Survivor: Kaoh Rong Blog Party - May 4

Survivor fans ready? As the show airs, 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. Please join us there. We like snacks. And beverages. Don't forget the beverages!

Lifeguard Laurie has been keeping up with the pool --

Aubry Braco - Jennasmom, Glenn
Cydney Gillon - Leo Lionharted, PDX Granny
Joseph Del Campo - Grandi, Petals
Kyle Jason - Nana in the NW, Sharon N.
Michele Fitzgerald - Brian TCC, Kelsey NY
Tai Trang - Margo, anonymouse

Jury
Neal Gottlieb - Merrilee, JoyzJenn
Nick Maiorano - Laurie, ML
Debbie Wanner - meb, Rbennie
Scot Pollard - Delee, Pinky
Julia Sokolowski - Indiana Jane, Nickelpeed

Let's get this show going! Not to mention, the party ...

Tai is thankful he ended up safe. Jason thinks he can talk people into things and he's ready to scheme to stay in the game. Tai tells Aubry and Joe that he not only has the idol, but an extra vote that he will use in the next Tribal Council. He also has Cydney in his group. The target with be either Jason or Michele to go.

It looks like Mark the Chicken has the best chance of making it to the end of the game.

Jason has decided to "play the lazy card" and do nothing. Of course, his thought is that everyone will want to have him in the finals against him.

Reward Challenge -- Two teams of three, race through water maze, retrieve three balls, maneuver balls through maze. The Reward is a trip to the Wildlife Alliance Sanctuary, visit facility, interact with the animals and have an outdoor picnic.

Joe, Aubry, Cydney
Tai, Michele, Jason

Tai, Michele and Jason win Reward! While Tai loves animals and is excited about seeing them, he's worried his team will fall apart back at camp. It's probably a valid worry. After all, they all know if he makes it to the final three/two, he'd probably win -- he's played a strong game and, gosh darn it, people like him. That's not someone good to sit with at the end!

Back at camp, Joe's getting himself in hot water while building a fire to heat the water -- he's ordering the other two around. Cyndey, in particular, is bristling.

The Rewards group got the picnic first. They're thrilled when an elephant comes by to visit. Uh-oh, Tai is warming up to Jason. He thinks that Michele should go next. Michele is not as touched by Jason's warmness with the animals.

Time for the Immunity Challenge! Hold onto a rope which balances a wobbly table, collect blocks, solve stacking puzzle by spelling the word "immunity" with the blocks.

Cydney wins immunity!

Tai wants to use his extra vote to oust Michele. Cydney is being quiet. Gah, Tai tells Jason to vote Michele. Jason wants to vote Joe. Meanwhile, Cydney tells Joe that Jason needs to go before Michele. Cydney tells Michele about Tai targeting her.

Tribal Council and it's Attack Tai time for Michele. Hmm.

Tai uses his advantage, his extra vote. He goes to cast a second vote (for Michele). He doesn't play his idol.

The tally:
Jason, Michele, Michele, Jason, Joe, Jason, Jason.

His vote did not good for his cause. They voted Jason out.

Off Topic: That Was the Week It Was - May 1, 2016

Good morning! Since it's a Sunday morning, that means it's time for my weekly off television topic reflection on the week gone by in both words and photos I've taken along the way. Please stop by on show nights for east coast live blogging (and blog parties) for both The Amazing Race and Survivor!

Another week gone by and now we're into May. Remember back when you were a child and the years seemed to last for years and years? I find that, as I'm aging, they go by in nearly the wink of an eye. And, after all, a wink is as good as a nod to a blind horse. Or, something like that.

Our temperatures here dipped to more chilly and we had more rain this past week. But, at least, we're not back to the wintry mix realm! The weather wintry and spring fluctuations have really affected tree leaves and blossoms in the area. This coming week is also supposed to be on the chilly side (but not wintry -- just a few degrees below normal) with rain. I thought April showers were supposed to bring May flowers. I guess we're going to go for pilgrims. (Get it? What do Mayflowers bring? Oh, wait ... I'm thinking what do May showers bring. I'm stumped. Mosquitoes?)

In apartment news, until yesterday morning my upstairs neighbor didn't play his stereo. Or, he played it when I wasn't home or played it at a normal volume which I couldn't hear. Then, 7:30am yesterday ... really? REALLY? What is wrong with him? He knows people are complaining! While it wasn't cranked to his usual nerve-wracking volume, it was loud. He has to have the speakers sitting on the floor and the bass at full. I've never, with the very rare exception of an occasional outright party, heard music from that apartment in 16 years. Yet, he is the first tenant up there with wall-to-wall carpet instead of the hardwood floors and that should muffle noise some. But his thumping stereo can still disrupt my life. Grr. Plus, he's argued with the girlfriend most of the weekend that I've been home. He's quiet when she's not here. She needs to go away. 

Onto this week's photos -- clicking on an image will bring it up in a larger form.

Immortal West-Side Spirit

I took this photo because of the jacket and the guitar. But, when we both got to the other platform to wait for the train, this man played the most amazing classical guitar I've ever heard by someone in person. Absolutely beautiful! He got on the train, sat in the entry level handicapped/bikes section while I went upstairs ... and he continued to play there. The soft pretty sound of his guitar almost made me forget that some jerk with tinny music escaping from his ear buds was nearby. I took this shot at the Plainfield Train Station and edited for, I don't know, dramatic effect? 

Peachy keen azaleas

These bloomed this week both on Berckman Street in Plainfield and near the Bridgewater Train Station. This shot was taken in Plainfield.

Watchung Avenue excitement

Nearly twelve hours after an accident occurred, New York City and New Jersey news crews were still on Watchung Avenue as I headed off to the train station to go to work. More photos and an explanation after the jump.

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

The Amazing Race: Blog Party - April 29, 2016

The show is starting! As it airs here on the East Coast, I'll post the major happenings live. Refresh the page to get the latest! However, as it always is ... the real party is in the comments area. Please join in on the fun! (And bring tasty beverages and snacks!)

The Magnificent Margo (and Mom) have made the random picks for the blog pool and here they are ...
Tyler & Korey-P- Paula Bell, Bruce & Ray, SueGee
Burnie & Ashley- Buzzmaam, Delee
Sheri & Cole- Donna in FL, Merrilee, Becky
Dana & Matt- Grandi, Nicklepeed
Kurt & Brodie- David, Ed in OH

Philiminated:
Marty & Hagan- Jackie, Willie J
Cameron & Darius- chrob61, PDXGranny
Jessica & Brittany- Donna in AL, Monty924
Erin & Joslyn- Brian, Margo, Rbennie
Scott & Blair- Meb, Jennasmom
Zach & Rachel- Sharon N, Nana in NW

Caution! Double U-Turn ahead! 

Ready to race?

Teams have to go to an island for their next clue. And, indeed, there is a U-Turn ahead. Apparently, in the last leg, the teams were only fifteen minutes apart from first to last. The water is beautiful. A dancing monkey (which they have find) will give them the next clue.

Detour -- Haul or Harvest. With a canoe, harvest enough seaweed to cover a tarp. Or, safely deliver coconuts and four chickens.

Tyler and Korey are in the lead.

Double U-Turn -- Korey and Tyler U-Turn Brodie and Kurt. Burnie and Ashley U-Turn Korey and Tyler so that they can't U-Turn anyone else.

Roadblock: Who's feeling blue? A four-story drop into a blue lagoon.

The Alpha Boys are heading off to the second detour (harvest).

It turns out Cole has a fear of heights. Uh-oh. But he did it! Two other teams -- Korey/Tyler and Burnie/Ashley are heading towards the Pit Stop ahead of them.

Pit Stop:
1. Korey and Tyler -- won a trip on an Alaskan cruise
2. Burnie and Ashley
3. Dana and Matt
4. Sheri and Cole
5. Brodie and Kurt -- Philiminated

Brodie is going to make good with his date plans for Blair.

Survivor: Kaoh Rong - April 27 Blog Party

Survivor fans ready? As the show airs, 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. Please join us there. We like snacks. And beverages. Don't forget the beverages!

I hope that between his Immunity advantage and his idol, Tai is safe through Tribal. I wouldn't shed any tears if Jason went away.

Lifeguard Laurie has been keeping up with the pool --

Aubry Braco - Jennasmom, Glenn
Cydney Gillon - Leo Lionharted, PDX Granny
Joseph Del Campo - Grandi, Petals
Julia Sokolowski - Indiana Jane, Nickelpeed
Kyle Jason - Nana in the NW, Sharon N.
Michele Fitzgerald - Brian TCC, Kelsey NY
Tai Trang - Margo, anonymouse

Jury
Neal Gottlieb (when the infection is gone) - Merrilee, JoyzJenn
Nick Maiorano - Laurie, ML
Debbie Wanner - meb, Rbennie
Scot Pollard - Delee, Pinky

Let's get this show going! Not to mention, the party ...

Of course, Jason is very upset with Tai. He's lost both his partner and his idol.  Michele and Julie are upset they were left out of the loop. Yet, Tai is now in with Aubry, Cydney and Joe.

Tai apologized to Jason and Jason acted cool about it. But, he's not.

Reward Challenge time -- they race through obstacles to collect three rings, tethered together in random pairs. They then have to toss the rings onto a fish hook target. Jason picked the wrong rock and won't participate. Julie/Aubry, Tai/Joe, Michele/Cydney. The prize is a helicopter tour of the island followed by a fried chicken feast.

Cydney and Michele win. Can pick one person to join them. They chose Aubrey to go with them because she hasn't eaten.

While on Reward, Michele works her way back in with the girls.

Cydney and Aubry know they don't want to go to the final three with Tai. But he can wait. They have others who need to go first and they need Tai.

Jason and Julia think that, with Michele, they only need one more to get Tai out of the game. They're thinking Cydney. Jason wants to sell her on the idea.

Immunity Challenge! Race to a platform, memorized symbols and corresponding numbers, open a combination lock, solve a puzzle. Julia is in the lead, Joe is sitting it out due to exhaustion. Now Michele is also working on her puzzle.

Michele wins with the word BLINDSIDED.

In discussion, the name Jason is brought up. But the consensus seems to be Julia. Michele isn't too happy with that. And, it would be typical of Survivor to have a flip. Thankfully, Tai is suspicious -- he will bring his idol and his advantage to Tribal.

Some of the key votes seem to be up in the air as Tribal Council starts.

The tally --
Tai does NOT play his idol. Aubry whispered to him he's safe.

Tai, Julia, Tai, Julia, Julia, Julia.

Julia gets the boot. Even her best buddy Michele voted for her to go. Only Jason and Julia voted Tai.

Off Topic: That Was the Week It Was - April 24, 2016

Good morning! Since it's a Sunday morning, that means it's time for my weekly off television topic reflection on the week gone by in both words and photos I've taken along the way. Please stop by on show nights for east coast live blogging (and blog parties) for both The Amazing Race and Survivor!

We've finally had a week of actual spring temperatures in the area -- perhaps a bit chilly overnights, but not below freezing. I've noticed many trees are a bit more sparse with their blossoms than they usually are. But, at least, what's blooming now has a chance of surviving the weather. Of course, with more trees blossoming and sprouting new leaves come the allergies.

Achoo!

Let's see ... what happened this week?

• I slowly recovered from that illness of the previous week. I was ready to call 911 (which I've never done other than a witness at traffic accidents and such -- never for myself) at one point. I probably would have called a taxi instead if it came down to going to the emergency room. My health insurance is cost prohibitive when it comes to ambulances if you're not admitted to the hospital. I don't know how all the people who regularly call ambulances for minor things do it. Oh. Wait. They probably don't pay the bills!
• After enduring blasting thump-thump extremely loud bass "music" from the apartment above me on Tuesday night until nearly midnight, I broke down and called the landlord's office. I hate to do that -- I don't want to be known as a "complainer." This is the second complaint I've made in the 16 years I've lived here. But, although usually quiet on weekdays, the tenant above me is ridiculous with his stereo Friday evenings through Sunday nights. I generally can't read, listen to my own music or watch television when he has his stereo cranked. You can hear it in the parking lot and in the hallway of the floor below him (my floor). I had enough. It vibrates my windows and my ceiling light fixtures. So, the Tuesday night was my breaking point. He has been quiet since I called. However, I'm not sure he's home yesterday and today. I haven't heard footsteps (which I would not complain about).
• There has been now two manhole cover explosions and fires -- same manhole both times -- around the corner from me. While it's tying up traffic, it's not affecting my power here. They need to fix that, though.
• If you haven't heard, Prince died. That was a shocker. He was much too young and we lost such a great talent. It makes you wonder about your own mortality when someone that energetic and seemingly healthy (vegetarian and all) passes at such a young age. I do hope it wasn't drug-related. Our generation has lost too many talented folks to that scourge.
• Today would have been my father's 90th birthday. He's been gone for decades. I'm much older than he ever lived to be. I've lived most of my life without my parents since they both died young five months apart. The only good things about that is that they're forever young in mind (as that's the only way I ever knew them to be) and, unlike so many of my friends, I'm not dealing with aging parents medical issues today. But I still miss my father. He was a dear, dear man who worked hard and thought I was special. I think he'd get a kick out of my photography work these days!

Oh, well ... onto the photos for this week -- clicking on an image will bring up a larger version.

Dogwood trees are in bloom

Both the white and the pink dogwood trees are in their glory at the moment. This particular tree is on Berckman Street in Plainfield.

It's a magical time to behold

I really don't know what these trees are. There are several of them at the Plainfield Train Station.

Jersey Shore Soul Survivaz

... shop at Jesus Embroidery on North Avenue in Plainfield. And, no. I doubt he's a gynecologist despite what his jacket says. They ride to survive, y'know.

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