Amazing Race Recap

G'day to all

Who's not busy?  What a silly question.  I remember way, way, way, way back in my distant past a very wise man lied to me.  You may say,  "Why was he wise then?"  Let me explain.  I was taught more in one year from this wise older man than I had learned from many others in more than twice the time. Then you may ask the question, "Why did he lie then?".   Good question.  It was unintentional I'm sure.   


I was 10 at the time and the man, known as Mr. Howe, was my school teacher.  He was one of those extremely rare gifted teachers that has probably impacted 1,000s of lives in an incredible way during the course of his career.  He was not only a great educator but he had a way of captivating the whole classroom with his many tails and adventures.   You could hear a pin drop as he would come to the conclusion of his stories. 


Well, during one of his random teachings, he was talking about the future.   He talked about phones that you would carry around and be able to call anyone anywhere.  He told us they would be about the size of a cigarette packet.   As usual the whole classroom was mesmerized as he embellished on his outlandish tails.  He went on further to explain about the efficiency of technology and computers.  And yes, with all this technology, he told us  we all in the future would be working a 3-4 day week.  And there you have it.   My dear, old schoolteacher lied. So I'll pose the question again.   Who's not busy?



You don't really need to answer it, as the answer is already known.  Well, it had to happen.  Laurence and Zac Sunderland where eliminated from the Amazing Race.  And what a race it was!  We both enjoyed the challenges and the many new experiences that we encountered.  OK, most of the new experiences.  We could maybe leave out the Renaissance Dancing for Zac, and I can just say that the rabbit stew I savored last at Heathrow Int. Airport at one of those English restaurants, was remembered with savored relish after our little challenge with those rabbits. 

What you guys did not see was that we had gone through 4 different rabbits before we got one of those wonderful creatures to jump the course .  Oh yes,  your patience is tested in every way conceivable. 


We met and enjoyed the company of all of the other teams.   Knowing that all were going for the one prize, made it a challenge at times.  All the teams were dealing with variable circumstances, heading for the same goal and quite a divers cross section of characters. 


It was sad to see Ethan and Jenna go out so early in the race.   As the teams got eliminated, although sad, I adopted the attitude - rather them than us. I will always remember the elephant ride up the rain forest stream as one of those great experiences that I ordinarily would have not have done. 

The race was good and bad to us.  No one wants to be eliminated in the first round and no one was.  I think all teams were surprised to see Bill and Cathy at the Taiwan Int. Airport terminal, but that just meant that the next leg was a double elimination.   That's all we needed.  I remember clearly Zac being the last person to be hooked up to rappel the 200 feet into the cave.   I'm not sure what he did down there but he was able to overtake 2 teams.  Things were looking brighter and then more by chance than purpose, I spotted the sign on the table at the orphanage that clearly stipulated that teams needed to hand over all the money in there possession.  


What a game changer that proved to be!  Yes, we did make our fair share of mistakes like the buckets with the sheep.   But our most memorable was getting off the 1st class bus and running 3 miles back to the bus stop during the heat of the day. I clearly remember during a briefing before the race being told no first class travel. 


Oh, yes I was told that TV will make you look 10lbs heavier.   That is absolutely not true.  It added 30 pounds to me!  Now I don't know if that was done in the editing bay or not but I'm working hard on loosing that 30 pounds but it keeps finding me.


If you think that the race looks hard and physical, it's not at all.  It's very, very, very, very, ery ery ry ry yyyy............... haaaarrrrrdddddddd. Part of my preps for the race involved a 20 mile hike, 8 mile runs, 5 mile runs, and some speed training.  I could have done with another 2 months of prep.  This is definitely not for the faint hearted.  


I've competed in triathlons and marathons (2 hours 58 minutes personal best a few years ago), but the Amazing Race will definitely put you through your paces mentally and physically.

Andy and Tommy became close friends early on in the race - helping out one another and a few times running a foot race to the mat.  Having a like-faith was the main thing we had in common.  Bill and Cathy, oh yes, our dear older friends... next time I see the delightful couple I will have a few words to say already rehearsed and chosen carefully. "So you chose to U turn a struggling father of eight children? "  That's all I will say and I will turn to walk away  leaving them just enough time to feel uncomfortable enough, before I'll break the ice and congratulate them for running that leg of the race well.


So, will I be watching the Amazing Race this Sunday?   Absolutely not!   You may think that that's a bit unsportsmanlike.   What could be more exciting than watching the Amazing Race?  Well, I was called out of the blue, two days ago by Marco, Zac's manager, who is involved with one of the major sponsors for the LA Galaxy soccer team.   Marco has managed to get 2 VIP tickets for the  MLS Cup Final this Sunday at 6.00pm.   I am excited.   Toby, my 14 year old son, and I will be at the game.   I hope some of you will make it. 


I will watch The Amazing Race online later.  Looks like a great leg. 

The Amazing Race "it's Hard but Good!!'