Flying Too Close To The Sun/Confessionals

I changed my mind about liking Barrett
He speaks down to me for no reason

Okay so that vote was genuinely super last-minute. My plan going in was just to get Greyson to vote for anyone but me to avoid me getting idoled out. So me and Greyson start talking at like 5 minutes before tribal and start deciding we don't want either of us to go. He suggests Barrett and I say I'd consider it if he had the numbers, which he apparently does in Alicia/Chi. Then Chi and Alicia message me and I discover Alicia doesn't want Barrett to go - so then I suggest to her Ian (my preferred target). Then we agree it's best because we don't want Chi or Greyson to go so we all agree to do that, and we tell Courtney/Barrett with literally two minutes left that the vote is on Ian.

Okay so I was thinking about the idol and what I’m gonna do if I actually find it. Obviously I’m not gonna tell anyone. I trust Tommy but I still don’t think it would make sense for me to share that info as of right now. But maybe I’d tell him eventually. If I do find the idol, I’ll just do my typical thing and tell people my idol run and pretend to be honest. Actually, I might tell people that I found the spot but the idol is missing. That’s not a terrible idea. I’d probably get the idol, and then go back to the same location again just to see what the message exactly says in case people question me. Solid plan. But how will I know when to play the idol? I have a bad track record, I’ve #walkedwithanidol and I’ve wasted an idol I received in a different org (although it was surprise double tribal with no DM’s allowed, and it was expiring at that tribal, but I knew I was safe but didn’t know the target of the majority). Anyways, gotta figure out when to play the idol, assuming I eventually get it lmao. And if somebody beats me to it, my sheet will tell me who has it at least.
I remember from DvG, Nick Wilson, the winner of the season did this amazing idol play where he played his fake idol to gauge reactions and to determine whether to play his real idol or not. It didn’t work, but the idea is great. I want to do that, and be successful this time. So, I’ve made this fake idol that looks semi realistic! And I’ll play that, see reactions, and determine if I should play the real one or not. I may rework it so it looks more realistic, but it’s a good start. My explanation for the fake idol will be, agh I was tricked by [insert voted out player here]. Solid plan, and I don’t think it necessarily hurts my game. Is there a large chance I’ll ever play this fake? No, but maybe at the F4 tribal :joy: But this is a tool I can potentially use in the future if I ever do need it. Plus it was just fun to make lmao

Sorry to see Ian go, but I actually don't know him, so it's not a super huge deal. I think this is another good challenge for us. My trust is essentially the same as it's been, I really think Tim and I have a chance to take this pretty far. With all due respect to my main allies in my other orgs, this is the first time my main ally was steady and drama free (at least at this moment, although I don't expect Tim to just completely go street rat crazy anytime soon). I think that's good for me. I'm a steady player, so having someone who's in that same track will be great. Tommy's pretty similar and Vincent is, well, Vincent is Vincent.

Thoughts
-Many convos have been had with Wes, Grace, and Sophia.
-Love them all, I have wes at the top because I think he is least likely to beat me, and I am most likely to beat him
-I wonder if Grace wins if she makes it to the end based on her being a winner? idk maybe
-I need to work on building a relationship with lochlan
-Nate is a cool guy but never wants to talk game
-Greg is also afraid to start convos
Dont throw the baby out with the bath water
There is still plenty of time for me to fuck up
Mama said not to lie

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Done some damage control to Barrett and Courtney. Hopefully Alicia and I convinced them we're still with them, that way we either swap with four potential allies who trust us or we go to tribal but are safe again in the middle

The challenge went ok tonight, could have been a little better but we were confident it will be enough for a win. Honestly it would be so ideal. The kumbaya spirit in the tribe is certainly keeping us all from really playing yet, but since we started with such a small tribe and are swapping next it really could work out for us to divide and conquer our way to a merge majority. Surely we will lose 1 or 2 along the way, but if we make it to the swap without having to piss each other off then I think the 4 or 5 of us who could make it to merge will be a pretty tight core group capable of running it to the end.
I started working with Greg more closely today. I'm actually not feeling like he is being 100% honest with me about his Idol Safari. He told me that he had done all of his search in the Salt Lands, which just got eliminated by a clue. How convenient of him to not have any info to offer me other than what I already know.... :man\_facepalming:
There is a possibility he is telling the truth. Brandon actually checked there first himself so its likely that Greg was having a similar thought process when deciding where to go. I am hoping the I am about to stumble on a 4th area entirely in the Rock Formations area. If I don't, then I am 95% sure this Idol is already found. Brandon, Grace, and Myself have covered a ton of ground and we are only 3 people. If this is the entire map, then I'm pretty positive someone's got it. My guy tells me if anyone does it is Sophia or Brandon. Time will tell...

Right now Grace and I suspect that Brandon either has the Idol already or has worked with Sophia/Lochlan to secure it. He’s been open with us about working with them on the Safari. However, the map he gave us tonight has holes in it. He should have much more of it done. I haven’t even searched 3 times a day and I have almost as many paths done as him, even though he is def searching the max amount and has guesses from almost everyone in the tribe just like in the S6 Mastermind Puzzle? Sorry Brandon, try harder. For the record, I really hope I’m wrong. I’d like to believe that we are gonna be honest and close the entire the game but I know Brandon’s game so much better than I believe he realizes.
After tonight’s challenge, I didn’t hear a word from him. Not all night. This is his prime time of the night, when he wants to be in VCs with the people he needs to “touch base” with. So if he wasn’t talking to me tonight, I know he was talking to Sophia instead. They are the 2 most likely people to have an Idol already, even more so if they are working together.
Brandon literally told us yesterday he doesn’t think anyone here would double check someone else’s Safari paths because we are all in tribal unity mode. So he thinks he could get away with lying about the path the Idol is on if he found it and no one would look. He should not have said that to us. Tomorrow we are double checking some of his paths. Specifically, the middle dune path he has drawn a winky face on. Apparently he had been updating Grace with each individual guess since Day 1. However, yesterday he didn’t update her throughout the day. Then when he sent the update, the Dunes were all 3 filled in. Sure he could have been busy, but maybe he found the idol and spent the day plotting on what to do about it with Sophia while neglecting to play with us.
Could just be paranoia on my part, but I know Brandon is plotting something. I just don’t know what yet.

okay so I feel like I am getting played. 5 minutes before tribal Alicia and Mylo flipped the vote from Greyson to Ian. They said it was because Greyson told them he had the votes to get out Barrett and they panicked and wanted to flip it on Ian to keep Greyson happy and avoid Barrett going. This makes NO SENSE for multiple reasons. 1. If we are in a four person alliance on a tribe of seven people...how could ANYONE have the numbers to make a move against us?!?! 2. If Greyson was threatening to vote out Barrett would that not be more reason to vote him out?
I'm super disappointed in Mylo in particular. I trusted him completely. I am not naive, I knew he wasn't with me to the end or anything but this early? First tribe? It makes sense to me that homie would be loyal. ESPECIALLY since he made such a big deal about wanting to work with me this time around.
And this was all soooo sloppy???? Like do they not see how messy this looked. Do they think I'm dumb enough or cocky enough to believe that they panicked and could not do basic math?
And if they wanted to protect Barrett so badly...why throw him under the bus as the person saying Greyson's name? Now Barrett is allegedly getting heat from Greyson and Chi.
I'm just not going let people get away with playing me like I'm stupid. If you want to get one over on me, do it like an all-star. No one here is stupid, we got cast on this season for a reason.

Had a heart to heart with Courtney and now I definitely trust her. We are genuinely friends and I don't want to betray her. I'm feeling like her last season where she only betrayed her allies when she needed to, when it comes down to it hurting your own game in doing so.

Let’s go! Made a quick connection in the game with Wes and I have the idol! Now it’s a matter of pulling in people. I feel Wes is a good person to ride with in this game. Maybe I will tell him. Ofc that could end my game but also could ensure my alliance with him.

HOW THE HELL ARE THEY SO BAD AT FAMILY FUED AHHHHHHHHHH :sob:

if we do happen to go to tribal I feel like I'd be pretty decently okay? I've directly discussed with both Grace and Brandon how nobody seems to be talking game so it's not like I'm being left out of the loop, and Grace and I both agree that voting each other out would just kill the other's game and I feel like I'm in a decent position to where I wouldn't necessarily be targeted. Best case scenario we win immunity obvs

I HOPE we won because I don't want anyone to leave. If I had to pick, I'd want Barrett to leave but Courtney wouldn't support that. So please please, not tribal and please swap at 18 thanks!

DAY ONE! I COULD HAVE FOUND THIS IDOL ON DAY ONE! BUT NOOOOOO..... WES HAD TO SECOND GUESS HIMSELF. FUCK FUCK FUCK. HE ALSO HAD TO SHARE HIS PATHS WITH GREG LAST NIGHT SO THAT HE COULD JUST STROLL RIGHT IN AND SNAG IT....... I just can’t right now.... :man\_facepalming:

So Greg has the Idol.

Definite stress for me and probably for our whole tribe. We didn’t do bad, but we definitely could have done better. If we lose...... Sly? Ben? I don’t even know.

i made swap bitch!!

I hate this so much. Never before have I not wanted to go to tribal this badly. However, here we are and here we'll go. My target is Barrett but I need Alicia on board and I don't think she will be. Courtney also probably won't be so I guess we'll say goodbye to Greyson.

Thoughts
-Grace called me ride or die today. This is like the "I love you" of survivor. I didnt say it back but I think we are solid.
-I moved wes down to second but I think he is 100% with me, I could see him turning on me where I think Grace is super loyal
-Love sophia, I suspect they are really close with lochlan thouhh
-Lochlan and I really dont talk as much as I would like due to timezones, need to work on that
-Nate is a cool cat but doesnt want to talk game
-Greg is a lame dog and doesnt want to talk at all.
I suspect either greg or nate have an idol, I think I would have heard about it otherwise

So Alicia isn't budging, Greyson is the plan again tonight

Last night I confronted Mylo about how the events of last round didn't make sense. Normally in a game I would not be so direct about being sketched out by a person but I consider Mylo a friend and I have been telling him EVERYTHING so I didn't bother being coy about it. I told him why the events of last round didn't make sense and got him to really really explain it. He said he appreciated me not bullshitting him and assured me he and I are solid. I do believe that he is actually looking out for me, for now, but I think he has a secret alliance that he left me out of. Because today I told him I'm super busy with my birthday and he told me that he will take care of me while I can't be active and that the vote is currently between Greyson and ....Barrett. Barrett is in our alliance. Mylo obviously has something else going on without me if he is considering voting out someone from our own alliance. And it's clear to me that Alicia is in whatever the heck else is going on too because they flipped the vote together last round. And Alicia just told me that our four group is solid and I have no worries this round because we are all voting Greyson. I do not buy it. The one good thing is I do think Mylo and Alicia both want me here still so I'll just go along with whatever. Idc honestly. I want Barrett here but tribal lines don't matter as much in an all-star season. I'm sure we will swap soon and it will be a whole other thing. Feeling a bit Sandra atm...as long as it isn't me

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Day 9 - The Case of the Missing Idol
It appears that the idol mystery has been solved: Greg has it and I missed it by a small margin. I’m so upset! It could be a lot worse of a situation though. In fact, I think I’m in one of the best positions given the timeline of events that happened. Lets recap shall we
Step 1: I am waiting patiently for my 3:25 idol guess. Wes and I are on the edge of our seats, I am SO EXCITED to get this search in. This is the last spot we need to search, the deserted campsite. Right as I’m in the middle of my search, Wes tells me that Greg messaged him…
Step 2: Greg admits to Wes that he found the idol. RIGHT AS I'M SEARCHING FOR IT. I am heartbroken. Destroyed.
Step 3: Brandon FINDS WHERE THE SPOT IS LOCATED. I am in the middle of a pickle. Brandon tells me the idol is gone and immediately blames Wes. I try my best to say it could be not Wes without looking obvious. I know who has this idol and nobody else but Wes does (and I guess Greg). Greg won’t even admit it to me. He tells Wes he trusts me the most but is giving off zero indication he has this idol. I honestly would’ve blamed Brandon if I didn’t know.
Step 4: Brandon TELLS LOCHLAN AND SOPHIA THAT THE IDOL IS GONE SO NOW EVERYONE KNOWS PRETTY MUCH. Wes has to walk away from it because he’s upset we just missed the idol and now it looks like it’s him. I’m still stuck in the middle of all of this trying not to look like I know exactly what is going on. Brandon eventually drops that Wes has it and sticks to it potentially being Greg or Nate.
Last night I had a two hour call with Nate and solidified that I adore him, and also have a working relationship with him. That means I genuinely do have a working relationship with everyone on this tribe so going into a swap shouldn't be a worry at all. I have “final 2’s” with Brandon and Wes. I have working relationships with everyone else. I really trust Brandon, but my gut is telling me that Wes is my guy now. Brandon will pull a target, but I can read Wes better too. Luckily I don’t have to choose between the married men yet, but I know in my heart eventually if it came down to it, I would choose Wes over Brandon.
Trust rankings going into a swap. Please note, a lot of these are super close and are all indicative of at least a little bit of trust. I just have trust with everyone so it’s very hard at the moment.
1). Wes
2). Brandon
3). Lochlan
4). Nate (our call was so amazing I laughed for 2 hours straight)
5). Greg (moved up bc told Wes he trusts me the most)
6). Sophia (just hasn’t given me much gamewise besides that they don’t want me out)
Hopefully I can make new friends and continue to ride this wave that I have been! I love a challenge.

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Ok what a day! So basically I messed up by revealing to Greg my idol paths last night. I wanted him to continue in his area, but of course he decided to stroll into my zone and clear it out without talking to me first. It’s sort of suspect, but I dunno it’s just too hard to tell right now. Earlier I was fuming after this.
So shortly after, Brandon decided to go check this spot as well. He discovered the idol was missing. He went to Grace first so she tipped me off that he was gonna question me about it. I knew this was tricky. I had to answer fast and honest. I just harnessed the frustration I already had with myself and let it out on Brandon (which wasn’t hard to do let’s be real), and I think my performance was good enough for him to buy. He doesn’t need to know who has the Idol. I’m not holding it, but I know where it is and so does Grace in case of a bad swap. I always say I don’t care to hold it, I just wanna know where it is. I didn’t remember this sentiment earlier, but after tonight I’ve calmed down and it really is in my best interest to not hold it. I’m too paranoid and trigger happy to hold one for too long. I would either hold it so long it left the game in my pocket or I would play it so fast it would make me the next one gone.

Well, this seems to be going about as well as I could have ever hoped for coming in. First of all, today was a very important day in the game for me for two reasons. One of these was that we won the challenge, meaning that I wouldn’t have to target and eventually vote out someone I really did like and trust overall, since I truly do like everyone on my tribe. I think that we will be a strong 6 going into the swap that is likely coming tomorrow or in the near future, which is much better than the possibly splintered 5 that could have gone into the swap had we lost. Now, the second reason why today was so important was that I was able to create what right now I see as my most ideal alliance. I didn’t have an official alliance with Sly or Ben yet, both of whom I’ve really come to trust in recent days, so I really wanted to create that before the swap. Sly and I have a bond and almost a commitment to each other as previous winners, so my whole plan to create the alliance stemmed around the two of us forming it and pulling in 2 other people. Obviously, Tim and I are working in unison at this point, and are already in the 3 Musketeers together with Kevin, so I wanted him in the alliance, especially after Sly expressed how he liked Tim to me earlier today. However, after suggesting that, I didn’t want to come across as too controlling to Sly, so I let him decide the 4th member of the alliance. He, without any prompting from me, chose Ben, the exact person I wanted, as he and I have built a pretty close relationship after I told him about Apollo’s vote.
I don’t know if I’m just getting lucky or I’m playing that well, but I’m getting basically everything I want at this point, sometimes without even trying. Tim and I now appear to be covered at all sides within the tribe as it’s beginning to become clear to me that Kevin and Vincent are somewhat close, and now that Ben and Sly are close, but that Tim and I are close with all 4 of them. We have control, yet I don’t think people really see it yet. It’s perfect. Switching gears, before this game I spent some time thinking about some outside the box strategies that I could use to my advantage in the game. Now, if certain circumstances play out, I think one of these ideas will come into play. Basically, because of the likelihood of a swap in the near future, I approached Tim with one of these plans. Basically, the plan is that if we are separated at the swap and one of us feels like we’re in danger, we will use a certain emoji reaction during treemail to let the other person know that they may need to attempt to throw that challenge. It is imperative that we both make the merge together, because he is someone I trust long term, and I just cannot afford for him to go home. Now, hopefully we never have to put this plan into action, but it’s the perfect backup plan in case something goes horribly wrong. Overall, super happy with my position in the game at this point.

so we're swapping today and while i'm going to miss my tribe and all, i worry about phecda metatargeting just because we've never gone to tribal. while i hope this isn't the case, i also think i'm a decent enough social player to where if i'm given a semi-decent swap we'll can be okay? i also get the impression the challenge is a 24 hour live challenge considering where it falls. something like c4.

I’m such a good spot that I feel like it’s gonna hurt my game. It’s like, too much of a good thing is a bad thing. Or like Icarus flying too close to the sun. But in this analogy, every single person in this tribe keeps forcing me to fly rather than just lying low. Maybe I’m being delusional and I’m really just in an okay spot, but I feel like I’m killing the mf game.
Anyways, I’m currently in TWO alliances with EVERYBODY in this entire tribe except for Sly. But don’t worry! I’m in an alliance with Sly too. I’ve only initiated one alliance too, which was the Kevin Tommy alliance that Tommy and I had planned. Tommy had initiated the idea of that alliance to me, and I offered to talk to Kevin. Every other alliance has begged me to join :heart\_eyes: Anyways, here’s the alliances I’m currently in:
Bentimvin
Three Musketeers (Tommy, Kev, Tim)
5, 8, 13 (Vincent, Kevin, Tim)
AOTS (Sly, Tommy, Ben, Tim)
Are the other alliances in this tribe, there’s gotta be! But am I in the most alliances out of everybody? Just maybe :joy: I mean, I think I’m doing pretty well. I’m playing a pretty strong game at this point. I’m pumped, because this is the kind of gameplay that an all star does!
However, if we go to tribal before we swap, my game could get a little dangerous. I’m currently aligned with everybody pretty hard. I have a lot of power, so I can control the votes, but I don’t even know where I want the votes to go! And I don’t want to betray anyone! I don’t want enemies or to piss people off. It’s bad for my game, and it just makes me feel bad as a person. Ideally we swap before we lose another challenge. I don’t want to go to tribal again. I’d probably be one of the least likely people to go home, but it’ll kinda all come down to me. I gotta be careful. But right now, man, I feel like the mf king :crown:

Waiting for Alicia to confirm but it looks pretty clear it's Greyson. Hoping for some last-minute chaos to flip the vote onto Barrett properly but it's unlikely :/

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