ONE FOR THE ROAD
Posted on: 05.09.2007
I can't believe it's over. I still have not given myself the opportunity to truly wrap my brain around the trip that I have now completed. I literally am overwhelmed with emotions.
From the moment I flew to Los Angeles and realized I would be spending potentially four months with five other Road Rulers and/or Pit Crew I knew that this would be unforgettable. The only people that I knew were Abram (who we all know isn't the most comforting of friends) and Kina (who before this trip was my bitter enemy). What a difference a few months makes. I have found lifelong friends. People who have made a lasting impression on my life. People who have taught me so much about the world and myself.
Adam, I will never be able to thank you for your unending support and kindness. You are one of the quirkiest humans I know, but you're also one of the most true. You are strong yet vulnerable. Hilarious yet serious. Smart yet childlike. I love you and your spirit.
Kina, you have been an example of what a truly devoted friend is. I have never met a more loyal person in my entire life. Randy is the luckiest man in the world, and I hope he knows that. As you move on to a new era in your life, know that I will be with you. You are an inspiration to me. I have watched your grow into an amazing women, and something tells me you've only just begun.
Tori, you are my protege. You're a little lamb, but a lion inside. I want you to remember everything about this trip and use it as a springboard for the next phase of your life. You have so much to offer, and you are strong. If you make the right choices you will be the next big thing in whatever direction you choose. I love you so much, and I can't thank you enough for your laughter, love, and light. You have blessed me.
Dan, I know we've had our ups and downs, but the truth is that I love you. You are incredibly gifted in the art of making people laugh and making them feel loved. You have given me more than you realize. Please continue to grow and learn. You have so much to offer the world. Be a light.
Derek, what a champion you are. In six weeks, I never once saw you lose your cool. I could learn a thing or two from you about that! You have inspired me with your gentle leadership. You are endlessly kind and generous. You are sweet beyond belief. I hope to become more like you as I move on in this life.
Viewers, thank you for your support and devotion. I know I haven't always made you proud, but I had to think of my family most of all. You guys are what keeps this shows going, and I promise if I am ever priveleged enough to meet any of you, know that I will give you a big hug and a big smile, and we'll giggle about the craziness that is reality television.
Thank you all for the (second!) ride of my life. Throw out your rules...these are road rules. And it was Road Rules indeed!!!!
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ONE WEEK AND COUNTING…
Posted on: 05.02.2007
As this journey comes to a close I have begun to reflect, both on my decisions regarding the Pit, as well as on how far we?ve come as a group. In sum, I have no regrets. I know that I have been completely honest with all the people I have lived with on the RV, and while the voting has been somewhat controversial at times, I have never lied to anyone. I have always been completely honest about who I was voting for and why.
The alliance of Kina, Adam, Tori, and I is not the complete story. There is more to be known, but not at this time. The alliance has never been a secret, nor has it been without hiccups. I look forward with great anticipation to writing my final blog. I want the viewers to known not only the story with the alliance, but also my opinions about the other players in this game.
For now, I will say that I have the utmost respect for everyone I have lived with on the RV including Dan and Shane. While Dan has his reservations about me and Tori, I love him very much. I appreciate his kind heart, his sense of humor, and most importantly his passion and zest for life. I hope that when this ?game? is over that he will realize how much I wanted him to be here in the end and how much I like him. He is special and I love him?even if the feeling is not mutual. Shane has been a great source of consternation for me because he is so deserving of being here in the end, and put so much of himself into this game, but ultimately it seems it might not be meant to be. He has been such a pleasant surprise because I never would have guessed we would be such fast friends.
In the end, I don?t agree with how everyone (mostly Pit Crew folks who have never been on the RV) has played this game, but it is not my place to judge. Everyone has their own strategy. It is difficult for the Pit Crew people to understand this game when they?ve never officially played it, and Veronica is just a whole separate story.
The mission this week was an absolute dream come true. I have been a fan of Cirque du Soleil for years, and I never would have guessed I would be a part of such a world-renowned company. What an adventure! Nothing makes me happier than knowing that not only did I participate, but I performed well and did the Cirque justice. I suppose if we had won that would have made me happier, but I?m starting to get used to losing.
Regardless of how many wins and losses we have tallied, I have found a group of people that I love and respect tremendously. David is the most hilarious human being I have ever known. His ability to always make people laugh is astounding. I have nothing but good things to say about my fellow Road Rulers.
I wish Adam and Tori the best of luck in the Pit, and I will pray fervently for their return to the RV. I love them both. It would not be the same to win without them. So, thank you, viewers for your unwavering support and unabashed opinions. I have had the ride of my life.
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DO YOU THINK WE CAN ALL JUST GET OVER IT?
Posted on: 04.25.2007
Seriously, when did morality start becoming relevant in reality shows in general, but more specifically in GAME SHOWS? I am so over trying to convince everybody that so-and-so deserves to go into the Pit. The truth is, nobody ?deserves? it. I was the writer in the mission, which makes me ?responsible? for the loss? Um, did anyone hear David yelling out words in the anagram puzzle? I didn?t think so. Did anyone else catch the mistake? No. Whatever. Who cares?
Like it or hate it, I?m not here to make friends with the Pit Crew. I?m not here to play a ?fair? game. Let us not forget all is fair in love and war. I?m trying to win money for my family. I will not sacrifice myself so someone else can cash my check.
Veronica. Seriously. What a joke. You keep running your mouth and tippity tapping away at the computer. I?ll keep kicking your butt in the Pit. You can stay home and keep eating donuts on your couch. You should thank your lucky stars you had Dan to defend you in the Pit, cause if it was just me and you would have left on a stretcher. I?m in no mood. You talk such a big game for someone who has NEVER won in the Pit. You?re like a little yappy dog. You?re all bark. No bite.
I really like David. He is a really sweet little lamb. Sure he blows snot all over people, drinks his own urine, and rarely bathes, but the truth is he just wants to be loved. He is a bit odd, and hard to read, but really he is sweet and he?s a freaking Pit machine.
We may have suffered the worse loss of my Road Rules career, but the thing that made it so painful was it was so un-Road Rulesy. Typically, if you complete the task in front of you (which we all did), you win the money. Where in the world did an anagram come from? The truth is that there was so much chaos, and I was just writing so many words down so frantically, that I misheard Kina when she said ?wren?. In the end, it doesn?t matter. It?s a lot money, but we did all that we could. Even if we hadn?t written the word ?when? we still wouldn?t have gotten the word ?rein? in the two minute time limit. I?m just a scapegoat.
Of course David doesn?t deserve to go into the Pit. He did really well in the mission and he has gone into the Pit too many times as it is. Life?s not fair and neither is this game. We?ll see how this all pans out. We might end up all losing to the Pit Crew in the end, so then everyone can shut up and quit complaining about how ?unfair? we are. Sometimes tyranny of the majority is the name of the game. I?m glad I?m in the majority.
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LITTLE PIT STOP OF HORRORS
Posted on: 04.18.2007
It all begins at the Pit?As I await my chance in the hellish prison, I am forced to recognize that I have been voting people into this place. I realize in a completely new way just how horrifying it is to face the reality that you might have earned a bunch of money for someone else. It is so draining emotionally to go in knowing I might have performed my very last mission in my life.
I was happy to find out that my competition was Veronica. She?s so tiny and it seems she is completely underwhelmed with the show, so it?s good to go against someone who isn?t as enthusiastic. I knew that if this Pit had anything to do with who wanted to be here more, I would definitely be the winner. Her newfound sympathy for the Pit Crew is fascinating. I guess I?m not clear on why I?m supposed to be ?compassionate? for a group of people who knew exactly what this show was before they began. It?s a game show not a charity event.
Regardless, I won, mostly thanks to the animal attached to my hip, Derek. He didn?t even need me there. He could have beat both of them without me. I was working hard, but he was always two steps ahead of me. I was really happy that he was willing to fight so hard when my fate was in his hands. I definitely recognize how much I owe to him, and I intend on returning the favor.
Playing football against the Pit Crew was hilarious on a variety of levels. First of all, I think I was so stoked after the Pit that everything seemed entertaining. Then when you-know-who made an obscene gesture at Tori my ?mom?-mode kicked in, and I had to stick up for her. I realize, however, that I need to let Tori fight her own battles. She is strong and capable, and I will from now on allow her to deal with life?s hiccups on her own.
Voting David into the Pit was an easy decision. He was supposed to go into the Pit last week, but couldn?t go based on his injury and the doctor?s orders to rest for one week. As a result, Derek went in. Having an injury does not excuse you from the Pit indefinitely?it?s just a delay of the inevitable. He has not been performing well in the missions: he couldn?t ski, he couldn?t drive stick shift, he wrecked his BMX bike, and he wasn?t that good in football. The good news, however, is that he is made for the Pit?he is virtually unbeatable. I wouldn?t wish the Pit on my worst enemy, but someone has to go, so it?s David?s turn.
In sum, I am trying to be fair in this game. If David returns from the Pit, it will be very interesting to see who goes in next week. I intend on winning, and I will do what it takes, but if there?s an opportunity to take the high road, then the high road I will go. No hard feelings if I get voted in and nothing personal if I vote you in. Let?s say it again: this is only a game.
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DOWN TO THE WIRE
Posted on: 04.11.2007
This week sort of changed everything. We found out that the show will be over in a few short weeks. Everything that had happened up until this point was wiped completely clean. It?s down to the wire, and we all feel it. There?s a general sense of panic in the RV when we all realize we may have just busted our butts for nothing.
I?ve been hearing a lot from the viewers that they desire a voting technique where performance is the main factor. I thought since the time has come for us to really play the game,that it was time indeed for the ?roster? strategy to come to a close. In order for that to happen it was imperative for me to go into the Pit.
The last few weeks have not showcased my talents, if you will. For the record, however, we finished the farming mission in forty minutes so my ?chain? incident didn?t affect anything. In fact, Kina did the same exact thing. For some reason, I always come off looking like a slacker. Regardless, I haven?t exactly been MVP either. This mission was particularly frustrating. For starters, I asked to be one of the BMX bikers, but because Kina said she had never been on roller blades, I was forced to be an in-line skater by default. Strike one. Then Tori and I had to determine who was to do which task for the mission. She didn?t want to go down the black resi ramp, so I had to do it by default. Strike two. Then we didn?t win. Strike three.
I had to step up and volunteer to go to the Pit. Because David and Derek both did not earn points in the mission, they were the options for the Pit on the boys? end. David has an injury, thus, Derek was voted in. I really do sympathize with him because he just got back from the Pit, but them?s the breaks, so to speak. Adam didn?t deserve to go. If he hadn?t won his 50 points, then I would have voted for him.
At any rate, I look forward to my Pit. I?m not sure if it will be individual or combination, but I am ready mentally and physically. I am strong, determined, and fierce.
For the record, in reference to Veronica?s ludicrous statement that Adam, Kina, and I have a ?free ride?. Um, that?s laughable. First of all, since when does being smart equal a free ride, and secondly, a free ride sounds more like someone who sits at home collecting checks in hopes of making it on the last week. Lastly, the next time you spend eight hours sacrificing your body on rollerblades and are covered in bruises, then we?ll talk about who is getting a free ride. You wouldn?t have lasted two weeks out here, oh, wait, that?s right, you didn?t. Thanks.
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My Response Blog
Posted on: 04.05.2007
Susie,
I can't figure out why you are faced with so many haters here. Don't waste your time or energy on them. You seem very sweet and carry yourself very well as a competitor...Best of Luck!
Posted by: Rick - Mar 26, 2007 12:51:39 PM
Dear Rick,
Thanks for writing! There will always be negative people, I suppose, and when you put yourself on a reality television show you have to be ready for it. So, I try not to take it seriously. I always assume the "haters" are just sad individuals who care way too much about television.
Susie,
I am not gonna hate on you, but I thought you could have done a little more in the mission. i guess being in warm New orleans, its easy for me to be critical...and I do understand that you guys go through a great ordeal on these shows, and as a "viewer", i appreciate all you guys' efforts.
It's just that during the first few missions, YOU ROCKED!, and lately...you have been so so
I'm just a fan of honesty and good match ups.
Posted by: Say It Son - Mar 22, 2007 11:30:29 PM
Dear Say It Son,
I appreciate your ability to be honest without being hurtful. I thought I would let everybody know what?s going on with me and the missions. For the Marine one, it was actually a two day mission, and the first day was not shown. We worked really hard, and as I mentioned in a past blog it was just not my week. I was completely exhausted. Everybody on the team has a bad week, and this was mine.
Regarding the farming mission, we actually had two hours to complete it (not forty minutes) and we did it in under forty minutes, so that should show you how well we did. There were many incidents with the chain/tractor getting wrapped in the axle (it wasn?t just me!) and it did not affect the time. We killed it.
It really gets me angry when I come off looking weak when I don?t deserve it. In the Marine mission, I definitely was the worst player, but the same cannot be said for the farming mission.
The bottom line is that no matter how hard a mission is, I will always try my best. Sometimes I will shine and other times I will struggle. It?s like life. If I cause us to lose a mission I will volunteer myself into the Pit.
Susie, you're such a waste of space. Go home!
Posted by: *Nikki* - Mar 29, 2007 3:07:16 AM
Dear Nikki,
I?ll pray for you.
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WE PUT THE A$$ IN ASSASSINS
Posted on: 04.04.2007
Okay, I know my mom doesn?t approve of my potty mouth, but I?m just sayin, we are a big bunch of asses, dontcha think? Of course the average viewer would think we were insane for throwing a person into the pit who not only proved himself, but also was one of the best performers in the Desert Assassin mission. Since the average viewer isn?t trying to win loads of money and a car it is easy to see why they might judge us. I?m happy to enlighten you, though, so here we go.
Derek is totally rad. He?s positive, strong, intelligent, and calm. He is everything that we need on this team. Unfortunately, because this is a game show, those things don?t matter as much as earning your spot. We have all been into the Pit (and I?m not talking about going into the Pit when you?re voted in by the viewers because that is a good thing), and we?ve all participated in a bunch of missions. David just earned his spot by beating Shane again in the Pit, and now it?s D-Rock?s turn. He?ll be back, and he?ll be fine. Don?t worry. Once he comes back, we?ll have a whole new game.
I must send a message to Dan, by the way. He is angry because someone (i.e. David) is telling him that I am talking trash about his regarding his Pit. Just to clarify, here?s the real deal. Dan got completely wasted before his Pit. He was up until 3am and was really really drunk (and Dan, if you wanna know how I know, it?s because I was there and you probably don?t even remember seeing me). He went into the Pit after a night of drinking, and while that is completely fine, it just sets you up for failure. I love Dan a great deal, and I want him to be here in the end, but I?m just saying that you should respect the Pit. You shouldn?t get drunk the night before you compete. I?m not saying anything grand about your character?make no mistake, Dan is a wonderful person. I?m sure that someone who didn?t even try in the Pit (read: me!) shouldn?t be talking about him like this, but it?s just my opinion that if you go into the Pit with monster hangover, you probably shouldn?t be surprised when you lose.
Anyway, I have really been enjoying the show lately. We?ve had so many laughs and so many memories. I just hope that the inevitable back-stabbing and drama will not affect the overall feeling of adventure that one should experience when on Road Rules.
Let?s hope this game, while always changing and ever complicated, doesn?t get gross and ugly. And by the way, Angel, you?re wrong about my performance in the last two missions. You, of all people, should know that the show is edited. I worked my ass off, and I don?t appreciate your couch-sitting mouth trying to determine who did the best in the mission. Stay out of the voting until you?re on the RV, and when that happens, rest assured, you?ll be going in.
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RE: Your Comments
Posted on: 03.30.2007
Susie,
I can't figure out why you are faced with so many haters here. Don't waste your time or energy on them. You seem very sweet and carry yourself very well as a competitor...Best of Luck!
Posted by: Rick - Mar 26, 2007 12:51:39 PM
Dear Rick,
Thanks for writing! There will always be negative people, I suppose, and when you put yourself on a reality television show you have to be ready for it. So, I try not to take it seriously. I always assume the "haters" are just sad individuals who care way too much about television.
Susie,
I am not gonna hate on you, but I thought you could have done a little more in the mission. i guess being in warm New orleans, its easy for me to be critical...and I do understand that you guys go through a great ordeal on these shows, and as a "viewer", i appreciate all you guys' efforts. It's just that during the first few missions, YOU ROCKED!, and lately...you have been so so. I'm just a fan of honesty and good match ups.
Posted by: Say It Son - Mar 22, 2007 11:30:29 PM
Dear Say It Son,
I appreciate your ability to be honest without being hurtful. I thought I would let everybody know what?s going on with me and the missions. For the Marine one, it was actually a two day mission, and the first day was not shown. We worked really hard, and as I mentioned in a past blog it was just not my week. I was completely exhausted. Everybody on the team has a bad week, and this was mine.
Regarding the farming mission, we actually had two hours to complete it (not forty minutes) and we did it in under forty minutes, so that should show you how well we did. There were many incidents with the chain/tractor getting wrapped in the axle (it wasn?t just me!) and it did not affect the time. We killed it.
It really gets me angry when I come off looking weak when I don?t deserve it. In the Marine mission, I definitely was the worst player, but the same cannot be said for the farming mission.
The bottom line is that no matter how hard a mission is, I will always try my best. Sometimes I will shine and other times I will struggle. It?s like life. If I cause us to lose a mission I will volunteer myself into the Pit.
Susie, you're such a waste of space. Go home!
Posted by: *Nikki* - Mar 29, 2007 3:07:16 AM
Dear Nikki,
I?ll pray for you.
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WHAT A PILE OF CRAP
Posted on: 03.28.2007
I knew the puns would be aplenty after we had a mission in
a literal pile of poop, but I just couldn?t resist using one more. The truth is that this was one of my
favorite missions. We had such a
great week and it ended with another ten gees, so I?m a happy camper.
I?m sure after you see the episode
you might feel like we screwed David over, and frankly, you might be right. David is far and away the sweetest and
most dedicated cast members I?ve ever met. He deserves to be here. Unfortunately, however, we have to vote someone in, and now that we?re in
the second half of this adventure, we all have to be very strategic about our
own survival.
Each person on this trip and in the
Pit Crew was well aware of the rules of the game when they agreed to do it. Someone has to be voted off. Only six people will be here in the
end. By definition, we have to
?betray? someone each week. We?ve
all had to go to the Pit, and it sucks. I really like everyone on this trip, but in the end, I am here for the
money (I know, it sucks, but I can?t lie). Unlike the alumni, the Pit Crew people are here for the experience, but I
already had my experience. I didn?t
create this game, so I hope you don?t hold it against me.
Regardless, I am still trying to play this game with
integrity. I don?t lie to people,
so they know if I?m voting them in. When I was in the Pit Crew, Shane and Dan voted Angel into the Pit in
order to give me a chance to come back, and I am trying to be loyal to them for
that. I must give them the same
opportunity. I hope they do well in
the Pit, and I support them 100%.
I must say, however, that David and
Derek are INCREDIBLE competitors and are truly valuable to the team. If they win in the Pit, I will be happy
to have them back on the RV. They
don?t cause drama and they?re both very positive people. I feel like it?s a win-win
situation. To be honest, I am still
trying to figure out what is the right/smart thing to do, so bear with me. I know this much, even if I have to go
to the Pit every single week from now until the end, I am determined to stay
here. I will fight hard in the
missions and in the Pit.
I don?t know what is going to happen,
but I do know that I really want to end my reality career with a win. The Pit Crew people will have tons of
chances to make money in the challenges, but this is my last show. I want to do this thing right. Thank you so much for always being
supportive and kind, and I hope that I haven?t disappointed you.
Hugs from the RV,
Susie
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VIEWERS ANSWERED, HATERS NEED NOT APPLY
Posted on: 03.22.2007
You are absolutely the most annoying person I have seen on TV in a while! You really make me sick and I am so upset that you actually made it back on the RV. Thats all
Posted by: Katy - Mar 21, 2007 10:43:54 PM
Dear Katy,
I?ve seen a lot of annoying people of television, so for me to be the MOST annoying is quite an accomplishment. I think a lot of viewers really don?t understand how difficult it can be to live on the RV, so we often come off as annoying or ungrateful. The truth is that I have been very blessed to be a part of this show and all the Challenges etc? and I try not to forget that. Regardless, maybe you shouldn?t look to reality cast members in hopes of finding solace. We?re just trying to live, have fun, and make some money. No need to get nasty, Ms. Katy. Take it down a notch, girl.
Im sorry hun to say this....but u were one of my fav's on this show...i thought u were sweet and honest...but jus like alot of the otha big headed people of reality tv....ur ego is makin u as real as fake as it gets...u need to get a reality check....get ova urself...u and ur gurl kina..
Posted by: Carla, Ny - Mar 21, 2007 1:37:06 PM
Dear Carla,
I?m sorry I?ve let you down. I agree that I did let the negativity start to get to me over the last few weeks. We, cast members, tend to focus on all of the mean comments from viewers rather than the dozens of positive ones. I?m going to try to stay positive in the face of mounting negativity. Hopefully, in a few weeks, you?ll be able to post again and say that I?m back to my old sweet and honest self. You should keep in mind, that sometimes being honest means that you?re not exactly being sweet, you know? If viewers attack me then I?m not ever going to be a doormat. Viewers deserve to hear the truth. If they are going to be candid with me, then I at least owe them the same courtesy, which means sometimes things can get a little dark. Believe me, any negative comments I make are not out of ego, they?re simply to defend myself. That?s all.
hola miss susie!
I did not see your original season, I wish though cause I am a lover of road rules!! Also the challenges because there are mission and competition of some sort. I liked your stategy and I really don't understand why they didn't show the whole pit if it were best out of 3... that is dumb because I would have liked to see how quickly you defeated angel! I just really hope you win this time because I can not stand angel!!!
Much love and best of luck for you!
Posted by: carebearqt86 - Mar 21, 2007 11:24:21 AM
Hey Carebearqt86,
What a great message! Thank you so much for your support. I really owe the fans a great deal of thanks for voting me back on the RV. I can?t tell you how much winning would mean to my family. I have a husband (it?s my five year anniversary today!) and a stepdaughter, and I?m just trying to make money for us as a family. Any drama, backstabbing, and ugliness that you see is definitely not part of my scene. I?m trying to play it fair, while keeping in mind that this is a game and I will be smart to the end. Thank you and I really appreciate you kind words. It makes my day to hear from people who appreciate the show ! Hugs from the RV!
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