Off Topic: That Was the Week It Was - July 23, 2017

Good morning! Since it's a Sunday morning, this is my weekly off television topic post taking a look at the week gone by in both words and photographs I've taken along the way. This weekly post is done year in, year out. Big Brother, the main draw for so many of you, only lasts about three months -- although sometimes it seems to be a lifetime. If you're here solely for the BB posts, please feel free to skip this post. You can find my latest BB19 posts by using this link.

We had another heat wave this past week here in the NJ/NYC Greater Metro Area. I don't like heat. I don't like humidity. No one should sweat merely standing. For those who say I'll miss it come winter ... no. I actually don't mind cold temperatures. I'm not too keen on ice and snow as I'm pedestrian and public transportation based. But the cold itself? Not really a problem. 

Heat is included in my apartment rent. Air conditioning (electricity) is not. So I pay more in the summers. Plus, if outside, you can bundle up against the cold. In sweltering heat and humidity, even taking off your clothes wouldn't help. You'd still be all sweaty and people would point and laugh before the police hauled you away!

Give me autumn any day!

My apartment building is going through fixes needed as per the NJ Five Year Inspection last month. I got a notice entirely in Spanish to move my car away from the building Friday and Saturday as they would be painting the fire escapes. They tried a few weeks ago to do that but got rained out. Now, I don't speak Spanish much at all. But I do find it odd that I can read it. Yet, I don't have a car, so I didn't care about the notice.

I did care that on my day off on Wednesday some maintenance dude knocked on my door at 8:05am. I was awake, but not dressed. He said he was here to replace the ceiling tiles in my bathroom. I asked him to come back in fifteen minutes so I could get dressed. He never came back that day. I wasted most of the day not daring to take my shower or go anywhere because I expected him back. Grr. 

On Thursday, I had to go to work. I left Vincent's litter box in the living room -- it's usually in the bathroom -- in case they came back to do the bathroom ceiling tiles. I worried about Vincent all day while I was at work. I don't like people in my apartment when I'm not home. And, if I know for sure someone is coming, I confine Vincent to the bedroom. But I didn't know for sure and he gets stressed being trapped in there for hours on end.

Well, they came. Vincent is fine. However, they made my bathroom into a nightmare. They spray-painted the frames for the new ceiling tiles getting white spray mist all over my (relatively) new sink and vanity and my new toilet! Apparently, they got white spray paint on the walls (which were a light peach and didn't need painting) and then they painted my bathroom (above the tiles) a blinding white. They did that painting with a brush. Thankfully they moved my towels to the living room. But paint drops are all over the floor, the tub, my cheap shower curtain liner, my big bottle of foam bath, etc. There are even a few drops of white paint on the hardwood floor leading into the bathroom!

Why, I don't doubt they got paint drops on Vincent and I just can't see them because he's already white!

I had to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night Friday night. I was almost blinded by the white. Eek. I think I need to get a dimmer bulb in there! At least the bathroom ceiling tiles were the only thing brought up during the inspection. Although my kitchen cabinets are ancient, I don't want them tearing them out while I'm trying to live here. I don't like outside intrusions.

That's the big news of the week. It's onto the photos now ...

Please strike a pose, pigeon.

Ah, that's a good one. Um, no. I'm not paying you. Don't be like the costumed characters in Times Square! Bridgewater Train Station.

Teensy bee on the chicory blossom

The bee is very tiny. For reference, the chicory blossoms are only about an inch, perhaps a tad more. Plainfield Train Station.

Photogenic fungi

Growing on a fallen tree near the Bridgewater Train Station.

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

BB19: Live Feeds into Sunday - July 23

Attack of the Baby Powder

Here's the latest from inside that Big Brother House of Showmance Mania:

• Alex definitely had a point. Too many showmances going on in the house. They really need splitting up!
• Too bad all of the power this week is in the hands of Jessica (and Cody).
• Raven tried talking Matt (her showmance buddy) into flipping the vote to oust Ramses instead of Josh.
• Matt wants to go with the group vote and not make waves.
• I find it a bit peculiar that it was Raven who spread the rumors about Josh peeping at girls in the shower, now wants to rock the boat and keep him in the house?
• Meanwhile, we know that Christmas has been molding and bonding with Josh for her own (nefarious?) purpose since a few days after the live feeds. She thinks he's someone who might be able to work for her? Hmm.
• Plus, when Cody was gone and the Josh/Mark incident occurred, the talk of the main core of hamsters was that they wanted to keep Josh over Mark. They all seem to think that, while Josh is so emotional and immature, they can USE him. Mark, also emotional and immature, is more of a threat to their own games.
• But they can't change the nominations because Jessica is both HoH and Veto winner.
• She and Cody are vehement about getting Josh out this week.
• Hmm.
• And, not only that, but Cody and Mark made nicey-nice and are buds once again.
• There is no indication that Paul will go up as a renom at all. He, Jessica and Cody are at least quasi-working together.
• Paul wants Ramses out over Josh, too.
• That dates back to him thinking Ramses is "sketchy." And, without a doubt, the veto that Ramses was supposed to throw and almost won.
• BB did a rarity for this season and gave the hamsters alcohol.
• Christmas tried to have some but was reprimanded by the BB voice.
• The HoH has routinely been given some alcohol in their basket of goodies. But BB seems to have been holding back on giving enough for the house.
• In other news, during a talk in the HoH room with Cody, Jessica, Elena, Mark and Kevin -- they were talking about some diner in Boston that both Kevin and Jessica know. Kevin said something about going there to collect money and pay out money. After he left the room, Jessica once again mentioned how Kevin must be a gangster. 
• Hey, if they think he's Mafia, they can all back down and let him win this season! He's one of the few perks of the house this summer.
• Ew. Also in the HoH room, Elena did an almost pornographic draining of all the beer bottles in the room. What is wrong with that woman?
• In fun and frivolity notes -- Matt dumped Raven from the hammock and attacked her with baby powder. Paul scared Jason and now people are comparing Jason to a fainting goat. Christmas makes beeping noises when she backs up on her scooter. 
• And, that's what's been happening.
• It will be interesting if the house flips and votes out Ramses instead of Josh. If I were IN the house, I'd want to talk it over with Jessica and Cody so they're not blindsided.
• But, then again, if they're blindsided, it might make the live feeds more interesting.
• I don't care who ultimately wins. I just want to be entertained until the end of the season. And, you know me -- I'm always on board for a kerfuffle or a brouhaha! 

Can't imbibe due to pain meds.

Raven wants Ramses gone this week.

Cody is in love. Jessica? Hmm.

Through the fish tank

BB19: Live Feeds into Saturday Early Evening, PoV - July 22

Bunny Cam!

Here's the latest from inside that Big Brother House of a New Power of Veto Winner:

• I'm really liking the animals for adoption they're using when the feeds are blocked! Smart thinking on the part of someone.
• The veto players were picked this morning. In addition to Josh, Ramses and Jessica we have Christmas, Cody and Jason.
• Believe it or not, Cody did NOT win the PoV!
• Ha!
• A girl beat him.
• JESSICA holds the Power of Veto and is the HoH who made the nominations of Josh and Ramses.
• Is it a Backdoor Plan in motion?
• Surprisingly, it doesn't seem to be.
• Cody and Jessica talked about how Josh needs to go, dating back to the rumored peeping at the girls in the shower incident.
• Cody told Mark he's safe.
• Jessica says she's not going to change the nominations.
• Perhaps they're thinking this one through and realize that they might not have the votes to oust Paul.
• If I were in the house, I'd want to work to get Paul out. Cody screwed up by not working with people before.
• Of course, things can change between now and when the Veto Meeting goes down on Monday.
• We'll have to see. But it does look like we'll probably be bidding adieu to Man-Child Josh.

I just don't get indoor sunglasses

Oh my gosh. Is he guffawing?

Kevin isn't a target ... for now.

BB19: Live Feeds into Saturday - July 22

What am I doing in this handbasket?

Here's the latest from inside that Big Brother House of Recycled Hamsters:

• From my last brief update, you know: Jessica won HoH, Ramses and Josh are on the block.
• Blocked to the live feeds, Christmas played in the HoH comp and apparently actually did quite well.
• Not as well as Jessica, mind you.
• Paul might not be the backdoor plan -- it just might be Mark.
• Cody says he wasn't shown his goodbye messages but Alex and Christmas are concerned. 
• I doubt they showed them to the Sequestered Four as it would affect the game if they went back in.
• Paul held a Friendship Chat.
• Gah.
• They gathered and talked romance, love, dates, biggest fears, etc.
• Ramses hasn't found the one and doubts he ever will.
• Kevin told him he was still young.
• Yep, 21 is barely out of childhood.
• Even Cody and Jessica participated in the Chat.
• For a few moments, Cody had a personality. Then it went away again and he sat quietly staring.
• Later in the HoH room, Jessica told Cody they shouldn't isolate themselves this time around.
• Cody balked saying that he didn't want others to run his game.
• Hasn't he learned a lesson?
• Cody was telling Jessica about his mother referring to his father as "Daddy" and treating him like a child. He must have said, "I've killed people." at least three times. Is he proud of that? Hmm.
• Raven claims that she's a MENSA member. @@
• Josh and Jason were thrilled when midnight came along and they could chow down. Two weeks on slop is rough!
• A side note: I wish they'd bring back the old food comps they used to have where the entire house has to win the food for the week. It's better than slop and that was a comp they used to air on the live feeds! Are you hearing me, Allison Grodner? Food comps rock!
• Mark thinks that Jessica has made it clear that she wants Josh to go home this week.
• I didn't see her really indicate that. I know others want to keep him.
• The dude does have issues, but so does Mark.
• So there you go. It SOUNDS like Mark might be the replacement if one of the nominees comes off the block. It SOUNDS like Paul is getting along with Jessica and Cody.
• But I won't be making any wagers. 

Dancing for the camera

Mr. Personality is back

Ramses hasn't found love

Sharing a moment

Scooting around the house

BB19: Live Feeds - HoH and Nominations Blurb - July 22

Kitty Cam

This is going to be quite brief as I have to get up for work in the morning. Here's what's happening in the Big Brother House of Showmance Reunions:

• Jessica won the HoH.
• So, she and Cody have the room once again.
• Blech.
• Josh is on the block. According to what Paul told Jessica and Cody, he's in his room crying.
• Paul thanked Cody and Jessica for their honesty and commented it was like his HoH.
• Hmm. Backdoor plan?
• Everyone seems to be getting along fine.
• Ah, Ramses is the second nomination.
• Christmas is talking to Matt about keeping Josh and getting rid of Ramses.
• Of course, we know that she's been working Josh.
• Now, nothing will be certain until after the veto comp.

Backdoor plan?

Gag me now is back

Not taking his nomination well.