Off Topic: That Was the Week It Was - November 8, 2015

I'm SO late with this week's off television topic reflection of the past week in both words and photos I've taken along the way! But, I did way too much walking around (and standing around) yesterday. I overslept and I'm a bit on the lame side today. Okay, I know some people consider me usually lame ... but I mean physically! Sheesh!

I took so many photos yesterday when I went to see 'Misery on Broadway' with Bruce Willis and Laurie Metcalf that I'll have to post some Plainfield area photos and some of the NYC ones next week, too.

Here's the week in rough --

• Four day work week as I requested Saturday as a vacation day to go see the show. Yay!
• I also have a four day work week next week as I've requested Saturday as a personal day for the Plainfield Public Library Photo Competition. I have my doubts about winning first place again as the theme wasn't a great one for me.
• I left early yesterday to go into Manhattan. I had to pick up my tickets at the box office before the 2pm matinee show. I got to town around 10am, got my ticket, ate a late breakfast and roamed around Times Square until about 1:30.
• I will post a full review of the show and theatre later tonight.
• It's very weird, but three of the people I talked to during the day were from Los Angeles. One was a 20-something woman who put a cling on a pole I was leaning against in Times Square. I looked to see what it read and she said, "I'm taking it down. I just need to get a photo of it with Times Square in the background." I didn't care if she left it there. It turned out that her fiance had designed the cling, was killed in an automobile accident and they had dreamed of coming to Times Square together. Aww. She and I talked for about fifteen minutes. Sad story, very nice young woman.
• The other two were a lesbian couple outside the Port Authority Bus Terminal. Fun people! We mocked some of the people passing by and counter-intimidated a surly bum who approached us for money. We talked East Coast vs. West Coast and really had a pleasant conversation as we stayed out of the lane of pedestrians by standing up against the building.
• The show ended late (started late, too) and I ended up taking the 6pm bus home. Oh. The 6pm bus was late, too.
• While I had a seat alone heading into the city, I shared a seat with a young man from the Ukraine here to go to college. He was interesting. He's been in the USA for only two months and didn't know any English before he came here. While he has to hesitate at times, his English is much better than many!

Onto the gazillion photos for this week. Clicking on an image will bring it up in a larger window.

West 44th Street

Although it's technically NOT Broadway, this block is the home of many Broadway shows. The expensive Sardi's restaurant is across the street from the Broadhurst Theatre where I saw 'Misery on Broadway' but that was way out of my budget. I ate a late breakfast at the Evergreen Restaurant over on West 47th Street and a not really lunch at Ben and Jerry's which is past the bowling alley in this photo. I ate dinner at home.

SO cool ghost sign!

They're doing construction on West 47th Street and this is now exposed -- a ghost sign for the Hotel Longacre, Rooms $1.00 a day, Rooms with bath $1.50. Lunch is 40 cents, dinner is 65 cents and, I assume, the "Club Breakfast" comes with the room. I wonder how many years back it dates.

Who wants lunch?

A sign I saw in the window of Pete's Fish Market on East Second Street in Plainfield this week.

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The Amazing Race 27: November 6 Episode Blog Party

Hi, everybody! As the show airs here tonight, I'll be updating this entry with the major happenings. Refresh the page to get the latest news! As always, the real party is in the comments area. Come join in on the fun!

Keep in mind that last week was another "to be continued" leg, but here's the latest blog pool update as per The Marvelous Margo:

Cindy and Rick #ChacAttack - Donna in AL, Donna in FL, Jennasmom, Sharon N
Denise and James Earl #TeamAlabama - Becky, Ginniejulie, ORKMommy, Willie J
Justin and Diana #TheGreenTeam - Chauncey, Cherry Pie, Monty924, Nickelpeed
Kelsey and Joey #TheReporters - beachmom, ChicMc, David, Grandi in MD,
Logan and Chris #ThePaparazzi - Delee, PDX Granny, Rbennie, SueGee
Tanner and Josh #TeamTexas - Buzzmaam, chrob61, meb, ML
Tiffany and Krista #TheCheerleaders - Brenda, Brian, Cheryl in NC, Ed in OH, Nana in NW

Philiminated
TMZ girls (not in pool)
Adam and Alex #TheCousins -Anonymouse, DKNYNC, Jackie, Kelsey, Sharon C
Ernest and Jin #TheDancers - Glenn, Marlo, Nancerella, Russ
Jazmine and Danielle #TheTrackStars - Joanie, LafayetteLisanne, Margo, Merrilee

Ready? Let's GO! 

The teams are on the way to Rotterdam (Amsterdam?) and Phil told them to keep their Fitbit tallies handy. James Earl and Denise are still stuck at the rapping detour. Finally, they got through! 

All the teams were booked for the same train, but a few teams snagged earlier trips. Once at their destination, they have a bunching point. Justin and Diana did get there first, not that it mattered. The bunching has them entering in groups fifteen minutes apart. At least Josh and Tanner explored Paris. Uh-oh, ChacAttack found out that Rotterdam is NOT Amsterdam.

The clue they get hints they should walk -- "every step counts." Justin and Diana are arguing about taking a taxi or not. Other teams are taking taxis to the water taxi they're supposed to board.

Roadblock amongst windmills -- "Who wants to pick sunflowers?" They have to find a Van Gogh sunflowers painting and match it up with one in a windmill.

Joey and Kelsey have it first. The Fitbit comes to play. They have to take their highest heartrate from the last leg and pick the difference between what it reads doing this in tulips. 

From the Roadblock, it's on to a distillery via water taxi. Justin and Diana have fallen way back, as have Josh and Tanner. 

Detour -- Ship or Skip -- Ship has them on a simulated mission in a ship, skip has the Double Dutch jump roping. Tiffany and Krista nailed the jump roping and are headed to the Pit Stop. Justin and Diana (redeemed their time) are heading there from Ship.

Pit Stop:
1. Justin and Diana - They tell Phil their amount of steps 31,000+ will be turned into dollars. They also get a massage. 
2. Kelsey and Joey
3. Krista and Tiffany
4. Josh and Tanner
5. Logan and Chris 

ChacAttack took the wrong tram. 

6. Denise and James Earl 
7. Cindy and Rick -- Philiminated

Survivor: Cambodia, Second Chance - Blog Party November 4

I hope you all brought snacks and tasty beverages! As the show airs here on the East Coast, I'll update this entry with the major happenings. Refresh the page to get the latest! As always, the real party is in the comments area -- come join in on the fun!

The merge is on tonight! This should be very interesting indeed. Here's the latest blog pool standings from that lovable Lifeguard Laurie:

Bayon
Jeremy Collins - Brian, meb, Nickelpeed
Kelley Wentworth - monty 924, Grandi, RENOthunder
Joe Anglim - Delee, Mother Guru, PDX Granny
Stephen Fishbach - Brenda, Matt, Rochelle
Kimmi Kappenberg - Glenn, Nana in the NW, Rbennie
Keith Nale - Tammy, gaylos, Margo
Tasha Fox - Donna in AL, Jennamom, Stephanie in Baltimore

Takeo
Andrew Savage - Jennasmom, JoyzJenn, Silk
Spencer Bledsoe - Ellen vdW, Nancerella, Terry is a Texan
Kass McQuillen - Donna NY, Marlo, Petals
Abi-Maria Gomes - Nobody is stuck with her!
Ciera Eastin - chrob61, Jackie, Russ
Kelly Wiglesworth - ML, Sharon N, Indiana Jane

Out
Vytas Baskauskas
Shirin Oskooi - Cheryl in NC, Kelly D, Sharon C
Peih-Gee Law - Becky, David, Joanie,
Jeff Varner - Donna in FL, Linda in MA, SueGee
Monica Padilla - ChicMC, Kelsey, sanra
Terry Deitz - Anonymouse, Merrilee, ORKMommy
Woo Hwang - Ed in Ohio, LafayetteLisanne, Laurie

Survivor fans ready?

Savage is feeling betrayed by his tribe's blindside of his boot Spencer plan. He's trying to figure out how to get in with them until the merge. Spencer has come to the realization that he needs to rely on Kass. Oh my.

They get tree mail which tells them they'll meet with visitors. Meanwhile, Takeo's mail has them gathering up their belongings and heading to their new home. Both tribes are thinking merge.

It is indeed the merge even though there's a lot of people -- 13 -- left in the game at this point. They get to feast.

Savage warns Jeremy to watch out for the ones who turned on him. Kass is thinking she now can work with Spencer since saving him. They're all wheeling and dealing trying to build alliances. Savage works on getting Joe onboard. But Joe, though he likes Savage, might have his own plans. More scheming and alliance planning. Tasha tells us she will not allow Kass to ruin her game again. Meanwhile, Kass had been sincere about working with her and now is dead set against her.

Now chaos ensues. Seeds are planted. But, so far this episode is mostly talk. Finally, it's the the Immunity Challenge. Good. Standing on a narrow beam balancing a ball on a little platform. At intervals, to a narrower section of beam and they have to move their hand down farther on the pole with the ball.

Fishbach out in three seconds. Keith out. Ciera out. Kimmi out. Second round -- Abi out after one second. Kass out, Wiglesworth out, Wentworth out.

Third round. Savage out. Tasha out. Jeremy out. Only Joe and Spencer remain. Spencer lost this one to Tasha in his season. Spencer out. Joe wins first individual immunity!

Savage really wants Ciera to go while Kass seems to be the target for most. They decide to split the vote between Kass and Ciera in case Kass has an idol. Since this is so blatant, it's probably not how it's going to go down. Kass wants Tasha. Spencer is caught in the middle. He likes Tasha, but Kass and Ciera saved him last Tribal.

Tribal Council -- Ciera tries to get everyone to play for themselves while the targets are three women (Ciera, Kass and Tasha).

The tally --
Kass, Ciera, Tasha, Kass, Ciera, Tasha, Kass, Ciera, Savage, Kass, Ciera, Kass, Kass.

It's Kass out of there tonight!

Off Topic: That Was the Week It Was - November 1, 2015

Good morning! Since it's indeed Sunday morning, that can just mean one thing. Yep, it's time for my weekly off television topic reflection of the week gone by in both words and photographs I've taken along the way. Please, if you're a fan of either show, join us for the live update/blog party posts for both Survivor and The Amazing Race on Wednesday and Friday evenings respectively.

Here are my random thoughts, happenings and observations on this past week:

• My apologies for being so late with this today. I was exhausted after coming home last night and it continued through this morning. Also, I've been having to go downstairs every half-hour looking for my Sunday newspaper. This makes three weeks out of four with no Sunday paper -- the ONLY day I have delivery. Courier-News SUCKS.
• It was the big Halloween week. On Friday I went by the City Hall Trunk or Treat event. While it was great for the costumed car owners and the costumed kids, it wasn't good for photo taking as it was so dark there. I didn't want to run around with my flash going off. I ended up taking the bus home from there accompanied by a rather strange woman who snagged her own huge bag of candy at the event. A man sitting nearby and I had rolling eye contests going on as she talked about each piece of candy.
• This is also the weekend of the big Watchung Avenue bridge replacement with no rail service between Westfield and Dunellen train stations. I planned ahead. It did no good. Saturday morning was a debacle. Ack.
• While I plan and watch out for these things, many commuters don't or don't have internet access to see details. If you called NJ Transit on the phone over the weekend, they said there were no traffic alerts.
• Meanwhile, special buses were shuttling passengers from Westfield, Fanwood, Netherwood and Plainfield train stations to the Dunellen Train Station where rail service west of the shutdown resumed (and, the reverse trip as well). Going eastbound from before Dunellen, the trains were running a half-hour or so early to make up for the wasted half-hour bus commute and the trains from Westfield east were supposedly to run on time. Arrival at points Dunellen and west was a half-hour or so later than it should be.
• I had new hires to start at my workplace, so I figured I'd go in early and tried for the first bus/train combo west.
• My bus for that was late after one went whizzing right by and the bus going the other direction was right on time.
• Then two buses came (late for that second run) and no bus for the other direction came anywhere near on time.
• The bus driver was going crazy as people were all shouting at her. She had just been asked to work the day as overtime and thought she was running a regular bus route. She had a bus following her that had no idea where he was going and she didn't dare lose him in traffic.
• She told the screaming eastbound people to get on her bus and she was just doing the turn in Dunellen and then would be heading to Westfield. She had no idea where the bus(es) headed to Westfield were but would get them there.
• One woman was totally unreasonable. Now, I had talked with her while we're were waiting and I knew she was unreasonable. I just decided I wasn't going to argue with a stranger. She had arrived five minutes after the first Westfield-bound bus left and kept insisting it never came. It did. I saw it. It was on time to the minute. I even asked the driver where it was going. (That's when a bunch of people realized they boarded the wrong bus and got back off.)
• While I wasn't foolish enough to argue with an unreasonable crazy woman, another woman on the bus did. It almost got to fisticuffs. Meanwhile, the bus driver just kept pleading with them to stop fighting. 
• I suggested singing "99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall." The guy next to me and the driver joined in as we tried to sing over the arguing women. 
• Then this Jamaican dude decided to ring the bell to get off.
• "No stops! Dunellen Train Station only!"
• "These ladies are giving me a headache!"
• The night trip home went better as NJ Transit actually had a guy at the Dunellen Train Station communicating with the bus drivers and passengers. Once again we led a second bus (inexplicably with the lighted sign for IVY HILL, NEWARK on its front while all the rest read RARITAN VALLEY LINE) who didn't know where he was going.
• As it was Halloween night and costumed people were heading to the Village (NYC) for the big costume parade, some of the people on the bus were in costume. It made for a rather surreal trip to Plainfield. Unfortunately, people were so grouchy over the bus/train situation that I didn't think it a good idea to try to get photos.
• While I knew what was going on, NJ Transit dropped the ball with the lack of communication with its bus drivers (who know nothing of rail services) and its customers on the whole.
• We'll see if everything is really back to normal Monday.

Onto the photos for the week -- clicking on an image will bring it up in a larger version.

Vincent conquered his Halloween costume

There are more photos of his Halloween costume adventure after the jump. I had to bribe him with catnip to slip it on. But it didn't last long. He thinks it's a cat toy and was walking around with it in his mouth last night, throwing it up in the air and then pouncing on it. Silly cat.

Not taken this week, but ...

... since I didn't get any good Halloween-themed photos this past week, I thought I'd add this one in. I took it a few years ago in Manhattan. It's the skeleton costume in a store display with the reflection of nearby buildings in the window.

The new bridge sections await placement

More photos of the big Watchung Avenue bridge replacement project are after the jump. In this one, taken last night after I got home from work, the old bridge is out and the new sections are lined up on Watchung Avenue and North Avenue awaiting their mission in life.

Monday night's full supermoon

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

The Amazing Race 27: October 30 Episode Blog Party

Hi, everybody! As the show airs here tonight, I'll be updating this entry with the major happenings. Refresh the page to get the latest news! As always, the real party is in the comments area. Come join in on the fun!

The latest blog pool update as per The Marvelous Margo --

Cindy and Rick #ChacAttack - Donna in AL, Donna in FL, Jennasmom, Sharon N
Denise and James Earl #TeamAlabama - Becky, Ginniejulie, ORKMommy, Willie J
Justin and Diana #TheGreenTeam - Chauncey, Cherry Pie, Monty924, Nickelpeed
Kelsey and Joey #TheReporters - beachmom, ChicMc, David, Grandi in MD,
Logan and Chris #ThePaparazzi - Delee, PDX Granny, Rbennie, SueGee
Tanner and Josh #TeamTexas - Buzzmaam, chrob61, meb, ML
Tiffany and Krista #TheCheerleaders - Brenda, Brian, Cheryl in NC, Ed in OH, Nana in NW

Philiminated
TMZ girls (not in pool)
Adam and Alex #TheCousins -Anonymouse, DKNYNC, Jackie, Kelsey, Sharon C
Ernest and Jin #TheDancers - Glenn, Marlo, Nancerella, Russ
Jazmine and Danielle #TheTrackStars - Joanie, LafayetteLisanne, Margo, Merrilee

Ready? Let's GO! 

Whoa, starting off with a Roadblock! They have a jump (bungee, I assume) and then check their Fitbits. They have to write down their heart rate. The jump is from the Victoria Falls bridge. It's a gathering point with the teams going in order of arrival. Yes, it's bungee indeed. 

From there they're on their way to Paris, France. All the teams are on the same flight. Green Team gets the jump on the others.

They go to another Roadblock. This one has them on biplanes doing loops. Oh, they're not piloting the plane, mind you. They have to look for three clues -- the motto of the French Republic -- from the plane.

Justin and Diana remain in the lead. Now Logan and Chris are trailing once again -- Logan missed the third clue, so she has to do the Roadblock over. Logan and Chris miss the train.

Detour -- Drop a Mic or Bust a Crab. Singing French rap or working in a restaurant. Diana and Justin are over the honeymoon -- they're arguing a lot tonight.

Despite disagreements and quibbles, Justin and Diana are the first heading off to the Pit Stop. James Earl and Denise are lost in Paris.

Heh. Justin and Diana didn't read the final clue thoroughly. They're at the Arch de Triomphe (sp?) when they should be across from it! 

1. Justin and Diana -- the race continues and they need to keep their heart rate listings going.
2. Tiffany and Krista 
3. Kelsey and Joey
4. Cindy and Rick
5. Tanner and Josh
6. Chris and Logan

I might be off on the middle of the list because teams were coming in as I was typing.

James Earl and Denise are still having problems with the Detour and the "to be continued" episode ends.

Survivor: Cambodia, Second Chance - October 28 Episode Blog Party

I hope you all brought snacks and tasty beverages! As the show airs here on the East Coast, I'll update this entry with the major happenings. Refresh the page to get the latest! As always, the real party is in the comments area -- come join in on the fun!

Judging from the promos, someone is removed from the game for medical reasons tonight. We've seen that before, but it's always scary. Since we haven't heard that anyone died in the news, all should be okay. 

Lifeguard Laurie's Pool Update (yay, she's back from Hawaii!):
Bayon -
Spencer Bledsoe - Ellen vdW, Nancerella, Terry is a Texan
Kimmi Kappenberg - Glenn, Nana in the NW, Rbennie
Stephen Fishbach - Brenda, Matt, Rochelle
Jeremy Collins - Brian, meb, Nickelpeed
Kelly Wiglesworth - ML, Sharon N, Indiana Jane

Angkor -
Woo Hwang - Ed in Ohio, LafayetteLisanne, Laurie
Andrew Savage - Jennasmom, JoyzJenn, Silk
Tasha Fox - Donna in AL, Jennamom, Stephanie in Baltimore
Abi-Maria Gomes - Nobody is stuck with her!

Takeo -
Ciera Eastin - chrob61, Jackie, Russ
Joe Anglim - Delee, Mother Guru, PDX Granny
Kass McQuillen - Donna NY, Marlo, Petals
Keith Nale - Tammy, gaylos, Margo
Kelley Wentworth - monty 924, Grandi, RENOthunder
Terry Deitz - Anonymouse, Merrilee, ORKMommy

Out
Vytas Baskauskas
Shirin Oskooi - Cheryl in NC, Kelly D, Sharon C
Peih-Gee Law - Becky, David, Joanie
Jeff Varner - Donna in FL, Linda in MA, SueGee
Monica Padilla - ChicMC, Kelsey, sanra

Survivor fans ready?

Uh-oh. It's not an accident on the show. Jeff tells Terry Dietz that his son is in the hospital and doctor and his wife think it's serious enough for him to go home. How sad. I found out more about his son's health issues in this article.

Yipes! Another switch! Drop your buffs. It's back to Takeo and Bayon, no Angkor.

I'll fix these if I'm wrong -- hard to figure out who's where at first --
Takeo: Savage, Woo, Spencer, Kass, Abi-Marie, Ciera and Wiglesworth

Bayon: Jeremy, Wentworth, Joe, Fishbach, Kimmi, Keith, Tasha

Reward Challenge - One member each tribe race, grab ring, throw it, first tribe to get three rings on target pole win. The winning tribe gets a feast with fried chicken and all. Takeo wins!

Spencer is worried that Kass will be a problem for him while Savage is thrilled ... he likes his new tribe and knows that he might be able to work Kass against Spencer. Huh. Savage decides it's a good idea to tell Spencer everybody is voting out Ciera. Ciera ain't too cool wit' that. She can take a hint.

On Bayon, Joe wants to protect Kelley W. and target Kimmi. Kelley has an idol, but she'll take his protection! Fishbach is worried about Joe and tries to work Tasha his way. He cries to us. @@

Immunity Challenge -- It's the local delicacies food challenge -- always a winner. First up are tarantulas, not alive. Giant waterbeetles are next. Third food is pig snout. Deep-fried frog next. Ah, pig brain. Scorpion -- looks deep-fried. The epic balut is next -- embryo with feathers and all, if memory serves. Bayon wins Immunity!

Kass, though she did poorly in the challenge, still wants to target Spencer. The others want to target him, too. Actually, it sounds like it's so much of a done deal that I doubt he'll go. Spencer foolishly trusts Savage who's bent on taking him out because Savage thinks he's such a big threat. Ciera is also ticked that her name is thrown in there.

Uh-oh. Has Ciera changed Kass into wanting to keep Spencer? Kass tells Spencer that Savage is targeting him and saying Ciera. Will they really work together? Kass and Spencer? Hmm.

Tribal Council time. Jeff will ask his Probsting questions.

Savage votes for Spencer. Spencer goes with the Woo vote as per Kass.

The tally:
Spencer, Woo, Spencer, Spencer, Woo, Woo, Woo.

Savage looks very uncomfortable that his buddy is taken out and his alliance betrayed him.

Heh. I love a good blindside even though I'd love for Woo to remain.

The merge is on for next week!

Off Topic: That's the Week It Was - October 25, 2015

Good morning! Since it's indeed Sunday morning, that can just mean one thing. Yep, it's time for my weekly off television topic reflection of the week gone by in both words and photographs I've taken along the way. Please, if you're a fan of either show, join us for the live update/blog party posts for both Survivor and The Amazing Race on Wednesday and Friday evenings respectively.

Here are my random thoughts, happenings and observations on this past week:

• I have a new boss at my workplace. It should be better, but I don't know if my sucked-out soul can be redeemed.
• I received an email that I won something in the Plainfield Public Library Annual Photography Contest. The awards ceremony is on November 14. I will be attending. I doubt I won first place again this year -- it wasn't a great theme for me.
• Since I long ago, before the date for the awards was announced, requested the first two Saturdays of November off from work, I decided Saturday the 7th would be the perfect day to go see Misery on Broadway at the Broadhurst Theater in Manhattan. Bruce Willis and Laurie Metcalf are the stars of the show. I ended up getting a better (and more expensive) ticket than I planned as it seems to really be selling out. I have a first row center mezzanine seat -- no one's head will be in front of me and I'll have a complete view of the stage! I'm considering it my Christmas gift to myself.
• I finally made up my mind, ordered and received the birthday gift my brother Russ gave me last month (an Amazon gift card). It's heaven to have a new toaster! I've been fighting with my old one for the past few years and kept forgetting I need a new one, so I got one. I also got Stephen King's Finders Keepers hardback, a new wall calendar for next year, some Dr. Teal's Epsom Salt Vapor Bath (with menthol and eucalyptus!) and, last and definitely least, a four-pack of Magic Erasers. That last was just to use up the gift card and they had a dollar off online coupon at Amazon for them. 
• Did you realize that they have plain old TOASTERS that cost a few hundred dollars or more? Who uses them? The one I replaced cost $10 about 15 years ago. I splurged on the new one I bought -- $22. I expect it to last me the rest of my life!
• Of course, I'm someone who still has my first microwave oven. It's so old (how old is it?) that I bought it at Caldor a good ten or so years before Caldor went out of business! It's a Sharp Carousel microwave vintage about 1988. Hey, it still works. I use it mainly for heating up stuff and popcorn. I have an oven and a crockpot for outright cooking needs. 
• Thankfully, my killer cold lessened by Wednesday and I feel sort of human once again. Sniffles, sneezing and an occasional cough remain. But I feel so much better than I did!
• For the first time in three weeks, I have my Sunday newspaper. After looking for it every half-hour starting at 6am, it was there at 8:30am ... late. I'm so not happy with the Courier-News!
• It's kind of damp and gloomy outside. I'd say it's a perfect day for using that Epsom Salt Vapor Bath while playing some soft classical or jazz on my stereo. Hmm.
• If a cat would stop hogging my attention, this post would be more timely.

Here are the photos for the week -- clicking on an image will bring it up in a larger version:

Getting near peak

This is a ridge of trees near my workplace. There's a lot more color there than I'm seeing just east here in Plainfield.

Monday night's moon

I really like how my point and shoot Canon and its great digital zoom capabilities work with moon shots. I've always considered moon shots a challenge and you don't want to know how many white blobs I've deleted off of memory cards over the years. But, with this camera and its zoom, I end up with more decent shots than blobs!

Plainfield Train Station at night

The Monday night late train to New York City isn't a busy one. I get off in Plainfield. I keep telling myself now that the Raritan Valley Line has the combination diesel/electric trains and there are one-seat rides into Manhattan, I'll use it. They used to be just diesel and you can't run diesel in the tunnels under the rivers to NYC. But then I end up taking the bus because that leaves from right by my apartment. After all, that's one-seat ride, too! My next planned trip to the city will be bus, too. The Port Authority Building is closer to Times Square and the theater district. So, on both ends the bus will win.

Turkey Vulture in flight

Up close, their faces are ugly as all get-out and, to be honest, they're rather disgustingly dirty birds. But ... in flight, they're majestic. This one was circling overhead at the Plainfield Train Station on Saturday morning as I headed to work.

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

The Amazing Race 27: October 23 Blog Party

Hi, everybody! As the show airs here tonight, I'll be updating this entry with the major happenings. Refresh the page to get the latest news! As always, the real party is in the comments area. Come join in on the fun!

Last week the leg didn't really end and all teams are still in it. I wonder how the Texans and Justin/Diana will get along now since the teams promised not to and didn't use the U-Turn. Then there's that pesky leftover Express Pass that Texas has to give to another team (after they screwed up and wasted the use of their own pass). Will they be smart enough to pass it on to the worst team? Who is the worst team right now? Hmm.


The latest blog pool update as per The Marvelous Margo --

Cindy and Rick #ChacAttack - Donna in AL, Donna in FL, Jennasmom, Sharon N
Denise and James Earl #TeamAlabama - Becky, Ginniejulie, ORKMommy, Willie J
Jazmine and Danielle #TheTrackStars - Joanie, LafayetteLisanne, Margo, Merrilee
Justin and Diana #TheGreenTeam - Chauncey, Cherry Pie, Monty924, Nickelpeed
Kelsey and Joey #TheReporters - beachmom, ChicMc, David, Grandi in MD,
Logan and Chris #ThePaparazzi - Delee, PDX Granny, Rbennie, SueGee
Tanner and Josh #TeamTexas - Buzzmaam, chrob61, meb, ML
Tiffany and Krista #TheCheerleaders - Brenda, Brian, Cheryl in NC, Ed in OH, Nana in NW

Philiminated
TMZ girls (not in pool)
Adam and Alex #TheCousins -Anonymouse, DKNYNC, Jackie, Kelsey, Sharon C
Ernest and Jin #TheDancers - Glenn, Marlo, Nancerella, Russ

Ready? Let's GO! 

Okay, the Texans decided to give the Express Pass to Denise and James Earl because they've worked with them before and they also don't consider them a threat for the win. 

The other teams are going through the Pit Stop with the continuation. Hmm ... Denise and James Earl are running in third. Were they the right choice? 

Roadblock: Who wants to gorge themselves? It's a revisit of the first challenge ever on the show ... a zip line over the Zambizi (sp?) River gorge.

Detour: Crocs or Canoes -- Feed a crocodile *while in a protective cage. Or, canoe down the (dangerous) river and retrieve the clue from a vulture's nest.

Cindy and Rick are team five at the first pit stop. Logan and Chris are six and didn't want to give all the money to the orphans. Huh.Jazmine and Danielle number seven. Krista and Tiffany are eight and U-Turned the Green Team (which is already way ahead of them, D'oh!)

Cindy/Rick and Logan/Chris both went the wrong way (one team following the other) to the Roadblock and now the other remaining teams are ahead of them. 

The clue after the Roadblock heads them to the "Lion Encounter." Justin and Diana remain first, the Texans second. 

At the crocodiles, Denise and James Earl use their Express Pass.

In Lion Encounter, they must walk with lions to find their next clue. Justin and Diana go first, followed by James Earl and Denise. Logan and Chris are behind everyone. Logan fusses and they decide to go to the Canoe Detour. Now they decide to stay at the crocodiles.

The Pit Stop is the Masuwe Wild Game Reserve and they must deliver fruit to it -- in baskets on their heads!  

Pit Stop:
1. Denise and James Earl -- win a trip to Slovakia
2. Justin and Diana 

Jazmine and Danielle screw up and go to the pit stop instead of the Lion Encounter. They head back.

3. Tanner and Josh 
4. Kelsey and Joey 

Then Jazmine and Danielle didn't read the clue and now have to do it over again with the lions. 

5. Tiffany and Krista 
6. Logan and Chris 
7. Cindy and Rick
8. Jazmine and Danielle -- Philiminated

Survivor: Cambodia, Second Chance - October 21 Blog Party

I hope you all brought snacks and tasty beverages! As the show airs here on the East Coast, I'll update this entry with the major happenings. Refresh the page to get the latest! As always, the real party is in the comments area -- come join in on the fun!

Lifeguard Laurie's Pool Update (even though she won't be able to join us this evening as she's having a wonderful family time!):
Bayon -
Spencer Bledsoe - Ellen vdW, Nancerella, Terry is a Texan
Kimmi Kappenberg - Glenn, Nana in the NW, Rbennie
Stephen Fishbach - Brenda, Matt, Rochelle
Monica Padilla - ChicMC, Kelsey, sanra
Jeremy Collins - Brian, meb, Nickelpeed
Kelly Wiglesworth - ML, Sharon N, Indiana Jane

Angkor -
Woo Hwang - Ed in Ohio, LafayetteLisanne, Laurie
Andrew Savage - Jennasmom, JoyzJenn, Silk
Tasha Fox - Donna in AL, Jennamom, Stephanie in Baltimore
Abi-Maria Gomes - Nobody is stuck with her!

Takeo -
Ciera Eastin - chrob61, Jackie, Russ
Joe Anglim - Delee, Mother Guru, PDX Granny
Kass McQuillen - Donna NY, Marlo, Petals
Keith Nale - Tammy, gaylos, Margo
Kelley Wentworth - monty 924, Grandi, RENOthunder
Terry Deitz - Anonymouse, Merrilee, ORKMommy

Out
Vytas Baskauskas
Shirin Oskooi - Cheryl in NC, Kelly D, Sharon C
Peih-Gee Law - Becky, David, Joanie
Jeff Varner - Donna in FL, Linda in MA, SueGee

Survivor fans ready?

Recap of Woo saving his butt and Varner going home. Hugs all around and they're worried about the future of Angkor.

Monica is getting down on Kimmi catching so many big clams and depleting the food source. It's making Kimmi go wacky as she tries to control her tongue. She does have a point ... they need to eat.

Reward Challenge time. Three tied together, fourth in a barrel, roll, insider collects bags, all three bags, six balls rolled tossed in target holes. First prize - comfort with chairs and even food. Second prize - tarp.

Takeo wins first place. Angkor gets second place.

Dietz loves how things are going in camp. Joe is worried about the merge. He's trying to pull others into an alliance with him. The only one not in the alliance of five is Dietz. Hmm.

Meanwhile. Spencer is trying to bond with Jeremy.

Sigh. Abi thinks Woo told the story of his mother's heart replacement just for sympathy. She goes to Tasha with her complaints. Tasha is basically just working to stay cool with her.

Immunity Challenge time! Race up through obstacles to a tower, hit targets with sandbags. Heh. Fishbach got a target for Angkor! WHOA! Finally, Angkor wins Immunity! Takeo also wins, so it's Bayon to Tribal Council tonight!

As outsiders on Bayon, it's Kelly Wiglesworth and Spencer the targets. Spencer's really trying so hard to fit in. Monica is pushing for a girls alliance keeping Wiglesworth much to the dismay of Kimmi. Kimmi runs to Jeremy and Fishbach about it and proposes they keep Spencer and possibly send Monica herself home.

Tribal Council. The talk turns to trust and Bayon vs. Wiglesworth and Spencer.

The tally --
Kelly, Spencer, Kelly, Monica, Monica, Monica.

They did it! They voted out Monica!

Off Topic: That Was the Week It Was - October 18, 2015

Good morning! It's Sunday, so it's time for my weekly off television review of the week gone by in both words and photographs I've taken along the way. I've really been hit hard by a vicious cold since about Wednesday or so, so this will be a bit short and sweet.

Random thoughts on the week:

• I'm so tired of being sick. I blame the general public for breathing on me.
• We were set for our first freeze of the season overnight last night. I think we got it.
• Not that I could tell inside my apartment. I had to get up and turn down the heat as it got so warm in here.
• Of course, that might also have to do with my not feeling well.
• But it felt like an oven! Wah!
• For the second week in a row, my Sunday morning Courier News didn't come. This is ridiculous. Today I checked for it at 6am and every half-hour since. I doubt it was stolen this week. They credit my account mere pennies claiming I can read it online. But I don't have the inserts and lose out on using coupons (many of which Peapod doubles) in my grocery shopping. 
• We're getting some fall foliage colors now, but nowhere near peak.
• I think I need more colds meds.

Clicking on an image will bring it up in a larger window.

Church steeple at sunset

Wednesday early evening, East Front Street in Plainfield.

Sneaker salesman

Business must be slow. I saw this get-up on East Front Street in Plainfield. I was a bit dismayed that it was just a rack of sneakers underneath.

It's definitely mums season

This mums shot and the ones that follow after the jump were all taken of planters lining a porch on Berckman Street in Plainfield.

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

The Amazing Race 27: October 16 Episode Blog Party

Hi, everybody! As the show airs here tonight, I'll be updating this entry with the major happenings. Refresh the page to get the latest news! As always, the real party is in the comments area. Come join in on the fun!

I'm thinking tonight could very well be a non-Philimination leg. We know there's a Double U-Turn ahead and that the Texans are gunning for Justin. This could be very interesting!

The latest blog pool update as per The Marvelous Margo --

Cindy and Rick #ChacAttack - Donna in AL, Donna in FL, Jennasmom, Sharon N
Denise and James Earl #TeamAlabama - Becky, Ginniejulie, ORKMommy, Willie J
Jazmine and Danielle #TheTrackStars - Joanie, LafayetteLisanne, Margo, Merrilee
Justin and Diana #TheGreenTeam - Chauncey, Cherry Pie, Monty924, Nickelpeed
Kelsey and Joey #TheReporters - beachmom, ChicMc, David, Grandi in MD,
Logan and Chris #ThePaparazzi - Delee, PDX Granny, Rbennie, SueGee
Tanner and Josh #TeamTexas - Buzzmaam, chrob61, meb, ML
Tiffany and Krista #TheCheerleaders - Brenda, Brian, Cheryl in NC, Ed in OH, Nana in NW

Philiminated
TMZ girls (not in pool)
Adam and Alex #TheCousins -Anonymouse, DKNYNC, Jackie, Kelsey, Sharon C
Ernest and Jin #TheDancers - Glenn, Marlo, Nancerella, Russ

Ready? Let's GO! 

Tanner and Josh continue to push for other teams to use the Double U-Turn on Justin and Diana, promising them the Express Pass. Teams are heading to Zambia with the first flight only holding four teams. There's a fifteen minute difference. Justin and Diana and Texas make it on the first flight.

Roadblock - Who wants to rise above the smoke that thunders? Riding a glider motorized thingee to find a clue over Victoria Falls. Josh and Tanner use their Express Pass. 

Justin approaches Joey for an alliance. Of course, Joey and Kelsey are also in on the U-Turn Justin and Diana plan, too. 

The Texans go from Zambia to Zimbabwe. They really screwed up. They used the Express Pass before the Roadblock, now have to wait for 8am to get the next clue (or Detour). Ha. 

Double Ha. The Texans and Justin/Diana are both the only teams going at 8am. The next team got an 8:10am key. Huh. Both teams promise not to U-Turn each other.

Detour: Co-op or Croquet. Staining and polishing a native ornamental giraffe or playing croquet. James Earl pronounces it "crokette."

Justin and Diana get through first and get a clue to head to the Pit Stop at an orphanage. Josh and Tanner are on the heels and now both teams are kind of even looking for taxis.

Justin and Diana do NOT use the U-Turn. They make it to the Pit Stop first and donate all they have.

Pit Stop ...
Still racing and and get a clue to carry on.

Josh and Tanner do not use the U-Turn and have respect for Justin and Diana for not using it on them.

Phil tells them they need to decide NOW who will get their second Express Pass.

Of course, it's not NOW and it's to be continued next week.

Survivor: Cambodia, Second Chance - October 14 Blog Party

I hope you all brought snacks and tasty beverages! As the show airs here on the East Coast, I'll update this entry with the major happenings. Refresh the page to get the latest! As always, the real party is in the comments area -- come join in on the fun!

Lifeguard Laurie's Pool Update:
Bayon -
Spencer Bledsoe - Ellen vdW, Nancerella, Terry is a Texan
Kimmi Kappenberg - Glenn, Nana in the NW, Rbennie
Stephen Fishbach - Brenda, Matt, Rochelle
Monica Padilla - ChicMC, Kelsey, sanra
Jeremy Collins - Brian, meb, Nickelpeed
Kelly Wiglesworth - ML, Sharon N, Indiana Jane

Angkor -
Woo Hwang - Ed in Ohio, LafayetteLisanne, Laurie
Andrew Savage - Jennasmom, JoyzJenn, Silk
Tasha Fox - Donna in AL, Jennamom, Stephanie in Baltimore
Abi-Maria Gomes - No body is stuck with her!
Jeff Varner - Donna in FL, Linda in MA, SueGee

Takeo -
Ciera Eastin - chrob61, Jackie, Russ
Joe Anglim - Delee, Mother Guru, PDX Granny
Kass McQuillen - Donna NY, Marlo, Petals
Keith Nale - Tammy, gaylos, Margo
Kelley Wentworth - monty 924, Grandi, RENOthunder
Terry Deitz - Anonymouse, Merrilee, ORKMommy

Out
Vytas Baskauskas
Shirin Oskooi - Cheryl in NC, Kelly D, Sharon C
Peih-Gee Law - Becky, David, Joanie

Survivor fans ready?

Jeff is thrilled he didn't get one vote, but now he feels indebted to them for keeping him. Sasha is working a movement against him behind his back, though. Abi-Maria wants to target Woo because he's voted for her twice. Savage thinks Abi is unpredictable. Y'think?

Jeremy is happy to have his idol and claims he won't tell anyone about it. Let's see if he keeps with that.

Angkor is lamenting on their camp (or lack thereof) -- no resources, no real shelter, nothing.

It's Reward Challenge time. They have to race out running/swimming, retrieve bags, then launch them into a net by jumping on a plank. The Reward is a BBQ set, the next tribe winning a smaller set. They choose who has to run for the bags. Savage wins it for Angkor! Dietz wins second place for Takeo.

It does look like Takeo is living in the lap of luxury, resting in their hammocks. Kass read 'How to Win Friends and Influence People' thinking it would help her do better this season. Meanwhile, some don't trust her when she's merely making a birthday gift for someone else.

On Bayon, Spencer is throwing Kelly Wiglesworth under the bus to make himself more in with the others. Those two are the only two from their tribe on the new tribe.

Immunity is up for grabs again! Blindfolded with one tribe person calling out commands for them collect puzzle pieces. Bayon wins Immunity! Takeo wins Immunity! It's back to Tribal Council for Angkor for the second time in a row.

Tasha is still working her agenda to get Jeff Varner out. Jeff thinks he might have Abi's support. Woo is trying to get back in Abi's good graces. Hmm. Oh my gosh ... everyone is catering to Abi's whims ... including Tasha! Heck, they should just all vote Abi out!

TC has Woo and Varner vying against each other for the stay. Woo has the physical side while Varner has the loyalty edge.

The tally --
Jeff, Woo, Jeff, Jeff.

Jeff Varner is out.

Off Topic: That Was the Week It Was - October 11, 2015

Good Sunday morning to y'all! I hope all is well with you. Welcome to my weekly off television topic reflection on the week gone by in both words and photos I've taken along the way. Remember -- on Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm ET, I post live updates on Survivor and The Amazing Race respectively. If you watch the show(s), this blog is the place to comment on them with fellow show fans! It's really a great bunch of folks and the internet trolls have learned their comments are deleted practically as they post them. If you're looking for a fun place to discuss either show, please feel free to stop by one of the blog parties ... and bring snacks!

Because I have a lot to say in the photo paragraphs, it's random notes in this beginning of the post:

• I'm ready to welcome back The Walking Dead tonight and Fargo tomorrow. Well, the latter I'll watch on Tuesday. 
• I obviously have problems staying totally television topic free in these posts, huh?
• Although this time of year is my favorite weather of all, I'm dismayed by the shortening of the daylight hours. It's staying dark so long in the mornings and the sun is setting way too early in the evening. Wah.
• Now I remember how the extended power outage in Sandy taught me to make the most of the hours during which there is daylight.
• Someone stole my Sunday newspaper today or it wasn't delivered. That hasn't happened in months now. I'm assuming stolen rather than not delivered. We have new tenants in the front of the building. I guess I have to start going out for my paper before 6am once again to keep it from being stolen. Sigh. Wah. I'm usually awake at that hour, but not really wanting to throw clothes on and go downstairs and to the front of the building.
• If I ever saw the actual newspaper delivery guy, I'd see if I could get him to toss it up on my fire escape. Then I wouldn't have to get dressed to go get it and no one could steal it! With my luck he'd throw it up on the neighbor's fire escape.
• I've noticed the Super Mario (not the game, the superintendent) has been working seven days a week lately rehabbing some apartments as people move out. My wing remains the same with long-term tenants, but the front apartments have a higher turnover. I saw a boxed new toilet in the elevator. I want one!
• I was fighting the virus that seems to be going around well into the week this past week. I think my immunity to such things seems to be decreasing as I get older.
• I don't know my own strength -- I broke my floor mop this past week. Truth to be told, it was a cheap one I've had for years, but it could have waited until I was on my last mop stroke, couldn't it? The mop stick just broke in two. Eep! I'm just so darn strong!
• Work remains work. Four more days and one worry will be out of my life. Mind you, I still have to work and the damage is already done. But things should improve some.
• But I'd still rather retire from there and do something I enjoy doing instead. It's just that the latter doesn't keep the roof over my head and give me health insurance for $25 a week!
• It's a beautiful day out there today. Maybe I'll walk downtown and buy me a new cheap floor mop!

Onto the photos -- more stories than artistic endeavors this week, but that's how it sometimes goes. Clicking on an image will open it in a larger version.

It's time for the mums!

As the flowers of summer fade into the past, planters with mums emerge on Berckman Street in Plainfield.

Been on the right track ...

... must have been the wrong train. I've been in the right place, must have been the wrong time. Ack! All the promos for the new season of Fargo have got Dr. John's 70s hit stuck in my head! I'm looking forward to the show's return tomorrow night. In this photo, I was on the right track and that is the wrong train. I'd rather take that train and skip work, though!

Assembling bridge faces

For months we've been rotating between shutdowns of the railroad bridges on either side of the Plainfield Train Station. If Park Avenue is open, then Watchung Avenue is closed. And, then vice versa. Now they have all of Gavett Place (all short block of it!) closed and they're assembling the bridge "faces" which will supposedly be set in place without huge shutdowns of the streets. We'll see how that goes. I swear more construction -- streets, gutters, underground stuff, curb cuts, sidewalk sections and buildings, too -- has gone down in the past six months than I've seen in the past three years.

Stop, drop and roll!

While it's easy for us to remember the saying, I'd be willing to bet most people on fire aren't quite thinking of it. Then it's up to us to knock 'em down and cover. I think most people on fire probably run in panic. Not that I've seen all that many people on fire, mind you. But I do know it's instinct. I watched them set up yesterday's annual Plainfield Fire Department's Fire Prevention and Safety Fair yesterday as I waited train. More shots of the set-up phase follow the jump.

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

The Amazing Race 27: October 9 Blog Party

I see you remembered the show is on tonight! I'm expecting a light turn-out as a few of our regulars can't make it tonight. Darn that Friday night time slot!

As the show airs here tonight, I'll be updating this entry with the major happenings. Refresh the page to get the latest news! As always, the real party is in the comments area. Come join in on the fun!

The latest blog pool update as per The Marvelous Margo --

Cindy and Rick #ChacAttack - Donna in AL, Donna in FL, Jennasmom, Sharon N
Denise and James Earl #TeamAlabama - Becky, Ginniejulie, ORKMommy, Willie J
Ernest and Jin #TheDancers - Glenn, Marlo, Nancerella, Russ
Jazmine and Danielle #TheTrackStars - Joanie, LafayetteLisanne, Margo, Merrilee
Justin and Diana #TheGreenTeam - Chauncey, Cherry Pie, Monty924, Nickelpeed
Kelsey and Joey #TheReporters - beachmom, ChicMc, David, Grandi in MD,
Logan and Chris #ThePaparazzi - Delee, PDX Granny, Rbennie, SueGee
Tanner and Josh #TeamTexas - Buzzmaam, chrob61, meb, ML
Tiffany and Krista #TheCheerleaders - Brenda, Brian, Cheryl in NC, Ed in OH, Nana in NW

Philiminated
TMZ girls (not in pool)
Adam and Alex #TheCousins -Anonymouse, DKNYNC, Jackie, Kelsey, Sharon C

Ready? Let's GO! 

Teams are headed to rural town in Argentina. Josh and Tanner have the added problem of Tanner's injured hamstring. Or is it Josh's injured hamstring? One or the other! 

Josh and Tanner keep up their campaign against Justin and Diana. Now they're promising the unused Express Pass (after they use one) to whatever team U-Turns them. 

Roadblock: Gaucho Grill. Who is smoking hot? Hanging racks of beef to be flame-grilled. It looks like street fair food I see in NYC! 

Oh. It's Josh's injured hamstring. Thanks to Tanner calling him by name. 

Josh and Tanner are done first. The dancers are the only ones not at the Roadblock yet. Joey and Kelsey through. Justin's cockiness has cost him. Chacattack passed them. Justin finally made it through the Roadblock.

Detour: Horse or Carriage. Polo or detail a carriage. Both entail delivering their horse or horse and carriage to get their next clue. The polo horses they have to dress are fake.

Uh-oh -- everyone is through with the Roadblock and Ernest and Jin haven't gotten there yet! ChacAttack has to go back because they didn't read their clue and they need to retrieve a buggy whip.

Whoa! The dancers got the meat done on the first try! Will they have a chance? (I like them.)

Teams seem to be getting lost on the way to the Pit Stop.

Pit Stop:
1. Tanner and Josh - won a trip to Cambodia
2. Justin and Diana
Phil warns of a Double U-Turn as he knows the two teams are in contention.  
3. Kelsey and Joey 
4. Jazmine and Danielle
5. Denise and James Earl -- 30 minute penalty because Denise shouted out what James needed to do in Roadblock. 

Tiffany and Krista forgot the whip to their carriage and have to go back for it. 

5. Logan and Chris take over the spot.
6. Denise and James Earl 
7. Cindy and Rick
8. Tiffany and Krista
9, Ernest and Jin -- Philiminated. (Sigh.)

Survivor: Cambodia, Second Chance - October 7 Blog Party

Survivor fans ready? As the show airs here on the East Coast, I'll update this entry with the major happenings. Refresh the page to get the latest! As always, the real party is in the comments area -- come join in on the fun!

To remind folks, Lifeguard Laurie has made the random picks for the blog pool and here they are:

Bayon Tribe
Andrew Savage - Jennasmom, JoyzJenn, Silk
Ciera Eastin - chrob61, Jackie, Russ
Jeremy Collins - Brian, meb, Nickelpeed
Joe Anglim - Delee, Mother Guru, PDX Granny
Kass McQuillen - Donna NY, Marlo, Petals
Keith Nale - Tammy, gaylos, Margo
Kimmi Kappenberg - Glenn, Nana in the NW, Rbennie
Monica Padilla - ChicMC, Kelsey, sanra
Stephen Fishbach - Brenda, Matt, Rochelle
Tasha Fox - Donna in AL, Jennamom, Stephanie in Baltimore

Takeo Tribe 
Abi-Maria Gomes - Nobody is stuck with her!
Jeff Varner - Donna in FL, Linda in MA, SueGee
Kelley Wentworth - monty 924, Grandi, RENOthunder
Kelly Wiglesworth - ML, Sharon N, Indiana Jane
Peih-Gee Law - Becky, David, Joanie,
Spencer Bledsoe - Ellen vdW, Nancerella, Terry is a Texan
Terry Deitz - Anonymouse, Merrilee, ORKMommy
Woo Hwang - Ed in Ohio, LafayetteLisanne, Laurie

Out
Vytas Baskauskas 
Shirin Oskooi - Cheryl in NC, Kelly D, Sharon C

Tonight we'll see them break into three tribes and witness how that shakes 'em up. Woot woot! 

Spencer tries to work himself back into the good graces of his tribe while Terry Dietz might be just a bit too smug.

Uh-oh. Right to a Jeff. Drop your buffs. Switching tribes -- two tribes to three tribes. Three tribes of six, one has to build a new camp and all. They each select a box which, upon direction from Jeff, they open to find buffs.

Bayon - Spencer, Kimmi, Stephen Fishbach, Monica, Jeremy, Kelly Wiglesworth.

Angkor - Woo, Savage, Tasha, Abi, Jeff Varner, Peih-Gee 

Takeo - Cier, Joe, Kass, Keith, Kelley Wentworth and Terry Deitz.

For the most part, many are happy with the switch-up. We'll see how long that lasts!

Heh. Spencer is trying something new with this new tribe -- he's trying to show feelings and form bonds. He opens up to Jeremy, a good choice.

Tasha thinks the friction between Abi and Peih-gee will work in her favor. She works on Abi. She also plays up to Varner and Savage. Savage is a bit leery of their promise to get him as far as jury.

Fishbach and buddies start an idol search. Jeremy finds a clue to the idol -- set up like the one Kelley found during an Immunity Challenge.

Immunity Challenge time. Push cart, keys, chests, disassemble and reassemble cart, complete puzzle. Losing tribe goes to Tribal. Two are safe. Jeremy pocketed his idol without being seen.

Takeo wins Immunity! Bayon wins Immunity! Angkor heading to Tribal. Unrest with Angkor with Tasha yelling there's a rat. Jeff was her target. Now it's hard feelings between Woo, Tasha, Savage and Jeff. Meanwhile, no one is noticing Abi Maria. Oy.

Andrew Savage uses the Varner meltdown to better his position as he was sure he was a goner. Abi Maria talks with Tasha and agrees to vote out Varner. She's not so sure that's the right move. Abi-Maria goes on to alienate Peih-Gee and Woo. Hmm. The Jeff vote-out is getting foggier. Now it looks like it might swing towards Abi. Maybe Tasha? Nah.

Tribal Council time! Varner claims that Andrew and Tasha are in charge of the votes. Abi votes Peih-Gee and vice versa.

The tally -- Abi, Peih-Gee, Abi, Peih-Gee, Peih-Gee, Peih-Gee

Abi-Maria stays, Peih-Gee is gone.

Off Topic: That Was the Week It Was - October 3, 2015

Good morning! Welcome to my weekly off television topic reflection of the week gone by in both words and photographs I've taken along the way. I'll be posting about television soon. I promise!

This week started out very nicely ... and then went downhill.

On Sunday, I went to neighboring Westfield for my first visit to their 26th Annual FestFall street(s) fair. Wow. They know how to put on a street fair! Most of their downtown business section, made up of several streets, was involved. There were foods of every kind imaginable, crafts booths, bakery booths, even a Polska Kielbasa booth! At least two streets were dedicated to children with rides, activities and booths with stuff kids enjoy. Local businesses had sales. There was an artist who does drawings and paintings of your home. His work was truly detailed. There were civic groups and a local ski club I knew nothing about. I haven't skied since moving to New Jersey after being a ski addict for years.

There was something for everyone there -- something I feel lacking in Plainfield street fairs. Almost everything street fair I've attended in the downtown area has seemed focused on either hip hop or Hispanic and definitely geared more towards the young crowd. Sure, I have missed some street fairs because I work on Saturdays. The FestiFall is on Sundays, a day off (usually) for me. But we don't have anything this huge with something for everyone to enjoy all in one fair, either.

On Monday I got good news at work. So, the start of the week went well.

Then came the downhill -- bad weather, constant rain and a virus going around my workplace caught me. Gah. I'm still under the weather, both figuratively and literally. Okay, my roof is under the weather more so than I am. However, it's still grey, cloudy, rainy and windy here. Due to the bad weather and the fact that I haven't felt well, my photos this week ended up being mostly the Westfield FestiFall. Oh, well.

Clicking on an image will bring it up in a larger version.

Proving once again ...

... that flowers DO bend with the rainfall.

It made me want to be 10 again

They didn't have stuff like this when I was ten years old! One side has a rock-climbing wall, but it's the bungee/trampoline side that's so cool! The kids sit in harnesses and bounce off the trampolines high up in the air. They can do all kinds of acrobatic feats. I wanted to do it. I refrained.

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

The Amazing Race 27 - October 2 Blog Party

I see you remembered the show is on tonight! Er, either that or you're looking in after the police broke up the wild blog party!

As the show airs here tonight, I'll be updating this entry with the major happenings. Refresh the page to get the latest news! As always, the real party is in the comments area. Come join in on the fun!

The Marvelous Margo (quite possibly with Mom) has made the blog pool match-ups --

Adam and Alex #TheCousins -Anonymouse, DKNYNC, Jackie, Kelsey, Sharon C
Cindy and Rick #ChacAttack - Donna in AL, Donna in FL, Jennasmom, Sharon N
Denise and James Earl #TeamAlabama - Becky, Ginniejulie, ORKMommy, Willie J
Ernest and Jin #TheDancers - Glenn, Marlo, Nancerella, Russ
Jazmine and Danielle #TheTrackStars - Joanie, LafayetteLisanne, Margo, Merrilee
Justin and Diana #TheGreenTeam - Chauncey, Cherry Pie, Monty924, Nickelpeed
Kelsey and Joey #TheReporters - beachmom, ChicMc, David, Grandi in MD,
Logan and Chris #ThePaparazzi - Delee, PDX Granny, Rbennie, SueGee
Tanner and Josh #TeamTexas - Buzzmaam, chrob61, meb, ML
Tiffany and Krista #TheCheerleaders - Brenda, Brian, Cheryl in NC, Ed in OH, Nana in NW

The TMZ gals were Philiminated last week and aren't a part of the blog pool. I don't believe any of us shed any tears about them leaving.

Are you ready to race? 

Teams are headed to Buenos Aires, Argentina. They have to find the church where Pope Francis was baptized. A few of the teams are working together using strangers' phones to find the information. This is as they wait at the airport. Tanner and Josh are NOT working with Justin and Diana. They don't trust them and think they're a strong team they need to beat.

At the right church, they have to wait and will get admitted in the order of arrival. Stunningly gorgeous church!

Justin and Diana get there first. Detour -- Cartenaros or Fletero -- loading and carting cardboard or transporting a statue. Most are choosing cartenaros because, as one person put it, it's finite. But there are only eight openings for that. Jazmine and Danielle can't do the recycling cardboard. A few other teams are already doing the statue -- they have to put it back together once delivered.

Justin and Diana are maintaining their lead and are the first done. They gave their cart to Jazmine and Danielle. Logan and Chris are second.

Roadblock - Must learn a Tilted Tango. Oh my. It's a tango done on the wall. "Who wants to get sideways?" They are suspended with rappel wires.

Justin and Diana are headed to the Pit Stop after Diana nailed the tango. Justin is a bit loud in his exuberance which is ticking off the other teams some. Logan and Chris are on their tails. The alpha male team is not doing so well at the tango. Ah, they made it through.

Pit Stop:
1. Justin and Diana - also win a trip to Morocco.  
2. Josh and Tanner - Josh injured his leg in a footrace
3. Denise and James
4. Logan and Chris 
5. Cindy and Rick
6. Tiffany and Krista 
7. Kelsey and Joey 
8. Jazmine and Danielle
9. Jin and Ernest 
10. Alex and Adam ... Philiminated

Aw, there goes my blog pool team. I won't have trouble finding another team to cheer on on my own. And, it won't be Josh and Tanner. 

The Amazing Race 27: Blog Pool Match-Ups Revealed!

Do NOT forget -- the show airs tomorrow (Friday) night at 8pm ET/PT!

The Marvelous Margo (quite possibly with Mom) has made the blog pool match-ups! Cheer on your team as they race tomorrow night!

Adam and Alex #TheCousins -Anonymouse, DKNYNC, Jackie, Kelsey, Sharon C
Cindy and Rick #ChacAttack - Donna in AL, Donna in FL, Jennasmom, Sharon N
Denise and James Earl #TeamAlabama - Becky, Ginniejulie, ORKMommy, Willie J
Ernest and Jin #TheDancers - Glenn, Marlo, Nancerella, Russ
Jazmine and Danielle #TheTrackStars - Joanie, LafayetteLisanne, Margo, Merrilee
Justin and Diana #TheGreenTeam - Chauncey, Cherry Pie, Monty924, Nickelpeed
Kelsey and Joey #TheReporters - beachmom, ChicMc, David, Grandi in MD,
Logan and Chris #ThePaparazzi - Delee, PDX Granny, Rbennie, SueGee
Tanner and Josh #TeamTexas - Buzzmaam, chrob61, meb, ML
Tiffany and Krista #TheCheerleaders - Brenda, Brian, Cheryl in NC, Ed in OH, Nana in NW

May the best team (Adam and Alex) hit the Welcome Mat first in this leg!
Oh, yes. That's the team I have in the pool. So, I can do that.