BB18: First Impressions -- Paulie Calafiore

DON'T FORGET -- THE CUT-OFF FOR THE BLOG POOL IS THIS TUESDAY, 3PM ET. YOU NEED TO SIGN UP AT THE POST ON THIS LINK, NOT THE FIRST IMPRESSION POST!

Paulie Calafiore, age 27

I've read his bio on the CBS website and watched his Jeff interview on CBS All Access. (Plus, I know his brother via the voyeurism that is indeed Big Brother.) Here are some facts and my first impressions about Paulie:

• Slight dimples.
• Comes across more Jersey than I ever really saw in his brother.
• Oh, yeah. His brother is Cody who gave away the BB16 win to Derrick on a silver platter.
• He thinks he's going to have to tell the other hamsters who he is because he has "Calafiore Brothers" on a huge tattoo on the side of his rib cage.
• Since it seems that most of the newbies are aware of that season (if no other), it probably would be best he 'fess up.
• He's from Howell, NJ and still resides in Howell, NJ.
• In his bio, he's listed as a DJ. In the interview, he says he owns an entertainment company. I seem to recall Cody mentioning an entertainment company a while back.
• Paulie claims that he will decide his strategy once he's in the house to see what's needed.
• His bio is very short, but the interview was a bit long.
• He says he wants to pay off his parents' mortgage and help his sister's educational bills.
• Like Cody, he comes across as a nice guy.
• He thinks Cody was one of the best social players ever and hopes his social game is just as good.
• I say, as long as he doesn't flirt all over a married woman!
• I would kind of like to see home go far. But, I think it's more likely he'll be targeted because he's Cody's brother and he just might be very good in comps. After all, some of them really wish they hadn't kept Rachel's sister as long as they did!

What do you think of Paulie?

Images © CBS

You can check out my first impressions of the BB18 hamsters by clicking the label at the bottom of the posts entitled "first impressions" or by using this link. It's a work in progress, mind you. I'll get them all before long.

Off Topic: That Was the Week It Was - June 19, 2016

Good morning! Happy Fathers Day! My own father passed away decades ago and I still miss him. I wonder what he would think of the world today. He was a good father, hard-working and he passed much too young.

Since it's Sunday, this is my weekly off television topic reflection on the week gone by in both words and photos I took along the way. If you're interested in my latest posts on Big Brother 18, hit this link to see them all! A very important TV note -- the blog pool is open for BB18 -- if you want in, the cut-off is Tuesday at 3pm ET and you need to sign up on this linked post ONLY. Please don't sign up on this here post or any of the other BB18 posts as your request might be missed!

After I posted last week's off topic photo post, I learned of the horrible events in Orlando. It's still bringing tears to my eyes even though I didn't know any of the 49 victims. The presence of such evil in our world is incredibly sad. I have no answers. I know from early childhood, mass murderers exist. I recall the guy on the watchtower in Dallas in the 60s. But I fear some people are fueling the fire of such evil with homophobic, racist and even Islamophobic ways. Perhaps I'm naive, but can't we just stop all this hate and exist together in the world? Sigh.

This past Friday evening, the city of Plainfield (NJ) where I live held a candlelight vigil for Orlando's victims. I was in attendance. Many of the photos beyond the jump are of the ceremony. Plainfield is a city of diversity; this area of New Jersey is a true melting pot of all cultures, religions, colors and more. I'm proud to live here. It enriches my own life to know and be friends with so many diverse folks. I honestly think many folks who direct hate on generalizations don't personally know any individuals in the groupings they hate so much.

Onto this week's photos -- clicking on an image will bring it up in a larger version:

Nature's glory

Teeny bee

Or, perhaps it's a mimic fly. As seen on Berckman Street in Plainfield.

Mayor Mapp speaks

Mayor Adrian Mapp speaks to the Candlelight Vigil for Orlando crowd at Plainfield City Hall on Friday evening.

I see Dan; he doesn't see me

We need to change the world

Did you know that more hate crimes are committed against the LGBT community than any other group? For the life of me and based on my own life experiences, I cannot understand why. I just don't get the anger directed at people being gay. All I know is that I'm glad I was raised to accept people for who they are no matter religion, gender identity, color, culture ... and on and on. After all, I certainly expect people to accept me for who I am. I don't expect everyone to like me, but I don't expect anyone to hate me for no good reason! I don't like everybody in the world. But that's based on a personal traits level, not a wide-sweeping generalization. I don't direct violence at people I dislike. If folks aren't doing you any personal harm, don't do them harm. That should be easy. But, apparently in the world today, it's not. It's sad.

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

Big Brother 18: Blog Pool OPENS!

Big Brother 18 starts Wednesday night, June 22, at 8pm ET/PT. This year, it's a two-hour premiere! The regular schedule will be Sunday and Wednesday at 8pm, Thursday at 9pm.

ORKMommy will be making the random picks for the blog pool again this season. She rocks, y'know.

I want in! What do I do?

If you want in to the blog pool, you need to sign up in the comments of this post and this post only! Please don't try signing up on any other posts -- we might miss your comment.

Is there money involved in this?

Of course not! You needn't pay anything to get into the pool. You don't need to buy a seasonal beach pass or anything! Mind you, you don't win any money either. What you do win is bragging rights until the next season and the smugness that goes with it.

How does it work?

ORKMommy makes random picks betwixt the hamsters and the blog folks. You cheer on that hamster all season until they either win or get evicted along the way.

When is the cut-off for entering?

All pool requests must be in comments to this here post and submitted by Tuesday, June 21, 3pm ET. Be there or be square.

Are we ready for our summer fun?

BB18: First Impressions -- Glenn Garcia

Glenn Garcia, age 50

I've read his bio on the CBS website and watched his Jeff interview on CBS All Access. Here are some facts about and my first impressions on Glenn:

• He's the only real adult in the cast at 50 years old. The next oldest is 32, the rest are in their 20s.
• While he has the Latino surname, he didn't mention it in the interview, unlike the rest of the Hispanic folks in BB18 I've written about so far.
• That said, he mentioned The Bronx quite often.
• His hometown is The Bronx and he still resides there.
• He's currently a dog groomer.
• But he was a police detective. Hmm.
• He has a fiancee, but will do whatever it takes to win. He says she would understand.
• He is a big fan of the show. Yay.
• Among his favorite players are Dr. Will and Evel Dick. (Yays from me.)
• He also named Boogie and Frankie. (Boos from me.)
• He has a daughter that he will miss a lot.
• Aw.
• Did I mention he's from The Bronx?
• He seems quite set on the win. 
• Despite the age difference, I think he'll fit in much better with the younger cast than Donny Thompson did.
• I'm not too sure how he will do in physical comps. I think he might have endurance, but perhaps not speed.
• I want him to do well ... he's stuck in there with all those kids!
• While he really wants to win it all, he definitely wants to be there in the end (final three) even if he doesn't win.
• But he's sure he'll win.
• (They all are.)

What do you think of Glenn?

Images©CBS

You can check out my first impressions of the BB18 hamsters by clicking the label at the bottom of the posts entitled "first impressions" or by using this link. It's a work in progress, mind you. I'll get them all before long.

BB18: First Impressions -- Bronte D'Aquisto

Bronte D'Acquisto, age 26

I've read her bio on the CBS website and watched her Jeff interview on CBS All Access. Here are my first impressions and some facts about Bronte:

• She's from San Diego, but currently living in Denver.
• She's a mathematician who thinks that 8x9=89.
• Is there any hope for America? She already has one degree in math, is working on her second and plans to get a doctorate.
• Yet, she doesn't know her multiplication tables.
• She's ... um ... perky.
• She's seen all of BB16 and about half of BB17. Yet she calls herself a fan.
• She likes hair accessories. I guess we'll see ribbons and flowery stuff stuck in her hair all summer.
• If she lasts the summer, that is.
• She hopes to be "the girl version of Derrick."
• Bwahahaha! I don't think she has a chance of that!
• I think she's in for some big surprises in the house. She's really rather clueless about a lot of BB.
• That said, Bronte claims that she's going to use a mathematical and scientific strategy to win the game.
• She says she really really wants to win the money. 
• One thing I liked that she said is that she isn't going in there to make friends ... she has friends. She wants money. She has no money.
• The image below is her figuring on her fingers the answer to 8x9. Oy.
• I'm not sure about her. She's either going to drive me crazy on the live feeds or play a genius game.
• I wonder what the statistics are regarding her winning it all.
• Heehee.

What do you think of Bronte?

Images©CBS

You can check out my first impressions of the BB18 hamsters by clicking the label at the bottom of the posts entitled "first impressions" or by using this link. It's a work in progress, mind you. I'll get them all before long.