Survivor: Philippines - October 17 Episode Blog Party

Okay, the Matsing tribe is down to two members -- Denise and Malcolm. However are they going to stay in the game? I'm really liking Denise and I'm liking Malcolm much more than I thought I would. Hopefully, whoever is in the medic call promos will go. I'm rather surprised it's a woman, but I'm not figuring which woman it is from the promos. We'll find out soon!

As the show airs here on the East Coast, I'll update this post with the major happenings. As always, the real fun is in the comments area. Come join us! We have snacks and beverages!

Malcolm has the idol. He and Denise were searching together for it.

"Malcolm, Denise ... you can drop your buffs." Yep, they're being separated -- Malcolm to Tandang, Denise to Kalabaw.

Reward has them balancing an idol in hand while trying to knock the idol from opponent's hand. First tribe to five points wins a huge breakfast platter. Tandang wins reward!

Both Denise and Malcolm seem to be welcomed on their new tribes. Pete told Malcolm he has the idol. Of course, Malcolm didn't volunteer the information regarding his own idol. On Kalabaw, the women want Denise in their women alliiance.

Uh-oh. Dana is really sick. Medical says it's not a life-threatening situation and leave the decision whether to stay in the game or not up to her. She decides ... to leave.

Immunity Challenge time! Race through obstacles, untie knots, chop ropes, puzzle pieces. You know ... the typical. Abi sits out AGAIN. She admits she's only participated in two challenges. Tandang wins by mere seconds. Jeff has been harping all challenge not only about Abi sitting out again and Katie blowing the first part of the challenge for Kalabaw.

Aha! Jeff talked Denise into joining with him, Penner and Carter. She seems to be safe. The guys want to target either Katie or Dawson. Dawson is dropping hints about Jeff being a pro baseball player.

The tally: Denise, Dawson, Dawson, Dawson, Dawson. 

No great loss, I say. Oh my. She practically molests Jeff on the way out. 

The Amazing Race: October 14 Episode Blog Party

Mind you, we shouldn't get used to this. We cannot expect it to happen every week. It would just set us up for disappointment. But ... the show is actually starting on time here on the East Coast.

As it airs, I'll update this entry with the major happenings. However, as always, the real excitement (and party) is in the comments. Come join us!

Caution: U-Turn ahead!

Roadblock: Who wants to serve a balanced meal? They must deliver twenty plates of food at once.

Detour -- Egg head, light their heads on fire to cook eggs. Or .. Lion's Head, join traditional procession, dress in costume, perform and parade.

It's a double U-Turn and teams who use it may remain anonymous. The first group on the first train had already agreed not to U-Turn anyone as they have a three hour lead. From there, it's on the way to the Pit Stop.

1. Abbie and Ryan - won a trip to Fiji
2. Trey and Lexi
3. James and Jaymes
4. Abba and James
5. Josh and Brent

The monster truckers U-Turned Gary and Will who are already in last place. Yeah, that makes sense.

6. Natalie and Nadiya
7. Monster truckers (Rob and Kelley)

Caitlin and Britany are lost while Gary and Will are frying eggs on their heads. They mistakenly thought the monster truckers were behind them and U-Turned them.

8. Gary and Will! (My blog pool pick team)
9. Caitlin and Britany -- Philiminated. Okay with me. They're annoying. They also expect foreign country natives to speak English. @@

Off Topic: That Was the Week It Was - October 14, 2012

Good Sunday morning to you! As it is Sunday, it's time for my off television topic reflection on the week gone by in both words and photographs I've taken. Lots of photos today, so I hope you have a cup of coffee with you! 

I'm feeling much better this week -- still a bit fatigued, but definitely more myself. After a real dip in the temperatures at week's end, today is supposed to be delightful. My last day off (Wednesday) started out rainy, chilly and grey. The weather turned around by noontime and I ended up having myself one fine day off with my camera at my side.

I had decided to go for a Trader Joe's run in Westfield. And, despite my disappointment over the summer with the algae and neglect in the nearby Mindowaskin Park, I walked over there to see what I could see. As I approached the park, some HUGE bird flew low directly overhead. Yipes! What the heck was that? 

Following my last sighting of where it seemed to go, I found a gorgeous great blue heron. I guess I'm into cheap entertainment, because I watched him for a good hour as he stalked about the low waters, watching and waiting, and then ZOOM ... fish in mouth!

Canada geese, various ducks and a rambunctious squirrel or two made for the most enjoyable, yet quiet, afternoon I've had in a long, long time. The kids were all in school. The park had its walkers -- one woman walked laps around the park for the entire time I was there. A few folks were out with their dogs walking. Some young mothers were there with toddlers. A few people just sat on the benches and read books. It was a perfect day for a walk in the park!

Here's some of the gazillion photos I took -- clicking on an image will open it in a new window, clicking again will make it larger. Just close out that last window to return right here to the blog.

Great blue heron in Westfield

After the rain

This was the result of overnight rains as I walked in Westfield on Wednesday.

Catching the early train

Heading off to work early in the week. Plainfield Train Station.

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

Survivor: Philippines - October 10 Episode Blog Party

Survivor fans ready? I'm kind of wondering how the alpha male bonding between Jeff Kent and Penner is going to go. I can't really see them together in the long run like Richard Hatch and Rudy, can you?

As the show airs here on the East Coast, I'll update this entry with the major happenings. However, as always, the real action is in the comments. Come join in, the pool is fine!

Espionage! Pete set up RC by putting the clue to the idol sticking out of her bag. Chaos ensues. Jeff, Penner and Carter formed an alliance on their tribe. The women know something's up.

Immunity challenge time! Carrying pots of rice on bamboo through an obstacle course, then smashing all six pots. First tribe finishing gets steak and spices. Second gets vegetables, salt and pepper and a pot. Both of the full tribes sit out their women. So it's all men against Malcolm, Denise and Russell.

Tandang won 1st place. Kalabaw won second. Sigh. Matsing loses once again despite a valiant effort. Kalabaw decided to trade their food for a tarp. 

Tribal Council time. No backstabbing this time. Jeff tried to pit them against each other but the worst they could say about Denise is that she's fantastic. 

The tally: Russell, Malcolm, Russell.

He was my pool pick, but that's fine with me. I think Denise is fantastic!

Huh. Russell thinks he was blindsided when he was the weakest link in almost all the challenges. @@

The Amazing Race: October 7 Episode Blog Party

Although I'm getting this post up by 8pm ET, the show isn't scheduled to start here until 8:30pm. Grr.

Once it does start, as it airs I'll be updating this post with the major happenings. However, the real fun is in the comments section. I hope to see you there!

The teams are off to Indonesia! The winner of this leg will receive an Express Pass which allows them to skip a challenge. Once there, they bunch up for 8am bull races. The monster trucker couple took a different flight to get to Indonesia and it backfired on them. All the other teams are awaiting a night before the bull races while they're still in flight.

The bull race actually has the teams on mopeds racing the bulls.

Roadblock: Who likes to party? Operating a bicycle with a party for four children aboard and making balloon animals.

Detour -- Ice by the pound, delivering ice or fish by the barrel, stock and set up a fish stall in the market.

Natalie and Nadiya won first place and the Express Pass.
2. Lexi and Trey
3. Jaymes and James
4. Abbie and Ryan
5. Josh and Trent
6. James and Abba
7. Kaitlin and Britany
8. Rob and Kelly
9. Gary and Will
10. Amy and Daniel -- PHILIMINATED. 

Sigh.