Big Brother 11 August 2 Show Blog Party Post

The show has started here on the East Coast. This post will be updated as it airs, but the real fun is in the comments section. Everyone is welcome, bring your own snacks and beverages! Later tonight my show review will be posted on TV Squad. I should be posting the day's live feeds late tonight.

Kevin out of the HOH first, got $5000. Lydia second, got a 42" flat screen TV. Ronnie out, Natalie sick. Natalie out. Heh ... Ronnie and Natalie got boxes of NOTHING. Jordan out, mad about it. Jordan's prize is being a HAVE for the week and choosing three to be HAVE NOTS. Chima out.

Michele down ... after hanging suspended for a bit. Russell and Jeff made the deal that Jordan and Jeff are safe. He swore on his ill father who just had an operation on his neck ... but they didn't show when he told Jeff he was the Casey vote. (Did I miss that?)

Jordan's Have/Have Not choices - Natalie, Kevin, Jessie (no showing of the Jeff choice).

Russell and Jeff decide to team up together.

Nominations time - key order --

Jeff, Jessie, Jordan, Chima, Michele, Natalie, Kevin

Lydia and Ronnie nominated.

Big Brother 11 Live Feeds Sunday So Far 8/02

The hamsters have a quiet day ahead of them. Well, maybe Ronnie will go berserk! That would liven things up! Here are the events of the day so far in that Big Brother House of Squishy Squiddy People:

• A lot of the talk today has been Ronnie bashing. Why is that not surprising me?
• Ronnie told them that he admired Hitler for being a powerful speaker who led others with his words.
• Ronnie told them that his (Ronnie's) words were not the problem, it was their fault for following him.
• Would you like more Kool-Aid now?
• Lydia told Michele that she yelled NO twice in her sleep last night. I swear that gal should have that checked out. It sounds like some sort of trauma is manifesting itself in her sleep.
• Maybe Michele is dreaming that she has to move back to New Jersey.
• Russell and Jordan say that if Ronnie wins the wizard power, the game is rigged.
• Well, yeah.
• Ronnie worked on Chima some more telling her that Russell probably has a deal with Jeff and Jordan (which would not be to her benefit).
• Russell and Michele both talked of Ronnie's poor pitiful crying pleas to them last night.
• They laughed.
• I laughed.
• Lydia sucked up to Michele. I don't see the need for this at all.
• Lydia isn't as close with Jessie ... oh, wait! She's a power wench who knows Russell isn't too fond of her.
• At least Lydia knows when people aren't fond of her.
• Ronnie doesn't.
• Ronnie said that Michele can't be persuaded because she's "too socially awkward."
• It didn't enter his mind that she might not be persuaded because he's such a lousy excuse of a human being whom she despises.
• It still looks like Michele will not use the veto at the meeting (which should be tomorrow). The house consensus seems to be with Ronnie leaving. Jessie and Natalie seem to be the only ones not aboard the Get Ronnie Out Train. Lydia is almost relaxed.
• Natalie and Jessie (but mostly Natalie) are trying to scheme to save Ronnie.
  

Please stop back for the show blog party post which will be up at 8:00 PM ET!

Off Topic: That Was the Week It Was 8/02

It's time for reflection and some photographs I've taken of the week gone by. If you're looking for Big Brother show stuff, wait for the next post or check back on the previous one. Or, just use this Big Brother blog tag!

It's been humid and stormy most of the past week here in New Jersey. The state even had a tornado which did quite a bit of damage on Wednesday. I'm nowhere near where that was (or I would have taken some cool photos!).

I've had a rather subdued week -- some issues at the workplace nagging at me, an empty apartment without my cat, Verizon FIOS irking me to no end coming in while I wasn't home making a mess installing their junk I don't want in my apartment (I refuse to get FIOS and wish I could have barred them from coming into my home), fighting a $50 late rent fee when the check posted on June 2 (I have until the 5th each month, usually mail it before the 1st). Argh. Maybe I'd be better off in the BB11 house! Oh! And Verizon FIOS idiots also left my apartment not secure by not re-locking my deadbolt! The regular door lock is flimsy -- anyone could have forced the door open. Grr.

Let's see ... there had to be some plus points for the week. Um. Um. Well, the elevator in my building is finally working. It's only been out of order since January. I felt like I was living in The Big Bang Theory. The slumlord landlord also installed a new intercom system, but it's not functional yet. Gee, maybe he'll get those fire extinguishers tagged 2005 attended to next, as well as get the fire alarm for the building operating again. That would be nice.

I also received word that I'll be getting nearly a year's worth of retroactive pay on a raise which never came at my workplace. That I can use. But it will be in a lump sum, so taxes are going to whack it. Yeah, I know in these economic times I should be thankful to have a job. But I've never not had a job (or two or three) and have nearly thirty years invested in the company. All I ask is to be treated fairly when it comes to benefits and salary reviews. I shouldn't have to fight for what's supposed to come my way on schedule.

Oh, well ... onto this week's photos. I don't think I had any really fantastic images this week although I came across a few good local finds. Clicking on an image will open it larger in a new window.

No Loitering

I've been trying to get a picture of this public bench near the Plainfield (NJ) courthouse for weeks, but people are always loitering on it. Um ... what other purpose is there for a bench other than loitering? It's actually a bench for the bus stop. However, the issue is street people doing their thing loitering which seems to be the problem.

Street Art in Plainfield, New Jersey

I took a walk down a street I don't normally travel and came across this find in the parking lot for the YMCA buses. I couldn't get real close as I was photographing it through a fence. Now, I'm not an advocate for plain old graffiti, but I do like the more artistic doings. This was tagged by the NYC X-Men who hit the train station with tags a while back but no real art.

Plainfield Street Art Continued

It looks like they first painted their canvas black, then went to work. I wonder how long this took them to do?

More Plainfield Street Art and the fence between us

See! I told you there's a fence! I guess I could have walked around the block to get better shots.

Abandoned

This little office (?) is part of an abandoned garage on a lot owned by the city of Plainfield, NJ.

Flowers never bend with the rainfall

"So, I'll continue to continue to pretend that my life will never end and flowers never bend with the rainfall" - Simon and Garfunkel. Photo taken on East Front Street in Plainfield, NJ.

Goldfinch (?) on a dead tree

I spotted this bird on the same dead tree where I previously photographed a woodpecker. I believe it's the New Jersey State Bird -- the goldfinch. I could be wrong, though. Birds aren't quite my area of expertise. Bridgewater, NJ.

Plainfield NJ Train Station in sepia tones

I'm in a Simon and Garfunkel mood right now ... "Sitting in the railway station, got ticket for my destination...."

Living in America

This group of (possibly) homeless (probably) undocumented guys were enjoying a patch of shade in yesterday's one day of sunshine. The one guy obviously wanted his picture taken when he saw the camera, but two others scooted away fearing their images being captured. Plainfield has a large number of men like this -- day laborers who tend to live in apartments by the dozen, abandoned buildings, some handmade shelters along the railroad tracks. I know there are a lot of social ramifications, but their presence doesn't really bother me. And, I'm taller than all of them!

Big Brother 11 Live Feeds Into the Dawn Sunday 8/02

I'm playing a bit of catch up here today. Zoetawny created this Chima image a week or so ago when Chima just wouldn't shut up! Things have changed a bit in the house. However, when Chima gets on the subject of Chima, a piece of duct tape might just do the trick! Thank you Zoetawny!



I'm also including the CBS video interview with Casey and fan questions. What I find the most interesting with this is his take on Russell. As I watch the feeds and the show, I've found my own opinion on Russell changing. At first I thought of him as a bully thug. Now not so much. True, he can bully. But he's kind of a stand up guy who's playing the game with at least a semblance of integrity. I don't expect any of them to be honest all the time -- that's just not Big Brother. Do I want him to win it all? Nah, not at this point.

Onto the late night and overnight feeds scoop (or lack thereof):

• Blog reader Petals from comments wants to know what college Natalie attended -- Arizona State University. No, I don't know the degree if any exists. After all, she's only 18. @@
• Between Kevin and Jessie, lots of squid has been tossed out. I think BB should take the cost out of their stipends.
• Michele drank a wee bit too much last night. In a way, I feel sorry for her -- she's a bit of an outcast, not really in with either group in the house.
• Ah, but she has the power of veto.
• Chima told Natalie that she (Natalie) won't get the wizard powers.
• I don't know how Chima can really say that, but I'm sure she's right. I bet Natalie is way low on the totem pole with the viewer votes.
• Not only did Russell get shorts from Casey, but Jeff did too. He put 'em on and declared they felt "mingly." (Casey's DJ name is Mingle Mixx.)
• I don't think I'd wear used shorts, but that's just me.
• Russell and Michele think they're both in the same boat -- on the periphery of the basic house alliances. Neither have anyone really close close for protection.
• Russell told Michele he owes Chima nothing and really isn't impressed with her or her lifestyle.
• They will work together, Russell and Michele.
• That boy does have game! He has Jessie, Jeff and Jordan, and now Michele.
• Ronnie has been trying to pretend he has the wizard power.
• Since voting ends Tuesday, no one knows. But the hamsters don't know when -- they were just told some sort of magic power would be bestowed this week.
• Natalie told Russell that Lydia and Kevin said they wanted to get the stronger players out next week.
• Natalie would actually rather Lydia go this than Ronnie.
• Russell seems to know Natalie's anti-Lydia bias.
• He isn't thrilled with Lydia, but wants Ronnie gone this week more.
• Michele once again said she won't be using the veto.
• I really think Michele is not going to use it -- she despises Ronnie.
• Ronnie went to the HOH room and tried to plea his case with emotion and all.
• Ronnie might have a new career ... Oscar-winning actor. He apologized, he threw the entire world under the bus ...
• Did Russell buy it? I don't think so. I don't think Russell is that naive.
• Ronnie then pulled his act once again with Michele.
• Did Michele buy it? Nah, i doubt it. She's set in despising him and there's not much he can do to change that.
• They're all sleeping as I get this posted.
  

Big Brother 11 Live Feeds Saturday Into the Evening 8/01

Jordan is telling Jeff that her dream job would be to be a dental hygienist because they work regular hours and earn good money -- she wouldn't need a man to support her if she got a divorce. Um, lofty goals. For me, a dream job isn't something which is entirely doable.

My dream jobs: Bestselling novelist, working with big cats or doing studies of wild animals in a faraway land. Oh, maybe I'll just be a ballerina!

Here's what's been happening in that Big Brother House of Turning Tides:

• Jessie whined a lot that his neck has been bothering him. He blames the problem on having to look up so much during the HOH comp. @@
• Kevin told Jessie his goals in life are/were: get on Big Brother, work for an ad agency, and have a family.
• Chima denied anything is going on between her and Russell. After all, he's only 25. Oh, five or six years difference. She's not even old enough for it to be cougar lust.
• Ronnie kept trying to be Michele's buddy and confidant.
• She doesn't seem to be buying what he's selling.
• The veto players were chosen -- Jessie, Kevin, and Michele.
• Jessie fears that if wins the veto and saves Ronnie, Russell might put Natalie on the block.
• Kevin told Michele she yelled NO in her sleep last night. She's done that before. Hmmm ... maybe she thought Ronnie was sneaking into her bed or something.
• They've all been talking about the secret power and calling it the wizard. Jeff said America hates him and he's not the wizard.
• I think he's wrong and lying.
  
• Jessie, out last year in the fourth week, is scared someone will use the wizard power and get him evicted this week (week 4). He wants Russell to throw the veto to him so he can keep the nominations as they are.
• Jessie told Michele everyone is sticking to the plan to vote out Ronnie.
• We know how well these folks stick to a plan!
• Chima is the host for the PoV comp. She comes complete with a toga.
• I guess now that they've graduated, they can have a toga party.
• TOGA, TOGA, TOGA
• Ahem. Just reliving the 80s for a bit.
• Michele won the veto and had Ronnie at her side begging her to save him almost immediately.
• He told her she can prove she wants to be a part of the five by using it.
• The comp had something to do with counting (feeds were blocked) rats, graves, feathers, etc.
• Not feeling really successful, Ronnie worked on Chima to go work on Michele to save his butt.
• Natalie told Jessie he should go to the diary room to complain about Kevin eating grapes while a Have Not.
• Michele told Jeff she won't be using the veto.
• Michele really, really doesn't like Ronnie.
• Michele and Jeff talked and talked ... more than they've talked so far in the game.
• Jeff said that unless she was on the block with Jordan, he wouldn't vote for her to go home.
• New alliance in da house! Jeff, Jordan, Michele ... with a bit of Russell on the fringes.
• I think Russell will remain loyal for the most part as long as he can with Jessie. But I don't think he has any loyalty to Natalie, Lydia, or Chima.
• So, there you go. I think we'll see the noms remain the same this week. At least until the coup d'etat.