If you're an American over the age of 18, today's the big day. Please, please, get out and vote. If you haven't already, take a few minutes to read through the issues pages on the websites of both John McCain and Barack Obama. Think through your own opinions on who can best accomplish what our country needs: Intelligent foreign policy, first-class public education, a strong health care system with access for all, long-term support for our veterans, and a clean, forward-thinking energy plan. A president who'll make reasonable Supreme Court nominations is also vital.
(If you're curious, I've already cast an enthusiastic vote for this guy, because I think he's far better for our country on all counts. And if you don't want to know about how I voted, that's fine, too. A lot of people don't want to know how their fave authors voted. In that case, don't click!)
But...that being said, I do urge you to ignore the ads, ignore what the pundits say, even ignore what someone says you "should" do when you get in the booth. But do read up about the issues so you can make a thoroughly informed choice.
On a completely different note, guess who else is having a big day? Jaime and Erik of Survivor: China! I was soooo sure that Jaime was playing Erik during that season--even blogged about it--but I am happy to report that I was wrong. And apparently the two of them won an $80,000 wedding. Nifty, huh? Love those happy endings!
Showing posts with label Survivor: China. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Survivor: China. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Monday, December 17, 2007
Survivor: Thinking Ahead
Watched all three hours of the Survivor: China finale. I thought for sure that Amanda would walk away with the million, which made me pretty happy. Of the final four, she's the one I wanted to win.
But no.
Amanda completely whiffed on her arguments to the jury. I wanted to shake the TV and tell her to spit out something along the lines of, "It was really difficult to vote out Denise, because I like her so much and I felt like we formed a bond. And she fought like mad to stay in the game, which I respect. But I went with Todd at the end--despite the fact that he's probably my biggest threat--because I gave him my word on day one. It was a huge risk to do that, but I hope that honoring my promise from day one earns me your vote. I also fought hard on every single challenge, helping my tribe win a lot of the immunities--that's what gave us all a fighting chance at the million." Her half-answers cost her a number of votes...and the million.
On the other hand, Todd didn't apologize for anything, and emphasized all of his accomplishments. His great presentation to the jury earned him a million. And Courtney, who couldn't even cut through a rope with a machete, managed to earn herself a few votes by focusing on her underdog status and keeping everyone laughing with her blunt comments.
Amanda, you had a shot, but you blew it. You didn't think ahead and plan out what you wanted to say (at least, it didn't seem like you did.) Just like my fave player, James, blew it by not thinking ahead.
Denise blew it a few weeks ago by voting out James. If she'd have warned him about Amanda's plan, the two of them could've flipped on Todd and Amanda, and they'd have gone all the way to the end. (Pretty nice of Mark Burnett to give her $50,000, though!)
Can't wait for next season..."Fans vs. Favorites" starts in February. Anyone else planning to tune in? Who do you want to show up on the "faves" team? I'm crossing my fingers that James will be there.
But no.
Amanda completely whiffed on her arguments to the jury. I wanted to shake the TV and tell her to spit out something along the lines of, "It was really difficult to vote out Denise, because I like her so much and I felt like we formed a bond. And she fought like mad to stay in the game, which I respect. But I went with Todd at the end--despite the fact that he's probably my biggest threat--because I gave him my word on day one. It was a huge risk to do that, but I hope that honoring my promise from day one earns me your vote. I also fought hard on every single challenge, helping my tribe win a lot of the immunities--that's what gave us all a fighting chance at the million." Her half-answers cost her a number of votes...and the million.
On the other hand, Todd didn't apologize for anything, and emphasized all of his accomplishments. His great presentation to the jury earned him a million. And Courtney, who couldn't even cut through a rope with a machete, managed to earn herself a few votes by focusing on her underdog status and keeping everyone laughing with her blunt comments.
Amanda, you had a shot, but you blew it. You didn't think ahead and plan out what you wanted to say (at least, it didn't seem like you did.) Just like my fave player, James, blew it by not thinking ahead.
Denise blew it a few weeks ago by voting out James. If she'd have warned him about Amanda's plan, the two of them could've flipped on Todd and Amanda, and they'd have gone all the way to the end. (Pretty nice of Mark Burnett to give her $50,000, though!)
Can't wait for next season..."Fans vs. Favorites" starts in February. Anyone else planning to tune in? Who do you want to show up on the "faves" team? I'm crossing my fingers that James will be there.
Monday, December 3, 2007
Yes, They ARE Out To Get You
Color me thrilled with last night's episode of The Amazing Race and the ouster of Shanna and Jennifer. The pair claimed that they were a lot like the "Beauty Queens" team of Dustin and Kandice. Um, nope. Dustin and Kandice weren't my faves when they started out on the show, but they grew on me. They rarely argued (a tough thing, given the circumstances of the race), they knew each other's strengths and weaknesses, and they cheered each other on through the toughest days. Not so Shana and Jennifer. Talk about a whine-o-rama. The only thing these two have in common with Dustin and Kandice is hair color. Note to Jennifer: you wouldn't have made it as far as you did without Shana using that U-Turn, so you should've been thanking her for doing it. Remember that it's a game . You're supposed to get the other teams by using the U-Turn! It's in the rules and everything!
So glad I don't have to listen to them fighting again next week.
On the other hand, color me not-so-thrilled about James being voted out on this week's episode of Survivor China. James had the right attitude about the game (loved that he was able to simply shrug and say he blew it at the end, instead of storming off like many other losing contestants), but the wrong attitude about his tribemates. They were out to get him. They knew that if he stayed even one more round, the game was likely to be his. James's trusting, optimistic nature is what makes everyone like him, but it was also his downfall.
What I've have LOVED to have seen: Denise flip and tell James that the rest of the tribe was about to vote him out. I kept waiting for it to happen, but no dice. (Arrgh!) James was Denise's tightest ally, and I think that going along with the group to get rid of him will leave her adrift. She still hasn't figured out that she's dead last in the alliance's pecking order. But if she'd saved James's tail by cluing him in to Amanda's plan, they could have ousted Todd instead. James would owe her...and I bet the two of them would have gone to the end. Even if she couldn't beat him with the jury, second is better than she's likely to do against the rest of the group.
James's ouster means I have to figure out which Survivor to cheer for now. Amanda is playing a smart game, so props to her. I think she's going to turn on Todd next...wonder if he's aware of that? If so, she's toast. Erik and Courtney are coasting. Peih-Gee is just annoying.
Guess I'll see who impresses me next week....
So glad I don't have to listen to them fighting again next week.
On the other hand, color me not-so-thrilled about James being voted out on this week's episode of Survivor China. James had the right attitude about the game (loved that he was able to simply shrug and say he blew it at the end, instead of storming off like many other losing contestants), but the wrong attitude about his tribemates. They were out to get him. They knew that if he stayed even one more round, the game was likely to be his. James's trusting, optimistic nature is what makes everyone like him, but it was also his downfall.
What I've have LOVED to have seen: Denise flip and tell James that the rest of the tribe was about to vote him out. I kept waiting for it to happen, but no dice. (Arrgh!) James was Denise's tightest ally, and I think that going along with the group to get rid of him will leave her adrift. She still hasn't figured out that she's dead last in the alliance's pecking order. But if she'd saved James's tail by cluing him in to Amanda's plan, they could have ousted Todd instead. James would owe her...and I bet the two of them would have gone to the end. Even if she couldn't beat him with the jury, second is better than she's likely to do against the rest of the group.
James's ouster means I have to figure out which Survivor to cheer for now. Amanda is playing a smart game, so props to her. I think she's going to turn on Todd next...wonder if he's aware of that? If so, she's toast. Erik and Courtney are coasting. Peih-Gee is just annoying.
Guess I'll see who impresses me next week....
Friday, October 19, 2007
Who's a Survivor?
Watched my TiVo'ed episode of Survivor: China. Must, must grumble for a minute. I thought Jaime was going to be a smart player, someone I could really get behind. She's been doing everything right--making friends when she got kidnapped, nabbing a clue to a hidden immunity idol through networking, and coaxing Leslie into sharing insider info about the other tribe.
But nope. This week, she ticked me off. Not only did she convince Peih-Gee to help her throw a challenge, she giggled about it the whole time. Just. So. Wrong.
I understand her basic thinking, that throwing the challenge allows her, Peih-Gee, and Erik to get rid of a member of the opposing tribe (who'd been switched onto their tribe), but sheesh. Have they EVER watched Survivor before? They made a whole bunch of assumptions--that the tribes wouldn't be switched back before voting (they lucked out on that one), that the merge will occur at a certain point in the game (that's still to be determined), that their own traded tribe members won't flip (also TBD), and that they won't need Aaron's strength in the future. (BTW...does Aaron remind anyone of Paul Walker?)
No tribe's ever been better off in Survivor for a visit to Tribal Council. Maybe there's more harmony around camp after a particularly annoying person is ousted, but the decreased numbers always come back to bite a tribe in the tail.
Aaron, you tried hard. I hope James fights on and finds a way to get Jaime, but good.
And Erik, a heads-up: I think Jaime's playing you. I hope future episodes show you being a little more cautious. (Hey, even Rob Mariano expressed doubts about Amber Brkich during Survivor: All Stars, telling the camera he thought she might be playing him. And he ended up marrying her.) There's a million dollars at stake and Jaime's known you for less than three weeks, Erik. Think about it.
Speaking of survivors, the Sox live to play another day, this time at Fenway. Here's hoping the series goes the full seven games! Josh Beckett, you rule.
But nope. This week, she ticked me off. Not only did she convince Peih-Gee to help her throw a challenge, she giggled about it the whole time. Just. So. Wrong.
I understand her basic thinking, that throwing the challenge allows her, Peih-Gee, and Erik to get rid of a member of the opposing tribe (who'd been switched onto their tribe), but sheesh. Have they EVER watched Survivor before? They made a whole bunch of assumptions--that the tribes wouldn't be switched back before voting (they lucked out on that one), that the merge will occur at a certain point in the game (that's still to be determined), that their own traded tribe members won't flip (also TBD), and that they won't need Aaron's strength in the future. (BTW...does Aaron remind anyone of Paul Walker?)
No tribe's ever been better off in Survivor for a visit to Tribal Council. Maybe there's more harmony around camp after a particularly annoying person is ousted, but the decreased numbers always come back to bite a tribe in the tail.
Aaron, you tried hard. I hope James fights on and finds a way to get Jaime, but good.
And Erik, a heads-up: I think Jaime's playing you. I hope future episodes show you being a little more cautious. (Hey, even Rob Mariano expressed doubts about Amber Brkich during Survivor: All Stars, telling the camera he thought she might be playing him. And he ended up marrying her.) There's a million dollars at stake and Jaime's known you for less than three weeks, Erik. Think about it.
Speaking of survivors, the Sox live to play another day, this time at Fenway. Here's hoping the series goes the full seven games! Josh Beckett, you rule.
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