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One girl's twistedly fantastic interpretation of what the hell is really going on in those tribes.
Monday, December 19, 2011
I Fulfilled The Requirement
My knees. My poor poor dirtied bruised knees. All this praying, all this repenting, all this kissing of dirtied sandalled feet. I've forgotten what it means to stand and move around by tits... I mean, my wits. After the soul searching and sacrificing of my beaded conch necklaces, I know one thing for sure - God doesn't care about Survivor. He doesn't care about your good deeds and he most certainly doesn't care about your sacrifices. He's too busy appearing in pancakes in New Mexico or waiting to hear his name called out at the BET awards. So now that we've learned where God's priorities lie, I'm taking a stand. I forbid anyone to invoke Him anymore on any of my reality shows. I am drawing the drunkenly squiggled line in the sand. No more God! *thunderclap in the distance* Instead, I want Pagans. Naked nature worshippers in velvet cloaks dancing under the full moon. Satyrs, nymphs, and fairy folk. Let the wind dictate the order of the day. Let the rain be our baptism. Sex under the stars, intention as our prayer, energy as our life force. Drum circles and pan pipes. Incense unfurling lazily up into the night sky. This is the Survivor of tomorrow. Why settle for one curmudgeonly God who doesn't know what the hell He wants half the time when you can have an entire pantheon of Gods and Goddesses to suit your every whim? Witches V. Druids. The most powerful spell wins. Let's recap, shall we?
We begin our final installment of Survivor: Bible Thumpers on Rhode Island (Redemption Island). Lil Hantz arrives in a fit of giggles and announces, "I got blindsided! I gave Albert my Immunity Necklace, but I got blindsided! I still love him though." Ozzy scratches his curls curiously and wonders if he'll live to see tomorrow. Clearly, a lunatic has entered his homestead, his Pleasure Dome, and it might behoove him to sleep with one eye open tonight. Brandon smiles one last crooked smile before crawling under the covers and curling up next to Ozzy. He whispers, "I love you man. God loves you, brother." Ozzy stares blankly for a smidge, but in the end decides that he's too tired to object. Besides, he's got a tailor made duel with his name spray painted on the side of it to win tomorrow. Beauty sleep comes first.
Back at Tuna Tartare (TeTuna) the mood wants to be merry. It's trying to be jolly. Instead, Coach is all twisted up in anger over Albert's lies at the last Tribal Council. His jury politicking is embarrassing at this point and that lie he told about young Brandon being safe... well, that was just cruel and unnecessary. Coach is done being made a fool of in this game. He quickly shoots a dragonfly with his pointer finger and tells us that now is the time he puts his foot down. Now is the time he puts a stop to Albert's all too transparent shenanigans. Albert listens to Coach in stony silence. Eventually he replies, "I uh I never uh meant I uh umm." Coach quiets Albert with a "shhhh". He's been officially humbled. Deep down inside I sort of hoped he'd been hobbled instead.
And this brings us to the Ozzy Lusth duel of Ozziness. Today, our Ozzys will climb up a giant pole and sit there for as long as they can. The only rule is that Ozzy cannot touch the top of the pole. Other than that, it's an Ozzy free-for-all. The Ozzy that wins this final duel will rejoin the game. Ozzys ready, go.
Our Ozzys grip their poles like horny sloths and the challenge has officially begun. Ozzy Ozzy begins to fidget early as he shifts into a pseudo standing position where he hangs on using only his pinky toes. Conversely, Brandon Ozzy sits stoically, unflinching. I can only assume he was deep in prayer in that moment. Then, like clockwork, we hear it. The familiar cries of a man desperate for votes. "Way to go Brandon! Come on brother!" It's Albert. Creepy, lackluster, ass kissing Albert.
The challenge continues yet Brandon sits comfortably. Out of the stillness we hear a slapping. Slap, slap, slap... it was perverse in it's slappiness and I thought to myself, "No! He's not really doing what I think he's doing, is he?" Turns out I'm the only pervert at the challenge as the slapping was merely Ozzy's thighs and palms climbing up and down, up and down the pole. I swished away the filthiness in my mind and crossed my fingers while I hoped for the best, but it wasn't to be... OZZY STAYS ALIVE!!!
Surprise, surprise. Ozzy wins the Ozzy Lusth challenge of Ozziness. Brandon put up a good fight, but he didn't stand a chance. Brandon seems ok with it though. He's happy for different reasons. Jubilant, if you will. He's open to God now and that's all that seems to matter to the young lad. He's a weird quirky dude with a storage unit of skeletons, but his unwavering persistence towards blind faith was quite a thing to behold. I don't pretend to understand it, but I hope the kid finds whatever it is he's looking for. Could it be that he wants what all of us to want? To be happy. To be loved. *shrugs shoulders* Eh, fuck if I know. Go treat yourself to a CHURRO tattoo Lil Hantz. You deserve it. Godspeed.
Back at Tuna Tartare, everyone is going through the motions of welcoming Ozzy back. Painted on smiles and outstretched hands mime goodness, but beneath the surface bubbles uneasiness and sorrow. Albert declares, "I want to beat his butt!" I'm sure you do Albert, but all in good time. Wear your finest to the Reunion and who knows? Maybe Ozzy will put out.
Coach pulls Ozzy to the side and genuinely congratulates him for an amazing run. Coach assures Ozzy that he's not going anywhere and that if Coach wins Immunity, he'll give Ozzy his Hidden Immunity Idol. *smacks self in head* No! No Coach, no! Ozzy eyes Coach suspiciously and isn't sure he believes the dragon slayer's promise. He says he wants to be in the end with Coach (yeah right), yet he's having a difficult time trusting his intentions. I don't know. Coach is a pretty genuine guy. I think when he says things in the heat of the moment he truly intends to follow through. His inner Coachness bursts with chivalry and loyalty. You know deep down he's dying to leap onto a horse in a suit of armor and rescue a damsel in distress in those moments. It's those whispers in time that get Coach in trouble though. It's easy to make promises when you're high on the mountaintop, but when you're back in the murky swamp of despair, they're sort of hard to see through to the end.
And this brings us to the big Immunity Challenge. Come on in guys! The first person to build a stack of cards while balancing an enormous board with one hand will win Immunity. Sophie smiles to herself. She just happens to have a book at home called House Of Cards For Dummies. In between studying for finals, dissecting frogs, and not hanging out with friends Sophie'll whip up a playing card deck mansion complete with a circular driveway and a swing set. Looks like she's got this challenge in the bag. Survivors ready, go!
Sophie works quietly and quickly. She's constructs the floor beams, puts in the dry wall, and is preparing to erect some Corinthian columns when, oh shit - she's out of cards! "I ran out of cards!", she whines. Dimples shrugs his shoulders and says, "Yeah, uh card management is part of the challenge bitch." At least that's what I heard him say. Tight lipped and angry, Sophie now starts a card shanty town. Meanwhile, Ozzy and Coach are neck in neck although moving fairly slowly. Rancher Rick and Albert have yet to lay the base boards. I don't know what the hell they're doing, but don't hire either of these guys to build you a deck. Not only will it not be sturdy, but it'll probably be a decade long project.
Sophie's shanty town begins to shape up nicely when all of a sudden - splat! Fighting back tears and cursing the "For Dummies" franchise, Sophie screams, "Pick up my pieces Albert! Stop what you're doing and pick up my pieces!" Sure, Albert's house is only a half a centimeter high, but who the hell does Sophie think she is? Albert stares blankly at his house for a few seconds and then peeks over his shoulder for a look at Sophie's pieces scattered in the sand. It was just long enough for Dimples to make a spur of the moment executive decision. "Albert can't help you Sophie. This is an individual challenge," states Dimples. We all knew Dimples made that up on the fly, but I'm glad he did. Every once in a while, a know-it-all needs to be kicked back to reality. It's good for the soul.
So no matter how much Sophie bitched and how many different elevations she tried, she just couldn't build her house of cards fast enough. In the end, it came down to Coach and Ozzy. Through hands shaking like crinkly leaves, Ozzy places his final piece and... OZZY WINS IMMUNITY!!!
Back at camp, Sophie is devastated that she lost that challenge. She did what the book told her to do. She studied. She practiced. How could she not have won and set a precedent for all future Survivor House Of Cards (oh please, you know we'll be seeing that challenge again and again and again). So while Sophie is busy beating herself up, Albert is busy in panic mode. He goes around the camp whispering, 'It's Rick, right? We're getting rid of Rick, right?" Coach nods yes. The more he's thinks about it, the more he thinks a good ole boy like Rick could actually win. I couldn't disagree more. The good ole boys (like J.T.) win only if they're also good at challenges. Rancher Rick is a pebble on the beach. He's a leaf on a tree. He's an extra that fills an empty space. I'd like to think that no one in their right mind would award someone like that one million dollars.
Ozzy, however, thinks that Sophie is the one to get rid of. He didn't like the way she talked to Albert during the challenge. Plus, he's been hearing a lot of shady things about Sophie. During recess yesterday someone called her stuck-up. Albert listens to this and nods. Maybe they should get rid of Sophie instead? Albert scurries hither and thither, to and fro. What to do, what to do. He needs to know who they're voting out asap because it's imperative he lays his list of prepared compliments onto that person before they depart. Votes, baby!
Rancher Rick moseys through the camp, across the beach, through the trees and he catches a whiff of something in the air. Something that isn't exactly right. Has a horse gone lame? Will the corn be ready to harvest? Those things, I do not know. Maybe Coach knows. "Hey Coach, am I safe tonight?," Rancher Rick asks. Coach swats at an imaginary fly as he sharpens an imaginary arrow. "You thirsty Rick? I was uh just gonna go get some water down uh thataway," Coach replies. Then Coach shoots his arrow into the air and runs to chase it. Rancher Rick strokes his beard and thinks to himself, "Now, that was odd." And that's it for Rancher Rick. He's reached his word quota for the day.
This brings us to our first Tribal Council of the night. Brandon skips in with the Jury all bright eyed and bushy tailed. The boy is glowing. He's not grimacing like those other Bitter Bettys. Albert starts off by saying he should stay in the game because he's valuable to have in competitions against Ozzy. Ozzy laughs heartily and rolls onto the ground in a fit of giggles. "You think you can beat moi?! Ha! I'd like to see you try. Besides, Sophie is a spoiled brat and I have a final two deal with Coach. So there!"
Sophie jerks her head sideways. A brat? She's a brat? Since when?! Ozzy continues, "I've been hearing things, Dimples, and I don't like what I hear. All she does is sleep and hang out. To hell with her!" Sophie listens quietly as her lower lip starts to tremble. She's hurt and confused by the accusations. Sure, she's quiet and sure she likes to roll her eyes whenever the fancy strikes her, but that's just who she is! Ozzy gives her the hand. He doesn't want to hear it. This paradigm of perfection and fairness doesn't want to hear how someone else might be socially awkward at times. He's much too busy climbing palm trees and skinning sharks to associate with snotty brats.
Through a constant flow of tears and a hiccup-y voice, Sophie wonders why she's even here at all. She should have never come in the first place! *smacks self in head* Oy vey. Sophie is many things, but spoiled brat wasn't really a phrase I had ever associated with her... until this very moment. When this whole bruhaha started I thought that perhaps Ozzy was being a little harsh. Could it be that there really is something to his accusations? Clearly we missed a lot in the editing. Well, none of it makes any difference anyways because Rancher Rick is the 16th person voted out of Survivor South Pacific. We bid you adieu Rancher Rick. We hardly knew ye. Like seriously, who the hell are you?
Back at Tuna Tartare Ozzy can smell victory. He can almost taste it. His Plan B is to win. That also happens to be his Plan A. Well, let's just say creativity isn't Ozzy's forte. Neither is lying or acting or being humble or being likable. Meanwhile Coach is all bunged up over Ozzy blabbing his big mouth back at Tribal Council and he needs to figure out what the hell Ozzy is up to before they proceed in this game together. Ozzy adjusts his nether regions and says, "Um I've been burned in the past, man. I've been stabbed in the back. It's like impossible for me to trust people in this game, dude." Coach, being the sentimental guy that he is, buys it and is heartbroken to hear about Ozzy's plight with trust.
Here's how I see it. There are two ways to break someone's trust: out of necessity and out of malice. Coach broke Rick's trust out of necessity. It was a self preservation thing that he thought was right at the time. It probably wasn't the correct choice in the long run, but it surely wasn't done out of malice. Coach doesn't have evil intentions towards Rick. Hurting Rick's feelings hurts Coach's feelings. Conversely, there's Ozzy. Going into that last Tribal Council and blabbing to everyone that Coach confronted him with a final two deal was pure malice. It was completely unnecessary (and, knowing what we know now, was probably a million dollar mistake) and designed to make Coach look bad to the Jury. If anyone should be questioning anyone's trustworthiness, it's whether or not Coach should trust Ozzy and not the other way around. All Ozzy has to do is get to the final three. That's it! If he gets there, he's a millionaire. The problem is that he likes swinging his dick around too much. The guy can't, for one second, keep his trap shut and ride this bitch out to the end. He always has to get in the last word, the last dig, the last neverending nauseatingly verbose speech. Imagine how different things might be today if Ozzy had actually kept the secret he was supposed to keep.
And this brings us to the second Immunity Challenge of the night. Come on in guys! It's the same final challenge we see every season. Race through some cockamamie obstacle course, collect five bags of puzzle pieces, and the first person to complete their puzzle wins Immunity. Survivors ready, go!
Ozzy, Albert, and Sophie fly out of the gate like bats out of hell while Coach gets his armor stuck in a net and topples over. Leave your sword with Dimples, Coach! Our survivors race hastily through this obstacle and that. Bag after bag is collected as Ozzy, Albert, and Sophie manage to stay pretty tight with each other throughout. It was when Albert starting intentionally or unintentionally trying to teeter Sophie off of the net obstacle that things started to go awry. Sophie yelled, "Stop shaking the net Albert! And pick up my damn pieces!" while Ozzy cruised on through to the lead.
With his five bags in hand, Ozzy gets to work on the complicated puzzle. It's a puzzle unlike one we've seen before where the brackets are jagged and movable. Ozzy is flummoxed as to where his first goes and before we know it, he's blown his entire lead and Coach and Sophie are now working on their puzzles. I don't know what happened to Albert. Sophie probably pummeled him to death with her bags of puzzle pieces. *shrugs shoulders* Oh well.
Sophie manages to get her first piece locked in and it turns out that once you get your first piece in, the others fall into place as well. A panic stricken look of horror overcomes Ozzy's face so, naturally, I freeze framed it and danced around the room wearing nothing but a party hat and chaps (in honor of Rick). When I pushed play again, Ozzy locks his first piece into position, but it's too late. Sophie has too big of a lead and SOPHIE WINS IMMUNITY!!!
Through gritted teeth and blank eyes, Ozzy congratulates Sophie on her win but knows deep down inside that this is the end of the road. Everything he's accomplished and all he's worked for is about to crash down around him like a... well, like a tumbling house of cards. *does a Charlie Chaplin kick in the air* Meanwhile Coach is regaling Sophie with the most prestigious award ever in existence. It's the Dragon Slayer Medal of Excellence. Only a few are given out every few years. It's like that Swedish award everyone thinks is so important. Only this one is for knights, ninjas, charlatans, and anyone else who likes to wear jodhpurs and weaponry. Albert watches with envy and finally comes up with a phrase to contribute to the ceremony, "Ozzy is like a real live villain!" Uh, ok. Thank you Albert. Shouldn't you be in a corner doing your best Mr. Collins impression (name the book Mr. Collins comes from in the comments and you're a big weiner).
And this brings us to our second Tribal Council. Ozzy starts off the conversation by blaming that blasted puzzle piece. It was the puzzle piece's fault that he lost! And now it will torture and torment him for the rest of his life. Coach nods in understanding. He knows how it is to come so far and then fall short. Ozzy doesn't want to hear it though. All he wants to know is if Coach still plans on taking him to the finals - he promised him you know. Did you hear that Jury? Coach promised Ozzy to go to the finals.
It's the same old same old with Ozzy. All this hand waving and wild gesticulating for sympathy from the Jury. Dude, you already have their sympathy! Focus on the people who matter now - the people who have the power to take you to the end. You can't expect Coach to reward you with a vote for Albert if you keep throwing him under the bus like you're doing. Had Ozzy just been nice to Coach, had he just sucked it up for once and hidden his arrogance away... Had he done those things I might not be sitting in a punch bowl of glitter right now because OZZY IS THE 17TH PERSON VOTED OUT OF SURVIVOR SOUTH PACIFIC!!! *throws glitter in the air* I may have glitter in places where glitter doesn't exactly belong, but who cares?!? I can't wipe the smile on my face no matter how hard I try. Ding dong, Ozzy is gone!
Alright, let's just fast forward to the part we care about... the final Tribal Council. *thunderclaps in the distance* Or, what I like to call: The Airing Of The Grievances. A Festivus for the rest of us.
All of our ducks are lined up in a row and it's time for the opening remarks. Albert, please go first.
"Um so I'd umm like to say what a pleasure it is to know all of you beautiful people and might I say, you're all looking gorgeous today. This is the ultimate social experiment. It's a game about people. It's a game about me and it's a game about you. A higher power brought us all together. Thank you for being a part of my experience. Vote for Albert! Peace!"
Alrighty then, Sophie you're up.
"I'm just going to cut to the chase. A) I held my own in the challenges. B) I strategized well. C) I may not know who any of you are, but we've all become valuable friends. Therefore, according to the syllabus, I have fulfilled all of my Survivor requirements."
Coach, your turn...
"Gosh, I can't believe I'm here now next to this mystical fire under this magical night. I truly thought this game was made for Ozzy. Over the years, I've laughed, I've loved, I've cried, and I've grown. I'm not a perfect man, but I am a changed man. The first time I played this game I played with arrogance. This time I played with love. I opened myself up to you and now I carry you all deep within. *Dimples shifts uncomfortably on his log* Thank you for being inside of me."
Dimples turns the floor over to the Jury and Ozzy is up first. Hair like Pippi Longstocking, shirt unbuttoned just so. Ozzy sticks his neck out and says, "The good news is this game isn't decided. The bad news is no one wants to vote for you." Ozzy takes a deep breath and points a long and filthy (seriously, where has that thing been?) finger at Sophie, "You are a privileged selfish brat!" Next he turns to Albert, "You were in the right place at the right time!" Finally, he turns to Coach, "Coach, do you think you played honorably?" We all know what Ozzy wants to hear. Hell, even Coach knows what Ozzy wants to hear. Ozzy wants Coach to sit there and say he was dishonorable and... that's exactly what Coach does. He tried to play honorably, but when at the crossroads difficult decisions had to be made. Some went back on his word and others didn't. Hey, it was a good answer. It was honest and eloquent.
Mary Jane (Jim) is up next and he dead eyes weren't quite so dead anymore. He addresses Albert and asks him one simple question - Why shouldn't the Coach or Sophie win? The caveat is that he's not allowed to answer with a compliment. Albert replies, "Good question! Wow, I like the way you think." The Jury (and myself) erupts into a fit of giggles. I wanted Mary Jane to stop him right then and there because he totally broke the no compliment rule, but Mary Jane let him continue. Albert claims he carried Coach to the end while Sophie can't make friends to save her life. No offense Albie, but if you stopped to count your Survivor friends on your hands you might find that you only need one finger.
Candy-apple headed Dawn goes next and she wants to know why Sophie aligned with Coach and Albert. Sophie starts off by saying that she wishes she was man. I mean, I always thought she looked like a softball player, but I never thought she was full on Chaz. Sophie continues saying that the men in the game seem to always get young girls to follow them around. To her, Coach was like one of those young girls. Upon hearing this, Coach swings his sword out of his pocket and beheads young Sophie right then and there. Young girl indeed!
Rancher Rick goes and with a swing of his lasso, he catches Coach by the neck and yanks. With a gentle "Yeehaw" under his breath. He ties his lasso to a runaway horse and just watches as Coach's bony body hits the rocks and trees surrounding Tribal Council. Satisfied, Rick tips his hat to everyone and moseys back to his seat.
Brandon is up next. "God, let us pray, Jesus, God, holy spirit, hallowed be thy name." Coach, being fully able to speak "Brandon" at this point in time answers, "You should be sitting up here Brandon. Thank you for raising the bar of the game." Brandon replies, "Praise be to Jesus!"
Then he turns to Albert, "Did you know I was going to get voted out? Answer yes or no."
Albert: "Um well I..."
Brandon: "Answer yes or no."
Albert: "But I just wanted to say that I..."
Brandon: "I said ANSWER YES OR NO."
Albert: "I know, but can I..."
Brandon: "YES OR NO MOTHERFUCKER!!!"
Albert starts to cry.
Brandon lifts his shirt up to show Albert his new tattoo. It says, "AMSER YES OR NO!!!"
Albert sighs in defeat, "I don't know."
Brandon: "Thank you. Jets fo' life!"
And then he smacked his chest twice and ate an enchilada.
Whitney goes next and in between twirling her hair and making obscene finger gestures to Keanu (Keith), she hollers, "Albert yer sleazy!" She pops some gum and wrestles with a bubble while thinking of her next question. "Sophie yer conderscendin'!" That's it. That's all Whitney has to contribute. Thank you Whitney.
Tiny flitting dust particle Edna goes next and boy is she a breath of fresh air. It's Downy with Febreze! Edna schooled us all in that moment. She spoke of manipulation and history and religion and the vikings and the Romans. We learned about the Moors and the Ottoman Empire. She brought history to life and breathed common sense into this ridiculous game we all love. The gist of her dissertation is that people get duped. All of us. Me, you, them, they, everyone. We get duped yet that's life. And then a breeze blew in and she disappeared. I wondered to myself where that Edna was for the run of the game. I could learn to love that Edna. Fare thee well fairy sprite.
Keanu walked robotically up to the podium and this was his contribution, "Coach, why didn't you play the Idol?" Seriously? It's ok Coach, I got this. Because he didn't need to you freak! Keanu moves slowly back to his seat while Sophie shouts, "We faked how we found the Idol!" And that's when the tide turned for me. I hated her in that moment. I truly truly hated the desperation in her voice, the urgency of her plea. It was cowardly and tattletale-y all wrapped up in an undesirable ploy to win. To watch Brandon's reaction, I'm not even sure he understood what she was trying to say. All I know was that it wasn't a moment one can be proud of. The neediness of it was nauseating.
Last up we have Cochran, young Cochran. Cochran sees the game for what it is. He knows it's a cool move if you can trick people and Coach, indeed, tricked him. Cochran can't hate on that. He can only respect it. However, the word "honor" is where Cochran gets a little confused. The word was used so much this season that it's sort of lost its meaning at this point. Coach agrees and says he's tried hard to do the right things. But when you try and try and try not to screw up, what do you think happens? You screw up and you do the wrong things. Coach made a mess for himself that wasn't easy to get out of. He knows it, but, better yet, he can acknowledge it.
Solemn inspirational music plays in the background and we're whisked away to the live reunion. The votes are read and it's neck and neck between Coach and Sophie. "COACH, SOPHIE, COACH, SOPHIE, COACH, SOPHIE." I was sure Coach had this. I was positive! "SOPHIE, SOPHIE." Como what? "SOPHIE IS THE WINNER OF SURVIVOR SOUTH PACIFIC!!!"
Ugh. Does anyone know how to get glitter out of lady parts?
Well, ain't that a kick in the vag. I don't dislike Sophie per se, but I definitely didn't want her to win. I think since day one I've been rooting for Coach all along. He's a quirky eccentric guy who quotes obscure philosophers and probably collects daggers from the French aristocracy. I don't always agree with him and believe me, the God stuff makes me bonkers, but I like the guy. What can I say? Maybe I see a kindred spirit in him. Best of luck to you Coach. Might I suggest a collection of Tai Chi DVD's in your near future?
So that's that. Are you guys pleased with the outcome? Who were you rooting for? When you saw Sophie dance with her check did you die a little bit inside? Comment it out bitches and have a great day!
If you've enjoyed what I've done this season, please click on my PayPal button and show a girl some love. Have a wonderful holiday season everyone and a happy new year. I'll see you back here the 2nd week of February for my first impressions of the new cast. My first Survivor One World blog will be posted February 16, 2012. Be sure to friend me on Facebook and follow me on Twitter for updates whenever I post on a new blog. Take care bitches!
35 comments:
- AnonymousDecember 19, 2011 at 3:52 PM
I TOTALLY agree. Sophie won, SOPHIE?ReplyDelete
Is it the Mr. Collins from Pride and Prejudice?ReplyDelete
Erin is a big weiner!ReplyDelete
You can make a good case for Coach winning, but Sophie is far from undeserving.ReplyDelete
She made no mistakes. She was quite smart. And, most of all, she won 3 immunity challenges - including the one where all the pressure was on - she single-handedly prevented Ozzy from winning Survivor by beating him in that last challenge.
That was huge - that was the million dollar challenge - as Ozzy said, he knew only Sophie was a threat - and she beat Survivor's best challenge player with everything on the line.
Sure, she can be annoying - but she's only 22, probably hasn't had many experiences outside of being the Good, Smart Girl in school, and mostly handled herself well. I thought the tribal where she broke down and cried was pretty moving - she was clearly genuine, and insightfully realized that her "cold hard exterior" isn't a sign of strenght (as she always rationalized) but a weakness (a way to feel superior to others and protect herself).
There have been many far less deserving winners than she (Fabio anyone? Natalie?).
Coach's constant religion-izing was nauseating. His please-everyone strategy worked for awhile, but was bound to backfire eventually.
Sophie's best move was benefitting from all of Coach's betrayals while letting him take the heat for all of them.
She was a bit under the radar to be entertaining, but she won because she deserved it. I love you, Colette, but I think you're selling her a little short.
Sophie winning is better than Albert winning. But Coach should have won. And if he had, I'd be all bitter a vet won. Can't win for losin'.ReplyDelete
Glitter in one's lady parts is worth Ozzy not winning. That guy is a TOTAL douche.
- RebeccaDecember 19, 2011 at 4:36 PM
Great blog as usual, Lala. Can't wait for next Season.ReplyDelete
- AnonymousDecember 19, 2011 at 5:10 PM
I said the same thing exactly "Well ain't that a kick in the vag" when Sophie won. I'm hate bitter juries giving the money to anyone but the most deserving player. Coach played a great game even if he did go on and on and on about honour and integrity which is ridiculous while playing a game that involves manipulating and double crossing and back stabbing. Booo sophie boooooo.ReplyDelete
- AnonymousDecember 19, 2011 at 5:28 PM
With the choices available I was rooting for Albert to win. Not because he deserved it, but was the lesser of the evils, as far as I'm concerned. My least favorite finalist was Sophie. When she demanded that Albert quit the challenge to assist her, that was as much as I could take of that bitch. Lala, I know you were rooting for Coach, but my god he is such a loser!!ReplyDelete
I agree with Facts Please. I wouldn't have been so against Coach winning if he wasn't so arrogant at the last tribal council where his idol could be played. I thought not playing it was just a smug gesture, and he had the audacity to call Ozzie arrogant. They both are IMO. Sophie was smart, and I think Facts Please comment about letting Coach take the heat for having everyone voted off was right on the money.ReplyDelete
Some of my favorite lines from this entry were:
"Sophie will whip up a playing card deck mansion complete with circular driveway and swing set"
"During recess someone called her stuck up"
"I freeze framed it and danced around the room wearing nothing but a party hat & chaps"
(even though I was at home crying at that time)
Your recap of Sophie's speech at final tribal was pretty funny also.
"He smacked his chest twice and ate an enchilada"....where do you come up with these random things? I'd like to live a day in your life sometime.
Ok, I'd like to ask you about something, how come you were rooting for Coach even though "his God stuff drives you bonkers", but in AR you were against the Snowboarders, and they weren't half as obnoxious about God as Coach was on Survivor?? The Snowboarders didn't hide behind God, like Coach did. Coach is a coward, who used God to do his dirty work because he knew Brandon believed all the same crap about God. Ugh..... I liked Coach in the beginning, but he slowly started to wear on me. I ended up hating him at the end. I know you will have some reasoning behind your differing opinions on Coach vs. Snowboarders, and I hope you will share them with me.
Great post. Laughed all the way through. You will be missed.
I disliked the Snowbunnies long before I found out they were religious freaks. I don't think that was revealed to us until episode 3 or 4. The religious fanaticism was just the icing on the cake.ReplyDelete
- AnonymousDecember 19, 2011 at 7:02 PM
Did Semhar even return for the reunion? I wish the reunion show was a little longer so Dimples could give some attention to all contestants. What about Country Girl and Keith? She supposedly got married shortly before the show began yet she and Keith proclaimed to be a couple. I'm so confused!ReplyDelete
I agree with "facts please" concerning Sophie, I'm ok with her winning. having said that, Coach deserved to win, and suffered from Bitter Beer Jury. BUT: I don't think he could have won anyway, not after Brandon lost to Ozzy. Ozzy coming back into the game and winning the first immunity screwed up the group dynamic big time. somebody was going to be betrayed. If you get rid of Sophie instead of Rick - which is a growing consensus - who's going to beat ozzy at immunity? rick? i think not. No, Coach's goose was cooked when brandon lost. now, what if instead of voting off Rick, they voted off Albert instead? All youre doing is replacing one weak player for another, and if you're forced to keep one of the two, you might as well keep albert who has a better chance of beating Ozzy than Rick does. And beating Ozzy was 100% imperative for ANY of them to have a chance. The result of all this is coach had to back stab his alliance, and i dont think there was a gentle way to do so. And they screwed him for it.ReplyDelete
This is a great recap of lasts night's drama. Coach did not deserve to win, he took Sophie to the final three, he was not counting his jury votes properly, the three ladies were voting for Sophie automatically. But everything aside, I am still frustrated by Cochran changing the game with his coward move, do not hire that guy as an attorney, he will sell you down the river. Once again, great blog!ReplyDelete
- AnonymousDecember 19, 2011 at 10:54 PM
Saying that Cochran would be a poor attorney based off his move in Survivor is ridiculous. IT'S A GAMMMMMMMME! No one can emphasize this enough.ReplyDelete
Does anyone feel sorry for Brandon after seeing the finale? I really disliked him all season...but now that I know his family practically disowned him, I feel bad. Once again...its just a game on a reality TV show!
I felt horrible for Brandon. The whole scene with Russell (what a dick!) was heartbreaking. No matter how poorly Brandon played, his family should stand by him and support him no matter what. It was disturbing to watch.ReplyDelete
- AnonymousDecember 19, 2011 at 11:43 PM
I was rooting for Coach, but he determined his own fate by keeping Sophie. If he lost to Ozzy - at least it would be losing to a worthy competitor, like in a fight of equals. By losing to Sophie he simply added insult to injury.ReplyDelete
By the way - Sophie is one of the most unlikable, uncharismatic winners ever. Despite winning a few challenges, she is not very deserving either - no bold moves, no great social skills, no strategizing (the whole strategy was determined by Coach on night # 1 when the alliance of five was formed at the campfire). I hear she invented a nickname for herself - "Sofierce". It's pretty laughable - she is no fierce, just angry, unhappy and bratty.
As for Ozzy - it is obvious you don't like him, but apparently the majority of viewers do not share your opinion at all - after all, he is the fans' favourite.
I was rooting for Sophie to win! I think she played the best strategic game - whenever Albert came up with some crazy scheme to get someone out, she always stuck to her guns because she knew to get the jury votes, you can't piss them off and betray them. Plus, unlike Coach and Albert she never made anyone any promises she couldn't keep. Coach played to make the final 3 not to win. I did enjoy Coach this season, but I'm not surprised Sophie won 6-3.ReplyDelete
Felt so so awful for Brandon. No wonder he had a rough time of it with that family, so much pressure. And he's still only 19..
- Everyone missed it...December 20, 2011 at 12:15 AM
Ozzy's move was actually very smart... and everyone missed it... he tried to get Albert to vote out Sophie, not because he didn't like her, or because she was a brat - he knew that the only person that could possibly beat him (challenge or jury) was Sophie (plus, he facilitates Albert getting some blood on his hands - finally) ...but of course, the delusional Mr. "Talk and Think and Do Nothing All Game" Albert actually thought he had a chance to win vs. BOTH Coach and Sophie...ReplyDelete
As for Coach - HE's the real douche - he wanted to always play Survivor with the best people going to the end - BULLSHIT!! He wanted to play Survivor with the three (or five) people with whom he happened to make an alliance with on Day One (don't fool yourselves, if it was Cochran and Edna and Stacey and RandomProse Girl that happened to be on the beach on that fateful first day next to Coach, you can bet your bottom dollar that two of them would have been sitting next to him Sunday night - and he probably would have won!) Coach had the opportunity to "play the game so that the two best players were sitting side by side at the end" and at that moment, he showed his true "full-of-shit"ness way in which he played the WHOLE game, when he didn't take Ozzy to the end... if it's about the money and winning and not being able to beat Ozzy, then get off your fucking honor and integrity horse and just say so, you absolute BULLSHITTER... I cannot STAND people like that - I think they're called hypocrites... and usually sit in the front pew every Sunday after coveting the neighbor's wife the night before...
I agree with factsplease. The salient point is that Sophie is 22 fer chrissake.ReplyDelete
Survivor is primarly a social game. This element is more important than challenge skill and strategic play COMBINED. Sophie read the other players and adjusted her play to suit.
I like Coach for pretty much the same reasons you do Lala. He was great to watch and I certainly would not have begrudged him the win, however he made crucial and unnecessary errors.
Incidentally, I just listened to the final 6 give their exit interviews to Rob Cesternino - three things:
1. More insight into the season is gained by listening to that 50 minute podcast than would be gained by re-watching the entire season.
2. Brandon would have won. (!)
3. Albert's douchebaggery makes Ozzy's douchebaggery look like, uh, teabaggery.
At least Ozzy walks the talk. Hmmm, and a free weiner to anyone who can see the link between that phrase and the "skateboard philosophy" he wouldn't shut the fuck up about last night.
Oh, and if you still have glitter stuck in your lady parts why not call Ozzy? His familiarity with the territory combined with his challenge prowess would enable him to clean up your dirty lady parts in no time!
Anyways, I had a blast watching this season and I think it inspired some of your finest blogs. I have no idea what would be an appropriate fee to a blogger (oh the etiquette conundrums of modern life). Is it 10% of the bill? Because 10% of nothing is nothing.
That's it! You get NOTHING!
*evil laughter*
Well, madam, the shortest farewells are the best. Adieu.
@factsplease - great comment but I don't agree that Natalie was undeserving, to wit: http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2009/12/survivor_crowns_a_winner_offen.html
This next post comes courtesy of megghegg. The drunken lad posted it to the wrong week and since he's sleeping one off right now, I'm posting it for him.ReplyDelete
"Great write-up/wrap-up for the season! Now, to comment the game:
I would be remiss not to point out that NOT taking Sophie out at the last tribal council was one of the biggest strategic blunders I've ever seen. Had Coach, Rick, and Albert all drawn their guns, pointed, and fired blank range at Sophie, only one person would have gotten blamed --> Ozzy. Yes, it would have been cruel, it would have been cold, it would have been merciless. But it would have been brilliant. Kudos to Sophie for winning.
Brandon... After posting last week and reflecting for a day or two, I really wanted to say that while his strategy of giving his idol away was not the best move (and not the first time it's been done), he is the kind of person who I would want covering my back, whether it was in a dark alley or in a business deal, anywhere and any time. That kind of loyalty is not easily found, and when you do find it, it's like finding a priceless gem among a mountain of coal.
Now, tis the season for Survivor to be over and we'll all have to wait until next year to again make our Survivor posts. Merry Christmas to all, till then!
PS. That was the most beautiful glitter... "
- AnonymousDecember 20, 2011 at 10:38 AM
During the whole season I had the feeling that Sophie would win, because it seemed that for such an unremarkable player she had disproportionally large amount of screen time. I mean - she didn't talk MUCH more than Ranger Rick, she didn't have any strategy to change, adjust or develop. She was just there, hanging in Coach alliance.ReplyDelete
As someone said when Sandra won for the 2nd time - "the one who wins IS deserving". Maybe so, but still it is much more satisfying when you see the winner who fought to get there, who risked a lot to get there, who made bold moves and big gambles to get there. Not someone who just coasted along. So maybe deserving she might be, but hugely disappointing, too.
I will never remember that Sophie won this season, but I will always remember Sophie for her permanent dirt mustache that always tried to rival Ranger Rick's. And that's really all I have to say about this season.ReplyDelete
- AnonymousDecember 20, 2011 at 1:20 PM
I was rooting for Coach also. Sophie was disappointing but she isn't the worst winner ever. Vecepia easily was (beating Neveah in a season where Boston Rob didn't make the jury). (I give credit to Natalie as a winner who managed to stick with Russell without being tainted by him; plus she killed and ate a rat)ReplyDelete
Coach's mistake was pursuing two strategies at once. He could have followed his "warrior" philosophy and brought Ozzie and Sophie to the finals or have always voted to allow a tie-breaker at Tribal Council. Probably his best chance to win would have been the classic leader/backstabber strategy- to take Rick and Albert or Brandon; none having any chance of garnering many votes. But he kinda went both ways and it sunk him.
Great blog. I was wrong about your feelings toward Sophie (sorrry!). After convincing my friends to watch survivor, I always tell them about this blog. It is a must in order to fully enjoy survivor and I am happy to report they all read it :D. Thank you for all your hard work. <3ReplyDelete
- yours trulyDecember 20, 2011 at 3:43 PM
Yet another sparkling recap from the Lala. I disagree with many of your conclusions but that's how the game is played. Edna said it simply and I just want to know if she will get a paternity test.ReplyDelete
I really did enjoy the last show and this little group would still be talking if we were watching together and pausing to discuss the events along the way. Only another hour until we find out who won..
I've read all the comments up to now and agree wholeheartedly with some of what's already been written. Too much for me to recap so I'll try to sum up my lasting impressions.
Ozzy didn't set the bar high. The Pleasure Dome was built for him. The greatest advantage to him was not having to deal with the daily group drama. Less competition in any challenge increased his odds to win. Especially against this cast of misfits with little ability to do anything. He learned the word humility but I don't believe he knows the meaning.
Coach never had me fooled and his final words left me with feelings of disgust as another poster had said.
I'm fine with Sophie winning, even more so with those other two options. She's probably the first player that was less physically attractive all cleaned up. I like the plain Jane type but she's older than her years in the way she carries herself as well as her spirit. However, she is most likely to use the money wisely and probably with some benefit to society. Pragmatism is not viewed as sexy. I wish her the best.
I was most impressed with Brandon. The way he handled Albert was fantastic. Then he beat that mark when he handled Uncle Russel. He gained the most as I want to think he was moved to a better place between thuggery or fanatical Jesus freak. He's learned some harsh lessons for such a young man. I found him to be the most likeable of the bunch.
As part of this Survivor cult I enjoy each season and hope to not see any of these fine contestants again. That was my suction cup arrow that left the hickey on Probst forehead when he started the battle of the Hanz idea.
Can we vote Dimples off?
My predictions along the way were pretty bad. That doesn't mean I was wrong. Nobody did much of anything and I really don't like the game. I do like reality shows for social behaviour voyuerism feature. It's not personal, it's just entertainment.
Thanks greatly for your contributions. See you next year. Enjoy all your moments leading up to that change.
Hey LaLa...u didnt post anything that happened in the reunion show afterwards...lots happened...ReplyDelete
did anyone notice that Dimples didnt have his wedding ring on during the Live show and they didnt even mentioned that he had gotten married a few weeks ago...
u write the Bitchiest Blogs....☺♥☺....
My top-10 take-away for the season:ReplyDelete
(1) Ozzy loses. Ozzy Losing LOSER. Ozzy LOST.
Survivor:BibleEdition got this part right.
(2) About that God thing:
While I'm not a fundamentalist bible thumper, I am a person of faith. I truly hope that the religion theme can be dropped in the editing room from now on. It makes me feel uncomfortable and dirty--and not in a nasty, filthy, glittery way.
(3) Coach made the same mistake Russell did. They both played for Final-3 and thought that because they played the game hard, they would/should win. Actually, I will agree with the 'should' in both cases. It's too bad that Coach did not go into final tribal with a better plan to convince people to vote for him.
(4) This brings me to the 'would' part. Playing hard *should* get you the win...but both Coach and Russell had (overall) bitter juries. People who are not willing to take their personal hurt feelings out of the equation and ask themselves, "who was the mastermind, who did the work". I do not like seeing the person who least offends everyone become the Sole Survivor. t never fits the overall story arc of the season. (This is part of the problem with a Final-3 vs a Final-2, imo.) I will say this--at least Sophie was not a complete floater. She *did* play the game, even if she did not give amazing private interviews. She was not eye-candy and could not rely on overt flirting. She went balls2thewalls in all the challenges. She never went along with Albert's truly stupid ideas.
(5) The biggest move of the season: It wasn't so much Cochran's flip. But it *was* Coach's very skillful & careful manipulation which was necessary to get Cochran to flip. Huge.
(6) At least that weasel Albert did not win. (I wish I could follow the douchebaggery-teabaggery line of thinking someone posted above. ...Then again, maybe I don't...)
(7) I enjoyed Cochran on this season. I was disappointed in his seeming lack of gameplay once he flipped--but I do think he had a better chance with the Upologists than he did with his own tribe. The Savaii-5 would've stuck together just like the Upolo-5 did. They would've voted off coach and the gang--and then the first one to go would've been Cochran. Ozzy would've dominated the challenges and made it safely to Final-3. The worst possible outcome of the season, if you ask me.
(8) Brandon makes a little more sense once you see him in the context of his family. While I enjoyed watching Russell play the game, I'd *never* want him to move in next door to me. Watching Brandon play Survivor made my skin crawl most of the time. But in the 'real world', if he and his gaggle of children and teen wife moved in next door, I'd have to take a little pity on them--bake them some brownies and maybe even watch their kids once or twice a year. We'd never be best of friends, but it sure would be whole lot better than having Lucifer move in next door.
(9) I choke on my laughter, tears, and booze (I mean, coffee) when I read these blogs.
**The Ozzy Lusth Duel of Ozziness
**Lady parts glitter
**Bitchiest slam poetry throwdown ever
**Extreme couponing
**Still laughing about Lifecoach Clamshell
(10) @M - I hope the evil laugh thing was all for show. Everybody should hit LaLa's tip jar. I hit it at the beginning of the season, and I'm heading there for a little more now. It's not a huge contribution (sorry!!)--but I just have to give props to the only blog I regularly read that is not written by someone I'm related to. ...I might even have to start watching AR, so I can get me some more Bitchy Blog.
Here's hoping everyone gets lots of good booze for Christmas/Holiday gifts this year! (Is it too much to hope for some Oxies in my stocking??)
Hi Jools,
Like Sophie I am an entitled, condescending brat. Therefore when I "hit someone's tip jar" if you will, I prefer them to be looking the other way. Now bake me some brownies. Now. NOW!
Mmmmm, yummy.
Not the best I've ever had but not too bad. Next time use Swedish chocolate dusting, not the domestic crap, ok?
Oh, and regarding the teabaggery comment - I was suggesting that Albert is a bigger douche than the Ozmeister. After all, what would you rather have accidentally fall onto your freshly delivered pizza; a bag of douches or a bag of tea? Hell, the tea might improve the flavour! The douches? Not so much. (Ozzy might disagree).
Interestingly, from their interviews it's clear that Ozzy and Coach had an agreement to vote for the other should one of them be in front of the jury and the other on the jury. These guys have seen each other at shows/events in the past and know they're gonna see each other at shows/events in the future - such an agreement makes sense and, as veterans who both had huge targets on their backs thanks to Boston Rob, Ozzy should have stuck to it.
Why didn't he?
Well, reading between the lines of his interviews, his thinking went like this: "I am the greatest challenge DOMINATOR in the history of Survivor, and Sophie beat me. She beat ME! Such an EXTRAORDINARY and IMPROBABLE victory shall be rewarded by I, the Survivor God. Sophie, I hereby bestow upon you the blessing of Ozzy. Oh, and fuck you Coach for making me look bad."
Skin crawling yet? What about when he went on and on at the reunion about "inspiring the children"?
Whoops! Sorry Jools - I just puked up all your brownies.
Bake me some more.
But this time splash a little booze into the mixture. Oh, and some oxies if you got 'em.
...and don't forget - Swedish, not domestic.
Now that's a fucking brownie fit for the holidays baby!
C U in Feb!
I was really cheering for Ozzy. Sophie was 2nd to me, but I pretty much lost interest after he lost the challenge. What a bunch of jerks left...ReplyDelete
- EgginDawgDecember 21, 2011 at 11:11 PM
Love the blog as always- tip jar to sing shortly. As far as I'm concerned the best part of the season was seeing our resident porn star get voted out. Ozzie is by far the most arrogant douche to grace Survivor- GOOD RIDDANCE!ReplyDelete
The second biggest douche is that whore from Tennersee. Seriously- besides slutting it out- while still married- she acted like she had a morsel of an effect on the game. Sorry toots- you were nothing but the slutty eye-candy.
Congrats to Sophie. While I thought this was Coach's game to lose- and he did again!- I thought Sophie did what she needed to get the cash so good for her. Too bad she really is a brat though.
Looking forward to the next edition!
@M --- ahahahaha.ReplyDelete
You are an awesome little naughty one! So daring to criticize my brownies. My secret parts get all aflutter when you get bossy like that!
...But even so, you're S.O.L. on the Oxies in the next batch. Even if Santa brings me some, I'm worried Ms. Lala will sniff them out and steal them before I awake. (Girl's got mad skills of all kinds.)
Thanks for expounding on the douchey thing--sorta where I thought/hoped it was going. Oz and Albert are definitely not on the list of people I ever hope to meet. I certainly don't want them 'inspiring' any children.
btw, I'm really looking forward to checking out Rob C's interviews. Should be good stuff. --But not as fun as you yelling at me and demanding things. mmm. You've got me all worked up!
*adopt pirate voice* ARRRrrrrrrr....Here be a true story. *drop pirate voice*ReplyDelete
Ok, so I'm sitting down to christmas dinner with the fam. As is my wont I'm sipping an expertly mixed pre-dinner gin & tonic when my brother picks up one of the christmas crackers on the table and turns to me. These crackers are a new brand that have not beeen bought before - they are black and gold on the outside and made for an unusual, but very attractive, christmas table aesthetic. Anyways, we pull the cracker - it cracks as it should and releases a cheap chinese made toy, a party hat and something we did not expect; a shitload of tiny, extremely difficult to remove particles of gold fucking GLITTER.
There's glitter in my hair, there's glitter in my drink, there's glitter on my freshly buttered bread roll...
I take a sip of my gin, chuckle to myself, and think "hmmm, I know a particular bitch who might be amused by this..."
Happy Festivus!
Pride and Prejudice. So I'm weiner.ReplyDelete
- rumpoleJanuary 5, 2012 at 12:57 AM
What was the final breakdown? Who voted for who?
Thanks for all
I got so bored with Amazing Race and Survivor Lala, I don't know how you keep watching. And trucking along. I read the last few recaps, great stuff as always. Don't even know if I'll watch BB, but who knows, it'll probably be the last season. (end of the world and all)ReplyDelete


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An agreement between good friends, in witch, while having intercourse with their respective lovers, will cum on the face of said lover, and pronounce it as a gift from the friend.
So me and Zach have a cum-pact, and Cat was seriously pissed after I finished and told her, "That was from Zach."
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Difference between revisions of "Roberta Engel"
(→Pseudoscorpion Projects)
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==Pseudoscorpion Projects==
==Pseudoscorpion Projects==
[[Image:Microbisium_small.jpg|thumb|left|''Microbisium'' sp.]] [[Image:Chthonius_small.jpg|thumb|right|''Chthonius'' sp.]] I have
[[Image:Microbisium_small.jpg|thumb|left|''Microbisium'' sp.]] [[Image:Chthonius_small.jpg|thumb|right|''Chthonius'' sp.]] I have and local fauna with the help of Evelize Codero ('09), Elizabeth Riggles ('12) and Ashley Bonet ('12). Evelize imaged specimens collected by Dr. Raymond Pupedis, Senior Collections Manager, Division of Entomology, Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History. ''Chthonius'' and ''Microbisium'' are two genera found in Connecticut.
The image of ''Chthonius'' was featured on UConn's 'Year of Science 2009' home page in the "What is it?" column .
The image of ''Chthonius'' was featured on UConn's 'Year of Science 2009' home page in the "What is it?" column .
Revision as of 23:52, 8 October 2013
Post-Doctoral Research Associate (Feb 2012 - present)
Severson Lab, University of Notre Dame
Mailing address:
Dept.of Biological Sciences & Eck Institute for Global Health
Galvin Life Sciences Center
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN, U.S.A.
- 1 "Research is formalized curiosity. It is poking and prying with a purpose." (Zora Neale Hurston) and I would like to add "... that requires perseverance."
- 2 Diversification is a central theme in evolutionary biology...
- 3 Mosquito Genomics
- 4 Pseudoscorpions
- 5 Molecular Systematics: Sternophoridae
- 6 Molecular Systematics: Synsphyronus
- 7 Ultrastructures of the Chelicera
- 8 Pseudoscorpion Molecular Toolkit
- 9 Pseudoscorpion Projects
- 10 Publications
- 11 Scientific Awards & Fellowships
- 12 Science for All
- 13 Donate Science Books
- 14 Course Instructor
- 15 Lab Instructor
- 16 Teaching Collection Assistant Curator
- 17 Teaching Assistant
- 18 Connecticut Entomological Society
"Research is formalized curiosity. It is poking and prying with a purpose." (Zora Neale Hurston) and I would like to add "... that requires perseverance."
Diversification is a central theme in evolutionary biology...
and it is the diversification of arthropods that I find most fascinating. Divergence occurs at many levels; my research focus ranges from the individual to the genus level. I use molecular tools to answer basic questions about how diversity arises.
Mosquito Genomics
Currently, I am a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Department of Biological Sciences and the Eck Instititue for Global Health at the University of Notre Dame. The Severson Lab studies the genetics and genomics of mosquitoes that transmit human diseases. I study genetic mechanisms that underlie complex traits associated with bloodfeeding in Culex pipiens and Aedes aegypti.
West Nile Virus is just one disease transmitted by the Culex pipiens complex and Aedes aegypti is a vector of multiple neglected tropical diseases including Dengue and Chikungunya. As no vaccine exists for these diseases, transmission is prevented through mosquito control. A more complete understanding of the genes and genetic pathways that regulate female reproductive behaviors will inform development and implementation of vector control methods. Our ability to generate informative genetic markers (SNPs) and infer quantitative trait loci (QTL) has increased dramatically with the advent of massively parallel sequencing technology (e.g., Illumina HiSeq2000). In addition, reference genomes are available for Cx. quinquefasciatus and Ae. aegypti.
The Culex pipiens species complex is broadly distributed. Cx. pipiens is found across temperate zones of the world while Cx. quinquefasciatus is restricted to subtropical and tropical regions. These two members of the complex are divergent in behavioral and physiological traits despite gene flow. One physiological trait that distinguishes Cx. pipiens from its sister taxon is its ability to enter reproductive diapause. Reproductive diapause is a complex trait triggered by environmental cues. Females mate but they do not take a bloodmeal and ovarian follicle development is arrested.
Aedes aegypti is a cosmopolitan species found primarily in urban areas across the tropics and subtropics. In the canonical life cycle of Ae. aegypti, the female mates, takes a required bloodmeal, and oviposits. Autogeny is the ability for females to oviposit without procuring a bloodmeal. This complex life history trait is facultative in Ae. aegypti and occurs at low incidence levels.
I am constructing a linkage map for both Cx. quinquefasciatus and Ae. aegypti using SNPs developed from Illumina HiSeq2000 datasets. The linkage maps will be used to infer QTL for reproductive diapause and autogeny. The high number of informative markers enables us to map the QTL regions at a fine scale. Candidate genes within QTL will be identified and genotype-phenotype associations will be tested through knockdown experiments.
Pseudoscorpions, also known as Chelonethida or False Scorpions, are an understudied order of arachnids. While not well known, Aristotle made note of pseudoscorpions as did the luminaries Linnaeus and Hooke (Micrographia 1665), and today they star on YouTube. Pseudoscorpions are found throughout the world in a wide range of microhabitats including leaf litter, animal nests, under rocks (even in the intertidal zone), beneath bark, and among the pages of books. One reason many are unfamiliar with pseudoscorpions is their size, most measuring less than 5 mm. This ancient lineage, the fossil record dates to the Middle Devonian (380MYA), currently comprises 25 families, 439 genera, and 3385 species. Pseudoscorpions of the World is a great online resource at http://museum.wa.gov.au/catalogues/pseudoscorpions.
Molecular Systematics: Sternophoridae
Sternophoridae is one of the smaller pseudoscorpion families. Presently, there are twenty described species which sort to three genera. Taxonomic work includes a revision of the family (Harvey 1985) and a survey the fauna of Florida (Hoff 1963). The three described species endemic to southeastern USA are the focus of my current work. Currently, populations of genus Idiogaryops endemic to southeastern USA are being surveyed. Molecular data will likely reveal cryptic diversity. Origins and evolutionary relationships among populations of Idiogaryops paludis, I. pumilus, and Garyops depressus will be inferred. In addition, the geographic ranges of these species provide an opportunity to test various phylogeographic hypotheses.
Molecular Systematics: Synsphyronus
Synsphyronus (Arachnida: Pseudoscorpiones: Garypidae) is a genus of pseudoscorpions found throughout Australia, New Zealand and New Caledonia (Harvey 1987). Currently, there are 24 described species but the diversity is much greater (unpublished data). This group has been collected beneath bark, in leaf litter, and under rocks in mesic and xeric regions. Specifically, I am interested in the origin and diversification of lineages that are endemic to the granite outcrops in southwestern Australia. Only one species, Synsphyronus elegans, has been described from the outcrops, and until recently it was known only from its type locality.
My research objectives included:
• to assess the diversity of Synsphyronus on the granite outcrops of southwestern Australia
• to describe species discovered on the outcrops
• to infer phylogenetic relationships among the rock-restricted lineages in southwestern Australia
• to estimate a species level phylogeny
I have been fortunate to have had three field seasons since starting my dissertation. During my 2004 and 2006 field seasons, I visited over 100 outcrops in southwestern Australia, sampling from the ~70 populations discovered. My sampling suggests that the diversity of Synsphyronus in southwestern Australia is greater than previously recorded. I traveled across Australia to localities recorded for twelve of the 22 Australian species of Synsphyronus during the Australian winter of 2008.
Ultrastructures of the Chelicera
Ultrastructures of the chelicera, including the serrula exterior, serrula interior, and flagellum blades, are taxonomically informative characters; I imaged these structures using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The serrula exterior and interior teeth are heteromorphous. I have discovered papilla-like structures on the tips of the serrula exterior teeth. The serrula exterior is thought to be a grooming organ and the function of these ultrastructures warrants further exploration. Garypids typically have three spinose flagellum blades; the distal-most blade being the longest. The Synsphyronus samples I imaged had three blades (the flagellum shown is abnormal with only two blades). Many of the blades had structures that were more peg-like than spinose.
Pseudoscorpion Molecular Toolkit
Nuclear Genes
I have successfully isolated four nuclear genes (elongation factor 1- subunit α, wingless, actin 5C, and Internal Transcribed Spacer regions 1 and 2) from pseudoscorpions. I have designed new primers and modified published primers.
wingless, (wg)
The wingless primers used, wg1MP_F3 and wg1MP_R3, are modifications of those designed by Brower & DeSalle (1998) for use in beetles (pers. comm. M. Richmond).
wg1MP_F3 5' GAR TGY AAR TGY CAY GGC ATG TCS GG 3'
wg1MP_R3 5' ACY ICG CAR CAC CAR TGG AAI GTG CA 3'
Internal Transcribed Spacer regions 1 and 2 (ITS1, ITS2)
The ITS universal primers I used are found in Ji et al. (2003). I modified CAS28sB1 for use in pseudoscorpions.
CAS18sF1 5' TAC ACA CCG CCC GTC GCT ACT A 3'
CAS28sB1mod 5' TTT CCT CCG CTT ATT TAT ATG CTT AA 3'
Mitochondrial Genes
I recommend you visit Susan Masta's webpage Arachnid Mitochondrial Primers at http://web.pdx.edu/~smasta/primer_pages/Primer_front.html. Two other sources for mitochondrial primers are the classic paper Evolution, weighting, and phylogenetic utility of mitochondrial gene sequences and a compilation of conserved polymerase chain reaction primers (Simon et al. 1994) and the more recent publication Incorporating molecular evolution into phylogenetic analysis, and a new compilation of conserved polymerase chain reaction primers for animal mitochondrial DNA (Simon et al. 2006).
Pseudoscorpion Projects
The image of Chthonius was featured on UConn's 'Year of Science 2009' home page in the "What is it?" column .
Engel, R.S. Novel discovery of lamellar papillae on the grooming organ in Synsphyronus (Garypidae: Pseudoscorpiones). Accepted, Arthropod Structure and Development
Scientific Awards & Fellowships
2012 NSF Estimating Species Tree Workshop Travel Award
2010 EEB/CSMNH Award, James A. Slater Endowment
2008 NSF Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Grant
2008 Best Student Talk, Northeast Biological Graduate Students Conference
2007 Northeast Alliance at the University of Connecticut Summer Research Program Mentor
2006 Society of Systematic Biologists Mini-PEET Award
2006 SICB Fellowship for Graduate Student Travel
2006 EEB/CSMNH Award, James A. Slater Endowment
2005 Center for Conservation Biology, University of Connecticut (UConn)
2005 EEB/CT State Museum of Natural History Award (CSMNH), Lawrence R. Penner and James A. Slater Endowments
2005 NSF Graduate Research Fellowship, Honorable Mention 2005 American Arachnology Society
2004 Ecology & Evolutionary Biology Dept., UConn (EEB) Award, George Lamson Endowment
2004 NSF East Asia and Pacific Summer Institute Fellowship
2004 Australian Academy of Science Summer Institute Fellowship
Science for All
Recommended Reading
December 2012
November 2012 Darwin's Gift to science and religion Francisco J. Ayala
October 2012 Parasite Rex Carl Zimmer
February 2012 The Fever, how malaria has ruled humankind for 500,000 years Sonia Shah
January 2012 This is Biology; the science of the living world E. Mayr
October 2011 For Love of Insects T. Eisner
September 2011 Broadsides from the Other Orders: A Book of Bugs S. Hubbell
May 2011 The Diversity of Life E. O. Wilson
April 2011 Reading the Forested Landscape: A Natural History of New England T. Wessels
March 2011 A Sand County Almanac; and sketches here and there A. Leopold
February 2011 The Immortal LIfe of Henrietta Lacks R. Skloot
January 2011 The Botany of Desire M. Pollan
December 2010 Why Evolution Is True J. Coyne
Children's Literature
As an evolutionary biologist and a former elementary school teacher, I am interested in the literature that is available to school age children. Titles in my collection include, Jackson, Ellen The Tree of Life, The Wonders of Evolution
Lasky, Kathryn One Beetle Too Many, The Extraordinary Adventures of Charles Darwin
Markle, Sandra Animals Charles Darwin Saw, An Around-the-World Adventure
Manning & Granstrom What Mr. Darwin Saw
Peters, Lisa W. Our Family Tree, An Evolution Story
Schanzer, Rosalyn What Darwin Saw, The Journey that Changed the World
Sis, Peter The Tree of Life
Donate Science Books
Pay your books forward. Consider donating books to groups such as Books Through Bars [www.booksthroughbars.org/]. I have accumulated several used biology textbooks and found a local group that will put them to use!
Course Instructor
Field Entomology
Lab Instructor
General Entomology
Medical Entomology
Teaching Collection Assistant Curator
Entomology Teaching Collection Assistant
Teaching Assistant
Evolutionary Biology
General Ecology
Principles of Biology I & II (majors)
Foundations of Biology (non-majors)
Connecticut Entomological Society
2009-2010 President
2008-2009 Vice President
2007-2008 Vice President
2009-2010 Speaker Series
May: K. Zyko (CTDEP), L. Saucier (CTDEP), M. Thomas (CAES) & C. Maier (CAES); The Natural Diversity Database (DEP) and Status Update on Connecticut State-listed Insects
April: Kathy Hill & David Marshall, UConn; A Cicada Travelogue
March: Jan Conn, Wadsworth Center; Recent divergence or deep population structure? Complexities of the primary neotropical malaria vector Anopheles darlingi (Diptera: Culicidae)
February:Jadranka Rota, Smithsonian Institution; Systematics and defensive behaviors of metalmark moths (Lepidoptera: Choreutidae)
January: Kentwood Wells, Dept. Chair, EEB, UConn; Beetles, Bees, and Butterflies: Charles Darwin and the Study of Insects
November: Patrick Getty, UConn; Fossil Trackways of Modern Basal Insects
October: Andrew Stoehr, Yale; Variation in Melanism in Pierid Butterflies
September: Kirby Stafford III, CAES; Asian Longhorned Beetle: A Threat to our Trees


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Purchasing Cubits and Crowns?
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The Home of Fashion Film and Live Fashion Broadcasting
What a crowd show#CalvinKlein #namsfashionweek f
Report by Lou Stoppard on 24 June 2013.
Milan's catwalks can lack a clear, no-nonsense view of masculinity, we're used to seeing lots of high camp styling and dandyish bells and whistles on the runways. In the face of all that, Zucchelli's collection felt like something of a palette cleanser, and certainly one of the most modern, forward-thinking offerings we've seen in the city.
Listening to blaring instrumental version of Ace of Spades at @CalvinKlein collection. Not a bad way to spend a Sunday... #mfw


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Top Donors, 2018 Cycle
This outside spending group does disclose its donors to the FEC, but no non-generic donors/employers have been identified that have contributed more than $1000. Donations from affiliated organizations are excluded when calculating the top donors. Donations to parties and traditional PACs can be found in the PACs section.
Feel free to distribute or cite this material, but please credit the Center for Responsive Politics. For permission to reprint for commercial uses, such as textbooks, contact the Center: email@example.com


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The Essential Guide to Mold Making & Slip Casting
by Lark
Widely respected artist and teacher Andrew Martin describes and illustrates how to slip-cast identical multiples of one-of-a-kind shapes from molds made using prototype forms. A variety of techniques are explained and illustrated on a series of projects, from bowls to pitchers.
Author: Andrew Martin
Author: Andrew Martin
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Sealing Gun & Wax
by Manuscript
An exciting way to decorate hobby and craft projects...sealing is simple with no flame! Low temperature and postable by USPS.
Sealing waxes are available individually and in packs. The Pink/Purple Mix contains 3 each of pink and purple wax sticks. The Traditional Mix includes one each of black, green, red, gold, silver, and bronze.
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KFTV offers a large database of production services and crew, including Equipment Manufacture & Sale. If you can't find what you are looking for, our directory also contains many other camera and other production equipment manufacturers and sellers.
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|Send News. Want a reply? Read this. More in the FAQ. News Forum - All Forums - Mobile - PDA - RSS Headlines Twitter
The Diablo III Website has the first of the promised updates on the upcoming version 1.04 patch for Diablo III, which they say "is still a few weeks away," though they later specify the fourth week of August. The post gives an overview of things they are changing, including removing the averaging of gold find for a group, shrinking the gap between normal monsters and Elite packs (making normals less of a joke and elites less of a nightmare), dealing with some of the more difficult affixes, addressing the insanely small chance of finding anything useful, making two-handed weapons viable, getting rid of enrage timers, improving future legendary items, and finding ways to make some unused skills more useful and/or appealing. Here's the summary:
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One year ago on April 4, there was a cruelty case involving bad neglect of horses that ended up being postponed every month for a year.
Twice during that year, a representative of Equine Angels Rescue drove to the district court for a hearing, only to learn that it had been canceled.
The state trooper handling the case didn't feel he had to alert us about the postponement.
Then, the trooper didn't notify us about the rescheduling of the hearing for this month, which he was supposed to do. The hearing was scheduled for 1:30 p.m. April 4.
When we learned about the rescheduled hearing at virtually the last minute, an Equine Angels Rescue representative tried to make it to the district court in time but arrived a few minutes late.
By that time the distict judge already had dismissed the case.
This is the kind of justice for animals that we're witnessing in Butler County, especially for horses.
We can't change anything when judges and police don't care.
This kind of situation has to stop. This county needs a humane officer.
What's needed is someone who will write up charges, appear at hearings and in general look out for the welfare of this county's animals.
Currently, Butler County's justice system is mostly about looking the other way on such neglect cases, especially if the person who is causing harm to animals is a "good ol' buddy."
Enough is enough. We will not let this die.


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Stalling Sandy aid dangerous precedent
We can only conclude that House Speaker John Boehner pulled from the floor a planned vote on $60.4 billion in Hurricane Sandy relief - already approved by the Senate - because he was not confident of support from his Republican caucus. With likely unanimous backing from Democrats in the minority, the bill would have passed with even tepid Republican help. But it appears Speaker Boehner calculated that there was so much opposition from deficit-cutting zealots in his party - already unnerved by the vote for a tax increase on the rich - that pushing the Sandy vote might have endangered his leadership position.
This block of opposition from Red-state Republicans for emergency relief to traditionally Democratic Blue states - New Jersey, New York and Connecticut - could set a dangerous precedent. Traditionally Congress has set aside partisan political and geographical differences when it came to helping sections of the country recover from major natural disasters. Now, however, we are witnessing a contingent of Republicans in the House making demands that they did not make when it was Red states facing the need for help.
In other words, the nation is witnessing a double standard. Few Americans, we trust, want a nation where Congress bases emergency relief on politics.
Stirring discontent among House Republicans are such conservative activist groups as Americans for Prosperity and Heritage Action. While there is certainly some legitimate concerns about portions of the $60 billion relief package, including some funding for projects not directly related to damage caused by the superstorm, much of the criticism is far off target and ignores the fact no disaster relief bills are stainless.
Among the criticisms is $760 million for the Small Business Administration, but businesses damaged by Sandy, either by direct physical destruction or loss of business, desperately need the recovery loans that program would provide.
Critics say they don't want to approve $3.5 billion for mitigation efforts to make shoreline areas safer against rising sea levels. This head-in-the-sand approach seems to suggest it is better to pretend the seas are not rising and set the stage for greater damage after the next megastorm. They decry setting aside money to replenish the Federal Emergency Management Agency's relief fund, acting as if no future emergencies will happen. And they certainly don't want to give aid to a favorite whipping boy - Amtrak. Perhaps they didn't take the time to learn hundreds of miles of tracks run along the coast and need repairs and improvements to protect the railroad's infrastructure in the future.
Some conservative House Republicans also want spending offsets. They will help some Blue states recover from a major catastrophe, but only if the money is cut from somewhere else.
Red-state Republicans were not demanding offsets when $62 billion in aid was rushed to Gulf Coast states just a couple of weeks after Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005 (the relief aid would grow to about $120 billion). There were no demands for greater scrutiny when federal forces were marshaled to deal with the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf in 2010, or to repair damage from the periodic flooding of the Mississippi River.
This new demand for greater examination of disaster aid and budgetary offsets is even more galling because many of these conservatives come from poor southern states that receive far more federal aid than they contribute through taxation. Now that three states - New Jersey, New York and Connecticut - which pay more in federal taxes than they get back in federal aid need some help, cuts in that aid are demanded.
Tellingly, Northeast Republicans lashed out at Speaker Boehner and their fellow Republicans for standing in the way at a time of need. "This has been a betrayal of trust," said Republican New York Congressman Peter King. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie called it "disgusting to watch one set of Republicans � trying to prove something to another set."
Under fire Speaker Boehner backed off some, scheduling a $9 billion vote today that will allow the government to meet its obligation to make flood damage payments to federally insured property owners in affected states. The speaker wants newly elected House members to take up the rest of the relief aid package later this month, with Senate reconsideration also necessary.
The best case scenario is quick action. Attempting to block or slash the relief package would set a dangerous example that Red state representatives may regret the next time their constituents need federal help.
The Day editorial board meets regularly with political, business and community leaders and convenes weekly to formulate editorial viewpoints. It is composed of President and Publisher Tim Dwyer, Editorial Page Editor Paul Choiniere, Managing Editor Tim Cotter, Staff Writer Julia Bergman and retired deputy managing editor Lisa McGinley. However, only the publisher and editorial page editor are responsible for developing the editorial opinions. The board operates independently from the Day newsroom.
Stories that may interest you
Little to show of Lamont's structural change agenda
The governor faces an open rebellion on tax policy. With the House Democratic Progressive Caucus leading the way.
Whaling painting will stay where it belongs − New London
Custom House Maritime Museum director Susan Tamulevich was no more inclined than 19th century whalers to let this big catch get away without a fight.
Trump rules and Texas law aim to make discrimination legal
The scope of the administration's plan is a worrying step backward, a startling regression to a long bygone era of legally sanctioned bigotry. .
Don't follow Bolton down path to war with Iran
National Security Adviser John Bolton, who addresses the Coast Guard Academy Graduation class Wednesday, is repeating the mistakes of the past with his regime-change zealotry.
Two Stoningtons: One rich and protected, the other going to the highest bidder
UPDATED: Somers clarifies proposed state assistance efforts for Smiler's Wharf


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Little by little, Alabama lawmakers are working to streamline Alabama's 1901 Constitution, widely regarded as one of the longest and most cumbersome governing documents in the United States, if not the world.
Little by little, Alabama lawmakers are working to streamline Alabama's 1901 Constitution, widely regarded as one of the longest and most cumbersome governing documents in the United States, if not the world.
Constitutions should be living documents, adaptable when necessary, but they shouldn't be receptacles for political posturing. That's how state Sen. Gerald Dial's proposal to include a "right-to-work" provision in the Constitution strikes us — nothing more than political red meat for the wolves.
Alabama is a right to work state. It has laws on the books to that effect, but Dial says that's not enough. He wants constitutional protection of that status.
We'll bypass the rhetoric about whether Dial should be working to improve the collective lot of residents in his district and the role that unions might have in that. Our beef with his latest proposal is that it simply isn't necessary.
Dial says there is no guarantee that when the pendulum swings back to the left, as it almost assuredly will some day, that laws now on the books could be repealed. Alabama has been a right-to-work state since 1953. Those laws were put in place by Democrats, and remained in place for close to 60 more years of Democratic control in the State House.
Acknowledging that the two main parties are more polarized than ever before on many issues, we don't believe there would be a reversal even if the balance of power shifted in Montgomery.
It may be more difficult to change a constitutional amendment than a basic law, but those can be repealed as well. Including a "right-to-work" provision in the constitution doesn't guarantee that it will last forever. Dial says a constitutional amendment would show business that Alabama is serious about jobs. We believe that can be done without adding additional clutter to the constitution. If the state wants to show its serious about jobs, then it should ramp up it's constitutional reform efforts and make it easier to do business here.
Alabama needs less in its constitution, not more. Dial is off base with this latest proposal. It's political pandering at its worst.


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What does it mean when the nation creates a new medal for deskbound warriors for distinguished service in war — when they are not at any risk themselves?
…and in fact may be operating a Predator drone in Nevada, hoping to finish their shift in time to see their son's Cub Scout Pinewood Derby race at the local elementary school down the block from where said warrior lives?
…or for a cyber-warfare expert, sitting in a non-descript building tucked into some stateside military base, who thwarts a cyber-attack that could have done billions of dollars in damage?
Defense Secretary Leon Panetta unveiled Wednesday, during what he said was likely his final meeting with Pentagon reporters, the Distinguished Warfare Medal.
This is a fundamental change, and shows how the digital revolution is affecting the battlefield. Twenty-first Century connectivity means you don't have to be on the battlefield to affect the battlefield (which, in today's world, goes far beyond the FEBA – the forward edge of the battle area). Divorcing war-time glory from "valor" — exposing yourself to wounds, if not worse — will take some getting used to.
"I've seen firsthand how modern tools, like remotely-piloted platforms and cyber systems, have changed the way wars are fought," Panetta said. "And they've given our men and women the ability to engage the enemy and change the course of battle, even from afar."
But until Wednesday, Pentagon decorations for war-fighters generally required that they – in granddad's lexicon – be warfighters: up close and personal with the enemy.
"Unfortunately, medals that they otherwise might be eligible for simply did not recognize that kind of contribution," Panetta said of this new class of warrior. "And for that reason, recognizing these technological advances, I'm pleased to announce that I have formally approved the establishment of a new Distinguished Warfare Medal. The medal provides distinct department-wide recognition for the extraordinary achievements that directly impact on combat operations, but that do not involve acts of valor or physical risk that combat entails."
The medal will rank, in order of the military's preoccupation with precedence, just below the Distinguished Flying Cross, but above the Bronze Star.
As word of that flashed around the Internet late Wednesday, reaction to the Army Times' story on the new medal was not kind.
'I spent nearly 26 months of my life and was awarded the Bronze Star, and you are tell me that someone can stay home and receive a higher medal?" one reader posted. "Guess these same guys qualify for the Purple Heart if they were to get a paper cut."


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Basic Stepping Stone Kits
by Milestones
Create useful and lasting keepsakes with these basic kits that contain everything you need to create your own heart-shaped and square-shaped stepping stones. Kits contain reusable vinyl stepping stone mold, wooden mixing paddle, wooden writing tool, 7 lb. StoneCraft mix, and instructions. Decorate with anything waterproof. Use your own pebbles, shells, tiles, glass, etc, or use the Milestones Mosaic Accessories. Heart mold is 12 in. x 10 in. Square mold is 12 in. x 12 in.
Heart mold is 12 in. x 10 in. Square mold is 12 in. x 12 in.
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Janelle Y. from Dickinson, ND says:
I purchased one square kit and two boxes of 8 lb. stepping stone mix and made 5 molds by reusing the mold from the kit. The directions are easy to follow and the stepping stones make wonderful keepsakes.
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Just before the Colorado Senate adjourned on April 20, Pat Steadman, a Democrat from Denver who is one of the most liberal members of the body, asked for a moment of personal privilege to speak on an issue of importance to him.
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