Mark remembers the fallen

[mark]

Out of wreckless abandon, I jumped on Taylor (with the security of both idols I had access to) and attempted to get him to turn on Chad. He was all for it. Great. A little too easy it seemed, and apparently it was but whatever. I wish we had been able to talk more, but your name was on 24/7, and more often then not, my greetings went ignored. I can't be faulted for not having anything to say. I wish I did.

Taylor's leaving is what paved our way to the end, so that means something to me at least.

As I have nothing else, I'll leave you with a "Sup" bro nod.

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Oh man, where do I even begin with Gloria. I only have good things to say about her. As I mentioned with Chad, she was the other I was most intimidated by. Smooth. Calculated. Quiet. Reserved. Those are deadly qualities. I was intimidated by her even back before I met her and all of Farrago's goings on was being relayed back to me. She knew what she was doing, and I was skeeeered.

And then I had to go and meet her. There's nothing worse than having a most enjoyable conversation with someone you'd just as soon have voted out next. It's so conflicting. Gloria is so personable, and chatworthy. I'm being completely honest. She is the complete package of a phenominal, deadly survivor player. I was terrified that when the clue to the final sword came out, that Gloria would be the one to find. Well.

Gloria, I just want you to know that smiting your Karma wasn't out of hatred. I had realized people were more invested in that silly little thing than I could have imagined, and my main goal was to distract you from the challenge so Ben could win. It was not out of animsosity, by any means. I needed Ben to win, so we could make you comfortable, prevent you from playing that idol, and then vote you out.

You should be flattered Gloria. Had you used that idol, you would be sitting right here. You'd win the next challenge. And you'd be winning this game. Mad respect, girl. Mad respect.

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Knoxie! We go back to the first day, and were pretty tight all the way through, if you ask me. And I'm glad we brought him to the merge instead of Gabriel. I don't know where his little secret rendesvous with Gloria would have gotten him if I hadn't caught him with his hand in the cookie jar, but knowing what I know now, I do believe he'd have stayed loyal, while still finagling his way into the mix. We had some good times, and no real bad times to speak of except trying to get him to vote Chad. That's where my brow arched, and I knew something was amiss. More on that later.

Knox, we had fun! Even the bucket challenge where the library became your enemy. Hahaha...don't worry, I was peeing a little, so it was a tense time for all of us.

Knox is a very savy player, and it's no surprise when he makes it far in games. I just wish he wouldn't make an art of crossing his arms and saying, "No!" when the vote doesn't go like he wants it to. Strategy above all else, my friend. Strategy. Of course that's obviously just me.

It was a pleasure, Knox. May we do it again some day.

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Ah, Ben-jammin!

What pleasant surprise he was. I have no doubt he and I would have been fast friends and allies had we started out on the same tribe. Likeable, conversational, polite, truly genuine. If I didn't think he would run away with immunity and win this game hands down, I would have fought for him to stay.

But under that good nature, there was a lethal strategist, and he may say otherwise, but I know in my heart of hearts that he was among the center of the core favorite alliance.

Benjamin, you have my utmost respect...and friendship! It was a pleasure joking and kidding around with you, all the while we were plotting each other's demises. I don't believe I've ever experience a game "enemy" in this regard. It was refreshing.

You rock, man.

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*takes a deep breath*

This is where I become a little shameful. I don't know whether Liam just gets handed a bucket full of crap in games or he brings it on himself. Whatever the case, no part of Liam deserved the nasty PM I sent him the first round of the merge. Part heat of the moment, part attept at rattling him, part hurt pride, equal amounts...I shouldn't have. His response was humbling, though laced with a hidden threat. I chose to keep my distance from that point onward so as not to lost my tact again. He didn't deserve such treatment for playing the game the way he chose to play it.

Liam, my sincerist apologies. But know this...no matter what we thought of your plays of strategy, we still feared you. The last couple of rounds had no care but to make sure you and Ben didn't win immunity. That's saying something, and for that I respect you. Regardless of what you may think.

Here's to water under a bridge.

Oh, and since we dove straight into game when we met, I didn't get to learn anything about you. I've since learned you're from Alaska, and I think that's the coolest thing ever!

Please get at me when this game is over!

[mark]

Mon cherie!

I couldn't talk to you once without hearing Stevie Wonder in my head...."La la la la la la...la la la la la la...my cherie amour..."

The schtick worked better for you than someone else.

Even though I knew you began on an alliance that didn't include me, and even though I knew you had way more connections across the board, I still wanted to work closely with you. I feel we didn't start really connecting until much later on in the game, but I'm glad we did. Just like we said the other day, we've been a well-oiled machine and that is the only thing that has gotten us this far in the game. I don't know how many others there will be as only I play once in a blue moon...but here's to them!

je t'aime, mon ami!

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Thank you for not causing me to have to use lube. After all, exit only, ya know.

It's been a long, bumpy road for us measily fans, but we did it! And I agree with your quote...who knew??

I could say more, but Ecclesiastes sums it up better than I could. You know that book? Written by that pesky Koholeth? Yeah...4 years of seminary and a theology degree, I've never heard that term in regard to Ecclesiastes in my life. But that's beside the point...

"To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven."
Ecc. 3:1

But now is not the time.

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Random Zac-attac! Hey....remember that day where I was on the cusp of getting voted out? And you were there, and you hadn't been at the challenge either? And then we started eating at the lunch table together because no one else wanted us at the cool table? And people would shove us in our lockers?

And then we *became* the cool table!

Much pleasure, Zac. Much pleasure. We had some good times, and some hard times. But in the future, tell your dad what is important, k? Priorities.

[mark]

You handsome devil! You should have been voted out first...and look at you!

In all seriously....what do you say about yourself? Knock 'em dead, tiger!

Rawwwwwr!