Challenge 10: Confessions
Posted on: June 2, 2005 4:03 AM
Just two dudes left.
I remember the first time we saw both of their applications. Lyova was passed around from person to person and everyone loved his application and they wanted to see more from him. James was someone we labeled as "creative" and his style was as excellent and his attitude was awesome. They both entertained, informed, made us feel good, and shocked us. It makes us very proud to have James and Lyova as our final two.
The final challenge is called "Confessions," and it could make or break this game for our two finalists. We have learned a great deal about our contestants, especially Lyova and James; they have revealed deep secrets about the game and their strategy... now we ask for secrets about themselves. Maybe something they've haven't told anyone. We must know more about The Ultimate Blogger.
What happens next is not entirely in our hands. We're bringing back all ten of the eliminated bloggers to help us decide which of these two is the more ultimate blogger. Who will the glorious former bloggers vote for? Who will Mimi choose? What about Lois? Or Joel? We're not just looking at this one challenge, but the entire game they have played. One of these two gentleman will win the title and the $500 prize package.
Click here to view the challenge (13.8MB - MP4) Click here to download QuickTime
BEST MOVIE YET! FUNNY, AND CREEPY, AND WEIRD, AND SINCERE! I LOVE YOU DUDES!
Posted by: willow at June 1, 2005 11:13 PM
I am freaking out so hard right now! I am just gabbing about this competition and voicing my hypotheses to anyone who cares to give a listen.
Like, what if Lyova and James are the same person?
Posted by: Rebecca at June 1, 2005 11:40 PM
long live the ultimate blogger!
i have been showing people this fucking website(tub) all fucking day. and telling them;
"you gotta watch all the god damn videos and read all of the entries/comments from the quick links real fucking fast cuz there are only two videos left and if you watch/read all of the old ones you can still be a part of the magic!"
long live the ultimate blogger!
long live creativity!
long live the bind!
Gods in the sky..... please bless the creators of this magnificant game with strong health and riches beyond their wildest dreams.
Posted by: daniel at June 2, 2005 1:14 AM
you know, i think at least one of the posts should have been TEXT only as it seems the finalists have whittled themselves down according to their graphic HTML abilities- which is not necessarily a decent blog. James is great visually, but his blog is nowhere near as entertaining as willow or ritchey or mimi content wise. The last post was about the first sentence i'd seen him string together. Lyova seems to meld everything together (i think everyone should be asking where the hell does the guy get the time rather than anything else!), but i'd still like to have seen a post from everyone that excluded clever image tricks and videos, and just focused on GOOD WRITING
Posted by: piu piu at June 2, 2005 3:13 AM
I agree with Piu Piu. I think you guys should do that if you'll ever make The Ultimate Blogger, The First Sequel.
Btw, you guys are bringing Crash back to vote too?
Posted by: Jez at June 2, 2005 3:39 AM
writing schmiting. most of my favorite blogs hardly write anything at all (example) . not to say it isn't important... i just think everyone has their thing, and blogs are becoming much more diverse than they used to be.
actually, this is my first time using html... every bit of html i've used in this contest, i had learned specifically for and during the course of ultimate blogger. this contest was an opportunity for me to grow and learn more about my boundaries and capabilities as a blogger. one of the reasons i've become so much more visual than i used to be, is that it breaks down language barriers. most of my new friends can't read english (or very little of it), if my posts were centered around the english language, they wouldn't have any reason to ever visit my site.
Posted by: james at June 2, 2005 3:52 AM
...which is great, but for mimi and ritchey for example, the ultimate blogger was an opportunity to expand their writing skills...and it hasnt really offered the opportunity to do so...
Posted by: piu piu at June 2, 2005 4:03 AM
Oh gosh... Lyova's big moment is almost upon us. I'm shivering with anticipation.
Posted by: Lucie at June 2, 2005 5:02 AM
About the writing vs. multimedia posts; There is an advantage in wowing the senses with sound and moving pictures. But for this final challenge, it's about everything that James and Lyova have posted so far (plus one more), and that tips the balance back in favor of the well written post. The video and the interactive are much more exciting to explore, but the well written posts give you so much more insight to the person.
I remember some people weren't into the photo challenge, because they felt that blogging is about writing. It's important to remember that blogging is brand new, and it works very hard to not fit any single definition. Blogging is much more about "serial content" than any explanation that limits the type of content posted.
Think of this as your "the-future-of-blogging" wake-up call. Multimedia is in... way in!
Posted by: Mikey at June 2, 2005 9:51 AM
I am wondering if both of these guys are brilliant or if one of them is the mastermind behind the whole scheme. They have been controlling the game from the start. And the fact that between the two, my count may be wrong, they have won or been blessed with immunity 5 times, tells me that there is some real thought being put into this stuff and they obviously connect. Just look at the number of comments James received when he posted about the drink scandel in Taiwan. I am impressed. And I would love to hear the real whole story.
Hopefully it comes out in detail in this last post.
Posted by: WuJie Shanghai at June 2, 2005 9:52 AM
I totally participated in the locking-Jona-in-a-room-full-of-crabs-thing. I feel bad. I like crabs. I wish Jona did, too. I guess it's all my fault. I love my little brother Jona.
Posted by: Joel Conrad Bechtolt at June 2, 2005 9:59 AM
Hey WuJie Shanghai!
You asked:
"I am wondering if both of these guys are brilliant or if one of them is the mastermind behind the whole scheme."
It's actually three dudes, Steve, Mikey, and my crab-fearing little brother, Jona, and they are all brilliant and from what I understand, each participate in their own way. Jona makes the videos you watch for the challenges. Steve and Mikey (as well as Jona) are both VERY funny, smart, talented dudes, who could probably win this contest had they not put it on. I applaud their efforts. Many people I know are addicted to this contest, and have enjoyed it far more than current television and movies. I think they're onto something...
Thanks for having me in this thing, guys. One question: Do you think Medya's ears are blowing out smoke since there's no women to vote off? Will he even participate? If not, who will cast the tiebreaker? You guys are so good, I'm sure more will be revealed.
Your Pal,
Joel Conrad Bechtolt
PS: WuJie Shanghai, thanks for watching!
Posted by: Joel Conrad Bechtolt at June 2, 2005 10:14 AM
mike,
i totally hear your call about blogging being more than just writing. in fact, i love photoblogging, and i've enjoyed many of the multimedia aspects of this contest.
but... piu piu is right. the use of multimedia was encouraged and rewarded in this contest (of course, b/c that's what you guys are good at and into), and that seems to have steered the contestants in that direction.
it's not a bad thing neccessarily- there were many creative and amazing posts as a result. but it is something to keep in mind if were ever to do it again.
Posted by: sarah at June 2, 2005 10:38 AM
Hey!
Speaking of photoblogging, check this out:
http://homepage.mac.com/straightup/PhotoAlbum31.html
It's called: "My Left Foot"
Thanks dudes!
Love,
Joel
Posted by: Joel Conrad Bechtolt at June 2, 2005 11:19 AM
steve, if you want to earn the tape which may be holding your glasses together, the proper plural of 'addendum' is 'addenda'. But it's a tough call wether to come off as a little starry-eyed, or a nerd's dork. (it's clear which I am.)
I'm glad you mentioned Lyova's anguish. ¿¿¿But wait, maybe he's just saying that to "play us all like violins."???
joel, if you pretend long enough that you aren't a dick, eventually it becomes true. maybe. Be nice to medya, (or at least DON'T BE A DICK!) the dude lives in a world where having an ipod shuffle would possibly make him the hippest person he's ever met.
Posted by: nonnie mouse at June 2, 2005 12:13 PM
i cant wait until it is revealed that lyova=jona+steve+mikey
Posted by: sted at June 2, 2005 12:26 PM
LYOVA IS REAL
also Nonnie thanls for he addenda tip. i had no idea.
Posted by: Steve Schroeder at June 2, 2005 12:33 PM
I see both sides of this on the writing vs. multimedia issue. I do think multimedia was encouraged in this game, but I also think that I, for one, would not have had the time to read any more long, albeit well-written posts than I already did, and I didn't even read all of them. So for practicality's sake in a contest like this, as an audience member, multimedia worked really well for me.
I also wanted to point out that making the videos does require some form of writing. . . you could think of it more as a screenplay. . .
Posted by: Jenny at June 2, 2005 12:45 PM
Or making alliances, for that matter. It's also screenplay, somehow.
Posted by: boggart at June 2, 2005 1:21 PM
I think it is important to note again that this game is "The Ultimate Blogger" and not a writing competition. Do people who have the ability to create multimedia have an advantage in the game? Perhaps. But they have this same advantage in real life/internet life.
If more awesome a/v stuff is created because of Ultimate Blogger I would be quite happy.
Posted by: Mikey at June 2, 2005 2:18 PM
Mikey,
Right on. Blogging, I believe, is short for Web Logging", which means, like, logging (journaling) on the web, right? And since the web can do a tad more than text, everything is included. I would like to see an "Ultimate Videoblogger", "Ultimate Photoblogger", or whatever, contest. This contest was for the all-encompassing title of "Ultimate Blogger", which means: all bets are on. Right? Dig it, bros. Good show. If I was a gay man, I would give you all oral.
Love,
Joel Conrad Bechtolt
Not The Ultimate Blogger
(That's Lyova, not me)
PS: Hey Nonnie, Nonnie: Your name is in one of my favorite Violent Femmes songs, I am not a dick, and you are "a little starry-eyed nerd's dork." Luv Ya!
Posted by: Joel Conrad Bechtolt at June 2, 2005 2:58 PM
there is little call to be nice to Medya after all he has done! I am also torn about the multimedia/writing conversation. Certainly I feel that multimedia was pushed/rewarded more than writing in this competition, which puts me at a distinct disadvantage. At the same time, it's Mike and Steve's show, and if that's their vibe then that's their vibe. Plus, it forced me to learn a TON of new skills in a very short period of time. I now know how to use i-movie, etc. So even though my personal skills were not valued as highly as multimedia skills, I am still pleased with the result, which was that I lost the game but learned how to use i-movie. Yeah?
Posted by: ritchey at June 2, 2005 3:28 PM
I really don't enjoy the statement that Mike and I wanted to see multimedia stuff win. For most every challenge we had people help us judge. It was not OUR VIBE. Whenever posts that were writing centered captured the challenge better and entertained they were given immunity. The first challenge Lyova won for writing alone. Mimi won just recently over lots of a/v stuff. To think of blogging as writing is so restrictive. To think of this competition as a/v centered is just wrong.
Posted by: Steve Schroeder at June 2, 2005 4:16 PM
The idea of a/v being "better" was never part of the judging. No one won "points" for submitting MP3s or MOVs or anything. Each challenge was judged on the criteria of the challenge.
In high school I used a/v stuff to get out of a lot of papers. I know first hand that shoddy a/v can trump a good paper and is usually a lot easier (or at least more fun). I don't think we let that happen here.
It looks like what happened is that James posted some multimedia posts and inspired the competition. Had no contestants posted multimedia, then we wouldn't have seen this a/v arms race. (not that I am trying to "blame" James).
Posted by: Mikey at June 2, 2005 4:37 PM
I love it when I'm "forced me to learn a TON of new skills in a very short period of time." It makes me feel alive.
Yours,
JCB
Posted by: Joel Conrad Bechtolt at June 2, 2005 5:04 PM
I simply respect James' A/V work, and his HTML skills, regardless of where he retained them through. Good job, James! You are deserving of being this contest's "Bo Bice", but alas, I must vote against you.
Showing my hand,
Joel Conrad Bechtolt
Posted by: Joel Conrad Bechtolt at June 2, 2005 5:07 PM
"To think of blogging as writing is so restrictive."
Right on, Steve, Big Poppa. Down with all that, I am.
-Joel
Posted by: Joel Conrad Bechtolt at June 2, 2005 5:10 PM
My skill is writing so it's what I relied on heavily, and if I had the time to learn new skills I would have... I didn't, but that's besides the point. It's a contest, and I think it's totally cool that the ultimate blogger gave everyone the chance to link into his/her skill, whether writing, video, photography etc. It's been an awesome contest in every way and I feel privileged to have gotten so far.
I have to say I did start to sense a little james presence in Lyova's post when they became a little more technical. Perhaps they are twins split at birth?
But I WILL STILL HUNT YOU DOWN LYOVA!!!
James, bring out all the stops baby, even though you were a treacherous cunt too!
xxx
oh yeah, sarah email me re. strip clubs, I'm interest to hear your stories. and Joel, leave your blog link under your name so we can click on it.
Posted by: mimi at June 2, 2005 7:56 PM
Mimi, we must vote for Lyova, yes? He was our brother. I no longer hate and fear him for betraying me. His love for us was not tepid, even though it was outpaced by his bizarre pact with James. He has masterminded this game and, in the words of the Guggenheim who died on the Titanic: "[he] played the game straight and to the end." Both James and Lyova are fabulous. But I think we all know who the real Ultimate Blogger is. I've said my piece.
Posted by: ritchey at June 2, 2005 8:41 PM
I apologize if I am not the first to say this, but James looks sorta hot underneath all that electrical cord. I don't mean because of the tying, but in addition to it. The dude is tied up, and the dude is hot.
I guess I apologize even if I am the first to say that, actually.
Posted by: Rebecca at June 2, 2005 10:02 PM
Okay, I usually keep my mouth shut, but I can’t let Lyova win this competition. No offense…I think he’s a very creative guy, and I’ve enjoyed a number of his entries. However, he is not a blogger in that he does not maintain a blog…in this persona at least. How can the ultimate blogger not be a blogger? Two entries a week does not a blogman make. You know what I mean? Blogging is more than writing about what someone tells you to write about. It’s about sharing yourself with the world. Sometimes, it isn’t funny or entertaining, but it’s the real you. So as entertaining as Lyova is, the ultimate blogger he is not.
Posted by: Sonny at June 2, 2005 10:09 PM
Sonny, this contest didn't say you had to have some random personal blog on the side in order to compete. If having a personal blog means that you can't win the competition, then that should have been specified upfront. I think the contest provided a really awesome way for people to get INTO blogging. Lyova will certainly keep blogging now that he has proven himself so worthy. The final vote is decided by many factors: quality of entries, quality of strategy, personality. Although James is awesome (and I agree that he looks super hot in the video), Lyova is the clear winner on all fronts, as far as I am concerned. And I say this as someone who had my heart broken by him!! I feel very strongly about this.
Posted by: ritchey at June 2, 2005 10:38 PM
Oooh, fiesty. Sounds like someone's jealous, someone who wishes they were primo blogman.
Posted by: Craig at June 2, 2005 10:45 PM
Lyova is clearly the best blogger in this competition, regardless of any external factors cited.
The winner of an unprecedented three immunities, the orchestrator of the winning strategy, and probably the most entertaining of all posters...these are facts not to be trifled with.
Sonny, you are a good blogger, but good blogging does not an Ultimate Blogger make. Lyova had the strategy and diversity to keep people guessing and make his way to the final rounds.
Posted by: Sam Sanderson at June 2, 2005 10:45 PM
craig, is your burn directed at me? If so, I find it confusing. Please elaborate.
Posted by: ritchey at June 2, 2005 10:47 PM
I am like, "Lyova should win," and you are like, "OOOh, JEALOUS!" and I am like, "huh?"
Right? Right guys??
Seriously, though.
Posted by: ritchey at June 2, 2005 10:52 PM
p.s. Sonny, since when is there this definition of "blog" that says a blog must be x y and z? Blogs can be just photos, they can be just fiction, they can be comedy screenplays, they can be diary entries, or all of them. Lyova did share himself in this contest (his amazing lost-love entry blew my mind). We are being asked to choose the ultimate blogger based on this competition. And within the realm of this competition, the ultimate blogger is LYOVA. I know I said "I've said my piece" already and then I talked more, which is awkward. I am going to bed now. I love Lyova and James very much, and all the rest of you crazy nuts out there. goodnight, moon.
Posted by: ritchey at June 2, 2005 10:55 PM
I've always thought the whole Lyova thing was pretty fishy. But at this point, whether he's real or just some sort of weird, Borat-esque character, he has kept us all entertained. Previous blogger or not, the guy has totally owned this contest.
Posted by: Craig at June 2, 2005 10:59 PM
Why does everyone assume that Lyova is more of a schemer than James? I haven't seen that really, except that Lyova has put himself out there more confidently.
James was a huge part of this Stalin thing, and he provided brilliant content.
The Ultimate Blogger is up to those who vote. Sonny says James, Ritchey says Lyova. We will see....
We still have posts to read.
Posted by: Steve Schroeder at June 2, 2005 11:31 PM
I agree that Lyova has done well in this contest, but I would say that James has my vote on this if it comes down to blogging. We'll see if this last entry changes my mind though.
As far as definitions go, Webster's named "blog" the word of the year in 2004, defining it as a Web site that contains an online personal journal with reflections, comments, and often hyperlinks provided by the writer. I know that seems kinda rigid, but that's the base; and if you don't make that distinction, what's the difference between a blog and any other website?
Robin Williams is an entertainer. I don't know why I use him as an example, but I do. If he were in this contest, he would come up with a lot of funny material and he would be entertaining. But there is a difference between being a good entertainer and being a good blogger. I know it may be a small detail, but that's how I look at things.
If I were to choose the ultimate blogger from the 12 original contestants, I would probably go with Mimi. There was a genuine quality about Willow's and Ritchey's posts that I liked too before the competition started to shape their entries. But yeah, everyone has their own tastes and their own opinions. I'm just saying that James stands out more to me as the ultimate blogger than Lyova. Either way, they've both done a great job. I tip my hat to both of them.
Posted by: Sonny at June 2, 2005 11:48 PM
Hold your thoughts until after the last posts. Somehow I think there may still be some surprises. The only thing that would surprise me is if we are not all surprised, awed, and shocked with further twists in the action.
Posted by: WuJie Shanghai at June 3, 2005 1:55 AM
REVELATION: Ritchey has one "real" leg. Jealous?
Posted by: Joel Conrad Bechtolt at June 3, 2005 3:34 AM
"Yeah. I farted. JEALOUS??"
There have been a few of Lyova's posts that I straight up didn't even make it through. I thought his Gossip entry wasn't worthy of immunity at all either. Granted, his punk rock entry ruled hard, and the STALIN unveiling was major mind eff.
I'm going to go with Sonny a little bit. Mimi, Ritchey and James were consistently the most entertaining and interesting for me.
I like how on the show 'Last Comic Standing', the comics that get voted off have to go onstage and prove themselves against a competitor of their choosing. This guarantees that the worst comic isn't going to win or go very far. It's a strategy trumper. In this game, even though I think the final two are very worthy, politics played a bit too large a role for me. Even the round when the contestants voted based on merit, the vote was entirely alliance driven. That's fine though. It's still really fun and cool and exciting.
Posted by: DCS at June 3, 2005 9:16 AM
Hey now... go back to being nice, Joel. I liked it when we got along.
Posted by: enjanerd at June 3, 2005 9:19 AM
Damn, I am so confused. I thought I was being nice..
Posted by: Joel Conrad Bechtolt at June 3, 2005 10:37 AM
Hey you guys, I am totes confused. Are you faking it?
LVKS
Posted by: ksouth at June 3, 2005 10:38 AM
I think everyone knows that I will vote for James. He pushed himself in many mediums. He used video, photos, and eventually writing. He contributed more comments and supplementary entries than anyone. He helped nearly every contestant with their posts. He played us all, but with honor. Lyova is entertaining, sure, but he's smoke and mirrors, man! In each challenge James revealed a little more of himself in a way that was both flashy and quiet. His entries were consistently good, and his strategy was amazing. Everyone keeps saying that Lyova masterminded the whole Stalin thing, but I happen to know that it was James who approached Lyova. Do not underestimate this man! Sonny, I am glad you're with me on this. Ritchey, I know there is no changing your mind. Other voters: listen to me! James is good! He deserves a prize package for his valor and honesty! Vote for James! VOTE FOR JAMES!!!
Posted by: willow at June 3, 2005 11:13 AM
Willow, not just the prize package... James deserves the title of The Ultimate Blogger.
Posted by: enjanerd at June 3, 2005 3:27 PM
Yes, Enjanerd, you are quite right. He deserves the title, and also perhaps a crown.
Posted by: willow at June 3, 2005 3:32 PM
Pssh...merit badgers.
It's Lyova's world, we just occupy a tiny space in it.
Posted by: Craig at June 3, 2005 5:55 PM
(joel: that's the spirit!)
Obviously the political hijinx, deal-making, and secret meta-alliances are how one steals a competition, continent, presidency, etc. Everybody knows Lyova is the "ultimate ULTIMATE BLOGGER", but is that what it's all about?
don't count your votes until the chickens are hatched.
Posted by: nonnie mouse at June 3, 2005 10:55 PM
Willow, the smoke and mirrors of Lyova really helped to make all this contest so fun. Besides, he wrote real well. Like WOW.
Posted by: boggart at June 4, 2005 5:28 AM
Two addendums:
-In the video, when I pull the pantyhose over my face my glasses break!!!!!
-We just wanted to add that Lyova has informed us that the last two votes have been very very hard and intense and sad for him.
Only one more video!
Posted by: Steve Schroeder at June 1, 2005 11:05 PM