Confessionals

[Sam Robertson]

Here we go! Rise & Fall 7! I met people yesterday as they came and went. Brian is a proper lad and someone I had the best chat with. We talked a variety of topics and it came easy to us. Brittany was a nice lass and someone I could work with in the game and nobody would expect it. I quite liked Gina, Zach and Sofia too. Sarah and Luke I spoke to a pinch but they were brief conversations and I did not get anything from them. I have not talked with JoJo, Mike, Neda and Wil.

I can see my time zone difference is going to cause a problem for me. Bless some of the players that were on early morning and I got a chance to talk to. I swung in around midnight my time and saw about everyone online and tried to chat it up with people best I could to show them that I was around before having to sleep. I could be in bloody trouble if one of the few I didn't connect with win Head of House. The wrong player winning could do me in!

[Sam Robertson]

Aces! You're looking at your new Head of House! XD I didn't think I would have a small chance in hell but I pulled it out. The two blokes in the TB with me were players I had not had the opportunity to talk to and I would have been done in if they won. This puts me in a prime spot to have players and talk to me instead of writing me off as the mate from the United Kingdom that can be first evictee.

I don't have a target but the players that go up will be the ones who have talked to me the least. I think that is how everyone would do their first set of nominations and I'm no different. Nobody was a right arse yesterday or wound me up so I have to base my nominations off something simple like chatting. I will be on for a good bit and we will see what is said and what I'm approached with.

Should be interesting Big Bruv!

[Sam Robertson]

I detest this decision BB! It is now  harder for me as I have had a chat with everyone. The only player I have not spoken to is JoJo. She took the time to send me a message on the board but told me in so many words that she will never be on during the day and that we will likely never be able to talk on AIM except on weekends. I appreciate her candidness but that is not good for my game. She seems like a proper lass but having someone around that I can only speak to for a limited time won't help me or my game in the long run.

The other nomination is making me barmy. I'm going crazy over what to do and don't know how to go about it. I was playing fairy godmother today and granting people safety right and left to try and make bonds and get players to keep me safe if they win XD  I didn't realize I had only so many options left. I like Neda and Mike after only speaking to them once and both chats were good. Mike is leaving for holiday this weekend so he won't be around but I figure he won't make many connections this round and will be a target next. That leaves Wil..

I'm going to sleep on my decision and I'll approach and finalize it in the morning.

[Sam Robertson]

Ah so I have much to update you on BB. First there seems to be an alliance in the works at the hands of Brian. Sarah approached me and let me know that Brian was thinking of an alliance that included me and her. I am quite excited at the prospect of a group alliance this early. I do think that would secure me another week in the game at the least which could take me to Jury. I need to survive these next 2 rounds to reach that stage. Brian is a nice bloke and someone I connect well with on a daily basis. Zach, Sofia and Neda are other people I fancy something with. Brittany and Sarah continue to be lovely.

Sofia has won Veto and I suspect her to leave them. She expressed a distaste for Wil's social habits and has not had a lot of communication with JoJo. Sarah, Sofia and Neda have all told me that they will evict JoJo right now pending nothing changes in the house. Brittany and Zach kept bringing Wil and his faults and that makes me think they want him to go. I don't want to be an arse and tell people what to do but I would like JoJo to leave so if I am asked about what I want than I will share my view but won't push it on anyone. I am talking to JoJo now for the first time and she seems well enough but who knows when I will get the chance to speak with her another time. Could there be a split house vote? Likely..

[Sam Robertson]

Hours before eviction I sign on to find out that JoJo is telling Brian that she wants to put up Sarah and I if she wins Head of House. Sarah and I had a chat about that and how we are frustrated with Brian in how he tries to control situations. I think he wants to be the group's leader. We slagged off about him and while I don't want to be that person I think it was important to voice. I'll be fair and say that it was Brian's idea for the alliance but by the same token some of us are hesitant to be part of it. Sarah and I came to the agreement that we don't have an issue jumping ship and leaving Brian on it if it begins to sink. The group is good for now and I am okay pissing about and dealing with Brian's need for control if it gets me farther.

JoJo leaving is good for my game and I thanked my alliance for understanding me when I felt nervous about her survival. She and Wil have all the right to nominate me but JoJo appears stronger which increased her threat rating in my eyes. Zach and Sarah seemed to back me from the start but Brian and Brittany did not commit until after JoJo shared her true intentions on who she would nominate if she stayed.

I am pulling for a member of my alliance to win and would like Zach to win most or Brittany. I think Zach and Brittany would put up similar people as me. I don't know Sarah's relationships with the other players and Brian would do his own thing and expect us to follow what he wants no matter how much we'd object or offer other recommendations. I don't want to come off like a prat or that I am ungrateful for Brian and what he has done to bring the group together XD but he is a handful and I believe him in power would cause a rift. If someone from the group is not able to win I would like to see Neda or Sofia in celebration.

[Sam Robertson]

This confessional is overdue but it's been a busy week and I have not been able to chat as much as I would have liked. Lucky for me Neda won Head of House this round and kept me safe. I have an alliance backing me in this difficult time to get online so I'm not too worried about checking out this round. It won't happen often but it happens sometimes when we get slammed with paperwork. I had been keeping up with allies on the board so they didn't think I bit the dust.

The nominations this week were a half good and half bad. My first observation was that in the first week a English houseguest put up two Americans and this week a Canadian houseguest put up two Brits. War of the countries in the house! XD I quite like Gina even though she was gone a period as she fell ill. I chat with her and don't with Luke and it was tough for me to cast my vote to evict her today. My allies wanted Gina gone and I wasn't going to debate it when they had my back while I was Head of House. You do right by me and I'll do right by you.

This round I would like to win Head of House because of my small absence. I want to show my group again why I'm a good member and that they can count on me to pull through. None of them were able to win the last competition but luck was in our favor when Neda didn't put up any of us. I'd be gutted if I don't win and get nominated but I can't be too hard pressed if it happens because I would have made my bed! I'll know how Gina feels won't I? Looking at numbers I have a high chance of being safe due to the 5 person alliance but I want to secure safety on my own.

[Sam Robertson]

If past series' are an indication then one can assume that Head of House will be endurance. It's been quite some time since I've done an endurance but given ample time I think I could complete it and give it a commendable go. The kicker here is that I would fare better if I was at work as normal lol with nothing to do as opposed to the weekend. This lot of players don't seem overly strong in any competition (no perfect or impressive scores so far if I remember correctly) so the playing field could be even.

I'm trying to get some chatting in now if players are up chatting this evening while I'm asleep. I think I would be safe with anyone outside my alliance winning with the exception of Luke and possibly Wil. Wil could make the easy decision of nominating me since I did the first week even though I supported his efforts in staying. I don't speak to Luke as much as I should and that is fault on each of us.

Brittany and I are staying positive and recognizing that we have a 50/50 shot at winning with all 5 from the alliance participating.

I am talking to Mike and playing up that since I am not around that much I feel out of the loop on many things and think there are alliances and groups forming around me. He aired the same laundry and said I would be safe if he won. He also believes that people who are around often have a higher likelihood of being involved in alliances. Brill! This brief absence may play into my favor after all.

Who ever said dipping under the radar wasn't a good strategy? XD

[Sam Robertson]

I started later than originally planned and when it got late for me and I knew I had to be up in mere hours.. I felt the need to throw the towel in. I didn't want to but I had to. The upside is that I'm not upset over who won. Zach should keep me safe because of the alliance and Mike promised me safety before the competition. I should not find myself on the block by either nominee. It doesn't hurt to touch base and talk with both of them but I should be okay in their initial decisions.

My fear is that Mike will take the opportunity to make a large move. We had a chat before the competition and I played up being on the outside looking in, with no alliances or deals going for me. From our exchange I gathered that he thinks those that are always online and quite social are the players likely in a group or have deals. From my eye, those players would be Brian, Brittany, Zach and Wil. Those 4 are the ones I see online the most. I can see he and I becoming good mates but there might be a conflict of interest this week. I wouldn't be happy if he nominated Brittany.. or Brian for that matter.. but I suppose I needn't worry until we see what he does.

I suspect Zach to take feedback from the group and make his own decision. Zach is a smart individual and one I think will make a set of nominations that appear safest for him but also ones that are satisfactory for the group.

[Sam Robertson]

Zach is contemplating Wil/Luke and that is fine by me. He shared that Wil went to Neda and said that he was looking to target me, Zach and Mike if he were to win Head of House this week. This is interesting information to me because I thought Wil and I were on alright terms after I had long talks with him and did what I could to keep him around. He could have been saying what would be recognized as obvious to Neda to shield his cards but you never know.

But also why is Neda sharing information like this with Zach? It's not a crime to XD but it sparked my interest. Zach's an intelligent player and I wouldn't put it past him to have a network of side allies with his charming persona and activity. I like Zach and I like Neda so I have no problem with it if they are.. but it's something to store away and remember for later.

[Sam Robertson]

The events of last week left us frayed at both ends. A long endurance and the question of who would end up our Head of House. Zach maintained the title and his target Wil became the cheekiest player so far this series. I would have preferred Wil stay but when I got wind that he believed there to be a male alliance and I part of it.. I couldn't keep that same want. Wil going was not only good for Zach's game or the alliance's longevity but it was good for mine as well.

I want to win Head of House so I can be in control again. It never hurts to show your alliance that you are able to claim control of a round. I did it once and Zach did it last week. We have been the only 2 that have stepped up in the challenges for the group and I sincerely hope that has not gone unnoticed.

Initially my nominations would have been Luke and Mike but after last round and my new found connection with Mike, I don't think I could do it to the bloke. He was looking out for me and I have to repay that in some way. What's gutting me is that I have some sort of a deal with everyone left. I don't know what I would do if I won.. but it would sever a tie for me and that could be bloody disastrous for my game this early. This is a Catch-22 for me but no need in worrying until we see what happens.

[Sam Robertson]

This week was a blessing again with my busy weekend. Sofia winning Head of House and the POV leaves me safe. Sof and I are on the same turf and we understand that we are on the same team. We like Zach and Neda and we all want something official. It has been an unofficial grouping from the start but it's time to get things started! We are the UN! XD The United Nations!

Brian or Sarah going means my first alliance is crumbling. I never thought I would see me wanting to vote out Sarah over Brian but it's at a point where Sarah and I are never on simultaneously. I love the lass and she was someone that had a good head on her shoulders but I can't keep her around when I think Brian staying leaves a target in and is someone I can talk game with when I get on.

I think everyone is voting out Sarah and I don't think the poor girl knows it's her going.. maybe unanimously? I don't know what Luke is doing. I got messages from Brittany and Mike saying that they were thinking she's a goner and Zach and I are talking about Neda voting her out too. It doesn't look good for Sarah but it won't be good for us if she says anything when she gets voted out. I won't blame the gal if she drops a bomb on the lot when she leaves.. but we need to be ready for it.

[Sam Robertson]

We are telling Neda about the alliance lol. She seems to be taking it well but I don't know if it's a ruse. I would be surprised but also hurt by it if I were her but I pray she believes that we did want to work with her and Sof over anyone in that group we made at the beginning of the game. This could be a fresh start for me and Zach or the beginning of the end for us.

This I hope will prevent any bombs dropped by Sarah if and when she exits. To keep me feeling safe I would like me or Zach to win Head of House because I don't fully know what Neda is feeling right now and I want her to suss it out and take it all in before acting on negative impulse (if any) about what she's learned.

[Sam Robertson]

3 bloody seconds! XD I almost had it but I'm semi sort of happy I didn't win. Winning would put me in odd spot with nominations. The chance of a nominee saving themselves is high when my nominations would be Luke and Mike. Mike is showing to be a threat in competitions lately. He is skimming the rim of winning and I think very soon I could see him back in power. I worked him over nicely when he was Head of House before but we don't talk enough that I think I could do it again.

There was a meeting at the UN (that sounds brill) last night that I could not attend. I can read the logs of the chat even when not present and it looked like Zach, Sofia and Neda agreed to do a Luke nomination with a Brian pawn. Brian being pawned is a brassy move by my mate Zach. I don't know if it's intelligent but if he wants blood on his hands that is fine by me. I think a safer bet would be Luke and Mike since Zach and I are in the same position between alliances but that might just be me.

Britt wants to make a move bigger than what Zach wants to do. She thinks Zach is wasting his week on a player like Luke and wants to take out a threat (Mike, Sofia or Neda). I am trying to talk the lass away from the ledge because I don't want her to go step on Zach's toes and say Sofia or Neda and then she gets a target on her back. I like Britt and I want her to to be okay for the time being.

[Sam Robertson]

This is becoming quite difficult. I am happy to of won but making nominations is never a fun thing. I can say that it was easier the first time.

I chatted with Mike and I cut right to the chase. Mike mentioned not putting me on the block if he won and I questioned it. Zach told me last week that Mike said he would of put Luke and me on the block so somebody isn't telling the truth. Mike said he only said that because he felt he needed to say a name. He is telling me that he would honestly do Brittany and Neda because Brittany is a social threat and Neda is a competitive threat.

Mike is my target for the week so I naturally shared this information with Brittany and Neda to get the votes gathered for Mike to leave if nominations stay put.

I chatted with Brian and we got to talking about how Mike told me he wouldn't put me up but Zach told me the opposite. I asked Brian what Mike told him and Brian told me that Mike said he would put Zach on the block if he won. What the bloody hell is going on! XD Mike is telling everyone something different! When I asked if Brian told Zach about that Brian paused for a moment and then retracted it and said he made an error. He said that Mike never said that and only said he wanted to take out threats and hoped I would do that and that Mike would have kept me safe.

It sounds to me that Brian is taking up for Mike and realizing his mistake. When I chatted with Mike he also said it wouldn't be smart to put up Brian or Sofia when there are larger threats because he thinks Brittany, Neda and Zach are a strong alliance and are calling the shots. Ah these players are going mad!

[Sam Robertson]

Brian Hart
"Seriously, don't fucking put me through this shit again"

... Well this isn't going very well now is it. XD

I am telling Brian that he would be the pawn beside Mike and he is not having or understanding my point. He wants Sofia or Neda up and I am telling him that is too tempting for the other players where he is incapable of winning a challenge and that makes him less appealing to vote out. I said that Sofia and Neda have won their share of challenges and with Mike as my target and if those two lasses saved themselves then I'd be making an enemy out of someone that I don't want to go home that isn't part of our alliance.

Essentially I am saying it's bad for my personal game which he doesn't want to hear because he wants to save himself and keep himself off the block.

I reminded Brian that Brittany and Zach are also voting from the alliance and I break the tie and he is still not wanting to listen. I get that he does not want to go up but from where I am standing it is the best move to ensure that Mike goes home. It is also the best play since I have the two alliances and I don't want to put up the UN or Brittany but I didn't tell him that lol.