The Amazing Race - Looking at the New Teams, Part 2

Finally, I'm getting to the rest of the teams -- you can find my look at the first five teams right here. The season premiere is this Sunday evening. Of course (it should go without saying, but I'll say it) there will be an episode blog post party going on when the show starts (8:30 PM ET) -- everyone is invited to join in. LifeGuard Laurie is in charge of the blog pool. Who wants to cover the cyber drinks?



Jill and Thomas: A dating couple, I don't know if it's just my mood or what ... but is he really very monotone and did they say "We want to win" a quadrillion times? They sound like they might be Bickering Bickersons, but you can't tell from the monotony of this video. The video left me not caring about this team at all, good or bad. They're just kind of there.



Katie and Rachel: Jersey Girls! Like the one from Cranford on the Princeton team, Katie lives quite nearby me in Rahway. Note that she does NOT talk like Enzo from BB12! I have to give Rachel kudos in the video for not mentioning that Katie's hair kept blowing in her face. They're young, but they might be a strong female team. Once the season starts, I would appreciate name tags so I can tell them apart. SO many young blond women with roughly the same length hair this season!



Michael and Kevin: Now, THIS father is the oldest one in the race at 58 as opposed to Gary at 53. Kevin is the youngest contestant so far at 20 but he seems to be pretty driven for his age. If you can't tell, they're Texans. I found the videos. I think I'm going to enjoy these two, but it would take them a miracle to win the big prize. Here's one of the YouTube videos of Kevin's:





Nat and Kat: They're self-proclaimed nerds, two young women doctors heavily in debt with student loans. So, we know where the money would go if they were to win! I can't imagine the cost of becoming a doctor these days. I like these two based on the video. I particularly liked the "karma" reference. Hopefully they won't namby-pamby out, yet won't be underhanded either.



Nick and Vicki: After Nat and Pat, I want to dub these two Nicky and Vicki. I guess they're down to earth -- she said it enough, as well as the "judging a book by the cover bit." When she first spoke, she reminded me a bit of Rachel "I AM VEGAS!" But as it went on, not so much. I don't know. I'm not overly impressed by the mohawk and the tattoos, but floats his boat. Most men are over that by the time they're 30. However, he is a bartender so perhaps he thinks he's a rock star. Oh, wait ... I'm forming opinions. I'll stop that. I think this team could possibly do well. Maybe.



Ron and Tony: These two might be the closest we have to an alpha male team this season. That is if it's slightly aged (40s) theater circuit alphas. I do like them. I think they're going to be entertaining. I even laughed for a moment in the video. But do they have what it takes to win? I guess we'll see. Like Nick and Vicky, they plan to lay low in the beginning, then sprint to the finish.

So, there are the teams. I think we have some entertainment ahead of us, don't you?

TV Tidbits and Stuff

My season premiere review of The Big Bang Theory is up over on CliqueClack TV. Sheldon had a date with Blossom ... er, Amy (played by Mayim Bialik). After the horrible skit on last night's The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, it's good to see they weren't tainted. I was so happy when Jim Parsons won the Emmy for his role. Although I do think it comes easy -- he seems quite Sheldon-ish himself.


If Tim Curry is going to have nasty funky teeth, he should just be Pennywise the Dancing Clown (from Stephen King's It). Last night's Criminal Minds finished off the storyline we left off with at the beginning of the summer. Curry, although a very twisted "unsub" who became "knownsub," was creepy ... but nowhere near the performance as Pennywise.

I loved the flashbacks in time with the mother and son (Curry) as a child, all playing Leonard Cohen tunes. The music just so fit into it all. Cohen's poetry and songs have intrigued me for decades. The best video for "Dance Me to the End of Love" (one of the songs featured in Criminal Minds) is this one. Trust me, it's very beautiful and touching.

In other show talk, I fear the new show The Defenders didn't keep my attention. I was looking forward to it as I've always liked Jerry O'Connell. But it just didn't do it for me. Sigh. Perhaps if they brought back the original The Defenders from the early 1960s with the Brady Bunch father Robert Reed and E.G. Marshall, I might watch.

Tomorrow night, besides getting the rest of The Amazing Race teams up, I plan on watching CSI:NY and Blue Bloods. I'll admit being a bit partial to NYC-based shows as it's cool to see places I've actually seen! I'm a cop show buff, so I do have high hopes for Blue Bloods. We'll see.

Don't forget ... only two nights left of dancing animals on The Late Show with David Letterman!

We all float down here ...

Survivor: Nicaragua - Sept. 22 Episode Blog Party Post

Survivors Ready?

Welcome one, welcome all! It's the second episode and the blog party is ready to start! Everyone is welcome to join in with comments as the show airs here on the East Coast or even later in West Coast time.

I may or may not be here tonight as a huge line of storms is coming this way. If I'm here, I'll be posting commentary and major happenings right here in this post as the show airs. If I'm not here, then I'm sitting in the dark watching the lightning outside. If that's the case, carry on!

Wait ... I know y'all like to carry on anyway!

Woohoo! The older tribe won reward and immunity! They chose fishing gear over a tarp for their reward.

The weather is wicked here. I may still be lost.

Shannon, the big-mouthed good-looking schemer, was voted out.

TV Tidbits and Stuff

I'll most likely be recording the show (above) as I'm not too good at staying up until almost 2 AM, then getting up at 6 AM to get ready for work. I'm a huge The Big Bang Theory fan, so I do need to see this! Tomorrow evening, I'll be writing up my review of the season premiere for CliqueClack TV. I'll post that link once the review is done and up.

I had planned to get the second batch of The Amazing Race teams up today, but you know what they say about the best-laid plans of mice and men. I'm neither a mouse, nor a man ... yet it applies. I had an unexplained inexplicable power outage here which sort of set me awry. The power company sent someone who didn't bother to tell me what happened, but my power returned after he did something down in the basement.

Then I got looking through my gazillion photo files to decide on which ones I'm submitting to the Plainfield Library Photo Contest and get them on a disk so I can drop them off for printing tomorrow. I don't trust my printer so much with photos. The deadline is next week, so I needed to get it done.

As a result of my day, I'll be posting the remaining five TAR teams on Friday evening after work. My apologies to those who have been waiting with bated breath for them today!

I hope you'll stop back a bit later for the Survivor blog party. I'm actually going to get the post set and scheduled to post as soon as I finish this as extreme weather is due here right smack at the start of the show. So, if I'm really quiet after the initial post, you'll know the storm hit hard. Hopefully, that won't be the case. At least with the scheduling thingee, the post will pop up right when I schedule it. Cool.


The local radar from WCBS2 at 7:23 PM. I live where you see that red dot. Argh ... it's going to hit right when Survivor starts!

A Closer Look at the TAR Teams - Part 1

The teams for The Amazing Race seem a bit different from past seasons. I'd say they're still trying to get away from the alpha male teams who seem to take over the wins. That's good and it's bad, too. While I never liked an alpha male advantage, I often enjoyed teams like the cowboys and the hippies. Now, in a way, it's more fair for all ages and physical abilities, but I found the challenges a bit less challenging. Oh, well ... it's still guaranteed to be a whirlwind trip.

The CBS videos of the first five teams and a brief commentary from me follows. I'll do the second five teams tomorrow. LifeGuard Laurie is still taking names for the blog pool, but get your name in soon!



Andie and Jenna: I'm not quite sure the show is really the place to make such an important relationship introduction -- often teams who have a fantastic relationship have rocky times on the show. I hope they do well as it's all noble on each of their parts. I guess we'll see.



Brook and Claire: Hmmm. They definitely have spunk. I think they might be entertaining and do fairly well. I don't ever watch any home shopping networks (my idea of home shopping is going to amazon.com), so I have no clue who these two are even if they think they're celebrities. I was a bit turned off in the bio section for Brooke (the blond) when she said "I already earn a six figure salary and I'm in my twenties." Now, don't get me wrong -- I'm never a fan of the "needy" people on reality shows. But the bragging about how much one earns is a bit a bit rude in my eyes.



Chad and Stephanie: Oh my. They've known each other for eight months, been together for five months and have already bought a house. Impulsive much? I'm getting the feeling this might be a team you love to hate -- he's a yeller and she's emotional. Maybe we'll hate him and be irked by her, I don't know.



Connor and Jonathan: I guess this is my local team, the Princeton Boys. I don't think they quite qualify as an alpha male team in the sense of others in the past. But Connor was the student body president of his class and both must have some brights. I think they're going to be very entertaining if they hang in there. I want to see them burst into song! Jonathan (with the glasses) is from nearby Cranford, NJ. I guess he's going to burst the Jersey Shore Jersey stereotype. Sheesh, and we were trying to keep that a secret than NJ is mostly not the stereotype!



Gary and Mallory: The father and daughter team -- he's the "old guy" of the race at 53 (yet more physically involved in stuff than many twenty-somethings) and she's Miss Kentucky and came in 4th in the Miss USA pageant. They seem quite likable. Perhaps she's the girl for Lane from BB12, shooting an 8-point buck as a small child! What do you think? I do believe they might have a better shot at the win than some of the father/daughter teams in the past.

Part two tomorrow!

It's Almost TAR Time!

The Amazing Race premieres this Sunday at 8:30 PM ET (note that half-hour built in for most likely football). I'll be delving a bit into the teams over the next few days. However, I'd like to start things out with the Phil Keoghan video introduction to the the teams. LifeGuard Laurie should be along with the blog reader pool picks soon!

Not Quite TV

I have lots of footage and photos, but here's a brief taste of my Sunday entertainment.

Off Topic - That Was the Week It Was - September 19, 2010

Yes, indeedy ... it's Sunday, time for my weekly reflection on the week gone by in both words and photographs I've taken. Alas, I have no really cool people commentary for you like I did last week with the jury adventure. This past week was the Big Brother wrap-up and then a minor collapse for me. I'm still not used to getting up way early and staying up much too late as I did for the last three months.

I'm in a bit of a television lull right now as far as shows I write about. Since this is a Sunday night without a show I must watch for either the blog, TV Squad or CliqueClack TV, I'm going to head into the city for at least a few hours. While the Feast of San Gennaro is going on in Little Italy, I believe I'll skip that -- it's a big crowd and much too many tasty fatty foods.

Instead, I'm going to take two cameras (count 'em, two) and head to Central Park. Every Saturday and Sunday, weather permitting, there's the Skate Circle going on. When I last attended, I didn't have digital cameras and I skated. The absolute last time I went there, I pulled a groin muscle. I think it's a lot safer to go armed with cameras instead of skates! It's definitely great photo and video fodder and entertaining whether you skate or not.

Oh, I'm talking roller skating -- both old school quad skates (like mine) and inline. They have a section of the park set up on Skater's Road with a DJ pumping disco music and it's a grand ol' party. Today's weather should be perfect for observing and skating. Roller skating and skiing addictions are probably why I have knee issues today.

Ack! It's been 29 years since I saw the Simon and Garfunkel concert in Central Park, then the next year at the now-defunct Shea Stadium? I cannot be that old!

This past week not only was the end of Big Brother, but it was indeed my birthday. I want to thank everyone who sent donations to the blog and cards -- hopefully I'll get my personal thanks out to everyone during the week. It's not that I'm not appreciative; I just tend to get overwhelmed a bit with covering the show and working full time at the same time.

Let's see ... what else? Oh, I know! On Thursday, late in the afternoon, it all of a sudden got black as night outside and a tremendous, yet brief, storm passed through. I had to quickly jump up and close the windows as rain was blowing in sideways. That same storm intensified as it passed through Elizabeth and Bayonne, then hit Staten Island, Brooklyn and Queens ... and spawned tornadoes. Yikes! It only lasted about ten or fifteen minutes.

Onto the photos I took during the week -- clicking on an image will open it larger in a new window. I've been trying all week to get monarch butterflies (now in migration) or this egret which I see daily from the train, but no luck. It's been too windy to focus well on the butterflies and the train motion keeps making the egret a blur. I will get them!

Don't distract me while I'm texting!

She probably resents the actual human interaction. Folks are so addicted to texting every minute. I'm glad I have a "dumb" phone and texting takes more of an effort. I don't think I want to be in touch with the world every single minute. I don't know who these folks talk to and text at all hours of the day. Plainfield Train Station.

Hiding behind the flowers

A home on East Second Street in Plainfield is currently hiding behind a wall of flowers.

A call and a cup of joe

Again, at the Plainfield Train Station. I found all the lines in this shot eye-catching.

Uh-oh. They're plotting.

Obviously a summit meeting of the pigeons while atop the Chotola apartment building on North Street in Plainfield.

I will puff my neck up and threaten you!

Usually the puffed-neck routine is a mating thing. But this particular pigeon seemed to be using it to intimidate his fellow birds of a feather. Plainfield Train Station.

Whazzat? It's a CAT!

I spotted this feral (?) cat in a church lawn on East Front Street in Plainfield. It's really not a good place for a cat to roam as it's a main drag street in town. Although it looks like he's looking at me, he's staring elsewhere and could care less about the human with the camera. What's he staring at?

I am NOT a rabbit. I'm a statue!

Yep, there's the cat's target -- a rabbit almost the size of the cat, frozen in place on the church lawn. The rabbit seems to know the cat is staring at him and, while I got a bit close, I didn't want to make him bolt. I didn't want both the rabbit and the cat to run into the busy street in rush hour. I still think it's great that we have wild rabbits in my city neighborhood. They're much cuter than opossums.

Working for a living.

Three men await the train in Plainfield. For some reason, I believe two might work together and who knows what the third does?

Feeding time?

I wish I had this camera with its ability to zoom in the Roofus the Cat days on this roof. I can even pick up the details on the paint from the train station platform. North Street in Plainfield.

Birds not a feather together!

I guess available food destroys their need to segregate themselves by type. Either that or they're working together to take over the world. Gulp! North Avenue in Plainfield.

I didn't do it!

No, I didn't break the windows, but it makes for good photo fodder. In an alley off of Watchung Avenue in Plainfield. I like decrepit.

Every rose has its thorns ...

After the rain, a rose on East Front Street glistens with raindrops.

The Plainfield Police Department memorial.

Here's the memorial, still from across the street, but this time in the daylight. It's interesting to see folks pause to read it, even those who probably can't read in English. It's an attractive and well designed tribute. It would be great if no more names are ever added. Watchung Avenue, Plainfield.

Achoo!

My allergies have kicked up in the past few weeks. I blame stuff like this. Note the bug. Why does there always have to be a bug? I mean, if I'm deliberately shooting the bug, it's one thing. But sometimes I want no bug in my photo.

Okay, NOW I'm shooting a bug!

I believe it's a stink bug. That's their defense -- they stink when you smoosh 'em. They don't stink when you shoot 'em with a camera and they do pose well.

The stinkhorns also use the smelly defense

I've noticed they lose their reddish-orange color as the season goes on. Still, a huge bunch will pop up overnight and droop as the day wanes on.

Do you have anything for me?

Vincent, albeit a bit fuzzy in this but I like his facial expression, would like food, a toy, or just a shoulder to drape himself over. He often reminds me of a toddler, standing on his hind feet with his front paws up in the air expecting me to pick him up. Silly kitty!

How was your week?

Big Brother 12 - The Full Julie Chen Interview Video

I'm basically taking the entire day off -- read that as collapsed, even missed the FedEx man due to napping. But I figure folks would like to see the entire Julie Chen interview with Hayden, Lane and Enzo. Here goes:

Big Brother 12 Season Finale Blog Party!

The show is about to start here on the East Coast. As it airs, I'll post important updates in this entry. But the real fun is in the comments section. Everyone is invited to join in with your thoughts! Later tonight (or, worst case scenario, early in the morning), my full show review will be posted over on TV Squad.

Hayden won the third round. He's taking Lane, Enzo is gonzo.

Since we've gone over 200 comments, make sure you're hitting the "newest" link for comments as otherwise you're only seeing up to 200.

The votes:
Rachel --> Lane
Kathy --> Hayden
Matt --> Hayden
Brendon --> Lane
Ragan --> Hayden
Britney --> Lane
Enzo --> Hayden

Hayden wins, but it's one of the only votes this season not unanimous or near unanimous.

I take all the credit for Hayden's win. He was my pool boy.
;-)

Britney won the $25,000 prize voted for favorite.

Survivor: Nicaragua - Season Premiere Blog Party

The season premiere is about to start here on the East Coast. For the premiere, I'll be posting the major events here in this entry as it airs. Since I won't be writing up the episodes for TV Squad this season, I might play around with live-blogging the show itself or another format down the road. Not to worry -- we'll always have the blog party going on! All the real fun is in the comments section -- everyone is invited to join in! Just treat each other with respect ... feel free to mock castaways who might deserve mocking!
;-)

Zoetawny has made a new show blog logo for us to rock in the new season. That's because she herself rocks. But we know that.

Margo has set up the blog pool. If you didn't make the cut, feel free to cheer on the castaway of your choice! Here's her list (remember, it's MARGO calling 'em "oldies," not ME).

Espada Tribe: (Oldies but Goodies)
Dan Lembo - Sydney
Holly Hoffman - Merrilee
James “Jimmy T” Tarantino - SueGee
Jane Bright - PDXGranny, Big Ed
Jill Behm - Delee, Monty924
Jimmy Johnson - Ben
Marty Piombo - Jackie
Tyrone Davis - SharonS
Wendy DeSmidt-Kohloff - Gaylos, Auntie Leigh
Yve Rojas - Jennasmom

La Flor Tribe: (Young-uns)
Alina Wilson - Lisanne
Ben “Benny” Henry - Laurie, Dusty
Brenda Lowe - Lynn1, Margo's Mom
Chase Rice - Terry in PA
Judson “Jud” Birza - ML, Zoetawny
Kelly Bruno - Catonine, Rbennie
Kelly Shinn - MEB
Matthew “Sash” Lenahan - Nana in NW, Donna in FL
NaOnka Mixon - Margo, Donna in AL
Shannon Elkins - JoyN, Becky

Survivors ready?

Brenda (La Flor) found the medallion of power (new) and they're dividing the tribes by age. It would mean power down the line for her tribe or they can take flame and fishing equipment instead. What they don't choose, the other tribe gets. Probably a wise decision, they chose the fishing gear.

Espada made their own fire.

Kelly B. with her prosthetic leg is already a target on her tribe. They're worried about sympathy votes at the end and her ability in challenges.

After the first night, Jimmy Johnson isn't feeling so hot and says it's harder than he thought.

There are hidden idols once again -- two girls on La Flor found a clue.

If Espada uses the medallion of power, they can have an advantage in the immunity challenge. If they use it, then it goes to the other tribe. They're confident they won't need it in this challenge -- filling buckets of water from gutters, puzzle.

La Flor won immunity. Uh-oh. Wendy was voted out. Good, I think she would have driven me crazy and I'm not even in Nicaragua!

Big Brother 12 - Final Live Feed Report - Tues. Into Wed. Sept. 15

One cameraman has liked to focus on the shark all summer. With this extended stretch of nothing on the feeds, the live feeds jumped the shark last Thursday.

Here's the latest from inside that Big Brother House of The Waiting Game:

• Nerf football.
• Pool.
• Naps.
• Cards.
• Eating.
• Talking sports.
• Talking about others from the season (nothing really new).
• Talking about the finale and facing the others.
• Packing clothes.
• Lane fell right asleep for his last night.
• Hayden and Enzo were in bed, but awake talking.
• They liken it to the excitement of children awaiting Christmas morning.
• Enzo was the last to conk out, tossing and turning.

Be sure to stop back tonight at 8 PM for a night of Survivor and Big Brother right here on the blog! Bring snacks and beverages!

Big Brother 12 - Live Feeds Monday, Sept. 13

A whole lotta nothin' going on:

• Talking about sports.
• Talking about being in the final three.
• Playing with the Nerf ball.
• Delusions of future fame.
• Rinse and repeat.
  

Survivor: Nicaragua Premieres WEDNESDAY!

Survivors ready? The new season kicks off Wednesday night 8 PM ET. Looking at the cast, there are plenty of both teams I think I'll like. Of course there are a few who could leave right away, too! I'm posting the video with Jeff Probst's assessment of the castaways. I usually like his take on them and, after all, who would be more of a pro for analyzing them?

I'll probably be handling the blogging of the show a bit differently this season. I'm not doing the reviews for the show over on TV Squad (but I will be doing The Amazing Race there - premiere date 9/26). I'll definitely be having the usual blog party posts for commenting here and I might go a bit more with a live blogging aspect during them instead of lots of notes taken and major bits in the post. Right now I'm undecided.

The esteemed and lovely Margo will be running the blog pool for the show. I imagine she'll be along shortly with the list of pool participants. We have a big cast this season and it looks like it's gonna be a good one. You know my heart is with the older tribe, but may the best castaway win ... and the rest be thrown to sea ... or something.

THE TRIBES

La Flor --
Alina Wilson, age 23 from Downey, CA, an art student.
Ben "Benry" Henry, age 24 from Los Angeles, a club promoter.
Brenda Lowe, age 27 from Miami, paddleboard company owner.
Chase Rice, age 24 from Fairview, NC, pro race car jackman.
Jud Birza, age 21 from Venice, CA, student.
Kelly Bruno, age 26 from Durham, NC, medical student.
Kelly Shinn, age 20 from Mesa, AZ, nursing student.
NaOnka Mixon, age 27 from Los Angeles, PE teacher.
Matthew "Sash" Lenahan, age 30, NYC, NY, real estate broker.
Shannon Elkins, age 30 from Lafayette, LA, pest control company owner.

Espada --
Dan Tempe, age 63 from Watermill, NY, real estate executive.
Holly Hoffman, age 44 from Eureka, SD, swimming coach.
Jane Bright, age 56 from Jackson Springs, NC, dog trainer.
Jill Behm, age 42 from Erie, PA, ER doctor.
Jimmy Johnson, age 67 from Islamorada, FL, former NFL coach.
James "Jimmy T" Tarantino, age 48 from Gloucester, MA, commercial fisherman.
Marty Piombo, age 48 from Mill Valley, CA, technology executive.
Tyrone Davis, age 42 from Inglewood, CA, fire captain.
Wendy DeSmidt-Kohlhoff, age 48 from Fromberg, Montana, goat rancher.
Yve Rojas, age 41 from Kansas City, MO, homemaker.

Big Brother 12 - Clips Episode Blog Party

The show is about to start here on the East Coast. As tonight is the "never seen before footage clips" show, the real fun is in the comments section. Everyone is invited to join in with your thoughts! Later tonight (or, worst case scenario, early in the morning), my full show review will be posted over on TV Squad.

Big Brother 12 - Live Feeds Update, Saturday Into Sunday, Sept. 12

His future's so bright that he has to put on shades to sleep.
Or, so he thinks.

It's as I expected, a thrill a minute with only the Brigade in the house and little game talk at all. Here's the latest from inside that Big Brother House of Delusional Dreamers:

• Enzo is back to life which is a good thing. He's more entertaining than either Hayden or Lane.
• Both of them would talk solely sports, Steamboat, and flying for hours.
• At least Enzo adds a bit of spice.
• They are all seriously deluded about what's going to happen to them after the season.
• They seem to think it's all going to be never-ending money to do fun things and Hollywood work offers.
• They're sadly mistaken.
• Enzo is upset that Hayden has been telling Lane that he (Enzo) would beat him (Lane) in the final two.
• I think that if he's in the final two, Hayden has the votes in the bag. He played a good social game and stepped up the comps performance.
• If it's Lane and Enzo, it's more of a toss-up. Enzo played a better social game, but sucked at comps. Lane played an okay not thrilling social game, but at least performed a bit better. Enzo would definitely have the Brendon and Rachel vote for his social game, his friendship and the DVD they saw of him winning the veto over Ragan.
• Very little game talk other than of past hamsters from this season and rehashing comps.
• While the feeds were blocked, they apparently filmed the reminiscing over the rest of the cast for the show.
  
• Very little interesting going on at all.
  

Off Topic - That Was the Week It Was - September 12, 2010

Another Sunday, another off television topic reflection on the week gone by in both words and photographs I've taken. If you're looking for Big Brother live feeds news, there isn't much and I'll be posting on that later today. I'm also planning a post about Survivor as that one's sneaking up on us way too quickly.

Before I get into anything, I'd like to mention that today is Vincent's "faux-birthday." It was a year ago today that he decided I would be taking him home from New York City Animal Care and Control. He's still a nut! That, of course, is a good thing.

This week was a least a bit out of the norm for me. With BB12 going on, it seems like I've just been working, blogging, eating and sleeping way too little. While this past week's holiday didn't mean all that much in my eyes as I was working a full week anyway, this was the week of my jury duty.

I kept my ongoing record of never being selected to sit on a trial. I actually (for the first time) made a panel for a case and got to watch other people go through the voir dire. But, although they did excuse some of the jurors, my number wasn't called. It was for a civil case, a slip and fall personal injury one. I would have preferred a criminal case just because I find that more interesting ... but I wasn't chosen at all.

As a person who enjoys both writing and television, I've decided they should do a show called 'Jury Duty.' It would have to be scripted due to all the secrecy issues, but it's the reality which got me thinking. More so than when I last served in another quieter more suburban county, this jury duty stint was truly an adventure in people-watching. It was like the parade that used to go through the old Barney Miller police station gone modern day.

Just a few of the characters I observed:

• Beloved NJ Transit Bus Driver - I took a very early bus over there as I had to report at 8 AM and wasn't sure where I was going. I didn't know the bus driver. But apparently everyone else did. No fewer than six women got aboard and kissed him on the cheek while as many men enthusiastically shook his hand. I guess he was a regular driver coming back to the route or something. He's a good example of some of the folks who work for NJ Transit. He made a point of not only telling me where I wanted to get off, but gave me exact directions to the county courthouse. He was a good character ... most of the ones coming up are just strange characters.
• Ripped Pants Touchy Feely Girl - When you wear six-inch stilettos and super-tight pants to a jury room, you're sure to split out the whole rear seam. Using the pay phone near where I was sitting, "Mommy, mommy, [Spanish] pantalones ..." Later in the day, when I went to use the restroom, she decided to caress my hair. Who does that to a stranger? I don't even like people that much in my own personal bubble or close talkers, say nothing about a stranger mauling my back and hair!
• Praying Singing Tapping Slapping Man - He started out quietly, a fairly distinguished-looking middle-aged black man dressed in a business suit. Then I saw him gesturing. I thought he had an iPod or something. As the day went on in the jury waiting room, he got more antic in his gestures, tapping loudly on chairs and slapping his hands on his legs as he sat. Then he burst into LOUD song -- "Lots of joy came into my life ... the lord ..." -- THUMP, SLAP, THUMP. While he had a rich baritone voice, everyone jumped and stared. Can you see him sitting on a jury? "The defendant is charged with murder." "Lots of joy ... oh, Lord..." Maybe it's a unique ploy to get out of serving?
• Woohoo Cell Phone Ticket Jersey Girl - This loud, yet physically attractive white girl, tried to live up to the Jersey Shore stereotype. Overly dramatic with a loud laugh, she got a cell phone ticket during our lunchtime and came back to the jury room swearing loudly and yelling that the cop was out of line. Since it's a construction area (they have all of the area around the courthouse all askew), it's a double fine. She went up to the one panel with me and was called when they dismissed a potential juror. You're supposed to say "Here" for the voice recognition equipment. Instead, she yelled "Woohoo!" She ended up being dismissed as she knows the doctor involved in the case.
• Bag Lady Crazy Woman Juror - Dragging a backpack on wheels and four other bags, I only noticed her after we returned from lunch. As she was totally unkempt, greasy hair, made manic furtive looks around like so many drug addicts and street people exhibit, and she was talking to herself, I thought she sneaked into the courthouse somehow. She plopped herself down on a chair next to Praying Singing Tapping Slapping Man and started going through her bags. Pulling out a canister of something, she pulled her shirt open and started shaking it on her chest. Talcum powder maybe? I don't know. It was enough for even PSTS Man to be taken aback. She also went to the panel on the 14th floor with me. Without saying anything, she bolted from the courtroom with the bailiff on her heels. He came back rolling his eyes. We didn't see her until we were excused to go back to the jury waiting room. She was getting off the elevator ... soaking wet and dripping. I think she washed her hair in a restroom sink.
• Judge With No Socks - While finishing my lunchtime freedom (I had wandered taking photos and eating at Popeye's Chicken and Biscuits), I sat for a while reading on a bench outside the courthouse. It was about 90 degrees with a breeze. The man sitting next to me wore a dress shirt and tie, khaki slacks, loafers, no socks and real tanned ankles. A county sheriff deputy (they're the ones in charge of the courthouse) sat next to him and they talked like old friends. The GLBT Woman (next) sat next to him and commented on the no socks. He said that whenever it's over 85 degrees, it's a no socks day. He turned out to be the judge hearing the case in the panel I went to. I just kept thinking of his tanned ankles whenever I looked at him.
• GLBT Woman - She was a normal looking and acting white woman, perhaps a bit butch but that's nothing really. But wearing a neon t-shirt emblazoned with GLBT causes in bold lettering might not be the best decision for courtroom attire. When called for the panel, she put a sweatshirt over it. She actually ended up on the jury. Mind you, I followed the attire rules and wore business casual kind of clothing, no logos, no t-shirts, no shorts ... and I didn't even wear jeans which many people did. A man wearing forbidden shorts also got on the jury.
• Gruff "I'm the Authority" Entrance Deputy - I told him before I went through the metal detector that my knee replacement would set it off. He insisted both knees had metal in them. They don't. Unless someone sneaked metal into my right knee since this spring when I was last metal-detected, it ain't happening. He finally shrugged and acted like he didn't know why I was lying to him after wanding my knees. By the way, the right one didn't set off the wand. Later, during lunch, I asked him if I could take a photo of the rotunda and the huge circular staircase. "No cameras allowed in the courthouse!" Of course everyone has cell phone cameras and laptops with cameras with them, plus he let my purse through not once, but twice, with my camera in it. It's a shame -- that courthouse is stunning and historical.
• Wipeout Man - In the voir dire, they ask each juror about their jobs, their families, and even what television shows they watch. When one man mentioned watching CSI, the judge scoffed and said it wasn't a criminal case, there would be no forensic evidence. One man, who came across as such a serious guy, had a serious job, dressed well for court, is a grandfather replied when asked about television ... Wipeout! Spontaneous laughter all about. "I mean it. I like that show! Have you ever watched it?"
• Talking Man Who Understands Nothing - While in the waiting room I noticed this man had cornered and was practically sitting atop of a young man who looked very uneasy about it all. He talked quite animatedly for more than two hours, close talking and I haven't a clue what was being said. I wondered if the younger man knew him. At the voir dire, I decided he didn't. "What do you do for a living?" "Thirty-five years!" "Okay, but what do you do?" "Retire!" "Okay, you're retired, but what did you do when you worked?" "Thirty-five years!" Dismissed.
• Really Late Man - Remember, we were supposed to be there at 8 AM. This dude strolls in at 3:40 PM and shows his jury summons to Walter, the jury manager. "I need to get excused." Walter looked at his watch and asked, "What do you do for a living?" "I'm unemployed," the scruffy late man replied. "Go to the office and you'll be rescheduled for next week. Be on time next week."
  

Enough ... onto my photos for the week. Clicking on an image will open it larger in a new window.

Plainfield Police Memorial Unveiled

The unveiling and ceremony went down while I was at work yesterday. I took this shot after dark from across the street when I got back to town. I'll get a better shot in the daylight. It's a tribute to four fallen officers on the force killed in the line of duty -- one killed in race riots in the 60s, two in the early 70s and the sole woman officer murdered in the 80s right up the street from me. If I'm not mistaken, I believe the rehab of the main train station is also dedicated to her. Plainfield Police, Watchung Avenue and East 4th Street.

Sunrise, Sunset

... swiftly fly the years. (From Fiddler on the Roof) This is last night's sunset as I saw it in Bridgewater, NJ.

After Work Zombie on NJT Train

After working all day, he was oblivious to my camera on the train.

Plainfield Police Gang Unit

I guess he has job security these days, although it's a shame it's even needed. The gang-related shootings continue in town but they're not accurate shots. The murder rate itself remains fairly low. No, the woman talking to him is probably not a gang member, more likely a friend or acquaintance. Watchung Avenue, Plainfield.

Late summer bloom

One flower is in full bloom while its neighbor's time is gone. East Second Street, Plainfield.

Another East Second Street Flower

Sunrise through the trees

As I waited for the NJ Transit bus for my jury duty, I was treated to this view. Berckman and East Second Street, Plainfield.

Historic Art Deco Hersh Tower in Elizabeth, NJ

Built during the depression, this is one nifty-cool building.

Hersh Tower detail

Union County (NJ) Courthouse

Built in 1903, I can't fit the whole thing in my photo. There's also a round rotunda section and a fourteen-story tower full of courtrooms. It's supposedly haunted by the ghost of Hannah Caldwell.

A Republican Party?

Again, I was too close to get the whole building in my shot -- I was actually more interested in the weathered boards over the windows. The faded sign painted on the building read "Union County - A Republican Party." But I loved those boards. That's what this is all about! Elizabeth, NJ.

Oh my

These guys guard a rooftop in Elizabeth. They're not gargoyles, they're not quite griffins. Maybe they're grifgoyles.

St. John's on Broad Street

Originally founded in 1703, this church is amazingly tall. This photo doesn't do it justice. Elizabeth, NJ.

Separation of Church and State ...

... by a flag. The church steeple is yet another historic church on Broad Street and the tower is the Union County Courthouse tower. Elizabeth, NJ. Also note the historic bank building, now a Wachovia.

Street Cleaning in Elizabeth

Since I got to town early, it was only about 7:15 AM. Nonetheless, there were plenty of pedestrians and folks heading off to work. What surprised me, the Hello How Are You Person of Plainfield, is that other people greeted ME first! During my early morning exploration, five different people gave a friendly hello without me making the first greet. Wow. Elizabeth and Plainfield both have reputations for being on the rough side. Elizabeth is the fourth largest city in NJ more than double the population of Plainfield. You don't expect friendly greetings on the street from strangers. But I got them. Only in the morning, not in the afternoon when the sidewalks were full and it was jostle time.

They must have blown the trash to Broad Street

My gosh, I thought the litter problem in Plainfield was bad. This is horrible! Elizabeth, NJ.

If you're blue and you don't know
where to go to why don't you go
where fashion sits
Puttin' on the Ritz
Different types who wear a day
coat pants with stripes and cutaway
coat perfect fits
Puttin' on the Ritz

(As sung and danced to by Fred Astaire and a host of others ...) I love this art deco marquee at the Ritz Theater! Another historical treasure in Elizabeth, it still hosts shows and is way cool.

Stepping back a bit

The ticket booth at The Ritz

250 Years Old in 1914, eh?

If my math skillz are still any good, we're talking the town was settled in 1664? For the United States, that's ancient. In Europe, it wouldn't be much ... but here, we're talking OLD.

Dedicated to the volunteers

This statue stands to the side of the courthouse entrance. Union County Courthouse, Elizabeth, NJ.

Yikes!

These children were in the window. Luckily the boy decided to sit down or he would have had to get the blur treatment. Parents? Where? Broad Street, Elizabeth.

During lunch

The tranquil early morning streets gave way to loads of pedestrians and extreme traffic jams all afternoon. It doesn't help that two blocks of sidewalks around the courthouse are torn up and closed. Broad Street, Elizabeth, NJ.

Fall Sale

Broad Street, NJ. Edited for color/black & white.

Hall of Fame?

Looks more like a Hall of Shame. But decrepit tends to attract me for photo fodder. I believe this was also on Broad Street.

"Are you lookin' at me?
Are YOU lookin' at ME?"

Okay, Vincent. Don't go all Taxi Driver on me. I'll let you drape yourself over my shoulder in a minute. Happy faux-birthday! You're a great cat!