The Amazing Race 25 - October 31 Episode

Happy Halloween, folks! I'm anticipating few to attend this blog party due to Halloween plans. But, if you do come by, stop in the comments section! 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!

Here's the latest blog pool standings from the Marvelous Margo --

Adam & Bethany - chrob61, Kathy in Brooklyn, Kelsey NY, Zoetawny
Brooke & Robbie - Caela, Sharon, Sharon N, Willie J
Kym & Alli - Brenda, meb, Nicklepeed, Rochelle, Terry in TX
Maya & Amy - Ed in OH, Karen in CA, Lynn1, Margo
Misti & Jim - Cheryl in NC, Laurie, ML, OrkMommy
Shelly & Nici - Buzzmaam, Merrilee, Rbennie, SueGee
Tim & Te Jay - Babs, Brent McKee, Dusty, Monty924,

Sorry you have been PHILIMINATED
Lisa & Michelle - Becky, Delee, dla, Donna in AL
Dennis & Isabelle - Auntie Leigh, Brian, David, Donna NY, sanra
Michael & Scott - Donna in FL, Glenn, Jackie, Marlo
Keith & Whitney - Jean, Jennasmom, Nana in NW, PDXGranny

Ready for the race?

Kym and Alli leave the Pit Stop first -- have to deliver hay with a horse-drawn carriage, reward the horses with an apple each, and then get their 'product placement' vehicle. Ah, good. Bethany and Adam have pulled into the lead.

But Kym and Alli get to the next clue first. Detour -- Camp, set up a camp to exact specifications. Cream has them milking a goat and making butter with the milk. Rats. Misti and Jim are there.

Oh geez. Jim and Misti are the first through the Detour. Grr. Shelley and Nici are totally lost and are the only team who hasn't made it to the Detour.

Roadblock -- Teams have to go over canyons on ziplines and swinging bridges and solving a puzzle.

Jim and Misti are heading to Casbah Dif, the Pit Stop. Oh my gosh. Bethany chose to do the Roadblock despite having one arm. Yikes!

Pit Stop--
1. Jim and Misti - Won a trip to Brazil
2. Adam and Bethany
3. Kym and Alli
4. Tim and Te Jay
5. Brooke and Robbie
6. Amy and Maya
7. Shelley and Nici

And, they have been Philiminated

Survivor San Juan Del Sur Blood vs. Water Blog Party - October 29

Will Jeff give in and give Hunahpu more food? And, if so, at what cost? No tribe has ever begged for food before! What about Coyopa? Will they continue to lose even with the reshuffling of tribes? Then there's Dale's fake idol. Are they gonna buy that it's real? These questions and many more should be answered in tonight's episode.

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!

But, first ... the blog pool update by that Lovely Lifeguard Laurie:

Coyopa
Alec = Karen in Case, Merrilee
Baylor = Glenn, maquinn78, Sharon S
Dale = Brian, Margo
Jaclyn = CYW Coleman, rbennie
Josh = crob61, Rochelle, Jackie
Wes = Buzzmaam, ORKMommy, sanra

Hunahpu
Jeremy = Becky, Nana in the NW
Jon M = Donna in Alabama, Laurie
Julie = Donna NY, meb
Keith = Donna in FL, PDX Granny  
Missy = Ed in Ohio, Monty924, Sharon N
Natalie = Jennasmom, Kelsey NY
Reed = David, Kathy, Lynn1

Out: Nadiya
Val = Brenda, Nickelpeed
John R = Cheryl NC, MikesGirl, Terry in TX
Drew = Delee, Petals, SueGee
Kelley = Babs Dud, ML, Russ

Survivor fans ready?

Dale showed John his fake immunity idol. John thinks it's real. Silly John. Jeremy thinks it's stupid to ask Jeff for rice -- they should suck it up. After all, they might win food tomorrow!

Jeff arrives with a huge bag of rice. Jeff lectures them about losing their flint and eating all the rice. He wants all of their comfort items. They'll only keep a machete, a pot and a flint. He thinks they've been winning because they've been eating better than the other tribe. I think he's right.

Reward challenge has one person from each tribe racing blindfolded through obstacles studying masks by touch and then recreating them. The reward is a Survivor BBQ feast. It's Reed against Baylor.

Reed wins for Hunahpu! Now they have food. Baylor goes to Exile. Reed picks Julie to go, but Natalie volunteers. Natalie "wins." She goes to Exile with Baylor.

Baylor got the clue to the idol and showed Natalie. I find Natalie much more bearable without Nadiya. Natalie thinks that she's in with Missy, Balyor's mom. She is. Now she thinks she's in with Baylor, too.

It's raining on the tarp-less Hunahpu tribe. Sucks to be them, eh? Julie is crying. Jeremy hopes she goes home before him.

Immunity Challenge time! Race up and over a wall, push a cube through posts, collect puzzle pieces, solve puzzle.

Jeremy got his bag stuck on the coil they have to remove it from. Will Coyopa actually win a challenge? Maybe not. Hunahpu has taken over the lead. Hunahpu wins Immunity again!

Heh. Dale told John that if he (Dale) isn't voted out tonight, he'll give John his "idol." He wants Missy targeted.  They all (not Dale or Keith) decide they should split the vote between Dale and Keith. John thinks it might be best to align with Dale. He really wants himself and Jaclyn to be a "power couple" after the merge.

Tribal -- lots of talk about loyalty. Keith votes Dale

The tally -- Dale, Keith, Missy, Keith, Dale, Dale.

Dale is voted out.

Next week is the merge!

Off Topic: That Was the Week It Was - October 26, 2014

Good morning! It's Sunday morning, time for my weekly off television topic reflection of the week gone by in both words and photos I've taken along the way. If you're looking for TV stuff, my last post and my next post will have some.

We had several days of rain this week. But I did take advantage of the few nice days when I could take some photos going to work and coming home. Alas, my day off on Wednesday was raw, chilly and rainy ALL DAY. I didn't even step out of my apartment all day. On the days it was nice, it was VERY nice with warmish (for this time of the year) temperatures and sunny skies. On the days it was not nice, it was dismal with a cold, cold rain and grey skies.

I personally prefer brisk temperatures over the heat (and humidity) of the summers here. I actually don't even mind the cold of winter. I can always layer and dress warm enough. But in the heat and humidity of summer, there's only so much you can take off! And, you could be naked and still sweating! Ew! If we could train the ice and snow to stay off the roads, parking lots and sidewalks, I'd have no complaints about winter whatsoever.

Two years ago at this time we were anticipating being in the "cone of concern" for Hurricane Sandy. There are still signs of the superstorm all about in mismatched roof shingles, tree damage, trees gone and such. I must admit I enjoyed the excitement of the storm, but the aftermath was way too much. Almost two weeks without power, four months of train issues, a wacko snowstorm a few days after the hurricane while I had no heat (or lights or anything). It was a surreal kind of existence for weeks after the storm. I don't want to go through that again. Thankfully, there isn't anything like that in the forecast here now.

Onto this week's photos -- clicking on an image will bring you to its Photobucket page where you can make it larger. Just X out the Photobucket page to return here to the blog.

Downtown autumn colors

The trees surrounding the Park-Madison complex are turning all kinds of pretty colors for autumn. I took this shot looking at the corner of Park Avenue and West Second Street in Plainfield. To my right (off camera) is East Second Street -- Park Avenue in Plainfield is the dividing line between East and West.

Pretty pre-sunrise

The sun is actually rising after I get in the door to work these days. Well, except for Saturdays when I go in to work later. With our three (four?) days of rain this past week, I had rather dismal non-sunrises most of the week. But this one was nice. Bridgewater, NJ

Ladybug, ladybug ...

... fly away home. Your house is on fire and your kids are alone. Eep! What a HORRIBLE little saying! Bridgewater, NJ

This week's Flowers and Foliage slideshow is once again probably more foliage. I took some shots of flowers in the dark with my flash. And, the rain and some warmer temperatures have some of the roses blooming again! The shots were all taken in Plainfield and Bridgewater as I went nowhere and did nothing this week (except work). You can make the slideshow full screen by clicking on the diagonal arrow lower right of the window.

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

The Amazing Race 25: October 24 Blog Party

Please, please, please ... go away dentists! Well, him more than her. I only wish last week hadn't been a non-Philimination leg and, at the very least, they would have used up that Save they hold!

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 news! As always, the real party is in the comments area. Everyone is welcome to join in on the fun!

The latest blog pool standings from Marvelous Margo are the same as last week (sigh) --

Adam & Bethany - chrob61, Kathy in Brooklyn, Kelsey NY, Zoetawny
Brooke & Robbie - Caela, Sharon, Sharon N, Willie J
Keith & Whitney - Jean, Jennasmom, Nana in NW, PDXGranny
Kym & Alli - Brenda, meb, Nicklepeed, Rochelle, Terry in TX
Maya & Amy - Ed in OH, Karen in CA, Lynn1, Margo
Misti & Jim - Cheryl in NC, Laurie, ML, OrkMommy
Shelly & Nici - Buzzmaam, Merrilee, Rbennie, SueGee
Tim & Te Jay - Babs, Brent McKee, Dusty, Monty924,

Sorry you have been PHILIMINATED
Lisa & Michelle - Becky, Delee, dla, Donna in AL
Dennis & Isabelle - Auntie Leigh, Brian, David, Donna NY, sanra
Michael & Scott - Donna in FL, Glenn, Jackie, Marlo

Ready to race?

Starting out in Copenhagen, the teams are off to Morocco. They'll have to search a marketplace in Marrakesh to find the next clue.

The other teams aren't happy to know that Misti and Jim still have their save. Nor am I.

It's a bunching as all make their way to Morocco. Nici negotiated with their cabbie for a flat fare to wait (and keep their luggage in the car).

They have to "Cart it Out" and help set up a restaurant food cart in the marketplace. Jim and Misti's speed bump has them hanging rug-like banners for markets. And, mind you, U-Turn ahead.

Keith and Whitney are the first done with the task. More teams are finishing and Misti/Jim just got to the marketplace task.

The next clue is in the tannery, Roadblock. Keith and Whitney are having trouble finding it. Uh-oh! Ew -- they have to finish preparing three hides by pulling the hair off and then delivering them. Jim and Misti are twelves minutes behind the last of the other teams. Good.

It sounds like feathers are getting ruffled between the Dentists and Shelly/Nici as both teams are in the tanning. The dentists finish first. Oy!

All the teans bunch up trying to deliver the skins. Pushing! Now Nici/Shelly are squabbling with Keith.

Detour - Twirl Time has them spinning a tassel on their heads and playing trance music. The Tea Time has them presenting tea in a very complicated task.

Cool! Bethany and Adam are done first! They did the tea Detour. Kym and Alli did the music task and are in second place. Misti keeps using two hands to hold the tea tray and fail. Of course, Bethany could only use one. Neither Kym/Alli (now leading) or Bethany/Adam U-Turn anyway.

Pit Stop --
1. Kym and Alli - also won $5,000 each
2. Bethany and Adam

Shelly/Nici U-Turned Keith and Whitney. Grr. Dentists, I say!

3. Tim and Te Jay
4. Shelly and Nici
5. Misti and Jim
6. Brooke and Robbie
7. Maya and Amy
8. Keith and Whitney -- Philiminated

They would have also been Philiminated even without the U-Turn. They did that badly.

Survivor: San Juan Del Sur Blood vs. Water - October 22 Blog Party

It seems like the merge will be on tonight, adding a new dynamic to the show. I personally think people are going to try to break apart couples before they go for individuals. But I guess we'll see.

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

Before we get going, here's the latest on the blog pool standings from the Lovely Lifeguard Laurie:

Coyopa
Alec = Karen in Case, Merrilee
Baylor = Glenn, maquinn78, Sharon S
Dale = Brian, Margo
Jaclyn = CYW Coleman, rbennie
Josh = crob61, Rochelle, Jackie
Wes = Buzzmaam, ORKMommy, sanra

Hunahpu
Jeremy = Becky, Nana in the NW
Jon M = Donna in Alabama, Laurie
Julie = Donna NY, meb
Keith = Donna in FL, PDX Granny
Kelley = Babs Dud, ML, Russ
Missy = Ed in Ohio, Monty924, Sharon N
Natalie = Jennasmom, Kelsey NY
Reed = David, Kathy, Lynn1

Out: Nadiya
Val = Brenda, Nickelpeed
John R = Cheryl NC, MikesGirl, Terry in TX
Drew = Delee, Petals, SueGee

Survivor fans ready?

They head to the arena where Alec finds out that Drew was voted out. Shock abounds in the Coyopa tribe.

"Drop your buffs."

Sure enough, the pairs are already looked upon as targets.

It's not the merge -- just a reshuffling. (Probably because Coyopa sucked so badly.)

Coyopa has three pairs of loved ones plus Keith.
Josh and Reid are with singles on Hunahpu.

Jeremy is sure Josh and Reid will target him. John and Jaclyn like to smooch a lot. Keith is happy that he has the idol to protect him. Jeremy and Natalie work to sway Alec to stay with the singles against Josh and Reid.

Dale is getting backlashing for keeping an eye on the rice from Missy. She also has heard that Dale wanted her daughter out. Uh-oh ... a rice war about to go down! Meanwhile, Dale's daughter is worried her father will rub people the wrong way. Too bad; he already has.

Hunahpu is almost out of food. Maybe that's why they were winning challenges!

Immunity challenge time -- finding keys buried in sand, racing through mud, retrieving sandbags, throwing them on a wobbly platform. Um. Okay.

Hunahpu crushed Coyopa in the challenge. Nowhere even close!

Jeff said he'd come to the Hunahpu camp to discuss the food situation. That should be interesting.

Keith is the obvious target for tonight. But maybe that can be swung around against Missy? Or Baylor? As things go about, it looks like Keith might actually be safe.

The couples on the tribe are adding a new dynamic in Tribal. The Dale and Baylor brouhaha lives on!

Time to tally the votes. Keith does not use the idol --

Baylor, Kelley, Baylor, Kelley, Dale, Dale, Kelley.

Dale's daughter Kelley is out. Hmm.

Off Topic: That Was the Week It Was - October 19, 2014

Good morning! It's Sunday. Welcome to my weekly off television topic reflection on the week gone by in both words and photographs I've taken along the way. My next post will be about television, I swear!

Yep, another week has gone by. And, yep, another week without much going on here. Work, eat, sleep, rinse, repeat. Well, a lot of attention paid to a certain cat, but that's about it.

We had unseasonably warm temperatures for most of the week here. Today marks a return to autumn. I don't mind that, not at all. Earlier this week, the landlord put a notice under doors saying that we had to remove our air conditioners from windows and that they would store them for us. Um. While I own a window air conditioner, it's been sitting in the closet since I moved in.

My unit still has the in-wall air conditioners which came with it. Over the years, the air conditioners became defunct or people stole them, so they don't come with the apartments now. I just clean the filters regularly and they're still working fine. However, since the window unit I own was practically brand new (used two weeks) when I moved to New Jersey, I've hung onto it for a back-up. I suppose if I'm ever that desperate for small change, I could sell it.

Today, I certainly won't need air conditioning!

Oh, well ... onto this week's photos. If you click on an image, it will bring up a larger version on my Photobucket page; just x out that page to return to the blog. With the slideshow, the diagonal icon on the bottom right will make it full screen. Other than pretty fall foliage shots, nothing really caught my interest this week. Wah. (Oh ... and Vincent. He's always fun to photograph!)

Plainfield Fire Prevention Fair

The Plainfield Fire Prevention Fair was setting up as I left for work yesterday. If Dan Damon looks closely (or checks out a photo after the jump), he'll see that there is a new unpainted proper historically acceptable door in back of Sparkie's Playhouse. North Avenue, Plainfield.

Solo beauty

But don't pick it up. It's a poison ivy leaf. Bridgewater, NJ -- just a taste of this week's Flowers and Foliage slideshow. Oh ... but don't taste it, either.

This week's Flowers and Foliage slideshow is more foliage than flowers. The weather, early morning darkness and my pedestrian patterns didn't have me passing many flowers when it was a good time to shoot them. We still have an abundance of green around here, peak colors are still ahead of us. These shots were taken in both Plainfield and Bridgewater.

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

The Amazing Race 25 Blog Party - October 17

Ah, I'm a free agent in the blog pool as my team, the firemen, were Philiminated last week. I'm leaning towards throwing my support to Bethany and Adam mainly because (1) they seem nice and don't bicker and (2) I just admire her so much for dealing with the loss of her arm and not letting that stop her from not only living a regular life, but excelling in physical challenges.

As the the show airs here on the East Coast, I'll update this entry with the major happenings. Refresh the page to get the latest news! You all know where the real party is -- I hope to see you in the comments area!

Here's the latest on the blog pool run by that Very Magnificent Margo:

Adam & Bethany - chrob61, Kathy in Brooklyn, Kelsey NY, Zoetawny
Brooke & Robbie - Caela, Sharon, Sharon N, Willie J
Keith & Whitney - Jean, Jennasmom, Nana in NW, PDXGranny
Kym & Alli - Brenda, meb, Nicklepeed, Rochelle, Terry in TX
Maya & Amy - Ed in OH, Karen in CA, Lynn1, Margo
Misti & Jim - Cheryl in NC, Laurie, ML, OrkMommy
Shelly & Nici - Buzzmaam, Merrilee, Rbennie, SueGee
Tim & Te Jay - Babs, Brent McKee, Dusty, Monty924,

Sorry you have been PHILIMINATED
Lisa & Michelle - Becky, Delee, dla, Donna in AL
Dennis & Isabelle - Auntie Leigh, Brian, David, Donna NY, sanra
Michael & Scott - Donna in FL, Glenn, Jackie, Marlo

Ready to race party?

Huh. They slept in tents on the Shetland Islands Pit Stop. They now have to take a ferry and head to Denmark on a plane. Although the ferry is a bunching point, they're taking three different flights. Kim and Alli are in the lead. Beat those dentists, girls! The car will punish them if they don't drive energy efficiently. The punishment? A quiz!

Detour -- Parking Space, living room or garden setting for a streetscape resting place. The other task is a wedding cake run -- finishing a wedding cake and delivering it on a cargo bike.

Good. The dentists didn't drive efficiently.

Roadblock: Who has a good memory for faces? They have to take orders from dining patrons and memorize the dishes ordered.

Kym and Alli are in the lead and now have the clue to the Pit Stop! Meanwhile, the dentists have to redo their parking space.

Pit Stop -
1. Kym and Alli -- each won a new hybrid Ford

Heh. The dentists switched detour tasks and now are having problems with the cake!

2. Brooke and Robbie
3. Keith and Whitney
4. Maya and Amy
5. Tim and Te Jay

Now the dentists are having trouble in the waiter task.

6. Shelly and Nici
7. Adam and Bethany
8. Misti and Jim

Rats. They gave Phil the save, but it's a non-Philimination leg so Phil gave it back.

Next week will have them facing a Double U-Turn and Marrakesh!

Survivor: San Juan Del Sur Blood vs. Water Blog Party - October 15

Well, last week we saw the last of John Rocker leaving the rapidly decimating Coyopa tribe. While he should have been strong in challenges, he really didn't lead them to any victories. Hunahpu seems ready to fall apart even though they keep winning. What will happen tonight?

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 news! However, you all know the real party is in the comments area. I hope to see you there!

Before we get started with the party and show, here are the latest blog pool standings from Luscious Lifeguard Laurie:

Coyopa
Alec = Karen in Case, Merrilee
Baylor = Glenn, maquinn78, Sharon S
Dale = Brian, Margo
Jaclyn = CYW Coleman, rbennie
Josh = crob61, Rochelle, Jackie
Wes = Buzzmaam, ORKMommy, sanra

Hunahpu
Drew = Delee, Petals, SueGee
Jeremy = Becky, Nana in the NW
Jon M = Donna in Alabama, Laurie
Julie = Donna NY, meb
Keith = Donna in FL, PDX Granny
Kelley = Babs Dud, ML, Russ
Missy = Ed in Ohio, Monty924, Sharon N
Natalie = Jennasmom, Kelsey NY
Reed = David, Kathy, Lynn1

Out: Nadiya
Val = Brenda, Nickelpeed
John R = Cheryl NC, MikesGirl, Terry in TX

Survivor fans ready?

On Coyopa, Dale is sure he's the next target if they lose Immunity again. On Hunahpu, they found the missing flint right by the fire. Now they're lamenting the lost fishing gear they gave up to be re-flinted.

At Reward, Hunahpu clapped when they saw John Rocker gone. Drew tries to return the flint and barter with Jeff for fishing gear. No way! They use a grappling hook to retrieve balls, then try to make baskets using a catapult. Comfort items or campfire food.

Jon wins for Hunahpu, sending his girlfriend Jaclyn to Exile. Drew volunteers and is welcomed by Jon to go with her. The tribe is going for the comfort items.

Drew got the idol clue and shared it with Jaclyn. Drew tells her that he wants to throw the next Immunity Challenge to them -- there are snakes on his tribe that need to go! (According to him, that is.)

Keith thinks that Jeremy has the idol from their camp and tells everybody such. Keith goes searching again and actually finds it. Meanwhile, Jeremy is steaming. Now Keith is on the radar.

Immunity Challenge time. Swimming, climbing, diving, retrieving rings, then it's a ring toss affair.

"Drew is single-handedly losing this for his tribe," Jeff calls out. Jon wants singles without loved ones out -- go for Julie.

Yep, he threw it. He thinks he's the kingpin of his tribe. We'll see about that. So, Coyopa won their first Immunity Challenge, handed to them by some delusional kingpin.

Drew wants Kelley out. Jeremy wants Keith out. Reed wants Julie out. The girls want Drew out.

Tribal Council time. They're all over the place. Keith does not play the idol.

The tally:
Julie, Kelly, Drew, Keith, Julie, Drew, Drew, Drew.

Ha! It backfired on the "kingpin." He's out!

And, next week Jeff tells them to drop their buffs. Hmm. It seems merge is coming a bit early. But I could be wrong.

Off Topic: That Was the Week It Was - October 12, 2014

Good morning! It's Sunday, time for my weekly off television topic reflection of the week gone by in both words and photographs I've taken along the way. My next post will be all about television, I swear!

Not much has been going on here this past week. Work, work and more work. The temperatures are turning fall-like and we've had some rain, too. I guess we need the rain. But I do wish it would confine itself to the overnight so I don't have to walk in it. However, it's not so bad unless it's pouring and the wind is blowing. Thankfully that kind of weather happened in the overnight hours this past week.

I really don't have a lot to say this week. So, I guess it's onto the photos ...

Home at last

After a long day at work, being home is always welcome. Not that I live at the Plainfield Train Station, mind you.

It's a marvelous night for a moondance

The day after the Hunter Moon, the skies were lit up through the clouds as I walked to the train station. This scenario set up one of the most beautiful sunrises I've seen in years.

Just before sunrise

The same morning of the Hunter Moon, the skies looked like this when I arrived at my destination. This shot and other sunrise shots from the very same day and earlier in the week are in the slideshow below. It's amazing how fleeting the beauty is -- just a few minutes and it's gone. Clicking on the diagonal at the bottom of the slideshow will make it full screen.



My second slideshow this week is of the flowers and fall foliage. We're still a few weeks from peak foliage, but we have bright colors popping here and there.

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

The Amazing Race 25 Blog Party - October 10, 2014

So ... how are you guys liking the new Friday night time slot for this season? I'm still having to remind myself it's on tonight. But, I'll get used to it! It's so much better than playing the waiting game due to sports delays on Sundays!

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 news! As you all know, the real party is in the comments area. Come join in on the fun!

The latest standings on the blog pool from the Marvelous Margo:

Adam & Bethany - chrob61, Kathy in Brooklyn, Kelsey NY, Zoetawny
Brooke & Robbie - Caela, Sharon, Sharon N, Willie J
Keith & Whitney - Jean, Jennasmom, Nana in NW, PDXGranny
Kym & Alli - Brenda, meb, Nicklepeed, Rochelle, Terry in TX
Maya & Amy - Ed in OH, Karen in CA, Lynn1, Margo
Michael & Scott - Donna in FL, Glenn, Jackie, Marlo
Misti & Jim - Cheryl in NC, Laurie, ML, OrkMommy
Shelly & Nici - Buzzmaam, Merrilee, Rbennie, SueGee
Tim & Te Jay - Babs, Brent McKee, Dusty, Monty924,

Sorry you have been PHILIMINATED
Lisa & Michelle - Becky, Delee, dla, Donna in AL
Dennis & Isabelle - Auntie Leigh, Brian, David, Donna NY, sanra

Ready to race from our comfy chairs?

Nine teams will be heading from Oxford, England via train, driving and a ferry to the Shetland Islands. That's Shetland like ponies! Yikes! Michael fell and hurt his ankle. There's a six-hour wait for the train. Kim and Alli decided to find a pub.

Once on the island, they have to find a puppet to get their next clue. They're off to Scallaway (sp?) castle for a Detour.

Detour: Pony Up has them cutting peat, working with a Shetland pony, deliver it. Light My Fire has them building a Viking Torch. 

Sigh. Misti and Jim are first to move on after dealing with their possessed pony. Brooke and Robbie are having lots of trouble with the torch building. They're currently in last place. Tim and Te Jay get through the torch detour first.

Roadblock: Get Your Sheep Together. They're herding sheep. The sheep herding is hilarious. They hop! And run well, too.

Misti and Jim make it through the sheep first and get the clue to the Pit Stop.

Pit Stop --
1. Jim and Misti (I don't like him.) They won a trip to Dubai
2. Adam and Bethany (I like them!)
3. Keith and Whitney
4. Shelley and Nici
5. Kym and Alli
6. Brooke and Robbie
7. Maya and Amy
8. Tim and Te Jay
9. Michael and Scott

Philiminated. Sigh. I liked them and they were my blog pool pick. However, they're not in great shape and now the one really wrecked up his ankle. I don't think they would have had many legs left in them anyway.

Survivor: San Juan Del Sur Blood vs. Water Blog Party - October 8

From the promos, it looks like John Rocker might be in for some rocky times this week! 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, you know where the real party is! I hope to see you in the comments area!

But first ... an update on the blog pool from Lifeguard Laurie:

Coyopa
Alec = Karen in Case, Merrilee
Baylor = Glenn, maquinn78, Sharon S
Dale = Brian, Margo
Jaclyn = CYW Coleman, rbennie
John R = Cheryl NC, MikesGirl, Terry in TX
Josh = crob61, Rochelle, Jackie
Wes = Buzzmaam, ORKMommy, sanra

Hunahpu
Drew = Delee, Petals, SueGee
Jeremy = Becky, Nana in the NW
Jon M = Donna in Alabama, Laurie
Julie = Donna NY, meb
Keith = Donna in FL, PDX Granny
Kelley = Babs Dud, ML, Russ
Missy = Ed in Ohio, Monty924, Sharon N
Natalie = Jennasmom, Kelsey NY
Reed = David, Kathy, Lynn1

Out: Nadiya
Val = Brenda, Nickelpeed

Survivor fans ready?

Josh has some mistrust in John R., but will remain an ally for now. On the other tribe, Drew is the lazy one.

Uh-oh, Jeremy knows that Val got voted out as they meet up for the rewards challenge. Jeremy tells the women on Coyopa to band together. Rocker admits to all that he tried to get Val to stay. For the challenge they have to walk across a suspended beam balancing a paddle with objects on it, then stacking them. The reward is a choice of the fishing gear not given last week in lieu of flint or comfort items (bedding).

Wes won Reward for Coyopa over his dad, Keith.

Wes sends Josh to Exile with Keith. He selects fishing gear.

Julie is crying because everyone is mad at John. Oh, boohoo.

On Exile Island, Keith got the clue and shared. They ate snails and got along just fine.

Back at camp, Rocker is catching fish apparently to win friends and influence people. Yet the girls want to push for him to go.

Immunity Challenge time! Tethered in pairs, race through obstacle course to retrieve their ball, first tribe to three points in a basket wins.

Hunahpu wins Immunity again. Natalie starts going on about his racist comments in the past and how they need to vote them out. It's not pretty. John said if she were a man, he'd knock her teeth out.

In camp, Rocker knows the girls are after him. He tries to sway them to vote out Dale. Then he tells the guys that they need to vote out Baylor. Now Josh is even more suspicious of John when John tells him he has an idol. Josh starts a movement to get John out. Alex isn't too keen on the idea even when told John has an idol. John meanwhile makes the wise decision to bring his idol with him to Tribal Council.

Let's see if John wisely decides to use the idol to save his butt. Enough was said to Jeff at Tribal to make him cautious, I think.

The tally: He does NOT play the idol -- Baylor, John, Baylor, John, John, John.

Rocker is OUT with an idol in his pocket!

Off Topic: That Was the Week It Was - October 5, 2014

Welcome to my weekly off television topic reflection on the week gone by in both words and photos I've taken along the way. I promise you the next post I make will be about television!

This week as has been a bit blah for me -- I've had a stomach bug accompanied by a headache on and off since Tuesday. No, it's not Ebola! I actually think the headache is more sinuses than anything else. But I've generally felt icky. A lot of people around here are sick. They must have breathed on me. Ew!

I still haven't met the latest new upstairs neighbor living overhead my apartment. I think it's a he rather than a she. I also think it's a he with weekend custody of a child. While it's nowhere near as annoying as when a toddler lived up there full time, I hear child running on the weekends. Not horrible, mind you. Unlike the toddler who was all over the place all the time on hardwood floors in shoes walking/running on his heels, this is just now and then and a quieter running. Shoes seem to be off and it's not rattling my walls or windows, plus it ends by 8 or 9pm. I can deal with that. But I do notice it starts on every Friday night, ends on Sunday night. Thus, my deduction of weekend father.

I'm going to reprint something I posted on Facebook earlier this week called Monday's Tales of New Jersey. If you saw it there, head onto the photos. If you're not on Facebook, go for reading it:

1. This morning while walking to the train station, I saw either a 113S or 114 NJ Transit bus go by. Instead of the lighted bus number, this message was flashing: "Emergency! Call Police!" The interior was lighted and there were only a few passengers. I didn't see an emergency, but I went ahead and called. At least if the cops stop the bus, they'll turn that message off!

2. Then, coming home, I decided to wait for the NJ Transit 59 bus nearby the train station (my train pass gets me on the bus for free and it saves me a long walk). As I waited with a bunch of folks, a young man with a Jamaican accent came along. He started pacing back and forth shouting, "Jesus is coming! I will pray for you! Jesus is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow! Jesus is coming!" He kept it up for the ten minutes or so until the bus came. The odd thing is that as he paced he kicked one foot out kind of like the Elaine dance on Seinfeld. At one point, I mentioned to the other folks waiting that perhaps we should ask him when the 59 bus was coming since he obviously knows when Jesus is coming! They all laughed. He thought we were laughing at him, glowered a minute, then started his Elaine Kick Jesus Shouting once again.

The darkest hour is before the dawn

My early morning walk to the train station is in the darkest of night these days. It won't be until November that the time will change. One morning a huge dude passed me and told me to be careful. He didn't see me roll my eyes. Although dark, it's a very safe time of day. There are working folks out and about at that hour although this photo doesn't show that. It's always the same people. The denizens of the night are long gone, too. It's much more safe than a few hours earlier or probably even the evening hours. East Front Street, Plainfield.

Autumn is here!

Most of the trees are still green right now, but we have some pretty colors working their way in. Our peak foliage in this area isn't usually until late October. Where I grew up, the trees were barren of leaves before Halloween. Not so much here ... we still (usually) have some nice color going on around then. I took this shot near the Bridgewater Train Station.

Instead of just flowers, this week's slideshow is Flowers and Foliage. There are also some berries -- nightshade and Kousa Dogwood berries from the Plainfield Train Station (see, Bernice ... I remembered!). The sunflowers were growing on East Second Street in Plainfield; the mums are from both Plainfield and Bridgewater as is the foliage. The "veiny" foliage shots are poison ivy leaves in Bridgewater. Although my apartment building has little or no yard (paved parking lot) -- the pink morning glories, late season honeysuckle and the nightshade have taken over the back chain link fence.

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

The Amazing Race 25 Blog Party - October 3

I have to get used to this Friday night slot for the show. While I think it's SO much better than the Sunday slot that was delayed more often than not due to one sport or another ... I almost forgot tonight was the night! Eep!

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 -- everyone is welcome to join in on the fun!

Before we get started, an update on the blog pool is needed. Although we barely got to know them, the real estate sisters were Philiminated last week. They rubbed me wrong when they grabbed the pen out of the firefighter's hand as he was signing up for the seaplane. Although I don't condone guys pushing their way through smaller women (or anyone, for that matter), the firefighters probably wouldn't have done it had the girls not started off the ruckus by stealing the pen and the seaplane spot.

Here's the blog pool from the Magnificent Margo (and Mom) as it currently stands:
Adam & Bethany - chrob61, Kathy in Brooklyn, Kelsey NY, Zoetawny
Brooke & Robbie - Caela, Sharon, Sharon N, Willie J
Dennis & Isabelle - Auntie Leigh, Brian, David, Donna NY, sanra
Keith & Whitney - Jean, Jennasmom, Nana in NW, PDXGranny
Kym & Alli - Brenda, meb, Nicklepeed, Rochelle, Terry in TX
Maya & Amy - Ed in OH, Karen in CA, Lynn1, Margo
Michael & Scott - Donna in FL, Glenn, Jackie, Marlo
Misti & Jim - Cheryl in NC, Laurie, ML, OrkMommy
Shelly & Nici - Buzzmaam, Merrilee, Rbennie, SueGee
Tim & Te Jay - Babs, Brent McKee, Dusty, Monty924,

Sorry you have been PHILIMINATED
Lisa & Michelle - Becky, Delee, dla, Donna in AL

Who's ready to take off from this Pit Stop?

Onto London they go, six teams on the first flight.

Aw, Bethany lost a shoe on the last leg and Amy gave her a pair.

Detour - About Face or Pancake Race. The first is taking part in the changing of the guard (Buckingham Palace type). The latter has them making pancakes and run a lap while flipping said pancake without dropping it.

Bethany and Adam made it through the pancake challenge like it was child's play. They now have to take a train to Oxford.

Drop and punt ... once in Oxford, teams must row (not sure if that's the right terminology) a punting boat one lap. Bethany and Adam remain in first place. Brooke and Robbie are having trouble with About Face while the firefighters keep dropping their pancakes.

Woot! The dentists did the punting from the wrong end of their punting boat -- one stands while the other uses a stick to propel them. They have to do it over.

Adam and Bethany are first to the next clue at Christ Church College. They have a clue for the Express Pass. They go for that rather than the first place finish. Yes! They have it and they're on the way to the Pit Stop!

1. Adam and Bethany! They won a trip to Sweden and have the Express Pass, too!
2. Misti and Jim
3. Kym and Alli
4. Tim and Te Jay
 Brooke and Robbie
 Keith and Whitney
 Maya and Amy
 Michael and Scott
9. Shelley and Nici
10. Dennis and Isabelle

Dennis and Isabelle were Philiminated. The four without numbers above all pretty much came in about the same time and I'm not sure of the order.

Survivor: San Juan Del Sur Blog Party - October 1

Well, I wasn't too upset about last week's cast out castaway even though she was my blog pool random pick! I'm sorry, but I just don't see why the producers and casting are pushing the TAR "twinnies" so much. There are some folks on these shows that people love to hate ... but the twinnies just tend to bring about a heck of a lot of dislike. They're annoying.

Anyway ... as tonight's episode 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!

First, an update on the pool. As Lifeguard Laurie promised, she reassigned the first boot's pool picks (as we barely got to know them in the premiere, although I feel I knew Nadiya too well already) --

COYOPA
Josh = crob61, Rochelle, Jackie
Alec = Karen in Case, Merrilee
Val = Brenda, Nickelpeed
Wes = Buzzmaam, ORKMommy, sanra
John R = Cheryl NC, MikesGirl, Terry in TX
Jaclyn = CYW Coleman, rbennie
Dale = Brian, Margo
Baylor = Glenn, maquinn78, Sharon S

HUNAHPU
Kelley = Babs Dud, ML, Russ
Missy = Ed in Ohio, Monty924, Sharon N
Keith = Donna in FL, PDX Granny
Jon M = Donna in Alabama, Laurie
Julie = Donna NY, meb
Reed = David, Kathy, Lynn1
Jeremy = Becky, Nana in the NW
Drew = Delee, Petals, SueGee
Natalie = Jennasmom, Kelsey NY

Survivor fans ready?

Josh confessed to Baylor that he voted for her to game to cover up their alliance. Um. Okay. Not the brightest of moves.

Hunahpu has lost their flint. Jon is the one who seems to have lost it.

Reward Challenge has them balancing a ball on a pole through obstacles and then rolling them at a target. The prize is fishing gear. It's John Rocker vs. his gal Julie.

JULIE wins! John goes to Exile Island! She chooses Jeremy to go with him.

Hunahpu wants to trade their beans for a new flint, but keep the fishing gear. All Jeff would offer them is a new flint in exchange for the fishing gear. They took the deal -- they need fire.

Natalie keeps crying because Nadiya is gone.

John drew the blank clue on Exile. Jeremy, although he knows who Rocker is and his racist remarks of the past, shows Rocker his clue to the idol. He wants Rocker to help protect his wife.

Immunity Challenge -- Jeremy and John return to their tribes. It's knocking their opponent off a small platform with a padded doohickey into the water.

Heh. John Rocker got beaten by a girl earlier and now by another Jon.

Hunahpu wins Immunity! (Again.)

Whoa! Rocker found the idol from the clue that Jeremy told him. He thinks that Val also has an idol. He tells her there will be a split vote for her and Baylor. Val says (to us) that she and Jaclyn will also vote Baylor, so no problem. Josh is suspicious.

Tribal Council time, not happy campers at all. The tally: Val, Baylor, Val, Baylor, Val, Baylor, Baylor, Val. It's a tie. Revote time.

Baylor, Val, Val, Val, Val.

Rocker is upset that she didn't play her idol. Well, that's because HE has the idol she should have found!