Survivor Gabon

I've been a fan of Survivor for the majority of it's seasons on the air. The production quality is high, and the basic formula of picturesque vignettes interspersed throughout false drama punctuated by interview confessionals--all makes for interesting TV. Combine this with seeing reality show contestants suffer at the hands of the writers and producers of the show, add the contestants general lack of knowledge and preparedness for living outdoors in less than ideal conditions, and you get a recipe for success which has kept me and millions of other viewers coming back season after season.

By these standards, Survivor Gabon was no less captivating. What I realized after this season, however, is this particular grouping of contestants epitomizes everything failing and despicable in humanity. Luckily the right contestant won in the end, and by "right"--I mean someone with character, intelligence, fortitude and decency. Compare this contestant to the people he played against and you'll see a variety of nasty character traits in their purest forms.

Corrine Kaplan -- a wretched individual with antisocial personality disorder who actually thrives in the face of public scorn (see her self created public profile on Facebook and the collage of hate spewed out by "fans"). Her defining television moment was when she denounced another contestant as needing antidepressants after expressing too much emotion over a recently deceased parent. When asked by Jeff Probst at the finale if she regretted her comments, "I don't regret any of my actions in the game." *loosely quoted as it's hell getting onto the Survivor website today.

Look farther into the cast of cretins and you'll find Randy Bailey, a vile racist who is actually a wedding photographer of all things. Bailey had no single defining moment on the show, as every time he appeared he was shallow, ignorant, rude--the list goes on and on; as another contestant put it, "He is a troll." I pity anyone who has ever had the misfortune to have this foul man take part in their day of matrimonial bliss. He has so few friends, he brought a group of strangers to the Gabon finale.

When I saw the video of a contestant who was voted off and sent to the Ponderosa compound to wait out the end of the show, I was disgusted at the display of childhood antics from grown professionals. You'll see Randy and others at their finest ostracizing a fellow contestant, and playing out a high school clique to the point where a member is afraid to be nice to the outcast for fear of being punted by the "popular" group. It's truly sad.

You have to wonder, exactly what did any one person do to another on Survivor Gabon to deserve open scorn? You have to come back to the group of individuals as a whole, and how nasty and shallow they clearly are by nature.

Take Marcus Lehman, an elitist who also had little sympathy for the contestant who'd lost her father. Lehman was the self righteous leader of the clique, and very deserving of the public mockery made of him and his puppetry of the penis (his johnson slipped out during a challenge in one of the earlier episodes). I have one thing to say to Marcus, HA HA (in the key of Nelson). He is proof a man should be judged by the company he keeps.

All in all the show was an open display of what is despicable about human nature. Most of the contestants represented everything that is unfortunate and vile in humanity, and I'm sorry I took part in the rubber necking of watching as the crash unfolded on Survivor Gabon.

I may actually have to rethink my television viewing habits.

Snowmen?

Rob and I have been having a discussion about the above snowman (which was built down the street from us within the past week). Prior to this snowman showing up, the thing next to it was a smaller snowman. Once the second icy giant was created, the smaller snow guy was turned into what you see now.

Today as we drove past them, Rob wondered aloud what the smaller ice sculpture was supposed to be. He thinks it could be a snow version of the Stanley Cup. I think it represents a snowman whose head was blown off.

"So you think the other guy is smiling because he blew his head off? Or do you think his arms are in the air because he thought it was a stick up?" Rob asked.

"No," I replied. "I think the two are entirely separate."

"But he looks so happy...I think it's the Stanley Cup."

"It can't be the Stanley Cup," I responded. "It doesn't even look like it. It has a big hole at the top!"

"Well, a little kid couldn't sculpt it to look exactly like the Stanley Cup." Rob looked back at the sculptures. "Little kids have small hands."

"No," I shook my head. "It's got to be a snowman with his head blown off, it's the only thing that makes sense."

LOL

Something I envy about my sweet Robert is how easily he laughs. And not just the odd chuckle, but full on laugh out loud, head thrown back guffaws. Most of the time I'm watching the same show. Then I wonder, am I really so lacking in humor or is he just more simple than I am? ; )

I don't find the Simpsons amusing in the slightest. The odd time I find Family Guy funny, and I didn't think much of Tropic Thunder (which Rob LOVED).

Regardless, I am envious none the less. While I don't long to find everything funny, it would be nice to laugh just a little bit more.

Man

I have been busy!

Busy trying to come to terms with the overhwhelming disillusionment of my effed up family having indeed no hope of sustaining meaningful relationships (triggered by my brother saying he was "inspired" by my wedding and instigating a divorce--which isn't half the story). Added to that is my mom unceremoniously quitting her job of 20 years (or something), only to have the company lay off many long term employees a few weeks later, and trying to make her understand that no, when you voluntarily leave a job, you are not eligible for EI. Sigh.

I've also taken on a new position at work, which has been a challenge to say the least, and seems to be sapping all my excess energy (of which I generally have none). Probably good, because then I'd be lamenting about how sad my family is. I guess that's what therapy is for. : )

Alas... all of these things have left me with very little creative energy for things like writing!

A co-worker is tring to convince me to register for "Detective fiction" this Winter. Which might be interesting.

We shall see.