Since we're at the end of this season, I've done some reflecting about how sometimes when we get older, we do tend to forget life's lessons or simply ignore things that will always be important. The craziness that has happened this season made me create this list of some knowledge that is good to have and sometimes even more important to remember if we're ever on a race for a million dollars. A lot of this was created from the things I've read people say but none of this list is directly taken from anyone's comments anywhere. This is all for laughs and I hope that those who do read this do get a laugh.
Things I’ve Learned From Amazing Race 17:
Always read everything. You never know when failing to read one line will cost you a million dollars. And if someone tells you that you did something wrong early on, maybe that is a good time to go back and correct yourself instead of continuing on like you don’t understand.
Going to Notre Dame doesn’t make you an asshole. There are plenty of people who went to good schools and take pride in that. But mentioning that school possibly nine years after you graduated like it’s an all access pass to greatness and holding your education over someone else’s head does make you an asshole.
Bigger is not always better. Having muscles is cool but if all that muscle is only for show then major fail. I understand that ascending is quite difficult because you need upper body strength as well as lower body strength. But don’t have anyone film you doing push ups and bench pressing your girlfriend because we’re going to hold you to a higher standard.
Athletes can’t do it all. Don’t brag about your skills and not live up to that. Not all athletic skills are interchangeable. Remember Michael Jordan’s career with the White Sox? If you put someone down because of a perceived notion they are not as athletic as you are, and they manage to do something athletic that you can’t do or better than you, then you look like a bigger jerk.
The early bird does not always get the worm. Don’t complain and later try to call people out when they withhold information from you about early flights. If you’re in a race and are at the airport at least three hours before those people got there, you have more than enough time to secure an early flight and should not be spurred into action by their actions.
Don’t discount the little things. Yes we all know that all the action happens at the tasks but an important factor is getting there. If you downplay getting an early flight, sitting closer to the door, getting bumped up to first class, and/or getting a taxi before everyone else, you will never have an edge over your competition. Sometimes those little things are the difference between staying in the race/winning and being eliminated/losing.
You are the master of your own destiny. Getting lost and being behind is no excuse. If you notice you’ve been driving a long time and still haven’t found what you’re looking for, please ask for directions. Don’t be afraid to ask people to break it down just in case you continue to travel in the wrong direction. Most important, put your foot down on the pedal and drive faster if you need to make up time.
Always make the right choices. The choices are always going to be fast and hard or slow and easy. If you’re in last, and your body can take it, always pick the fast task to try to gain some ground. You never know how close it could put you to the team in front of you.
Breathing is important. If you’re racing around the world with an asthmatic, don’t yell at them when they can’t breathe. It only makes you look like an asshole. Try to calm your teammate down and help him or her breathe and if necessary, be a pal and carry their backpack.
Always get your facts right. If you’re going to **** talk, at least say the right things. Yeah we’re going to dislike you even more if you talk smack to a favorite team even if it’s only for the purpose of trying to get in their heads. But if you feel you must, the least you can do is insult them about who they really are. Now not only do you look like a sore loser, you look like a dumb, sore loser.
