Amazing Race 7

POOL RESULTS

2005-05-11T06:18:00.000-07:00

Sarah 6900
Ami 6460
Tracy 6300
Jill T 6000
Jay 5600
Eric 5280
Dave 5110
Stephanie 4985
Ben 4970
Bari 4610
Caitlin 3930
Mary K, Robyn, Steve 3420
Erick 3180
Karen 2965
Mike 2800
Jill 2220
Liz 1730
Katie 1700
Chris 1624
Melissa 1590
June 1525
Kim 1110
Kristin 680
Allegra 520
Jack, Joanna 1
Curt, Jan, Jonathan, Judy, Lee, Mark, Mary / Anton, Samuel, Scott 0

The Amazing Race 7 Finale Drinking Game

2005-05-10T14:00:00.000-07:00

Hee hee!
Brought to you by Scrappy, Smitty, and Eric (who really needs a nickname):

Uchenna and Joyce get lost
Ron makes a reference to his military career
Rob gives the camera a shit-eating grin
You see a gnome ad
The Camera shows a close-up of the "Beauty Queen's" zit covered face
CBS shows an ad for Rob and Amber's wedding
Amber says something witty (and you down that drink, 'cause it hasn't happened all season!)
A racer says it's an Emergency (in any other language, including Mirnish and Charlades, which would then include doctoro, emergencia, and 'I have a sick child')
A racer says "we're in it to win!" (Duh)
Uchenna and Joyce say they want to win to get a kid.
Any "Survivor" References
Any Phil-worthy (by Phil or not) eyebrow pop.
If you see, hear the word, or even think about a MONKEY!

Finale Tonight!

2005-05-10T06:30:00.000-07:00

Saw a promotion this morning for tonight's finale.

Insert Suspenseful Voice-Over Voice here:
"There are Three Teams Left: Rob and Amber (Amber squeals 'Go Baby!'), Uchenna and Joyce (Uchenna exclaims 'That's what I'm talkin' about!') and Ron and Kelly (Ron states 'Go Fast').

I find it somehow telling that the most exciting sound-bite they could come up with for Ron and Kelly was Ron speaking dully about the most obvious thing one could talk about when talking about racing; speed. If that is most excitement you can must for the FINAL LEG then all I have to say is, "Bye Bye."

Where will Romber show up next?

2005-05-08T13:47:00.000-07:00

I already know. Too bad it's up against both the American Idol and Lost season finales!

What the Gnome Knows

2005-05-08T13:45:00.000-07:00

Or at least, what the gnome says. An article from Canada.

Week 11 - My Thoughts

2005-05-05T08:19:00.000-07:00

Well, the outcome of the pentultimate episode wasn't exactly what I thought it was going to be, but I dug it all the same. The trail of the Race Boomerang continues as the teams head to London. And this is what I thought:

Meredith / Gretchen

You know, Gretchen, a boat is a lot easier to get into than an elephant. Why didn't you just jump on in?
You did smack your face into it, though, which was awesome. At least some patterns of behavior are continuing.
Um, brawn? Over brains? On second thought, never mind. I guess they did the best one.
I'm sad to see you guys go, I really am. But seriously, you became the Scott Savol of AR7--totally overstaying the welcome and getting by with those leprechauns in your butt or something. It was fun while it lasted!

Rob / Amber

I don't blame you for not knowing what a whirling dervish was (seriously, how many people besides me knew that?), but a topless woman? Eh, at least your cab driver appreciated that comment with an eyebrow pop worthy of Phil!
Amber, you dressed as Sherlock Holmes was my favorite moment of you from the entire season. Which is kinda sad, 'cause it was like a two second clip and all you were doing was walking down the street. I'm glad you've got Rob to make life interesting!
Your new friend Stuart was like the fifth or sixth local you've gotten to help you out and show you around. I mean that's all fine and stuff, but you've been ragging on the other teams about relying on each other. What is it that you're doing differently by relying on a local to get you out of a paper bag? And Uchenna wasn't even allowed to help Meredith with the Detour so...I'm confused.
Hey, Rob? Since you're on a travelocity sponsored show, I probably wouldn't have used expedia to look up flights from Istanbul to London. Hopefully I'm the only one who ever pays attention to the design of the flight matrix on those websites. You owe Jerome an apology.

Ron / Kelly

Ron "I flew a 35 million dollar helicopter -- I could have done the bus". Well, I seem to remember you mentioning at least one time during this season that you, uh, CRASHED that 35 million dollar helicopter. As far as I know, the only thing Kelly's ever crashed is probably a frat party.
Ron "You become a soldier and you don't have to deal with this [emotional] stuff." Good to know this means nothing to you.
Begging for lipstick, Kelly? I would have begged for some zit cream if I were you.
Ron "I think I've seen everything I want to out of Kelly on this race." REMEMBER THAT. And kick her to the curb when you get home. Thanks. Bye bye now.
"At least they speak English here." Man, do I wish you had been sent to Scotland. They speak English there, too, but I doubt you could have understood it.
Did any one else catch Ron say "Damn!" at the yield?! For our good ol' military boy, we know he was angry uttering that kinda language!
Kelly, your doodling on Rob and Amber's picture made me realize that you're just about as mature as the President you adore so much. Thank god you're a Republican.
Okay, you two. I understand you really don't like each other, and that your relationship is falling apart, but still, you are in the final leg and have a one in three shot of getting a million bucks. It's sad that all it looks like you talk about next leg is your interpersonal issue. Raaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaace!
Is anyone else wondering just how much money Ron and Kelly were able to get begging? The last time I checked, lorries in London are really-ass expensive.
Kelly "I don't know what straight is!". Actually, I think that's all you know. Bye bye now.
Hey, Ron--I have a book for you. Read it and run. But not like you did in Iraq.

Uchenna / Joyce

Hey, Joyce! You're bald.
Hey, Uchenna! You're bald, too.
Now, get some navigation skills and you'll be just fine next week.
But do something interesting so I have more to write about, okay?

Other General Thoughts

I loved the London Eye task. It was a hearkening back to my favorite task of Season 1. Except that was when the flag was Yellow and White, and was much harder to see.
But I think the London Eye was more interesting when it was sending alien messages.
Roadblock montage. I really wanted the background music to be "Oops, I did it again". But I don't always get my way.
Sherlock--Yea! A literature related task!
And a new Gnome ad. Seriously, it doesn't get any better than that.

That's it for today. Remember, send me your wagers before 4 pm Tuesday, and all will be well in the world.

BONUS - FINALE!!

2005-05-04T06:56:00.000-07:00

Because I really like this question, I'm going to ask it again as I did last season:

Figure out how many miles the teams have traveled up to this pit stop (Potter's Field Park, London). I will accept answers within +/- 2500 miles of the answer that I come up with (unless you have really excellent Amazing Race related documentation of how you came up with your answer, and then I'll use yours as the benchmark!).

GOOD LUCK!

Answer to Bonus - Week 10

2005-05-04T06:55:00.000-07:00

To answer this bonus, you first needed to realize that Turkey is famous for a good luck charm. That good luck charm is called the Nanzar Bonjuk, or Evil Eye.

Pool Standings - After Episode 11

2005-05-04T06:36:00.000-07:00

Jan (3) 3755
Stephanie (3) 3485
Sarah (2) 3410
Ami (2) 3190
Tracy (2) 3130
Chris (2) 3035
Jill T (2) 3000
Karen (2) 2965
Eric (2) 2880
Mark (2) 2810
Jay (2) 2800
Curt (2) 2755
Judy (2) 2735
Scott (2) 2710
Mary / Anton (2) 2650
Lee (2) 2630
Dave (2) 2555
Allegra (1) 2510
Ben (2) 2465
Bari (2) 2305
Joanna (1) 2250
Kristin (1) 2080
Samuel (1) 1990
Caitlin (1) 1965
Jonathan (1) 1960
Robyn (1), Steve (1) 1710
Katie (1) 1700
Mary K (1) 1670
Erick (1), Melissa (1) 1590
Jack (1) 1540
June (1) 1525
Mike 1400
Jill, Kim (1) 1110
Liz 865

Episode 11 - Player Standings and Roadblock Count

2005-05-04T06:34:00.000-07:00

Rob / Amber 205 (11 episode total: 1165)
Ron / Kelly 55 (11 episode total: 865)
Uchenna / Joyce 85 (11 episode total: 985)
Meredith / Gretchen -145 (11 episode total: 340)

Roadblock Count

Meredith 6 / Gretchen 4
Rob 6 / Amber 4
Ron 5 / Kelly 5
Uchenna 5 / Joyce 4

"Mandatory Rest Period" Defined

2005-05-02T16:03:00.000-07:00

Just how long is that mandatory rest period. MSN answers your hard-hitting questions.

Who?

2005-04-27T18:11:00.000-07:00

At the risk of being hubristic, the next stop in London made me look up some pictures of when Jan took me on an "amazing race" to Europe in 1974. It was a combination of survivor and amazing race. We took the "Europe on $5 & $10 per day" tour. Jan got $5 or $10 per day & I got squat. No food, no drink, no sleep, Jan's middle name may be Gretchen!

2005-04-27T18:10:00.000-07:00

London, Russell Square, 1974

Episode 10 - My Thoughts

2005-04-27T12:12:00.000-07:00

Well, here's my overriding thought on this leg: HAH HAH HAH HAH HAH HAH HAH HAH HAH HAH HAH HAH HAH HAH HAH HAH HAH HAH!

Meredith/Gretchen

If you watch the Insider Video from the episode where Gretchen and Meredith got all their stuff taken away, you will see that Gretchen was sad to have to give up her calculator. That would have come in handy on the scales!
Jerome. Jerome the Gnome. I love it. Thanks, Meredith.
You know, what is it with the older team having issues finding the clues on this show?
I've finally decided what Gretchen's problem is. She has absolutley no internal dialogue. Instead, every thought inside her head just comes spilling out of her mouth. It's like that totally painful scene in About a Boy when Marcus starts singing "Rainy Days Will Always Get You Down" in the middle of class. Except when he did, I felt really really bad. With Gretchen? I'm just annoyed.
Except when she comes out with these gems like, "Only 58 kilo? God, a lightweight." That was awesome.
The thing I do like about this team is that they did acknowledge at the end that they've really gotten as far as they have because of stupid mistakes made by other teams. But no one ever said that luck wasn't part of the game. Meredith must have a whole family of leprechauns up his butt!
Major props to Gretchen for doing that roadblock. I was joking when I said it before, but maybe she is what Joss Whedon's looking for.

Rob/Amber

Hubris.
I think Rob's horseshoe finally fell out of his ass, making room for Karma who must have been watching Solyaris or something and otherwise occupied, letting him get away with all of his little tricks up until now.
Or maybe he's like Walt, making things up in his head and then BOOM! they just appear! Seriously, how did Rob not find out about the earliest flight?
After all the comments that Rob made about Meredith and Gretchen and Uchenna and Joyce, I hope he's having fun eating some humble pie.

Ron/Kelly

Schadenfreude.
I was having fun replaying the conversation between the cameramen at the Pit Stop: "Dude, guess what Beauty Queen said to POW today?" Oh, was that great.
Props, Ron. Good on yeh. You might be a little funny. A little dumb, but a little funny.
Do you think Ron was resisting the urge at the detour to call out "H-7? You sunk my battleship!" I was.
Kelly: "We're in second place and gotta catch up!" Well, catching up is for sure!
Maybe they should spend the $20,000 from Travelocity and Ron can take Kelly to Baghdad and see if she's committed to their return ticket or something (there was more of a joke there, but I'm struggling with the wording today).
But there's the biggest question: Will staying in the Four-Star suite for the night completley throw Ron off his game because...it's not like Baghdad?!
Ron, thank you for providing me with my favorite scene of the episode. When Rob and Amber were checking in at the Pit Stop there you were, all on your own, standing on top of the tower searching the skies aimlessly for the key. I'd maybe, um, check the WALL in front of you or something. I don't know.
HAH HAH HAH HAH HAH HAH HAH HAH HAH HAH HAH HAH HAH HAH. Bye bye now.

Uchenna/Joyce

Why is it that I really like you guys but I never have much to say about you? You ran a good leg.
Uchenna--good thinking telling the people in the street to keep their coats on keep holding their bags!
For all that head shaving, you only had a TWO minute lead over Ron and Kelly leaving the pitstop. That's, like, cutting it close. I'm glad you extended your lead this time.

Some other general thoughts

I love gnomes. How great was it that they had to carry the little guy all over Istanbul? Way better than either Kodak Easy Share task 1, Kodak Easy Share task 2, T Mobile task, or AOL Task.
Why didn't anyone call out "Have Fun Storming the Castle"?!
And, last, why are they going to Turkey? Seriously? And I don't think I'm spoiling anything (because you can see it on the preview video for next week on the CBS site) that next they go to ENGLAND. Um, isn't this supposed to be a "race around the world"? Maybe that's why Phil is saying that phrase so fast at the beginning of the show, like "a...racearoundtheworld" because he has to say it, but he knows it's not true. It's more like a big boomerang trail. Really really far, and then it comes back right at you. I don't understand boomerangs, either.

That's it for today!

Week 11 BONUS

2005-04-27T06:56:00.000-07:00

Next week is almost certain to be the last elimination leg, getting us down to the final three who will run to the finish line. What should team members find and wear in Turkey to help them get there?

Good luck!

WEEK 10 Bonus - ANSWER

2005-04-27T06:51:00.000-07:00

Well, people found many, many reasons why Hindus and Indians shave their heads! Here is a smattering:

A rite of passage for children around age 3 in order to divide them from their animal (i.e. hairy, natural) state.

When someone was widowed (male or female)

When a father died, his eldest son would shave his head

To speed up the time to get to Nirvana--each hair shaved was equal to buying one cow for your God!

POOL STANDINGS - After Episode 10

2005-04-27T06:13:00.000-07:00

Jan (3) 3370
Sarah (3) 3215
Stephanie (3) 3140
Tracy (3) 2975
Karen (2) 2965
Ami (2) 2930
Chris (2) 2855
Jill T (2) 2740
Eric (2) 2615
Mark (2) 2550
Jay (2) 2500
Judy (2) 2475
Scott (2) 2450
Curt (2) 2445
Mary / Anton (2) 2390
Allegra (1) 2385
Lee (2) 2340
Joanna (2) 2300
Dave (2) 2245
Bari (2) 2165
Ben (2) 2135
Kristin (1) 1875
Caitlin (1) 1840
Samuel (1) 1785
Jonathan (1) 1755
Robyn (1) 1655
Mary K (1) 1615
Erick (1) 1535
Melissa (1) Steve (1) 1505
Katie (1) 1495
Jack (1) 1485
June (1) 1440
Mike 1400
Jill 1110
Kim (1) 1055
Liz (1) 1010

Episode 10 - Player Standings / Roadblock Count

2005-04-27T06:11:00.000-07:00

Uchenna / Joyce 160 (10 episode total: 900)
Meredith / Gretchen 100 (10 episode total: 485)
Rob / Amber 90 (10 episode total: 960)
Ron / Kelly 70 (10 episode total: 810)

Roadblock Count

Meredith 5 / Gretchen 4
Rob 5 / Amber 4
Ron 5 / Kelly 4
Uchenna 5 / Joyce 3

Jerome the Gnome

2005-04-27T06:00:00.000-07:00

Last night the Travelocity gnome made a guest appearance on TAR in the cutest cross promotion I've seen in some time! [Unlike the movie "Fever Pitch" aka "The Apprentice 3" with its shameless Marquis Jet product placement]. Did you know that the TAR appearance isn't Travelocity's 1st unique promotion using the gnome? Read about it here and here.

Travelocity isn't the first to borrow the globe-trotting gnome idea from the Gnome Liberation Front. Remember Amelie?

Think the gnome is so cute you just gotta have one? Rumor is, you can have your very own for only $10.

Gnomes aren't your thing? This monkey has racked up some frequent flyer miles of his own!

Will it ever end?

2005-04-26T17:33:00.000-07:00

The Rob and Amber debate continues...and continues...

What about Jon?

2005-04-25T06:55:00.000-07:00

Kelly Parks, of "Kelly and Jon" from TAR4, needs to update her IMDB profile to include "Olivia Cruise passenger" from last night's episode of "The L Word."

Farewell Lynn and Alex

2005-04-22T10:08:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm having a hard time with their departure from the race! Here's a great article with my boys!

http://www.tvguide.com/news/insider/

Episode 9 - My Thoughts

2005-04-20T12:41:00.000-07:00

Well, that was a doozy. If you think about it, that leg started in Botswana where there was a long wait before their charter to Frederickstown, where there was another long wait before their flight to Mumbai, where they had an overnight layover before flights to Dehli and then Lucknow, a roadblock and detour in Lucknow before seeing Phil, then waiting roughly nine hours before a twenty-four hour train ride, then push a 600 lb elephant through the crowded streets up Jodhpur before going to ride camels (or get your head shaved if you're Joyce) and then running up to a pitstop. Finally. What is that, a four day leg? Crazy.

Lynn/Alex

I'm sad to see you boys go! But at least Lynn can get his facial products that he's been missing. While another team has been missing everything they brought with them the last four legs.
I did appreciate that you learned some Hindu, though. You guys actually made India look fun (that's the first time that's ever happened in the Race!).

Meredith/Gretchen

I'm voting for these two to become the new Centrum Silver spokespeople. Anyone want to start the petition?
Gretchen, Gretchen. Did you see anyone else hop of the back of that elephant? What, were you hoping there was an engine or jet pack up in that saddle? Or a steering wheel? Now that I think about it, it was probably better for you to be up there out of the way (too bad it didn't stop your voice. Seriously, you were like bagpipes on that leg--loud, dead weight).
You know, it's kinda funny that when we had both a broken ox and a broken elephant, one of the team members kinda forgot that they could help out on the task.
Meredith, "I think those guys are gay." Gretchen, "Well, that one that helped us was pretty cute." Hee hee.
These two actually have a fairly good chance of becoming one of the few teams (if not the only team) in Race history to reach the final three without ever coming in first in a leg. And that's a huge feat.
My new guess is that Meredith and Gretchen fly to India at least three times a year and get their heads shaved. How else do you explain this luck they're having?!

Rob / Amber

I knew Rob was an evil genius just like me. He won't go see scary movies, either!
Rob, you're skating a thin line with "It's a tough job organizing Indian labor". I know you work construction and all at home, but watch it, buddy.
I think I know Amber's camel's name: LEX.

Ron/Kelly

Kelly at the camels: "That hurt my bottom so bad but it was so much fun!" Wow. I could say so many things to that, but I think it's better I just keep them in my head.
I believe we finally had Ron's first non-military reference episode! Didn't the camels remind you of Baghdad, too?!
I did find it odd that the couple with the least amount of chemistry were the only ones sharing a bunk on that train, and those bunks didn't look too big, either.
I can't not comment on Kelly's little "you're a committment phobe and got out of the army by being a POW" comment. I must say that comment reminded me of Baghdad--a little Shock and Awe! But really, really funny all the same and I laughed all the way home about it.

Uchenna/Joyce

You know, it's not like Joyce had to do it. No one was pointing a gun at her head (just a razor).
I am officially dubbing these two the new Bald Snark. Get your funny on, guys, so you can live up to your predecessors!
I don't know. If I was a producer of the show, I would have had a prize at the end of this leg for coming in first. That was a very big and brave thing to do.
Oh, and Joyce officially kicks Brandon and Nikki's asses.

Other Random Thoughts

Wow, that wedding looked like fun. I kept thinking maybe they would turn out to be extras in this movie.
Okay, creepy man giving out clues on the train! In the middle of the night!

That's it. Sorry this was short. I just didn't have much to say today. If anyone would like to add anything, feel free!

Week 10 - BONUS

2005-04-20T06:45:00.000-07:00

Well, okay, I had to ask about the head shaving.

Name three reasons directly related to India or Hindu why someone would shave their head.

Good luck!

Week 8 Bonus - ANSWER

2005-04-20T06:32:00.000-07:00

The practice of predicting the future through tea dregs is called Tasseomancy. Many people found the answer Tasseography but, because of the actual meanings of the suffixes, Tasseomancy was what I was looking for. A Kite in the tea leaves symbolizes good luck, wishes coming true, something along those lines.

Both Karen and Sarah received the double bonus for finding Ron and Kelly's new team name: PRAISE THE LORD AND PASS THE AMMUNITION. I mean come on, how perfect is that?!

POOL Standings after Episode 9

2005-04-20T06:18:00.000-07:00

Jan (3) 3010
Sarah (3) 2815
Stephanie (3) 2780
Ami (2) 2770
Karen (2) 2675
Tracy (3) 2665
Eric (2) 2455
Chris (2) 2585
Jill T (2) 2540
Mark (2) 2350
Jay (2) 2300
Scott (2) 2290
Judy (2) 2275
Curt (2) 2195
Mary / Anton (2) 2190
Allegra (1) 2185
Joanna (2) 2080
Lee (2) 2050
Dave (2) 2045
Bari (2) 1935
Ben (2) 1845
Kristin (1) 1745
Caitlin (1) 1680
Jonathan (1) 1665
Samuel (1) 1655
Robyn (1) 1585
Mary K (1) 1505
Erick (1) 1465
Jack (1) 1415
Katie (1) 1405
Mike 1400
Steve (1) 1375
Melissa (1) 1345
June (1) 1280
Jill 1110
Kim (1) 985
Liz (1) 900

Episode 9 - Player Standings and Roadblock Count

2005-04-20T06:15:00.000-07:00

Uchenna / Joyce 205 (9 episode total 740)
Ron / Kelly 115 (9 episode total 740)
Rob / Amber 105 (9 episode total 870)
Meredith / Gretchen 65 (9 episode total 375)
Lynn / Alex -105 (9 episode total 485)

Roadblock Count

Lynn 4 / Alex 4
Meredith 5 / Gretchen 3
Rob 4 / Amber 4
Ron 4 / Kelly 4
Uchenn 4 / Joyce 3

Romber Wed

2005-04-19T10:28:00.000-07:00

Interesting how the article sub-line describes them as "Survivor"contestants and not TAR. The photo is even them reading a TAR clue. Stupid CNN.

Monkey!

2005-04-19T09:20:00.000-07:00

I liked this one a lot. Enjoy!

Anybody Gnome?

2005-04-18T10:37:00.000-07:00

I was walking around Lake Harriet yesterday and was introduced to an Twin Cities Icon, Mr. Little Guy. Some say he is an elf, others a gnome. I'm gonna vote gnome, seeing as how he is mentioned on this website. Either way, he is available to answer notes from Minneapolis residents. When I knocked on his door yesterday, someone had made him a little stone-lined path and there were several notes waiting for replies! Here's a good photo of Mr. Little Guy's Tree Door (scroll down to "ElfQuest").

SWIM WITH THE WHOLPIN

2005-04-15T10:57:00.000-07:00

This could be a new challenge. Swimming with the wholpins!!!

Check it out!

http://www.cnn.com/2005/TECH/science/04/15/wholphin.birth.ap/index.html

More Gnome and Monkey Fun!

2005-04-15T07:23:00.000-07:00

Seriously. I have no idea what's up with the news this week.

Gnome protects lady in burglary attempt!

Monkey tries to kick his bad habit.

Oh, that's not a monkey. That's my child.

Well this dude like Rob and Amber!

2005-04-14T13:55:00.000-07:00

And so do I. But here's the article.

A monkey catches a ride

2005-04-14T08:43:00.000-07:00

Hee hee.

Gnomes Gone WILD!

2005-04-14T08:40:00.000-07:00

Hee hee.

Episode 8 - My Thoughts

2005-04-13T09:16:00.000-07:00

Woo hoo, the two-parter episode of this season! My favorite part about last night's episode is that it's DONE and we won't have to suffer through a cliff-hanger at the end of a leg for any more episodes this seaons.

Lynn and Alex

Um, Lynn? Ruples are not the currency of India. But maybe you're a fan of this band.
Did anyone else get the feeling that Lynn and Alex's entire world view was totally shaken when they realized Rob and Amber decided not to Yield them? Boys, you are not the center of the universe. I am.
Lynn, I'm assuming that you wanted to throw, like, Mardi Gras beads or something at the crowds of people. But watch yerself, young man.

Meredith and Gretchen

Meredith, you're right. It would not be good to break a hip.
I totally loved Gretchen spinning around and around in the middle of the boxes (Joss, I think I found your leading lady).
Was anyone else confused by the clapping and cheering and wish for autographs from the crowd? It's gotta be one of three things. Meredith and Gretchen are actually Bollywood stars masquerading as frail older Americans. People thought Meredith was actually Larry David. Or, most probable, Cocoon and *Batteries Not Included just came out on DVD in the thriving town of Lucknow.

Rob and Amber

Aw, Rob wants to build Amber a palace. I bet it'd be Blarney.
Okay, did anyone else notice that when Rob said "Watch out for the cows" they did indeed show a bovine, but then the camera panned to Kelly? Oh, that was awesome.
I don't know how Rob does it, but he looks right at Ron and Kelly on the Yield mat and says "don't yield us", and they don't. That's the Amazing Race equivalent of "These aren't the droids you're looking for".
For all of Rob's smarmy behavior, at least he owns up to it. When he looked right at the woman in the Botswana airport, trying to convince her not to help the other teams, and saying "Just point to me. I'll smile right at 'em" makes his actions a little bit more awesome. That, and his shit-eating grin.
Do you get the feeling that Rob doesn't want to use the Yield because he doesn't want to win that way? You know, the sneaky way that's actually sanctioned game play? Instead he'd rather win by stealing cabs, bribing, etc...
The best expression of the night: the one on Rob and Amber's faces when Evil Phil (and Evil Phil's eyebrow pop of impending racing) told them that it was just another clue and they needed to keep going. Excellent.

Ron and Kelly

Really, Ron? Driving through India is just like evacuating Baghdad after the bombing? I'm sure that this city which prides itself on being the most important cultural center of India after Dehli appreciated that.
I have a new nickname for Ron and Kelly: Team Dixie Chick. If anyone can find the Dixie Chick lyric that I'm thinking of that made me nickname them this, I'll give them double bonus points this week.
Hey, you two. It doesn't do any good to argue with your cab driver for stopping to get gas at the gas station. Because if he didn't? You wouldn't get anywhere at all.
Ron: "Mow 'em down like grass". Wow, way to be sensitive to innocent civillians. But I guess, after all...you know where I'm going with this. Oh, and meet Christie!
I do have one nice thing to say to Ron: I liked your light blue head scarf. Maybe you picked it for these dudes?

Uchenna and Joyce

I am So Sorry. I wrote absolutley nothing down about you two this week. Please don't get eliminated next week so I can start writing about you again.

A Few Other Quick Thoughts

You know, I have no idea why these people were all excited about going to India. It's like they've never seen this show before. Reaching the India leg is beginning to be like the family visit in Survivor. If you make it that far, you know you're nearing the end, but it's so hard and so trying that you just don't know if you're going to make it.
Okay, the producers are SO MEAN for putting the double leg in India. Let's think: the teams went from wide open spacious Africa to a 5,000 mile plane ride + Jet lag to land in very crowded and urban-centric India to have to take another plane ride and then ride around in the streets and do two tasks (although neither very physically challenging) and before resting will have to go out and do yet another leg of the same size. That's rough. But at least it'll provide some awesome Killer Fatigue breakdowns next week!
That office building looked horrible. And I thought my cube with half walls as opposed to full was bad because I can nearly see over the cube wall and into the guy's next to me who has a signed photo G.W. Bush on his desk. I don't have it bad.

That's it for today!

Week 9 - BONUS QUESTION

2005-04-13T09:04:00.000-07:00

In the detour this week, all five teams chose to deliver tea to business men in India.

What is the practice of predicting the future through tea dregs called, and why would the teams want to see a Kite in their cup?

Good luck!

Week 8 Bonus Question - ANSWER

2005-04-13T08:15:00.000-07:00

The goat's name was Murphy, and he was own by William "Billy Goat" Syannis, owner of the "Billy Goat" bar near Wrigley Field. When the Cubs were in the World Series in 1945, Syannis brought Murphy along to Game Four, but were kicked out because Murphy didn't smell too good. Syannis put a curse on the Cubs that they would never again reach the World Series.

And they haven't.

Pool Standings After Episode 8

2005-04-13T06:32:00.000-07:00

Ami (3) 2615
Jan (3) 2545
Sarah 2455
Jill T (3) 2385
Stephanie (3) 2355
Tracy (3) 2340
Eric (3) 2335
Chris (3) 2330
Karen (2) 2265
Mark (3) 2235
Scott (2) 2070
Allegra (2) 2045
Jay (2) 2040
Judy (2) 2015
Mary/Anton (2) 1930
Curt (2) 1885
Joanna (2) 1860
Dave (2) 1785
Lee (2) 1740
Jonathan (2) 1665
Kristin (1) 1640
Bari (2) 1615
Caitlin (2) 1580
Robyn (2) 1575
Samuel (1) 1550
Mike (1) 1505
Ben (2) 1495
Mary K (2) 1455
Jack (2), Katie (2) 1405
Erick (1) 1350
Steve (1) 1230
Jill (1) 1215
June (2) 1180
Melissa (1) 1140
Liz (2) 940
Kim (1) 870

Episode 8 - Player Standings and Roadblock Count

2005-04-13T06:27:00.000-07:00

As this was the first of a two-episode leg, there are no standings. But here are points:

Rob/Amber 85 (Eight episode total: 765)
Ron/Kelly 25 (Eight episode total: 625)
Lynn/Alex 15 (Eight episode total: 590)
Uchenna/Joyce 15 (Eight episode total: 535)
Meredith/Gretchen -35 (Eight episode total: 310)

Roadblock Count

Lynn 3 / Alex 4
Meredith 4 / Gretchen 3
Rob 4 / Amber 3
Ron 4 / Kelly 3
Uchenna 4 / Joyce 3

And the Winners Are...

2005-04-13T06:00:00.000-07:00

Rob and Amber by a landslide! No, not of TAR or even Survivor, but the MSN's all-important "Most compelling Reality TV couple" Award (See my previous post from April 7th). Yeah! I was losing sleep over that one. Just imagine if Jessica and Nick had taken the prize. In related news, Voldermort and Victoria came in dead last. Maybe VH1 should rethink airing their new show.

I couldn't agree more with fellow Michigander Beth when she says, "Rob can be such a snot, but he is so likable while he is being mean." There is just something about that boy's shit-eating grin that makes him so lovable.

Irish Reality TV

2005-04-12T14:13:00.000-07:00

I just found this. And it made me laugh. Especially since I own 3 CDs of one of the contestants.

Two New Recaps!

2005-04-12T07:56:00.000-07:00

Episode 7: Houston, We Have a Problem

The Clip Show: At Least They Saved the Eyeball

Cool Article

2005-04-12T07:55:00.000-07:00

At least, I thought so.

Houston We Have an Elephant

2005-04-08T19:08:00.000-07:00

Amazing Race 7
This week was one of Jan's favorite episodes. She was in Africa on a mission project from church last July and longs to return. Here are a couple of photos from her trip.

2005-04-08T19:00:00.000-07:00

"Houston We Have An Elephant"

2005-04-08T18:57:00.000-07:00

Jan in Kenya 2004

Simon and Paula aren't a couple, are they?

2005-04-07T22:24:00.000-07:00

Vote here for Reality TV's most compelling couple. TAR 6's Voldemort and Victoria and Tar 7's Rob and Amber are choices.

Interesting Stats

2005-04-07T11:18:00.000-07:00

At the beginning there were 330 possible combinations of four teams. There are now only five combinations left, and Sarah picked one of them. Awesome!

As we go into the finale with four teams, there will only be one more team that is eliminated before that finale.

If Lynn and Alex are out next: Jill and Mike will go into the finale with no teams left.
If Meredith and Gretchen are out next: it doesn't matter. No one who had them is down to one team.
If Rob and Amber are out next: Kristin, Samuel, and Steve will go into the finale with no teams left.
If Ron and Kelly are out next: Erick and Kim will go into the finale with no teams left.
If Uchenna and Joyce are out next: Melissa will go into the finale with no teams left.

I TOTALLY SAW THIS ONE COMING

2005-04-07T09:56:00.000-07:00

IT WAS INEVITABLE: Speaking of bad TV-show ideas, The Amazing Race's most famous whackjobs, Jonathan Baker and Victoria Fuller, are shooting a reality pilot for VH1. The potential series will attempt to answer the age-old question, "What happens when the cameras stop rolling and reality-show contestants go back to living their lives?" In this case, I'm fairly certain the answer is, "More backpack beatings."

from TVGUIDE.COM 4/7/05

Episode 8 - My Thoughts

2005-04-06T13:02:00.000-07:00

Well, not too many this week. While it was a great episode, not a lot happened. But, nonetheless, here we go:

Brian/Greg

"Big money, big money, no whammies, no whammies, STOP!" Seriously, if these two don't get picked up for some kind of TV show, there's something wrong with the world. I mean, these two did!
When the producers came up with the "take away all their posessions" rule, I don't think they thought about the possiblity of these two running across India in nothing but swimming trunks, Elvis sunglasses, and russian hats. Or China. That would have been awesome.
Did anyone else catch that in their "post-episode" interview, one of the brothers was wearing a Minnesota North Stars t-shirt?

Lynn/Alex

Alex putting on clothes in the car nearly made me fall off my chair. Lynn telling him to "put my underwear on your head like a sweatband" brought me closer to the edge, and finally Phil telling him "The Fashion Police are going to come find you and arrest you in Africa" finally did me in.
Okay, two replacement vehicles? These two have the worst Car-ma ever. Now, a lot of people have been wondering why they got a replacement vehicle for their flat tire, as they have always said that they can be given a replacement car if it breaks down "by no fault of [the team's] own." I suppose you could technically say that it wasn't the team's fault, but rather the stick's fault. And they also probably had the choice to fix it or get a replacement car. Now, teams in the past have elected to fix it, but can any one else see Lynn and Alex trying to change a tire?

Meredith/Gretchen

Okay, these two are continuing to impress. For your enjoyment, we have the old team success meter: Dave and Margaretta: Episode 4 (8th place). Peggy and Claire: Episode 3 (9th place). Teri and Ian (they don't really count but they were the oldest on their race): Finale (2nd place). Debra and Steve (again they don't really count but where the oldest median age on their race): Episode 1 (12th place). Bob and Joyce: Episode 4 (8th Place). Don and Mary Jean: Episode 5 (8th place). Meredith and Gretchen are guaranteed a 5th place or better finish. That's really, really good.
Did anyone else think that Gretchen's scream as they went through the "crocodile-infested waters" sound exactly like the AFLAC duck? I've found her long lost relative!
It takes a very tired team to drive RIGHT PAST the clue hanging off of a tree and not see it. What were you thinking?
It was kinda cute when Meredith called Gretchen and himself the Engergizer Bunnies. I'm sure if Gretchen had said it, she would have said another type of Bunny.
You gotta love it when a team is carrying their posessions around the world in a plastic garbage bag and a bright yellow shopping bag. As I said last week, at least they'll never have to check baggage.

Rob/Amber

Rob? Check this out. If you're milking it, it's not a boy.
You know Amber's been on a reality show before when she reads the clue about milking goats and her first reaction is "This will be amusing to watch". And then they do that one. 'cause it's funny.

Ron/Kelly

Ron: "Roger that!" It has nothing on "Survive that!" and is very close to adding to your list. Bye bye.
Kelly: "Ron's being a drill seargent". Well, yes. But you're also dumb. Bye bye.
Hey, um, Kelly? I heard Ron say "Chill out a minute" While it has the same stressed syllables as "Shut the F&%* up", they are totally different words. See? You're dumb. Bye bye.
You know, "Carry it" was the first task ever designed for a beauty queen, and Kelly couldn't do it. See? Dumb. Bye bye.
Is this what you were referring to? Check back later for my rewritten version. All about YOU, Kelly.
How long will it be before Ron compares Kelly to downtown Baghdad?
I'm starting the countdown right now until Kelly pulls a Millie and gets them eliminated. Hee hee!
Up next for our favorite POW/Beauty Queen team: INDIA (oh, y'all know that from the previews): the killer fatigue team that leaves grown men weeping (but, well, it was Reichen), models getting dragged by cows through dung and mud, and all female contestants totally unnerved. I can't wait to see them there.

Uchenna/Joyce

Dude, they got through that detour well. There's only one other team I can think of that would have given them a run for their money on it.
Read, people. Read. It's not like you missed the post--you just didn't take it.

You know, the milk on the lens was SO not necessary.

You know, out of the six teams on this leg, we had:

One didn't do the task right and had to go back
One missed a clue
One wore all the clothes
One wore none
A little piggy cried "wee wee wee" all the way home

Phil totally deserve an emmy just for keeping a straight face. And that's it for today!

Week 8 Bonus

2005-04-06T11:55:00.000-07:00

Since I really don't know anything about Botswana, we're going to have a question about GOATS!

Question: What is the name of arguably the most famous goat in Chicago, and why is he famous?

hint: I figured the first week of April was a good time for this question.

Week 7 Bonus - Answer

2005-04-06T11:52:00.000-07:00

The two cooling towers of Soweto have pictures of the FNB (First National Bank) logo on one and on the other has images of Soweto life and famous people from the surrounding areas.

Pool Standings after Episode 7

2005-04-06T11:29:00.000-07:00

Ami (3) 2420
Jan (3) 2350
Sarah 2295
Chris (3) 2205
Stephanie (3) 2200
Tracy (3) 2195
Jill T (3) 2190
Eric (3) 2135
Karen (2) 2100
Mark (3) 2080
Allegra (2) 1955
Scott (2) 1940
Jay (2) 1870
Judy (2) 1845
Joanna (2) 1810
Mary/Anton (2) 1760
Curt (2) 1725
Dave (2) 1600
Lee (2) 1580
Bari (2) 1555
Jonathan (2) 1545
Caitlin (2) 1530
Robyn (2) 1515
Kristin (1) 1505
Mike (1) 1440
Samuel (1) 1415
Mary K (2) 1355
Jack (2) 1345
Ben (2) 1335
Katie (2) 1285
Erick (1) 1275
Jill (1) 1190
June (2) 1130
Melissa (1) 1115
Steve (1) 1095
Liz (1) 940
Kim (1) 835

Team Standings Points / Roadblocks After Episode 7

2005-04-06T11:20:00.000-07:00

Rob/Amber 110 (after seven episodes: 670)
Ron/Kelly 110 (after seven episodes: 590)
Uchenna/Joyce 120 (after seven episodes: 510)
Lynn/Alex 60 (after seven episodes: 565)
Meredith/Gretchen 70 (after seven episodes: 335)
Brian/Greg -140 (after seven episodes: 285)

Roadblocks

Brian 3 / Greg 3
Lynn 3 / Alex 3
Meredith 4 / Gretchen 2
Rob 4 / Amber 2
Ron 4 / Kelly 2
Uchenna 3 / Joyce 3

CHECK THIS OUT

2005-04-06T09:12:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone!

My question to Michael Ausiello at TV Guide.com was published. Click this link to check it out. It's the 6th question about Lynn and Alex.

http://www.tvguide.com/news/askausiello/

Woo Hoo - I'm totally famous now.

Allegra - How many bonus points for this one?????

A couple of fun articles

2005-04-01T09:55:00.000-08:00

Here's a great interview from Ray and Deanna on the TV Guide site:

http://www.tvguide.com/news/insider/050401b.asp

Love the last entry!

AND, here's one especially for Allegra!

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=29&art_id=qw1112279042267B216

Interesting Stat for Next Week

2005-03-31T14:18:00.000-08:00

We are down to only four people left in the pool who have all four teams left: Chris, Jill T, Sarah, and Stephanie.

If Brian and Greg get Philiminated next week: Sarah will be the only person with all four teams.

If Lynn and Alex get Philiminated next week: Stephanie will be the only person with all four teams.

If Meredith and Gretchen get Philiminated next week: No one will be surprised. Chris, Jill T, and Stephanie will all have all four teams.

If Rob and Amber get Philiminated next week: Chris will be the only person with all four teams.

If Ron and Kelly get Philiminated next week: I will be happy. So will Sarah, as she will be the only person with all four teams left.

If Uchenna and Joyce get Philiminated next week: Jill T wil be the only person with all four teams left.

There were 330 different four team combinations to begin with. There are only 16 combinations that could have been picked that would allow you to have all your teams left now.

Article on Phil's Book

2005-03-31T14:02:00.000-08:00

Seriously, Karen, Chris, Sarah, and Dave are racking up the media points!

Massive Head Wound Harry

2005-03-31T14:01:00.000-08:00

A couple (but small) pictures of Massive Head Wound Harry from Saturday Night Live.

Bye Bye Monkey

2005-03-31T14:00:00.000-08:00

Very sad.

"Goodbye Cruel World"...

2005-03-31T11:15:00.000-08:00

...was a tombstone epitaph,

a movie,

an album by Elvis Costello,

a song sung by James Darren,

a comic strip.

Bonus points please! :-)

Episode 5/6 My Thoughts

2005-03-30T11:26:00.000-08:00

Well, this is a first episode in a long time that Miss Alli has given a straight up A+ on her recaplet. I hear those EMMY bells ringing again!

I think I liked last week's format for my thoughts so I'm gonna do it again. If you take issue, leave a comment and I'll come up with something else next week.

Brian and Greg

I love it whenever these two are on the mat to start the leg. First off we have them saying, "The brothers will be cruisin' in!" It was like an exercise in televised dramatic irony, as they've been showing us the crash all week in the previews, you know?
Onto the caves, full of mud, they remark they look like they're in Braveheart. To me it looked more like Forrest Gump.
"No one's gonna get our water--no one knows where they are!" I have no idea why that made me laugh so much.
Okay, and at the second map upon opening the clue, "Go home and give mom a hug and eat all her chicken enchiladas until you are in a food coma." Priceless.
Inside the cave, "Wow, this was like you locking me inside the sleeping bag when we were kids". Awesome. Not the trapping in the sleeping bag. Just the connection.
Dude, these dudes are, like, genuine. They were crying and praying over their cameraman (for that matter, they actually showed a camerman on the show--on purpose!). And they actually told people to keep going so they wouldn't get behind on their own race. I don't think I could like these two more right now.

Lynn and Alex

Okay, the boys need to get over the whole "Out for Rob and Amber" thing. It's getting old. I know they're probably editing in every single comment they make abouut them, but seriously. Let's focus. Otherwise you're going to find yourself driving around Compton. I mean, Johannesburg.
The boys at the first detour with the tribes? Okay, these guys never figured out that what was surrounding the chiefs or what the chiefs were doing had the slightest connection to what they were suppposed to bring to them. Dude. Yer dumb. However, after the dude ran Lynn off with the spear, Lynn's line "I guess that's a no?" was great.
We've had taxigate parts I, II, and III. We have had donkey gate. And ox gate. But at least those were all somewhat tangible. I'm assuming CompassionGate just won't fly.
While it was a bit bitchy of you not to let Rob and Amber on the big-ass bus with you, I understand. Rob would have done the same.
Hey, Lynn, is Alex really your Farmboy?

Meredith and Gretchen

Gretchen reminds me of someone, but I'm not sure if it's a muppet or a right-wing commentator. Can anyone help me out?
As Gretchen went down into the cave, she yelled out, "Goodbye, cruel world!" Now, I really don't believe she's this hip (but then, neither am I), and I am certain that line is in a play or a book. I can't remember where, and it's driving me insane. If anyone can find it, I'll give you some extra bonus points.
Yes, Gretchen, the clue is in the cave. This is not the Paris Sewers.
Ouch.
So after Gretchen fell and was all just like "Meredith, just look for the clue!" and "Oh man, I still have a road block to do!" I couldn't help myself but start to kind of dig the screechy muppet. I mean, can you imagine what Victoria would have done in this situation?
Bonus points if someone can find an image of Massive Head Wound Harry from Saturday Night Live (Karen came up with that one, not me).
Gretchen, I know you think you "Can't go to Soweto market [with a big ass headwound]!", but at least you're off to get diapers. They might work as a bandage as well.
And how was that for awesome when they were at the orphanage and in the background that kid totally got clocked in the head with the soccer ball? Way too cool.
I loved that the other racers were shown cheering for Gretchen and Meredith getting into the pit stop. We haven't seen that since season one, I don't think!
Meredith (since I really haven't mentioned you at all): you can say "Are you my bushman?" any time you want. And if the use of the word bushman is any indicator of performance, you just might win this thing!

Ray and Deana

They got cars?! I totally wish they would have been old people cadillacs or something. That would have been excellent.
So what is up with Deana's eye? Did she really get hit that hard with the corn mashing thing? It's totally been like that all race.
Coming in last: out of the race. Coming in last after the "oldsters": Ego bruise. Coming in last after the oldsters with the headwound and no posessions except the clothes on their back and their passports: PRICELESS.
Sometimes karma really does take the form of a woman with a corn-filled basket.
Bye bye. I had you as one of my four teams, but I'm glad you went away.

Rob and Amber

Amber: "She's a angel in high heels and a skirt!" I know another one.
Rob and Amber did that roadblock really, really fast. You know how I know? Because after they did the fast forward at the towers, they had to drive elsewhere (I think it was like fifty miles, but I could be wrong) to the roadblock. And you know where that fast forward was? Right across town from the Pit Stop!
I think Killer Fatigue is setting in for Rob, too. At the fast forward was the first time we've seen him even remotely short with Amber on the show. But of course, she was put upon to make a decision. The only decision she's ever made in her reality TV show career is to align herself with Rob. THE ONLY ONE.
I loved it when they got recognized at both the Hospital and the Market. But I wonder how Rob feels when it's Amber that gets recognized first, and not him!
Oh Rob, Rob, Rob. You can't expect to 1) steal someone's cab 2) pay a bus driver to not open the back of the bus and 3) tell the shuttle driver at the airport in L.A. to not stop for people and not expect it to bite you in the ass at some point. So don't feel sore about Lynn and Alex not letting you on the bus, okay? Thanks.

Ron and Kelly

I have "We'll be friends!" written down in my notes, but I have no idea why I thought it was funny.
"I feel like I'm in the Army!" Kelly, please don't follow Ron's lead. Thank you. Bye bye.
"Mission Accomplished!" Kelly, please don't follow Ron's lead. That's your military total up to two. Bye bye.
"That was just like bombing Baghdad!" Ron. You're up to six now. Bye bye.
"I drove Humvees through the desert in the Army." Seven. Bye bye.
"If the lion jumps up on me, I'm throwing him you." -- Ron. Please do. I bet it'd be like Fallujah.

Uchenna and Joyce

Oh Uchenna, you go on with your inner Wookie self!
But, dude? You really need to learn how to read a map. When you start worrying about the lions starving because you can't find your way to get there to feed them? That's a problem. I'll guess they'll have to make do with Kelly.
I do, however, applaud you for carrying a BP bag. It is my favorite corporate logo. It keeps you movin'.
You two were so awesome at the orphanage. I do hope, however, that your whole "we want to do the race to get money for in-vitro" was leading up to this episode, because it's starting to bug.
Joyce--thanks for reminding Uchenna (and the entire audience) that Meredith is a man! I forget sometimes, too.

And some general thoughts:

Karen, upon seeing the lion feeding task: "Um, no thanks. I spend enough time with Ivan". That's our cat. Who likes to play bite. And the back of my hand and the hole in my sweatshirt can prove it.

The Amazing Editors strike again! Brian [upon entering the car and squealing with delight] "Wow, I spend too much time with Lynn." Cut to Lynn, squealing.

Is it just me, or upon arrival at the pit stop, did you have an urge for cheese?

I'm not entirely sure how down I am with this new Non-Elimination leg Phil takes everything rule. I mean, what's next? "Six teams will travel by car to the airport, one team will travel by arthritic-ridden donkey"?

That's it for today--But not for the recap!

I forgot to tell my Nelson Mandela story. When I was at Trinity College in Dublin, Nelson Mandela came to speak and I went to see him. We are all excited because it was like, "yeah! A totally awesome human rights activist who is a survivor of a whole lot of apartheid crap and he's won a Nobel Peace Prize! This is going to be awesome!" Well, it would have been awesome, except that it wasn't. He droned on and on for over two hours about governmental policy and was the dryest, most elitist lecturer I'd ever had (and I studied Existensial Film). So when he finally got done he turned to the crowded hall and asked if anyone had questions. No one raised their hands, but at that moment someone's mobile went off and their ring? The Hallelujah Chorus. So incredibly wrong but so incredibly funny.

Episode 7 Bonus Question

2005-03-30T09:13:00.000-08:00

The first pit stop in this episode was in the town of Soweto, underneath the bright shadows of the Orlando Cooling Towers. What are the images of that are painted on the side of the towers?

Answer to Episode 5/6 Bonus

2005-03-30T09:11:00.000-08:00

The first airline to employ flight attendants was Boeing Air Transport, known today as United Air Lines. They could be no taller than 5'4" and weigh under 115 lbs. They also needed to be registered nurses, and the first flight attendant was Ellen Church.

Pool Standings After Episode 5/6

2005-03-30T07:54:00.000-08:00

Note: To accuratley score this week's episode, it will count as episodes 5 and 6 so my spreadsheet stays okay.

Ami (3) 2100
Jill T 2040
Chris 1995
Stephanie 1950
Jan (3) 1970
Karen (3) 1955
Sarah 1895
Allegra (3), Tracy (3) 1865
Scott (3) 1850
Eric (3), Mark(3) 1800
Joanna (3) 1720
Judy (3) 1715
Jay (2) 1650
Mary / Anton (3) 1630
Curt (3) 1585
Kristin (2) 1525
Jonathan (3) 1505
Caitlin (3) 1480
Robyn (3) 1475
Mike (2) 1470
Bari (3) 1455
Samuel (2) 1435
Dave (2) 1340
Lee (2) 1310
Jack (3) 1305
Erick (2) 1295
Jill (2) 1220
Mary K (2) 1145
Melissa (2) 1125
Katie (2) 1115
Ben (2) 1105
Steve (2) 1075
June (2) 950
Kim (2) 855
Liz (2) 770

Player Standings After Episode 5 / Roadblock Count

2005-03-30T07:45:00.000-08:00

Ron/Kelly 235 (five episode total: 480)
Rob/Amber 145 (five episode total: 560)
Uchenna/Joyce 105 (five episode total: 390)
Lynn/Alex 135 (five episode total: 505)
Meredith/Gretchen 75 (five episode total: 265)
Brian/Greg 125 (five episode total: 415)
Ray/Deana 115 (five episode total: 355)

Roadblock Count

Brian 3 / Greg 2
Lynn 3 / Alex 2
Meredith 3 / Gretchen 2
Ray 2 / Deana 2
Rob 3 / Amber 2
Ron 3/ Kelly 2
Uchenna 2 / Joyce 3

TAR for XX only?

2005-03-28T14:43:00.001-08:00

This article is mainly about "The Contender" but the author makes an interesting assertion in the opening paragraph: Reality TV is edited and marketed for women. I think we all agree with the author on The Bachelor/ette, but The Amazing Race? According to him, TAR is still geared toward women because it "tends to emphasize human drama and romance over physical accomplishment and aggression." Do you agree? I think in the case of Voldemort, the line between human drama and physical agression were blurred and no women I know enjoyed watching that. As for the Contender, the last 20 minutes of each episode may be an all out bloody brawl, but much of the suspence of the show is built around the human drama of the rivalry between young men as they try to provide for their familes. Bottom line: if polling Eric's living room on premiere night is any indication of who's watching TAR, we have just as many men into it as the ladies!

Miss Alli's Recap - Episode 4

2005-03-27T19:43:00.000-08:00

Sixteen pages of funny! Enjoy.

If I Ever Leave My Job

2005-03-24T14:11:00.000-08:00

A cool article on Reality TV show editors. I gotta find some classes to take.

They're Everywhere!

2005-03-23T12:05:00.000-08:00

Enjoy.

My Thoughts -- Episode Four

2005-03-23T11:30:00.000-08:00

For your interest, here's Miss Alli's recaplet on this episode.

Another great episode! But I'm not sure what I liked more: the episode, the previews for next week, or the fact that my mom has a Garden Gnome pushing a wheelbarrow in which she put the IKEA counting animals that she won for last season's pool and put it on top of the TV. That was awesome!

Since my notes are a little all over the place today, I think I'll do it by each team instead of more linear. Hope you don't mind:

Lynn and Alex

Okay, Lynn? When you yelled, "Survive THAT!" I officially moved you into the coveted berth of my favorite racer of the season. I want a hoodie with that slogan on it.
Too bad about your boat, boys. Now you join the club of Jon Vito and Jill and Tian and Jeree about having to request a new vehicle. But I really had to wonder if those boats were even supposed to hold four people, you know? They were the size of under airplane seat floatation devices.
"Rob and Amber are an STD". Yep, they are. It's called Gonebeforeyougotheeah.

Ray and Deana

Ray, I don't know if you're actually a Race fan or not, but if you are, mad props for the "Your horse isn't broken", and we all know why.
But dude, you don't get to use the line "I don't like being stuck with the bottom feeders," because you are obviously one yourself after coming in 7, 3, 6, and 6 in four episodes.
Deana, don't get mad at the horse. Get mad at the horse's ass you brought along on the race. Thanks.
Ray, I'd cool it on the "want to get ahead of the oldsters" talk because, even though you are dating someone seventeen years younger than you are, if Meredith and Gretchen get eliminated you will be the oldest person on the race. In fact, I think you just need to drink a six pack of Shut the F%&* Up and get your pending AARP membership revoked.

Susan and Patrick

Well, you lasted two legs longer than I thought you would and, even though I really wanted to like you guys, Patrick is a little bit too whiny and Susan's got a strange growth on the end of her nose. But for some reason I did find your quote "We're racing to be last" oddly endearing.
Patrick, I know at least two readers of this blog who wholeheartedly agree with you that running over a clown is, in any instance, justifiable homicide.
I felt your pain when you thought you were on the first train before the other two teams. Oh, the irony of impending doom.

Gretchen and Meredith

Gretchen, with your "here's the menage a trois" comment, that now brings your total of unnecessary wacky innuendos up to two. Please go sit in the corner with Ron until further notice. Thank you.
And, um, Gretchen? Just because there's a red star on the map marking the island where the clue box is, that doesn't mean the island is going to have a star on it. You should have paid more attention in Physical Geography.
Meredith, before you completed the roadblock, I really, really wanted you to yell out, "My Preciousssssssss!" as you got the ring. Please be funnier next week.
Gretchen, even though it's really sweet of you to think that the children were trying to perform for money for college, it's probably not the case. Check out this movie to see what the kids were probably doing.

Ron and Kelly

"In the military you trust people but here you can't trust anyone and that's why it's not like the military." Thanks. That brings your military talk up to five. Please go join Gretchen in the corner. Bye bye.

Uchenna and Joyce

Hey, Joyce: if you have already been thrown off your horse twice and know that it is skittish, I think it would have been in your best interest to not squeal in delight until you were OFF the horse. Just a thought.
Now, I'm a little worried that you two may be incurring a time penalty next week because you set off to do the Shipwreck, and randomly found the island. I'm not sure, and I hope not, but it might happen.

Brian and Greg

You know, as soon one of these dudes said, "Darn it!" and looked at their wardrobe choices, I realized who they are trying to be.

Rob and Amber

Well, I gotta hand it to you guys. The only sneaky thing you did all episode was run a really great race. That's something a lot of the other teams never think about doing.
I can't believe they made the flight. But, according to Rob, it makes sense since he was born with a lucky horseshoe--up his ass!
That was a little harsh with the, "How's your stomach, Ron?" But since Ron is sitting in the corner with Gretchen, I can forgive you.
I can't believe you gave away your hat. The Sox hat that has been your trademark since Survivor: Marquesas. Maybe the one you put on is just really faded, but I don't think it had a B on it. I wish you the best without your lucky charm. But since the horseshoe is up your ass I think it'll be okay.

And two more general comments:

That dude they got the clue from in the park? I'm surprised he was still there and hadn't already been arrested for dealing drugs or loitering or flashing people. He was creepy.
NEXT WEEK: TWO HOUR RACE! That made my night. Gretchen with a head wound? The brothers go toppling? Oh, dude. GAME ON.

That's all for today!

Week 5 - Bonus Question

2005-03-23T06:41:00.000-08:00

Well, we've totally been chillin' in South America since the beginning of the race, but I have a feeling that next week the teams will be taking off to parts unknown on a different continent, and that will require a long plane ride. Since we've already had an Argentina related question, here's a general travel question for this week:

Question: What was the maximum height and weight permitted for the first flight attendants, and on what airline?

20 points for each part.

Week 4 Bonus - ANSWER

2005-03-23T06:39:00.000-08:00

The line is, "Argentina has great beef. Beef and Nazis." It's from the 1995 Sandra Bullock movie While You Were Sleeping. For the script, click here.

Pool Standings Episode 4

2005-03-23T06:25:00.000-08:00

Ami 1440
Karen 1430
Jill T 1410
Sarah 1395
Chris 1360
Allegra 1350
Jan 1340
Stephanie 1310
Tracy 1260
Eric (3), Mark (3) 1255
Scott 1240
Curt (3), Judy (3) 1175
Joanna 1130
Mary / Anton 1135
Jay 1125 (3)
Caitlin (3), Kristin (3) 1120
Jonathan 1105 (3)
Mike 1055 (3)
Samuel 1015 (3)
Bari 1000 (3)
Robyn 985 (3)
Dave 925 (2)
Lee 935 (3)
Katie 840 (2)
Ben 820 (2)
Jack 815 (3)
Erick(3), Jill (3) 805
Steve 790 (2)
Melissa 785 (3)
Mary K 740 (2)
June 715 (2)
Liz 560 (2)
Kim 500 (2)

Player Standings after Episode 4 / Roadblocks

2005-03-23T06:19:00.000-08:00

Rob / Amber 125 (4 episode total: 420)
Brian / Greg 95 (4 episode total: 290)
Uchenna / Joyce 75 (4 episode total: 290)
Ron / Kelly 75 (4 episode total: 250)
Lynn / Alex 95 (4 episode total: 360)
Ray / Deana 45 (4 episode total: 240)
Meredith / Gretchen 55 (4 episode total: 190)
Susan / Patrick -125 (4 episode total: 50)

Roadblock Count

Brian 2 / Greg 1
Lynn 1 / Alex 2
Meredith 2 / Gretchen 1
Ray 1 / Deana 2
Rob 2 / Amber 1
Ron 2 / Kelly 1
Susan 1 / Patrick 2
Uchenna 1 / Joyce 2

Reality TV Meets NCAA Basketball

2005-03-22T10:34:00.000-08:00

In case you were wondering, Phil happens to be a fairly good guesser when it comes to NCAA Basketball!

The Amazing Recap

2005-03-20T13:53:00.000-08:00

Miss Alli's TWOP Recap of last weeks episode is up. My favorite quote?

"Kelly adds, 'When I think of heaven, this is what I think of.' Thus managing to express a sentiment I'm prepared to respect while still kind of bugging the ever-loving crap out of me. She's like the human equivalent of Christian rock. "

RACE VIEWING AT ERIC'S

2005-03-19T12:49:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone! I actually don't work anywhere this tuesday!!! I know...shocking.

I'd like everyone who can to come over to watch Race at 8 o'clock. This is my last week in St. Paul before making the big move across the river! Minneapolis watch out!

Sandra Bullock Generosity

2005-03-18T16:43:00.000-08:00

Actress Sandra Bullock has donated $1 million to the American Red Cross to help survivors of the tsunami.

Bullock has done this sort of thing before.

She donated $1 million to the Red Cross in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in 2001.

“At this critical time, I am grateful to Sandra Bullock, for once again demonstrating her leadership, compassion and belief in our global humanitarian mission,” said American Red Cross President and CEO Marsha J. Evans in a statement. “Sandra continues to enable our lifesaving work and is a model for personal generosity.”

It is great to see the fortunate give to the unfortunate!

Win a Vacation Hamper

2005-03-18T08:50:00.000-08:00

Sanjeev will help you!

Episode 3 - My Thoughts

2005-03-17T06:36:00.000-08:00

First of all, Miss Alli's recaplet is up, so go read it.

Wow, there's a lot to talk about with this episode. I'm gonna do my best to keep it in order.

Did anyone else notice that Rob and Amber were nearly an hour ahead of the team that came in second? That's, kind of awesome. Who knew that knowing how to stack books would get you so far ahead? They rip their clue and they get to drive themselves over 150 miles to the "Old Bridge" (keep in mind that this is the name of the place they need to go to) in Argentina. I'm all about teams having to navigate themselves places. No, it's not the 500+ mile trek from Le Mans to Marseilles, but I'll take it! And the cars are waiting for them in a parking structure that doesn't open until 5 AM. I'm not a fan of the bunching, but this was okay for me for a couple reasons:

The sign that said it doesn't open until 5 am was a real sign on the building, unless the production crew has suddenly become adept in creating signs in color schemes other than yellow and red and look authentic, which I don't think they have.
They're driving over the Andes mountains which, I would imagine, might not be so safe for teams in the dark (especially that really windy part which I'm sure is used in all Mazda commercials).
The tasks they were going to are either biking down a railroad bed or rafting down a river--neither of which can be done in the dark. So, do we have teams wait at a parking structure before having to navigate their way to a next task, or do you let the navigation (and, ahem Debbie and Bianca and Susan and Patrick, I'm talking about you) and those who are really bad at it get a free pass if they get lost? Personally, I'd rather see the bunching at the beginning. And there you go.

Oh, Brian and Greg, you are quickly becoming the funny team of the season in the absence of Ryan and Chuck. Your little skit at the beginning of the episode? Priceless. Keep it up, and stay in the race ('cause you're one of my teams!).

Poor Debbie and Bianca. Not only did Rob steal their cab (and I'm totally sure that watching it last night was the first time they found out about it), they were the only ones we saw actually stop and ask for help with the navigation before they even got on the road. And they still drove two hours the wrong way. I'm just guessing that if a clue says "drive through the mountains" and I continually see the mountains to the right and the ocean's waves getting sea spray all over the car, it would take me less than two hours to figure out I was on the wrong road. What were they planning on doing, driving north through Chile until they hit a border? That would take a really, really long time.

Um, Gretchen? Please don't ever say "I make it up to Meredith in other ways." I certainly didn't need to hear that. Neither did the rest of the country. You probably lost those few who are still fans of yours that can overlook the whiny voice and odd noises you emit.

Susan wants to find Patrick a boyfriend. That's so cute. And I have a few number Patrick can call if he wants.

The first Yield of the season! And, surprise surprise, no one used it. I'm not a particular fan of the yield myself, but if it's there, why not use it? I think that Lynn and Alex would have used it on Rob and Amber if they had been ahead of them. But, then again, the whole point of the Yield is to mentally throw someone off their game (because really, usually holding someone up for just fifteen minutes isn't going to make a big deal in terms of time it takes to complete tasks).

That raft course looked wank and easy. It's no wonder eight of the nine teams chose to do it. But Amber really need to stop talking about how she needs to lose weight. She needs to shed pounds like Mischa Barton needs a tummy tuck. How excellent was it, however, when Debbie and Bianca were talking about how they hoped someone had a flat tire, quick cut to Brian and Greg with their tire blowing out? Awesome. Even more cool when, as Brian and Greg were walking their bikes, they could see Meredith and Gretchen going by in their raft.

And then...the Roadblock. I'm not a fan of the eating challenges. That's why when I get on this show, Karen's doing all of them. I do find most of the eating challenges within the realm of reason (although the caviar was a bit extreme). I know that many countries eat what we would deam "icky" parts of the cow, but the fact is they do eat them. And part of traveling is sometimes staring at food that you know you have to eat and just totally don't want to. But four pounds of it? That's a lot. I suppose, since they're in the Andes, they could have been asked to eat each other.

Uchenna--totally chanelling the wookie. Sorry dude, Revenge of the Siths is coming out in two months, and that's the last one.

Ron? Shut it. I do not need to hear that the food, while better than what you got in prison camp, is the worst eating experience you've ever had. You're now four POW references over the line. That's more than one an episode. Good bye.

Greg--I loved the "When I cook brains at home..." line. Keep it up, buddy.

I was really starting to miss Ryan and Chuck. They would have had it done in ten minutes and turned to another team and said, "Are you going to finish that?" It would have been awesome.

Ray didn't tell Deana to suck it up and finish! And that's because Rob--is a mental magician. I'm not quite sure where to begin on what happened with all the quitting. This is only the fourth time we've seen someone quit a task. The first was season one episode nine when, knowing they were in last and so very tired and unable to see their way out of a detour, Nancy and Emily opted to just take a cab to the pit stop and they were slapped with a 24 hour penalty. Second was season five, when Lance and Marshall were also in last and Lance gave up on the roadblock. Third was last season with the key locks when Hayden finally quit. Now, all of these were instances where teams were in last place or on something other than a detour. It just seems like the rules are changing slightly. Which is, in my mind, okay. Rob has never been good at eating challenges (his first season in Survivor he was not able to keep the fish guts down), so I figured that if they decided he was going to do it, something was going to happen. What Rob did was actually totally genius. He knew he couldn't finish it. He assessed his options of taking a four hour penalty or taking as much time as he needed to eat the food. Now, it was totally a gamble because, if I understood the penalty correctly, your four hours started either a) when the next team showed up or b) when you decided to quit, whichever came last. Rob knew his time would start right away because a team had arrived shortly after him. But how in the world he managed to convince both Ray and Deana and Meredith and Gretchen to quit when the next team hadn't arrived? I'll never know.

Voldemort? You've got nothing on the Jedi mindtricks and mental magic of Rob Mariano.

Lynn and Alex come in first. Yea! But why didn't the boys get a trip?!

That's it for today, everyone.

WEEK 3 BONUS QUESTION

2005-03-16T09:19:00.000-08:00

The teams are now in Argentina, the country which, according to a character in a Sandra Bullock movie, "Argentina has great beef. Beef and __________."

QUESTION: In what movie was this line said? What is the second thing that Argentina is famous for?

Twenty points for each part of the answer.

Good luck!

Week 2 Bonus - Answer

2005-03-16T07:12:00.000-08:00

This one proved to be a bit controversial! All I have to say is, like Jon Cosgrove at the Pub Quizzes, the answer that I have on the paper is the right one. So there.

Pablo Neruda won the nobel prize for literature in 1971.
The committee gave it to him "for a poetry that with action of an elemental force brings alive a continent's destiny and dreams"
Walt Whitman was the poet whose picture he kept on his table.

POOL STANDINGS - Episode 3

2005-03-16T06:57:00.000-08:00

Ami 1060
Eric, Karen 1040
Jill T 1020
Sarah 1005
Allegra 1000
Chris, Jan, Kristin 980
Caitlin, Stephanie 940
Mark (3), Mary/Anton, Tracy 920
Scott 900
Bari 880
Curt (3), Jay (3), Judy (3) 840
Joanna, Mike (3) 820
Dave 805 (3)
Jonathan 790 (3)
Katie 745 (3)
Robyn 720 (3)
Samuel 710 (3)
Ben 705 (3)
Lee 650 (3)
June 630 (3)
Erick 590 (3)
Jill (3), Melissa (3), Steve (2) 570
Jack 550 (3)
Mary K 530 (2)
Liz 410 (2)
Kim 330 (2)

Player Standings for Episode 3 / Roadblock Usage

2005-03-16T06:12:00.000-08:00

Lynn / Alex 125 (3 episode total 265)
Uchenna / Joyce 105 (3 episode total 215)
Brian / Greg 105 (3 episode total 195)
Ron / Kelly 75 (3 episode total 175)
Rob / Amber 85 (3 episode total 295)
Ray / Deana 55 (3 episode total 195)
Meredith / Gretchen 55 (3 episode total 135)
Susan / Patrick 35 (3 episode total 175)

Roadblocks

After this week's roadblock, here are how many roadblocks each team has completed:

Brian 1 / Greg 1
Debbie 2 / Bianca 0
Lynn 1 / Alex 1
Meredith 1 / Gretchen 1
Ray 1 / Deana 1
Rob 1 / Amber 1
Ron 2 / Kelly 0
Susan 1 / Patrick 1
Uchenna 1 / Joyce 1

Queer Eye for the Red Sox Guy?

2005-03-16T06:00:00.000-08:00

I wonder how Boston Rob feels about these turn of events.

"I guess there ain't no way I'm ever gonna be on The Amazing Race 6."

2005-03-14T17:00:00.000-08:00

The Onion's take on Reality TV.

Miss Alli's Recap - Episode 2

2005-03-14T07:16:00.000-08:00

It's up. 18 pages of funny!

PABLO NERUDA on Poetry

2005-03-12T15:05:00.000-08:00

PABLO NERUDA

POETRY

And it was at that age...Poetry arrived
in search of me. I don't know, I don't know where
it came from, from winter or a river
.I don't know how or when
,no, they were not
voices, they were notwords, nor silence
,but from a street I was summoned
,from the branches of night
,abruptly from the others,
among violent firesor returning alone,
there I was without a face
and it touched me.

I did not know what to say, my mouth
had no way
with names
my eyes were blind,
and something started in my soul,
fever or forgotten wings,
and I made my own way,
deciphering
that fire
and I wrote the first faint line,
faint, without substance, pure
nonsense,
pure wisdom
of someone who knows nothing,
and suddenly I saw
the heavens
unfastened
and open,
planets,
palpitating planations,
shadow perforated,
riddled
with arrows, fire and flowers,
the winding night, the universe.
And I, infinitesmal being,
drunk with the great starry
void,likeness, image of
mystery,
I felt myself a pure part
of the abyss,
I wheeled with the stars,
my heart broke free on the open sky.

IKEA - Sexist?

2005-03-10T11:50:00.000-08:00

As it was the site of a detour last season, here's a new interesting link on one of my favorite places, IKEA.

TAR: Behind the Scenes

2005-03-09T14:49:00.000-08:00

Here's a Q&A from MSN.com about what Racers are and are not allowed to bring along with them. I wonder if this means my idea of putting together a laminated clip art flip book of pictures of a taxi, bus, train, etc won't fly...

And, if you care, Jonathan's "Exclusive" interview with MSN regarding his relationship with Victoria.

Inder Video on CBS

2005-03-09T13:58:00.000-08:00

For those of you who have a better internet connection than dial-up, do yourselves a favor and check out the Insider Videos on cbs.com. SO much better than all other seasons. Sadly, we only have dial-up at home. Please excuse me while I go convince Smitty that an upgrade is in order.

Episode 2 -My Thoughts

2005-03-09T10:57:00.000-08:00

And yet, another good one. In case anyone wants Miss Alli's short take, here's her recaplet.

And now, on to My Thoughts.

The most prophetic line ever from a team about to be Philiminated in 58 minutes? That of course goes to Megan and Heidi: "Heidi and I are leaders and will take charge! And my hair is blowing in my mouth!" That summed up all we need to know about to Boobsey Twins. Bye bye. Have fun in sequesterville--although I'm sure you'll have more fun once Brian and Greg get there!

Oh, Rob. Have you not heard of THE YIELD? Either he hasn't, or he has and he just doesn't care. I don't think he really justified the "You lied to us!" from the teams about not sharing information with them about the later bus getting there first, and then paying the security man not to say anything, and the paying the bus driver not to open the backdoor (with the other teams' in his alliance's money, not his own) was just brilliant, but at some point there's gonna be a yield and who are they going to be gunning for? The Rob-father himself.

And on that bus driver move, thank goodness Mirna's not on this race. Can't your just hear her melodic tones ringing throughout the episode? "Rob is Dis-GUS-ting!"

Dude, other teams. You can't fault Rob for asking for information when you didn't think to do it. That's why you were mad, wasn't it Patrick? That's what I thought. The dumb-as-a-rock Rob outsmarted your witty self. And what's up with that bandage on your eye? Seriously! And why did it go away so fast?

I liked this roadblock. I really did. Except for the part where Ron and Kelly decided he would do it because "he shined shoes in the miltary". And you never did that in the beauty pagents, Kelly? So, now Ron's use of military comparisons is three over the limit ("Lima looks like Baghdad!" "I was a POW and got shot down and if I win the million I'm going to donate some to the disabled veterans" "I shine shoes all the time"). How many times has he mentioned the military altogether? That's right. Three. Bye bye now. Get your right-wing butt of my screen. And take your girlfriend who apparently can't count (112 + 78 is 190, not your needed 180. Where's Bolo when you need him?) with you.

I did, however, find Lynn and Alex's decision as to who would do the roadblock quite funny. "Who loves shoes? We both love shoes!" Go boys, go.

However, Susan and Gretchen? The clue said shoe shine, not sock shine. There's a joke to be made there somewhere, but I'm not finding it at the moment.

And the teams rip open their clue and find...already booked airline tickets? That was a bit odd. Now, here's my theory. It wasn't like they were all bunching them on the same flight, because they were on two different ones. It was more like a cutting of the deck before shuffling again. There didn't seem to be too much time difference in when they got to Santiago. I'm guessing that they're trying out things for Amazing Race 8, when the families get on there. It's hard enough to book last minute international flights for four people (the two team members and their sound and camera dudes), but with AR 8, it's going to be at least six if not eight (I wouldn't be surprised if they double the crew as well, but I could be wrong). I think we'll see a lot of that next season. Having said that, I really miss the traditional airport shuffle.

And on to Santiago we go! Where they ride a funicular, my second favorite form of transportation on Amazing Race! At least no one called it a "small two person bike". Here's a song about a Funnicular. And if you want to hear the audio of this song you can come over to my cube at work or ask me of a copy of my Minnetonka Concert Band winter concert from a few weeks ago, where we played "Funiculi, Funicula". And you can hear me play my featured solo piece, too. 'cause I'm good. And now I'm done being egotistical.

A lotof people have been asking about why Susan and Patrick were running into money troubles at this point (and again at the detour, along with Meredith and Gretchen), when they weren't paying off drivers and security guards all over the place. I think it was a more a matter of them not having enough Chilean Pesos, as they hadn't stopped to change them anywhere. And that's all I'm going to say about money for the rest of this post.

This was a cool detour, because on one hand you have physical strength but also need to be able to navigate through the streets of Santiago (and remember to use your "library voice" as one of the Brothers said to the other), but on the other you've got to have enough money and language skills to be able to purchase at a reasonable price items from a very busy market. Cool, cool, cool.

Rob and Amber had no problem with that roadblock, probably owing to the fact that, since they go there first, they could take all the little books. Can it safely be said that Rob has book smarts after all? As for the others who chose that detour, they all managed it fine. Nothing much to say.

Oh, the marketers. This is not the first time teams have had to use their own money to complete a task, but for those of you who have become race converts in latter seasons might not have seen it. Here it is. I loved that both Gretchen and Meredith and Lynn and Alex got sent back because their fish was too small. Gretchen and Meredith handled it was grace, but I think Lynn and Alex were schooled at the Donald Rumsfeld School of Diplomacy and International Relations. And at some point in there, Lynn made the comment that "we're used to brining up the rear". And all the gay boys I know fall over laughing. And here's where I get to interject my first totally non-related to the race story but it makes sense in my head story of the season!

One time when my family was in Germany when my sister was either 4 or 6, we were walking down from Neuschwanstein, which is a bit of a hike. My dad was a few yards ahead of my mom and I, and my sister was kinda hanging back trying to keep up. For some reason one of the three of us asked someone else where Marissa was, and I think I answered "she's bringing up the rear". So we kept walking and soon I turned around and and she was bent over with her hands on the ground, just staying still and I said, "Marissa, what are you doing?" and she said, "You said I was bringing up the rear, so I am!"

Back to the race. The race to the pitstop.

This is why I like Debbie and Bianca--they take the time to explain to their cab driver, in perfect Spanish, why they're acting batshit crazy. I need to meet these two.

Meredith is actually kinda funny! "Seven is better than a sharp stick in the eye?" Talking to himself in the third person? I dig it. But everytime I verge on liking this team, Gretchen opens her mouth and makes strange noises. I don't understand.

Patrick, in a line that summed up his whole existence, "Yes Phil, it will be this traumatic each time." Thanks for the warning, kiddo.

And a footrace to last again. What could be better than that? Only if this show was now sponsored by Travelocity so I could see the garden gnome ads. Oh wait, it is! I have a thing for garden gnomes. But, apparently, so do others. You just can't make this stuff up.

POOL STANDINGS -- Episode 2

2005-03-09T06:24:00.000-08:00

Dave, Jay, Mark 720
Ami, Eric, Judy 670
Kristin 660
Curt, Jan, Karen, Mike 640
Jill T 620
Tracy 610
Sarah 585
Mary/Anton, Scott 580
Stephanie 550
Allegra 560
Robyn 540
Bari, Caitlin, Chris 520
Joanna 490
Steve 475 (3)
Ben 440 (3)
Jonathan (3), Samuel (3) 425
Mary K 415 (3)
Lee 405 (3)
Liz 355 (3)
June 335 (3)
Erick 315 (3)
Melissa 305 (3)
Kim 285 (3)
Jill 275 (3)
Jack 235 (3)

Player Scores for Episode 2 / Roadblock Usage

2005-03-09T06:18:00.000-08:00

Rob/Amber 115 (2 episode total 210)
Ron/Kelly 95 (2 episode total 100)
Ray/Deana 95 (2 episode total 140)
Uchenna/Joyce 75 (2 episode total 110)
Lynn/Alex 75 (2 episode total 140)
Debbie/Bianca 55 (2 episode total 190)
Meredith/Gretchen 35 (2 episode total 80)
Susan/Patrick 35 (2 episode total 140)
Brian/Greg 15 (2 episode total 90)
Megan/Heidi -105 (2 episode total -100)

I'm not sure if they're enforcing the Roadblock rule (one person can do a total of six) this time but if they are, here are the list of people who did the roadblocks for their team:

Brian
Debbie
Lynn
Megan
Gretchen
Ray
Amber
Ron
Susan
Joyce

Week 3 Bonus Question

2005-03-09T06:17:00.000-08:00

As mentioned in last night's episode, Chile is famous for, among other things, its writers. That's why I need to move there.

Question: Pablo Neruda, one of Chile's most accomplished writers, won the nobel prize in literature in what year and for what reason (as deemed by the Nobel Prize committee)? And because that's too easy to be the whole question, a portrait of what poet did he keep on his table?

Week 2 Bonus - Answer

2005-03-09T06:14:00.000-08:00

In place of a writing system, the Incas used an intricate system of colored knotted chords of rope call a quipu. The studies show that when the Spanish conquistadors figured out that was how they Inca's communicated, they went around to all the towns and untied and slashed all the ropes, effectivley cutting off all but verbal communication between towns. Not cool.

But it does remind me of a joke. Two strings walked into a bar and the bartender said, "Dude, we don't serve strings. Get out!" So they walked outside and unraveled themselves and tied themselves together and went back in. The bartender said, "Aren't you the same two strings I told to get out?" and they said, "no, we're a frayed knot!"

New Harry Potter Book Cover

2005-03-08T12:09:00.000-08:00

Seriously, would they stop making him look like me? Chapter 25 from The Order of the Phoenix was close enough!

Maybe that should be my caption when I'm on race someday--"Harry Potter Lookalike".

The Real Recap -- From Miss Alli

2005-03-07T14:08:00.000-08:00

Miss Alli's recap of episode one is up on Television Without Pity. 26 pages of funny!