Some Final Thoughts On The Game
TV ClubHouse: archives: Adven's Great Reality Adventure (and what not) (ARCHIVE):
Some Final Thoughts On The Game
Adven | Sunday, November 09, 2003 - 08:18 am     This is going to be very long, so feel free to just scroll down until you see your name. I have received far more compliments for this game than anyone deserves and I thank you all for them. As many of you know, I like to start silly threads just to see where they might go. They provide a place for me and like-minded people to go to act foolish and banter. They get their few hundred posts and then they end until the next one pops up. I'd like to pretend that the game was intended to be something different, that I had a grand master plan in place and knew exactly what I was getting into and knew I could navigate and steer it to its conclusion. That wasn't the case. I started it as just another one of my threads. I didn't have a plan and, to be honest, didn't even have a game or rules thought of. I figured I'd come up with something depending on the level of interest and just go from there. Even when we started, with a lot of players and observers, it hadn't really donned on me that this was going to involve a lot of posts and take a considerable amount of time to play out. Once it did, I began to feel a little uneasy. I was aware that the board had tried two reality-based games in the past with disastrous results and I did not want to be the cause of a third divisive nightmare. I realized if it was going to work, I better stop and give the thing some thought. The first thing I decided was that Game I and II failed, not because a few of the people involved in it were bad, immoral or hypersensitive, but because the games, despite their best intentions, stressed the competitive aspects too strongly over just having fun. Once the focus changes from entertainment to competition, I think even mature, level-headed adults are capable of behaving badly in the heat of the moment. And all it takes is one misunderstood post, a perceived slight and a reaction to it, for the mood to change abruptly. So, I knew the game had to focus almost exclusively on having fun, being silly and being a good sport and that everyone was going to have to buy into it and feel they had a vested interested in keeping it that way. I felt if we could accomplish that, the inevitable mild bumps along the way or misunderstandings would be handled well and not taken personally. Nobody wants to be the one who screws up a good time over something relatively minor. I also felt the first two games failed because there was a sense that something was going on behind the scenes - cheating, favoritism, some having more inside information than others, etc.... This concerned me because there were some players I knew much better than others heading into the game and if they were all to do extremely well or, worse, if there was a sense that I favored them or provided them with information the others didn't have, then, understandably, the others would be justified in not taking it well. So, I decided I wasn't going to share any information about the game with anyone - other than what Granny and the accomplices needed to know to play their roles - and that I was going to bend over backwards to make the challenges as equal and fair as I could, knowing that was not always going to be possible. It was important to me, not only to know I showed no favoritism, but that the players felt this as well, and accepted that any decisions I had to make were based on merit or circumstance, not personal feelings. That's about as far as any master plan went. The rest was just letting things play out and reacting to events as best I could. I am not being falsely modest, though, when I say this game worked only because of the spirit, integrity and humor of the players and other participants involved. I think I did a good job of providing structure, direction and focus, but it worked because I got lucky and nothing but wonderful, creative people got involved. You all made me look very good. If you doubt this, ask yourself how I might now be perceived if this game had taken a nasty turn somewhere along the line and blown up in our faces. Before wrapping things up, I want to take a moment to say something to acknowledge each of you and the fun you have all given me over the last month. First to the mods. You have my gratitude for more reasons than I can count. I'm sure when this thing took off and you realized we were now in a pseudo Game III, there must have been little voices in the back of your heads saying, "God, here we go again". You would have been justified in stopping this at the beginning. Not only did you let us continue, you gave us our own area to play things out. In addition, unless I missed it, not a single post or a single word in a post was deleted and not a single person warned that they were getting close to the edge. I know this is a tribute to the players knowing where the lines are as well, but also your willingness to give us the room to play the game as we wanted. Thank you. Finally you let me open a second account temporarily so I could post as "Mole". I know this might not seem like a major concession to some, but you had no gaurentee that I might not abuse that privilege. Thanks for trusting that I wouldn't. To Ddr and Miss_Wings. You were both wonderful partners in crime. Thanks for volunteering. And, Ddr, that BB voice addition was priceless. I wish I could pretend I was the one who got you to do it. To Luv: I'm sorry you didn't get a chance to play. You missed a lot of fun. Maybe next time. To Patichou: You were the first to get evicted, largely because I shortened your name to "Pat" in listing the players and you thought I was referring to someone else and didn't play. You took that screw up with grace and humor and set the tone for the rest of us by handling your eviction with style. Thank you. To Bonnyswan: Your only crime was being away during one of the 1st challenges and unable to play. Parrticipation was the criteria most players used early on for determining eviction and you were a victim of it. I'm really impressed that you've stuck around and participated despite your early exit. It's appreciated. To Rabbit: I was sorry to see you exit so early. I think your keen, some might say warped, sense of humor would have added a lot to the rest of the game. Insanity is something I can appreciate in a fellow poster. Thanks for playing. To Pamy: I was sorry to see you fall on your sword and turn down the rose. Although it would have meant Square's eviction had you accepted, which wouldn't have been good either. I don't have to tell you, you are one of my all time favorites, but I will anyway. Pamy, you are one of my all time favorites. To Bobbi: You were doing great and were one of the early favorites until family illness caused you to bow out. I hope all is going well on that front. All the best and thank you for participating. To Tish: You are as sharp as a whip and added something truly unique to the first half of the game. I was sad to see you go. Thanks for playing and give 'em hell in News and Views. To Jan: You went truly above and beyond the call of duty. You were magnificent as my scapegoat, my confederate, my accomplice and as a player. All this while overseeing the "Starting Over" threads. Thank you so much for everything. To Lance: I think one of the things I have enjoyed most about this game is getting to know you better. I am in awe of your decency, integrity and insight. You have been a cornerstone of this entire experience and I can't thank you enough. To Granny: I couldn't have gone to a casting agency to find a better mole. You were phenomenal. Knowing what was going on behind the scenes, I am probably the only one who can appreciate what a spectacular job you did. And your diary room "friends/money" post remains the funniest thing I have ever read. To Reader: You infused so much life into this game with your energy and enthusiam. I believe you were its #1 cheerleader, inviting one and all to come over and get involved. I've really enjoyed getting to know you and appreciate all you have done to make this game an entertaining success. To Square: Your shoe throwing, I'm trying to sleep, leaving the diary room door open, who's making me dinner persona had me in stitches. I also want everyone to know that Square and I were in virtually daily contact through e-mail during the game and not once did she ask for inside info, nor do I think that it ever occurred to her to do so. It says a lot about you, Sq. To Twig: I've known you for most of the last three years Twig, and have always been impressed with your decency and common sense posts. What I didn't know was that you had such a great sense of humor and fun. Your "Adven Emergency" post to get me to visit Kar's folder was priceless and one of the highlights of the game for me. Well done. To Zmom: You are a riot and I have enjoyed getting to know you as much, if not more, than any other player. The running gag over your porn collection was a hoot, but my most vivid recollection of you when all is said and done, will be of a certain e-mail you sent me which shall remain ever private. You know which one I mean and why I have singled it out. Thanks for everything. To Lori: You were an incredible competitor: bright, quick, funny and virtually unbeatable. You had two diary room entries that were two of the funniest things posted in the game, but your teletubby entry in the "Queer Eye For the Straight Guy" challenge was truly inspired. You have added so much to the game. Fantastic job. To Mak: You won, kiddo! That says a lot about how you played the game and the esteem you were held in by the other players. My favorite post of yours was when I started the Amazing Race challenge and you wrote "OH MY HECK" and went racing around the board looking for teammates and trying to get them to post. We couldn't have had a better choice as winner. That's about it for me. I'm going to take a break from game starting for a while, but I'll be back with more nonsense, I'm sure. I won't likely try anything of this scope again. I think we caught lightning in a bottle with this one and that usually only happens when you aren't planning to. Thank you all so much. As Lance said, it's been a hell of a ride. |
Reader234 | Sunday, November 09, 2003 - 09:41 am     >>>>reader comes in, brings large bowl of freshly popped popcorn>>>>> ***reader looks around for tissues**** *heavy sigh, I certainly hope to see part 2 soon, this was so much fun, but like all good things, it too must come to an end. I'm glad my perceived silliness didnt get mistaken. It came close, luckily I stayed up long enough to say "just kidding" I wanted the opportunity to get to know you, and I thank you for taking the time to get to know me. I look forward to tomorrow on the bb. I look forward to the Holiday Plan zmom is setting up, and I hope to gather more strength to actually pull off (with lots of help!!) the Chicago Gathering in May, as well as Vegas in July... May 21, 22, 23.. mark the date, come by plane, train or automobile. Gather with the TVClubhouse posters for a wonderful time in the Windy City!! >>>>>reader exits as she hates commercials!! Thank you... and of course... ADVEN RULES |
Jan | Sunday, November 09, 2003 - 10:01 am     without a doubt, Reader ADVEN RULES |
Squaredsc | Sunday, November 09, 2003 - 10:07 am     ditto. Adven Rules!! |
Stilllurking | Sunday, November 09, 2003 - 10:15 am     Dad, I'm so proud! You did a great thing and as the queen (spinster) Lurker, this game, though I lurked and didn't play, helped me to see what wonderful people are here in the clubhouse. I feel like I've met and know all of the players. And all of them are great people. Heck, I might even come out of lurkdom and let them get to know me. So thanks to all of you, you all played a great game. Thanks! |
Grannyg | Sunday, November 09, 2003 - 11:16 am     ditto. Adven Rules!! |
Pamy | Sunday, November 09, 2003 - 11:29 am     Adven, I so enjoyed reading your final thoughts! You are an amazing man!! The thought and care you put into this game when you realized it was going to be more than just a silly thread says so much about you. I agree with everything you said about the game, players, and the Mods. Thanks for the fun! I can not wait to meet you!!!!! |
Lancecrossfire | Sunday, November 09, 2003 - 11:32 am     Adven, thanks for the background information. After reading that your plan was to have the thread just be one of your normal "have fun with things" kind of thread, and didn't have this all planned out causes me to be in more awe with you than I already was--lol. To just do this on the fly, so to speak--to go from the mind set of letting a post run it's own course to having to come up with something so fast and so complicated is truly amazing. There is something you did that most folks have a tough time with--letting things go when they are working, and playing off of all of that. You didn't try to direct it--you let it go because it was working, and built on it. It's harder to do than most folks realize, IMHO. Thanks for your kind works about me too--that was very nice of you to say. And your words about everyone else--for the things I was aware of (which wasn't a whole lot it would seem--lol), you were spot on about everyone. After reading what everyone was doing in the game, it's clear that your words are an accurate description of each and every person. And of course you are so right about it working because of what everyone did--at any point, a situation like this game can turn south. It never did, as far as I could tell. I loved the fact that both long term posters and those newer to posting (in case long time lurkers participated) were involved. What a great mix of folks!! I've always thought TVCH had the attitude that a "newbie" was nothing more than a friend with fewer posts than others, as opposed to someone to put up with and be someone who has to prove themselves. Adven, you do indeed rule. |
Pamy | Sunday, November 09, 2003 - 12:47 pm     Well said Lance! |
Grannyg | Sunday, November 09, 2003 - 01:13 pm     Legs, um Lance, is so very eloquent with words. Wouldn't you just love to be on the receiving end of some of his love letters? Very well said, Lance. |
Reader234 | Sunday, November 09, 2003 - 01:41 pm     I'm thinking Granny!! You did put it nicely...
Quote:I've always thought TVCH had the attitude that a "newbie" was nothing more than a friend with fewer posts than others
Thanks "legs"
 |
Jan | Sunday, November 09, 2003 - 01:44 pm     I'm always impressed when Lance talks. He has a definite way with words |
Twiggyish | Sunday, November 09, 2003 - 04:08 pm     Thank you! I think we learned a lot about you, too. For all your outrageous posting, you're really a kind man. =) (And very suave and handsome, too) |
Ddr1135 | Sunday, November 09, 2003 - 05:41 pm     BB VOICE SAYS: Adven Rules! |
Miss_Wings | Sunday, November 09, 2003 - 06:02 pm     <---------jumps on bandwagon Adven Rules |
Lancecrossfire | Sunday, November 09, 2003 - 10:09 pm     Thanks Pamy, Granny and Reader. Love letters--I don't think anyone would want to see one of those from me--I won't go into why at this point--lol. Jan, thanks for the nice thought. I'm not sure it's the way I have with words that is all that great--what feels great to me is the way folks are toward each other that make the words easy to write. I think Twiggy has it figured out--Adven is indeed a special person. I'd like to point out that Twiggy has been around a long time--and has treated everyone as someone who is special and a potential friend--she shows us all what TVCH is really all about. Stillurking---I hope you decide to come ot and post full time. I think you will find lots of accepting folks. It isn't about being the most popular or the one that gets the most responses--it's about being part of a family. And I am willing to say that it's a very nice family around here. |
Twiggyish | Monday, November 10, 2003 - 01:52 pm     OMG Lance, thank you. ((Lance)) |
Mak1 | Monday, November 10, 2003 - 02:33 pm     Adven, I'm simply in awe. When you first started talking about this game, you were really vague and sounded like it was just a thought you were going to build on. Then once it got going, I thought you had really been inventing it for weeks, if not months. It seemed so organized (except for a couple of the Jeopardy questions, ahem). And now to hear that you started without much of a plan at all...well, I think you're just brilliant and deserve all the compliments you've received and more. The people who became involved in this in any way mixed together perfectly. When one was down or busy in some RL situation, others stepped in to keep things lively, while letting the person know we all cared about whatever they were facing at the time. It was a nurturing, safe place to act wacky and enjoy each other's company. TVCH attracts such a wonderful group of people. It really has a family feel to it. I know there are plenty of people who would have been great in this game and hope to see them come forward for future games. I think any lurkers know now that they won't get bitten. I agree with Lance, Twig/Mom. BTW, didn't you all think it was cool that Twig officially adopted me during the game? Lance, I think you're too modest. You've put so many of my feelings into much more coherent and well-worded posts than I could have! Thank you again to everyone for this wonderful experience. YOU ALL ROCK!! |
Reader234 | Monday, November 10, 2003 - 03:25 pm     So sweet Mak, and have I thanked you for being a coconspirator?? Thank You... I wasnt sure if I should post this, but then I know she did post about it... RL situation.. Bobbie posted that she wanted to exit the game because real life got hectic. She did email me today and say she was too busy in real life to join the boards, but she was thinking of us, and asked me to keep her in my thoughts, and prayers. I directed her to juju's folder. Thanking Tess for the updates!! I just know if she had time Bobbie would concur with us, she was a great player, and one who I also had a secret premerge alliance with!! Her emails got thru!! Before she emailed Adven about asking to be voted out, she emailed me, I really hate when real life interferes with cyber life!! |
Spitfire | Tuesday, November 11, 2003 - 05:51 am     Great game!!! Thanks for the entertainment. |
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