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**

The Amazing Race: Meet the Cast Video

On September 29th, a week from this Sunday, we'll have the season premiere of The Amazing Race. Woot! In watching the videos and coming off such a nasty cast on Big Brother, I almost feel rejuvenated ... or something to that effect. It would be nice if BB went for quality and diversity rather than who looks good in a bikini!

Here's Phil's "Meet the Cast" video --



There is one team which is quasi-local to this area. However, I find them confusing. Why would ex-relationship kind of people go on a show like this where they're stuck together as a team and under such stress? The recent article on nj.com told us we can expect "a lot of bickering" by the ex-couple from Morristown, NJ. Oh, great. Just what I don't love on TAR!

Will you be watching?

Big Brother 15: The "I'm sorry if I offended anyone" Season

Although the cast interview at CBS.com aren't up as of this posting, you didn't really miss much if you missed them last night. Repeated apologies from the hamsters, really bad music, long lags in between interviews, very lightweight interviews with Jeff ... as poorly handled as the casting job was done in the first place for this season.

So, it's fitting.

I found written transcripts of backyard interviews by ET Online - check them out. EW.com has a lengthy podcast interview with the final three, too. They definitely got a bit more into things than did the CBS interviews.

All in all, I'm glad the season ended. Hopefully next year, I'll have a hamster to cheer on. I didn't even feel that way about most of the so-called "good" people this year. I liked Helen, then she went over the top. I liked Howard, but he seemed in his own game world and really didn't have a strategy, so he lost me. I liked Judd, but he would go weird at times. And so on.

I actually liked Evel Dick in his season. Yeah, I admit it. I also liked Ian Terry despite the fact he was a perpetual motion machine. Dr. Will made me smile and laugh. I could root for them despite their faults. But I never even liked anyone enough this season to declare myself a fan.

Time to move on ...

Big Brother 15: Season Finale Blog Party

Welp, this is it -- the season finale of what's probably going to go into the annals of BB history as the season with the most disliked cast ever. Heck, even the ones I kind of liked this season didn't win me over whole-heartedly in their gameplay or lack thereof.

The live feeds were shut down this morning as far as new stuff goes. If you're paying by the month, you need to cancel via cbs.com. If you've bought the season pass, you can access the flashbacks and such until October 20th. At that time, all will shut down. With the season pass, all will just end -- you needn't do anything to cancel.

After tonight's show there will be Jeff Schroeder backyard interviews with the cast hamsters. Since Letterman is in repeats and I don't have to cover live feeds or get up for work, I'll probably watch those. Those will only be available via the live feeds accounts, I believe.

I want to thank those who participated here this season. I look in on other places and the lack of civility and outright hate in those places makes me cringe. It's just a show. It's entertainment. Yeah, sometimes annoying entertainment, but nothing truly important to all of mankind. Hey, we already knew there are idiots out there ... ain't nuthin' new! I also want to thank those who took the extra step of donating to the blog via the Paypal link. All donations are dearly appreciated and tend to make up a bit for my lack of sleep for three months! Thank you again ... you guys rock!

As the show airs here tonight, I'll update this entry with the major happenings -- refresh the page to get the latest! But, as always, the real party is in the comments! Come dance with us as we celebrate the finale of a nasty season as we're all so thrilled it will be done and over with! ;-)

Part 1 of the final HoH continues ... the disco skating while holding onto a bar. Spencer's out first. No surprises there! Andy's down. GM wins part one!

Part 2 is ocean-themed. They have to find all the crabby ex-hg in a puzzle in Crab Grab. It has them climbing up a rock wall doohickey, rappelling down. It's one at a time, timed. Andy is up first. Spencer starts off well, but then it looks like he's going to have a heart attack. He pushes through it.

The times: Andy 21.54 minutes, Spencer 36.11. Andy wins part two!

Will schools the jury! McCrae joins them. The jury hates each other except Candice and Aaryn. They're friends. The jury admires GM except Amanda. Ha.

Final HoH part three -- How well they know the jury. Gah. Andy wins the final HoH.

Andy votes to evict OMG ... he evicts SPENCER because he gave GM his word the first night!

It's GinaMarie and Andy in the final two! I can't believe it!

Jury is introduced. Jury gets three questions for each ahead of time.

Amanda - GM, prior to Exterminators, biggest game move other than getting me out. GM -- She says getting her out.

Elissa - Andy's biggest game move before Exterminators. He says the Amanda alliance. Playing both sides.

Helen - GM -Biggest obstacle to overcome. Having Nick leave, plays with heart, now a better person.

McCrae - Andy stabbed everybody in back, would be a bitter jury member? Andy doesn't think so.

Candace - GM - personally offended so many. Why give you the money? GM said was totally shocked, the money would help family, etc. Special each and every one of you.

Jessie - Andy - So many lies? He says he's a coward. Apologizes.

Spencer - Andy - You cost me money. Why should I give you a half-million? Andy says was loyal, promised GM day one.

Speech time. Why they deserve to win.
GM - Best looking crew. Kept deals, played loyal, amazing opportunity, I'm GM, made connections, apologizes for anything she said which might have offended.

Andy - Played game with heart and mind. I meant all personal connections. Tried not to be a target. Adapted.

Inserting the keys for the winner.
Candice - Someone I love and respect
Jessie - Played most consistent game
Helen - Both are winners, hard to do, best game
Aaryn - Love both of you, vote for the one who's been there for her
Amanda - Best person, best player
Elissa - Flawless social game
Judd - Let the best Exterminator win
McCrae - Whoever wins buys drinks tonight
Spencer - Best player

Hmm. I think it will probably go to Andy, but no results yet.

The tally:
Spencer - Andy
McCrae - Andy
Judd - GM
Elissa - Andy
Amanda - Andy
Aaryn - GM
Helen - Andy

Andy wins. Not really surprising. Jessie and Candace also voted Andy.

Judd, Elissa and Howard were the top three for fan favorite.

Elissa won that. What a shocker, eh?

It's OVER.

Survivor: Blood vs. Water Season Premiere Blog Party

Okay .... Survivor fans ready? Tonight is the big season premiere! If you're like me, you've already checked out Jeff's cast assessment and the clip of the first seven minutes of tonight's show on cbs.com.

Hmm. I'm not really keen on returning players on reality competition shows. At least this time, there's a bit more of a twist than your basic fans vs. favorites scenario. The show starts out with the cast spending a night alone on the island (?) with their loved one, alone. But then the returning players are put on one tribe, the loved ones on the other. That's my understanding, anyway.

It's definitely a set-up for drama. Will people shy away from beating their loved ones in challenges? In the end, will a loved one vote against his or her real-life relationship partner? Once the merge goes down, will the blood work together or with original tribemates? There can only be one winner.

Jeff seems quite impressed with Aras and his brother, as well as Big Brother winner Hayden. I'm just personally surprised that Hayden is in a relationship with Crazy Kat! Jeff also says we'll see a different Colton. I reserve judgment on that one although his partner seems pleasant and likable.

As the show airs tonight on the East Coast, I'll update this entry with the major happenings -- so refresh to get the latest news! Immediately after the show, the blog party of the season finale of Big Brother 15 will be up. So, at that time, move onto that post those of you following that show!

The esteemed and lovable LifeGuard Laurie has compiled the random drawings for the pool and here they are (if you didn't make the cut-off of 3pm ET yesterday, feel free to pick your own castaway to cheer on!):

ARAS -- Donna in FL, MikesGirl
BRAD --Brent McKee, Kelly D. Sharon N.
CALEB -- Glenn, ORKMommy
CANDICE -- Dusty, Monty924
CIERA -- Andrea J, Karen in CA, Rochelle
COLTON -- Gaylos, Nickelpeed
GERVASE -- Jackie, Pam in NJ
HAYDEN -- Joanie, Quixotic Elf
JOHN -- Ed in Ohio, Nana in the NW
KAT -- Jig, Petals
KATIE -- David, Margo, Zoetawny
LAURA B -- Buzzmaan, Laurie, SueGee
LAURA M -- AlbGlinka, JOKATS, rbennie
MARISSA -- Jennas Mom, PDX Granny
MONICA -- Becky, KayBeeRN, Russ
RACHEL -- Donna in AL, Merrilee
RUPERT -- Brian, Kelsey NY, Sharon S.
TINA -- Cheryl in NC, Lynn1, Terry in TX
TYSON -- Delee, meb
VYTAS -- Donna NY, ML

All that said, the party is really in the comments area. Come join us!

They all gather together with Jeff after their night with the loved one bit. Jeff tells them they won't be playing WITH the loved one, but AGAINST said loved one. Most are looking forward to it. Jeff splits them up by new players and returning players.

Yikes! Each tribe has to vote someone out now! Uh-oh ... Laura, Rupert's wife, gets the can. Candice got the can(dice) on the returning players tribe. Oh my. Jeff says they're not out of the game -- Redemption Island is in play this season.

Jeff offered the loved ones to switch with those voted out. Rupert does so and Laura goes to the returning players tribe in his place. He will have to duel for redemption to get back in. John says that he thinks Candace can beat Rupert in the duels. He stays with the new player tribe.

Immunity Challenge time. Racing through water, puzzle pieces, put together a ship's wheel, raise the flag. They're also playing for flint. The old-timers already have a fire thanks to Tyson, but the new players need it! Gervase is dragging his team down. Eep. But during the puzzle, returning players take on the lead.

Galang wins Immunity. That would be the returning players.

The newbies have already got a male alliance of five men together with only four women on the tribe.

Tribal Council time.

Votes:
Katie
Marissa
Marissa
Marissa
Marissa
Marissa

Grr. Marissa got the boot mainly because she's female and Gervase gloated over winning.