BB18: Live Feeds into Thursday - August 25

Likes to prank her Jamesy

Here's the latest from inside that Big Brother House of Dastardly Deceit:

• The more things change, the more they remain the same.
• Paul is still telling lies that he'll work with Nicole and Corey if/when Victor is evicted.
• The truth there is as James sees it ... Paul will work with whomever holds the power as he'll be a lone wolf in the game.
• Meanwhile, Victor is trying to convince Michelle and Natalie that he'll work with them, he's not cool with Paul anymore, yada-yada-yada.
• He claims, if he stays and wins HoH, he'll nominate Nicole and Paul.
• Now, both Natalie and Michelle would be happy with the Paul nom (that in reality won't happen if he stays) and Michelle would be overjoyed with a Nicole nomination.
• But, of course, Paul and Victor are still cool and these are their attempts to keep Victor in the house.
• James sees right through them and had separate talks with Natalie/Michelle and Corey/Nicole.
• So, they're all onto them.
• They're not holding the efforts against Victor. He's been approaching them respectfully, pleasantly and generally being a good guy in the house.
• On the other hand, there's Paul.
• Remember ... Paul is Victor's "social game."
• Poor Victor if he had had to depend on that!
• Paul's lies to all are evident to all.
• They're nodding to him, but they all know what he's doing.
• In a talk with Corey/Nicole, James once again said that, after Paul goes, it needs to be Michelle.
• Nicole wants Michelle out mainly because she knows Michelle is trying to get her out.
• "If I get evicted, I want it to be strategic, not personal emotion," says she.
• There is a lot of speculation about the upcoming care package. They're all guessing wrong.
• Paul and Corey have been making separate begs for the package.
• At this point, it looks like most agree with James that the numbers and dateline don't support a returning juror.
• They're wrong there, too.
• I can't see James's vote changing. It will be Victor going out tonight. 
• But who will be coming back in?

They're playing us. Victor needs to go.

I like you, Victor.

I'd target Paul and Nicole. (Yeah, right.)

BB18: Live Feeds into Wednesday Evening - August 24

Not resting comfortably

Here's the latest from inside that Big Brother House of Anxiety Attacks:

• For the second day in a row much of the early day was taken up by Paul talking to himself ... er, us.
• I don't know.
• I can't listen to him that long.
• They've been on indoor lockdown since yesterday. The HoH comp must be something elaborate. Perhaps a wall. I dunno. Neither do they.
• Paul has been mingling (with a purpose) better today, not fighting with people.
• He and Corey talked about how stupid Paul was, bragging about how he had unprotected sex with Zakiyah even though BB has condoms available.
• Now, I don't watch the feeds to see sex.
• I'd rather they have an epic water balloon fight with the condoms!
• Both Paul and Corey think they've been having anxiety attacks.
• Paul is worried about having a heart attack. If memory serves, he's 22 years old.
• @@
• Victor has been mingling just in the hopes that being fun and entertaining might give him a thread of hope to stay.
• Paul's mingling is more to get Nicole and Corey to play with him, thinking that Victor will go home.
• He's telling lies and half-truths to them about Michelle and Natalie (and throw a James in there now and again).
• One of his latest Michelle rants is that she called him an atheist. He's upset his Armenian Christian family will hear it.
• Um. Okay. Apparently the profanity he spouts is fine with them.
• Victor tried to get Natalie to confirm that James is voting for him to stay.
• She said James is playing his own game and she doesn't know how he's voting.
• Yeah, right.
• Natalie later asked James if she wanted to keep Victor, would he do that?
• He answered with the expected question -- Do you want to keep Victor?
• She thinks that Nicole has been talking about her and is having doubts.
• She put pressure on James, telling him she'd vote the way he wanted if he asked her to.
• Hmm.
• (I'd personally say the only real problem of keeping Victor -- other than the fact he could win the entire game -- is that, by keeping him, you have the Paul and Victor tag team. That's way too dangerous!)
• James isn't giving in. He KNOWS evicting Victor is the right thing to do.
• After many rounds of discussion, Michelle, James and Natalie are all in agreement that Victor needs to go.
• And, with that, I need to go.
• Tomorrow's another day.

On a new mission to pull in Nicole/Corey

He's smiling again. Is it programmed?

BB Telemundo from the shower

Three's a crowd (that's Victor)

Alternate Universe Paul

BB18: Power of Veto Show Blog Party - August 24

Hamster watchers ready? Let's get this show going! 

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 -- please join in on the fun there as we watch the show together!

But, first ... we must sit through the recap. 

Ohh! Heated words ahead? Not quite as interesting as fisticuffs or an outright brouhaha, but I'll take it. 

Natalie wants Paul out. Victor tells Paul that he (Victor) is a pawn and "they" want Paul gone. Paul confronts Natalie about being called a liar. He demands everyone come to the kitchen. Natalie walks away and he starts on Michelle.Heated words ... "You all suck at this game" -- Paul.

Nicole and Corey go to celebrate dance in the storage room.

Paul tries to deflect and get Nicole and Corey in hot water. Paul makes Natalie cry because she feels bad about nominating him. Michelle thinks that power makes him even more dangerous. 

It seems that Natalie feels that she was indeed manipulated by Nicole and Corey. Paul and Victor perpetuate that. Michelle isn't falling for it. James isn't, either. He wants a final four with Natalie, Corey and Nicole.

Paul confronts Nicole that she said he's a liar and manipulator. He tells her that she's the reason he's on the block. Heh. Corey comes running through shedding his patriotard laughing in the middle of the argument. 

"We were bamboozled, primarily by you two, mainly you," Paul to Nicole.

Red Alert time for secret agent Paul. Good timing, BB. That would be the last rounds for him, his job is done.

Storm Watch Update on the screen in the living room. Superstorm Glenn, Superstorm Jodi. Paul and Natalie are studying together. Gah. Stuperstorm Jozea. Oh, I mean Superstorm. Nicole and Corey aren't into the studying. Uh-oh. Paul is the only one staying up for all the warnings.

Veto player picks -- Paul chooses James. Michelle chooses Corey. Nicole will host.

Natalie is irked at Paul for taking over the HoH room and bed. She's thinking more about getting Paul out with the latest. 

Okay, the veto has them auditioning for a position on the BB Storm Weather Team. They read a teleprompter and insert the storm name in the blank. The most points wins. They're doing it in a wind/rain storm tunnel with blowing inflatable sharks and all.

Corey - 15
James - 13
Natalie - 20
Natalie - 10
Paul - 21 (Perfect score)
Victor - 19

Paul wins the Power of Veto. He wants Corey up and out.

Michelle wants to put Nicole up. Everybody else wants Corey. It will be Michelle's decision as Paul was her nominee.

Veto meeting time. Paul saves himself (of course). Michelle puts Corey on the block in his place. She loves everybody, y'know, but it's a strategic decision. Corey is sure he'll still be around. Michelle wants him out over Victor. But, at the end of the day, it's James's decision.

BB18: Live Feeds into Wednesday - August 24

Victor mingling

Y'know ... I really have nothing. Last night's report could suffice for this morning.

At least there's a show tonight!

Paul with no Friendship, none at all

Victor and his buddy Baldwin

Look! It's an expression!

Oh, Jamesy!

BB18: Live Feeds into Tuesday Evening - August 23

A thrill a minute in the house today

Here's the latest from inside that Big Brother House of Napping Ne'er-do-wells:

• Again today, a whole lot of napping went on.
• The HoH camera came to play. Such fun!
• Yawn.
• Paul is still holding to his No Friendship With Michelle agenda.
• What little mingling he did today, he badmouthed the girl.
• Michelle is still on her Avoid Paul gig.
• Victor is trying to hold hope that either he isn't evicted or he comes back in a "jury buyback."
• James thinks the twists with people returning are over.
• We know that one's wrong!
• Corey is getting anxious. Very odd -- he looks the same anxious as he does relaxed.
• Paul went on a rant about Michelle in which he said he's ready to leave, sick of cameras on him 24/7 and he just wants to tell her off.
• Hmm. Maybe he can unsave himself and use the veto to save Corey?
• Just a thought.
• When asked if he was going to campaign, Corey told Paul that he's just going to let James do whatever he's going to do and not bug him.
• Remember -- there are only three votes this week -- Paul, Nicole and James.
• WE know that James has already confirmed with Nicole and Corey that he will vote Victor out.
• But no one is telling Paul that.
• James said he will tell Victor before the live show.
• But I think Victor already senses it, as does Paul.
• Victor is acting well, mingling, have fun conversations with others (including Michelle).
• His "social game" (hahahaha!) Paul is pouting, ending Friendship and almost to the point of pulling a Paulie without tears.
• Victor and Corey both took turns with the Swiffer, cleaning up.
• That's about all I have for you tonight.
• I never said this would be legendary.
• Did I?

HoH camera ... and fun was had by all

Baldwin for HoH!

Queen of intense facial reactions

BB18: Live Feeds into Tuesday - August 23

Looking Christine-like. Ew.

Here's the latest from inside that Big Brother House of Failed Friendship:

• I don't have a heck of a lot to report for you today.
• So, you get more screen caps!
• Michelle spoke how much she admires Amanda Zuckerman. She also likes Christine. I never cared too much for either. If those are her choices of fantastic BB players, I can't think of her as any sort of superfan.
• Paul continues to alienate any friendship he had with Michelle, Natalie and James.
• Well, he can be annoying! He needs to stop thinking he's all that. Because he's not!
• More information into Michelle's self esteem issues -- she says she almost had a breakdown over weight and food addiction issues. I do see her eating a lot. But I also don't see that she has any sort of serious weight issues. 
• Oh. And BB Superfan Michelle said she stopped watching BB17 on the 1st of August last year. Pshaw! That is NOT a superfan! Superfans stay through at least the backyard interviews!
• Paul is mad at all the girls for various reasons.
• That's okay. They want to avoid him anyway.
• He just can't stand Michelle!
• The feeling is mutual.
• I say -- issue them boxing gloves! We need fisticuffs!
• Michelle says she'll do another "famous call-out" on Paul on Thursday if he doesn't win HoH.
• Paul thinks they'll all gang up on him if Victor goes this week.
• Y'think?
• Bwahaha!

James at the pool, but not in the pool

You don't prank well, Corey

Kissyface

Not kissyface

He knows he's probably going

Can't mix up those HoH robes!

James is surrounded!

BB18: Live Feeds into Monday Evening - August 22

I'm seeing no friendship here

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

• Paul thinks this coming care package will be the "mother" of care packages. So, he wants to see friendship from America and be the recipient.
• Let me know how that goes, kid.
• Actually, if enough show only viewers vote, he just might get it. They don't have to put up with him on the live feeds.
• The veto meeting was relatively early for them. It's a wonder they were out of bed.
• Despite the fact that she'd prefer Nicole out for personal reasons (and her idea that Nicole will "skate" to the finals), Michelle put Corey on the block when Paul saved himself with the veto.
• Michelle has developed a Paulphobia. She doesn't want to be anywhere near him.
• Of course, he was her original target.
• How will she achieve Paulvoidance? 
• Apparently by hogging the bed in the HoH room day and night.
• She's not avoiding Victor. He even told her that putting Corey up was the better strategic choice.
• Paul and Victor plan on telling Michelle that Corey, Nicole, James and Natalie have a final four pact.
• Um, unless she's blind, she can see that. She might have to win HoH, not have it fall out of the sky!
• Paul is sure that unless he wins HoH or veto this week, he's a goner next week.
• Well. Yeah, that's about right!
• Interesting ... Victor said he had to speak to a psychiatrist before they let him re-enter the house.
• Now, if one has to talk to Paulie if he wins re-entry, he just better mention that claustrophobia issue!
• Victor cleaned the kitchen and played pool. He mingled.
• Paul had little to no friendship.
• He tried talking to Nicole and just irked her and got no satisfaction.
• Victor is holding out hope that he can get James to save him.
• I doubt it.
• James would save him if it was Paul on the block with him though.
• No friendship there!

Cool enough for the bunny hat

"Paulie planted seeds."

I'm a re-nom. What's a re-nom?

BB18: Live Feeds into Monday - August 22

Holding onto safety ... for now.

Here's the latest from inside that Big Brother House of Dwindling Numbers:

• No real action in the late night hours.
• No kerfuffles.
• No brouhahas.
• Certainly no fisticuffs.
• Mostly small talk went on, with a few revealing bits and pieces.
• Y'know, Paul is so great ...
• ... how great is he?
• Why, he's so great that he doesn't think there's any problem if he texts and drives?
• Attn: Police departments all over -- be on the lookout for this!
• Victor seems to know he'll be the one going out the door.
• James is worried that he might go up as a replacement nominee.
• If he did, he'd have Nicole and Corey voting for him to stay. Victor would only have Paul.
• If the scenario is Corey on the block, James and Nicole would vote to keep him. Paul would vote for Victor to stay.
• If it's Nicole on the block, just substitute Corey and James for keeping her.
• Whatever scenario plays out, only three people can vote.
• And Victor goes home.
• The main reason James is worried is because Michelle mentioned possibly putting up Nicole as the replacement with the line that she hasn't been on the block yet.
• Of course, she's telling this to James ... who also hasn't been on the block.
• Natalie advised James to please come to her for advice and not to have any one on one talks just before nominations. 
• She thinks he only gets himself in trouble when he does that.
• She's right. While James has been playing a quiet game, he's occasionally spoken up and exposed his cards at inopportune times.
• Michelle seriously needs to stop calling herself a superfan.
• She just doesn't qualify as such in my book (and the book of many who have seen every episode and watched the live feeds since the first season).
• I think she perhaps has three or four seasons under her belt.
• That's no superfan.
• Paul told Victor not to say anything confidential to Michelle because she'll run and tell "them."
• Hey, why would Victor care now? Paul will save himself, not Victor.
• Not that I'd blame him for saving himself.
• Victor talked about getting up at the veto meeting and saying, "Friendship."
• Victor tried to tell Michelle that if she put up Nicole, he (Victor) would go home. But if she put up Corey, he (Victor) would stay.
• I don't think so. Victor is too great of a target (no matter how much people like him) in the game. All scenarios lead to him going home.
• I think Paul and Victor both know that and they're grasping at straws.
• James put in a request for America - "Please send Corey the next care package, not Paul."
• Who knows what the aired TV show fans will do?
• They might think Paul is a hoot and want to reward him.
• Yeah, he can be funny. He can be interesting at times. But he's also very annoying.
• So, they can send a package to either a dullard or an annoying guy.
• What a quandary!
• Victor kept trying to get closer to Michelle. Um, dude ... she has no vote this week and Paul ain't you. She doesn't like Paul at all and he will save himself this week.
• Victor went on about truth in the game and how he'd rather know than not know if he's the target.
• James told Natalie that he'll tell Victor on Wednesday that he's voting him out.
• Of course, we all know the real target was Paul this week.

Yes, I can laugh. I cry, too.

We wish it was Paul going away

You need to listen to MY advice, James!

Reminiscing about the early days of BB18

BB18: Live Feeds into Sunday Evening - August 21

Needs to get his game on!

Here's the latest from inside that Big Brother House of Bamboozled Bros:

• Nicole and James talked about how much harder this season is than they had expected.
• No, it's not summer camp, Nicole.
• James thinks if the next care package comes to Corey, it will show that America thinks Paul and Victor are villains.
• Hmm. I think America might think that of Paul. Victor? Not so much.
• James, Corey and Nicole want to target Paul and Michelle next.
• That is, if they themselves get through this week intact!
• On the whole, the day was rather uneventful.
• Lots of talk from Natalie, Corey, Nicole and James about Victor going home and final four plans.
• Victor put on a fun, albeit a bit adult, puppet show with Baldwin.
• That was the hit of the day for me!
• Paul, of course, is scheming to get Michelle to put Corey on the block.
• Not that she needs much convincing, mind you.
• Michelle locked the door of the HoH room to take a nap and wouldn't let anyone in ... not even Natalie, the person who won the role!
• Victor cleaned the bathroom.
• He can come over here and clean mine, too!
• It's pretty certain that Michelle is going to put up Corey as the replacement nomination as it seems that move will create fewer problems in her own game.
• The James/Natalie/Nicole/Corey plan is to act like Corey's going home ... like James and Natalie have turned on him, then Victor goes home.
• They really wanted PAUL out.
• This week, James is the swing vote. He will definitely vote to keep either Corey or Nicole rather than Victor.

Oh, he's just so cute. Just ask Nicole.

Talking showmances

Being friendly

Baldwin's puppet performance

Scheming to keep Victor in the game

BB18: HoH Comp, Nominations Show Blog Party - August 21

Hamster watchers ready?! After Friday night's non-show clip show, this one should be interesting!

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!

Let's start off with a recap! 

The scariest HoH yet is ahead. Michelle is going in with an advantage of some sort from the pie-eating contest at the backyard carnival.

In the Black Box, it's smelly and sloppy. They can't see anything. They have to hold a button until a voice tells them they have 30 seconds to search for disks. It's coming back to me -- Michelle has an extra 30 seconds search. 

In a pre-HoH comp segment, Nicole (accurately) reports to James that Paul came to them about targeting James. So, there is more reason for James to move targets to Paul or Victor.

Michelle gets her 30 second advantage. She blows it and gets nothing except a decoy disk. Nobody seems to be doing well. 

Michelle accidentally lets go of her button and is eliminated. She whines.

James slipped and fell with four disks in hand more than a few hours into the comp. It's soon over and they go to the yard to tally their disks.

Paul - 5
Nicole - 5
Corey - 10
Natalie - 10

It's a tie for the win. The tiebreaker is when they brought the tenth disk back. Natalie wins by four seconds!

That puts her and James in a bit of a dilemma -- they will have to choose which side of the house they're on. 

Victor is worried they might flip on him and Paul. Nicole is worried, too. Nicole tries to talk to Natalie and James. She's pushing for a four with them (and Corey). Natalie sees sense in the idea. Nicole thinks Paul is the more dangerous of the two and that Victor and Paul together are really a team to worry about. 

Paul talks friendship, but Natalie doesn't think targeting James is friendship. In an awkward moment, Victor goes to HoH to talk to Natalie and she's in there talking with James and Corey. He reports back to Paul. 

After a Friendship Time with Paul, it's the arrival of this week's care package. It's for Michelle! Tissues, brownies and CO-HOH power! She's safe and gets to name one nominee. Nicole is super worried!

Natalie and Michelle talk. Michelle says she wants Nicole out. Natalie says they need to nominate the two strongest players in the house. Paul interrupts them. Michelle remembers that Paulie warned her that Paul is sketchy. Michelle is certain that she wants Nicole up. Natalie pushes the Paul/Victor ticket. Even Corey tries talking to Michelle. 

Michelle feels there are three duos in the house and then there's her. Natalie says that she'll put Victor up since Michelle doesn't want to do that deed. She sees the long term game sense in getting Paul out rather than Nicole. 

Nominations ceremony time! Another red alert and Paul has to do his stuff. Natalie nominates Victor. Michelle nominates Paul. Natalie tells Victor to win PoV. Michelle makes it clear that she wants Paul to go home. 

Michelle is keeping in the idea of backdooring Nicole.

Off Topic: That Was the Week It Was - August 21, 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 as well as live-blogging the aired show. But this ain't that. This post is a year-round regular "feature" while Big Brother is a summer obsession. Or, something like that.

Gah. Although I took some photos I really like this past week, it's been yet another hot, sweaty, painful and exhausting week. My appetite has been off, probably due to the heat and humidity. That's okay -- losing a few pounds is always a good thing. Unfortunately, the sciatica has been hanging in and, I believe that due to it, my right knee has given out on me twice. I didn't fall either time. I don't think it's a problem with the knee replacement itself. I do think it's the sciatica affecting my use of the knee. And, people wonder why I'm so anxious for retirement ...!

There was a horrific NJ Transit bus accident with two fatalities in Newark one morning this week. It was a t-bone type accident with the driver of one bus passing away. The second fatality was a passenger on the other bus. The bus which crashed into the other was a 59 bus, the bus route I take for jaunts across town or into Westfield. When I saw photos of the deceased driver, I've been on his buses before. While I didn't know him well (as I do some NJ Transit train and bus folks), he wasn't a crazy driver at all. I'm thinking it might have been a medical issue. He was 70 years old. Either that or the other bus ran a light. Very sad.

I really don't have much more for you other than the photographs. For some reason, this week turned out to be Bird Week. Hey, I shoot what I see! Clicking on an image will bring up a larger version ...

Yes, I see you

An American Goldfinch in its autumn colors looks at me as I take his photo. His black cap is gone, with just a hint of ashy grey in its place. It's good to actually see the New Jersey State Bird for a change!

A seagull now guards North Avenue

While there is a similar pedestal for birds on the east side of the Chotola Apartment building on North Avenue in Plainfield, this one on the west side of the building is always the prize perch. Last week I shot pigeons there, this week it's the seagull.

A crow poses for me

I've read and heard on nature shows that the crow is one of the most intelligent of the wild birds. They supposedly remember individual people. I wonder if this one will remember I made him famous on the internet! Plainfield Train Station.

Then there was a bunny

I always get a kick out of rabbits standing still thinking I can't see them! Bridgewater Train Station.

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

BB18: Live Feeds into Sunday - August 21

The target is safe, or will be safe

Here's the latest from inside that Big Brother House of Faux Friendship:

• Now, the target this week was Paul.
• But, since Paul won the veto, the focus is shifting to Victor.
• At least, if James can do anything about it.
• It's not that he doesn't like Victor. It's that he's actually thinking.
• Y'see, they must start thinking end game. Victor is almost impossible to get out.
• You evict him; he comes back.
• Not only does he come back, but he comes back stronger than any returned hamster in the past -- winning HoH comps, getting in good graces with folks, winning Vetos ...
• He could possibly win comps until the final two.
• If he got that far, in a fair world, he'd deserve the win as the Comeback Kid who wouldn't give up.
• Since Paul was Michelle's (co-HoH) nomination, they're leaving it to her to make the renom.
• Natalie and James have decided that whoever the renom, they will vote Victor out.
• The only renom possibilities are Nicole or Corey.
• Michelle seems to have this feeling that other women are threats to her in the game ... so, she'll probably want to put up Nicole.
• James and Natalie told Nicole and Corey that they want to target Victor this week.
• If they don't blow it by acting like they feel too safe and are too happy, the plan should go down.
• Personally, I'd kind of like to see Victor go. He could then battle for the jury return against Paulie. I'd rather Victor win that than the thought of Paulie ever coming back into the house!
• In other news, they all went to bed to early. The veto comp was watery and exhausting, whatever it was!
• Victor got up and roamed the night alone.
• He first exercised in the once again open backyard. Then he visited the hot tub. Then he showered and walked around the house.
• Finally, the sole hamster returned to bed.
• And, all are asleep as I post this.

It will be her decision, Paul was her nom

All alone exercising

All alone in the hot tub