Survivor: Blood vs. Water - October 2 Blog Party

Guess what day it is! Why, it's Survivor day, silly camel! Maybe tonight we'll see Colton (who should never darken my silver screen again) quit ... once again. As the show airs here, I'll update this entry with the major happenings. Y'all know the real party is in the comments, right?

A few things before we get started:

• If you want in on the blog pool for The Amazing Race run by the Amazing Margo, you need to go to this post to sign up. The deadline is Friday, midnight ET. 

The current blog pool standings (LifeGuard Laurie rocks!) for Survivor: Blood vs. Water going into tonight's show are:

Galang
ARAS -- Donna in FL, MikesGirl
COLTON -- Gaylos, Nickelpeed
GERVASE -- Jackie, Pam in NJ
KAT -- Jig, Petals
LAURA B -- Buzzmaan, Laurie, SueGee
LAURA M -- AlbGlinka, JOKATS, rbennie
MONICA -- Becky, KayBeeRN, Russ
TINA -- Cheryl in NC, Lynn1, Terry in TX
TYSON -- Delee, meb

Tadhana 
BRAD -- Brent McKee, Kelly D. Sharon N.
CALEB -- Glenn, ORKMommy
CIERA -- Andrea J, Karen in CA, Rochelle
HAYDEN -- Joanie, Quixotic Elf
JOHN -- Ed in Ohio, Nana in the NW
KATIE -- David, Margo, Zoetawny
VYTAS -- Donna NY, ML

Redemption Island
CANDICE -- Dusty, Monty924
MARISSA -- Jennas Mom, PDX Granny
RACHEL -- Donna in AL, Merrilee

Off the Island 
RUPERT -- Brian, Kelsey NY, Sharon S.

Survivor fans ready?

Redemption Island time. Tyson realizes Rachel was ousted in the hopes of getting him to take her place. He's staying with his tribe. Colton's crying (AGAIN) and says he doesn't want to be there any longer.

I say, don't let the palm frond hit you on the way out, Colton.

Ah, Jeff brought up that his last exit was faked! He fusses more and then quits. He then runs to Caleb and cries. Caleb stays! Cool. I have no issues with Caleb other than his weird affection for Colton.

The duel is a dominoes type challenge. Candice wins! Marissa comes in second. Rachel (Tyson's gal) is sent packing. Candice give John a second clue to the hidden idol.

John decided to share the idol clues with Brad. But Brad isn't sure that John really trusts him or, for that matter, that he might not really trust John.

The Immunity Challenge has them dueling their loved ones a pair at a time on a platform on the water. The reward is either comfort (mosquito net, etc.) or fishing gear.

Galang wins Immunity once again. They get the comfort items as they already won fishing gear.

Brad, worried that John will go with Candice after the merge instead of him, wants to break up the Five Guys (no burgers and fries) alliance and blindside John. The guys are suspicious and think they should vote out Brad. Brad told them the clues to the idol.

Tribal Council time -- the tally --
Cierra, John, John, John, John. John goes to Redemption Island. Thanks, Candice!

The Amazing Race: Season Premiere Blog Party!

Yep, it's the big night -- the season premiere of The Amazing Race -- and it's delayed due to a football game here on the East Coast. Grr. I believe it's going to start about fifteen minutes late here even though I'm getting this post up on time at the right time! (Grr.) This isn't a good way to start out the season, for sure. Once again I implore CBS to revamp their lineup on Sunday evenings! Go ahead and SCHEDULE 60 Minutes at 8pm ET instead of 7pm, schedule the prime time shows accordingly and drop one from the evening. If no sports run over 7pm, use sports filler until 8pm. It's not so much that our show comes on later -- it's more of a bother to me that it's so unpredictable week to week!

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Once again, there will be a blog pool going for the show. I know Merrilee was the winner last year (and she kept reminding us, as she should). Who will win this year? We're starting the pool with the second week (next Sunday). Please sign up on the blog pool sign up post as your message might be missed elsewhere. Margo is the lady in charge and she always rocks! Please have your name in by Friday night, 10/05, by midnight ET!

As the show airs here, once it starts, I'll update this post with the major happenings. But, as always, the real party is in the comments ... come join the fun!

They're starting off in the "old Wild West" and heading off to South America. The first place winner of the first leg gets two Express Passes -- one they keep, the other to give to a team of their choice. Heading to Chile, two flights available.

The Roadblock has one partner on each team paragliding while the other follows them.

A second Roadblock has them collecting fish from fishing boats while in a rowboat and delivering them to the fish monger.

Uh-oh. The doctors team -- Nicole and Travis -- in first place takes a cab to the Pit Stop instead of walking as per the clue. 30 minute penalty.

Pit Stop --
1. Tim and Marie (locals from Morristown, NJ) won both Express Passes.
2. Doctors Nicole and Travis (after their penalty)
3. Rowan and Shane
4. Chester and Ephraim
5. Nicky and Kim
6. Ally and Ashley
7. Leo and Jamal
8. Jason and Amy
9. Tim and Danny
10. Brandon and Adam

Hpskote and his daughter Naina were the last team to arrive. Philiminated. That's okay. I don't think I could deal with watching that father much longer!

Off Topic: That Was the Week It Was - September 29, 2013

Good Sunday morning, world! Welcome to my weekly off television topic reflection on the week gone by in both words and photographs I've taken along the way.

A few quick television topic things, first --

• The Amazing Race starts tonight. If you wish to sign up for the pool, check out this post right here. Please limit sign-ups to that post -- otherwise they might be missed.
• There will be a blog party post for TAR tonight at 8pm ET. However, as we know, there's always a chance it might be delayed by some sport or another. But the party post will be up on time even if the show doesn't start on time!

Back to being on my off topic ...!

Um. Well. I don't know what was wrong with me this past week. I overslept. I fell asleep watching television after work. I actually missed my train one morning and was late to work. I just don't know! Ack. Thankfully, the TV shows I missed are online, so I have caught up/will catch up with them.

I submitted my photos to this year's Plainfield Library Photo Contest. The theme for the year isn't something with which I'm overwhelmed with photo fodder. "Plainfield Celebrates." Now, many of the fun happenings in town are on Saturdays when I work. I really don't have anything to do with the local high school or sports. I don't have family or celebrations of my own so much here. I made due with some photos I had taken over the last couple of years. We'll see.

Oh! I did have some excitement this week! Oh! Vincent had been staring at the wall in the kitchen once again. When he did that for extended periods of time before, there were mice in the wall. Apparently he can hear them while I can't and there must be a small hole where the baseboard heat attaches to the wall that I can't even find. Sure enough, Tuesday afternoon after work, he was out in the kitchen staring at the wall. Then ... THUMP!!! Next thing I know, Vincent is prancing into the living room with a mouse in his mouth. He tossed it in the air, played and tormented it for a few minutes before I deemed it deceased and buried it "at sea." I let the landlord know because the other tenants don't have a Vincent, Mouser Cat Extraordinaire.

Onto this week's photos. I'm not really thrilled with my efforts this week. But, if nothing else, it will give you a chance to see what I see ...

Mums time!

I'm seeing homes decked out with pumpkins and baskets of mums on Berckman Street in Plainfield!

Sunrise on my commute

Soon it will be dark when I arrive and getting dark when I come home.

Roses by flash

Despite the chilly nights, these flowers are still doing well on East Front Street in Plainfield. It's so dark when I pass them that I have to use the flash on my camera, though.

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

The Amazing Race: Blog Pool Opens!

Come one, come all! The Amazing Race blog pool is open and the water is fine despite the chill in the air! The season premiere is tomorrow night (Sunday, 9/29) after 60 Minutes or 8pm ET (whichever). However, our pool is starting from the second episode ... that way no one is out the first night. Woot!

Here's the latest from that rockin' pool maven Margo:

I'll do a pool but we can start with week 2 therefore no one gets out first week.
I have
monty924
Merrilee
Caela
DKNYNC
Nicklepeed
lynn1
margo
Jackie
Zoetawny
anyone else?

I know David also threw his name in there. If you've asked on another post, please get your name in on this one if you don't see it above.

And, of course, come to the blog party tomorrow night.

And bring snacks.

And beverages!

Survivor: Blood vs.Water - September 25 Blog Party

Before we get into the show, I noticed some people are asking about the pool for The Amazing Race. I haven't heard from Margo yet, so I'm uncertain if she's going to be doing it this season. I should know before the premiere. I hope so, anyway!

Speaking of pools, here's our latest pool standings here on Survivor by that rockin' Lifeguard Laurie:

Galang Team
ARAS -- Donna in FL, MikesGirl
COLTON -- Gaylos, Nickelpeed
GERVASE -- Jackie, Pam in NJ
KAT -- Jig, Petals
LAURA B -- Buzzmaan, Laurie, SueGee
LAURA M -- AlbGlinka, JOKATS, rbennie
MONICA -- Becky, KayBeeRN, Russ
TINA -- Cheryl in NC, Lynn1, Terry in TX
TYSON -- Delee, meb

Tadhana
BRAD -- Brent McKee, Kelly D. Sharon N.
CALEB -- Glenn, ORKMommy
CIERA -- Andrea J, Karen in CA, Rochelle
HAYDEN -- Joanie, Quixotic Elf
JOHN -- Ed in Ohio, Nana in the NW
KATIE -- David, Margo, Zoetawny
RACHEL -- Donna in AL, Merrilee
VYTAS -- Donna NY, ML

Redemption Island
CANDICE -- Dusty, Monty924
MARISSA -- Jennas Mom, PDX Granny
RUPERT -- Brian, Kelsey NY, Sharon S.

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

As tonight's show airs, I'll update this entry with the major happenings. Refresh the page to get the latest! But the real party (and reactions!) is in the comments area ... come join us!

Survivor fans ready?

Ah, long recap, but the Redemption Island duel is upon us now. The three compete stacking spools on a rack thingee. Gervase turned down a chance to take Marissa's spot. Winner chooses to give a clue to a hidden idol to anyone of their choosing. Loser is out for good. Top two stay to duel again for the return. Candice is first done! Marissa stays alive! Rupert is gonzo! He;s the first out this season! Candice gives her husband John the hidden idol clue.

Colton is already the way he was on his season. Ick.

Immunity Challenge -- Pushing a tribe member in a barrel, collecting balls, then they play a skee-ball kind of game for the win. Reward is fishing equipment. Gervase wins it for the returning players, second win in a row. He tells them it's for Marissa. (Yeah, like he really cares.)

Because John had the idol clue and balked about voting out Rachel as his broliance wanted him to do ... he may be up for a blindside. Eep.

Tribal council time. Lots of layers to the voting this year. The person they vote out can be replaced with the loved one, etc.

The tally -- John, John, Ciera, Rachel, Rachel, Rachel, Rachel.

Welp, the blindside of John didn't work. They're sending Rachel to Redemption Island where it's possible that Tyson might take her place.

Big Brother 15: That Amanda Zuckerman Podcast

Now, I'm still not a huge Amanda fan. On the show she did what she did and did it fairly well, though. In real life, I'm sure I'd find her much too abrasive and so not like the friends I cherish in my world. But my world's not hers and vice versa.

I watched the live feeds. I watched the shows on television. I'm never one to claim that I "hate" anyone on any of these shows. They don't personally matter enough to me to feel that strongly. They're there for my entertainment. Yup, some of them might think they're the puppetmasters, but it's really me. They entertain me or they don't. It's as simple as that.

Amanda was only entertaining to me when there was a brouhaha or even a kerfuffle at hand. Other than that, she cuddled, slept, ate in bed with her newly discovered love of her life pizza delivery boy.

Yet I found this way too long podcast she did with Big Brother Gossip interesting. She provided some inside info on the behind the scenes stuff, how much the Diary Room really influenced them and more. Be warned -- the podcast is about two and a half hours long. Really. I'm not joking. I had it on while doing housework and listened on and off to it over the course of two days.

Finally, some of the myths and rumors which fueled even more difficulties with this season can be put to rest. Amongst other things ...

• Amanda tried out for the show five times before getting aboard.
• Amanda only met Alison Grodner in the final interview of the casting process.
• Amanda had met Mike Boogie years ago when she applied for a job at a company he owned. She didn't realize who he was until years later. She also didn't get that job.
• Amanda confirmed (as I've said all along) that the Diary Room didn't tell the hamsters to do anything. Sometimes they could guess at things judging by the questions they were asked, but the DR (and production) kept them pretty much in the dark over most of the things going on with the other hamsters.
• That said, production did ask Amanda to stop bullying Elissa because Elissa was refusing to go to the Diary Room, etc. They didn't tell her she had to stop and admitted it was within the rules. 
• The infamous incident with Howard really happened. (Oh, my!)
• At the jury house, they each had two handlers with them at all times and weren't allowed to talk game.

Now, there's a lot more to it. If you have the time, it's interesting not even so much from the Amanda angle, but the fact that she spilled more behind the scenes stuff than anyone who's ever been on the show.

Oh, mind you ... she's still abrasive and so not my kind of person. Good luck with that, McCrae!

Off Topic: That Was the Week It Was - September 22, 2013

It's Sunday morning! Woohoo! Hey, wait ... what am I so excited about? That means it's the last day of my staycation. Wah. However, it's also 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 had all kinds of grand plans regarding what I'd get done and do this past week. While I did get some things done, I ended up goofing off most of the time. After three months of getting little sleep between work and covering the Big Brother 15 live feeds and show here on the blog, I was exhausted.

While I did get some of my planned errands done and I made a trip to Mindowaskin Park in Westfield to take photos and enjoy the peaceful tranquility there, I never did make it into the city. I was going to go into Little Italy in Manhattan for the Feast of San Genaro -- which was going on all week -- but I never got the energy to do so. Instead, I spent a good part of the time this past week stuck under a cat.

I need to go back to relaxing ... here are the photos!

Idyllic

I believe this was my favorite photo I took at Mindowaskin Park in Westfield. The footbridges over the water lend themselves to fantastic reflections, throw in three ducks and you got yourself a bit of tranquility!

Red eared slider

More about this little guy a bit later in the post ...

Reflecting on a duck

A duck and her reflection at Mindowaskin Park.

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