Tom's Opening Statement.

[Tom Westman]

Hello everyone, I'm Tom, I'm Leif, I'm whoever you wanna call me. Yes like the rest of the f3 I came into this game playing with Matty. But that didn't last long as people easily figured it out. I also came into this game without an alias. So everybody knew fully too well who I am. I wasn't hiding behind an alias because I wanted to let everyone know who I was. Sure enough I realized a lot of people knew me. All the while they were hiding from me but that didn't really bother me. If they wanted me gone they would have but instead they went on and aligned with me knowing full too well who I was, what I was capable of and who I was gonna be loyal to. Yet they didn't question me nor didn't tell me who they were until at the later part of the game.

I thought I had a good standing when I was in Bayonaca, everyone was talking to me. Everyone wanted to align with me, everyone wanted to know what my thoughts were. I risked everything and be that friend to everyone but it backfired on me and they took out my pre-ally Matty early on. I then knew I was in somewhat of a trouble. But I knew who Stephenie and Misty was and I knew they were gonna have my back. They trusted me and I trusted them and even though it seemed like I was the likely next to go I knew I was gonna be safe. But then a tribeswap happened and I "lucked" out kinda that I was going away from a tribe I didn't like.

I was then in a tribe with Semhar, Mike, Bobby Jon, Savage, Penner, Chelsea. Penner was so gungho of getting rid of me because he felt I was a snake when he was the one who ratted me out. Talk about double-faced right? But I deceived people into thinking I was in trouble back in Bayonaca, and that Penner was the leader of the people who wanted me out. So I gained favor with Semhar, Mike, Bobby Jon, Chelsea and together we ousted Penner out and I was saved once again. All the while I found the Salchicha Idol or whichever island that was, sorry it felt like a year ago since I got that. So I felt secured.

Another tribe swap happened and then I was with Chase, Semhar, Shawna, Stephenie, Sandra,Misty, BJ, Mike. I had a good relationship with Chase, Semhar, Shawna but then they started to question that because rumors were flying around. But because I have already bonded with Sandra who I knew and helped me find the idol and there was Misty who also was someone I knew and connected with early on. I opted to join Misty, Sandra, and Stephenie. But we were in the minority so we lost Stephenie and then Misty despite using an idol that Chelsea sent me to protect myself from being voted off. It was clear that had we stayed longer here Sandra and I were in trouble.

Then the merge occurred and I had another reprieve. Everyone wanted me to be their allies at this point and I know I had to draw the line and be the "bad guy" to a lot of people. At this point there were two sides. It was Salchicha versus the Power Rangers. I joined forces with Salchicha because I felt this was the best route for me and at this point everyone was telling me who they all were. I was shocked and surprised that there were a lot of people that I knew here and it is crazy that they would really hide it from me. I almost felt they didnt trust me but I guess it doesn't matter now because they feel like they need me now. I even knew who Semhar was after a heated conversation with her. And I love her but it seemed we never could be on the same side. Chase when I found out who he was way later when he was voted out I felt like I would regret that decision but there was nothing I can do about it because it was done.

A turning point in the game was when I had to turn on Jay. I didn't really like this at all but I felt like he made a bad move by confiding in Matt who he didn't know was Chelsea's number one ally into trying to take out Chelsea. I knew if I got on with this I would put myself into trouble so I helped out in blindsiding Jay. I really think I would have reconsidered this move had Jay confided in me first but he chose to confide in someone else so despite him someone I considered my ally I had to let go of him because he was after the people I trusted in the game.

The highest point for me in the game was winning 3 immunities in a row. Yes the second one was a blunder by Sydney but the two others were things I never thought I had it in me to win when you have people like Chelsea and Sydney who were good at those types of challenges but I prevailed and I secured myself 3 more rounds even though I really didn't need immunity because I felt assured I wasn't going anywhere and I already made a finals pact with Sydney beforehand. I am not sure who helped who but Sandra and I were already decided to vote for Matt as I couldn't accept voting Sandra over Matt as I have bonded with Sandra moreso than Matt and I had which was practically zero. But a surprise came when Sydney told Mick to vote Matt out which turned onto a tie and then Sydney changed her vote in the revote and voted out Matt with me but also making me promise that I vote out Sandra next round because her deal was to save Chelsea till the final 3. I didn't like this idea, no because that would mean I had to betray Sandra but I knew even if Sydney didn't vote with us or whatever that I believe Sandra would have beaten Matt in a tiebreaker as I knew she was capable in those. But I did come clean to Sandra the next round and told her there was no other way to save her as Chelsea, Mick, Syd were already locked in to vote her and I needed to show face to Syd that I was serious with my promise to vote Sandra.

And now here I am in the finals. I did a lot of dirty things, I betrayed a lot of people here and I had the worst karma around. Yes, I did their dirty work and I knew this, that I would be seen as the unclean one but that doesn't mean I was alone in this venture. These two here were with me every step of the way with each dirty job I did they were there. I may have been the axeman that brought the axe down but that doesn't mean I was the only one doing the job. But the most important thing is that I did not hide from the people I know. They hid from me so they can't fault me for what I did. I played this game the only way I knew would get me to the end without having to be the target. I laid low and yet dominated in a few challenges and never caused anyone left in my alliance to think of me as a threat. I am the only surviving Bayonaca and had to fight tooth and nail to get to where I am. I was constantly in danger pre-merge as my tribe kept losing and losing but I fought on. People relied on me a lot for things so I really didn't need to be seeking out people because they were seeking me. So as much as any of you in jury hate me for what I've done, I deserve to be here because I played the game just like anybody else did. I was just smarter not to stick my head out there and be the constant target. I may have left out some other info because maybe I forgot or what not but I hope I made my point and that I may not have taken the leadership route or the decision maker route but my route worked well for me and I am here now at your mercy. Feel free to ask the questions that matter but if all you are gonna say is trash me? Then don't bother because I won't read it anyway because there's no point if you made up your mind that I'm not worthy of your vote. But if you believe that I have a shot for it then address me and let me know and I will thank you appreciatively and I will clarify whatever you ask of me. Thanks and I look forward to your questions.

ps. sorry for the length. I was just so passionate because I also want to win.