LAST EDITED ON 10-10-11 AT 12:33 PM (EST)

It's been a while since I posted here, mostly because my interest in TAR has greatly diminished over the last 5 or 6 editions but I wanted to say that I loved seeing the Borobudur temple and the choice of task they had to complete there.

Also, even if Jenna and Ethan were eliminated, there is actually a team I like:

1- Andy & Tommy: What brilliant move telling Marcus and Amani the answer to the temple task. As front-runners and favorites to win, Andy and Tommy have to be concerned about the U-turn and, while this doesn't guarantee anything, there is one team less likely to use it on them. Also, like the Hippies, these two have fun while racing and that's what I want to see.

The rest? A very average cast.

2- Jeremy and Sandy seem like a nice couple but their camera operator must be sleeping.

3- Amani and Marcus kept on going but I expected more from them.

4- Liz and Marie are making me lose that sexual fantasy of being with twins.

5- Cindy is interesting, Ernie a tool.

6- Laurence and Zac are good racers but dull, so dull. Spoiled kid.

7- Justin and Jennifer continue to be caricatures.

8- Bill and Cathi: That first leg should have been an elimination one. Cathi needs to take a pill. "We're Number 1! We're number 1!" No you are not, dumbass. At least, you may have cost Yogi some Casino points by claiming you were!!!!!!! Thanks for that.

Philiminated: Kaylani & Lisa: Speaking about sexual fantasy, these two would have done and they seemed to have fun racing but they were simply bad at it.

Thanks Agman!

I never got to watch Episode 2 until just before Episode 3 so I had great fun watching two in a row. I was so surprised to see the Survivor team booted so early. Everybody was so concerned about their level of competitiveness -- remember Rob & Amber? (Still the most shocking elimination of all time in my mind)

And Bill & Ron - I was really liking them so was sorry to see them go. I was digging their mutual love and supportiveness of each other. The one talked constantly but it was the quiet one who reached out to comfort his partner as they were walking off into the sunset.

This week:

1. Andy & Tommy - I suspect they are going to be my number 1 permanently unless they really mess up or act carpy. They are so much smarter than I was expecting them to be. The other teams should learn from their attention to detail. And they were even nice enough to warn Dad & Son, "read your clue, guys." Most folks would have been smugly silent.
The person above who thought their helping Marcus might have been strategizing about future u-turns gave me even more respect for their game playing skills.
2. Laurence/Zak - Although the bucket usage was a result of not closely reading the clue, I was glad it didn't hold them back from coming in second. I like them so far.
3. Bill & Cathi - Ma & Pa - that title from "the kids" sounds kind of patronizing but it seems like the other teams have true affection for them which makes me feel more convinced they are worthy of my respect and affection. I doubt they will linger long. I enjoyed Cathi's scolding her loud husband, "Even I can hear you, Bill!"
4. Jeremy & Sandy - I am still waiting to see more personality but I sense that Sandy is going to show us a dark side at some point. And even that might be okay; depending on the circumstances.
5. Ernie & Cindy - She really is intense. He reminds me of Andy Bernard.
6. Liz & Marie - Like so many others, I find they have become much more likable.
7. Amani & Marcus - He seems somewhat likable but also somewhat arrogant. And yeah, if someone is spoon feeding you the solution, LISTEN UP, PAY ATTENTION, MAKE AN EFFORT TO RETAIN IT!
8. Justin I like okay but his sister seems to think being mean for no reason is part of her reason to be on the race. Maybe it is -- they do need that kind of behavior to catch people's attention and maybe that's what the producers asked her to do when they picked her.

1. Andy/Thomas- 1st again (officially). You tried to warn them.
2. Amani/Marcus- Good for you for admitting that was pure luck. As far as not remembering what Andy/Thomas gave you, d**ned if you do, d**ned if you don't comes to mind.
3. Jeremy/Sandy- sometimes silence is golden.
4. Bill/Cathi- I think the sand in your hourglass is rapidly running out.
5. Laurence/Zac- read the clue and follow the complete instructions.
6. Justin/Jennifer- Bicker-free, you are decent racers.
7. Ernie/Cindy- She is too _____ (fill in the blank), he is too ____ (fill in the blank).
8. Liz/Marie- Just ugh...

Bye Kaylani/Lisa- Actually was hoping you would beat 3-4 of the other teams, but oh well.

LAST EDITED ON 10-10-11 AT 08:24 PM (EST)

Here are my rankings after failing to watch the last episode (I had a long trip back from Florida in the morning):

1. Andy & Tommy -- well, they were already heading to the Pit Stop, although I'd have helped someone other than a fit, strong guy. On the other hand, Amani & Marcus were far behind and the help didn't matter much.

2. Ernie & Cindy -- glad you rebounded from your misfortune. And you really were prepared!

3. Laurence & Zac -- read the clue! Other than that, it was a smart move to work with Andy & Tommy.

4. Jeremy & Sandy -- nice so far. I felt for them when their taxi broke down.

5. Liz & Marie -- I like them well enough but they seem a little like Kami & Karli -- not a very good thing.

6. Amani & Marcus -- you really had a tough leg, but I'm glad you got through it.

7. Bill & Cathi -- nice, but a little irritating. Still, you did well this leg.

8. Justin & Jennifer -- it'll take more than one tolerable leg for me to pull you two out of the basement!

Adios: Kaylani & Lisa. Aw. I wish that you had stuck around longer for your daughter's sake!

Team Ranking (previous rankings) +/1 shift
1. Andy/Tommy (5,1) NC
Still running a shrewd race, although I disapprove of helping other teams.
2. Liz/Marie (11,4) +2
I like the attitudes they've been demonstrating for the past two legs.
3. Amani/Marcus (1,5) + 2
Appreciated that they hung in there, but switching detours was dumb.
4. Jeremy/Sandy (8,7) +3
Still invisible, turns out their cab breaking down was good luck.
5. Bill/Cathi (10,3) -2
Hyperactive grandparents are kinda grating, but at least they're racing.
6. Jennifer/Justin (9,9) +3
She was surprisingly pleasant in this leg.
7. Ernie/Cindy (2,6) -1
Liked their race prep regimen, but Cindy needs to take a chill pill!
8. Laurence/Zac (4,8) NC
Don't especially like either of them, Laurence has a snooty air about him and the kid is basically a block of wood. Glad they didn't get a prize :p

PHILIMINATED:
X 9. Kaylani/Lisa (7,2)
Aw, quite a sad philimination although it was obviously going to happen
sooner rather than later.
X 10 Jenna/Ethan (3) - Arrogant... good riddance!
X 11 Ron/Bill (6) - Incompetent and boring!

1. Andy/Tommy (1)(1)-surf the bike! they are a good team smart and fast and funny! And they have a better vibe than BJ and Tyler too!

2. Laurence/Zac (2)(2)-One misstep but it didn't hurt them except they don't get to go to Dubai but they got some cool snowboards out of it i bet. Good smart team.

3. Ernie/Cindy(3)(6)-she didn't whine as much this week and I like her thoroughness about preparing for the race.

4. Justin/Jennifer (10)(7) -no drama. They did ok this leg

5. Bill Cathi(8)(3)-meh, she's starting to grate on my nerves...Her falling and Bill not even looking back was funny.

6. Jeremy Sandy(5)(4)-who?

7. Amani/Marcus(6)(5)-meh. They shouldn't have changed tasks so late. That Amani didn't do the counting task after she knew the answers was stupid.

8. Liz/Marie(11)(8)-still don't like them. Maybe it's bc I already don't like them but listening to them this week made me like them even less.

Philiminated

Kaylani/Klisa Kardashian-(9)(8) They got a bit of a rehab edit. I knew they were toast from the promo with them and Amani/Marcus. I liked them better than the twins. Oh well...

I have time for a quick list!

Like:

1. Andy/Tommy (1)
2. Laurence/Zac (2)
3. Ernie/Cindy (3)
4. Bill/Cathi (6)

Meh:

5. Amani/Marcus (4)
6. Jeremy/Sandy (5)

Don't like:

7. Justin/Jennifer (7)
8. Liz/Marie (9)

Philiminated: Kaylani/Lisa (8) - Buh bye!

halloween!