my partner the terrorist

Not what you want to see on your partner’s computer when you come to work…

Google Helps Everyone

Of course, homeland security has definately red-flagged my site now. 😉

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inflatable entertainment

Saw this on an employee’s desk…

Inflatable Entertainment
“inflatable entertainment”

Makes me wonder what kind of prizes we’re giving out to our fundraising customers… 😉

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Detachable arms good for sleeping

I think if people had the option of taking off their arms before bed, they’d get a lot more sleep.

arms

Some nights I try everything. Under my pillow… at my side… over my head… crossed on my chest… even straight up in the air like some kind of ring-toss game. Nothing works. So, detachable arms just seems like the way to go. Of course, I might just be sleep-deprived too.

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Get Well Red – Friday December 1st

inspired

The (Red) Manifesto

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The Amazing Race 10 – Episode 11 Recap

The Amazing Race – Season 10 – Episode 11

Good episode this week. I didn’t even think about Hippies, Frat Boys, Bowling Moms, or any other season’s teams. Until just now… Darn it. Oh well… My pick for final three will be Models, Rob & Kimberly, and – can’t believe I can bring myself to say it – the Moms. Why? Read on.

This week’s rundown:

Tyler and James
THIS WEEK – 1st – Won Sprint Trio 700P’s with 1 year service (I’d have been wishing for a trip!)
LAST WEEK – 1st, arrived at 7:33pm
Ex-Addict Models (Tyler & James) – Why didn’t they yield the Queens? At this stage in the game you need to take out your strongest competition. Just because someone doesn’t like you, is that going to make you do worse in the next leg of the race? Do they really think the Queens are going to date them after the race or something? Silly. On the positive side, they made me laugh talking about the detour. “We have to make the pots, dude, it’s not actually throwing them.” Well at least they knew it was pottery. 😉

Lyn and Karlyn
THIS WEEK – 2nd
LAST WEEK – 4th, arrived at 9:08pm
Moms (Lyn & Karlyn) – Yielded and still in second place. Ahhh! The epitomy of what I think of this team comes from the following… They get yielded by the Queens and can do nothing but badmouth them with “We already hated them” and “They showed no character” but immediately turn around and flip them off as they pass by. Oooooooo! Now that’s showing great character – and with your kids watching the show too. They almost came in first, but the models were able to run from the mat back to their car to grab a forgotten lucky charm and then still beat them in a footrace to return to the mat again. Maybe if their feet were as quick as their middle finger, they could have done it.

Rob and Kimberly
THIS WEEK – 3rd
LAST WEEK – 3rd, arrived at 8:19pm
Rob & Kimberly – These two have traded in their disfunction for lousy luck with automobiles. If they hadn’t made me so miserable in previous episodes I would have felt more sorry for them when their car got a flat and then they couldn’t get the jack to work. In the end, dealing with the stress and adversity will be much better for them than a million dollars. 😉

Who got kicked off?

Dustin and Kandice
THIS WEEK – 4th – SAVED BY NON-ELIMINATION!
LAST WEEK – 2nd, arrived at 7:41pm
Beauty Queens (Dustin & Kandice) – So what. They yielded the Moms. There was nobody else behind them to yield so who else could they pick? It’s a game and they are playing to win. “We’re not evil blondes, we’re just competitive blondes.” It didn’t work out for them, but I don’t think it has anything to do with Karma or super-anger-powered Moms. It has more to do with arrogance and not watching where they’re driving. Any other week and I’d say they could come in first next leg so they can stay in the race. However, with only three teams left to go to the final, I think the other teams should – and might – ban together against the blondes to royally screw them over. I don’t want to see this happen, but, like the blondes say, “It’s a game.” Good luck ladies.

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The Amazing Race 10 – Episode 10 Recap

The Amazing Race – Season 10 – Episode 10

I’m rooting for the Queens (or “Barbies” as other racers are calling them) or the Models. Well, officially I’m just rooting *against* the Moms. The biggest thing this week? The end of the six-pack (minus two) alliance.

This week’s rundown:

Tyler and James
THIS WEEK – 1st – Won a “dream trip” for two to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
LAST WEEK – 1st
Ex-Addict Models (Tyler & James) – I predict the playful banter between the Models and the Queens will turn serious and the couples will make it to the final leg of the race, stop in the middle of a sprint against one another to the mat and million dollar prize, drop down on bended knees, and propose marriage. Then they’ll pair off boy-girl, boy-girl and step on the mat together in a two-way never before heard of tie to win The Amazing Race.

Dustin and Kandice
THIS WEEK – 2nd
LAST WEEK – 2nd
Beauty Queens (Dustin & Kandice) – Umm… alternate scenario. The Queens play the Models like cheap fiddles, leave them naked and penniless in an airport bathroom, frame the Moms, and go on to win the race while Rob & Kimberly are still listed as “missing” after the Moms tricked them onto a plane going to the middle east.

Rob and Kimberly
THIS WEEK – 3rd
LAST WEEK – 4th
Rob & Kimberly – I don’t care for Rob & Kimberly to win the race, but if it came down to them against the Moms, I’d choose Rob & Kimberly. If nothing else, Rob has become very determined to win. A little psycho, but definately determined. For example, last episode biking like a maniac down a dark mine shift and then hoofing it back up the shaft – uphill – with a block of limestone and catching up to the other teams. Determination. This week he actually complemented Kimberly too. Well… he said she was like a super alien being from outer space or something like that – but it was said in a very loving manner!

Lyn and Karlyn
THIS WEEK – 4th
LAST WEEK – 3rd
Moms (Lyn & Karlyn) – I respect these two for having enough sense to break the alliance and run the race like true competitors. Umm… that’s the only nice thing I have to say. They rode on everybody else’s backs to get this far. They followed the Chos through most of this episode and whined and complained the entire time. When they drove forward on their own, they didn’t say anything – they just left. I’ve stated that I think alliances to this level in The Amazing Race are stupid – however, they made the social contract and it was really crappy the way they broke it. And *THEN* they had the audacity to be mad at the Chos for following *them* and even went so far as to say, “The Cho brothers need to learn how to run their own race.” I’d just love to see the look on the Chos faces when they watch this episode.

Who got kicked off?

Erwin and Godwin
THIS WEEK – 5th – ELIMINATED!
LAST WEEK – 5th
Erwin & Godwin – These guys must have really good jobs because they sure didn’t care about winning a million dollars. But in the end, the Christmas cards from the Coalminers and the Moms will be enough as they snuggle down into their lollipop beds in their Care Bear pajamas to dream about flowers and flying horses and a world where nobody ever loses…

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Agoo Art

This would happen to me.

Things I Cant Explain to Geico

I recently stumbled across Tony Juliano’s website and what he calls his “Agoo Art”. It’s fun. I’d encourage anyone reading this to take a look.

Here are a couple more from the gallery section:

Mars Needs Kittens
Something about cats being sucked up into a UFO makes me smile.

Chicken of the Sea
Silly… but there’s just something about the strong stance of the chicken that captivates me. Very Russell Crowe from “Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World“.

Russell Crowe

Art is subjective. You see what you see. I’ll see what I see. Just go take a look. 😉

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Josh Mangum is Cool

I was looking at the “about us” section of “Educator’s Corner” and they have thumbnail images of everyone involved in the development of the site.

Josh Mangum is Cool (72k)

Boring corporate picture…

Boring corporate picture…

Boring corporate picture…

and suddenly…

Josh Mangum

So you see, Josh Mangum is cool.

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Video clip on balance between work and personal life

I found a short video clip about the balance between work and personal life that is well worth watching. It’s short, not too deep, but still thought provoking. The trifecta for lazy surfers. 😉

Description: Jeff Hawkins (let’s just call him a very successful tech head and business guy who also makes a pretty enjoyable speaker) discusses the balance between work and personal life. He mentions how different people will have differing balances throughout the various stages of ones life.

It’s from a cool site by the “Stanford Technology Ventures Program” (yes the university) called “Educator’s Corner” and it is a free online archive of entrepreneurship resources for teaching and learning. There are a lot more clips of Jeff and many other videos and resources worth exploring.

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The Amazing Race 10 – Episode 9 Recap

The Amazing Race – Season 10 – Episode 9

This week, not a lot to say. Honestly, I’m having a hard time getting real excited about the teams that are left in the race. Some are okay and some I don’t like. Nobody is as good as the Bowling Moms or Hippies of seasons gone by. Nobody is as annoying or fun to dislike as Charla and Myrna or the Frat Boys of old. Well, at least we’ve always got Phil!

This week’s rundown:

Tyler and James
THIS WEEK – ongoing… in the lead
LAST WEEK – 2nd, arrived at 3:08pm
Ex-Addict Models (Tyler & James) – Running a solid race and ending the leg in first place. Right now it’s a game of hopscotch between the Models and the Queens.

Dustin and Kandice
THIS WEEK – ongoing… in second
LAST WEEK – 1st, arrived at 2:56pm
Beauty Queens (Dustin & Kandice) – Hmm… The only negative I can see is that *they* really think they have this race sewn up. Over confidence might cost them.

Lyn and Karlyn
THIS WEEK – ongoing… with the Cho’s for third
LAST WEEK – 5th, arrived at 3:55pm
Moms (Lyn & Karlyn) – Truthfully, I don’t know if the Chos or the Moms are really in front for third place. I chose the Moms because the Chos have been *way* too nice and consistently let everyone pass them. Why would it be any different now? The Moms blatantly cut in front of *EVERYONE* – locals and Chos alike – in the taxi line at one point in the show. Does it make me like them? No. Does it make me think they are cut-throat enough to win at all costs? Yes.

Erwin and Godwin
THIS WEEK – ongoing… with the Mom’s for third
LAST WEEK – 4th, arrived at 3:24pm
Erwin & Godwin – The Cho’s summed it up for me this week after they watched the Moms barge in front of them and several locals to take a taxi. “Being polite sucks sometimes.” Well, Chos… it’s going to suck times a million (dollar prize) for you two at this rate.

Rob and Kimberly
THIS WEEK – ongoing… running in last
LAST WEEK – 3rd, arrived at 3:14pm
Rob & Kimberly – The strangest thing happened this week. My girlfriend and I were both rooting for Rob & Kimberly. When they came into the challenge after the Moms and the Chos (bicycling a mile down into a mine) we just didn’t want the Moms to get out first and we wanted the Cho boys to perhaps start getting a little worried and question their “6-pack minus 2” strategy.

Who got kicked off?

Nobody yet! Tune in next week…

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cute news blurb from the ‘net

Saddam Hussein Sentenced to Death.
Rumsfeld glad he only got fired.

It’s almost haiku in it’s simplicity. 😉

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Honesty does not pay

When your girlfriend cuddles up next to you and asks you what you are thinking about…

…don’t say McDonaldland cookies.

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The Amazing Race 10 – Episode 8 Recap

The Amazing Race – Season 10 – Episode 8

This week, The Amazing Race introduced the “Intersection” to the race. Teams are forced to partner up with another team to complete the next task and stay together until notified otherwise. In this case, the team-up only lasted for one task, but I think it would have been very interesting to see two teams end and start the next race together. *OR* how about two teams who have been intersected together coming in last and *both* getting eliminated? I would have loved to see *that* happen to the six-pack alliance.

This week’s rundown:

Dustin and Kandice
THIS WEEK – 1st – Won a trip for two to Hawaii’s big island and a deluxe helicopter tour!
LAST WEEK – 1st, arrived at 3:00pm
Beauty Queens (Dustin & Kandice) – 1st place again! This time beating two other teams who took the fast forward. The funniest thing they did this race was instead of starting with the car they wrecked on the last leg, they figured since nothing said they *have* to take the same car again, they just picked another one. In the end, it didn’t affect anyone adversely, but it sure was funny. 🙂 Who griped the most? Oh c’mon, you know by now. The Moms.

Tyler and James
THIS WEEK – 2nd
LAST WEEK – 2nd, arrived at 3:05pm
Ex-Addict Models (Tyler & James) – One out of two drug users ruin their taste buds. Did you *see* that guy go through a whole plate of cow’s lips? Eww. I say “that guy” because I still can’t really tell these two apart. Maybe if one were male and one were female or one had a fake leg or something. All in all, solid competitors. I hated to see them so chummy with Rob & Kimberly but with the six-pack alliance in effect, they really weren’t left with a lot of choices when it came to the “intersection”. Of course I’m just biased against Rob & Kimberly because she wouldn’t know what crack was and he’d force it down the Model’s throats to win the race.

Rob and Kimberly
THIS WEEK – 3rd
LAST WEEK – 3rd, arrived at 3:09pm
Rob & Kimberly – Umm… I couldn’t get beyond him saying the people in Madagascar died young and something about them not getting enough protein which then affected their brain development because the brain needs protein. Of course maybe I just heard it wrong through the white hood he was wearing. Kimberly, you’d better be glad that clueless doesn’t make you a part of another ethnic race.

Erwin and Godwin
THIS WEEK – 4th
LAST WEEK – 4th, arrived at 4:04pm
Erwin & Godwin – Sung to the “bottles of beer on a wall” song: 6-pack alliance of teams in the race, 6-pack alliance of teams! You take 2 down, pass them in town – 4-pack alliance of teams in the race! Super super nice guys. I really hope they end up working the drive-through at *my* McDonald’s after they totally lose this race.

Lyn and Karlyn
THIS WEEK – 5th
LAST WEEK – 5th, arrived at 4:05pm
Moms (Lyn & Karlyn) – If not for the 30 minute penalty on the Coalminers, the Moms would have come in last by 10 minutes! Sigh… Like my dad always said, “If wishes were horses, beggers would ride.” Just you and the Chos now Moms.

Who got kicked off?

David and Mary
THIS WEEK – 6th – ELIMINATED!
LAST WEEK – 6th, arrived at 4:08pm – SAVED BY NON-ELIMINATION!
Coalminers (David & Mary) – Not a big surprise. Even the editing couldn’t add much suspense as to who was going home this week. Aside from her mouth (and no I don’t mean the teeth) I really like these two. If I lived in a trailer park, I’d want them on the plot next to me. Truthfully, and not to help rationalize it for them to feel better about no longer having a chance to win the million bucks, they really were winners in this race. They expanded their horizons – and now are saying they want to do the same for their kids.

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LOST – The Cost of Living – Season 3 Episode 5

I just finished watching LOST “The Cost of Living” (Season 3, Episode 5).

My nephew summed it up best in a text message.

“Ugh.”

I responded with my disdain for the new characters “Ken & Barbie” – as my girlfriend calls them – and the untimely demise of a loved character. I didn’t even go into the horrible writing and acting being used to try and integrate the new characters. *shiver*

A new text message arrived in reply.

“I think the flying black fuzz must be related to the X-Files black goo.”

Yes, I think he’s on to something. So, oh previously revered creators of LOST, what next? Lucy Lawless and The Terminator silver robot dude join the cast?

No! Wait… Ted McGinley washes up on the beach! Yes, yes, it all makes sense now.

Jump.

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The Amazing Race 10 – Episode 7 Recap

The Amazing Race – Season 10 – Episode 7

The “six-pack” alliance won’t survive much longer. Moms (‘Bama), Coalminers (Kentucky), and Cho vs. Queens, Models, and Dysfuntion (Rob & Kimberly). If you aren’t strong enough to win the race on your own, then pairing up with other weak teams isn’t going to fix that. Three weak teams working together are not going to beat any one strong team. If you are strong enough and want to carry two weak teams to the end so that you can beat them – well I find that strategy flawed. My opinion is that every weakness you team yourself with is one more chance that *you* are going to be in the bottom racers – if not the very bottom – due to another team’s mistakes or slowness. You may be able to help a weak team stay in long enough to knock out one stronger team, but attrition *is* going to knock out one of your alliance partners. After that, the other partners are going to seriously consider turning the tables on the strongest team within their own alliance so they can avoid being the next to go. Consider a team like the Moms (‘Bama) who, when you listen to them talk throughout the race, will take anything given to them, but in the end have openly stated they’ll do what it takes to win. Cho Brothers, I wonder how you feel watching your “friends” after the race has finished? C’mon folks, a million dollar prize is a powerful motivator. Alliances work on Survivor, not The Amazing Race. In the end there are no votes to make you the winner, just the final dash to the last pitstop.

I said last week that my dream teams for the final three racers would be Queens, Models, and Coalminers. I was being hopeful for the Coalminers just because I can’t stand Rob & Kimberly, don’t respect the Cho’s strategy, and detest the Moms. I’m still hopeful for the Queens and the Models. Coalminers? I’d prefer them over what’s left (not by a lot) but I don’t think they can do it. My guess is the Moms have the best “six-pack” alliance strategy and it will be them or Rob & Kimberly.

This week’s rundown:

Dustin and Kandice
THIS WEEK – 1st – Won motorscooters!
LAST WEEK – 2nd, arrived at 3:40pm
Beauty Queens (Dustin & Kandice) – Well played this week girls. You deserved the win. Of course, getting motorscooters from Phil is kind of a gipp – but hey, you can buy your own cool prizes when you win this thing! Oh yeah, and maybe they’ll make you pay for the car you bashed up. I didn’t for one second count it as a dumb blonde moment; I counted it as aggressive. Unless you make one colossal mistake in weeks to come, you *will* be in the finals. Pissing off the Moms at the airport ticket counter? Good move. They’ll be playing with emotion and not logic when it comes to you two and that – hopefully – will be fatal to them.

Tyler and James
THIS WEEK – 2nd
LAST WEEK – 6th, arrived at 4:55pm
Ex-Addict Models (Tyler & James) – Let’s just sum it all up boys. “STOP MAKING STUPID DECISIONS!” Ask the locals, read the map, just take a few extra minutes and pay attention. You did pretty well this week but it was touch and go for most of the episode. You can’t count on everybody else to screw up worse than you – you have to do better than them, even at their best.

Rob and Kimberly
THIS WEEK – 3rd
LAST WEEK – 3rd, arrived at 3:53pm
Rob & Kimberly – This week, back to the bickering that we are used to with these guys. Blah blah blah. I’m going to be so disgusted if they win.

Erwin and Godwin
THIS WEEK – 4th
LAST WEEK – 5th, arrived at 4:18pm
Erwin & Godwin – Well, they explained their reasoning for the six-pack alliance. They havn’t lost their confidence as I first said, they just have a really stupid strategy. Carry the weaker teams into the final three so you can then step up to the plate and win the whole thing. Only one team can step on the mat at a time, boys. I already said it earlier, with the alliance in the bottom three players of the game, it’s going to break apart – and soon. I’d find these two much more likable racers if they’d tell their friends, “Hey, we’ll buy you a helluva dinner, but we have a race to win. Bye.”

Lyn and Karlyn
THIS WEEK – 5th
LAST WEEK – 4th, arrived at 4:10pm
Moms (Lyn & Karlyn) – I don’t like this team. It’s a one-way street with them. You help them. They use you up and throw you away. I think they’re kind of like the anti-Bowling-Moms from seasons of old. Disclaimer: If you do like this team, please skip the next part.
*** And now, a mini-play starring the Moms and Satan. ***
Lyn: Hey Kentucky, hey Chos, we don’t know how to do anything!
Karlyn: Don’t give us a hint. Please just do it for us.
Satan: Yes. Do it now or feel my wrath!
Lyn: Shh! Satan, stay behind us – we’re God fearing Alabamans!
Karlyn: Yeah, back off. We won’t need you for another episode.
Satan: But I must knife the other teams in the back. Especially that yappy coalminer’s wife.
Lyn: Not yet, Satan, they’re still our very best ever friends forever and ever!
Karlyn: Or at least until we can make the final three without them!
Everyone: Hee hee hee!

Who got kicked off?

David and Mary
THIS WEEK – 6th – SAVED BY NON-ELIMINATION!
LAST WEEK – 1st, arrived at 12:37pm
Coalminers (David & Mary) – Two times saved! I’m betting the Muslim team Bilal & Sa’eed from episode one are honked off. Remember them? They got kicked off indiscriminately half-way through the episode and these guys luck into *TWO* non-eliminations. They already did a fast forward so that’s no longer available to them – even if the Chos or Moms were silly enough to give one to them. Next week, they have to do the whole thing on their own *and* make it to the mat first or suffer a 30 minute penalty. I’m thinking they *can’t* wait for two other teams no matter how much they want to stick to their alliance. If he puts a gag on her, I give them half a chance.

Next week’s preview… Something new coming up called an “intersection”? Somehow one of the alliance teams are forced to team up with this episode’s first placers – the Queens. Interesting. If it’s the Moms, we’re going to see blood.

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The Amazing Race 10 – Episode 6 Recap

The Amazing Race – Season 10 – Episode 6

Good episode. Figured the Coalminers would be out but they came in first! Figured the Cho brothers would be a cool team this year but they’re morons. Figured the Beauty Queens would be morons but they’re solid racers. Figured Rob & Kimberly would implode, but they’ve embraced their collective dysfunction and work well together. Figured the Moms would be the new “Bowling Moms” but I’d rather hit myself in the head with a bowling ball than watch them. Figured the Models would be stuck-up frat boys but they’re pretty likable. Figured Peter and Sarah would be annoying and… hey I got *ONE* right! What a year.

My dream teams for the final three racers? Queens, Models, Coalminers. Why? Read on…

This week’s rundown:

David and Mary
THIS WEEK – 1st – Won a trip to a super duper resort in Jamaica!
LAST WEEK – 7th, arrived at 6:04am – SAVED BY NON ELIMINATION!
Coalminers (David & Mary) – There’s no way you guys’ll win the whole enchilada (that’s foreign food by the way). You got *lucky* with the equalizers early on in the race; you started two and a half hours later than the second to last place team and a full five hours later than the first place team and still got to catch up with everyone. You *followed* the Moms and the Cho Brothers instead of trying to get ahead! The Cho’s *gave* you the fast forward that let you come in first. Note – In the end Peter and Sarah were so late that you wouldn’t have lost but that wasn’t something you could count on. But I guess you do deserve to still be here. You aren’t the most annoying team. You aren’t the team with the worst luck. You aren’t the dumbest team. That last one is thanks to the Chos, but I’ll save that for their recap…

Dustin and Kandice
THIS WEEK – 2nd
LAST WEEK – 2nd, arrived at 1:06am
Beauty Queens (Dustin & Kandice) – Solid players. These two could really be the first all female team to win The Amazing Race. They made a bit of a mistake not filling up their camel feed bags all the way on the challenge, but hey, they recovered – and fast. I’m anxious for next week. I think they’re my new favorite team. *ESPECIALLY* when I saw them in the preview fighting with the Moms. 😉

Rob and Kimberly
THIS WEEK – 3rd
LAST WEEK – 3rd, arrived at 1:42am
Rob & Kimberly – Okay, who parachuted in Doctor Phil when I wasn’t looking? I think she realized she’s stupid and he realized he’s a jerk and they’re both okay with it. When they don’t argue they run a solid race. Figures.

Lyn and Karlyn
THIS WEEK – 4th
LAST WEEK – 5th, arrived at 2:03am
Moms (Lyn & Karlyn) – Allied with the Coalminers and the Cho Brothers. It’s like they have six heads instead of two. It is a *great* alliance for them since in the end they won’t hesitate one second to slit the other team’s throats. I’m not sure anymore if I want *them* out first or the Cho brothers for being so freaking stupid. But, once again, I’ll save that for their recap…

Erwin and Godwin
THIS WEEK – 5th
LAST WEEK – 4th, arrived at 1:53am
Erwin & Godwin – Finally. The Cho Brothers recap. WTF are you two guys doing?!?! You guys aren’t channeling The Hippies from last season – you’re channeling Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie from The Simple Life. Geez, guys. Do you remember anything in the application for The Amazing Race about it being a *RACE* and maybe something about a *MILLION DOLLAR PRIZE*??? Ten minutes ahead of the Moms at the beginning and… you wait for them. Yeah, that’s *exactly* what I would do. The Moms and the Coalminers follow you guys to the first stop and you let both of them get a place in line for the detour ahead of you. Umm… Yup, I’m sure I’d do that too. Then – in last place – you help bluff the other teams from taking the fast forward, walk out with the Coalminers, and then give them the fast forward – because they really need it. Umm… Why not just write them a check guys? But hey, you’re right, I’d do that too. Was that enough ignorance for one episode? Nope. You tell the Moms – when you are ahead of them – where to find a shop in a very confusing Kuwait market. You also give up any confidence of your own in finding the challenge and decide to *follow* the Moms because you figure they know where they’re going. Umm guys, you do know that they usually follow you, right? You finally break off on your own but it was too late, they beat you. Well, that’s incorrect really. You beat yourselves. Go home guys. It’s sickening to think I applied for this race with my brother and we’re sitting at home writing about it while you f*ck it all up.

Tyler and James
THIS WEEK – 6th
LAST WEEK – 6th, arrived at 3:37am
Ex-Addict Models (Tyler & James) – Hmm… thinking back, these guys seem to have pretty bad luck traveling or I think they’d place a lot better. Aside from that, when they don’t talk about being ex-drug-addicts they’re pretty likable for pretty-boy models and I’d like to see them stay in this race until the end. Cute quote I wanted to point out. One of the models – I can’t really tell them apart – points out while driving around Kuwait (which unfortunately they did way too much of since they spent so much time being lost) that “Gas must be pretty cheap out here.” 😉 Kick it in gear next leg guys. Three weeks of sixth place won’t cut it.

Who got kicked off?

Peter and Sarah
THIS WEEK – 7th – ELIMINATED!
LAST WEEK – 1st, arrived at 12:54am
Peter & Sarah – You know what? They didn’t come on the race to win a million dollars. They came on the race to see if they could be a couple. They bickered their way through this leg of the race and were more in last place than the coalminers were last week. But they won, really. They found the answer to their question. A resounding NO. Peter, being politically correct, “We’re good friends, not a couple.” Sarah, being honest – sitting alone at the end where normally both couples are together for the final interview – “He’s not nurturing or kind.” I’m glad you saw that Sarah, or you really were handicapped, and not because of the leg. The *individual* futures for these two? Let me get out my crystal ball. Peter – Your current patients saw you on the show and decided you should stick to machines that don’t have *any* human parts attached. Put in that resume for robot-repair at Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean ride. Sarah – Any prosthetic doctors out there? Give the girl a call – she’s in the market for a new leg-man. Who knows, maybe the two of you could end up on a couples version of Survivor… 😉

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Fresh Baked Pasties!

My nephew sent me this camera phone picture from outside Starbucks:

Starbucks Fresh Baked Pasties

Autumn has arrived! Fresh Baked Pasties!

Umm… 😉

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The Amazing Race 10 – Episode 5 Recap

The Amazing Race – Season 10 – Episode 5

Well, this week introduced another one of the new race rules. Whereas in the last several seasons the last place team in a non-elimination stayed in the race but lost everything but the clothes on their backs, this year they get to keep them. However, the last placers must now come in *first* on the next leg of the race or be assigned a 30 minute penalty. If you’ve been keeping track of the finish times for each leg of the race, even if the last placers come in second, it could be touch and go for them to keep from a real elimination.

Other than that, I felt this week was a return to stereotypes and too many equalizers.

This week’s rundown:

Peter and Sarah
THIS WEEK – 1st – Each won a gym system!
LAST WEEK – 2nd, arrived at 2:17pm
Peter & Sarah – OMG! He’s more fake than her leg. The metal one. I’m thinking she’s seriously going to have to look for a new doctor when they finish with this race. After last week’s childish performance by Peter, he woke up and smelled the coffee. Not to be a better person, but that there are cameras on him and maybe he should put on an act and try for a Discovery Cable TV show. Oh, and while you’re hamming it up doc, don’t forget to hit on the beauty queens once or twice in front of your partner who’s obviously enamored of you. I’m starting to understand why she’s played up the fake leg angle. It’s the only way she can get your attention.

Dustin and Kandice
THIS WEEK – 2nd
LAST WEEK – 7th, arrived at 3:46pm
Beauty Queens (Dustin & Kandice) – I’m starting to like them more and more. Of course, the fact that they don’t care for Peter doesn’t hurt either. 😉 They’re still playing smart – and tough. They hold onto their information and *play* the game. They even went so far as to hush their cabdriver from telling another team’s cabbie any information. Rude, you say? And what would you do in a *competition* for a *MILLION DOLLARS* eh? Body waxings and peroxide don’t come cheap people.

Rob and Kimberly
THIS WEEK – 3rd
LAST WEEK – 1st, arrived at 1:47pm
Rob & Kimberly – Her (while driving in India): “Oh look, a homeless cow.” The Amazing Race producers even added a silly sound effect to the audio track for this one. *AND* on the train, she complained about the people and the smell saying something to the effect of, “I want to ride with the rich people.” Way to make the parents proud Kimberly. However, they’ve got two weeks of top-3 under their belt. They could very well turn into annoying *millionaires* at this rate.

Erwin and Godwin
THIS WEEK – 4th
LAST WEEK – 4th, arrived at 2:28pm
Erwin & Godwin – These guys crack me up. They had a fake cell phone on a train and made it look like they were booking tickets early just to mess with Peter’s head. Hilarious! However, it kind of backfired when studly looking Peter borrowed a *real* cellphone from someone elsewhere on the train. Plus, dudes, what’s with the tight alliance with the Moms? You’re smart and in shape. Where’d you lose all your confidence? Lastly, shirts with Phil’s face and the caption “LOST” with “Reward. Bushel of Kiwis”??? Even Phil seemed confused. All in all, these guys only have a week or two left unless they kick it into gear.

Lyn and Karlyn
THIS WEEK – 5th
LAST WEEK – 6th, arrived at 2:53pm
Moms (Lyn & Karlyn) – Less annoying this week. Not so much that I want to write about them.

Tyler and James
THIS WEEK – 6th
LAST WEEK – 3rd, arrived at 2:21pm
Ex-Addict Models (Tyler & James) – Two built manly men and they choose the barefoot robe-wearing arts and crafts make a pattern on the ground out of colored wheat challenge over subduing a small croc with the help of locals who do all the work – and knowing that The Amazing Race producers would never let them get eaten because of liability insurance. I guess after all their going on and on about defeating drug addiction, alligators are too tough. Either that or the arts and crafts let them reminisce warmly about their good ‘ol rehab days. Dropping fast guys.

Who got kicked off?

David and Mary
THIS WEEK – 7th – SAVED BY NON ELIMINATION!
LAST WEEK – 5th, arrived at 2:49pm
Coalminers (David & Mary) – I knew when they came in last, it was going to be a non-elimination round… I just knew it. It couldn’t have been *LAST* week with Tom & Terry. Well, at least she stopped complaining so much about her ankle this week. Reasons for last? (1) They got dorked on a flight schedule and were playing catch-up most of the show. (2) They thought Doctor Idiot (Peter) & Sarah and the Beauty Queens were behind them and had a false sense of security. They’ve watched the show and should know that unless you can *SEE* a team behind you, then you can’t be sure. (3) She wears him down with b*tching. She loves him, but she just doesn’t shut up. He probably works in a coal mine deep under the earth just to get some peace and quiet. (4) Same as other teams – poor choices. She’s got a rough and tumble husband and she’s not frail. They should have done the challenge with the alligators – not the more detailed art project. No offense, but unless it specified Elvis on velvet, artistic was not the way to go. They’ll be gone next week.

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The Amazing Race 10 – Episode 4 Recap

The Amazing Race – Season 10 – Episode 4

After the length of time it took me to post last week’s recap, *I* was almost eliminated. I channeled a little bit of “TTOW!” Hippy Power myself this week to get the recap out on time.

Overall aggravation this season – there are too many equalizers. Nobody who gets out ahead can stay there. I wouldn’t mind seeing a group of racers in the front of the pack battling for first and a group in the back of the pack battling *not* to be last. Add in a few more fast-forwards and yields to allow the front and back of the pack to shake it up a bit. Oh yeah, and a very special rule I just made up – every time a team whines or b*tches, penalize them five minutes. Of course, some of the teams from this season (thinking Mom’s, Coalminers, Rob/Kimberly, Peter/Sarah) might not arrive at the pitstop until 2028.

This week’s rundown:

Rob and Kimberly
THIS WEEK – 1st – Each of them won a jet-ski!
LAST WEEK – 3rd, arrived at 11:26am
Rob & Kimberly – The *only* thing good about them coming in first is that I didn’t have to listen to them yell at each other as long this week. Perhaps the adversity is doing them well – even *THEY* want to finish fast just to not have to deal with each other. Unfortunately, they have the ability to be a capable team if they shut up. Best line of the week – and believe it or not, it’s not them yelling at each other – is from Rob while passengers in a Vietnamese taxi. “I’m done talking with foreigners.” Umm, Rob, there are over 83 million people in Vietnam and *you* are in *their* country. Who’s the foreigner?

Peter and Sarah
THIS WEEK – 2nd
LAST WEEK – 5th, arrived at 11:29am
Peter & Sarah – Well, The Amazing Race producers didn’t center strictly on her fake leg this week. It did figure prominantly in one of the challenges (rope climbing a sheer rock cliff) so I didn’t mind and she was edited pretty tolerable. On the other hand, Peter came off as a complete d*ck. “Throw the handicap placard out and tell them you’re next in line.” he says at the challenge. Not to mention, it’s a climbing challenge and he lets *her* do it. Hello?!? The whole time he’s rowing their boat he tells her to keep quiet when all she is doing is offering encouragement. Then at the detour challenge he throws a hissy and gives up – followed by saying after they are through with this, he’s done. The *most* interesting thing? In a side interview after they finished with the challenges and are headed to the pitstop, Sarah comments to the camera how hurt she was with his attitude. Peter reaches his right hand up and scratches behind his ear – with his middle finger! I swear. Check your TiVo’s and see for yourself. Plus, he made an almost imperceptible grin when he did it. Sarah, find a new doctor/engineer to build your legs. Peter, you’re on your own – nobody builds prosthetic “tact” or “caring”.

Tyler and James
THIS WEEK – 3rd
LAST WEEK – 2nd, arrived at 11:22am
Ex-Addict Models (Tyler & James) – Solid team this week. Just, well, kind of boring. At least they didn’t go on and on about the adversity they’d overcome in their past or their modeling career. Well, at least they make boring look good. Maybe if they were actors they’d have that extra dimension. They’re strong racers and unless they really screw up they’ll be around a while.

Erwin and Godwin
THIS WEEK – 4th
LAST WEEK – 1st, arrived at 10:55am
Erwin & Godwin – The Hippies from last season had their bad weeks, and although 1st to 4th isn’t great, it’s not that bad either. Remember guys – positive attitude. After getting lost at the very beginning of the race, I think they were shook up and just never really recovered.

David and Mary
THIS WEEK – 5th
LAST WEEK – 7th, arrived at 11:32am
Coalminers (David & Mary) – Oh my G*d. “My ankle hurts. My ankle hurts.” Just cut the d*mn thing off and have Peter build you a new one. For a self-proclaimed reality show junkie, did you ever really *watch* The Amazing Race? I mean, c’mon, you have to umm… RACE! You know, like with your feet and ankles and everything. Yeah, you’re hurt – but suck it up.

Lyn and Karlyn
THIS WEEK – 6th
LAST WEEK – 6th, arrived at 11:31am
Moms (Lyn & Karlyn) – Nope, still don’t like ’em. If they can keep from making any really big errors, though, they’ll stick around another week or two.

Dustin and Kandice
THIS WEEK – 7th
LAST WEEK – 4th, arrived at 11:27am
Beauty Queens (Dustin & Kandice) – Note to all other racers – don’t destroy your clue. Or, if you do, memorize it before you get it all wet and it shreds to illegible pieces. Another note to all racers – when you are fighting with each other just have a good cry on each other’s shoulders and everything is all fixed. Bad week, but I think they’re still in it.

Tom and Terry
THIS WEEK – 8th – Eliminated!
LAST WEEK – 8th, arrived at 11:48am
Gay Team (Tom & Terry) – I’m sad to see these guys go. They had the most functional relationship in the race *and* they had personality. I don’t think the producers needed to play so much on the “gay” angle. Although, “Pick up your Vietnamese dong” was a pretty funny line at the beginning of the show (referring to the local currency) especially from these two. Tom was complaining in the boat when he couldn’t row it but, by golly, he jumped into the ocean and started pulling it when they got stuck. Super heterosexual Duke (eliminated last episode) would have even been proud.

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The Amazing Race 10 – Episode 3 Recap

The Amazing Race – Season 10 – Episode 3

I’m a little late with the Episode 3 recap. All those Hollywood meetings to discuss my screenplay for “The Amazing Race Musical Broadway Show” have just eaten up my entire week.

This week’s rundown:

Erwin and Godwin
THIS WEEK – 1st – Won a state of the art home entertainment system!
LAST WEEK – 8th, arrived at
Erwin & Godwin – Oh yeah! These boys have been channeling some Hippy power from last season. At the moment they paused in the race to reflect on the history behind one of the challenges – “It is a significant place and it is a place we wanted to honor properly even though it meant that we would be in last place” – they got some major good karma points. What goes around comes around. 1st place baby! If I even see a hint of tye-dye next episode, I’m putting some money down with my bookie. 😉

Tyler and James
THIS WEEK – 2nd
LAST WEEK – 2nd, arrived at
Ex-Addict Models (Tyler & James) – I don’t remember a lot from them this leg of the race. Sobriety has definately helped their careers but years of abuse seems to have taken a toll on their personalities. *yawn*

Rob and Kimberly
THIS WEEK – 3rd
LAST WEEK – 6th, arrived at
Rob & Kimberly – Shoot me. Shoot me now. No, wait – just shoot both of these two. If you only have one bullet, just shoot her. I’ve yet to see an Amazing Race couples therapy book come out so I wish the dysfunctional would just stick to Doctor Phil or Jerry Springer.

Dustin and Kandice
THIS WEEK – 4th
LAST WEEK – 5th, arrived at
Beauty Queens (Dustin & Kandice) – Cho brothers beware. I think the beauty queens may be more than skin deep. You could even find a tiara sticking out of your back – especially if you listen to Tom and Terry who argued that the queens cut them in line at the airline ticket counter. Whether or not they did – who cares. Smart moves win the game and they aren’t in the running for Miss World Politeness here. I think they could make it to the finals – especially if the show visits many damp countries where rust could take it’s toll on one of the other strong teams.

Peter and Sarah
THIS WEEK – 5th
LAST WEEK – 1st, arrived at
Peter & Sarah – Hey, did anybody notice the girl on this team has a fake leg? Whoa.

Lyn and Karlyn
THIS WEEK – 6th
LAST WEEK – 9th, arrived at
Moms (Lyn & Karlyn) – They annoy me. And when they get kicked off, I bet they end up doing Oprah. Grr.

David and Mary
THIS WEEK – 7th
LAST WEEK – 7th, arrived at
Coalminers (David & Mary) – They’re still in it. Despite her mouth and twisted ankle and his Viet Nam nostalgia about his father, they somehow still managed to finish this leg of the race. I call foul that their major task involved working with coal – which is something a coalminer should be pretty at home with. That’s as unfair as having me in the race and making my challenge all about sarcasm. 😉

Tom and Terry
THIS WEEK – 8th – Would have been second if not for a penalty!
LAST WEEK – 4th, arrived at
Gay Team (Tom & Terry) – Boys boys boys. Slow down and follow the clues to the letter! These two rode a motor bike from one point of the race to another – when it was expressly forbidden. This cost them a half hour wait at the check point and an almost elimination! After this week’s scare, I expect to see these two toughen up a bit in the next leg of the race.

Duke and Lauren
THIS WEEK – 9th – Eliminated!
LAST WEEK – 3rd, arrived at
Duke & Lauren – Not a good week for the rainbow coalition. The boys in second to last and Duke and his gay daughter eliminated. He may not have a million dollars but he seemed to win some appreciation for his daughter. Maybe The Amazing Race really *is* better than Doctor Phil! Hang on Rob & Kimberly, there may just be hope!

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