tia: tAkE tWo

So, I have a closely guarded secret vice.  No, not chocolate... or cheesecake... or coffee...  anyone who knows me knows these.  It's a CBS television series called, "The Amazing Race".  This is the 21st season and it just started last Sunday, September 31, 2012, right after 60 Minutes.  

In case you've missed this show altogether, the premise is:
1. Eleven teams consisting of two people each with preexisting relationships (i.e. siblings, spouses, bff's (lifelong or new), co-workers, cohabitants (gay or straight) or parent/child, etc etc. )
2. They come from all over the US and all walks of life hoping to win a million dollars by getting to each of the predetermined check points first and consistently not being eliminated.  (Similar to the game of "musical chairs"... where each go-round has one more chair taken away.)
3. They travel all across the world making stops most of us only dream about.  It calls to mind the Jules Verne epic, Around the World in 80 Days.  The hosts actually sweeten the pot by awarding the first place winners of each leg along the way, some cool trips, prizes and accommodations around the globe. 
4. There are also tasks to complete, sometimes individual and sometimes team efforts.
5. Watching their money;  reading directions carefully/thoroughly and adhering to those directions;  reading a map; keeping their emotions in check; pushing themselves, respecting their team mate and disregarding personal comfort are some of the things that seem to help each team persevere.

Normally in this game, the real action doesn't even begin until after half have been eliminated... then alliances are struck, but then it becomes every team for themselves.  Even so, I have yet to see anyone on this game ever be as disgusting and ruthless as the players on other game shows.  I think one of the things I love to see in this game is the personal and team growth that inevitably happens.  My favorites are the new couples that really don't KNOW each other yet... this is the game to see them either shine or  fail... and not just a little, but: massively.  On an individual basis, the tasks either build trust and reliance on each other or make it clear that they don't belong together at all.  Think of it as a most intensive Ikea building project.

The first test for this season:  teams had to jump off a small jutting beam off a really tall bridge. (personally I might've had to call it quits here... i could possibly climb up, but rappelling off a lil beam like that... ack! ) So they live through this one with only one guy having to really struggle with his fear of heights... but he sucked it up and made it down.  The next part of this obstacle course came in finding a chinese restaurant where one team member had to use chopsticks to eat two papayas filled with something I'd neverrrrrrr be able to eat:  frog fallopian tubes.  (So reminded me of something that would've been on the Fear Factor... gag me totally or what, man!?!?!)  One contestant misread the directions for the obstacle: "You must use the chopsticks ONLY... you may NOT use your hands in any way to lift the papaya to your mouth."  He therefore HAD to eat yet another two papayas worth of frog innards.  (PASS!)  Rob & Sheila, a recently engaged couple from Texas, were the first team eliminated.  I was sorta hoping to see them in action a little longer, simply because I think he's a control freak and she prolly oughta see/experience that before she marries him... not that it should keep her form marrying him, just good for her to know exactly what she's in for in as his missus.  Oh, well, dem's da breaks.

I am glad to report that the mandatory eating of freaky/nasty stuff is NOT the norm on this show... their main focus has always been individual/team tasks... which keeps me coming back to watch season after season.  Ten teams left!

Give it a go... ya might just enjoy it!