OFF TOPIC: So You Think You Can Hop

So, there I was at the Bridgewater Train Station ready to head home. Hey! What's that? (No, not the big yellow circle -- I did that!) I saw movement from whence I came. I must investigate. Reminder: clicking on any of the images will open them larger in a new window.


Why ... it's an animal ... as opposed to vegetable or mineral. I must get closer.


Baby bunny alert! Baby bunny alert! I must get closer.


Aww. How cute is that? He's only about five or six inches long. I must get closer.


Warm fuzzy baby bunny alert! Whoops ... there's my train coming in. Must get farther away!


I managed to get about two feet away from the bunny. Unfortunately, I'm not sure that's a good thing. He knew I was there, but was very frightened. I hope he reacts more quickly to hawks and other predators.

So You Think You Can Dance Blog Discussion

It's the 5th season of So You Think You Can Dance and here's your place to chat about the show with your friends ... even if you know you can't dance, or you can dance, but you could never do THAT! I don't blog about this show on a regular basis, but I'm a fan. I'll be joining you in comments, for sure.

Jump aboard -- we're all hot tamales on this train!

Happy Memorial Day

I hope everyone is having an enjoyable kick off to the summer season and that the weather is cooperating for you.

I'd also like to pause for a moment to reflect on the reason for this holiday -- to remember those who have served for our country. My own father was a WWII veteran and my grandfather re-upped to help in that effort. I recently read a book written by a quasi-family member (my brother's first wife's sister's daughter's husband if you can follow that). He joined the National Guard at 17 and served in Iraq at 19, all inspired by the attack on 9/11. For me, the epitome of today's young soldier is indeed Ryan Smithson. His book, Ghosts of War, was an amazing effort and really told the story of war from a different perspective.



I'd rather a world without wars. But that seems unlikely. Bless the men and women who serve our country.

So You Think You Can Dance, Some Off Topic, and Hooked on a Commercial

I'm sitting here watching So You Think You Can Dance. I have no clue why I always get so addicted to this show but don't care for Dancing With the Stars. Maybe it's because it often has more of a street vibe and/or because the kids on the show work so hard to achieve their dreams.

Obviously, since it's the first night, we're in the auditions phase. Do you want me to set up a discussion post for this season? I'm sure to comment, but don't know if I'm up to blogging each show.

Some off topic --

Due to so much rain and timing, I haven't seen Roofus the Cat lately. However, local blogger Bernice emailed me and told me she spotted Roofus inside the garage building where the food and litter box sit. I'll keep looking! BTW -- if you look at her blog, the new Senior Citizen Center is just a few doors down from where I took all my kale shots and I walk by there on my way to the train every day. It's just a bit away from my own neighborhood and is where the business district starts up.

Many of my commuting NJ Transit trains have gone to the fancy-schmancy double-deckers. If you sit in the top level, it tends to sway a bit like a boat on a mild sea. If you sit in the lower level, you bang your head when you stand and there's a step up to the seats (which I've already tripped over). If you sit at the main level in the bikes/handicap area, the seats aren't as comfortable and it's like a fancy-schmancy version of the NYC subways with passengers facing each other.


Above is a shot of the nearly empty lower level on one of my rides. The conductor is watching me shoot him. Oops. (Clicking on the image will open it larger in a new window.)


There's a fancy-schmancy at my train station. One thing which will take getting used to -- you can't flip the seats. Half of each car faces backwards for the trips. They're only two-seaters instead of two-seaters down one side and three-seaters down the other. I can't sprawl my stuff. BUT ... the seatbacks are one-piece molded plastic. No one in back me can poke me with their feet working them between the seatback and the seat itself. I hate toes poking me in the butt! I'm funny like that.

I'm still putting in extra time at work, but it's paying off as we're acing all of our audits. Phew! Also, I went for my year follow-up with my orthopedic surgeon for the knee replacement. He's happy. I'm happy. My knee can grin if I hold it sideways (the scar). He gave me another cortisone shot in the other knee. Hopefully it will last more than four days. My plans are to get the knee done before winter. I have to build up financial doings and stuff.

Hooked on a feeling commercial
"Front, back, side to side, front front back back side to side, up down ..." I have mad hamster love going on for those Kia hamster commercials. The songs are catchy, but the hamsters are the bee's knees. Or something like that.

American Idol Winner Bulletin

KRIS ALLEN has won American Idol!

For those of you on the West Coast, the show is well worth the watch. I think it was one of the more entertaining shows I've seen in years. Steve Martin, The Black-Eyed Peas, Carlos Santana, etc., etc.

Kris is stunned.

American Idol: The Final Showdown

Well, tonight was the big showdown between Adam Lambert and Kris Allen. I think we've all known all along that Adam would be in the final and it's very obvious that the judges want him to win. Kris has been a dark horse all along. But, as I've watched him all season, I think I'd prefer Kris over Adam for the win. Let me tell you why ...

Adam is extremely theatrical. While he does have a good voice, he depends on theatrics and often screams to songs. While the judges often comment on other people screaming, he seems to float on by with it. I prefer his voice on softer songs like the rendition of "Mad World" which is strikingly similar to this version by Gary Jules. (Nope, Adam's not the creative genius they've made him to be.) Adam screamed the Sam Cook song tonight -- and got mad praises by the judges. Go figure.

Then there's Kris. While I don't see me running out and buying his stuff, I think he's definitely got a Jason Mraz/John Mayer vibe going on. That's very popular these days. Plus, he's an actual musician and I think he'll be writing songs as his career progresses. I've been one partial to singer-songwriters since my childhood. He did an excellent job singing "Ain't No Sunshine" once again.

In ten years I can see Adam doing reprisals of Dr. Frank N. Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show. In ten years, I can see Kris having a career which parallels folks like James Taylor, Elton John, and Billy Joel. Who's the winner?

BTW - Kara's song did absolutely nothing for me ... sung by either contestant.

Survivor Tocantins - Season Finale!

Well, it's time ... the big season finale night for Survivor Tocantins! At least we can all rest assured that Coach won't win. I doubt he'll win the $100,000 from viewers even. As the show airs here on the East Coast, I'll update this entry with major news. However, the real fun is in the comments. I hope you all can join in -- we have snacks, beverages, and a good time for all!

Later tonight, I'll be writing up the review of the finale for TV Squad, but I don't expect it to be posted until tomorrow as tonight's gala event ends at 11 PM. Getting up before 5 AM for work is going to be tough. I think it will be a three alarm clock night. But I'll worry about that when it comes. Right now I'm ready to sit back, enjoy the show, take my notes, and have fun in comments. Taj, my blog pool pick, is still in the running. Yay! And, we're even starting on time. Double YAY!

JT wins immunity!

ARGH! They voted out Taj!

Rites of passage are over -- Coach is still delusional.

Erinn is the first out of the final immunity challenge!

JT won the final immunity challenge!

JT voted out Erinn -- it's JT and Stephen battling it to the end.

Votes: JT, JT, JT, JT ... wins it all!

It was the second unanimous vote in Survivor history.

Remember - If you're in comments, you have to hit the "newest" link at the top of the page!

Wow ... JT also won the $100,000 viewers prize.

Survivor 19 will be in Samoa.

Thanks, everyone for such a great time in comments tonight!

Survivor Tocantins - "The Martyr Approach"

The show has started here on the East Coast. Everyone is welcome to gather in the comments area for snacks, beverages, and show talk! I'll update this entry with major events as they air. My review of the show will be posted over at TV Squad later tonight.

JT won immunity and sent Coach to Exile much against his will -- Coach SO didn't want to go there! JT is taking Stephen on reward with him -- overnight trip.

JT won immunity. Coach is all drama about back spasms.

Coach was FINALLY voted out!

American Idol - Results Show 5/13/09

Although I'm watching the entire three hour block finale night of Lost, I have the other TV on in sight (muted) and will be posting the results of last night's voting as it happens here on the East Coast.

Kris is safe. Adam is safe (of course).

Danny Gokey is out of the running.

The Amazing Race - "This Is How To Lose a Million Dollars"

The finale is starting on time here! I'll be writing up my review on the episode later tonight for TV Squad, but important events will be posted here. As always, everyone is invited to hang out in the comments -- that's where the real fun is!

TAMMY AND VICTOR have won The Amazing Race!

Cara and Jaime came in second.

Happy Mother's Day!

I'd like to wish all the mothers out there the best of Mother's Day! The weather is nice here (for the first time in days) and I hope it's a good day in your neck of the woods. I took the photo above yesterday -- one thing about constant rain, everything is blooming! Seize the day!

Survivor Tocantins - "The Ultimate Sacrifice"

The show has started here on the East Coast. Everyone is welcome to gather in the comments area for snacks, beverages, and show talk! I'll update this entry with major events as they air. My review of the show will be posted over at TV Squad later tonight.

Stephen won Immunity!

Debbie was voted out. They're keeping Coach? Yikes!

American Idol Results Show - May 6, 2009

Although I'm watching Lost, I have the other TV on in sight (muted) and will be posting the results of last night's voting. I basically enjoyed last night's show -- classic rock is my own "growing up years" music. Although I'm not an Adam Lambert fan, I do think his rendition of "Whole Lotta Love" was the best one of the night. I'm sure he'll be safe ... he always is. Adam and Allison went at it like old school rockers in their duet, easily beating out the Kris and Danny duet.

I'm not sure who's going home. I think it will be either Allison or Kris. But I'll let you know when I see it in the background.

Kris is safe.

Adam is safe.

Danny is safe ... Allison is going home.

The Amazing Race - "He Made Me Look Like Alice Cooper"

The show is starting on time here! I'll be writing up my review on the episode later tonight for TV Squad, but important events will be posted here. As always, everyone is invited to hang out in the comments -- that's where the real fun is!

Pit Stop
1. Tammy and Victor -- won a trip to the Galapagos Islands
2. Margie and Luke
3. Jaime and Cara
4. Jen and Kisha -- Philiminated by seconds