The Amazing Race is officially tight now. This week we started with five teams and now we are four. My thoughts on this week:
Travel to Estonia
The teams had to travel from Stockholm to Estonia by ferry. In true TAR fashion, they left the pitstop starting at 2:23 a.m., but the first ferry didn't depart until 5:45 p.m. Someone please tell me the point of having teams depart the pitstop in the middle of the freakin night when they can't go anywhere until the evening! Really annoying, guys. Annoying.
Estonian monk types
When evening finally came (!), the teams traveled overnight to Estonia where they had to find a building called "Mustpeade" where some sort of brotherhood (monks? Shriners? Who knows - I'm sure they said and I wasn't listening) holds their feasts and meetings and whatnot. They had figure out how to unlock the door, at which point a loud alarm sounded while they pushed open the door. What's the point of the alarm, anyway? Seems like you'd want an alarm if someone is breaking into your lair, but why do you want one when someone is entering using the proper key? Weird.
Anyway, each team had to grab a candelabra with a room number, then go to that room, where they found a scroll. They had to figure out to hold the scroll over the candle to reveal the clue. Oddly, I knew exactly what they were supposed to do as soon as I saw the scroll, but I can't fault Flight Time and Matt for thinking they might need to color the scroll with the crayon to reveal the message. It's not unreasonable. You just have to remember that they wouldn't give you the candelabra if you're not supposed to use it for something.
Pikk Hermann Tower Garden
Dan and Sam got all bent out of shape that the Globetrotters were following them to the tower. Whatever, man. You're going to the same place. What are they supposed to do - purposely go a different way, even if they think you might be right, just so you don't get your knickers in a twist? It's a race and you're all going the same places, you idiot. That means sometimes teams will be following each other!
Serve or Sling
J and I said we'd have done "Serve" because we both play volleyball. Meaghan and Shane clearly play, because they knocked the Detour right out. But J pointed out that it sure would be easy to snap an ankle or knee or something in that bog. You turn one way to get the ball, and your leg doesn't move with you. What got my attention was at the end of the task, Meaghan noted that it smelled bad. I hadn't thought about that! I'd definitely be headin' for the shower after checking in at the Pit Stop!
The fight between the Globetrotters and Brothers got ugly at this point, though. I honestly don't think either team was trying to be dirty. I think the brothers were running to the Pit Stop, and Flight Time was trying to pass them, and there wasn't enough room, and they got tangled up and he and Dan fell. I don't think he *meant* to take Dan down, and I don't think Dan *meant* to push or trip Flight Time. There just wasn't room, and they were slippery from the bog, and they both had arms flailing. But they're mad at each other now, so they're each accusing the other of pushing and playing dirty. It's a shame it's gotten like that between them.
Pit Stop
I was sorry to see Matt and Gary get knocked out. I like them. But they can feel good about how far they got. Top 5 ain't bad! I wouldn't mind seeing the brothers go out at this point. They're on my nerves now. I almost hate to see what the next leg will bring with them and the Globetrotters!
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Friday, November 13, 2009
In my email...
This morning, "donotreply@v99d.com" says "I'll give you anything you want."
Wow. Anything? Because that's a pretty tall order. I've got some things I want, and they're not insignificant. No one has made me this offer before, so I think I should seriously consider it.
However, it says "donotreply" (that's "do not reply" for those of us who use the space bar). If I don't reply, how do they know that I accept their offer? And do they already know what I want? I don't like people assuming they know what I want. How can I make sure they know if I can't reply?
What if I end up with something like a Chia Obama or a Snuggie? I suppose the Snuggie might be okay. But it's not *really* what I want. And where will they deliver it? To my office? To my house? Will someone have to sign for it? Because if they use Saturday delivery, and they come to my office, no one will be here to sign.
I think these people need to reconsider the logistics of accomplishing this whole project. I don't think they've thought it through.
Wow. Anything? Because that's a pretty tall order. I've got some things I want, and they're not insignificant. No one has made me this offer before, so I think I should seriously consider it.
However, it says "donotreply" (that's "do not reply" for those of us who use the space bar). If I don't reply, how do they know that I accept their offer? And do they already know what I want? I don't like people assuming they know what I want. How can I make sure they know if I can't reply?
What if I end up with something like a Chia Obama or a Snuggie? I suppose the Snuggie might be okay. But it's not *really* what I want. And where will they deliver it? To my office? To my house? Will someone have to sign for it? Because if they use Saturday delivery, and they come to my office, no one will be here to sign.
I think these people need to reconsider the logistics of accomplishing this whole project. I don't think they've thought it through.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Amazing Sweden and its Swedish Swedes
Gonna jump right in on my recap today. Jump with me.
1. Fly to Sweden.
Finally something interesting with regard to the planes on TAR. All the teams didn't end up on the same flight, so the early departing teams actually had an advantage for a change. Of course, they made them leave the Pit Stop at 9:30 at night, and the first flight didn't leave until 6:55 a.m., so for no reason whatsoever, the teams all had to spend the night in the airport. Stupid. Anyway, everyone made it to Sweden, and it was off to the trains.
Some teams were faster than others on the ticket machines for the Stockholm train, but I'm wondering if the machines were complicated or if some were slower than others or if it was just a matter of getting to the machine faster. I couldn't tell from the editing. I also wondered if they were in Swedish only and an English speaker had to just figure out how to use it, but I doubt that. Europeans are pretty good about including English instructions, and I'm sure one of the teams would've mentioned it if there were no English instructions.
2. Amusement park
J definitely would've wanted to do the ride at the amusement park, and I would've wanted him to look for the clue because he's an eagle eye. Everyone got it on the first try, so the arrow must not have been too hard to see.
3. Roaming gnomes and dynamite
Not much to say on this one except I'm impressed that none of the teams left their gnome behind anywhere. I was kind of expecting that - maybe at the dynamite place. Blowing up the dynamite would've been fun, but Meghan was annoying when they were building the sandbag wall. She's so freakin' high strung. I don't know how Cheyne stands it, except maybe in normal life, there isn't so much stress, so he doesn't have to deal with her annoying stressed-out manner that often.
4. Hay bales
I would've killed Dan if he had been my partner on this one. He needed to SHUT UP and let Sam to do the task! If he knew so much about it, he should've jumped in to do it, but he hesitated and let Sam do it, then he pestered him. At first, I thought, "I'd just ignore him." But it was incessant. I'm glad he *finally* realized after a while that he needed to back the hell off.
I'm glad Matt and Gary didn't get eliminated. I like those guys. I don't really hate any of the teams anymore, so I won't jump for joy over any of them getting knocked out at this point, but I think I wouldn't feel any real attachment to Meghan/Cheyne or Sam/Dan getting knocked out. Those are strong teams, though, so we'll see.
1. Fly to Sweden.
Finally something interesting with regard to the planes on TAR. All the teams didn't end up on the same flight, so the early departing teams actually had an advantage for a change. Of course, they made them leave the Pit Stop at 9:30 at night, and the first flight didn't leave until 6:55 a.m., so for no reason whatsoever, the teams all had to spend the night in the airport. Stupid. Anyway, everyone made it to Sweden, and it was off to the trains.
Some teams were faster than others on the ticket machines for the Stockholm train, but I'm wondering if the machines were complicated or if some were slower than others or if it was just a matter of getting to the machine faster. I couldn't tell from the editing. I also wondered if they were in Swedish only and an English speaker had to just figure out how to use it, but I doubt that. Europeans are pretty good about including English instructions, and I'm sure one of the teams would've mentioned it if there were no English instructions.
2. Amusement park
J definitely would've wanted to do the ride at the amusement park, and I would've wanted him to look for the clue because he's an eagle eye. Everyone got it on the first try, so the arrow must not have been too hard to see.
3. Roaming gnomes and dynamite
Not much to say on this one except I'm impressed that none of the teams left their gnome behind anywhere. I was kind of expecting that - maybe at the dynamite place. Blowing up the dynamite would've been fun, but Meghan was annoying when they were building the sandbag wall. She's so freakin' high strung. I don't know how Cheyne stands it, except maybe in normal life, there isn't so much stress, so he doesn't have to deal with her annoying stressed-out manner that often.
4. Hay bales
I would've killed Dan if he had been my partner on this one. He needed to SHUT UP and let Sam to do the task! If he knew so much about it, he should've jumped in to do it, but he hesitated and let Sam do it, then he pestered him. At first, I thought, "I'd just ignore him." But it was incessant. I'm glad he *finally* realized after a while that he needed to back the hell off.
I'm glad Matt and Gary didn't get eliminated. I like those guys. I don't really hate any of the teams anymore, so I won't jump for joy over any of them getting knocked out at this point, but I think I wouldn't feel any real attachment to Meghan/Cheyne or Sam/Dan getting knocked out. Those are strong teams, though, so we'll see.
Sunday, November 08, 2009
In my email...
From "Jobs Needed" the following email appeared: "Immediate Jobs needed For Nursing-No experience Necessary"
So, someone needs an immediate job in nursing? And this person has no experience?
Or someone wants to hire nurses, even if they have no experience, for immediate jobs?
Is this part of the new Obamacare plan?
I don't know, man. While I appreciate that someone is willing to hire me as a nurse without any experience, I think that as a patient, I want my nurses to have experience. That's just me, and maybe it's because I'm getting older and turning into an old fuddy-duddy, but yeah...I'm going to go with experienced nurses for my medical care.
You know what else is needed by "Jobs Needed"? An editor. I have experience, though - does that count against me?
So, someone needs an immediate job in nursing? And this person has no experience?
Or someone wants to hire nurses, even if they have no experience, for immediate jobs?
Is this part of the new Obamacare plan?
I don't know, man. While I appreciate that someone is willing to hire me as a nurse without any experience, I think that as a patient, I want my nurses to have experience. That's just me, and maybe it's because I'm getting older and turning into an old fuddy-duddy, but yeah...I'm going to go with experienced nurses for my medical care.
You know what else is needed by "Jobs Needed"? An editor. I have experience, though - does that count against me?
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
It was only a matter of time.
So, the Netherlands took their toll on some teams in this week's Amazing Race. Let's break it down:
1. Fly to Amsterdam
As usual, a stupid flight schedule made the staggered start times of the teams meaningless. This is really getting old. Any time a flight is involved, you know all the teams are going to catch up to one another, so it just wipes out any progress or advantage any teams have earned. The producers really should do a better job of making sure there are at least two different flights for teams, and all the teams can't fit on one flight to keep things more interesting.
The gay brothers came out to the other teams at the airport. My question is: Why? What difference does it make who you sleep with? You're not dating these people - you're competing against them for a million dollars, so what's with the big pronouncement? You're gay. So what? That would be like me feeling like I had to make a special announcement to the group that I'm infertile. Okay, I'm not, as far as I know, but if I were that would be private information that is significant to my life but nowhere near relevant to the task at hand. It's nothing you need to hide, but it's also nothing you should feel the need to announce to the world. It's just a part of who you are. If you want the world to think it's no big deal, then stop acting like it's a big deal. (Climbing down from soap box...)
2. Drive to (a place I can't pronounce or spell)
Poor Brian. He couldn't figure out how to start the car, and then Ericka just jumps on him for being frustrated - like it's not her natural state of being if she can't get something in two seconds. He is definitely the supportive, patient one in that relationship. I laughed out loud when the Globetrotters said the one name they knew from all the teams was Brian's from hearing Ericka screeching at him all the time. "Brian! Brian!"
3. Count the bells
I'm not sure why this was so difficult for Ericka, but my, oh my, didn't Brian treat her differently when she had trouble with the bells than she treated him when he had trouble with the car? Just sayin'. I didn't like Sam giving Tiffany the answer. If she can't do the task, that team shouldn't move on (karma had my back on that one later, though). And I loved watching Matt just knock this task out like nuthin' - zipping past Meghan and Sam. He always stays calm and focused and just gets it done. Reminds me of J (except for the pink hair). :)
Farmer's Game or Farmer's Dance
I got a no-win situation here. If I did the game, the swim across the cold river and then running around in my wet undies in the wind would've done me in. But I think that in the end, that would've been preferable to the dance, because eating that herring at the end would've ended with me hurling for sure. No way I could've choked that down without vomiting it right back. In fact, I feel kinda sick just thinking about it.
Tif and Maria should've stuck with the golf thing. Surely they could've figured that out eventually. If you don't have the strength for that carnival mallet thing, then you don't. But the golf thing should've been doable. I'm suprised that they died on that particular hill. But die they did. See ya, girls.
Sam and Dan on the mat.
So, I have no opinion about Sam and Dan winning the leg. But J and I both agreed that a dune buggy would totally suck as a prize.
It was annoying the way Ericka cried during her and Brian's 30-minute penalty. J and I both agreed that crying when you don't even know that it's going to cost you anything is pointless. If you get knocked out because of it then great - cry. That's a million-dollar sob, baby. But Maria and Tif never showed up, and Ericka and Brian weren't eliminated, so the tears were for nothing. Beauty queens, man.
1. Fly to Amsterdam
As usual, a stupid flight schedule made the staggered start times of the teams meaningless. This is really getting old. Any time a flight is involved, you know all the teams are going to catch up to one another, so it just wipes out any progress or advantage any teams have earned. The producers really should do a better job of making sure there are at least two different flights for teams, and all the teams can't fit on one flight to keep things more interesting.
The gay brothers came out to the other teams at the airport. My question is: Why? What difference does it make who you sleep with? You're not dating these people - you're competing against them for a million dollars, so what's with the big pronouncement? You're gay. So what? That would be like me feeling like I had to make a special announcement to the group that I'm infertile. Okay, I'm not, as far as I know, but if I were that would be private information that is significant to my life but nowhere near relevant to the task at hand. It's nothing you need to hide, but it's also nothing you should feel the need to announce to the world. It's just a part of who you are. If you want the world to think it's no big deal, then stop acting like it's a big deal. (Climbing down from soap box...)
2. Drive to (a place I can't pronounce or spell)
Poor Brian. He couldn't figure out how to start the car, and then Ericka just jumps on him for being frustrated - like it's not her natural state of being if she can't get something in two seconds. He is definitely the supportive, patient one in that relationship. I laughed out loud when the Globetrotters said the one name they knew from all the teams was Brian's from hearing Ericka screeching at him all the time. "Brian! Brian!"
3. Count the bells
I'm not sure why this was so difficult for Ericka, but my, oh my, didn't Brian treat her differently when she had trouble with the bells than she treated him when he had trouble with the car? Just sayin'. I didn't like Sam giving Tiffany the answer. If she can't do the task, that team shouldn't move on (karma had my back on that one later, though). And I loved watching Matt just knock this task out like nuthin' - zipping past Meghan and Sam. He always stays calm and focused and just gets it done. Reminds me of J (except for the pink hair). :)
Farmer's Game or Farmer's Dance
I got a no-win situation here. If I did the game, the swim across the cold river and then running around in my wet undies in the wind would've done me in. But I think that in the end, that would've been preferable to the dance, because eating that herring at the end would've ended with me hurling for sure. No way I could've choked that down without vomiting it right back. In fact, I feel kinda sick just thinking about it.
Tif and Maria should've stuck with the golf thing. Surely they could've figured that out eventually. If you don't have the strength for that carnival mallet thing, then you don't. But the golf thing should've been doable. I'm suprised that they died on that particular hill. But die they did. See ya, girls.
Sam and Dan on the mat.
So, I have no opinion about Sam and Dan winning the leg. But J and I both agreed that a dune buggy would totally suck as a prize.
It was annoying the way Ericka cried during her and Brian's 30-minute penalty. J and I both agreed that crying when you don't even know that it's going to cost you anything is pointless. If you get knocked out because of it then great - cry. That's a million-dollar sob, baby. But Maria and Tif never showed up, and Ericka and Brian weren't eliminated, so the tears were for nothing. Beauty queens, man.
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