Every year on TAR, there's at least one team that says "We may not be able to keep up physically, but dang it, we're smart!" And every year, they're wrong. There is a lot of running and climbing and walking in this game. It's a race, not a quiz show. Not that they should only cast young athletic people, but how is it that people don't realize the race is going to be physically demanding until they're in Peru?

I can't help it, I'm adoring Rob and Amber. They're so friggin' laid back, it's hysterical. I like the mothers/son team a lot too, but boy needs to get over his Rob/Amber issues NOW.

[eta: Nutty, I'm not sure -- sometimes they don't start the loser interviews until a few legs in, and I know they're not flying teams into NYC this year. He may get a phone interview today, but I won't know until later.]

On the TAR front, not bad, not too many people who are too annoying. I was very curious about the hick guys, who just coincidentally both spoke very good Portuguese -- are they from Hicksville, Brazil?? Can you talk like that and come from Fall River, MA?

There are one heck of a lot of people from Fall River who still speak Portugese at home, and there are two Portugese language channels on my cable system, so yeah, it's possible.

Jewish dietary question: My mother is putting together a "Seder" dinner, from what is, imo, a not very helpful book. I told her that as I actually know some Jewish people, I'd ask them. Er, you. Because her current plan is to serve "traditional" stuff, and then pizza afterwards.

DebetEsse, I read your quandry with your mom, over her Seder + Pizza. I'd have the exact same reaction you are having. That said, do you know how the event is being described? Do you know--are the kids supposed to be partaking in a Seder, or are they just seeing a demonstration?

I have no control over the actual serving of the meal. I suspect that there will be a good bit of "what this means to us as Christians"-ing. I only have influence over food.

I think, what it means to Christians is that it was Jesus' last meal.

In part. From a Christian perspective, his last supper marks the establishment of communion, and the Christ is seen as the ultimate sacrificial lamb, a covering, the way the lamb's blood protected the Hebrews from the last plague. People also take trinitarian symbolism from the 3 Matzoh in the one bag, and find a type of Christ in the afikoman, which is wrapped, hidden, and later found, and also in the meaning of each of the cups of wine.

They were promised pizza in the flyer, which Mom is not willing to reneg on. I really did try.

If it's just basically a class about it all, and then pizza following, well, what Ginger said--a clear, "And if we were truly observing Passover, we would never have pizza, because of the leven, and dairy," etc. Your mom should strongly suggest that to the person running the event. Are they having it on Maundy Thursday, or is it closer?

I'm sorry. I know you have no control over your mother, who doesn't have total control over this event. Whatever happens, you know you tried your best.

Both of the Portuguese-speaking hillbillies are from South Carolina.

I've obviously skipped, but suddenly everybody is talking about matzoh here.

I have a hard enough time convincing my mom not to go crazy over Passover with regards to other people until a month before the holiday itself (22nd of April this year. And I only know its general date because it was the due date of "Serenity"). I actually go along with "don't mention Pesakh before Purim!" sorts of requests - I hate Pesakh even more than I hate computers, and considering how much I dislike computers right now, that's saying something.

Oh, well. It's almost 6pm. B just sent me a couple of absolutely adorable pictures of her son (he totally communicates with his parents - it's obvious even in still pictures). In a couple of hours some friends of my roommate will throw her a not-really-but-let's-call-it-this-way "bachlorette party", so today's evening will be so much better than yesterday's. Things are definitely looking up.

[Edit: oh, goodness. Upon looking at the post after clicking, all I can think about is "this post was brought to you by the meMeME association. Head and only member: me"]

There are one heck of a lot of people from Fall River who still speak Portugese at home, and there are two Portugese language channels on my cable system, so yeah, it's possible.

No, what I meant was, can you talk like you're from southern Appalachia and still be from Fall River? I know Fall River is a big Portuguese-language town, because on the Vineyard you can pick up their radio stations. (Somerville only has one Portuguese cable channel, coincidentally (?) right next to Fox News.) But, I've not met many folks from the Bay State with Appalachian accents.

TAR: But they're not from Mass, are they? I thought they were from a Carolina.

I liked the two women who came in first, but that llama meltdown came out of nowhere, and doesn't bode well.

Timelies!

"Millionaire adventurer" Steve Fossett is more than half way around the world now. Currently he's over Japan.

Brenda, it seemed like one of them was of the "let's carefully weigh the pros and cons of each Detour choice" school of thought and the other was of the "ooh, llamas!" school of thought. That's going to get them in trouble later on.

I recorded TAR and will watch later today. I've been reading the whitefont, though, and am therefore thoroughly spoiled.

On another topic: I'm trying to line up a moving company for the big relocation to St. Louis. Are there any companies anyone here would recommend? Any companies I should avoid like the plague?