Survivor Finale: Who Should Win? Who Will Win?

Who will win?

I do not know.

Too many variables.

Who should win?

Omar.

He was playing the best strategic game.

But he's on the jury now.

So let's break down the strengths and weaknesses of each player.

Maryanne:

She made arguably the biggest move of the game, blindsiding Omar.

And she is very good at puzzles.

But otherwise, her resume is not impressive. 

No challenge wins.

She is iffy on the social game scale.

Some jurors probably like her.

Some are likely annoyed by her.

But she is a super fan.

And she is motivated and determined. 

Romeo

He gets my vote - for least likely to win.

No challenge wins.

Poor social game.

Often on the wrong side of the vote.

Since the merge he has been paranoid, hungry, and listless.

His only claim to fame was agreeing to Maryanne's idea to vote out Omar.

Mike

If Mike can win some of the challenges in the finale, he has a shot.

Because of the final five he has played the best social game.

He has made alliances.

Unfortunately, he also allowed himself to be completely manipulated by Omar, which might not sit well with the jury.

Lindsay

Lindsay is very good at challenges.

But how popular is she with the jury?

Her gender might put her in a more favorable position to win, because...

Jonathan 

His strength, is, literally, his strength.

He earned the nickname Goliath.

His team won several challenges due to his brute strength.

He was also the food provider this season. 

Since the merge, Jonathan has continued to win challenges.

But he also often been hangry, petulant, and self-important. He especially has not worked well with the female contestants. He has a "My way or the highway" attitude and often talks down to them.

He's also not good at puzzles.

So who's going to win?

Your guess is as good as mine.

librarianintx 

When a Television Show Ends

I watch a lot of TV. Dramas and documentaries mostly. A few comedies and reality shows. True crime. Some science fiction.

I am picky about my reality TV. No Kardashians. No Bachelor / Bachelorette. No Paradise Island.

Family, medical, and firefighter shows are my jams when it comes to dramas. When I fall in love with a cast of characters, I fall hard. My So Called Life. Thirtysomething. ER. If we want to go way back: Little House on the Prairie. The Waltons. Eight is Enough. I used to watch soap operas too. Daytime and Nighttime.

So when a show that I love ends - it's tough. I struggle. I get emotionally invested in the characters and the storylines. I feel like I know these people. I care about them. I learn from them. I look forward to seeing them every week. I celebrate their joys and commisserate with their sorrows. They become a part of my world.

This is Us is ending next week. I am already in mourning. I'm not ready to let them go. I love the Pearson family. I have seen every episode. The story has come full circle. I have witnessed their failures and triumphs. I have watched them grow up, have children, grow old, and pass away. I have been through lifetimes with them in the span of six seasons. 

But I want more.

Not every series finale has been wonderful and satisfying (I'm looking at you, Shameless) But I think This Is Us will be. The penultimate episode was a masterclass of acting and storytelling. I will be sad, but the experience will have been worth my time, my attention, my emotions.

Thank you Pearson family. And all the families and medical staff and starship crews and other casts that have come before you. And will come after you.

librarianintx 

Survivor Final 6: My Thoughts (spoilers)

Oh what an episode!

Oh what a season!

People may think Survivor is repetitive and formulaic, but the contestants have the power to keep the show fresh and exciting, and this group is doing exactly that.

With the exception of Romeo, I think everyone deserves to still be in it, although Hai, Drea, and Roxroy deserve to be there too in my opinion. It's rare for me to like so many of the players in a season.

Lindsay is not one of my favorites, but I have mad respect for her competitive drive and ability to win challenges. I cheered when she picked the right box on Do or Die, even as my heart sank, knowing that meant Drea, my favorite from the beginning, was headed to jury. Oh Survivor, what you do to me!

It's an interesting season, because in my opinion two people deserve to win from an athletic point of view: Lindsay, and Jonathan, otherwise known as Goliath. Survivor has had some strong, physical players previously, but Jonathan has brought new meaning to the term prowess. It is glorious watching him perform these challenges. Although we have to remember that his strength alone does not win every challenge. And apparently, if the footage is true, Jonathan is not a strong social player. He talks down to the female contestants and acts high and mighty sometimes. 

So who at this stage is the most worthy of the title Sole Survivor of Season 42? In my opinion, that is Omar. Omar is running the game, and apparently none of the contestants see it. Mike thinks that he orchestrated Hai's ouster, but no, bro, that was Omar. Omar got Drea out by protecting Mike's idol so Drea couldn't take it. People trust Omar. They tell him things. They see him as an ally, not as a threat. And he uses all of that to his advantage. 

Omar reminds me of John Cochran, who only won one challenge in his second season, but played a brilliant social and strategic game, taking two people to the finale with him who had no shot at winning. He is one of my favorite players, but I don't want a similar situation this season. I hope the final four are Omar, Jonathan, Mike, and Lindsay. 

Who will win?

Too soon to tell.

There's a lot of game left.

Hang on for the ride Survivor fans!

librarianintx 

Looking on the Positive Side

Between waiting and riding, my travel time to and from work added up to about three and a half hours today.

Yeah, that's a lot.

And I can't say I enjoyed it.

It's annoying.

My commute would be about thirty minutes each way if I wasn't using paratransit. 

But I need paratransit. 

I have to be appreciative of the service. 

I choose to be grateful. 

So I look at the positives.

I made it to and from work safely. 

I wasn't late to work.

I rode in a van both times, which is more comfortable than the bus.

Also my legs have not been hurting as much, which added to my comfort.

I solved the wordle on the way to work.

I read a book while I waited for my ride home.

I looked at all kinds of houses.

I saw pretty flowers.

And I didn't have to pee badly on either trip. That's always a bonus!

Look for the positives.

It's good for your health.

librarianintx 

April 2022 Recap

My April was fantastic, definitely the best month I've had since the pandemic began. 

I had the opportunity to do rare things that not many people get to experience: I visited the Elephant Preserve in Fredericksburg, and did Goat Yoga at the Hill Country Galleria. Well, let me clarify: I petted goats at Goat Yoga. I didn't do any yoga. :) I also ate homemade peach ice cream at a place in Stonewall after hanging with the elephants, and we had lunch after Goat Yoga, where I consumed bison chili for the first time.

I also spent time with friends at the apartment, watching the Grammys, Drag Race Season 14, and Drag Race Espana Season 2. It has been so wonderful making memories with friends again. Because of watching the Grammys, I have been listening to newer music, enjoying albums from Jon Batiste, Duo Lipa, Silk Sonic, and Chris Stapleton. 

Speaking of making memories, I also was able to spend Passover and Easter with the family. We had a Seder on Saturday night, where I helped Isaac find the Afikomen. Then on Sunday Isaac hunted for Easter eggs and played with his new bubble mower. Unlike the Hill Country, Fulshear was awash in beautiful Spring wildflowers. 

In April I made two new dishes in the Instant Pot: creamy tomato pasta with turkey, peas, and mushrooms, and chicken alfredo pasta with peas and mushrooms. I also made IP pinto beans, and chocolate muffins in the oven.

I read two books in April: This is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel, and the History of Kensington Palace by Tom Quinn.

Finally,  I got my second COVID booster on the last day of the month. I'm venturing out a bit, but not ready for concerts, in person conferences, or busy restaurants. 

librarianintx 

Celebrities and Depression

I think many of us have the belief that if you are rich and famous then you must be happy. So many people aspire to and work toward that ideal of being a celebrity with more money than you can imagine. Look at all the reality shows we have these days - so many people desire to be a household name.

But the suicides of celebrities in the past few years - Robin Williams,  Kate Spade, Anthony Bourdain, and most recently,  apparently,  Naomi Judd, tell a different story. The average person might think being famous is awesome, but notoriety comes with a lot of baggage. And famous people can suffer with mental health issues like depression and anxiety, and addiction, just like anyone else. Recently Kim Bassinger spoke about dealing with panic attacks, and Ireland Baldwin said she suffers from debilitating health anxiety.

Celebrities are human. Their lives aren't perfect. Often being in the public eye can cause or exacerbate mental health conditions. It doesn't help that the media and the public loves to build someone up and then tear them down at the slightest provocation.

One would think that Naomi Judd had it all. Yes, she suffered from depression, she wrote about it. But she was about to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. She and her daughter Wynonna were going on tour. Exciting things were happening for her. But apparently it was too much for her.

We want our celebrities to be happy, living the lives that dreams are made of. But unfortunately sometimes the opposite is true.

librarianintx 

RuPauls Drag Race Season Finale: My Thoughts

I am often late in posting my thoughts about season finales. Well, at least I can't be accused of spoiling the results.

I thoroughly enjoyed the finale. The Top 5 queens looked beautiful and I thought their individual lip syncs were great. Angeria was wearing my favorite color scheme - black and hot pink. Daya looked sensational in lavender. Nobody phoned in their performances. Everyone was working for the crown.

I am very glad only the Top two queens battled for the win, and Camden and Willow were the right Top two. I thought the final lip sync was epic!! Yes, Camden recycled her fall, but I still thought it was exciting. I LOVED Willow's wig and her purple and black outfit. That final move on the runway - with Willow doing a rollover and Camden a sliding split - amazing!

The right queen won, but I would not have been disappointed to see Camden snatch the Crown.

My only WTF moment of the episode - Kornbread winning Miss Congeniality. Huh? Not a fan of that. First of all, she was only on for three episodes. And second of all, Miss Congeniality? Really? I would say Camden, Deja, or Willow deserved it more.

All hail Queen Willow Pill!

librarianintx