The Amazing Race Blog: Kynt & Vyxsin’s Pink And Black Blast — Week 2!

by Todd Gold
Oct 6th, 2008 | 4:07 PM | Comments 5

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The Amazing Race Blog: Kynt & Vyxsin’s Pink And Black Blast - The Race Rolls Onl!
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Hello Everyone!

This past week, we could not go ANYWHERE without friendly strangers approaching us with various questions, comments, and observations from the premiere episode of The Amazing Race Season 13. With the new season now in FULL SWING, the Race hysteria is definitely BACK and we LOVE it!

Last night’s Episode 2 proved even MORE intense and unpredictable than last week’s premiere —- with new team dynamics evolving [some friendly, some nefarious].

The overall message that this episode taught us……EVERYTHING you need to succeed on the Amazing Race you learn in FIRST GRADE! More on that later…….

Vyxsin and I had the good fortune of enjoying this episode at the home of one the most LEGENDARY Amazing Race fans in all of Los Angeles —- Jackie Craig!

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AMAZING RACE PARTY AT JACKIE’S IN LOS ANGELES
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This week, we found our way to Jackie’s house to try out one of her Amazing Race Parties! We had heard from friends on MySpace and FaceBook that this girl knows how to throw a shindig so our excitement was high.

Upon arrival at Jackie’s address, it was starting to get dark. We were in an area of Los Angeles which we had not yet explored, and were a tad turned around [Kynt & Vyxsin lost? No way you say!].

Amidst our confusion, Vyxsin and I both looked at each other, then turned to our crumpled-sheet of MapQuest directions and wondered —— “OKAY, is this the right place???”

Then, in true AMAZING RACE fashion, we noticed ROUTE MARKERS………..

If you are an avid fan of the show, you know of the unmistakable RED-AND-YELLOW Route Markers that are literally the LIFE-LINE for the teams, helping lead them to the various destinations.

Unlike their TV show counterparts, these ROUTE MARKERS were PINK AND BLACK!

At that moment, we knew we had arrived at the correct locale, and had a feeling that a FUN time was awaiting us.

We followed the Route Markers to the door of Jackie’s apartment and were greeted by none other than Hello Kitty —- who “checked us in” to our Pitstop right away!

From the moment we walked in, the crowd at the party was super-friendly and we could tell immediately that this gang shared our zeal for the Amazing Race. They “won us over” from the onset with the Kynt and Vyxsin CUPCAKES they had so kindly prepared!!!

They also showed “true style” in their choice of party favors!

To give you a little background, our party-host Jackie Craig was born in London, England [the birthplace of the entire goth/punk scene we might add]. Jackie IMPRESSED us with her ACTUAL AMAZING RACE CLUE! She had a CLUE from the GAME, which she has had Amazing Race alumni autograph over the years. Vyxsin and I were more than honored to add our signatures to her one-of-a-kind collectible!

Vyxsin: Jackie and I bonded very quickly —- as she is an avid aficionado of movies, musical theatre, and Marilyn Monroe! We also share a soft-spot for British Murder-Mysteries Novels [think Agatha Christie and Dorthy L. Sayers] and British Comedy ["Absolutely Fabulous" and "Are You Being Served?" to name a few].

Jackie’s daughters Stephanie (17) and Emily (15) are huge fans of one of our personal FAVORITE bands: the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards “Best New Band” —– TOKIO HOTEL! We had actually met Stephanie and Emily on one instance previously, at HOT TOPIC in Hollywood when TOKIO HOTEL was performing there live.

There was some seriously GREAT fashion at this party….particularly from Scott Anderson (17) and Mishel Eder (17)!

Everyone enjoyed PIZZA, CUPCAKES and “RACE-CHAT,” as the magic hour of 8pm approached! In a truly comedic moment, the entire room LEPT toward the TV set when when heard the first sweet introductory words of host Phil Keoghan.

We have always been drawn to people with PASSION. Whether that is manifested and expressed through musical tastes, favorite TV shows, fashion brands, etc, we love people who are COMMITTED to what they like. It was clear to us that the Race was more than just “another TV show” to our new-found friends. Rather, the Race was an experience which this family, and these friends, share together, celebrate, and cherish. The variety of people in this room with us…..from “scene kids” to older-parents…..was a true testament to the wide appeal of this special TV program.

As the theme music hit, we all cheered together! THE RACE WAS ON!

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MEOW….HISS…..CLAWS ——- “LINE CUTTING” CAUSES THE FIRST CONFLICT OF THE NEW SEASON
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Tonight, teams began where they left off last week, departing from Salvador, Brazil en route to Fortaleza, Brazil. It was at the airport in Salvador that the Alliance between Nick & Starr and Ken & Tina came into play, as they worked together to secure flight information. Ken & Tina were informed that the first flight toward Fortaleza departed at 6:45 AM (SCORE)……but sadly only had ONE seat available (FAIL).

Tina showed critical persistence and persuasion in this moment, as she effectively conveyed to the ticket agent the demand for seats on the flight [10 teams = 20 early morning ticket purchases], and switched the flight plan to a LARGER available plane. As the other teams arrived and began booking on the 6:45 AM flight, Tina made sure to “remind” each team that it was HER hard work that made it possible for them to be on this early departing plane.

Although she was attempting to show the others that she is a “team player” and not an “enemy,” Tina’s credit-taking quickly backfired as numerous other teams rolled their eyes at her and mumbled under their breath. As the teams filed into line to board the flight, we had………FASTEN YOUR SEATBELTS…….the FIRST conflict of the new season!

You know it is inevitable.

Competition breeds conflict.

One thing to keep in mind as you watch the Amazing Race…….each time you tune in, you (as a viewer) have had an entire one week BREAK since the last show. It is easy to forget that the poor teams have NOT had such a luxury. When you see them at the beginning of each episode, it is merely the DAY AFTER the last Race Leg! Literally, the DAY AFTER you saw them check-in to the Mat with Phil. You try your best at the Pitstops to rest, recuperate, and recharge your batteries, but there is NEVER enough time.

We always found the Pitstops to be such a bizarre internal contradiction. On one hand, we felt EXHAUSTED after the completion of a Race Leg. But we often had extreme DIFFICULTY SLEEPING, due to bodies reacting to the elevation of ADRENALINE which you experience as your Race so frantically We were TIRED but TOO ALERT to get any shut-eye! What a strange feeling it was!

These Racers are fatigued, sleep deprived, often hungry/dehydrated, and under constant stress. This PRESSURE COOKER environment always leads to conflict………..

And while it is not always pretty, you gotta admit, it sure is FUN to watch! *^_^*

Anyway, Ken & Tina and Terrence & Sarah exchanged words about their placement in the line to board the plane —- with both teams trying to lay claim to the “first position” in line.

Remember, CUTTING is a serious offense, in both First Grade and in the Amazing Race!

Tina again galvanized the other teams against her by using the “The only reason you are on this flight is because I made it happen” retort to justify her place in line and to combat Terrence & Sarah.

The first conflict of the new season ended with…….DRUMROLL…..the first “AWKWARD HOMOEROTIC MOMENT” of this Race……

As the argument between Ken & Tina and Terrence & Sarah subsided, Ken “made peace” with Terrence by planting a little KISS on his cheek.

Now, don’t get us wrong here, we LOVE to see random displays of overt affection between people —– but this just felt AWKWARD and STRAINED.

We found ourselves at the Party trying to discern what Ken’s “intent” was with this strange kiss???

Was Ken trying to be silly and “lighten the mood”? Or, was this kiss a “male-on-male” show of DOMINANCE? Think about male cats, for example. Oftentimes, a male kitty-cat will approach another male kitty, and begin to lick the second cat’s furry head. Sometimes, this is a show of friendship, comfort, and comraderie. Other times, this is the alpha male cat showing the other kitty WHO IS THE BOSS HERE!

Between Ken and Terrence, we still don’t know if that moment was a “purrrrrrr” or a “hissssssss” but we thank them for moment that made the entire room exclaim “Wha-Wha-WHAT?!?”

When the plane landed in Fortaleza, Brazil, teams rushed via taxi to the city of Cumbuco to find the Plaza do Cumbuco. It was, at this moment, that tragedy struck for Anthony & Stephanie, as their taxi BROKE DOWN. The poor team tried everything, even resorting to PUSHING the taxi as the driver attempted to engage the clutch, to no avail.

As they struggled to find another taxi cab, the other teams successfully arrived at the Plaza, where they jumped into DUNE BUGGIES, for a high-speed trek down the beach toward the Detour. This was one of those breathtakingly beautiful moments that you will ONLY find on the Amazing Race. The sight of the dune buggies racing down the pristine Brazilian beach was just unforgettable. In one of the episode’s sillier moments, Marisa & Brooke called out flirtatiously to the men they passed on the beach, who responded by MOONING them! Maybe it was THAT kind of beach…..who knows?

The choice of tasks at the detour was BEACH IT or DOCK IT, two tasks which represented BRAWN versus BRAINS, respectively. In BEACH IT, teams needed to use heavy rolling-logs to maneuver a 450 pound Brazilian boat 100 yards across the sandy beach and into the water In the (extremely confusing) DOCK IT task, teams needed to use a computer to search a database to find a 4-letter code corresponding to the unique serial number listed in their clue, which they would then use to locate a container hidden amongst an IMMENSE shipyard of containers, which would finally have their next clue inside of it. You got that? Re-read this paragraph 5 times and it might finally make sense! If you still don’t get it, we suggest drawing a flow chart.

As team after team arrived at the Detour point, they kept selecting BEACH IT as their task. Only ONE team would have the COURAGE, the CONFIDENCE, and the COMPUTER-GEEK SKILL to tackle the foreboding DOCK IT trial…..and that is our personal PICK TO WIN and SUPERHERO buddies MARK & BILL!!!!

As Mark & Bill ducked into the Computer Office to begin the search for the Code, we felt like Clark Kent was ducking into the Phone Booth to put on his cape! Mark exclaimed at the desk, “There’s no possible way you’re going to sit us down at a computer and we aren’t just gonna tear it up.” In incredibly fast time, Mark & Bill found the 4-letter code, scoured the shipyard for the corresponding container, and scored the all-important NEXT CLUE!

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MOST MEMORABLE QUOTE OF EPISODE 2 —– THE FORCE IS WITH MARK & BILL
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It was at this moment that Bill provided Episode 2 with it’s most memorable line, as he paid homage to the Jedi Master Yoda saying “Do or Do Not, There is No Try!”

As a quick retrospective: we also summoned the “power of the force” in our season of the Amazing Race, during the Leg in Burkina Faso, Africa [Episode 4]. At the Detour, we chose the task “Shake your Booty” which involved creating a dance-routine with staffs. In our presentation to the judges, the “twirling staff moves” which Kynt utilized were JEDI LIGHT SABER MOVES which he had learned from watching [over and over again] Darth Maul’s lightsaber duels in Star Wars Episode 1. That’s right, the Pink and Black Attack used “the Force” to score an Amazing Race victory!

Back at the Beach, teams struggled as they maneuvered the heavy boats into the water. It was at this moment that two teams made critical errors, due to misinterpreation of their clues. Instead of following the instructions to the “nearby taxi area,” competitive-couple Terrence & Sarah took off in the completely OPPOSITE direction of the awaiting Taxi Cabs!

A second misinterpretation occurred when “Divorced Damsels” Kelly & Christy finished the BEACH IT task successfully…..but then decided they needed to find “a container.” This misunderstanding occurred because apparently they read the instructions for the OTHER DETOUR TASK [DOCK IT], the one which involved the computer and the containers. In the most comical moment of Episode 2, Kelly & Christy started DIGGING IN THE SAND searching for the imaginary container. The other teams gave very confused looks to Kelly & Christy, wondering why they had completed their Task but were now DIGGING a hole in the sand.

As much fun as it might seem to poke fun at Terrence & Sarah and Kelly & Christy for these “seemingly stupid” mistakes, you have to put yourself in their shoes. When you are Racing and hurried and nervous and frantic….sometime the easiest of tasks seem like NIGHTMARES. Your mind is moving as fast as it can function, and there are definitely moments of marked impairment.

The best analogy I can draw is consider that moment you took that one blasted FINAL EXAM in school. You got to multiple choice Question #42….test-taking-time was running out……..you KNEW the answer….you KNEW it was choice “A”…..yet, inexplicably, you chose answer “D”. A few days later, you get your test back from the teacher, you scan to Question #42 and you asked yourself (now in a calmer, more sedated state of mind) “WHY ON EARTH DID I CHOOSE “D”? I KNEW THE ANSWER WAS “A”?” What seemed to make total sense during your mind’s moment of frenzy now seems so ludicrous, and so obviously incorrect!

THAT, my friends, is how these two teams - Terrence & Sarah and Kelly & Christy - are feeling today after watching Episode #2.

Back to Mark & Bill. After successful completion of the Detour, they were the FIRST TEAM to arrive at the ROADBLOCK challenge which was another MENTAL task! Teams had to locate the name of their next destination SOMEWHERE along a graffiti-and-random-text-ridden 600 foot long wall! This challenge seemed impossible. How could teams find the name of the destination amongst so much Portuguese TEXT.

Bill decided to tackle this challenge for his team and noticed a list of 16 locations at the end of the wall. In a moment of true brilliance, Bill wrote down EVERY SINGLE LOCATION in the list……took the list to the Task Judge, and read them off one by one. When he finally read the correct location that the judge wanted, he scored the FINAL CLUE of the Leg! With Ken & Tina on their heels, both teams RUSHED via Taxi to the pitstop. Ken & Tina beat Mark & Bill in the final footrace to the Mat, and Phil awarded them FIRST PLACE!

At the Roadblock, Kelly & Christy again misread their clue in comical fashion…..as the clue stated to “keep your taxi” and they allowed their’s to leave, temporarily STRANDING them at the Roadblock site with NO form of transportation to continue traveling. Later, they lthankfully found a cab, after a significant loss of time.

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EARTHQUAKES AVERTED —- KEN AND TINA SCORE FIRST PLACE
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The separated couple of KEN & TINA was a COHESIVE force in this leg of the Race —- successfully scoring FIRST PLACE and winning a pair of ATV off-road vehicles as their prize!!!! In the Pre-Race-Publicity, this team seemed like they would have trouble co-existing and cooperating - hence Vyxsin and I labeling them an “Emotional Earthquake.” However, it was wonderful to see them prove us wrong and watch the gap between them begin to close! There really was not a single tremor in this Episode, as they handled every challenge - from the Airport to the Roadblock - with competency and a competitive fire. Tina might have “ticked off” a few teams with her credit-taking for the flight, but no one can deny that they OWNED this leg of the Race, and won it as fairly and squarely as possible.

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OTHER TIDBITS TO NOTE
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-While Terrence & Sarah were dismally lost and looking for a taxi cab, not a single team stopped to help them. Except for ONE. Mother/Son Combo TONI & DALLAS showed compassion and class, as they literally SAVED THE HIDES of Terrence & Sarah by stopping and giving them directions to the Taxi Cab-catching area. The video above could explain why they were being so nice.

-Nick & Starr showed a deceptive side to their personalities during this Leg. At the ROADBLOCK, Nick first offered to work with Sarah but then bailed on her almost immediately. Nick then started working with Andrew [FRATTY FRAT FRIENDS], and literally PROMISED and SWORE that he would return to him and share the correct answer if he found it. However, Nick bolted to the Pitstop as soon as he found the correct answer, leaving poor Andrew high-and-dry.

-Mark & Bill enjoyed their most competitive performance thus far. Their “Brains over Brawn” approach helped them sail through this leg without a single mistake, solidly positioning them in second place!

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FINAL ORDER OF FINISH
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1. Ken & Tina
2. Mark & Bill
3. Terrence & Sarah
4. Aja & Ty
5. Toni & Dallas
6. Nick & Starr
7. Kelly & Christy
8. Andrew & Dan
9. Marisa & Brooke
10. Anthony & Stephanie [ELIMINATED]

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ROLL THE DICE - ANTHONY & STEPHANIE HIT AN UNLUCKY STRIKE
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Sadly, Anthony & Stephanie never quite recovered from the loss of time they fell victim to when their cab broke down at the onset of the leg. Althought they fought valiantly and gave it a great effort, Anthony & Stephanie were the last to arrive at the pitstop and were promptly eliminated by Phil Keoghan. Before the Race began, Anthony had gone on record, saying that he would PROPOSE to Stephanie if they won the Amazing Race. Although the Race did not propel this team down the wedding aisle, it was clear that the experience DID create a “quantum leap” in their relationship progress. Anthony stated in his final moments: “We are definitely going to move forward and have a future together. I have a lot of things in my life to be thankful for. I have my health. I have my parents. I have my looks and I have Stephanie.”

Anthony & Stephanie will be remembered as the first “vehicular casualty” of Amazing Race Season 13. We wish them the best of luck post-race and, as fellow residents of Los Angeles, would like to offer them a little “Pink and Black” company if they would like to view a future episode of Amazing Race together.

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EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW FOR THE AMAZING RACE, YOU LEARN IN FIRST GRADE!
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Remember, if you only take home two messages from this BLOG today, remember what we learned in this episode. If you want to be healthy, wealthy, and wise:

(1) DON’T CUT IN LINE —– it can get you in a FIGHT, or get you KISSED against your will

(2) READ THE DIRECTIONS, ALWAYS

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SPECIAL THANKS TO JACKIE
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Special thanks to JACKIE CRAIG and all the FUN FOLKS at this week’s “AMAZING” Party!! We left with new friends, great memories, and tummies full of pizza, cupcakes, and Pinkberry frozen yogurt! Could life get any better????

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NEED A DOSE OF PINK AND BLACK —- DON’T FORGET THE TRAVEL CHANNEL
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Right now is truly the PERFECT time to be a fan of the Amazing Race! If you need a “double-dose” of Amazing Race in your TV diet, don’t forget that OUR SEASON of Amazing Race is airing simultaneously with the NEW one!

So Mark You Calendars:

*EVERY SATURDAY MORNING - 9am EST - Kynt, Vyxsin on the Amazing Race Season 12 - TRAVEL CHANNEL

*EVERY SUNDAY NIGHT - 8pm EST - the NEW Amazing Race Season 13 - CBS (America) and CTV (Canada)

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TIME FOR A CHALLENGE
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Now we have a CHALLENGE FOR YOU!!!

Do *YOU* live in Los Angeles, Hollywood, or a NEARBY AREA in CALIFORNIA???

Are *YOU* and your friends getting TOGETHER to watch the Amazing Race?

Vyxsin and I are ready to MAKE OUR WAY BY WHATEVER MEANS NECESSARY TO *YOUR* Amazing Race Party!

Whether it’s at a Pizza Parlor, Pub, Bar, Roller Rink, Club, Restaurant, Saloon, Community Center, Church….your LIVING ROOM….or your GARAGE…….whether it is a HUGE PARTY or a SMALLER FAMILY GATHERING……..we want you to INVITE US!

We don’t want to watch Amazing Race each week by ourselves!!!!!

If you plan to PARTY on a Sunday nite and watch the Amazing Race, please post a reply to this BLOG or write to us directly at: KyntandVyxsinBlog@gmail.com

REMEMBER - parties must be in LOS ANGELES, HOLLYWOOD, or other nearby areas in CALIFORNIA! Unless, that is, you are able to FLY US to your party in another state

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YOUR FEEDBACK IS NEEDED
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We want to hear YOUR thoughts, opinions, quotes, and questions as REPLIES to this BLOG. POST AWAY! RIGHT HERE!

You can also write to us directly at: KyntandVyxsinBlog@gmail.com.

You can reach us via MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/kyntandvyxsin or via
FaceBook: http://www.facebook.com/people/Vyxsin_Fiala/682577413

Each week, we will select several of your questions/comments to showcase and answer right here in the PINK AND BLACK BLAST, and showcase the FUNNIEST & most INSIGHTFUL letters.

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SHOW US *YOUR* AMAZING RACE PARTIES
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Also, if any of you guys are having AMAZING RACE VIEWING PARTIES at your homes, restaurants, pubs, etc….please send us your PHOTOS from your parties! We will post a few of those each week in our BLOG as well!

See you RIGHT HERE next time —– for MORE on Amazing Race Season 13
—– right here on Fancast.com —— DON’T MISS IT!!!

:::Kisses and Cupcakes:::
Kynt and Vyxsin

Email: KyntandVyxsinBlog@gmail.com
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/kyntandvyxsin
FaceBook: http://www.facebook.com/people/Vyxsin_Fiala/682577413

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