Off Topic: That Was the Week It Was - July 27, 2014

Good morning! Welcome to my weekly off television topic photo post! If you're looking for my Big Brother coverage, you can find those posts right here at this link. This particular post is one I do each Sunday morning throughout the year, BB or not! I reflect on the week gone by in both words and photos I've taken along the way.

Alas, I didn't have a great photography week. It seemed like I was always rushing or conditions just weren't right. Oh well, there will be many more photos to take in my life.

I'm going to go once again with some random thoughts from the week:

• Last night as I arrived home to my New Jersey 'hood, I had to hear two competing Mexican Polka Bands. Ack! One was at a house near the corner of my block -- they were having a huge child's birthday party with a bouncy-house and all set up in the front lawn. As I walked by, they sang Happy Birthday, then WHAM into Mexican Polka! The second band was at the usual suspect house in back of my apartment. Even with my windows closed, a fan and the AC on, I could hear the thump-thump of the music. It lasted until nearly midnight.
• Two very young misbehaving children on the NJ Transit train were yelling and carrying on without any effort on the part of the parents to control them. When the piped announcement said, "Watch out for the gap when exiting." -- the girl cried out, "Cat? Where's a cat?" (I'll admit that was cute.) Her mother told her, "Gap. Watch out for the gap." The girl asked, "What's a gap?" I almost said, "A gap is a monster that swallows children who don't behave." I bit my tongue.
• There's an abundance of lightning bugs around here this year. If I were several decades younger, I'd be all over that!
• My cable and power were out on separate days this week, each for about six hours, neither due to a storm. Of course, my cable could have also been out while my power was out. I have no way of knowing.
• I panicked a bit when I saw Vincent pursuing a long dark quick bug along the floor into the kitchen. Ah. A carpenter ant. Not that I want those in my apartment, but it must have somehow strayed in from outside. As I predicted, I have had no influx of bugs by refusing to have my apartment fogged with poisonous junk.
• Oh. And Vincent killed the carpenter ant and then wondered why it wouldn't play with him anymore.

Onto this week's photos --

Early morning sun

Although the days are getting shorter, it's not to the point that I'm seeing the sunrise on my walk to the train station. We have been lucky in that we haven't seen many actual heat waves so far this summer (temps over 90 for three days or more). But we've had a lot of humid days and it's been a summer for lots of thunderstorms. I took this shot on Church Street in Plainfield.

Cool old car!

I have no clue exactly what make and model this is, but it sure is cool. There was an older man driving it. While he'd be too young to be the original owner, he seemed appropriate for the car. Watchung Avenue, Plainfield.

Looking up!

This Eastern Swallowtail Butterfly flew over my head at the Bridgewater Train Station. I was delighted to see I actually captured a halfway decent photo of him.

**CLICK THE 'READ MORE' LINK FOR THE WEEKLY FLOWER SLIDESHOW AND THE REST OF THE PHOTOS!**

Big Brother 16: Live Feeds Saturday/PoV Winner - July 26

The Don

Another busy day for the hamsters before they head into the three or four days of boredom. Here's what went down today (including the PoV winner) in that Big Brother House of Back to Back Comps:

• Uh-oh. The microwave isn't working. Whatever will they do now?
• I forgot to mention it yesterday, but feel the need to say this -- Christine is SO disgusting! [How disgusting is she?] She's so disgusting that she picks at her toes and toenails and THEN bites her nails! Ew! EW!
• Frankie once again is trying to get Zach to blow up at the PoV meeting on Monday (for the Team America mission).
• He already went whacko a bit at the nominations, but I'm not clear on whether that was enough or not.
• Either way, it's easy to get Zach to act up. It comes by naturally for him.
• The additional PoV players are Hayden, Donny and Christine. Amber is the host. Or hostess. Whatever.
• Amber wants the nominations to remain the same.
• I wonder if she has a premonition?
• Caleb thinks he'll be on The Bachelor next.
• @@
• What kind of prize is he? Sheesh!
• Apparently Victoria got the Houseguest Choice chip and chose Hayden.
• Caleb thinks they're working together.
• Well, they are -- Hayden promised Victoria she wouldn't be going home and taking her off the block would be perfect for him.
• But Caleb doesn't know that. We do.
• Frankie told Caleb that she chose Hayden because he's been saying how much he wants to play in a veto comp and has never been chosen.
• That has a ring of truth to it, as well.
• After the veto comp ... it was Hayden who won the Power of Veto!
• We know what he'll do with it.
• Shh ... don't tell Caleb or Amber.
• Jocasta is really sick again. I hope she gets better or this will blow the whole backdoor plan!
• They still plan on Amber going. Their rationale is that Amber won't be stuck in the jury house with Caleb if she goes now and Caleb will either refocus on his game or totally lose it and be out sooner rather than later.
• The only one who really seems to prefer Caleb going first is Cody.
• Frankie is worried about getting blood on his hands.
• Oh, boohoo. You're the HoH. You know the deal.
• They got the fish pizza delivery as the additional Have Not food. Along with the pizza, they have canned clams and sardines.
• They're happy with that.
• Well, when they think of some of the things they could have ended up with instead, they're happy.
• So, there you go ...

Chillaxin'

Zach cooks a huge M&M pancake

PoV Man with his lollipop

Jocasta is sick again

They LOVE the fish pizza for Have Nots!

Big Brother 16: Live Feeds into Saturday pre-dawn - July 26

Derrick and Frankie hug

Here's the latest from inside that Big Brother House of Sad Times, But the Show Must Go On:

• Before the news came down about Derrick's grandfather's death, Hayden gave Victoria some sage advice. 
• Apparently she had some fit of temper after losing the comp.
• Hayden told her that if she continued acting angry with everyone, it will turn the target on her. He told her to cry to the Diary Room, feel free to cry to him ... but outwardly act "normal" for the house on the whole.
• Later on in the evening, Derrick gave her pretty much the same advice.
• Hayden and Nicole know that Derrick, Zach and Cody have a final three deal. They think Zach is the weak/unpredictable link and must go soon.
• Hayden thinks they could backdoor Zach this week, but he'd rather Amber or Caleb get backdoored.
• Hayden pushed his backdoor either Amber or Caleb plan to Frankie, pointing out that voting out Victoria would be a waste as they can control her and Jocasta isn't a threat because she's unlikely to win HoH.
• Of course, they're all keeping Caleb and Amber under the impression that Victoria is indeed the target while telling Victoria she's safe this week unless she does something foolish and keeps acting out.
• Well, if she wins the veto again ...
• Derrick differs a lot from Frankie in his time of grief. Frankie had been open to hugs and tears and company. While Derrick seems touched that his fellow houseguests are so sympathetic, he's the kind who sat quietly for a long time while others didn't quite know what to do or say. Then he went to the Have Not room, laid atop the bed with a hoodie over his face to hide tears. He told Victoria he needed some time, a half-hour or so, to be alone and he would be okay.
• Frankie offered to go to the Diary Room and tell them he'd eat slop this week so Derrick could have real food. Derrick told him he appreciated the offer, but he didn't want (or need) any preferential treatment.
• Like Frankie's grandfather, Derrick's grandfather was watching the show because he's on it, but probably had no idea the whole premise or what was going on.
• Of course, some of us long-time hamster watchers are often in the same boat with that!
• Caleb says he first fell in love with Amber when he saw her in casting -- there were so many pretty girls there, but he knew she was the one he wanted.
• @@
• Caleb doesn't want to look like an idiot on television.
• A bit too late for that, don't ya think?
• Derrick is sure the double HoH bit will be going away soon. I agree -- just the logistics of the numbers in the house predict it can't last much longer.
• Derrick and Frankie think Zach needs to mend fences with Christine for the numbers. Zach doesn't want to.
• Derrick told Victoria she needs to stop going on about losing the Battle of the Block. It's over. Concentrate on winning the Power of Veto.
• They discussed other BB seasons. Derrick doesn't think people are liking this season so much; Hayden thinks it's possibly due to the unanimous votes and predictability. 
• He has something there. But, as far as casting goes, this season has a much better cast overall than last summers Season of Hate Speech.
• Nicole got to shun her Germa-tard at midnight in an awkward dictated by BB "strip" dance.
• Nicole told Victoria she thinks Amber is "fake nice."
• Yep, she is.
• Cody and Derrick are concerned about Zach -- he's messing up his game with his mouth and is so uncontrollable.
• Derrick is also worried that his Team America ally Donny might target him.
• He probably should worry -- Donny made him out to be the brains of the covert operations long ago.
• Cody thinks he will be the target of Caleb if Amber goes. He'd prefer if Caleb went first.
• Victoria told Cody that, before she left, Brittany told her to only trust Cody and Derrick.
• That brought back Cody's guilt over targeting Brittany.
• Hey, that's Big Brother.
• As it stands, it looks like Amber is the backdoor plan for the week if PoV is used. If not used, it's a bit of a toss-up whether it would be Victoria or Jocasta going home.

Big Brother 16: Live Feeds Update - More Sad News - July 25

Derrick got the news that his grandfather has died. His grandfather was 86 years old, a WWII veteran. This comes within two days of Frankie getting similar news about his grandfather.

Nothing like this has ever happened in the house before. I recall back in BB2, Monica was told her cousin was missing in the attack on the World Trade Center 9/11/01 (and the rest of the house was told of the terrorist attacks). That was horrific.

Big Brother 16: Live Feeds Battle of the Block Update - July 25

Victorious (not Victoria)

Nicole and Christine have won the Battle of the Block. So, Zach is dethroned. Frankie remains the sole Head of Household. Jocasta and Victoria remain on the block. There have been a few mentions of backdooring Zach if the veto is used, but I doubt that will happen.

Big Brother 16: Live Feeds Nominations Update - July 25

Jocasta nominated by Frankie

Well, the nominations are done. Hmm. Donny's not on the block. That's good. Lots of tears and crying in the house today. The plan is still to backdoor Amber (alas, not Caleb). Frankie and Cody are going around saying how Zach is a wild card and they had no clue what he was going to do.

That's wrong. He kept saying that Christine is a waste and he wanted to put her on the block.

The bad thing is that they're picking off the women one by one.

The Battle of the Block should be later tonight. We'll see what happens then.

Victoria nominated by Frankie

Nicole nominated by Zach

Christine nominated by Zach

Big Brother 16: Live Feeds into Friday - July 25

Waiting for Godot?

My apologies for my no show last night for the blog party. We had a power outage here, no storm mind you, and I was in the dark for hours! I have yet to see the show. But I obviously know that Frankie and Zach are the HoH duo right now. Here's the latest from inside that Big Brother House of Now What Do We Do:

• Caleb thinks it's ridiculous that his Fitbit (oops, activity tracker) showed him to be one of the four least active in the house.
• "How did Zach beat me in activity! I'm the most active guy in the house! Zach sleeps all the time!"
• I can see how Zach beat him. Although Zach does sleep a lot, when he's awake, he's all hyper. He's even wiggly! Caleb, on the other hand, is much more slow paced even though he's awake more hours in the long run. 
• Christine, Nicole and Derrick join him as Have Nots.
• Again, you've got Donny who really doesn't move a lot in there. But, in his own way, Donny is a bit like Zach ... he's antsy. He's always tapping his foot and really can't stay totally still. He has a bit of nervous energy and I think that affects the rates on the activity tracker more than people who just plop down and only use their mouth muscles.
• Before discussions even started, Caleb warned Frankie about putting him on the block.
• @@
• Neither Frankie nor Zach want to put Donny on the block although he seems to be the ultimate pawn of the season.
• Of course, that doesn't mean he won't be put on the block.
• Frankie wants Zach to be responsible for getting Caleb out.
• Sure, no one minds the clown of the show getting all bloody!
• They went around trying to get people to go up as pawns with either Caleb or Amber being the targets.
• They start asking people to go on the block, then throw the comp so they can set the stage.
• Christine refuses. Outright. While picking at her toes then biting her nails.
• EWWW!
• Nicole isn't cool with it.
• Hayden says if he's stuck, he'll do it.
• Frankie isn't happy with his HoH partner/duo. Of course, Zach is very unpredictable.
• Frankie told Derrick that Zach outright refuses to put Donny up.
• Well, duh. So does Frankie himself.
• Derrick seems to be pleased that the America's Team player Donny is probably safe for at least a week.
• Speaking of Team America ... Donny got the assignment. The mission chosen was to start the argument.
• Yay! I love a brouhaha, y'know!
• Victoria asks Zach not to put her on the block.
• Zach is going around telling everyone, "Okay, I won't put you on the block." He's going to have to put SOMEONE on the block!
• Zach pointed out to Frankie that Christine hasn't done anything for them whatsoever to this point, plus she's never won a comp.
• That's what I've been saying! Christine is a tagalong for a vote!
• Donny advised Zach that Amber is a more dangerous player than Caleb is at this point.
• I'm getting ticked that all the women are getting targeted, but Donny has a point. Amber can be manipulative while Caleb can't win comps for $#^# and wears his heart on his sleeve.
• My only worry is that if Amber goes, Caleb might find focus again like he did for the first HoH.
• Cody doesn't like the way that Christine keeps pushing for a Donny nomination/eviction because she feels personally threatened gamewise by him.
• I'm glad they're seeing that.
• Victoria told Derrick that since he let Frankie win HoH, he needs to tell him not to put her on the block.
• It looks like Frankie is going to go for the easier noms who will win the BotB and won't go home while Zach is stuck with one of his noms leaving.
• While they're all fussing about Zach, he's the one in the hot seat more than Frankie.
• Amber told Caleb that if Zach puts her on the block, she's outing the alliance.
• So what, I say. That alliance is history although neither Caleb or Amber know it yet.
• Oh geez. Frankie got Justin Bieber's CD in his HoH stuff.
• Zach got a letter from his beloved little brother.
• Zach wants Hayden in the Detonators instead of Christine. After all, she does nothing for them.
• Well, duh. I don't know how she got in with the movers and shakers in the first place!
• Zach has been pleading with Nicole to go up as a pawn.
• The target is Amber this week with Caleb as a secondary.
• But no one will put Caleb directly on the block in case he summons the beast once again.
• Nominations will be later today. As of now, it's anyone's guess.
• But, it looks like the first time in weeks, Donny might not be on the block.
• Good. I enjoy the dude.

Christine says NO

Oh no! Now I have to decide!

You're not going home, Victoria

Just me and my monkey

Is Zach turning on me?

In danger this week

Big Brother 16: Live Feeds into Thursday - July 24

Frankie is with friends

The news of Frankie's grandfather's death resulted in a bit more somber house Wednesday evening. Here's the latest from inside that Big Brother House of Sad Moments:

• Frankie and Cody can never figure out what's going on in Zach's head.
• I don't think Zach knows what's going on in Zach's head, so they shouldn't worry themselves about it.
• Alone in the HoH room, Frankie addressed the cameras and discussed his relationship with his grandfather and the letter from his mother announcing his passing.
• He talked a long time about his family.
• They want him to stay in the house.
• So, he will.
• Then he cried. Probably many watching cried as well.
• I did.
• Brittany went to bed early. All of her campaigning must have caught up with her.
• Caleb stared at Amber from his bed for a long time.
• Creepy.
• Jocasta is sick again. I'd hate to see her on slop if she gets sick on their regular food!
• Zach mimicked Caleb's desire for Amber.
• Whoops, Brittany isn't done for the night yet! She's up again and mingling.
• Derrick and Victoria talked about Victoria's photography business.
• Yawn.
• They discussed hamsters from previous seasons.
• Move along; nothing to see here ...

What am I doing here?

What am I doing here?

I'm here to win

Big Brother 16: Live Feeds into Wednesday evening - July 23

Frankie grieves over his grandfather's death

The biggest news in the BB house today concerns something which happened outside the house. Frankie's grandfather, who had been quite ill, passed away. His sister tweeted that the grandfather had said he didn't want them to tell Frankie if he died while Frankie was in the house. Despite that, BB gave Frankie a letter and, I assume, the choice to leave the game if he wished. According to the letter, his grandfather wanted him to stay. So, stay he will. The funeral is Saturday and Frankie would like some sort of little memorial period in the house.

Other than that, it's been backstabbing as usual in that Big Brother House of Nervous Nellies:

• After cornering nearly everyone in the house to promise them the Universe, Brittany has been flirting all over Cody.
• Keep in mind, she's the one who said he put her on the block because she doesn't and will never flirt with him.
• @@
• Meanwhile, Derrick is working his mojo on Victoria.
• And it has nothing to do with flirting.
• The boy is all gameplay, all the time.
• Victoria thinks her mother is going to freak because she kissed a gay guy on last night's big "date night" when Frankie went Frank.
• Hmm ... Frankie started talking about the TV show Victorious -- I looked it up as I'm not familiar with it. Yep, it's a show in which his sister was a cast member.
• If the rest of the hamsters are as oblivious to Ariana Grande as I am, no one would know who his sister is even if he tells them.
• Christine told Nicole that it's not in her best interest to get rid of either Caleb or Jocasta right now. She wants to target Donny.
• Not in tomorrow's vote, mind you. She knows "the house" is going to evict Brittany.
• Brittany is still all sour grapes about Victoria, saying she thinks it a fashion show and shouldn't be there.
• Heck, Brittany is a recruit who never watched the show.
• Should she be there?
• Then Frankie got the news about his grandfather. Everyone consoled him.
• Even jokester Zach shed a tear or two.
• BB is going to let Frankie write to his family.
• His family said he needs to stay -- they can hold things together without him and will have a special memorial ceremony after Frankie is out of the house.
• Caleb is still obsessed with Amber.
• Life goes on in the hamster wheel.

Real cowboys wear cowboy hats

Jus' hanging out in the yard

Donny's staying

"I can't believe the people in here."

Just me and my sock monkey

Brittany corners Jocasta

The Odd Couple (and monkey)

Starting rumors

Big Brother 16: Power of Veto Show Blog Party - July 23

Have you got your snacks and ice cold beverages? It's time to party!

As the show airs here on the East Coast, I'll update this entry with the major happenings. Refresh the page to get the latest! But ... as always, the real party is down in the comments area. Come join us!

Recap, recap ...

More Caleb obsession over Amber. He's jealous of Cody.

Uh-oh. Thunderstorm starting here. If I vanish, you know what happened.

Picking players for PoV -- Cody draws Zach, Victoria picks Nicole. Brittany got HG Choice, she goes for Caleb.

The PoV challenge is World Cup Soccer based. They announce that Germany won the World Cup. It is the challenge where the losing person wins a prize and those following can swap the prizes.

Cody out first -- the veto
Brittany out -- won penalty kicks, trades for veto
Zach -- vacation in Germany, keeps it
Nicole -- score 2400 soccer goals 24 hours or can't play in PoV, trades for the veto
Victoria - 5000 dollars, trades Nicole for veto
Caleb wins! -- Germa-tard wearing, goes for the five thousand

Caleb is the dumbo or all dumbos according to Donny. Victoria has the PoV and Cody will (most likely) have to put someone up in her place on the block.

Lots of talk about Caleb going up. If it were up to Donny and Zach, it would be a done deal.

Cody tells Donny he won't put him on the block. Yup, he said that. He's decided that Caleb must be put up. Frankie runs to Derrick with the news. Derrick goes to Caleb. Cody needs to stop calling Caleb "this kid." Cody really really doesn't want to put Donny on the block. Derrick told him that Brittany would go after them if she stays. Then he told him to go with his heart.

TA Mission (sucks) - Hide items and let someone else take the blame or get two to argue at a ceremony.

Veto meeting - Victoria saves herself. Cody replaces her with ... Donny. Sigh. Cody cries.

Big Brother 16: Live Feeds into Tuesday evening - July 22

Hayden, cornered by Brittany

Oh my gosh, Thursday evening is still two days away. I'm not sure I can take this! Here's the latest from inside that Big Brother House of Zany Zach:

• Today has been very trying.
• And so has Brittany.
• She's cornered almost everybody, promising them everything under the sun.
• Donny has just been being Donny-like.
• Everyone is pretty much either telling Brittany they're undecided or telling her what she wants to hear.
• Lies.
• All lies. 
• No matter what they're telling her, it's lies.
• Except Jocasta.
• She's not lying.
• She told Brittany that she would be voting for Donny to stay because Donny saved her.
• What Brittany doesn't know is that the vote is already planned 10-0 to send her packing.
• Donny knows it.
• Donny has been told not to worry about any rumors he might hear about votes to keep Brittany.
• All was going smooth, everyone kind of catering to what she wants to hear.
• Then came Zach.
• He advised her to have a house meeting!
• Once again, he's not cognizant of anyone other than having a ball for himself.
• Cody freaked. Even Caleb bristled. And, Frankie said maybe she should get a clue from someone who watches the show -- those who call a house meeting usually go home.
• (Except Dan.)
• (Well, maybe Dr. Will, too.)
• But everyone else goes home!
• Cody doesn't want Donny to freak out and think he's been betrayed ... because they don't plan on betraying him.
• Zach was advised to shut down that plan ASAP.
• In other news, it's date night in the house.
• Amber wanted Cody to be her date.
• He refuses. He doesn't want Caleb to rip his head off.
• He told her to ask Derrick. Of course, since Derrick is married and no competition, Caleb would leave his head intact.
• Frankie is going as hetero-persona Frank.
• In yet other news ... the anti-Caleb sentiment in the house is getting stronger.
• If he were up on the block this week, he'd be gone on Thursday.
• His days are definitely numbered unless the "competition beast and mental monster" can come up with wins to save his butt.

Nicole, cornered by Brittany

Christine, cornered by Brittany

Caleb, cornered by Brittany

Zach, cornered by Brittany

Big Brother 16: Live Feeds Monday evening into Tuesday - July 22

Walking, yes indeed, talking ...

Here's the latest from inside that Big Brother House of Bad Decisions:

• Cody thinks America must think he's dumb for putting Donny on the block instead of Caleb.
• Well, yeah!
• Nicole is sure that Caleb won't do well in most comps because he's so muscle-bound that he can't even lift his arms over his head easily.
• I don't think Cody ever wants to win HoH again. Similar to his butt-kicking punishment, he's been kicking himself in the butt over his decision. He can't sleep well at night and is getting emotionally invested in this.
• Amber told Cody she doesn't want to be alone with Caleb at the jury house. However they go, she doesn't want her and Caleb to be the first two.
• I'm not an Amber fan. But I can't blame her for feeling that way!
• Amber and Cody talked about how frustrating Zach can be -- sleeping all day, picking on Brittany (or others) when they're down.
• Caleb talked about his first date with Amber going to a restaurant in a horse-drawn carriage, paparazzi snapping shots ... 
• DELUSIONAL BOY!
• She told him if he eats a pickle (he hates pickles), she'll go on a date with him.
• Jocasta said she still would never go out with him.
• Jocasta is right.
• I'm getting tired of having to turn down the volume on my live feeds every time Frankie enters a room. He needs to speak in indoor voices, please. I'll let him speak in voices instead of voice, but INDOOR.
• Donny pointed out to Jocasta that there are four people in the house never on the block -- Derrick, Christine, Cody and Frankie.
• Hmm.
• Caleb talked about himself and how great he is.
• Almost everyone in the house at one time or another during the evening talked about how much Caleb talks about himself.
• He's the joke of the season this year.
• Derrick and Cody talked about how Brittany will be going Thursday, quite likely 10-0.
• But, later, when talking with Caleb, they were talking how the vote might be split and they might keep Brittany.
• Hmm.
• Zach told Victoria that Frankie is Caleb's only friend in the house and even Frankie doesn't like Caleb.
• Zach told Frankie that the Diary Room eggs him on to be "meaner" in there.
• I don't doubt that.
• I just wonder why the Diary Room must encourage several to shout!
• I think it's still pretty safe to say Brittany is going out this week. They don't want her all paranoid. They say just before the live show, they'll pass word around on the vote.
• I myself would rather see Brittany leave than Donny. 
• I would love to see Donny make HoH and see where that takes things!

Almost as popular as Caleb these days

Caleb and Zach shake their booty

Please save me, save me!

Zach is awake

Victoria is always playing with her hair

He's such a stud. Just ask him!