Sunday, April 01, 2012

Off Topic - That Was the Week It Was - April 1, 2012

It's Sunday? Really? Already? That means it's my day off! Yay! Happy dance time! Er, well. It also means it's time for my weekly off television topic reflection on the week gone by in both words and photographs I've taken. 

But let me first mention television ... remember, The Amazing Race won't be on this evening due to the Country Music Awards show. TAR must be delayed a full week instead of portions of hours and beyond! Out of curiosity I looked up when Falling Skies makes its second season return. That's not until June. I guess I'll just have to wait, huh?

Winterish returned here this past week. The temperatures have been below normal with freeze warnings north of where I live. That four-letter S word has also been mentioned, but we've seen none of it here. Although I loved our glorious week of foggy mornings and daytime clear 70s, I'm okay with the cooler wave. After escaping winter without horrible cold spells or tons o' snow, I can't complain about a chilly week. 

On the work front, they fixed my software program I need to do my work. Unfortunately, when they installed a new hard drive, they zapped all of our saved documents and forms plus blew out the computerized time clock for hourly employees. So, instead of adding machine tapes, each punch had to be entered manually into the computer -- or they wouldn't get paid. I didn't think they'd be happy with the latter.

I visited local blogger Dan Damon at his physical rehab home across the street a few times. He's looking better each time I see him. He will soon be fitted for his prosthesis and I have faith that he'll do well with it. I admire how he's taking all of this in stride. I also chatted with local blogger Bernice on the bus this week. It must have been a blogger meet-up kind of week!

Other than that, I've got nothing for you ... other than photos I've taken during the past week. Clicking on an image will open it larger in a fancy-schmancy gallery doohickey.   

The magic of spring

I'm in awe of nature's magical ways. Of course, the buds and blossoms of spring often seem to pass in the blink of an eye. East Front Street, Plainfield.

Keeping an eye out for worms

Even though this robin is chubby guy, he's quick. He'd keep one eye to the ground looking for worms and dart at them. He was quick, but not really effective. I saw three worms escape the mighty bird hunter. Also East Front Street, Plainfield.

Stairway to spring

Coming up from the tunnel under the Plainfield Train Station. I edited the photo to leave only the "spring" in color. If our winter hadn't been so mild, I'd say it's symbolic of the dark depths of winter bursting into spring.

***CLICK THE 'READ MORE' LINK TO SEE THE REST OF THE PHOTOS***

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Survivor: One World - March 28 Episode Blog Party

Survivor: One World, By Zoetawny for jackiestvblog.blogspot.com

Hey Survivor fans! Who are we going to boo and hiss about now that Colton's off the show? Oh wait. There's Alicia. To be honest, I'm not too enamored with any of the castaways so far. Usually, by this time in the season, I have a clear-cut favorite. Not so much this time around. How about you?

I'm also wondering how Tarzan can actually hold a medical degree. The man is just a tad bizarre and wonky. I think something must be afoot with him!

The show is about to start here on the East Coast. As it airs, I'll post updates on the major happenings in this entry. But the real fun is in the comments area! Everyone is welcome to jump in with thoughts on the show as it airs. Survivor fans ready?

Reward is an afternoon of pizza and cold beer, plus a secret note. They're divided into two random tribes going through obstacles, digging up bags of puzzle pieces and solving puzzles. The secret note tells them there is yet another hidden idol.

Troyzan found the idol. Hopefully he won't blab to anyone!

Immunity Challenge time. Perched on a small log while balancing ball(s) on a disc. More balls added as time goes on. Now he's doubly protected ... Troyzan wins the first individual immunity!

The mixed old Solani tribe wants to target Jonas as they think he's the strongest of the Manono tribe folks. Some want Tarzan gone mainly because he's annoying.

Tribal Council time!

The tally: Jonas, Mike, Mike, Jonas, Jonas, Jonas, Jonas, Jonas, Jonas ... first member of the jury. He had to be voted out because of his mouth at TC. Idiot. 

Sunday, March 25, 2012

The Amazing Race 20 Blog Party - 03/25/12


I'm pretty sure the show is delayed, but I have no clue by how much as I wasn't watching. I'll be getting this post up for an 8pm EDT start. Once it starts here, I'll update with major happenings. Everyone is welcome to hang out in the comments area where the real fun is!

Okay ... Facebook announced it will start at 8:18pm. That's not as bad as I feared.

The teams are heading from Bavaria to Azerbaijan (sp?) -- don't ask me! It's the "Land of Fire" and apparently is just north of Iran, a part of the old USSR. I guess.

Once there at a cool fire temple celebration of sorts, teams got a Fast Forward clue which entails stacking hay bales.

The teams not vying for the FF are facing the Roadblock -- escaping a crash simulation of a helicopter under water. Rachel and Dave got the FF and are on their way to the Pit Stop.

Rachel and Dave are indeed the first at the Pit Stop -- they each won a new 2013 Ford.

Detour -- Apples or Oil. They must search through tons of apples to find one with a clue. In Oil, clean up a client who has soaked in black crude oil. (Ew. But easier, I would think.)

2. Art and JJ
3. Bopper and Mark
4. Brendon and Rachel
5. Nary and Jamie
6. Vanessa and Ralph
7. Joey Fitness and Danny ... Philiminated. 

Off Topic - That Was the Week It Was - March 25, 2012

It's Sunday morning, the start of a bit of a rainy day here. However, coming off of the glorious spring week we had last week, I can't complain. It's time for my weekly off television topic reflection on the week gone by in both words and photographs I've taken.

It's SO definitely (and finally officially) spring here! Everything is coming to life. Despite our unusually warm winter and some early blooms, this past week proved that even a warm winter can't be spring! Sure, there were bits of nature's glory here and there, but for the most part winter was basically brown and grey. Now it's pretty wherever you look!

Of course, that tends to make me sneeze. But I'll live with that for the beauty of it all. The foggy morning starts leading to highs in the 70s made me think of San Diego weather. Perfect in my book.

While nature is being all exciting, my own life was nothing to write home about. For the most part, I worked, slept, ate, rinse and repeat. My computer software is STILL down at my workplace. It's been a month now. Finally the Helpless Desk decided they cannot fix it. Duh. So a new Web PC blade doohickey thing-a-ma-jig arrived Friday, a technician will arrive tomorrow and I'll get to re-set-up my program after he gets the hardware in. At least that nightmare will be over.

I visited local blogger Dan Damon as he rehabs across the street at the Norwood Terrace physical rehabilitation place. He's looking great -- probably the best color and healthiest looking I've seen him in a year or more. His spirits are excellent and he's taking his new challenge with gusto. I also met his other half Nat for the first time -- a nice fellow for sure. 

Norwood itself impresses me. Now, that's the place I would have gone with my first knee had I gone to rehab. A nice facility, definitely not a hospital atmosphere in decor and a very pleasant staff. Dan seems to be very pleased with the treatment and the food. I personally don't want the chance to go there myself as I have no more knees to replace, but it's good to know it's such a fine facility!

In television talk: I lost all track of American Idol this past week. I forgot it was on for the result show -- the singing show is opposite of Survivor, so I always miss that one. I don't even know who went home on AI. Furthermore, I don't really care. I guess my love affair with the show is over. On the other hand, I did catch the season finale of SouthLand as it aired. Man, these seasons are way too short!

The Survivor episode this week did come as a bit of a surprise. I know that Jeff Probst has been hyping Colton as the most villainous villain ever and didn't expect him to go out so soon with a medical issue. To me, Colton wasn't a villain anyway. He was a mean nasty little rich spoiled brat who needs to learn what the real world's like outside of his own sheltered little world. Although I never would wish acute appendicitis on anyone, you know what they say about karma. The bad thing is that I think Jeff will push for his return in another season. Sigh.

Tonight's episode of The Amazing Race is almost promised to be delayed by March Madness. I'll get a blog party post up for 8pm EDT, but I don't expect the show to start anywhere near on time. Perhaps we can all get cyber-drunk while anticipating Brenchel meltdowns ahead!

Onto the photos for the week -- clicking on an image will open a larger view in a gallery setting. So fancy-schmancy, eh? 


Different perspective on my 'hood

This is the view I saw crossing the street and heading into the Norwood Terrace rehab to visit Dan. Oh my ... the 'hood looks good from here! I actually live a bit off the left side of this photo.

Early morning solitude

East Front Street in Plainfield.

Magnolia blossom

The big magnolia tree across the street from my building hit full bloom towards the end of the week. Now the ground there is littered with magnolia blossom petals.


Forsythia by flash

Thanks to Daylight Savings Time, my walk to the train station in the morning is still mostly under the cloak of darkness. Of course, I do like the opportunity to use the phrase "cloak of darkness." Beside that, it does give me flash photo opportunities.

***HIT THE 'READ MORE' LINK TO SEE THE REST OF THE PHOTOS!***

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Survivor: One World - March 21 Episode Blog Party

Survivor: One World, By Zoetawny for jackiestvblog.blogspot.com

The show is about to start here on the East Coast. Now, tonight something horrible is supposed to happen at the end of the episode. From the promos, it looks like someone gets Medivac'd out. They're very hush-hush about it all, but we'll know soon!

As it airs, I'll be posting the major happenings here. But the real fun is in the comments area. I only ask that things are kept kind of PG-Rated. Other than that, cyber-drinking is fine and dandy ... you just have to drive your comfy chair home! Survivor fans ready?

Reward Challenge time -- They have to knock out five targets by bouncing a coconut off a trampoline at the targets. The reward is ice cream, any style they want. Salani won.

Colton is nasty and he's targeting Christina.

Oh, geez. Colton has a severe headache and Christina nurses him. @@

Medics arrive. He has to go to the hospital, possible appendicitis. He's out of the game, taking his idol with him. Now the tribe target focus will be changing to Alicia ... I hope.

Hmm ... tree mail tells them that both tribes will be going to Tribal Council tonight. Uh-oh.

At TC, Jeff announces Colton had acute appendicitis and had to have emergency surgery. Alicia is still bitter that Colton didn't give her his idol.

"Drop your buffs, we are merged."

Tarzan: "The game is afoot."

Sunday, March 18, 2012

The Amazing Race 20 Blog Party - 03/18/12


Sigh. We were getting spoiled with the show starting on time. March Madness basketball is now the sporting issue. To be honest, I have no clue when 60 Minutes started as I wasn't watching the game before it. Oh. Wait. That started at 7:44pm here on the East Coast. We can expect The Amazing Race at about 8:44pm. Argh.

Once it starts, I'll be updating this post with the major events. But the most action can be found in the comments section. I hope to see you there!

Teams are on their way to Bavaria via Austria.

The Detour deals with fairy tales and champion male (styling a man's beard). Bopper and Mark's Speed Bump has them yodeling. Most of the teams are going for the beard Detour.

The Border Patrol is first to the Roadblock -- sliding their roaming gnomes across ice to a bullseye. Meanwhile, most of the teams have gone to the wrong castle to find the Roadblock clue.

#1 AGAIN -- Art and JJ (Border Patrol) won a trip to Thailand.
2. Joey "Fitness" and Danny
3. Vanessa and Ralph
4. Rachel and Dave
5. Brendon and Rachel
6. Bopper and Mark!!!
7. Nary and Jamie
8. Kerri and Stacy -- Philiminated

Off Topic - That Was the Week It Was - March 18, 2012

Why yes ... it's Sunday morning once again! That means it's time for my weekly off television topic reflection on the week gone by in both words and photographs I've taken along the way.

Hmm. I've had a rather uneventful week. For the most part it seems to have been a bit chilly and rainy or just overcast. It was nice on my day off, but I had things I had to attend to around the apartment. Plus I napped. I'll admit it. Losing the hour makes it seem like I'm getting up before 4am for work! It's bad enough to be getting up before 5am daily! I'd prefer it if we just kept setting the clock BACK every six months instead of the "spring forward" part. I suppose that would screw up time for the future generations. Oh well. I'm quasi-used to getting up at FOUR in the morning now!

I hope everyone who's Irish (at least for the day) enjoyed St. Patrick's Day. I don't do this every year, but I did buy corned beef, cabbage, etc. to make myself an Irish feast (although I'm not Irish). Unfortunately, I worked late yesterday. So my feast is planned for today. Then I can live off of leftovers and not have to cook for a while.

Realizing how mundane my life is as I get older, I find bizarre things will get me excited. Yesterday in Target, I noticed they carry their store brand wet Swiffer refills scented with lavender. Now I'm looking forward to doing my floors today before I get the feast going on the stove. Sad, I know. 

I might also take a stroll looking for blooms and see if local blogger Dan Damon can have visitors over at the Norwood rehab place practically across the street from my apartment. That's the rehab I was going to go to for the first knee replacement, but my doctor thought I'd be okay not going to rehab. I was singng to myself, "They want me to go to rehab, I said NO NO NO." Of course, it's a way different kind of rehab than the one to which Amy Winehouse was referring to in her song.

In television, I've pretty much given up on American Idol this season. With it up against Survivor and the fact that no one on it rocks my world, it's easy to forget to watch. I keep actually forgetting Southland on Tuesday nights at 10pm and I don't want to forget that show! The finale is this week and I'll try to remember. I've ended up watching it online on Wednesdays during my day off. Since TNT hooked up with "cable providers" to watch the show on their site, the commercials are worse than watching it live on TV. Of course, we're still doing blog parties for both The Amazing Race and Survivor right here. So far, the March Madness basketball coverage hasn't affected them.

Onto this week's photos -- clicking on an image will open it larger in a new gallery.

Dark mornings again

Just when I had gotten used to daylight for my early morning commute, I've been plunged into the darkness once again. This was Monday morning. Most of the other days, it was either overcast or drizzling. Plainfield Train Station.

Crocuses in bloom

Yes, I need to get better shots. It's been dark (and rainy) most mornings as I passed by the YWCA crocuses on East Front Street in Plainfield. And, alas, I was running a little late yesterday in actual daylight.

Waitin' on a train

I took this shot while on the handicap ramp access to the platform. Of course, that's the equivalent of placing the camera ON the platform. But I can see what I'm shooting, which is always a good thing. Yes, it was a wet morning. Plainfield Train Station.

***HIT THE 'READ MORE' LINK TO SEE THE REST OF THE PHOTOS!***

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Survivor: One World - March 14 Episode Blog Party

Survivor: One World, By Zoetawny for jackiestvblog.blogspot.com

The show is about to start here on the East Coast. Now, this week's promos have the tribes, if not merging, then just mixing it up. I'm predicting a schoolyard pick of new tribes. Of course, I could be very wrong. It also appears that "so-and-so" Colton will still be ruling the roost. Jeff seems to have him pegged for a Super Villain. We'll see.

As I mentioned on the Amazing Race blog party post, I'd appreciate folks restraining themselves a bit to keep things on at the very most, a PG level. No matter how annoying a castaway might be, let's not go all crude over it. We're better than that!

That said, let the party start! I'll be updating this post with major events. However, the real fun is in the comments area. C'mon by!

The Reward Challenge. Wait, drop your buffs, we're switching tribes. A random switch by breaking eggs against themselves for the colors of the new tribes. 

I can't keep up with the listing of who's on what tribe. Oh no!

Reward has them carrying water, plugging holes in a bucket, and filling a tank. Reward is peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and continue living at the One World beach. The losing tribe must make a new camp elsewhere.

The new Salani tribe won. That's the tribe sans Colton. It does have most of the muscular guys on it. Manono has Colton and Tarzan (not Troyzan).

Kim found the hidden idol (originally) for the women in the ex-mens area. She told Chelsea. They're on the stronger Salani tribe with four women, three men. Monica, Alicia and Cristina are on the Colton tribe, he wants Cristina out.

Immunity Challenge time. Race to get a ball in the water, others try to get it in the basket while the opposing tribe tries to block baskets. Salani wins Immunity! Michael, Jay, the womens alliance and Troyzan!

Monica, the ONLY Manono person to score in the challenge, is Colton's latest target. Now they're saying a Tarzan blindside. I be so confused! Colton is telling Tarzan and Leif the target is Monica.

The tally: Tarzan, Tarzan, Monica, Monica, Monica, Monica ... Colton has his way again. Those foolish dolts! 

Sunday, March 11, 2012

The Amazing Race 20 Blog Party - 03/11/12


Wow. We must be going for a record with the show starting on time once again here on the East Coast! Once it starts, I'll update this entry with the major events. However, the real fun is in the comments area. Please jump on in and share your thoughts on the teams, locations and challenges!

I do have a request, though. I received comments from some folks offended by some of the language and crudeness of comments on the recent Survivor episode. I have to say that I agree with them. I've always tried to keep this blog PG-rated and some of the name-calling of castaways (or a particular castaway) have gone far beyond that. Please stop. I'd rather this place remain fun for all and there's no need to be really, really crude. Merci!

The teams are heading to Italy!

The Border dudes were first to the Fast Forward clue. The Roadblock has a team member rappelling down a scary distance for a clue. Ford Focus product placement.

The Border agents made their second first place showing, winning $5,000 each.

Rachel and Brendon are fighting. Why am I not surprised?

The Detour is Clean Statue or Name That Salami. The latter has them naming 14 salamis, the first definitely sounds easier!

2. Rachel and Dave
3. Joey Fitness and Danny
4. Vanessa and Ralph
5. Nary and Jamie
6. Brendon and Rachel
7. Kerry and Staci
8. Kentucky ... Bopper and Mark ...  the Border Agents are splitting their winnings with them! And it's non-elimination! They're still in it! I'd rather watch these two than Brenchel. 

Off Topic - That Was the Week It Was - March 11, 2012

It's Sunday morning, time for my weekly off television topic photo post chronicling the week gone by in both words and photos I've taken along the way. I have to say this ... I want my hour back. I don't care about the extra hour of sunshine. I want my hour back NOW. 

Oh my. I've had such a week here. With my apartment still not put together from the painting and renovation work, last Sunday I got a notice that there would be a city inspection on Tuesday. Gah. I had to move everything back, go into panic cleaning mode (mopped and waxed all my hardwood floors, cleaned closets, cleaned EVERYTHING). Then I ended up with a really long day at work Monday, getting home several hours later than usual. (There have been work issues all week long, too.)

All pretty much for naught. 

The city inspector came in with his list of things to check from the last inspection -- painting done, new bathroom ceiling, bathroom sink faucet fixed (although it's a whole new sink, vanity and medicine cabinet), new kitchen floor. It took him about a minute and a half. I felt like screaming, "LOOK AT HOW MY FLOORS SHINE! WANT TO CHECK MY CLOSETS?!?"

But I didn't. I napped.

I'm just glad it's all over. I really don't like interference in my home life. I'm quite the private person and when I get home from work, I don't want to have to worry about workmen, inspectors, property managers, etc. I want to be left alone. I'll call them if I need them. That said, the building itself (and my apartment) look better than they have since I've lived here. 

Now if they'd stop renting to riff-raff in the front of the building -- folks who let their children run wild in the hallways or, worse yet, the idiot father boy who plays ball in the hall with his toddlers letting them run, thump and scream in our section where he doesn't live! I pointed out to the property manager where he's already scuffed the newly-painted hallways with the ball. My own wing and floor of the building is fine. We all respect each other, have consideration for others and don't have children running the hallways.

At work, my computer software is still all messed up. It's a nightmare. I don't want to talk about it.  

Onto the photos -- clicking on an image will open a larger view.

Sunset train

I realize the sun will be setting even later tonight, but it's been a good month since I left work on a weekday at sunset anyway. But I worked late Monday and caught these great skies as I waited for my train home. The white trailers to the right are part of the Big Apple Circus entourage. I still haven't spotted stallions outside!

Sunrise reflected

These are the row homes on East Second Street in Plainfield. Last week I posted their rather dismal courtyard. Yet the way the early morning sun reflected in some of the windows caught my eye on the way to work one morning. I edited the shot to leave only the windows in color.

Pretty skies

Monday evening looking over the toxic superfund field of geese in Bridgewater.

***HIT THE 'READ MORE' LINK TO SEE THE REST OF THE PHOTOS***

Wednesday, March 07, 2012

Survivor: One World - March 7 Episode Blog Party

Survivor: One World, By Zoetawny for jackiestvblog.blogspot.com

The show is about to start here on the East Coast! Have the women turned their bad luck (and bad choices) around? Will the men re-dominate the game? Will Colton remain an extremely annoying so-and-so ringleader of a solid alliance? 

As the show airs, I'll update this post with the major events. However, the real fun is in the comments area and everybody is welcome to chime in with your thoughts on the show! Survivors ready?

The Rewards Challenge has them using a slingshot to knock panels out of a "wall." The winners will take one of three rewards: Comfort (pillows, blankets), Protection (tarp), Luxury (donuts, coffee).

The WOMEN won! It's the third challenge in a row won by them! They chose the tarp.

The Immunity Challenge has them tied together in pairs, going over a teeter-totter, solving puzzles. Welp, the streak is over for the women. Men win Immunity.

Hmm ... Colton wants to volunteer the men to go to Tribal Council in lieu of the women just so he can get Bill voted out.

 And it's the MEN who show up at TC! Yoicks!

The tally: Leif, Bill, Bill, Bill, Bill, Bill.

Colton did Bill in. Oh my. This is just odd.

Sunday, March 04, 2012

The Amazing Race 20 Blog Party - 03/04/12


Be still, my heart. The show is actually starting on time here on the East Coast! Oh my. I supposed we shouldn't get used to it, eh?

As it airs here, I'll be updating this post with the major events. However, the real fun is in the comments area. Everyone is welcome to join in to cheer or jeer the teams!

The teams are heading to Paraguay. The Detour is Stacked Up or Strung Out. Stacking watermelons or attaching strings to harps. The Border Patrol guys are way ahead of the other teams. The Roadblock is to perform a cultural dance with a water bottle balanced on their heads. Er, well ... one head.

Whoa! Art and JJ are at the Pit Stop and no other team has even finished the Detour! They won a trip to the Bahamas. Rachel and Dave used their Express Pass when they realized that all the other teams were already at the harps. Most of the teams switched from watermelons to harps.

Dave ended up breaking all the bottles in the dance. While they arrived second at the Pit Stop, they have to wait out a two-hour penalty. Rachel and Brendon came in third, which became second. Then the Jersey/Staten Island "Fitness" team came in third. Kentucky, four. Nary and Jamie, five. Rachel and Dave's penalty is up, six. Kerri and Stacy, seven.

Vanessa and Ralph made it to eight. The twins were last and were Philiminated. 

Off Topic - That Was the Week It Was - March 4, 2012

It's Sunday morning, time for my weekly off television topic reflection on the week gone by in both words and photographs I've taken. While my own week has been on the quiet side, my thoughts and prayers are with those folks in the Midwest and South who have suffered through horrible tornadoes on Friday. I heard there were 96 tornadoes in one single day while the average for the entire month of March is only 72. Unbelievable!

We did have rain and some chill here. But no severe weather, not eeven a thunderstorm. Nor did we have snow, something which came down north of this area. 

Local blogger Dan Damon is also still in my thoughts this week. How suddenly one's life can change! Hopefully his most recent surgery went okay and he's into rehab now. Shout out, Dan! Holla!  Now that I won't be having knee surgeries every three years with the accompanying medical tests, I guess it's a heads up to me to be checked for diabetes, etc., on a fairly regular basis.

My own week has been on the uneventful side. I'm still playing with furniture and decorations as I slowly put my apartment back together after its renovations. The building itself is painted throughout (interior, exterior is brick), mailboxes redone, new laundry machines along with the paint job there and more. It's in better shape than I've ever seen it in the almost eleven years I've lived here. Now they need to clamp down on the children from the front apartments thinking the hallways are a playground. I know we're due for another state re-inspection, plus it was supposedly bought at an auction last year although we're still paying the receiver from the bank after the last landlord went bankrupt.

My work computer software is still not functioning. I'm still working in the stone age with a chisel and piece of granite there. It's going to be dreadful when it's finally fixed and I have to sit and enter weeks worth of data. Wah.

Onto the photos ... clicking on an image will open it to a larger view!  

Blue sky, yellow glow

I like the blue and yellow hues in this photo I took while walking to the train just after the rain stopped early one morning. The sky is actually pretty light these days, but the clouds made it seem darker. This is on East Front Street near the YWCA in Plainfield.

Daffodils!

The annual daffodils came up this week in the cemetery behind the Friends (Shaker) Meeting House on Watchung Avenue in Plainfield. These don't usually bloom until late March or early April here.

Synchronized geese

Honk. Bridgewater, NJ

***HIT THE 'READ MORE' LINK TO SEE THE REST OF THE PHOTOS!***

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Survivor: One World - February 29 Episode Blog Party

Survivor: One World, By Zoetawny for jackiestvblog.blogspot.com

Welcome one, welcome all! Survivor: One World is starting here on the East Coast. I can only hope that the women might get their act together. What a dismal start for the tribe ... probably enough to make Colton Cumbie to beat feet back to his own tribe thankful that he avoided disaster. Not only are the women performing poorly in challenges, they're making horrible decisions. Sending Nina packing last week? Oy!

I'll be updating this post with major events. However, the real action (and fun) is in the comments section. Everyone is free to jump in with thoughts on the show, the cast, Jeff's Probst-ing ways, etc. See you there!

The Rewards Challenge is a memory test -- memorizing items and recreating. The reward is a complete fishing gear set and canoe. Oh my gosh, Sabrina took the first round! I think it's the first time a woman has won. Now Monica is also right. The women are leading! Alicia continues the streak. Then Kat. OMG! The women win reward!

Immunity Challenge time -- caller and blindfolded pairs going through an obstacle course, then puzzle. I'm in shock. The women started out doing horribly, then caught up and passed the men on the puzzle. The women have won Immunity!

Tribal Council time. Will Colton's alliance stick together on the vote? Will he use the hidden idol? Nope, he doesn't use it.

The tally: Colton, Bill, Matt, Matt, Matt, Matt, Matt. Bye-bye, Matt! Colton's alliance stayed true. Interesting.

Sunday, February 26, 2012

The Amazing Race 20 Blog Party - 02/26/12


The show is starting on time for a change. Woohoo! Alas, I'm expecting a quiet evening here due to the Oscar competition. I didn't see any of the films up for awards and have no plans to watch said gala event. I do plan to switch to the new Celebrity Apprentice premiere after TAR, though. Since getting to "know" George Takei (Mr. Sulu from Star Trek: The Original Series) via Facebook, I simply must catch him in action. He's very intelligent, has a fantastic insight into a tremendous array of things and sense of humor!

But, of course, this party is all about The Amazing Race! I'll be updating this post only with the really major events. I'm still in the process of figuring out the teams, so it's best that you all join me in the comments area where we don't really have to have the teams memorized! Teams ready?

1. Rachel and Dave AGAIN! Won a trip to Grenada
2. Border Patrol dudes
3. Popper and Mark (Kentucky)
4. Brendon and Rachel (sigh, want them GONE)
5. Kerry and Stacy (country gals)
6. Nary and Jamie (fed agents)
7. Vanessa and Ralph (my blog pool team)
8. Joey Fitness and Danny
9. Elliot and Andrew

The clowns, Dave and Cherie, were Philiminated. They didn't perform well, but I found them pleasant as a couple and possessing humor. I'd rather another team go.

Off Topic - That Was the Week It Was - February 26, 2012

Yes, it is indeed Sunday morning and I'm back! My apologies for skipping last week's off television topic photo post, but I was really hurting and discombobulated. My apartment is still a bit discombobulated as I get this written. However, I no longer ache and I should get things back in place later today.

For those who didn't catch last week's post -- my apartment underwent some renovation work. Painting throughout, new kitchen floor, new bathroom ceiling, new bathroom sink with vanity, and new bathroom medicine cabinet. While I didn't have to do all this work, I did move everything to the center of my rooms, climbed up and down removing things from the walls (and the knee doesn't really climb well), helped the contractor move my refrigerator (which really wanted to remain in place), etc.

I was exhausted and ached all over. It takes a good year to eighteen months to recover completely from a knee replacement. Not only is the knee a bit iffy still, but my stamina and strength aren't 100% yet. Plus I started all this work ill with a fever and stomach bug. GAH! 

I've been working on getting things back in place ... or in new places as it gives me an excuse to rearrange things ... bit by bit after work. I'm not quite under the deadline I was for throwing and shoving everything in the middle of the rooms! I also have decided to purge some of my belongings. I will probably never be a size 10 again, those clothes can go. I have a pair of practically brand new Chicago inline roller skates. While I might venture out on quad (old school) skates again, I hated the inline and used them a few times years ago. Size 9 -- anyone wanna buy?

Work has been a nightmare for most of this week with computer issues. Supposedly the DSL at work isn't working and we're only communicating via satellite. That was fixed, but amidst the problems, my software I use for my work somehow got corrupted (they think). I've had to use a chisel and a slab of granite in lieu of modern technology. Er, okay ... adding machine tapes and notes. Once things come up, I have to enter each day's work into the computer. Sigh. 

On this Sunday, my thoughts go out to local Plainfield bloggers Dan Damon and Bernice Paglia. Dan was hospitalized with some serious issues earlier this week and Bernice, a fellow car-free pedestrian, has been having horrible knee issues. I know what knee issues are like, especially as a pedestrian! May both of my friends feel better soon!

Onto the photos for this week -- clicking on an image will open a larger view.

Call me Mr. Chubbs

This squirrel was hanging out at the Plainfield Train Station yesterday morning as I waited for my train. He was a bit of a ham (even though he's obviously a squirrel!). I have a mini-series of shots of him later on in this entry.

Winter budding

We've had some cooler temperatures the past few days. But the winter is still so warm and mild that the trees are confused. Bridgewater Train Station.

Pinks of dawn

The days are getting longer. It's no longer pitch black when I leave my apartment heading to the train station. The sunrise actually occurs while I'm aboard the train on my way to work. Soon it should be rising while I'm at the Plainfield Train Station.

***CLICK THE 'READ MORE' LINK TO SEE ALL THE PHOTOS***

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Survivor: One World - February 22 Episode Blog Party

Survivor: One World, By Zoetawny for jackiestvblog.blogspot.com

The show is about to start here on the East Coast. I have a feeling that tonight we'll find out exactly how annoying Colton Cumbie can be. Hopefully the gals will get their act together. I was quite disappointed in them last week.

I'll be posting major updates here in this entry. However, the real fun will be in the comments section -- feel free to join the party and let the rest of us know what you think of the episode! Survivor fans ready?

The men won the reward challenge and gained themselves a tarp. The women didn't really screw up; they did well. But the men were quicker.

Colton told Troyzan and Jonas that he has the idol. He wants to team up with them to get Michael (my pool dude) out. He only went to the guys because he annoyed the women so much they made him go away.

The immunity challenge has the tribes lined up on balance beams. One by one, they have to pass each other until all are on a platform. Now, the women sucked. The men won the challenge with ease.

Tally: Nina, Kat, Christina, Nina, Nina, Naina ... they kept the very pretty but totally inept Kat! Argh!

Sunday, February 19, 2012

The Amazing Race 21 Season Premiere Blog Party

Yep, tonight's the night! Unfortunately utterly clueless CBS has NOT addressed the problem of airing sports which chronically cause delays in airing primetime shows on Sunday evenings. This time it was golf delaying a season premiere.

They desperately need to change to only TWO primetime shows -- airing 60 Minutes at 8 P ET, TAR at 9 PM, etc. That way we could depend on a standard time even if it is (technically) an hour later. 60 Minutes started at 7:21 ET, so although I'm putting this post up on time, expect TAR east coast approximately 8:20 PM .

Here's Phil Keoghan's take on this season's cast:



Margo has graciously offered to host the pool once again -- three cheers to her! Here's the random match-ups:

Art & J.J.- Auntie Leigh, Caela, Sydney
Brendon & Rachel - Donna in FL, Jennasmom, Lynn 1
Dave & Cherie - JOEY, MEB, SueGee
Dave & Rachel - Pam in NJ, Rbennie
Elliot & Andrew - Becky, DKNYNC, Donna in AL
Joey "Fitness" & Danny - Brent McKee, Karen in CA, Indiana Jane
Kerri & Stacey - Ed in OH, Margo
Mark & Bopper - Delee, Nana in NW, Petals
Misa & Maiya - Laurie, Terry in PA, Zoetawny
Nary & Jamie - Merrilee, PDXGranny
Vanessa & Ralph - Jackie, ML, Monty924

Although I'm hoping for an early exit for Brendon and Rachel, I do understand that some folks might like them. So far I don't have a favorite yet and I know it will take a few weeks to figure out the names on the teams.

I will update this with the (possible, probable) elimination, but I'm not going to post a blow-by-blow account. Everyone is invited to join in with comments! Who's got the booze?

Rachel and Dave (no, not Rachel and Brendon) came in first and got the Express Pass. Brenchel was second. Art and JJ, three. Mary and Jenny, Vanessa and Ralph ... oops lost track!

Misa and Maiya totally blew it. They were next to last and got screwed up finding Phil. They're Philiminated.

Life Interrupted

I will be hosting (and participating) in the big blog party for the season premiere of The Amazing Race tonight starting at 8 PM ET. Be there or be square!

However, I will not be putting up my weekly photo post this morning. My apartment has been undergoing painting and kitchen renovations for the last few days. I took it upon myself to move all my furniture away from the walls as well as get everything off the walls. He finished the painting yesterday and I just collapsed. I still have to move everything back (or rearrange!)

He has to come back tomorrow although I'll have to be at work -- new bathroom sink and medicine cabinet, possibly new tiling around the tub. If they're going to do all that, they might as well give me a new toilet and tub, too!

The bathroom sink replacement is my own doing. The night before he first showed up, I leaned on it and it fell off the wall! I scrambled to catch it before it ripped the water lines out of the wall and then strained about 15 minutes to get it up on its brackets. When I finally got it up there, I noticed the big S pipe underneath disconnected. I asked him to fix the pipe and he told me he'd get me a new sink in a vanity. Yay! But, in a way, boo as under the sink was Vincent's litter box. The bathroom is tiny. I have to come up with a new place for it.

Between moving my whole darn life of stuff, straining with a deceptively heavy bathroom sink and helping the 4'10" Ecuadorean contractor dude move the refrigerator ... I'm hurting all over. And I have so much yet to do moving things all back. Sigh.

But do come back tonight for the show! 

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Survivor: One World - Season Premiere Blog Party

Survivor: One World, By Zoetawny for jackiestvblog.blogspot.com


Welcome one, welcome all! Yep, it's a new season of Survivor at hand! Zoetawny was kind enough to create a new blog logo for the show and, knowing what she's been going through, she rocks indeed!

Lifeguard Laurie is running the pool -- the random draw has these picks:

Troy Robertson -- Lynn1, Margo
Sabrina Thompson -- Leigh, meb
Nina Acosta -- Laurie, ML
Monica Culpepper -- Jenna's mom, Monty 924
Michael Jefferson -- Jackie, Nana in the NW
Matt Quinlan -- Glenn, Pam
Leif Manson -- Estelle, PDX Granny
Kourtney Moon -- Ed in Ohio, Petals
Kimberly Spradlin -- Dusty, rbennie
Kat Edorsson -- Donna, Rochelle
Jonas Otsuji -- dla, Sue Gee
Jay Byars -- DKNYNC, Tammy
Greg Smith -- Delee, Terry
Colton Cumbie -- Caela, Zoetawny
Christina Cha -- Buzzman
Chelsea Meissner -- Brent McKee
Bill Posley -- Becky
Alicia Rosa --Ann


If you didn't make the pool cut-off, feel free to cheer on your favorite team for the win anyway! I was in shock that my pool pick actually won last season. I guess I can't depend on that two seasons in a row, eh? Well ... maybe I can! We'll see.

Margo will be running the TAR pool -- if you want in on that one, please reply to the cast post I made earlier today!

Survivor fans ready?

Jeff divided them into two tribes -- men and women. But we knew that would happen. They have 60 seconds to strip any goods they can off the truck they arrived in, but they don't know they'll be sharing a camp ... yet. Uh-oh. My pool pick stole from the women!

Jeff gave each tribe a map to the camp, yet still hasn't told them it's the same camp. He told them hidden idols will be in play, but no Redemption Island. (YAY!) The girls are already forming a "final five" as they hike to the camp. They arrive to the camp first and see both flags, so the cat is out of the bag.

They're all chasing chickens. One girl catches TWO -- Chelsea. Now the guys are hitting them up to share. Colton is already alienating his tribe by hanging around the girls. Will he spy for the guys or just hang with the women on his own?

The guys got a fire going first. Sabrina offered a chicken for fire. Hmmm. One gal wants the axe back that they stole. Heh, the girls went to go steal back the axe while the men slept and stole fire instead.

The women now are weaving twenty fronds for the guys in exchange for fire because their stolen fire pooped out.

One of the women (still not good on names yet, black woman) found the Manano (mens tribe) idol and must give it up before Tribal Council. She chooses Colton who has already groveled around for it with the women.

Immunity Challenge time! It's physical -- jumping into a net, balance beam. Uh-oh -- it looks like Kourtney might have broken her wrist. She needs x-rays. Due to her dropping out, the men win by forfeit. They have the choice to take the win and run or continue the challenge. The guys take the win.

Tribal Council time ... Kourtney still not back. She's their major pick to go. But one of the girls (Alicia) wants to get Christina out as she thinks she's in too much with the men. Whoa! Christina/Alicia cat fight ... MEOW.

Kourtney's wrist is broken in a few places, she'll need surgery. She's out of the game. No one is getting voted out.

My verdict? This could definitely be an interesting season, for sure! I just hope the women get together a bit more. The cohesiveness of the men (so far, except Colton) is going to hurt them.

The Amazing Race 20 - Meet the Cast

The Amazing Race begins this Sunday! Who's gonna be here? While I have no favorite team just going over the bio videos, I do have a least favorite team for the win. Can you guess who it is?



Is there any interest in a pool this season? If so, respond to this post. And, of course ... stop back tonight for the Survivor blog party!

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Off Topic - That Was the Week It Was - February 12, 2012

Yes, it's another Sunday. That means it's time for another off television topic reflection on the week gone by in both words and photographs I've taken. Never fear, TV fans --- Survivor returns this Wednesday! As usual, I'll have the blog party going on as the show airs here on the east coast. Everyone is welcome to join in!

The esteemed Lifeguard Laurie will be running the blog pool. If you want to get in on the action (no real wagering, but bragging rights if your random pool pick is the sole survivor!), please respond here in comments or email her at lifeguardlaurie@gmail.com. This is the list Laurie has so far:

Ann
Becky
Brent McKee
Delee
Donna
Ed in Ohio
Jackie
Jenna's mom
Laurie
Leigh
Margo
meb
ML
Monty 924
Nana in the NW
PDX Granny
Petals
rbennie
Rochelle
Sue Gee
Terry
Zoetawny
******************************************************
In other business, we had snow not once, but TWICE this past week! Wow. I'd say the total of both storms combined was less than an inch. Wow. During my skiing heyday, I'd be miserable about the lack of snow this year. But I'm not missing it at all. We've paid our snow dues the last few years, last year in particular.  I just wonder what effect it will have on the other seasons. I've never seen a winter in the northeast this warm.

On Friday morning, there was a big fire in Plainfield. There I was, making my lunch to take to work with the TV news on in the other room -- WCBS out of Manhattan. I heard, "We're over Plainfield ..." Huh? It must have been a slow news day in NYC as all the network affiliates had their helicopters hovering over Plainfield.  As I waited for my train, there were four helicopters just hovering there like dragonflies watching for prey.

Usually if they give that much coverage to a fire in NJ, it's huge. This one wasn't really huge like a city block or a forty unit apartment building -- it was a single home with an attached vacant body shop. But it was a relentless fire fueled by a gas main. And, the smoke as I headed to the train station was unbelievable.

No one was injured which, of course, is a good thing. However, I was very saddened to hear that the family there had three emaciated pit bulls in the yard, one which had to be put down on the scene as he was in such bad shape ... and not anything to do with the fire. Didn't the neighbors see the poor dogs suffering? Please, folks, if you see neglect like that, report it!

Not much else has been going on. As promised, I'm first bringing you photos of the Tropicana Train -- the Times Square shuttle. I'm really not sure how orange juice will make you feel better when the day goes awry, but it does make for a different NYC subway experience. I took them on January 29th. 




***HIT THE 'READ MORE' LINK TO SEE THE REST OF THE PHOTOS!***

Sunday, February 05, 2012

Off Topic - That Was the Week It Was - February 5, 2012

It's Sunday morning once again. Odd thing, that. It seems like it comes around once a week or so! But, because it's here again, it's time for my weekly off television topic reflection on the week gone by in both words and photographs I've taken.

First, let's talk a little about television. I'm tired of the American Idol auditions. I'm glad they're over and it's onto Hollywood next week. Perhaps I've just wearied of the show concept, but no one I've seen has rocked my socks. Eventually, in just a few weeks, Idol will be up against Survivor on Wednesday night. When that time comes, I go Survivor

Since we've entered the February sweeps, at least Letterman was new this week. I can't believe he's been hosting late nights for 30 years. The scary thing is that I think I've seen most of the shows! Although I got a new Southland, I want a new Castle!

Okay, onto my week ...

As I mentioned last week, on Sunday I went into the city to the big Lunar (Chinese) New Year parade in Chinatown. Oy. I really didn't think of how crowded it would be. I'm not a fan of crowds, especially ones which totally squish me. Had I realized it, I would have headed in earlier. Instead, I decided to watch CBS Sunday Morning and, at 10:30 when it ended, I packed up my DSLR and my best Canon point and shoot, then moseyed to the bus stop on the corner to catch the 10:41 bus which ended up being late. The parade was supposed to wind through the streets of Chinatown from 11 to 4.


But I didn't know 400,000 people would show up! The crowd situation was worse than the two years I've ventured into Times Square (and never will again) for New Year's Eve. The bus I took ends up at Port Authority which is way uptown from Chinatown. By the time I took three separate subway lines to end up down there, it was going for 1PM and the crowds were unbelievable.

Although there were tons of police, NYPD really did a horrible job with crowd control. I got really SQUISHED, to the point of being scary squished -- the pressure of the bodies was probably capable of breaking brittle bones. On one block on Mott Street (that's almost the Main Street of Chinatown), the police kept letting people in one end while the police at the other end blocked them in. The crush was horrid and only relieved when a bunch of folks started screaming that someone was hurt, someone fainted and one yelled that someone was dead. But no one either fainted or was dead that I saw. I think they just wanted to get the cops to let us out of the crush. 


So the cops opened a barricade and let us go right into Hester Street where another segment of the parade was coming through. Now, they wanted us to go back onto the sidewalk on Hester. But I found a safe crowd-free place between two parked cars on the street and stayed right there for the rest of the parade. So, while this was a great photo op in thought, the reality was not as exciting. If I go again, I'll go early in the morning and stake out a spot right along the street, not stuck in the masses in the middle of the sidewalk.


Yet I'm glad I went. I did get some nice shots, not necessarily of the parade. Because I have so many photos, you can expect the Tropicana subway shots next week. Since I took the 6 train back uptown and planned to take the 7 over towards Port Authority only to find out that the 7 is shut down on the weekends right now for maintenance, I ended up on this bizarre Times Square shuttle which hyped Tropicana orange juice. It was kind of cool, but I didn't want to add that series to this already photo-laden entry.


Oh yes, I always seem to end up in Times Square. But, never again on New Year's Eve. The reason I always end up there is because I take the bus home (it stops right across the street from my apartment) and the Port Authority Bus Terminal is in the edge of Times Square. If I take a train home, I don't go that far uptown.


That was my big excitement for the week. Other than that, it was work, eat, sleep, rinse and repeat. Onto the photos ... clicking on an image will open it larger in a gallery thingee.

Call me a cab!

Yes, that's a NYC cab. But take a closer look. That's the Plainfield Police Department in the background. Apparently some folks have money to throw away. The train or bus would cost $10 or less. I believe the going rate for the cab is $135 these days. That's not including the tip! Since his number light was lit, he was available. I should have hailed him to bring me home and found out the difference for the crosstown trip from him versus the local cabs. This was taken Monday afternoon on Watchung Avenue, Plainfield.


Cover me -- I'm going in!

I guess the parade is in there somewhere!

Not sure what to make of it all

I took this one stuck in the mob on Mott Street. Some parents were foolish enough to bring strollers. The best place for small children was atop the shoulders of their parents. It kind of spoiled the view for people like me, but it was the safest for the kids. This one wasn't quite that high. One idiot during my squished state actually had rolling luggage! I couldn't figure out why my upper body was moving around a bit in the crowd but my legs seemed to be stuck against a rock or something! I thought the knee replacements got bent!

***CLICK THE 'READ MORE' LINK TO SEE THE REST OF THE PHOTOS***