For everyone reading this I hope you know the TV show Survivor. Outwit, Outlast, Outplay. In thinking about sibling week I struggled to find a way that I could showcase how much I’ve learned from all my sibs who are so vastly different. Then I remembered the one thing we all have in common. We all think we can win the game of Survivor.
My oldest sister is pretty and likes to flirt. A social player, you might underestimate her until you got hurt and she was treating your wounds. She transitions from happy party girl into practical hard core nurse in the blink of an eye. Weakness is not tolerated and she swims like a dolphin.
My oldest brother is the quiet smart one. He would work hard and never tell a lie. He wouldn’t play games with anyone and would attempt to keep the peace between everyone else. You might think he’s gullible. What you wouldn’t see coming is that he is a competitive beast. Winning is his only option. And having made it through a torture training program at the Air Force Academy life on a beach would seem tame.
My next brother is the funny guy. A UPS driver with a beer gut he will make you laugh until you pee. Seriously. You’ll completely underestimate his physical abilities until he shows you that he’s as graceful in the water as he is powerful on land. He likes to play dumb sometimes to disarm people, but we all know no one that funny isn’t also smart.
My next brother is the cranky character. He’ll be difficult to get along with and you’ll wonder what he’s so angry about. Do NOT discuss politics with him. He’ll be complaining about something while he’s building the fire, cooking the food, and keeping the camp organized and clean. What he lacks in physical prowess he makes up for with sheer tenacity.
My last sister will be friends with everyone. She’ll bring everyone together around the fire and chat with them. Making them feel comfortable no matter how horrible the circumstances are. Within minutes other competitors will be telling her their life story and darkest secrets. But she won’t use any of this information against them in the game. She will however win any challenge related to water. (She’s probably our family’s strongest swimmer but we don’t like to let her head get big.) She will have no problem securing the votes of her tribe mates in the end.
This is my crew. In many ways the bench mark for so many of the heroes and heroines I write.
We can stand to be altogether for exactly 2 and ½ days. After that… things get dicey. But oh those 2 and ½ days are fun.
I am a piece of each and every one of them. A true amalgamation. I’m also the only one who has actually applied for Survivor. Twice. Haven’t made the cut... yet.
8 comments:
2 1/2 days is pretty good, my siblings and I managed 7 days once, but it got really dicey at times.
Steph, you're a survivor girl. I had my strategy worked out for the Amazing race. I'd go with hubby, only because he'd be Ok to eat the gross stuff, and we both drive standard, so he'd read the map and I'd drive, and I'm strong, so I could handle all the challenges...
not taking into account that I'm afraid of heights..
I still want to do it
Oh - that was awesome - I want to spend two days with your family!! I would not do well on Survivor - no killer instinct. And without a doubt Amazing Race might be the end of almost every single relationship I have. There's no one I could go on, because while I like to be bossed around, I am a big doubter.
It often actually takes all three of us to create one reasonable human being so unless we could morph into one super-sister, I think we'd be out at the first council meeting or whatever they call them.
Well, maybe my oldest sister. She's survived for decades in academia. SHe could probably take anyone on.
I totally want hang out with your family, though, Steph! They sound like a blast.
Yeah - Amazing Race wouldn't work for me. Not unless I had someone who just accepted that I had to run the show. Or I had someone I completely trusted to run the show. (If I found a man like that I would marry him. Hasn't happened yet.)
And physically I'm pathetic. I can walk, swim and I'm not afraid of heights so jumping off things wouldn't be an issue... but some of that other stuff they do... no way!
Someday when I have my beach house you will all come and spend time with my crazy family. You will be filled with material for characters for weeks after!
Yeah - Amazing Race wouldn't work for me. Not unless I had someone who just accepted that I had to run the show. Or I had someone I completely trusted to run the show. (If I found a man like that I would marry him. Hasn't happened yet.)
And physically I'm pathetic. I can walk, swim and I'm not afraid of heights so jumping off things wouldn't be an issue... but some of that other stuff they do... no way!
Someday when I have my beach house you will all come and spend time with my crazy family. You will be filled with material for characters for weeks after!
Oh, I love that breakdown! Already thinking about how our family would survive Survivor...
I cannot wait until you get cast, Steph. Only a matter of time. :)
Steph, if you get on Survivor, I want you to get a "How's the Hand?" Tramp Stamp tattoo. The Contestant was the first book of yours that I read and that line totally stuck with me.
It was such a brilliant moment. It summed up so much about the heroine and the hero.
The Contestent was totally my homage to Survivor. I figured if I can't get on it, I can write about it.
That book was dedicated to my two sisters (they had to go together of course - becuase one couldn't be before the other!) and their true "survivor" qualities.
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