Off Topic: That Was the Week It Was - May 25, 2014

Remembering those who served

Now, of course I'm not old enough to know anyone who lost his life in the Spanish-American War, mind you! I took this photo about three years ago right around Memorial Day and it seemed fitting to lead off today's post with it.

Welcome to my off television topic reflection on the week gone by in both words and photos I've taken along the way. I'm posting a bit later today because ... I'm in STAYCATION mode! Yep. This is the first time since last fall that I'm taking time off from work not due to health reasons. Naturally, I have my little aches and pains, but nothing debilitating such as the sciatica I had for months. I actually slept in this morning. Woot!

Since the slideshows were such a big hit with the readers last week, I made another flowers slideshow with the photos I took this week. Too many flowers, too many shots I liked to post each photo individually here. I hope you enjoy them!

Just an on television topic word of warning -- I'll be posting some Big Brother, Falling Skies and other TV topic news during the week ahead. Just because The Amazing Race and Survivor had their finales this past week doesn't mean I'm not watching television! Anybody watching Fargo?

Let's see ... what happened this past week? Well, we had quite a bit of rain. Nothing like last spring, but you'll see raindrops on many of the flower photos. Work was hectic trying to get all set for me to not be there for a week. Surely I'll come back to problems. But I refuse to think of it this week!

I had plans yesterday to go to the farmers market in Scotch Plains. But then I woke up really early (as per my work sleep schedule), decided to take a nap when the skies turned gloomy in the morning hours and woke up to sunlight at just about the time the market closes down. Just as well as the skies once again turned to rain. I'll go next Saturday.

The apartment hallway noise situation remains improved. Apparently the offenders are quite worried that we (the normal tenants in the hallway) will turn them in for too many people squashed into a small one-bedroom apartment. I plan to speak to the landlord anyway. I'm just waiting my latest rental renewal letter before I complain. I don't want them to think of me as a whiner or a problem before I know the latest increase. I'm hoping it's only the $5 once again (or less). I'm still above the market rate for the rehabbed units in the building while I have a thirty-year old stove and original kitchen cabinets and such.

Onto the photos for the week ...

Urban bunny

This rather large wild rabbit was grazing on a lawn on Berckman Street in Plainfield. I haven't seen many rabbits in the 'hood yet this year and definitely no babies. I'm sure they'll be coming soon. After all, rabbits are the new squirrels around here.

The magical iris

The stunning irises are growing across the street (on Berckman) from where the rabbit was grazing. There are blue irises growing on East Front Street, too. But I love the colors on these. All are included in the flowers slideshow after the page jump.

Adolescent squirrel resting

You never see adult squirrels resting! This week I've only seen the late bloomer young squirrel hanging around the bridge at the Bridgewater Train Station. The two more adventurous siblings seem to have moved on.

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

Survivor: Cagayan - 'It's Do or Die' Season Finale Blog Party

Oh my ... it's down to the end. Four remaining castaways, three tribal councils ahead of us and the reunion show. And, all of this on a Wednesday evening instead of the usual Sunday evening finale.

I know he's controversial, but I'd like to see Tony win. My blog pool pick went last week, so I'm a free agent. I think he's tried hard for the win even though he has some blunders and downfalls. Plus, he's local. Did you know he saved his neighbor's life? An article in the paper explains how that went down.

If not a Tony win, I'd like a Spencer win. I don't think he played the game as proactive as Tony, more of a reactive player. But he did indeed play the game and won challenges, found an idol and more.

I'm not keen on either a Kass or Woo win. I find Kass annoying and don't see her as much else. She hasn't won challenges, hasn't found idols and her claim to fame seems to be being abrasive. Woo, on the other hand, is very likable. I just think he's a follower and a bit of a dim bulb about the game itself.

I guess we'll find out soon!

Here's the latest on the blog pool from the Lively Lifeguard Laurie:
Pool 
Kass McQuillen -Delee, MikesGirl
Spencer Bledsoe - Becky and Monty924
Tony Viachos - Lynn1, Zoetawny
Woo Hwang - Laurie, SueGee

Jury
Sarah Lacina
Morgan McLeod
LJ McKanas
Jeremiah Wood
Jefra Bland
Tasha Fox
Trisha Hegarty

Survivor fans ready for a big night ahead? Got snacks? Got beverages?

Recap, recap ...
Tony feels horrible about voting out Trish, but said that no one could win against her in the end because she was so well-liked.

A boat arrives with Kass's husband unloading a crate. Spencer's sister is there. Tony's best friend showed up instead of his wife. He's teary. She didn't come because of their month-old baby. Woo's cousin came.

The tree mail hints at heights and jumping right in for the upcoming immunity challenge.

Jeff said that this is the best bunch of castaways of any season for getting along as he visited them in the Green Room. He also promises an epic challenge ahead. We'll be the judge of that!

Immunity challenge time! The loved ones watch, but don't participate.

Perched atop of pole in water, bucket, raise a key, swim, unlock puzzle pieces, solve puzzle. Not epic to me! The poles are vey high up and they're freaked, though.

Tony takes the early lead. Then Spencer. Kass is sucking wind at this challenge. Kass is catching up on the puzzle. It's Kass and Spencer in the lead.

OMG! KASS wins immunity!

Kass wants Spencer to go. She says she feels "good" with Woo or Tony.

Spencer has realized it's a final two, not three. He goes to Tony about it.

Tribal council time. Uh-oh, Kass and her mouth did her in. She admitted she would rather be with Woo in the final two. Spencer is her goal now and she might have turned the game against Woo.

The tally: Tony reveals his idol is useless tonight. Spencer, Woo, Spencer, Spencer. Spencer is out!

Woo and Kass make a final two pact.

Final Immunity time! The set is HUGE. Race through a maze of turnstiles, collecting medallions, raising flags. Some turnstiles work, some don't. Kass is ahead. Woo is following Tony. Now Woo is actually in the lead.

All are working on their cog puzzle.

WOO wins final immunity, followed by Kass.

Tony is trying his hardest to convince Woo he has a better chance against him than with Kass, citing his integrity, etc.

Final tribal time ... Woo votes for KASS to go! I think he blew the million, but I'm happy that Tony is staying. He deserves to stay!

Tony found a clue in their final two food basket. It led to a mirror and scale. Both Woo and Tony seem to have good cases for the win. Woo is going to go the martial arts integrity angle.

Final final tribal council in front of the jury.

Opening statements -- Tony will tell the truth. All of his choices were strategic, thanks Woo. Woo cites his integrity as expected. Goes on about his mother's will power in recovering from a heart attack and its inspiration.

Parvati Shallow told Jeff she would vote for Tony although she loves Woo.

Jury questioning ...

Sarah - Tony, swore you wouldn't write my name on your badge. Don't know if I could vote for you. Woo, if we switched places ... he would vote for her.

Jefra - Tony, own your game. You backstabbed us all. She's angry. Admit you're the villain! Tony pleads strategy.

Morgan - You kept men in your back pocket without breasts. How? He offered food, water, but made strategic moves. She respects Woo's decision to take a player rather than a goat to finals.

Jeremiah - Tony, swore on wife and kids. Doesn't like. Do you have a wife and baby. Where I'm from, pathetic. Woo, prove ... do you want to be a millionaire?

Tasha - Tony kept loyal people, but was unloyal. He regrets his decision to vote out Trish. Woo, align with Tony and no others? He trusted me.

LJ - Tony, who are you? Fantasy world in the game or real you? Tony said he's terrified of LJ.

Kass - Woo, why on earth? Didn't make the right move in taking Tony. Woo claims honor.

Next season -- Blood vs. Water II, San Juan Del Sur. Hmm.

Trish - Woo admits it was his idea to blindside her. Tony -- best of buddies. They trusted me, not you. Spent the game putting out Tony flames. Would never swear on a family grave like you did! Was it worth it to you to sacrifice your own father? Yes, it was.

Spencer - Woo, comparison to a dog in gameplay. Followed Tony all through. Good dog. Kass is the goat again. Tony, no questions. Talks to the jury in favor of Tony and how hard he played the game and was the puppetmaster. WOW. He says Tony is the only one who played the game and honored it. Vote for Tony!

Time to vote ... Spencer votes Tony in big block letters. Tasha votes Woo. No other votes are shown.

And now we're in Hollywood! Jeff thinks more players came to play this season.

The tally:
Tony, Woo, Tony, Tony, Tony, Tony!

As it should be, Tony Vlachos wins Survivor!

Huh. Tyler Perry is responsible for the idol with special powers.

The jury says it would have voted for Woo to win over Kass. No surprise there.

The Amazing Race All-Stars: 'Do You Believe in Magic?' Season Finale Blog Party

It never seems right that the season finale of TAR is just an hour long! We have the three teams racing for the finish line -- Brendon and Rachel, Dave and Connor, Jennifer and Caroline. Of the three, I'm a big Dave and Connor fan and I'd like to see them win it all. (So, they probably won't win.) The race will end up in Las Vegas with a big David Copperfield stunt challenge. I've got to say, that sounds like a winner to me!

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 in with us as we watch the show!

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

Jen & Caroline - Lynn1, Buzzmaam, DLA
Dave & Connor - Becky, Auntie Leigh, Rochelle
Brendon & Rachel (Brenchel) - Terry in TX, Brian

Philiminated --
Mark & Mallory - SueGee, jonMD1627, Margo
Joey & Meghan - Brenda, Zoetawny, Dusty
Margie & Luke - Donna in AL, Monty924, PDXGranny
Jessica & John - Sharon S, David, Rbennie
Flight Time & Big Easy - Laurie, Donna in FL, nicklepeed
Cord & Jet (Cowboys) - ML, Nana in NW, Delee
Leo & Jamal (Afghanimals) - Jackie, Jennamom, Merrilee

Let's GO!
The show is actually starting on time, a good thing indeed! Teams are flying to Las Vegas. Dave and Connor aren't too thrilled because Brenchel is familiar with Las Vegas. Uh-oh. All teams are on the same flight. Cars with drivers pick them up.

They stop in the desert where the drivers tell them to "get out and dig." It turns out that boxes labeled to return to David Copperfield are the buried treasure. The drivers take them away.

Inside are keys and they're at the MGM.

Roadblock - David Copperfield teaches teams a daring escape. Way cool to watch ... so watch! Connor gets done first!

After the big escape, it's on to the Neon Boneyard. They have to find and take a light bulb from a certain sign and bring it to the Mirage. Brendon tried to steal the girls' cab because they didn't like their own driver. Thankfully, he said no.

Caroline and Jennifer have taken over the lead. The next thing they need to do is light up the I on a Mirage sign correctly. Dave and Connor are on their tails. Brendon and Rachel have annoyed their cab driver who is certainly not doing them any favors.

Dave/Connor are marginally ahead of the girls. Brendon and Rachel are way behind.

Teams are off to Maverick Helicopters in Henderson.

Roadblock: Who wants to be a UFO? Skydiving! They have to find a sign -- Las Vegas Motor Speedway, then make the jump. The chutes turn into fireballs and it's either Dave or Caroline coming down ... into commercial.

It's DAVE!

DAVE AND CONNOR HAVE WON THE AMAZING RACE! Dave, at 58, is the oldest winner ever of the show and they're the only parent/child team to ever win. Caroline comes down next.

Heh. Rachel is in her Rachel-tears mode as Brendon finally arrives.

Off Topic: That Was the Week It Was - May 18, 2014

Good Sunday morning to you! As it is indeed Sunday morning, it's time for my off television topic reflection on the week gone by in both words and photographs I've taken along the way. If you watch The Amazing Race, stop back later tonight for the season finale blog party. But, until then, it's off topic.

Since I have an abundance of photos this week -- baby squirrels, a day in the park -- I'm doing something a bit different. I'm posting three slideshows of related photos along with the links to look at the photos one by one. This probably isn't something I'll do every week. But I had just too many photos I wanted to post this week.

Not a heck of a lot is going on here. Thankfully, after this coming week, I'll be on a staycation. I wasted so much of my paid time off from work being in ill health this year that this is the first real ME time I've taken since last fall. Oy! I really need it.

My apartment hallway has been a bit quieter since my neighbors and I all said something about going to the landlord about too many people living in that one one-bedroom apartment. I'm sure the quiet won't last. But now we know that they know they could get the boot. I really can't imagine so many people in this place -- at least seven! Heck, I've got enough room for Vincent and me!

Oh, well ... onto the photos!

Hanging in there

The now adolescent squirrels are exploring and playing all over the bridge at the Bridgewater Train Station. A metal mesh covering attached over part of the bridge near their nest provides the perfect place for them to hone their climbing skills. One of the slideshows after the page break has more coverage of their antics. I've discovered there are three babies, not just the one I initially saw with Mom Squirrel. They're exploring their world, but aren't to the point of leaving the bridge itself on their own yet.

Tough love

Sink or swim, ducky boy! The mother duck at Mindowaskin Park in Westfield pushes her young into the pond. One of the slideshows included on the next page has many more ducking photos.

Early morning Presbyterian

The early sun catches to top of the local Presbyterian Church in my 'hood. The dogwood is blooming and a bush of red azaleas brightens the hedge. Some years back I wouldn't be able to see that red door from this angle due to all the trees. Storms, not only but including Sandy, have blown down more trees than those remaining on the property.

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

Survivor: Cagayan - 'Straw That Broke the Camel's Back' Blog Party - May 14

Well, this show is getting down to the wire, too. Will Tony not mess totally up and blow his chance of making it to the end? With his idols, he should be sitting pretty. But, with his cockiness ... who knows? They might just keelhaul him.

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 -- come join us!

The latest blog pool standings from Lifeguard Laurie:
Pool 
Kass McQuillen -Delee, MikesGirl
Spencer Bledsoe - Becky and Monty924
Tony Viachos - Lynn1, Zoetawny
Trisha Hegarty - Jackie
Woo Hwang - Laurie, SueGee

Jury
Sarah Lacina
Morgan McLeod
LJ McKanas
Jeremiah Wood
Jefra Bland
Tasha Fox

Survivor fans ready?

Reward Challenge -- Dive into mud, scrape off into bucket, most mud in ten minutes wins. Winner wins hot pizza delivery.

Tony's bucket is overflowing with mud -- no one else is close. He can choose one person to join him. He chose Trisha. He thinks she needs it the most. (He's probably right; she's SO skinny!)

Tony wants to convince the others that he has the special idol and its power is that it can be used by the final three. In reality, both idols he has have to be used when there are five left.

He tried to make Kass comfortable by telling her Woo told him that she plotted against him. She went to Woo. Now there's a kerfuffle going on.

Immunity Challenge -- Untangle braided rope, release key, build staircase, solve sliding puzzle.

Despite a huge lead, Tony blew it on the puzzle. Spencer wins Immunity once again!

Ah, Trish lights into Kass about her passive aggressive game. Spencer and Kass think they need to get Woo on their side. Woo went to Kass and told her and Spencer that he will vote out Trish. Meanwhile, Tony eavesdrops on that deal. Uh-oh.

At Tribal, it's actually funny as they trade barbs at each other. Tony brings out his special idol, but doesn't explain its powers. Spencer votes Trish. Trish votes Kass. Tony is mum on playing the idol, but then plays the regular idol.

Trish, Kass, Trish, Trish.

My blog pool pick is snuffed.

Dang. Even Tony voted out Trish. He knew she was the target and probably thinks he'd rather sit in the finals with unlikable Kass.