gambitch - now available in blue

Saturday, October 08, 2005

I have personalized my new mobile phone!

It now carries a unique wallpaper, a unique ringtone and a unique SMS message tone.

The plastic cover isn't unique, but since I can't produce a plastic cover of my own, I'll settle for the default one I got.

Oh, and the data cable cost under thirty bucks. Lots of money saved, indeed!

(I'm writing in one-line paragraphs! I think this is becoming occupational habit.)

gambitch [ 4:13 AM]

Tuesday, October 04, 2005

Okay, okay, so I've been dragging my feet on this one. But here it is - my look at The Amazing Race: Family Edition, so far.

The Black Family. Eliminated at the end of the first leg, and seriously, what's with the only African-American family this season being surnamed Black? People say this will give all sorts of bad jokes regarding colour, but now that they've been eliminated that whole idea has been binned. Just as well, although this was a very nice family with very nice kids. But then, nice people have rarely lasted long on this show if they were merely nice without being tough survivors.

The Linz Family. Three brothers and a sis. Shocking how they finished next to last after fluffing what they all thought was a straightforward challenge at the Detour. I'd tip them to recover in the second leg after learning that this whole race thing isn't that easy, but they do not look good picks for staying beyond midway. I'm not sure why, but instinctively I just can't bring myself to believe so. How far will they go? Three, maybe four more legs for this team, but they'll give somewhere soon after another couple of stupid mistakes.

The Aiello Family. There's a decent bunch, Daddy and three sons-in-law. This is one good camping trip for male bonding among the trio, and for some reason the vibes are all good at the moment. Sure, something will happen along the way to make this turn a little nastier, but they're a good group and I think finishing eighth might be an aberration. Then again, maybe not. They're bleeding travel time, and that can cost you when there are fewer chances for randomness in this Race compared to previous editions. How far will they go? My pick for a Final Three spot pre-Race, and right now that will still hold, although bagging the million could be tough if the tasks continue to favour the little kids rather than four grown men.

The Bransen Family. Strangely, I have had very little memory of this team after one leg. It could be because there's nothing really outstanding about them, although they have one dad and three daughters, all of whom look decent but haven't done anything significant. The jury's out on them, but they might last a little while for the jury to proceed with a detailed examination. How far will they go? Tough to say. Maybe another two or three legs, maybe a fourth spot finish. Hard to judge when we're seeing so little of this team in action.

The Paolo Family. Oh dear. Heavily dysfunctional for the most part with their internal bickering. They've not reached Jonathan and Victoria levels, but they're running a real risk of breaking down way early. The odd part is how they finished so far ahead, having been on the back foot for much of the first leg. They grate, too. Nearly everyone wants them off the screen, which only means they might survive longer than we all like. How far will they go? I hope they go in the coming leg, but I've a suspicion that may not be the case. No one can see them really mount a challenge for the million, so I'll pick them to go in three weeks, preferably one.

The Schroeder Family. People say all sorts of bad things about the Schroeder Dad for liking to eat small animals and having bad thoughts about handicapped children. Which suggests he's rather insensitive, but not in the menacing sort of way, as far as I'm concerned. He's looking pretty harmless if you leave him alone to say all the mad stuff, and he looks like he can have fun. But frankly, I don't care so much about him. His daughter Stassi, on the other hand, is oddly attractive. Not smoking hot - she could use a little slimming, perhaps, or not - but she looks the kind of girl who I might want to befriend because she's, well, interesting. Some others point out there's a bit of Goth in her look. That might be it, but I like her black hair, bright eyes and deep blush. Will that do her racing any favours? We'll have to see. How far will they go? One suspects they'll do decently well. They're in my selection for the Final Three, and certainly look good for no worse than fifth place. Eye candy team, in a way, but they might have something in the tank.

The Rogers Family. Everyone goes on and on about Dad being all religious and male-chauvinistic, and that can disturb. The daughter looks remarkably like a cross of several people I have seen before, plus she looks hot. She's 22, although somehow she looks younger than that. Okay, shallow moment over. Race-wise do they look competent? Yes. Good for the million? Possible. But can they be toppled? They're not unbeatable, that's for sure, in a field like this. How far will they go? They're in it with a shout, although considering the field, I can't yet see them clinch a Final Three spot, never mind the million. But the jury is still out after one leg.

The Weaver Family. Enough with the sob stories about losing their dad at Daytona. These girls can't race that well, and they won't last. Two things about them disturb me. One, their proselytizing with the Black truck driver and wanting God to help them drive safely and find the location. Use your own abilities, yeah? Two, the daughter looks like a prospective slut. Major turn-off. But turn-offs have won this thing before. Think of Kendra, or Flo. And shudder. How far will they go? They're not strong on my radar. Mid-table at best, but there are worse teams who will go before them. Hard to imagine going worse than seventh, but equally hard to imagine pushing for a Final Three spot.

The Gaghan Family. Ah, yes, nice moms and dads who are competitive folks, and two kids who can be really fit, and smart, or smart-ass. Especially little boy Billy with his "She'll be coming round the mountain" thing at the buggy Detour. Some have found the kids irritating, but I think it's irritating in an entertaining sort of way. Go ahead and bug me all you like, as long as you bring the funny. I like precocious kids, as you can tell. How far will they go? Best pick for the million along with the Aiellos, although it will be interesting to see how the kids last the latter stages of the Race when Killer Fatigue sets in. Even if this is a watered-down version of the Race, in that they won't have plane rides around the world, staying on the move and away from home long will have its effects.

The Godlewski Family. A curious combination of four sisters. Funnier still, they're all blonde, and they showed up in pink tops for the first leg. Well, except one sister who switched to blue on the second day. God, can they be noisy! But they'll settle soon enough, one suspects. Desperate Housewives? Maybe. But they're fun to watch. If they can tune the volume down a bit. How far will they go? Don't be fooled by the shock first place finish in the first leg. Many teams top the first leg only to crash out quickly after. But they're a good outside bet for a Final Three finish. I'd place them around fifth or sixth.

There's more material coming when the Race resumes tomorrow. This one's looking very America-centric, which will be disappointing to the Americans watching the show. But for international viewers, it's a decent change of pace. Plus, we all know that the ninth season is already in production, so we'll get our old Race back. Meanwhile, just sit back and enjoy this diversion!

gambitch [ 10:11 PM]

Sunday, October 02, 2005

Funny of the day! (although people will point out that I don't put this kind of thing up on a daily basis...)

I first saw this on a forum (I won't say which), and thought it funny enough to warrant a post here to share.

Counterfeits

Have a laugh, and then have a good weekend!

gambitch [ 4:45 AM]