[Dean Kowalski]

Welcome to your first confessional!

We take confessionals seriously because we're genuinely interested in your story. We want to know everything you're thinking and, more importantly, what you're feeling. Think of it as free therapy. We will guide you along the way, asking you questions, provoking thought, and helping you think about things you otherwise might not have. Just talking through your situation can help you get a fresh perspective.

So, unlike in the actual game where you only communicate via text, your voice and video confessionals are welcome here! Please keep your videos and audio recordings to a reasonable length, but feel free to express yourselves here with whichever medium you prefer.

Only hosts and alumni, the lurkers, can view this space. Talk in these threads anytime to ask the hosts questions, let us know about alliances you have and which ones are fake or real, who you are vibing with and who you want out, or just nonsensical venting or goofing off. We love a good and active confessional and we want to see your arc evolve! We hosts and lurkers are excited to have you here.

After every Tribal Council, there will be a new confessional thread given by hosts to you with new questions to ask. But remember, this is YOUR personal sub-forum. Use it how you see fit, and make whatever topics or posts or replies you wish at anytime.

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Here is a practice mini-challenge for you to work on if you want. It is a challenge that might appear once or twice throughout the season in a different form. While it will be easier to do in the actual challenge using a puzzle-builder, this will help you practice reposting images. Image posting is something that will pop up in multiple challenges and is a skill that you should perfect. Please refer to the guide in the Camp forum for detailed instructions on how to post images.

This particular challenge is a 4x4 16-piece puzzle. You must correctly unscramble the puzzle using the ORIGINAL image links. Meaning, you can't simply rearrange them in a photo editing program. You must use the original images by using the IMG tag. Fortunately, you are now able to just copy and paste the images direction from the challenge by highlighting them and selecting copy, and then pasting into the post editor. From there you can drag and drop them to rearrange your puzzle.

Good luck, please don't be afraid to ask us for any help or further instructions.

You will need to reply to this thread ahead of the season and sign the rules in order to avoid being replaced.

[Dean Kowalski]

Here are some starting questions to get into the swing of things:

1. How excited are you to be playing Stranded in The Andes?
2. Look around your camp. What are some initial thoughts about who is on this season of Stranded with you?
3. Tell the lurkers a bit about yourself. Who are you? What are you all about? Why should they root for you?
4. Talk about your past ORG experience, if any. Many of you have never played an ORG. What are your thoughts going into this new experience?
5. Does anyone in your household know you’re playing? Do any of your friends? What do they make of it?
6. What do you think your initial strategy will be going into this?

Good luck and best wishes to you. You’ve joined the Stranded family; we’re so happy to watch you play! Have fun!

[Deshawn]

Alright let's get this show on the road!!!

[*]How excited are you to be playing Stranded in The Andes?

I'm genuinely thrilled to be a part of this and I'm so excited that the game is actually starting. Once I heard about it, it was a no-brainer that I would apply and then I couldn't wait to see if I was gonna be picked so now that the game is STARTING today? I'm stoked!

[*]Look around your camp. What are some initial thoughts about who is on this season of Stranded with you?

There's not enough people. That's literally the first thing that popped into my head when I saw the tribe. I've studied previous seasons and I was expecting a tribe of 10 or 12 and I've done all my pre-game planning with those types of numbers in mind so now I'm anxiously waiting to see if there's going to be a twist of some kind with a few returning players being revealed at some point. Maybe there isn't and I'm just being crazy (that's a good sign for things to come! ).

But other than that, we have a good group of people and I can't wait to be able to actually talk to them and get this thing going. 

 

[*]Tell the lurkers a bit about yourself. Who are you? What are you all about? Why should they root for you?

So, I'm 37 and I'm a technical recruiter up here in Canada.I come from a corporate management background and I'm used to dealing with all types of people which hopefully is going to give me a leg up coming into this. I've been a huge fan of basically every reality show that involves some strategy for 20+ years now. It started with Survivor and Big Brother and evolved with the landscape to include The Mole, The Traitors, international versions of Survivor / BB, etc. The strategic aspect of these games have always been fascinating to me and I've wanted to compete on one of these shows for a very long time.

And why should you root for me? I mean, why shouldn't you? I'm coming into this with one thing in mind and that's winning the game. I have every intention of making it to the end but also making the whole experience as entertaining as possible and as "complete" as possible. I will play this game and I will do absolutely whatever it takes for this season to be everything it can be.

 

[*]Talk about your past ORG experience, if any. Many of you have never played an ORG. What are your thoughts going into this new experience?

I've never played an ORG before so this is all pretty brand new for me. I've played some forum-based RPGs years ago when message boards and online communities were still pretty niche and I've always had a blast but a game like this is new territory and that's what makes it exciting. 

I genuinely feel like this experience can be whatever we make it to be and that's why I'm so eager for things to start but also, I'm nervous as hell because as much as I think I've prepared and done my homework, I know I'm in for something intense.

 

[*]Does anyone in your household know you’re playing? Do any of your friends? What do they make of it?

No one has any idea I'm doing this and it's probably for the better. Honestly, I would keep it as quiet if I was cast on Survivor until I know for sure I don't end up leaving first or something stupid like that. Leaving first would be heartbreaking and if I already hyped everyone I Know about the fact that I'm competing on something like this, only to come back with my tail between my legs because I left on Day 3? Devastating. 

 

[*]What do you think your initial strategy will be going into this?

Be extremely active and social at the beginning because you don't get a second chance at starting things right. I want those day 1 connections and I want to get things going early. My overall strategy is pretty simple but should be efficient; connect with everyone, come off as harmless and non-threatening as possible, plant seeds early so they pay off later. 

Like I said earlier, when I was planning and thinking strategy, I assumed there would be 10-12 people on the tribe so I'll be a little cautious at the start just in case there's something coming and I also know I can't come into this with a firm strategy since things are bound to change once I get a feel of everyone.


That's it for now guys. I can't wait for things to get started and hopefully it's a hell of a ride!