(S12E07) My, it seems like it's been a long time since the last episode of The Amazing Race. Last week's Survivor finale bumped it and the holidays seem to be taking a toll, too. However, tonight's show was indeed worth the wait.

A new twist, a couple of wrong turns, a surprise or two, and ink where you least expect it. But, of course, I won't get to the real skinny until after the jump. I could talk about the weather to fill the pre-jump space. The weather here is windy and rainy. The weather on the race tonight looked splendid.

There. On with the show.

(S12E06) Darn it. I know the Amazing Race takes its episode titles from actual words uttered by the contestants on the show, but this one is downright silly. More apropos from the team at hand would have been ...

"I hate you!"
"I hate you more!"

On a side note, I'd like to see the cabs in NYC spell taxi the way it's spelled in Lithuania. Taxi without the X Factor, gotta love it. I think it would add a nice cultural influence to NYC cabs. Oh, wait. Most of the cabbies are from various countries anyway. Never mind. Let's get on with the show!

(S12E05) I can't help but wonder if the production staff has changed a bit for this season of The Amazing Race. The challenges seem more all-ages oriented, perhaps a bit less exciting and adrenalin-pumping when compared to some past seasons.

But I think it makes things more interesting from a cultural point of view. I've mentioned before that one reason I enjoy the show so much is due to the fact I can take a peek into other countries I might never be able to visit.

Nothing against bungee-jumping, but if you've jumped a bungee once, why do it twice? Or every season? Fresh and different is a good thing, I say.

(S12E04) Goths tend to be sincere and genuine according to Kynt of The Amazing Race. And, if one were to base his perception of Goth kind of folks just on this particular episode of the show, it would be and accurate perception indeed.

There was a lot to enjoy with the episode and the Goth couple, Kynt and Vyxsin were just a part of it. Ah, but there was a team to boo, too. That team was genuine, as well. Genuine creeps, that is!

(S12E03) They could have called tonight's episode of The Amazing Race "Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Milking a Camel, but Were Afraid to Ask."

Sure, it's a reality television show, but it's educational, too. Not only did I learn all about the do's and don'ts of milking camels (which I'm sure will come into some use during the course of my life in the greater metropolitan NYC area), but I also learned the word for tree in a rather obscure West African language. Tiiga is tree. Now you know it, too.

(S12E02) Now, The Amazing Race is one of my favorite shows, but tonight's episode leaned towards something which doesn't thrill me too much whenever they do it.

I realize that the "race" for tickets on the fastest or earliest flight will always be a part of the show. But I felt this episode spent way too much time in the airport. What I find truly amazing is how all airports in the world look kind of alike. Yeah, the languages on the signs may differ, but if you've seen one, you've seen them all.

I know some of the interaction between the teams at the airport was needed, but darn it all ... I want to see the race, not the airport!