Off Topic: That Was the Week It Was - September 16, 2012

Good Sunday morning, world! Since it is Sunday morning, this is my weekly off television topic post reflecting on the week gone by in both words and photographs I've taken along the way. If you're looking for Big Brother content, never fear ... it's right here. But if you want a peek into my life, feel free to read on.

After a spritz of overnight rain early in the week, it was glorious weather here for the remainder. On the anniversary of 9/11, the weather was hauntingly like it was that day. Teenagers and college kids don't remember that we didn't used to have huge planters around the corners at Penn Station. They've grown up with security checks at airports. Not me. I remember a day with more innocence. I will never forget 9/11/01, the lives lost and the way the world has changed.

On the home front, the not as new now landlord had new washing machines installed in the laundry room. Oh my. An incentive to do laundry before it grows to two loads! They also put down gray carpet on the stairway and landings in the front of the building. That, at least for the immediate entry area, might be a mistake. The floor covering right at door level was some kind of fake stone-looking stuff. People entering the front door in bad weather make a mess. Oh, well. At least the carpet is gray already!

There is another thing about the landlord, this one a bit disturbing. For the second time, I noticed Craigslist apartment for rent advertisements for units in the building ... only in Spanish. Um. Is that even legal? It's not that they (landlord and company) even speak Spanish although many of their workers do. It sounds like they want Hispanic tenants rather than any other to me. I personally just want decent neighbors in the building -- I don't care Hispanic, black, white, Indian ... whatever. But many folks won't even know the apartments are available if the ad is solely in Spanish. Hmm.

We had a fire alarm go off in the building yesterday. As usual, I went out to make sure there was no real fire. It's always either a malfunction or someone's bad cooking. I know not to open my door if my cooking sets off the little alarm within my apartment (which it does sometimes as the CO/smoke alarm is way too fussy!). But, when fools open their doors, the main building alarm goes off and we get fire department response and all.

When I went out to make sure there was no fire, there was a tiny elderly black woman who looked very frightened and disoriented. She was obviously blind, about 90 years old and she just clutched my arm when I asked if she was okay. She was saying something, but I couldn't make it out. I've never seen her before in my life.

I released myself from her grasp when I saw a fire engine pull up, went and told them there was no fire, but I was worried about an elderly woman in the hallway. They didn't have much better luck communicating with her than I did. They called for an ambulance. She had house slippers on and obviously couldn't have come far. No one passing by in the halls recognized her, either.

One firefighter decided to check all the doors on the second floor. I was thinking the front of the building as I didn't know her. What? The apartment next door to me was unlocked and, upon opening it, there was a heater on (yikes, it had to be 90 in there) and the apartment even smelled like the elderly woman! Mind you, that's not a good thing. Now, I know the man who lives there. He's lived there for about four years now. I thought he lived alone. 

When I mentioned his name to her, she nodded. He's her son. Oh my. The firemen got her to call him. Upon discovering where she lives, I realized why she wasn't talking to us. I know the man living there is from Africa, although he speaks English. She doesn't speak English. She speaks Swahili. The poor woman. The fire alarm scared her and she left the apartment, but didn't know how to get downstairs. Between her blindness, her language barrier and probably what seems like a bit of dementia ... it's all a bit sad. At least if I ever see her again, I know where she belongs.

In other news, it was indeed my birthday yesterday. I want to thank everyone who sent me greetings and cards. Vincent didn't give me anything! 

Onto the photos for the week. Clicking on an image will open it on a Photobucket page, clicking again will make it larger. To return here, simply close that page.  

My new friend

I met this beautiful python walking on Watchung Avenue in Plainfield yesterday. No, the snake wasn't walking, I was! When I asked the man carrying it if I could take a photo, he offered to take photos of me holding it. I figured if he ran off with my camera, I'd take off with his snake.

The Alley

This is an alley off of East Front Street (Plainfield) leading to what's normally a parking lot. There were dueling Hispanic festivals going on yesterday in two adjacent city parking lots. One has been held for four years now in celebration of the independence of Mexico and Central America. It gets a huge turnout and I've enjoyed it each time I've attended. I'm about as non-Latina as one could be. But it's a fantastic thing for the city and draws more folks from all over the state each year. This year, with a second Hispanic festival adjacent, the crowds had to be several thousand. 

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

Big Brother 14: Live Feeds Saturday Evening into Sunday - Sept. 15-16

I've been a fool. I AM a fool.

Well, well, well. Y'see, hamsters are adorable and all. But when they don't get what they want, the claws come out. Here's the latest from inside that Big Brother House of It Finally May Be Dawning on Danielle:

• After the feeds returned post-Part Two of the HoH comp, Ian was covered with soot and Danielle was screaming at him.
• But that was an act.
• The night before, when Ian wasn't taking the bait to throw the comp to Danielle, that was Plan B -- If Ian won, Danielle was supposed to throw a fit, Dan was supposed to fight with her and hopefully they could get Ian to throw Part Three.
• In her screaming, she was actually threatening Ian if he didn't take her to the final two.
• Why, she'd taint the jury!
• Um. If evicted on Wednesday night, she won't have time to taint anyone to the jury!
• It didn't work.
• Dan and Ian celebrated a Renegades victory while Danielle showered and was in the Diary Room.
• Unfortunately, Ian still believes in the Renegades although it's obvious that he's been overcoming much of the mist.
• Dan hinted a million times that Ian should throw the last part so that he (Dan) would have the pleasure of evicting Danielle (who obviously hates him).
• Dan knows he's golden for final two whether he himself wins the last part or whether Ian wins it.
• But Dan would prefer to take Danielle with him over Ian. He has a plan and an idea he'd stand a better chance to win over her.
• But, then, if Ian wins, he'll take Dan to the final two over Danielle. 
• It would just be harder to win over the jury then.
• Danielle cried in the bedroom, rereading her HoH letters from home and apologizing for disgracing her family.
• It seems to have dawned on her that she's been playing Dan's game for a Dan win all along.
• D'oh!
• Ian, on the other hand, told Dan he didn't want to throw the comp. He actually wants to win this.
• Good boy, Ian. Do NOT trust Dan to take you to the final two.
• A lot men did and a lot men died ...
• (Women, too.)
• Ian was very worried about his stuffed snake and bear. They were (as usual) tucked neatly in his bed ... the bed next to the weeping and angry Danielle.
• Ian refuses to outright deal with Danielle's tantrum. He told her he was still weighing his options.
• When Dan prodded at Ian attempting to instigate more of a problem, Ian told him he should just leave Danielle alone and not be mean to her.
• Uh-oh. Ian's not reacting the way Dan had hoped!
• When Dan was alone and only the live feeds were with him, he pondered what to do.
• He thinks his best shot now would be to throw the comp to Ian so Ian would vote Danielle out (thus getting his hands bloodier).
• Dan and Danielle were sleeping when BB opened the backyard up to them.
• Ian is rocking on the hammock. All is well in his world again.
• It looks like, no matter what happens, Ian (at least) will really play for the win on the third part of HoH on Wednesday.

Like notches in his gun belt, such are the grays on the Memory Wall

I'm a disgrace

I'll be able to pay my college loans. No debt!

Big Brother 14: Live Feeds Bulletin - Final HoH Part 2 Winner

The winner of the second round of the final HoH competition is ...

... drumroll, please ...

Ian Terry!

Ian beat Danielle in this part and will face Dan in Part 3 on Wednesday night's live show.

Survivor: Philippines -- The Familiar Faces

Three returning players - Russell, Jonathan and Mike

You know me. I'm generally not a fan of returning players on reality competition shows. I'm just not. That said, I really don't mind these three players returning. All were medically removed during their own seasons and I don't mind them getting a chance to try again.

Good Russell -- Remember that? There were two Russells in his season and we had to differentiate between them. One was Hantz, Evil Russell. The other was this Russell, Good Russell Swan. Until dehydration got the best of him, I enjoyed his gameplay. He came across as a decent guy and was good in challenges. While Hantz and his various relatives have gone on to unduly inundate our television screens, this is the first we've heard of Swan since his season. I'm definitely interested in seeing how well he can do. He's 45 years old now and still full of muscles.

Jonathan Penner -- This is actually a third shot for him. He was on Cook Islands, finishing sixth. Then he was on Fans vs. Favorites/Micronesia in 2008. It was in the latter season he was hauled away with an infection in a wound on his knee. I'm not as keen on him getting another shot at this as he's already been on two seasons. But, the dude can be entertaining, witty and is intelligent. Thus, I'll allow him to return this season. Yeah, you know it's all up to me. Right? He's 50 now, no spring chicken.

Mike Skupin -- Now, there's a blast from the past! It was eleven years ago in the Australian Outback when Mike passed out in the campfire suffering severe burns and smoke inhalation. It was only Day 17 at that time. He's someone who, without a doubt, deserves another shot at the game. He was also the one who speared a wild pig and drew outcry from so many folks. Nonetheless, I want to see what he does with his second shot at the game. He's 45 now and probably still bears the scars of his last attempt.

*******************************

And then we take the good, the bad and The Facts of Life ...

While I think Jo would be better at roughing it in the woods than Blair, we get Blair. She says that she's been a super fan of the show since its inception. I'm of two minds about her appearance as a castaway. It will be interesting to see a child actor grown up without an arrest record. But, then again, I'm already a bit leery about her being a bit too religious. Mind you, I have nothing against religious folks ... except when they constantly live and breathe religion on competition reality shows. We'll see. She's no school girl any more at 49 years old.

Jeff Kent, retired baseball player

Okay, I don't know him, not at all. I'm not a big team sports follower and only "know" players on local teams such as the Yankees or Mets. But I'm including Jeff Kent here as I'm sure somebody out there would consider him a "familiar face." He's retired, but only 44 years old. I would think that he'd be great at the challenges where they have to throw stuff or bat stuff!

Another thing I like about all five I've listed in this post -- they're not kids! It's great to see that people over 40 do exist.

I know we exist in the real world.

What do you think of these castaways? Like the ones coming back? Have you a clue who the baseball guy is? 
 

Big Brother 14: Live Feeds Friday into Saturday - Sept. 14-15

Ian makes a final two deal

Yep, it's that time of the season. It's time to watch the paint dry in the house. While this season's dynamics are a bit different due to Dan's Mist and his rather radical moves, it's still watching paint dry for the most part. Here's the latest from inside that Big Brother House of Fool Me Once, Shame on You; Fool Me Twice, Shame on Me; Fool Me a Gazillion Times and I'm Just a Simple Fool Tool:

• Just to remind you -- both Ian and Danielle dropped in the endurance, allowing for a Dan win.
• Danielle definitely dropped due to Dan's Mist.
• Dan is taking credit for the Ian drop. But I'm not so sure Ian didn't drop of his own volition thinking he could nail the next two rounds.
• With Danielle, we saw an obvious, albeit incredibly stupid, deal with Dan.
• Oh. And, before you ask ... I have no clue when Part Two of the final HoH will be held. I'm figuring sometime today, but don't know day or evening.
• Okay, back to the house now. 
• BB woke them up early yesterday and then blocked the live feeds with trivia.
• Oh my! A secret game is being played? The HoH comp continues?
• Nope.
• It was a champagne breakfast and, I imagine, reflection on hamsters wished to the cornfield.
• Ian is going hammock cold turkey. He hasn't had backyard access since the day before the live show.
• Thus, he flogs his shoulders with his stuffed snake instead of wild rocking.
• It isn't the same.
• Danielle cried some more after re-reading her HoH letters.
• Dan didn't seem affected.
• Ian seemed genuinely sympathetic and offered her his teddy bear.
• Dan seriously wants to convince (or have Danielle convince) Ian to throw the second part of the HoH comp to Danielle.
• If Ian does that, I'll have to revoke his privileges in the Jackie's Favorite BB Hamsters Club.
• That would, of course, give Ian NO CHANCE WHATSOEVER to win the final HoH.
• I don't think he's misted that much, do you?
• Dan told Ian that he's mad that Danielle is being so "sour" over the Shane move. After once again telling Ian that he wants to be with him at the end, Dan said he'd like to be the one to evict Danielle (as HoH winner).
• Ian said he's sorry, but that's not going to happen.
• In other words, he will not throw the comp to Dan.
• Good.
• Both Dan and Ian think that Frank is probably one of the most bitter jury members ever.
• Y'think?
• Unfortunately, I do think that both Danielle and Ian still believe that Dan will take them (respectively) to the final two.
• I'm thinking he'd go for Danielle over Ian, then tell the jury how he played for both of them and should win.
• With Ian, Dan doesn't have as strong as an argument for the win.
• As he's done all season, Dan will do what's best for Dan.
• Danielle told Ian she'd like to be the one to vote Dan out (as HoH).
• C'mon Ian ... don't fall for either of them. PLAY for the win, don't throw anything. You know better!
• Sorry. I got carried away there for a moment.
• Danielle also told Ian she "carried Dan all season."
• Um. Okay.
• Ian seriously thought he was going to get evicted instead of Shane. Well, yeah ... we could tell by his hyperventilating!
• There were some electrical problems in the house with the refrigerator down, the storage room door not opening, etc.
• Ian thought perhaps a zombie apocalypse had gone down and they were abandoned.
• Oh my ... that would make a good movie ... reality show contestants locked away from the world as the world ends and they don't know it!
• They napped.
• They toilet-papered Ian like a mummy.
• Dan put Ian and Danielle in boxes.
• They napped.
• They argued over whether Britney pushed the reset button.
• They mocked Frank.
• They played odd question games.
• They napped.
• Dan played Robot and did many strange things.
• Danielle asked Ian if Boogie said she was ugly.
• Oh, come on, Danielle. Get some self-esteem. While I'm not a Danielle fan, she (with the exception of being so gullible to Dan's Mist) isn't bad at the game. She can pull off wins. She is pretty -- would be prettier if she'd get rid of those incredibly fake arched eyebrows and stop picking at pimples -- but she is indeed a very pretty young woman. Maybe she should go Jenn's route and stop living for approval from men. I don't know.
• She deep down knows Dan has played her like a fiddle, yet the Mist still works on her.
• Sigh.
• On a side note -- if I were Dan's wife and he ever looked at me quietly with that smile on his face, I'd bonk him over the head with a frying pan.  

They slept (note Ian's ally bear in bed)

They slept some more

They slept even more

Oh noes! The bear and snake have been nominated!