Off Topic: That Was the Week It Was - August 12, 2012

Good Sunday morning to y'all! No, I'm not from the South. However it's better than welcoming youse guys, right? As it is 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 searching for Big Brother content, use this link to pull up those posts. Otherwise, sit back with a cup of coffee and visit my world for just a bit.

First, I realize I sound like a whiner ... but I'm so tired of this summer. We've had one heat wave after another and the humidity level is horrible even on the "nicer" days. I heard they're predicting a very snowy winter. To be honest, I think I'll like that better as long as I don't fall on ice.

My own life has become super mundane as of late. I work, I sweat, I eat, I watch BB live feeds and write up reports, I spoil Vincent the Cat. That's about it. With it so hot and me hating to sweat so much, I haven't really been going anywhere that I haven't had to go.

I have made a new friend at the bus stop near the train station. Now, tell me ... why would I (of all people) attract a 25-year-old goth/industrial music type with black fingernails? No, I'm NOT a cougar. It's not that kind of friendship! He's a smart kid, yet unemployed. When he told me I was "lucky" to have worked so long for the same company, I told him it wasn't luck at all. It was a lot of hard work and dedication, sometimes when I didn't feel like working hard or being dedicated. But I had to do it anyway. Perhaps the only luck involved was picking a company which has lasted and done well over the years back when I was about 22 or so.

Anyway, onto the photos. Clicking on an image will open it in a new window, clicking again will make it larger. Closing out that window will land you right back here where you left off.

Sunflower with a bee

The reluctant sunflowers by the edge of the sidewalk are finally in bloom so I can get some shots without dealing with a fence. East Front Street, Plainfield.

Almost idyllic

Yet in Plainfield just at the edge of the business district!

I guess he is a she

This is the same orchard spider I photographed last week. She's still hanging in there and now has a very interesting egg case. Bridgewater, NJ

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

Big Brother 14: Live Feeds PoV Bulletin - Aug. 11

After nearly two hours of blocked feeds for the comp, they're back. 

Boogie looks miserable. He must have done poorly. Most are wearing scrubs from "Zingbot Labs."

And, the big news ... Frank won. Boogie and Frank say they now can be bums and relax until Thursday.

Big Brother 14: Live Feeds Saturday Daytime - Aug. 11

9:50 PM ET, the Zingbot arrived.
I hate the Zingbot.

Yes, Jenn is still in the house

Just to warn you ... today's been a heck of a lot of nothing going on in the house. Usually, by this time the Power of Veto comp has already played out. It hasn't even started yet. I'm thinking it might be a morph type comp played at night. The hamsters don't seem to know when it's going to be either. Anyhow, here's what's happened today in that Big Brother House of Impatient Imps:

• Boogie, the first up as per usual this season, thought it might be a night comp first thing in the morning as they weren't on lockdown.
• Ashley was also an early riser. She told Boogie she was feeling a bit better.
• Boogie told her she needs to win some comps or people might think she's just coasting or needs to leave.
• They eventually did get lockdowned inside a bit after 10am their time.
• Boogie and Frank think they can get Ian to go after Dan, Danielle, Shane or Ian if he wins.
• Too bad he's solid with the Quack Pack, huh?
• The veto picks were: Boogie, Jenn and Ashley. They will play with Frank, Wil, Joe and Shane (veto ticket).
• Frank and Boogie told Ian that the target this week is Wil.
• Hmm ... Dan said that Renny won't talk to anyone from their season, no one at all. They've even tried to contact her through her son's Facebook page. Not what I expected from her, I'll say.
• Dan has kept in touch with his BB nemesis Jerry -- even invited him to his wedding.
• It sounds like Ian got his wish to host a comp -- the PoV.
• Joe is playing the "I cook" card to stay.
• What other card does he have? The Joker, maybe.
• Ashley thinks she's a lost soul living in California.
• Nah, I think she just might fit in some places. She would be definitely a lost soul in Camden, NJ.
• As they were all sitting around bored for the comp ... who shows up?
• Why, it's that nasty evil Zingbot who I never can understand.
• Cut the feeds, the PoV comp must finally be on.

Slop for breakfast

What is Shane checking out?

Too much fish!

Ashley lives

It's still a thrill just to be there for Ian

Big Brother 14: Live Feeds Into Saturday Morning - Aug. 11

A clean face is a happy face. Um. Well.

So, the nominations are in (Joe and Wil) and the Spiritard is out. Here's the latest from inside that Big Brother House of Not So Smooth Moves:

• If the Have Nots have to have cod and candy canes, BB got them decent ones -- many flavors with the candy canes including root beer and blueberry and expensive cod.
• Wil and Shane think that Ashley hasn't been honest about whatever is going on with her back. She claims that she's getting cortisone shots.
• Wil and Shane note that cortisone shots are used on joints, not muscles.
• They're right.
• They both agree she looks very sick and is in a lot of pain.
• I agree. I'm wondering why they're allowing her to stay in the house. Or, why she even wants to be in there in that much pain?
• Britney and Dan talked about possibly keeping Wil this week as he would go after Frank and Boogie.
• Joe couldn't effectively go after anyone unless they're already in filet form.
• Neither Dan or Britney trust Wil, but they do know he's very angry with the tag team of Frank and Boogie.
• Even though they told him he's their "pawn."
• Although they are indeed targeting him.
• Ashley told Wil that if he wins the PoV and doesn't use it on himself, he'll surely go home.
• So, I guess she's thinking clearly enough!
• Even if he believes he's the pawn (which he isn't), he hopefully won't Marcellas on us.
• Frank and Boogie think that Wil is being fake with them every time he talks to them.
• Yep, he is.
• Frank still doesn't like the idea of not getting Dan out for a few weeks.
• Boogie thinks it would be better if Jenn or Ian won HoH and did that dirty deed.
• I don't think Ian would go after Dan unless few were left in the house.
• And, I'm not sure Jenn can win anything.
• Frank got to take the Spiritard off at midnight. He got to keep the pom-poms.
• Shane told Britney he thinks Ashley is playing the sympathy card so she won't be nominated, won't have to be in comps, etc.
• Danielle told Wil that she thought she was now being viewed as the "bad girl who took Janelle out."
• Wil thinks that Frank is probably getting a "good guy" edit on the shows.
• Adding to the list of stuff Danielle claims -- she also used to be an alcoholic.
• @@
• Of course, anyone who seriously "used to be an alcoholic" usually refers to themselves as a recovering alcoholic and abstains from drinking totally. Danielle imbibes whenever she can.
• She can't this week as she's a Have Not.
• Danielle told Dan that Wil told her that he (Dan) is dangerous -- in his own season, he stabbed everyone in the back.
• "You're not going to stab me in the back, are you?"
• "Of course not."
• They're all asleep as I post this. 

Ian talks school

Still in the house despite rumors

Big Brother 14: Nominations Bulletin - Aug. 10

As expected, Frank/Boogie nominated Joe and Wil. It's actually Wil who's the target.