Survivor: Philippines - November 14 Episode Blog Party

Okay, not only did I catch up watching the last two weeks of the show online, but I have the Zoetawny graphic for this season! Again, my thanks to all for the kind words, good wishes and even donations! It's all very appreciated.

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

The reward challenge has them, divided into two teams, going through a sloppy course looking for balls, then shooting hoops. Heh. Abi wasn't picked and has no chance of reward. The winning team will bring school supplies and toys to a village while the villagers give them a feast. Penner exposed bags of balls for his team and put them in the lead. Penner, Denise, Malcolm and Carter win reward!

Immunity challenge time! Balancing a large paddle, rolling balls down it and trying to get six balls to stick in the six indented spots. Mike Skupin wins immunity!

The tally at tribal council -- Artis, Penner, Artis, Penner, Penner, Penner, Artis, Artis, Artis.

Artis is gone, Penner remains! They got Skupin and Lisa to flip!

The Amazing Race - November 11 Episode Blog Party

Thank you, everyone, for your concern about me in the wake of Hurricane Sandy! I'm back!

As the show airs here on the East Coast, I'll update this entry with the major events. But the real fun is in the comments area. Join us there!

Teams are off to Moscow.

The Detour has to alphabetize (collecting books) or synchronized swimming. The Roadblock is with keys and locks. Two teams -- the goat farmers and Abbie/Ryan are way behind due to flight issues.

1. Trey and Lexi - Won a trip to Maui.
2. James and Jaymes
9. Natalie and Nadiya

James and Abba lost their bags in a taxi. They weren't allowed to check into the Pit Stop at number four. And, then it ends. This leg is a two-parter.

Off Topic: That Was the Two Weeks It Was - Nov. 11, 2012

Plainfield Train Station after the storm

It's Sunday morning, time for my weekly off television topic reflection on the week gone by in both words and photographs I've taken. Of course, this week it's actually about the past two weeks, thanks to Hurricane Sandy. I'm still feeling quite discombobulated here, so please bear with me. My power was out from Monday, October 29, until Thursday, November 8. That doesn't sound that long, does it? Well, when it's cold, dark and a bit on the scary side, it can turn your life upside down.

I realize that many folks had/have it much worse than we did here where I live in New Jersey, but it was still an ordeal I wouldn't wish on a soul. Folks are still walking around shell-shocked. I've lost a bit of the shell-shocked and am merely discombobulated, dazed and confused at this time. 

Eventually I might write more about the whole experience, but for now here are some random (yet chronological) thoughts and reflections on the experience:

• The wind was the worst I've ever experienced that wasn't a tornado. I've been through tails of hurricanes, nearby tornadoes and such before. At times it seemed to have the train sound of a tornado.
• Prior to the storm, I expected the power might be out for a few days. I had plenty of water as I don't like the taste of the tap water here. I order it regularly from Peapod grocery delivery.
• I had a good stock of canned foods -- vegetables, mostly. I could easily last a few days. We were out three days with last year's October snow and four days with Irene.
• When my power went out, I noticed the floodlight on the lawn next door was on. Then I noticed our building lights (halls and parking lot) were on. Well, that wasn't fair! Just as I was contemplating getting a long extension cord to the hallway plug, all went dark.
• I looked out the window into a world of blackness as far as the eye can see.

Where I voted on Tuesday evening

I vote at the Richmond Towers, an apartment community for the elderly and disabled. As such, they run on back-up power during power outages. They're about a two minute walk from where I live. They were not a shelter although it seemed a bit that way on voting day!

After I took the above shot, I turned my camera towards my apartment ...

Into the darkness

Except for the lights of cars coming and going ... totally black.

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Must Catch Up!

A stroll through my NJ 'hood

After my big announcement that my power came back on Wednesday night in the middle of the nor'easter, it went out again. It returned yesterday morning. It was almost strange to come home to a warm apartment with a working refrigerator after work. An empty working refrigerator, but ...!

However, I'm woefully behind on my TV shows. I'm hoping to catch up online with some over the weekend. Tonight is my night to watch CSI: NY and Blue Bloods, but I don't really post on them. 

Once again, I'd like to thank everyone for their well wishes. Everyone around here is still walking around a bit shell-shocked and life isn't going to be back to normal for some time to come. But, at least it appears my power may be on to stay. Yay.

I'm BACK!!!

Thankfully not mine

However, the brick building in the background is my apartment building.

After 10 nights and 9 days without power, I seem to be back. Hopefully my power will stay on. Right now outside it's snowing pretty good with more than a few inches on the ground and the wind is whipping.

I appreciate the good wishes from all!