Off Topic: That Was the Week It Was - July 6, 2014

Welcome to 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 looking for my latest Big Brother television/live feeds posts, check out this link. This here off topic post is a year-round staple on the blog. Yeah, I know it has nothing to do with television. But, of course, life isn't ALL about TV ... right?

This week was a bit of a rough one for me. I had some sort of stomach virus which kept me sick for most of the week while I was still working at my real job and doing the Big Brother coverage here on the blog. Thankfully that ended pretty much by Friday -- in time for me to have a rare three-day holiday weekend off from my job. Yay!

On the holiday itself, I didn't do much. The weather was a bit iffy and one local parade was canceled. However, yesterday's weather was gorgeous and perfect for a parade! And, it just so happens that my city's parade was already planned for Saturday, not Friday. There's also a three-day holiday festival going on downtown which I plan to check in on later today.

Due to feeling icky and icky weather for most of the week, I don't have a ton of photos. After the jump, I have a slideshow not of flowers this week, but of parade photos. On with the show ... clicking on an image will open it in a new Photobucket window. From there, you can make the image larger twice with the magnifying glass icon at the bottom right of the photo. To return here, just close out the Photobucket page.

Take a picture, it lasts longer!

This wet bunny seems to resent the intrusion of the paparazzi (me). East Front Street, Plainfield.

The chicory is in bloom

Although they keep mowing it down, the chicory at the Plainfield Train Station is determined to keep coming back.

Gotta love the haircut!

I love how Afros and flat-tops are coming back on the kids. I just hope they don't start wearing platform shoes again. Those things were dangerous! I took this photo at the Plainfield 4th of July Parade (held on the 5th). The parade slideshow is just after the jump ... check it out!

*TO SEE THE PARADE SLIDESHOW AND MORE, 

CLICK THE 'READ MORE' LINK*

Big Brother 16: Blog Pool - Who's your hamster?

That way cool ORKMommy has made the random picks for those who signed up to be in the blog pool. How cool is she?

I'll be posting the latest live feeds in a bit. For now, cherish your chosen hamster:

Amber - Caela, Sharon, Glenn, PDX Granny, Jennifer

Brittany - Dierdre, ML, Shannon, Gaylos, Donna E

Caleb - JimmyB, SueGee on the Left Coast, Sharon S, monty924, Janice from GA

Christine - ReeseB0329, EileenH, Willie J, Ronda, Rbennie

Cody - Delee, Nickelpeed, WolfpackRed, Nell the Southern Belle, Sally in Indiana

Derrick - Ed in Ohio, Jessica UNderwood, Marlo, Stormy, Erinkate

Devin - Donna in Alabama, Lili, Sparty, Merrilee, SarahT

Donny - Buzzmaam, Tami, JonMD1267, Margo, Kelsey Gronda

Frankie - Aya, JOKATS, Ninboh, Tammy, Becky

Hayden - Donna in FL, Chacha, Sasha, Uncartie, Clover

Jocasta - Brenda, Kelly Davey, Cheryl in NC, Old mom, Maquinn78

Nicole - Jo, Witt, Celticskye, Tilda

PaoPao - Jackie, Lisa Bishop, Chrob61, lynn1

Victoria - Dr_Celine, ORKMommy, Sharon N, Faye

Zach - Brian, NikkiB, Kathy, David

Oh my. I have the best player ever ... Paola!

Big Brother 16: Live Feeds Bulletin - PoV Winner - July 5

Uh-oh. Devin won the Power of Veto. If he keeps his promise to PaoPao and takes her off the block, he could replace her with someone who should be safe (Cody, Derrick, Donny, etc.) to make sure his target (Brittany) gets voted out. PaoPao and Amber are talking about trying to get him to put Victoria up.

Update: Now Devin is telling his boys since people would be likely to vote out Victoria, he'd have to leave PaoPao on the block. He was planning to tell her when Brittany burst in and tries (not very well) to convince him she meant him no harm. Now Devin is denying he said anything about cows regarding her, nor shot a gun finger at her. He claims he wanted to talk to her because he wanted to see if they could work together. @@

They agree they won't nominate each other and will use the PoV to save each other if he saves her. We'll see.

Big Brother 16: Live Feeds Saturday daytime - July 5

I'm so misunderstood

As I post this, the PoV comp hasn't gone down. The hamsters are hoping it's today rather than tomorrow. I feel the same way. Bring it ON! Here's what's been happening inside that Big Brother House of Pernicious Pips:

• Caleb thinks that Devin blows things out of proportion.
• Y'think?
• Of course, Caleb isn't the best one to make the observation. Unless he's talking from personal experience, of course.
• Amber thinks being HoH has gone to Devin's head. 
• I'd say 'y'think' again, but Devin was flighty before he became HoH.
• Devin told the boys that he meant his relationship/alliance with Caleb was over, not the Bomb Squad.
• Devin is sure that he is out next week unless he wins PoV (can't play for HoH).
• He could very well be right.
• Frankie and Christine discussed whether Devin might put Caleb up as a replacement nominee if PoV is used this week. Both said he could very well be voted out if that happens.
• Hmm.
• Zach, Derrick and Cody seem to be the tightest more than two alliance in the house.
• Unfortunately for them, others are noticing.
• Frankie told Christine they might be better teaming up with Caleb and Amber than trying with the Trio.
• Caleb told Frankie that he thinks Amber likes him (Caleb).
• @@ 
• Meanwhile, the Trio thinks they'll be in fine shape once Devin is out the game. They feel they need to be careful what they say around Frankie.
• They're probably right. Not as bad as Andy last year, but Frankie's in with everyone in the house.
• The Trio definitely want Christine to stay in the house.
• Devin might have a rude awakening.
• We had fish (blocked feeds) for an extended period of time.
• When the feeds returned, it turns out that Devin had chosen the Have Nots.
• Derrick and Zach volunteered beforehand as a ploy to cover the Bomb Squad -- each week, if volunteer Have Not, the guys plan on rotating.
• The other two Devin chose were Brittany (no surprise there) and Victoria.
• Oh my ... Victoria will have to sleep in a room with MEN!!!
• They have extras this week with the slop -- bok choy and Braunschweiger.
• I can't believe most have no idea of Braunschweiger liverwurst sausage! I could live off that for a week!
• They chose players for the PoV - Devin, Brittany and PaoPao are playing with Zach, Derrick and Amber.
• The only worry most have is that PaoPao wins (BWAHAHAHAHA!) and takes herself off the block or Devin wins, takes PaoPao down, replaces with someone who ensures Brittany will go.
• Donny is hosting the comp.
• They still don't know when it's going to happen. 

Not giving up Frankie's HoH robe

Made alliance shirts for past seasons

Cracks her knuckles one by one

Bok choy and liverwurst have arrived

Amber decorates PaoPao

Big Brother 16: Live Feeds into Saturday morning - July 5

Frankie has oodles of cuddle buddies

Okay, a bit o' action last night in that Big Brother House of Huffy Hamsters:

• First, blocked to the feeds but shown on BBAD (what's up with that? We PAY for the feeds!), the hamsters watched fireworks on their living room screen.
• They couldn't go outside because there was music and fireworks able to be seen in the yard.
• On BBAD they never showed the screen, just the hamsters watching.
• Later on in the evening, the hamsters made their own fireworks.
• Thankfully, no gun powder involved.
• First, Jocasta tried to calm Zach down a bit over his hatred of Victoria. She told him that perhaps in her culture, they don't use the words "please" and "thank you."
• There is a sleeping arrangement kerfuffle going on with the girls.
• PaoPao doesn't want to sleep with Victoria because she wears perfume and PaoPao is allergic.
• Victoria won't sleep in a room with men.
• PaoPao also doesn't want to be in a bed with three even though she's a logical choice because she's so tiny.
• Zach offered to sleep in the Have Not room, but not if they think he's doing it for Victoria. @@
• In this particular kerfuffle, I admired Jocasta's reasoning skills. You can tell she's not only a mother, but someone who actually listens well to people and tries to diffuse situations. Kudos to her!
• But that wasn't the big kerfuffle of the night. 
• Alas, I don't think I can bring it to the level of calling it a brouhaha.
• Rats. I love a good brouhaha.
• What happened was that Amber and many others in the house talked and many would prefer Brittany stay in the game rather than PaoPao. 
• Yes. they're viewing PaoPao as a weak player and Brittany more deserving of the spot right now.
• That goes against Devin's wishes. He's adamant that the target is Brittany and he wants it to be an unanimous vote.
• Oh my. Trouble in Hamster Heaven.
• Well, Devin heard rumors and talked to Christine (of the Bomb Squad).
• Caleb and Derrick thought Devin intimidated Christine and Caleb told him so.
• Devin, reminiscent of Norman in Psycho, pretty much pleaded that he wouldn't hurt a fly.
• Caleb told him he didn't treat the women with respect and that they're afraid of him.
• Caleb also pointed out that Devin said the nomination (and targeting) of Brittany was personal, now he's saying strategy.
• That was THAT.
• The bromance is OVER.
• Caleb and Devin are no longer BFFs!
• The Bomb Squad itself seems rocky, as well.
• Caleb told Christine not to talk to Devin unless there was another guy around. He said Hayden counts as a guy.
• Well, that's good.
• I think Hayden thinks he's a guy, too.
• The rumblings amongst the girls not only targets Devin, but they're leery of Caleb, too.
• Too much testosterone in those two, I say!
• Derrick and Cody are laying as low as they can. Derrick got more involved than Cody. Cody admittedly hates drama.
• Cody, Derrick and Zach thinking they're sitting pretty right now with Caleb and Devin on the outs with most of the house. They are determined to keep Brittany.
• Caleb, at this point, wants to keep Brittany ... mostly because Amber wants to keep her.
• Cue dramatic music.

What did I do?!?!

Calm it down, Devin

The bromance is OVER! Huff.

Her bowtie is really a camera

Girls alliance?