Survivor Samoa - 11/12 Show Blog Party Post

The show is about to begin here on the East Coast. As it airs, I'll update this post with any major happenings. However, the real action is in the comments section! Please feel free to join in with your thoughts while having fun with friends. Late tonight my show review will be posted on TV Squad.

They split into teams for reward -- rock slide, picnic. Shambo, John, Kelly, Dave, and Monica won.

Whoa! Russell just found the second hidden idol without knowing for sure it existed and without clues. The group on reward got a clue one exists, but he didn't know.

Only one wins immunity this week -- and it's Laura again.

Russell used the idol - Galu all voted for him, they didn't count. Foa Foa voted Kelly, bye bye Kelly. Even Erik was excited on the jury!

The Amazing Race - 11/08 Episode Blog Party Post

Surprise, surprise ... the show has been delayed by football here in the NYC viewing area. I believe 60 Minutes started about 20 minutes late, so we can expect TAR at about 8:30-ish PM ET.

As it airs here on the East Coast, I'll update any major happenings in this entry. However, the real fun (and most of the information) will be in the comments. Everyone is welcome to join in. My actual show review will be posted over on TV Squad sometime late tonight.

8:20 PM and it's a go.

Pit Stop
1. Flight Time and Big Easy - won a trip and it's FT's birthday!
2. Megan and Cheyne
3. Brian and Erick
4. Sam and Dan
5. Gary and Matt -- Non-elimination leg, so they're still in it!

Off Topic - That Was the Week It Was 11/08/09

Yes, it's Sunday morning and, before I watch Sunday Morning on CBS, I'll share my week with you in words and photos I've taken. Often in my life I just plod along taking many things for granted -- halfway decent health, a roof over my head, bills paid, food eaten, etc. I'm definitely not a wealthy person as my life seems more along the lines of the old Rolling Stones song: "You can't always get what you want, you can't always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you just might find you get what you need." I get what I need with a few extras thrown in.

In these days of a tanking economy, I really have to be mindful of what good things I do have in my life. I have a fairly secure (nothing is absolutely secure) job which pays me a livable wage. I have a healthy 401K, a decent health insurance plan at a very reasonable rate through said job, early retirement benefits looming up in a year (although I probably will stick it out longer). I have thoughtful friends, many of whom read this blog (yay, you guys!).

Happenings this week made me think back on my life. I've always been one to try to do the right thing. Perhaps it's ingrained in me due to my upraising, perhaps it's just that old karma feeling. I also, once interested in something, tend to throw myself into it full force and usually can excel at anything I really want to do. No, I can't do everything well. I can't eat strange foods, nor have I ever walked well in high heels. I couldn't do dainty and delicate for the life of me.

But when I wanted to get into skiing, the next thing I knew I was racing and winning plaques and trophies. And, although my original intent with writing was to become a bestselling novelist, I've been earning money as a freelance writer and have a nationwide following on this blog which gives me all kinds of warm fuzzies. With the advent of digital photography, a medium which doesn't cost a lot of money to take a gazillion shots, I'm proud of some of my photos and people really seem to like them. (Cue Sally Fields - "They like me! They really like me!")

I've always tended think of myself as a bit of an outsider in life, maybe more of an observer than a participant. Yet, as I get older, I find I've been participating in my own way. True, at home I'm a loner -- if I were a guy, I'd be that serial killer type whose neighbors say how quiet and alone he is. I often love to lose myself in my books, my music, my computer than to be out socializing. I do love being alone, living alone, and I'm not lonely at all.

When I take stock of my life, I'm content with who I am and what I do with life on the whole. Sure, there's some nagging wasted potential. Sure, I've had some demons in the past, some skeletons in my closet over the decades. But I've always tried to be a decent person. Sometimes, things come around full force and make me pretty good about myself. This week was one of those upbeat weeks which gave me faith that I'm on the right track.

The other day I found a pocketbook in a shopping cart in a parking lot during lunch. I picked it up and brought it into work where I opened it looking for identification. Finding the license, I tried calling information ... no go, an unlisted number. In searching through the wallet and pocketbook for a phone number, I couldn't help but notice the wallet contained at least $2,400 cash, credit cards, social security card, etc. of the older Chinese woman owner. Finally, in going through the contacts on her cellphone, I found her number and called her. She came to pick it up, crying with relief as she kept hugging me. Warm fuzzies.

The next day, I was called on the intercom at work and told me she stopped by and dropped off a card for me. I was thinking, "Oh, I don't need a reward. I'm just happy she got everything back intact." I was also thinking that she would have put a $10 or $20 in the card. Lo and behold, I opened the card which had the sweetest most touching handwritten message about faith in humanity ... and a $100 bill. She was already gone and I didn't write her phone number down, so I couldn't return it. I bought new winter boots, socks, and a few other goodies. Every time I wear the boots, I'll think of the good deed I did.

Then, this week when I opened my paycheck, I found that I got a raise although I didn't get my annual salary review. I suspect the review was submitted, but things have been hectic at work and no one got the chance to sit down with me to go over it. That's fine. As long as I'm doing a good job, I don't necessarily need the sit down.

And then there was the Plainfield Library Photo Competition exhibition opening and awards ceremony yesterday. I work on Saturdays, but decided to take my last personal day before January 1 to attend. I'm so glad I did. The photos submitted by local photographers, both amateur and professional, of the town showed an array of amazing talent.

Plus, I met several great people whom I would probably never cross paths with in town, as well as a few I have crossed paths with and just didn't know who they were. I talked with fellow Plainfield bloggers Bernice (our fellow Roofus watcher) and Dan Damon of the Plainfield Today and CLIPS blogs (meeting Dan for the first time), and had a good time. By the way, although I haven't seen Roofus on the roof, Bernice has seen him recently in that old Budget Rental Car building where someone is leaving fresh food and water on a regular basis.

So, here's my week -- clicking on an image will open it larger in a new window.

It's the Plainfield (NJ) Public Library

I've never been inside until I entered the photo competition. I had a library card where I lived before I moved here, but found I didn't use it that much. As a matter of fact, I've had a library card everywhere I've lived since childhood. Although the library is a bit inconvenient for me as a pedestrian, I think I'll get one. I was impressed with what I saw there, plus the folks in the art history department make things look very intriguing.

Say what? I won?

Well, it's second place, not first. But I'm in shock. So many of the photos at the exhibit showed a keen eye and amazing talent. While I'm often proud of some of my photos, I usually feel they pale in comparison to those folks who actually know what they're doing and have better equipment. Since there were cash prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place showings, I also won $150 in addition to the ribbon and certificate. I haven't decided what I'll do with it yet -- either pay bills, perhaps not get what I want, but certainly get what I need. New winter coat? Cat treats? I don't know. I'm still dazed that I won something.

My (2nd place) winning entry

I called it "Autumn Fog at the Train Station." I took this shot just about a year ago -- November 14, 2008. This year's theme was The Four Seasons of Plainfield, so it fit in fine. The entire exhibit with all of the submissions will eventually be online for your perusal.

I couldn't resist submitting this one

Although I labeled it as "spring," it wasn't really time-themed enough for a win. However, one of the folks who work in the art history department of the library wanted to meet me and told me it was the ONLY photograph submitted that she'd like to hang on her wall. I took this one a few years back and don't think I ever posted it on the blog.

My winter submission

This is the shot I submitted to represent winter. It won nothing but I like it anyway. I also submitted the sleeping boy on the train I posted here in September and one of the butterfly dancers from the July 4th parade.

Old and New

Back to real life and not photo competition submissions -- I thought the ornate Victorian extras, the TV antenna, and the satellite dish were an interesting combination, a trail of history, per se.

Home Sweet Home?

These two couches, complete with a pillow, a few comforters, a magazine, and a bottle of water are outside of the Verizon building on Park Avenue in Plainfield. Now, that's a main drag. Exposed to street traffic, pedestrians, and the elements, it can't be too comfortable. It reminds me of the couch in the projects in The Wire where the drug dealers used to hang out. Doesn't it get soggy with rain? Give me something hard which dries to sit on outdoors, thank you.

Sneakers on a Wire

I know that folk lore has it that sneakers thrown over a wire indicate drug dealers. But I think people often just like to throw their sneakers up over a wire to see if they can make the shot. Park Avenue in Plainfield.

What? I have a new bike? Really?

No, not really. This bike was parked directly next to (about two feet away) my apartment door yesterday. It was there when I left for the photo exhibition. It was there when I came back. I just peeked out into the hallway. It's still there. And, no ... it's not being deconstructed like the abandoned bike at the Bridgewater Train Station photos I posted a while back. I guess it says something about faith in humanity. I'd love to take it in and give it a home -- it's not a cheap bike. But it doesn't belong to me. I don't know why it's parked next to my apartment door. I figured it was someone visiting across the hall. But it's still there. Very weird. Maybe later I'll ask Joe across the hall if it's related to him and I'll call the police if it's not. That is, unless it disappears in the meanwhile.

MY cardboard! MY toy! MY sash!

I've found that Vincent loves to rip apart cardboard. I gave him the box and lid from my new boots. Instead of curling up and sleeping in the box, he attacked it, ripping off chunks. He then brought his toys in it and went wild. Here he is standing guard over his kingdom, showing his little grey haircut.

I Say It's MINE

The sash a cloth belt I never used which came with a pair of pants. I don't need a bow on my tummy. But it makes a perfect cat toy. I used to have to hide it from Scherzo or I'd wake up with it in my bed and her poking me to get up and play. Vincent likes to drag it around in his mouth and chase it when I run with it. But so far, it hasn't ended up in my bed.

Well, that wasn't too SWIFT, was it?

On Friday morning, I caught this sight at the Plainfield Train Station. At least he seemed to approach it slowly and didn't peel off the top of the trailer like so many do. But he was indeed stuck. He couldn't back up without damaging his cab more.

But I didn't see any signs

Ahem.

The Quoi Store

I need me some quoi. The liquor store on Watchung Avenue in Plainfield should probably fix their neon sign.

A tree in the sunset

With the sun setting so soon, this is what I saw at the Bridgewater Train Station this week heading home. By the time I got home, it was dusk here. This week it will be dark.

The Plainfield Train Station

The main train station (there's two stations in town) at night. In sepia with no flash. Fuzzy.

Moon Over Berckman Street

This is around the corner from where I live. Also no flash, also fuzzy. Also not quite like "The Moon Over Alabama."

Jesus Embroidery

North Street in Plainfield across from the train station. I did the B&W/color layering bit with this one and made the B&W part blurred. If you have a photo editing program which can do work with layers, it's easy. GIMP (online free) is an excellent program and even the ArcSoft PhotoStudio program which came with my scanner years ago has the capability.

1. Bring the image up in the editing program.
2. Copy, paste a new layer of the same image.
3. Using the saturation/hue setting, take all of the color out, leaving the photo you see black and white. (Remember, the color photo is directly underneath your B&W one.)
4. Using the freehand select tool, select the area you want in color by outlining it, cut. The color from the photo underneath will show.
5. Save the stacked layers image as a new image. Voila!
6. You can also do things like blur the top layer like I did above before saving as a new image.

Gotta make the donuts

Two fellow train commuters head to the platform in Plainfield. The trees are having a last burst of color, but more leaves are on the ground and streets than on the trees. I'm tired of hearing leafblowers. If someone more talented than me wanted to make a great invention -- quiet leafblowers and quiet lawnmowers would markedly improve quality of life issues.

So, this was indeed a nice week in my life. I hope yours was, too!

Survivor Samoa: 11/05 Show Blog Party Post

The show is about to begin here on the East Coast. As it airs, I'll update this post with any major happenings. However, the real action is in the comments section! Please feel free to join in with your thoughts while having fun with friends. Late tonight my show review will be posted on TV Squad.

Before we get started, I want to thank all the gals from the blog who went to Las Vegas for the photos and postcards. It looked like you all had a ball!

The merge went down with a feast.

Two will win immunity. Women play against women, men against men. One woman, one man safe from tribal council. John won for the men. Laura wins for the women ... thus ruining Russell's plan.

Russell played his idol but got no votes. Erik should have played his idol. 2 votes for Jaison, the rest for Erik (it seems). Heh. Bye-bye, Erik.

The Amazing Race - 11/01 Blog Party Post

Yikes, the show is actually starting on time here tonight. I might just faint.

As it airs here on the East Coast, I'll update any major happenings in this entry. However, the real fun (and most of the information) will be in the comments. Everyone is welcome to join in. My actual show review will be posted over on TV Squad sometime late tonight.

Pit Stop
1. Sam ans Dan -- won a sand buggy
2. Megan and Cheyne
3. Flight Time and Big Easy
4. Gary and Matt
5. Brian and Ericka - incurred a 30 minute penalty for not riding bikes to detour, made it okay.
6. Phil goes to poker gals who are ready to give up on the detour.

And then it ends? Hmm ... they seem to still be in it, Phil didn't tell them they were gone.

Off Topic - That Was the Week It Was 11/01/09

It's Sunday morning and time to ramble through the past week in words and photos I've taken. Although it was a rather uneventful week in my life I certainly took a slew of photos I want to post here this week. Mind you, I don't think all that many are truly works of art or anything. A lot of them I just want to share with you.

The weather has been iffy once again this week with lots of rain amongst a few days of sunshine. In observing nature around me, all I can think is Dorothy's line from The Wizard of Oz once she was in the Emerald Castle ... something about things happening so fast there. Well, that's how nature is. One day the trees have glorious colorful leaves, the next day they're barren.

I saw Vincent intent on looking out the window the other day. A gang of squirrels were building a nest. Now, I've seen squirrel nests in trees before, but I've never seen them being built. It was amazing. The squirrels (about four of them) were taking death-defying leaps grabbing onto loose leaved twigs and forcing them off the tree with the weight of their little bodies. Then the squirrels would actually fall to a lower branch with their prize nest fodder, scurry back up to the nest site, and stamp the new material into their nest. Alas, none of the pictures turned out. But once the leaves are off the tree, I should be able to capture the nest.

Other than that, life goes on. Vincent is doing well. However, what I thought was a real sleepy and somewhat lethargic cat in the beginning is really a ball of energy in disguise. I'm wondering if he might be younger than the estimated five years from the shelter. His favorite toy of all is the collar from the shelter which I cut off of him weeks back. He carries it around in his mouth, throws it in the air, chases it ... and I keep finding it in his food dish. I do NOT put it there!

Work is work. Halloween came and went, wet and murky. Since I was at work, I didn't see any children. I didn't even buy any candy for them this year knowing that since it would be a Saturday I wouldn't be home until after 8 PM. I wouldn't answer the door that late here since I've never had any trick or treaters in the earlier hours.

Onto the photos from this week, clicking on them will open them larger in a new window:

Vincent

I did my layering, black and white with a color bit to this photo. His nose is really pink, not a light grey. But the nose didn't turn out right, so I kept the color to his magnificent green eye(s).

Ohh ... a TV camera!

This is on Watchung Avenue across from the Plainfield police station earlier in the week. My camera wants to grow up to be a TV camera. I told it to dream a bit lower.

So this is it?

It was for some Spanish language station and, from my limited understanding of Spanish, something about New Jersey towns with large Hispanic populations. Yes, Plainfield ranks.

Danny's Bakery, Plainfield (edited)

Yeah, I did all kinds of messing with this photo and my photo editor. And, yes, it was raining again, or still.

Plainfield Train Station View

Yes, I edited this shot, too. I made the background black and white focusing on the leaves, neon window and its reflection, in color. I should have done the fallen leaves in color, but that was way too much work. The tree was barren the next day.

Serenading Sombrero Man

He was playing guitar and singing at Danny's Bakery at Watchung and North in Plainfield last night. Just to himself, no audience (they were ready to close). Nor was it for Halloween. It's just one of those cook perks which come with having a diverse town.

Radioactive Icicles

These icicles are some sort of corrosion effect in railroads and subways. The icicles and patches of ice where they've dripped on the ground exist year 'round, even when the temperatures are in the 90s. Very weird and I won't stand under dripping ones! I took this last night at the Bridgewater Train Station (NJ) and you can see the rain in the background. No wonder the World Series game three was so delayed!

My Cool Office Watercooler

TBS sent me this neat little George Lopez Tonight show promotion -- "watercooler talk" -- in anticipation of the new show. To be honest, my 11 PM TV viewing is kind of set, news and then Letterman. But the water cooler has been PERFECT for my office at work which isn't really close to a water or refrigeration source. I've been freezing about a third of the bottle each night, retrieving it in the morning, and adding fresh water. Yay, cold water in my office!

Look what that bike did!

Er, no. That tree has always been at that angle. Once again, outside of Danny's Bakery in Plainfield.

Who let the cat out of the bag?

Um, INTO the bag. That's my little bottle and can recycling bin with a fresh Trader Joe's grocery bag insert ... and a Vincent. I had to give him a Trader Joe's bag of his own for a fort.

The Kale Season Returns

Over at the Westfield (NJ) Train Station, they've planted a wide variety of kale plants. It's that time of year again!

More Kale

Even More Kale

Yet More Kale

One Giant Step

They must really be tiny steps if they're counting 75 of them. The sign is across one lane in the parking lot from Cheeburger Cheeburger. I don't care much from them because they glare at me for ordering Hamburger Hamburger. Westfield NJ Train Station.

Brilliant Colors of Autumn

Field Lights and Gathering Birds

I tell you, those birds are planning to overthrow the human race. The ball stadium lights at the TD Bank Stadium, home of the champion Somerset Patriots, in Bridgewater, NJ.

They Will Be Led By a Seagull

Beware. Remember, I warned you.

In the spirit of the World Series

Remember, you can't sue. At least not in New Jersey. Again, at the Somerset Patriots field where they play teams like the Newark Bears. Da Bearss.

The Numbers Increase

Run for your lives while you can!

Man On a Train

Don't sleep near me on the train or you might end up photo fodder. NJ Transit Raritan Valley Line.

Tim Burton Exhibit at MoMA!

Oh, I must go. How come they advertise Broadway shows and other NYC happenings at the Dunellen Train Station and not in Plainfield? We have a much cooler station! For those not familiar with it, MoMA is the Museum of Modern Art in Manhattan.

Watchung Avenue in Plainfield

A Plainfield Police Department Harley is parked in front of Rosalina's where a small sign reads "We do doobies!" Hmmm, that had an entirely different meaning for me as a child of the 60s and 70s. It's a hairstyle.

Union County College Plainfield Campus

Red leaves lined the way earlier this week.

Droplets on a web

Ignore the small ladybug carcass. I didn't see the spider, it's possible he was evicted for poor housekeeping.

Steeple at Sunset

The Methodist Church steeple in the waning light of day. East Front Street, Plainfield, NJ.

An Autumn Afternoon in Plainfield

Taken from the 4th Street side of the Plainfield Train Station when it wasn't raining one day.

Fall Leaves and a Streetlight

Predawn one morning -- East Front Street in Plainfield near the YWCA.

Supremo Before the Dawn

A lone figure walks in front of the Supremo Supermarket in the predawn hours. Plainfield, NJ

Boulevard of Broken Dreams

My predawn walk to the train station takes me past the silliness which is the Monarch Luxury Condominium building in Plainfield. Talk about a project which was poorly planned, there you go. Well, it's better than walking by the vacant field for so long and I do like the sidewalk with its benches.

Jackie's 'hood at sunset

The building on the right, a senior citizen mid-rise, has its own generator for when there's a power outage. On the left is the lower two-story Norwood Gardens apartments. East Front Street in Plainfield. I live in neither place, but nearby.

How does this keep happening?

I've posted before about really horrible off the road crashes in my neighborhood. I just don't understand why this keeps happening. Here you see the tracks narrowly missed a tree and did indeed kill the NJ Transit Bus Stop sign. This is at one corner of my East Front Street block in Plainfield.

Some people go both ways.

As said the scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz. East Front Street, Plainfield, NJ way close to home.

Not too much Halloween this year

I noticed far fewer homes all decked out this year. The economy? I don't know. This home on East Second Street in Plainfield usually has the entire yard done up. Not so this year. Yes, I used layers for the B&W with some color effect.

The other end of my block

I live on a really long block.

When the white eagle of the North is flying overhead
The browns, reds and golds of autumn lie in the gutter, dead.
Remember then, that summer birds with wings of fire flaying
Came to witness spring's new hope, born of leaves decaying.
Just as new life will come from death, love will come at leisure.
Love of love, love of life and giving without measure
Gives in return a wondrous yearn of a promise almost seen.
Live hand-in-hand and together we'll stand on the threshold of a dream.
- "The Dream" from "On the Threshold of a Dream" by the Moody Blues

Cloudy Morning Lights

The Plainfield Train Station has the kewlest lamps in town.

How was your week?