The Amazing Race - Oct. 31 Episode Blog Party Post

Football AGAIN -- the show is delayed here on the East Coast by about a half-hour. Once it starts, as it airs here on the East Coast, I'll update this post with major happenings. Later tonight (or at least by morning) my show review should be posted over on TV Squad. But the real fun will be during showtime right here in the comments area. Everyone is welcome to join in!

8:24 PM and it's finally starting here. Other areas started on time (see comments).

1. Jill and Thomas - trip to Brazil
2. Brook and Claire
3. Michael and Kevin
4. Nat and Kat
5. Chad and Stephanie
6. Gary and Mallory
7. Nick and Vicki -- non-Philimination leg!

Off Topic - That Was the Week It Was - October 31, 2010

It's Sunday morning, time for my weekly off-television topic reflection on the week gone by in words and photographs I've taken in my daily travels. It's Halloween. BOO! (Scared you, didn't I?) And, if you're reading this, Happy Birthday Russ!

Where I spent the majority of my pre-adult life, the leaves were already gone come Halloween. Here, they're peaking. Some trees are still green while others have barren branches ... and yet others are brilliant yellows and reds. Autumn is my favorite time of year as the weather is usually pleasant, not too hot nor too cold, and the foliage can be breathtaking.

Daylight Savings Time is coming late this year. I expected it last weekend or perhaps this one. Nope! It's not until next week. Who decides these things? Is there a way they could strive for consistency from year to year? What's up with that? I want my extra hour of sleep!

Our weird weather continues. In the early part of the week it was warm and even a bit muggy. Then we went down to freezing Saturday morning. I'm actually a fan of brisk weather -- I like temperatures in the low 50s in the morning, perhaps to 70 in the afternoon. I guess we won't see many days like that for a while.

Things are pretty much same old-same old around here. So, it's onto the photos from the week. Clicking on an image will open it larger in a new window.

Vincent, look! Mice!

There were mice on my NJ Transit train last night, as well as Grim Reapers, vampires, (fake) ladies of the evening, clowns, you name it. These two girls are two of the Three Blind Mice. The other one was in the seat facing them as they were in a four-seater. Accompanying them was Wendy from Wendy's (don't ask me, I don't get the connection), but he wasn't wearing his wig.

All were heading into the city (NYC) for parties. With Halloween on a Sunday evening, lots of parties were held Saturday. The big Greenwich Village parade is tonight and the train will be costumed once again. I won't be on it. I'll be home, yes!

BOO!

A store window on East Front Street in Plainfield. Note the police car in the reflection. It was weird. I would stop, sometimes sit on a bench, take some shots and he'd park. I'd move along, he'd creep along. Then if I stopped again, he'd stop and park until I moved again. I don't think I look suspicious. Maybe they're just not used to people walking along taking photos downtown.

The Value Man

This building is really cool. I wonder what it housed in its early days. East Front Street, Plainfield.

I'd like some ETC, please

Got to love the mix of Spanish and English in neon. Envios is shipping and tarjetas are cards. Don't ask me what's included in etc. But I want one! The corner of East Front Street and Park Avenue, Plainfield. Edited to leave the neon in color.

Does anybody really know what time it is?
Does anybody really care?

- Chicago - "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?"

No, it's not 11:36 (and a half). This is more like the clock in the old Mamas and Papas song "Twelve-Thirty (Young Girls Are Coming to the Canyon)" -

I used to live in New York City;
Everything there was dark and dirty.
Outside my window was a steeple
With a clock that always said twelve-thirty.

But this is Plainfield. We march to our own beat, keep our own time. And that time is always 11:36 (and a half). Park Avenue, but there no longer is a Park Jewelers there.

Reflections Part Deux

I guess I'm just a sucker for reflections in windows. Here, the businesses across the street are reflected in the Park Madison Office Building. Park Avenue in Plainfield. When I first moved here there was no building there. It was an odd park with benches all around the edges and perhaps two sidewalks to the middle ... lots of grass and signs to stay off the grass.

Too windy for chess

The chess tables sit empty as the temperatures drop and the winds pick up. Park Avenue and East Front Street, Plainfield. And what time is it?

Old, new and a change of seasons

The old PNC bank pillars, the Park Madison Office Building and colorful leaves. Park Avenue, Plainfield.

I'd like to make an apartment in there

This building has been vacant for more than a few years. Its windows are so cool! These are actually the second and third floors. Supposedly there are all kinds of plans for this and the PNC bank ... including some apartments. Seeing how slow some things are done (cough:::The Monarch:::cough) around here, I better not count on 'em. Park Avenue, Plainfield.

Standing in the railway station
Got a ticket for my destination
-- "Homeward Bound" by Simon and Garfunkel

Okay, he had it as sitting. I took creative liberties! Plainfield Train Station

C-c-c-an't bloom!

The weeds came to life in the warm weather, then the cold made them refuse to come to full bloom.

Storm clouds move in

Plainfield Train Station Tuesday just around sunset.

Pretty colors

Bridgewater Promenade Shopping Center, Bridgewater, NJ.

Sunrise by the ball park

The boys of summer are gone from the TD Ballpark in Bridgewater (by the train station).

Jus' chillaxin'

Ready to face another day. Plainfield Train Station.

Police activity!

Hey, this is outside MY window! (Hence the camera focusing on the screen as it was still in the "heat wave.") There was some kind of parking kerfuffle but nothing which warranted police. But then the riff raff neighbor whose tires were slashed the night before was screaming that the cops need to lock up so-and-so who slashed her tires. I just want the riff raff neighbor to move. No one else in the building has people honking horns and screaming up at their windows at all hours.

We're talking pea soup

One morning the fog was outright ridiculous. The dark line in this photo is a pole right near me. You can barely see the sun. Some of you will recognize the sign -- it's the one ripped apart by a storm earlier this year. But what you can't see is all the parked cars in the Bridgewater Train Station parking lot!

It wasn't as foggy when I left Plainfield that morning

This was before I hit the bad fog. Plainfield Train Station.

The train! The train!

Autumn Leaves

At the Plainfield Train Station

Watchung Avenue in the pre-dawn

Yep, it's all lighted up. As an ex-neighbor in my building referred to our parking lot lights ... those are RUDE lights.

Are you comfortable, Vincent?

His overbite shows.

How was your week?

Don't forget to stop back for the blog party during The Amazing Race!

Survivor: Nicaragua - October 27th Episode Blog Party Post

Survivors Ready?

Welcome one, welcome all! The blog party is ready to start! Everyone is welcome to join in with comments as the show airs here on the East Coast or even later in West Coast time. As the show airs, I'll post major events here, but the real fun and most of the reactions are in the comments section. See you there!

Espada won reward -- horseback rides, breakfast at a farm.

Apparently they won immunity too, not that I could tell thanks to Comcast or WCBS2 losing its signal for ten minutes. Grr.

Jill was voted out. Hmmm...

The Amazing Race - Oct. 24 Episode Blog Party Post

Football AGAIN -- the show is delayed here on the East Coast by about about fifteen - seventeen minutes. Once it starts, as it airs here on the East Coast, I'll update this post with major happenings. Later tonight (or at least by morning) my show review should be posted over on TV Squad. But the real fun will be during showtime right here in the comments area. Everyone is welcome to join in!

Nat and Kat completed the fast forward task.

Nat and Kat first to pit stop -- won a trip to Costa Rica.
2. Gary and Mallory
3. Jill and Thomas
4. Michael and Kevin
5. Brook and Claire
6. Nick and Vicki
7. Chad and Stephanie
8. Katie and Rachel - Philiminated

Off Topic - That Was the Week It Was - October 24, 2010

It's Sunday morning, time for my weekly off television topic reflection on the week gone by in words and photos I've taken in my travels. For some reason, I took a lot of photos this week, not all of them necessarily artistic. But that's how things go sometimes. It helped that most of my walking and commuting times were rain-free, although it rained at night during the week.

I have an addition to my train passengers gripes from a few weeks back --

• For the sake of all that is good in this universe, invest in a box of Kleenex. Sheesh, I realize I had my super cold, but I don't constantly sniffle in public. Blow those noses and stop the sickly noises!

Work, eat, sleep ... then get up and do it all over again. I did take a diversion from my usual routine going to dinner at Five Guys Burgers and Fries, having a few beers, then hitting Trader Joe's with a friend on Wednesday. No, I wasn't drunk in Trader Joe's. I don't like getting drunk as I tend to get sick, so I stick to a limit. 42. Er, no. Two.

I really don't have much else to say. The photo exhibition for the Plainfield Library Photo Contest will take place in two weeks. I'm hoping for a decent showing and another ribbon (and check!) this time, but there's a lot of talent in town. Until then, you get what I got for the week -- clicking on an image will open it larger in a new window.

Clouds in the early morning

I know I tend to take a shot from this vantage point quite often, but things change. This time it was the just-after-sunrise sun's rays on the clouds which caught my eye. Plainfield Train Station.

Last night

Aaaooooo! The real full moon was the night before. But this is full enough for howling! Bridgewater, NJ.

Our house is a very, very fine house
With two cats in the yard
-- "Our House" by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

I don't think they meant lion statues. Note the straw gazelle in the background stalking the lions. East Front Street, Plainfield.

Watching, they're always watching

They're up to something!

You're not the only cuddly toy
That was ever enjoyed by any boy
You're not the only choo-choo train
(Or big stuffed pink thing)
That was left out in the rain
The day after Santa came ...
-- "Cuddly Toy" popularized by The Monkees
- written by Harry Nilsson

Berckman Street, Plainfield. Edited to leave the big stuffed pink thing in color, the rest black and white.

Late season weeds

Red sky in the morning again

Sure enough, it rained all night. I hope those sailors took warning. Bridgewater, NJ.

That same morning in Plainfield just a bit earlier.

The sun also sets

Looking at the sun's final hurrah over the Plainfield Train Station while standing on East Fourth Street.

Plotting in the sun

Yay, Trader Joe's!

I love that each store employs an in-house artist to do all their signs. If it were just lettering, it's something I'd love to do. Alas, they want a lot of drawing with the signs. I'm not as good at that. I'm a letterer kind of person. Years back I used to make signs for various businesses, but computers have taken over a lot of that.

Reflections

Trees are reflected in a bakery's window in Westfield, NJ. Again edited for the color/black and white look.

Yes, it's a flower.

It needed to be shot.

Okay, if you unravel the canopy,
We can attack the humans.

Westfield, NJ at the now-closed Leaders Store.

Westfield?

Yikes, I would have thought that they'd take better care of their real estate. You can see through the roof in the old Leaders Store. While they do seem to be doing something with the building, the upper floors and roof are letting in rain, birds, you name it. That can't be good for the structure. For those not familiar with the area, Westfield is the more posh town in the area.

It's also where John List murdered his family in 1971 but we won't go there.

He hit on me!

EEK! Westfield, NJ.

Vicki's Diner

I love this diner's building even though an SUV is blocking a lot of it. But I wasn't too thrilled the one time I ate there. It was full of high school kids and you couldn't even hold a normal conversation. Plus, the employees were as bad as the kid customers, all hanging out at a table. The food was only so-so, not good but not bad. It was the ambiance or lack thereof which did them in with me. Westfield, NJ.

Autumn's Glory

Westfield, NJ. As a matter of fact, this is the colorful tree reflected in the window in one of the shots above.

But no candy

Gotta love Five Guys Burgers and Fries ... and peanuts! But you can't do it too often. We're talking calories here. Westfield, NJ.

Full moon

I keep trying to get decent moon shots without fancy equipment. It's hard to get detail. This was Thursday evening in Plainfield.

Full moon over the Plainfield Municipal Court.

Taken shortly before the other moon shot. Watchung Avenue, Plainfield.

I can't see!
I can't SEE!
I CAN'T SEE!

Open your eyes, Vincent. You're a nut!

Don't forget to stop back tonight for the Amazing Race blog party! Hopefully the show will start somewhere near on time. How was your week?

Survivor: Nicaragua - October 20th Episode Blog Party Post

Survivors Ready?

Welcome one, welcome all! The blog party is ready to start! Everyone is welcome to join in with comments as the show airs here on the East Coast or even later in West Coast time. As the show airs, hopefully I'll post major events here as I'm setting this to auto-post due to going out to dinner (if I'm not here at the start, I should be by the end), but the real fun and most of the reactions are in the comments section. See you there!

8:02 PM ET -- I'm HOME!

Jill won immunity for herself and a feast for La Flor while Holly won immunity for herself on Espada.

Tie - Marty and Kelly B to go for La Flor. Marty did NOT use the idol. Perhaps he's not as smart as he thinks he is! Kelly B out on the second vote.

Yve was voted out of Espada. Gee, has there been an Yve on this season?

The Amazing Race - Oct. 17 Episode Blog Party

Football AGAIN -- the show is delayed here on the East Coast by about about twenty minutes (I think). Sheesh. Once it starts, as it airs here on the East Coast, I'll update this post with major happenings. Later tonight (or at least by morning) my show review should be posted over on TV Squad. But the real fun will be during showtime right here in the comments area. Everyone is welcome to join in!

8:20 PM ET - It started and now we're in commercial after the recap. I see from comments that the show's on time elsewhere. Grr.

Pit Stop --
1. Nat and Kat, also won a trip to Belize
2. Gary and Mallory
3. Brook and Claire
4. Michael and Kevin
5. Jill and Thomas
6. Nick and Vicki
7. Chad and Stephanie
8. Katie and Rachel
9. Jonathan and Connor - Philiminated

Off Topic - That Was the Week It Was - October 17, 2010

Sunday morning is here, time for my weekly reflection on the week gone by in words and photographs I've taken. I'm finally over that bug I had. Man, that was a doozy. It seems like it's going around. I don't think I've been that sick for that long in years. The only problem remaining is that I could probably sleep around the clock for a day or two if not for that pesky thing called my job. Oh well.

Unfortunately, due to that tired factor, I fell asleep early on and off through the week and missed shows I like to watch. Now, if I had planned to fall asleep, I would have recorded them. But there was no plan. It was "I'm just going to close my eyes for five minutes" and then I'd wake up at 3 AM. Argh! There's not much to do at that point other than to head to the bedroom and go to bed. Thankfully, most of the shows I missed can be found online.

We continue to have wacky weather here. One day will start out beautiful, then end with an inch of hail on the ground at nightfall. A nor'easter is finishing out now. Due to the temperatures, there obviously wasn't any snow. We didn't even get horrible rains. But there was the wind. Usually I love autumn weather -- more typically it's highs in the 60s to around 70, cool overnights, dry and sunny skies. That's what I want. Please.

I heard the news that Barbara Billingsly died. For those of my generation, that was June Cleaver, the Beaver's mother. She was 94, but I've seen her on a few things in recent years. She was the epitome of the mother of the 1950s. I blamed a friend for her death. He's a punster and before her death was announced, he came up with this one -- "I hear all the boy bands have disbanded. They decided to leave it to Bieber." Rest in peace, Barbara Billingsly (who always made me wonder why my own mother didn't wear pearls around the house and had no patience with children).

I really don't have much news here. I've worked, slept, hid from the rain, ducked the hail and acorns and had a pretty standard week. I hope your weeks went well! Onto the photos -- if you click on an image, it will open larger in a new window.

Bad Formation

Hey, geese ... it's supposed to be a V. I hope you're not heading to Newark to bring down a plane.

The Sun Also Rises ...

On North Avenue in Plainfield. I enjoy the angles of the sun this time of year. It's not quite as harsh as it is in the winter. Plus, I actually see sunrises and sunsets. It had rained most of the night before I took this shot. My apologies to Ernest Hemingway.

Sunrise

Sunset

Sunrise

Sunset

Sunrise, sunset
Sunrise, sunset
Swiftly fly the years
One season following another
Laden with happiness and tears
- From "Fiddler on the Roof"

The train arrives with the dawn

Monday morning, moments before the sun came up, I saw the light. Plainfield Train Station.

Red sky in the morning, sailors take warning

Plainfield Train Station the morning of the torrential evening downpours and hail.

Me and my shadow

Okay, not me ... HIM and his shadow. North Avenue, Plainfield.

Dave's birds

Dave, the Indian gentleman who owns The Corner Store on Watchung and East Second in Plainfield must figure that if he feeds the birds daily, they'll spare him when they take over the world. And don't ask me about his name being Dave. I'm sure it isn't. But that's how he introduces himself and what everyone calls him.

Seasons change with the scenery
Weaving time in a tapestry
Won't you stop and remember me
At any convenient time
Funny how my memory slips while looking over manuscripts
Of unpublished rhyme
Drinking my vodka and lime.
-- "Hazy Shade of Winter" by Simon and Garfunkel

Okay, it's not winter. Nor have I ever had a vodka and lime. I've had plenty of unpublished manuscripts, though. Does that count?

The Autumn Reds

This is on East Front Street in Plainfield. This tree is usually beautiful, but this year the leaves are a bit sparse due to all of the wind we've had the last few months. Plus, we went through long hot periods in the summer with no rain, then had terrific storms. That's not too cool with the fall foliage.

Reds and Golds

Warming their feet ...

... before they swoop down and attack us, that is! I know I've taken similar photos of this before, but not with so many birds. Taken at the Dunellen Train Station from inside the train.

Heading away from Newark

Plainfield Train Station

All set for the fall

When winter comes, it will be all decorated with lights and moving things. The house at the corner of East Front Street and Richmond in Plainfield.

Fall flowers abound

Look! A mouse!

It was running along the sidewalk and people scared it. So it hid up there on the wall. Isn't he cute? (As long as he's not inside my apartment!)

VINCENT! Now, stop that!

Sure, she sees a mouse and doesn't bring it home for me. I never have any fun anymore!

Don't forget to stop back tonight for The Amazing Race!