So, M. Darcy, are you going to have to change your username now? L'il Lisa does have a nice ring to it.

I just have a quick question for anyone who knows the answer. Where can I find the off topic blather boards? I know they moved to a different site, but for the life of me I can't remember where. Thanks.

I love the alliterative sound of "Daily Double Diva".

I wish they had mentioned in the article that you beat Ken to all of the Daily Doubles, M. Darcy.

MDarcy, I just have to ask - what do you do as a Legislative Assistant? I work at a Canadian legislature (hence my user name!), and our Legislative Assistants are hired based solely on their political affiliation, so a lot of the time they don't have very many other qualifications. Most of them are very loyal to their political bosses, but not very bright, and I can see you're far brighter then they are!

Its actually a title I made up - I work in the legislative office for a rail union. I assist the Legislative Director and the other lobbyists in the office

M. Darcy Did you introduce Ken to TWoP?

OK, I have kind of a cool thing to share.

I have an 60-ish Aunt who has a lot of mental problems/developmental problems, probably stemming from scarlet fever in her teen years. Anyway, I do what I can for her (she lives in Vermont and I live in New York), but it's hard, and she's lonely, and frankly, doesn't have anything going on, and her condition was never acknowledged by the family until it was way too late, blah blah blah family-overshare-cakes.

ENNYWAY, I have been psyching her up for TAR 5 so that we'd have something to talk about during out daily chats other than what she ate for lunch. And it worked. We had a very nice chat about "that girl who carried the meat" and the rest of it. And she agreed with me (in her way) that Erika was acting like a bitch and it was good that she went.

So thanks, TAR, for giving me something to keep my Aunt Esther engaged.

"The Amazing Race--making the world a better place since 2001."

That's so cool, Hawkwild. I guess TAR really is fun for everyone.

No, it wasn't me that introduced Ken to TWOP. In fact I was really surprised when he turned up here after his first appearance.

I was at the party at Cafe Nostra as well. I got there a little before 7 p.m. with a friend. After sitting down, I looked at the table across from me and was happy to see someone with a TWoP button! It was TPorter2. I went and introduced myself to her, and met Paris, who was there as well. They were the first TWoP posters I've met in person. That I know of.

Anyway, the party was a lot of fun. I had met Lance a couple weeks before when I went to the restaurant for lunch, and he recognized me when I walked in. He was very nice, and the food was great. It was really great to see some of the racers in person. Honestly, they all did seem so friendly to each other. And they could not have been nicer to all of us. Erika seemed especially excited to meet those of us from TWoP, which was great.

The most fun for me was watching the Racers watch themselves on TV. Marsha (who, by the way, took an evening off from studying for the bar exam to be there) still looked really worried about her dad when she watched his whole knee injury play out. Dennis gave Colin and Christie a big hug right after the scene where he gave them the cab (stupid move, Dennis, but sooo nice!). And Erika started crying a little when they were eliminated and Dennis was talking about how he couldn't love anyone more than he loved her.

It was a really great time. It was great to finally meet some fellow posters and, of course, the racers.

If you go here, you can see some pics from the party.

And, here's an article about the party from the Dallas Morning News.

ETA: Yes, Dennis was even hotter in person. Rawr.

Sorry, inadvertent post.

Who's the babe with the serious boobs posing with the Pizza Boys, YuppieLawyer? Cause she kind of fits the image of who I'd imagine they'd have hanging around them, given the choice!

I have no idea who she is, and I don't remember seeing her there. Marshall is actually married, and his wife seemed very nice.

Seems like a good time was had by all at Cafe Nostra. Thanks for sharing your experience and pics YuppieLawyer.

Dennis is smokin'!!

Oh great, now I have to figure out how to hack into their server and remove my fat, shiny, sweaty face from some of those photos!

I didn't scroll through all the photos, but from the first page - what an adorable kid!

miri, I was actually thinking that it looked like you guys had the best seats - immediately adjacent to a bunch of racers, ideal for overhearing entertaining tidbits and comments.

I agree that it looks like a number of women both at C.N. and ?the place accross the street have been, umm, surgically enhanced.

Yes, that was definitely some silicone. And I was kidding, YuppieLawyer -- it was very clear she's a CN employee. But hey, no harm in the guys having something nice to look at while at work, right?

Is someone going to identify who's in which pictures so those of us who don't know any of the people involved can figure out who's who?

Is it just me, or does Alex look really different since he won the race? I recognized him, but it was challenging.

Miri It was nice to see a couple of pictures of you there, you look great! And you were sitting with a couple of racers too. I wonder if Erika and Dennis wore the hats as a shout out?

Thanks for the pictures Yuppie Lawyer.

Well I know TPorter2 is the one in the tangerine sweater with the TAR Button on. And if you're curious, I look exactly the same except as the 22 year old version. Other than that and the racers, got me.

Sorry to interupt this conversation, but I forgot to ask Kanuck!, do you know of any good bookstores I might encounter in my cross-ontario oddysey next week? Especially Thunder Bay and Kenora.

Now if I can only find some place that will let me watch the Race...

It's not just you. He even looks different then when I saw him last year. I had to click back on the pictures a couple of times before I recognized him.
He's still cute as a button, though.

Oh, M. Darcy, I'm so annoyed that I came in right as Alex was moving on from your interview. Fault of changing-the-channels-ignoring-the-TiFaux hubby (see? Blame! It's a good thing). I was trying to astrally project "Shannon" at you, then I realized that unless I could time travel, it wouldn't do much good, damnit.

That article is too funny -- tiny, bespectacled, Lisa Simpson voice. Awesome. My stepson came in from playing at the end of the show and said "how'd your friend do?"

"Well, she lost."

"Did she come in second?"

"Er, no."

"She was third?"

"Yup."

"Did she at least get to play final jeopardy?"

"Nope."

"You know what? Ken should just stop answering questions and let the other players in at the end so they all get to play final jeopardy."

So, you've got 11-year-olds sticking up for you, anyway.

Loraxe, check your email.

It probably means you have to stop filtering and/or shut down any ad and/or pop-up blocker. The Insider video won't work it you have a pop-up or ad blocker activated.

Once you do that and watch the videos (hopefully) don't forget to flush out your cookies to get rid of doubleclick and other unwanted evil cookies.

YuppieLawyer, thanks for the pictures link. Especially enjoyed seeing TAR2 Alex again. Number 1631 was a really good shot of him.

That's my name, and for a minute I was wondering why anyone would want to throw me around. I need to lay off the cold medicine.

Thanks for the help with my Harry Potter question. I really appreciate it. I was trying to find the answer in the completely wrong chapter. I also think that there are a lot of plot holes and loose ends. It seems to me that it will be a tough go to wrap it all up. Especially with the way JKR jumped the shark in book 5, in my opinion anyway.

You know I still can't get my husband inerested in TAR. For you lawyers out there; is TAR incompatibility a good solid reason for divorce? Nah, I am just kidding. I love the guy. Besides he watches several shows that I don't really enjoy so I guess we're square. Only, not really, cause TAR is far superior.

You know I think that if I were to ever be so lucky as to be a participant on TAR I would definitely chuck my vanity at the door. How about you? I would pack moisterizer and sunscreen and have a simple no fuss hair cut. Seriously minimal. The reason I bring this up is that several of the ladies on TAR 5 seemed to have packed heavy on the beauty products. I just don't get that. You never know what you will be doing or where you will be doing it. (Don't be naughty) Thoughts?

Anyone who stays in the race for a decent length of time will chuck that stuff. They usually start looking pretty ragged around day 11 - 15.
Of course, with all the pagent princesses, who knows? Perhaps they had their makeup tattooed on before they left Santa Monica?

I didn't think Alex looked that different, but then it's been so long since I've seen Season 2, I just probably forgot what he looked like. He's still got that accent, though! Oh, and he gives good hugs.

TPorter2, I don't care if it's your birthday - hurry up with those photos!

(What? Were are mine? I only took 4 - yeah, I don't know what was wrong with me - and 4 photos makes for the wimpiest photo album ever, so I'm waiting for TPorter2's. Besides, her camera is way better than mine. Not that I'm jealous or anything.)

It'll be interesting to see just how many of them hang onto the makeup. Actually, however, I'd put Joyce front and center in the "They'll take my lipstick over my cold, dead body" category before the princesses -- many older women I know who wear makeup won't be caught being seen even by their own families without it. However, she may not gook her face up as much as the young'uns, just enough to give her a little color. We shall see!

The only makeup I would bring is lipgloss. If it's good enough for Jill, it's good enough for me!

And Phil!

Well, that's the added bonus. :)

mel42024 most of the old Off-Topic Blather forums moved here, except for Looking Good and the Big Brother Live Feeds.

I'd just take lip gloss or a good moisturizing lipstick, plus my ever-present cocoa butter stick (which is useful on more than the lips -- it can work as a facial moisturizer in a pinch, and if you ever have a cold and your nose gets raw from blowing it? Cocoa butter, specifically Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Swivel Stick!). But I'm not a makeup person. I've gone camping, however, with women who insisted on wearing FULL makeup out amongst the bugs and all. With only other women there. Vanity, thy name is woman!

Thanks for posting those pics, it looked like a fab time.

and Kanuck!? You rock!

I have just realized that i will be sans computer for 2 weeks. Is that even possible?

Oh, there's worse. Mr. delta actually thought Flo could continue to race, merely on the grounds of cuteness. Ugh.

Cuteness? That whining shrew is cute to somebody? I mean, I've seen pictures of her at TARcons when she's smiling and looking pleasant, but not on the Race! You know, I really will never understand men.

Want to trade? My wife can't stand the show either. She doesn't like "all those people running around like crazy" and was almost angry at me for being excited. (I was yelling "No! Never give up a taxi! Idiot!" at one point and she got somewhat unhappy with me.)

This is the same woman who yells at me if I even open my mouth during 24.

I tried to get her to apply for the Race with me, but no dice. (Sniff, sniff. I'll never get on this show.) :(

To somebody whose TV has a "mute" setting, possibly.

Thanks, Arianrhod.

The pictures from the CN premiere party make it look like you all had lots of fun. Sigh, I wish I could go to cool parties like TARcon or premiere parties. If TAR sticks around for 3 more years, then I'll be 21, so I'll be able to make it to a TARcon [/wishful thinking]

Sorry to change the subject, but I got some good news today. I got confirmation of my grade twelve final marks, and because my final average is 96%, I get $10 000 towards my tuition. Wheeee!!! I only get to keep this money if I keep and 80 average, but I think I can do it. I'm going to the University of Western Ontario, and this scholarship will really help me out. I'm doing the happy dance!

Congrats! As a Guelph grad I won't hold it against you that you're going to Western. London is a very nice city and I know that that 10 grand over your 4 years at Western will be very useful.

My font just got REALLY big although it's fine on other websites. Anyone know how to fix this? Thanks!

Ctrl & + and Ctrl & - work to change the font for me, but I don't know exactly what the problem is, so that's all the help I can give.

Guelph is very popular among my friends, I know 9 people going there next year, while only 1 other grad from my school is going to Western. Oh well.

Firstly, congratulations, mel. That is a wonderful accomplishment!


I would shave my head. For real. My tangled 'fro would have no place on TAR. At the end of 30 days, I would end up having to shave it off anyway since there's no way I'd get a comb through it after all the wind, water, dirt, animal fur, etc. So, just so you know, when you mock the petite, Black, bald-headed girl racing with her anal father in TAR 6, you will be mocking me. And no, I will not be wearing makeup. Whenever I try, it turns out sad.

JepTARcon was so much fun. Big ups to Lil Lisa for hosting the event.


I am so glad to hear that the chatters were with me in this. I was afraid that I'd be alone in thinking that comments involving the phrases "beat" and "meat" were funny. Well, one of my fellow watchers chuckled with me, but I'll let him keep his anonymity.

Were it not for DariaG, I'd still be laughing at things you all wrote two weeks ago. She let me know that it was ok if I missed some of the convo. Really, I didn't want to miss anything, but after two weeks on reserve duty with no computer, it became necessary. Now I'm back up to speed on the recent stuff.

I'm sorry that I missed wtf in LA. Your trip sounded much, much better than my own. I could have used one of those drinks by the pool after fighting that effin' traffic.

ETA: Though I may still be a Couch Potato, I am an older Couch Potato than when I last posted here. I let this one slide right by me. Getting older is not so fun for me anymore. Are there any other birthday grinches out there?

Thanks Mel42024 for the info. It seems to have fixed itself but I will make a note for future reference and also do a happy dance for your good news. Nothing better than seeing hard work rewarded!

I don't know whether this is the correct place to ask, but how does one find out about TARcon and/or smaller gatherings to watch the Race? I live in MN, and since it's Miss Alli's home state there must be other TARflies in the region... Is there a board that I somehow can't find that lists such information?

geebs_criminy, it seems like everyone has answered the HP question, but I’ll just add Sirius gives Harry the mirror on page 523 at the end of Christmas break to give Harry an outlet if Snape gets to be to abusive during occulomency lessons. Harry vows never to use it. Then Harry unearths it packing his trunk to go home for the summer on page 857. Yeah, there are several plot holes, but I still like the stories.

Happy birthday to all the recent birthdayers.

Congrates mel, that is something to be very proud of.

Erk, I am hoping the few pictures I took at the Vegas premiere will turn out. Idiot mio, I left the camera in the truck when I got to work on Wednesday and am hoping the heat didn’t ruin the film. I’ll find out tomorrow.

It was a lot of fun to meet the Racers and others in Vegas. I just wish I could have stayed up later to do the dinner thing with Millie, Chuck and the rest.

The Guidos, all three, are just as debonair and devastatingly charming as I have heard. ATCSteve was his usual witty self. (I didn’t really get to talk to ATCDave, he was chatting with Monica and others. Nancy, Mr. Nancy and Emily were there. I was able to speak with Millie for a short while after she arrived; late flight, lost luggage, long day. She was very nice. Chuck has moved into the cute category as Miss Alli mentioned. I only spoke with him for a short time. (I was in Guidoland most of the night.) I saw Chris chatting with Miss Alli and neglected to speak with Brennan who got the whole thing going. I feel like a heel, and then I messed up a Star Wars reference in front of him. I feel like a complete dope. I didn’t get to speak with Russell and Cyndi of season 2, but they both looked good. Hmm…I’m probably missing a racer or two, I apologize.

It was fun, and if it happens again next year, I’ll go again, but I will plan on staying up later.

Minnehaha, usually things like gatherings will get started in this thread and then will move to the con thread on the main forum page or will be handled by email.

Happy Birthdays! all around; various and sundry Congratulations!; Wooo!s as appropriate; and Awwww!s as needed.

Minehaha check out the thread for Minneapolis/St Paul in the TWoPcons forum under Nuts and Bolts, (at the very bottom of the pul-dowm menu) too. It won't be TAR-specific but there's a rumble of a TWoPCon in October. (ETA: I just checked myself--there are now rumblings of a TAR finale party, as well.)

The parties all sound truly awesome, and I'm massively jealous.

You know, I've been hanging out in the TAR forums for years, first as a lurker and then as a poster. I've read about every single TARCon. I still remember my hair standing up on end when I realized that hell, the racers actually showed up at the party!
And yet, I've never been. And I really want to go this year. And I don't know how I'm going to sell it. It's one thing for me to go on a weekend trip with my college roomates and such, but I think that I'll encounter skepticism, to say the least, if I want to abandon my family and spend a fair amount of cash on a junket that centers around a TV show. I need a business trip that coincidentally lands me in NYC for TARcon. Or some other reason. Suggestions?

You write cookbooks don't you, Hildy? Surely there's something in NYC that you can use as an excuse to come to TARcon--I mean go to NY to research? How about cheesecake? delis? street-vendor food?