April 30, 2001

The tribes got their first challenge this week. Each tribe was to create a web page for the TheMouseForLess site. There was a scramble for members of each tribe to figure out who knew how to create one. Not a problem for either tribe! Luckily there was a member in each who knew just what to do: Mickey Mouse it!!!

The Diva's jumped right in and focused on the challenge! It was amazing how they all pulled together to help each other out. There were numerous detailed posts that explained just how to access the files area and how to access information. Most of the Divas were busy scouring the Internet for information. Each complained about the restriction of files allowed as they had so much information that they wanted to include. With much consideration, they finally narrowed down their choices.

Once format and content were decided, they delved right in supplying each other with a deluge of useful information and links. They were faced with the situation of how much room they could use, but they successfully narrowed down their links and content to 5 scrolling pages.

The only real issue they ran into was their song file. One Diva was overheard saying that it was "the MOST annoying thing in the world, listening to the **** song play while I'm editing the page since it ****** works here!!!!!". When all was said and done, there was an error with their music. No worry, they helped each other through the good and bad. Never has this reporter seen so many emails exchanged! Coffee break was over! These ladies worked diligently with each other editing and proofreading their page until it was impeccable! Great job ladies!

Once the pressure of completing their page was done, there was much lighthearted banter supporting the Diva's and hosing Kungaloosh, the "drunken dopes!" They affectionately refer to them as the "Looshas" and "the drunk team!" I did notice that when the work was done, it was time for fun! They quickly got caught back up in the "Off Topic" chatter.

The Diva's were the first to upload their page to the DD board. Little did they know that Kungaloosh had uploaded a "dummy" page days before to try to throw them off. At first, they were so excited to see what little information Kungaloosh had provided! But that didn't fool these gals for long, they quickly decided that they were being mislead.

The Diva's played a fair game, with several members even offering the opposition best of luck. They are real team players. Once the polls began, they were often checking the stats and supporting each other. The Divas, in playing by the rules themselves, were a bit miffed that Kungaloosh had actually started rallying the Dollarless list.

Kungaloosh was offering bribes of free drinks at the Adventurer's Club in exchange for votes. Kungaloosh was heard to say "Remember drinks are on KUNGALOOSH the next time we meet at the Adventurer's Club!!" Tisk, tisk. There was to be no rallying the DD board for votes. After a brief scolding by list mom, Binnie, both teams agreed to comply.

Kungaloosh, although not so "post happy", managed to compile several good files for their site. One member created several folders in their group to properly manage their progress. It seemed that there were a few key content gatherers that continuously supplied files for their appointed web mistress. It did appear, however, that one member seemed to be dictating the content of the page.

Kungaloosh is a group that loves to poll to decide their fate. They definitely had the upper hand in this challenge as their web mistress dabbles in Flash. And what a "flashy" site they created. The burden of creation fell to the web mistress and she continually asked for feedback.

There was constant cheer leading in this group. One member is overly zealous and the energy flows to the rest of the tribe. Those who started out quitely passive, quickly got caught up in the competition and wholeheartedly became the tribe's biggest supporters! Kungaloosh does not spend as much time posting to the group, but their words are effective. Not to say that they are quite, because they're quite vocal, some more than others, and they are quick to voice their opinions. But they don't seem to spend as much time posting to each other.

Once both tribes' web pages were made available, there was much criticizing of the other's pages in support of their own. Each tribe was quick to point out the flaws of the other tribe's page. "I still think ours is better! They don't have a kickass marquee!" and "Whoever wrote the text is a crappy writer- the phrase "truly a no-brainer" isn't polite and is repeated frequently. This person has a very small vocabulary, or very little writing experience, or both." were overheard at the Diva's site. But then again, "I just got their music to work - and it's awesome! oh man - this is going to be interesting!" was also overheard sending the Diva's into a worry that maybe, just maybe, Kungaloosh would give them some competition. No fear from these ladies, they were very confident that they provided more complete information for the readers and that would help them.

Over at the Kungaloosh camp, members were saying "I am not impressed with their web site. They only gave links to different sites. They do not give any info on what THEY think." They also went on to say "I do like the appearance though. The finger and the scrolling text are kinda cool." They were proud of their "dummy" site and were very glad that the Diva's posted first. "I'm wicked... I uploaded fake files to the TheMouseForLess challenge area so that the Divas might take a look at them and see how "horrible" our web site is! :) Of course, it's a fake web page that really does suck.. LOL Just trying to throw them off :)." This provided them the upper hand for finishing their site. They were proud to say "the fake site is even red to honor the Bad Foot Doofy Divers!!"

Once voting began, there was a concern from Kungaloosh that the Diva's may be cheating by voting for their own site. They were joking that maybe "the Divas are emailing all the male members of the list privately and offering "favors" for votes!!" This was quickly resolved by the Kungas to go vote for themselves.

The voting was pretty close most of the way through it. Members of the TheMouseForLess group had this to say about each page. "Wow! Both pages were excellent. What a hard choice" and "Both pages look SUPER!! It was hard to choose." Another member said "Both pages were excellent which made for a hard decision!" The tribes were constantly giving each other support through the voting, as well as constantly checking the vote updates.

The Divas, who assigned each tribe member a number in the event of heading to Tribal Council, chose to offer one Diva immunity for her efforts in creating the web page. A non-tribe member in the Dollarless chat room would be asked to pick a number. The Kunga's chose the less diplomatic method of voting each other out. This may have been a good decision by the Kunga tribe, as there were members who had very little to contribute to the creation of web page.

Once the results were in, the Divas had gone down. Some members of the Diva tribe offered their congratulations to the Kungas. "Congratulations Kungaloosh! Have one of those frothy pink drinks on me!" was sent to the Kungas via the DD list. But, back at home, their attitude was a bit different. "I think the LOOSHAS won by bribery! Who can pass up drinks in a monkey head? Whatever they can come out of their stupor long enough to do, can't be half as good as our page.".

Kungaloosh, a bit "drunk" from the elation of winning were full of razzing towards the Divas referring to them as "dizzy dancing dinos (or something like that, LOL). Down with the Dopey Divas!" At Sunday's Tribal Council, the Diva's met their fate as a non-tribal member was asked to pick a number. Number 6, Beth, who was not available for comment, was sadly voted out of the Red Hot Diva's tribe. Offers of condolences flooded the chat room. Binnie and several members had to deliver the bad news via email. Beth is thanked for her contributions to the web page challenge, and she will be sadly missed by her tribe.

To keep everyone informed, Binnie has decided to let the members who are booted from each tribe, remain in each group. She has, however, deprived them of the ability to post, they can only read posts. I think this is a great idea, as when the game gets down to the final two, the outcast will be invited back to "judge."