Seasons End

Posted on May 20, 2016 by AverageAndy

Both The Amazing Race and Survivor ended there seasons this past week.  Both had enjoyable seasons and I am already looking forward to the fall when they start again

I really enjoyed the Amazing Race this season.  Was a little apprehensive when it was announced that the contestants would consist of team known for their on-line presence (You Tubers, and other On-Line video creators).   As mentioned before, I am never a big fan of Celebrity versions of any shows (was what ruined Who Wants to be a Millionaire), and feel the shows are at their best with average everyday people.   But was surprised how down to earth and normal this seasons famous contestants were.   Found myself really rooting for the them all.   Was a bit upset that Dana and Matt won, as I was rooting for the other 2 teams in the final 3 ahead of them.   But they ran a great race and deserved to win.

The final was a bit anticlimactic due to the challenge where they needed to jump off a building and grab the clue that was suspends in front of them.  I liked the challenge, but felt if separated the teams to much as only one team could go at a time, and once you missed it took a long time to try again.  Basically once Matt grabbed the clue, and both Korey and Sheri missed, the race was over.  There was no way for the other teams to catch up.  Add to that that the teams are now really smart and plan for the final challenge of remembering all the places that have been, and it lost some of the excitement.

Still, its such a fun show to watch as it shows the world in ways not usually portrayed in school or the media.  I really believe kids in school (and older folks as well) should be made to watch and be exposed to places that they have hopefully heard of but probably never seen, or have a set perception of.   The world is an amazing place and I thank all involved in The Amazing Race (The producers, the crew, the cast, and of course Phil Keoghan) for showing me the the wonders of the world each season

As for Survivor, it was a good, but a bit slow season.  Nobody really hit me as a great or memorable contestant.   Tai started off strong, but kind of got old to me.  Winner Michele Fitzgerald  (Congratulations to another winner from the great state of New Jersey- joining Tony Vlachos and Natalie Anderson) started off slow, and was basically a after though until the last few episodes.   If I had to vote on the final 3, I probably would have voted for Aubry, as I felt she played the best game, always being aware of what was going on, and making moves and decisions that helped her get the the end.  And she was one tough competitor, fighting in every challenge.

I didn’t really like the surprise twits of giving one of the final 3 a chance to vote out one of the jury members.  I felt is changed the core of the game (Being able to vote off your tribe mates,  while convincing them to vote for you to win).   I like when they change the game up (Tribal switches, Exile Island, and even the super idol this season).   These things keep the contestants from getting to comfortable with the same patterns at philosophy’s each season.    But changing the core of the game seems like a desperate move to create drama that doesn’t need to created.   I know Jeff Probst says they review each season for what works and what doesn’t.  Hopefully they see that this twist has more down sides than upsides and is not used in future episodes.

Speaking of Jeff Probst, he continues to  be one of the best Reality TV hosts, and does a great job with the live Reunion Show.   I shiver every time I think of the early seasons when CBS threw Btyant Gumbal out there whit no real connection to the show, and how they made a great decision on letting Jeff become the host for Season 5

Survivor Reunion Show Wiki

Looking forward to next season, and like the idea of pitting Older Generation X  Contestants (1961 – 1981, where Average Andy fits) against younger Millennials (1980 – 2000).   Should be interesting to see which group is better suited for the setting and challenges of Survivor.

Back to writing about other things in the next few weeks, including my take on Matt Harvey and what the Mets need to do with him.   Its more mental than anything.   He needs to get rid of Scott Boros, who has messed him up by convincing him he will be the highest paid pitcher of all time and putting to much pressure on him.  I think now every time Harvey gives up a run, or loses a game, his main concern is not the Mets, but that he just loss some bargaining power and a few million dollars of his big free agent contract.

He needs to step back and just have fun pitching.  He has the talent, and his big payday will come if he pitches like he is capable of.

Pictures of some of the cards I picked up at the Philly Non Sports Card Show next week to come as I am finishing up opening a few boxes of the Star Trek 50th set, and sorting through some of the free prom cards I picked up.   It was a fun show as usual

Andy

 

Posted in Amazing Race, Baseball, Jeff Probst, Non-Sports Cards, NY Mets, Star Trek, Survivor | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Lots going on

Posted on May 13, 2016 by AverageAndy

Tonight is the Season Finale of The Amazing Race.   I have really enjoyed this season.   Of the 3 teams left, I’m routing for Tyler and Korey to win, but would not mind if Cole and Sheri were to win.   I love Cole’s attitude;  he is always positive and having a good time.  His comment about it not mattering if they got eliminated because he had the opportunity to ride those scooters in China is what the Amazing Race is really about.   I have always felt that the experience is worth more than the Million Dollars

As a show note, last week was one of the 1st times where they actually fooled me with the editing.   It felt like Burnie and Ashley were way ahead of Cole and Sheri, and I was shocked when they showed Cole and Sheri come up the stairs.

On Survivor, another contestant was medically eliminated from the game.  That was the 3rd person this season (and 2nd on the Jury) to leave and not be officially voted off.  Its not like the challenges have been super hard or dangerous.   Now its down to the final 4, with the finale next Wednesday.  My vote would be for Michele.   Mainly because I don’t really like Aubry or Cydney, and Tai has become annoying.    Nobody in the final 4 really played a super game this year. (Aubry probably played the game the most).    And with all the excitement of the Super Idol, the Idols in general did not have a big impact on the game.  And the advantage of the extra vote again was not utilized.   Just like the last few seasons, It has never been used to change anything.   Need to reevaluate it.  Maybe the advantage should be you get to stop somebody from voting.   That would be fun to see.

As mentioned last post, will be heading out the Allentown PA for the Philly Non Sport Show this weekend.  Will also be attending the Card Talk gathering on Sunday.  Will be discussion the recent acquisition of Non Sport Update by Beckett Media.  Will be interesting to see there vision for the magazine going forward.

The NY Mets are doing what they need to do on a long west coast trip.   Much more enjoyable the past few years then in the past where they would go 2 – 9 and limp back to CitiField.   It would be great if they could take 2 of 3 in Colorado, and have a 6 -5 road trip before taking on the Nationals next Tuesday.   Should be a good test an a lot of fun

Finishing up the books I’m reading / listening to and will try to write a review when Im done.

Was not able to listen to all of Journeys’ Albums as planned as the last 2 albums were released exclusively  by Wall Mart and are not available for streaming on Apple Music or other streaming services.  I did enjoy listening to the rest of the albums.   Going to start with a new artist next week.   Was thinking about trying Fleetwood Mac.   Will keep you updated.

Hope  everybody has a great weekend

Andy

 

 

 

 

 

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Time for another post

Posted on May 6, 2016 by AverageAndy

Sorry I haven’t written more.    I should force myself to find a few minuets during the week to get away from the real world and write.  Its good for the soul and helps in learning to let myself escape for a bit

Only a few more episodes of both Survivor and The Amazing Race.  Have really enjoyed both shows this year.   For Survivor, while there were no players who really stick out and I am really root for or against, there has been some interesting players who are playing a good games.  I do like Tai, but he is a bit over the top.   Of the 5 players left, I think I would like to see Michele win (and the fact that she is from New Jersey is a plus).   I do like to see Joe sticking around this far.   Don’t think he has any chance of winning since he really has not done much in the way of making any bold of big moves.   Same with Cydney who may be able to get to finals by winning challenges, but has not done enough to deserve the title of Sole Survivor.

As in the past, I really enjoy watching the Ponderosa Videos after each player is eliminated and sent to the jury.  Great to see the players in a real life environment (no longer in game play mode).    I also enjoy Jeff Probsts’ weekly column on Entertainment Weekly On-Line. Always gives some good insight from his prospective.

Its down to the wire on The Amazing Race.    My daughter is still happy that Tyler and Korey are still racing and can make the final 3.    I hope they make it as well and will be rooting for them to win the whole thing.   I have to admit that Cole has grown on me.  I love his attitude and hope he and his mom also make the final 3.  Should be an interesting final 2 episodes.

The NY Mets are playing some good ball  (although the bats have gone a bit silent the past few days;  including getting no-hit into the 7th inning against the Padres).   But with their pitching they should remain near the top of the N.L. East for the season.    While individual pitchers may have their ups and downs (Including Matt Harvey who needs to stop worrying about his big pay-day in 2 years and concentrate on pitching well now), they should not have stretches where they go 3 – 7.   Not having bad stretches is usually what separates the good teams from the bad.

Next week should be fun as the Mets play the Dodgers on the west coast.  Give me a chance to get some things done after work before listening the the game while going to sleep.   Always liked listening to games on the radio at night while in bed.  In the old days I would have my transistor radio, and have to hold it up and move it around as the sound faded in and out.  Now I just use the MLB App on my kindle and never miss a pitch.

Sad note as I just read that Rickey Smith, an American Idol contestant from Season 2 died in a car accident.  Was hit head on by a drunk driver.   He was a good singer and a funny guy.  I will always remember him and his “Hercules Hercules”.   RIP Rickey

Rickey Smith – American Idol Season 2

Next weekend is the 64th Annual Philly Non-Sports care show in Allentown, PA.   Been going twice a year for the past 15 years and always have a good time.  Looking to pick up some of the Star Trek 50th cards from Rittenhouse Archives, and well as some promo cards I need.  Will take some pictures and post some of the cards I pick up

64th Philly Non-Sports Card Show

Star Trek 50th Anniversary Cards

Finally, I was able to pick up a pair of tickets to see Guns and Roses this summer.   Decided that I should go and have a good time.   Many of my friends think we are to old, or that we should move on from the past.   Not me.  I’m looking forward to it.

Andy

 

Posted in Amazing Race, Baseball, Concerts, Jeff Probst, Non-Sports Cards, NY Mets, Ponderosa, Star Trek, Survivor, Television | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Im back

Posted on April 23, 2016 by AverageAndy

Been a while since I last wrote anything here.    Been busy at work and took a much needed vacation to recharge the batteries.

Since I last wrote:

Villanova won the NCAA Tournament – My wife won our free Yahoo Pick’em

Baseball Season started – Mets are starting to put things together after a slow start

Prince passed away at the age of 57 – At 49, this makes me cherish each day a bid more as I realize I am getting older

Neal, Nick, Debbie, and Scot were evacuated and voted off of Survivor and sent to Ponderosa as part of the Jury

Tyler Oakley and Korey Kuhl are still on the Amazing Race making my daughter happy

The Walking Dead season ended with a cliffhanger – Didn’t mind it as much as a lot of people.   I do think they played this season a little to safe (and cartoonish).  Gets a bit boring to see each character get caught, tortured then somehow get saved.

Fear the Walking Dead started – Have to admit I really like the latest episode.

Should have some free time this week to write more in depth

Leave you with a few videos – One of a song I had not heard in a long time, and one I just heard today for the 1st time.   Totally on the opposite side of the spectrum, but I enjoyed them both

 

 

Until next time

AverageAndy

 

 

 

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Good News

Posted on March 25, 2016 by AverageAndy

Both Survivor and The Amazing Race have been renewed for another season.   Makes me happy that we will have at least 2 more seasons of both shows, and I still have a chance of becoming a contestant.

There was no Amazing Race last week and none tonight due to the NCAA Basketball Tournament on CBS.     Did catch a bit of the Villanova game last night.   Rooting for them to make the final 4.

I found last weeks episode of Survivor a little boring.   Nothing much happened as the tribes get ready for the merge.   Hopefully this will get things rolling, and add some excitement.   There are still 3 idols that can be played, and with the super idol, we could end up with some fascinating  tribal councils down the stretch.   I am also looking forward to the Ponderosa Videos once players start getting sent to the jury.   Find them a great companion to the show.     As stated before, I am not a big fan on reading things about Survivor or The Amazing Race on the internet (other than Jeff Probst’s weekly interview with EW).  I like to be surprised and experience the show as it happens instead of reading or seeing spoilers.

Only 2 episodes of The Walking Dead left this season.   While I still really enjoy the show, I feel it has started to become to predictable, and reminds me of some of the 1980 and 1990 Arnold Schwarzenegger movies where he enters a room with lots of bad guys all trying to kill him, firing guns at him from all directions, and he casually shoots them all, and walks out without a scratch.   At some point they need to have luck go against some of the Walking Dead characters.   Not that I want some of them to die, but at least get hurt or suffer a little.

Saw this on my way to work.  Thought the logo was kind of freeky

img_2218

Would you by your produce from this guy?

 

And finally, here is a picture of Buzzwinkle,  a moose in Anchorage Alaska that would eat crab-apples, get drunk and wander around town.   Heard about him while listening to This American Life on NPR, and it made me laugh.

Remembering Buzzwinkle the Moose

img_2211

Rest in Peace Buzzwinkle

Later

Andy

Posted in Amazing Race, Announcement, Everyday, Jeff Probst, Survivor | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Get out of bed. You’ll feel better

Posted on March 18, 2016 by AverageAndy

Stealing the title of this post from a story I just read on Facebook.   Very inspiring story about Lisa G,  a radio personality who found herself out of a job,  but ended up finding a new job by reminding herself to “Get out of bed. You’ll feel better”.    Kind of how I felt this morning after staying up way past my bed time (1:00 AM EST) watching the Seton Hall Pirates lose to Gonzaga in the 1st round of the NCAA Tournament.  After playing great basketball down the stretch, and winning the Big East Tournament for the 1st time in 23 years, I really thought they were going to make some noise and win a few games.   But they never got into any sort of rhythm and seemed effected by the high altitude in Denver.  No excuses, but the this loss hurt.    Add this to losses by Colorado and USC, and it was not a good day of basketball.

On the positive side, it frees up my weekend to get out side and work on a new Survivor video.   Going to try something different and focus more on telling a story and explaining what I would bring to the show, and why CBS,  Jeff Probst, and the Survivor producers are missing out by not giving me a chance.  While watching Wednesdays episode, I again was reminded why I love the show so much.   Due to Caleb being removed from the game, they switched things up and ended up sending Julie back to camp by herself.   While most saw that as a big disadvantage, I saw it as a personal challenge, and a great opportunity to  reflect on the game and live in general.  Hopefully it helps here when she rejoins the rest of the contestants.    I think it would be exhilarating to spend a few days completely isolated from the world with nothing to do but think and reflect.

As for the Anna getting voted off, I didn’t even really remember who she was before this episode, so no big loss.    I know the show is edited to show certain people in certain ways, but if there is nothing that makes somebody stick out, or interesting to the viewers, there is not much that even editing can do.   She might have been a great person, and played the game really well,  but just didn’t connect with me (or many others from what I have seen and read).     I like Tai, and hope he made the right choice by not playing his idol.  He could have played it to save Anna and had Peter sent home.    It’s allays a tough call,  but I would always lean towards protecting myself, instead of saving others.   You never know who’s telling the truth or who could turn against you before the next tribal council.

As for the Super Idol, was wondering how it will work in situations where they don’t read all of the votes because somebody had enough votes to be eliminated.  I’m guessing they go through the votes and the remaining votes are also for the eliminated person.   But say next tribal, Tai and Neil get together and create the Super Idol.   Then at tribal council, the votes are read and the 1st 4 votes are for Tai ( 4 out of 7 are enough) and Jeff starts to say “The Tribe has spoken” and Tai stands and plays the Super Idol.   He is now safe.  But what of the remaining votes.   If 2 are for Tai, and 1 is for whoever Tai voted for, would that person go home.   What if the remain 3 votes were for 3 separate people?   Just things I think  about.  I guess we will have to wait and see.

I’m up to album 8 (Frontiers) of my journey through Journey.   Really having fun listening to how the band changed from a sort of prog rock band to a pop rock band, all while maintaining a bit of Santana felling (coming from guitarist Neil Schon, who was in Santana band before Journey).   You can really hear the difference once Steve Perry joined and then took over as the main singer.    They really have a lot of great songs, and I have really enjoyed listening.    One thing that this has reminded me of (and I had the same feeling when listening to all the Genesis Albums) is that there is a lot of music out there that does not get any airplay, and probably is only listened to by die hard fans.  Some of it is really good.

Thanks for reading and will be back soon

Andy

Posted in Announcement, Jeff Probst, Journey, Music, Reality Shows, Sports, Survivor, Television | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Sunday in Milwakee in the Rain

Posted on March 13, 2016 by AverageAndy

Writing on a Sunday night after a busy and exciting weekend.

Congratulations to the Seton Hall Pirates,  winners of the Big East Tournament and NCAA bound as 6 seed against Gonzaga.   They team really came together down the stretch and hopefully they can continue this run in the NCAA.  Also a shout out to Syracuse, Colorado, and USC (schools of friends) for making the tournament. With Lehigh out, will be rooting for them to do well.

Went and saw 10 Cloverfield Lane and really enjoyed it.   I was a big fan of the original Cloverfield and thought they did a great job with the new one.   While not a sequel and not related to the original movie (or maybe it was), it had the same kind of feel and kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.   I don’t get to the movies as much as I like but when I do, I am usually reminded how cool movies and the stories the tell are.

Last Wednesdays episode of Survivor was really intense.   Seeing people give their all to the point of passing out shows how much the game really means to them.   It also shows that it is tough to play, and not just some fake reality show where things are staged for the camera.   Its episodes like this that want me to play even more.  I want the experience of being put in a situation to have to push myself farther then ever before.   I liked Caleb and was glad to see he made a full recovery.   The other thing is that despite players passing out and getting evacuated, the game goes on.  I would love to see how I would handle these situations, and how easy (or hard) it is to go from being considered for somebody’s health to game mode and being able to concentrate on strategy and game play.

I also caught up with The Amazing Race.   This weeks episode was one of the best, from both a character and challenge standpoint, and from the magnificent scenery from the French town of  Chamonix.   My daughter showed my where Korey Kuhl posted on his Instagram feed that Chamonix was the most beautiful place he has ever been. (My daughter is a huge fan of Tyler Oakley and has been following him and watching his YouTube channel for years.  Glad to see them doing so well and hope they continue to be near the top when the Amazing Race continues in April (The Race takes a few weeks off while CBS shows the NCAA basketball Tournament games)

There was an article recently that one of the biggest regrets of older people is that they didn’t travel enough.   Watching the Amazing Race makes me see why, and motivates me to want to travel more.   The Amazing Race shows that the world is such a wonderful place with such incredible places and it would be regretful to never experience them.   Hopefully they will come to the conclusion that I would make a great team with my sister, and give us the opportunity to travel and see the world.

Going to try and write more and express myself and opinions better.   Writing can be hard, but hopefully I can continue to grow and get better

Finally, the title of the post is from one of my all time favorite songs, “Sugar Mice”, from my favorite band Marillion.

While the song was released in 1987, here is a awesome live version from 2011

Enjoy

 

Average Andy

 

 

 

 

 

Posted in Amazing Race, Jeff Probst, Marillion, Movies, Reality Shows, Sports, Survivor, Television | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

This one hurt

Posted on March 10, 2016 by AverageAndy

Tough loss for the Lehigh Mountain Hawks in the Patriot League Final against Holy Cross.   Things were set up for the Mountain Hawks to make it to the NCAA Tournament for the 1st time since 2012.  They had won 11 in a row to finish 2nd in the Patriot League, and were hosting the game on campus as the higher seed.   While Holy Cross was playing well and had  won 3 straight road game (including Number 1 seed Bucknell in OT), they did finish 5 – 13 in the league loosing every road game (0 -9).   Lehigh had beaten them at home just a few weeks earlier.   But Lehigh started the game looking very timid, and never got into any type of rhythm.  They looked slow and sluggish and it showed as they trailed by 11 at halftime.   They played a better 2nd half but still found themselves down by 10 with 5 min left.  A furious comeback saw them get within 1 point with 30 seconds left.   But after Holy Cross made 2 free throws to push the lead to 3, there was no magic to be found and after 4 missed 3s in the final seconds, the season came to a bitter end

While not a super fan,  I do try to follow the team and root for them to do well.    As an proud alumni, (I graduated in 1989),  Its fun when the school does well and gets some national attention related to its sports teams.   Was really looking forward to seeing them announced during the selection show on Sunday.  Sadly, will need to wait another year

Was wondering why I felt so bad about this loss (took me until the afternoon to be able to write this).   I would not consider myself an avid sports fan, but I am one of the most passionate fans of the teams I like.   I don’t like fans who only follow whatever team is doing well, or say they are a fan, but cant name a player on the team.   I have been a NY Mets and NY Giants fan all my life (through the good and the bad) and will continue to root for them win or loose.   As for Lehigh,  as I mentioned before, as a Alumni, I have the same passionate feeling about their sports teams, as for the Professional Teams, and feel the same sadness when they lose.  I also think basketball is a bit different than other sports, in that its more a random.   You can run the perfect play, and have the perfect shot, but still miss.  Basketball is unlike other sports, where if you execute correctly, you usually win.

This loss had the feeling  of a Football Team losing a Play-Off game on Hail Mary pass after a bad call that should have ended the game, or having a pinch hitting bench player hitting a home run against an ace reliever after an error, or after he walked the previews batter on perfect strike 3 that was called ball 4.

Add to that that I got to the point where I expected them to win (and imagined winning, and celebrating) that when they actually lost is didn’t seem real.  It was a huge letdown.

I will get over it, but this will sting for a while

Last nights Survivor was crazy and will be back tomorrow with my thoughts

 

Posted in Announcement, Lehigh, Lehigh University, NY Giants, NY Mets, Sports | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Time for another musical “Journey”

Posted on March 9, 2016 by AverageAndy

Going to start listening to all of Journeys albums on Apple music.   Much like when I listened to all of Genesis Albums, it will be fun to see how the band changed from when they 1st started all the way back in 1975 until today.  Always been a big fan, but never really listened to the early stuff,  and once Steve Perry left the band in 1999, did not really continue to listen.

Journey – Discography (Wiki)

Will let you know my thoughts as I go through the albums

Andy

 

 

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Lets Go Mountain Hawks

Posted on March 8, 2016 by AverageAndy

The Lehigh University Mountain Hawks take on the Holy Cross Crusaders tomorrow in the Patriot League final with the winner going to the NCAA tournament.    After a tough start to the season (Lehigh lost its 1st 7 games), the Engineers put things together and ended up 2nd in the Patriot League (13 – 5) and ended the regular season with 8 straight wins.  Add the 2 Tournament wins and the team comes into the finals having won 10 straight.   The game will be held at Stable Arena on the Lehigh Campus.   Been a great ride the past few weeks and hopefully it will continue.

Lehigh Basketball

All around fun time for college basketball as the Seton Hall Pirates (from my home town) are having a solid season and should get an at large bid to the NCAA tournament as well.  Add to that teams like the Colorado Golden Buffalo’s and Vermont Catamount’s (alma mater of friends) might also make the bid dance and it could be a fun could of days.

Will write at the end of the week on both The Amazing Race and Survivor (both having great seasons as usual)

Leave you with a couple of great TED Talks.   Been a huge fan on Jia Jiang since he started his 100 Days of Rejection blog a few years back.   And we all should follow the message of Neil Pasricha

Great stuff

 

 

Later

Andy

Posted in Amazing Race, Announcement, Lehigh, Lehigh University, Survivor, Television | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment