Reality High Test Results, February 26, 2003: The New Survivor Class

I understand that Christy feels frustrated because she feels isolated and ignored, and I can see where she would feel that way. I've also seen a lot written on message boards and the like about how the others have to be nicer to her and more accommodating of her, but unfortunately, they don't have to. Let's face it: we do not live in a nice, caring, nurturing society anymore. We just don't. With some rare and wonderful exceptions, most people today are completely focused on their own wants and needs and don't go out of their way to help others, and that's just how things are. Should it be that way? Ideally, no. But that's the reality, and if you're going to survive in life you have to look at reality rather than idealism.

To look at things another way - from my own personal experience - until I feel comfortable in a situation, I'm extremely shy and introverted - to the point where sometimes parties and bars and clubs and things can be almost terrifying for me. Now, sometimes I'll luck out and there'll be one of those truly great people there who run around making sure everyone's introduced and included, but more often than not, if I don't make the effort to mingle, I'm going to wind up alone in the corner absolutely miserable. No one's going to come hold my hand or ask me what's wrong. It's up to me to get out there. And there's still times when I feel like that's unfair and people should be approaching me and why do I always have to make the effort, yadda yadda, and maybe it isn't always fair. But it's no one else's responsibility but my own.

I like Christy overall and hope she does well, but I'm starting to see similar "in the corner" behavior from her and it's not going to get her anywhere but Loser Lodge in the long run. For example, instead of sitting behind and stewing at everyone leaving without her, she could have called after them, because maybe it was completely unintentional - it seemed like they almost forgot Heidi too because she was in the "bathroom." Instead, she winds up sitting there dwelling on it being intentional, which will cause her to lash out at the others, which will cause them to lash out in return, and again, it's just a mess. If people aren't including her in things, ultimately, it's no one else's responsibility but Christy's to make sure they do.

Janet's another one who seemed to have a case of the "Poor Poor Pitiful Me"s at times as she exclaimed on numerous occasions that this was much harder than she expected. On the one hand, there's something to be said for knowing your own limits and knowing when you're in over your head, which is what she seemed to do. On the other hand, I'm picturing women who didn't make the final cut across America screaming, "I got rejected for HER?!"

Of course, poor communication wasn't exclusive to Jaburu:

6. You're the "caller" for a challenge in which your tribemates are blindfolded. Which of the following should be the least important to you?

A. Good eyesight
B. A positive attitude
C. Having your tribemates' names down pat

Butch answered "C." Oh dear. He meant well, but by the end of the challenge he was practically reduced to calling out, "Hey you!" Of course, maybe he was just rattled by JoAnna, who was apparently under the mistaken impression she was auditioning for NYPD Blue: "DROP THAT PIECE!!! DROP IT!!!" Yikes.

"Yikes" and JoAnna also go hand-in-hand with the next question:

7. True or False: You want to make a good impression on your tribe. Now's the perfect time to go spouting off about controversial beliefs!

Roger and JoAnna both answered "True." Hoo boy. Have we learned nothing from Kimmi, Frank, and Peter? First up, on the men's side, faster than you can say, "Boy, the way Glenn Miller played," Roger and Alex launched into their own personal All in the Family rerun as they debated homosexuality, except they didn't have Asa from One Life to Live pop up as Archie/Roger's old war buddy who turned out to be gay. Rob stood there the whole time grinning like the Cheshire Cat as he plotted to use this to Roger's disadvantage, so would that make him Gloria? Oh dear. Now I'm picturing Butch in drag running in shouting, "ROOOOOOOGER!!! Here's your beer!"

(Speaking of '70s sitcom characters, picture Jeanne with her buff around her head. Now picture her saying, "Mare." I swear - Rhoda Morgenstern lives!)

Meanwhile, over in Jaburu, JoAnna decided that the immunity idol brought EVIL into the tribe and is causing all the rain! When exactly did she morph into a Passions character? Maybe she was set off by Jeff Probst referring to the immunity idol as something they'd "covet." I have to wonder if he did that deliberately to set her off. Or maybe the immunity idol made him say it! Because it's EVIL!

The hangup was that it's referred to as an immunity IDOL, and despite there being absolutely no worshipping of it involved, Joanna's being ludicrously literal about the interpretation of the word. When Jeanne told her to maybe think of it as a symbol (I've personally just always viewed it as a trophy of sorts), she snitted, "It's called 'idol' for a REASON!" Oh good grief. So every time she sees American Idol Kelly Clarkson, does she scream, "HEATHEN! HEATHEN!"? Because it would make about as much sense as blaming the idol for rain. In a RAINFOREST. Where it's raining on the men's tribe too sans idol. Furthermore, it's not like this is some new twist. The show has had an immunity idol for FIVE SEASONS. What - did she think Mark Burnett was going to go, "Oh, gee, JoAnna might be offended so I'd better change its name!"? And if this is such a huge issue to her, WHAT IS SHE DOING ON THIS SHOW?