Round 9 - I'm the problem, it's me

[mikeg]

Top 8!

[mikeg]

Lamont leaves the game with less than kind words for me. I wanted to come off of mute and say congrats on making the merge but didn't want to interrupt his final words because I wouldn't want that done to me. Goodbye, Lamont.

We find out Rocky was voted out on the other side and that is not good for me because I think he would have worked with me more than a few people left. He lost his vote and there wasn't much that good be done. It's probably for the best because he wasn't going anywhere for a while and that opens up a little room to move for me.

Joining back at the final 8 was strange...it's 4 v 4 but doesn't feel that way and everyone can feel it. Will these sides last for more than a round? Will they even last a single round? There's no way to really tell. Of course I want to win immunity again but once I finish I feel like Ben or Michael can beat that. I'm surprised Carlos did it so fast but he is quick at mental challenges. Him winning is decent for me because if my side doesn't want to vote Michael I think they go for Carlos. I think Carlos is being the most genuine with me so I can't lose him right now.

Before results I hatch a plan with Carlos to bridge both sides with Ben and Amber to create a four that can take control of either this vote or next. I think it's a good plan for me but I'm not convinced it's a good plan for everyone. Why keep me? Am I inflating my threat level and I'm not actually a threat to these people at all? If so, I'll be happy with that. I go to both Amber and Ben and bring this plan up to them and they both seem willing to be down. But now they both have my game in their hands and can sink me at any point if they really want to. That's bad.

Taylor is not really around anymore and it's very frustrating to me if we are supposed to be closest allies. My read is that she does not want me here very long and that's why she's not around. She went from someone I was taking to the end no matter what to someone I'll let go to buy myself another day in this game. Nobody's spot in the game is worth more than mine.

Jenn also pitched a 4 of both tribes coming together but it felt more out of desperation that I don't target her than genuine, which Carlos kind of confirmed. She didn't even give me another person from her side that she wants to bring in. Weird.

I want to vote Michael out this round because he is just NEVER going to give me anything and it's literally driving me insane. It's no wonder he's been an inch of his life all game. You have to give people SOMETHING.


I feel like I really left myself exposed this round  and this vote could land on me, but that's the fun in all of this. I've already far exceeded my expectations for myself and what I could do in an all-stars game. The rest is confetti.