Survivor: Game Changers - March 15 Episode Blog Party

Everybody ready? Got your snacks? Got your tasty adult beverages? As the show airs here on the east coast, I'll be live-blogging with all the major happenings. Refresh the page to see the latest news! But, as always, the real party is in the comments area. I hope to see you there!


Due to the two-hour season premiere last week, we lost two castaways, not just one. But, as Lifeguard Laurie promised ... the first week was free and those who had either Tony or Ciera have been reassigned a new castaway!

Here's the updated pool:

NUKU
Andrea Boehlke - Indiana Jane, ML
Brad Culpepper - Brian, Sharon N
Cirie Fields - Leonia Hart, Terry is a Texan
Debbie Wanner - Glenn, tbc
JT Thomas - Carol C, Petals
Ozzy Lusth - KelseyNY, Margo, PDX Granny
Sarah Lacina - Delee, Rbennie
Sierra Thomas - Becky, monty924
Tai Trang - Cheryl in NC, Sharon C
Zeke Smith - Janice from GA,Paula Bell

MANA
Aubry Bracco - Ed in Ohio, meb
Caleb Reynolds - Cheryl, MikesGirl
Ciera Eastin - DonnaNY, PDX Granny
Hali Ford - Buzzmaam, Nana in the NW
Jeff Varner - Donna in FL, Rochelle, DonnaNY
Malcolm Freberg - Judi Sweeney, Merrilee
Michaela Bradshaw - David, Jackie
Sandra Diaz-Twine - Jennasmom, SueGee
Troyzan Robertson - Donna in Alabama, Lifeguard Laurie

No more fire!
 Ciera Eastin 
Tony Vlachos

Survivor fans ready? 

Oh my. We're starting out with the "drop your buffs." It's a random pick from a plate. It's three tribes instead of two. Anyone choosing a green buff is on the new tribe.

I'm probably not going to get the tribe division down right now. Caleb and Tai are reunited. Malcolm is in heaven now that he's ended up in Nuku. JT is worried because he's not only a previous winner, but he's the only member of his previous tribe in his new one. He's looking for an idol and Varner is already scheming against him. 

On his new tribe, Brad thinks that either Hali or Caleb should go. Brad thinks Debbie is more loyal. Hmm. Tai wants Caleb to stay and told him that they're talking either him or Hali. 

Cirie and Ozzy think they should work together. It sounds like Troyzan will be the biggest target on that tribe. Meanwhile, Troyzan is suspicious of them and looks for an idol. He finds a clue which tells him the idol can be retrieved at the next immunity challenge. (Wouldn't it be cool if someone else found it and snagged it without a clue?)

Sandra wants to eat one of the goats wandering nearby the camp. JT is willing to catch one to gain her favor. Oh, gee. They catch one -- a baby. But the guys realize it's a mama goat and baby, the only reason they caught it was because it wouldn't leave the babies. Sandra is deadset on killing one. None of the guys want to kill a goat. They decide on eating the chickens.

Time for the Immunity Challenge! The "hidden in plain sight" idol is taped right in plain sight to a table. Three tied together, obstacle course, bucket of water, gate, puzzle. Reward is tarp, first tribe gets choice of comfort for body or taste buds. Second tribe to finish gets the leftover choice. Troyzan has to wait until after it's over because he's assigned to the untying of knots. 

NUKU wins first place! Sandra, Malcolm and JT are on that one. The new tribe, Tahua (sp?) got second. Troyzan retrieved his idol.  They ended up with the spices.

Debbie, Caleb, Hali, Tai, Brad and ??? are on the new losing tribe. I believe that's Sierra on there. Debbie and Tai are talking about Hali going. Yes, it is Sierra. Brad thinks, to stay in good graces, Tai needs to make the decision to take out Caleb and tries to work him. 

Tribal Council time! Jeff asks his Probsting questions and it still seems between Caleb and Hali.She seems to plead her case to stay better.

The tally:
Caleb, Hali, Caleb, Caleb, Caleb ... he's OUT! 

Brad was able to convince Tai. It looks like the only one who voted for Hali was Caleb. 

Next week both losing tribes at Immunity will go to Tribal. 

Caleb still loves Tai. Ain't that sweet? 

Off Topic: That Was the Week It Was - March 12, 2017

Good morning! Since it's Sunday morning, this is my weekly off television topic reflection on the week gone by in both words and photos I took along the way. If you're here for Survivor -- you can find any Survivor posts I make at this link right here. 

Here near the NYC area we continue to have wacky weather patterns. We have had so many days through February and the beginning of March with outright spring temperatures that flowers are blooming and some of the trees have buds. But Mother Nature isn't letting us off that easy as we were fooled into thinking that this past winter wasn't bad at all. We started off the week with 60-plus degree temperatures and then we got some snow on Friday along with horribly cold temperatures and high winds. Now they're talking a major nor'easter Monday night through Tuesday with blizzard warnings around here and snow totals of more than a foot. It's just a waiting game to see if this storm will come to fruition or not. 

On the Living In My Apartment Building Front:

• I did my good deed for the day today. As I went to go downstairs for my Sunday morning newspaper, my neighbor on the one side (the one with the knee issues) was also leaving. I found out his name is Andy. He was struggling with his fancy seat walker and asked if I could get the door for him on the first floor. He's on oxygen and had left it in his car, so he was having trouble breathing. I not only walked him to his car, but I loaded his walker in the back seat for him and made sure he was all hooked up to his oxygen before I headed to the front for my paper. I'm glad I had my coat on (mainly so I didn't have to change out of my pajama top) -- it's SO COLD out. That's how neighbors should be -- he knocked on my door once to ask where I got my grocery deliveries from and I've knocked on his door once bringing up a package for him that the mailman just left sitting by the front door. He's not inconsiderate with his noise and told me he rarely hears any of my noise. Good neighbors rule. 
• Then there's the hallway playing kids. Sigh. I came home one evening from work and there were about eight of them running around, playing and making a mess on the first floor, front wing of the building. (I live in the rear wing.) The oldest boy, perhaps nine years old -- they ranged from him down to about four years old -- saw me coming and ran to open the front door for me. He then yelled at his underlings to get the first floor security door for me as well as call the elevator. Now, he KNOWS I've yelled at him before not to play in the building corridors! I guess I'm just not mean enough, huh? What a little Eddie Haskell albeit Hispanic in the making! No, I couldn't yell at them after he made such an ordeal about my arrival. Let them rip apart the first floor front wing of the building. Just don't be outside my door making that racket and mess!    

That's about it for now. I plan on staying out of the frigid temperatures today -- perhaps a nice hot bath, catch up on television shows I missed, etc. My shows are slowly returning. Of course, there was the season premiere of Survivor this week. But I've also been watching Bates Motel, The Walking Dead and some other shows. I've missed the newest episodes of Blue Bloods and Elementary this past week, so I'll watch them today. I also have to catch up on Superior Donuts -- I'm enjoying that one. If I'm not mistaken, tonight is the return of ABC's American Crime. If it conflicts with TWD, I'll have to put it on my watch later list.

Onto the photos -- if you click on an image, a larger gallery version will open. 

Tuesday early evening

This was before the arctic temperatures took hold this past week. Plainfield Train Station as I arrived home from work.

Early week daffodils

Although not as perky as they should be had they waited until actual spring, the warmer temperatures we had last week and into the beginning of this week brought about the daffodils. The tulips want to come up, too. They will regret the decision to bloom. Wah. Berckman Street.

The Full Worm Moon

The March full moon is called a "Worm" Moon because this is the time of year when the ground warms up enough to generate earthworm activity. Um, well. Perhaps not this year since we seem to be observing February in March! I took this shot last night at the Bridgewater Train Station waiting for my train home from work. The wind chill was in the single digits.

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

Survivor: Game Changers - Season Premiere Blog Party

Everybody ready? We're in for a two-hour premiere. Woohoo! Got your snacks? Got your tasty adult beverages? It should be a good season with some really heavy duty competitors. As the show airs here on the east coast, I'll be live-blogging with all the major happenings. Refresh the page to see the latest news! But, as always, the real party is in the comments area. I hope to see you there!

In case you missed the pool match-up post, here are the picks --

From that World Class Lifeguard Laurie:
Here's the pool. First week is free. Whoever loses goes on one of the teams with only one member.

NUKU
Andrea Boehlke - Indiana Jane, ML
Brad Culpepper - Brian, Sharon N
Cirie Fields - Leonia Hart, Terry is a Texan
Debbie Wanner - Glenn, tbc
JT Thomas - Carol C, Petals
Ozzy Lusth - KelseyNY, Margo
Sarah Lacina - Delee, Rbennie
Sierra Thomas - Becky, monty924
Tai Trang - Cheryl in NC, Sharon C
Zeke Smith - Janice from GA,

MANA
Aubry Bracco - Ed in Ohio, meb
Caleb Reynolds - Cheryl, MikesGirl
Ciera Eastin - DonnaNY, PDX Granny
Hali Ford - Buzzmaam, Nana in the NW
Jeff Varner - Donna in FL, Rochelle
Malcolm Freberg - Judi Sweeney, Merrilee
Michaela Bradshaw - David,
Sandra Diaz-Twine - Jennasmom, SueGee
Tony Vlachos - Jackie, Paula Bell
Troyzan Robertson - Donna in Alabama, Lifeguard Laurie

Survivor fans ready?  

34th season, 500th episode. Jeff is talking to them all on the boat. The tribes are separated to Mana and Nuku. The boat is loaded with supplies for them to take and each tribe has a raft. A massive tool kit is there underwater for the first to untie it. Ozzy goes after it and no one else seems interested. There's also a secret advantage laying on the deck. Caleb finally heads into the water. I think it was either Hali or Sierra who grabbed up the advantage -- a blond. Ozzy got the tool kit for his tribe. They also have the chickens.

Tony runs away from his tribe saying he's going to look for the idol. His tribemates don't chase him but they are thinking of him as a target. Except Sandra who thinks they need him. Caleb falls in with them. 

Ah, it is Sierra who found the advantage. She can only use it when 13 or 6 are left in the game. It's a Legacy Advantage -- so if she goes, she must pass it on. There are goats hanging around their campsite. But, as someone mentioned -- if you kill a goat, you'd have to kill Tai first. Zeke is enamored with Cirie, Ozzy not so much. He blames her for voting him out their last season together. Cirie tried to extend the olive branch but Ozzy isn't totally on board. Cirie finds out from Tai that Ozzy is hesitating. Eep.

Back on Mana, Tony builds an underground spy bunker near that water. They're all suspicious of him. Caleb is getting close to him. Now the others are talking about getting rid of either Caleb or Tony. But Malcolm catches on that it's Ciera spreading most of the talk. Should they target her? 

First Immunity Challenge -- raft to platform, keys, obstacles, back to beach, puzzle pieces, form a ship's wheel, raise flag. Flint is the reward. This year if there is a tie at tribal, there will be no re-vote. Rocks will be pulled!  

NUKU wins Immunity! 

The general consensus is that Ciera needs to go. I like that. Unfortunately, since that seems to be the consensus, it probably won't come to fruition. She thinks it's Michaela going, though. Hmm. Uh-oh. Michaela is ticked that the others told Ciera they were all voting her (M) off. She doesn't react well and might have killed her own chance to stay with her reaction.

Tribal Council Time ... 

The tally:
Michaela, Ciera, Ciera, Ciera, Ciera, Ciera ... six is enough. 

That's what she gets for voting out her mother! Bye, Ciera!  

Tony wants to form an alliance. He goes to Aubry. They want Malcolm, Caleb and Sandra with them. Sandra is cool with it.  

Over on Nuku, Tai is already befriending and naming the chickens. 

In the dark of night, Tony goes to work on his spy bunker. Troyzan and Sandra spy on the spy. He sneaks around to spy on them ... and now the love is gone between Tony and Sandra. She wants him out. He doesn't trust her anymore. 

Cirie is picking up that JT and Ozzy are getting tight. She's in the market for an alliance, but not with them. She goes to Sarah, but in confessional we know Sarah won't have her back. She goes to Zeke. He wants to work with her but considers it too dangerous to align with her because so many are gunning for her. Even Debbie doesn't trust her. 

Yikes! Sandra is going around bad-mouthing my boy Tony and pitting all of the others against him. Varner is loving it. Me, not so much. But Tony is fighting back. He has Malcolm on his sie and Caleb. We have a Sandra/Tony war going on.

Immunity Challenge time. Six of each tribe, ocean, balance beam, cage, retrieve heavy "snake" bag (over 400 pounds), rings, target. Reward is a fishing kit. Cirie sits out.

Nuku wins again. Mana almost got them after coming from behind. 

It's war time -- Sandra vs. Tony. Who will make it through Tribal? 

Tribal Council time.  

The tally:
Aubry, Tony, Aubry, Tony, Tony, Tony, Tony.

GAH! Sandra did it again! Tony is gone! 

Whoa ... dropping their buffs next week? 

Survivor: Blog Pool Match-Ups Announced!

I got word from Lifeguard Laurie that the random pool picks are IN. Then I promptly fell asleep on my couch while watching NCIS and didn't wake up until a bit ago. Hey, what can I say? I was tired! I need to rest up for tonight's big season premiere!

From that World Class Lifeguard Laurie:
Here's the pool. First week is free. Whoever loses goes on one of the teams with only one member.

NUKU
Andrea Boehlke - Indiana Jane, ML
Brad Culpepper - Brian, Sharon N
Cirie Fields - Leonia Hart, Terry is a Texan
Debbie Wanner - Glenn, tbc
JT Thomas - Carol C, Petals
Ozzy Lusth - KelseyNY, Margo
Sarah Lacina - Delee, Rbennie
Sierra Thomas - Becky, monty924
Tai Trang - Cheryl in NC, Sharon C
Zeke Smith - Janice from GA,

MANA
Aubry Bracco - Ed in Ohio, meb
Caleb Reynolds - Cheryl, MikesGirl
Ciera Eastin - DonnaNY, PDX Granny
Hali Ford - Buzzmaam, Nana in the NW
Jeff Varner - Donna in FL, Rochelle
Malcolm Freberg - Judi Sweeney, Merrilee
Michaela Bradshaw - David,
Sandra Diaz-Twine - Jennasmom, SueGee
Tony Vlachos - Jackie, Paula Bell
Troyzan Robertson - Donna in Alabama, Lifeguard Laurie

 *****************************************

Ohhh ... I have Tony, eh? Unlike many, I actually like him as a player. Alas, I think he might have the first and largest target on his back from the start, though. See you all at 8pm ET!

Survivor: Game Changers - Casting Part 5

If you want in on the blog pool, you must sign up on the blog pool post ONLY -- if you ask to join elsewhere, it might be missed. Our aim is to have no stragglers stumbling drunk into the pool after the lights are turned off this season. Can we do it? Entry to THE POOL CLOSES TOMORROW, TUESDAY, AT NOON.

Onto the next bunch of castaways ... it seems that CBS may have blocked the intro videos, so you might have to go there to see them.

Sierra - Game changer or not? First off, let's not confuse her with Ciera. Sierra does seem to have a grasp on where she previously went wrong. She is one of the many who's wisely leery of Tony. One of her problems is that she's too nice and that's not what Survivor is all about. She's going to have to change up her own game a heck of a lot to have game against the big boys and gals this season.

Tony - Game changer or not? Oh, he's a game changer for sure. While other show fans cried foul, called him a sneaky snake and all ... he played a dynamite game during his season and won it all. That said, I think he's going to be one of the first targeted by the others this season to go. In the videos, just about everybody mentioned him. If he indeed can make it through to the end, he will definitely deserve the King of Survivor moniker. 

Caleb - Game changer or not? That's kind of hard to tell. He certainly upped his game between Big Brother and Survivor in his last season of the latter. Unfortunately, he upped it enough to be hauled away on a helicopter when he collapsed. I'll admit I want to see more of him on the show and he impressed me on his short stay before. I also enjoy the Tai/Caleb bromance. However, in the end, I don't think he's going to stand up to the smart minds that are surrounding him.

Cirie - Game changer or not? I tend to think she is one. Then again, she's played three times and hasn't won the game. Came close, but ...! Her strength is her people skills because she's a self-proclaimed couch potato. But she's the best darn couch potato to ever compete on the show. She's also a fellow Jersey Girl -- I wouldn't mind her winning at all. Hmm ... if memory serves, both she and Tony are from Jersey City. They're both incredibly good at reading people and scheming. Hmm ...

Sandra - Game changer or not? Well, duh. Game changer for sure. I don't know how she does it but she rocks at the game. While not a physical player, she's more athletic than Cirie. But she's not as nice. You'd think her social game mixed with her physical one would cause her to lose. But, no. She and Tony have the biggest target on them this season. Can she weasel her way through to yet another victory? She might be just a bit too smug, methinks.

Survivor fans ready?