Off Topic: That Was the Week It Was - May 24, 2015

Good morning! I hope everyone is enjoying their holiday weekend! Of course, Memorial Day isn't all about beaches and grilling -- please take time to remember the reason behind the holiday to think those who gave their lives in service to our country.

Since it is Sunday, that means it's time for my weekly off television topic reflections on the week gone by in both words and photographs I've taken along the way. I do plan to post some television stuff during the upcoming week even though The Amazing Race and Survivor are over for the season and the summer shows are yet to start. So, please check in for those!

Here are some random ramblings for you:

• I'm on a staycation. I really, really need it. I actually need more than just a staycation, but that's all I can get. I'm so tired all the time! Plus, I'm really grouchy and I don't like to be that way.
• On Thursday night I took a taxi home from the train station as I got home much later than I feel comfortable about hanging around on the downtown streets. (My neighborhood is fine; downtown can be scary at late night hours.) I went to the Yellow taxi across the street from the train station. They called an orange cab (Caribe) to take me home. That was weird.
• Speaking of dangerous, I heard on my scanner last night that three people were shot in town along with many other assaults. It happened at a festival held in a park. I don't go to that sort of thing here.
• I don't know what the theme is for autumn's Plainfield Library Photo Contest and can't find the information online. Hmm. 
• Weather permitting, I hope to hit Mindowaskin Park in Westfield one day, perhaps head into the city (NYC) another and maybe even go to a farmer's market. 
• I might just end up lazing about. Who knows?

Without further ado, here are this week's photographs. Clicking on an image will bring it up in a larger gallery view. I hope everyone has a great week!

Pulling into Plainfield

My train to work arrives at the station. Goody, goody.

The Red Admiral butterfly

He paused on a leaf just long enough for me to snag a quick rather not zoomed in photo.

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A mother, father and adolescent pigeons practically posed for me at the Bridgewater Train station. The adult birds were very curious about the camera, yet watchful over their two offspring. I'm including a flash slideshow here. If you can't get it to come up on your computer or smartphone, the Photobucket link for the pigeon shots can be found right here.

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

Survivor: Worlds Apart Season Finale Blog Party Extravaganza!

Survivor fans ready?

Well, here we are at season's end. And, guess what? I don't care for ANY of them! I find this is the most wholly unlikeable cast ever on the show! How's them apples?

If anyone, I'd have to cheer on the castaway who was my random blog pool pick -- Carolyn. She's played a strategic game as well as winning challenges. She's no spring chicken when it comes to the overall cast, so that's mighty good. It's hard to be an older woman playing the game. Just ask me.

Er, no. Don't ask me. I haven't been, nor will I ever be, on the show. I'll just mock them from afar.

The only other one I think quasi-deserving of a win would be Mike. That doesn't mean I particularly like him. It just means he's played the game and I apparently have grown used to the hoarseness of his voice.

As the show airs here on the East Coast, I'll update this entry with the major happenings. Refresh the page to get the latest news. As always, the real party is in the comments area. I hope to see you there with fresh fruits and vegetables ... um, make that cold beverages and calorie-laden snacky foods.

Before we get into the show, here are the latest blog pool standings from that Lovely Lifeguard Laurie:

Carolyn - Jackie, TerryinTX
Mike - meb, Nickelpeed 
Rodney - Margo 
Sierra - Jennasmom 
Will - Rbennie 

Jury
Hali 
Joe
Jenn
Shirin
Tyler 
Dan

Let's get started!

Let's see how long the reminiscing takes. No wagering, please! Ding-ding! We have a winner -- eight minutes!

Finally, they're back at camp. Although all voted for Carolyn, it's Mike who is all alone. 

Reward Challenge is a convoluted affair with tiles shuffleboard, balancing them on machetes machetes over obstacles and more. The reward is loved ones visiting. The winner's loved one goes back to camp with them. Plus, the winner will have an advantage in the next Immunity Challenge.

Mike wins Reward and the advantage! Guessing at the talk in camp, he's going to need it. 

Mike's advantage is 30 minutes to explore the maze from the next Immunity Challenge. They will all be blindfolded and have to find four medallions and the Immunity Necklace. His Mom and he screw up and his advantage seems (at this point) to be knowing what the Immunity Challenge IS, not how to complete it. 

And, the Immunity Challenge is on! Mike wins it, but I don't think it's because he had the advantage.

Carolyn has to go to her Plan B, her bond with Mike. Sierra, Mike and Carolyn agree with Rodney going before anyone, Will as a second choice. I'm good with that. 

Rodney tries to get in with Mike. He does have a point that against him in the final, Mike would win. Rodney wants to push a Sierra vote. 

Time for Tribal Council. We'll see if Mike really wants to play with players or will go with the easy win over Rodney or Will. 

Rodney votes for Sierra with a bit too much confidence.

The tally -- Sierra, Rodney, Sierra, Sierra.

Oh, my. Whoa! Both Mike and Carolyn voted Sierra! Oh, my.

Into the Immunity Challenge! Untying knots to open a gate, water slides, keys, puzzle pieces. Mike wins with Carolyn second -- Will sucked at it and Rodney sucked even worse.

Rodney is sure the final three will be Mike, Will and Rodney. Hmm.  Mike tells Carolyn he'll vote Rodney with her, the others will vote for Carolyn. He thinks it will end in a fire challenge and she can practice and win. 

Mike tells us he'd rather lose to Mama C than win over two goats.

Tribal Council time!

The tally -- Rodney, Carolyn, Carolyn, Rodney ... as Mike promised. And, sure enough, it's a fire-making challenge. Carolyn didn't do all that well when practicing, but Rodney is pretty inept at everything. I guess we'll see ... after the commercial.

Dang, neither of them have a fire after twenty minutes! They keep getting replacement flints. The jury is yawning, now 45 minutes. 53 minutes. Rodney has had flame twice, now has fire. So does Carolyn. They have to burn through the rope. CAROLYN WINS! 

Rodney is now on the jury. He's very bitter. 

Jury ...
Joe -- You've got to earn it. Bring it. Earn my vote tonight.
Hali -- Mama C, stereotypical mother role disadvantage ... how did it affect game? Played hard, fought hard.
Rodney -- Will, how did you keep it real and will you keep it real with the jury? Try to make friends. It was all I had. Mama C -- power moves. Tyler, Dan. Hooked up with Mike. Plan A and back-up plans.
Tyler -- Mike, put all on jury. What did you bring in redeeming social manner? I saw paranoia. Mike wanted to do better socially, miserably failed at making bonds. "I suck."Carolyn -- I protected you, heartbroken, gutted. Redeem yourself. Most difficult vote. Survivor makes you do things to get to this point.
Sierra -- She asks Will which trait from the other two he likes in the game.
Jenn -- Addresses the jury and goes pro-Mike.  
Dan -- Mike, Colby Donaldson proved just because you win idols, you don't win the jury. No necklace to save your ass tonight. Mike apologizes to Dan. Dan thinks it's the most genuine thing he's said since the auction. 
Shirin -- She was hoping Mike and Will would be there. Will attacked her, Mike protected her. It was a million dollar moment for her. Doesn't mean Mike has her vote. Her vote goes to the one who played the best and that's Carolyn. Mike is like a howler monkey. Carolyn is a stingray. She was on the winning vote each time. Will is the dead fish. 

Okay, Shirin wins for the jury appearances! She quotes Sue Hawk, let it be the way nature intended. I think it's the only time I've actually enjoyed her this season. She had to be working on that since going to jury.

The vote is on and we should soon whisk to Hollywood. Rodney voted Will so he has one vote. Hali voted Mike. Jenn voted Mama C. Dan looks all befuddled and slams his head. Maybe he abstains! 

The tally -- Mike, Will, Carolyn, Mike, Mike, Mike ... MIKE WINS THE SEASON! 

Mike is no longer eligible to be on next season. He had been a choice in the Second Chance listing.

Huh. Still unlikeable people at the reunion.

The Second Chance cast for the next season to be announced. 

Kelly Wiglesworth 
Kimmie Kappenburg (sp)
Jeff Varner 
Keith Nale
Peih-Gee Lawe
Ciera Eastin
Vytas Baskauskas
Terry Dietz
Andrew Savage
Abi Gomes 
Kass McQuillen
Monica Padilla
Kelley Wentworth
Shirin Oskooi
Steve Fishbach 
Woo Hwang
Tasha Fox
Jeremy Collins
Spencer Bledsoe
Joe Anglim

Heading to Cambodia.

Off Topic: That Was the Week It Was - May 17, 2015

Good morning! It's Sunday morning. You know what that means. It's time for my off television topic review of the week gone by in both words and photographs I've taken along the way.

Spring finally has its sturdy foothold here in my area of New Jersey. We've had at least one 90 degree day (boo) and a few overnights have been a bit more than chilly. Yet, there has been no mention of snow. Woot, woot!

It's also apparently heavy-duty construction time. I realize that spring always brings about some construction and road projects. But I've never seen so many everywhere like I am this year. In Plainfield, they opened the Park Avenue bridge by the Plainfield Train Station just in time to shut down the Watchung Avenue bridge on the other side of the station and keep traffic north/south crippled and detoured. Things have been going on on East Second Street (which really, really needs repaving -- I almost fell stepping in a pot hole) for the last six weeks or so. Now they're calling East Second Street the detour for East Front Street as they pave and re-line from Watchung Avenue to Terrill Road, thus crippling east/west travel.

Even by my workplace, construction has tied up the roads and they've done some mighty strange reworking of the travel lanes. In one place, it's definitely more dangerous for pedestrians in the crosswalk. In other places, it's going to create traffic issues as they took out lanes.

Here are some random thoughts and observations coming from the past week:

• The railroad bridge work crews use an air horn to get their people off the tracks when trains are coming.
• I'd like an air horn to blast bicycle riders on the sidewalks. Sure, I stand my ground and make them go around me. However, an air horn would be a lot more fun. No bicycling on the sidewalks!
• I feel safe riding the train. In view of the distance covered and the commute time involved, I'd venture to guess my commuter train might hit 60mph or so. We have no curves on my work commute route. Now they're saying that the train in the horrific Philly crash might have been hit by a projectile. I've seen people (mostly kids) do that. Once a rock hit the window by my head. It didn't break the window, but it did make me almost jump out of my seat.
• The Plainfield Police are making people move their parked cars on my street (for repaving) by sitting there with their sirens on early in the morning. That's annoying. Just tow the darn cars. The signs are up all over the place. If they don't get it, they deserve to pay the towing charges.
• I am exhausted. At times I feel my work is crushing my soul. I'd rather work with big cats or other animals. People are draining me dry. I can only hope retirement in a few years is financially doable. Then I can pursue things I enjoy doing and, hopefully, have a more positive outlook. Right now, I'm just too tired to do much other than work, sleep and eat.
• I'm going to go through Letterman withdrawal later this week. Sniffle. The big Survivor three-hour finale/reunion and Letterman's last show air on Wednesday night.

Onto this week's photos -- clicking on an image will bring it up in a larger window gallery thingee ...

Just Chillin'

The Plainfield area skateboard/bicycle-tricks teenage crowd has a new hangout. It looks like a combination skateboard, tattoo and skateboard culture gear store has opened on East Front Street. It's just up the block from their skating "arena" near the Park-Madison complex. Now, if I were a parent, I'd have plenty of worries as these kids never wear safety gear and the tricks they do involve a lot of falling on pavement. As a citizen (and they're not doing it outside my windows at home), I think it's just fine. If these guys are focused on learning new skateboard tricks and having fun ... go for it. It's 100% better than other things they could be doing and what many kids are involved in around town.

Pretty in pink

These have been planted near town homes on East Front Street in Plainfield. Whatever they are, they're certainly very pretty.

I am PIGEON!

A pigeon on North Avenue in Plainfield shows off his impressive wingspan.

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

The Amazing Race 26 - Season Finale Blog Party

 

It's Friday night -- time for The Amazing Race! Tonight we're in for a one-hour season finale with four teams starting the leg. While Mike and Rochelle came in last in the prior leg, they're still in it. However, Phil hinted that one team would be eliminated during the leg last week. I've taken a liking to Mike and Rochelle, but I don't think they can compare physically or perhaps even mentally to the remaining teams. They're the only not blind dates remaining on the show. I would be thrilled if they won the million.

As the show airs here, I'll update this entry with the major happenings. Refresh the page to get the latest news! As always, the real party is in the comments area. I hope to see you there. (And bring snacks. And beverages.)

Here's the blog pool standings presented by the Magnificent Margo:

Mike and Rochelle - Cheryl in NC, Laurie

Blair and Hayley - Terry in TX, Margo, Chris

Jelani and Jenny - Marlo, Lynn 1, dla

Tyler and Laura - Ed in OH, David, Nickelpeed

PHILIMINATED:

Jeff and Lyda - Jennasmom, Paula Bell, meb

Lebya and CJ - Donna in FL, PDXGranny 

Harley and Jonathan - Becky, Willie J 

Bergen and Kurt - Nana in NW, Rbennie

Jeffrey and Jackie - Brian, Donna in AL, ORKMommy

Aly and Steve - Jackie, SueGee 

Matt and Ashley - Delee, Merrilee

Let's get this show on the road!

Teams are flying to Dallas. Phil told Mike and Rochelle that a team will be eliminated before the finish line.

Who wants to score? They're at the AT&T Stadium and Mike/Rochelle make it there first! Haley/Blair is last. Fireworks, marching band, Mike on the Jumbo Screen. They have to do football stuff (technical term on my part) first hanging up in the air. Somehow Jelani is getting the clue in the air last.

Tyler and Laura get through it first. 

Now Hayley/Blair are in the lead. They head to a ranch and ride horses to drive cattle. 

Sigh. Rochelle/Mike's taxi wouldn't wait at the stadium and now their new cab has to go out of the way for gas. Meanwhile, the other teams are all at the ranch. 

Sigh even more. Phil greets Mike and Rochelle and Philiminates them. They take it well and their relationship seems stronger for the experience. 

Teams have to go to a tower, climb and rappel down. While going down the team member has to locate the clue.

Heh. It looks like Hayley got them lost. Yay! Laura and Jill do the rappel together and spot flags -- the real next clue.

There are monster trucks they have ride through a bog pit, then a memory test. Right now Laura and Tyler are in the lead. In the memory test, they get locations, come up with the leg number and open a lock. 

Hayley is redoing the rappel and spots the red and yellow flags. 

Jelani/Jill get the lock first. They then have to place several dozen selfies on the map. Laura and Tyler are stumped on the lock. 

Laura and Tyler finish it first and are driving their monster truck back through the bog. They have the clue for the finish line. Jelani and Jill are coming behind them.

YES! Tyler and Laura win The Amazing Race!

2. Jelani and Jenny

3. Hayley and Blair

All blind date couples winning.

Survivor: Worlds Apart - May 13 Blog Party

Survivor fans ready?

Mike no longer has an idol and everyone knows it. Dan still has his two vote advantage and a few people know about that thanks to Tyler (booted last week). Carolyn still has an idol and no one knows it except Tyler who's off relaxing at the Ponderosa. We still have six castaways going into tonight's penultimate episode. Next week's (Wednesday night) season finale is to be two hours followed by the hour-long reunion show. (Followed by Letterman's last show later on!)

Will they oust Mike? Perhaps blindside Dan tonight? I just don't know. As the show airs here on the East Coast, I'll update this entry with the major happenings. Refresh the page to get the latest news! And, as always, please join in on the party down in the comments area. Bring snacks ... and cold beverages, please!

Before we get into the show, here are the latest blog pool standings from that Lovely Lifeguard Laurie:

Carolyn - Jackie, TerryinTX
Dan - Brian, CherylinNC 
Mike - meb, Nickelpeed 
Rodney - Margo 
Sierra - Jennasmom 
Will - Rbennie 

Jury
Hali 
Joe
Jenn
Shirin
Tyler

Let's get started!

Mike knows he won't last long without either an Immunity idol or winning Immunity each challenge. Carolyn wants to keep Mike as an ally option and focus on getting Dan out. She tells Mike about Dan's extra vote advantage.

Rewards Challenge - Two teams, race obstacles, untie knots, hatchet ropes, all leading to a puzzle. It's a helicopter tour of Nicaragua and a feast. Rodney whines more at Jeff's prompting.

Both teams are stumped on the puzzle. They're both stumped still at an hour into the puzzle. Finally Carolyn, Mike and Will win Reward. Rodney is out AGAIN. Heh. Carolyn is the one who finally realized what the puzzle clue was ... now she's on the fence about giving Rodney his turn. Nope. She keeps it for herself. Good for her! He hasn't won it!

Rodney whines and whines about Carolyn not giving him her Reward. Meanwhile, Dan finds some unknown watermelon-like fruit and wins both Rodney's and Sierra's favor. 

Tree mail hints that good hand, eye, coordination and patience will be virtues in the next Immunity Challenge. Mike is trying to scheme. He tells Sierra of Dan's advantage. But she also doesn't want to be with Mike at the end -- everyone is afraid of that. 

Immunity Challenge time. Retrieve three bags with grappling hooks. Bags contain balls. Solve a table maze. Mike WINS IMMUNITY! (And he needs it.)

Dan pushes the Carolyn must go move. Meanwhile, they're thinking it's Dan that should go.

Will Carolyn heed the warning from Mike that Will, Dan and Rodney will be voting for her to go?

It's Tribal Council time. They're not showing any of the votes.

Dan uses his advantage -- two votes.  He goes off to cast his second vote. I'd say Carolyn needs to use her idol. YES! She plays it! Dan and Rodney don't look too happy.

The tally --
Carolyn, Carolyn, Carolyn, Carolyn, Carolyn, Dan, Dan.

HA! Dan is gone!