Big Brother 11 Live Feeds Into Monday Morning 8/17

I'm going to say it right now. Even if I like certain people in the house, if they're gullible they just might deserve to lose. Sigh. Here are the happenings from inside that Big Brother House of Deceitful Dawgs:

• Oh, don't tell me that Jeff believes Kevin's lies about Russell! I don't mind so much that he might eventually want Russell out, but let's concentrate on either Lydia or Natalie this week!
• Jordan still wants to get Natalie out this week -- back to her original plan.
• But Jeff said if someone wins and uses the POV, backdoor Russell.
• Jeff and Jordan don't want to bring up her (Michele's) final two plan with Russell that Kevin told them about.
• Jordan admitted that Michele has a final two "deal" with her ... and with Russell. Jordan said she didn't specify her, but it was sort of understood.
• So, they think Michele is playing them and Russell has sneaky stuff going on all around.
• Kudos to Kevin.
• Michele told Jordan her final two deal with Russell was fake.
• Jeff wondered if Kevin might have lied to him.
• Jordan doesn't think Kevin lies.
• Hey! This is Big Brother! Wake up! Everyone lies!
• Jeff thinks they still have to take out Natalie this week for the numbers.
• Good.
• The hamsters know that nominations are today (Monday), but production is keeping tight-lipped about the PoV comp. It seems to me that it would also have to be today.
• Jordan once again confirms she plans to put Natalie and Lydia on the block.
• Natalie asked Lydia all about her sexual escapades with Jessie. Blech.
• Jordan is having second thoughts ... again. Jeff told her Natalie out this week, Russell later.
• Adding credence to Kevin's lies about Russell is Michele's ongoing tales of Russell.
• But then Russell has ongoing tales of Michele, too.
• Ah, finally Jeff mentioned to Jordan that it's possible Kevin is lying in a last ditch effort! Yes!
• Jeff and Jordan also think Michele might be lying.
• Well, duh.
  
• They've set their sights on the Natalie eviction this week.
• For now.
  

Big Brother 11Live Feeds Sunday 8/16 Into the Evening

Captain Unitard plays cards with Natalie

Kevin tells his schemed lie to Jeff trying to save his own butt in the game.

Even with all the drama as of late, Sundays are boring in the house. There are no comps. Although the show's scheduled happenings have been impacted, there were no nominations and definitely no PoV. Here are the day's events from inside the Big Brother House of Cards:

• Michele has Jordan worrying that Russell will target Jeff.
• I honestly don't think he will. He kept his word to Jessie. I think he'll keep his word to Jeff. He's not an ungracious Lydia.
• Jordan said of Lydia, "I'm sorry. But that girl's weird."
• Don't be sorry. It's not your fault, Jordan. She is weird.
• So am I. But I'm not on national television and the Internet showing all my weirdness for the world to mock.
• Jordan is still planning to put Natalie and Lydia on the block. But now she's leaning more towards a Lydia exit if she's being honest with Michele.
• Jordan is also worried about fumbling in any speeches she might have to read off of cards.
• Russell thinks that Kevin might win if he can make it to the final two.
• He could. But can he get to the final two is the question.
• Oh! Excitement is afoot! Russell ... get this ... is deep cleaning the refrigerator!
• I apologize. I didn't mean to get your hearts rushing.
• Breaking news: Natalie took a shower.
• She only took one to wash her hair before Lydia braided it.
• Jordan told Jeff she thinks Russell is going overboard with the paranoia. He's very worried he might go on the block.
• Natalie and Lydia think it sucks that America might have a jury vote.
• Heh.
• Natalie and Lydia caught that Michele just quickly rinses her hands after using the bathroom and will now make comments on that for days on end.
• Michele, although not HOH now, got her HOH camera and wrote her blog entry for the CBS site.
• Kevin is desperately trying to scheme to save his butt. He thinks his only choice is to try to convince Jeff that Russell is targeting him. It's a lie, but he has to do something.
• I'm pretty sure Jeff realizes it's a lie, but he acts all concerned and grateful to Kevin.
• I think that Jeff and Jordan don't trust Natalie and Lydia at all, don't trust Kevin but can stomach his gameplay, and remain a bit leery of both Russell and Michele.
• Jordan trusts Russell less than Jeff does. But Jeff hasn't told Jordan everything that Russell has said to him.
• That's about it.
• But remember ... Natalie took a shower. That made this report all worthwhile.
  

Big Brother 11 Sunday Show Blog Party 8/16

The show will be delayed due to golf here on the East Coast (NYC viewing area). Once it starts, this post will be updated with major events 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 want to say about a fifteen minute delay, but I wasn't paying attention to when 60 Minutes started. So, I'm putting the post up on time and we'll just see.

8:19 PM ET and it's finally starting here.

Lots of recapping, lots of tension in the house. Michele hasn't made the nominations yet.

As Lydia, Chima, and Natalie all act like Jessie, their God, has died, Kevin rolls his eyes. Michele told Jeff and Jordan she wants to see Chima go home. J and J yell YAY!

The Have Have Not had them playing for food for each day. Every day but Monday they'll have food, no cold showers, and they got a grill. Chima acted like a brat through it all.

Key order: Jordan, Jeff, Russell, Kevin, Lydia

Chima and Natalie nominated.

What a letdown! All we got is a teaser for the Tuesday show when "one houseguest self-destructs and is removed from the show."

OFF TOPIC: That Was the Week It Was 8/16/09

It's that time of the week again ... a look at the week behind me in words and photographs. If you're looking for the latest Big Brother news, hit the Big Brother blog tag and you'll be there.

"By the time we got to Woodstock, we were half a million strong ..." - Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young. "The New York State Thruway is CLOSED, man!" Ah, the memories! No, I didn't go. My mother forbid me to do so even though I bought a ticket with my babysitting money. We lived about 90 minutes north of Bethel, NY at the time. My mother told me there would be too many drugs and things going on. Gee, y'think? On reflection, I wouldn't let an almost 14-year-old girl go to Woodstock either.

It's hard to believe that was forty years ago ... as were the Manson killings. I did manage to go to Watkins Glen a few years later and, while cool, it was no Woodstock. But I was in college by then. Life was different with free rein.

To this week -- bleh. It's been humid all week here, my cat adoption fell through (although some angles are still being worked on), the bank has foreclosed on my apartment building, and my landlord has declared bankruptcy. Life as usual, huh? Actually, while I prefer the landlord being bankrupt rather than me being bankrupt, I'm not sure what's going to happen.

I've never owed anyone over 40 million dollars. That, of course, is a good thing. As David Letterman would say, "I wouldn't give anyone his problems for a monkey on a rock." As long as a roof is over my head, I'll be fine. We're talking thousands of tenants in the major bankruptcy, plus his bankruptcy actions elsewhere. They can't kick us all out and a new landlord could only be an improvement. My water, trash pick-up, and heat (come winter) just better all stay on. Those are included in the rent.

As for my photography this week, I had nothing really great on an artsy perspective. So, these are more or less, a slice of life here in New Jersey ... clicking on any of the images will open them larger in a new window.

Yeah, it's the (probably) carpenter bees again.

Well ... they're there. I can't resist trying to shoot them. I just wish they'd pose!

While pretty, this can't be healthy for the building structure.

Can it? Doesn't that ivy eat into the brick? I don't know. Plainfield, NJ

Parking Wars Plainfield Style

Unlike the Philadephia Parking Authority folks featured on A&E's Parking Wars, the Plainfield Parking Bureau is just a tad more laidback. At least, in appearance, they are. I always see 'em out there issuing the tickets, though.

NJ Transit, the Way to Go

That's their logo, anyway. I caught the double-decker (also known as fancy-shmancy) commuter train and the bus working their way through the rush hour in downtown Plainfield, NJ.

Jesus Ladies on a Mission

They're really Jehovah's Witnesses spreading the word. I call 'em The Jesus Ladies. They're out pounding the sidewalks everyday in their sensible shoes. There are two contingents in force here -- the Black Jesus Ladies and the Latina Jesus Ladies. I do my best to avoid both groups. If I haven't made my own mind up about religion by this time in life, I don't need to be brainwashed. I don't mean to demean anyone's religion -- I just think that everyone should be free to follow their own faith without people bugging them on the streets or at home. Plainfield, NJ.

The Morning Commute

A cup of coffee and either the free Metro or AMNewYork on the train to work. Both papers are free, but I have no clue when or how they infiltrate the trains. I'd rather they infiltrate my life than the Jesus Ladies. In reference to this particular issue: I'll be able to watch Mad Men once again now that I once again have AMC on my cable due to going digital and I did not win that big Lotto. I'll spend two bucks again this week. You never know. But I will never be one of those fools who invest money in Lotto day after day.

You have to have a lot of gall to live on poison ivy.

Yep, they're called poison ivy gall mites. They're microscopic and what's visible is the plant's reaction to them. Have I mentioned how much I love the Internet? I wish all of this knowledge had been available to me so easily during my school days. I don't know something and I want to learn about it? I have not only the world, but the universe right here in my home! I remember when I was about 20 I wanted to be a professional student for life. Well, I am. But it's just not a paying profession.

It's a bird! It's a plane! It's product placement!

Usually these blimps are for MetLife or Saturn cars. I've never been in a blimp. Have you? (Disclaimer: I'm NOT endorsing DirectTV. I don't have DirectTV. Gee, if they want to give me free DirectTV, I'd glady endorse them. I'd even speak kindly of Comcast if they weren't charging me an arm and a leg for basic *now digital* cable.)

Where is the Plainfield Parking Bureau now?

This is just laziness. It's late enough that there are tons of spaces in the parking lot at the Plainfield Train Station. Behind the NJ Transit Police vehicle are street bums drinking their beers. Where's the cop? Oh, he's up on the Newark/NYC platform yawning and looking bored. And he's parked crooked taking up two handicapped spots. True, no one is using the others. But he should be setting the example, shouldn't he?

Mr. Toady

I found a toad near the Bridgewater (NJ) Train Station. I suppose it could be a frog, but I don't think so. There's no body of water in easy hopping distance. Hmm ... maybe one of those tree frogs? I'm just not sure. All I know is that he was tiny (perhaps 3/4 inch) and didn't like to stay still.

Big Brother 11 Live Feeds Into the Dawn Sunday 8/16

The reigning head of house, Jordan, got White Castle sliders (amongst other things) in her HOH room.


Notice the contrast in expression between Kevin and Michele as they do their HOH room reveal visit. I can't decide whether Kevin is looking like a deer in the headlights or a dead man walking. Meanwhile, Michele is more certain of her place in the house even though her HOH reign was abbreviated.

Here are the late night happenings from inside that Big Brother House of the Real Trouble with Tribbles:

• Kevin continues to look absolutely miserable most of the time. Is he missing Jessie? Is he missing Chima? Nope. He's missing the game he could have played, methinks.
  
• He's very carefully trying to follow Jeff's advice to not push the drama yet scheme to save his own butt in the house.
• Natalie is all about the scheming. She got over her Chima love on rapid order, but is still enamored with her main man The Man, The Myth, the Legend ... Mr. Pec-tacular.
• Lydia, albeit a new superhero on the scene (Captain Unitard), has decided bad behavior, anti-social actions, and the crazy card will be her latest approach to the game. She's now playing to get the boot.
  
• Jordan is leaning towards a Natalie/Lydia nomination.
• Natalie, Lydia, and Kevin realize this.
• What they don't realize is that Jordan, Jeff, Michele, and Russell may lean more to keeping the crazy card in the house while getting rid of the pit bull.
• Jordan volunteered to go on the Hawaii trip with Jeff if he needs someone. Y'know, he just might take her. They're a cute couple. Of all of the romances and showmances I've seen on the show, Jordan and Jeff just seem to click so well together.
• Natalie and Kevin have moved the chessboard and are using candy and dates to study for comps.
• Lydia withdrew from the world.
• I guess Lydia is closed.
  
• I must admit -- I loved her "Lydia is closed" expression. Although she definitely has issues, I've stolen that and have been waiting to say "Jackie is closed" when I have ten employees calling my name at the same time in my workplace.
• Jeff is as happy as Jordan with Jordan being HOH. Aw, too sweet.
• Jordan thinks it's great that everyone who was nice (and played well with others) got a nice prize in yesterday's comp while the "mean person" got the unitard.
• Lydia was in bad behavior mode during the comp. In addition to the prizes I mentioned before Kevin got $5,000 while Russell got a spa visit.
• At different times Jordan and Jeff talked game with Russell and Michele separately. Both Russell and Michele want to cast a bit of suspicion about each other with the reigning couple.
• I think Jordan and Jeff realize that both Russell and Michele can be a bit sketchy in their own ways. I think Jeff and Jordan really only trust each other.
• They both want to give the impression that Lydia's a done deal this week.
• But she's not. Natalie is unless she wins POV.
• Lydia remained under the covers and refused to go to the HOH reveal.
• I think that might be against the rules. I know they've been told in the past that everyone must go (even if they're miserable).
• Natalie is trying to fit in with Jeff and Jordan, but thinking of 1001 ways to scheme on the side.
• In Jordan's letter from home, she got scolded by her mother for cursing.
• Jordan told everyone they're welcome to come up to the HOH room, use the shower, nap, whatever. Yep, even Natalie is welcome.
• Unlike Lydia and Chima, Natalie and Kevin are each trying to play the game. I'll give them credit for that.
• Kevin thinks that if it gets down to it, Jeff won't take Jordan to the end because he'd lose to her -- she's so sweet and everyone likes her.
• Kevin also said that if he wins POV, he'll take Lydia off the block. Natalie is planning to win it herself.
• Has Natalie won anything?
  
• Natalie is sure that Jeff convinced Michele to put Chima on the block.
• Russell told Jeff that he's sincere about the fact he'd be thrilled with a Jeff win this season. He said he owes still being in the house to Jeff.
• Well, yeah Russell.
• Both Jeff and Russell agreed they'd get a bit ill if Natalie, Lydia, or Kevin were to win the season.
• Jordan had a good cry about missing her family with Jeff there to listen to her. He said he found it refreshing.
• I wish they'd stop portraying Jordan as a total dummy on the show. While she isn't all that book-smart at times, she really has to be one of the NICEST hamsters ever in the house.
• Jordan thanked Jeff for letting her win HOH. He said she earned the win.
• Kevin proposed to Natalie (oh, not marriage ... sheesh!) that they try to come up with a final four deal with Jordan and Jeff.
• They can't approach either Russell or Michele, so they can only deal with Jordan and Jeff.
• I don't think it will work.
• I don't think they seriously think it will work either.
• Natalie told Kevin not to ever admit to a lie. I suppose that's why she believes her own lie about what happened in the green room.
• Natalie needs to stop shoving food in her mouth and leaving her mouth open when she chews.
• Monday will be nominations and the Have Nots start. Lydia, Kevin, and Russell will be the Have Nots for the abbreviated week.
• The latest lie scheme is that Kevin is going to tell Jeff he's betraying the girls (Natalie and Lydia) and teaming up with them. He's going to convince Jeff and Jordan that he's not after them -- he wants Russell out while Natalie is targeting Michele.
• Um, okay. Is that the best you got?
• BB told Kevin and Natalie the chess board must go back upstairs and the dates must be removed. I guess they'll have to depend on their minds.
• Oh, that's a scary thought.