I'll be updating with speeches here pretty soon... ya'll aren't making it easy. Like damn these speeches... this next elimination is going to be tough as hell!
Originally posted by Jay-Z, esteemed rapper, American Royal, and father of Goddess Blue Ivy
And the winner is Boyonce (my man!)...
....SPEECH!
First of all I wanna mention Matty Banks
The most important person, so let's give him our thanks
Thanks to the other judges, Evun, orange and red,
even if their absence left us scratching our head
Hugamari who put stanning before the prize,
he may be a little much, but check out that smize!
Roc Boyonce in the buildin' tonight
Oh, what a feelin', I'm feelin' life
Thanks to the lames, contestants with bad aim
Thanks to these challenges I tore you out the game
The last call-out will stop your buffoonery
Thanks to the ANTM judges rappin' at your eulogy
To Katie and them, you know the women friend
Who, carry the work cross forum for a gentlemen
Yeah, thanks to all the hustlers
And most importantly you, Boyonce supporters
Roc Boyonce in the buildin' tonight
Oh, what a feelin', I'm feelin' life
You don't even gotta bring ya shady GIFs out
I'm the member of the year, drinks is on the house
record scratch
I know y'all didn't think I was gonna rap the ENTIRETY of my final entry...I just thought it would be a fun and creative way to wrap everything up. Plus, I've already been blindly labelled as "cocky" by some of these gals - so I figured I'd embrace that fully with some tongue in cheek rap bravado.
But, let's get down to business - why do I deserve to make the final two (and then subsequently win)?
The obvious first answer is that I've dominated the challenges in this game. The challenges are designed to measure the qualities that Top Members possess - creativity, perspective, insight, music taste, post quality - and my results point to the fact that these qualities are ones that I've got. Over the course of the competition I received the top call out four times. When I wasn't first called, I was often second or third. There was a single week where I placed in the bottom 2, but I rebounded the following week back to the #1 spot, showing that this was simply a blip on the radar and not a true reflection of my Top Member status. There was increasing pressure to continue doing well, which was tough. I remember one week placing third in the challenge and Matty remarking that maybe my "flame was dimming". This was crazy to me - for most of the other competitors the third place call out would have been an improvement and something to celebrate, but for me it was negative. I do believe, however, that I did my best to not let the pressure to do well affect the quality of my entries - and my consistent high rankings illustrate this.
Now, I'm not delusional - I know that it takes more to win Top Member than JUST my entires into the challenges. In my mind, a Top Member should exude greatness not just in this thread, but all over ATRL. Among the Base threads, I'm referred to as "a logical and sane Bey stan". This is a label I'm proud of. I make a concious effort to stay out of stan wars, because it's not my style and can easily become petty and redundant. A huge part of who I am in real life is a thoughtful and grounded person, and I try to bring that into my stanning. Over in The Lounge, I'm the proud original poster of the 20+ Club thread, a place for ATRL's older posters to hang out and chat about life events that occur when you're a senior citizen. The thread, although being made almost a full year ago, still is quite active with over 4000 posts and over 68,000 views (and only 2 WP that I know of!). It goes to show that I don't mindlessly create unnecessary threads, but rather spend time reflecting on what would be both new and needed for ATRL before I click "Make Thread". I'm proud that it's a place where we can move past the SYG and NHB attitudes that sometimes prevail here on ATRL, and simply discuss things we have in common. In many ways, the thread reflects my style of posting. Realistic, positive, supportive, and calm - these are qualities that I hope to show in everything I do on ATRL.
I firmly believe that above all else, a Top Member has to remain true to who they are, and not try to play a certain role just to win. All along, I wanted to be me - and hopefully that's enough to take the title. There were, however, some rough patches. For whatever reason, ethan, collin, and I sometimes found ourselves bickering back and forth. I admire and respect both of those guys, but at times we just felt like oil and water. In what I consider my weakest moment in the Cycle, I engaged in a couple of back and forth arguments with them. I can admit this, because a Top Member has to be able to see their own flaws, and work towards correcting them. Someone like Edge can drag flawlessly, and that's what makes him so great. But for me, I get more emotionally involved than I like to admit. Seconds after posting something about ethan or collin, I'd immediately feel guilty and want to delete it. Moments after reading what they jokingly would say about me, I'd feel hurt and insulted even though I knew that wasn't their true intent. After some reflection, I reminded myself that I had to stay true to the kind of poster I am, and I shouldn't be trying to be someone I'm not if I want to be a Top Member. I snapped myself out of it, apologized to ethan and collin and stated that I didn't enjoy the fighting, nor did I want it to happen. Hopefully I've made peace with both of them now, and I do truly thank them for helping me remember the importance of staying true to yourself as a ATRL member.
In conclusion, I (confidently - not cocky!) think that I deserve the title. Like Beyonce says, I talk like this 'cause I can back it up. I've consistently dominated the challenges that are designed to measure our Top Member abilities. I've also demonstrated post quality, a good reputation, and a strong self of self both inside and outside the thread with my positive and well received contributions to ATRL as a whole. Although some moments were challenging this cycle, in the end I chose to remain true to who I am and hopefully that showed. I so badly do want to win this Cycle (and think I deserve it!), but I won't lie...regardless of the outcome it's been an absolute blast and I'm so happy to have even just been a part of it.
Quote:
Originally posted by EdgeOfAddiction
All The World's A Stage...
...and our experiences on ATRL is but just a fun, memorable chapter in our lives. From the bitter stan wars to the occasional but quickly deleted "Top or Bottom" threads to the friendly competitions in the Games section, ATRL has become less of a past time and more a part of my life.
First off, I'd like to thank Amaru for introducing me to this forum. Without him, there would have been no EdgeOfAddiction on ATRL. I would also like to thank Devil and Andre for helping me with their expertise. Without them arming me for battle with their knowledge of photoshop, I would have surely floundered long before the final 3. Also, the judges/guest judges for the constructive criticisms and ethan for his help in keeping me alive in this game, I thank you. Last but not least, I'd like to thank the other contestants. Not only did you guys keep the cycle interesting but you opened up my eyes to a whole new facet of ATRL: Genuineness. The whole sense of camaraderie without the intent of ganging up and maliciously stripping down others was a breath of fresh air. It was foreign and uncomfortable for me at first but as the cycle progressed, it was nice to not be so wound up and always on guard to attack for Rih's, Kelly's and my honor.
And that is why I believe I should be in the final two. As much as Top Member is a competition based on challenges and advancing to the next round, there is also another element to this competition that I did not expect: Personal growth. I was here to win with a "take no prisoners" mentality, but the interactions with the other contestants opened my eyes to a whole new attitude that is rarely found on ATRL. I found myself opening up for the first time with no fear of backlash, no fear of having my personal information used against me, just...a safe zone. Being a Top Member is not only about having a strong personality but also about learning, adapting and evolving and that's exactly what I feel like I accomplished through my stay here. I came into this competition knowing exactly who I was, changed for the better with every interaction and have given my all to every progressing challenge, even winning some along the way.
And that is why I believe I should be crowned as ATRL's Next Top Member, winner of Cycle 8. With every entry and posts throughout the competition, I have shown a full range of my personality, extending from slapstick humor to sarcastic bitchiness and professional precision to raw vulnerability. I may have hit some bumps along the way but I am not without flaws; the flaws are something I consider to be of an asset as I can mold them to be strengths with the following challenges. Just like Rihanna her singles, my batting average may be all over the place but when I am on point, I try to deliver the most extraordinary work I can possibly muster to the critics in hopes of demolishing the competition. Going up against Beyonce and Ke$ha is no easy feat but after my Man Down, we all know what came next.
boyonce, collin, the journey has been a pleasure.
It's something unpredictable, but in the end it's right.
I hope you had the time of your life.
All of your entries blew me away, to be completely honest. No shade, no bitchiness, no sassy GIFs from me this time - you all blew me completely away. Just know that no matter who gets eliminated, all three of you are the best possible candidates from this Cycle to be Top Member.
To Boyonce and Edge, I never really had a chance to interact and become close to you like I have with the others, but I could feel your true personality shine through in all of your entries. To Collin, this game has made us become friends, and for that I am truly thankful. You have been what some may call the underdog of the competition, and it's inspiring for all of us to see you in the final three.
I do not envy the judges for the decision they're about to make. I can't see any of you being eliminated after the entries you just delivered. Congrats girls, you've made it.
You all made some really nice entrys!
I can perfectly identify with collins first part of his speech. And I really liked his "website" or whatever it was. I also really liked boyonces rap. And Edge overall the whole game section is as friendly and open-minded as this game so dont be stranger to this section after this game. Its a good place to just meet some friendly people without all the fighting 24/7.
All of you were really honest and did a great job. Sucks for the judges to have to eliminate someone.
Yo, what the hell, y'all... this is frikken impossible.
Amazing speeches, all three of you
I'm so glad you all took it seriously, it makes this elimination coming up even more nerve racking and tense. You've each had a journey through this tournament and on ATRL, and your speeches did a great job of summing it up.
collin, with all that you've learned about what becoming a Top Member means through this tournament. I'm in the same boat as you, this place is like my secret hideaway that gives me a chance to be my full geeky self when it comes to music and pop culture; I think that's how it is for a lot of people. There is no better outlet than ATRL. This tournament does not take normal members and spit out one Top Member at the end, it builds top members, and that's where you've already won. You've become a top member through this competition, regardless of where you place. I've immensely enjoyed becoming ATRL friends with you during this competition and I know that our friendship won't stop outside of this tournament. You're a top member and an awesome person.
boyonce, you've known all along what a top member is because you already are one, but you've had to work hard to stay on top and still stay true to yourself in order to prove your status to everyone else, and the fact that you've done so in such a genuine way is commendable. You're still the same member you were coming into this tournament (well... almost the same, anyway...), but now, EVERYONE knows it. We're already signed up for The Mole, which I am very excited about, and I know we're going to have a good time with that one. I mean, damn, we make great TV together.
Edge, with the way this tournament changed you as a member. Everyone knows EdgeOfAddiction, and you're still the same notorious member, but it's really touching to hear that you've realized that you can be MORE than that through this tournament. There are members here who care to know more about you than your love for Rihanna or Kelly, who want to talk about you as a person, not a stan, and aren't going to attack you for your opinions. Regardless of where you place in this competition, you know you're one of ATRL's top members. I hope you stick around in the Games section and that I have the pleasure of competing with you again.
Also, did anyone notice that this is the exact same challenge as the entry challenge?
No No No
Casting - "I am a top member because.."
Speech - "Why should I be in the final two and ultimately be ATRL's Next TOP MEMBER"
I was first asking why are you a top member. Then as you went through the process of the competition why should be in the final two and ultimately be ATRL's Next Top Member. It's all a progression.
Casting - "I am a top member because.."
Speech - "Why should I be in the final two and ultimately be ATRL's Next TOP MEMBER"
I was first asking why are you a top member. Then as you went through the process of the competition why should be in the final two and ultimately be ATRL's Next Top Member. It's all a progression.
And I really liked his "website" or whatever it was. I also really liked boyonces rap. 
Its a good place to just meet some friendly people without all the fighting 24/7. 
