. Instead, you were fake with people. So yeah...I stand by my statement.

LOL! This is laughable! Take anybody and everybody in the jury. I never talked about them behind their backs; I never said, "Ohh, Greg's a bitch." or "Stephanie is SO untrustworthy" or anything. I'm exactly like (as you say) you because if I dislike someone or how they act I /say/ it. I don't gossip about people unless they really did something to piss me off, Ex: Candice, Jerri.

Second, Russell stepped down to protect us so Jerri didn't get the items...not because she was greedy or because she was told to.

Says the person who was so vocal on the call; "Take the deal Russ! We can't let Jerri get those items!" As valiant as you may have been it was still a decision influenced by you and not something he 100% came up with on a dime.

[Ken Hoang]

Sorry for the multiple edits btw Steph & people who read. I have a tendency to, well, SUCK at english grammar. XD

[Joel Anderson]

Jul 21, 2011 18:17:43 GMT -5 Ken Hoang said:

If you feel you contributed to us getting here then please name 1 thing you did that you can take sole credit for that was vital in us 3 being here in the finale. Seriously. If you can then I'll give props to you for it and I'll retract my previous statement.

Unfortunately anything that I say you would shoot down because you want to act like I was chopped liver and want to keep me down at that level to try and prove some invalid point. I could have flipped on you numerous of times and I didn't because logic dictated to me that those moves could have cost me the win. I knew if I kept you and Russell around that I would have the best shot at winning because people DID NOT respect a number of the things you did in this game, you were way too aggressive and Russell I already made my case in point.



LOL! This is laughable! Take anybody and everybody in the jury. I never talked about them behind their backs; I never said, "Ohh, Greg's a bitch." or "Stephanie is SO untrustworthy" or anything. I'm exactly like (as you say) you because if I dislike someone or how they act I /say/ it. I don't gossip about people unless they really did something to piss me off, Ex: Candice, Jerri.

Second, Russell stepped down to protect us so Jerri didn't get the items...not because she was greedy or because she was told to.

Says the person who was so vocal on the call; "Take the deal Russ! We can't let Jerri get those items!" As valiant as you may have been it was still a decision influenced by you and not something he 100% came up with on a dime.

Actually, I gave you that chance so you could back up your claims...and you didn't. You took this route which did nothing more than show me that even YOU couldn't find something. Hate to break it to you...but you NOT flipping on someone isn't really a move. I could have flipped on YOU just as easily and took YOU out instead of Candice. It IS why I was given the Earth Idol afterall. Oh or the last TC where Jerri was voted out. I could've just as easily had you voted out if I just asked Russell for help (if he'd have given it). Point is...we ALL had chances to turn on each other. We didn't. To use that as ammunition as to why you should win is nothing more than desperate.

I only gave my opinion in the call because Russell asked us if it would be okay to leave me to fight Jerri by myself. I told Russell to go ahead and take the items! I'll be fine! Now you're just trying to twist shit around.

[SquishyJess]

Jul 21, 2011 17:19:36 GMT -5 Joel Anderson said:

Russell earned 1 Double Vote from Exile Island...and 1 Double Vote from the Final 4 Immunity Challenge. One of which has been used against Jerri the round she left. The other was given to Sandra. As a finalist we're not allowed to vote. Nor can it be used on votes not belonging to us. So Russell gave the prize to Sandra, who now has 2 Juror votes technically.

The Vote Nullifier was earned in the Final 4 Immunity Challenge and has not been used yet. Russell still has possession of the prize and to my understanding is allowed to use it to void the Juror vote of any 1 Juror she feels.

This is how it was explained to me when I asked. Jess, if I made an error please fix, but I believe it's correct.

This is correct to a T