Off Topic - That Was the Week It Was - July 18, 2010

It's Sunday morning, time for my weekly off topic look back at the week gone by in words and in photos I've taken. I'll be posting the late night/overnight hijinks of those lovable (cough) Big Brother hamsters a bit later this morning.

This week, like so many this summer, found us in yet another heat wave. While I have air conditioning I can adjust to my suiting (as long as I'm willing and able to pay the bill) at home, my office at work leaves a bit to be desired. The commute, especially in the afternoons going home, has been horrendous.

I don't like being sweaty just walking out the door. The latest heat wave is expected to last well into the week. Then it will drop down to 89 and not be classified as a heat wave. In my mind, it's a heat wave until I stop being miserable in the weather!

I don't know if it's the weather or what, but I took many odd photos this week, nothing artsy. I seemed to be running too late or sweating too much to really be energetic about the camera. Work and the BB coverage added to the weather seems to be taking a toll on me. Onto the photos -- clicking on an image will open it larger in a new window.

Can I get a witness?

Yep, I've been summoned. In a way, I'm looking forward to it -- things like jury duty can be interesting for someone like me who likes to observe and write. Plus, it will give me a chance to roam around Elizabeth (NJ), camera in hand. For BB fans -- Elizabeth, the county seat, is adjacent to Bayonne (where Enzo's from) and Staten Island, a borough of NYC. It's one of the cities/surroundings used in the opening of The Sopranos. I've been through it, but never explored it. This will give me a reason to explore.

On a quasi-related lawyer related note -- I saw that Robert Shapiro, the attorney who represented OJ Simpson in his murder case, is now representing Lindsay Lohan. Did you know he's from Plainfield, NJ? Born here, currently elsewhere.

Resting damselfly

I'm not seeing my regular amount of bugs in this weather. However, the blue damselflies are darting all about in Bridgewater, NJ.

One day of rain and ...

We got ourselves some fungi (other than stinkhorns).

In which I defy authority

Yes, that's my foot. I turned the image upside down so the tape was right-side up, if you follow that! And, no. I'm not being defiant. There's been a long piece of police tape tied at one end and drifting all over the sidewalk at the TD Ball Park near the Bridgewater Train Station for weeks now. The crime? Um ... no crime. I think it was used to channel a queue and never taken away.

A bumblebee enjoys the sunflower

My flash went off accidentally while I was taking this. The sky isn't usually really that color, although that was a cloudy grey morning. East Front Street, Plainfield.

Skinnier stalks and smaller blooms this year

I blame the weather -- the excessive heat and lack of rain. While any sunflower is impressive, other years the blooms have been the size of dinner plates here. East Front Street, Plainfield.

'shroom in dry grass

This grass is in a shady area. Much of the grass around here looks like the kindling you use to start a fire.

When men on the chessboard
Get up and tell you where to go
And you've just had some kind of mushroom
And your mind is moving slow
Go ask Alice
I think she'll know - "White Rabbit" by The Jefferson Airplane

No, don't eat the mushroom! I don't know my poisonous ones from the safe ones. But since I don't really care for any mushrooms, it's not a problem. Photographing them is always safe.

Explosion of the stinkhorns

Surely you don't want to eat these mushrooms! They're popping up (heh) overnight and deflating by evening. Bridgewater, NJ

Surrounded by Jesus People

I witnessed an ambush in front of Danny's Bakery at the corner of Watchung Avenue and North in Plainfield. Four, count 'em, four Hispanic Jehovah's Witness street patrol people snagged this single dude coming out of the bakery.

When you walk through the garden
You gotta watch your back
Well, I beg your pardon
Walk the straight and narrow track
If you walk with Jesus
He's gonna save your soul
You gotta keep the devil
Way down in the hole - "Way Down in the Hole" by Tom Waits

Two dead soldiers still stand guard

As I mentioned, the yellow jackets have taken over this prime piece of real estate. They've grown more ornery with the heat, so no close-ups this week! I can't afford to get stung.

But I can see where the nest is

No, I'm not opening that door. Maybe in February I will. Sheesh, and they wonder why the housing market is down. The yellow jackets have taken it over!

These vagabond shoes ...

... are longing to stray
Right through the very heart of it,
New York, New York. - "New York, New York" as popularized by Frank Sinatra

A pair of shoes waits at the Plainfield Train Station, probably heading to the city. Frank Sinatra was a Jersey boy, of course. But not from Plainfield.

Mmm ... DONUTS!

If you travel through Plainfield, you NEED to stop at the Plainfield Donut Shop on Watchung Avenue. Nowhere near the cost of those chain donut shops, these are fresh from the ovens and served with a smile by Maria and her husband Tom. They have a full breakfast and lunch menu, too. Originally from Greece, they've made the donut shop an institution in town.

How much is gas in your area?

In NJ, all service is full service as it's against the law to pump your own gas. But since our state tax itself is low on it, our prices are the cheapest in the tri-state (NY, NJ, CT) area. Note that this shop still offers "break" work and "alingments." I'm not talking one sign, I'm talking two with the same misspellings on FOUR sides.

Since NJ dropped the safety inspection on cars (WHAT? WHY? Isn't that going to lead to even more moving wrecks?), a lot of these some guys are probably going to be hurting. They charge $75 for that service, pass or fail. Church St and East Second in Plainfield.

Even the flag is wilted

You can almost see the humidity in the air in this shot of Richmond Towers on East Front Street.

Another blue damselfly

We're all Bozos on this bus

Tell me where that line's from or who is involved! I took this shot Saturday with my cell phone camera, then edited it to bring out the clown. I don't know why there was an excessively tall clown shopping in the store. It's not Halloween. It's way too hot for clown make-up and clown clothes. Maybe he's related to Pennywise the Clown.

"We all float down here" - Stephen King, It


Eep, another one

Forget the birds! Forget the Russians! The clowns are coming, the clowns are coming!

But where are the clowns?
Quick, send in the clowns.
Don't bother, they're here.

Isn't it rich?
Isn't it queer,
Losing my timing this late
In my career?
And where are the clowns?
There ought to be clowns.
Well, maybe next year. - "Send in the Clowns" by Judy Collins

And Vincent yawns at it all

Leading the life of luxury on his own chair, he doesn't even know there's a heat wave.

How was your week?

Big Brother 12 - Live Feeds, POV, Saturday, July 17

Monet has more reason to worry this week -- Britney won Power of Veto. No, I'm not kidding. Mean Blonde Gal did it.

Here's how the day went down in the Wonderful World of Habitrail:

• BB woke them up very early. I'm talking before 8 AM their time. Maybe they'll eventually learn to go to bed earlier.
• Kathy thinks Monet is giving her the cold shoulder and might be upset that she (Kathy) isn't a Have Not while she is.
• Gee, Kathy is talking more to Rachel this week. What a shock. I wanted so much for Kathy to be a good player. But she's horrible in comps and a true floater, following the power. She generally gets along with everyone. But instead of Olivia Benson we have Barney Fife.
• Britney, playing cards of her own, cried to Kathy. She said someone (Monet) is throwing her under the bus.
• After the pick for POV, Monet claimed she was going to go after Kathy.
• Britney said she didn't want to campaign against Monet, but her back's up against the wall.
• Matt and Kristen commented on how it's four days of nothing, then boom-boom with challenges.
• Tell me about it.
• The POV comp was blocked to the feeds (of course). Ragan was the host while Brendon, Enzo and Lane played.
• Then Britney won it.
• Argh.
• Rachel actually tried to talk Britney into not using it.
• Mind you, Britney is mean ... not stupid.
• Rachel really doesn't want to nominate anyone else. She's a bimbo with an annoying laugh who latched onto a guy right away, but she seems to be sensitive.
• Sensitive isn't a good quality for a BB hamster.
• They want to put a pawn up, but not one that would vote to evict Monet as they don't want to lose a vote.
• They're thinking of Lane as the pawn.
• They want to get a deal with Matt not to put them up if they don't use him (Matt) as a pawn. They think he's sneaky.
• They're right.
• They, but of course, are Brendon and Rachel.
  
• But you knew that.
• When Rachel talked to Lane, she told him he was safe. He told her he planned to vote out Monet.
• Britney went to Rachel to tell her Andrew should go up.
• That would probably split the vote because Andrew isn't too good with his people skills.
• Maybe that's why he's a foot doctor. He doesn't need to make a lot of eye contact or interact with as many situations which call for a good bedside manner.
• Hayden of the quieter showmance with Kristen says that the Brendon/Rachel showmance is disgusting.
• Monet is also pushing an Andrew nomination. She seems to realize that he might be the only one she might be able to beat.
• Rachel is worried that the girls will be taking one after the other girl out.
• Didn't I say that before?
• Rachel and Brendon talked about a "big move" in the game, but I'm not certain what's going on.
• Right now I'm not even sure who she'll put up. Maybe Lane as a pawn, then go for the backdoor? I don't know.
  

Big Brother 12 - Live Feeds Into Saturday Dawn, July 17

Two hapless hamsters are up for eviction while two showmances seem to be flourishing. Here's the latest from inside that Big Brother House of Bumbling Bores:

• Britney told Monet she wouldn't campaign against her -- she won't say a word.
• Enzo, who should be happy not to be on straight slop, complained about his Have Not food. The fish sticks are too fattening and the fruitcake is "caca." Of course, he can still have slop and various condiments. They checked out a list of allowable foodstuffs. He's not happy.
• Britney said she had hoped the fruitcake would have tasted better. She likes the fish sticks okay.
• Britney talked with Rachel, throwing Monet under that proverbial bus as she claimed she can't win comps like Monet and Monet, the more dangerous player, should go home instead of her.
  
• So much for Britney's promise to Monet, eh?
• Enzo ate some ketchup. Well, it's an allowed condiment, after all.
• Monet talked to Rachel. She cried. Rachel told her that she was nominated because she thought Brendon and herself would be targeted if Monet won HOH.
• Not only have Monet and Britney been crying, so has Rachel. She seems very ill-equipped to play the ruthless HOH card.
• Ragan says he lives by the Golden Rule, treat others as you would want to be treated yourself. He's in the Big Brother house. What was he thinking?
• Ragan is pretty nice to all.
• Monet said that she hates Kathy because her eyelashes look like spiders. Meow.
• Enzo has issues with his lawn chair bed in the Have Not room.
  
• I think Enzo is used to comfort and food.
• Sometime today will be the POV comp, not sure exactly when. I'll be posting on it this evening.
  

Big Brother 12 - Live Feeds Through Friday, July 16

Hayden picks his feet in front of his fellow hamsters ... and the world. Ew.

The elusive, perhaps mythical, Kristen was sighted.

First, my apologies for only two reports today. And, this is on a day which things actually happened in the house! As I mentioned in my previous post, Rachel put Monet and Britney on the block as expected. Here are the other happenings of the day:

• Kristen and Hayden continue their secret alliance. They think they have a lot in common. They also would like to see Kathy win if neither of them win.
• Yeah, that's what they say.
• I believe a showmance is developing. At least they waited a week.
• Rachel told Kristen she wants to form an alliance with Hayden and her (Kristen).
  
• Both Kristen and Rachel agreed that Britney and Monet need to be the next two gone from the house.
• I love how all the women are heading out the door. What about the guys?
• Enzo and Brendon found the last of the cricket/beeping devices.
• Rachel told Monet that she will be one of her targets this week. She avoided telling Britney the news.
• Monet told Rachel that had she won HOH, she didn't plan to put up either her or Brendon.
• Hayden told Rachel that he's afraid that if the house sees that he and Kristen are getting close, they'll be targeted.
• The feeds were blocked for a long time while they did the Have/Have Not comp.
• When they came back, Enzo and Monet were looking at a box of fish sticks. So the vote must have been fish sticks and fruitcake.
• Enzo, Monet, Brendon and Britney are Have Nots.
• Enzo said he'll be too weak to give "the face" this week. I wonder if he'll mew instead of meow?
  
• The feeds were blocked again, then we came back to the hamsters cheering -- BB told them Annie was the saboteur and they were happy it was over with in the first week.
• Then the feeds were blocked for a long time once more as the nominations ceremony was held.
• Britney is pouting. Monet feels she was targeted because she won the $10,000.
• Enzo was the first one to go to the girls to console and pep talk them a bit. Meow.
• Hayden and Lane don't really understand which girl is the target.
• I know that Britney is -- it's not that hard to understand!
• Monet thinks that Kathy didn't come to talk to them because she's the one who threw them under the bus.
• No one threw them under the bus.
• Rachel had her mind set on nominating them since minutes after she won HOH. Brendon didn't even suggest it to her, nor try to talk her out of it.
• There you go ... except for Britney and Monet, things are going fairly smooth. They're all relieved about Annie being the saboteur and now feel they did the absolute right thing in evicting her.
  

Big Brother 12 - Nominations are In

As expected, Britney and Monet were put on the block. "I don't care, I don't want to be here anymore anyway," says Britney.

A full report on the day's house happenings will be posted a bit later.

Big Brother 12 - Live Feeds Into the Dawn, July 16

Gotta love Andrew's green shorts and top outfit.

How did Rachel's first night as Queen of the House go? Read on!

• Lane told Britney he was planning to show off his "wienie" to American on Showtime. She told him America didn't want to see it.
• Enzo wonders if America laughed at his ex-girlfriend joke on the show. Matt assured him we did.
  
• I think I briefly smiled at the time -- did not chuckle, nor guffaw, didn't even chortle.
• Rachel told Brendon about her nasty goodbye message to Annie.
• Brendon was a bit upset -- he had told her he kept his own goodbye nice.
• Rachel thinks there's an alliance of four in the house -- Enzo, Matt, Monet and Britney. Well, she has the number right.
• Britney told the others that she thought Annie was the saboteur.
• Then came the happy act for Rachel's HOH room. She got a Rascal Flatts CD, a bikini, snacks but didn't get the pictures she had selected. The others had hoped there would be more photos.
• Kathy told Rachel how happy she is for her.
• Rachel in turn promised she'd never put Kathy on the block, even as a pawn.
• Rachel thinks that if either Monet or Britney win HOH, she and Brendon will be on the block again.
• I can't believe that neither she nor Brendon aren't even thinking of Lane, Enzo, Matt or Hayden as possible threats! Is the Brigade THAT good?
• Rachel got her tequila.
• Brendon and Rachel think Britney is mean.
• They're right. She is.
• Lane told Matt that Brendon is really the HOH; Rachel just has the title and photos.
• Rachel told Brendon that Enzo will always be out for himself. She's right.
• Monet thinks Rachel is an alcoholic. Rachel does like her alcohol.
• Rachel, as if to confirm Monet's observation, got drunk.
• Hayden and Kristen, with their secret alliance, are worried about being nominated together.
• I don't think that will happen. I believe she'll stick to her idea of nominating Monet and Britney with Britney being the target.
• They searched for the cricket device until Monet found one and turned it off.
• They checked out the device and found it made many sounds -- cricket, buzzing, doorbell, etc.
• So Britney and Monet went looking for more.
• Kristen wants to adopt chimpanzees when she retires. Um. That's good until they bite your face off!
• They're all asleep as I get this posted.

Rumors are that Annie has been sequestered. So the saboteur may live on. We'll see. Also, my review of last night's show is up on TV Squad.

Big Brother 12 - Live Feeds Since the Live Show, July 15

I don't know which was worse -- Annie's constant talking or these two? It's been a bit over a week, guys! Sheesh!

Here's what's happened since the live show ended:

• In reference to what Annie said about Brendon carrying Rachel through the game, Rachel said, "I carried Brendon through the game!"
• Say what? I don't think she gets the concept. Brendon saved himself with the POV. While she won HOH, she has yet to carry him anywhere.
• They have no clue that Annie was the saboteur and still think there's a saboteur in the house.
• Britney and Monet think they're going to be put on the block.
• Britney's such a catty little so-and-so, I would like to see her go since I can't get Rachel out!
• Britney and Monet are psychic as Rachel told Brendon she wants to put them up.
• So the Brigade might be safe this week, eh?
• Rachel said that all of the Have Nots will be welcome in her room and welcome to baths all week. I believe she means the ones she shared the Have Not room with as I don't think it will be allowed for any new Have Nots.
• Rachel wants tequila.
• I don't. Sleep would be nice.
• Brendon made tacos for everyone.
• Matt told Enzo he thinks Rachel will nominate Monet and Hayden.
• Matt and Enzo think that if Britney and Monet are on the block, they want Britney gone.
• So do I.
• BB gave them alcohol but haven't done Rachel's room yet as I get this written up.
• Enzo made up even more food.
• Britney and Monet are chowing down everything in sight as they're worried they'll be on slop tomorrow.
• Britney and Monet commented on how Kristen will float to the power.
• Rachel thinks America adores her and Brendon as a couple and thanks us for our support.
• :::spew:::
• More in the early morning ...
  

If not for the lower right-hand corner, nice screen cap

Big Brother 12 - Episode 4 Eviction Blog Party Post

The show is about to start here on the East Coast. Tonight we'll see the first eviction and the reveal of the saboteur (to us, not them). As the show airs here, I'll update this post with the major events. Later on, I'll be writing up my full review of the show for TV Squad. Then, late tonight, I'll bring you the latest from the live feeds.

Hamsters ready?

OMG - The saboteur is ANNIE!

Monet, Andrew and Lane voted to evict Annie. Lane was her only ally. Not looking good. Commercial break. Unanimous vote - Annie is out.

Rachel won HOH!

Big Brother 12 - Live Feeds Into Thursday Dawn, July 15

My review of last night's show is up on TV Squad.

I'm still waiting for some spark of excitement from the hamsters ... a brouhaha, catching the saboteur on the feeds ... something! Here's what's gone down since I last checked in:

• Ragan told Rachel his plan is to target those who aren't really trying to play the game.
• Ragan and Rachel memorized the counts of various objects in the house.
• Annie continued to campaign for herself. Now, I know she has to do so, but this is so neverending and repetitive.
• Make her stop!
• Brendon told Hayden he doesn't want Enzo to win HOH because he's a wild card. Hayden agreed. Both claimed to like Enzo.
  
• But I think only Hayden actually likes him.
• Hayden and Annie seriously seem to think the saboteur's "escaped eviction" message points directly to Brendon.
• I don't think so. I think it only points away from Annie and Rachel.
• Lane and Hayden talked about possibly saving Annie (which would be a smart move to break up the more powerful Brendon and Rachel), but don't think Enzo would go along with them. They call him a loose cannon and say they'll have to backdoor him eventually.
• Of course, Lane has always been on Annie's side and Hayden seems to agree with whomever he's talking to at the time.
• The Brigade decided they feel sorry about Annie, but she must go this week.
• Hayden told Kristen that she's hard to read and he only knows about three things about her.
• She claims he knows more.
• Kristen told Hayden she's suspicious about Matt. Hayden told Kristen that Matt's said just about the same thing about her.
• Hayden told Kristen that he'd like Britney to go home next week.
• Oh my. What of the power duo, Brendon and Rachel? Just let them stay and grow stronger?
• Silly hamsters.
  

Big Brother 12 - Wednesday's Live Feeds, July 14

Rachel told Britney she doesn't regret getting implants. I regret that she got them.

The hat suits Lane

Yikes, I'm only really submitting one report on the action in the house today! Why? Because there was so LITTLE action that it just didn't make sense. I'm glad tomorrow will bring us a new HOH and hopefully shake things up a bit.

So, here's what I've got:

• Annie continued to campaign.
• The only real friend Annie might have in the house is Lane. The others merely tolerate her.
• They were put on a long indoor lockdown.
• The saboteur appeared again (they block the feeds when that happens), this time telling them "I'm glad I escaped eviction this week."
• A lot of them think it's Brendon as he saved himself with the POV. But, in reality everyone except Annie and Rachel (likely Annie) "escaped" eviction this week. So the message only means that the saboteur isn't Annie or Rachel.
• I still think it's Matt.
• Annie feels she's been exonerated with the saboteur's message.
• Hayden got the HOH camera, did a tweet on Twitter and his blog entry for the CBS website.
• Lane and Matt put green tape on Britney and Enzo's photos just for kicks.
• First of the season, Hayden locked himself out of his HOH room.
• Kristen mentioned there were two blackouts the night of the padlocked storage room. She thinks the first was a failed attempt.
• The beeping continued along with other noises -- chirping, cricket noises, etc.
  
• Britney and Monet insisted to Hayden that Andrew is an ally of Brendon and Rachel.
• When let out of the house, they found an oversized golf set in the yard.
  
• I would guess it might be to practice for HOH. Maybe not.
• Lane told stories of castrating steers, bulls, something. Not my thing.
• The guys also talked guns.
• There was a weird divide for a while (see the screen caps below) --
  

The girls, including both Rachel and Annie in the Have Not Room

The guys plus Kristen in the kitchen.

Odd.

Liven up hamsters! I can't take this!

Big Brother 12 - Episode 3 Blog Party

I know, I know ... I haven't posted a live feeds report on the day's happenings yet. But they're SO in the doldrums in the house that there is little to report. The only thing which happened was another saboteur video appearance, this one mentioning that "I escaped from being evicted this week." Could be Brendon, could be anyone.

Anyway, the show is about to start here on the East Coast. Everyone is welcome to join in down in the comments area. The more, the merrier! Late tonight, my full review of the show should be up on TV Squad and this post will be updated to reflect major events as it airs.

Brendon won POV.

The saboteur appeared again -- said two in the house are lifelong friends and it's easy to figure it out.

Brendon saved himself and Annie is on the block in his place.

Big Brother 12 - Live Feeds Into Wednesday Morn, July 14

The show schedule with shows on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday is providing way too much downtime once again. At least, with the show we have something to talk about! Boring hamsters -- that's why I didn't post late last night. Here would have been my post:

• Kathy wore a shirt I didn't really expect from her. Rachel, yes. Kathy, no. The hot water seemed to be doing a job on the camera mirror by the sink.
• Enzo, unlike Lane, seems to think a man's place can be in the kitchen as he made dinner for all (except Andrew). Matt, another man, helped prepare the salad.

There you go. It didn't get all that much more interesting overnight with a few exceptions.

• They had a pool tournament. It's better than the chess games as they talk, but give me a break! I wouldn't mind at all if the pool table and chess game vanished.
• BB (or the saboteur) has planted a weird beeping doohickey between the Have Not room and the one bedroom. The camera kept focusing on it.
• Ragan heard the noise and looked for it.
• He seemed to be trying to figure out Morse Code or something similar with its beeps.
• After Ragan left the Have Not room, the camera kept focusing on a knotted rope. I don't know if it was there before or not. That room's a nightmare.
• Andrew and Kathy did the after dinner clean-up. Everyone else just took off and left the mess.
• After a Diary Room session, Annie continued her campaign. I believe it's falling on deaf ears although everyone is being polite to her.
• Annie talked. And talked. And then she talked some more. Had the house not been dead set against her in the first place, they would be by now even though she has some really valid points citing why Rachel should be evicted instead.
• Shut up, Annie. Now. Please!
• Britney thinks Brendon should be the next out after Annie. Of course, that's her secret ally's target, too.
  
• What secret ally? Hayden.
• The beeping started again when Andrew turned out lights.
• The beeping is driving him bonkers. Well, not "kill people" bonkers, but bonkers nonetheless.
• Brendon and Rachel had some undercover operations.
• There was a lot of sex talk again.
• Annie shaved Hayden's toe hair. Ew.
• They think the beep is coming from a bad microphone in the house.
• They're wrong.
• They all went to bed.

In my downtime of boredom, I got looking into the Future Funk kids on America's Got Talent. No wonder the older one (age 9) is so good -- he's the youngest member of Rock Steady Crew who have been featured on America's Best Dance Crew. Future Funk has also appeared on the streets of Las Vegas with Haspop, another contestant on AGT.



These kids are the cutest thing which has happened to hip hop ever. Well, there are those Kia hamsters ...



Doo-dah-dippity! Sorry for the excursion away from BB, but I be bored!

Big Brother 12 - Live Feeds Tuesday Daytime, July 13

As Enzo put it, today's been a day of napping and eating. There's been very little gameplay other than Annie constant talking. Here's the skinny on the happenings in that Big Brother House of Boring Buffoons:

• They all napped a lot. If they didn't stay up all night, they wouldn't nap the day away.
• They all ate a lot. No one is on slop this week.
• Lane really, really doesn't trust (or like) Brendon.
• Even though splitting up the power couple would probably be wiser, it still looks like Annie will be evicted almost unanimously on Thursday.
• There hasn't been another Saboteur video appearance.
• Annie just won't shut up.
  
• Now they're talking that Annie NEEDS to leave due to her stability (or lack thereof).
• They played a game in which they decided sexual deeds for guaranteed second place, the win, a million dollars, etc.
• I refuse to list their scenarios. I try to keep this blog at least to a non-porn level!
• Now they're eating again.
  

Brendon went for a boob job in the sex for the win game.

Big Brother 12 - Live Feeds Into Tuesday Dawn, July 13

Hayden is always doing odd things with his lips and mouth. I think he's one of those tobacco spitters if he had tobacco to spit.

After the activity earlier in the evening, things quieted down. Here's the scoop:

• Annie resumed her campaigning against Rachel and didn't kill anyone.
• Everyone listened to her politely.
• The vote is almost surely going to evict Annie.
• Annie didn't sleep with Brendon (which has been the case since they entered the house -- Rachel is in the Have Not room).
• Instead, Monet took over that spot.
• The Brigade played pool and schemed.
• Brendon cooked a late chicken dinner for all. Kathy proclaimed it better than at a restaurant.
• Outside at the pool table, the Brigade wondered about a swim coach who seems to be a chef, making all kinds of fancy dishes.
• There is no food comp this week. The Have Nots still stay in their room, but are now allowed to bring in pillows.
• Ragan and Kathy spoke about how bad the tension is in the house.
• Matt smiled a lot.
  

The Brigade

Big Brother 12 - Live Feeds Into the Night, Monday, July 12

"Memories light the corner of my mind, misty water-colored memories ... of the way we were."

One day, they'll look back on this and laugh. Or, at least, I will. It was a night of brouhahas in the House o' Happy Hamsters. And, they were odd and unwarranted brouhahas.

• It could be Ragan's fault. He went and wondered who would have the first major meltdown.
• Annie has been campaigning, using the fairly logical "split up a power duo" argument.
• But they all like Rachel more than they like Annie, for the most part. Lane seems to like Annie okay. He already told Hayden he wants to vote for her to stay ... so she'll have a vote.
• Then it happened. OMG!!! Rachel rolled her eyes and overly patronized Annie as she dismissed her when she wanted to talk to her. Horrors! The sky is falling! Annie had wanted to talk to her about how she felt excluded from everything. Now, what's the point? Annie is digging her own grave.
  
• Annie went off on her. She ended up saying something about killing people and went for an extended Diary Room visit.
• That left everyone else to gossip about what happened.
• Rachel went to the Have Not room and cried until her knight came in to console her. She thinks Annie is making her out to be a bad person.
  
• A bit later, Lane and Andrew had a tiff.
• Lane asked Andrew what he was eating. Andrew just stared at him.
• No fisticuffs. They decided later it was misunderstood sarcasm.
• Andrew wanted to hug to make up.
• Lane agreed to shake hands.
• The girls don't think Andrew has any social skills.
• Meow.