BBOTT: Nominations, PoV, Eviction and HoH - into Thursday, November10

Cryfest changed participants

With us involved this season, it's a topsy-turvy ride through the season! Unlike most seasons when, in a divided house, one side gains the numbers and the others go one by one ... this season keeps switching up the power! And, of course, that's our doing. Cool.

• When I last left you, Alex was evicted, Whitney had defected to be over on the other side with Justin and America gave Morgan the PoV and power to remove a nomination.
• The tears stopped quickly for both Morgan and Shelby when they knew they'd both be safe from the second eviction.
• The cryfest moved onto Kryssie and Danielle (the HoH).
• What to do? What to do?
• Can't put Morgan up as she has "won" the PoV.
• No sense in putting up Shelby because Morgan would save her.
• So, it ended up being Whitney and Justin on the block.
• And ... we have a tie vote.
• As HoH, Danielle decides as a tiebreaker.
• Toodles, Whitney!
• Danielle would rather have Justin stick around (even though she and Kryssie keep complaining that they think Justin is throwing comps).
• The new HoH comp is a convoluted affair with mirrors and laser beams, complete with all kinds of technical glitches.
• They're doing the comp individually with the rest of the house sequestered each in individual rooms.
• They gave Kryssie the storage room.
• If I were her, I'd chow down.
• They finally let her go to another room with an actual bed.
• For a 20-minute time limit each (disqualified at that time), this is taking forever.
• There have been technical problems with mirrors falling and more when Shelby played.
• As I write this, Justin (the last one) is doing the comp.
• As it stands, Jason has a solid lead with 8 minutes something.  The closest behind him is Shelby, with almost three minutes behind.
• Kryssie is the worst time - 15 minutes and change. No surprises there!
• I'm just waiting out the Justin finish to post the winner. 
• Justin was disqualified, passing the 20-minute mark.
• I've been waiting for BB to make the winner announcement.
• I can't wait any longer.
• I'm going to call it Jason.
• If the broken mirror glitch did a reset on Shelby's time, maybe ...?
• Nah.
• It has to be Jason. 

Why? Because it's BB and they can!

Not crying now!

On the block

Waiting, waiting ...

Individually sequestered

Lasers and mirrors

Hit me with your laser beam!

Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen-X Blog Party - November 9

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! 

This week is the double eviction on BBOTT. Since their weekly show is starting at the same time as Survivor, I'm putting up a post for it that will be concurrent with this one. I'm not expecting the first eviction there until after Survivor ends, so I will be here until the end of this show. I can't physically (or mentally) watch and post about two shows at one time! Gah! I'll have the feeds on minimized and low volume during this show. If I hear the eviction go down, I'll see what's up.

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

Vanua - Orange 
Chris Hammons - Cheryl in NC, Jennasmom, Lanell from TN 
David Wright - Buzzmaam, MikesGirl, Sharon C 
Michelle Shubert - Ed in Ohio, Nickelpeed 
Zeke Smith - Beachmom, monty924 , Glenn

Takali - Purple 
Adam Klein - Brian, Kelsey NY, Sharon N
Jessica Lewis - Cupcake, Jean, Petals 
Ken McNickle - Dolores in Hollywood, Margo, Russ 
Taylor Lee Stocker - Donna in FL, Janice from GA, Stephanie in Baltimore

Ikabula - Green 
Bret LaBelle - Brandi Peralta, Judi Sweeney, Skyriverblue 
Hannah Shapiro - David, meb, Terry is a Texan 
Jay Starrett - Becky, Jackie, Shayne
Sunday Burquest - Brenda, Kristen from Ohio, SueGee 
Will Wahl - Cheryl, Indiana Jane

OUT 
x Rachel Ako 
Mari Takahashi - cwcamper, Marthalight 
Paul Wachter - ChickMc, PDX Granny 
Lucy Huang - Delee, ML 
CeCe Taylor - Anonymouse, Merrilee
Figgy Figueroa - Donna in Alabama, Laurie 
Michaela Bradshaw - Donna in NY, Krysta G, Pinky 

Survivor fans ready?

Hannah feels left out as the only one not in on the Michaela vote. She trusts no one and vows revenge. For some reason, I don't think she'd be good at revenge.

A boat arrives and they have five minutes to pack ... the merge is on! 

Old alliances will become renewed? Hmm. Will some new alliances hang in? 

While the others are feasting, Adam goes Idol hunting. He finds an advantage that allows him to steal a reward that's won by someone else. Interesting! 

Taylor decides to steal and hide food, but Bret sees him. Adam decides to use that to his own personal advantage to work him against Jay. How to do that? Vote out Will and Jay will return to Taylor. Then Adam tells him about the advantage. Here I thought Adam might end up being a smart player. I guess not! 

Heh. Zeke overhears Taylor telling Jay that they need to get Adam out.

Okay, to the first individual Immunity Challenge! Balance on a small perch with hands tethered above, bucket of water comes down. Last standing wins.  
 
It's down to Jessica and Will. Both look sturdy. Jessica is out! Will wins Immunity! He knew he needed it because he was told Adam was gunning for him.

Zeke tells Adam that the others are planning on him. Working with Gen-X, they could target Jay. Meanwhile, Gen-X thinks that Michelle might be a good target.  Taylor wants revenge for Adam getting Figgy out. Hannah tries to talk sense into Adam. Even the Gen-X are leery of him.

Time for Tribal Council. 

Adam does not use his idol.

The tally:
Adam, Michelle, Adam, Michelle, Adam, Michelle, Adam, Michelle, Michelle, Michelle, Michelle.

Michelle is voted out. That took the smile off of Taylor's face.  

BBOTT: Double Eviction Weekly Show and All - November 9

I'm putting up this post so anyone who wishes to do so can comment on the weekly show. I'm not going to live blog the show itself as we've already discussed all that happens.  Plus, the early time here for the show has it at the same time as Survivor -- which I live blog. I don't expect the first eviction until after the hour mark, so I'll pop back in then.

Keep in mind, the nominees are Morgan, Whitney and Alex. One will go home. Jason saved Danielle with the veto and put Morgan in her place.

I'm not sure how the time element will work in East Coast time. I'll hang in as long as I can. But I do have to be up for work in the morning.  

Live eviction time! (9:00pm ET) They're giving speeches. 

Votes to evict:
Kryssie - Alex
Justin - Alex
Danielle - Alex

America also voted Alex. It's unanimous. She's gone. 

Big Brother Shopping Network

HOH Comp! They're watching a video of the BB Shopping Network, complete with schmaltzy music and all. The items are all from comps. They have time to study.

Oh geez. Rachel shows up at the door to host the comp.

Hostess with the mostest? Um.

Four-way tie with Morgan, Danielle, Kryssie and Whitney. Justin is out. Goes to the tiebreaker. Danielle wins HoH!

And, so, the Morgan/Shelby cryfest begins. Whitney has completely defected to the other side before tonight's eviction. So, it's just the two. I guess I'd cry, too.

Oh my! Julie's voice calls them to the living room! How exciting! She tells them that America is voting on the care package and they'll know in an hour. 

Okay, Morgan won the care package -- PoV and ability to remove someone from the block. So, they should both be safe.

But I have to call it a night. I'll update in the morning!  

BBOTT: America's Nomination, Power of Veto - into dawn Tuesday, November 8

Who will be President?

Nah, Justin wasn't thinking that as he daydreamed. But I do wonder about them on Election Day. I heard them talk days ago about not having a clue who is voted in as President until they leave the house. Unless I missed it, I didn't hear them discuss absentee ballots. Hmm. 

• The morning started off with America's Nomination announcement at about 10am their time, followed by PoV picks.
• Oh my.
• Surprise, surprise ... it's Alex, America's Nomination.
• I had figured it would be between her and Kryssie.
• When Shelby drew Alex's chip for PoV, Alex got to choose someone.
• She chose her sister.
• Well, duh.
• Of course, these silly hamsters still have no clue that they're sisters!
• Shelby decided Justin would host.
• So, the nominees are Whitney, Alex and Danielle. The co-Hoh play -- Jason and Shelby. Justin hosts. And Kryssie just sits there and watches it all go down.
• That's good. This would be a comp that Kryssie would cry and get frustrated at, I'm sure.
• My gosh, Justin reads like a school kid with no oomph, emotion or feeling behind it! Sure, he can read just fine. But he'll never be an orator or an actor. He recites rather than emotes.
• The Veto Comp was a rather tricky one, physical but really more about balance and control than anything else.
• They had long clear tubes, open at each end with a little pipe in the middle. They had to drop balls in the tube via the pipe, walk a balance beam without the balls escaping on either end, then deposit them in tubes at the end.
• No matter who wins, with Shelby and Jason, the one with the most balls in place will be the deciding vote in case of a tie vote for eviction.
• Shelby thinks America doesn't like her. Morgan disagrees.
• Well, I'm seeing more of what America likes or dislikes. Shelby was on the low end at a time. But right now Alex, Kryssie and, to a lesser extent at the moment, Danielle are the unfavored ones.
• In the end, Jason won veto.
• Shelby cried.
• She waited until she went inside, but she cried.
• She was very upset with things Danielle was saying during the comp.
• Plus, she knows that Danielle will be saved and one of her allies is sure to go home this week.
• On the other side, they're celebrating.
• No way will Justin vote out Whitney, but she will remain on the block.
• As HoH, Shelby cannot go on the block.
• So, once it's time to evict, we can predict the nominees will be Whitney, Alex and Morgan.
• Hmm. 

Jason looks almost athletic!

That Danielle has balls!

Justin hosts. He will never be an orator.

Hand, eye and balance

This isn't good for us.

Nope, not good at all.

BBOTT: Nominations, HoH Camera - Into Monday, November 7

Why did I do this? Tell me again.

Oh, don't worry. It's still a house divided. But, that said, they are spending more time blurring the lines. Ah ... but to what purpose?

• The HoH camera came out and, unlike some other times, all got involved and had fun with it.
• Even if they didn't have fun with it, they pretended to do so.
• That's much better than outright hate and refusing to participate.
• They had fun in the yard with three-legged races and such.
• Sundays, with the exception of the Safety Ceremony in the evening, are so boring in the house that they'd to practically anything to amuse themselves and pass the time.
• But, the big news of the day was indeed the Safety Ceremony.
• As expected (by us because we eavesdrop), the nominations are Danielle and Shelby.
• Justin and Jason are all smug because their "plan" went off without a hitch -- their strongest comp competitor is on the block while the other side's weakest comp competitor is up.
• Dependent on the America nomination, they think Danielle has the strongest chance of winning the veto.
• If Danielle wins it and saves herself, because Jason nominated her, he gets to nominate a replacement.
• That replacement would more than likely be Alex.
• No matter who America nominates, if Alex and Whitney are on the block, one would go home (Alex of those two).
• Justin is still into keeping Whitney around for his own self as an ally.
• Danielle knows the plan.
• However, we all know that the best-laid plan of mice and hamsters often goes poof.
• The Veto comp could be a crap-shoot type with anyone able to win it.
• Things also hinge a bit on America's nominee and America's vote.
• I'm actually a bit surprised that Shelby went along with putting her weakest member on the block against Danielle, who's been winning comps.
• I thought she'd be smarter than that.
• But, then again, her weakest person is also the bottom member of the alliance and one they've had concerns about flipping to the other side.
• Maybe she could be considered expendable to them.
• Hmm. 

Hamming it up for the HoH camera

Not quite guffaws

The only real entertainment in town

Having 3-legged race fun in the sun

Safety Ceremony is done

Off Topic: That Was the Week It Was - November 6, 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!

Well, the election will be over in a few days. But we all know that, with all of the issues, it will never be over. No matter who wins, the folks on the side that lost will continue the hate. I'm tired of it all. I fear for the future of the United States and the world on the whole. In addition to society's radical elements and religious zealots, we now have radical political zealots in our midst. Well, many have been vocal for a number of years, now they're coming out of the woodwork. I'm so tired of all of the hate without rationality. 

I was sick most of this past week with a bug that seems to be going around -- very sore throat, fever and no appetite at all. While I'm still not 100%, I've been going to work, missing a few days mid-week. 

This coming week, I only have four work days and a personal day. I'm taking next Saturday off for the Plainfield Public Library Photo Exhibition and Awards. If you're in the area, stop on by and see what Plainfield (and I) can do with our cameras and a theme!

Onto this week's photos ... clicking on an image will open a larger version!    

Despite frost on the pumpkin ...

... the displays still look good in Bridgewater. This past week, the landlord's new public display (whatever) person had benches installed throughout. Very nice!

ATTN: NJ Transit and Plainfield Police!

When I arrived home from work to the Plainfield Train Station on Saturday evening, about 7:45pm, this is what I saw when I opened the elevator door on the Track 2 (eastbound) side. It's bad enough that when I want to go through the tunnel to the other side of the station I have to hold my breath due to the constant stink. But now they've moved in, mattress and all? SERIOUSLY NOW. Something has to be done. Start giving out trespass warnings, then follow through with arrests. This is beyond ridiculous. 

I work for a living. I use the train station. I pay taxes. I'm not responsible for the bad life choices the riff-raff who hang around the train station have made. I fought my own demons in life decades ago and have always worked to keep a roof over my head. I don't squander what little money comes my way in life on drugs and alcohol. In a space such as the Plainfield Train Station, honest working people who actually use NJ Transit should not have to deal with this!

Avoiding the pigeon-neck harvesters

These pigeons heard word on the streets that the next delicacy will be pigeon necks sauteed in a garlic-butter sauce. Necks? We have no necks! Atop the Chotola Apartment building on North Avenue in Plainfield.

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

BBOTT: Some Are Safe - Through Saturday, November 5

Will it be her week to GO HOME?

I've decided I like the Safety Ceremony and "block passes" lighting up much better than the way they've been naming the nominees the last few seasons on BB. I used to like the keys in the lazy susan thingee. But the pictures appearing on screens has turned me off since they started it. The safety necklaces are more interesting and suspenseful (even though we know what they're going to do from the live feeds).

• It was a relatively lazy Saturday in the house with the exception of the Safety Ceremony.
• Even then, with dwindling hamster numbers in the house, the action didn't last long.
• As we knew from previous conversations between Jason and Shelby, Shelby saved Morgan and Jason saved Kryssie.
• That was it for the Saturday night Safety.
• We know, however things go down, Danielle will go on the block. Shelby and the girls want that and Jason has all but offered her up on a silver platter.
• It's a bit trickier on the other side. The girls don't really want Alex to go up as she just might go home. They'd prefer Whitney.
• (Remember, Jason and Shelby agreed to put up one from each side.)
• The girls are very worried about "what if" Danielle wins veto.
• As annoying as Danielle can be personality-wise in the house, she has proven that she can win comps. They should worry.
• The girls (Shelby, Alex and Morgan) are very worried about Whitney's reaction if she goes on the block.
• Well, I don't think Whitney is a stupid girl. I think she must realize that she's the low end of the totem pole with the girls. At this point, I think she'd have a better chance of winning if she flipped to the other side. 
• Whitney would actually need to win some comp to better her position with either side at this point. Other than basically being a decent person, she's pretty much nothing other than a vote number.
• A lot will depend on whom America nominates, as has been the case all season. The ONLY guaranteed safe hamsters are Shelby and Jason. 

The numbers are dwindling

Morgan is safe

Jason saves his choice

BBOTT: America's Co-HoH Care Package and Stuff - into Saturday, November 5

Have Nots can chow down

Once again, things have gone topsy-turvy in the BBOTT and America has thrown a monkey wrench into the best-laid plans of hamsters.

• Well, we've done it again. We're keeping the house interesting this season! It also helps that recruits are few and far between among the hamsters and we don't have people working to just stay to get in the jury for the full stipend.
• This week's care package -- Co-HoH -- went to JASON.
• The note said that, if the vote came to a tie, the best player on veto (Jason or Shelby) would cast the deciding vote.
• They're actually working together pretty well ... until Shelby broke down later. They think they should nominate one from each side.
• They're talking about themselves each putting a person up from their own side.
• Jason is leaning towards putting up Danielle.
• He's pushing Shelby to put up Alex, telling her than Alex has been working behind her back.
• Even before that, Shelby told Jason that her "must keep" person is Morgan. She doesn't think Morgan would beat her in the finals. Jason said his is Kryssie.
• The Have Nots will not be voted on this week due to dwindling numbers. By default, they are Alex, Danielle and Morgan. They will be the last Have Nots of the season.
• While, when they were talking together, Shelby and Jason really talked down to earth and worked together well. They worked out an every other night deal for the room.
• That is, until the breakdown. Shelby cried and cried. Her HoH has been stolen! She can't nominate who she wants to nominate! He's never done anything but be on a previous season! He didn't win anything! Her family didn't send her a letter! Wah! Wah!
• Of course, she didn't do that in front of Jason.
• Now, I'm not saying that I wouldn't break down if I were in the house. I probably would have on Day Two. I think all the stress just caught up with her.
• Oh. And Alex had a breakdown, as well. She was irked about Shelby's breakdown and I think she thinks she might be targeted this week. I don't know.
• And the drama goes on ...

Hey, Nicole ... how a bun is done!

Remember, cameras 24/7

Here it comes!

Sharing the roost with Shelby

BBOTT: Julie Announces Upcoming Double Eviction - Thursday, November 3

Don't call me "Baby."

For the most part, yesterday (Thursday) was a day of nothingness in the BBOTT house. The big event of the day was the weekly Julie Chen live video visit.

• Julie asked them about Scott leaving. Kryssie and Alex said nice things about him. She didn't ask Danielle much about him.
• In the talk, Danielle said that she didn't want Whitney to go, so was happy when America gave her Scott on a silver platter.
• I personally don't think that statement was all that great for Whitney's game. While her allies figured she made a deal to stay, they could say it was to save her own game. Now they find out Danielle WANTED her to stay? Hmm.
• Justin called Julie "baby" again, immediately apologizing.
• He claims it's a New Orleans thing. Perhaps it is. It took me a while to get used to being called "Mami" with the increased Hispanic population where I live. At first I thought, "I'm not your mommy!" But then I realized it's just a harmless greeting, even one with a bit of respect.
• Julie showed them video of the Halloween veto comp. Being the pragmatic I am, I'm not sure why any of them were acting so terrified during the comp. It's not like BB would allow an actual chainsaw murderer in there!
• Then came the big announcement -- next week will be a double eviction. 
• Thankfully, things will start off a bit earlier with the weekly "show" starting at 8pm ET. I'm glad the show is just a recap of the week as I have a date with Survivor at that hour! The first eviction is after the show. I can do that. 
• In other news, apparently they really liked Scott more in absence than they appeared to like him in the house.
• Alex thinks that Scott has an actual real social life while Jason's whole social life is BB.
• Hmm.
• Both Scott and Jason probably have more active social lives than do I. So, I can't say much. (But, when I was their ages, I too had an active social life.)
• Kryssie and Justin think America won't want to watch Shelby, Morgan and Alex all alone in the last week or so. After all, THEY (K&J) are the entertainment.
• Hmm. Yes, they can be entertaining. Or, Justin can be. But he's just kind of floating through the game being himself. And, while Kryssie has great moments at times, she tends to take the game so personally and lets her frustration bring out the worst in her. The three girls are definitely strategizing and playing the game.
• Justin really really doesn't like Shelby.
• Other than the constant faces and chewing her lips, she's not that bad. She's a pretty smart cookie.
• Danielle made comments about Shelby being a nobody, just a waitress in a restaurant. First off, those kind of statements bug me. Everybody is somebody and a waitress often has to work hard for a living. But, of course, Shelby has a law degree. Would knowing that make her "someone" in Danielle's eyes?
• Ha!
• All is still up in the air over nominations. They want to see who receives the care package and what powers the recipient receives.
• But, Shelby is certain to target Justin ... if not Jason and Justin. 

Split ends splitting is big entertainment

No social life outside of BB???

Lip chewing is worse with lipstick on

Trendsetter - leopard spots and plaid

BBOTT: HoH Comp - into Thursday, November 3

Has she a reason to smile?

Nah. She didn't win HoH this time 'round.

• The comp was a face morph one. While they expected it, they all didn't think it would come so soon.
• In this face morph, it was only a mix of two faces for each picture.
• Yet, it was quite the challenge ... more for some than for others.
• Kryssie, in tears, timed out when the time limit was still 30 minutes.
• Shelby rocked the comp, coming up with a 3.42 minute time to beat by the remaining players.
• Jason was so lost in the comp that he couldn't even find his own face parts in there!
• But it was Justin who totally screwed up. The way he was hopping around and correctly naming a face to each picture, he then ...
• ... kept going for the buzzer.
• He didn't listen to the instructions! It's a morph! Two slots, two names! 
• Watching the reaction of those waiting inside the house was just about as priceless as watching him keep thinking he was right with one name under each picture.
• Silly boy.
• Even his allies all had to laugh.
• But he wasn't laughing after the comp.
• Y'see, while Justin is popular in the house, there's one person he claims he hates and she hates him.
• Yep, that would be Shelby.
• I personally have been liking the sides changing power changing in the house. So, a Shelby win is okay with me.
• But, who will she nominate?
• She was angry and suspicious when Whitney was taken off the block the other day. She's sure Whitney flipped and made a deal with Danielle.
• (And, Whitney did make a deal with Danielle.)
• And ... Shelby doesn't care for Justin. 
• Hmm.
• Whitney and Justin are still tight. But I think any of the other girls on that side would just as soon Justin might go. None of them want to be with him in the final three and they're thinking game.
• Shelby made note that Whitney didn't hug her when she was officially pronounced HoH. Not a good move for Whitney there.
• Meanwhile, especially after last week's care package, Shelby wants to see what the care package is and to whom it goes before she makes any big decisions.
• It should probably go for granted that Morgan and Alex will NOT be nominated this week. Anyone else is fair game, methinks.
• Justin is sure it will be him.
• And, it very well could be. 

Oh my!

The time to beat ended up being 3.42

Now, that is scary!

Thankfully all didn't take the 30 minutes each!

Justin! Two names! Morph! Combination!

What the hell is Justin doing?

Who wants to see my HoH room?

BBOTT: Weekly Show and Live Eviction - November 2

I'm putting up this post so anyone who wishes to do so can comment on the weekly show. I'm not going to live blog the show as we've already discussed all that happens. As it is with this online BB version, I will post about the HoH comp in the morning. Midnight starts for it are too late for East Coast people!

I will step back in for the live eviction, though. I've been swamped at work for several weeks and now have been sick since Monday. Danielle saved Whitney and put Morgan in her place. Shelby can/will negate the votes of three people. It's Shelby, Morgan and Scott on the block. Scott is acting like a Dead Man Walking ... and he most likely is.

Ah, not quite 11pm here and they've started their save me speeches. Gee, surprise -- Shelby prevented Justin, Kryssie and Jason from voting. Who woulda thunk that, huh? 

The votes to evict:
Alex - Scott
Whitney - Scott

Dead Man Walking is outta there! America also voted to evict him. What a shocker!