Sunday, September 06, 2015

Off Topic: That Was the Week It Was - September 6, 2015

Good morning! Welcome to my weekly off television topic reflection of the past week in both words and photographs I've taken along the way; This post is a year 'round "feature" on the blog. If you're looking for Big Brother posts, they can all be found at this link right here. If you're not interested in this particular post, please feel free to skip on by it. I'll be posting a Big Brother blog party post coinciding with the East Coast airing of the show and, late this evening, another live feeds post. Stay tuned.

Yes! Another week closer to staycation week! I have a short week ahead. I'm only working three days, plus going in for a couple of hours (like two) tomorrow. I so need the rest even though I'll still be covering Big Brother. But I can do that in my pajamas and slippers! My workplace's dress code frowns on such attire there.

A few random observations on the week gone by:
  • No means NO. If you're a bum asking me for money or cigarettes, go away. No means NO. I should only have to say it once. Go away. Shoo. If you're peddling religion and I say NO, I mean NO. Shoo. Leave me alone. Don't act shocked. Don't be surprised. Don't argue with me. Just go away. Yes, I'm starting to get surly with these people. I work for what I have in life and I already have my own thoughts on religion.
  • I'm starting to see a bit of color (other than green) here and there in the trees and bushes. But the temperatures sure have been screaming summer.
  • I met the man who lives upstairs from me this past week. He's lived there over a year now and I've never seen him ... heard him now and then, but never a face-to-face. We met looking out the building's front window at the crime scene (below) Tuesday night. Pleasant enough guy. He'd be a bit thumpy had they not put wall-to-wall carpet down up there, though. I didn't tell him that. Nor did I tell him that I heard him vacuuming at 3:30am this past Christmas morning.
  • Keebler Grasshopper cookies taste a lot like Girl Scouts Thin Mints cookies, but are a heck of a lot cheaper.
Without further ado, onto this week's photos! Clicking on an image will bring up a larger version.

The moon on Monday night

I always love the challenge of taking a good shot at the moon. Monday's moon wasn't quite full, but was like a golden globe large in the sky. And there I was, with a point and shoot camera (a decent one, but ...!) and no tripod. Yay, a challenge! I'm thrilled with the shots I got -- details of craters and all. Of course, I also got a lot of shots which called for the delete button. But that's the beauty of digital photography. It's not like I'm paying to process film which contains yellow-white globs in a sea of black!

Eek. A crime scene at my apartment!

Well, not really AT my apartment. At my apartment building, though. It was Tuesday night. There I was innocently watching the evening Judge Judy block on WLNY when I heard four gunshots which sounded like they were right outside my window. Eek! Vincent even jumped and he doesn't jump for fireworks! I thought someone was either shooting at cars in the parking lot or perhaps the guy downstairs's ex-girlfriend was shooting at him. (She's been coming around yelling at him a lot lately.) But I heard no glass breaking. Hmm.

I was going to call 911, but turned on my scanner instead. Aha, they were already chasing the guy, even broadcast his name. No sense calling 911. It turns out they had been looking for him for some sort of gun sale sting and he fled through backyards, ending up at my building. From behind the big tree in the front on my side of the building, he fired the four shots ambushing one of the police cars. So, not right outside my window ... but we're talking maybe 200 feet away. Much too close for comfort. No one was hit.

The news story is at this link. He ended up running across the street and into the brook, then getting caught about two blocks away. One interesting thing to note is the the police prefer to get paper cups, not Styrofoam ones, to mark bullet casings. The crime scene, all lighted up and lots of hubbub, lasted until the wee hours. It wasn't conducive to sleep.

Look, deer

As a friend and I hit the landing heading to the Bridgewater Train Station eastbound track, I saw these two fawns on the other side of the fence. I said, "Look, deer." three or four times until my friend gave me a puzzled look which seemed to say, "Why are you calling me 'dear'?"

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

Big Brother 17: Live Feeds into Sunday - September 6

I'm in the final five!

Things did calm down some in the house. Here's the latest from inside that Big Brother House of Which Twin Goes to Jury:
  • Austin is totally understanding about why he was put on the block along with Liz and why it's time the others split up Austwins.
  • Sure, I doubt he wanted it to go down.
  • But it makes sense as the numbers dwindle in the house -- not so much for him, but for the others vying for the win. They need to break up the solid block which makes up half the house right now.
  • In between tears and hating on Austin, Liz knows it's the right thing for the others to do for their game.
  • Julia is having a hard time grasping the idea, though. She just can't understand why they need to be broken up.
  • @@
  • Liz is still mad at Austin for not throwing the PoV comp to Julia so all three of them could be safe.
  • However, Austin wanted the limelight. And, he got it. It comes with baggage.
  • Austin made a heart-shaped chicken dish for the twins. They refused to eat it.
  • After drinking some wine, listening to Vanessa's double-talk, trying to eavesdrop on Johnny Mac shouting in the Diary Room, the twins went to bed together ... no Austin allowed.
  • The boyz hung out by the hot tub. I'm talking all three -- Steve, Johnny Mac and Austin.
  • Aha! Austin admitted that the wrestling dropped him, telling him he doesn't have what it takes! HA! He said they didn't think he was funny enough, didn't have the right looks and used his injuries to drop him. HA!
  • He honestly thinks that he's proved how entertaining, funny and athletic he is and they'll be begging him to come back into the fold.
  • @@
  • While Steve keeps turning to the camera (when he's alone) and telling us he's onto Vanessa, I doubt she'll be the renom.
  • It's probably going to be Julia.
  • And, as of right now, it looks like Julia will be the one to go.
  • Both twins have fussed about how they're so over this show, this game, this house.
  • I only wish Austin was going. He annoys me. And, it annoys me that if he makes the final two, he'll win.
  • But it's not over until the fat lady sings ...

How do I kill them all off with no blood?

Listening to Austin's delusions of grandeur

Why me? I hate Austin!

One of us is going home!

No room for Austin tonight!

Saturday, September 05, 2015

Big Brother 17: Live Feeds, Power of Veto, Saturday - September 5

What the heck has happened?

Things didn't go quite as planned. Here's the latest from inside that Big Brother House of Tears, Fears and False Veneers:
  • The hamsters, despite an early bedtime for them, slept in until past noon.
  • Then it was time to awaken for the PoV comp.
  • Poor little hamsters.
  • Oh my. The feeds came back with Steve in a green tutu, Johnny Mac in a yellow tutu and Austin wearing the veto necklace.
  • Yes, you heard me. Austin. Veto necklace.
  • The twins are crying.
  • Vanessa is crying.
  • Vanessa and the twins are crying together.
  • It's a wonder Steve isn't vomiting.
  • The twins are mad because they think Austin should have thrown the comp to Julia, thus ensuring all three would be safe.
  • Austin is blaming everything on Vanessa.
  • It seems they had to pick each other in the comp and there was also spinning involved (which did in Steve).
  • Austin admitted that he overreacted (to winning the veto?) but claims it was "good TV."
  • Trust me, Austin -- NOTHING you do is "good TV."
  • Except, perhaps, when you eventually get off my TV, out of my life and cease haunting my nightmares that something's gone rancid in that ponytail beard.
  • Liz supposedly cheered Austin's win without thinking that they had discussed how Julia would go on the block if one of them won veto and saved him/herself.
  • When Liz realizes that, both she and Julia turn on Austin.
  • Austin told Johnny Mac they need to get Vanessa out.
  • Steve's tummy hurts.
  • Austin, Liz and Julia want to throw Vanessa under the bus to Steve so Vanessa will be the renom.
  • Johnny Mac is just sort of hanging out, all secure from the kerfuffles all around him.
  • Liz claims she can't stand to even look at Austin.
  • Good. I don't want to see them looking at each other either.
  • Vanessa ran around crying to whoever would listen to her -- the twins, the twins separately, Austin ... damage control in high gear.
  • Too bad I'm not really seeing real tears from her.
  • Steve seems to be having second thoughts about Vanessa and told us her stories don't add up.
  • But, of course, I have no faith that Steve will turn on her and think for himself.
  • Oh, geez. Jessie Godderz hosted the comp. Ew. Him and Austin will be together on my television screen. Ew! Ew!
  • Austin tried to lay a guilt trip on Liz -- how he ruined his life and left his girlfriend for her.
  • @@
  • She doesn't want to hear it.
  • "Hey, it's a game. Sometimes you get evicted," says Johnny Mac.
  • It really doesn't help that Austin keeps bragging about the comp and wore that PoV necklace forever!
  • Liz and Julia hit up Steve's HoH wine and trashtalked Austin.
  • Meanwhile, Austin, Johnny Mac and Steve are drinking more wine in the kitchen.
  • What we have here is one fine kettle of fish ... I'd say the fish just might be piranhas.
  • Heh.
  • They knew the job was dangerous when they took it.
  • I would think that Julia will be the renom when Austin wins veto.
  • But it should be a traumatic (for them) two days until the veto meeting.

I am SO OVER this game-uhh!

Trying to do damage control

Mr. PoV PTB (Ponytail Beard) Ew.

Big Brother 17: Live Feeds into Saturday - September 5

Steve gives HoH room floors a shine

Here's the latest from inside that Big Brother House of A Demented Dentist et al:
  • Okay, so Liz and Austin are on the block.
  • Austin is playing it all rational and such while Liz keeps crying.
  • Now, we know that Austin is the real target out of the two.
  • While the twins are an inseparable bond and should have been stopped when they realized there was a twin, not the best move right now.
  • Of Austwins, Austin is the most "dangerous."
  • No, not because of his size.
  • I know from watching the after eviction interviews that everyone is brainwashed by his "great social game." They actually think others are doing HIS bidding.
  • If he makes it to a final two with anyone, the jury will hand it to him!
  • In actuality, it's all been Vanessa's moves.
  • But, for Johnny Mac, Steve and Vanessa ... the best move right now is to send him to jury and worry about the twins later.
  • Austin keeps going for the romance of it all with Liz ... on the block together with his love, good TV.
  • Gag me now.
  • He acts like he wants her to stay -- saying he would have fun with James in jury.
  • The real hitch in it all is the veto.
  • If Austin wins veto and saves himself, Julia would go up and Liz would never forgive him. If Liz wins veto, same scenario with Julia going up.
  • So, I think they'll be going into the veto comp with neither of the two on the block wanting to win veto.
  • That's good.
  • Now, if Julia wins veto, it's likely Johnny Mac would go up. 
  • That's not as good as the twins would control the vote.
  • Steve wants to work on Liz to get her to realize that neither she nor Julia are the target(s) this week.
  • (That would be next week.)
  • Lots of small talk and an early bedtime for them all.
  • The PoV comp will be later today.

Liz cries some more

Talking comps

Sitting pretty ... for now

Friday, September 04, 2015

Big Brother 17: Live Feeds Friday Daytime, Nominations - September 4

How I like Vanessa ... quiet

Here's the latest from inside that Big Brother House of Six Hamsters a'Scampering:
  • Although the rules say you're not supposed to tell the nominees that they're going to be nominees, Steve all but blatantly told Austin and Liz they're going on the block.
  • He actually explained his reasoning very well to Liz. He told her that, with as few people in the house as there are, it's becoming a numbers game -- the individuals will be trounced by the block of people if the block of people isn't broken up.
  • He called out the individuals as himself, Johnny Mac and Vanessa and the block as Austwins.
  • He promised that he wouldn't put both her and Julia on the block.
  • He told Austin pretty much the same reasoning.
  • Of course, this is what Vanessa wants him to do, yet her hands remain "unbloodied."
  • But it's also the logical move at this point. Liz, nor Austin, have never been on the block, if memory serves. I know Austin hasn't, at least. I don't think Liz has.
  • (The mind is the first thing you lose as you age!)
  • This week, if the nominations are Austin and Liz, they only need two votes to vote one out -- Vanessa and Johnny Mac.
  • If Julia wins the veto, one would come down and gum up the plans.
  • If Austin or Liz win the veto and one gets saved, Julia would go up.
  • Vanessa told Steve that Austin told Liz that he (Austin) is not the target.
  • Meanwhile, Steve had already told Liz she's not the target.
  • Steve thinks that just makes more ammo to get Austin out.
  • I personally think, at this time, they need to get Austin out over a twin. Twins can be next. And next.
  • Then Vanessa ... with a final two of Steve and Johnny Mac.
  • Now, that would be a hoot! 
  • Liz cried. And cried. And cried.
  • Her memory is short. Last week she mocked Meg for crying when put on the block with James.
  • Julia is ticked and says that she doesn't want Johnny Mac to win because he's a dentist and will make so much money.
  • I guess her memory is short, too. I remember them all sitting around discussing school. Johnny Mac has over $40,000 is student loans he pays yearly. 
  • Liz claims she's going to pull an Audrey this week.
  • Liz is all upset also because Steven supposedly made her swear on her family that she wouldn't put him up and she thought it was reciprocal.
  • Steve says he doesn't remember.
  • The feeds have been blocked for a while now for nominations.
  • I'm mindlessly typing while awaiting their return.
  • They've played the same Jeffish highlights reel over and over again.
  • Make it stop!
  • Finally. Liz is bawling her eyes out, Austin (looking upset himself) is trying to comfort her.
  • Liz and Austin on the block.
  • Vanessa's dirty deeds done dirt cheap. But, at this time, it might be the best for Steve and John's games.
  • It's a good thing Steve now has his teddy bear.

Multi-tasking

And, Liz cried ...

Big Brother 17: Live Feeds Second HoH Spoilers into Friday - September 4

I couldn't play! I had NO CONTROL!

Here's the latest from inside that Big Brother House of the Final Six (and TWINS are still in the house):
  • Vanessa, the only one not to compete in the first HOH comp on the live show and the veto, fussed that she had no control and felt helpless.
  • In the wait for the second HoH comp, there was napping, fretting and reviewing house happenings study prep.
  • They had to pack James's stuff up which was fairly easy as he was mostly already packed (in solidarity with Meg and all, y'see).
  • Liz, in a moment of kindness, shouted out to Julia that she was giving James Julia's cat hat which he abducted early in the season.
  • Steve muttered that the twins were idiots and should have sent home John. That's because he and John (and Vanessa) will team up to rid the house of them.
  • Of course, the smarter move would have never to have let twins in the house in the first place.
  • The plan is for Johnny Mac to throw Steve the HoH comp, but not until after Austin and Julia are out.
  • Austin told Vanessa that Johnny Mac told him that Steve and her (Vanessa) would be his nominations if he wins HoH.
  • Bwahahaha!
  • Mr. Ponytail Beard bought that one hook, line and sinker.
  • Vanessa hinted that Austin should throw the comp.
  • Now, he balks at that.
  • Austwins and Vanessa talked about how Steve and Johnny Mac have to go up if one of them wins HoH.
  • The HoH comp was baseball themed which was about as much info as we got before Jeffish kicked in.
  • And, looky here ... Steven won HoH!
  • Maybe the plans that Steve, Vanessa and Johnny Mac had for ridding the house of Austwins might come to fruition!
  • Vanessa is already covering her jury bases -- she told Julia she's sure Steve won't put Johnny Mac up as she thinks they must have some kind of final two deal or something.
  • Austin thinks "mathwise" it would make no sense to put him (Austin) up.
  • The twins, of course, think that Steve's totally in with their group.
  • Sans Austin, the twins think they're good and think it might be time for Austin to go on the block.
  • Heh.
  • Liz got her HoH basket, but the wait for Steve's HoH room reveal lasted into the wee hours.
  • Steve commented on how his day which started vomiting in the sink (nerves) has gotten better and better.
  • Liz got a letter from her mother in her basket. Steve told her he misses his mother.
  • Y'think?
  • Julia and Steve talked about how loud the applause was for both Meg and James. They think Jason's applause was the loudest, though.
  • With the decision for nominees, the only issue is which combination of Austwins to put on the block.
  • Steve had shaken hands with the twins well before this and said they were safe.
  • He told Austin tonight that he's safe.
  • Yeah, right.
  • Austin told Steve his biggest worry is that if the twins go on the block and one wins veto, he (Austin) will go up.
  • I'd say it's about time for Austin to go on the block! What do you think?
  • Austin is willing to sacrifice Julia and go into a final three with Steve and Liz.
  • Isn't that so giving of him?
  • He claims he would throw the final HoH.
  • Yeah, right. Keep on talkin' ponytail beard.
  • And on and on he went. I almost thought he was morphing into Vanessa. He offered both twins to save his own butt in the game.
  • Meanwhile, elsewhere in the house, the twins think Austin is probably throwing them under the bus to save his own butt.
  • Heh.
  • Austin went told the twins that Steve had promised both Johnny Mac and Vanessa safety, so two of the three of them would have to go up.
  • Finally, Steve got his room. He didn't get a letter from his mother -- it was from his father. He got a teddy bear.
  • Johnny Mac and Steve talked -- JM thinks it's better to get rid of Austin than Liz.
  • Vanessa talked Julia into proposing a deal with Steve that if he puts Liz and Austin on the block and she (Julia) wins veto, she won't play it.
  • Let's see if she buys that one.
  • Gulp. She does! She goes to Steve with it!
  • Let's see if she keeps her word if it comes down to that.
  • Nominations later today ...

Oh my, little Steven is HoH

Everybody but ...

Schemin'

Willing to give up a twin

What's taking so longgguhh?

Long time waiting, nothing special HoH room

Thursday, September 03, 2015

Big Brother 17: Live Double Eviction, HoH Show Blog Party - September 3

Big Brother 11 Blog Logo photo BB-09-smJackieMA28497852-0002.gif


Good evening! Ready for a blog party? Tonight is the big live double eviction, HoH comp show! 

IF YOU'RE WATCHING THE SHOW IN THE NYC METRO AREA, YOU CAN FIND IT THIS WEEK AT ITS NORMAL TIME (9pm) ON WLNY 10/55 -- WCBS2 IS AIRING AN NFL GAME. IF YOU DON'T GET WLNY, WCBS2 WILL AIR IT AT 11:35 PM.

Before we get going, here's the latest update on the blog pool:

Austin - Petals, Tammy, marthalight, Dr_Celine
James - uncartie, Marlo, Jackie~juju, ML
John - Sasha, lynn1, clover
Julia - No pool people due to being announced late in cast
Liz - Skyriverblue, jo Chapman, monty924
Meg - Sharon S, Merrilee, MikesGirl
Steve - KelseyNY, Carrie, K
Vanessa - Chacha, Heather Reyes, T-Town Chick

JURY:
Shelli - Delee, Sharon N, chrob
Jackie - No pool people due to being announced late in cast
Becky - Glenn, Jackie, Indiana Jane, Brian

EVICTED:
Jace - Becky in TX, CherylinNC, JOKATS, CaelaXO
Da'Vonne - jessica UNderwood, SueGee, Ed in Ohio, Nickelpeed
Jeff - No pool people due to being announced late in cast
Audrey - David, Chase, Orkmommy, Nicole K
Jason - Witt, Sharon, WolfpackRed
Clay - FairieGoddess0714, QuixoticElf, DonnaNY, JonMD1267

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. As always, the real party is in the comments area. I hope to see you there!

We have to sit through "Previously on Big Brother ..." 

Meg thinks that Julia going up is absolutely nothing. Johnny Mac is happy that he's safe. James sees the opportunity to break up the Austwins trio.  

Johnny Mac and Vanessa talk about their final two deal. James talks to John about getting Julia out. John is all excited and he wants to do it. Now he has to decide whether to abide by Vanessa's wish or not. He talks to Steve. Steve likes the idea, talks to Vanessa. She's not keen on the idea. Steve is getting all worked up. He's sure his mother would want him to take out Julia. He's sick.

Julia tells them of the double eviction. James is happy! Getting to the vote.

Meg: Honored to be called a queen, played as individual, vote for me.
Julia: Long story, talked about pretending to be another person, pleased to be the real me, prove Zingbot wrong, vote for me.

The votes to evict:
Liz - Meg
James - Julia
Steve - Meg
Johnny Mac - Meg
Austin - Meg

Meg is voted out ... not unexpected of the sheeple. No goodbye videos.

HoH Comp time. Vanessa can't compete. BB Road Trip. Former HG taking a BB Road Trip, show photos, ask questions. Wrong answer, eliminated.

1. All right
2. James and Steve out.
3. John and Austin out. 
4. Both Liz and Julia right, still in.
5. Same as 4
6. Same as 4
7. Julia out.

Liz is the new HoH. 

Live Nominations Ceremony -- Liz nominates James and John. 

In the veto pick, everyone but Vanessa is playing. Boomerang -- they roll two balls around a boomerang shaped table into numbered slots. Highest cumulative score wins.

Steve - 0 - 0
John - 0 - 0
Austin - 6 - 9
Liz - 15 - 0
Julia - 13 - 4
James - 0 - 0

Julia wins PoV.

Veto Meeting. 
James: Appreciate your friendship, consider you my friends, love to use the veto on me.
John: Awesome if you'd use it on me. Use it!

Julia -- Honor nominations, no blood on my hands, will not use the PoV. 

James: Keep me, play game, don't hold grudges, came for my daughter.
John: It would be cool for me to stay.

Live votes to evict: 
Austin - James
Julia - James
Vanessa - James
Steve - James

James will join Meg in the jury house.

The second HoH comp will happen sometime tonight. I'll have a live feeds update up in the early morning!

Big Brother 17: Live Feeds Into Thursday Morning - September 3

M&M strategy outlining

Here's the latest from inside that Big Brother House of Will They Flip the Vote or Not:
  • Johnny Mac is really pushing Steve to flip the vote and keep Meg.
  • He thinks, if they do, Meg and James won't put them on the block and will instead target Austliz and Vanessa.
  • Of course, Johnny Mac didn't mention them targeting Vanessa to Vanessa.
  • He might be goofy, but he's not dumb.
  • When he talks to Vanessa about flipping, she acquiesces ... it would only work if they could push the idea that Austin was behind it to Liz.
  • Eventually she brought it up to the twins that the only way Julia would be going home was if Austin approved it.
  • Oh my.
  • Vanessa told Liz that she can't tell Austin she said anything, but should go talk to him to make sure the vote won't flip on them.
  • Meanwhile, after fussing about how mean James is, Julia told Liz that she thinks Austin is not the right guy for her -- she thinks he's mean and he's "sketching her out."
  • Hey, he sketches me out every time I see him, too.
  • James thinks Steve is working with Austin.
  • I think it's time for Steve to decide with whom he's working. He can't work with them all when they are starting to work against each other!
  • Heh. James said he doesn't know if he can be friends with Austin outside the house because he's too tall.
  • Liz tells Austin that she'll never talk to him again (and other various threats) if Julia gets voted out this week.
  • Steve and Johnny Mac talked more about flipping the vote.
  • Steve is afraid that, if Meg stays, she and James will target him.
  • Then he thought about how Austwins would probably put him and Johnny Mac up together on the block again.
  • He sat alone figuring out final end games with a mix of hamsters portrayed by M&Ms.
  • Y'know, there are hours to go to eviction as I write this, but things just might have turned around in Meg's favor.
  • We'll see.

Will things flip to keep her?

James and his indoor shades

We should vote out Julia

Wednesday, September 02, 2015

Big Brother 17: Live Feeds Wednesday into the Evening - September 2

Workin' out

Here's the latest from inside that Big Brother House of What Do We Do Next?:
  • Johnny Mac told Vanessa he'd be voting Meg out unless she (Vanessa) changed her mind.
  • Now, would Vanessa ever change her mind? I guess she more often can't make up her mind!
  • But she's definitely changed her mind more than a few times.
  • Steve once again said he made his super fantastic wonderful insightful speech last week so that he could win America's Player.
  • @@
  • But, wait ... Austin thinks HE'S America's Player!
  • Will we have two America's Players this season? Wow, these hamsters are just so darn good!
  • Ahem.
  • They were allowed to practice for an HoH comp (photo below). They had to roll a ball up a doohickey and get a turn on it so it goes left instead of straight off the end.
  • Everyone, including Vanessa, was encouraged to try it out. Vanessa wondered if this might mean a double eviction.
  • That idea was rather pooh-poohed in a discussion with Austin. He said there could be a lot more to it than what they did or it could be for a luxury comp, etc.
  • They still don't think it's a double eviction coming up tomorrow.
  • Austin thinks his (disgusting nasty) ponytail beard is his trademark.
  • He talked about his (now) ex-girlfriend with Steve and Vanessa. They were having problems, mostly because he had no desire to work a real job, nor work much.
  • Apparently she had a real job and earned decent money.
  • She's better off without him.
  • He honestly thinks being on the show will open doors to show biz, comedy and more for him.
  • Oh my. It's more likely to open the door to the psych ward.
  • James thinks everybody is scared to do anything crazy this year and are walking on eggshells.
  • Yup, most are. 
  • Johnny Mac proposed that he and Steve should save Meg and wondered if Meg and James would work with them.
  • Steve thinks it's too risky.
  • Sigh.
  • Julia tried to decide on a quick speech, fussed about James and exercised with Liz.
  • Steve said that the twins need to be broken up.
  • (Jackie says they should have never been let in the house since they knew about them and could have voted out Liz before Julia stayed.)
  • Vanessa doesn't think it's the right time.
  • Long, long talk with Steve and Vanessa, trying to figure out their best end strategies and how to get there.
  • Austin told Steve and Vanessa he'd never break up the twins until the final three.
  • Um, Austin ... you're talking to fourth and fifth place. Is that wise?
  • D'oh!
  • Nonetheless, Vanessa wants Meg out this week.
  • The Queen has spoken, so it shall come to pass.

The sink cam

HoH comp practice

The claws come out!

Steve has a ball

Don't ask me what Johnny Mac has

Exercise session

Big Brother 17: Power of Veto Show Blog Party - September 2

Big Brother 11 Blog Logo photo BB-09-smJackieMA28497852-0002.gif


Good evening! Ready for a blog 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. As always, the real party is in the comments area. I hope to see you there!

Aw, Meg cries. She's upset to be on the block with her buddy James. Vanessa talks and explains herself ... too much.

Veto players pick -- Vanessa draws Julia. James draws Liz. Meg draws Austin. No Houseguest Choice chip selected. 

James can make Meg laugh even when she's so down. Perhaps no romance, but that's one solid and caring friendship. 

Johnny Mac, red shirt and bowtie, is the PoV host. The comp is called Hide and Go Veto. They go into the house separately and each hide a veto card. Then they have two minutes to find the veto cards. The last card not found, the hider wins. Watching them tear apart the house is always fun.

Meg couldn't find any. Nor can Austin -- he's more intent on further hiding his own by making a mess.

James is bent on destroying the house, gets nothing. Julia didn't find any. Liz didn't, either. Vanessa has one. Four more left to be found. Julia found one. Meg has one. Vanessa found the last card. The big reveal - Liz, Vanessa, Julia, Meg (James found her card!), Austin. 

James wins the Power of Veto!

And, now they have a giant mess to clean up! 

Vanessa is in a quandary. Who to put up? Who to put up? She doesn't want to put up Johnny Mac or Steve for her own reasons -- the vote might flip to get rid of one of them and she wants Meg to go. 

James vows vengeance on Vanessa. Austin runs and tells Vanessa. In an Austwins meeting with Vanessa, she tells them that the only safe option is to put Julia up as a pawn. Austwins want Johnny Mac out. Vanessa is adamant on Meg going. 

James goes to talk to Vanessa, hoping to save Meg. They argue. Vanessa is upset that James told her she plays the game too hard. 

Veto meeting time. James saves himself. Vanessa nominates Julia in his place after going on about how difficult it is for her.

Big Brother 17: Live Feeds into Wednesday - September 2

Meeting of the minds

Here's the latest from inside that Big Brother House of Scampering Hamsters:
  • Yes, I'm going to start off with yesterday morning. I had posting issues yesterday. 
  • Johnny Mac told Vanessa that he told Meg if he got HoH he'd target Steve and her (Vanessa). Now, that was just to make Meg (and James) think that.
  • Vanessa and Johnny Mac tried to go over what events happened on what days in prep for a comp. They don't know that comp will happen, but they want to be prepared.
  • They're not.
  • The Gronk parties are all a jumble in their Gronked-Out minds.
  • Johnny Mac wants to throw the HoH and Vanessa wants Steve to win. Of course, that would put the "blood on his hands" and lessen any likability with the jury for Steve.
  • Vanessa got the HoH camera and the usual posed photos went down.
  • Eh.
  • Julia, the unwilling pawn, is worried the vote might flip and she might go home.
  • Of course, she would blame that on Steve.
  • Poor Steve. I think they guy seems to be the easy scapegoat for them all.
  • Lots of napping went down on and off all day and evening. They've actually been turning in earlier in the evenings -- no dawn greetings as of late. I don't know how they can sleep so much!
  • Vanessa and Austin talked about Steve and Johnny Mac. Austin thinks they can get JM to work with them. Vanessa said it would be better to take out Steve and work with JM. According to her, they have to get rid of Steve soon because he'll win all the comps.
  • Huh. There goes Steve again!
  • Of course, Austin has no clue that JM, Steve and Vanessa are all working together.
  • And, Steve and Vanessa have had a final two pact for some weeks now.
  • But, when you think about it, while Steve can work with her to get her to her goal, she probably doesn't want to be in a final two with him. He just might win! Her actual best bet in a final two (of those left in the house) would be Julia -- a latecomer who doesn't win much of anything and is tainted by Austwins. Either her or Johnny Mac -- evicted once and none of them can figure him out, Enigma Man.
  • Vanessa worked on trying to spin things to vote out Julia this week. That, of course, would be blamed on Steve. It would alienate Steve from many and she could play innocent.
  • Lots of talk about who they'd nominate if they won HoH.
  • We'll just see about that.
  • Right now I think Meg will still be evicted although Julia might be in a bit of danger. I doubt that will come to fruition, though.
  • I could be wrong.

I shouldn't be on the block

Shoveling down the slop

Kid in the pool

Mac Attack

Melancholy Meg

Late night meeting

Tuesday, September 01, 2015

Big Brother 17: Live Feeds into Tuesday - September 1

Chess with the enemy

Here's the latest from inside that Big Brother House of Wonky wombats:
  • A whole lotta nuthin' goin' down overnight.
  • Steve realized that while he works his mind a lot, he's physically lazy. Five minutes of working out tires him.
  • Vanessa thinks they should plan just in case this week is double eviction. She and Steve tried to figure out the timing of last season's double evictions.
  • Vanessa also toyed with the idea of voting Julia out with Johnny Mac.
  • I don't think Steve would go for that, though. He has a crush on her.
  • So far, everyone has been thinking it should come next week.
  • BB gave them alcohol.
  • Of course, half the house can't drink it because they're Have Nots.
  • Meg thinks Vanessa putting her up is personal, not strategy.
  • Johnny Mac told Meg he's mad at them all for evicting him and would target Steve and Vanessa if he won HoH.
  • Yeah, right. 
  • Austin and James agreed not to put each other up if they (one of them) win HoH.
  • While I understand James wanting to vote out Vanessa, need I mention TWINS and a TWIN'S "BOYFRIEND" in the house?
  • If the Austwins do make it to the final three, I guess they will have earned it.
  • Sigh.

Johnny Mac and Meg hot tub it

Loyola wants their shirt back

Mingling at the hot tub