Decisions, Decisions....Which one to pick?

The Amazing Race has been known to the world since September 5,2001...

Currently, the 16th season is being aired....cool, right?

Now, we're in 2010, so you do the math on how good of a show it is...

What IS The Amazing Race, you ask? The answer to that is simple.

Teams of two with a pre-existing relationship racing around the world and the first team to the finish line gets a million dollars...Sounds easy right?

Well...if only it were that easy to win a million dollars...

When you put two people together for a long enough time, they're eventually going to get tired with the arrangement and fight about how stressful things are..

It's trying peacefully co-exist while rapidly spanning the globe that creates situations of joy, anger, drama, and controversy...and a lot of exhausted people come out of it full of exhaustion and valuable life experiences...

A million dollar windfall for the winners doesn't hurt either...

Now, doesn't that sound fun? Wouldn't you want to try that?

If in doubt, just wait....wait for what's coming

Maybe you'll change your mind...The world IS waiting...

Kudos to those who have raced and won, as, even though I have never done it, I can rightly assume that it's DEFINITELY not easy. Also, kudos to those who have raced and not killed eachother in the process, although there have been near misses..

Finally, kudos to those who have yet to Race...get out there and RUN!

Oh, before I move on, a special mention for Margaretta Groark, an amazing lady who ran the first season with her husband, Dave. She is gone, having passed away from cancer a few years back, but definitely will she never be forgotten...

An overall kudos to everyone that has ever raced, you are all truly amazing.
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Perhaps the world isn't the right environment for you...

Would it be better if you were in one location for 39 days?

Of course, you'd still have to deal with the stress, lack of food, lack of sleep, and the irresistible competitiveness that inhabits everyone's consciousness..

Oh, but you can eat bugs if you MUST eat...bugs and whatever comes from the trees...

There's also seafood, but you have to catch it on your own and share with your tribe, or they might get mad at you...

Poultry and meat are rarities won only in challenges or found in the area...

and, NO, you CANNOT resort to cannabalism to survive!

The challenges are intense processes that are put together by a challenge design team. They are really designed to see how one's body and mind can work after being deprived of proper food, sleep, and social conditions....isn't that fun?

Of course, as most reality shows go, it starts with the host explaining the premise and objective of the game...He is even nice enough to introduce the players...

Then, with a shout, he sends the players off to fend for themselves..usually in tribes, but sometimes that doesn't come for a while....

38 days later, people have been voted off, tribes have been switched and merged, a jury has been formed, and the final two or three face the FINAL TRIBAL COUNCIL

It starts off with a bit of a spiel from the host,

After the jury expels their bitterness in the form of words, both regular and vulgarities, the finalists plead their cases for the last time and then, the jury casts their votes for the one who they think should take the million...

Oh, did I mention that except in challenges, there is no negative physical contact between players? If that happens, I am assuming the instigator gets EXPELLED...

As crazy as the last 19 seasons have been, there have been some pretty near misses in terms of negative physical contact....

I forgot to mention that Survivor is currently in it's 20th season and has been around for 10 years already! That is simply incredible!

Kudos to those who have survived the game, win or lose. It's a hard battle to endure.

On a side note, speaking of battles, the dear Jennifer Lyon, who acquired 4th place on Survivor Palau, the tenth season of the show, passed away from a battle with breast cancer very recently and is dearly missed.

Even though my only knowledge of this dear woman was the kind words that her dear friend, Coby Archa, also from Survivor Palau, spoke of her, I had written a tribute to her after I heard of her passing, which I will re-post here:

Born in a place called Encino, was a little precious child
Heaven smiled down upon this dear child of promise
Jennifer was the name given to this sacred gift from God
Her path will be special, one rarely even trod

Life was sweet for this precious angel
each day to her was a blessed gift
gratitude was shown in each of her days
Every little moment she would never forget

When Survivor showed, into the spotlight Jenn streamed
Her joy was contagious, it enlightened all players
Though she earned a jury spot, the honor of fourth
Friendships made would last a lifetime and beyond

Fierce in battle, she took up courage and pressed on
never giving up against the demonic illness from hell
Taking to writing her feelings and journey of bravery
By blog, the world was fighting right at her side

For a while, the fighting could be laid to rest
Remission blanketed overcast with triumphant hope
Wasting no time with the second chance given
Making the best of life, giving all she could give

Alas, the battle steadily resumed with a vengeance
Hell's demons could not be fully silenced
Taking a breath, God took her up in his arms
Carrying her home as peaceful music played

Friends from Survivor quickly heard of the news
All, including the host, are saddened by the loss
In honor, we go on with our lives, doing all we can
The blessed angel wants us to press forward once more

Breast cancer snatched this treasure away from life
May we cherish and remember the goodness she gave
For in God's arms she is safe and awaits anxiously
For that great reunion day to come, to see us all again
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With that, I will quietly switch gears...
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If a remote location, or the world, aren't the right environments for you, how about just being in an enclosed house and yard for several months with other people?

Big Brother is just that. Don't get me wrong, there is MEGA STRESS involved!

However, if one can endure being enclosed in a "cage" for an intense social experiment without the gift of illusionary scenarios to provide comfort, go ahead and apply. Of course, large quantities of alcohol may produce illusionary experiences, but whether or not they are pleasant is unpredictable.

Anyway....with the new eras of Survivor, Big Brother, and The Amazing Race illuminating their way on to the airwaves....who knows what is to come?