The Amazing Race: All-Stars 'Welcome to the Jungle' blog party

Oh my. The show is beginning on time here in the NYC viewing area. Now, this is TRULY amazing, right?

Here are the latest blog pool standings from that Magnificent Margo:

Flight Time & Big Easy - Laurie, Donna in FL, nicklepeed
Jen & Caroline - Lynn1, Buzzmaam, DLA
Dave & Connor - Becky, Auntie Leigh, Rochelle
Margie & Luke - Donna in AL, Monty924, PDXGranny
Brendon & Rachel (Brenchal) - Terry in TX, Brian
Jessica & John - Sharon S, David, Rbennie
Cord & Jet (Cowboys) - ML, Nana in NW, Delee
Joey & Meghan - Brenda, Zoetawny, Dusty
Leo & Jamal (Afganimals) - Jackie, Jennamom, Merrilee

Philiminated --
Mark & Mallory - SueGee, jonMD1627, Margo

As the show airs here, 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 in the fun!

And, Laurie ... I'm thinking of you and your family this evening.

The teams are off to Malaysian Borneo on two separate flights, a few hours apart. Brendan and Rachel are the first on the second flight. Aw, so sad. Heh. Joey/Meghan and Jessica/John are with them on the last flight.

Roadblock -- teams join the roaming gnome in "Who will fall for this one?" -- rappelling down a waterfall to retrieve a clue. Dave/Connor in the lead.

River Delivery or Run through the Jungle are the Detour choices. Both entail going down the river. One has them delivering items via the river. The other has them going through the woods with a "native" and blowdarting a fake bird, then bringing that down river.

Gah! David and Connor missed a clue -- Leo and Jamal take over the lead.The Cowboys almost made the same mistake, but the Afghanimals have turned a new leaf and helped them. They don't want to be double u-turned this season!

The Cowboys didn't return the favor, passing right by as the cousins floundered in the water with their raft coming apart.

Dave and Connor ended up carrying the food on foot. Meghan and Joey (the later flight is finally there) may have made a horrible mistake by not telling their taxi to wait.

Wow. Dave and Connor are back in the lead! They rock!

Pit Stop -
1. Dave and Connor -- won a trip to Budapest, Hungary
2. Cowboys
3. Afghanimals

Meghan and Joey walked for a long time trying to get a taxi. Finally, success. With the river task being unpredictable, they may have a chance to stay in this. Or not.

4. Margie and Luke

Uh-oh. Brenchal, smug in their raft-making skills, are in the rapids with their raft coming apart.

5. Flight Time and Big Easy
6. Caroline and Jennifer
7. Jessica and John
8. Brendan and Rachel

Meanwhile, Joey and Meghan's raft has fallen apart.

9. Joey and Meghan -- Philiminated

Off Topic: That Was the Week It Was - March 9, 2014

Good morning! It's Sunday morning, time for my weekly off television topic reflection on the week gone by in both words and photos I've taken along the way. For you television fans, my The Amazing Race blog party post will be up at 8pm EDT tonight even if the show is delayed. Come by and join the party as we watch the show!

Well, another week of winter has come and gone. Thankfully we didn't have additional snow every few days like we have had for most of the winter. While it was quite cold with the exception of yesterday around here, the sun has been able to do its thing and get some of our snowpack down. What snow we do have still on the ground is very dirty. It needs to go away. This has been the winter of MY discontent for sure. Grr.

Huh. Daylight Savings Time is upon us. This is coming way too early these days! It means that I'll be heading to the early train in the dark of night once again when I just got used to daylight at that hour. I personally don't care that it's lighter later into the evening. I remember when I was a young child it really irked me that the daylight lasted beyond my bedtime. Then again, it doesn't seem that today's parents on the whole have assigned bedtimes for children. Sigh.

At least, unlike years ago, most of the clocks I depend upon change themselves. Only my battery clocks need to be manually adjusted. Cell phone, appliances, computer ... just like magic, they do it themselves. Now if my body and mind can get adjusted. I truly enjoy the "fall back" part of "spring forward, fall back." That goes without saying.

But I said it anyway.

They've thrived despite the cold

But, I bet they'll be thrilled when they can once again eat yummy worms! I still can't believe they came back to the area in mid-January of one of the harshest winters on record here. Bridgewater, NJ

Plainfield Train Station

I wish they'd take better care of the lamps so that burnt-out bulbs wouldn't throw off my photos! I edited this shot to leave only the golden glow of the lamps in color, as well as the station track sign.

Aw, I don't love you, winter!

On Monday, we were originally supposed to have another big snowstorm. They called that one wrong (thankfully) although bitter cold lasted most of the week. When I left my apartment, this heart in the dusting of snow greeted me. I deliberately walked on it to make my position clear! Get out of my life, Winter!

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Survivor: Cagayan - Cops-R-Us Blog Party - March 5

Survivor fans ready? Will the Brains keep being so inept at everything? Will they continue to bring dishonor to good intelligent folks worldwide? I guess we'll just have to wait and see. They've already lost a third of their tribe. They can't afford to head to tribal council again tonight.

That lovely Lifeguard Laurie has updated the blog pool:

Beauty
Jeremiah Wood - LostChyld
Alexis Maxwell - Donna in FL, Petals
Brice Johnston - Karen in CA, PDX Granny
Jefra Bland - David, Sharon S.
LJ McKanas - Lorraine, ML
Morgan McLeod - Donna in Alabama, ORKMommy

Brains 
J'Tia Taylor - Knickelpeed, Merrilee
Kass McQuillen -Delee, MikesGirl
Spencer Bledsoe - Becky and Monty924
Tasha Fox - DKNYNC, Rochelle

Brawn
Trisha Hegarty - Jackie
Cliff Robinson - Dusty, Margo
Lindsey Ogle - Brian
Sarah Lacina - Buzzmaan, Tammy
Tony Viachos - Lynn1, Zoetawny
Woo Hwang - Laurie, SueGee

The folks who had these people are free agents this week --
David Samson - Jennasmom
Garrett Adelstein - Brenda, Paula Bell

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! However, as always, the real party is in the comments. Come join in!

Tony told Sarah,the other cop on Brawn, that he is indeed a cop. I still don't get why he lied to her in the first place. She trusts him. He's a sneakyface. She shouldn't trust him.

It's raining a lot.

Oh my. Figuring Morgan had been looking for the immunity idol when the tribe came upon her at camp, LJ went looking and found it!

The Immunity Challenge has them scooping water from the ocean, passing it to each other, filling a bucket, retrieving a ball, completing a maze. Reward is comfort and shelter -- tarp, etc.

Brawn wins immunity! Wow. The Brain tribe came from behind to win second place! It will be Beauty going to Tribal.

Unpacking the comfort stuff, Tony found another clue. But he already has the idol for his camp. Brice seems to be the target. Brice wants Alexis out. It's looking like they want a tie to get the idol out if someone has it.

Tribal Council time. Tally --
Alexis, Brice, Morgan, Alexis, Brice, Morgan/ three-way tie as planned.

Re-vote tally --
Brice, Brice

Bye-bye, butterfly Brice!

The Amazing Race: All-Stars - March 2 Blog Party

Sure, others are having Oscar parties, but that's not my kind of scene. My own Oscar-related prediction is that this here blog party is probably going to be quieter than many as so many will be watching the awards show. Oh well. More snacks and tasty beverages for us, eh?

The Magnificent Margo has done the random match-up for the blog pool and here it is --

Flight Time & Big Easy - Laurie, Donna in FL, nicklepeed
Mark & Mallory - SueGee, jonMD1627, Margo
Jen & Caroline - Lynn1, Buzzmaam, DLA
Dave & Connor - Becky, Auntie Leigh, Rochelle
Margie & Luke - Donna in AL, Monty924, PDXGranny
Brendon & Rachel (Brenchal) - Terry in TX, Brian
Jessica & John - Sharon S, David, Rbennie
Cord & Jet (Cowboys) - ML, Nana in NW, Delee
Joey & Meghan - Brenda, Zoetawny, Dusty
Leo & Jamal (Afganimals) - Jackie, Jennamom, Merrilee

Tonight's show is actually even starting on time! As it airs here, I'll update this entry with the major happenings. Refresh the page to get the latest update. As always, the party (or perhaps lack thereof due to the Oscars) is down in the comments. Come join us!

Teams are remaining in China for now. They have to meet up with a "Master" who will ink a clue on their foreheads. The Cowboys aren't doing too well at the start of this one. The forehead clue leads them to a Roadblock at a play park in a mall. Dave and Connor got there first. They have to build a kiddie car.

Wow! Mark built that car like he could have done it blindfolded! They have to take the cars with them to deliver them. Margie/Luke are in second. But ... GAH ... Mallory left her backpack behind after they put the car in the trunk of their taxi! The blondes are finally at the Roadblock. Eep. It was MARK's backpack she left behind. They have to go back for it, thus losing their lead.

The blondes are trying to get the cowboys to give them the Express Pass. Oh my gosh ... they gave it to them!

Before they head back for the bag, M&M deliver the car. The Detour clue has them playing hacky-sack or Featherball or China Cup.  No one seems to be choosing the latter. Mark and Mallory are wasting a lot of time arguing about going back for the pack or doing the Detour. Mallory has Mark's passport but Mark wants his other stuff. They blew their first place lead.

Margie and Luke are currently leading the pack. Nope. Now it's Dave and Connor leading.

Most of the teams are heading to the Pit Stop.

Pit Stop --
1. Brenchal - won $2500 each
2. Margie and Luke
3. Caroline and Jennifer -- did not use the pass given to them
4. Dave and Connor
5. Globetrotters
6. Cowboys
7. Leo and Jamal

The remaining teams are stuck at the Detour. Meghan and Joey get through first.

8. John and Jessica
9. Meghan and Joey -- that's what they get for helping John and Jessica at the Roadblock!
10. Mark and Mallory -- Philiminated

Aw, that's sad.

Off Topic: That Was the Week It Was - March 2, 2014

Welcome to yet another Sunday morning off television topic reflection of the week gone by in both words and photos I've taken along the way. It's still cold. It's still winter. I am starting to have doubts that this winter will ever end. While they've changed our forecast for today from a serious winter storm to just a plain old winter storm, it's depressing. We're supposed to go back into the deep freeze for most of the week after having two days of over 32 degree temps.

Wah.

I am SO over winter this year. I know, come summer, I'll be SO over the heat and humidity. I'm not saying I want that. I want SPRING.

For those of you who plan to be at the blog party for The Amazing Race tonight -- I'll set up a post shortly before 8pm ET for it. Meanwhile, the Magnificent Margo (and Mom) have made the random blog pool match-ups. The good news is that no one had to pseudo-support the "twinnies." The bad news is that I ended up with the Afghanimals. To be honest, I didn't really mind them as much as some of the others last season. We'll see. The blog pool match-ups can be found on this post here.

I really don't have much to report this week. It's getting very same old, same old kind of like Groundhog's Day, the movie. Get up before the dawn, bundle up, go out, head to work thankful for pocket warmers, work, head home, still grateful for pocket warmers, rinse, repeat ... all week long. The sciatica is still present, but quite diminished. Alas, it ruined my sleep last night and I overslept this morning -- thus this post is up later than planned.

I have a Peapod delivery scheduled later today. Usually they're decent with the out of stocks or give a standard substitution. I looked at my invoice online. Sigh. My big family pack of chicken is out of stock, no substitution. That was going to be five meals! Gah. My family pack of hamburger is coming, but not the hamburger rolls I ordered. No substitution. Gah! Between the two items, that was a lot of meals. Sure, I'll still have the hamburger which I tend to freeze in portions anyway. But the local bodega's cheap rolls (when they have them) are horrible and I'll have to brave the cold to go to a real grocery store. The chicken I'll just have to go without this month. In the good news, they had Vincent's cat treats.

Onto the photos for the week ...

Almost sunrise

Until next week when the time change goes down, it's just about sunrise when I wait for the early train to work. Plainfield Train Station.

Dramatic skies in the 'hood

Before sunset with the sun hanging low in the sky. East Front Street, Plainfield.

Reflected sunrise

The red sunrise is reflected in the windows of the apartments over Danny's Bakery at the corner of North and Watchung in Plainfield.

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