A Tiera-ble episode

Oooops..sorry about the no rose report last week. I didn't even have time to watch the episode!!I had a date with Oprah.

What you believe..you become..according to grand master O. Well some of the girls didn't believe hard enough..becasue I don't think they believed they would go home.
What I couldn't believe was the Kacie wasn't on! What the what is that about...
But on to the episode.
First a shout out to Catherine for coining "Tierable"..I love Catherine..hope she goes far!

I have a love-less strong love relationship with this show... I love the ritual..the roses, candles, Chris the host, date cards and of course the word amazing.  Ritual is one thing..cliche is what I love less. But onto the dates

You can take the girl out of the desert, but you can't take the desert out of the girl
Selma..is a beautiful, olive skinned girl. She's so pretty. Wow..she gets annoying fast. Well, for some reason-the bachelorettes are amazed by aviation! She's thrilled about the plane ride. In the plane, she splays herself across Sean whilst talking in a baby voice.
She is hoping for a grand date..and the plane lands..in a desert. She states "he takes the Iraqui to a desert". I can't see it as a slight. If anything, it shoudl have given her an advantage. Well..Selma doesn't like the heat but she can handle it. You know, you make it out of Baghdad, you probably come from some plucky lineage.

Without any coaching on how to scale a rock, as Selma states she's non athletic and typically wears 6 inch heels, Sean straps her into a harness and they need to scale a 100 foot rock. NBD-not for Selma. She feels inspiration from Sean and she's happiest with Sean on the top of the moutain they scaled together. Of course.

But the date is not done yet....they still have the trailer park. I'm not sure if they slept over, but she did have her own trailer named Fifi.
They snuggled...well..i think she burrowed like a tick..but then they talked. She revealed she grew up in a strict household and said her culture doesn't allow her to date. Then she said she was Muslim..so I'm not sure if she was using culture and religion interchangably..but what was clear was Mom was not going to be happy about this public display..but to make it better...she couldn't kiss him on TV. Sean apparently is an excellent eye reading ability because he can see that Selma wants to kiss him in her eyes. In her culture they keep dating a secret. Well Selma the secret is out..but she does announce the caveat that he'll have to wait until she's the only lady. She picked the wrong show to be on.

And the rose goes to Selma, her strength and her annoying baby voice!

Group date:Rolling with the punches
Sean (or the producers) wisely thought that he would introduce the girls to a competitive environment. I would call it the Bachelor mansion..but this environs is fraught with more risk of physcial harm.

Amanda started out by psyching out the girls. Ahh then karma came to bite her..on the chin.
Sarah was overwlemed with the physcial hurdle because her balance is not like the other girls'. Ashley the organizer gave her a sweet, genuine pep talk. Sean came by too...and I liked that he didn't want to exclude her..but told her the outcome didn't matter. Nicely done Sean. I'm guessing the show's pyschologist helped guide that conversation that could have been fraught with politically incorrect minefields.
the girls were falling all over the place. Yikes..it seemed painful. I'd say hockey padding was in order..but all they had was elbow and knee guards and a cute helmet.
That did not help Amanda when she fell on her chin.and needed to be taken away for medical care.
Sean opts for an old skool roller skate.
Then the girls get ready for a rooftop patio party (pool included). Lindsey gets denied pooltime. Tiera throws a hissy fit  and Sean talks her down..again her reads into her eyes that she likes him...She decides to stay!!!
Amanda comes back..her chin is intact..and all the sympathy card got her was a kiss on the chin.She's no playah.

Lesley - Will this be forever
Interesting date card. A bit foreboding. Sean was questioning his connection (sorry..its late..I resort to Bachelor-speak)...with her.
Sean dreams up the most romantic date ever....modelled after a rich man who is courting a prostitute. So this is as creative as Sean gets. yawn.
He picks her up in a BMW. She proclaims..Holy Moley Batman (that would have been funnier if it was Robin on the date not her)
Leslie gets some drop earrings and then the go shopping!! I do think she gets to keep the clothes..but why the bow tie/sash dress? That was an unfortunate choice..but Leslie called it Winner winner chicken dinner. Huh?
There was a lot of light reflecting and refracting from the shiny shoes, metallic dress with bedazzled bustline that she needed one more thing..120 carats around her neck!!
Now they are off somewhere dark so as to minimize the glare and maximize the romance.
Lesley seems sweet, but was a bit loud and awkward. Sean really really tried! He asked questions!!!At the end..he took the rose like he was going to give it to her..but didn't.
Poor Lesley.
They walk out..but she makes sure to give back the necklace in the middle of the street!!
Ben Taylor sings "Do you think I'd ever leave your side baby"..
Yep.
Worst part. She departs in a mini van. A Bachelor first.

Cocktail Party/Rose Ceremony
Tiera is on a tear. She wants to be perceived as the nice person and apologizes to Robin. On camera she says she has to take these girls down and she's in it to win it!
Robin pulls an awkward..do you like chocolate..do you want to taste chocolate (Selma's mom must have turned off the TV at this point)...and the Robin goes in for the kiss.
Sean assures Ashley that he's always thinking of her when he doesn't spend time with her.
Catherine (yay!) moves in and tells Sean she likes him...i hope she stays!!!
And the girl who doesn't get chosen...Amanda..the fitness model.
Guess who's going for a run to release her stress..but maybe her Harlequin bookcover deal will lead to great things.

Next week..two episodes...double the drama...will it be too much for Selma's mama!!
Eww..I hope I don't have nightmares about Tiera's uncontrollable twitching from her cold water plunge.

Even still..until next week.. I LOVE THIS SHOW!!!

The Bachelor: Melting Pot edition

This episode was feeling a bit long (okay, I know I need a PVR..but whatevs)...it was bit tedious..mostly typical dates- you know..overcoming fears,  steamy group date photo shoot. The gag date was new - not super funny..but new. Near the end of the show...I fell in love with Sean a little more:)

First the fiscal cliff, then the free fall

Sometimes I think the show tries valiantly to insert some type of hope (beyond the romantic hope) for the American viewing public. Messages about overcoming obstacles and dreams coming true. Date 1 is about overcoming obstacles, perceptions and getting your self esteem, self worth and ultimately your prize (the short term one for this date was the rose). Sarah gets the first one on one date with Sean. Sarah overcomes a lot of obstacles in life..but now she's looking to overcome obstacles in love. Sean arrives in a helicopter..and that makes the girls and Sarah swoon...a blue helicopter. This is a classic ride in Bachelor land..maybe the traffic is really brutal in LA. The date card read"Are you ready to fall in love". The date cards are not so cryptic. There is going to be some falling...and today's fun date they are free falling from a building. Wow..that seemed really freaky. Sarah's voice sounded super annoying...but I likely would be paralysed with fear and would rather take the stairs down. Where do you get a top that pink.?I think colours are brighter in the US. She did look pretty in pink.They descend..have some champagne as a reward (all dates are rewarded with alcohol on this show)...Sean tells her he is attracted to her courage. Sarah tells Sean a story how she was denied ziplining  in Vegas. Sarah is happy Sean had the confidence in her. Cool.Sarah gets a rose...and she's all good in the 'hood.

Group Photo shoot...for Harlequin novels
Completely fitting for this show.Its art imitating reality show...and I'm no sure what has more artiface...the cheesey novels..or this mostly cheesey show (but i do love the Bachelor fromage)...Kristy got her model on and her enthusiasm was not infectious..it was a bit sickening though. Kristy bordered on kray kray. Sean had to remove his shirt...(not that I'm counting but Sean has had about 11 shirtless scenes in two episodes...he can definitely pull off pulling his shirt off)..but back to the ladies..Tiera seems to be less attractive with more make up..and when her mood got stormy she was way less cute. Kacie is adorable..all the time..Selma was beautiful..Lesley M looked amazing. But whoa..Katie..the yoga instructor..did she have her own meteorologcial system above her head. That was a serious case of fuzzy hair. Four words: Bumble and Bumble defrizz. Buy it. It works.

No suprise that Kristy's amorous display won the photo shoot.and off they go to the pool party!!..where noone got in the pool...but instead most complained of a chill. Perhaps some of it was coming from some of the girls' bad attitude. Tiera was fuming..and Katie the yoga instructor was really down(ward dog:)..and felt she needed to leave..Sean didn't let the limo door slam her on the way out..he politely walked her to the waiting limo.
Cute Kacie got the rose. Kacie looks amazing..always..well except her hair at the rose ceremony...more on that later.

Priceless date with Desiree the bridal stylist
Well...not what y'all are thinking. I'm sure you were all thinking Neil Lane was going to make an appearance with some boxed jewels and Desiree was going to live the Bridal Fantasy (oops got distracted by a vision of the Bridal Fantasy billboard I saw on the way home today...it looks like a bridal nightmare...but taste is subjective..has anyone seen it..what's with all the accessories???)..but back to the show... Chris and Sean and the producers play a little joke to see how Desiree manages the sitch. A 'priceless' work of art falls over in a room where she is standing and the Russian artist comes into the room and starts freaking out in Ruski. Desiree looks like she's going to laugh..Sean comes in and says he's going to support her then says..awww..it's a joke!! oh funny ! (not really)...but to make up for it..he makes her dinner (with half a plate vegetables Word.)..of beef I think, corn and broccoli...at his place. Maybe thats the priceless part of the date.
Desiree gets a rose. They dig eachother.

Rose Ceremony.
Sean comes in thinking he knows which two are going home..but throughout the ceremony he changes his mind!! And this is where I heart Sean more..he told producers he doesn't have  type..just someone sweet, smart and funny..and race and ethnicity doesn't matter. Yay Sean!!  Sweet..and this is the most ethinically diverse bunch so far!!!...Who's awesome..Sean's awesome!! I think Catherine the graphic designer is pretty and she seems fun..i hope she stays a long time...What did Kacie do to  her hair for the cocktail party..maybe she got caught up on Amanda's storm of negativity.I can't believe he kept the Lindsay (sub teacher. wore the wedding dress last week who's dad is General)..I wonder if Lindsay and Selma (the girl who speaks Farsee) talk politics..Who am I kidding...there is more to talk about..like the journey to true love with amazing connections for all the right reasons..

and until next week..I LOVE THIS SHOW!!!

Welcome back to reality:) Bachelor US style!

I've missed reality. I tried a dose of Bachelor Canada- but it wasn't the same. This Bachelor has more glitter, more chandelier earrings and more spray tans. It has a sparklier, warmer feel.

Sincere, smiley shirtless Sean is back!!! And he only wants to get engaged once..in this most amazing journey ever!!
But first..a vistor!

Arie-Fairy
Whah? Who? Who invited Arie? He came to coach Sean on how to make eye-contact, tousle and touch..and how to kiss. I do recall observing Arie has great technique. After the session with Arie...Sean politely dissed the tips..by saying "i'm not sure how useful that was". Yes. This is the straight up Bachelor. Hold the cheese

The Girls- Bios
Well..these girls don't seem like the brightest bulbs or buds of the Bachelor bunch, but they rank about the most earnest. Wanting true love, someone to complete them, their Prince Charming you know blah, blah blah.

The producers tried to introduce some complexity and layers...for example Ashley the self-proclaimed obsessive organizer for reasons that are clear-she had a childhood of uncertainty until the age of 6 when she was adopted. She's  sweet and grateful. Tear number 1 (okay maybe 2) from that.

Then Sarah with one arm-who later in the program stated that getting a rose would be validation for her and that sometimes she feels like she doesn't deserve love like everyone else. Ahh:( But does having someone choose you make you feel whole?

In between that we have quasi-wanna be gymnasts trying to backflip on wet stone work to stand out, a teacher in a pouffy wedding dress, yoga instructor,cruise ship singer, penny throwing, football playing, fancy handshaking, lace yielding women.
I thought Maryann's threat "well I drove (not walked)2000 miles to be with you", was a bit ominous..when she said "I better get a rose after this". Eek..maybe she should called on the two hairstylist Bachelorettes to fix her hair before she left the limo. Or the girl with Italian background who jokingly said my dad will break your legs if you don't choose me. Tee  hee...hahahaha...just a little ethnic stereotype. Whatevs who hasn't seen the Sopranos..or the Mob Doctor. Sigh...this show wrings stereotypes out at every opportunity.

But who was the most memorable...perhaps Ashley of the 50 shades of grey/sequins/shots/drunk/booty shaking quality. Ah. Tiresome. 50 Shades is so 2012. Very overdone. Very over. Ashley told Sean that she wanted to marry him and that her mom approved. I'm not sure if mom would be proud of her drunken display especially the a$$ flash outtake. That will take more than a B1/Advil/2 L of water plus greasy breakfast to get over. Remember there is still the Women Tell All.

Oh...this season has a lot of prom quality fashion. I did like Sarah's and Kacey's dress.

And word to Sarah and Teryn for not chasing Sean to 'steal him for a minute'.....

Seems like Sean likes the brunettes..mind you the first three brunettes had a not very illuminating discussion about whether they got a first impression rose. I think they were trying to determine if it was a first impression versus a best impression. Wow..that was a painful thing to listen to.

There was the most brief rose ceremony ever...
Not surprising, Ashley's booty dance (and tie) got the boot..as did the model with the debutante dress and shoulder grazing earrings. There were tears..over a guy they didn't know...goes to show...at this stage of the game..I mean journey to true love...the tears are for themselves, their perceived loss, their ego..but not for dear Sean.

Till next week, dreamy cute Sean..I LOVE THIS SHOW!!