Sunday, March 27, 2011

The Amazing Race: Unfinished Business 3/27 Episode Blog Party


The show is delayed here in the east due to March Madness basketball. 60 Minutes started at 7:19 PM ET, so I expect 8:19 PM ET for us.

Once it starts, everyone is welcome to join in with comments as it airs -- that's where the real fun is! I'll be updating this post with any big news as I watch it here on the East Coast. My full review of the show will be posted on TV Squad either late this evening or early tomorrow. I'd love to have you visit there, too!

Pit Stop -
1. Gary and Mallory - won a million rupees
2. Cowboys
3. Ron and Christina
4. Zev and Justin
5. Kent and Vyxsin
6. Jen and Kisha
7. Flight Time and Big Eas
8. Margie and Luke -- Philiminated

Off Topic - That Was the Week It Was - March 27, 2011

It's Sunday once again. You know what that means. It's time for my weekly off television topic look back on the week gone by in both words and photographs I've taken.

On the work front, I had a change of pace this past week. Instead of doing my normal thing, I was trained on new workforce management software and had to work to set up for my workplace. Gah. No, I don't have real problems learning new technology. My "gah" is because, knowing the corporate environment, this latest "best thing since sliced bread" will be taken over by a newer program within a few years. There's still a lot of tweaking which needs to be done to get it in synch with our actual needs, too. Oh well.

Then there's the weather here in New Jersey. In the beginning of the week we had warm temperatures and rain. Then we had two days of snow, rain, hail, ice and then snow again. It's ended with a deep freeze. Well, deep freeze for this time of the year. I just want spring. I want to retire my winter coat for the season. That's all.

Talking television for a moment -- I'm still liking Breakout Kings and the Lloyd Lowery character in particular. I totally missed Celebrity Apprentice last week due to my blogging job Amazing Race show being delayed. I'll have to try to catch that online today. My blog pool pick on Dancing With the Stars, Ralph Maccio, seems a natural. I just wonder how he can still look 14 when he's 49! Casey Abrams, whose talents I love, got the save on American Idol. I haven't liked his last two performances so much, though.

As for my apartment living stuff, the new neighbors are much better than the old. I do hear them more than I've heard some of the other folks in that apartment, but they're definitely bearable. And, they quiet down early in the evening. I'm starting to think they go to bed at 8 PM. That's fine by me. Maintenance people have been painting the entrance door trim, doors, pillars, the wood on the stair cases. Okay, dark red. It wouldn't be my choice, but whatever. After a quiet lull, there seem to be children running the halls once again. Sigh.

Onto this week's photos -- clicking on an image will open it larger in a new window:


Rest in peace, Lt. Lattimore

The flag at the Plainfield Police Station flies at half-mast while bunting is displayed over the entrance. Although I know a few folks on the department, I didn't know him. I had, however, heard of him and his family's legacy in Plainfield. My condolences to his family, friends and fellow officers.


My luck, I dropped off shirts in 1893.

That's when they had worse dry cleaning. But you don't see them advertising THAT! Westfield, NJ.


The sound of music.

Also in Westfield, I could sit on that bench for an hour just listening to the music emanating from the New Jersey Workshop for the Arts building.


Typical Yankees Fan

I spotted him in a store window in Westfield.


Tuesday morning.

This was the only really nice day we had this past week. The storm clouds were lifting and the temperatures were moderate. Those security gates on the stores aren't because they're vacant businesses. It's a Chinese restaurant and a fried chicken place. They just weren't open yet. East Front Street, Plainfield.

SPRING IN NEW JERSEY


Church Street is still budding.

These trees will soon (I hope) have glorious blooms making it look like a flowery wonderland. Plainfield.


Old tree, new shoots.

This old tree in Bridgewater has new growth coming from a split in its trunk.


Color!

The forsythia is blooming ... yay! Bridgewater, but it's all around Plainfield, too.


A robin checks me out.

Either that or he's thinking "where am I and what I am doing in this handbasket?" The robins have claimed the field of geese area as their own ... until the geese return from their outing, that is. Bridgewater.


And, so I'll continue to continue to pretend
That my life will never end
And flowers never bend with the rainfall
- Simon and Garfunkel

Daffodils can't take the weight of Monday's rains. Berckman Street, Plainfield.


Life!


Greenery!


New growth!


Spring!
Plainfield Train Station.


Purples!

Plainfield YWCA, East Front Street.


Yellows!

A planter on Church Street, Plainfield.


Ice drops!

Say what? This is one of the buds on the trees on Church Street. That's an ice droplet, not water. Wah.


Snow on the roof.

Yes, spring in New Jersey. Plainfield Train Station.


What's that white stuff?

Bridgewater Train Station.


Spring!

My train approaching on Wednesday morning. Plainfield Train Station.


Didn't we have enough of this already?

Plainfield Train Station.


Snow on the forsythia.


Snow on the YWCA flowers.


Snow in my 'hood.

Remember, despite the snow, it is late March. It's about time the lights on the 14th floor balcony on the left come down. Or, just stop lighting them. It's not Christmas anymore! East Front Street, Plainfield.


Snow on the branches.


Wintry commute in March.

Approaching the Plainfield Train Station from East Third Street. No, that's not my train. Due to my software training, I caught a later train than normal. That train up there starts in Plainfield heading to Newark/NYC instead of Plainfield being merely a stop. It sits there every day for about fifteen minutes before it moves. Mine goes the other way.


Ice, Ice, Baby.


Keeping Plainfield Clean!

They've given him a number and taken 'way his name. East Third Street, Plainfield.


Have a seat!

East Second Street, Plainfield. Oh, I should mention the price of gas has stayed the same all week here.


More snow in my 'hood.

The Presbyterian Church looks classically pretty in the snow. But it would look fine with green grass, too! East Front Street, Plainfield.


No Snow

The sunshine has gotten rid of the snow. But it's way cold. I guess I'll take shots of twirly old vines again. Bridgewater Train Station.


Leave me alone. I'm watching Animal Planet.

To be honest, he was watching a film of baby elephants on my computer. Every now and then Vincent actually does check out the television or computer. It's fun to get him going playing bird calls from the Internet. I know. I'm cruel.

How was your week?

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Survivor: Redemption Island - 3/23 Episode Blog Party

survivor,jackiestvblog


The show will be starting in about five minutes here on the East Coast. As it airs, I'll update this post with major news while sharing some opinions on what I see both here and in comments. Of course, the comments area is where the real party is! Everyone is welcome to join in, the water's fine! Oh. And bring snacks. Snacks are always good.

Wow, Matt won yet another duel! He stays to fight another day.

Ometape won Immunity and Reward again!

Gah. Stephanie was voted out instead of Sarita.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

The Amazing Race: Unfinished Business 3/20 Episode Blog Party


The show is delayed here in the east due to March Madness basketball. 60 Minutes started at 7:19 PM ET, so I expect 8:19 PM ET for us. In the meantime, you can get into the pool on the Dancing With the Stars post if you so desire!

Once it starts, everyone is welcome to join in with comments as it airs -- that's where the real fun is! I'll be updating this post with any big news as I watch it here on the East Coast. My full review of the show will be posted on TV Squad either late this evening or early tomorrow. I'd love to have you visit there, too!

Kent and Vyxsin went back for the fanny pack and are at the Detour. They made it to Phil -- 30 minute penalty at next Pit Stop for taking the wrong plane.

Kent and Vyxsin u-turned Cara and Jaime ... right in front of Cara and Jaime! Cara and Jaime u-turned the Globetrotters.

Gary and Mallory, running dead last, used their Express Pass.

1. Jet and Cord! - won $5000 each
2. Gary and Mallory
3. Margie and Luke
4. Kent and Vyxsin -- must now wait out 30 minute penalty
4. Jen and Kisha
5. Kent and Vyxsin
6. Globetrotters
7. Ron and Christina
8. Zev and Justin
9. Jaime and Cara - Philiminated

Dancing With the Stars - Spring 2011 Blog Discussion


Yes, it's that time again! Dancing With the Stars has its big two-hour season premiere Monday night, March 21. The official website for the show can be found here.

Will Kirstie get down to a size ten with her dancing efforts? Why does Ralph Maccio still look fourteen? I guess we'll see soon enough! Margo has been kind enough to run the blog pool and everyone is invited to stop by and discuss the show right here. There's a link in the sidebar to this post or you can do an onsite blog search for "Dancing With the Stars" to come back to this post.

Here's what Margo has on the blog pool --

**POOL MATCH-UPS final**
Chris & Cheryl - ML, Becky
Kirstie & Maks - Nana in NW, Sydney
Sugar Ray & Anna - Delee, Donna in FL
Wendy & Tony - Jennasmom, Monty 924
Petra & Dmitry - Joy N, meb
Psycho Mike & Lacey - Donna in AL, dlb
Chelsea & Mark - Merrilee, PDXGranny
Hines & Kym - Terry in PA, Brent McKee
Romeo & Chelsie - Rbennie
Kendra & Louis - Suzanne, Margo
Ralph & Karina - Jackie, Estelle