Big Brother 14: Live Feeds Into Saturday Morning 7/14

CarrotTop on the block

Hamsters in Limbo a'goin' on in the house! With the PoV meeting not expected until Sunday, the two nominees (Frank and Kara) are definitely feeling the stress. Even worse than that, it's hard for me to figure out who's going this time around! Normally there's a clear-cut So-and-So will be out. Not so much with these two.

Here's the latest from inside that Big Brother house of Rampant Rodents:

• Willie really really wants to keep Frank for some odd reasons of his own. Supposedly he feels he can trust him more than he can trust Kara.
• BritJan are pushing for Kara to stay. Their reasoning? Frank is a stronger player, get him out while they can. Frank is also one of Boogie's Boys. They do NOT want Boogie to remain unscathed if they have a chance.
• Willie did have a heart to heart talk with Kara about working together despite coaches.
• Oh my.
• Shades of Russell even if Willie does sound and come across as less of a snake oil salesman!
• Dan seems to be migrating a bit away from Boogie and more towards BritJan.
• Willie and BritJan think that Ian and Jenn are spying on them.
• The boys got their alcohol last night. Woohoo.
• It put most of them to sleep before the others headed to bed.
• Dan not only shouts in the Diary Room, he taps a lot.
• And I'm not talking dancing.
• Stop it, Dan.
• Dan has been pleading Kara's case.
• I personally think getting rid of Frank would be a better move. 
• He doesn't entertain me much on the feeds.
• So he can go.
• JoJo is on the annoying side.
• But, then again, she's from Staten Island ... where most of the Jersey Shore cast hails from. Enough said.
• I don't care that Staten Island is about ten miles from me. They're a whole different world.
• Joe is super paranoid that the veto will be used and he will go on the block.
• Yep, his name has indeed come up!
• But I don't think that Shane will use the veto unless BritJan tell him to.
• While talking to Willie, Kara told him he has her word that she wouldn't nominate him if she won HoH. She wants Boogie's team out.
• Willie, Joe and JoJo all smoke this year. JoJo smokes while wearing a nicotine patch. @@
• WHOA! Now BritJan have changed their (solitary) mind! 
• They have decided to take Kara out and get DAN out of the game!
• Willie, of course, agreed.
• It's what he wanted all along -- Kara out.
• They decide not to say anything to Dan or spies, but to keep their votes intact.
• So now it looks like Kara will be out the door this week, shiny knees and all.
• And little Mr. Nerdy Ian better watch his game. His name as a nominee is being mentioned WAY too much.
• Of course, anything can change between now and Thursday.
• Stay tuned. 

Ms. Shiny Knees

A bundle of joy

Odd bedfellows

Definitely a young Tom Cruise with a better nose thing going on

Big Brother 14: Live Feeds Update into Friday Evening 7/13

Fashion Police! Bust him. NOW

Of course, I broke the biggest news of the day earlier -- Shane won the PoV. Since he's on the Girl Coach Duo alliance, he's sure not to use it. But what else has been happening in that Big Brother House of Coached Kitty Feed? Read on ...

• The Janelle/Britney bond is going to be a tough one for the boys to break.
• Boogie wants to drive a wedge between them via one of their team members, but has no real plan.
• BritJan like Dan, but know he's somehow automatically in with Boogie.
• Dan has bigger problems of his own -- his decisions and his team suck.
• They really do.
• Of the two he has left since Jodi's early exit, Kara is his best player.
• And she's on the block.
• Danielle seems to occupy her time following Shane around in daze.
• The PoV game had to do with coins, water and soap they all seemed to get in their eyes.
• They're all really banged up, so it had to be rough.
• Willie said he and Shane were really close to winning, but Shane did just a bit better.
• They said Dan did odd things like directing Kara to stack coins(?) and having Danielle sabotage other players.
• Boogie doesn't think Danielle's a school teacher like she said. He thinks she's in the medical field.
• That was a stupid lie anyway.
• Frank says that the coaches need them, but they don't need the coaches.
• He's got a point there. They should never forget that they're playing individual games, not a team game.
• While Ashley was in horrible shape last night and whisked away to a doctor today, she's not looking like Miss Death anymore.
• Ian wants to dress up like a cat for the live show. @@
• Apparently he wore a duck on his head during nominations.
• Shane suggested that he use the veto to save Kara, then they could put Joe on the block.
• Why Joe?
• Because they're not sure of his vote to save Kara. D'oh!
• It still looks like the veto will not be used. And, it's a toss-up between who goes home. BritJan really want Frank to go. Willie wants to keep Frank, but will probably go with BritJan. I just don't know. 

Ian is giving me great photo fodder

He'd look less like Russell sans cap

On the block blues

My Picks Suck blues

Dan works it out with Janelle and Britney

No comment, Danielle

Big Brother 14: Special Bulletin - PoV Winner

First PoV Winner of the season

My pool boy Shane won the first PoV of the season. It's unlikely the nominations (Frank and Kara) will be changed.

I'll be filing a full report later tonight. Most of today so far they waited around for the comp to start. 

Big Brother 14: Live Feeds Into Friday Morning

Ian isn't the hamster I hoped he would be

Nothing of any huge importance has happened since my first report. However, we're still trying to catch up with things missed as the hamsters were in the Habitrail for nearly a week before the live feeds went on. Plus, I must say, this crowd is already heavy into the game ... unlike many seasons before. 

So, here's the latest news gleaned from inside that Big Brother House of Fun:

• Ian isn't meshing well with the crowd. While the kid gives good Diary, he's a bit of a social outcast amongst his fellow hamsters. 
• Some discussed how differently (normal) Ian started acting when he knew the feeds went live.
• Of course, WE don't know that because the feeds weren't live!
• Britney and Willie talked about how many sensitive people there are in the house this year (those who burst into tears).
• Included on that list are: Ashley, Danielle, Wil, Kara and Joe.
• The coaches had some kind of comp which Boogie won.
• Janelle said she felt bad beating Dan in the comp.
• Due to the comp (somehow), Ian has safety this week. He couldn't be nominated, nor can he be put up with PoV changes.
• In other news, Wil freaked out because JoJo drank his drink and then laughed and talked about him when he reacted.
• Instead of actually confronting her, he went into to some quiet little hissy fit making Britney and Janelle worry about him.
• JoJo needs to watch her bridges burned. She seems to be into everything.
• They say Joe is a drama queen, although I haven't seen it. Britney and Willie jokingly discussed how he'd commit suicide to get out of the house -- go in the pool and keep inhaling water until he sinks, poisoning his own food.
• Yes, Britney does still have that Mean Girl streak. But she's always entertaining.
• Janelle and Britney are tight. They think Dan made horrible picks.
• Willie wants to keep Frank over Kara. But the Coaching Duo of Britney and Janelle tell him it's more dangerous.
• Not sure when PoV will happen. They're all still on indoor lockdown and are sleeping right now. 

Begrudgingly, I admit Boogie has matured a teensy bit

Storage room strategy

Shh ... sleeping hamsters

Big Brother 14: Live Feeds Update into Thursday Night 7/12-13

On indoor lockdown

Okay, it's the first live feeds update of the season and we're already behind. Nominations have been made. There appears to be a Have Not group. The PoV is supposed to be played "tomorrow," yet they're on lockdown now and allowed alcohol. Dan and Boogie vs. Britney and Janelle is already in motion.

Here's the skinny on the Hapless Hamsters and Returning Rodents:

• Willie (HoH) nominated Kara and Frank.
• Boogie is already being a creepy so-and-so.
• He told Kara all the girls were against her.
• Britney, Janelle and other girls told her not so!
• Ashley and Danielle are Have-Nots.
• Ashley has been crying to Willie (who is surprisingly supportive) and Britney because she feels she let Janelle down. Must be over the Have Not bit.
• I haven't seen any focus on Willie being a Hantz.
• Britney, Janelle and JoJo sat around trash-talking Boogie.
• I personally feels he deserves it. He skeeves me out.
• JoJo will host the PoV.
• Ashley seriously doesn't think the feeds will show her crying in the Swirl Room.
• Silly hamster.
• They received alcohol. In an unexpected move, Boogie agreed with Janelle's request to let the girls have it. The next time there's alcohol, the guys will get it.
• Of course, it boils down to less than two beers each, but hey!

Th-th-that's all for now folks! Just wanted to get the bigger news out there! 

Janelle still has it

Easier to BEAR a grudge this season!

Ashley thinks she let Janelle down

Jenn's a nut

Big Brother 14: Season Premiere Blog Party!

Come one, come all! It's the season premiere of Big Brother 14 and the biggest (and most fun) blog party is right here! While I won't be posting blow-by-blow happenings, I will update this entry with major events. However, the real fun is to be had in the comments area. Come join the fun! The pool is ready and the drinks are on the (BB) house!

The live feeds themselves won't be starting until 1am here on the East Coast. I plan to be gathering some fodder and getting a post up after a few hours.

Oh my, rumors were true. "One will leave before the night is through."

The returning rodents will be "coaching" the hapless hamsters.

Invitations, but no keys?

Ian, the cute little nerd dude, is already onto Willie Hantz as he's also a Survivor fan.

Returning: Dan, Janelle, Britney and Mike Boogie (rumors were true). Each coach picks three hamsters to coach. If a coach has the winning hamster, he or she wins 100 grand. Dan outed Willie Hantz as Russell's brother, but Willie is denying it.

They received invitations instead of keys because there are only 11 keys. (Their budget must be really bad ... couldn't make another key!) The comp will determine who leaves.

Britney picks Shane, Willie, JoJo

Boogie picked Frank, Ian, Jenn

Janelle took Wil, Ashley, Joe

Dan chose Kara, Danielle, Jodi

HoH comp, playing in teams. Winning team coach picks HoH. Losing team coach must pick the person to leave. They have to get bears on a shelf -- it's slumber party related. They have cross three moving beds.

Britney's team won. The comp is still on for the worst team. Coaches can make substitutions now.

Janelle's team is second, Boogie's is third.

Britney chose Willie as HOH. Dan has to send someone home. Jodi is indeed gone. Gee, now the cast is all white. Oh. And Dan still shouts in the Diary Room. Gah. 

Big Brother 14: Blog Pool Picks and Schtuff!

First off, I'd like to extend a big thank you to ORKMommy for running this season's blog pool. She rocks and so do all of you with your excitement over the upcoming season! I think we're in for a lot of fun!

Here are the random picks -- you can cheer on your pick until they get the boot. Of course, if they never get the boot, you get bragging rights until next season!
 

Ashley Iocco - JonMD1267, Cha Cha, Monty924, Auntie Leigh

Danielle Murphre - Laurie, Ayana, Petals, Terry in TX

Frank Eudy - Micaela, Donna, ORKMommy, Serina Cox

Ian Terry - Rbennie, Brenda, QuixoticElf, MEB

Jenn Arroyo - AmyTL, Jessica, Michi, Marlo Lee

Jodi Rollins - Joey, Gaylos, Witt, Nana in NW

Joe Arvin - bbbw_princess, Janice/GA, Karen from CA, Glenn

JoJo Spatafora - Brent McKee, Donna in FL, Alicia, Jennasmom

Kara Monaco - Lynn1, Nina, Sasha, PDXGranny

Shane Meaney - Buzzmaam, Jackie, SueGee, Sydney

Wil Heuser - Delee, Dierdre, Merrilee, Becky

Willie Hantz - M&M, Chris, Sister Sue, Tammy

Cool. I ended up with Shane Meaney. I personally don't know how great he'll do since he was never a fan of the show, but is a recruit. If memory serves, he was the sexiest man in Vermont in Cosmopolitan magazine. So, he's eye candy for me. Plus, he's from Bennington, VT. I'm quite familiar with Bennington as it's nearby (and a part of) family stomping grounds.

Onto SCHTUFF --

• At 9 PM EDT tonight, I'll put up a blog party post. Everyone is invited to party and comment as we watch the show together!
• The live feeds don't go live until after the West Coast premiere -- at 1am EDT. I will gather some fodder for a post a few hours after they start.
• The hamsters have already been in the house since this past Saturday, so the feeds tend to be a bit confusing at first as we don't know what's already gone down. Bear with me.
• My plan for posting this season is three live feeds updates per day -- early morning, early evening and late evening based on my own East Coast times. Of course, there may be extra posts when things warrant.
• I will be including screen caps from the live feeds, but they've really come down on any videos posted. I don't want to lose the blog by posting videos even though I do have the technology to do it. Anyone you see post extended videos of the feeds or posting the feeds themselves are exposing themselves to fines and shutdowns of their accounts. The videos of mine on YouTube date back before the crackdown.
• I do ask that folks remain fairly civil and PG-rated here. I know it's prudish, but ...! 
• Not everyone is going to like or dislike the same hamsters. Speak your mind about the hamster, but treat other members of the blog with respect, please! I reserve the right to remove any comments which disrupt the community.
• Just a personal request -- even when posting about the hamsters, it tends to creep me out when folks make personal appearance insults. Sure, this cast is "pretty," but I'd prefer you post about their ACTIONS, not insults about noses, waistlines, etc. Your choice, of course. But I just wanted to get that out there.

Hamster watchers ready?

Blog Pool is ON! Get your names in here!

We have a volunteer to run the pool -- the same person who started it so long ago! Woohoo! Thank you, Theresa! We also might have something going on with a pool for the "mentor" twist. Stay tuned!

To get into the pool, your name MUST be submitted by noon EDT on Thursday! Be there or be square! Or something like that ...

Volunteer Needed for Pool!

Folks ... if someone wants to run the blog pool for Big Brother 14, I'd really appreciate it! It would entail a random pick of blog readers and hamsters, as well as an update regarding who's out with each eviction.

Any takers?

Off Topic - That Was the Week It Was - July 8, 2012

What? It's Sunday? I guess it must be time for my weekly off television topic reflection on the week gone by in both words and photographs I've taken along the way.

But, first ... (as says the ChenBot), I do have to touch on all of the Big Brother 14 news just a bit. If you haven't noticed, I've started posting about the cast. I plan on posting more a bit later today about our new hamsters. They actually entered the house last night, but the live feeds don't start until after the premiere airs. I posted cast interviews over on my Big Brother Facebook Page for this blog. Please feel free to like the page -- I link all my BB blog articles there, as well as some additional content.

On more personal non-television matters, I received word from the new landlord that Vincent can indeed stay despite the new "no pets" lease. YAY! I really didn't want to move. But if they said he had to go, we would find another place to live. I did make it clear to them that I would be moving if they didn't allow him. I know this area isn't the easiest to find good tenants and, apparently, so do they.

As for my knees mishap last week, they seem to be okay. I couldn't make an appointment due to the holiday week, but really need to call back this week. The left (older) knee swelled up for about three days and is still sporting all kinds of beautiful colors. The right (new) knee has a scrape and a small bruise in addition to some residual pain around the kneecap. Both seem to be stable enough. I'm not going to have them redone no matter what! At least not for the next twenty or thirty years, I hope.

My latest staycation started yesterday. Supposedly the latest heat wave should end tonight and I might be able to enjoy roaming about with the camera or take a run into the city. I'd go to the beach but too many people go there this time of year!

Onto the photos I've taken this week -- I had some extra photo fodder because the Plainfield 4th of July Parade was held yesterday, on the 7th. Don't ask. I watched the parade because it goes right by my apartment building. But I didn't partake in any of the other events of the day because it was just too darn HOT. Clicking on an image will open it in a new window, clicking again will make it larger, then close that window to return here. 

Horse in the 'hood!

I edited this to leave only the horse and rider in color. Obviously, this is from the parade. We rarely have horses just roaming around here in the 'hood.

Early morning Presbyterian

I like the way the early morning sun played out on the local Presbyterian Church. East Front Street, Plainfield

I see the bee's knees!

The bees are still busy in Bridgewater!

**CLICK THE 'READ MORE' LINK TO SEE THE REST OF THE PHOTOS!**

Big Brother 14: Meet the Cast

My personal jury is still out. I will need to know more before I can draw conclusions other than young and can spend three months away from life as they know it. But I wanted to get the photos and basics up for you. More as I delve into them to see what makes 'em tick. Four "mentors" would bring the cast to 16.

Top Row: Danielle, Frank, Shane, Ian, Willie, Jenn /Middle Row: Joe, Kara, Jodi /Bottom: Jojo, Wil, Ashley

Jenn Arroyo, 37

From: Brooklyn, NY

Current City: Brooklyn, NY

Musician - former bass player for the female metal group “Kittie”

---

Joe Arvin, 41

From: Lexington, KY

Current City: Schererville, Ind.

Chef

---

Frank Eudy, 28

From: Marion, AR

Current City: Naples, FL

Unemployed

---

Jodi Rollins, 42

From: Englewood, CO

Current City: Calipatria, CA

Restaurant server

---

Willie Hantz, 34

From: Vinton, LA

Current City: Dayton, TX

Tankerman

---

Wil Heuser, 24

From: Louisville, KY

Current City: Louisville, KY

Marketing consultant

---

Ashley Iocco, 26

From: Pittsburgh, PA

Current City: West Hollywood, CA

Owner of a mobile spray tanning company

---

Shane Meaney, 26

From: Bennington, VT

Current City: Bennington, VT

House flipper

---

Kara Monaco, 29

From: Orlando, FL

Current City: Los Angeles, CA

Model

---

Danielle Murphree, 23

From: Grant, AL

Current City: Tuscaloosa, AL

Nurse

---

JoJo Spatafora, 26

From: Staten Island, NY

Current City: Staten Island, NY

Bartender

---

Ian Terry, 21

From: Pittsburgh, PA

Current City: New Orleans, LA

Engineering student

Big Brother 14: Hamster News

We've already gotten a glimpse of the new Habitrail and now, despite the fact that the official cast reveal is supposed to be tomorrow ... we see some of the hamsters.

It is looking like it's going to be a season of new hamsters mixed with returning rodents as mentors. Whether the returning rodents will be eligible to win, I don't know. Folks who know me know that I'm not too keen on returning houseguests. Rumors are still persisting that the returning hamsters are Mike Boogie, Janelle, Dan (BB9) and now ... Rachel (WAH). And one of the rumored new houseguests even bears a familiar name. 

Here's what I've gathered for y'all on the new hamsters:

A new commercial:



 Another new commercial:



Here's the familiar name, alas, Russell Hantz's brother. Sigh. That said, I don't think he's going to be either like Russell or that silly weird nephew.
 


 Kara is Playboy's Playmate of the Year 2006. @@




One of the new hamsters, Wil Heuser, has his own YouTube channel and, supposedly, a fan following.

Your thoughts on these hamster glimpses and the new "twist"? 

Happy 4th of July!

I hope everyone has a fantastic Fourth! Tomorrow I expect the big cast reveal for BB14!

Big Brother 14: Press Day Stuff!

Okay, I'm not such a happy camper with the rumors I'm hearing. You've all seen the commercials hinting at the largest number of houseguests ever. Well, rumor has it that there will be sixteen new hamsters and four "mentors." The mentors would be returning players. Sigh. It had better not have the couple we see in this Press Day video (keep in mind, these are not the real hamsters, they're press people -- maybe one day I'll get an invite!) --

 

Other new house decor photos can be seen here and here.

The new hamsters should be in sequester now. We should be seeing commercials by the end of the week featuring them, I believe.

Off Topic - That Was the Week It Was - July 1, 2012

It's once again Sunday morning. You know what that means. It's time for my weekly off television topic post reviewing the week gone by in both words and photographs I've taken along the way.

Briefly visiting the actual topic of this blog -- television, really -- I expect there to be announcements perhaps as early as tomorrow regarding the cast of the new season of Big Brother. They should be in sequester at this time filming teasers for commercials and avoiding the outside world. My personal educated guess is that they will enter the house next weekend (July 7, 8) although the live feeds won't start until after the season premiere. When I know news, I'll get it posted.

In other TV news, I'm now on individual waitlists for every single America's Got Talent live show in Newark through August. I really hope to snag tickets to go with friends to at least one show! In looking at the times of the shows which vary from 5:30pm to 6:30pm, I'd have no trouble getting to Newark on time on the train after working. It's only a two block walk from Newark Penn Station to the Prudential Hall where the shows will be filmed. And, it's FREE. The only real problem is actually getting the tickets!

In other news, it's just been one of those icky weeks for me. The weather was either stormy or heat wave. I hate the heat and humidity. I don't like to sweat while just walking. I wrote the letter pleading that Vincent be grandfathered with the new landlord, but haven't heard back yet. I didn't take ANY photos this week that excited me. But, then the week got worse.

I fell. I fell due to an idiot putting a dark duffel bag on the floor of a dimly lit corner store directly in the only path one has to approach the register area. I already get irked by the people who just mill around in that store on Saturday mornings buying bus tickets to Atlantic City or spending their government issued monies on scratch off tickets and Lotto. Now I will regard them all with distrust and venom in my eyes.

I fell directly on both knees (replacements). The pain was unreal. I yelled at the woman who had no reason on earth to leave that bag on the floor! It wasn't even near her. It was five feet away next to the Drake's Cakes rack. I went ahead to work as I was nearby the train station already.The left (older) knee immediately swelled up. The right (new) knee had a scrape on it, but didn't swell. I worked a shortened day, did what I had to get done, then headed home to elevate and ice.

That was yesterday. Today both knees seem to be stable enough, but the left one is still quite swollen, the right one a bit swollen. Both still hurt. There's no sense in going to the Emergency Room as, while they might take x-rays, there's nothing they could do about knee replacement damage other than to give me painkillers. I don't need painkillers bad enough to pay the deductible for an ER visit. I have needed to set up my yearly follow-up on both knees with my orthopedic surgeon. He takes x-rays then. I'm not sure if I'll be able to get in during the holiday week, hopefully next week. I'll live with the pain ... as long as the knees seem to be stable. Hopefully I did no damage to the mechanisms. Sigh.

In better news, I only work three days this week. It should be four days due to the holiday, but I also added a personal day in for Saturday. Then I'm on my last staycation before my paid time off hours switch over on September 1st (anniversary with the company). I get several weeks vacation and a number of personal days yearly. If I don't take those hours, I lose them come my anniversary date. On the other hand, my sick hours can accrue up to six weeks, then they add up no more. If I leave the company, I can collect any vacation or personal days due, but not the sick time. The sick time just vanishes. I think I might be sick a lot the year I retire. :-)

Onto my rather lackluster photos of the week. Clicking on an image will open it in a new window, clicking again will make it larger. Just close out that window to plunk you right back here on the blog. 

Hey, everybody, have you heard?

He's going to buy me a mockingbird. If that mockingbird don't sing, he's going to buy me a diamond ring. This mockingbird I spotted at the Bridgewater Train Station was surely going through an array of songs ... in between dive-bombing any other bird in sight. What a violent little bird!

We're having a heat wave, a tropical heat wave

One morning, it was already really warm and sticky as I headed to the train station a bit after six in the morning. The sun just hung in a haze. Yet, in the other direction, storm clouds darkened the skies. I took this shot at the fence for the Union Community College parking lot on Church Street in Plainfield.

Bees don't care

With the exception of torrential downpours, bees don't care about the weather. They have stuff they have to do! If these bees sit still enough, they're great photo fodder. They're not aggressive at all. But I did see some yellow jackets this week. I'm leery about them. I am allergic to bee stings, so I have to be careful with more aggressive bees.

**CLICK THE 'READ MORE' LINK TO SEE THE REST OF THE PHOTOS**

The Great Escape - Series Premiere Tonight on TNT

TNT is stepping up its original programming with its first foray into the world of reality competition series. They're doing it in a rather big way, too. I mean ... we're talking Ron Howard involvement. We're talking the producers of The Amazing Race involvement. 

As with Falling Skies, I was given promotional episodes to screen, write up or not, like or not, etc. While I must disclose they give me these screeners, I'm really under no obligation to them other than to not give out spoilers or do sneaky stuff with them. I have the first two episodes of this series and have already watched the one which will air tonight.

What I like about the show:

• I like the idea of three different teams each week. No trying to memorize 11 couples or such. With fewer teams, you get to "know" them better.
• The series premiere's setting is Alcatraz (not a spoiler). Very interesting indeed. I believe the escape sites are going to continue to be fascinating in their own way.
• At the end of each episode, the winning team wins $100,000. That may not be the million from Survivor, but the teams each only do one escape, win or lose. Then it's on to a new set of three teams trying to escape from a different location.
• You can get involved in the show. In the premiere episode, I cringed each time the various teams were caught by the guards and sent back to the beginning.

What I'm ambivalent about:

• The host. He's in a role too much akin to Phil Keoghan yet doesn't seem to have the personality of Phil, nor is he the eye candy. Said host is Rich Eisen of NFL Network -- like I would know who that is. But I can deal with it unless he tries to raise an eyebrow. 

An observation:

• You can tell there's some involvement by producers of The Amazing Race. Not only are Rich's hosting tasks extremely similar to Phil Keoghan's, but the music throughout is similar, as well.

Would this show fly on network TV? I'm really not sure. It's not flashy or even sexy. The contestants in the first episode wore clothes which were reminiscent of the crew of the Enterprise on the original Star Trek series. We're not talking skin, for sure! However, with the lead in being Falling Skies on Sunday night, I can see me watching weekly. In a few weeks, my Sunday nights should be Big Brother, Falling Skies and The Great Escape. I can live with that!

Will you be watching? Or, if you're reading this after the fact ... what did you think? 

Off Topic - That Was the Week It Was - June 24, 2012

Yep, yep, yep. It's once again Sunday morning. That means it's time for my weekly off television topic reflection on the week gone by in both words and photographs I've taken along the way. 

First, I do want to discuss the television topic for a moment. Remember, Falling Skies is on tonight! I've already seen this episode in screeners and recommend it. Second, I want to mention Glass House. I accidentally napped the evening it was on and only caught the last twenty minutes or so of the show. I wasn't impressed. There was some obnoxious dude deliberately being obnoxious to the others and it all came across as staged to me. The feeds have only been available select hours and days when I'm at work. While I plan to catch a bit more, I just can't see myself getting too involved in the show. Big Brother will keep me more than busy enough through the summer.

The season premiere of Big Brother is Thursday, July 12, That would put the hamsters in the house the weekend before. So, it's not all that far away! With the live feeds from BB, I can watch any time day or night. If I want to see something that happened while I was at work, I can use their rewind function. While the Glass House feeds are free, they're really limited.

Okay, let's get back to off topic! 

After a week like this past one, I'd love to rescind my adulthood. The beginning of the week was a bit chilly and the end of the week was a heat wave with temperatures in the high 90s and high humidity levels. As I get older, I really don't tolerate that kind of weather well. I actually like winter temps better -- I can always bundle up! The heat? Well, I can't take off all my clothes and walk to the train station. Even if I did (and didn't get arrested, only mocked), I'd STILL get all sweaty!

Then, on the work front, everyone and his brother were off for one reason or another. I had to take on lots of responsibilities that I don't normally do. While I don't mind helping out, I don't like to impromptu deal with computer programs that I'm very iffy on yet I need to have accurate results. Oh, the pressure!

Then the kicker was on the home front. The new landlord mailed me a new lease to sign and return. It's about twenty pages long! I actually haven't signed a lease here since the first landlord a dozen years ago. But, the bad part of this new lease is that not once, but twice, they mention "No pets." Ack. I plan to write them a letter pleading Vincent's cause. I believe I could very well have a case -- their people have been in here and know that Vincent only uses the litter box and has done no damage. Plus, I know I'm the kind of tenant they would or should want here. I'm quiet, never pay my rent late, not destructive, get along well with the neighbors, responsible, low maintenance and more. My original lease here said "No pets" and the landlord at the time okayed my two cats (at the time). We'll see.

If they won't allow Vincent, I will move. I need to sign the lease or tell them before the end of July for a September 1 lease end. So I have time. I already poked around a bit online and see some places cheaper than what I'm paying here. There's one (which will surely be gone by the time I really look if I need to look) only a two-minute walk to the train station, two bedrooms instead of the one I have here and almost $200 less a month!

Also on the home front, two brothers have been charged with that murder back in May. Yes!

Onto this week's photos -- clicking on an image will open it in a new window, clicking again will give you a larger image. Closing out the Photobucket window will zap you right back here to the blog. Huh. That's almost like time travel! 

Peeping Lily

Day lilies are growing like crazy all over the place these days. They're so magnificent that I always want to shoot them. But, after a while, the shots all look alike. So I went for a different angle with this shot. Berckman Street, Plainfield.

Monday Morning blues

The heat didn't hit until Wednesday. Plus, some folks with longer commutes tend to be a bit more bundled up due to the air conditioning on the trains. Me? I wear short sleeves! NJ Transit Raritan Valley Line.

Recognize this?

There I was, near the elevator in my building, when I spotted this. At first, out of the corner of my eye, I thought COCKROACH. Eeek! Nope. Closer inspection revealed it to be a beetle I absolutely adore. It's a lightning bug or firefly (if you prefer). I think these are a magical part of my youth that still put me in some sort of fairyland trance when I see them at night. After taking this little guy's photo I gently picked him up with a piece of paper and put him outside.

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Off Topic - That Was the Week It Was - June 17, 2012

It's Sunday morning, time for my weekly off television topic reflection on the week gone by in both words and photographs I've taken. That said, I want to remind everyone that Falling Skies returns for a two-hour season premiere tonight on TNT. Be there or be square. I've already seen it (and posted about it), but will probably watch it again.

Also on a television note, a few folks have asked me about the NBC series Glass House -- the one that supposedly is a Big Brother rip-off. I believe that makes its debut this Monday, but they've had selected hours of live feeds on their website. Alas, the one weekday I was home, I forgot to check it out. I probably will look into it, but know that I can't do much other than my full time job (need to make a living) and coverage of the Big Brother live feeds/shows throughout the summer. Yet I won't throw stones!

This week has basically been another run-of-the-mill one for me. The landlord's maintenance dude was in once again to fix the water pressure in the kitchen and a leak in the NEW pipe under the bathroom sink. In talking with both my directly upstairs and downstairs neighbors (as each saw me walking on different days this week and offered me rides home), they're also fairly impressed with the new landlord. The upstairs neighbor said they repaired her tiles in their bathroom to stop the leaking. What I've said all along that it had to be! We all agree we like our wing of the building and our neighbors, but the revolving door of riff-raff in the front wing can go at any time.

A few occurrences from this week:

• I saw a fool riding his bike on the sidewalk and texting at the same time. He crashed into a bench and flew into the street. Fool. He's lucky a car didn't hit him.
• I explained to a NJ Transit train conductor whose shift has changed and he deserted our morning train that it's MY train whenever I'm on it. It's only HIS train when I get off. He told me that I needed to go collect all the tickets then.
• If I can hear you talking on your cell phone from a half block away during 5pm traffic, you're talking way too loud. Shhh.
• Just because YOU like Mexican polka music doesn't mean you need to share it so that I can't watch television at a reasonable volume with my windows open a half block away at all hours.
• The Plainfield Police solved my noise complaint re: Mexican polka music within five minutes. They rock!
• I am addicted to POP! Gourmet Popcorn's "Simply Bacon" popcorn, but I'm too scared to buy the Lavender soda to test.
• One of those booming music cars went by me one morning while I walked to the train station. Usually it's some kind of rap or Hispanic music. This one was blasting "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)" by Sly and the Family Stone. The song got stuck in my head all day.

Onto the photos taken this week -- clicking on an image will open it in a new window, clicking again will make it larger, close that window to return here.
  

Summer is almost here!

Yet another flower from the home at the corner of East Front and Richmond in Plainfield.

Vincent observed Flag Day

I posted this one on my Facebook page on Flag Day, but not everyone who visits here goes there.

I also previously posted this video I took on my Facebook page, but not here. This is the Demon Hello Ice Cream Truck of Plainfield, NJ. I put up with it hours each day as well as the rooster over on East Second Street. I was sitting on a bench in front of the Monarch Building on East Front Street when I took the video.
 

Cool little insect

Isn't he cool? Bridgewater on the poison ivy.

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Off Topic - That Was the Week It Was - June 10, 2012

It's Sunday morning, time for my weekly off television topic reflection on the week gone by in both words and photos I've taken along the way. As I write this, it's a bit humid here with the threat of rain. I'm glad I'm not planning on going to the Puerto Rican Day Parade in the city!

I went back to work this week after my very relaxing staycation the previous week. Sigh. Sometimes I think I should never take time off. I'm not keen on drama in my life as I get older. Sure, I like challenges. But ... sheesh ... why do I always seem to come in to major technical glitches, systems down and dealing with the company's Helpless Desk? Both Monday and Tuesday had their share of technical woes. Woe is me.

On the home front, the new landlord is still gung-ho on the place. Tree trimming, replacing boards in the stockade fencing on one side of the property, installing a fortified locked door with a mail slot for us to leave service requests and rent checks and even vacuuming daily (not just when it looks bad). While talking to the office, I found out they're planning on putting in security cameras in various places as well as changing trash removal companies. No more PMUA for here.

Maybe they can catch whomever stole the front page and second section of my newspaper last Sunday -- the first time ever delivered -- if they do it again. Grr. I never had delivery because I figured it would be stolen. And, sure enough ... my paper last week started with the real estate section.

I'm only getting the Sunday paper due to the paywall now in effect for the Courier News. I used to buy it daily and read online. Then, as the price of the paper went up and the paper got so flimsy, I just read online. Now, you can only read ten articles in 30 days without being shut down and asked to subscribe.

As I really like and want to support the reporter (Mark Spivey) who covers this area, I decided I'd go for the subscription. It's $12 for total online access including a mock-up of the physical paper which I couldn't access before. However, it's only $8 a month for all online and Sunday actual paper delivery. Hmm ... four dollars less and you get an actual Sunday paper. Well, duh. Even if it does get stolen (or parts thereof), it makes more sense.

Yeah, I'm cheap.

This week I made sure to get dressed and go down to get the paper by 6:10am. While I'm usually up at that hour, if I'm not going to work, I'm not ready to face the world. Yep, the paper was intact and there. What's weird was that I heard a TV across the hall at Crazy Joe's (and he's retired, not necessarily a morning person) and, upon returning to my apartment with the paper, both neighbors on either side of me were coming out of their apartments. Wow, It must be early bird day!

On another building note, I noticed a package sitting atop the mailboxes the other day. I usually check them out just in case someone is sending me something. If it's a package for someone I know, I'll snag it and deliver it to their apartment. Others do the same for me. Oh my. This one was addressed to Carlos Santana. I didn't know he lived here!

;-)

Onto the photos for this week. Clicking on an image will open it in a new window, another click will make it larger and closing that window will land you right back here on the blog.  

 

Colorful weed

These blossoms are quite small and seem very short-lived. But, aren't they cool?

Um. It's New Jersey, what can I say?

Okay ... this trio got off the NJ Transit train in Bound Brook yesterday. I just don't know. It's not Halloween and it's not time for an evening costume party. So I can only assume it's something in the water here.

Bee staredown

The bees here are still very small and tend not to sit still for long. But I got this one close up and personal!

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Off Topic - That Was the Week It Was - June 3, 2012

Well, it's Sunday once again -- time for my weekly off television topic reflection on the week gone by in both words and photographs I've taken along the way. I've been off this past week on a staycation. I had a few things I wanted to do and few of them got accomplished. Oops. However, I once again feel relaxed. That was the main thing I wanted to accomplish anyway!

The weather was either muggy and hot or had a chance of rain most of my days off. Thus, I didn't make any trips into the city (NYC). Nothing is worse than a sweaty Manhattan or getting drenched when my intent was to take photos.

So I puttered around home for the most part. I pampered myself with bubble baths, scented salt baths and good food while reading, listening to music, and catching up on some video watching. 

Once again, on Memorial Day, my bathroom ceiling leaked ... ruining the newest ceiling tiles installed. Well, not ruining them per se, but definitely staining them. Grr. On Tuesday afternoon I called the new landlord's maintenance number. Wednesday morning, they showed up. Judging from the amount of time spent up there and the noise they made, it SHOULD be fixed. It hasn't leaked since. However, I often went three months in between leaks although it's been chronic for years.

Here are this week's photos ... clicking on an image will open it in a new window, clicking again will make it larger. Closing that new window will plop you right back here on the blog.

Day Lily in the sun

I took this on Friday just off Richmond Street near the railroad tracks in Plainfield.

Somerville Train Station

After a rather ill-fated outing with a friend, I ended up driving her home in her car and catching a train out of the new Somerville Train Station to get home. Very nice although I didn't plan to see it this way!

Pretty in purple

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