Off Topic - That Was the Week It Was - September 11, 2011

If you're looking for my latest Big Brother post, this ain't it. It's here.

It's Sunday morning, time for my weekly reflection on the week gone by in both words and photographs I've taken along the way.

This isn't just any Sunday morning -- it's the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. Our lives around here were forever changed on that day. The skyline of my favorite city isn't the same, but the lives lost and the loss of a sense of a secure homeland will be with us forever. The images are ingrained in our minds. We will never forget.

The Scotch Plains (NJ) 9/11 Memorial

This won't be truly unveiled until today, but I took some photos of it Thursday.

The covered piece is part of one of the towers.

Onto the more trivial things of the week gone by. Of course, it rained some more. We needed that, right? On the day I trekked to both my orthopedic surgeon's office in Bound Brook and then to physical therapy in Scotch Plains it was periodic monsoons. I needed that ... right?

The doctor and the PT are pleased with the way my patella subluxation (kneecap dislocation) is coming along. Now, it still has put the knee replacement recovery a bit on hold. My surgeon suggested buying a brace for it. Sigh. I didn't get a knee replacement so I could wear a brace! I'm holding off on a brace for now. I want to build up the quad muscle and pray the kneecap never again dislocates.

Oh well, onto the photos ...

Did another business move in?

The restaurant for rent signs have vanished, but no new signs are in place. I didn't go over there and peek in because I was waiting for a bus ... in the rain. Watchung Avenue, Plainfield. I edited this one to leave just the restaurant in color.

Sad

At least Luigi's is a constant. Watchung Avenue, Plainfield. Why is this happening? The rent is just too damn high!

Underside of a HUGE mushroom

No, I didn't do this. Irene probably did. While I love to take photos of them and I am curious, I won't damage nature ... not even a mushroom. My grandfather told me when I was young that I need to put every rock and stick I moved back as everything in nature is someone's home. Maple Avenue, Bound Brook.

Another mushroom fatality on Maple Avenue

Rainy day flower

The flower garden on Maple Street is no longer in its heyday, but there still are some blooms. It was only raining lightly on my walk from the bus to the surgeon's office. So I could take photos, but no bee shots!

Same flower garden

And again ...

And again ...

One more Maple Avenue flower garden shot!

Torrential rains after my surgeon visit

This is Mountain Avenue near the intersection of West Union Avenue. My un-sheltered bus stop is across that street on the right. Thankfully I waited out the worst of the downpour under the eaves of a church.

Happy Halloween!

Alfonso's Pizza in Scotch Plains has decorated their back door. Yes, it's raining.

Fall flowers are coming in!

A planter on Park Avenue in Scotch Plains ... in SUNSHINE on Friday.

Keep your eyes on the prize, Vincent

Yes, it's catnip ya little feline catnip freak!

Big Brother 13 Live Feeds Bulletin - HoH Round Two

It sounds like a rough one -- Porsche and Adam are all beat up, scraped and bleeding. They apparently were underwater bringing up hamster names to solve a puzzle, then filling in the puzzle underwater.

Oh.

And Porsche won.

Adam is telling both of them he'll sacrifice the $500,000 if one of them will take him to the final two. He'll tell the jury to give it to whomever takes him.

Survivor South Pacific - Meet the Cast

Survivor South Pacific premieres this Wednesday night, just before the Big Brother finale. I guess we'll have a busy TV night, eh? It's time to take a gander at the cast through Jeff Probst's eyes --




Of course, he left out the two returning castaways -- Coach and Ozzy. I'm of two minds about this. I do NOT like returning reality folks in the games. I really don't. While I won't necessarily mind watching Ozzy once again as he's a cutie patootie, Coach just outright annoys me. Sigh. We'll see.



Once again, they'll be using the Redemption Island concept, too. Hmm.

Here are my quick takes on the other castaways:

Upolo Tribe:

Albert Destrade, age 26, currently residing in Plantation, FL. He's a baseball and dating coach, not the both at the same time I don't think. I don't know ... in reading his online bio he's coming off as way full of himself. Usually, if that's how they act on the show, I want them gone quickly. He ain't all that!

Brandon Hantz, age 19, currently residing in Katy, Texas. Surprise, surprise. He's Russell Hantz's nephew and he's an oil tanker crewman. He's very young for the game. He seems to want to redeem the Hantz name and let people know it's not a synonym for mean and nasty. Having his last name tattooed in two places on his body isn't going to help his case.

Christine Shields Markoski, age 39, currently residing in Merrick, NY. She's a teacher, a good thing of course. But, in reading her bio, she's coming off a bit too idealistic for me -- sort of like the world is full of sunshine and puppy dogs and winning Survivor isn't a case of deceit and backstabbing. Oh. And she says she "needs" the money. For me, in reality shows, that's a turn off. People who "need" money can't be wasting time being on reality television shows. I know I can't!

Mikayla Wingle, age 22, currently residing in Tampa, FL. She lists her occupation as a lingerie football player. Oh my. I didn't know you could make a living at that! She has also graced the cover of Playboy already at a young age. I'll try to keep an open mind about her until she does herself in with me. Oh. Did I say that?

Rick Nelson, age 51, currently residing in Aurora, Utah. He's a rancher and not to be confused with Ricky Nelson, son of Ozzie and Harriet. He compares himself with JT, but an older and better version. I think his physical game is going to be a good one. But how will he do with the younger folks? He's tried to get on the show 14 times before. Hopefully he won't disappoint me like Adam on BB.

Sophie Clarke, age 22, currently residing in Willsboro, NY. Okay, we're talking a real small town gal. Her graduating class had 28 students? Sheesh, I had more than that in each high school class! She's a smart one and would like the winnings to pay for medical school. (Now, that might be worth the risk of going on a reality TV show!). I kind of like her bio. Let's see how tough yet likable she can be both physically and mentally.

Stacey Powell, age 44, currently residing in Grand Prairie, Texas. She's a mortician. Well, that's different. Now, I want to like her just because she's an over 40 player. I know. I'm biased. But I feel I always have to cheer on those closer to my own age over the kids! What I don't like about her is that she compares herself to Vecepia. Oh geez, another Bible quoter on the show? Nothing against the religious folks, but I feel religion has no place on the show.

Edna Ma, age 36, currently residing in Los Angeles, CA. She's an anesthesiologist. (Score 1 for me for spelling that right the first shot!). Oprah is her inspiration and her pet peeves are idleness, liars and deception. Um. Um. What is she doing on the show?

Savaii Tribe:

Dawn Meehan, age 41, currently residing in South Jordan, Utah. Huh. Two castaways from Utah this year? She's an English professor with six adopted children. Survivor might be easier than raising six kids! Y'know ... I think I like this woman. She's a show fan and seems to understand the ropes.

Elyse Umemoto, age 27, currently residing in Las Vegas where she's a dance team manager. She was once the second runner-up for Miss America, too. Okay, guys ... here's your eye-candy. One of her pet peeves is "pretty girls wearing ugly shoes." Now, that attitude is going to crash and burn on the show!

Jim Rice, age 35, currently residing in Denver, CO. A medical marijuana dispenser? Well, that's new and different! He thinks he's the most unique person to ever apply to be on the show. Yeah, right. I get the impression he's going to think he's the alpha male when he ain't nuthin' but the puppy dog.

John Cochran, age 24, currently residing in Washington, D.C. He's a Harvard Law Student although definitely not to be confused with Johnnie Cochran. "Call me Cochran." Being the geeky sort I tend to be, I'd like to see this kid do well. I bet his confessional segments are going to be good! Can he win it all? I don't know. But I think he's going to be entertaining while he's there.

Keith Tollefson, age 26, currently residing in Edna, Minnesota. He's a water treatment tech. Hey, he could be MY pool boy anyday! Hummahumma! Er, ahem. I got carried away for a moment. Jeff Probst didn't seem too keen on him for the win. I just hope he sticks around for my own personal eye-candy entertainment.

Mark Caruso, age 48, currently residing in Forest Hills, NY. He's a retired NYPD detective. That alone makes me want him to go far -- add in the age and I'd like to see a winner! He seems like he's going to be very likable, but I don't know if being a "morgue detective" for 20 years and being from Forest Hills is going to translate to roughing it on the show.

Semhar Tadesse, age 24, currently residing in Los Angeles, CA. She's a "spoken word artist." @@ She's already reminding me of that past castaway who frittered all about some seasons back. She's an Oprah fanatic who's likely to find out she's no Oprah. I don't think I want to check out her poetry on YouTube. Next!

Whitney Duncan, age 27, currently residing in Nashville, Tennessee. She's a country music singer inspired by Elvis and Jesus. Huh. Did the latter have a record contract? Oh, wait. Elvis inspired her to sing and Jesus saved her. Will he have to save her from the lows in Survivor?

So, there's the cast. Do you have any early favorites going in? What do you think of Ozzy and Coach coming back?

If you want to be in on the blog pool, please reply in comments or email igorsant at aol dot com. Margo is kind enough to be running the pool once again. Let's give her a round of applause!

Big Brother 13 Live Feeds Into Saturday 9/10

Final three dinner not what they thought it would be.

Cards, cards and more cards. Here's what's been happening inside that Big Brother House of Dwindling Days:

• They played Disney trivia.
• Hot tub.
• Cards.
• Did laundry. After several washings, they still have paint on the comp clothes from the other night.
  
• Tanned.
• Adam smoked and stood around a lot.
  
• You get the drift. A whole lotta nuthin' going on in the house.
• The BB voice started doing odd announcements such as the tallest building west of the Mississippi has 73 floors.
• I don't think the announcements have anything to do with a comp.
• I believe it's for "amusement."
• Neither of the girls can really figure out who Adam will take if he wins HoH.
• Nor can I.
• They got all dressed up thinking they were going to have the big Final Three dinner with the season recap show.
• Oops. Never mind. BB apparently told them there wouldn't be a show until the finale.
• Too bad, so sad. All dressed up and nowhere to go.
• They had a nice dinner anyway and zinged the past hamsters.
• BB also told them the finale is Wednesday.
• Round Two of the HoH comp is expected later today, probably evening here on the East Coast.
  

All dressed up and nowhere to go.

What? No sweat suit or bikini?

Big Brother 13 HoH Endurance Updates 9/08

10:39 PM -- Feeds are back and Rachel won this first HoH round.

10:35 PM ET - Porsche asks Adam if he'd make sure she doesn't drown, but then says she's scared to let go. Rachel, meanwhile, is solid as a rock. The mixer spun about five times more then to trivia. I think she dropped, but need the feeds to come back before I commit to it. What wusses this bunch are! In previous seasons, this would go on for hours.



10:32 PM -- Rachel and Porsche still up. Porsche is starting to look sick and make groaning noises.



10:24 PM ET -- Feeds back. Adam off. Porsche and Rachel still strong. Back to trivia.

10:17 PM ET -- Rachel and Porsche solid as a rock. Adam whining, swearing and squirming. Then to trivia. Wanna bet he's off when it comes back?


10:10 PM ET - All are still up. The newest updates will be on the top of this post.

Big Brother 13 Live Veto Mtg, Eviction and HoH Start Blog Party

The show is about to start here on the East Coast. As it airs, I'll update this entry with major events. But the real fun is in the comments and I hope you all join in!

I'm expecting tonight's show to end with an endurance comp for final HoH. I'll be posting a separate entry for that once the feeds are up again.

Nominations -- Rachel is safe. Porsche and Jordan are on the block. He gives them a speech about winning the veto.

Veto comp -- Jukebox Veto. Clues about the hamsters similar to the stairs veto comps of a few years back. Porsche wins the veto!

Live veto meeting -- Porsche saves herself. Rachel goes up with Jordan.

Porsche evicts Jordan ... sniffle.

GAH! Breaking news here -- two terror threats and Bloomberg speaking in a press conference. They CLAIM we won't miss any BB. This, of course, is the NYC area.

HoH comp first round -- Big Brother Mixer -- they are the blades on the mixer. Winner advances to the final round.

I'm setting up a separate post for the live endurance comp updates. See you there!

Big Brother 13 Live Feeds Quickie Wednesday Evening 9/07

The feeds returned at midnight (ET). Gee, now they have real playing cards to make things more boring than their tea bag cards! Here's the skinny from inside that Big Brother House of Cards:

• Adam got a stuffed clown in his HoH stuff.
• Porsche joked about cutting off it's foot (shoe) to send with Jordan to give to Jeff.
• Jordan was packing, then called to the Diary Room and is now ironing a dress.
• Rachel said she had to pack but didn't feel like it.
• Rachel, Adam and Porsche are playing cards in the HoH room.
• BB gives them expired goods in the HoH baskets.
• Very little game talk ... because they're playing cards!
• They did have a comp today, must have been the veto comp.
• Alas, looks like Rachel and Jordan are on the block.
• At one point, Adam and Porsche high-fived about being in the house all summer.
• Rachel said, "Nothing like rubbing it in my face."
• She didn't say it really mean or anything.
• Adam said she may or may not be there for the summer.
• Porsche won the veto.
• I'm not sure who originally was on the block -- Adam probably put Porsche and Jordan as he said he would before the feeds cut.
• Doesn't matter, Porsche has all the power. It will be up to her whether Rachel or Jordan is out tomorrow.
• It sounds like she's leaning towards voting Jordan out.
  

Big Brother 13 Sept. 7 Not So Live Eviction Show Blog Party

The show is about to start here on the East Coast. As it airs, I'll update this entry with major events. But the real fun is in the comments and I hope you all join in!

Keep in mind, although the show is being presented as "live," it was taped yesterday. Let's see if the spoilers have been right!

Veto comp -- a giant shark and pies, Otev the Sweet-Toothed Shark. Yep, it's the yearly Otev. They bring pies to him according to his clues. Jordan out first. Rachel is out. Kalia out. Between Adam and Porsche. Adam wins! Kalia needs to stop the tears.

Jury house time! Jeff lit into Shelly. Surprise!

Adam does not use the veto.

Eviction time. Porsche, nice speech, nice words to all. Kalia, Adam play like an All Star, not a fan, Jordan, kept my word to you.

Votes to evict --
Jordan -- Porsche
Adam -- Kalia

Rachel is the tiebreaker -- votes out Kalia.

HoH time -- the fortune teller speaks! Adam wins the T/F statements with Jordan on his tail. Porsche was a poor showing in third. (I could have done better after listening to the fortune teller on the live feeds.)

Big Brother 13 Live Feeds Update Tuesday 9/06

Since I last reported, not a heck of a lot went on on the feeds themselves:

• Crystal (the fortune teller) repeated all of the premonitions she already told them, thus keeping them up until around 6 AM their time.
• At around 9 AM their time, BB gave them champagne and crafts ... to put on a rather "fake" show for the Showtime audience tonight.
• It should be an obvious ploy unless they really edit things!
• The feeds have been blocked since this afternoon and should remain blocked through to at the earliest, tomorrow's fake live eviction show.
• However, since it is taped in front of an audience, you know information is going to get out!
• According to quite reliable sources, tonight's eviction had Kalia getting the boot 2-1.
• Jordan voted to keep her, Adam voted her out and Rachel was the tiebreaker.
• Adam won HoH ... not surprising with his intense scary bizarre fixation on the premonitions last night.
• Of course, I didn't SEE this happen, but the sources are reliable.
  
• I'll be taking a rest and won't be posting until tomorrow's blog party post for the not live live eviction!
• See you then ...
  

Big Brother 13 Live Feeds Quick Monday Evening Update

Her name is Crystal

The fortune teller has come to life, this time talking. First she said hello to Porsche by name. Porsche screamed and called in Rachel. They both screamed and got everyone else in there.

The fortune teller told them first that one of them will be the winner of Big Brother. (Well, duh.)

Then she said she had premonitions and they would have to hear all of them to win HoH. She would laugh and they need to come running.

The first clue was about Shelly becoming rich with her 2018 book about how she has the perfect tan and you can too. It will make #3 on the all-time bestseller list.

Okay, she's laughing again ... in 2017, tired of the Miami heat, Porsche will move to Anchorage, Alaska and buy an igloo with an Eskimo named Ernie.

This is probably going to go on for most of the night and I have to get some sleep as I have to go to the doctor, then physical therapy in the morning. But I'll hang in for a while.

She laughed again.

In 2014, Jeff will disappear from society. He will last be seen wandering the Chicago streets muttering two words, "Clown shoe!" Be gone!

Laughing again ...

October 15 3:42 PM, Daniele will reconcile with her father Dick. On October 15, 3:49 PM they will go back to not speaking.

Laughing again ...

In 2014 in a sleep study after sleeping for 19 days straight and making national headlines, Kalia will get her dream job as a mattress and pillow tester.

Laughing again ...

In 2016 Lawon will take NY Fashion Week by storm when he launches his Handsomefied line of hats, ties and jackets.

Laughing again ...

After taking 9 years to earn his PhD, Brendon will shock scholars and physicians alike by finding the cure for an ailment that's been bugging him his whole life after discovering the cure for athlete's foot.

Laughing again ...

In 2020 Adam will file bankruptcy after investing his life savings in a line of bacon-scented heavy metal teddy bears for children.

Laughing again ...

In 2018 Rachel will give birth to a 9 lb 6 oz bouncing baby boy named Buki, Jr. after his proud father.

Laughing again ...

In 2012 Cassi will land a role alongside international mega-superstar David Hasselhoff in a remake of a countrified version of Baywatch, Riverwatch.

Laughing again ...

In 2015 Evel Dick will start a new tradition by bringing Christmas gifts to heavily tattooed orphans changing his name to ... old St. Dick?

Laughing again ...

In 2013 Dominic will grace the cover of Seventeen Magazine with total DOMination, he'll dethrone pop sensation Justin Bieber as America's favorite heart throb.

Laughing again ...

In 2015 Keith will land a job hosting a new dating show called Love Rejection but it will be short-lived after it's revealed that he tried to date all 29 contestants.

She almost went into the next premonition but then the tape stopped and she told them to leave the parlor room. If I'm not mistaken, I think Jordan is the only one left now.

Laughing again ...

In 2011 after the runaway success of the Humilitard, Jordan will launch a line of Humilitard-inspired items including the Humilicar, Humilifier, and the Humilibake oven.

Okay, she went through all the hamsters. I hope it's over. On another note, Rachel just asked Jordan if she would reconsider her vote to keep Kalia. Jordan says it doesn't matter, she can change since she's sure Kalia will go whether she votes for her or not.

I'll be signing off for a while soon unless I hear the fortune teller laugh in next few minutes. Some of my Crystal quotes might not be perfect, but commenter FA has been transcribing them, along with the PT times and Crystal's good-byes for each one in comments. (Thanks, FA!)

MORNING UPDATE: No sleep for the hamsters as the fortune teller kept at it all night, repeating the fortunes already told. Rachel did sleep -- she can't compete in HoH and is strong on the fortunes from the first round. Adam seems the strongest with Jordan confused at times. Porsche and Kalia have a few things outright wrong.

Big Brother 13 Live Feeds PoV Update 9/05

As expected, Adam did NOT use the PoV -- Kalia and Porsche remain on the block.

Jordan thinks that Kalia has actually played the game and taken chances, unlike Porsche. However, both Rachel and Jordan are sure that Adam will vote out Kalia. So they remain discussing which will go. But I'm going to bet it will be Kalia.

Big Brother 13 Live Feeds Into Monday Morning 9/05

Adam still holds the power this week

No, I haven't forgotten y'all ... there just isn't all that much new to report. Here's the latest from that Big Brother House of Fools:

• The PoV meeting hasn't gone down yet. I expect it later today.
• Doesn't matter; Adam will NOT be using the Power of Veto.
• Not only has he told Rachel and Jordan he won't (and, when the dude actually commits like that, he sticks to it), but he told US ... the live feed watchers.
• I wish Adam was more interesting when he talks to the feeds watchers. He's no Dick at Nite show.
• But, at least he DOES talk to us when he's alone.
• They continue to all get along when together, no brouhahas.
• They continue to play cards made out of tea bags.
• Except Jordan, that is. She doesn't really like (know how?) to play cards.
• Porsche is now sporting a new puke green velour sweat suit. @@
• They all seem to be dressing up in their new clothes for PoV this morning.
• Porsche is now wearing a floor-length dress with a hoodie over it. @@
• Kalia and Porsche still work on Adam whenever they're separately alone with him, often throwing each other under the reality TV bus.
• But it ain't gonna happen. He won't use it.
• It still looks like Kalia will go this week.
• Despite Kalia's extremely annoying personal habits and voice, I'd still prefer Porsche go.
• Now that Porsche is actually shown doing stuff other than sleeping on the feeds, I'm not impressed.
• Rachel continues to be normal-acting sans Brendon.
• She might want to think about that when she gets out of the house.
• That's all she wrote ...
  

Hanging out with Adam ... love the gown and hoodie, not!

Tea bag card game in action.

Big Brother 13 HoH Result and Nominations Show Blog Party 9/04

The show is about to start here on the East Coast. Shockingly, it didn't get delayed by tennis! As it airs, I'll update this entry with major events. But the real fun is in the comments and I hope you all join in!

Rachel won HoH by a wide margin!

Rachel goes to the room to find Pandora's Box -- Tori Spelling and a shopping spree! She knows Adam's Tori fixation and thinks there can't be a big twist. So she goes for it. Rachel instead got Jessie. Eww.

The house got Tori Spelling. Adam is agog. Then the house got a three-minute shopping spree. Rachel didn't get to go.

Adam, Porsche and Kalia all pleaded their cases with her. But only Jordan and Adam are safe. Kalia and Porsche are on the block.

Off Topic - That Was the Week It Was - September 4, 2011

If you're looking for the latest Big Brother 13 live feeds update, it's this post, not THIS post.

It's Sunday morning and, unlike last Sunday, it's time for my (usually) weekly look back on the week gone by in both words and photographs I've taken along the way. I didn't post last Sunday due to an extended power outage due to Hurricane Irene. My power went out late Saturday night and didn't come on again until Monday morning. During Monday, it went out twice again for much shorter periods of time. However, I had it easier than many of my friends in Manville and Bound Brook during the storm.

For only the second time since living here (ten years), my own street flooded and had to be closed down. I didn't go out for any storm photos as my power was out -- no elevator with me still getting around with a crutch after my knee setback. From my own windows which look off to the side, the storm didn't look that impressive. Yet, when I went out on Tuesday, I noticed the water marks on the front part of the building were over a foot high. Our front foyer, which is lower than ground level (steps down to it outside, then steps up to the first floor inside) must have flooded.

I'm not sure when my power went out Saturday night -- I woke up around 4 AM all sweaty because my fan went off. Since I couldn't get back to sleep, I sat in my recliner chair by the window and watched explosions of transformers and wires being brought down by falling trees light up the night sky. It was almost surreal, like lightning close to the horizon with no lightning bolts or thunder. As I watched, I feared my power might be out a long, long time.

I'm lucky. Some of my friends STILL have no power as I get this written. Plus, I have no worries about storm damage. I live on the second floor of a three story apartment building. If a tree were to fall, it would hit the top floor. If a flood were to happen, it would be the basement and first floor.

The storm made the week a bit weird. I still see some wires down on the street. Hopefully they're just cable wires at this point. All of the intersections with traffic lights still boast flare dust from when cops were there through the night, then day, then night again. I had my police scanner on through the storm and my outage listening to water rescues and the various emergency responses. The Plainfield Police and Fire Departments get my kudos for a job well done!

Let's see ... what else has been going on? Oh! I found out that the stomach bug I had is indeed something that's going around. The mother of one of my friends was actually hospitalized with it. I know since my operation, my immune system is weaker than normal, so that's probably why I caught it and why it hit me so hard.

The knee continues to improve from its setback. Unfortunately, a lot of my recent physical therapy has had to focus on the kneecap dislocation rather than the knee replacement. My PT says that he has patients coming in solely for therapy for that. Ack. I've worked myself back down from the crutch to a cane while outside the apartment. But I still feel like it's unstable and I'm taking it real slow. Inside, I'm not using anything, but I'm not dashing about for sure!

Anyway ... onto the photos. My apologies again for no storm photos!

I come from New Jersey with my cap upon my knee

Second Street, Scotch Plains.

Mushroom

Tons of fungi all over the place both before and after Irene due to the historically wet summer.

Another

A gathering of the 'shrooms

A lone 'shroom

I read where some folks have been eating the local mushrooms and have had to be hospitalized. That would never happen to me. I'm only a fan of photographing them. I don't care for eating them even when they're not poisonous.

Where the water came from?

I took this shot from in front of my building. The Green Brook runs in back of those apartments across the street from me. It's usually a small brook -- sometimes down to maybe twelve feet wide in spots, perhaps 20-25 feet at its widest in the area. Apparently it grew big enough to make my own street into a raging river during Irene.

My taped up kneecap.

My knee is swollen just because it's swollen. It's splotchy because I had ice on it at the end of PT. The scar is healing nicely, though!

Yet another mushroom

Snoopy window

East Second Street, Plainfield

Pretty in pink

Flowers brighten up a set of weathered steps on Berckman Street in Plainfield.

Silly tiny bikes

How can they ride these things? Those seats look SO uncomfortable! Scotch Plains.

Camera shy

That human will never find me!
I'll become one with the tree!
Call me a treehugger

Yet another mushroom

You NEED to put that camera down and play with me!

Okay, Vincent. Whatever you want ...

Big Brother 13 Live Feeds Into Saturday Night 9/04

Kalia crashes and burns

In the beginning of the season, I would never have predicted this final five. Of course, at the beginning, I was thinking Evel Dick would be entertaining me all summer. Instead we have Adam with his metal persona gone standing and weaving while smoking cigarettes. Oh well. Here's the latest from inside that Big Brother House of Whine and Cheese:

• As I posted earlier, Adam won the veto.
• Now, before the veto comp went down, Adam gave his word to Jordan and Rachel that if he won the veto, he wouldn't use it.
• Of course, if he were to use the veto, it would be Jordan on the block as the replacement.
• Adam has played a sucky Enzo-like but not as entertaining as Enzo game all season.
• But, one thing about him -- when he commits to something, he does stick with it.
• When he's iffy or wants to vote another way, he never tells the person pleading to him what he'll do.
• So I think he'll remain true to his word and NOT use the veto.
• He even gave Jordan his girlfriend's necklace to hold as some sort of insurance.
• Yeah, that reeks of Shelly and her ring, but ...!
  
• The veto comp was an Otev one, this time with them retrieving pies.
• How he won, I don't know. I'm still in shock.
• Both Kalia and Porsche tried their hardest to mingle through the room.
• Adam told them he probably will not be using the veto.
• But how could he betray them like that?
• Kalia fell apart when Jordan told her she probably won't be voting for her to stay.
• She exiled herself in the bedroom crying her little heart out while mumbling that Adam and Porsche don't deserve to be in the house.
  
• But, of course, she is so much more deserving!
• Eventually she went into the Diary Room probably asking to DOR (voluntarily leave).
• I'm just not getting her. Many "deserving" people have already been voted out, most not throwing quite the dramatic fit she's throwing.
• While the Kalia drama was going on inside the house, everyone outside was getting along playing pool and hanging out in the backyard.
• I'm not sure of how things will be timed in the coming days as they will most likely have a taped eviction on Tuesday.
• At this point, it looks like Adam won't use the veto and it's Kalia going home.
  

The fortune teller comes alive for the group,
yet says nothing.

Adam has the power.
Who woulda thunk it?

Porsche now lives in a gray sweat suit.

Rachel continues to be better without Brendon.

Jordan needs to STOP PLAYING WITH HER HAIR!
Most of the girls do it and it drives me crazy while watching.

Big Brother 13 Live Feeds Update - PoV 9/03

Oh my gosh.

Adam won the Power of Veto.

Big Brother 13 Live Feeds - Nominations 9/02

Rachel nominated Kalia and Porsche for eviction.

Surprised? No? I didn't think so.

Big Brother 13 Live Feeds Into Friday Afternoon 9/02

Rachel reads her HoH letter and DOES NOT CRY.

At least after the live show, we have some action for a couple of days before the doldrums set in again. I'm dreading when it's down to two of these hamsters for the last bunch of days. But, that's not now and now actually has stuff going on! Here's the latest from inside that Big Brother House of Krazy Koi:

• Last night, after the HoH comp ended, Adam lamented that it hadn't been a donut EATING contest. He's sure he would have won that!
• I don't know. I think Kalia could give him a run for the money when it comes to eating!
• The new newbie alliance already has a crack in it because Porsche, smart gal she is, realized that Kalia voted to keep Shelly.
• Kalia told her it was because Rachel and Jordan told her they were voting for Adam to go and she didn't want to vote against the house.
• Yeah, right. She actually had less to fear from Shelly staying. Adam is a Porsche buddy and would knock Kalia out before Porsche.
• Well, that is if he could ever win anything!
• Kalia thinks shes her own worst critic.
• Wait until she reads internet sites!
• Porsche, who's barely talked game all season, has latched onto Adam and strategy talk. Is she deserting Kalia? Hmmm ...
• In the HoH comp, at the 13 minute time limit, Rachel had 20 donuts while Jordan and Adam came in second with 15 donuts each. Kalia was far behind.
• In her HoH room, Rachel got photos of herself and Brendon.
• SHOCKER!
• Kalia is worried that Rachel and Jordan are after her because they led her to believe Adam was being voted out just five minutes before the vote.
• Jordan tried to point out to Adam that Porsche will dump him whenever as she was more concerned about going along with the house than saving him.
• Rachel and Jordan have decided that Kalia needs to be their target for the week as she's more "dangerous" than Porsche and Adam is just a waffler.
• They're right about Kalia. But, I for one, despite my annoyance at her various annoying habits on the feeds and even her voice ... would rather see her in the finals over either Adam or Porsche. She has played a better game, methinks.
• Don't take that for me liking her, though!
• Rachel doesn't like being in the HoH room without Brendon.
• I prefer she's there without Brendon. She's like a different person without him in the house (well, after the second time he left, that is).
• They got booze last night. Without Brendon, Rachel behaves okay with booze.
• Kalia was the first one to run to Rachel's HoH room to try to save her butt.
• Although she is the target, Rachel seems to agree with me that, of the bunch, Kalia is the one trying the hardest in the game.
• But I had to switch cams then. Kalia's never-ending circular conversation was driving me nutso!
• If they have a talking comp, Kalia would knock it out of the park!
• Rachel thinks the upcoming week will be a shortened one. She's right.
• Then came ... Pandora's Box! Well, trivia for us, excitement for them.
• Rachel opened it because it said something bad for her, good for the house.
• The house got one of those clothes sprees and Tori Spelling.
• Adam is in love.
• Rachel, once again, got Jessie.
• Sigh. What the hell is wrong with Allison Grodner that she thinks anyone ever wants to see that jerk again?!? STOP BRINGING HIM BACK! LET HIM VANISH!
• The others grabbed clothes for Rachel, too.
• Adam got a couple of dresses for his girlfriend.
• Rachel could see them shopping and Tori Spelling-ing while she suffered with Jessie.
• Nominations are later today. When I know, you'll know!
  

What being a hamster will do to you ...

Jordan, however, always maintains her cuteness.

Maybe now Porsche will burn that pink velour sweat suit!

Adam looks better in a good hat.

The spree results!

Big Brother 13 HoH Comp Update - 9/01

As I get this posted, the feeds are still blocked. I want to thank Joe and Eviction Updates for their tremendous show updates on the blog party post.

When I know who won, you'll know. Keep checking back!

10:17 PM ET -- Feeds still blocked.

10:25 PM ET -- Feeds return, still waiting for confirmation on winner. They're all coughing a lot and clearing their throats.

Adam said "Good job" to Rachel, but it doesn't necessarily mean she won. I'm pretty sure she did, but I want more before I declare Rachel the winner.

Confirmation: Rachel is the new HoH.