BB18: Live Feeds into Sunday Evening - September 18

Practicing her speech to the jury

Here's the latest from inside that Big Brother House of Schemin' Demons:

• Okay, so there's not much scheming going on lately.
• They were awake for hours today and also had the yard.
• Woohoo.
• Nicole and Paul separately practiced their speeches and possible answers to juror questions.
• A bit of interesting insight to those speeches ...
• Nicole's speech and "answers" seem to put James in the other chair.
• Paul's practice seems geared towards Nicole in the other chair.
• What we can probably infer from that is that if Nicole wins the third part of HoH, she'll be taking James. If Paul wins the third part, he'll probably be taking Nicole.
• I think I'd rather the latter -- Paul and Nicole.
• With James in there, the end game is too predictable. He would win second.
• Another interesting thing to note is that they were talking hamsters of the season. Both Nicole and PAUL commented on Bridgette's potty mouth!
• Now, Nicole has a case. She generally isn't cussing all over the place.
• Paul, on the other hand, can't say a sentence without using profanity.
• Not much exciting to report on.
• Jackie out. 

Sleepy Jamesy

Fashion police! I think there's a crime here.

Both of them will take me!

Guffawing once again

Let it end already!!! The madness!

Off Topic: That Was the Week It Was - September 18, 2016

Good morning! Since it's Sunday morning, it's time for my weekly off television topic reflection on the week gone by in both words and photographs I've taken along the way. If you're here for Big Brother news, everything I have for you can be found at this link. I'll be posting another live feeds report late tonight (for what it's worth at this point). But this ain't that. This post is a year-round regular "feature" while Big Brother is a summer obsession. Or, something like that.

Also television-related in this off television topic post -- if you want to be in the blog pool for Survivor 33: Millennials vs. Gen-X -- you need to take action and sign up on THIS LINKED POST. The cut-off for the blog pool is tomorrow, so get in there today! Every season we have late people wanting in and it would be nice if everybody made the deadline!

Okay, as for this week ... it's been a staycation. The timing is good as I'm still trying to recover from my sprained ankle. It's to the point now that, unless I'm on it a lot like I was on Friday, I can actually feel that bony bit that should be felt on the outside of the ankle. I've been trying to stay off it the best I can and pampering it at home with ice and elevation.

As a result of the ankle, I didn't go into the city (Manhattan) at all this week although I had hoped to go photo-stomping the Feast of San Genaro in Little Italy. I did attend a cookout, got together the photos for the library contest and delivered them (Hi, Jeff!) and got a few things done around the apartment but not as much as planned.

A few random things:

• Someone put about twenty books atop the mailboxes for people to take. I looked them over. None of them looked like my cuppa tea. I hope someone takes interest in them, though. I'm just not into historical romance novels.
• Some jerks in a white van with a 908 area code phone number and "Carpet Cleaners" logo pulled up outside last night and filled our apartment dumpsters with carpet remains and other debris. I yelled out the window at them that I was calling the police for illegal dumping to scare them. (There are also signs.) I didn't call the police because I'm not sure of my standing with a complaint as a tenant. I'll call the landlord's office sometime this week to see what they want. I should have gotten the total phone number off the van to give to the landlord. Hopefully, they won't return. But now the tenants in this roughly 40-unit building have no room to put trash in the dumpsters until tomorrow when they're emptied. Grr.
• If there were to be a zombie apocalypse overnight tonight, I wouldn't have to go to work tomorrow.   

Onto the photos for this week (and last). Clicking on an image will open it in a larger version.

The Vincent

I messed with this shot with a photo editor. I really should turn that one couch pillow around. It does match the couch on its other side! I blame it being backwards on the couch because of Vincent the Cat. He knocked it over to sleep atop of it and, without thinking, I put it back up with the wrong side facing out. Yup. All the cat's fault!

Banded bird

Is this my best side? I saw this pigeon watching me at the Bridgewater Train Station. It wasn't until I started shooting him that I noticed the ankle bands. He's someone's bird, whether racing or homing. I don't know what he was doing hanging around the train station!

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

BB18: Live Feeds into Sunday - September 18

Don't cry. It's almost over!

Here's the latest from inside that Big Brother House of Hapless Hamsters:

• With nothing but time on their hands -- no comps to play, nothing expected to happen -- these are some bored (and boring) hamsters.
• Thankfully, BB opened the yard up to them, so they aren't just cooped up in the house.
• Paul continues to work at being Nicole's bestest buddy to make sure she will take him into the final two if she happens to win the last part of the HoH comp.
• Nicole continues to say things to Paul about how James doesn't deserve to be in the final two in case Paul wins the final part.
• Meanwhile, James thinks for sure that Paul will take him to the final two if he wins and that Nicole also should if she wins. He thinks he's sitting pretty right now.
• James feels he needs to keep Paul and Nicole from being together without him.
• But he's really doing a horrible job of that.
• For the past couple of days (since the champagne brunch), the hamsters have let the kitchen go. Paul kept saying he was saving it for a cleaning blitz when he was bored.
• However, Nicole couldn't take it any more and started cleaning. 
• I've noticed that the gallon of orange juice from the champagne brunch was still sitting out of the refrigerator on the table THREE DAYS LATER.
• She complained about chicken in the sink, etc.
• Of course, Paul guilt-tripped about the kitchen, as did James.
• Nicole is in one of her many insecure jags.
• She's so lucky to have Paul to console and encourage her!
• Ha.
• As it stands with these three, I really think that if either Paul or Nicole take James into the final two, James would end up second place.
• It gets a bit trickier if Paul and Nicole are the final two (and I personally don't think it will happen because they both have better cases to win against James).
• If the case is Paul and Nicole in the final two, if the jury considers who played the game best ... Paul should win hands down.
• No matter how obnoxious he can be.
• No matter that he's my blog pool boy.
• He played the best game, especially considering he made some horrible choices (Jozea, for example) in the beginning and had to overcome his own lack of knowledge about BB.
• I've decided that BB wants to psychologically torture both the hamsters and us by having the final three cooped up so many days with nothing happening.
• And the beat goes on ... 

James tells us what a good position he's in.

Paul plays solo Jenga.

Nicole aghast at kitchen mess.

BB18: Live Feeds Overnight into Saturday, HoH Part Two - September 17

Chef Paul

Here's the latest from inside that Big Brother House of Perpetuated Plans:

• Finally.
• Late late at night their time.
• It came.
• The Part Two of the Final HoH comp, pitting Nicole against James with the winner to compete against Paul (Part One winner) in the final part on finale night.
• Now, we know that Nicole and James had earlier made an agreement that James would throw the comp to Nicole so she could go against Paul at the end. Supposedly, this is because she would have a better chance of beating Paul than would James. In their theory, Nicole would win the last part and take James with her to the final two.
• (Of course, Paul and Nicole also have a final two deal, but we're not dealing with that right now. I'm thinking that might be, as Howie would say, "A spool of lies!")
• Anyway ... the feeds returned from the comp block and they all have little Adventure Park t-shirts on.
• Guess what?
• Nicole won Part Two!
• Whether it's due to their plan or not, I don't know.
• From what they said, James did pretty well and didn't max out on time or anything. Did he really try?
• It's possible.
• It's also possible that he knew how Nicole was blowing through the comp and he wanted it to look like he tried.
• Since the feeds came back, it's either been all three hamsters together or just Paul and Nicole.
• When it's just Paul and Nicole, they're gleeful, hugging, laughing and talking final two.
• Paul is nothing but buttering up Nicole.
• I have yet to see Nicole talking to James alone.
• And that's where we stand.
• I do think it's all going to hinge on the final part of the comp. Despite all the friendship from Paul, Nicole just might take James for a better chance of winning.
• Despite all the friendship Paul is giving towards Nicole, he might just take James to the final two for a better chance of winning.
• Oh, the suspense!  

Nicole guffaws. She started out chuckling.

Threw it as planned? Yes? No?

BB18: Live Feeds into Friday Evening - September 16

Paul is really bored

Here's the latest from inside that Big Brother House of Why Are We Being Tortured With This Boredom:

• Basically, nothing has happened.
• Nothing.
• Lots of small talk.
• Some Nicole getting her feathers ruffled by both real and imagined slights.
• Lots of comp talks.
• Some comp studying.
• Yet, no comp.
• The second part of the HoH MIGHT play out tonight, but no guarantees.
• If it does, the feeds will probably be blocked for it.
• Paul has said he's bored 745 times today.
• I might be embellishing that a bit. 

Nicole paints her toenails

James is bored

They're all bored

BB18: HoH Part One, Final Three Reminisce Show Blog Party - September 16

What to we want? Hamsters! When do we want them? Now!

As the show airs here on the East Coast, I'll be constantly updating this entry. Refresh the page to get the latest news. As always, the real party is in the comments area -- come join in on the fun!

Don't forget! If you want to sign up for the blog pool for Survivor (premiering the same night BB ends), you need to sign up on this linked post. The cut-off for signing up is approaching!

On with the show ... and the blog party! 

Starting off with a recap, like always! 

Lots of final three positioning and celebration. Nicole finds Corey's dog pillow and is feeling sad. Oh, geez. Poor baby.

Ahem. 

James stands at the tall table and talks final two with Paul. Cut to another final two talk with them. Then Paul talks to Nicole about being in the final two with her. Oh, my. What webs we weave ... 

James tells us he plans to honor the final two. Nicole tells us she's not sure it's in her best interest.

Champagne brunch, memories time with the tiny table. 

Clips of crying, freaking out and Paulie reacting to a butterfly. Into a Paulie being obnoxious clips set. James pranking and others pranking him clips ... much better than obnoxious Paulie!

Diary Room clips. Onto showmances and the bromance. Victor coaching James in Spanish so he can use it on Natalie. Onto COReeeee! (And Nicole)

Onto the memories of the other hamsters -- Bridgette and her basil plant, Mr. Jenkins. Onto a Michelle segment. Next up, Victor's laugh (which annoys me to no end). Paul being obnoxious segment. 

Onto a segment reminding me of the death toll on Talking Dead. 

HoH Comp Part One -- They're dressed like cats, the lawn has a giant litter box, bowls and a couch. They chase laser lights and must climb up on ramps. Last cat standing goes to Part Three. We only see the start of it and the show ends. (My feeds report from yesterday has the winner listed.)

BB18: Live Feeds into Thursday Evening - September 15

She has Corey's doggie pillowcase!

Here's the latest from inside that Big Brother House of Dragging Days:

• BB woke them up way early (for them) to have their champagne brunch memory "walk" for the season.
• That, of course, was blocked to the live feeds.
• They were still imbibing champagne (mostly Paul) and snacking on food when the feeds returned.
• Paul made a huge 22 year old boy kind of deal about how drunk he was. 
• To me, it looked like, unless they had other bottles, they really didn't drink a lot of champagne.
• But, I guess I should say to his credit that I don't drink champagne -- something about the bubbles seems to make me woozier than actual hard liquor.
• They pretty much have nothing to do except eat, drink champagne, nap or play cards.
• Heck, even the kitchen looks cleaner than it ever did when Victor was there! There isn't a ton of food left out among cleaning supplies all over.
• James and Nicole washed up all the dishes from the caterer and put them in the supply room. That was James's idea and he did most of the dishwashing.
• Paul sat and drank some more.
• They rehashed comps, memories of the season, what and whom they expect at the wrap party and yada-yada-yada.
• They napped.
• They played cards.
• Most of their time was spent together or napping, so there wasn't much insight to end games except ...
• ... in a few moments alone, Paul and Nicole talked about going to the final two together. Nicole told Paul she'd never take James.
• (We know that Nicole told James that he needs to throw Part 2 of the HoH comp to her and she has a better chance of winning the last part against Paul and she will pick him -- James -- for the final two.)
• I'm kind of up in the air what she does plan to do. Obviously, she can't take both to the final two.
• I do think Paul just might take her to the final two.
• I don't think James will be in any position to take anyone, but has a good chance of one of them taking him.
• They still have no clue about the schedule changes for the television show from now until the finale.
• I think that Part Two will probably happen tomorrow. But, with no show on Sunday or Tuesday, it could happen later as it probably won't air until finale night. 

James always stands at that table

"I'm SO drunk!" - 11am-ish their time

They got the tiny table

BB18: Live Feeds, HoH Part 1 Results - September 15

Pre-comp jitters

Here's the latest from inside that Big Brother House of the Tenacious Trio:

• They didn't start the comp until way late.
• And, of course, they blocked it to the live feeds.
• I remember years ago that this, the final HoH Part One, would actually play out on the live feeds.
• This season, they've played out most HoH comps past the live show and aired them on the live feeds, thus pushing the CBS All Access for the live feeds.
• But, you get to an important comp at the end?
• Nah. We're not gonna let you see it!
• It was physical, as expected. Something about them swinging from a rope. And, James made a comment that men shouldn't be expected to spread their legs that wide.
• Hmm.
• Paul had on a form-fitting body suit which first gave me the impression he was naked.
• But I saw no tattoos. So, I realized he had on clothes of some sort.
• PAUL was the winner of the first part.
• So, Nicole and James will go up against each other in the second part (which should be in the next day or so). The winner of the second part will go up against Paul in the third part live on the finale next Wednesday.
• Paul is playing both of the others to work his way into the final two.
• It's to the point that I think he'll take Nicole if he wins part three.
• He comes across a lot more sincere when he talks to her.
• Of course, he's schmoozing up James, too. He thinks he has a final two deal with him as well.
• But then there's the deal that James and Nicole have, possibly (probably?) dating back pre-season. They have a final two deal, too.
• It seems to me that James would be the one to take for either of them. 
• Both Paul and Nicole have played stronger games with a mix of social and comp wins.
• James threw comps and now can't seem to win them if he tries. Plus, he spent most of the season cuddling with Natalie and sleeping.  The best he could get against either of them is second place.
• I think both Paul and Nicole know that.
• On a side note: During one of the feeds blocks (it's Jeff and Jordan), Jordan pronounces the W in sword. Heh.
• When Nicole and James were alone, he said he'd be throwing the next comp to her. (Still throwing comps.) She promised him 100% that she would take him to the final two.
• Now, that's assuming that Paul won't win that final comp.
• He just might. 

Lost yet another comp

Is working both sides

Pablo's lesser cousin Luis

BB18: Nominations, PoV, Eviction Show Blog Party - September 14

Are we ready for this? I know I'm SO ready!

As the show airs here on the East Coast, I'll be constantly updating this entry. Refresh the page to get the latest news. As always, the real party is in the comments area -- come join in on the fun!

Don't forget! If you want to sign up for the blog pool for Survivor (premiering the same night BB ends), you need to sign up on this linked post. Merci!

Here are the blog pool picks going into tonight's show:

Corey Brooks - Fred aka TwoBlackAces, Barbara B. W., Dierdre, Cheryl in NC

Paul Abrahamian - Jackie, Arf Barf, WolfpackRed, chrob61

Nicole Franzel - Kelsey NY, Grove Wiley, Nickelpeed, Sharon C  
James Huling - Becky, Donna in Alabama, Sharon S, Willie J

EVICTED
Glenn Garcia
Jozea Flores - Sasha, Merrilee, Tammy, Petals, JonMD1267
Bronte D'Acquisto - Jean in Tampa, elee86, Russ, Cheryl, Donna in FL
Tiffany Rousso - meb, SueGee, David, Jessica UNderwood
Frank Eudy - Dr_Celine, Dennis Comfort, Stephanie in Baltimore, PDX Granny

JURY
Da'Vonne Rogers - Donna in Alabama, uncartie, MarthaLight, Donna NY
Zakiyah Everette - Tilde, Jo C, Jenng326, Ayana, jennifer
Bridgette Dunning - Brian, Indiana Jane, Caela, Chauncey, Paula Bell
Paulie Calafiore - Joel, Chacha, Sally, Ed In Ohio, Buzzmaam
Michelle Meyer - Rich, Chase, Glenn, Anonymouse, Delee
Natalie Negrotti - Sharon N, Jackie P, QuixoticElf, Orkmommy
Victor Arroyo - Helenann2K, RBennie, Janice, Monty924

Let's get this party started!

Julie reminds us that it's the most important veto of the summer and then we're into the recap.

An emotions run high segment. Well, duh. Paul cries over his HoH win. Poor little Paul also cries to us in the Diary Room. A flashback to James and Paul talking the night before about splitting up Corey and Nicole. Paul cries some more in the Diary Room.

Nominations ceremony - Paul nominates Corey, then Nicole. He tells them that strategically it makes the most sense because they're such a strong couple. 

Julie promises us a segment on "the most explosive jury house ever." Huh. Maybe the cameras should have been in there -- the feeds have been boring for the past few weeks! 

Jury - Apparently Zakiyah was stupid enough to hook back up with Paulie. They're separate from the others. Natalie arrives. She says she would have saved James with the veto. Paulie speaks up saying that the girls in there are passive-aggressive after it was mentioned he didn't save Zakiyah. Da'Vonne lights into him. He goes and brings up her daughter. A handler has to come out to take Da'Vonne away. Then Da'Vonne gets into it with Zakiyah. Eep. 

Then Victor arrives a few days later. They didn't want to see him, but they all kind of like him. 

Veto comp time -- It's baseball-themed. It's a dates/events comp, they have to step on bases to advance the day counts. "Cover Your Bases." Three outs (wrong answers) and they're out. James got an out on the first question. James has his second out. James is out first. Nicole has one out. Corey has one out. Nicole has a second out. Nicole has three outs and she's out of the game. Corey has two outs. Paul has his first out. Paul has his second out. They're tied.

PAUL wins the final veto of the summer! 

Now Corey cries in the Diary Room. 

Live veto meeting and eviction time. No time for speeches. Paul does not use the veto. James will be the only vote. 

Eviction plea:
Corey -- Corey very nice. 
Nicole -- Gushes about Corey.

James votes to evict Corey, loves them both, though.  

The next show is FRIDAY. The first part of the HoH will be shown then. 

BB18: Live Feeds, Nominations, PoV Update - September 14

He's got power this week.

Here's the latest from inside that Big Brother House of Let's Get This Over:

• Well, you know from the show that Paul won the HoH.
• The feeds were blocked until just about a couple hours ago (as I type this). They did come back an hour earlier than what the scrolling marquee had it -- something we wondered if was an error. They started up after the Tuesday episode finished airing on the West Coast.
• Paul's nominations are ... Nicole and Corey!
• But, wait ... the PoV comp had already been played out by the time the live feeds returned.
• Guess who won PoV?
• We're talking Paul.
• So, if the veto isn't used, James has the sole vote.
• However, James feels that if Paul doesn't use the veto and he remains off the block, thus saving his life in the game ... he owes Paul.
• He will vote whichever way Paul wants him to.
• Nicole and Corey (mostly Nicole) pestered James to find out which way he'll vote.
• But he wouldn't say. He just kept saying he owed Paul and it would be up to Paul.
• Corey is sure it will be him.
• Nicole seems to believe she should give her game up to Corey but doesn't really want to do so.
• So, she's guilt-tripping herself for wanting to stay in.
• Corey seems sad, but keeps telling Nicole not to do anything -- let things be.
• James reported their pressuring him (mostly Nicole) to tell him which one will be voted out. He wants to sleep in another room away from them because he doesn't know what to do other than to tell them he will vote the way Paul asks him.
• In the talk with Paul, James kept going on about Corey being a bigger threat for the win than Nicole. He thinks he and Paul could easily win the final comps over Nicole.
• Hmm. I'm not so sure about that. I personally would rather Nicole stay over Corey. But she can knock out comps!
• Nicole came up to Paul afterwards. He told her no way was he saving the both of them -- her and Corey.
• Paul told her that he planted the seed with James that Corey should go and he's saving her butt.
• Ohh! The plot thickens!
• It seems that Paul and Nicole have a final two deal! He told her (before this) to act all discouraged and checked out.
• She's acting checked out.
• She's acting discouraged.
• Paul doesn't think James deserves to go to the final two.
• I like James, but he didn't really earn the place.
• Paul told Nicole that he doesn't want Corey to try to make a deal with James.
• Gah! Nicole told Paul that she's thinking of forfeiting her game to Corey!
• What is wrong with that girl!?!?!
• She says he's crying and she feels guilty.
• Paul told her no way to her forfeiting the game. Go forward and WIN.
• He told her it's not a dating show and not to tell Corey about their deal.
• Paul then went to tell Corey that he will be leaving tomorrow.
• Corey took it well.
• What happened to rules that they're not supposed to tell?
• Then, when they were alone, Nicole told Corey that she is going to take James to the final two for a better chance. She says the only jury vote she'll have is him (Corey).
• So, it's pretty certain that Corey will go tomorrow leaving us with a final three of Nicole, James and Paul.
• Then the fun begins.

Practicing her speech in the dark.

He kept me. I'll vote who he wants.

On the block

I don't want you to do anything, Nicole.