[Kitt]

And I don't know about the rest, but I'd be okay with just comments tonight and elimination tomorrow

[Tymps.]

Originally posted by Matty

Out of the 14, there was only one person I did not know or had not seen prior to the game. That person was Kavish

Where did you even know me from

[Matty]

Originally posted by AdamAL4

Where did you even know me from

I saw you around in the games section.

From the games section I recognized, out of the 14: I'mARudeBoy and Adam
From outside the games section: everyone else.

Thinking about this further, I also didn't even know much about MWB and Theo. I only saw MWB sometimes in the Selena Base thread whenever I use to pop in and Theo because of his avatar.

I few of you I recognized because of the times you were reported and I saw the reports

[Matty]

Originally posted by Kitt

And I don't know about the rest, but I'd be okay with just comments tonight and elimination tomorrow

I may do that, but once again it's how I feel when I get home

[DripDrip]

Take a 5-hour energy

[Cupid]

Matty knew me cause he gave me loads of WP's and possibly banned me

[Capital B]

My judging has been submitted. I found it more difficult than expected, and wrote more than I had planned. It's that stage of the game where all three of you have such Top Member potential and deserve to be here. That being said, there's still 2 eliminations that need to be made, no matter how tough.

[DripDrip]

I can't wait to find out.

[Doc]

Writing my comments right now.

Originally posted by boyonce

My judging has been submitted. I found it more difficult than expected, and wrote more than I had planned. It's that stage of the game where all three of you have such Top Member potential and deserve to be here. That being said, there's still 2 eliminations that need to be made, no matter how tough.

This. Like I don't even know what to say.

[DripDrip]

Ya'll aren't making this wait easy

[Matty]

Originally posted by DripDrip

Take a 5-hour energy

I can't take those or energy drinks. Caffeine, in large quantities can screw with my heart. I can have a cup of coffee per day, but I don't.

In order for me to stay awake, I can't rely on those things. I have to actually get sleep or I have to be occupied.

[DripDrip]

Originally posted by Matty

I can't take those or energy drinks. Caffeine, in large quantities can screw with my heart. I can have a cup of coffee per day, but I don't.

In order for me to stay awake, I can't rely on those things. I have to actually get sleep or I have to be occupied.

Oh my, that sounds horrible.

[Matty]

Originally posted by DripDrip

Oh my, that sounds horrible.

It's not at all.

I'm going to update tomorrow night. I'm tired, going to wake up early to finish a project due Friday and study for a final Wednesday

[Kitt]

Not tomorrow NIGHT tho.

[DripDrip]

Originally posted by Kitt

Not tomorrow NIGHT tho.

Patience is a virtue.

[Kitt]

[DripDrip]

[Matty]

I'm gonna update with the judges comments here shortly

[Matty]

ATRL's Next
topmember
Cycle 9

---

EPISODE 11: SPEECHES

Edge Disclaimer: I decided to write phrases for some of the stand out quotes from each entry, may it be positive or negative. I feel like my initial thoughts would convey my truest feelings (and I was not proven wrong upon my second reading). I originally intended on writing a wrap up for each person but sickness and work caught up with me. If any of you would like me to elaborate any part of my comments, I'll be happy to do so in the thread.



THE COMMENTS

Originally posted by EdgeOfAddiction

-Narrative back story
-Journey on ATRLNTM
-Reflection on experience

Tone: Very academic/collegiate

This could be true for anyone but your examples made the statement seem genuine.

Always had the variety with your eclectic collection of entries while maintaining a subtle tie to your brand.

False. Only 2 maybe 3 had a somewhat established presence.

While you were never one of the more active contestants due to time zone restraints, I have never felt that you weren't invested nor "unpresent" for the duration of the game. Impact.

Originally posted by Doc

Beautiful formatting. This was such a nice read. Your speech really hit what it means to be a Top Member. Throughout this competition, you really have shown top member potential. You've done so well, and you should be proud of everything you've done here! I wish you the best.

Originally posted by extrachapstick

https://soundcloud.com/julantvel/borntodie-2

Originally posted by boyonce

First off, I'm glad you got over your fear of taking part in this competition, and I hope you're proud of how you did. You were scared of flopping, but you did quite the opposite. Good for you for taking the plunge - I'm sure you don't regret it.
As for what you said, I LOVED this bit:

My entire mantra when I organized Charm School was to encourage posters to be kinder, calmer, and better behaved rather than over the top and rude. I love that this is important to you also, and am really glad you pointed it out. I agree that a quiet member doesn't mean boring, and there's something to be said for people like you who are themselves rather than some larger than life character.
Then I got to this part and was left scratching my head...

I couldn't disagree with this statement more. Of the final three, I think of you as the most established. Your post count and reputation around the board shows that. I'm not sure why you feel you're the least established, I think that claim is way, way off and I stopped believing you at this point.
As all of your entries have been, your speech was well written. I would argue, however, maybe a bit *too* well written if that makes any sense. I feel like this was the one challenge to come across a bit rough around the edges and let us see your real emotions. I couldn't help but feel that your speech felt a bit mechanical and calculated. While I adore your well put together style, I do feel it hurt you a bit in this challenge, and would have loved to see more personality.

Originally posted by Matty

It was very well written and I could see your journey throughout your speech. My real only critique about your speech, and it’s kind of a big one, is that you used ‘I think’ and ‘I believe’ quite a bit. You sound certain with strong statements, but starting them off with those words still a leave a question of doubt. A Top Member is able to be confident in what they submit and what they feel is right. If you are questioning yourself, especially now based on what you have submitted to show to the judges, then have you really shown strength in yourself? Based on your speech, I do see strength in yourself; it shines in the multiple parts you talked about it. However, those two simple words that I read often had me question if you actually believe those strong words yourself. Also, though you did answer the questions, the parts on ‘why you should be in the final two and ultimately ATRL’s Next Top Member’ didn’t necessarily stand out and scream “move me on because of…” “I am ATRL’s Next Top Member because…”

Originally posted by EdgeOfAddiction

-Comedic back story
-Impact on self by ATRL
-Realizations

Tone: Catered towards emotional logic

Always take it one too far with the innuendos making it border on the garish.

I don't like this put down. I know exactly what you meant but there is a way to word it so it doesn't come off negative.

Self-deprecation can come off entirely too cheesy. This wasn't one of the moments. It was honest.

The attitude was perfect.

Originally posted by Doc

I dunno if I was fully convinced that you deserve to be in Top 2 over the other contestants, but I was after reading this. You made your case very well. You have shown dedication and perseverance throughout this competition, and you have improved so much. Good luck!

Originally posted by extrachapstick

https://soundcloud.com/julantvel/dripdrip-2

Originally posted by boyonce

Drippy, promise me one thing...NEVER change. You are your own person, march to the beat of your own drum, and it shows in spades with your great final speech. Your tone was perfect and I felt like it was an actual conversation rather than some rehearsed and careful blurb.

While you admit to being "rough around the edges" with challenges, I actually think that helps you with this speech. You come across as real and personable, and your wacky writing style actually shines in this sort of challenge. It's exactly why I asked you to co-host and present the ATRL Game Awards. You're just so very ATRL in every possible way. You did a great job here.

I love hearing you talk about the friendships and connections you've made, because more than anyone, you've played a really social game and I think that's not been strategic, but rather because you're really just a social person and like to make connections. And those Latrice gifs? The perfect ending. Proud of you.

Originally posted by Matty

The obsession with Boyonce is unhealthy; it’s like me and Selena Gomez. Every word, every sentence, every paragraph, every gif, every unhealthy obsession of that speech was undoubtedly you. I was really enthralled by your speech and honestly didn’t want it to end. It was heartfelt, it was funny, it was… colorful. The brand makes further sense now than it did before during the first challenge. Right now in my comments, I would like to make a difference between you and Anna and your words for ‘I think’. Compared to Anna’s, hers seemed more questionable, but when you used them it was based on your definition of a top member and not “thinking” how you portray it. I felt the plead, I felt the reason, I felt the sincerity, I felt every word of this speech. Great job!

Originally posted by EdgeOfAddiction

-Prologue of self-analysis
-Analysis of lessons learned
-Summary of results
Tone: Aloof and self-aware

The journey is a significant portion of this game culminating with this speech. Whatever you would have written previous to getting to this point would have been fabricated and forced so I'm glad you didn't.

Was everything you've presented a lie?

I believe Addicted said something very similar to these words right around the time he was eliminated.

Interesting. You were at your peak when asked to do a more personal challenge rather than a more public challenge. You know exactly who you are but maybe there is a disconnect between how you view yourself and how you fit into the ATRL hierarchy?

Originally posted by Doc

I love how you put this together! The gifs you linked made me chuckle and were a nice touch! This was an awesome speech you put together. If I wasn't already convinced that you deserve to continue on, I definitely was after reading it. I loved everything you said. You have done so consistently well in this competition, and it's made me proud! Good luck to you.

Originally posted by extrachapstick

https://soundcloud.com/julantvel/kitt-2

Originally posted by boyonce

I told Anna she came across too rehearsed and stiff. I told Drip he was the complete opposite, with his "rough around the edges" style making his speech very personable. I feel that you've landed right in the in the middle of these two extremes. You're polished and put together, but have also found a way to let us see you in all of that. I commend you for that. You're vulnerable and show emotions, but aren't all over the place. I really enjoyed your speech and you had me captivated throughout. At this point:

I wanted to leap from my seat and give you a standing ovation. What you said right here is just so...yes. Yes, yes, yes.
I wasn't so sure about the section where you spoke about only being here to win and not make friends. I would argue that it's both to do both, and they both carry importance. I was ready to get you for that, until...

I then, was quite relieved, when you spoke about how things had changed and even against your will you found yourself growing close to your competitors. Taking part in my Cycle, I formed some of the closest bonds I have on ATRL, and it was neat to see you notice the same thing. Good on you for sticking to your guns and being you, but also allowing the game to change you in some ways. I think ATNM has so much to offer to those who are willing. You've had a great run here, and I think you were able to craft a speech that accurately sums it up in an effective and personable way. Nice job Kitt.

Originally posted by Matty

First things first… not the Jade gif! However, I kind of see a comparison that I never thought about; you and Jade. Now don’t take that statement the wrong way, it’s just that you are both strong women, with strong opinions, and get in your own way. With you, it was your perfectionism. With Jade, it was her thought process of thinking she knew better than the judges and her attitude. From the beginning, I could see that drive to win, win, win, gotta win. However, as written in your speech and seen with my own eyes, after our talk things changed. You finally let loose a little and got less in your own way. As seen in after the big drop from the avatar challenge and the smiley challenge. Your growth from the beginning to now is impressive, going from needing to win to actually wanting to win based on how you fit in with the community. One little problem I saw in your speech, that I also saw in Anna’s but not Jeremy’s, was that question I wanted answered wasn’t loud and proud. The answer was most certainly there, don’t get me wrong, it was just hidden away. Overall, really good job as well!

Now that you have met with the judges, when we return only 2 of you will be moving on to becoming ATRL's Next Top Member!






Fierce and Love
- Matty

[Matty]

Right as I pressed submit on the comments, Edge pressed send to his PM with his comments

So I edited them in there. I'll let those sink in before we find out who is in the final two.

From the comments, you're all neck and neck.