A Night That Almost Went Horribly Wrong

On July 15, 2010, Winnipeg put a ban on the use of cell phones while driving.  As of October 22, 2012, Winnipeg needs to put a ban on pedestrians walking with cell phones.

Last night, as I was leaving the Marianas Trench concert, I almost witnessed the loss of two young lives.  I was sitting in the passenger seat, in the center lane, at a red light at Eastbound Portage and Donald.  When the light had turned green, vehicles going Southbound on Donald had blocked part of the intersection.  The bus in the right-hand lane began to honk his horn.  I figured it was out of annoyance at the blocked intersection.

Then, out of nowhere, two young girls come darting across the street.  The oldest had a cell phone to her left ear and her right hand was holding onto her younger sister.  As they passed in front of my car, a car came driving past us in the left-hand lane.  The two girls just narrowly made it to the median.  I was in shock.  The two girls did not even seem to notice what had almost happened to them.  The oldest was still talking on her cell phone, as they stood on the cement block waiting for the light to change.

Cell phones, as convenient as they are, pose as a distraction to/for everyone, no matter the circumstance.  What started out as a night of fun for those two young girls could have easily ended in a night of devastation for their family.

So please, to everyone out their, drivers and pedestrian, take caution when using your cell phone.  You never know what might happen if you're not paying attention.

Double U-Turn Ahead

This is what I like about the show, when teams will agree to not use the U-Turn and follow through.  There's no need to use the U-Turn when you're in the lead, or really at all.

I understand that it's part of the game, but at the same time it can, and does, cause a lot of animosity between the teams.

Abbie and Ryan; Jaymes and James; Trey and Lexi; and Josh and Brent, all agreed to not use the U-Turn and stuck to their word.

I was disappointed when the monster truck drivers, Rob and Kelley, used the U-Turn of the substitute teachers, Gary and Will.  And then Gary and Will used the U-Turn on Rob and Kelley.  The circumstances are funny cause Gary and Will had no idea who U-Turned them at the blind U-Turn.

Using the U-Turn, to me, is a cheap move.  Even though it can advance you in the game, I believe teams should finish the race clean - with no extra help.


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It's Not Over Yet

The Battle Rounds have begun and I'm loving the 'Steal' aspect of the season.  After the coaches have picked the winner of the Battle Round, the other coaches can steal the other artist for their team.  It gives an extra incentive for the artists to give it their all to stick around.

The Teams:
Christina: is down to 13 artists and 0 steals
Blake: is down to 14 artists and 1 steal
Adam: is down to 15 artists and 1 steal
Cee Lo: is down to 14 artists and 1 steal

How Do You Not Know Your Own City?

I hate it when teams get eliminated too soon.  Especially when it's due to a bad taxi driver. 

On this weeks episode of The Amazing Race, Amy and Daniel were sadly eliminated when they had the misfortune of getting into a taxi that did not know the city.  The taxi driver was unable to find Wijaya Motor where teams were to find their next clue.  By the time they found their destination, most teams had checked into the pit stop.

How is this even possible.  Isn't it a requirement of taxi drivers to know how to get anywhere and everywhere in your own city? 

According to Education-Portal.com a taxi driver should have a "knowledge of local geography and map-reading skills are essential." 

This information is based in the United States, but I should hope this should apply everywhere, even in Indonesia.

I felt so bad for Amy and Daniel to be stuck with a taxi driver that couldn't find a simple locations.  I wish that The Amazing Race wouldn't eliminate teams in these situations. The sad thing is that this happens every season and the taxi drivers never change.  Someone always ends up coming in last due to a taxi driver that doesn't know their own city.

To all the taxi drivers out there, learn your city or invest in a GPS, everyone will be appreciative.

The Amazing Race

My guilty pleasure has started up again this past Sunday September 30th and this time with a twist.

This year teams have the opportunity to win $2 million.  All they have to do is come in first place in the first leg of the race and win The Amazing Race.

First Destination: Shanghai China

The first challenge is a Road Block that requires one member from each team to play table tennis (Ping-Pong) against a Chinese junior champion.  All they have to do is score one point to move on.

The best part of this challenge is watching the team members lose against the Chinese junior champion when she was playing with household items instead of a Table Tennis paddle.

The show was only on for 15 minutes when the first argument happened.  Sisters Natalie and Nadiya are already getting frustrated with each other because Natalie has been unable to complete the Road Block. I guess some people don't know how to be supportive.

At the next challenge, teams members were required to eat frog fallopian tubes that were in a papaya shell.  It was so disgusting to watch.  I felt bad for Rob who had to eat the dish twice because he didn't read the clue that specifically said, you can't use your hands.  Remember, always read and follow the clues carefully.

After eating the disgusting fallopian tubes, to find the finish line, teams had to find a lady using an abacus.  I couldn't believe how many teams didn't know what an abacus was.  I can understand not being able to find the lady since the abacus wasn't visible, but to not know what an abacus is seems a little ridiculous to me.

Abby and Ryan won the first leg of the race and are the only team that can win the $2 million.  Talk about target on your back.

Amy and Daniel came in a very close second.  I felt bad for them as they should've come in first.  If they hadn't told Abby and Ryan where the lady with the abacus was, Abby and Ryan would never have found it when they did.  Also, for those who do not watch the show, Amy is a double amputee, having lost both her legs, making running extremely difficult.  This also allowed for Abby and Ryan to get ahead and come in first.

I can't wait to see what happens next Sunday.

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