Off Topic: About the photos (or lack thereof)

People have been mentioning that they miss my off television topic weekly photo posts. To be honest, I miss doing them. Even the year or more leading into my back surgery, I was taking fewer and fewer photos because I just wasn't able to get around well. My photos got so they were solely my commute to work and, at least at the Plainfield end, I wasn't even walking to the train station any longer. I didn't enter the local library photo contest last year or this year mainly because they ask that the photos be no older than two years. I just haven't been taking many photos in town at all during the past few years.

Since mid-January when I last worked, I've only been going to doctor visits, a surgery, more doctor visits, physical therapy ... you get the idea. I haven't felt like lugging more weight than I have to back and forth. So, what few photos I've taken during the months have been with my cell phone. I only had my real camera with me a few times during this time.

So, how am I? Hmm. Well, I'm better than I was -- the horrible nerve pain is gone. However, with my latest neurosurgeon visit, when I asked about work, I was told (rather emphatically), "No way!" While the back surgery I had worked for what was corrected, I apparently waited far too long before seeking medical help. I have what might be permanent nerve damage in one leg, along with muscle damage. I'm a fall hazard! Oh noes! Right now I'm waiting for the arrival of a custom made leg brace to aid me in that issue. But, I'm still having problems walking a block or standing upright for more than ten minutes or so. I get a shaky leg and severe back pain higher up than where I had the surgery done. The MRI I had taken pre-surgery noted moderate to severe spinal stenosis throughout my lumbar spine, along with some other pretty major issues.

I'm awaiting approval for long-term disability through my workplace. My short-term disability ended in mid-July. The problems I have with my back are on the listing for Social Security Disability. But I would like to have my long-term approved so I have some money coming in. It's a good thing I don't feel up to going anywhere because I have to watch my money. I'll be going back to the neurosurgeon for another follow-up in the beginning of November. I will know more by then as far as insurance, disability, how the leg brace works, etc.

All that said, I don't miss the stress and drama of working all the time. The past few years, I basically came home exhausted and not feeling well every day. If I have to not feel well, I'd rather do it at home reading or binge-watching television shows! Although I sometimes have bad nights pain-wise and don't sleep well, I've rediscovered what it's actually like to have an eight hours of sleep kind of night! I feel fatigued easily but that would be so much worse trying to work,

Enough about all that ... onto the photos I'm presenting to you this week! No, these aren't recent ones. This week I'm focusing on shots I took around Plainfield. And, but of course, a Vincent photo at the end.

Early morning gray skies

Pre-dawn Hugo's bar

Lamp on the YWCA building

Springtime on Church Street

Autumn on Park Avenue

Plainfield Train Station

Then there's Vincent

BB20: My Predictions and Afterthoughts - Final Four

Before the season started, I posted my first impressions of the new houseguests based on their pre-season online interviews and their CBS bios. Today I'm looking back on how I did --

Kaycee Clark - BB20 Winner

Back on June 18th, I gave my early take on Kaycee in this post. She claimed to be a "people person" and "fun." She also named Cody (especially if he upped his social game) as her favorite previous hamster. To quote me at the time -- "Maybe she's trying for second place? My jury is out on her. I think she could possibly be a competition beast. But I think she might be a bit more assertive than she thinks her fun people person persona displays."

Well. She was definitely trying for AT LEAST second place, having made a strong Final Two pact with Tyler before we even got the live feeds. And, she actually did play like Cody with an extremely better social game -- her loyalty to Tyler was much like Cody's to Jessica and she became a competition beast in her own right. And, yes ... she was more assertive than her friendly demeanor made her appear. 

She actually is a people person. She is fun. But she was playing the game from the start. I had hoped for a Tyler win. However, Kaycee is definitely worthy of her win. I like her heart, both in the way she treated others and how she played the game.  

Tyler Crispen - 2nd Place and AFP

I checked Tyler out in this post dated June 22nd. Hmm. I recall in the video interviews with him, he came across as much goofier than his actual self in the house. Plus, I found it a bit disconcerting that, in interviews, his eyes would bug out. I guess it was nerves or the lack of sleep. I should mention that I'm not a fan of man-buns, but I like his hair better like that. I think his hair often blocked his natural good looks!

I said this at the time "...  he mentioned three of them. Victor, Zach and Dan, all for different reasons. Hopefully he can combine their talents into his own game. His bio page doesn't really give me a lot to go on. The interview is a bit more telling. If he's smarter than the average hamster he could do extremely well. But, if he's as goofy as he comes across, he just might do well, too. I think I'd rather see him go further in the game than some of the others."

Yup, yup. As the summer went on, I definitely wanted him to win it. He was playing his game all summer. And, while he didn't seem "goofy" on the live feeds, he had everyone thinking he was clueless about BB for most of the summer. Unfortunately, I could see his game sinking a bit because everyone trusted him and he encouraged them to do so. Now, everyone trusted Kaycee, too. But she made a point of not really committing while Tyler seemed to do the opposite. 

All of those final two deals? The only one he personally made was with Kaycee -- everyone else made them with him. While I realize he couldn't say, "Oh, no. I can't do that -- I already have a final two deal with _____" -- it probably would have behooved him not to be so into the blindsides of those with whom he had such deals. But that's Monday morning quarterbacking. Had he won first place, he would have deserved it. He won second place, America's Favorite Player and what seems like a true love. He's a winner in my book!  

JC Monduix - Third Place

I looked at JC (now I know he's Joseph Charles, but doesn't like it) on this post dated June 18th. In it he claimed to be honest and eccentric. He's still claiming in the after show interviews about his honest game. Yes, he was honest with Tyler, in particular. But just the double-agent bit he did for so long makes me knock down the honesty factor.

Oh my. I got many things wrong with him! I said -- "If he's indeed a professional dancer, he should be athletic. Will he win it all? I did like his win and have them love me answer. But I don't know if he's mean enough to lie and backstab. At least he's different from the usual bimbo and mimbo." Well, we know how he did in all the physical comps! While JC might lift weights, he's no physical comp beast for sure! And, yes -- he's mean enough to lie and backstab. Dang, put him on slop and he's a grumpy surly mean horror. My last sentence in the quote is good. He was different from the usual!

I want to note that he was problematic in the house. My personal main issue with him is that he thought it was Big Brother the Musical. Every time he sang, they cut the live feeds. He wouldn't stop when told, either. Grr. However, as I said before, the stuff that TMZ latched onto because of zealous BB fans was way overblown. In the after interviews, the others are saying that those things really weren't big issues at all. If the people living with him don't have a problem, the fans should back off! 

Angela Rummons - 4th Place

Oh my. I think my take on Angela when I posted pre-show on June 20th was way off! But ... but ... she said things in her interviews and bio which really didn't come across as such in the house! Well, she said she'd lay low at the start. That she kind of did. She had an early HoH and then was referred to as "furniture" for weeks on end.

From the bio and interview, I got this: "at 26, she's lived "years and years" by herself." -- My thoughts at the time - "Hmm. I think she could be a strong player, but she's coming across as a bit too cocky for me to like her a lot." There was also this gem -- "She claims to be "very lovable and not afraid to use my sexuality to get ahead." 

I wrote then - "First, people who think they're all that lovable usually aren't. Second, I do not want a summer of sleaze. I'll see how she comes across on the feeds and show, but I'm sticking with full of herself right now." Watching her all summer on the live feeds, the "lovable" part not only didn't really surface (except late in there with Tyler). Instead, she admitted that she often built a wall around herself and didn't really get close to people. I can actually understand that, but I have no clue why she said "lovable."  A huge part of what did her in with others was her coldness to them. Or, what they perceived as coldness.

Then there's the fact that she got herself into what I think will be the most remaining showmance/romance of the summer with Tyler. It was not sleazy. It often came across as Jeff/Jordan-ish without the naivety of a Jordan. I like how she did kick in and win comps and I hope she and Tyler live happily ever after!

Your thoughts?    

Survivor: David vs. Goliath - Will Pat Cusack be "back"?

I'll admit it. I had early pre-season hopes that Pat Cusack would win it all this season. I liked his story. After all, the stories of the folks cast on reality shows (at least ones I watch) are becoming more to the forefront each year. And, Pat's story was noted by Jeff Probst as the impetus to the whole theme for this season.

Heck, I even like where the guy grew up and currently lives as it's my own childhood stomping grounds where relatives still live. (And, I might add that Watervliet NY has Ted's Fish Fry, amazing stuff!)

His accident on last night's premiere was definitely a freak occurrence. All he was doing was riding in a boat back to the camp and off camera. I guess it's lucky that it happened to him rather than someone who isn't quite as solidly built.

I read this article online as I, having undergone severe back issues and surgery as of late, was curious about his prognosis. Thankfully, it seems like he's made a good physical recovery since the show filmed. However, with the word "compression" in the diagnosis, I'm thinking he might have suffered a compression fracture. While that is definitely an injury that will heal, the pain is incredible. It's no wonder most of what happened until he woke up in the hospital is a blank to him. 

Just looking at who Pat is, I think the psychological pain might be more enduring than his back injury. He says in the article that he would have been safe that night at Tribal Council as the consensus was that they would vote out Nick. Pat had redeemed his bossiness bit by the inevitable result of a sturdy shelter built. Nick, though he had his own sad story, irked his tribe mates by being lazy around camp. 

Now, I doubt that Jeff Probst will ever read this. But I think, if anyone deserves another shot to be on Survivor, it's Pat. I'd like to see him have a shot to really play the game, not be offed by a rogue wave. If he does come back, perhaps bubble wrap during boat transports in typhoons might be a viable idea.

Let's see Pat Cusack play the game! What do you think? 

Big Brother 20: Season Finale Blog Party

Well, this is it. It's down to JC, Kaycee and Tyler. While live feeders know the results of the first two parts of the three part final HoH, they haven't aired yet on the television show. So, I ask that, until they air, please don't post spoilers in the comments!

As the show airs here, I'll be live-blogging it -- refresh the page to get the latest news! As always, the real party is in the comments area. Please feel free to join in on the discussion!

We're down to the Final Four and probably not ones we thought would be there had we been asked in the beginning of the season!

What's a party without a pool? Here's where we stand going into tonight's show:

Kaycee Clark - Sharon N, Skyriverblue, Indiana Jane, Jenna G
Tyler Crispen - SueGee, Glenn Allen, Jessica Underwood-James, JennasMom
JC Monduix - Brenda, Delee, T-Town Chick, Willie J


Jury:
Bayleigh Dayton
Angie Rockstar Lantry
Faysal Fessy Shafaat
Scottie Salton 
Haleigh Broucher
Brett Robinson
Sam Bledsoe
Angela Rummons 
 
Hamster watchers ready?

Previously on ... Tyler promised to throw Kaycee the first part of the HoH and then into all the other stuff that made this such a great season! 

Julie Chen-Moonves is with us, of course. 

But first ... it's to Part One of the final HoH comp. JC thinks he has a final two with Tyler. Tyler and Kaycee have a plan ... she will win this part, he will win the next. Goop is squirted at them in their flying jet-packs. They're tilted horizontally and vertically. Uh-oh. JC is down! Kaycee is telling Tyler to drop. He tells us he would prefer to have his fate in his own hands. Kaycee goes down. Tyler wins the first part of the HoH!

Kaycee takes the loss well and wants to concentrate on winning the second part against JC.

Part Two -- A monument of Mount Evicted. Get a clue, one at a time climb up and place the faces, laser, ring bell. They have to do three rounds. Kaycee is having trouble remembering that Sam was evicted by a unanimous vote.

Kaycee - 18.55
JC - 19.34

Kaycee wins Part Two! She will face off with Tyler in Part Three. 

The Jury Roundtable with Dr. Will is next after the commercials. 

They discuss the final three. Angela hasn't arrived yet. They think either JC or Angela. We know it's the latter. The jurors are thrilled about JC winning HoH. Angela tells them that Kaycee and Tyler had a final two deal from the first day. Sam piped up that she and Tyler had one on day three. Angela pushes for Tyler over Kaycee winning because she (Kaycee) rode on Tyler's coattails. Rockstar thinks JC was running things. Bayleigh doesn't think JC was the best player -- she thinks Tyler played the best game. Haleigh and Scottie also think that. 

Oh my. It looks like we might not have a bitter jury? Shocker! We'll just have to wait and see! 

Time for part three of the HoH comp!

"Jury Oddcasts" videos of previous hamsters, then quizzed, eight videos.

1. Both get a point
2. Both get a point
3. Both get a point
4. Both get a point
5. Both get a point
6. Both get a point
7. Both got it wrong
8. Both got it wrong

To a tie-breaker --
KAYCEE wins the Final HoH! 

She must choose to evict either Tyler or JC.

JC - Love you, not blindsliding me, appreciate it, you have a deal with Tyler, you have more risk taking Tyler.
Tyler - Love both of you, I know JC you feel heartbroken, Day One Coast to Coast alliance.

(They obviously told JC before the show.)

Kaycee evicts JC. 

Kaycee and Tyler hug so much that they miss JC's photo going gray.

JC tells Julie that he was loyal to Tyler all along.

And ... we're into the jury questions for the final two --
Three questions for each finalist.

Haleigh - Tyler - Aside from winning comps, strategic moves. He talks of creating a following with Level 6, Sam and JC. Won the second power app, didn't tell anyone. 

Brett - Kaycee - Aside from comp wins, what moves did you make. Kaycee -- my social game priority, create relationships.

Bayleigh - Tyler - Many of us sour taste from you on eviction. Tyler - apologizes to her. Nothing personal, needed people to think I had an enemy.

Angela - Kaycee - You won vetoes and didn't use them - What else? Relationships.

Sam - Tyler - Why should you win over Kaycee? Good relationships, knew what was going to happen every week, made plans, superfan.

Scottie - Kaycee - Why should you win over Tyler? Watched always, wanted to make relationships with everyone.

Final speeches --
Kaycee - Dream come true. Social game to advantage. Level 6 plus JC and Coast to Coast. Loyal game, never made promises, was herself. Little Peanut is totally nuts about this game.
Tyler - Knew big target, keeping superfandom secret, act confused, got power app, got Sam's friendship, made big moves, explained Brett biggest move. :ove you all.

They start the voting.
Bayleigh
Rockstar - You're both winners
Fessy 
Scottie - Loyalty and respect
Haleigh - Decision after speeches
Brett - Proud Level 6
Sam - Proud of both and love both
Angela - Love you
JC - Quality over quantity

The pre-jury hamsters join the stage. Julie confirms that Angela and Tyler professed their love for each other. Tyler apologizes for not telling her about his final two with Kaycee. Both are looking forward to seeing each other. Fessy and Haleigh -- they say it's the real deal. Swaggy and Bayleigh -- both say they're still interested, Swaggy spent time with her family. Oh gosh, he gets on his knees and proposes. @@ She says yes. @@ 

The votes from the jury --
JC - Tyler
Angela - Tyler
Sam - Kaycee
Brett - Tyler
Haleigh - Tyler
Scottie - Kaycee
Fessy - Kaycee
Rockstar - Kaycee
Bayleigh - Kaycee

Kaycee wins BB20! Although I would have personally preferred a Tyler win, Kaycee played an excellent game, too. Congratulations to her! (And I note that outside of Haleigh, there did seem to be the voting block Scottie mentioned in his second shot at the house.)

AFP -
Haleigh, Brett and Tyler top three.

Tyler wins America's Favorite Houseguest! He says he thought everyone would hate him.

Great season!

Ross and Marissa will be doing the backyard interviews on Facebook live. I'm going to leave commenting on this post open for anyone who wants to discuss the interviews. However, after three hours of constant watching and typing, I'm done in. I'll be watching but not reporting.

Thank you all for this summer of fun and a special thank you to those who donated to the blog this summer!

Survivor: David vs. Goliath -- Season Premiere Blog Party

What a night we have ahead of us! It's the 90-minute season premiere for Survivor followed by the 90-minute season finale of Big Brother 20! And, that will be followed by live backyard interviews by Ross and Marissa on Facebook Live. I hope y'all napped some.

There are 20 castaways, so tonight's live blogging might be a bit rough as I get used to who's whom in the cast. I put up a cheat sheet with names and images at this link. But I won't really be able to access it while blogging and watching the show.

Here's the blog pool news from Lifeguard Laurie herself (she rocks!) --

Here's the pool. Same rules as before, nobody goes home the first night. They each get added to other teams (randomly).

Team David
Bi - Auntie Leigh, Janice, nana in the nw
Carl - DonnaNY, MikesGirl, tbc
Christian - ChicMc, Judi Sweeney, Sharon C
Davie - CherryPie, KelseyNY, Robin Allard
Elizabeth - Dennis Comfort, marthalight, Skyriverblue
Gabby - Cheryl in NC, Krysta Gibson, Rochelle
Jessica - Dr_Celine, ML, Terry is a Texan
Lyrsa - Buzzmaam, jennifer, Petals
Nick - Brian, Jennasmom, Paula Bell
Pat - Delee, Marlo Lee, Silk

Team Goliath
Alec - Carol C, Jean, Rbennie
Alison - Cher C, Jenna G, Renee
Angelina - Donna in FL, Margo, Vicki Volk
Dan - Donna in Alabama, Laurie Miles, SueGee
Jeremy - Andi l, Jackie, monty924, PDX Granny
John - Bizaro22, Indiana Jane, Nickelpeed
Kara - David, Karen in CA, Sharon N
Mike - Ed in Ohio, meb, Tammy
Natalia - Glenn Allen, Merrilee, TS14Fan
Natalie - Brenda, ITCHY, Nora
Thank you!

Survivor watchers ready? Let's GO! 

We're going through introductions and the theme itself. They're in Fiji, 39 days, 20 people, one Survivor. 

It's not who has the advantage, it's what is the advantage. 

Christian and Lyrsa (David) were chosen as the weakest on the David tribe by the Goliath Tribe.

Goliath has to choose their strongest -- Alison and John. 

They have a challenge ahead -- three stages, David gets to pick which one Goliath will take. They're obstacle course type things. They also chose their own course. The Davids won! Christian did the slide puzzle in about five seconds. It turns out that he wrote algorithms for slide puzzles in college. The Goliaths had a cube puzzle. The physical parts were pretty even. But he chose the right puzzle!

Ah, Mike White. I was a fan when he was on The Amazing Race. It turns out that Dan, the SWAT cop, lost over 100 pounds. He's already agog at Kara and even has a dog named Kara, albeit pronounced differently. She likes him, too. After all, they're both beautiful people! 

Over on the David tribe -- Pat says he can build the shelter as he swings a hammer every day. Others are gathering palm fronds. Christian seems to be taken a bit aback by Pat's direction as are some of the others. Uh-oh!

Goliath is having issues in building a shelter. (Maybe they would like a Pat!) Natalie is giving the orders there and now has a fresh target on her back. 

On David, the shelter is going well and at least Pat is working hard. Jessica and Carl (I think) build an early alliance. Already people are starting to want to work together. Elizabeth and Lyrsa? Oh my. Christian and Gabby have an early nerd alliance. 

Back to Goliath -- The wrestler of many names is playing as himself, John. Continued animosity towards Natalie for sitting there and barking out orders. Mike wants to go look for an idol. They all wonder where he is and they think he's out there looking for a hidden idol. So, now he also has a target on his back. They know he's wealthy, successful and was on TAR. Natalie, of all people, tells Mike he put a target on his back by looking for the idol. He feels foolish. 

Their first night was rough, heavy rain. The Kentucky lawyer wants to scheme while Elizabeth and others were commenting how much they care about people. Nick, the lawyer, is already getting on the sites of others because he isn't working. They're grateful that Pat's expertise did make them a good shelter. 

Angelina on Goliath is looking for an idol along with another gal. Oh noes! Now they're all looking for idols! The SWAT cop Dan found it and shared the news with Kara and Natalia. 

On David, Davie caught an octopus! Then it rains again. And then Jessica cries. Bits on domestic abuse from Bi after Jessica mentioned her mother's problems. Nick tells the others he lost his mother to a drug overdose three years ago. He says he has always been quiet about it. 

Okay, an hour into things and we have the first Immunity Challenge. Obstacle course, sandpit, machete, ladder second tribe has to untie knots to release flag, ends in a puzzle. Also playing for Reward -- flint. 

Whoa! Pat slows down John from Goliath! Goliath got the machete advantage. It's raining as they all work on the puzzles. The Goliaths narrowly win the first Immunity Challenge. 

Stormy, stormy. Oh geez! Pat is down! Medics are helping him. The boat they took back to the camp slammed on a rock, injuring Pat's back. He's gasping through an oxygen mask telling Jeff they can't pull him. The medics are concerned about spinal damage/fracture.

The medics, rightfully, decide to pull him from the game to get him to a hospital. Poor Pat. He was the impetus for the show theme this season. Plus, he's from my childhood stomping grounds. Horrible. I hope it wasn't fractured. I know back issues! 

No tribal council tonight as they lost a member. They get a flint anyway. 

A blurb at the end of the show says he's recovered fully.