Update on Jackie

Uh-oh. I'm referring to myself in the third-person. That can't be a good thing. I want to thank Sydney and all of the commenters for this week's posts and all the activity. Tremendous! But me? Argh, I've been so out of it that I didn't realize last night was the Lost finale and I missed it. Grrr.

I apologize for my absence This is a hard recovery and it's tough to get through. It's definitely a major surgery. It's hard to explain how every little thing I do tires me so even though I still can't sleep more than three or four hours at a time.

For example, my home health care physical therapy visits ended yesterday. So, today I had to arrange for my out-patient physical therapy, dealing with both my insurance company and the PT place. It wiped me out. I promptly fell asleep for three hours.

Yesterday I had my last PT at home visit, had to organize all of my leave of absence and short term disability papers to bring to the doctor's office for my early evening post-op appointment. My friend Barbara brought me to and from the appointment. I managed to sit in the front seat of the car, something I couldn't do when she picked me up from the hospital. We also stopped at a store so I could refresh the juice, beverage, and bread department in my kitchen. I was up and at 'em and on the go from 8:30 in the morning until I gt home around 8:30 at night. I collapsed and fell asleep before 9. I was awake again before Letterman ended.

The knee itself is coming along well even if my energy levels are depleted. The staples came out yesterday and the doctor took x-rays. Both the doctor and my in-home physical therapist are thrilled with my progress. Before the staples came out yesterday, I could bend the knee 75 degrees. Upon leaving the hospital last week, it was only up to 60. I'm more pleased with the strength aspect -- I can see that improving daily. I do exercises three times a day which work on both strength and range of motion. (Then I conk out.)

Good news is that I don't have to pay $20 co-pay for my doctor visits anymore as I'm post-op. I go back in three weeks. The bad news is I have to pay a $20 co-pay each time at the physical therapist and that's three times a week. I know I need it and they have equipment I need to improve, but that co-pay wasn't that much the last time I went through PT. Sigh. My first PT appointment is Monday.

Then there's the Coumadin thing. That's for the blood clot and to prevent more from forming. Like Charlton Heston in Soylent Green yelling, "It's people! Soylent green is people!" -- I want to yell, "It's rat poison! They're making me take rat poison!" Until recent years, the drug (Warfarin) was indeed rat poison. It was the one which used to make the rats bleed internally and die. That's why I have to have blood drawn each week to test in case they need to modify mt dosage levels. I will be on the drug until mid-August.

So I can't get cut or bleed (or have to rush to the hospital) due to the Coumadin. I also have to let them know I'm on the drug. Possible side effects besides bleeding to death include gangrene and something called "purple toes syndrome." I don't dare have any infection or fever because the knee surgery can easily be infected. If that happens, they take out the knee, give you a spacer, then put another knee in within six months or so.

I've had an open scabbed sore on the back of my calf since the surgery. It was starting to look infected over the weekend. I thought of going to the ER, but instead bandaged it and put some Neosporin on it for a couple of days. While I know the Coumadin is slowing my healing, the therapists, visiting nurse, and doctor all thought it looked acceptable, so I guess I did the right thing.

My cat Scherzo (Skirts) has been a blessing through all of this. While she might not have liked being boarded, I couldn't have boarded my cat Teaser (who died in November). Teaser's health was too iffy and he stressed out too much. Skirts wasn't happy, but was physically fine upon returning home. Teaser also always was leaping on me and I don't think I could have handled that. Skirts has definitely grown closer to me since his death, but she still isn't a lap cat. She loves to curl up next to me, perhaps put her chin or her paw on my lap. That is comforting, but not painful.

Well, right now I know I've been in one position too long since my knee is screaming at me. I'm still on the walker although I can do crutches, too. I tried to use a cane in the apartment, but found it a bit unstable. I don't dare fall. But if I'm in one position too long, it definitely makes me get up and move. And ice it down.

I hope I caught all my typos in this and thank everyone once again! Below is my knee without its staples -- I gained a good half-inch of skin space!

LOST FINALE!!!

Tonight is the night... though not for me because I got too Lost waaaay back. For everyone who has no clue what's going on, but still watches, putting their faith in that there IS indeed a greater scheme/meaning/plan/order to it all, I have one question for you: Will things get clearer or will you be left with even more confusion and loose ends?

The word in TV Land is that there are many revelations that will come this evening, so you'll have to let us know if indeed you fans get some satisfaction on that front. So get settled in with your popcorn or cookies and your favorite libation and feel free to live blog during the hopefully amazing two hours.

Maybe Jackie will be peeking in!

The Morning After

After the Bachelorette that is...  I am just putting up a new post to chat about other TV shows and daily stuff for the next few days, so we can keep the Bachelorette comments on the last post. This will make it easier for Jackie to transfer all those comments to a sidebar link when the time comes. 

A big thank you to Delee who has started to list what's on in this interim period that seems kind of miscellaneous.  You can check back in the comments from last night to find her total listing.  

A few mentions: 

* Tonight is Hells Kitchen, Deadliest Catch and the Alsaka Experiment right after...

* Wed Oprah is rerunning her Dancing With The Stars Champion Show special. 

* Thursday is the 2 hour season finale of LOST!!!!  I'll put up a link for that when the time comes for you Losties.

Have a great day all!!! Short work week!

The Bachelotette

Howdy Folks -

Well, most of us thought we would not watch this round, but any who caught the first episode said they were hooked.  In the coming previews of this season they treated us to, it seemed like there is plenty of drama to look forward to over the next dozen weeks.  Until Jackie can set us up the normal Bachelorette Talk sidebar, I will post a place on Mondays for your comments!  

See you tonight!!!!!!

So You Think You Can Dance

Hi Jackie Fans-

Happy Memorial Day!  While many of you may be busy with BBQ's etc... Jackie knows the TV addicts among us would want a place to chat about the shows on tonight.  So this will be the place to talk about So You Think You Can Dance, on tonight at 8PMEST/7PM Central.  While Jackie may not be blogging this show once she recovers, in this short in-between period-- for her and TV -- she said I could go ahead and put up a place for y'all to talk about it.

Last year had probably the best group of talent (IMHO) thus far, and it really made it a pleasure (and sometimes a nail biter) to watch.  I hope they will be able to maintain those higher standards this season.  Here please tell what you thought of the audition process, if you have any favorites so far, and what you thought of tonight's two hour special.

(just heard from a commenter that tonight's show is a repeat of last week's auditions, and though I've looked on the website I can't tell... but just to give you a heads up).

Happy Memorial Day Weekend

I hope everyone is enjoying the first holiday weekend heading into the summer season! Despite my lack of posting, I am indeed alive. I am having some concentration issues due to pain and pain medication, so I'll probably be a bit quiet for a time. But I am okay. Thank you everyone for the notes and comments.

American Idol Finale

I'm not feeling so hot, but thought you guys might like a place to make comments about the finale. Enjoy!

Not for the Squeamish

Tiny Staples in my knee make them give me pills to make me happy ... to the tune of Tiny Bubbles.

Although I'm home shockingly early, I still have a rough road ahead. The knee replacement surgery is one of the most painful surgeries you can have done and has a hard rehab process as well. Between the constant pain and the pills, it's hard to hold onto a train of thought.

I have the added issue of being on the Coumadin regimen -- visiting nurses will come one day a week to draw blood. That whole clotting ordeal is potentially life-threatening. Even the medication is life-threatening. An in-home physical therapist will come three times a week. My insurance company covers those visits in full for up to 40 visits.

Due to the Coumadin, I'm supposed to eat a balanced diet (but no big amounts of green leafy vegetables and absolutely NO cranberries or cranberry juice.) Guess what's in my stocked pantry? Thankfully, I have plenty of other juices and veggies available. This will go on through 8/15.

The problem is that I have little to no appetite.

The emails at the hospital were a big hit with me. Whenever I saw a volunteer standing at the door timidly saying my name while holding a sheath of paper, I smiled no matter the pain. I brought them all home but haven't tallied them yet.

Why did I come home so early? Well, the original hospital stay itself was supposed to be three days, then into rehab. Rehab itself started on the day of the surgery when they had me stand up with a walker and go sit in a chair. Rehab stopped the second day when they gave me the ultrasound test and found the blood clot in my surgery knee. The only reason I was slated to go to a rehab facility is because I live alone and they were worried about me being able to fend for myself. You actually only get an hour or so of rehab a day at those places. Meanwhile I developed a horrible case of diarrhea from the stool softeners they were giving me to combat the expected constipation from the pain meds. I also became violently sick to my stomach.

No buts about it, I wanted to be able to get up and go to the bathroom! I was sick of waiting for bedpans, the humiliation, waiting for them to come and remove bedpans and all. I wanted BATHROOM. The doctor told me I could, and that was that. I started using the walker Sunday night, getting in and out of the bed and chair unassisted. I sat in bed doing ankle pumps, quad sets, and leg lifts (sometimes less than a half inch, but it counts).

Part of the recovery issue with the knee replacement is that you lose your ACL tendon, your quad muscle is cut, and lots of other nerves and tendons are ruined and have to be rebuilt. As a result, you can't make that 500 pound leg do what you want in addition to pain issues. By Monday, I was scooching it along the bed using the other leg, sometimes using a sheet as a lasso to move it, and when sitting on the bed, I managed to be able to swing it up to the bed (then scooch it in place from there). I think that's what made my OS (orthopedic surgeon) offer me the option of going home. While my other knee surgeries were a walk in the park compared to this, a lot of the techniques and rehab are the same albeit more extreme.

When I met up with the actual rehab people before my discharge, they had me climbing stairs and stuff. They measured my ROM (Range of Motion). I have 0 degrees extension (it will lay flat, good) and 60 degrees bend. I know I didn't push the bend to the point of agony -- I think I may have another ten degrees in there. They were surprised how well I did without any formal PT sessions. But I'm not surprised. I don't think the doctor is all that surprised, either. Both he and his partner said I shouldn't have been mobile based on the condition of my knee pre-op. Yet I walked a mile a day and was on my feet sometimes 7 hours a day.

My personal goal for the ROM is 130 degrees, but that won't come for a while. The swelling and staples hinder it right now in addition to having to build it all back up. It's going to be rough -- the surgery takes a lot out of you in addition to decrepit knees. My sleeping pattern is shot. I've been typing this for about three hours stopping in between sentences.

I really want to thank Zoetawny and Sydney for working on the blog in my absence and for their calls to me. Between them, the emails and cards ... I felt very loved. (An oddly welcomed feeling!) My brother called daily and is planning to come down and visit for a day. My friend Barbara went above and beyond getting me to the hospital on time, visiting me, calling me, dropping by with DVDs, cookies, Coca-Cola, chips, and KFC in addition to picking me up, getting my prescriptions, my bread, milk, eggs, and cat.

Speaking of the cat ... when I called there they told me she was okay healthwise, but not a happy cat. Another call there garnered the information that everyone thinks she's such a beautiful cat but she only likes Debbie. Heh. Since getting home, she has explored the apartment apparently to make sure I didn't move in any other cats. If I'm in bed, she's curled up purring. If she's alone sometimes she just lets out a cry. I talk to her and she quiets down. She's a bit unsure about the walker.

More eventually.

A big thanks to Zoetawny for this adorable graphic.  Just wanted to get it up so Jackie sees it first thing when she turns the computer on, whenever that may be.  

Home Alive

I'm home and alive. Thank you everyone for the emails and letters.

Must collapse now. More soon

The Show WILL Go On!!!!

We interrupt this program for some breaking news. 

Sing along with me: "It's a beautiful daaaaay!" (U2).  

Are you sitting down? 

I have to tell you that Jackie is not going to rehab today after all.... 

SHE'S GOING HOME!!!  That's right. When she told me I thought she'd just hit her morphine pump and was delusional... then I realized, she doesn't have a morphine pump.  Her ride is coming in about 30 minutes and she's swinging by the store for milk, bread and eggs and then they pick up the cat.  By this evening, she will be settling in to her own couch, in her own PJ's, with the kitty curled up nearby.  No annoying roommates, hospital gowns, hideously bright lights or nurses waking her up in the middle of the night!

What a difference from yesterday!  She had not even really been on her feet as of early afternoon.  I guess the associate doc came in after we hung up, did the test for the clot and it had dissapated.  And then they let her get up using a walker and apparently she really impressed them with being able to put her full weight on the leg and get around a bit on her own.  They also measured the bend in the knee -- and this is without having ANY PT or even getting up to sit in a chair since Wednesday morning -- to be 60 degrees. My husband got back 90 degrees and they said that was amazing. Jackie has a goal of 130 degrees, of course, lol!  If anybody's going to do it, she will.

She's all set with food at home, made things in advance and arranged her computer and TV etc... so we can all rest easy.  I assume that she will be posting again in no time, and hopefully we'll get to see some pictures.  Thanks go to Jackie for allowing me to do a little bit in return for all the fun I've had over the last 3 years at this blog --and for all the wonderful people I've met. (But who do I hold responsible for the countless hours I've spent here as my to do list takes second place???).  I was just so relieved to know what was going on day to day, and was grateful to have a way to pass it on to others here who I know would have been feeling the same. Ms J, we'll all be waiting for that moment when we click on your blog and see your words again.

And now, the winner of the Guess Those Stitches Contest is...... LYNN1!!!!  I could not believe it when you guessed it exactly at 31.  Runners up are RBennie with 30 and Donna in AL with 32.  

Thanks everyone!  xxxox, Sydney

Well, I had a nice long talk with Jackie just now. Glad it was a good time. You never know if you'll catch someone groggy or sleeping or in the middle of tests...

I wanted to know if her knee looked like Frankenstein's.  She said a little... and then she counted the staples (which would be double if there were actual stitches). 

I asked if the scar was straight on top, curved or on the side. She said "The scar is kind of off. Looking straight down on it, it goes a little to the left, then back to center again". The swelling has gone down today. It wasn't very swollen to begin with and the leg  isn't all black and blue, which amazes us both.  I think that's a very good sign.  She managed to take a few pictures of it too. Wonder if we'll see any once she gets back home and can post again.

A friend came by with DVD's, and like Zoetawny said she watched Juno. Only problem is, there is no apparent remote for the DVD, so when the nurses inevitably interrupted in the middle to do silly things like take blood and her temp, she could not pause it. @@   And when it was over, she had to call the nurses in to take it out and return her set to normal TV.  I was chomping on the bit to hang up and call the nurses station and ask them to bring one in from another room, or help her look for it, but Jackie insisted I didn't.  DANG I shouldn't have asked her and just done it!  But I of course want to respect what makes her feel comfortable, so I asked.  Frustrated!!! 

Said pal also brought her cookies, which is always a good thing, but even more now,  as after 4 days that hospital food is starting to pale. From the sound of things, it started out without poor marks. Even the ice cream isn't making up for it.  Haagendaas it's not.  Maybe it's like ice milk. I told her if she gets to go to the rehab place near her house, she could order in from her neighborhood faves.  

As of yesterday, the blood clot was apparently getting a little better.  When I hung up at 1:30 PM EST she was still waiting for her doctor's partner (who was in on the surgery) to come by. Bet they'll wait til her primary doc sees her Monday AM to determine if she's ready to make the move.  

It seems even better now that she's going to a rehab facility, since she hasn't been able to do anything in these first several days. It's so critical to move in the first 24-48 hours after an operation like this, but she can't due to the clot.  I just hope they will give her extra attention so she can catch up.  After going through all this, you do want to get that 90 degree bend back and that takes commitment.  

So now, our Jackie quiz question: Guess how many staples Jackie has on the outside of her knee. The incision is about 8 inches long.  The person(s) who gets it right will have their name posted on the next blog entry! Thrilling prize, I know, but for now, that's all I got, lol.

Many thanks to Zoetawny for today's graphic!

Jackie Watch, Day Three

I've got news.  Is it good news or bad news,  you ask.  A little of both, and the bad news isn't horrible. I'm to make sure you all know that (so says Jackie). 

She may be delayed a day or two in moving on from the hospital because of a little blood clot they found.  The doctor said it's NOT the kind that can travel to dangerous places. He said it's not great but not the end of the world. They have her on blood thinners right now and the only consequence is that she could not go for PT today.  However, I was relieved to hear she had indeed stood up yesterday.  She said it was excruciating, even full of pain meds and the nerve block!  But, no surprise there when you think of what just happened to that poor leg of hers!

Apparently she does not have that little wheelie thing on the knee to keep it in motion (a CPM machine ). The doc said she could wiggle her feet and get up and down to sit. I asked if she was at least getting in a chair to eat but she said she is just in bed, and sits herself up by using the electric rise.  Hmmm...  I thought it was crucial to move in these first days, and that nurses would be in there helping her up, but maybe not til the clot clears. She gets the feeling from them it will clear in a day so let's rally our thoughts and prayers toward that being the case!

The good news is, it looks like Jackie may be able to go to a rehab facility that is literally a block from her apartment. Even if she has to stay there for 2 weeks at least psychologically she will feel like she is home, and will probably be able to order some favorite take out from her local haunts. I'm so hoping they can arrange that for her!

I told her you all were asking about her and writing in. She DID receive several e-mails, and you still have half a day to send one to her if you were thinking about it (see last post). 

We agreed she'd call me when she knows the rehab address, if she gets moved somehow before we talk again. It may not be until Monday. Until then, she's found her way to Animal Planet and was making the rounds on cable, trying to figure out which channel was what.  She brought along Step on a Crack by James Patterson to read. And she has made some notes in her journal, even though she was pretty drugged up.  I told her it will be funny to read back on it once she's free of meds and see what she's got.  

Sending an e-mail to Ms. J

The first morning with the new knee dawns!  Jackie may have been very sore this AM. Even colds seem to be worse in the morning and late at night.  But by now she's had to have had breakfast and maybe lunch, and I bet they've gotten her up to walk a few paces.  

If you'd like to send her an e-mail, as Zoetwany mentioned, they only deliver them to patients Monday-Friday. Since Jackie will most likely be leaving the hospital over the weekend --and she's not sure they have e-mail in rehab -- we have today and tomorrow if we'd like to send her an e-hello.  

The direct link to the e-mail page at Somerset is: 

http://www.somersetmedicalcenter.com/body.cfm?id=483

For some reason I had to hand copy that so if it doesn't work, Jackie listed the link to Somerset a few posts back.  Click on Patient Information in the center of the home page.  A menu will pop down. At the bottom you'll see "send gift or e-mail".  Click that and it will take you to the gift page... and on the right there's a link to "e-mail a patient".  Zoetawny said you don't need to know her room number, but you do need to put in her full name. If anyone doesn't know that, and doesn't want to look it up, just drop me a line at NwYrkRock@aol.com.

I guess you can also send a gift from the hospital shop (cookies?  ice cream (she likes chocolate)? flowers? magazines?), and that can be done through the same link or via phone: 908-685-2200, ext. 3362. 

I may wait til tomorrow to check on her... today might be a tough one.  My husband had this done last summer and I was with him 24/7 (the 3 nights in the hospital, then attended to him in those first two weeks once we were home).  I'm trying to go off what he went through to imagine where Jackie is at physically and mentally. The good news is that today is half over. Once she gets past day 3 it's all uphill!

Let Them Know I Lived

Well, I got through to her room, but it rang and rang.  Do I keep holding on wondering if she is struggling to reach for it, or calling a nurse to help get it, or is she hearing it at a distance in a deep sleep, wishing it would go away (like a GNAT!)? Maybe she's justs up for the first time in the ladies room and my ring is  making her nervous (well, probably not if the drugs are good, lol)...  or is she not even in the room? They do make you walk a little in the hall the first day.

After a dozen rings I hung up and talked them into letting me speak to the nurses station on her floor.  That was the ticket.  Apparently Jackie was not able to reach the phone so the nurse moved it closer.  A shot of adrenaline went through me as I waited to be transferred, because that meant she was OK!  YAY!!!

Jackie sounded very quiet, and she said she was foggy.  She had her dinner there waiting and was a trouper taking time to talk to me when she had to have been hurting. She was waiting for pain meds to come. There was ice cream on the tray, so I suggested that as a fall back.  :-)

She said she did have a nerve block and it wasn't pretty. I asked if her leg was all bandaged up or in one of those mechanical rotation devices (it's like a little ferris wheel for your knee to keep it moving at all times).  I smiled to myself as she said, "Let's see, let me lift up the sheet here and take a look."  I pictured her doing this.  She said "Well, there's bandages, Ew.  More bandages... and more bandages...  Ew, Ew."  Mind you, this was not delivered in a girlish squeal, but in full-on deadpan mode. Apparently she remains funny under any circumstances. They may take her knee, but they cannot damage her spirit!  

She added "My leg doesn't look humungous.  That surprises me."  It surprised me too. On the other leg there is one of those blood pressure thingys... it wraps around the leg from ankle to knee and inflates every few minutes to keep everything flowing. With pride (and perhaps a smirk... if only they had TV phones!) she told me, "I still have perfect blood pressure."

I asked if she had a TV.  "Yes," she said, brightening. "42 inches!"  A flat screen I asked?  "Yes, though I couldn't see it before. It took 5 hours for the nurses to bring my bag, and my bag had my glasses in it, so I could not see it all this time."  Ug, I just wished one of us lived closer and could be there right now.  We would have created a brouhaha if that's what it took to get it!

She accidentally pushed a button while readjusting the covers and I could hear that a nurse immediately appeared. Jackie apologized, saying it was a mistake. We both chuckled after, wondering where that kind of service was during the previous 5 hours.

I knew she needed to go but I made sure to tell her that everyone had written in today and was waiting for the next report with bated breath.  That all send their love and good wishes. Zoetawny, I let her know that you had tried to call her earlier as well.  Her response to all that and her last words before we hung up was, "Let them know I lived!"

I will call her again tomorrow.

THE BIG DAY!

Hello All - Sydney here, cub reporter on all things Jackie.

For anyone who might not know, today is the long awaited day of Jackie's knee surgery. I know just how many of you care and have her on your mind, as I do, and want details. Jackie's own post is just below this so please be sure to read it. I was hesitant to write so quickly as I didn't want to crunch it, but I also know how many of you are like me, wondering what's going on with her RIGHT NOW, this minute.

Jackie was due to arrive at the hospital by 6 AM today... She told me that she was going to do a final post before she left and all last night I kept checking. I looked one last time before I went to bed --1AM EST-- and still saw nothing so I was hoping she was asleep. If she was going to BE at the hospital by 6 she probably had to get up by around 4:00 or 4:30AM, depending on how long it takes to get ready and how far it is to get there.... and she ended up posting at 3:30AM! More evidence that she is indeed superwoman (soon to be the bionic woman). I have to admit, I'm not sure I'd be able to sleep much either.

Her surgery was scheduled for 7:30 AM so she'd be in there for about an hour. Let's all send her extra big love as she finishes up and comes out of anesthesia.

I will call her early this evening to see how she is, and post that here, so please check back. 

Off, Off, and Away!

I want to thank everyone for their well wishes, donations, and cards. In a about two hours I'm leaving for the hospital to have my life ripped apart ... er, my knee removed. Ack. I'm going for an operation.

I'll be at the Somerset Medical Center until Friday or Saturday, then off to a rehab hospital currently unknown. Sydney will be keeping touch with me and I've given her the ability to post updates.

Thanks again for everything and wish me a speedy come home!

Survivor Micronesia: Season Finale East Coast Updates

The show has started here on the east coast. I'll update this post as important events (immunity, boot, and such) happen.

My full show review will be posted over at TV Squad later tonight.

So far we're still in the season recap phase.

Amanda just won Immunity!

Natalie was voted out, not a huge surprise.

They're shocked that there will be another immunity challenge and final two, not the final three they had planned. The rites of passage come first.

Parvati is out of the final immunity challenge. Cirie drops hers and Amanda wins the final immunity challenge!

Amanda voted out Cirie. The final two are Amanda and Parvati.

Parvati won. Blech, not a good end of the season for me!

Sprint $100,000 winner is James. The other two highest votes were Amanda and Ozzy.

Survivor is going to Gabon, Africa.

Survivor Micronesia: 5/08 Show East Coast Updates

My apologies for my absence as of late -- I've been a bit overwhelmed with work, getting my apartment ready for a long, long stay, and medical doings leading up to next week's surgery.

The show has started here on the east coast. I'll update this post as important events (immunity, boot, and such) happen.

My full show review will be posted over at TV Squad later tonight.

As always, comments are a joy! :-)

Erik won reward, chose Amanda to go with him for helicopter ride, massage, meal and overnight hotel stay. He sent Parvati to Exile Island.

Erik won immunity. We don't know if Parvati even looked for the idol on Exile Island.

STUPID Erik. He fell for Cirie's scheme and gave immunity to Natalie. It's unanimous except for his vote for Parvati -- he's out.

Off Topic: Roofus and the Price of Gas

I didn't really have much time to watch television last night, not to mention that there wasn't much on I wanted to see! But I did see Roofus the Cat yesterday morning on my way into work despite the fact it was a bit damp and drizzling. He is the master of his domain and the city street below.



And then there's the price of gas. NJ tends to have the lowest gas prices in this area and it's all full serve. It's against the law to pump your own gas here. We recently went through some sort of major increase with taxes and this was the current price in Plainfield, NJ on Friday morning. How are you all faring with the gas prices in your area?

Survivor Micronesia 5/01 Show East Coast Updates

Someone commented that Natalie (not BB9 Natalie!) looks like the Grinch. So, you know Zoetawny picked up on it!

The show has started here on the east coast. I'll update this post as important events (immunity, boot, and such) happen.

My full show review will be posted over at TV Squad later tonight.

As always, comments are a joy! :-)

Reward is a trip to Jellyfish Lake (non-stinging). It was the loved ones appearance. Alexis won over Amanda as per Cirie making the final rope chop. Alexis chose Cirie and Natalie (and loved ones) to accompany her. Amanda was sent to Exile Island where there's yet another idol hidden.

James is out of the game -- his finger is infected,

Amanda found the hidden idol clue which tells her the idol is hidden under the flag back at camp.

Erik won immunity, forcing the women to feed off each other.

James showed up at tribal with an IV and makes the jury.

Woohoo! Amanda backsided blindsided them and pulled out the immunity idol to save herself! Alexis was booted.

Some TV Doings, Mostly OFF TOPIC

Although I didn't post yesterday, I did get some television watching time in. I watched American Idol. I think the John Travolta with dreadlocks looking Jason Castro is way out of his league. The judges and public don't seem to be too enthralled with Syesha Mercado, but I personally prefer her singing to Brooke White's. Then, I think the two vying for the big win are the Davids. David Cook's hairstyle annoys me to no end, but he is good. Archuleta? Aw, almost makes me want to have a teenage singing prodigy!

As BB has ended, I was able to watch Hell's Kitchen. I've been catching that online at the FOX site, but forgot to watch last week's show. Right now I'm not super impressed with any of the wannabes. I do think they have some less slobby folks this season. I keep thinking of the guy last season from NJ who kept hiking up his pants and worked at a hot dog stand or something.

Then I went to bed early and didn't sleep. Well, didn't sleep well, I guess. Today was the day of the pre-op testing and my autologous blood donation. I've been living in fear that they'd find something wrong which could be a bad thing, but could also result in the cancellation or postponing of my knee surgery.

It turns out that I panicked and lost sleep for apparently no reason. My blood pressure is "excellent." My EKG was good, temperature normal, chest x-ray looked good, hemocrit and hemogobin (whatever) were good. Of course, I feel like I've been visited by Dracula due to the blood donation for transfusion purposes and all of the vials I gave up for various tests. It gave me a good excuse to eat Milano cookies and quaff pineapple juice, though! After a good more than half a day at the hospital, I'm just tired now.

I'll leave you with some photos of where my surgery will be in exactly two weeks, Somerset Medical Center. It's safe now that New Jersey's most prolific serial killer is no longer employed by the hospital!

Big Brother 9 Live Feeds ... er, NOT

I think I'm still breathing my long sigh of relief that Big Brother 9 is done and over with. Yes, I still enjoy the show, but they really have to get more diversity in the cast for BB10. A mind or two might be nice! I wrote a brief article for TV Squad with links to the Julie Chen Adam/Ryan interview.

I also went back to work today after having last week off. While I was gone, the poison ivy came to life. I know it's evil, but I still think it's a cool plant!

I also found a flower in the rain.

I should be getting back to Newsy Bits and such soon, but I figure I will be mellow for a few days. Thank you everyone for such a great BB9 season here on the blog. The show was iffy, but you guys (gals) were fantastic!

Big Brother 9: Season Finale Live Blogged from the East Coast

The show has started here on the East Coast ... on time for a change! As it airs, I'll be constantly updating this post and I'll be posting a full real review of the show later tonight over on TV Squad. Please forgive any typos as this is being posted as I watch my television, not my keyboard or monitor!

Doesn't Zoetawny's winner graphic rock your socks? :-)

The audience cheers after Julie intros the show. What that is she's wearing, don't ask me! It's a white with black print shell and a charcoal sweater with matching cuffs and collar. We see a brief rundown of the season. Yawn.

Bros to the end. We get to see James in his panties screaming again. We see crying, Sheila floured. And we're still on the recap.

Adam and Ryan are on the plasma screen. We can vote for our favorite juror on the CBS website -- cbs.com. The winner gets 25 grand.

Natalie likes Ryan. Joshuah thinks Ryan had a backbone. Joshuah says Sheila couldn't win -- she can't get herself out of a wet paper bag. Then Sheila walks in. Sheila tells the jurors that Adam threw the third part so Ryan would do Adam's dirty work for him in voting her out. She claims that she has a moral dilemma with both of them. Matt thinks Ryan won comps, but Adam played a smart game.

Natalie still has the glazed dazed look. She thinks Ryn was strong and smart. She doesn't think anyone ever found out that Ryan had all of the alliances. Sheila is very upset at Adam. Sharon thinks Ryan is where he is because Adam brought him there. Matt thinks Ryan made deals with everyone and is a better player.

Lots of ex-HG there in the crowd.

Final jury questions:
Matt -- For Adam, what are you going to do with the money? $100 grand afterschool programs, start a business, car, help children, change lives.
Ryan -- Help my Mom out (Sheila smiles), do something nice for Jen (Chelsia gasps), something for charity. (Josh says worst anser)

Sharon -- Ryan -- She calls out Ryan on getting her evicted. He lies, says it was a last second thing. LIAR. He puts it on Adam.

Chelsia -- Jen was a hatred person. Heh. Ryan defends her. (Wrong answer.)

Joshuah -- Adam, thrown comps and had Ryan do dirty work. Adam says physical, mental and emotional. Adam says he didn't throw the comp. Don't scream.

James -- Adam, better competitor and why in F2 over Sheila -- Turned negativeity to positvity, straight shooter, minimized risks.

Natalie -- It's Chatty! Baller - Why didn't you take me to final three? She thinks he's telling the truth. Ryan -- You voted me out -- why didn't you keep your word? Ry -- it was one of the hardest decisions.

Sheila -- Adam -> why you lied to my face and said you would take me to the end of the game? Adam said he had to do certain things to keep her in the final three. You had a fair shot. He gets upset. She thinks he didn't carry her, she played a smart game, too.

Ryan thinks he did some things he wouldn't do outside the game, thinks he played a stand up game, won't say bad things against Adam.

Adam -- Decision based on personal feelings, gameplay and plans for the money. Joshuah kleeps sneering. Sheila looks disgusted.

Joshuah and Sheila think Adam is all cocky. They seem to be skewing things for a Ryan win, so we might see the opposite. Adam thinks Sheila and Joshuah were psychopaths.

The jury comes to the stage. We're back. Julie checks in with the final two. Adam, one word after the jury. Rough. Nervewracking says Ryan.

Time to cast the votes. One at a time insert key of the person you want to win, may make a statement.

1. Matt -- Misses both, great job, one of you two taking me to Vegas.

2. Natalie -- I miss you love you even though you sucker voted me out. Gow with gut instinct.

3. Joshuah -- Vote for the person who played hard every comp and has a back bone.

4. Sharon -- Most loyal in the game.

5. Sheila -- Very easy decision. Know it's a game but hopes honesty, loyalty and trust had something to do with it.

6. James -- Hope you party away this money.

7. Chelsia -- Hope you hold the deal, what you said at the round table is what you do.

The first six evicted HG are back. Natalie -- were you playing all sides? Both she says. She would have protected the boys.. Matt -- do you want to tell Natalie anything? He apologizes for everything she's about to see.

To Jen -- Ryan paired off with another woman. Her thoughts on Allison (doesn't care for her) haven't changed. Allison, better match? She has no hard feelings towards Jen and thinks Ryan and Jen are a good match. Jen looks like she wants to punch Allison.

Julie shows Adam telling Natalie he voted to keep her. They knew. Now it's Joshuah crying over the pizza and Adam consoling him. Adam is shocked -- he bought the act.

Julie tells the jury about the 25 grand prize going to one of them at the end of the show. Voting is now closed for juror.

Votes revealed:
1. Matt -Adam
2. Natalie - Adam
3. Joshuah - Ryan
4. Sharon - Adam
5. Sheila - Adam

ADAM IS THE WINNER OF BB9!

They didn't show James and Chelsia's votes as they weren't needed for the win, but she just showed they voted for Adam. Adam promises money for autistic children.

Sheila came in second place, James got first place for the 25 grand. Now Sheila will have more reason to cry.

And Neil is there in the crowd at the end. He just wasn't sitting with the evicted.

Just a Note

I've been running errands, doing deep-cleaning of the apartment as it might go a bit astray, and doing a million things. But I'm still here! (Well, after napping a bit, I am.) I go back to work tomorrow and have two more weeks of work. I want to thank Laurie for setting something up for during my expected absence. I'm not sure what I'll be doing here -- I was thinking a generic post the day before I go into the hospital so people could comment.

I'll figure out between now and then. I won't be going for surgery until May 14. (I'm hoping the Survivor finale is May 11 ... please!) I personally don't plan being in rehab any longer than I have to. I'm not a hospital, strangers prodding me kind of person. I know it's important for recovery and know that I will do fine. But I'd rather do fine at home!

In a little while, I'll take off comment moderation and open up the BB9 finale live blog post. Wait until you see Zoetawny's graphic for it!

BB9 Live Feeds and Stuff

My latest live feeds report is up over on TV Squad. It might be the only interesting news until Sunday!

Although I've had tons to do this week prepping my apartment, running to the DMV and such, they said it was too early for my medical clearance pre-op tests. So, I'll be doing those tests and the autologous blood donation on Wednesday. On the 5th I have my next orthopedic surgeon appointment, the 6th a knee replacement class at the hospital, then the 14th will be the big day. I cannot catch a cold or they'll cancel it. Argh.

Here are some photos I took yesterday while out and about --


This cat lives on the street around the corner from me. I've seen him around for a few years. I worry about him out on city streets, but he has a collar and hangs around a house where I know a bunch of kids live. He thinks I can't see him hiding behind the bush.



The NJ Transit tunnel at the Somerville Train Station is kind of cool. Most just have gang graffiti.

Look up! It's SPRING!

Look over there! It's SPRING!
ACHOO!

Survivor Micronesia 4/24 Show East Coast Updates

The show has started here on the east coast. I'll update this post as important events (immunity, boot, and such) happen.

My full show review will be posted over at TV Squad later tonight.

As always, comments are a joy! :-)

In the Survivor auction, Jason is off to Exile Island again -- there is a new idol hidden there.

Sure enough, Jason found the new idol. But the women have a plan to blindside him.

Erik won immunity.

The blindside plan worked. Jason didn't use the idol and was voted out.

Big Brother 9 Live Feeds Into Thursday Morning

So, it's the bromance alone in the house. Now, if it were a true bromance, not just two immature dudes full of themselves, it might be more interesting. Here are the highlights of last night's happenings after the end of the live show:

• They sat around and walked around stunned.
• They had champagne.
• Ryan repeated his "never trust a stripper, let alone a Penthouse Pet" line like he thought it should be trademarked to him.
• Ryan mimicked Sheila's plea to stay in the house. Adam joined in mocking Sheila.
• Adam thanked BB while looking in the camera. The camera nodded.
• Ryan told Adam that he couldn't figure him out the whole game.
• Adam told Ryan he wanted him around to be a smoking buddy. Then he said keeping Ryan was due to Sheila.
• They congratulated themselves for playing so well.
• They talked about how Sheila was campaigning all the time but had no gameplay in her.
• Then they got into trashing Sheila hardcore.
• Ryan thinks Julie Chen has a crush on him. @@
• Adam is mad that Sharon threw the Glass Houses comp.
• There was a Diary Room audio leak in which Ryan angrily just about demanded the show give them cigarettes.
• They continued bashing the others from the house.

Oh, this is gonna be such fun until Sunday!

American Idol 4/23 Results Show East Coast Update

David Archuleta is safe.
David Cook is safe.
Brooke White is SAFE? How could that be?
Syesha Mercado is bottom two. How could that be?
Jason Castro is safe.
Carly Smithson is bottom two. (She was good last night, too!)

Carly Smithson is going home tonight.

Big Brother 9 4/23 Live Eviction, Final HOH Live Blogged from the East Coast

The show has started here on the East Coast. I'll be updating this entry as it airs. Please forgive typos and feel free to join in on the comments!

Julie is wearing a yellow sweater and black slacks. The three remaining HG are working at the HOH. Sheila won't drop out willingly. She says it's cold. Now she's crying about Adam saving her, hated him and now best friend. Ryan says by Adam doing his dirty work there's no blood on his hands. Julie mentioned that Ryan and Adam dealed to save Sharon.

An hour before the last eviction, it's Adam going to Ryan for a deal to keep Sheila. He knows keeping Sheila is best for him. Ryan wants to stay with evicting Sheila. Adam convinces him that Sheila will choke and it will be easier for them to win. Ryan and Adam shake on keeping Sheila. Sheila cries. and cries some more. She wants it to be Adam and her at the end.

Back to Up the Creek. Adam is sure the guys have it all over Sheila in the comp. Ryan and Adam taunt her, Ryan says that was the plan. Sheila thinks about her son and won't give up. She thinks she has hypothermia and is losing it, there she goes into the pond. She doesn't want to be sick for the next comp, she says.

Ryan tells Adam to throw it and he has Adam's back. Adam lets go. Ryan wins the first part. Adam says Sheila thinks he's with her, Ryan thinks he's with him ... and he doesn't care as long as he's in the final two!

Time for round two -- Adam against Sheila. Adam wants to win. They will play separately, called to the backyard one at a time. Human guinea pig wheel, maze, ten balls representing HOH. The mzae is on the wheel and, as Adam says, "it has to be done in a speedy manner." Sheila says it's a fricken nightmare. She's not having an easy time of it while Adam is doing his stint with a plan.

Sheila is getting dizzy, falling all over the place. Adam is done. Sheila is done. But, of course, they're done separately. Sheila took 33 minutes, 26 seconds. Adam took 14 minutes and 55 seconds. Adam moves onto the next round facing Ryan.

Sheila tells Adam she has to accept her "fates." Adam apologizes to her and tells her he'll do the best he can to win. She tells him she trusts him. Then Ryan shows up. They start their secret handshake. Ryan says Adam proved his loyalty to him yesterday and now won today. Adam said he will win the hlf-million. Now Ryan is thinking he might stand a better chance with Sheila at the end.

Julie talks to them. How does Sheila feel to be at the mercy of the guys? Scary, nervous, helpless, hopes someone wants to take her to the end. Now she's feeling the love for Adam.

Jury votes? Ryan is about a 3 on the win scale, Jen, won money, won luxury. Sheila feels a 4 after rambling. Adam goes with a five. He mentions that Sheila buttered everyone up before they left the house.

Jury house -- Joshuah is Matt's boy (and girl) in the house. Natalie says Matt usually gets up and leaves. Natalie thinks he's mean. She doesn't know what she feels for him. Natalie thinks she wants to get out where people like her. Joshuah speaks up for her. Everyone else is nice and she voted against them. She does NOT look happy. Now Sharon is in. James looks sick. Team Matty is notorious according to Matt. Sheila is a one trick pony cry says Matt.Chelsia ntocie that Adam and Ryan worked together on getting Sharon out.

The winner of the third part will evict someone on the spot. Ryan and Adam are ready. How well did you get to know the jury members? HowMost points at end of six questions wins.

Matt said "The hg I wish I was nicer to was Natalie or James. Both Right, Nat.

Chelsia sais the moment she most expects to read about, Gave up a half million for a shomance or told everyone out the door. Both got it wrong (half mill)

Joshuah says He or Sharon is most deserving to win. Myself, he says. Ryan got it right.


James said "I think what will happen between me and Chelsia, bike around world or sink. Sink, both right.

Natalie said best showmance me//Mattie, JHames/Chelsia ... James/Chelsia. Both wrong.

Sharon said biggest lie I told back cause me to fall in glass house, never told a lie. Her back. Both wrong. RYAN wins final HOH.

Ryan said, "I knew it" when he heard Sharon threw that comp.

Julie gives Adam and Sheila a chance to plead their case. Adam, part of the plan, bro to the end, do the right thing. Sheila cries, trusted me, carried through, will change her life, almost hysterical. So grateful and happy if he picks her.

Ryan chooses to evict.. both are deserving for different, Adam's gamelplay mor deserving, votes to evict Sheila. She cries even more.

Adam thinks Ry had a great speech. Ryan says he did it by gameplay. They do the handshake.

Sheila looks devastated. She thought Adam would win and take her to the end. She had his back, thought she played a really good game. Julie mentions she's a single mom walking out with no money, any lessons learned? Toughest thing she ever did in her life. She cries a lot more. I'm not seeing tears, though. Are you?

Julie tells her she should be proud. She was older. Sheila says it was a blessing, being in the final three, just wanted to win for her son, his birthday is coming, in shock. Julie keeps prying her, going to make her cry more. NO TEARS.

Goodbye messages, Ryan nice. Adam thinks he'll miss her, sorry if he made the wrong decision. Sheila says she will keep in touch with Adam.

Julie calls it a bromance and they agree. Adam said it's huge that Ryan did it all for him. Season finale is Sunday at 8 PM.

Big Brother 9 - Live Feeds Into Tuesday Evening

Well, this is it. It's the final three and, gosh, they're boring. I wrote a full review of the show for TV Squad, but I'm not sure when it will go live.

Here are the happenings from inside that Big Brother House of The Excitement's All Gone:

• Sheila told Adam she'd campaign for him in the jury house. She doesn't seem to know that the last evicted usually doesn't make it to the jury house.
• They sat around rehashing and trashing all of the other houseguests.
• Sheila said she never was a part of Team Christ. Ryan and Adam think she was. Didn't they even know their own team?
• Whatever they did in Part 2 -- Sheila took 14 minutes and Adam took 3, so it wasn't even close.
• Adam thinks Sheila will go to a local hotel, not sequester.
• Adam told Sheila that he can't even let Ryan have a thought that he'd take her with him to the final two or Ryan would smoke him. Hmmm ... will he or won't he?
• Adam assured Ryan once again that he'll take him to the final two if he wins. Will he or won't he? Hmmm...
• Adam kept doing things to make the BB voice yell at him.
• Sheila says it's the most stress she's had in her life being in the house.
• She also said the DR wanted her to campaign, but she doesn't see what good it would do.
• She seems resigned to third place.
• But I think Adam may still be a wild card if he wins HOH.
  

Big Brother 9 4/22 Show Live Blogged from the East Coast

The show has started here on the East Coast. I'll be updating this entry as it airs. Please forgive typos and feel free to join in on the comments!

Julie Chen, al;beit taped. She has a little coral colored sweater set on, her hair is fluffy. We've gone through the initial recap, but first it's the power of veto and Sheila and Adam are locked together. B&W recap of the nominations once again.

Go to color and Sheila is overwhelmed, calls Ryan's speech lame. Sharon thinks her alliance with Ryan will save her. Adam is still a bit worried. Sheila cries, it's frickin painful. Sharon consoles her. Sharon tells us her goal is to be final three with Ryan and Sheila. Sheila tells Sharon the guys control the game and it's us against them. She doesn't trust them. Sharon assures her she will make sure they're the final three -- she doesn't trust Adam.

Ryan thinks that either Adam or Sharon will take him to the final two. Adam says he'll do or say whatever it takes to get him to the final two (in a diary room segment).

Sharon and Ryan talk, Ryan wants her safe. She tells him she wants Adam out. Sheila questions Adam if she can trust him. Adam sidesteps a bit about committing to saving her with the POV. Adam tells her that he's still at risk. Sheila tells him his decisions have sometimes pissed her off. He's going to have to get his hands dirty.

It's time for Sheila and Adam to get chained together. She says he knows shackles too well and she'll never forgive Big Brother. Ryan thinks they're the most dysfunctional marriage you could ever imagine and says it's priceless.

Final POV comp. It's night. Adam and Sheila are shackled. Sheila wakes up and notices Sharon is missing -- they're scheming -- her and Ryan. Shraon is sure that Adam has to go. She wants final two with Ryan. Sheila, meanwhile, tells Adam she and he are the most deserving of final two. Sharon tells Ryan it's do or die.

Sheila and Adam are about to get the shackles off and rejoice.

Time for POV -- four quandrants cordoned off, hourses with jockeys without head. They have to put faces of jusry members and two clues in the order of eviction. One horse at a time. More clues than they need, some have no match. First one to get all five horses in order wins.

"Personally I want to win this veto because I want to be a power whore," says Ryan. All the others want to win for themselves. Sharon doesn't want Adam to win. Ryan is leading. Ryan wins.

"I don't know where that leaves Sheila," says Sheila over Ryan's win. Sharon wants Ryan to take her off the block. Ryan says he controls everybody's fate at this point.

Back to taped Julie ... she tells us that if the noms remain the same, it will be Adam casting the sole vote for eviction. Duh, I say. Ry and Adam talk. Adam tells him that he'll do whatever. Ryan brags he could make one move and boot him. Adams promises. Ryan powertrips.

Adam calls Sharon dude as he tells her he doesn't know what to do. He promises her he'd keep her if she takes him to the final two. It dawns on Adam that she might have something going with Ryan.

Sharon runs to Ryan, of course. Sharon tells him Adam is going to take Sheila. She doesn't trust him. He has no loyalty to anybody. Now Ryan doesn't trust Adam. Sheila tells Adam that she has his back and if she wins, they're final two. She says if Sharon stays, she'll go to final two with Ryan. She cries and repeats she's had his back.

Ryan accuses Adam of trying to cut deals. He pretty much denies it. Ryan denies that he and Sharon have anything going on. Ryan tells him that he might be able to trust Sharon more than Adam. Adam vehemently denies everything and says he will vote Sheila out.

Julie talks to them. She wonders if holding all the power could come back to haunt him. He's not worried. Sharon is the first HG in BB history to be nominated for eviction five times in a row. She thinks by the grace of God she's still here. Sheila, re: Shackled: Singles day best day in the house, thought of shackles made her want to run out the door. Adam says he accepts her the way she is.

Veto meeting and eviction next.

Veto meeting in front of Julie (on the screen for them). Ryan says he has no reason to change his nominations and doesn't use the POV. It's down to Sheila and Sharon. Sharon says loves to stay, amazing time, same speech as each week. Sheila says she wants to stay, but will take something from Sharon ... if God's will, she will says goodbye. She cries and hugs Sharon.

Adam says not an easy decision, evicting Sharon, his voice cracks. Sheila cries more than Sharon. Adam cries. Sharon leaves well. Ryan's first words get bleeped, but he isn't upset. Sheila just keeps crying. She thought she was going. They're changing for HOH comp.

Talk with Julie -- Sharon says she's shocked, but not really. It's just a game. She thinks Ryan had more faith in Adam. She's not mad. She thinks Adam and Sheila will stick together at the end. Six nominations, not five.

Goodbye messages -- Adam loves her, likes, her, Sheila's his partner. Ryan doesn't understand why, breath of fresh air, did not plan this, not his doing. Sheila teary, really good person, will be a good wife and mother.

Future for her and Jacob? They have a lot going on, would like to try. You take the good and bad, put them all together.

Final HOH Part 1: Julie explains because it's the final one, Ryan HOH can compte. Sound cut out as she explained the rules here. The yard has a pond in it and what looks like boogie boards on a level water slide. They are Up a Creek. They strap themselves in, must have rope in hand at all times, let go, out. It's like a ski rope. The river is starting to rise and the platform is tilting.

Sheila is getting cold but smiling. Adam and Ryan are doing well. Ryan says it's better than sweating in a box. Julie says the voyage is about to get choppy and they have a rough night ahead of them. (This is what took BB two days to build in the backyard.)

Adam calls Julie BABE. She tells them they never know what Mother Nature has in store. It starts raining and they don't give us the end.

BB9 Live Feeds ...

The feeds just came back on. It sounds like Adam won the comp part with Sheila today. It was something to do with swimming. Ryan and Adam will face off live in the third part tomorrow night on the show.

BB9 Live Feeds Not Much of an Update

I know I haven't posted since this morning, but not much has happened. Ryan and Adam are gloating because they're sure they'll be the final two. Sheila knows they're planning to win, not sure if the idea will increase her performance on today's part two of the HOH. Ryan and Adam even came up with a special winning handshake. Sheila discussed the possibility of Adam, her, Ryan and Jen getting together to do something for autistic children.

Then it went into a feeds block more than a few hours ago.

Shh ... BB9 Three are Sleeping

After I wrote my last report here, I stayed up (with the feeds on) and wrote up the report for TV Squad, complete with a gallery of screen caps. That went up sometime ago, but then I was asleep. I slept until past 10. Yikes, I haven't slept that late in a few years!

At least the houseguests were going to sleep as I headed to bed and they're still asleep.

Big Brother 9 Live Feeds Bulletin

Big She is in da house. And, who isn't?

After being blocked for hours, the feeds returned about ten minutes ago. Sharon is missing. It's just Ryan, Adam, and Sheila.

Here's the skinny:

• Sheila is shocked that Adam voted to keep her, so Ryan must have left the nominations the same.
• Before the feeds were blocked (around 9 PM ET), Adam and Ryan shook hands on keeping Sheila.
• They have arts and crafts.
• Sheila apologized to Adam for treating him badly.
• Rooms have been closed off. The guys are in the pink room. I think Sheila is in the boat room.
• Ryan won the first part of HOH. Sheila and Adam vie against each other tomorrow.
  
• Lots of small talk right now, so I'll get this up.
  

Latest BB9 Live Feeds

My latest live feeds report is up on TV Squad. It was a horribly boring day until about a half hour ago.

Off Topic Stuff

Since the BB9 houseguests are being so boring as they wait around inside the house for the POV meeting and the HOH comp ... and eviction? -- I'm posting some photos.

It's finally spring here in New Jersey!

A starling (or maybe a grackle?) on a wire enjoying the sunshine.

It's a daffodil, but surely not yellow!

Looking out my living room window at a squirrel in the tree. You see, I can keep myself occupied!

My remaining cat really doesn't like the camera.

BB9 - Review Post up on TV Squad, Houseguests Up

My review of last night's show (watched at a horrible hour here in the NYC area) is up over on TV Squad.

The houseguests are getting up in the house. Sharon and Sheila are in the bathroom and during short feeds blocks, BB must be trying to get Ryan and Adam up.

Big Brother 9 Live Feeds Into Monday Morning

Adam and Ryan talking about voting out Sheila last night.

Yesterday was an odd day in the house. The hamsters were locked inside all day due to HOH construction in the yard. The one event usually held on Sunday -- the POV meeting -- wasn't held. And, they found that there will be a HOH comp today (Monday). They keep calling it live, but it will only be live to them. It will show taped on Tuesday's show. It will most likely be blocked from the feeds, but we'll see.

Here's the excitement from the late night and overnight hours in the Big Brother House of Beebies Love:

• During a feeds block, the HG received Chinese food.
  
• Since BB called them each into the Diary Room to tell them that the guinea pigs are the remaining preexisting relationship, that was a topic of discussion.
• They taped their goodbye messages for Adam, Sharon, and Sheila yesterday as Ryan has not yet either used or not used the veto. All three had to pack just in case.
• But it seems Sheila is the one with a ticket to ride ... right on out the door.
• They know BB is speeding things up, but aren't sure how many days they have. From what they're saying it sounds like they think the finale is next Tuesday or Wednesday when it's indeed this coming Sunday.
• Sharon told Adam she's sure Ryan won't be using the veto and putting him on the block.
• They discovered a place where Matt carved his name in the rail. I wonder if BB will deduct from his stipend for the damages?
• Ryan and Adam teased both Sharon and Sheila saying they both had crushes on Alex.
• They all think Sharon should have gotten the HOH question right because the guinea pigs are her fur-iends, her beebies.
• Adam said he had a meltdown over his cigarettes. He had a secret stash hidden and it's gone.
• Sheila told Adam he probably still has his cigarettes somewhere and will probably find them when he packs.
• Whatever the Diary Room was doing late last night when they called the HG in one by one was fun according to Sharon. That's all we got before the BB voice admonished her -- "Sharon, you are not allowed to discuss your Diary Room sessions with other houseguests!"
• Ryan once again told Adam he has to vote "Big She" out. Adam agreed to do so.
• Ryan thinks that Sheila's an idiot because she's not sucking up to Adam for the vote. Adam thinks it's easier that she's not.
• Adam is worried that Sharon might beat them in the HOH comp. Ryan is sure she won't.
• I'd like to see her beat Ryan just because he's so darn smug about how great he'll do!
• The guys practiced hanging by their arms from the staircase just in case the HOH comp had them hanging from their arms. @@
• They all headed to bed, but Adam and Ryan got up and snacked again before returning to their beds with visions of HOH wins in the heads.
  

BB9 Live Feeds Update

I took this screen cap before a feeds block. I thought it might be the POV meeting, but it returned to the HG eating dinner. BB told them the preexisting relationship was that the guinea pigs are sisters.

It looks pretty definite that Ryan will keep the noms the same and Adam will vote Sheila out. Adam and Ryan had a blow-up, but they're buddies once again. It sounds like all the real action will probably go down tomorrow.

Big Brother 9 - 4/20 Show NOT Live Blogged from the East Coast

ARGH. The Pope leaving the city is on. They will rejoin the show already in progress and re-air it in its entirety at 11:30 No live blog here tonight and I have a cry for help out on TV Squad for my review tonight, too. I turned off word verification for now as reports from others are coming in.

It's 8:38 PM and the Pope isn't on the plane yet. CBS2 must think everyone is Catholic or something. I'm not happy here, but I thank those who have been updating the show in comments.

8:43 PM -- It just came on here. Thanks a lot CBS 2. I'm not Catholic and didn't want or need that coverage. They should have showed it online on their site.

The luxury comp movie is over and yan is telling Sheila she will be fine. She just has to win POV. She knows he (Adam) kept Natalie. Sheila knows Ryan is putting her on the block. She doesn't trust either Adam or Ryan.

Sharon thinks Adam needs to go on the block. Ryan doesn't want it to look suspicious. Sheaon still wants herself and Ryan in the final two.

Nominations -- Adam is safe. Ryan says his nominations aren't anything against the ladies, he just has Adam's support from last week, Adam nods.

Sharon has faith in herself and her partner Ryan. Adam is worried. He doesn't want Sharon to win POV. Sheila isn't only on the block, but shacked with Adam.

BB9 Live Feeds and Show - Uh-oh!

As Adam picks his nose, my latest live feeds post is in Pending over at TV Squad. I'm not sure when it will go live.

The big news is that they've been on indoor lockdown all day as a "monster HOH comp" is being built in the yard. Adam, Sheila, and Sharon have been told to pack their bags. There's an eviction tomorrow. Sheila is upset as is Sharon -- they both thought they had more time.

The UH-OH in the header is about ME. (Yeah, it's all about me, you know.) Although 60 Minutes started on time, the local CBS affiliate is expected to air the Pope leaving the city and some ceremony. It's been Pope Central on television in this area. He's supposed to leave around 8 PM. Sigh. I'm not sure whether they'll delay the show, totally not show it or what. I guess I'll keep you up on it when I hear how they'll handle it.

Big Brother 9 - Live Feeds Into Sunday Morning

Yo, yo, yo ... check it out, dawgs. I think I've been watching too much Randy Jackson on American Idol, eh? Last night (and the Saturday before) I watched Groomer Has It on Animal Planet. And now today, I'm posting Zoetawny's graphic of the BB9 houseguests as the dogs they might be. (Our apologies to the good dogs of the world.)

If I don't get off this dog kick, my cat is going to need a little cat psychiatrist. She's going to have a complex. But, she should feel better that no cats were harmed or mocked in the production of this blog. It's a dogs world for the houseguests!

Here's the latest from inside that Big Brother House of When Good Dogs Go Bad:

• As I mentioned in my last update (over on TVS), they napped a lot. They have been napping more than is good for man or dog.
• Sheila played with the oversized golf stuff all alone because the rest were napping. Maybe they're just avoiding her.
• Sheila took a sauna alone and then painted one of the Easter craft things they had.
• All alone.
• At least she doesn't keep talking when alone although I enjoyed Evel Dick talking to the cameras when he was alone. I just don't want to hear Sheila's voice and all she'd do is complain, whine, and fuss anyway.
• Sheila cleaned the cabinets. (Okay, I guess she can come over here if she wants to clean stuff. I could use a hand. She'd have to be muzzled, though.)
• Adam reported to Ryan that the girls are both telling him all kinds of "crap."
• Adam and Ryan played with the golf stuff.
• Adam told Ryan about different scenarios Sharon is coming up with the jury votes.
• Ryan told Adam that Sharon hung out with the wrong group too long and she's wrong, too.
• They think that all Sharon has is a guaranteed three votes -- James, Joshuah, and Chelsia.
• Sheila has been trying to use those three votes as a reason for Sharon to go this week.
• Adam is down to two cigarettes left.
• Sheila thinks she deserves to win. After all, she's not a gold-digger! (This coming from someone who lived in a big shot's mansion for a few years.)
• Sheila seems envious that Sharon will go to a spa, on a shopping spree, and to a movie premiere. Apparently since she won all of that, she doesn't need to win the game, right?
• Sheila and Sharon think they've both been the last to know anything and everything in the house throughout the season.
• Ryan ran laps around the yard. I'm surprised the BB voice didn't remind him how many laps it takes to make up a mile. No, they never say that when it's useful!
  
• Sheila went on an anti-Natalie rant saying that Natalie grew mean towards her after Matt was evicted.
• Both Adam and Ryan want to avoid talking game with Sheila.
• Sheila and Sharon once again tried to figure out the third pre-existing couple.
• They have all forgotten about the Hudson River Virus (or whatever it was!).
• Sharon and Sheila don't think they can win against the boys. They believe that whoever leaves this week will see the other seven days later.
• They're wrong.
• Oh, not about not winning ... just about the length of time between when they lose.
• All are asleep as I get this posted.
  

BB9 Saturday Live Feeds

My latest live feeds report is up over on TV Squad. Unless you think Sheila talking a lot is exciting, it's been a fairly quiet day in the house.