Off Topic: That Was the Week It Was - May 12, 2013

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there! I hope you get deservedly pampered!

Since it is Sunday morning, it's time for my off television topic reflection on the week gone by in both words and photographs I've taken along the way. But, as usual, I have a few television topics to touch on first:

• Tonight is the two-hour season finale of Survivor: Caramoan Islands Fans vs. Favorites. It will be followed by the hour long reunion show. So, the prime-time block of 8pm - 11pm ET/PT will be Survivor! Hopefully it will start on time here on the East Coast. I will have the blog party post up by 8pm ET. Come watch the show with us!
• I have watched all five of the screener episodes of Falling Skies and will be posting a bit on them during the upcoming week. Right now I'll just lament that it will be about July something before I see a fresh episode of the show. Wah!
• Big Brother is set to debut on June 25 this year, earlier than just about ever! For the last several seasons, it's been premiering right after the 4th of July weekend. I've heard that Real.com is NOT handling the live feeds this season, but I will be posting live feeds reports from wherever they're available. Rumor has it CBS itself will be hosting them. I have no idea of the costs.

Onto other stuff ...

Um. Well. Ah, I've got it!

It rained for a good portion of the past week. We are now caught up to the levels expected. It can stop for a few days now. To be honest, I don't mind a light rain if I'm outside with an umbrella. I don't care for downpours when I'm stuck in them, though. I do love a good thunderstorm when I'm inside and my power remains on. I also like to sleep to the sound of rain. But it can stop for a few days anyway!

The not so new landlord here continues to do various things. We got new fancy-schmancy side and front glass and metal doors the week before last. They installed new brighter lighting at the entrances and by the elevator on the first floor. Heck, they even mulched the bushes which haven't been mulched in all the time I've lived here. 

As far as neighbors in the building -- I still haven't seen or met the upstairs neighbor who arrived in March. He also remains the least noisy person who's ever lived up there in the dozen years I've been here. Sure, he makes some noise, but not bad at all. The worst of the playing in the hallway children upstairs seems to have moved out. I haven't heard that in a while. And, as I could hear him when he arrived home from school because he always runs on his heels and never walks ... I'm thinking gone. YAY!

Work remains quite workish. I hope you're all aware that the government has issued a new version of the I-9 form. It comes with nine pages of instruction! Whoopie! The HR Think Tank thing I'm a part of at my workplace has been analyzing it and setting up tips for the company to use so we'll pass audits and any possible government inspections. Yeah, I get to have all the fun on my job. I bet you're jealous!

Onto this week's photos: 

Pink azalea

New growth

Bee on honeysuckle

This bee looked like he was trying to match his body weight in pollen. I love to sniff the honeysuckle at the Bridgewater Train Station. I don't really like to sniff bees. Nope.

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

Survivor: Caramoan - Fans vs. Favorites - May 8 Blog Party

Come one, come all ... we're in the final stretch of the season. The big finale is this Sunday evening from 8pm-11pm. Let's hope it starts on time. PLEASE! Tonight's episode, according to the promos, has the loved ones coming. That tends not to be my personal favorite each season, but it can sometimes be interesting. Supposedly, two loved ones will come for either each castaway or at least one castaway. Ho-hum.

I don't believe I've ever rooted for a returning player to win a season unless it's been ALL returning players. This season I'd really enjoy a Cochran win. I had hoped I'd be cheering on the really local player, Eddie. Although he's fairly easy on the eyes, he doesn't rock my socks. Give me Cochran!

As the show airs, I'll update this page with the major happenings. So, you should refresh it now and then to get the latest. But the real party is always in the comments area! Come join us for the fun!

Their treemail came from Sprint with video messages from home.

At the Reward Challenge setting, the loved ones are brought out in person. They will work with them on the Reward Challenge which consists of, spinning, building rails on a frame and tossing bolos (sp?) -- balls separated by ropes -- on the rail "ladder" they built.

Brenda and her father win Reward -- a floating backyard barbeque -- she invites Dawn and her husband. Uh-oh. Jeff says other loved ones are there. Brenda can choose one other castaway and loved one or she can give up her loved one (and Dawn's) and the barbeque. Brenda gives it to the others.

Dawn breaks down more.

Immunity Challenge has them standing on a ledge over water with their hands in back of them, connected to a winch which lowers them more towards the water. Gah! Cochran is out first! Eddie, then Erik out. Only the women remain. Sherry out. Dawn wants to deal with Brenda, but Brenda's a no-go. But she falls into the water and Dawn actually wins Immunity for the first time!

Brenda thinks it's all good. However, it just might be the kiss of death for her game. While Dawn talked about ousting Eddie, Cochran and others know what a big threat Brenda is for the win.

Tribal Council time! Sherri votes Brenda. Brenda votes Eddie. Those were the only shown votes.

The tally: Eddie, Eddie, Erik, Brenda, Brenda, Brenda.

The tribe has spoken, Brenda. She cries. It hurts.

But how can she blame them? Really.   

The Amazing Race: May 5, 2013 Season Finale Blog Party

Oh my. It's even starting on time tonight! Are you ready for the big two-hour finale? While I'm not real keen on Max and Katie (more talking about Max there), I think any of the four remaining teams are "worthy" of the win. My personal favorites at this point are Bates and Anthony. I find the demographics of the last four teams racing to be interesting -- one male/female couple, two all women teams and one all male team.  Are the challenges getting physically easier? Or are the female teams stronger? Your thoughts?

As the show airs, I'll update this post with the major happenings. However, as always, the big party will be in the comments area. Come join us!

Teams are heading to Ireland.

Roadblock - The teams must cannonball into a mud bog and swim it. t looks like it might do in the country-western gals. Jennifer just can't seem to do it.

The Detour has them serving a five-course meal (Tray It) or doing graffiti (Spray It).

Max and Katie are in the lead heading to the Pit Stop at Ulster Hall.

1. Max and Katie - won a trip to the Dominican Republic
2. Bates and Anthony
3. Mona and Beth

Jennifer and Caroline didn't make the final three.

On the way to London next! They get a pint of beer there and are heading to Washington, DC, their final destination. From the Lincoln Memorial, it's off to meet up with the Secret Service for a photo shoot with the President. Or, to be more honest -- a photoshopped shot, not the real thing.

The Roadblock has them being a Spymaster figuring out what one of 50 spies has the next clue. Now Bates and Anthony are in the lead heading to the stadium where the Nationals play baseball.

The stadium challenge is a hoot! One has to fly around on a zipline, the other is in an actual mascot baseball suit trying to catch a ball thrown from the zipline.

The final challenge has them search through globes and put them in the correct order of the race. Bates and Anthony got through it before anyone else arrived! They're now on their way to Mount Vernon ... the Finish Line! The other two teams are at or just arriving at the globes.

Max and Katie are done with the globes.

BATES AND ANTHONY WIN THE AMAZING RACE!

Max and Katie came in second. Last came Mona and Beth.  

Off Topic: That Was the Week It Was - May 5, 2013

It's Sunday morning! Happy Cinco de Mayo! Since it is indeed Sunday, 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. 

But, first ... let me touch on television --
Tonight is the big two-hour season finale of The Amazing Race. It's supposed to start at 8pm EDT. But we know how that goes. I'll have the blog party post up on time whether the show starts on time or not. I hope to see you there!

Also, on a television note, I received promotional screeners for the first six or so episodes of Falling Skies, the Steven Spielberg produced saga on TNT. Yay! As I get them watched (probably not today, unfortunately), I'll post about them without spoilers. I'm looking forward to the return of this show, as well as checking out the upcoming Stephen King show based on 'The Dome.' I think with some of these shows and Big Brother, I should remain entertained all summer.

The past week was a glorious spring week here in my part of New Jersey. The days were sunny, often without a cloud in the sky. The nights were cool. It rained overnight into Monday and not since. I know we need the rain (and apparently will get some this coming week), but this was splendid.

On my day off Wednesday, I spent some time in Mindowaskin Park in nearby Westfield. The bulk of today's photos are from that trip. While the park itself is very nice, the water in the pond not so much. It really needs a major clean-up. I think it's the first time I've been there that I saw no signs of fish in the pond, none at all. That's not good. 

During the week I received an email from a company in Cincinnati -- they want to buy one of my photos to use it in their marketing materials. It's the company that built the solar panel frames at the Bridgewater Train Station parking lot. The shot is one of the empty frames with the sunrise in the background and the sky going from pinkish to a deep velvet above the frame. I looked at their website and, while they have many photos of completed projects, they have nothing like this shot -- kind of an artsy shot of their work. When I know more about the deal, I'll let you know.

Yesterday when I made eye contact with a stranger, a woman perhaps my age. I felt I should say something. So, in honor of Star Wars Day (May 4), I said, "May the fourth be with you." Without skipping a beat, she replied, "Aren't you a little short for a stormtrooper?" Ah, gotta love the geekdom.

Onto the photos for this week ...  

Do these feathers make my butt look big?

Gymnast

This little guy was balanced high up in a tree at the Plainfield Train Station.

Goslings!

Too much cuteness to take in all at once!

The family

Get your ducks, er ... geese, all in a row.

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

Survivor: Caramoan - Fans vs. Favorites - May 1 Blog Party

We're getting down to the wire with this season. Tonight is a double tribal council with two heading to the jury. The season finale is scheduled for May 12. Yes, Mother's Day -- a week from this coming Sunday.

Normally, I don't cheer on a returning player on these shows. I'm really not too keen on them bringing back folks we've seen before. However, this season is an exception. I'd like to see Cochran win it all. That doesn't mean I won't whine and fuss the next time they bring back returning castaways. It's only a one season pass for them. Got that, CBS?

As the show airs, I'll update this entry with the major happenings. Please refresh the page to get the latest news. The party will be going on in the comments area. Come join in! We'd love to have you. Oh. And bring snacks. Oh. And beverages, too.

Tree Mail brought news that they'd have another Immunity Challenge ahead, not a reward. They have to balance on platforms in the water. They're also playing for reward -- information. Jeff is trying to bribe them with donuts and milk. Erik talks Eddie into going for them with him. Silly Eddie. Three hot dogs and a soda get Cochran to jump. He's hoping one of the favorites wins, not Reynold. He said he couldn't hold on much longer. It's down to Andrea and Brenda -- they're talking about each being safe and sharing the clue, but neither wants to jump. They've been up there three hours. Brenda falls ... Andrea wins Immunity and the clue!

The clue is to the hidden idol. She told everyone (but Reynold and Eddie). Erik found the idol in front of her and handed it over. Uh-oh. She's thinking of targeting Brenda instead of Reynold or Eddie. Yipes.

Tribal Council time! Brenda votes Reynold, the only vote shown pre-tally.

Tally -- um, commercial first. Grr.

Erik, Sherri, Reynold, Eddie, Reynold, Eddie, Reynold, Reynold.

Reynold is history.

Andrea is once again talking Brenda. Cochran isn't keen on either Brenda or Dawn going right now. He tells Brenda. They talk of blindsiding Andrea.

Immunity is up for grabs once again. Push a buoy through obstacles, key, chest, ladder puzzle. Erik wins Immunity! 

Andrea thinks her ducks are in a row and Brenda will go. We'll see.

Tribal Council time again! Brenda and Andrea vote for each other.

The tally -- Andrea does NOT play the idol -- Brenda, Andrea, Eddie, Eddie, Andrea, Brenda, Andrea. Blindside goes to Andrea!