Archive through October 30, 2002
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TV ClubHouse: Archives: Andre and Damon: Archive through October 30, 2002

Micknrc

Monday, September 30, 2002 - 06:30 am EditMoveDeleteIP
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Andre, 32, and Damon, 33, met a decade ago while attending the University of Maryland. When Damon transferred to another university, the two lost touch for several years. Ironically, they were reunited in Los Angeles when they both stopped for the same traffic light.

Both Andre and Damon have jobs that put them in challenging situations. Andre is a police officer and Damon is a firefighter. They're used to dealing with all kinds of people, making quick decisions and working fast. Damon says that he and Andre decided to apply for THE AMAZING RACE for two reasons. First, "The opportunity to compete in a forum that is challenging physically and mentally." And second, "The cash…cha-ching!!!"

Damon says that his greatest asset on the trip is his brain. "The most important item I am carrying is not in my backpack. It is underneath my hat. I am pretty smart and resourceful," he says. Andre feels his strength is his ability to read the other teams and understand the game.

Together, this pair of friends have traveled extensively. While stationed in the military, Damon served in the Marine Corps and Andre was in the United States Air Force. Both are self-confident, physically fit and work incredibly well under pressure. Plus, whenever necessary, Damon can be a manipulative schemer, while Andre is a playful joker. Together, the two are a formidable Team who plan to give their fellow racers a run for the money.

Andre is married and lives in Los Angeles (he is originally from Baltimore, Maryland). Damon, who also lives in Los Angeles, is married with two children.

Micknrc

Monday, September 30, 2002 - 06:36 am EditMoveDeleteIP
How would you describe your previous travel experience?
Andre: My previous travel experience basically limits to what I did while in the military. I have done some stateside (domestic) traveling.
Damon: I have traveled to several places while in the military, i.e. Alaska, Honduras, Vancouver B.C., Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Belgium. However, my leisurely travel has been limited to Nigeria and the Republic of Benin. I have also traveled within the U.S.

What is the most stressful aspect of traveling?
Andre: Packing and traveling with luggage.
Damon: The most stressful aspect of traveling is landing at the airport. I read that most accidents have to do with aircraft landing.

What is the most important item in your backpack, and why?
Andre: Passport and ID, because without it I am in trouble.
Damon: The most important item I am carrying is not in my backpack. It is underneath my hat: my brain. I am pretty smart resourceful.

Why did you want to be on THE AMAZING RACE?
Andre: To do something totally out of my element.
Damon: I was looking for a challenge, one that was physically and mentally tough. THE AMAZING RACE looked like a race that requires both of those items and more. Oh, and don't forget that $1 million would buy a lot of golf balls!

Have you and your partner traveled together before? If so, what was it like?
Andre: We traveled to New York together. It was fun.
Damon: We traveled to New York from Maryland while in college. It was a three-hour ride. I don't really consider this trip to be travel.

What do you fear most about competing in THE AMAZING RACE?
Andre: Not winning.
Damon: The fear of failing is the scariest thing about this whole experience. I fully expect to win; anything less would be hard to deal with.

What strengths and weaknesses do you bring to the Team?
Andre: Good decision-making skills (strength); too calculating (weakness).
Damon: I bring self-confidence. And I'm at my best under pressure. I work in a pressure-filled environment. For me, this is a natural condition; not to many people can say this. My job deals with life or death for myself and fellow firemen or the safety of citizens.

What strengths and weaknesses does your teammate bring to the Team?
Andre: He can be a little more direct than me (strength).
Damon: Andre is very self-confident as well; however, he is also analytical and calculating. These characteristics create a balance to my spontaneous and risk-taking traits.

What will you miss the most from home (besides your bed)?
Andre: My wife, whom I've missed since the day I left.
Damon: The item I miss the most is my cell phone. However, I miss my kids, Aisha and Wesley, tremendously.

What languages do you speak?
Andre: English
Damon: None

What destination are you hoping to visit?
Andre: Somewhere in South America. Damon: Egypt. There is so much history in that country. I would love to see the pyramids.

What country do you feel best prepared for?
Andre: U.S.
Damon: The good ol' USA.

Realtvfan

Wednesday, October 02, 2002 - 08:28 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
It was interesting to see a Police Officer potentially make a scene in the Miami airport by cutting under the ropes to buy tickets. That was a risky move nowadays. Maybe they know team Guido.

Babyruth

Wednesday, October 02, 2002 - 08:35 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Yeah, they ran the red light, too. Would have been funny to see them get pulled over for a ticket!

Betty

Wednesday, October 02, 2002 - 08:36 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Oh, the horror! Please, you don't know how much I spent on therapy to rid all memory of Team Quido.

You're right about scooting under the ropes. Not risky, but very stupid. He was just darned lucky to have the production crew and CBS to vouch for him, otherwise I bet he'd have been a feature story on CNN.

Realtvfan

Wednesday, October 02, 2002 - 08:40 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
I was surprised they did not get a time penalty for the red light. I think speeding got Team Nerds a time penalty in AR2. Red light infractions, especially is this county, ought to get you a time penalty.

Car54

Thursday, October 03, 2002 - 01:34 am EditMoveDeleteIP
On first impression I was likin these guys until I just read that the one missed his cell phone more than he missed his kids. What's up with that?

Squaredsc

Thursday, October 03, 2002 - 06:00 am EditMoveDeleteIP
car, i took it as a joke.

i love this team. and as a cop im sure he's used to running red lites, heck ive seen lots of them run the red lite with their sirens and lites flashing and as soon as they are past the intersection, the lites and sirens are off and they are on their merry way. and i would have gone under the ropes also.

but i wonder why they didn't skydive, in fact the whole group they were with didn't skydive except the college girls who went back after falling out the donkey cart.

Car54

Thursday, October 03, 2002 - 01:14 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
These guys are my real picks I think... I am going to cheer for the vapid supermodels til they go, then I am on the cop/fireman team!

I would have jumped the ropes too! Good for them!

Konamouse

Thursday, October 03, 2002 - 05:05 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
I had picked these guys as favorites just for the fact that they would have a tactical advantage in negotiating w/ the locals (i.e. find a local peace officer and ask them for directions) as well as discipline from prev military experience. Boy was I wrong when I saw they chose the donkey, and cut under the ropes, etc. Not on my favorite list anymore. Expect elimination about 5th or 6th out from the end.

Kappy

Saturday, October 05, 2002 - 06:01 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Haven't formed any opinions on them yet. But I agree that when I saw their training, I felt that it can be an advantage for them. Except that in foreign countries, no one really cares what you do for a living back home. Jury's out on these two for me.

Seattlemom

Thursday, October 10, 2002 - 04:02 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Jurys out here Too One minute I like them and the next they really get on my nerves LOL

Squaredsc

Thursday, October 10, 2002 - 06:11 am EditMoveDeleteIP
well they are my other favorites and im sorry they got a penalty from that donkey ride. but good thing they nor the other teams were hurt on that bus accident.

Fanny

Thursday, October 10, 2002 - 10:55 am EditMoveDeleteIP
These guys now are my favorites since T & T were eliminated. They made up some serious time at the pyramid. After the accident I was waiting for them to get off the bus, direct traffic and perform CPR! Go, lawguys, go.

Ericka1012

Thursday, October 10, 2002 - 01:07 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
After last nights show my first thought was "gee I'm not sure I want to be in need of help in the city that these two work.." They make me nervious they seem not to be able to get it togeather for two men that's job is to make quick decisions.

But it could just be me...oh BTW I like these two I hope they stay around for a while.

Pirate

Wednesday, October 16, 2002 - 08:24 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
I hope these guys can get their act together and move up in the pack. I think they would be real competitors if they could work their way up with the leaders. The twins did it and I hope these guys can too.

Jaxrock

Wednesday, October 16, 2002 - 08:35 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
These guys are kind of scary, imho. I mean, a firefighter and a policeman getting beat out by the "Duh"blemint Twins? Makes me wonder about who is really protecting me, but I hope they get their poop in a group and make up some ground soon.

Quietstorm4

Thursday, October 17, 2002 - 04:26 am EditMoveDeleteIP
The only reasons they are getting beat out by the twins is because of the fast forward the twins used last week. I did think they would do a little better than what they are though. Maybe next week they will get the FF and get back into this thing.

Lumbele

Thursday, October 17, 2002 - 09:50 am EditMoveDeleteIP
At the start of the show I figured a cop and a fireman would be tough competitors for the other teams. So far they really haven't had any impact. Puzzling, isn't it?headscratch

Ladytex

Sunday, October 20, 2002 - 09:14 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Yes, very disappointing. I really expected them to be doing so much better than they are. I hope they get themselves together soon or they will be finished.

Tabbyking

Sunday, October 20, 2002 - 09:44 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
wow! i was surprised, also. i was sure they would always be in one of the top 2 or 3 positions. it's funny, those first impressions, then the second impressions, then....
i mean, i actually think the twins might do okay now, and arianne and aaron have gone way down on my list because of their cattiness. 'crafty' is great, 'catty' is a real turn-off!

Bastable

Wednesday, October 23, 2002 - 08:41 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Still hoping that Team Guns & Hoses pulls through...both in the game and in the personality department.

Sadiesmom

Wednesday, October 23, 2002 - 08:57 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
I am constantly amazed at how they don't think things through. Perhaps they are totally befuddled by the languages. They say they have travelled extensively, but it could have been organized travel. Where the traveling of the couple last year wandering around and shopping was probably better experience. It is quite surprising how unresourceful they are.

Bastable

Wednesday, October 30, 2002 - 06:59 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Before anyone jumps on Team Guns & Hoses for paying those kids in Fes to show them the tannery, I want to defend them! It was absolutely appropriate. In many Muslim countries, culturally expected to be paid with a little "baksheesh" (tip) when you do something for someone who's better off than you. In fact, this team looks like it was one of the only ones to offer baksheesh for the favor of being guided.

Knightpatti

Wednesday, October 30, 2002 - 09:00 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
I thought that they were very considerate to share the money with the children. Morroco is a very poor country! I am glad that they moved ahead in this show.