no reason you can't be supergirly AND up on a rooftop in Africa with a hammer, right?

Yeah, that made me feel super-dorky Girl Power.

IO(semi-related)N: My co-worker went to Paris and brought me back my two favorite teas from Mariage-Frères (the store was the first Fast Forward on the Season 1 of TAR).

What are they, megan? I have some puits de dragon that a neighbor (French professor) gave me that I should really give to someone more deserving; I don't appreciate it much myself.

I like their black tea blends, especially Chandernagor (chai) and Casablanca (bergamot black tea and mint green tea). You wouldn't think Earl Grey and Mint go together, but I really like it.

I think the blonde HSN woman is too shouty, but that's just me not wanting to be her partner. But her actual partner seems fine with her, so, I guess it's fine. I definitely was surprised at her just going to work. So, yay.

I wanted to like the father/daughter, but yeah, she is super stressed for this early in the race. Plus, did not love at all the whole "will I get to hold African babies" thing. Ech.

I was really happy with the Chinese/Chinese-American team, both for how the dad performed and how the son treated him. I don't think they'll make it for the long run because it's just so physical. But I really like them and I'm glad they had a modicum of success.

I also want to like the punkish couple because they look a lot like friends of mine, but yeah, the previews do not bode well.

There are definitely a lot of generic people for me right now. It seems like there is a higher percentage of pretty to character casting this season.

Okay, I forgot to check what was happening on CBS the hour before TAR so tivo missed the elimination. Who was eliminated?

I am having also having a hard time keeping these teams straight.

That was an excellent leg. Good challlenges, no atrocious behavior (African babies aside) and most of the teams are really growing on me.

I think African baby girl is deeply, deeply sheltered in a harmful way. She seems like there could be more to her with a little life experience though. And she was very entertaining on the mat. ("Any news! Before I have a heart attack and die! OH! Has that happened?!)

The tattoo couple are the only ones I'm liking less than I had hoped.

Man, am I the only one relieved by that elimination? I was kinda uncomfortable by that- seemed exploitative and really really weird to me.

Yeah. I think that's a good result - it would be awful to see race meltdowns fucking with such a delicate situation. The time in sequesterville (with the fun guys from last week et al) will likely do them way more good.

Man, am I the only one relieved by that elimination? I was kinda uncomfortable by that- seemed exploitative and really really weird to me.

I had the same reaction. They seemed to be doing fine but. Yikes. The potential for awkward was very high.

sumi, the elim this week were the birth mother/daughter team.

Ah.

Thank you.