Survivor has been outstanding this season. After a slow start with 2 contestants quitting the game, the pace and the players strategy has really picked up. I am not the biggest fan of having many advantages floating around, as it makes the game a bit more random than it should. The skill of getting along and communicating with other players should not be diminished because somebody got lucky and was given or found an advantage. My two favorites (Drew and Emily) are still there and are holding their own. It’s interesting to see Emily’s transformation from somebody who seemed totally clueless around people (so much that she would have been voted off if Hannah had not begged to leave) to somebody who is really playing a great game. It’s kind of the same with Drew. At first, he seemed awkward, but he has become a very smart player.

I was a bit surprised that the women didn’t think more seriously about forming an all women alliance at least for a little bit. With a 6 – 4 advantage, they could have picked off the guys one by one. I know there are other alliances and friendships that make things tough, but they had a path to the final 6 and should have taken it. This is one of the reasons I want to be a contestant. I constantly wonder what I would do in these situations. Could I remove any feelings and thought and strictly treat this Survivor as a game to be won, or would the human element creep in, and make me make decisions that ultimately cost me a shot at winning. Its fascinating to watch.

Like how the producers brought back the auction but switched things up a bit. Its crazy how people seem to study things and figure out the best strategy before they make it to the show, forcing Jeff Probst and the producers to make changes to keep people guessing. That’s another aspect of the show that I really like, and would love to experience (as long as I don’t have to eat giant fish eyes)

As for the NY Football Giants. They are not just bad. They are historically bad. And for some reason there awfulnes seems to be flying under the radar. They have a -148 point differential which is 51 points worse then the New England Patriots -97. They have been blown out in most of their games and there 2 wins are against the Arizona Cardinals (who somehow managed to blow a 20-0 half time lead, and a average Washington Commanders Team who will probably take out their frustration against the Giants on Sunday. I am not a big fan of excuses, and the Giants seem to come up with them one after another. QB Hurt, No Offensive Line, Defense Players injured, etc.. When things are hard and get tough, that is when the best rise up and take control. To my Brian Dabol and his staff have basically thrown in the towel for this year. I thought of this a while back, and now it seems to be picking up some traction – The idea of the Giants making a trade for Josh Allen of the Bills to reunite with Dabol. Not a big fan as this feels the same as when Pat Shurmer benched Eli Maning for Daniel Jones as kind of a hail mary move to buy him some more time with the excuse of changing QBs. Dabol will do the same thing if they do make this trade.

The team is a mess, they have no identity or direction, but I will still watch them play every week. The Joys of being a diehard football fan

A few random things

Mets hired Carlos Mendoze as their new manager heading into 2024

I finished reading “Harold” by Steven Wright – Really enjoyed it and recommend it highly

Lehigh / Lafayette play on Saturday; At 159 games, its the most played rivalry in College Football

Started watching “Murder at the End of the World” on Hulu — Got me hooked so far

As we head into the Holidays, want to wish everybody a happy and safe Thanksgiving. Put your cell phones down and find time to talk to friends and family while hopefully enjoying a home cooked meal.

All the best

PEACE

AverageAndy