Off Topic - That Was the Week it Was - August 8, 2010

It's Sunday morning, time for an off television topic trip back through the week gone by in words and photos I've taken. If you're looking for Big Brother news, check out the previous post(s) and another one will be going up later this morning.

I realize I sound like a broken record, but it's been hot and humid again for most of the week. On Thursday the humidity broke and I actually enjoyed a night with the windows open and fresh air. If I had my druthers, I'd always choose fresh air over air conditioning. But, somewhere on the path of life, I've lost my druthers ... so the world does what it wants and I just have to go with the flow.

In the city (Manhattan) this weekend, they're having their Summer Streets festival this weekend and the next two. They close down certain streets to motor vehicles and it becomes a big walk mall, biking path, etc. This year they introduced dumpster pools. It gives dumpster diving a new meaning (although diving is prohibited). When I brought trash out to my own dumpster in the high heat of the week, I thought ... hmmm ... swimming? Ew. No.

In my town they brought Al Sharpton in as a speaker to one of the city meetings. I didn't attend, but really question why he was paid to come. As I mentioned before, this summer has seen many gang-related shootings. But, as an observer, I don't think it's race related, nor would it even be in Al Sharpton's personal universe for his commentary. The man is wealthy. True, he's an interesting speaker. But he's so far removed from the world of the real streets and gang issues that I doubt it was worth the cost of having him speak.

I don't have the answers myself and I'm more familiar with what's happening daily. It's not an issue which can be solved overnight and it may take generations to get things right again, if ever. There have to be changes in parenting, education, job availability to youth and attitude in general. People must find their compassion once again. Life isn't a shoot 'em up video game. Freedom needs to be a better option than thug life. I don't know the fix. Life isn't always easy even when you work steady and do the right thing. But it's so much better than the alternative. Every life has a value.

Oh, well ... onto my photos of the week -- clicking on an image will open it larger in a new window:

New Jersey Cowboy

This man lives down the street from me. I used to walk by him struggling on his crutches for more than a few years. Now he has an electric wheelchair and is able to scoot by me. He always wears cowboy hats, not the same one and none ever look new. We've always chatted on our encounters. He's always pleasant and I'll always remember that he once told me that I was one of the "good and beautiful people" because I take the time to greet him and chat whenever we meet.

Oh, a fire engine!

What's up with that? Church Street and East Second Street in Plainfield.

Where there's smoke ...

... there's firemen and food! While I missed the events near the library yesterday as the PBA put on a huge festival, I caught the fire department's free food, music, and stuff for the kids event as I walked home from the train station after work. It was like a huge cookout with chicken, burgers, hot dogs ... all free! Plus they were cranking out old time Motown music.

I tend to "name" people I often see on the streets with nicknames. For example, there's a man I think of as "James Whitmore Eyebrow Man." Well, at this little fire department party, there was the "Pips Man." I've seen him since I came to town ... walking along with a late-60s Afro, polyester pants, retro shoes. Last night he danced up a storm, all by himself. I've never seen the man even talk! He always seems so intent on getting wherever he's going. Yet, he cut a fine rug all by himself last night. Alas, he was moving too fast and I didn't get a clear photo.

I had a burger and several folks I know in town gravitated over to sit with me. So many people define this town by its past history with racial divide and its present gang problems. I define it as a place where I encounter friendly folks and feel welcomed. Last night was a fine affair for families, children, and even the local TV blogger. The kids got fire hats, coloring books and other goodies; the adults got food, several tables and chairs to sit, chat, and have a good time. There were no problems or gangs.

NJ Transit, the Way to Go

Yeah, it's the way to go LATE all summer again as they do track work. Still, it's better than getting stuck in traffic here where it's so densely populated. Plainfield Train Station.

Push Me Pull You

This is the train on the other track. As you can see, there's an engineer (in a pink shirt!) driving the train. We're a diesel line and the first train I pictured is the car with the engine/motor/whatever. However, the trains are set up so that either end can drive. It makes sense as you don't want to get to your destination and then have to turn around the train, right? The engineer (driver) is the only employee I ever see on NJT who's not in uniform.

Whose train is 40 minutes late?

Mine, of course. That's pretty bad as the trains only run once an hour on Saturdays. Plainfield Train Station, edited for the black & white/color effect.

Me and My Shadow

Well, it's not ME ... it's THAT GUY. An urban shot taken on North Street in Plainfield (as I waited for a late train).

Cornered by the Jesus Lady

The one guy looks like he wishes he could be anywhere else! The Latina Jesus Ladies are out in full force downtown every day of the week, passing out brochures and saving souls. Watchung Avenue and North Street, Plainfield.

Free from care
Free from sin
The Saints are trooping in
The children play all around the throne
Innocent of sin
A trillion voices sing the name
The mortals may not know
And Heaven's walls are too high to hear
The trouble down below

If I'm late don't wait
Go on without me
I may tarry awhile
Cause I need to know
Before I go
How come the Devil smiles
-- "Step by Step" by Jesse Winchester

Sunflower in the sky

Backlighted by the sun. East Front Street, Plainfield.

Black-eyed Susan

Why aren't any flowers named "Jackie"? The senior citizen building across the street from me has an impressive garden of these. East Front Street, Plainfield.

Lots of Susans!

I will NOT miss the music next month!

This is one of the several ice cream trucks which prowl my Jersey 'hood. This one isn't as irritating as another whose music stops, then you hear "HELLO, HELLO" and the music starts all over once again. I have no clue the cost from these trucks. I know if I had kids, I'd be buying store brand Popsicles from the supermarket rather than investing. East Front Street, Plainfield.

Whazzat?

Why, it's a satellite news truck set up by the Police Department/Court building on Watchung Avenue in Plainfield. I haven't a clue why they were there. I believe it might have had something to do with National Night Out (this was taken Tuesday after work). But those festivities were a few blocks up the street at the City Hall building. As it's the Spanish-speaking station and they always talk way too fast for me to understand, I didn't check it out on television.

I want that camera

More Urban Cowboys

This isn't Enzo's New Jersey, as you can tell.

Get Bent

That was a childhood insult I never quite understood. However, it fits this bike which is locked up but abandoned at the Bound Brook Train Station.

Get Bent Redux

The stinkhorn mushrooms have gone wild with just a smidgen of rain. But they all do this after their burst of growth.

Pudgy goldfinch on a wire

The gold finch is the state bird, but I don't see them in town often. They're late maters, so I believe this pudgy one is a young 'un. East Front Street, Plainfield

But ... but ... there's more goldfinches!

I was a distance away, but caught three of them resting on the East Front Street sunflowers!

Golden sunshine

Sunflowers and goldfinches ... perfect together.

Chickadee in a tree

Despite the fact that birds will take over the world, I went on a bird photo stint. This tree at the Plainfield Train Station is slowly dying. I don't know if it's the lack of rain or just an ill tree. But with the leaves the way they are, I thought the shot turned out well.

What is going on with that beak?

From cute birds to ugly beaks. Now, I often admire the pigeon's feathers, but their beaks are so often all jacked-up.

Vincent! Wake up! There's BIRDS!

Yet he sleeps on. Hmmm ... that looks like a good idea -- a cat nap!

How was your week?

Big Brother 12 - Saturday Live Feeds - Aug. 7

Defeated

"The competitions are made for little people!"

It's a SECRET ... shh!

When I last left you, Rachel and Brendon were on the block. The backyard had a small bowling lane (obviously for little people with little balls) set up so that the hamsters could practice for POV. And here's the tale of what has happened since then in the Big Brother House of Misguided Malcontents:

• Not long after they got up, they had to pick players for the veto.
• Unknown to just about everyone, Ragan has to use his veto ticket this week. So, Ragan must play.
• Although blocked to the feeds, the hamsters later squeaked about it -- Enzo, Britney and Kathy ... plus Ragan.
  
• Lane's getting irked because he never gets chosen to play for veto.
  
• Enzo says that when they announce the saboteur, he's going to tell him/her it was a punk move accepting it.
• Hayden told the other that, from his conversations with them, he doesn't think either Rachel or Brendon are the saboteur.
• Nobody's guessing Ragan is.
• There was an extended feeds block with the "secret game" screen while they played for veto.
• When the feeds returned ...
• BRITNEY WON VETO AGAIN.
• Oh. Did I shout that?
  
• Britney won veto
• Jeff and Jordan made their appearance at the veto comp.
• The main group thinks that neither Jeff nor Jordan like Rachel and Brendon. They said once when Rachel started talking trash, Jeff told her, "Whoa! Put your claws back in!"
• Meow!
• Britney said she won't use the veto.
• Rachel is crushed.
• Brendon is defeated.
• Rachel is deflated ... well, except for her chest. Her bubble has been burst.
• Rachel tried to offer the $5000 to Britney to use the veto to save her, no go.
• Enzo said how good-looking Jeff and Jordan are in person.
• I guess the veto had to be done with rounds and picking people to go against them.
• Rachel told Kathy she chose her because she thought she could beat her.
• She didn't.
• Kathy must have gloated because Rachel freaked out about it.
• They tried telling her it was like Rachel's own behavior when she won HOH.
• Rachel thinks it's entirely different.
• Probably because the shoe is on the different foot.
• Maybe a size 13 one?
• Rachel is definitely the target this week. They tend to think of Brendon as a doofus who rarely does well at comps.
• Enzo thinks Brendon and Rachel should name their alliance "Wah-Wah."
• Rachel is miserable. Brendon is still at her. I think she wants to be left alone for a while.
• They are SO not going to make it as a couple outside of the house.
• So now all the excitement is over. The only thing coming up will be the veto meeting in which Britney won't use the veto.
• I guess we can watch Rachel and Brendon fall to pieces over the next few days.
• Rachel is going on about the breaking up of couples as I finish typing this.
• Um. Pot, kettle, black. Wasn't it Rachel who broke up Hayden and Kristen?
• But when she does it, it's fine.
  

Happy Meow Meow

Big Brother 12 - Live Feeds Into Saturday Morning, Aug. 7

The Saboteur, the sequel

Britney's reaction to the new saboteur video.

Ragan plays the innocent dude very well.

They went from the doldrums to wham-wham excitement what with Matt opening Pandora's Box unleashing something unknown into the house, Brendon and Rachel going on the block and then (cue dramatic music here) ... the return of the Saboteur:

• Rachel stopped crying long enough to run into the living room with everyone else when they heard the scratchy audio coming from the television.
• Yep, it's back ... sounding and looking a lot like the Annie saboteur video, but making it clear that it's a new saboteur.
• The video thanked Matt for unleashing him by opening Pandora's Box, said that he'll go all the way to the half-million dollars.
• The saboteur warned them all to watch their backs as he will be backstabbing them.
• I'm saying "he" here because we know it's Ragan. But it's ambiguous such as the Annie tapes. They can't tell whether it's a guy or a gal.
  
• Lots of speculation ensues. Ragan and Matt have been saying all along that since America didn't vote on food this week, they must be voting on something.
• Ragan uses that idea to pose questions. He's handling it all very well. The others aren't suspecting him at all.
• A few wonder if it's actually BB making them think someone amongst them is the saboteur while it's BB all along.
• Enzo thinks CBS can do whatever they want to them as they already signed their lives away (in the contracts).
• I'm so impressed with Ragan's acting ability that I can't get over it. If I didn't know it was him, he'd be my last guess!
  
• I didn't vote for Ragan to be it, but it looks like America picked the perfect saboteur.
• Britney is sure it's Rachel.
• Now they're all worried that Rachel is the saboteur and might have a secret power which will take her off the block.
• Rachel's only power is Brendon's POV record and he claims he will take her off the block if he wins.
• All eyes cast to Brendon and Rachel in suspicion as they both went from totally upset with being on the block to another mood.
• Well, duh. The saboteur bit took their minds off the block for a bit.
  
• Matt told the others that he thinks it seems like he (Matt) is the obvious saboteur because he unleashed it, but he's not.
• Ragan said he thinks America probably voted on who they want to be the saboteur.
• Lane said it's more like America's Train Wreck than America's Player.
• They all wonder what the incentive is for anyone to do it.
• Um, money?
• They've been in lockdown for most of the day and evening due to something being built in the yard for POV.
  
• I think I forgot to mention that. Oops.
• Brendon, when talking to Rachel alone, referred to the others as "retards." He told her he didn't mean it in a bad way ... except for those who are.
• Rachel thinks it's unfair that she's on the block and doesn't think the outgoing HOH should be nominated because they can't play for HOH.
• Oh, geez. That's as bad as the Small People Conspiracy Theory of Brendon's.
• Worse than, even.
• Finally, around midnight their time, they were allowed out in the yard.
• The comp set-up is a duck pin kind of bowling alley.
• Yes, I've duck pin bowled -- it's like real bowling with much smaller balls and shorter lanes. It's a great sport for kids and inebriated ski club people.
• Yes, I duck pin bowled with the latter years back.
• They all practiced, Enzo very briefly but he did well. He says it's too crowded and cold to practice more.
• Now they're a bit suspicious of him.
• Brendon professed his love for Rachel to Rachel again. At least I didn't see her roll her eyes this time.
• She just can't get over the fact that it's almost guaranteed one of them (her!) will leave the house this week. It's UNFAIR to split them up, they can't go on not together in the house!
• Yet, she did put Hayden and Kristen up there together last week, eh?
• BB yelled at Enzo for dancing on the bowling lane.
• "Enzo, STOP THAT!"
• I love when they get yelled at with a pre-taped voice.
• Rachel cried some more.
• I tried to look at Brendon's feet to see why they mock his toe. He has big feet, big big toes ... but nothing is glaring about it.
• Brendon made a comment to Rachel about her doing very well for someone who said she has a problem with reading. Apparently she said something to him about that. It might explain her horrid HOH blogs. Maybe.
• Rachel keeps exiling herself. Brendon keeps wanting to mingle.
• The crowd is sick of Rachel and Brendon closing themselves alone in the cabana room to eat, etc.
• Lane doesn't think Rachel is the saboteur because she's crying too much.
• No one is suspecting Ragan.
• Of course, so far the saboteur hasn't done anything that we know of.
• Brendon wanted to practice the bowling all night, but Rachel decided to go to bed.
• Her man has promised her, after all.
  

Lane isn't on the lane in this but he practiced, too.

Big Brother 12 - Live Feeds - Nominations (I Think) Friday, Aug. 6

Although there was no "Nominations Today" on the TV screen in the BB house, it looks like they went down. The feeds have been blocked for just about forever. Okay, I exaggerate ... a long time. When mine came back on cam 3, Rachel was violently chopping something in the kitchen and looking about with her dagger eye look.

At one point Rachel and Brendon told Britney whichever of them was left was going to go after "them." There was apparently some sort of shuffleboard game in the backyard, too.

Yes, Rachel and Brendon are on the block ... even though she's always "given 100% in the game." (Not sure what that has to do with anything, but she said it.) They think Kathy struck a deal with Matt.

Brendon told Rachel he'll win the POV and save her because she's the better player and wants it so bad. She says she can't stay in the house without him.

Big Brother 12 - Live Feeds Friday Daytime - Aug. 6

Another day in the happy house of hamsters. As I get this written, the nominations haven't been done. However ... Matt did open Pandora's Box and Ragan will be unleashed to wreak havoc on all. Matt, of course, doesn't know what he's unleashed.

• Hayden told Enzo and Lane about his talk with Rachel last night. You know, the one in which he was so sympathetic and told her he too had no one in the house except Kristen.
• And now she's gone.
• Brendon, possibly using his crystal ball, is trying to work his way into the guys. He's been hanging around a lot with Enzo. Buddy-buddy, grunt-grunt.
• Brendon is still going on about the comps being made for smaller people.
• Rachel told Brendon that she can't wait until this is all over and she won't be friends with anyone after they leave the house (present company excluded).
• She hates them all!
• Hayden thinks Matt should take Rachel's $5,000 and then nominate her anyway.
• Rachel told Brendon she's sure they're safe this week, but must win HOH next week because it's probably a double eviction.
• Wrong and wrong.
• Well, I don't know for sure about the double eviction. I haven't done the math on that and I don't want to think right now.
• I don't want to think because these hamsters are turning my mind to mush.
• Rachel thinks she's the only one with a great life and they're probably jealous of her.
• @@
• Meanwhile, in another room -- Kathy, Hayden and Britney are trashing Rachel.
• And so it goes.
• Lane told Ragan that Brendon called him (Ragan) a cockroach.
• Ragan still thinks the only real alliance in the house is Brendon and Rachel.
• A cockroach might be smarter about that.
• There was a big cockroach in the kitchen which Lane killed.
• Perhaps it was named Ragan, I don't know.
  
• Rachel pouted.
• Ragan and Rachel had words about words (names being called).
• Rachel called Matt and Ragan "a pair."
• Oh my.
• Ragan got all bothered by it.
• Rachel cried some more.
• Then they all (Rachel, Ragan and Brendon) apologized to each other.
• Some brouhaha.
• After an extended trivia session with the feeds blocked, Matt admitted opening Pandora's Box.
• He said he got a dollar in a briefcase and a promise of wealth ... but he would be unleashing something on the house.
• He doesn't know what he has unleashed.
• Now I've gone full circle.
• As I get this posted, we have extended trivia again. This time it might be the nominations.
• It looks like Matt will stick to his guns and nominate Brendon and Rachel.
• If he doesn't, he'll lose face with the rest of the house.
• Once I know the noms, I'll post a bulletin.