Off Topic - That Was the Week It Was - April 1, 2012

It's Sunday? Really? Already? That means it's my day off! Yay! Happy dance time! Er, well. It also means it's time for my weekly off television topic reflection on the week gone by in both words and photographs I've taken. 

But let me first mention television ... remember, The Amazing Race won't be on this evening due to the Country Music Awards show. TAR must be delayed a full week instead of portions of hours and beyond! Out of curiosity I looked up when Falling Skies makes its second season return. That's not until June. I guess I'll just have to wait, huh?

Winterish returned here this past week. The temperatures have been below normal with freeze warnings north of where I live. That four-letter S word has also been mentioned, but we've seen none of it here. Although I loved our glorious week of foggy mornings and daytime clear 70s, I'm okay with the cooler wave. After escaping winter without horrible cold spells or tons o' snow, I can't complain about a chilly week. 

On the work front, they fixed my software program I need to do my work. Unfortunately, when they installed a new hard drive, they zapped all of our saved documents and forms plus blew out the computerized time clock for hourly employees. So, instead of adding machine tapes, each punch had to be entered manually into the computer -- or they wouldn't get paid. I didn't think they'd be happy with the latter.

I visited local blogger Dan Damon at his physical rehab home across the street a few times. He's looking better each time I see him. He will soon be fitted for his prosthesis and I have faith that he'll do well with it. I admire how he's taking all of this in stride. I also chatted with local blogger Bernice on the bus this week. It must have been a blogger meet-up kind of week!

Other than that, I've got nothing for you ... other than photos I've taken during the past week. Clicking on an image will open it larger in a fancy-schmancy gallery doohickey.   

The magic of spring

I'm in awe of nature's magical ways. Of course, the buds and blossoms of spring often seem to pass in the blink of an eye. East Front Street, Plainfield.

Keeping an eye out for worms

Even though this robin is chubby guy, he's quick. He'd keep one eye to the ground looking for worms and dart at them. He was quick, but not really effective. I saw three worms escape the mighty bird hunter. Also East Front Street, Plainfield.

Stairway to spring

Coming up from the tunnel under the Plainfield Train Station. I edited the photo to leave only the "spring" in color. If our winter hadn't been so mild, I'd say it's symbolic of the dark depths of winter bursting into spring.

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

Survivor: One World - March 28 Episode Blog Party

Hey Survivor fans! Who are we going to boo and hiss about now that Colton's off the show? Oh wait. There's Alicia. To be honest, I'm not too enamored with any of the castaways so far. Usually, by this time in the season, I have a clear-cut favorite. Not so much this time around. How about you?

I'm also wondering how Tarzan can actually hold a medical degree. The man is just a tad bizarre and wonky. I think something must be afoot with him!

The show is about to start here on the East Coast. As it airs, I'll post updates on the major happenings in this entry. But the real fun is in the comments area! Everyone is welcome to jump in with thoughts on the show as it airs. Survivor fans ready?

Reward is an afternoon of pizza and cold beer, plus a secret note. They're divided into two random tribes going through obstacles, digging up bags of puzzle pieces and solving puzzles. The secret note tells them there is yet another hidden idol.

Troyzan found the idol. Hopefully he won't blab to anyone!

Immunity Challenge time. Perched on a small log while balancing ball(s) on a disc. More balls added as time goes on. Now he's doubly protected ... Troyzan wins the first individual immunity!

The mixed old Solani tribe wants to target Jonas as they think he's the strongest of the Manono tribe folks. Some want Tarzan gone mainly because he's annoying.

Tribal Council time!

The tally: Jonas, Mike, Mike, Jonas, Jonas, Jonas, Jonas, Jonas, Jonas ... first member of the jury. He had to be voted out because of his mouth at TC. Idiot. 

The Amazing Race 20 Blog Party - 03/25/12

I'm pretty sure the show is delayed, but I have no clue by how much as I wasn't watching. I'll be getting this post up for an 8pm EDT start. Once it starts here, I'll update with major happenings. Everyone is welcome to hang out in the comments area where the real fun is!

Okay ... Facebook announced it will start at 8:18pm. That's not as bad as I feared.

The teams are heading from Bavaria to Azerbaijan (sp?) -- don't ask me! It's the "Land of Fire" and apparently is just north of Iran, a part of the old USSR. I guess.

Once there at a cool fire temple celebration of sorts, teams got a Fast Forward clue which entails stacking hay bales.

The teams not vying for the FF are facing the Roadblock -- escaping a crash simulation of a helicopter under water. Rachel and Dave got the FF and are on their way to the Pit Stop.

Rachel and Dave are indeed the first at the Pit Stop -- they each won a new 2013 Ford.

Detour -- Apples or Oil. They must search through tons of apples to find one with a clue. In Oil, clean up a client who has soaked in black crude oil. (Ew. But easier, I would think.)

2. Art and JJ
3. Bopper and Mark
4. Brendon and Rachel
5. Nary and Jamie
6. Vanessa and Ralph
7. Joey Fitness and Danny ... Philiminated. 

Off Topic - That Was the Week It Was - March 25, 2012

It's Sunday morning, the start of a bit of a rainy day here. However, coming off of the glorious spring week we had last week, I can't complain. It's time for my weekly off television topic reflection on the week gone by in both words and photographs I've taken.

It's SO definitely (and finally officially) spring here! Everything is coming to life. Despite our unusually warm winter and some early blooms, this past week proved that even a warm winter can't be spring! Sure, there were bits of nature's glory here and there, but for the most part winter was basically brown and grey. Now it's pretty wherever you look!

Of course, that tends to make me sneeze. But I'll live with that for the beauty of it all. The foggy morning starts leading to highs in the 70s made me think of San Diego weather. Perfect in my book.

While nature is being all exciting, my own life was nothing to write home about. For the most part, I worked, slept, ate, rinse and repeat. My computer software is STILL down at my workplace. It's been a month now. Finally the Helpless Desk decided they cannot fix it. Duh. So a new Web PC blade doohickey thing-a-ma-jig arrived Friday, a technician will arrive tomorrow and I'll get to re-set-up my program after he gets the hardware in. At least that nightmare will be over.

I visited local blogger Dan Damon as he rehabs across the street at the Norwood Terrace physical rehabilitation place. He's looking great -- probably the best color and healthiest looking I've seen him in a year or more. His spirits are excellent and he's taking his new challenge with gusto. I also met his other half Nat for the first time -- a nice fellow for sure. 

Norwood itself impresses me. Now, that's the place I would have gone with my first knee had I gone to rehab. A nice facility, definitely not a hospital atmosphere in decor and a very pleasant staff. Dan seems to be very pleased with the treatment and the food. I personally don't want the chance to go there myself as I have no more knees to replace, but it's good to know it's such a fine facility!

In television talk: I lost all track of American Idol this past week. I forgot it was on for the result show -- the singing show is opposite of Survivor, so I always miss that one. I don't even know who went home on AI. Furthermore, I don't really care. I guess my love affair with the show is over. On the other hand, I did catch the season finale of SouthLand as it aired. Man, these seasons are way too short!

The Survivor episode this week did come as a bit of a surprise. I know that Jeff Probst has been hyping Colton as the most villainous villain ever and didn't expect him to go out so soon with a medical issue. To me, Colton wasn't a villain anyway. He was a mean nasty little rich spoiled brat who needs to learn what the real world's like outside of his own sheltered little world. Although I never would wish acute appendicitis on anyone, you know what they say about karma. The bad thing is that I think Jeff will push for his return in another season. Sigh.

Tonight's episode of The Amazing Race is almost promised to be delayed by March Madness. I'll get a blog party post up for 8pm EDT, but I don't expect the show to start anywhere near on time. Perhaps we can all get cyber-drunk while anticipating Brenchel meltdowns ahead!

Onto the photos for the week -- clicking on an image will open a larger view in a gallery setting. So fancy-schmancy, eh? 

Different perspective on my 'hood

This is the view I saw crossing the street and heading into the Norwood Terrace rehab to visit Dan. Oh my ... the 'hood looks good from here! I actually live a bit off the left side of this photo.

Early morning solitude

East Front Street in Plainfield.

Magnolia blossom

The big magnolia tree across the street from my building hit full bloom towards the end of the week. Now the ground there is littered with magnolia blossom petals.

Forsythia by flash

Thanks to Daylight Savings Time, my walk to the train station in the morning is still mostly under the cloak of darkness. Of course, I do like the opportunity to use the phrase "cloak of darkness." Beside that, it does give me flash photo opportunities.

***HIT THE 'READ MORE' LINK TO SEE THE REST OF THE PHOTOS!***

Survivor: One World - March 21 Episode Blog Party

The show is about to start here on the East Coast. Now, tonight something horrible is supposed to happen at the end of the episode. From the promos, it looks like someone gets Medivac'd out. They're very hush-hush about it all, but we'll know soon!

As it airs, I'll be posting the major happenings here. But the real fun is in the comments area. I only ask that things are kept kind of PG-Rated. Other than that, cyber-drinking is fine and dandy ... you just have to drive your comfy chair home! Survivor fans ready?

Reward Challenge time -- They have to knock out five targets by bouncing a coconut off a trampoline at the targets. The reward is ice cream, any style they want. Salani won.

Colton is nasty and he's targeting Christina.

Oh, geez. Colton has a severe headache and Christina nurses him. @@

Medics arrive. He has to go to the hospital, possible appendicitis. He's out of the game, taking his idol with him. Now the tribe target focus will be changing to Alicia ... I hope.

Hmm ... tree mail tells them that both tribes will be going to Tribal Council tonight. Uh-oh.

At TC, Jeff announces Colton had acute appendicitis and had to have emergency surgery. Alicia is still bitter that Colton didn't give her his idol.

"Drop your buffs, we are merged."

Tarzan: "The game is afoot."