Episode 4

OK.  Things are starting to heat up and get down to some serious business.  Translation:  Victoria getting bounced left a bunch of you running back to the thumbprint drawing board.

Yeah, you know who you are.  Those in the Victoria camp were stone cold sure they had the game and The Mole pegged.  Well, don't sweat it.  Every time this ride seems too easy or predictable, reality bites.  Hard.  Those of you who had young Victoria locked in your sights -- you're not alone.  Clearly, she was way off the trail as well.

I will tell you that Midas Rush was a rush... both figuratively and literally.  Like a dope, I forgot to wear any headgear.   Knew I was in for a chilly ride when I noticed our crew members decked out like South American Sasquatch.  So while I took in the mind-blowing sights of the Andes (and simultaneously fighting off a touch of frostbite on my earlobes), I made sure to heed my own advice as I pounded the H2O.  Since it was my first time at the altitude, it didn't take long for the dizzy vibe to creep into effect.

The drama reached a crescendo when Craig was carted off, sirens blazing and oxygen pumping full force.  Rough moments as the ambulance rolled away...nobody was sure how serious his condition truly was.  Fortunately we keep medical staff close at hand and they were right on top of the situation.  Craig looked winded on top the mountain...but we all were, so I didn't see his collapse coming.  We were all relieved when we got the update that his prognosis was solid.  R&R... chilling in the hotel... and he would soon be back.

Just curious...anybody else notice Mark was a little salty... i.e. not a real big fan of mine during "Burn Journal Burn"?  Maybe I'm over-thinking it, but man our boy was p*#$$ed off.  It was one of those situations I kinda saw coming.  Let's face it, his journal was his lifeline.  I was starting to think he was authoring the kind of read Oprah might dig for her book club.  So, I was bracing for all hell to break loose.  And then -- the moment of truth.

As I unleashed my inner pyromaniac, I ignited the stack of journals AND Mark's inner rage.  I was kind of hoping he'd be the one to volunteer his ... nope.  Once the flames started licking around his journal, I fully expected Mark to bolt and dive into the burning stack.  At the same time, I was mentally diagramming my best path to sack him like Tom Brady rolling out at this year's Super Bowl . Instead, he just stood painfully still with his jaw clenched.  Then he went AWOL.  What you saw on TV was the Cliff's Notes version.

Look, I get it ... Mark is an emotional cat.  He was seriously upset.  He'd written a lot in that journal and had to watch it go up in smoke.   But here's the deal:  Players are told the journals are to be used for the game.  And everything is fair game.  Despite my man having fury in his eyes aimed straight at me, Mark knew deep down it was nothing personal.  At least he eventually figured it out.  Nothing in the game from our side is mean spirited.  Oh, we make sure to bust their chops from time to time... and dish out some high quality degradation -- all for your viewing enjoyment.  But nothing but love and no ill will attached.  The way I see it, a burned journal is a small price to pay for a serious crack at up to a half million bucks.  You dig?

Time for me to bounce.  I've done enough damage for the week.  Keep on keeping on ... you can't hide forever Mole!