Survivor: Caramoan Fans vs. Favorites - February 27 Blog Party

Survivor fans ready? Let's see how big a fool Brandon makes of himself tonight. If he indeed does some of the stuff threatened on the promos, he's more of a jerk than I thought he was before. I didn't think that was possible.

As the show airs, I'll update this entry with major happenings. But, as always, the real party is in comments. Come join us!

Sherri tried to talk behavior sense into Shamar. Malcolm found the hidden idol in the favorites camp while he and Corinne searched for it. So, she knows, but it's his.

On the Faves, a movement is afoot to get rid of Corinne. On the Fans, poor Shamar is not a happy camper and is pondering quitting. Oh, now he'll save because of the loyalty of the two girls. @@

Immunity Challenge time! Race out to large bamboo cages in the water, go over it, get large chest, drag it to shore. Then they have to complete a track by snagging sections with a grappling hook and rope. They have to move their trunks along the track. Reward is comfort -- pillows, blanket, tarp, chairs.

Favorites win immunity and reward!

The Fans scheming a three way vote - Eddie, Hope and Shamar. They hope to flush out Reynold's idol. Shamar told Hope about the plan and now they all know.

They're making it seem like Shamar is almost a sure bet to go with editing. So, now I'm doubtful.

Tribal Council time.

Reynold does not play the idol. The tally: Shamar, Hope, Shamar, Hope, Shamar, Hope, Eddie, Eddie, Eddie. A three way tie! Revote time -- they can only vote for those three and those three cannot vote.

The re-tally: Shamar, Hope, Hope, Hope, Hope ...

What did I say about editing? Hope is out. 

The Amazing Race: Blog Party - February 24, 2013

Tonight, tonight ... the Oscars are tonight! But so is The Amazing Race! I anticipate our party might be a bit quiet due to the Oscars, but we're here anyway. Not only that, but the show will be starting on time tonight. So there, Hollywood!

As the show airs, I'll update this entry with the major happenings. But (unless everyone is watching the awards), the real fun is in the comments area. Come join us!

The teams all have to take a water taxi which doesn't leave until morning ... so the four hour penalty teams will start off a bit more even than expected, I believe. Dave and Conner expect the second Express Pass to be given to them, but it might not come about that easily.

Detour -- Pick a Pearl, diving for pearls or Take a Trunk, diving for trunks and set up an underwater dining experience.

Gah, Dave and Conner were in first, but had to go back for their snorkeling gear. The twins can't swim well and are talking about taking the penalty. @@ The lagging two teams haven't arrived yet.

The last two teams will only be an hour and a half behind with the water taxi schedule. The twins decided to try. Too late, they've already disappointed me! Dave and Conner made excellent time and are in second at this time, only team ahead is the YouTube couple.

The Roadblock has them kicking a coconut across the beach on stilts. Who's a well-balanced individual?

1. Bates and Anthony - won a trip to London
2. Dave and Conner - Dave may have ruptured his Achilles tendon
3. Jessica and John
4. Joey and Meghan
5. Chuck and Wynona

The twins are still struggling with the Detour. Now the two last teams are heading to the Roadblock. Pamela and Winnie are lost on their jet ski heading to the Roadblock.

6. Mona and Beth
7. Caroline and Jennifer

The twins switched Detour tasks but they're woefully in last so far.

8. Max and Katie

Pamela and Winnie are struggling with the Roadblock while the twins are heading their way. They're through it!

9. Pamela and Winnie
10. Idries and Jamil -- Philiminated

Off Topic: That Was the Week It Was - February 24, 2013

Once again it's Sunday. Odd how that seems to happen once a week, huh? Well, that means it's time for my weekly off television topic reflection on the week gone by in both words and photographs I've taken along the way.

I realize the Oscars are on tonight, but there will also be a new episode of The Amazing Race. Despite the red carpet, the blog party for the show will go on as scheduled. You're all free to wear gowns and tuxedos if you wish. Check back at 8pm ET for that post!

I have a lack of photos this week, so you're going to get a lot of Vincent. I was on a staycation and the weather was mostly dreary and warmish or really cold. Thus, I napped a lot. I stayed home for the most part. Yeah, I got some of the chores I planned to do done.

But I really napped a lot.

And it felt great!

Onto the photos I took ...

Damp and dreary

It seems like most of the week was damp and dreary. But I didn't mind. I feel rested for the first time in months! This is looking down Berckman Street towards East Third Street in Plainfield.

Vincent in B&W and green

In this shot, I left only Vincent's eyes in color. In fairly close up shots like this, his scar on his nose shows. I always wondered how he managed to get such a scar in his previous life. It was already a well-healed scar when the shelter got him, so it either didn't happen while he was a stray or he was a stray for a really long time.

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

Survivor: Caramoan Fans vs. Favorites - February 20 Blog Party

Okay, one favorite down ... who will be next? How many times will Phillip refer to his Secret Agent Man days? Will Baby Boy Hantz actually be able to go bad boy without crying? Will we have enough booze on hand? Who's got snacks?

As the show airs here on the East Coast, I'll update this entry with the major happenings. But, as always, the real party is in the comments area. Come join in on the fun!

Immunity Challenge time! Done in threes, three to a raft, three pull them out to platform, three play huge ring toss. Reward is a fishing kit.

The Favorites win immunity and reward!

Reynold found a hidden immunity idol. There are factions for both Shemar going home, as well as Allie. One of the ones who want Allie out thinks he has it. She outs him for it at tribal council.

Reynold does NOT play the idol.

The tally: Shemar, Shemar, Shemar, Shemar, Allie, Allie, Allie, Allie, Allie, Allie.

GAH! She was my pool pick! She's gone. 

The Amazing Race: Season Premiere Blog Party and Pool Picks!

Come one, come all! It's time for the new season of The Amazing Race! We can only hope it's on time on the East Coast more often than not this season. (Sigh.) Whoa! A few minutes after 7:00 (ET), the golf on CBS actually switched over to the Golf Channel. I fainted. So, we may be a few minutes late tonight, but they're apparently learning.

The Esteemed Margo (rockin' Margo) has the pool picks chosen for the season. You can still jump in the pool by choosing a team and cheering them on your own if you missed the cut off! Now, TV Guide et al are saying that three teams quit in the first Roadblock. I'm thinking that they just quit the Roadblock, not the entire race, and suffer penalties. If we do indeed lose three teams in the season premiere, Margo will juggle around the picks. If only one team goes home in the premiere, then the pool picks remain as they stand.

Here they are:
Idries & Jamil - Donna in AL, Monty924
Mona & Beth - Laurie, Margo
Chuck & Wynona - JOEY, SueGee
Max & Katie - MEB, PDXGranny
Anthony & Bates - Merrilee, Rbennie
David & Connor - Auntie Leigh, Delee, Lynn1
Pamela & Winnie - Jackie, Zoetawny
Matthew & Daniel - Ed in OH, Karen in CA, Sharon S
John & Jessica - Becky, Brian, Jennasmom
Caroline & Jen - Brent MeKee, Nana in NW
Joey & Meghan - Donna in FL, Glenn

As the show airs here in the East, I'll update this entry with the major happenings. But, as always, the real party is in the comments area. Come join us!

Teams ready? GO!

We're starting from Los Angeles. This season the first leg winner wins not just one Express Pass, but two. They have to give the second one to another team of their choosing. They're heading to Bora Bora.

Who's ready to take a giant leap? Tandem skydive Roadblock from a helicopter.
A second Roadblock -- who likes to play in the sand? Searching through sandcastles for a clue. They have to rebuild sandcastles if they don't find the clue. It's tougher than the skydiving.

Phil said the last team WILL be eliminated. So, someone will go tonight. No one has quit at anything yet.

1st at Pit Stop == Jessica and John. They have to give the second Express Pass before the fourth leg.
2. Bates and Anthony
3. Dave and Connor
4. Pam and Winnie
5. Mona and Beth
6. Joey and Meghan
7. Chuck and Wynona
8. Idries and Jamil

The final three teams are discussing quitting the Roadblock and taking the four hour penalty. It's down to a canoe build/race to the Pit Stop for them. Uh-oh, the firefighters are behind.

9. Mona and Beth
10. Max and Katie

Both will start out four hours later at the next leg.

The firefighters, Matthew and Daniel, were Philiminated.