BBOTT: Scott's Nominations and Mo' Drama - into Monday, October 17

Even her own alliance is tiring of her drama

Well, Scott's final safety choices are in and there are no real surprises. He's going with his plan to backdoor Shane.

• He named Morgan, Shane, Danielle and Shelby as safe.
• That leaves Neeley and Kryssie as the nominees.
• Now Kryssie has been nominated every week since the season began.
• No matter the reason, that has to be a bit troubling for her. It doesn't matter that she didn't receive any votes the other weeks. She's still on the block and that makes one feel unsafe.
• In his speech, Scott told Neeley that she's sure to win the veto comp. He told Kryssie that she had issues with group activities.
• Say what?
• Now Kryssie's all upset and is wondering what he's talking about.
• Scott would have done better saying "just because."
• Kryssie is taking Scott's speech as a personal attack.
• Neeley is now shunning the girls who are saying they want to work with her.
• Now, Scott has talked enough about this plan to everyone that they all know he plans to backdoor someone (Shane or Danielle).
• Yet, they're all taking the nominations to heart. 
• The Alex, Shelby, Morgan and Whitney contingent is very worried that one of them will be nominated by America.
• Shane himself thinks that Scott is planning on backdooring him. But he thinks they should still act happy and hope the one put up as America's nomination goes home (as has been the case since the season started).
• Kryssie is really irked that, in his speech, Scott said that they're both "mental giants" and compared himself to her.
• I'd say if he was such a mental giant, he'd have a better job than being a debt collector!
• Meanwhile, as the lines of distrust and dislike are becoming more clear day by day, Justin sits eating popcorn and says he'll let them all take each other out.
• It used to be Neeley getting along well with "the other side." Not so much anymore. She thinks the girls betrayed her by not telling her she was going on the block.
• Justin himself, easy going as he is, is worried that Shane or Danielle would go after him if either won HoH.
• Hmm.
• Jason tells Justin they need them now. Neither he nor Justin will be in trouble this week. Maybe next week will be a different story.
• Kryssie is really taking the nom poorly. It's a double veto ahead and she just cannot grasp she's not a target.
• Her bad reactions have the others talking about her little idiosyncrasies such as always wearing sunglasses (so they can't read her eyes).
• Danielle continues to make most conversations about her. She's all full of drama, claiming she cried in the Diary Room because Shane might be in trouble this week.
• We'll see ...
• My own personal choices? If someone has to go from Jason's side of the house -- Danielle -- I find her the most annoying. If someone goes from the other side of the house -- Morgan. I personally think the sisters need to be split up (even though the hamsters don't know they're sisters) and I like Alex better.  

Shane should have stuck with a bromance

Morgan - will the sister act ever be revealed?

Leery of slop, can't blame her

Feels blessed to be there no matter what

Worried America will target her

Off Topic: That Was the Week It Was - October 16, 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. This is a regular Sunday part of this blog in addition to the television posts. Right now I'm covering Big Brother: Over the Top daily -- you can find those posts at this link. I'm also live blogging Survivor episodes as they air on Wednesday evenings. Come join the blog parties!

Ah, next week is the return of The Walking Dead. We'll finally see who Lucille did in. I'm thinking it might be Glenn or Maggie. Maybe Carl?!? I dunno.

My work week has been one from heck (or someplace worse) this past week. Between undependable coworkers, a boss who's been taking vacation every other week for two months now (leaving me to do the work) and undependable technology, I'm just shy of a breaking point. Geez, I get five weeks vacation. If I took vacation every other week, my work would never be caught up. Gah. 

At least we're out of summer and into autumn. 

I don't have much else for you other than the photos. Clicking on an image will open a larger version of it.

The Full Hunter's Moon

It's supermoon lighting up the night's sky last night. And, for me, shooting the moon is always a challenge.

Ring in October love!

The landlord at my workplace grounds has gone above and beyond with the decorations this autumn and I'm loving it! Between the pumpkins, the gourds, the stalks, the bundles of hay and the mums in planters, I'm in photo heaven! At first it was huge pumpkins which would take more than one person to steal, but now there are smaller pumpkins as well. I'm talking all over the place. I'm sure many will end up stolen. Sigh.

Early in the week, the day moon

Tis the season for mums!

The mums in planters near my workplace were so photogenic that I have many shots of them this week (see after the jump) -- some I messed around with photo editing software with and others I left just as taken.

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

BBOTT: Safety for Some and Have Nots - Into Sunday, October 16

Surviving better than I thought he would

I had a horribly long work day yesterday and had to flashback the stuff I missed. Yet I know I missed more than I caught anyway.  But that's how things go. Here's the major doings from the day into the overnight:

• The Have Nots voted by America are Shelby, Alex and Danielle.
• Heh.
• Of those three, I really don't mind Alex at all. She's gaming and I don't think she's obnoxious about it at all.
• As for Danielle, even her own side of the house (except Shane) is growing weary of the girl being so self-centered and overly dramatic.
• Shelby? She's the Queen of Odd Expressions. From chewing her lips to furrowing her brow, I often can't really concentrate on her game playing when the faces she makes are so entertaining. She's a pretty girl, but those faces ...!
• Then there was the long dragged-out Safety Ceremony. Scott made these people safe: Justin, Jason, Alex and Whitney (not necessarily in that order).
• No surprises there.
• We know his plan. He is using the America's Care Package, choosing the Double Veto and putting up two weaker competitors so that they'll lose and he can backdoor Shane (or Danielle if he can't get Shane). 
• He plans on nominating Kryssie and Neeley.
• Lots of petty hiding of stuff continues in the house.
• Danielle is acting out more and more. I'd rather she be the target than Shane.
• In other news, with Monte gone, Justin is more beloved by the others every day. Between his lack of knowledge about sneaky backstabbing in BB and his laidback kind of ways, everyone likes him. For all of his worldly talk, he's never been away from home for more than two weeks in his life.
• If he gets his comp game on towards the end, he could win this whole shebang. 

The gamer with the drawl

Goofy, but doing something right there

These girls are so high school!

Most awkward smoker ever

Late night talks

No green glow for them

BBOTT: Care Package and Changed Plans - into Saturday, October 15

I want to punch Scott in the throat

The big news of the day Friday was that Scott, as discussed in comments here beforehand, was chosen to receive America's latest care package. It's one which won't really give him a big advantage in the game -- those are being saved for hamsters more to America's liking.

• So, Scott won the Pick-a-Veto choice. He had three different types to choose from. He's planning on going with the Double Veto.
• Scott told Justin that he was probably going to go with the Diamond Veto choice.
• But minds can change.
• Either way, Scott doesn't necessarily want Justin (or Jason) out. He really wants Shane out, but would settle for Danielle.
• Danielle, Kryssie and Neeley think America gave him this care package because he's not liked.
• Well, um.
• Exactly what Jason and Kryssie were discussing -- Scott nominating people from his side (or just ones he's not targeting), then putting up a target with the double veto, is what Scott is thinking. They really aren't giving him much credit for strategy.
• Of course, in the strategy arena, it's not just Scott thinking. He has Alex and Shelby helping him think.
• Instead of nominating his real targets -- Shane and Danielle -- he's thinking of nominating Neeley and Kryssie, assuming he will win veto over them.
• I'd say it would depend on the comp itself.
• Meanwhile, the Jason and Company side of the house is hoping that America once again puts up someone from the other side and their vote will oust that one, too.
• Scott told Neeley of his plan, telling her it was a backdoor plan.
• Danielle and Shane are unhappy campers.
• Whatever goes on, barring America nominating Alex, I'm down with it.
• I want Alex to stay in the game. I don't care what side she's on. I'd also prefer Justin and Jason to stay in, too. But they don't seem to be in trouble this week.
• Even Danielle's buddies -- Neeley and Kryssie -- are getting a bit tired of Danielle. Other than her being a number for that side, I wouldn't mind if she gets gone this week.
• I'd like to keep Shane around for his eyes and facial expressions reminding me of a young Bill Murray, though.
• Now, if Bill Murray and Justin were in the house, that would be perfect entertainment! 
• Heh. 

Paler than me! Yes!

Morgan looking so much like Alex

The ever-changing looks of Neeley

I've gotta be me

This is a new plan, a better one.

Shelby furrows her brows often

BBOTT: Julie (video) Visit, Not Much Else - Into Friday, October 14

Birthday girl Whitney

They don't seem to have as much downtime in BBOTT as in regular seasons. But Thursday's big event is a video Julie visit and not a heck of a lot more than that going on.

• Nobody is flocking to Scott's HoH room and hanging out there.
• While the house is still divided, the one side is not hanging out with him.
• He needs to bear that in mind, methinks.
• Alex tried to mend fences with Kryssie over the nomination after she said she wouldn't nominate her last week.
• Kryssie didn't really take the apology well. She doesn't like being on the block each week even if she's not the target. She says she's not even going to bother unpacking this week.
• It looks like Scott still plans to nominate Shane and Danielle and considers that a big move.
• Yeah, like no one's tried that one before!
• In other news, today is Whitney's birthday and we got fish while they sang to her.
• Jason and Company think that Alex will be America's vote for nomination and they can get her out this week.
• I'd prefer Morgan.
• I don't like her lipstick.
• That's as good a reason as any. 

Snuggles

Not the same kind of snuggles

Only her husband can call her "baby."

BBOTT: New HoH in the House - into Thursday, October 13

The BB Barcode HoH Comp

Well, that comp was very exasperating! Not to mention convoluted and bizarre. But, hey ... it's BB Over the Top. We wouldn't expect less.

The comp had them measuring for the largest bar on the bar code. They were each given a chain to measure, but not told how long the chain was. They could use their feet if they wished.

• Although one answer (can't remember who exactly ... Danielle?) was in the 700s, most were guessing between 40something and 180something.
• The correct answer was 72.
• I think I would have just thrown myself down on the mercy of the bar code and hoped it would be for a tasty snack.
• And, who won?
• Scott.
• You heard me.
• Scott is the new HoH.
• For the first time in his life (and probably last time) pretty women swarmed him and jumped on him in joy.
• Seeing as Shane was going to give Scott what for for voting to keep Monte and that side (Jason and Company) were going to shun him, that doesn't bode well for them this week.
• I'd imagine Jason will be okay -- Scott has an odd fan man crush on him.
• I see no one running up there to share his HoH bed with him, though.
• Kryssie's reaction look at the end of the comp showed that she's expecting a third week on the block (out of three weeks).
• Scott doesn't want to put Alex on the block -- a move with which I agree. Alex is really into the game and I'd like to see more of how her BB game would play out.
• I'd personally rather Danielle, Shelby or Morgan. But that's just me, maybe.
• Alex adds to the game. For me, Danielle detracts. Showmances irk me. I don't watch BB to see soft porn. 
• Scott told us he plans to nominate Shane and Danielle (for a second week).
• Remember, Monte can't play for Veto this week!
• Oh, yeah! Monte got the boot last night.
• Heehee.
• If Scott follows through with his nominations, I would guess America might go for Alex. It would be better to put Morgan or Shelby up, though. Or even Whitney -- she's totally clueless.
• We'll see.

His dreams realized

She got to ditch the golf clubs during the comp

Measuring

A first for Scott - women jumping all over him

BBOTT: Weekly Episode and Live Eviction - October 12

I'll admit I'm still on a learning mission with the show and all the newness about how they're doing things. I learned last week that this weekly episode won't really warrant a blow-by-blow updating as it's all stuff we've seen before. So, I'll touch on the stuff I want to bring up and hope y'all do the same in the comments section.

The REAL interest I have in this one won't come for an hour after it airs -- the eviction. I still won't be able to stay up long enough for the HoH comp as it plays out on the live feeds. I really hate the timing of that. The only people that time works for (midnight here!) is the West Coast. I really wish they'd consider changing it! But I doubt they will.

Let's party! 

Heh. In the recap, they actually subtitled Cornbread's exit profanity.

It is interesting to see the music added to the action as we watch the HoH comp from last week play out -- especially the Justin/Shelby bit. Alex wins HoH, but we knew that.

Julie tells them about the care packages from America. Scott thinks he might get one. Wishful thinking, dude! 

Heehee. They showed the Justin flash scene in the bathroom. Now Monte's all panties in a bunch! 

Kryssie gets her care package and can save a friend from nomination. 

America's choices for Have Nots were Monte, Morgan and Scott. But we knew that. 

America nominated Monte while Alex went for the Shane/Danielle showmance.

When Jeff Schroeder arrived to host the PoV comp, Shelby had no clue who he is. Yes, Shane won the Power of Veto. 

Going against her word to her, Alex puts Kryssie up as the replacement nomination.

Finally, live eviction time. They're making speeches. Yay!

Votes to evict:
Shane - Monte
Morgan - Danielle
Justin - Monte
Shelby - Danielle
Jason - Monte
Whitney - Danielle
Neeley - Monte
Scott - Danielle

America's vote will be the tiebreaker. 

By a vote of 5 to 4, Monte is evicted from BBOTT.  
.  

Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen-X - October 12 Blog Party

Later on tonight, I'll be live-blogging the BBOTT CBS All Access show and eviction. Stop back for that!
 

As Survivor airs here on the East Coast, I'll be live-blogging with the major events.  As always, the real party is in the comments area. Please feel free to join in on the fun!

Here are the blog pool match updates from the Lovely Lifeguard Laurie:

Millennials - Vanua Tribe 
Adam Klein - Brian, Kelsey NY, Sharon N 
Jessica Figgy Figueroa - Donna in Alabama, Laurie 
Justin Jay Starrett - Becky, Jackie, Shayne
Michaela Bradshaw - Donna in NY, Krysta G, Pinky 
Michelle Shubert - Ed in Ohio, Nickelpeed 
Taylor Lee Stocker - Donna in FL, Janice from GA, Stephanie in Baltimore 
Zake Smith - Beachmom, monty924, Glenn
Will Wahl - Cheryl, Indiana Jane 
Hannah Shapiro - David, meb, Terry is a Texan 

Gen-X - Takali Tribe 
Bret LaBelle - Brandi Peralta, Judi Sweeney, Skyriverblue 
Ciandre CeCe Taylor - Anonymouse, Merrilee 
Chris Hammons - Cheryl in NC, Jennasmom, Lanell from TN
David Wright - Buzzmaam, MikesGirl, Sharon C 
Jessica Lewis - Cupcake, Jean, Petals 
Ken McNickle - Dolores in Hollywood, Margo, Russ 
Lucy Huang - Delee, ML
Sunday Burquest - Brenda, Kristen from Ohio, SueGee

Out
Rachel Ako - As first boot, her blog pool people have been reassigned.
Mari Takahashi - cwcamper, Marthalight 
Paul Wachter - ChickMc, PDX Granny

Survivor fans ready? Seventeen are left. Who will be voted out tonight?

The Older Kids: Bret and Chris are ticked about the blindside voting out of Paul. They feel betrayed. Jessica might not have done any favors for herself leading that blindside. Lucy went running to Bret and Chris. She promises them she can get Ken and David on her side against Jessica. Oh noes!

The Kids: They decide to go out pig hunting. Adam decides to go idol hunting instead. And, he's got it! Well, the clue to finding it. But he can't go searching right now. Later on dat action dudes.

Time for the Reward Challenge. Swim out to return ring, then back to flagpole while other tribes try to stop them. It's steak, vegies, spices and more on the line.  First point - Gen-X. Second point goes to Millennials. Then Gen-X gets another point. They're playing for three points. Now it's tied 2-2. Gen-X wins reward!

The Kids: All are in awe of Michaela's performance in the challenge. Adam, who's a bit of a runt, didn't fare as well. But he does find the idol! In a teary moment, he dedicates it to his ill mother ... the real fan behind him being on the show.

The Older Kids: They're loving their food. David tries to pry Lucy for information to no avail. Oh, wait. She tells David and Ken her plan is to get Jessica out. They agree to keep mum. Ken is balking a bit about Lucy being a dictator, such as Paul was.

Immunity Challenge time! Race through obstacles to a chair, others lift chair, retrieve numbered puzzle pieces in order-- it's like going three levels back and forth, up and down, in a scaffold.  

Both tribes are stumped on spelling out the puzzle.  Millennials win Immunity! 

The Older Kids: Lucy is sure her plan to oust Jessica is a go. Ken thinks that he and David need to go for Lucy -- pulling in Jessica and CeCe. They want her to pull in Sunday. Jessica is suspicious ... geez, she needs to believe them! She goes to Lucy! GAH! Ken tells Lucy she was too demanding in front of others. 

Tribal Council time. David made sure to bring his idol. The vote out Jessica mess comes up. Lucy says she thought men could handle her bluntness. 

The tally:
Gah! David plays the idol he has for Jessica. She's shocked.

Jessica, Jessica, Jessica, Jessica, Jessica, CeCe, Lucy, Lucy.

The Jessica votes don't count. Lucy is voted out! Jessica is still in shock.

Next week it's Drop Your Buffs time! 

BBOTT: Renom Day and Other Stuff - into Wednesday, October 12

Talking strategy? Nah ... coloring books.

Well, as expected, Shane took himself off the block with his veto. Up in his place went Kryssie.

• Although putting Scott up might save Monte, it would also cost that side of the house a number. They honestly think they just might get Danielle out.
• Me? In a way, I would just as soon Danielle leave out of the three. While I don't care much for Monte, he adds more entertainment to the live feeds than Danielle does with her Shane showmance. I'm tired of showmances.
• The veto comp punishments went on.
• Danielle fussed that "it's the middle of winter" claiming it was 5 degrees and there she was having to dive all the way down in the pool to retrieve golf balls at BB's beckon and call.
• Um, gee. If it were five degrees in Los Angeles, I think that would have hit the news.
• It was a bit sad to see Scott spend the night on the sand pit. It looked like it was chilly (but not five degrees) and he got dew all over him. He awoke early and told us how many mistakes he's made so far in the game. He apologized to Cornbread. He also said that being a show fan doesn't make you good at the game.
• Well, duh.
• Most fans of the show realize they'd suck on the show. 
• But he does say he's having the time of his life.
• Oh my. 
• As for the Kryssie nom, she's very upset with Alex. She feels blindsided because they had been working together to an extent. 
• Alex told her it's because she knows America loves her (Kryssie) so much.
• Alex is sure Kryssie will be safe.
• Out of the noms, Alex's side wants Danielle out. Jason's side wants Monte out.
• Scott did a bunch of shout-outs. He didn't shout out this blog. Shame on him.
• He wants to "take out floaters."
• Well, there aren't many of them this season. He says Justin is not a target of his because Justin has been one of the only ones who seem to care about him. He thinks that Justin and Jason are the only two on the other side who seem to have any faith in him.
• Scott says that he has info on Shane that he'll bring out because no way will it be Cornbread, Monte, then him (Scott) out.
• He says he's not just there for the $1,000 a week stipend even though that's more than twice what he earns outside the house.
• Yikes, collecting debts doesn't pay enough to pay your own debts! Oy!
• Of course, with him using the stipend bit as strategy, that will backfire on him. They all know he's a "superfan" and it's obvious that a dream of his is to win BB.
• Sigh. Whitney has no clue what leprosy is. The school systems don't seem to be turning out well-rounded educations as of late.
• Monte is trash-talking Danielle at every chance.
• Jason and Company are trash-talking Monte and Shelby at every chance.
• Justin is sailing through like a charm and has been a surprising refreshment this season ... so far.
• They had their live DRs last night which are kind of interesting even though we see their interactions with others. It's a good look at what they really think, not just what they're saying to others.
• And the beat goes on. 

On the block blues

On the block blues

On the sand trap blues