Off Topic: That Was the Week It Was - July 10, 2016

I have very little for you this week in my weekly off television topic reflection of the week gone by in both words and photos I've taken along the way.

There wasn't much "along the way" to my week. I was on a staycation from work and it turned out to literally be a STAYcation. Since Tuesday we've had heat wave type temperatures and humidity. The older I get, the less I do well in that kind of weather. I honestly haven't gone anywhere except for a quick run into neighboring Scotch Plains on Tuesday and around the corner to the local bodega one day. I've stayed inside in air conditioning.

• I found the news this past week extremely depressing and horrifying. 
• I read a lot.
• I napped a lot.
• I cooked decent meals.
• I paid attention to a certain cat.
• I napped some more.
• I did some housekeeping.
• I did not take hardly any photographs.
• I didn't get done much of what I wanted to get done.
• Tomorrow I return to work.
• Sigh.

Growing by my apartment fence

Most of the day lilies have already passed. But the ones along my apartment building fence were late-bloomers.

In blossom now, around the corner

Pretty pink on Berckman Street

How I've felt all staycation

Vincent is caught in a yawn. Every time I look at this photo, I yawn. Maybe I need a cat nap.

BB18: Live Feeds Overnight into Sunday - July 10

Paul takes cheerleading lessons

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

• As I told you last night, Bridgette won the Power of Veto.
• She hurt herself doing it, but is proud of her efforts. She was given crutches and thinks (with her nursely wisdom) that she'll be fine by tomorrow.
• Which is today.
• But that's beside the point.
• I neglected to tell you the Have Nots -- Nicole, Corey and Tiffany -- the Freakazoids. Their supplemental foods are popcorn and peanuts.
• Bronte noted that Paul is so much better with Jozea gone ... "we all are."
• That's true.
• Michelle thinks Frank "hates" her and wants her out of the house.
• Nah, she's low on his list. It's Tiffany he wants out this week with his Bridgette's HoH.
• They've been locked inside all night, apparently the yard clean-up is quite a task.
• Tiffany is really upset that she didn't win PoV. She thinks the only good thing is that the nominations won't change.
• Or ... will they?
• Probably not. 
• Remember the pre-season buzz about Corey's sleepwalking? He hasn't done it so far and says that he's probably too tired to sleepwalk in the house.
• Aw, boo.
• Paul's nose ring is getting infected or something. He needs to take that out, I think.
• James told the others that Liz and Austin only lasted about three months.
• Why am I not surprised?
• Tiffany would love to see Natalie on the block. Nicole thinks that Natalie is coming between her and James and wouldn't mind it if she was gone.
• I doubt that will happen.
• Nicole told Tiffany they should have the votes to get Bronte out this week.
• I personally think it's going to be Tiffany.
• And, Nicole is just saying that. She doesn't want to upset Tiffany. But she doesn't want to blindside her either.
• What to do ... what to do.
• Tons of small talk and most stayed up all night. James and Natalie are still awake and whispering as I get this posted.

Not pranking all the time

A giraffe will watch over her

Definitely not playing Cody's game

A kiss coming? No way!

Ew, handling a wooden spoon AND her foot!

She thinks she'll be fine

BB18: Live Feeds into Saturday Evening, PoV - July 9

Just a brief report tonight!

• Natalie and Paulie were the additional ones competing for PoV
• Bridgette won the Power of Veto!
• It was a messy one

BB18: Live Feeds Overnight into Saturday - July 9

It's the one thing

Here's the latest from inside that Big Brother House of Hungry Hippos:

• Yes, they finally got to feast at midnight.
• Fun (and calories) were had by all.
• Just as a reminder ... Bridgette nominated Paul and Tiffany, Paul being the pawn. Frank won Road Kill and nominated Bronte.
• I just felt I had to say that.
• I finally got to read the quote on Tiffany's inside upper right arm. It's an Albert Einstein quote: "Out of clutter, find simplicity. From discord, find harmony."
• A very fine quote, but I still wouldn't want it there on my arm. That's very sensitive skin area!
• Natalie says she just wants to stay in the game long enough to make jury.
• Every season we get those who are content making the stipend. I think that's about $1,000 a week these days. Since many of them don't have the ability to get a weekly paycheck in that amount in real life, it's a bonanza to them.
• James says that everybody should be voting Tiffany out this week, Frank is the target next week.
• Mind you, he didn't say that to Frank!
• Natalie wants Bronte to stay.
• Okay, two counts against Natalie right there!
• At their feast, Nicole noticed her hamburger was "raw." It was actually rare. She freaked and thought she was already sick to her stomach. Oh, give me a break, Nicole! I like you, but really ...!
• When Tiffany told Nicole she and Corey make a cute couple, Nicole said she doesn't think she's Corey's type. I don't think she is.
• Frank acted like a frat boy during their feast. One would think he would be too old to make more than one fart joke during dinner.
• Lots of small talk, not much action, until they all conked out.
• Today should be the Power of Veto comp. That will liven things up again!  

Pawn Boy

The Facemask Alliance

Zakiyah is a cowgirl now!

"Out of discord ..." Big Brother!

BB18: Live Feeds into Friday Evening, Road Kill - July 8

His name is getting tossed around for renom

Here's the latest from inside that Big Brother House of Not So Lovable Louts:

• Between nominations and the Road Kill comp, the feeds were more Jeff interview loops than hamsters today.
• Frank wants to "mess with Tiffany's head" a bit before the PoV comp.
• He's thoughtful like that, y'know.
• After the feeds came back post Road Kill, Frank talked to Nicole about winning the Road Kill comp.
• Again.
• Frank's own big target -- Tiffany -- is already on the block. He wants to keep Paul, the other nominee, around for a while longer. 
• So, he needs to put up someone inconsequential or that he'd kind of like gone as a second choice to Tiffany. Sounds like Bronte to me!
• Yep! That's who he tells Nicole he plans to nominate.
• He told Da'Vonne he's thinking of putting Michelle on the block. When she tells him he can't because Michelle is on her team, he claims he forgot.
• Apparently he likes messing with Da'Vonne's head, too.
• James mentions (once again) that Frank is too dangerous to keep in the game and must be taken out first available chance.
• Well, duh.
• Corey's days of flying under the radar have come to an end. Da'Vonne and Frank were mentioning his name as the one to get rid of because Nicole and Corey need to be broken up. 
• Also, Bronte and Bridgette were also talking about taking him down with the girls alliance votes if they get him up as a renom.
• Bronte is all upset, sure she will go up as the Road Kill nominee.
• Great. Now we have another week of that.
• Why, she was so upset, the bows fell out of her hair and her voice went down two octaves!
• Heh.
• The Have Nots are chomping at the bit to eat at midnight.
• And, yes ... after yet another feeds block, Bronte is the Road Kill nominee.

Playing well ... so far

When she's upset, the bows fall off.

Let's just nickname him "Roadkill"

Not under the radar, yet not a target

BB18: Live Feeds into Friday Afternoon, Nominations - July 8

Child hair bows and fake child voice irk me

Here's the latest from inside that Big Brother House of Reeking Chauvinism:

• Frank continues to slap butts and be demeaning to the women in the house. In his last season, it bugged me that he was Boogie's bromance boy and called other men "son."
• Now it's his cockiness, chauvinism AND calling other guys "son."
• Bronte can talk like a normal human being. She ought to do it more often rather than sounding like Minnie Mouse on helium.
• Tiffany claims that she's not Vanessa. I say, "Prove it."
• Oh. No green beanie. I guess she isn't.
• The girls are upset at Frank (except Bridgette), but they think because he's safe this week he feels he can do whatever he wants.
• It will catch up to him ... I hope.
• Paulie tried to tell Frank he can't be slapping the women on the butt.
• Da'Vonne says she complained in the Diary Room about it.
• Hey, maybe a penalty nomination would be the answer!
• BB woke them up early this morning and the nominations are in ...
• Again, we knew it was coming -- Tiffany and Paul are on the block.
• Frank asked Nicole if the Diary Room led her into conversation. She said they just ask her what's happening. He told her that they asked him if he was running the HoH this week.
• Heh. They know the score.
• HOUSEGUESTS, YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO TALK ABOUT PRODUCTION!
• Corey tried to tell Frank to lay off on the slapping and treating the girls so badly.
• Right now the feeds have been down and we've had Jeff interview loops for a long time. I guess the RV has arrived and Road Kill is underway.

I just don't know style anymore

On the block again

You're not the target, Paul.

My work here is done ... for now

BB18: Live Feeds into Friday - July 8

A Morning Talk with Paul

Here's the latest from inside that Big Brother House of Pillars of Society :::cough, cough::: --

• I didn't post yesterday pre-show as not a heck of a lot went on besides cut feeds and primping.
• But, one thing I feel the need to mention is the Morning Talk with Paul. He was one of the few awake at the time and alone in a room, talking to the camera, AKA us. Had he not peppered the talk with profanity, it would have been a bit better. He talked about treating others with respect, paying it forward and generally being good people. For all of his tough gruff persona, Paul is actually a rather intelligent and kind person. Go figure.
• Too bad he hooked up with Jozea in the beginning. Being a recruit and not knowing the game, he jumped in on something without thought and now he's going to eventually have to pay the piper.
• Fast forward to after the live show now ... ZOOM!
• Frank told Da'Vonne he'll get Bridgette to put Paul and Tiffany on the block. He doesn't think he can get her to put Bronte on the block.
• Tiffany and Bronte figured out it was Paul who was the sole vote for Bronte.
• Well, duh.
• Neither is mad about it. I'm surprised Bronte didn't get all worked up about him voting for her instead of Tiffany.
• Nicole thinks that Bridgette's nominations will actually be Frank's nominations. She's sure that the target will be Tiffany.
• Well, duh.
• Paulie thinks one of them (Nicole, Zakiyah and Da'Vonne at the time, but also Corey) need to win Road Kill and put up one of the "Powderpuff Girls." I think he basically means Bronte.
• Bridgette is shocked that she won HoH. She feels overwhelmed. Too bad, so sad. It was one of those crap shoots that anybody could win and, thus and therefore, Bridgette is now HoH.
• Or Frank is.
• Or Natalie and Bronte are.
• Bridgette even asked James what she should do. His advice was to do what she needs to do for her own game and not to listen to others.
• She's scared. Aw, poor little Bridgette.
• She doesn't want people to hate her. Suck it up, kiddo. You're on Big Brother!
• Frank mentioned to her that she should nominate Tiffany and Paul.
• She agrees those would be good choices.
• Of course.
• Bridgette thinks Nicole and Michelle were upset that she won HoH. Frank pressed the Tiffany nom, along with Paul.
• Frank told her that the veterans need him and he can protect her, too.
• @@
• Meanwhile, in another room, Nicole, Corey and Paulie are getting nervous about Frank being alone with Bridgette as long as they have been. Paulie was sent to break it up.
• Bridgette told Paulie that "we" were thinking of Paul and Tiffany.
• Paulie is agreeable with that.
• He also suggests Bronte (because she would beat Tiffany in a comp) to no avail. 
• The girls (Natalie and Bronte) also work on Bridgette.
• But, in the end Frank's er, Bridgette's nominees for eviction should be Tiffany and Paul.

Where do I stand in all of this?

She'll put up who I tell her to put up.

Watch out over your shoulder, Da'Vonne!

Who wants to see my HoH room?

Not on the radar at all right now

I don't want to make any waves

BB18: Live Eviction, HoH Show Blog Party - July 7

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!

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

Tiffany Rousso - meb, SueGee, David, Jessica UNderwood

Natalie Negrotti - Sharon N, Jackie P, QuixoticElf, Orkmommy

Bridgette Dunning - Brian, Indiana Jane, Caela, Chauncey, Paula Bell

Paulie Calafiore - Joel, Chacha, Sally, Ed In Ohio, Buzzmaam

Bronte D'Acquisto - Jean in Tampa, elee86, Russ, Cheryl, Donna in FL

Zakiyah Everette - Tilde, Jo C, Jenng326, Ayana, jennifer

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

Paul Abrahamian - Jackie, Arf Barf, WolfpackRed, chrob61

Victor Arroyo - Helenann2K, RBennie, Janice, Monty924

Michelle Meyer - Rich, Chase, Glenn, Anonymouse, Delee
Nicole Franzel - Kelsey NY, Grove Wiley, Nickelpeed, Sharon C  
Frank Eudy - Dr_Celine, Dennis Comfort, Stephanie in Baltimore, PDX Granny
Da'Vonne Rogers - Donna in Alabama, uncartie, MarthaLight, Donna NY
James Huling - Becky, Donna in Alabama, Sharon S, Willie J

EVICTED
Jozea Flores - Sasha, Merrilee, Tammy, Petals, JonMD1267 

Let's get this show AWN!

Heh. Julie just mentioned that Victor might be Road Kill himself tonight. And, we're into recap. The narrator says the 8-Pack is facing a huge decision. Oh, yeah. Let's build up suspense where there really isn't much.

Julie leads into a segment on the aftermath and Tiffany's paranoia ... shades of her sister.  Paul feels bad, but he has to look out for himself in the game. Victor tells James he didn't put him on the block due to him being on his team. He pushes the Tiffany eviction.

Meanwhile, the girls conspire together. Bronte, Bridgette and Tiffany think Frank needs to be targeted. Then again, Frank wants to work with Bridgette. James has concerns about Tiffany, Natalie and Bronte. The guys think they might need to take a girl out ... this week? Again, needless suspense going on. Just get to the eviction, please!

Now a move by Frank -- telling Paulie about the alliance -- may change the game (according to Julie). Paulie notices it's all the people he thought he was aligned with, but doesn't include him. Da'Vonne is not too happy Frank put it on himself to out them to Paulie. Now she wants all the girls to stay in the house. Is it ever going to be time for the eviction?

Mini-alliances go through the house. Da'Vonne cries.

Finally, to the living room! They each make a statement.
Bronte: Thanks all, would love to keep playing.
Victor: Weird high-pitched voice, follow him on Instagram, wants to stay.
Tiffany: Blast to get to know you, ladies - the hair straightener comes with me.

The vote begins - votes are to evict:
Natalie - Victor
Paul - Bronte
Bridgette - Victor
Onto commercial ...
Zakiyah - Victor
James - Victor
Da'Vonne - Victor
Frank - Victor
Michelle - Victor
Nicole - Victor
Corey - Victor

By a vote of nine to one ... Victor gets EVictored. He handles it well.

The HoH comp is on! Paulie can't play, but his team can. Kiss My Ace, played in teams, serve the tennis ball into the court, slots 0-21. Last hamster standing will be HoH. It's in rounds.

Bronte out. Michelle out. Nicole and Da'Vonne out. James out. Frank out. Corey out. Zakiyah out. Tiffany out. Natalie out. Paul out.

BRIDGETTE IS THE NEW HOH!

BB18: Live Feeds Overnight into Thursday - July 7

Nicole looks befuddled a lot.

Here's the latest from inside that Big Brother House of Conspiring Comrades:

• Grr. Blogger keeps freezing on me as I write this live feeds report. That's not cool. It needs to stop that.
• Huh. Victor claims he was asked to do The Bachelor. Talk about recruits!
• Now, I can see some people who might want to actually apply for more than one reality show. After all, if someone wants to do Survivor, they'd probably love to do The Amazing Race. But there must be a bunch of folks who just get casting connections just to get out there on TV. And, Victor's apparently one of them.
• While talking anti-Frank, Paulie told Da'Vonne that Bridgette is a spy for Frank and they need to consider targeting her as well.
• He also told her he likes Paul, but doesn't entirely trust him.
• She told him that she entirely trusts Nicole and Zakiyah.
• Corey claims to live in the house where Jack Ruby lived. Hmm.
• He also claims the neighborhood is a "gayborhood." Hmm.
• Bronte told Bridgette she thinks there are four siblings to previous hamsters in the house.
• She's the math whiz. In her mind, probably one plus one equals four.
• Frank told Paulie and Corey that the girls are so loyal, they might as well keep them around.
• Heh. Little does he know ...!
• Neither Paulie nor Corey fill him in on the real skinny about those girls.
• Heh.
• There has been less Oust Tiffany talk as the Oust Frank talk escalates.
• Of course, Frank still has his sights on Tiffany.
• Natalie does really seem to like James. She stuck up for him as Bronte and Bridgette warned her that showmances tend to get both parties nominated.
• Bronte is still worried that she'll be evicted even though the whole house (just about) should be voting for Victor to go.
• James doesn't want to throw the HoH comp again.
• Frank thinks production might get on to them for throwing comps.
• Nicole says she won't throw the comp.
• I'm sure that statement puts fear in the hearts of all the hamsters.
• Heehee.
• Nicole is very worried that Frank is secretly targeting her for eviction.
• Well, not yet, Nicole. I think he wants Tiffany out first.
• They want Michelle to throw HoH so that her team (with Frank) is open for nomination.
• The Anti-Frank Squad think he's going to be very hard to take out in a PoV comp.
• They're probably right. In order to get Frank out, they'd have to have a perfect real backdoor like they've done with Victor this week. If Frank plays for PoV, it's unlikely they'll get him out.
• All are sleeping as I (finally) get this posted.

See ... she can smile!

Bathroom brush-up

So ... the vote will be 10-0?

"I live in a gayborhood."

Storage room strategies

My hair extensions are DEAD!

Last night with the robe, Jersey Boy!

BB18: Live Feeds into Wednesday Evening - July 6

Aw, how cute!

Here's the latest from inside that Big Brother House of Whispering Weasels:

• I know that due to the aired show schedule, the comps and action are pretty much back to back, then we have days of doldrums. But, my goodness, it seems to be a longer stretch of doldrums each week!
• BB let them sleep in until around 11am their time today. Here, half the day is shot by then!
• Then, most proceeded to take naps during the day, too.
• Paulie, informed by Corey that Frank was using him, is coming up with various alliances scenarios sans Frank. He also wants to leave Michelle out.
• James, in talking to Nicole, hopes that America doesn't label them dumb for not sticking to a returnees alliance.
• Almost all talking against Frank who were previously with Frank say pretty much the same thing ... he's playing too hard too fast and it's obvious that, even this early in the game, he's only playing for his own goals.
• Paulie thinks it might not be in their best interest to target Frank immediately.
• The latest new alliance kind of grouping is Da'Vonne, Zakiyah, Paulie, Corey and Nicole.
• Of course, Nicole talks to James all the time.
• But they don't seem to realize that.
• Nothing has really changed about the EVictoring this week -- just lots of talks about mistrusting and what if situations.
• Then again, James also talks to Frank. He went and told him the 8-Pack is falling apart into splinter groups.
• Gah!
• Frank still has his sights on Tiffany going out next week.
• We'll see.

No girl over seven needs to wear a pink bow

Aw, how cute! Okay, strategy talk ...

Will girl power survive?

Mingling ... but it won't help

Scrambling for a foothold in

BB18: Power of Veto Show Blog Party - July 6

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!

Recap time! What a shock and a surprise. 

To immediately after the Road Kill nominee reveal ... they all know Victor made the nomination. Tiffany says she doesn't know who to trust. I say TRUST NO ONE. Victor is trying to put the focus on Tiffany going home.

Tiffany cries. Michelle consoles her. Da'Vonne consoles her. Paulie consoles her. She cries some more and is super paranoid. Nicole consoles her. She cries some more. Now she's starting to tick some of her own allies off.

Bronte thinks if she lays low, it will keep the target off of her. I don't think Bronte can lay low with that voice! 

Frank advises Tiffany NOT to win the PoV because Victor would name the replacement. After all, they want Victor to BE the replacement. 

Da'Vonne and Frank kind of want Tiffany out now ... but not NOW, Victor first!

Paul finds out that Victor told Paulie and Frank not to trust them. Now he needs to backpedal a bit. He tells us he's cutting his ties to Victor and playing for his own game from now on. 

Time to pick players for the veto comp -- Paulie, Paul, Bronte and Tiffany will play. Paul pulls two chips. Da'Vonne. Paul's chip gets pulled, so he must pick. He picks Zakiyah. Victor is in shock. He was sure he was going to be picked. Paul plays dumb when Victor tells him they both could be safe if he (Victor) played and won PoV.

They do NOT want Tiffany to win; anyone else wins and Victor goes up. Tiffany wins and all that happens with Victor is that he names a replacement nominee. He's not bright about the game, but he's not going to put himself on the block! 

Veto comp -- giant smelly toes all over. It's the Toe-zarks. They have to dig fungi through toe jam to retrieve letters to spell a word. A nasty version of the inevitable Technotronics type word game. 

Paul 9 points
Tiffany - 10 Points with Twinkling
Da'Vonne - 9 points with redemption
Zakiyah - 6 points duration
Bronte - powerful, but not enough at 10 points
She's now in the lead because she finished before Tiffany
Paulie - sustainability - 10 points, he rang in before Bronte, so ...

PAULIE wins the PoV! 

Da'Vonne is upset because Tiffany tried to win the PoV and did NOT throw it. 

Now the show is editing it to look like Tiffany might be in trouble.

Paulie tells Victor that, because he chose Zakiyah to play instead of Victor, he's taking him off the block. 

Back to fun, James hides in a trash can in storage and scares Nicole.

More seeds being planted about the possibility of Tiffany going.  

Time for the Veto Meeting ...
Paulie lets all three talk. He saves Paul who had talked about the power of friendship. He puts Victor up, saying that he can't forget that he (Paulie) almost was out last week because of him.