I Will Survive

Finale Tonight!

2009-05-17T18:42:00.000-07:00

Okay people, get ready to see who wins the million dollars tonight.

I'm rooting for JT.

I guess I didn't make the cut for the next season. I think I will start putting together my dvd for the next go-around.

Maybe Coach will win the fan favorite?

I'm sure I'd win it if I was competing.

Update - no news is bad news...

2009-04-20T20:48:00.001-07:00

I am pretty sure I didn't make the cut when it comes to this next season of Survivor... I guess I wasn't persuasive enough... The good news is that I have a lot of good footage that I can use to make a new audition dvd.

For those of you following my quest (Neal) keep checking in... I'll post the dvd when I have it finished.

What do you all think of Coach? Isn't he a piece of work? Dragon Slayer right!

I'm back!

2009-03-24T05:51:00.000-07:00

Still no word as to weather or not I have made it to the next round of interviews for the show. I'm guessing I probably won't. When the auditions come around again I am sure to have the best audition dvd footage.

I promise, promise, promise, promise to post some video of the roundtable discussion soon!

Round Table photos!

2009-03-17T22:07:00.000-07:00

Here is the panel...
That's Henry on the left, Liza in the middle, and Cindy on the right.

This is the audience...

I'll post more later - I have to get my act together.... This Survivor training wore me down...

St. Patty's Day Dash Survivor Style

2009-03-15T17:53:00.000-07:00

Round-Table a Success!

2009-03-15T06:17:00.000-07:00

The round-table discussion was wonderful - I was so enthralled I forgot to take pictures for you all. I will import the video soon and give you some stills from that later!

We had a pretty good turnout and I think we all learned a lot about how to get noticed and what to do once you made it on the show.

Here's a shout out to Neal (I don't know if that's how you spell your name)... we will practice practice practice!

I have to get a move on as I have to go run in the St. Patty's Day Dash. Running in the rain sure is an appropriate activity to train to become the ultimate Survivor.

I'll be back in a bit to wrap up the training and take a look back at what works and what doesn't.

Good Morning Survivors!

2009-03-14T05:38:00.000-07:00

I am sorry that I haven't kept up with the posting the past few days... things are getting busy for this survivor wannabe.

I am finishing the preparations for the round-table discussion today. The pie is in the oven (I had my people make it)... I'm finishing up my list of questions to discuss and I am planning my outfit.

Tomorrow I have the St. Patty's Day Dash. That is going to be a run for the ages... I'm not really a runner but I think with all the training I've been doing I might might make it in under 40 minutes.

I realized that I didn't give you a status update on the testing of my pain threshold - yeah, that's right LEG WAXING....

This is what my leg looks like now... I have to admit that it wasn't as painful as I expected it to be... sure it hurt but not that bad... the results are beautiful! I have a limited amount of grow out (which will be nice when my doctor boyfriend on the island wants to massage my aching calves after a challenge)...

I think by far the hardest thing I've done is the top pot donut challenge...

I guess I should get up and finish the final preparations for this afternoon... see you at the gallery.

Sorry this is late - took a lot of time to process.

2009-03-13T15:38:00.001-07:00

I should hear any day now! (or not...)

2009-03-11T20:55:00.000-07:00

I think I have finally recovered from my endurance activities on Sunday. I posted my videos on Youtube and I have become a "favorite" of some person with a thing for feet. I'm quite alright with that. Whatever floats your boat.

This Saturday is my final workshop. This week we are having a round-table discussion...

WHAT IT TAKES! TIPS, TRICKS AND TOOLS TO BECOME THE ULTIMATE REALITY TV STAR.

Please join the artist and guest panelists to discuss what it takes to make it on a reality TV show.

The guest panelists are:

Henry Jenkins, Staff Writer and resident 'Survivor' Expert for BuddyTV
Liza Keckler, Executive Producer for major cable networks including HGTV, Discovery, Food Network & A&E Television
Cindy Rowlands, Survivor Superfan

We're going to have pie afterward. I hope you can all come.

On Sunday I will be running in the St. Patty's day dash to see if my endurance has gotten any better through my training and then it's all over... at least for the workshops. I am sure I will continuing to hone my skills even after the show is down.

If - I should say when I make it to the next round of interviews I will ratchet up my training full tilt.... I think I'll continue making videos in case you get lonely and start to miss me.

My eyelids are starting to get heavy so I better stop before I make too many typos.

I'll check back in tomorrow.

Top Pot Donut Challenge.

2009-03-11T07:52:00.000-07:00

High Heel Treadmill Challenge video.

2009-03-10T22:27:00.001-07:00

High Heel Treadmill Challenge.

2009-03-10T09:13:00.000-07:00

Here's a still. Video coming later.

Good Evening!

2009-03-09T21:45:00.000-07:00

Hello Survivor fans and friends. Let me tell you... I am really tired - this training is taking its toll on me.

I promise that I will post a video tomorrow of the treadmill challenge and or the donut challenge. I'm just a bit too tired right now to do it.

I'm not sure if I updated you all on the leg waxing session on Saturday. Everything got ripped out of my legs all right with for the exception of a few new hairs that were just starting to grow in.... I've made another appointment for four weeks... I've been sucked in.

All survivors need to have smooth legs and I will be one of them.

More Top Pot Donut Challenge pictures

2009-03-09T13:11:00.000-07:00

Here I am with Holly testing my donut endurance

With my spotters...

A full post coming later.

Top Pot Donut Challenge.

2009-03-08T20:29:00.000-07:00

More details coming tomorrow!

Pre-Workshop Video

2009-03-08T20:23:00.001-07:00

Are you ready for tomorrow?

2009-03-07T22:45:00.000-08:00

They always get rid of the old people.

2009-03-06T20:41:00.000-08:00

If you got a chance to watch last nights episode of Survivor you would know that they voted out Sandy... the old woman bus driver.

Now the lessons we should learn from this episode is don't make comments over and over again such as

"those are fartin beans" "those are fartin beans" "those are fartin beans" "those are fartin beans" "those are fartin beans" "those are fartin beans""those are fartin beans" "those are fartin beans" "those are fartin beans" "those are fartin beans" "those are fartin beans" "those are fartin beans" "those are fartin beans" "those are fartin beans" "those are fartin beans" "those are fartin beans""those are fartin beans" "those are fartin beans" "those are fartin beans" "those are fartin beans" "those are fartin beans" "those are fartin beans" "those are fartin beans" "those are fartin beans" "those are fartin beans" "those are fartin beans" "those are fartin beans" "those are fartin beans" "those are fartin beans" "those are fartin beans"

SEE! IT CAN GET ANNOYING.

Obviously they couldn't keep her there.... So this is what I've learned -

Don't act old. Don't repeat things over and over again... Don't be anti-social (Erinn) and suck up to the cute boys.

I am happy to say that I have successfully completed the endurance part of growing the hair out on my legs.

It hasn't been that bad. I'm sure I could go another four weeks (but I'm glad I don't have to).

Say goodbye to all of this...

I'm getting everything waxed (I mean everything).... I'm testing my pain threshold and I am looking forward to it. Unfortunately I will not be taking the video camera in the room with me (okay maybe I'll take it in but I won't be sharing any of the footage with you).

I am in the final preparations for Sunday's endurance challenges. Be sure to stop by the Gallery from 1 to 4. You too can take part in them. There will also be fire making materials and bugs left over from last weekends workshop.

PLEASE COME! IT WILL BE FUN!

I'll be back tomorrow to post more!

Cardio Training!

2009-03-05T21:15:00.000-08:00

On the Horizon...

2009-03-04T20:43:00.001-08:00

Just in case you think I'm not fulfilling my end of the "contestant in training" bargain I assure you I am! It's just really busy fitting everything in around a 40 hour work week, working out at the gym and watching television.

I do have events planned in the future - besides working on my social interaction by emailing men on a free singles website I am getting ready to run in a 5k race on the 15th. If anything that should prove to you that I'm serious about training.

Here are some hints to what's coming up this weekend at the workshop.

Sunday come help me with Endurance Day and experience some challenges tailor made for a 40-something year old. It will be fun and there will be snacks.

Fire!

2009-03-04T14:09:00.000-08:00

Video Update Monday.

2009-03-03T18:21:00.001-08:00

Shelter, Bugs, Knots, and Fire

2009-03-02T21:04:00.000-08:00

I will be posting video when I have a little bit more time but here is a short recap of the workshop yesterday.

Here I am testing out the length of my shelter. I decided to go with a lean to because it seemed the most reasonable...

Once I got the plywood over the branches I was pretty well sheltered....

Then it started to rain and I was scared....

Then my first guests arrived... Amber the lovey intern and her friend Susan!

This is the view from inside the shelter....

Once the shelter was complete Susan tried her hand at some knot tying.

Then we all tried some crickets... They sort of tasted like sawdust and bad peanuts...

Then we made fire. This was my first attempt but it failed...

This is more like it!

If it hadn't been raining I would have built a larger fire and we would have roasted weenies...

I have decided that I am just going to start practicing making fire. It was a lot of fun...

Also, feel free to stop by the gallery this coming weekend - there's leftover crickets you can try for yourselves...

That's it for the recap. I'll post more video later...

This week I am working on Outlasting... we are having endurance day on Sunday from 1 to 4 and there will be endurance challenges specifically tailored for my my lifestyle and desires... you get to be part of them.

Saturday I am testing my pain tolerance by getting my legs waxed... I'm sure you're probably thinking that that is not a good test but I think it is! If I can take that I can do anything...

This week I am also going to be on the lookout for a well fitting bra, an attractive one piece swimsuit and possibly a new pair of tennis shoes - after stomping out fire with my old ones I think I need to think about investing in some new ones...

I'll check back in tomorrow... two weeks left to become the ultimate survivor!

Fire! Workshop #2

2009-03-01T16:01:00.001-08:00

Survival Skills Training Prep

2009-03-01T07:30:00.000-08:00

2037

2009-02-28T19:57:00.000-08:00

This was my number at the casting call... maybe it will be my lucky number....

I think things are pretty much ready for tomorrow's activities. I am currently working on a video update for you all in preparation of tomorrow.

I went to the mall today to search for an attractive one piece swimsuit, a good fitting bra and a pair of shoes. I failed to find anything.

I think this whole survivor thing might be a bit overrated... but I will keep striving forward until I get over this dry spell.

I'm watching man vs. wild right now so maybe it will inspire me...

LEG HAIR GROWTH UPDATE!

The photo above was taken yesterday (I think)

and this one below I just took.... If you look down toward the bottom you can see the hair coming off my leg.

I have to admit that it hasn't really bothered me too much just yet. I only have one more week to go and then I'll get it all waxed off to test my pain threshold. I think I'm looking forward to that the most.

Okay, I have to go to bed now so I can get up early to MAKE FIRE!

Gathering kindling for workshop.

2009-02-28T11:09:00.001-08:00

It's all about the application photo....

2009-02-27T06:04:00.000-08:00

When I applied to be on Survivor the application required an official passport photo...

Let's just say it took me two tries before I got it partially right.

Here's the first go at it...

This is not too bad but I'm doing something funny with my lip.. and the hair was a bit wind blown.... I decided that I wasn't too excited about it so I went for a retake... and this is what I got.

I think this is a bit better... as you can see this is the one I went with. The smile is good, the hair is so-so (but better than before)... do I look like someone who would stab someone in the back? I think so...

Actually I'm not sure if I would be the sort of person to stab someone in the back.... I have to start thinking about strategy amongst other things.

If you watched last nights episode you also know that every good survivor needs to learn how to survive on a restricted diet (Jerry was given the boot because his stomach wasn't doing so well.).

Jerry had a military background and seemed to be in pretty good shape but the beans brought him down.

Note to self - eat more beans and learn how to digest.

Today I am going to start working on eating different things... I'm going to eat Vietnamese food for lunch - I'm working my way up to bugs this weekend.

Thursday Update...

2009-02-26T19:15:00.000-08:00

One more thing about training....

2009-02-26T07:58:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I wore the gold pointy shoes of death. If that's not surviving I don't know what is....

Workshop Preview

2009-02-25T21:18:00.001-08:00

I put this video update together on the bus ride home tonight. Tomorrow I've got an appointment with my doctor to get my arm checked, I'm going to gather more supplies for Sunday's workshop (kindling and wood) and then I'm going to work on my endurance in cycle class and cap it off by watching the next episode of Survivor Tocatins...

Survivor Hair!

2009-02-24T20:52:00.000-08:00

I went today and got a brand new Survivor style haircut! Hopefully it's going to be perfect for that not washed look... a little messy - just in case I have a showmance (that's like a romance but specifically on a show) and my younger neurologist boy toy decides to run his fingers through my hair they won't get stuck.

Here is a video of the new style and an update on what's going on... I've started gathering kindling!

I'm sorry - there isn't a video.. there was a problem processing it... I will post another soon.

damn technology.....

Cellulite Control

2009-02-24T05:56:00.001-08:00

Workshop review.

2009-02-23T20:22:00.000-08:00

I'm still trying to get the video footage together from the workshop but here are a few photos.

This is Jordan our intern playing Jenga...

Here I am in front of our 34 story tower shortly before I accidentally made it fall to the ground...

I had some nice young ladies come and play Chinese Checkers with me...

I came in second place..

LEG HAIR GROWTH UPDATE!
This is what my leg hair looked like this morning just before I started to work...

Not too bad for a little less than a week of not shaving.

Tomorrow at work we have a sexual harassment training session... I think that fits in perfectly with training! It will keep me in line with all those young men on the show.... I don't want to disrespect any of them with my wild ways...

Also on the training agenda tomorrow is getting a new Survivor Style Haircut! Something low maintenance but not so short that people think I don't like the boys...

One last note, I received the bugs in the mail today so were good to go in trying out new ways of eating... I'm trying to think of other ways to hone my mad survival food skills. If anyone has any ideas please let me know.

I'll be back tomorrow with video (I promise!).

One week down...

2009-02-22T21:19:00.000-08:00

I will post photos of the workshop later. It was a small turn out but it was fabulous. I played chinese checkers, did some 3d puzzles and spent well over an hour playing Jenga.

Coming up next week I will be focusing on Survival Skills... I also have to get my haircut though so I will be figuring out a Survival friendly hairstyle that will look good after not being washed for 39 days... oh joy.

I think I need to go to bed now.

Thanks for checking in and have a good night.

Video Update.

2009-02-22T12:57:00.001-08:00

Training continues...

2009-02-21T20:54:00.000-08:00

Just a short check in to let you know how things are going.

I think I am finally adjusting to life without caffeine. Thank goodness!

Day two down in cellulite control.

This morning I was feeling well enough to go to the gym and work on my squats and lunges and take a spinning class. I also managed to get my butt into REI and buy magnesium for Survival Skill Sunday.

Things are looking good!

I hope you can all come by and work on game playing and puzzles tomorrow at the gallery. It will start at 1 and go until 4. Bring the kids.

Also, remember to check out the video toolbar at the right to see my latest escapades (or mundane ramblings) via You Tube.

Check back with you all tomorrow.

Here's Jeff Probst saying goodnight! Okay, maybe he's not really saying goodnight but you can imaging he is...

Survivor Update...

2009-02-20T18:20:00.000-08:00

I am focusing on all areas of training... some are the basics - food, shelter, fire, and physical stamina.... others are not so obvious....

If I'm going to be on television I don't want everything hanging out all over the place - that's where my cellulite control program comes into play. Today I started wearing my Lytess Slimming Corrective Belt.

Basically it's a tube top for your tummy which is supposed to reduce the appearance of cellulite if you wear it over the course of a few weeks (six days a week, 8 hours a day)... I find it kind of comforting - like I'm getting a big hug from a piece of cheese cloth. We'll see if it works.

So... in case you didn't watch last nights episode of Survivor I'll catch you up... there was a challenge, you can watch it Here. The clip is about 9 minutes long... anyways, the lessons learned from this clip is that I need to get an attractive one piece swimsuit because I don't want them to have to fuzzy out my private parts too often and I shouldn't even think about wearing a bikini.

Basically Candace was voted out because she was the "cancer" of the group... Therefore I think I should work on those social skills a bit more.

Okay, I think that's it for today - if you're expecting more sorry.....

and to a stuckist you can suck it.

I've ordered the bugs!

2009-02-19T19:16:00.000-08:00

On Survival Skills Sunday (March 1st) I will be working on my outplaying skills.

On the show Survivor there are challenges every few days for luxuries and immunity in the game. At some point in the season they invariably have a challenge in which a contestant is asked to eat some sort of food native to the locale of filming. The first season in Borneo they ate grubs, in China they ate baby birds that were still in their shell etc... (don't get me started about when they had to drink cow blood...ewww).

I figure to up the ante when it comes to me outplaying my competition I should eat more "risky" foods.

Since I don't usually venture out of my comfort zone I'm going to start small by eating something like sushi - yeah, I'm sure you're probably thinking what in the hell is wrong with that girl that she doesn't eat sushi??? well, I've just never gotten into it. It's all in my plan to work up to the bugs.

I found some nice Crick-etts on Amazon.com that I will have at the gallery for everyone to try. I think they come in a variety of flavors such as salt and vinegar, bacon and cheddar and sour cream and onion. Yum yum!

Okay, that's it for now... I hope to have a video update for you all soon. I have a new laptop with fabulous video editing capabilities... now I have to get on Survivor so I can pay off all of my computer purchases.

Oh yeah, I'm still looking for boyscouts to teach me how to build fire. If you know of anyone hook me up! I like boyscouts.

Today in Training!

2009-02-19T07:24:00.000-08:00

I will work on the following things today in order to become the ultimate survivor.

I will be working on my acceptance of a restricted diet (roughly translated to mean that I will follow my Weight Watcher points allotment for the day).

I am going to work on my physical conditioning (going to the gym and trying something other than spinning class).

I will also be working on getting along with others. The Northwest Flower and Garden Show is on and it's sometimes very hard to be nice to these people with their arms full of potting soil as they block your way to the elevator when you're trying to back to work after a long lunch.

Please grant me the serenity to become the ultimate survivor.

Video from the opening.

2009-02-18T17:54:00.000-08:00

I'm still trying to get into the swing of things but here's a video I took at the opening on Saturday.

You're probably wondering why I want to be on Survivor.

2009-02-18T16:23:00.000-08:00

That's a really good question. I think it comes down to two basic things. One, I want to be on television and two, I want to win the money so I can pay off my student loans.

Those seem to be good enough reasons to me.

Okay, here's an update... the video that I posted of myself earlier was taken yesterday in the conference room at work. It was during lunch, I had the headache of caffeine withdrawal... I Had to take a nap... yes - the lights were off, yes - you couldn't see me, yes - I'm not a professional... that's all I've got for now.

and yes - I'm feeling better.

Everyone get your puzzle face on and come down to the gallery on Sunday at 1pm to help me with my puzzle strategies. There will be snacks. If no one shows up I might cry - and we wouldn't want that now would we?

No caffeine day 1.

2009-02-18T07:59:00.001-08:00

Change of plans due to lack of caffeine headache.

2009-02-17T18:50:00.000-08:00

I am hanging out on the sofa tonight because of the lack of caffeine headache. I will have to reschedule my social interaction activities for a later date.

I'll have a video update later.

Caffeine, I loved you well.

2009-02-17T05:40:00.000-08:00

Things are ready to go here... I have had my last cup of caffeinated coffee and am not looking forward to the lack of caffeine headache that is sure to arrive by 10 a.m.

I have switched over to tension tamer tea (that should help right?).

I have also officially stopped shaving my legs. When I get on Survivor I have to be used to adversity and challenges of all kinds including those challenges of a personal nature. It's just going to make me stronger.

Here are some before pictures for you.

My goodness my legs are a bit pasty... I think I might have to start tanning so I don't blind people once I get on the show.

TONIGHT'S SOCIAL SKILLS BUILDING EVENT!

I will be attending the Scholarships for Scholars event at the University of Washington 3d/4m department. I will be working on interacting with people of all ages and socio-economic status. This is the area that I think I need the most help in.

One of the last cups.

2009-02-16T13:37:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Training!

2009-02-15T20:11:00.000-08:00

I must admit that training is getting off to a slow start....

I have the day off tomorrow so I think I may get into it more then.

Coming up this weekend is Puzzle time with Jen. We're going to work on puzzles and strategies that will help me become the worlds best survivor.

Today I bought a GIGANTIC white board calendar that I will be listing out my training events and getting everything organized.

You all must remember I have to fit training into my life - that includes working 40 hours a week, working out at the gym, a FULL television viewing schedule and sleeping.

Things for you all to look forward to this week are my attempts to give up caffeine, the beginning of the growing out of the leg hair and practicing my social skills at an event at the University of Washington on Tuesday.

Remember to look out for video updates as well. If everything works as planned you can see them in the video bar to the right of the posts.

I better sign off now, I am trying to watch Survivorman and then I need to get my beauty sleep.

Until tomorrow! xo xo Gossip Gir... uh, I mean your ultimate Survivor - Jen

Opening Saturday

2009-02-12T10:44:00.000-08:00

TRAINING KICK OFF SATURDAY NIGHT!

2009-02-09T16:27:00.000-08:00

Come and help me start the beginning of my training schedule with an opening celebration at Crawl Space on Saturday night.

We're going all out so if you have a date - ditch em! If you don't, you can come commiserate (or is that celebrate???) with me!

See you then!

Number 63.

2009-01-25T06:13:00.001-08:00

My neighbors in line at the Survivor Casting Call...

The line ahead...

The line behind...

Me...

My number...