Off Topic: That Was the Week It Was - October 14, 2012

Good Sunday morning to you! As it is Sunday, it's time for my off television topic reflection on the week gone by in both words and photographs I've taken. Lots of photos today, so I hope you have a cup of coffee with you! 

I'm feeling much better this week -- still a bit fatigued, but definitely more myself. After a real dip in the temperatures at week's end, today is supposed to be delightful. My last day off (Wednesday) started out rainy, chilly and grey. The weather turned around by noontime and I ended up having myself one fine day off with my camera at my side.

I had decided to go for a Trader Joe's run in Westfield. And, despite my disappointment over the summer with the algae and neglect in the nearby Mindowaskin Park, I walked over there to see what I could see. As I approached the park, some HUGE bird flew low directly overhead. Yipes! What the heck was that? 

Following my last sighting of where it seemed to go, I found a gorgeous great blue heron. I guess I'm into cheap entertainment, because I watched him for a good hour as he stalked about the low waters, watching and waiting, and then ZOOM ... fish in mouth!

Canada geese, various ducks and a rambunctious squirrel or two made for the most enjoyable, yet quiet, afternoon I've had in a long, long time. The kids were all in school. The park had its walkers -- one woman walked laps around the park for the entire time I was there. A few folks were out with their dogs walking. Some young mothers were there with toddlers. A few people just sat on the benches and read books. It was a perfect day for a walk in the park!

Here's some of the gazillion photos I took -- clicking on an image will open it in a new window, clicking again will make it larger. Just close out that last window to return right here to the blog.

Great blue heron in Westfield

After the rain

This was the result of overnight rains as I walked in Westfield on Wednesday.

Catching the early train

Heading off to work early in the week. Plainfield Train Station.

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

Survivor: Philippines - October 10 Episode Blog Party

Survivor fans ready? I'm kind of wondering how the alpha male bonding between Jeff Kent and Penner is going to go. I can't really see them together in the long run like Richard Hatch and Rudy, can you?

As the show airs here on the East Coast, I'll update this entry with the major happenings. However, as always, the real action is in the comments. Come join in, the pool is fine!

Espionage! Pete set up RC by putting the clue to the idol sticking out of her bag. Chaos ensues. Jeff, Penner and Carter formed an alliance on their tribe. The women know something's up.

Immunity challenge time! Carrying pots of rice on bamboo through an obstacle course, then smashing all six pots. First tribe finishing gets steak and spices. Second gets vegetables, salt and pepper and a pot. Both of the full tribes sit out their women. So it's all men against Malcolm, Denise and Russell.

Tandang won 1st place. Kalabaw won second. Sigh. Matsing loses once again despite a valiant effort. Kalabaw decided to trade their food for a tarp. 

Tribal Council time. No backstabbing this time. Jeff tried to pit them against each other but the worst they could say about Denise is that she's fantastic. 

The tally: Russell, Malcolm, Russell.

He was my pool pick, but that's fine with me. I think Denise is fantastic!

Huh. Russell thinks he was blindsided when he was the weakest link in almost all the challenges. @@

The Amazing Race: October 7 Episode Blog Party

Although I'm getting this post up by 8pm ET, the show isn't scheduled to start here until 8:30pm. Grr.

Once it does start, as it airs I'll be updating this post with the major happenings. However, the real fun is in the comments section. I hope to see you there!

The teams are off to Indonesia! The winner of this leg will receive an Express Pass which allows them to skip a challenge. Once there, they bunch up for 8am bull races. The monster trucker couple took a different flight to get to Indonesia and it backfired on them. All the other teams are awaiting a night before the bull races while they're still in flight.

The bull race actually has the teams on mopeds racing the bulls.

Roadblock: Who likes to party? Operating a bicycle with a party for four children aboard and making balloon animals.

Detour -- Ice by the pound, delivering ice or fish by the barrel, stock and set up a fish stall in the market.

Natalie and Nadiya won first place and the Express Pass.
2. Lexi and Trey
3. Jaymes and James
4. Abbie and Ryan
5. Josh and Trent
6. James and Abba
7. Kaitlin and Britany
8. Rob and Kelly
9. Gary and Will
10. Amy and Daniel -- PHILIMINATED. 

Sigh.

Off Topic: That Was the Week It Was - October 7, 2012

To start things off this morning, how about some action?

The 007 of Plainfield, NJ? Cool. Apparently the John McClane character is from Plainfield, NJ. Bruce Willis is most certainly not. He's a Jersey boy after spending his first few years in Germany. But he's from the northeast corner of the state. McClane wouldn't have been from there! He's definitely more of a Plainfield kind of guy. Mind you, the movie is set in Russia ... not NJ or NYC.

Anyway, it's Sunday morning. Welcome to my weekly off television topic post. I usually reflect on the week gone by in both words and photographs I've taken. I really don't have a heck of a lot to say this week. I've been ill. I'm feeling somewhat better. I worked. I slept. Vincent still thinks I'm his own personal sofa. I guess, without further ado, it's onto the photos I took.

Clicking on an image will open it on a new page, clicking again will make it larger. Then just close out that page to return here!

Waning moon

It's as dark as night when I leave for work most mornings. This is the (slightly) waning moon Monday morning as I walked out the door. I always think photographing the moon is a challenge. Challenge met this time; I got detail!

Carpenter at work

Carpenter BEE, that is! Although almost the size of small flying mice, these bees are quite docile and make for good photo fodder. Bridgewater, NJ

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

Survivor: Philippines - October 3rd Episode Blog Party

Will Lisa, the former child TV star, finally gain her footing in her tribe? Will the "veterans" be targeted? Will Penner's tribe realize the idol indeed was the decorative doohickey on their rice bin?

Ah, burning questions indeed.

As the show airs here on the East Coast, I'll update this post with the major happenings. However, as always, the real fun is reacting to the show in the comments section. Come join in on the fun!

Well, Lisa is teaming up with Pete and Abi against Mike (or so it seems). Jeff figured out that the decorative doohickey on the rice bin was the idol and that Penner probably has it. Matsing has lost their raft.

Immunity Challenge time. Diving for puzzle wheels, solving the puzzle. Reward is a fishing kit and canoe. Second place, a smaller fishing kit. Kalabaw wins first, Tandang second. Matsing has to go to Tribal Council once again. It's mostly due to Russell being inept.

Penner figured out Jeff is leery of him, admitted he had the idol and wants to work with him. Jeff only gave him a four-finger handshake, not a manly one. @@

Abi, of all people, found the hidden idol in their camp. She told her buddy Pete.

TC - Angie voted Russell and vice versa. No surprises there! The tally -- Angie, Russell, Angie, Angie. Oh my. I figured Russell would be the goner.