CBS has all this weeks' postings up:

- Recap of episode 3 here.

- Lill Morris' final words (written or video) here. (And no it wasn't memorable after all. Of course not.)

Survivor Pearl Islands page here.

Head here all week for Survivor Episode 3 Comments.

OK, the first three weeks have been pretty obvious.

Lill Morris is gone. Now it gets a lot trickier.

It's a big risk to ever believe the previews, but I think Drake may finally lose next week.

I'm going to have to guess Jon goes again, but we have not learned much at all about the politics over there. Do some of them hate Shawn? Is someone else getting on their nerves? That programmer is already getting on mine.

Survivor Pearl Islands page here.

Head here all week for Survivor Episode 3 Comments.

. . . I hate making these predictions that could look ridiculous five minutes later--or three hours ago in the case of much of the country--but I'll plunge ahead anyway:

They're off to tribal council right now in my living room, and it won't be Darrah because that would violate rule #1 of castoffs (I know I number them all 1, but this one probably belongs there):

Mark Burnett never let's a character be booted off without first getting us attached to them. We can love them, hate them or just be annoyed by them, but we have to feel something for them. And he can (occasionally) introduce them in the very episode he removes them, but they have to get a full introduction.

I believe this is one rule he has never violated. Even the first week of every series, by the end of that first episode, we feel something for the person splattered. Otherwise the episode ends with a whimper: someone lost and we don't even care one way or the other. He's way too good a producer for that.

I never even remember the girl speaking before tonight. (And it sure wasn't memorable when she did.) That other chick questioning her was pretty hysterical. Loved her bewilderment that the girl didn't even have anything to say for herself.

See you in five, when I may look like a big ass. But I'm betting pretty strongly it's Lil--feeling really resentful. Her goodbye speech could be mildly memorable.

(And losses five in a row, does that tie the record? That's the most I ever remember.)

Survivor Pearl Islands page here.

Head here all week for Survivor Episode 3 Comments.

It's not like they don't deserve it, but I do have a heart.

And maybe they don't completely deserve it. I didn't realize until tonight how strong that big fat blubberball was. If he is stronger than Burton and shawn, then they got three strength monsters, to one for Morgan. That's a huge advantage.

And I can't believe Osten let go, though after an hour and a half, who could blame him. And Lil was sweet hugging him. I'm sure he needed it. She makes a good mom now and then.

(And does Lil yet feel stupid for voting for him last week? Imagine if it had been Andrew.)

And Darrah speaks!

Survivor Pearl Islands page here.

Head here all week for Survivor Episode 3 Comments.

First, that dilemma of whether to take the one pot. That is rough--only because they only have one and worry that they'll be screwed if they don't. What would happen if a team did have no water source, though? Producers would have to do something if that really is their only water source--people can't live without water.

But I'm very curious about the Morgan's who seem to lie back and virtually ignore the theiving Drake. Could be editing, but it appears that a few come out to engage them and the others sit by sulking. That seems like a bad strategy to me. For God's sake, make friends. These could be your allies later. Sulking isn't getting you anywhere.

So far, this is the one thing I dislike about Ryan. (Aside from running off the first day, like the rest of his team. I can forgive would excited blunder. He has definitely learned about working together, but has his Fearless Leader? How come Ryan is talking about the teammates running their separate ways, and Fearless isn't doing anything about it?)

Survivor Pearl Islands page here.

Head here all week for Survivor Episode 3 Comments.

Just a little. But man I'm starting to feel sorry for the old girl. So hapless out there.

She warmed my heart for the very first time when everyone was dejected and she tried, somewhat feebly, to rally their spirits with her "I think we're doing great." Can't even get that right. Things could hardly be further from great. You don't rouse anybody with preposterous lies. But I was really with her for trying. And for at least knowing they had to rally their spirits; at least she wasn't bringing things down like the rest of them.

And I liked her determination to attempt to fish, even though she didn't know how. Good determination, really bad judgement. Surely there are people who can fish there. Surely there are 100 other things to be done. Do what you're good at, for God's sake.

And then she went out alone when they told her not to and she didn't know what she was doing. And she lost the hook. God, is she a fuckup. I'm really starting to feel sorry for her. I really had no idea how inept she was. Maybe she's not always--once you get into a rut, it can be hard to get out. My heart went out to her when we learned why she went out alone. She knew she was in trouble, and it was a last ditch effort to be a hero. Dumb, but understandable. Who would not act irrationally, when you realize your life is on the line.

I am just loving Ryan more and more. Not my type at all physically--except above the neck--but he has easily won me over as favorite player so far.

Survivor Pearl Islands page here.

Head here all week for Survivor Episode 3 Comments.

Morgan isn't just losing every challenge, they are getting creamed, due to sheer ineptitude.

What was with Osten's boat fleeing the scene? (Hard to tell whether it was Osten personally.) That left Drake to double-team the other boat and it was pretty much decided by the time Osten got back, and sank his own boat in desperation.

I did enjoy watching Cute Ryan (I guess he can just be Ryan now) struggle feverishly to down boats on two sides. I think he's the hidden soul of that team. He was doing a hell of a lot more than their leader, who mostly seemed to be sitting around looking panicky and helpless.

Oh, and Burton looked so hot as he raised his arms in triumph and cheeks clenched and his wet shorts clung tightly around them.

Survivor Pearl Islands page here.

Head here all week for Survivor Episode 3 Comments.

So it looks like Osten did find the strength to supress his weanie gene.

Things are looking bad for Lil. (But this is just ten minutes in. That could change fast.)

Survivor Pearl Islands page here.

Head here all week for Survivor Episode 3 Comments.

I have had the Columbine Almanac up since June, and get visitors there every day, but it only just occurred to me that there is no place there for readers to comment on it.

So I am creating a place here--in the comments thread to this post--which I will link to from the Almanac, so people will find it over time and can comment whenever you like.

You can comment about any aspect of Columbine you like, whether it pertains to the Almanac, something you read or saw elsewhere, questions about myths or rumors, or current news events on shooters or troubled youths . . . or anything else.

I get email alerts on all comments now, so feel free to pose questions to me (or other readers) about Columbine there, and I will do my best to answer.

(Because some people will be accessing the comment thread from the Almanac and never seeing this post, I am going to repeat this as the first comment entry.)

Survivor starts here in one minute. My predictions for the week:

Morgan will lose immunity again (and probably reward as well).

If they lose, Lill probably goes. It could be close with Osten, if he continues moaning, but don't be surprised if he pulls out of it. Some previous Survivors have found a second wind and bounced back quickly. He might continue to whine, but it's no sure thing. Regardless, the team needs him way too desperately. If they keep throwing off the physically weak, eventually maybe they can win a challenge.

Besides that, they still need him in camp. What do you bet the shelter is still in disrepair at the next council. And food and water will still be scarce. They need his back.

Loss in a non-physical challenge could send more votes his way, but many will be smart enough to see more physicals on the horizon; and lots more muscle needed in camp.

The one thing I could see getting Osten booted is the expectation that a switch is imminent anyway. Hasn't it come after three eliminations the past two Survivors? So this might be their last lost. But it would be risky to count on that, and if they are counting on that, it doesn't much matter who they toss over.

Osten could also go if people get too damn annoyed to listen to their own brains. I think they'll be tempted, but not go that way.

If Drake loses, I'm going with Jon again.

Survivor Pearl Islands page here.

Head here all week for Survivor Episode 3 Comments.

If it hasn't become clear yet, I'm going to post here every week as soon as I see the show. So if you're on the west coast or watching on delay, don't come here Survivor night's until it is safe.

And the same goes with the Survivor Comments -- Open Thread each week.

Feel free to post as soon as the show starts in your area, and definitely come share you thoughts as soon as it ends, while they are fresh in your head.

Everyone in later time zones just needs to be aware and steer clear of the comments until you have seen the show.

Head here all week for Survivor Episode 3 Comments.

OK, go at it. All comments on Survivor for this week here. (I'm getting it up a little early this week, as I had planned before, so you can talk about tonight's episode.)

So let's start with predictions for tonight. Who's winning challenges, who is getting booted, anything else you think might happen.

I will add mine in a few hours, but I have an MRI appointment to get my shoulder checked out. Finally, I will learn (next week), what exactly is wrong with it, and what needs to be done.

Here's yet another story on Howard Dean's fundraising, and after four to five months of these stories, they are finally starting to get it.

It isn't a great story, but it's incredible for a beltway boy, and particularly for the New York Times, which is so damn good at some things, but so incredibly inept at things like understanding why a candidate is connecting with people.

Gone is all the old beltway-mentality crap about why Howard Dean can't win, and how he's failing so miserably on all these traditional benchmarks which used to haunt every Dean story, no matter how great the achievement. Finally, they are just accepting that it's working, and making an honest effort to understand why. They are incredibly late, and still providing a somewhat simplistic picture, but they are beginning to get it.

It's kind of sad to watch the national political press. They're so incredibly bad at their jobs! But they're coming around slowly, ever so slowly on this one.

Excerpts:

Howard Dean turned heads this week when he raised more money, almost $15 million, than his rivals for the second consecutive quarter. His performance can be attributed to a carefully planned strategy to maximize both small donors and traditional larger contributors.

The campaign is adept at turning small donors, some of whom gave as little as $10 each, into fund-raisers who solicit similar amounts from family, friends and neighbors. It also conducted a more traditional effort to draw in bigger fund-raisers who generally do business in six figures.

Those two efforts combined brought Dr. Dean about $14.8 million since July, and the cash is still being counted. . . .

The campaign's strength is a system that takes ordinary supporters and gives them the tools to raise and contribute money at affordable levels. Supporters are encouraged to call on neighbors and friends, hold events and send out materials — all without consulting the campaign.

The freedom is a rarity in the scripted world of fund-raising, where events are often exclusive and highly orchestrated.

"We really give people a lot of power, and other campaigns are scared to do that," said Zephyr Teachout, the campaign's director of online organization.

It has led to some awkward moments. Staffers no longer flinch when a donor suggests to other potential givers that Dean backers eat ramen noodles for dinner once a week and forward the savings to the campaign. Or when an obituary asks mourners to send contributions to the Dean campaign in lieu of flowers. . . .

Supporters on the blog chatter obsessively about the numbers on the bat, challenge each other to give more and share thoughts on how their candidate is faring. The campaign often gets involved, challenging supporters to meet a fund-raising goal. It was in just such a challenge that Ms. Gray gave her first $100. . . .

Donald Beyer, the campaign treasurer and former lieutenant governor of Virginia, said fund-raising efforts have expanded from events bringing in $25,000 to those raising four times that. "We've made enormous progress," he said.

Those efforts have also had odd moments. Earlier in the year, for example, several high-priced events were flooded by enthusiasts who turned out uninvited to see Dr. Dean without making a contribution. The campaign even opened up several functions before it learned to offer both high-dollar and low-dollar events in the same city.

"There were certainly some awkward moments," Mr. Trippi said. "People who give $250 expect a small intimate thing."

(Because the Big Media outlets are finally starting to get it, I'm making this and yesterday's W Post piece both Dean Stories of the Day.)