Talking Big Brother 15 ...

It's getting closer now! Big Brother 15 makes its debut a few weeks earlier than usual this season. Its premiere is set for Wednesday, June 26, instead of the after 4th of July premiere we've had for the last several seasons. Rumors have it that the number of house hamsters is the most ever, too.

There have been also some other changes, mainly with the live feeds themselves and the elimination of the Showtime Too Big Brother: After Dark nightly shows. Or, is that Showtime Two? I only have basic cable, so I never had that anyway. On the other hand, I do have TVGN (on two channels!), the new home of the After Dark show. Apparently the format for that nightly show has gone from three hours down to two hours along with the network change. A bit more information can be had at this TVGuide.com announcement.

While I know about that change, the one which really doesn't affect what I do all that much, I have no clue about the live feeds yet. This is the first season since the first season that Real Networks isn't our feedline. Supposedly, the CBS.com site itself will be, but there's been little official word about any details. It will surely cost money as did Real Networks. I still plan on buying them and need to cancel my real.com Superpass before the quarter is up. I need to download my June songs from Rhaspody before I do!

As soon as I have the skinny, I'll pass it on to you. Will you be watching?

Off Topic: That Was the Week It Was - May 26, 2013

Yo, good morning, peeps. Oh, did I say that? You'll have to forgive me. I just looked up who's doing the cover of "All Along the Watchtower" in the commercials for the new upcoming Stephen King TV series Under the Dome. It's a rap group called Devlin out of the UK. Very catchy although it's definitely not Dylan or Hendrix. A good song holds up no matter what. Leave it to King who owns (owned?) a classic rock radio station up in Maine to come up with this version for the promos.

Anyway ... it's Sunday morning. Welcome to my weekly off television topic reflection on the week gone by in both words and photographs I've taken along the way. Not to fear, TV fans, it won't be long until this television lull is in the past. I have a bunch of screeners from TNT to cover in the upcoming days. Big Brother is back in the last week of June. There's the series mentioned above which I find very intriguing because I'm a huge Stephen King buff. We will have our television fodder!

Last week's weather here in my corner of New Jersey ran the gambit from almost winter-like to summer heat and humidity with very little spring tossed in there. The wind howled a lot. Yesterday was cold and raw with high wind warnings -- not a good start to a three day holiday weekend to kick off the summer for many folks.

I actually was off yesterday on a Saturday. My original plans had been to visit the farmers market in nearby Westfield. I have never been to that one and thought it would be nice. Thankfully, I looked up online to see if they were started yet this year. What? They've canceled it for this season? They want to go another direction? Sheesh. So, I decided I'd hit up the even closer Scotch Plains one instead. The only farmers market that comes to Plainfield comes during my working hours on a weekday. I so rarely have Saturdays off that I thought it would be fun. Alas, due to the weather, I stayed inside all day yesterday. Since I'm on a staycation this week, I'll hit up the Scotch Plains one next Saturday and I'll also see if the Plainfield one is up for this Thursday.

Since I have a Peapod grocery delivery scheduled for today which includes a ton of fruit (five dollars off when ordering $20 worth), it's not that I need the farmers market anyway. So there, Westfield! I'm looking forward to making up a fantastic fruit salad to last a few days. Plus, I'm going to make me a blender-full of chocolate-banana shakes. Mmm.

This past week was one struggling through weather and trying to wrap up loose ends at work so I felt okay leaving it behind for a week. I do know I'll come back to a mess and I'll also have a new manager to train in my office. I surely will rest up this week! I don't have many plans at all other than spring cleaning and possibly checking out the Westfield Memorial Day Parade on Monday morning. Perhaps I'll go into Manhattan one day. Or, maybe I'll take the cameras to a strange town along the bus or train route just to explore. Gosh, I love staycations! My next one in July is a mix of staycation with a few days away for my 40th high school reunion in upstate New York.

Onto the photos I took this past week. Once again, the flower shots are heavy. If you don't see rain in the photos, that means it's hot and humid.
 

Into the iris

I'm in awe at Mother Nature when I look into an iris. What stunning beauty! Growing on Berckman Street in Plainfield.

Rhododendron beauty

Growing on Berckman Street in Plainfield.

Colorful on a dreary day

Growing in the yard at the corner of East Front and Richmond in Plainfield.

Plainfield Fire Rescue 1

I edited this one to leave only the firetruck in color. This was on Berckman Street responding to a fire around the corner on East Second Street. More in the next photo ...

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

Off Topic: That Was the Week It Was - May 19, 2013

Good Sunday morning, world! As it is Sunday, that means it's time for my weekly off television topic reflection on the week gone by in both words and photos I've taken along the way. I'm taking a bit of a television rest as finales have aired and summer shows have yet to start up. However, during this week I do plan on posting about Falling Skies and possibly a few other shows.

Our weather here where I live in New Jersey is still a bit off. We had cold temps early in the week with some overnight lows sending up freeze alerts. By the end of the week we had springlike day temperatures at least. Oh, but then yesterday was grey and we're expecting some rain almost every day for the next seven days. It better get it out of its system as I have a staycation coming up the following week!

I've had a relatively uneventful week. I bought two tickets to the big Powerball drawing. And, let me be the first to announce it right here on the blog ... I got the Powerball! Yes! Yes! Yes, I did. Um, well. I got the Powerball number and no others. I guess I'll have to cancel the order for the Lamborghini.

Let's see ... what else? Oh, I know. There's been a real creepy guy on the train for the last few weeks. He seems to be drunk, even on the first train out in the morning. He's on the train already when I get on it, then gets off where I get off.

The first day he talked to me, he complained about how unfriendly the woman conductor is. "It's Monday morning. You're supposed to be happy. She didn't even say hello or smile!" Well, she always says hi and is friendly to ME. Maybe she just figured you're a creep, I thought but did not say. Plus, in what world are people bouncy and friendly on Monday mornings? Are we supposed to be happy on Monday mornings as we head to work on the early train? I don't think so! (Especially to dudes who creep us out.)

As we left the train, he proceeded to tell me that he should be getting his license back in two weeks. Good. As I continued to basically nod my head and ignore him hoping he'd go away, all of a sudden he stopped in front of me, lifting his shirt. "I got shot here and here. I got stabbed here," as he pointed out scars on his beer belly. Eww! Eww! Ever since that day, I dawdle and let him get WAY ahead of me so I don't have to deal with him. He really creeps me out.

So, last night, there I was lurking by the annex for the Plainfield Police Department Narcotics and Gang Unit waiting for the bus after getting off the train. (The bus to take me a block from home is free with my monthly train pass.) Out of the door comes my buddy ex-narcotics detective who was promoted to sergeant a few months back. He was in his (still crisp) sergeant uniform. I hadn't seen him since the day he got promoted. So we exchanged a big hug and talked for a bit.

It turns out he's been assigned to the Union County Homicide Task Force. It's a very good career thing for him, plus he's learning a lot which, in the long run, will be good for the Plainfield Police Department. He was involved in investigating that bizarre Kai, the hatchet-wielding hitchhiker murder case of a lawyer in the area this past week. While he said he can't give details, I said the whole case seemed weird from what I've read. He emphatically agreed to weird.

After a goodbye hug, he left to go back across the street to the police station. And then, who comes along? Mr. Creepy from the train! Ack! Thankfully he saw the police uniform and the hug. He seemed drunk once again. Or still.

"Was that your husband?" he asked.
"Yes," I said without skipping a beat. Heck, I don't care that the cop in question is probably more than twenty years younger than me and married. For that moment, he's my husband. Yes, indeed. Mr. Creepy staggered away without another word.

Good.

Onto this week's photos ...  

Azalea up close and personal

Bridgewater, NJ.

Colorful iris

Growing on Berckman Street across the street from the photo below.

Allium and azaleas

The big ball allium is incredibly cool. This photo was taken on Berckman Street in Plainfield.

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

Survivor: Caramoan - Season Finale and Reunion Show Blog Party

Welp, this is it. We're down to five castaways and the promos hint that one will leave in a medical emergency. I've got different scenarios running through my head as I think of each one leaving. For some reason, I'm thinking it might be Sherri or Erik. But I could be totally off base there -- I have no spoilers info as I haven't searched any out this season.

We all know that things will get shaken up if Eddie wins Immunity. However, for a buff kind of dude, he hasn't really performed well during the challenges. I guess we'll see! As the show airs, I'll update this entry with the major happenings. Refresh the page often to get the latest news.

But, as always, the real party is in the comments. Come join us! Bring snacks and beverages, too!

Oh my. I'm right about it being Erik. His head is spinning since leaving Tribal Council. The medic pulls him from the game -- dehydration and starvation. (Meanwhile I'm hearing ice cream truck music from outdoors which is way incongruous with what's happening on the show.)

Reward challenge has them balancing while building a house of cards. The winner gets an advantage in the final immunity challenge. Cochran wins the advantage in the final immunity challenge! Woohoo!

Dawn, of course, is freaking. While she can do well in challenges, she's a basket case so often at other times that it makes her her own worst enemy. Cochran is tired of her.

Rites of passage. I wonder how they'll come of with good words about Brandon. Okay, he's still delusional and claiming he was the author of his own elimination. While he was, it was a stupid story indeed!

The final Immunity Challenge has them racing up a tower, getting bags of puzzle pieces in multiple trips and completing a puzzle. Cochran's advantage is that he doesn't have to untie his bags while the others have to untie the three bags. Okay.

Cochran is screwing up his advantage and Dawn is in the lead. Now he's catching up. Eddie is in last place. Cochran steams ahead ... COCHRAN WINS FINAL IMMUNITY!

He's planning on bringing Sherri to the end because he's sure he can beat her. He's in a quandary over the other two. Time to vote!

The tally -- Dawn, Eddie, Eddie, Eddie. The final three are Cochran, Sherri and Dawn.

The three get to plead their cases in front of the jury. Dawn is feeling humble and tells how hard the game was for her. She explains her strategy and is proud of her game. Sherri tells about her marriage, children and her successful business. She thinks she became very pliable and worked to get in with everyone. Cochran talks of half his life following the show and his obsession with it. He thinks his timing has been right and wants to prove why he's played the best game.

Jury time ...

Malcolm -- Not bitter, no question for Sherri. His vote is between the other two. Dawn -- Best friend, you played cold-blooded, you have to own it, can't be warm mom, fight for it. Cochran -- What quality do you have that I don't have? Cochran says his insecurity had him taking out people with plans.

Eddie -- Sherri, willing to admit carried to final 3? Nope! Dawn -- Strong claims, weaker than others, daily routine. She's taking Malcolm's advice. Cochran -- where are you going from here? He'll be at the bar with them!

Phillip -- Congrats to all. Sherri, strategic join with favorites, he removes her from StealthRUs. Dawn -- talks of his intolerance with her crying and excuses. He won't cast a vote. Cochran -- played a strategic game, enjoyed it, class act.

Erik -- Dawn - Thought we shared something, you crushed it with vote for Brenda. She once again takes Malcolm's advice. Sherri - Do you understand why you're here? He says she was a seashell on the beach and did nothing.

Mike -- Dawn and Cochran -- you were playing the same game. Dawn, explain why Cochran isn't getting called the villain you are. She doesn't think Cochran would still be there without her. Cochran admits he's happy people are lighting into Dawn. Talks of her paranoia. He thinks he became her therapist.

Reynold -- Dawn - Disliked from day one, complete fraud. Asks her what she thinks about him. 

Andrea -- Not bitter. Grateful even with the blindside. Cochran - Choose an animal he played like. Chameleon. Dawn - Proud of you, strategic game and understands where she's coming from.

Brenda -- Cochran - the family visit, took something from me. He talks of separating game and emotion. Took out a threat to his game. Dawn -- Strong bond I thought we had, pain. She talks about the lost partial plate bit. Would she have quit w/o teeth? No. She tells her to take out her teeth. Dawn refuses, then does it. Brenda said she wanted her to feel the heartbreak.

The voting commences. Phillip votes Cochran and is proud of him, did right by fans and favorites. Eddie wrote down a name he didn't think he'd write tonight, but I didn't see it.

It's off to California! I miss the cheesy jetskis and stuff.

The tally: Cochran, Cochran, Cochran, Cochran, Cochran.

COCHRAN WINS IT ALL!!! It apparently was unanimous as Jeff said Dawn got no votes.

Cochran is a hoot! And, though he just graduated with a law degree from Harvard, he'd like to write. I think he'd do well.

Brenda was via satellite as she's about to give birth any day. She forgave Dawn and all is peachy-keen once again.

Jeff gives a clue about where they're going next season. It looks like blood in water. Hmm. 

Cool ... Rudy and Richard Hatch are there!

Flashback to Borneo. Rudy is now 85! He looks good.

71% of the votes for fan favorite were for Malcolm and Brenda. Malcolm had 36% of those, narrowly beating out Brenda. He gets the 100 grand.

The new season new hint is Blood vs. Water. Okay.

Thank you everyone for taking part in the weekly parties this season! You make it all worthwhile! 

Off Topic: That Was the Week It Was - May 12, 2013

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there! I hope you get deservedly pampered!

Since it is Sunday morning, it's time for my off television topic reflection on the week gone by in both words and photographs I've taken along the way. But, as usual, I have a few television topics to touch on first:

• Tonight is the two-hour season finale of Survivor: Caramoan Islands Fans vs. Favorites. It will be followed by the hour long reunion show. So, the prime-time block of 8pm - 11pm ET/PT will be Survivor! Hopefully it will start on time here on the East Coast. I will have the blog party post up by 8pm ET. Come watch the show with us!
• I have watched all five of the screener episodes of Falling Skies and will be posting a bit on them during the upcoming week. Right now I'll just lament that it will be about July something before I see a fresh episode of the show. Wah!
• Big Brother is set to debut on June 25 this year, earlier than just about ever! For the last several seasons, it's been premiering right after the 4th of July weekend. I've heard that Real.com is NOT handling the live feeds this season, but I will be posting live feeds reports from wherever they're available. Rumor has it CBS itself will be hosting them. I have no idea of the costs.

Onto other stuff ...

Um. Well. Ah, I've got it!

It rained for a good portion of the past week. We are now caught up to the levels expected. It can stop for a few days now. To be honest, I don't mind a light rain if I'm outside with an umbrella. I don't care for downpours when I'm stuck in them, though. I do love a good thunderstorm when I'm inside and my power remains on. I also like to sleep to the sound of rain. But it can stop for a few days anyway!

The not so new landlord here continues to do various things. We got new fancy-schmancy side and front glass and metal doors the week before last. They installed new brighter lighting at the entrances and by the elevator on the first floor. Heck, they even mulched the bushes which haven't been mulched in all the time I've lived here. 

As far as neighbors in the building -- I still haven't seen or met the upstairs neighbor who arrived in March. He also remains the least noisy person who's ever lived up there in the dozen years I've been here. Sure, he makes some noise, but not bad at all. The worst of the playing in the hallway children upstairs seems to have moved out. I haven't heard that in a while. And, as I could hear him when he arrived home from school because he always runs on his heels and never walks ... I'm thinking gone. YAY!

Work remains quite workish. I hope you're all aware that the government has issued a new version of the I-9 form. It comes with nine pages of instruction! Whoopie! The HR Think Tank thing I'm a part of at my workplace has been analyzing it and setting up tips for the company to use so we'll pass audits and any possible government inspections. Yeah, I get to have all the fun on my job. I bet you're jealous!

Onto this week's photos: 

Pink azalea

New growth

Bee on honeysuckle

This bee looked like he was trying to match his body weight in pollen. I love to sniff the honeysuckle at the Bridgewater Train Station. I don't really like to sniff bees. Nope.

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

Survivor: Caramoan - Fans vs. Favorites - May 8 Blog Party

Come one, come all ... we're in the final stretch of the season. The big finale is this Sunday evening from 8pm-11pm. Let's hope it starts on time. PLEASE! Tonight's episode, according to the promos, has the loved ones coming. That tends not to be my personal favorite each season, but it can sometimes be interesting. Supposedly, two loved ones will come for either each castaway or at least one castaway. Ho-hum.

I don't believe I've ever rooted for a returning player to win a season unless it's been ALL returning players. This season I'd really enjoy a Cochran win. I had hoped I'd be cheering on the really local player, Eddie. Although he's fairly easy on the eyes, he doesn't rock my socks. Give me Cochran!

As the show airs, I'll update this page with the major happenings. So, you should refresh it now and then to get the latest. But the real party is always in the comments area! Come join us for the fun!

Their treemail came from Sprint with video messages from home.

At the Reward Challenge setting, the loved ones are brought out in person. They will work with them on the Reward Challenge which consists of, spinning, building rails on a frame and tossing bolos (sp?) -- balls separated by ropes -- on the rail "ladder" they built.

Brenda and her father win Reward -- a floating backyard barbeque -- she invites Dawn and her husband. Uh-oh. Jeff says other loved ones are there. Brenda can choose one other castaway and loved one or she can give up her loved one (and Dawn's) and the barbeque. Brenda gives it to the others.

Dawn breaks down more.

Immunity Challenge has them standing on a ledge over water with their hands in back of them, connected to a winch which lowers them more towards the water. Gah! Cochran is out first! Eddie, then Erik out. Only the women remain. Sherry out. Dawn wants to deal with Brenda, but Brenda's a no-go. But she falls into the water and Dawn actually wins Immunity for the first time!

Brenda thinks it's all good. However, it just might be the kiss of death for her game. While Dawn talked about ousting Eddie, Cochran and others know what a big threat Brenda is for the win.

Tribal Council time! Sherri votes Brenda. Brenda votes Eddie. Those were the only shown votes.

The tally: Eddie, Eddie, Erik, Brenda, Brenda, Brenda.

The tribe has spoken, Brenda. She cries. It hurts.

But how can she blame them? Really.   

The Amazing Race: May 5, 2013 Season Finale Blog Party

Oh my. It's even starting on time tonight! Are you ready for the big two-hour finale? While I'm not real keen on Max and Katie (more talking about Max there), I think any of the four remaining teams are "worthy" of the win. My personal favorites at this point are Bates and Anthony. I find the demographics of the last four teams racing to be interesting -- one male/female couple, two all women teams and one all male team.  Are the challenges getting physically easier? Or are the female teams stronger? Your thoughts?

As the show airs, I'll update this post with the major happenings. However, as always, the big party will be in the comments area. Come join us!

Teams are heading to Ireland.

Roadblock - The teams must cannonball into a mud bog and swim it. t looks like it might do in the country-western gals. Jennifer just can't seem to do it.

The Detour has them serving a five-course meal (Tray It) or doing graffiti (Spray It).

Max and Katie are in the lead heading to the Pit Stop at Ulster Hall.

1. Max and Katie - won a trip to the Dominican Republic
2. Bates and Anthony
3. Mona and Beth

Jennifer and Caroline didn't make the final three.

On the way to London next! They get a pint of beer there and are heading to Washington, DC, their final destination. From the Lincoln Memorial, it's off to meet up with the Secret Service for a photo shoot with the President. Or, to be more honest -- a photoshopped shot, not the real thing.

The Roadblock has them being a Spymaster figuring out what one of 50 spies has the next clue. Now Bates and Anthony are in the lead heading to the stadium where the Nationals play baseball.

The stadium challenge is a hoot! One has to fly around on a zipline, the other is in an actual mascot baseball suit trying to catch a ball thrown from the zipline.

The final challenge has them search through globes and put them in the correct order of the race. Bates and Anthony got through it before anyone else arrived! They're now on their way to Mount Vernon ... the Finish Line! The other two teams are at or just arriving at the globes.

Max and Katie are done with the globes.

BATES AND ANTHONY WIN THE AMAZING RACE!

Max and Katie came in second. Last came Mona and Beth.  

Off Topic: That Was the Week It Was - May 5, 2013

It's Sunday morning! Happy Cinco de Mayo! Since it is indeed Sunday, 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. 

But, first ... let me touch on television --
Tonight is the big two-hour season finale of The Amazing Race. It's supposed to start at 8pm EDT. But we know how that goes. I'll have the blog party post up on time whether the show starts on time or not. I hope to see you there!

Also, on a television note, I received promotional screeners for the first six or so episodes of Falling Skies, the Steven Spielberg produced saga on TNT. Yay! As I get them watched (probably not today, unfortunately), I'll post about them without spoilers. I'm looking forward to the return of this show, as well as checking out the upcoming Stephen King show based on 'The Dome.' I think with some of these shows and Big Brother, I should remain entertained all summer.

The past week was a glorious spring week here in my part of New Jersey. The days were sunny, often without a cloud in the sky. The nights were cool. It rained overnight into Monday and not since. I know we need the rain (and apparently will get some this coming week), but this was splendid.

On my day off Wednesday, I spent some time in Mindowaskin Park in nearby Westfield. The bulk of today's photos are from that trip. While the park itself is very nice, the water in the pond not so much. It really needs a major clean-up. I think it's the first time I've been there that I saw no signs of fish in the pond, none at all. That's not good. 

During the week I received an email from a company in Cincinnati -- they want to buy one of my photos to use it in their marketing materials. It's the company that built the solar panel frames at the Bridgewater Train Station parking lot. The shot is one of the empty frames with the sunrise in the background and the sky going from pinkish to a deep velvet above the frame. I looked at their website and, while they have many photos of completed projects, they have nothing like this shot -- kind of an artsy shot of their work. When I know more about the deal, I'll let you know.

Yesterday when I made eye contact with a stranger, a woman perhaps my age. I felt I should say something. So, in honor of Star Wars Day (May 4), I said, "May the fourth be with you." Without skipping a beat, she replied, "Aren't you a little short for a stormtrooper?" Ah, gotta love the geekdom.

Onto the photos for this week ...  

Do these feathers make my butt look big?

Gymnast

This little guy was balanced high up in a tree at the Plainfield Train Station.

Goslings!

Too much cuteness to take in all at once!

The family

Get your ducks, er ... geese, all in a row.

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

Survivor: Caramoan - Fans vs. Favorites - May 1 Blog Party

We're getting down to the wire with this season. Tonight is a double tribal council with two heading to the jury. The season finale is scheduled for May 12. Yes, Mother's Day -- a week from this coming Sunday.

Normally, I don't cheer on a returning player on these shows. I'm really not too keen on them bringing back folks we've seen before. However, this season is an exception. I'd like to see Cochran win it all. That doesn't mean I won't whine and fuss the next time they bring back returning castaways. It's only a one season pass for them. Got that, CBS?

As the show airs, I'll update this entry with the major happenings. Please refresh the page to get the latest news. The party will be going on in the comments area. Come join in! We'd love to have you. Oh. And bring snacks. Oh. And beverages, too.

Tree Mail brought news that they'd have another Immunity Challenge ahead, not a reward. They have to balance on platforms in the water. They're also playing for reward -- information. Jeff is trying to bribe them with donuts and milk. Erik talks Eddie into going for them with him. Silly Eddie. Three hot dogs and a soda get Cochran to jump. He's hoping one of the favorites wins, not Reynold. He said he couldn't hold on much longer. It's down to Andrea and Brenda -- they're talking about each being safe and sharing the clue, but neither wants to jump. They've been up there three hours. Brenda falls ... Andrea wins Immunity and the clue!

The clue is to the hidden idol. She told everyone (but Reynold and Eddie). Erik found the idol in front of her and handed it over. Uh-oh. She's thinking of targeting Brenda instead of Reynold or Eddie. Yipes.

Tribal Council time! Brenda votes Reynold, the only vote shown pre-tally.

Tally -- um, commercial first. Grr.

Erik, Sherri, Reynold, Eddie, Reynold, Eddie, Reynold, Reynold.

Reynold is history.

Andrea is once again talking Brenda. Cochran isn't keen on either Brenda or Dawn going right now. He tells Brenda. They talk of blindsiding Andrea.

Immunity is up for grabs once again. Push a buoy through obstacles, key, chest, ladder puzzle. Erik wins Immunity! 

Andrea thinks her ducks are in a row and Brenda will go. We'll see.

Tribal Council time again! Brenda and Andrea vote for each other.

The tally -- Andrea does NOT play the idol -- Brenda, Andrea, Eddie, Eddie, Andrea, Brenda, Andrea. Blindside goes to Andrea!

The Amazing Race: April 28, 2013 Blog Party

The show is actually starting on time tonight here on the East Coast. Are pigs flying in Hoboken or something? As the show airs, I'll update this entry with the major happenings as well as the Pit Stop order and elimination (or not) at the end. So, please refresh the page to get the latest.

I don't know if it's the constant scheduling issues with the show due to sports delaying it or perhaps casting, but I'm not as into the show this season as I have been over the years. Although I'm not thrilled with Max and Katie, they're far from a team "I love to hate." Meghan and Joey, the YouTube best friends, are growing on me each week. I like the hockey dudes, Bates and Anthony. There's no one (other than Max) I have any real reservations about at this point. Hmm ...

When the show starts, the real party will be in comments ... come join us!

Teams are heading to Edinburgh, Scotland. Caution: U-Turn ahead. On the flights, those who thought they were first are actually last -- Joey/Meghan and Roller Derby don't know they're trailing.

Roadblock - they have to learn how to play a harmonizing note on the bagpipes while marching.

Detour - Tasty Pudding or Whiskey Rolling -- Prepare meat pudding or deliver whiskey barrels. Beth and Mona will have a Speed Bump ahead. Max and Katie actually liked their haggis. Bates and Anthony double U-Turned Joey and Meghan. Max and Katie U-Turned Mona and Beth.

Mona and Beth have to do a bowling thing (skittles) as their Speed Bump.

Pit Stop --
1. Max and Katie -- won ten grand each
2. Bates and Anthony
3. Caroline and Jennifer
4. Mona and Beth
5. Joey and Meghan -- Philiminated. :-(

Next week is the two-hour season finale. We can only hope it might air somewhere near on time.

Off Topic: That Was the Week It Was - April 28, 2013

Good Sunday morning to you! Since it's Sunday, it's time for my weekly off television topic reflection on the week gone by in both words and photos I've taken along the way. Later tonight, the blog party post for The Amazing Race will be up and running, albeit not quite racing around the world. We will remain in our respective homes watching the scenery! If you watch the show and would like to discuss the happenings as it airs with a group of friends, here's your place!

Tonight will be the 60 Minutes interview with serial killer Charles Cullen. That's the man who admitted to killing 13 people in the very same hospital where I had my knee replacements. Although he was caught at "my" hospital (Somerset Medical Center), it sounds like they dropped the ball as much as the other hospitals he worked for did. He admitted to killing around 45 people, but it's estimated that he may have killed up to a few hundred. My friend who was working there at the time Cullen was doing his stuff said he would see him where he wasn't really needed just kind of lurking and that Cullen didn't really make eye contact with people. He creeped him out. Cullen is the first serial killer to appear on 60 Minutes in its 45-year history.

The weather has been actually spring-like this week with some beautiful daytime temperatures, yet still down around freezing or in the 40s in the overnight hours. I'm not too keen on wearing a light jacket in the morning, then having to carry it home. But I'll take it. On the other hand, the pollen in the air has been making this a bit miserable. Congestion, eyes watering, sneezing ... yup, that's me! I'd still rather this, massive pollen levels included, over the 90+ degree high humidity days of the summer.

On the home front, I still haven't seen my new upstairs neighbor who moved in at the beginning of March. He's still the best neighbor up there yet although he does sing loud enough for me to hear it at times.

Also on the home front, the not really new any longer landlord -- it's been about a year now -- ripped out the front and side doors of the building and replaced them with very nice quality slightly tinted thermal glass and metal doors. We all received new keys. Some idiot already lost the key and stuck up notices with some sort of odd black gum-like stuff on the new glass. Sigh.

Even though the doors were supposed to be done by Monday, work was still going on when my Peapod grocery order came in on Wednesday. The poor delivery guy had to lug them down three steps, then up seven steps, wheel them all the way to elevator on a hand truck. Then a second trip with two cases of water and some other bags taking the back stairs. Oy. I helped carry up some bags on the second trip. Yeah, I can do stairs. It doesn't mean I like them, though.

On the other hand, the main superintendent for the landlord, not really quartered in this building and I haven't really seen him since last summer -- went on and on about how beautiful Vincent is. Vincent purred all over him and would have jumped on his shoulder if I hadn't stopped him.

Other than that, work consumed a good part of my life this past week as it always does. I have a staycation planned for the last week of May, then my July vacation with a trip to upstate NY for my high school reunion, the first one I've ever attended. My old high school friends found me on Facebook and, apparently, I wasn't as much of a outsider as I thought I was there. In school I tended to have just a small group of friends, got my A's, was put on independent study (so I didn't go to classes so much, did papers and projects) in many courses and left after my junior year to go to college. I really wasn't comfortable in high school although it was better than junior high with the bullying. No, not me doing the bullying ... getting bullied. College, I liked and even felt comfortable. We'll see how the reunion goes this summer.

Onto the photos for this week --    

Beetle on new poison ivy

I like how the grey in the background turned out in this shot. What it is is that this sprig (whatever) of poison ivy was growing on vines on the concrete overpass by the Bridgewater Train Station. It's actually the street in the background and from above. With the camera focused on the poison ivy and beetle, it makes the street almost look like some kind of backdrop. That said, the beetle is kind of cool. It's about the size of a ladybug.

Pink in the planter

This is one of the flowers growing in that huge orange planter by the U-Haul building at East Front and Roosevelt in Plainfield. I also solved the planter mystery ... kind of sort of.

First azaleas of the season

As is the standard custom, the pink azaleas by the TD Ball Park (adjacent to the Bridgewater Train Station), came to life first. Next should be the white, then the red. Only a few of the plants have blossoms right now. I should get better shots in the weeks ahead.

Yet another huge orange planter

Oh my. When I saw the one by U-Haul, I thought it was tied in with the orange of U-Haul. This one is about a block away on East Front Street. They're really over-sized and way too bright orange. I hope the city of Plainfield got a good deal on them because they're very garish. Bright orange? Who thought of that one?

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

Survivor: Caramoan - Fans vs. Favorites - April 24 Blog Party

Gee, since Phillip is gone, we're going to have to think of new drinking words! But, since he is indeed gone, I'm solidly in the Cochran camp now. I like the Woody Allen of reality television!

So ... will one of the three pretty boys go tonight? Or will Dawn finally implode? As the show airs here on the East Coast, I'll post major events in this entry -- refresh the page to get the latest. However, the real party is in the comments area. Come join us!

Now it's Brenda who's crying and Dawn consoling her. Brenda thinks she lost control of the game.

It's the food auction dealie going on. Malcolm bought information to go with his beer. It was directions to a buried immunity idol. Andrea gave up a big meal to bring rice and beans back to camp. Cochran took an advantage to be opened next immunity challenge. Letters from loved ones to those who have money left -- $20. Eddie ended up with a giant bowl of peanut butter for all; all they can eat in 60 seconds.

Immunity Challenge - Holding onto a rope connected to a log, move down on the rope in intervals, rope/log harder to hold. Cochran's advantage -- he can move his hands up two knots on the rope at any time. Everyone is holding 1/3 of the body weight they started the game with.

COCHRAN WINS IMMUNITY!

Tribal Council time. Malcolm didn't find the idol, so nothing to play.

The tally: Reynold, Malcolm, Andrea, Reynold, Malcolm, Andrea, Reynold, Andrea, Malcolm .. re-vote due to three-way tie. They can only vote those three, the three can't vote.

Re-tally - Malcolm, Malcolm, Malcolm, Malcolm ... buy-bye, Malcolm. 

The Amazing Race: April 21, 2013 Blog Party

The teams are off to Germany tonight and the show seems like it's actually starting on time for a change. Last week I wondered what they had on my GOLF network (included in my Comcast cable package) since CBS seems all involved in golf. During a channel surfing incident the other day ... I saw the GOLF channel was airing a Toronto Bluejays baseball game. Go figure.

As the show airs tonight, I'll update this entry with the major events. So, please refresh the page to get the latest. But, as always, the real fun is in the comments area. Come join the party!

The teams are all on the same train. Someone seems to have stolen Bates' bag while he was asleep on the train. He has his passport on him. Ford Fusion product placement gives them their next clues. After answering some questions, they're off to Berlin. They have to go to the top of a tall building and "base fly" to the bottom. Fun!

Detour - Train trials -- laying train tracks and keeping their train on track. Font follies -- carry huge letters to the museum.

Roadblock - Identify a JFK quote, go through a club funhouse-type labyrinth.

Bates and Anthony broke a letter, so are now running in last place in the detour. Max and Katie are already well into the Roadblock.

1. Max and Katie - Each won a new Ford Fusion (surprise, surprise)
2. Joey and Meghan -- I'm liking them more each leg. Good for them.
3. Caroline and Jennifer
4. Bates and Anthony
5. Mona and Beth, in a footrace with the boys ... non-Philimination!  

Off Topic: That Was the Week It Was - April 21, 2013

It's Sunday morning. Yay. Of course, 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. Later tonight, the blog party post for The Amazing Race will be in place by 8pm EDT. Whether the show will actually start on time ...? Who knows. Grr.

I actually wanted to watch the scheduled 60 Minutes this week, but I believe a special edition on the show going in depth on the happenings in Boston this past week will air instead. That's understandable. Originally scheduled was the first time the show interviewed a serial killer. That serial killer? Charles Cullen, New Jersey's most prolific serial killer, possibly the most prolific in the country with indications he might have killed more than a few hundred people. He admitted to around 45, I believe.

My interest in the case is because it's rather local, he was finally caught at the hospital where I had both of my knee replacements (he's one of those "angel of mercy" types) and an acquaintance of mine who worked at the hospital actually knew him. Cullen was caught five years before my first knee replacement. Although my nurses weren't all goodness and light there, they haven't killed anybody. That I know about, that is.

It's been a horrific week for the country. Between the Boston Marathon bombing and the unprecedented manhunt and the tragic fertilizer plant explosion in West, Texas ... I don't know. Both incidents have their own horror about them. Knowing that fertilizer can be used to make bombs (mind you, I have no clue, nor desire, about how bombs are made with such), I wouldn't live near a fertilizer plant. I also wouldn't live near a nuclear plant. Sure, accidents are rare. But when they happen, it's horrible.

The Boston happenings struck my own life a bit more. Even though I lived a few years in California, I'm an East Coast kind of gal. My favorite East Coast big cities are NYC (naturally!), Boston and Philadelphia. I'm starting to feel jaded here since 9/11. That affected everything for me and made me realize that we ARE targets. Although I go about my everyday life, well, every day, I ride mass transit; I live in the Greater New York City Metropolitan area. Reminders are around me daily of the possibility of a terrorist incident.

So, I wasn't shocked about the Boston Marathon bombing. Saddened deeply, but not really shocked. I found it more shocking the manhunt and lockdown of the towns up there. I found it more shocking that the younger brother suspect was so well-liked and "normal" in his every day life. Did he idolize his older brother so much that he went along with the madness? I don't know.Even if that is the case, he's legally an adult. If guilty, he will suffer the consequences. 

It can be a sad, sad world.

At least the arriving spring breathes some new life into things ... onto this week's photos -- 

Pretty pigeon

One of Dave's (The Corner Store) pigeons, East Second and Watchung in Plainfield.

Sunrise in the 'hood

East Front Street, Plainfield.

Sunset at the Plainfield Train Station

East Fourth Street side.

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

Survivor: Caramoan - Fans vs. Favorites - April 17 Blog Party

Yes! Due to a miscommunication and then upload issues, I haven't been sporting Zoetawny's cool graphic for this season! But, I finally got it to work and here it is! She rocks, y'know.

Tonight's show should be interesting if the promos are true. While Dawn's breakdown isn't too desirable, Cochran's comment about the Tribal Council being the best one ever, as well as promises of a huge upset at Tribal ... well, it sounds like a winner to me!

As the show airs, I'll update this entry with the major happenings. Remember to refresh the page to get the latest. As always, the real party is down in the comments. Come mock the show with us, the cool kids!

Ah, Dawn's breakdown is because she lost her bottom retainer bridge with her front teeth. Now, THAT I can understand freaking out about! Brenda retrieved it from the waters for her and now they're bonded.

Rewards Challenge -- two teams of fives, obstacles, muddy pit, bags of balls, dig through rice, balls into basket. Winning team goes to a hotel, luxury meals, etc.

Purple - Cochran, Phillip, Erik, Reynold, Dawn

Orange - Malcolm, Andrea, Sherri, Brenda, Eddie

Purple wins Reward!

Uh-oh. It's not just the teeth with Dawn. She's in unstable mode. Sigh.

After a good night's sleep, Dawn is normal once again. The Stealth R Us plan is to target Reynold.

Immunity is up for grabs -- two heats, jump in ocean, move rings to posts. Phillip claims he's sitting out because he had a bad experience in water as a boy. @@

Reynold wins Immunity! I guess they'll need a new target, eh?

The new targets are Malcolm and Eddie. Malcolm has his idol, but doesn't want to use it. He's searching for another one. He's not the only one searching. He finds the second idol for himself right in front of people (or, played a clever hoax to get the vote off him).

Tribal Council time. Whoa! Malcolm gave the second immunity idol to Eddie! He really did have them both! Now, the three targets all have immunity. Malcolm says all three of them will vote for Phillip and calls him the fun sponge (sucks all the fun out of the game).

Erik votes "fillup" -- no other votes shown.

Eddie and Malcolm play the idols.

Votes: Malcolm, Malcolm, Eddie, Eddie, Eddie, Eddie, Phillip, Phillip, fillup!

Phillip, my blog pool pick, is gonzo! Good, now I can cheer on Cochran! 

The Amazing Race: April 14, 2013 Blog Party

Sigh. Now we're delayed due to golf. Why does my cable company force me to have a Golf Network if these things aren't just covered on that? Once the show actually starts here on the East Coast, I'll post major happenings here in this very post.

As always, the real party -- assuming people are bothering to watch the show with these ridiculous delays week after week -- is in the comments area.

Okay, 60 Minutes just started a few minutes before 8pm ET. So we're running nearly an hour late. This is not acceptable.

8:56pm EDT and it's finally starting. The teams are off to Switzerland. All the teams are on the same flight, so all are caught up and starting out even once again.

Teams each get a St. Bernard rescue dog and must deliver them by train. Lots of trains so far in Switzerland. The scenery is stunning!

The Roadblock has teams climbing to retrieve a gnome, traversing the north face of a mountain cliff. Wynona/Chuck and Meghan/Joey are stuck at the Roadblock as the other teams move on.

Teams have to use a sled to transport 200 pounds of cheese in their next task. Okay, this has me laughing as they slide down with the cheese! It doesn't make up for my annoyance about the delays for the show each week.

After the cheese, it's on to the Pit Stop!

1. Bates and Anthony -- also won a trip to Bora Bora
2. Mona and Beth
3. Max and Kate
4. Caroline and Jennifer

Joey and Meghan finished the cheese. Chuck and Wynona abandoned their sleds and rolled the cheese down. I don't think they can do that. The editing is making a big deal about Joey and Meghan being lost, but there's no way ... because Chuck and Wynona didn't transport their cheese the right way. They get a 30 minute penalty.

5. Joey and Meghan
6. Chuck and Wynona -- Philiminated  

Off Topic: That Was the Week It Was - April 14, 2013

It's Sunday morning! Bonjour! As it is, 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. Be warned -- due to spring breaking out all over the place, there are tons of photos this week. You've been warned.

Hopefully it is really spring. This past week I've worn my winter jacket, short sleeves and my spring jacket for my walk to the train station for work. We've had winter, summer and spring all within the week. Two days this week, the temperatures were in the mid-eighties. We had a terrific thunderstorm as a cold front blasted its way in. Then it was winter-ish once again. Yesterday was nice with temperatures around 60 and just fluffy white clouds mixing with the blue of the sky. Today is supposed to be more of the same.

I actually worked a quasi-normal human being work week this past week -- Monday through Friday with this weekend off. I'm of two minds about that. While it's nice to have two days off in a row, I'm not used to working five days in a row (or nine days out ten) to get there. I've been working a two days on, day off, three days on, day off pattern for so many years that I was exhausted by Friday. That might also have to do with remodeling chaos at my workplace, though. I don't know. I won't be doing it every week. This week I'm back to my Wednesday off.

Let's see ... what else happened this week? Oh, I know. NJ Transit has a new class of train engineers out on the rails. Those are the train "drivers." I think I'd like a few to go back for remedial training. They keep overshooting the Bridgewater Train Station platform. I had to jump off the train into the rocks one morning. I stumbled a bit upon landing, but was fine. I should have been a sneaky sneakface when the conductor kept asking me if I was okay. I had told him I had two knee replacements before I jumped. I should have called an ambulance! I should have sued! Nah, not my style. I was fine. But, if it had been pre-surgeries, no way could I have done it.

Another time, boarding the train, we had to walk through two closed cars before we could sit. Now, that doesn't sound bad, but these are multi-level trains. Up the stairs, down the stairs, cross the car, more stairs. Grr. Another time the train had to back up as he entirely missed the platform. Scary. Each time when I've been on the platform waiting, I could tell the train was coming in too fast on the approach.

There's nothing new on the home living front. I still haven't met the upstairs neighbor. He's still the best person who's lived up there out of the four different folks/families that have been there since I moved into my apartment. The only better neighbor up there has been the times it has sat vacant in between tenants.

Onto this week's photos -- I have an abundance of spring going on. Plus, yesterday on my rare Saturday off, I took a walk downtown and attended a ceremony in the plaza by the Madison-Park building to kick off the primary season democratic headquarters opening. Yes, I lead an exciting life, don't I?  

Yes, it's really spring! (I think.)

East Front Street in Plainfield.

Pretty in blue

Berckman Street, Plainfield.

Daffodil

Also on Berckman Street.

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

Survivor: Caramoan - Fans vs. Favorites - April 10 Blog Party

Survivor fans ready? Last week we saw the favorites turn on Corinne. Will they keep humoring Phillip and keep him around this week? Is romance in the air between Andrea and Eddie? I guess we'll know soon enough!

As the show airs, I'll update this post with the major happenings. Refresh the page to get the latest. If I happen to vanish it's because severe thunderstorms are coming through the area. I'm hoping NOT to vanish, though.

As always, the real fun is in the comments area. Come join the party!

Reward Challenge has them dividing into two teams. One person is the defender while the others go for baskets. Reward is rappelling down a waterfall and a picnic lunch. It was a schoolyard pick. No one picked Sherri. No surprise there. The teams are uneven, male to female, but the game is going quite even. Erik, Eddie, Michael, Cochran and Reynold going on reward.

Cochran is balking (to us only) about the testosterone alliance his winning team wants to get together. Malcolm is trying to gather fans to his side. Phillip is onto Malcolm and wants him out. Ah, the web we weave ...

The Immunity Challenge is underwater in a steel barrier cage with the water rising. Last one in it wins it. Heck, Cochran has a chance at this one with his nose! First one out is Phillip. Heh. Then Sherri. Erik, Dawn, Malcolm, Mike, Eddie, Cochran, Reynold, Andrea ... Brenda wins Immunity!

Lots of scheming is afoot. Not really sure how this one will pan out.

The tally: Wait! Reynild plays his idol. Malcolm tries to tell him they all voted for him (Malcolm) and succeeds! Andrea, Andrea, Reynold, Michael, Michael, Michael, Michael, Michael, Michael.

Michael is the first member of the jury. 

Off Topic: That Was the Week It Was - April 7, 2013

It's Sunday morning. Wake UP! Er ... you can sleep in if you want, I guess. But, since it is Sunday morning, it's time for my weekly off television topic post reflecting on the week gone by in both words and photographs I've taken along the way.

Just a quick programming reminder -- due to a country music awards show, The Amazing Race won't be airing tonight. Therefore and thusly, there will be no blog pool party tonight. 

So, how was my week? Well, it's not going to go down in the annals as the best week in my life, but it was a lifetime away from my worst weeks. I can't really complain. I caught some kind of stomach bug early in the week and called out of work. Unfortunately, there were some kind of computer woes they couldn't figure out and after an extended phone call to my sick bed, I ended up working on my day off to fix things. Sigh. The bright side is that I didn't waste any of my paid sick time being sick. 

It's been chilly and windy most of the week with temperatures dipping down around freezing just about every evening. Sure, it's often been PRETTY this past week, but COLD and windy. Grr. I swear, ever since Hurricane Sandy (make that "Superstorm Sandy"), it's been windy more often than not around here. Of course, nowhere near as windy as that night, but ...!

I still haven't seen or met my new upstairs neighbor. But the folks who moved into the first floor front wing at about the same time as he moved upstairs are a real nightmare. I told you about the party with the three police cars called and how I couldn't hear it from my apartment. Then I told you about the screaming on the cell phone woman early one Sunday morning as I went to get my newspaper. After she entered the building she was pounding on that door demanding her stuff.

Well, this morning I went down to get my newspaper at about 5:30am. Getting off the elevator, I could hear partyers. After finding my paper wasn't there yet, a group of loud party people, two with clown wigs, were by the elevator. Sigh. One did say "excuse me" as he accidentally brushed me while passing by.  I'll give them that much.

At 6:30am when I went to check on the paper again, they were all in that front apartment near the building entrance, music playing, shouting and loud partying going full force. They also park not one, but two, baby carriages on either side of their door all the time. They also tend to sit their trash bags out in the hallway by their apartment door. It's a one bedroom apartment, mind you. Obstructing the hallway is a big no-no. Trash set in the hallway is just lowlife, scummy and disgusting.

I could hear the party from the elevator area which is about forty or fifty feet and around the corner from their apartment. I could also hear it through the windows outside as I got my newspaper. I'm SO grateful that they moved to the front riff-raff wing of the building and not my wing. If they had moved upstairs into that apartment, I'd be on the phone with the landlord and police 24/7 until they were gone. I don't really see them lasting, but still it's horrible for anyone around them even if they're riff-raff in their own right.

Bless my new upstairs neighbor. Although I still haven't met him, he's a definite keeper! He's still quiet for the most part although I hear music now and then. He doesn't stomp on the hardwood floors. He hasn't flooded my bathroom. He doesn't throw wild parties. Yay!

Onto the photos from this week ...

Da daffodil is awake!

Finally they daffodils along a hedge on Berckman Street in Plainfield bloomed. They aren't faring real well in the cold. We need nighttime temperatures at least up in the 40s, PLEASE!

Rain on the crocuses

I took this with the flash early Monday morning after the Sunday night rain. Plainfield YWCA.

Aren't they ADORABLE?

These itsy-bitsy teeny-weeny blue flowers are growing amongst the often dead grass in Bridgewater by the Target store. They can't be more than 1/4 inch, but they're so darn cute!

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

Survivor: Caramoan - Fans vs. Favorites - April 3 Blog Party

The merge is ON tonight! As the show airs here on the East Coast, I'll update this entry with the major happenings. Please refresh the page to get the latest. However, as always, the real party is in the comments area. Come join in on the fun with us as we watch the show!

There's a boat approaching Gota! They have to gather everything they need in their new home. MERGE ahead! Feast time and green buffs abound. Malcolm sneaked in his mother's name backwards as the tribe name -- Madeline or, in this case, Enil Edam.

Corinne wants to blindside Phillip and snags Malcolm for her cause. The other name coming up to go is Sherri.

Immunity is the old eating disgusting stuff challenge. It's been a while since we've seen this one.

Done in rounds --
Beetle larvae
Ship worms (actually a member on the clam family)
Balut! (Duck embryos -- we've seen these before)
Pig brains -- down to Cochran and Malcolm

COCHRAN wins Immunity!

Corrine wants to line up her boys, vote off Sherri, then Phillip. She's gathering the numbers. Dawn told Cochran, now they're trying to gather numbers to blindside Corrine.

Tribal Council time.

Phillip votes Corrine, Andrea Votes Corrine, Mike votes Sherri, Sherri votes Corrine

Tally: Sherri, Sherri, Sherri, Sherri, Sherri, Corrine, Corrine, Corrine, Corrine, Corrine, Corrine, Corrine.

Buh-bye, Corrine!