Off Topic: That Was the Week It Was - October 20, 2013

Good morning! It's Sunday morning, yep. You know what that means. 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. Later tonight we'll have The Amazing Race blog party. I do hope to see you there!

I do have a few television related things I'd like to bring up before I get into the week. Odd, but both have to do with commercials --

First, I see the YouTube "Kid President" is now on the Meineke commercials. Very nice. Not only is his upbeat attitude infectious, but he has some serious health issues -- he has a brittle bone disease and has suffered over 70 broken bones so far in his life. It's good when good things happen to someone who's had their share of bad.

Second, as I was watching Brooklyn Nine-Nine (one of the only new sitcoms I haven taken to so far this year), I was wondering if there would be an Allstate "Mayhem" commercial as Dean Winters was the guest. Yup, there was!

Okay, enough television for the off television topic post!

My week started last Sunday morning -- yes, it always does, but this was different! Workmen showed up to rip out my old original (about 50 years old) windows and replace them. What an ordeal that was! They were supposed to have been here the day before, but switched to Sunday. That's good in a way as I was home on Sunday, not Saturday. The project lasted from about 9am until 1pm, partially because the contractors were doing another apartment at the same time. I wouldn't want them in here when I wasn't home and the super (whom I trust) can't be everywhere at once. Poor Vincent was trapped in the bathroom for all that time. There's a window in there, but it only leads out to the ventilation chute. That one wasn't replaced.

The landlord who bought this building about a year and a half ago has really made many improvements. New attractive glass entrance doors on the side and front. Railings for the steps at the door in the rear as well as a raised platform for the exit -- rain water used to puddle right in front of the door. New washers and dryers in the laundry room. Brighter lighting in the stairways and halls. IF the elevator goes wonky, it's fixed within a day.  They also installed a new emergency phone in there -- one I'm less likely to accidentally set off while toting packages or bags. Heck, they even fixed the light on the first floor button in the elevator. I can't recall that working in the past ten years. This landlord is the first (out of four since I've lived here) who has actually stopped ALL the leaks from the apartment above me! And, they only raised my rent $5 this year.

All that said, I do wish they'd watch how many people, including children, live in the apartments. I don't see how, when the building is only studio, one bedroom and two bedroom units, people can have five kids in an apartment ... often with two adults! There's a sticker from 1983 inside one of my kitchen cabinets saying my unit passed inspection and maximum occupancy is two tenants. Mine is a one bedroom. I guess that's all changed, huh?

In other news, I had good news this past week on the personal front. At least, good prospective news. I'll go more into things when (and if) they come to fruition. One has to do with blogging, the other with photography. Ah, two of my passions! 

The weather this past week wasn't as dreary as the last few. What rain we had confined itself to the overnight hours. As it should, of course! So, I got in some decent photos. This week it's supposed to be about ten degrees cooler on the average. That's okay with me. I have new less drafty windows!

Red leaves in the sun

Although the leaves are growing more sparse, the color is glorious at this tree outside the Friends Meeting House (Quakers) on Watchung Avenue in Plainfield.

Late season bee

This one's working the spotted knapwood at the Bridgewater Train Station.

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

Survivor: Blood vs. Water - October 16 Blog Party

Good evening, Survivor fans! The promos for tonight's show are hinting quite blatantly at yet another blindside. It brings to mind last week's show in which it seems like Caleb all of a sudden thinks he's in charge after Brad's ouster. While I so didn't want another season of Colton (and got my wish), as of this point, I've kind of liked Caleb. Hmm ... wonder if the blindside will be him.

How's the swimming, you ask? Well, the water's just fine. For some of us, that is. Here are the latest standings from the Super Soaker LifeGuard Laurie:

End of Week Three 10/9
Galang Team
ARAS -- Donna in FL, MikesGirl
GERVASE -- Jackie, Pam in NJ
KAT -- Jig, Petals
LAURA B -- Buzzmaan, Laurie, SueGee
LAURA M -- AlbGlinka, JOKATS, rbennie
MONICA -- Becky, KayBeeRN, Russ
TINA -- Cheryl in NC, Lynn1, Terry in TX
TYSON -- Delee, meb

Tadhana
CALEB -- Glenn, ORKMommy
CIERA -- Andrea J, Karen in CA, Rochelle
HAYDEN -- Joanie, Quixotic Elf
KATIE -- David, Margo, Zoetawny
VYTAS -- Donna NY, ML

Redemption Island
CANDICE -- Dusty, Monty924
JOHN -- Ed in Ohio, Nana in the NW
BRAD -- Brent McKee, Kelly D. Sharon N.

Off the Island
RUPERT -- Brian, Kelsey NY, Sharon S.
RACHEL -- Donna in AL, Merrilee
MARISSA -- Jennas Mom, PDX Granny

Quit
COLTON -- Gaylos, Nickelpeed

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As the show airs here on the East Coast, I'll update this entry with the major happenings. Refresh this page to get the latest! But, as you know, the real party is in the comments -- come join in on the fun!

Redemption Island Duel Time!
They have to build a bridge with planks, then un-build it and solve the puzzle with the planks. John wins! Brad comes in second. Candice is out of the game. He once again gives Monica the clue to the hidden idol. She once again tosses it in the fire.

Ew. They really don't need to show us disgusting wounds and toenails falling off. Ew.

Time for the Immunity Challenge!
Race down a slide, grab a ring, toss on a post, get a point for the tribe. Reward is steak, vegetables, spices and a wok ... or fishing gear.

OH MY GOSH! Tadhana won a challenge! About time! They chose the steak, possibly not the best decision as they could use the fishing gear for the rest of the game.

Aras would like Laura M. to be the vote as she might knock Brad out of Redemption Island and thus become a better ally for their own game.

The tally: Laura B, Laura M, Laura M, Laura M, Laura M. She's blindsided and headed to Redemption Island.

Ah, looks like Jeff is mixing things up with the tribes at the next Redemption Duel. Hmm ...

The Amazing Race: October 13, 2013 Episode Blog Party

Oh my gosh! The show is starting on time tonight here on the East Coast! Woohoo! I guess that must mean the pigs are flying over Hoboken!

As it airs, I'll update this entry with the major happenings -- refresh the page to get the latest! However, the real party is where it always is ... in the comments area. Come join us!

Margo's latest blog pool standings:
Ally And Ashley - LafayetteLisanne, Jackie,Tammy
Brandon And Adam - Donna in FL, Monty924, Sharon
Chester And Ephraim - Buzzmaam, Donna in AL, Sharon S
Jason And Amy - Nicklepeed, PDXGranny, Brian, DLA
Leo And Jamal - MEB, Margo, Brenda, Caela
Nicky And Kim - Nana in NW, Jennasmom, David
Tim And Danny - JOKATS, Dusty, Zoetawny
Tim And Marie - SueGee, DKNYNC, Rbennie
Travis And Nicole - Delee, Laurie, Lynn1, Merrilee

Sorry you have been PHILIMINATED
Hoskote And Naina
Rowan And Shane - ML, Becky, Cheryl in NC, KayBeeRN

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Teams are flying to Lisbon, Portugal.

Once in Lisbon, a painting clue heads them to the Coach Museum and a Detour clue -- Tiles (making a figure of tiles) or Miles (figuring mileage between several cities on Magellan's journey from a giant map).

Roadblock - Who has s hand for slings and arrows? Dressed in armor, they have to shoot arrows at a target with a huge contraption. Then it will be onto a castle for the Pit Stop.

The last team to arrive MAY be eliminated.

Pit Stop --
1. Nicole and Travis, won a trip to Costa Rica
2. Jason and Amy
3. Nicky and Kim
4. Tim and Danny
5. Brandon and Adam
6. Leo and Jamal
7. Ally and Ashley
8. Tim and Marie

Sigh. Phil meets Chester and Ephraim at the airport when they arrive after all the other teams already made it to the Pit Stop. Their bad luck flight streak did them in ... Philiminated.

Off Topic: That Was the Week It Was - October 13, 2013

Yep. It's once again Sunday morning! G'mornin' to ya! This is my weekly off television topic reflection on the week gone by in both words and photographs I've taken along the way. Later this evening, you're all invited to the blog party for The Amazing Race, but this here isn't about television.

It was a doldrums kind of week here with more gloomy skies than not. Thus, it was another week of not great photos for the most part. It's pitch-dark as I head to the train station most mornings. The saying "the darkest hour is before the dawn" is definitely right. While I'm not one to wander around Plainfield alone at night, walking to the train in the morning hours is different. The denizens of the dark are finally asleep and, while quiet, the folks I do see on my early morning walk are all heading to work ... just like me.

I come up with nicknames in my mind for those I encounter in my daily journeys:

• There's Banana Man at the Bridgewater Train Station. He parks his car at the Target parking lot across the street to avoid the $4 daily parking fee at the station. He's ALWAYS eating a banana as our paths cross.
• There's Confused Lady at the Plainfield Train Station. She's been taking the early train for a good six months now and still looks confused about where she wants to sit (on the mostly empty train) daily. She also looks befuddled every day when the conductor wants to take her ticket and takes forever to dig through her purse for one. If she catches the train home daily, she'd do better off with a monthly ticket, but it just might confuse her.
• There's the Waving Man outside Everybody's Food Market on East Front Street. He doesn't work for, but hangs around the market -- a Jamaican/West Indies run establishment -- during business hours. He arrives before the store opens, moves the newspaper stack out of the elements and sits in his car, apparently awaiting the person who opens. He always waves and says hello.
• There's Spike Lee Lookin' Dude with the shih tzu doggie. He usually has a cup of coffee in one hand, the dog leash in the other. We greet, small talk about the weather and go our separate ways.
• There's the regular bunch of Latino workers awaiting rides. These aren't guys looking for work -- they definitely have steady landscaping and/or construction jobs. They buy their breakfasts at the restaurant which used to be Mi Ranchito (don't think it still is) on East Front Street and tote small coolers for their lunches. They often say good morning in unison as I pass by.

 Oh well, onto the photos for this week ... 

Yay! Acorn season!

This squirrel at the Plainfield Train Station was one busy little dude.

Getting colorful

The foliage is still being very selective around here. Some trees, mostly smaller ones, are already barren. But, many trees are still green. I took this from North Avenue looking towards the Friends Meeting House on Watchung Avenue, Plainfield.

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

Survivor: Blood vs. Water - October 9 Episode Blog Party

Oh my gosh ... is the newbie team ever going to win ANYTHING? At least, with the "loved ones" twist this season, there's a bit of a new dynamic in the midst due to the connections. Otherwise, it would just be another season of watching experienced veteran players trounce the newcomers.

As the show airs here on the East Coast, I'll update this entry with the major happenings. As always, the real party is in the comments. Please join us!

Here are the blog pool standings as of the last episode, brought to you by that ever-rockin' LifeGuard Laurie:

Galang
ARAS -- Donna in FL, MikesGirl
GERVASE -- Jackie, Pam in NJ
KAT -- Jig, Petals
LAURA B -- Buzzmaan, Laurie, SueGee
LAURA M -- AlbGlinka, JOKATS, rbennie
MONICA -- Becky, KayBeeRN, Russ
TINA -- Cheryl in NC, Lynn1, Terry in TX
TYSON -- Delee, meb

Tadhana
BRAD -- Brent McKee, Kelly D. Sharon N.
CALEB -- Glenn, ORKMommy
CIERA -- Andrea J, Karen in CA, Rochelle
HAYDEN -- Joanie, Quixotic Elf
KATIE -- David, Margo, Zoetawny
VYTAS -- Donna NY, ML

Redemption Island
CANDICE -- Dusty, Monty924
MARISSA -- Jennas Mom, PDX Granny
JOHN -- Ed in Ohio, Nana in the NW

Off the Island
RUPERT -- Brian, Kelsey NY, Sharon S.
RACHEL -- Donna in AL, Merrilee

Quit the game
COLTON -- Gaylos, Nickelpeed

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Survivor fans ready? Let's partay! And, watch the show. Of course.

Redemption duel time!
Uh-oh. Husband and wife will have to duel against each other ... and Marissa.

They have to unravel a rope on a horizontal ladder doohicky, get puzzle pieces and solve a puzzle. John wins! Candice survives in second place and Marissa gets the boot. Candice told John to give the clue to the hidden idol to Monica. He went with it -- to put a target on Monica's back due to Brad being institutional in his tribal ouster. On Brad's advice, Monica burns the clue.

Immunity Challenge time!
Paddle out to crates (five of them), gather crates with puzzle pieces, solve puzzle, raise flag. Ho-hum. Reward is tea and biscotti or can be traded for fishing gear. Galang (veteran players) win once again. Oy.

Tribal Council
Ciera is worried, as she needs to be. Caleb should be worried. Whoa! Caleb says he will write Brad's name down and puts the rest on the spot.

The tally: Brad, Ciera, Ciera, Brad, Ciera, Brad. It's a tie. Re-vote time. We see Hayden scribble out where he started to write Ciera and put Brad's name instead.

The re-tally -- Brad, Ciera, Brad, Brad.

Big Bad Brad is headed to Redemption Island!