Sure ita, I'll send it in a jiff.

This is the filter system I have: [link]

Like I said. Mad expensive. I paid for mine in installments and wince every time I replace the filters (2-3 times a year), but I can't argue with the results. I also have dust mite mattress cover, pillow covers, etc. that I wash in hot water at least twice a month. I use this site: [link] for my allergy supplies (which are, btw, completely tax deductible since they are for medical necessity).

As for the low humidity, SoCal kind of takes care of that for us. My dust mite allergies are *so* much better than they were in CT.

TAR: The yield, yeah. Part of the game, kiddoes. Otoh, the girls shouldn't be surprised that the yielded team is pissed at them. Also part of the game, imo.

And yup, it's all about Danny & Oswald for me now. I felt bad for them that they squabbled, 'cause it seemed like it really did come out of the stress of the game and fatigue. It seemed like they could have kept on with the challenge, each thinking it was their way, and gone on happily. In that number of cookies, biting into one out of each box was just about as likely as biting into every one in a box to find the right one, even if it was wrong.

And it was a dumb error with the batik. They're lucky it didn't put them out; in a closer race it might have.

With the newspapers, I noticed that it was the ones who verbally made an assessment of how much they needed (it's as tall as me) who came back with an accurate amount of paper. Those that were just like, I need papers, were the ones who had to make second runs.

Again, I hated that challenge because to me that sort of thing infringes on the small local economy that it's trying to pay tribute to or something.

Anyway, I think the field is pretty much open now. Everyone has their ups and downs. We shall see.

Announcement: I have been earwormed with the Alanis version of My Humps all weekend long. Including breaking into song in front of my deeply confused in-laws.

Analysis: I hate being so aurally suggestible. Dick in a Box was better than this.

Usually, trying to sing the Ohrwurm out loud drives it away for me. I guess it's the mental equivalent of giving in and scratching an itch.

But flea, just imagine what those lovely midwestern people would've thought if you had been singing Dick in a Box.

I guess I should go take that test. Thanks for posting it.

A friend of mine with enormous allergies bought a HEPA filter air-cleaner and said it changed his life. I've been considering getting one. I'll see if I can find the link; it was like $450.

Today, the antihistamine is making me spacey, but I'm still sniffling. This is the worst of both worlds.

SoCal kind of takes care of that for us

That's why I have a humidifier.

It says something about me in the morning that when I went to retrieve the paper, I was startled by all the postits I'd plastered to the door to remind me of stuff I needed to do as I left the house.

I mean, I put them up yesterday afternoon because I am notorious about forgetting something I need at work, taking the trash out or whatever in the morning. And their necessity was proven in that in the morning fog of waking up, I'd forgotten I'd put them up the afternoon before.

If I can't have a keeper, at least I have postits.

TAR: Poor Uchenna and Joyce - has any other team ever been as screwed over by air travel as them this race? Though Phil's "Well, you have won this race before..." comment was spot-on.

I did wonder why none of the travel agents were able to find the route that Charla and Mirna took. All I can think is they were flying some of the legs on competing airlines, so the route wouldn't have been available to concierges working on commission?

And note to EVERYONE... NEVER DO THE SEARCHING CHALLENGES! Granted, nobody knew how easy or difficult the batik challenge would be until they got there, but it's pretty guaranteed that any detour beginning "search through X number of X's" is going to suck.