Off Topic - That Was the Week It Was - August 22, 2010

Ah, yes. It's Sunday morning, time to relax and reflect on the week gone by. If you're looking for the latest Big Brother live feeds report, check out the post previous to this one. I'll be posting more on that a bit later. Right now it's time for me to sip my coffee and take a look back on the past week in words and photos I've taken.

It's still a very hot summer here in New Jersey. We saw some of the humidity levels drop which was nice. But hot is hot. I don't care if it's a "dry" heat. It's overcast with light rain showers as a write this, with heavier rains expected throughout the day. We really need the rain and I find it refreshing. Plus, I have no real outdoor plans today.

Let's see ... what happened this week? Well, to show what a small world it is or what a long reach this blog has, I received an email from blog reader Gayle last week. She's been a regular reader and commenter since BB6. It turns out that she and her husband are visiting from Trinidad and Tobago and staying with her aunt in Plainfield. Oh my -- she was staying right down the street from me!

On Wednesday, Gayle and her husband met me for lunch downtown at Blackberry's. Such delightful people! I had such a nice time and we talked and talked. I didn't realize that their cable television carries networks like CBS to them in decent time -- just whatever the time difference is. I learned a lot about Trinidad and Tobago and had a fine afternoon. It's amazing the people this blog brings together.

Um ... that was my highlight of the week. In "waiting for the bus" news, I met a woman who was carrying a paper grocery bag and wearing no shoe laces. She showed me a release paper from the Plainfield Police Department (right across the street). "They told me the bus driver won't need money if I show her this. Are they right?" Well, gee. I really don't know. After telling me that she had been locked up for two days, I asked her what she did. "I punched a police officer by mistake when I was trying to punch my sister." That will do it! She didn't seem dangerous. I was a bit surprised that they give them two frozen meals upon release. What if they're homeless and have no oven or microwave?

I shouted back and forth to fellow blogger Dan Damon as he sat at the red light. Dan covers Plainfield news and also runs the CLIPS blog which lists links of local interest daily. I also got a chance to see the people who gather to be bused to the violence-ridden area of town. Once there, they pass out fliers. I don't know if that's the best approach to gang violence in the west end of town.

It reminds me of a big embezzlement at my workplace (in which I was a suspect due to access) and the first step the local police did was to questionnaire us. Eventually they worked their way up to lie detectors with the state police. But the questionnaires were laughable ... pretty much as I see this flier effort. By the way, at work they caught the person. It wasn't me. But I knew that.

Here are this week's photos -- clicking on an image will open it larger in a new window --

What I always wanted!

Pet crabs? I guess not as this is attached to the outside of Pete's Fish Market on East Second Street in Plainfield. Just thinking about a live bushel of crabs makes me think of all of the barrels of eels and live frogs on the streets of Chinatown. Shouldn't it be "Bushel of live crabs" instead of a live bushel?

Plainfield Train Station

It was overcast as I returned home from work last night. That made it seem darker. But the days are indeed getting shorter. Good. I want autumn!

It's like he's looking back at me!

This moth was kind enough to pose for me in Bridgewater near the train station. I have no clue what kind of moth it is, but I find it way cool. He wasn't really large -- perhaps 3 inches across with his wings extended. A friend told me the wings reminded him of the skull butterfly in The Silence of the Lambs. EEK! Wait, no skull. Phew!

Waning sunflowers

The sunflowers on East Front Street in Plainfield are looking mighty different these days. The ones with the huge centers and shorter petals have given way to these. Still very pretty, but not anywhere near as magnificent as the dinner plate sized ones.

Used Stuff

I always enjoy looking over used stuff. However, in this case, the used stuff was mostly industrial kitchen stuff. My teensy kitchen is big enough for a table of two to accompany the appliances, counters, etc. This shot was edited (naturally) to keep the sign in color. I took it as I peeked into an open overhead door at E&A Hotel and Restaurant Supplies on East Fifth Street in Plainfield.

Ch-ch-changes

Once again, the graffiti wall in back of the Plainfield YMCA building has changed. Although not quite as artsy as the original comic characters, this is better than simple tagging and a world away from gang graffiti. Perhaps it's my inner wild child, but I actually like street art done well and not offensive or vulgar. I guess this person hearts PattyBoo.

Don't eat the berries!

I have no clue what they are, but they're growing mixed in with the poison ivy on the fence in Bridgewater, NJ. If they're not poisonous, they've mingled amongst the poison. But they sat still for my camera. That's all I wanted.

A grasshopper poses

This little guy was on a wall. Prime victim of my camera! I told him that his name alone implies he should be in grass, not on concrete. Did he listen? No.

"We're here for you!"

Don't do this, don't do that ... can't you read the sign? *Thank you to the Five Man Electrical Band for the song "Signs." I understand that they might not want these things going on at this Babies R Us location in Bridgewater. But this glaring sign is a bit off-putting, isn't it? No photos? Hey, I had to practice civil disobedience and take a shot of the sign.

The YMCA owl

I spotted an owl I never noticed before in the window of the Plainfield YMCA. It's there to keep pigeons away. This owl is accompanied by spikes. Oh yes, it's a fake owl. I forgot to mention that. Watchung Avenue, Plainfield.

So, how's that working out?

Well, the pigeon just goes to the next window!

The stuff of nightmares

This is detail from City Hall on Watchung Avenue. While it's definitely cool, who comes up with these things? Body of a monkey ... large cat ... I don't know what, head of an eagle. They're a bit like the flying monkeys gone avian.

Dental Care

Oh, probably not. It looks abandoned to me. The back of a building on Watchung Avenue in Plainfield.

A man and his guitar

This doesn't really look too comfortable, does it? I guess a wailing song and a good guitar exhausted him. Cleveland Avenue, Plainfield.

Upside-down Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly

See! I know what this one is! One of his "tails" has gone missing, though. Bridgewater, NJ.

Right side up

A new career idea!

I could drive a "courtesy car" golf cart around selling hot dogs! Y'think? E&E Restaurant Supplies, East 5th Street, Plainfield.

You're going to work again?

No, Vincent. I have the day off just to spend it with you.

Big Brother 12 - Saturday Live Feeds Including POV - August 21

Brendon lost his hair, but won the Power of Veto.

Enzo kept what hair he has, but lost all of his clothes
and is now dressed like a penguin.

Here's today's news from inside the Big Brother House of Flip This House:

• It seems like our hapless hamster just got up (late) when they were thrust into the POV comp.
• We're talking over four and a half hours of blocked feeds.
• When they returned, Brendon's head is shaved but he's the winner of the POV.
• The hair will grow back.
• Lane won a phone call from home.
• Enzo is a penguin.
• But some of us suspected that all along.
• Enzo, still male bonding with his friend Brendon (or is it bird/man bonding?) wants to go up against Matt on the block.
• He's not a happy penguin.
  
• Apparently they took all of his clothes, too.
• Lane, Brendon and Hayden were offering him clothes to wear under his penguin suit.
• Brendon and Britney have to be handcuffed together for 24 hours. That hasn't started yet.
  
• Other than the POV and "bad" prizes like the shaved head and penguin suit, they have no clue what each other won.
• Supposedly there was an Hawaiian trip and a $5,000 cash prize.
• No one is owning up to them.
• Britney's upset because she did what everyone wants and now she's screwed herself in the game.
• She thinks she now has no chance of winning or getting jury votes.
• Lane tried to convince her that they still have her back.
• The plan remains to put Matt up.
• Matt and Ragan know they're both at risk of going on the block.
• Enzo thinks the game is fixed.
• Then we had another long period (over an hour) of blocked feeds.
• Ohhh ... Britney had opened Pandora's Box.
• She got stuck with Jessie and working out.
• She says he's full of himself and a "douche."
• At least she's a bit happier now.
• And she has confirmed that Jessie is a jerk.
• He kept talking about how great he is.
• @@
• While she was in Pandora's Box with Jessie, the others had a Hawaiian luau.
  

Poor Britney

Big Brother 12 - Live Feeds Into Saturday Morning - August 21

Britney seriously studying, going over every single comp and everything that happened within them, all by herself in the HOH tub.

Hand down the pants
Hand down the pants
Looking like a weirdo
With your hand down your pants

Call me a broken record, but I just can't see how Matt survives out in public. Most boys stop this habit by the time they're four years old. None of the other guys in the house do this on any sort of regular basis.

Enzo and Lane watching a daddy-longlegs.
Enzo said it walked with a swagger.

When I last left you, Britney had just nominated Enzo and Brendon. Enzo isn't a serious "need to go home" nomination at all -- a definite pawn. Brendon is the target. If he gets off the block, Matt will go up and be backdoored. Here's the latest:

• The sentiment in the house is definitely turning on Matt.
• With the exception of Ragan, of course.
• While Brendon is THE target, all of the alternate plans have Matt being backdoored.
• I think Matt might realize this. I'm getting the feeling that he trusts his Brigade boys less than he does his Ragan.
• Britney had promised not to nominate Matt.
• Britney had a big talk with Enzo, Hayden and Lane about how she would put up Brendon but needed a pawn ... and the PAWN WON'T GO HOME no matter if Brendon wins POV and saves himself.
• That's because Matt would be backdoored.
• Just before noms, she grabbed Matt to ask him if he'd be a pawn. The feeds cut out for the noms, but we found out later that he said, "No! No!"
• So that's when she put Enzo on the block.
• Matt is surprised Lane hasn't gained weight as he has never been a Have Not and hasn't been working out as much as he normally would.
• I think Lane looks a bit trimmer than he did at the start of the season. It's not because he hasn't been eating. He's always snacking and munching.
• Britney and Enzo had a talk. She again swore he won't go home.
• He, although probably ticked to be on the block for the first time, understands and is putting his trust into Britney and his boys. He knows the target is Brendon and the back-up plan if Brendon wins POV.
• If Enzo wins POV, he will save himself (he's no Marcellas) and Britney will put up Matt.
• They'll then decide who's the biggest threat -- Matt who's playing the entire house or Brendon, disliked by all.
• Britney would be the tiebreaker as it will be an even group voting this week.
• It turns out Lane is a pro at the grill, growing up around them in his father's business. He's used to bigger fancier ones, though.
• Enzo liked his broccoli.
• They've decided the whole POV comp will be based on "how bad you want it."
• Methinks Brendon is the one who wants it the most.
• The only one not playing in the POV is Ragan. He's hosting.
• Brendon cried alone in the Have Not room. He has never been in a situation like this in which he's been so disliked.
• I think the early relationship with Rachel and shunning the rest of the house are the roots of his problems. Had he not teamed up with her and her over-the-top obnoxious at times personality, he could very well have been popular in the house. He's not a bad guy but definitely has bad taste in women.
• But "love" is blind and it will eventually cost him in the game.
• In talking to herself (and the Internet), Britney mentioned that Kathy and Andrew were the only ones who cleaned the house. Brendon, likely to be voted out this week, was the third. She guesses she'll have to get into cleaning herself.
• Britney and Hayden talked alone. They think they'd stand a better chance against Brendon than they would Matt in a memory test. They think Matt knows it all. Hayden is also worried about who Matt would put on the block if he got HOH.
• Hayden should be the least worried in the house. He's universally liked by all. No one should want to be next to him in the final two, but I don't think they're really seeing that.
• Hayden won't cuss during the Showtime hours as his grandmother watches.
• Britney told Lane that this is the only chance he'll ever have to live with her.
• While I do think they'd be a good couple per se, Britney has been nothing but loyal to her fiance Nick.
• Nick should be very happy about that.
  
• Lane and Hayden talked about possibly keeping Brendon over Matt. Lane definitely wants Brendon out before the final three. However, it might be smarter to make a power move and get Matt out.
• Hayden mentioned if he won POV, he might just pull Brendon off the block.
• Oh my. I doubt he will, though. I doubt he'll win and, if he does, I don't think he'd make a bold move like that. He's sitting pretty and that would get blood on his hands. He's not the smartest player ever. He's no diabolical genius in the game. But he's not dumb enough to make enemies, either.
• Brendon is showing that he's not in the game for the right reasons once again.
• He should be there to win a half-million dollars.
• He's gone from being willing to give up that win for Rachel to now telling Enzo his main goal in the game is to get Britney, Matt and Ragan out of the house so they don't win. Apparently he's okay with a Lane, Hayden or Enzo win.
• Now Hayden has changed his mind again. Now he wants to pull Enzo off the block if he wins POV.
• Hayden and Lane are definitely turning to want Matt out more than Brendon.
• Now Enzo has gone from being sure that Kathy was the saboteur to thinking Matt was.
• Oh my. I think they'll chicken out, but it looks like Matt better fight for his life in the POV.
• Enzo and Hayden talked to Brendon about the backdoor Matt plan.
• Brendon is willing to go for it. Of course, why wouldn't he? He'd stay in the game and one of his targets would be out!
• Brendon denied crying when Enzo asked him about all of the tissues in the trash.
• Britney told Lane that a lot of people find her annoying and rude when they first meet her. But if they give her time, they find that there's a lot more to her personality and that's just the way she is.
• She also claims to be loud and abrasive.
• In my own life, loud and abrasive people grate on my nerves.
• Them and people who violate my bubble. I need my space.
• This will be the first POV with all of the Brigade members.
• Yet the Brigade is definitely having structural flaws right now.
• They're all asleep as I post this.
  

To combat the "lights stay on in the bedrooms until BB decides to turn them off," Brendon always uses an eyemask.


They've decided the new grill is actually a used one -- probably the same one as last year. Well, it would make more sense to just clean it up and re-use it year to year. It's not like it gets a ton of use as they tend to bring it out so late in the seasons.

Big Brother 12 Live Feeds Bulletin - August 20 Nominations

Brendon is on the block, what a shock! She put Enzo up with him as a pawn. If Brendon wins POV and saves himself, Matt will be backdoored.

If Enzo wins POV ... it will be a miracle.

But, if he does win (hahahaha!) it's also the backdoor Matt plan as a standby. Brendon is the target.

Hayden, Enzo, Lane and Britney are all in on this.

Big Brother - Friday Live Feeds - August 20

Britney shoots herself in the head after talking to Brendon.

Welcome back to the world of Have Not, Brendon and Enzo!

Here are the day's events from inside that Big Brother House of Loquacious Losers:

• The hamsters barely had time to awaken and eat when BB held the Have Not comp for the week.
• I'm talking 11:30-ish their time.
• Brendon and Enzo get to have quality time together in the Have Not room while eating their broccoli and bean dip.
• I like broccoli, bean dip not so much.
• Whatever went on during the comp, Britney the hostess wore an Alice in Wonderland type dress and the hamsters now have a grill.
• They got steaks, too.
• Except Brendon and Enzo.
• Enzo isn't a happy camper. He shouldn't be. He should have won some comps by now.
• Brendon will be a definite nomination.
• The other will probably be Enzo.
• Matt told Britney that Enzo is the only one who's never been on the block.
• Maybe it will kick start his game.
• Britney's been talking to everyone.
• Her talk with Brendon was a mix of threats and friendship loyalty promises.
• He reminded her that if she broke her word and put him on the block ... if he won POV and stays, she will be his target.
• He reminded her that if she puts him on the block and he goes, he will unite with Kathy and Rachel to vote against her if she makes it to the final two.
• He told her if he stays, they can work together and she can't trust anyone.
• On a lighter note, on his way out the door he told her if she puts him up he'll be mad for 35 minutes and then get over it.
• After he closed the door, she loaded her gun (hand) and shot herself in the head.
• Hayden and Britney talked about not trusting Matt.
• Most people don't trust Matt.
• And, they shouldn't.
• The TV screen has up Nominations Today.
• I believe it will be Enzo and Brendon.
• I'll let you know.
  

Hand down the pants, hand down the pants
Looking like a weirdo with your hand
Down your pants.

I know, I know. I've said it before. But he keeps on doing that! Sheesh!

Big Brother 12 - Live Feeds Into Friday Morning, August 20

Britney with her HOH goody basket,
checking out the Hamburger Helper.

They've confined Brendon to a small space,
where he will spend the week until eviction.

Matt tries to scare Britney by holding up
her pageant photo to the camera.

Well, now the house is just silly. Here's what happened during the overnight hours in that Big Brother House of Turning Tables Once Again:

• My TV Squad review of the show is up.
  
• Lane told Matt that Enzo will freak out if he goes on the block.
• Matt said he himself might as well go up.
• Everyone knows (except maybe Brendon who might be holding out hope on Britney's promise not to put him on the block or backdoor him) that Brendon is THE target this week.
• Brendon probably suspects it. He gave Matt his word and then backdoored him directed by Pretzel Logic.
• I liked the album Pretzel Logic by Steely Dan.
  
• I didn't like the Rachel Pretzel Logic message so much.
• "Who wants to see my HOH room?" Actually, most really seemed to be happy with little faking it this time.
• Britney got what she considers bad photos of herself and Nick (her fiance), CheezIts, PlayDoh (sp), Lady Gaga music, Hamburger Helper (as her family or, at least her and Nick, have a Hamburger Helper night every week) and other goodies.
• Matt and the boys wondered if, since Kathy was the saboteur, was it possible that she's the one who left the pretzel message and not Rachel?
• Enzo doesn't think Kathy was coordinated enough to do it.
• He might be right.
  
• Although his own performances aren't all that much more impressive than Kathy's.
• Britney already managed to lock herself out of the HOH room and had to get BB to open it for her.
• They talked about the live feeds fans. Britney watched a lot of the feeds.
• They aren't being mean to Brendon's face.
• But Enzo does his The Face behind his back.
• Lane mimicked his walk leaving rooms.
• Brendon does have a weird walk, but sheesh!
• Britney and Ragan wonder why Brendon keeps hanging out with everyone.
• Um ... what else is he to do? Stay alone in a corner?
• Hayden, Lane and Enzo are actually having decent conversations with Brendon ... until he turns his back.
• Brendon told Enzo that BB indeed told him to "undo it" after he told Britney that he was putting her on the block.
• Interesting, eh? He said that's why he put Matt on the block.
• The Diary Room was calling them in throughout the night. Someone must be getting paid shift differential pay.
• Lane thinks he's being portrayed as an idiot. Hayden told him probably all three of them -- Lane, Enzo and Hayden -- are being portrayed as idiots.
  
• They started playing pranks on each other to scare each other.
• I lied in the Brendon screen cap above.
• They didn't confine him in a small space.
• He's hiding to leap out and scare Hayden but BB hasn't turned the lights out yet.
• He ended up giving it up.
• They're finally in bed.
  

Big Brother 12 - Live Feeds After the Eviction - August 19

Britney's Head of Household win coincides with her 23rd birthday.

Lane started building a castle out of Sweet Tarts, then abandoned Hayden with Brendon on it.

Tonight is the happiest house I've ever seen on the show. Here's what's happened in the Land of Happy Hamsters:

• Matt told them about how he thought Rachel went through his things and found the POV.
• They all talked about how bad Matt's $1 lie was and no one believed him.
• They, or at least Matt, know that the saboteur got $20,000. Interesting how they know that, eh?
• They still think Kathy was the saboteur.
• Britney keeps breaking into spontaneous happy dances and saying it's her birthday, too.
• Enzo is worried that he'll go on the block.
• Worrying won't do him any good.
  
• I think, despite her promise to Brendon, she'll be putting Brendon and Enzo on the block.
• The vote will wham bam Brendon.
• Matt told Britney that Enzo needs to experience the block -- everyone else has been up now except him.
• Britney told him she was hoping to have a pawn volunteer.
• She also told Matt she has no intention of keeping her deal with Brendon.
• She's thinking of mentioning that it's for Nick in her speech.
• That's the fiance Nick.
• Other than that, not much action yet.
• No one is being mean to Brendon, although Britney and Ragan keep doing happy dances and winning poses behind his back.
  

Big Brother - Live Eviction Show Blog Party - August 19

Welcome back my friends
To the show that never ends
I'm glad you could attend,
Step inside, step inside ...

-- Emerson, Lake and Palmer from the "Brain Salad Surgery" album

The show is about to start here on the East Coast. As it airs, I'll post important updates in this entry. But the real fun is in the comments section. Everyone is invited to join in with your thoughts! Later tonight (or, worst case scenario, early in the morning), my full show review will be posted over on TV Squad.

Tonight should be fun!

Julie announced that the saboteur is still in the house but the reign of terror is over. Ragan had done one last sabotage -- a note reading "I know your secret" placed under Enzo's pillow. They all think it's Kathy.

Matt put Kathy up. The vote:

Hayden --> Kathy
Enzo --> Kathy
Ragan --> Kathy
Matt --> Kathy
Britney --> Kathy

Kathy out 5-0

Britney is the new HOH. Going into commercial, Julie said she won't be the only one. I'm guessing double eviction.

Yep -- fast forward double eviction next week.

Big Brother 12 - Live Feeds Into Thursday, August 19

He can smile and have fun!

My previous report covered most of the happenings. But here's what's gone down since Hayden broke the pool cue (what a shame):

• Ragan, the loyal sidekick, encouraged Matt to keep trying for votes and said he could probably get them.
• We all know Matt doesn't really care about the votes.
• Lane packed. It's standard practice for both nominees to pack before the show.
• There's still a lot of time before the show.
• Matt said he'd leave his skull and crossbones pirate flag if he goes.
• He's not going to leave that flag.
• Britney fussed about the food and tea.
• Matt, Britney and Ragan are looking forward to real food soon.
• Hayden shaves everywhere.
• We needed to know that, huh?
• EVERYONE in the house likes and trusts Hayden.
• Perhaps he's the one they should consider the real threat.
• In various groups, they memorized and studied things over and over again.
• The entire Brigade was allowed to do a Diary Room session.
• Most (except Kathy and Brendon) think that Kathy is the saboteur.
• Hayden and Enzo are still awake as I get this posted. They're in their beds with the lights out. They should be asleep!
  

My review of last night's show is up on TV Squad. Please go give it a gander. Merci!

Big Brother 12 - Live Feeds through Wednesday, August 18

They actually lucked out with the eggplant and escargot this week. After initially trying the escargot, they've all shunned it. But BB gave them frozen eggplant Parmesan meals.

Here are today's happenings from inside that Big Brother House of Bumbling Brigade Boys, Blondes and a Brendon:

• Kathy told Brendon about the saboteur note as he had slept through all the hoopla.
• Brendon and Kathy decided that neither of them is the saboteur.
• Of course, they don't know that the rest of the house has decided it's Kathy.
• Britney had a long talk with her family via the cameras.
• Yawn.
• Brendon once again asked Britney if they were good for the next HOH, meaning she won't nominate him if she wins.
• She told him he is.
• She lies.
• She ran to Lane and told him that Brendon asked again.
• There was an extended feeds block and, when they came back, they were talking about what sounds a bit like a Simon Says game.
• Because they're all trying to memorize the order of events, we now know.
• They had to: do twelve jumping jacks in the kitchen, howl at the moon, take a hot shower, make out with an imaginary person, hand stand, a group hug, smile until it hurts, mimic another houseguest and toilet paper the HOH room.
• Not necessarily in that order.
• And, I might be missing one.
• But I'm not going for a half-million dollars. I don't need to know.
• Although they've all been very worried that this week will be a double eviction, as time goes by so does that idea.
• They did worry because they were called to the DR so late.
• Brendon got his HOH camera. Fun, fun, fun.
• Matt told Enzo not to tell Brendon they think Kathy's the saboteur.
• Matt does think in the game. I'll give him that.
• No brouhahas.
• No confrontations.
• Another pool tournament.
• Sigh. I want to break their pool cues.
• WAIT - Hayden just broke one!
  
• One more to go.
• "Britney. Please treat your microphone nice."
  

The tattoo Matt had covered up all the time in the beginning of the season must have been a new one. It was only covered for that first week or so.

Big Brother 12 - POV Episode Blog Party Post

The show is about to start here on the East Coast. As it airs, I'll post important updates in this entry. But the real fun is in the comments section. Everyone is invited to join in with your thoughts! Later tonight (or, worst case scenario, early in the morning), my full show review will be posted over on TV Squad.

Ragan won the POV. Brendon opened Pandora's Box thinking he would see Rachel on a 24 hour vacation. Instead, he went on vacation alone and unleashed her on the house for 24 hours. Epic Ragan/Rachel smackdown.

Ragan saved himself, Matt on the block.

Big Brother 12 - Live Feeds Into Dawn Wednesday, August 18

I know your secret!

The lynch mob -- note that Brendon and Kathy are missing.

Things were same old, same old in that Big Brother house of Misled Miscreants. Ragan was fussing, Matt was trying not to act smug as he knows he'll save himself on Thursday, there was the usual pool playing and then (cue dramatic music) ...

• The saboteur struck and this time it was so much better than a video.
• Enzo was heading to bed when something rustled under his pillow. A piece of paper? How could that be? They're not allowed paper or writing instruments.
• It was a note which read, "I know your secret."
• Ohhh ... kind of like "I know who you are and I saw what you did!"
• Run! Run! The call's coming from INSIDE the house!
• Ahem. I'm sorry. I got carried away with the thoughts of old scary movies for a moment.
• It was only "I know your secret."
• Enzo's first thought was that it had to be BB (his theory all along) as they're the only one with pens and paper.
• Kathy said she made the bed after they came in from lockdown and there was no note then.
• What? Why is she making beds now? They've gone unmade for a month a half already.
• Kathy is sure it's someone in the house, not a BB person.
• Lane said the only person inside alone back there was Ragan.
• Hmmm ... Lane has something there and no one knows it.
• Enzo keeps walking around asking, "What's my secret?"
• I can imagine he's going to do this for days.
• Dang, dude. If you don't know your own secret, perhaps you don't have one!
• Maybe his secret is that he's in the witless protection program hiding out from Bayonne mob boys.
• The group pretty much narrowed down the suspects to Kathy and Brendon.
• Of course, neither Kathy nor Brendon are with them.
• Brendon's asleep in the HOH room.
• Kathy had given up on the note discussion and headed to her room.
• After all, it's nearly 5 AM there.
• They think it's Kathy.
• Wait! They KNOW it HAS to be Kathy!
• That's why she throws comps.
• That's why she was with Rachel when Rachel wrote to Brendon in pretzels.
• BTW -- Matt says that the diary room admitted that shouldn't have been done.
• But they can't take it back, nor can they give Rachel a penalty nomination.
• Since they've already determined her guilt, they decided they won't call her out on it.
• They're going to watch Kathy and catch her in the act.
• Meanwhile, our Sappy Sapoteur Ragan smiles and plays along convincingly.
• They're still up (except Kathy and Brendon) as I get this posted.
  

Oh, the drama of it all!

Big Brother 12 - Tuesday Live Feeds Into the Evening - August 17

And the cheese sits alone. Or, is it the whine?

The face.

Here are the day's events from inside that Big Brother House of Boring Boors:

• Hayden and Enzo talked with Lane, telling him that they're thinking about letting Matt know ahead of time that they'll be voting to keep Lane.
• Hayden is still worried that Matt might have some kind of power.
• We know he does.
• They all talk big when they're trash-talking Brendon, but you should have seen them scatter when they (Lane, Hayden and Enzo) were in the bathroom and Brendon came down the hall. Enzo practically ran into the stall door as he went to hide and Hayden grabbed a toothbrush (maybe his, maybe not) and no toothpaste to act like he wasn't talking to Lane (who was brushing his teeth).
• After this week goes down, Enzo really wants Britney out. He wouldn't mind if Brendon stuck around for a while because he doesn't think Brendon would put him on the block.
• Enzo wanted to go over the saboteur messages again and again.
• And again.
• Remember, he thinks the saboteur is BB itself.
• Lots of small talk including hunting on golf courses.
• I'm still mad at golf as it delayed Sunday's BB episode. Do NOT talk about golf.
• Of course, it's Lane who hunts on golf courses.
  
• You'd be shocked if I had said it was Ragan, huh?
• When Ragan told Matt that Britney doesn't trust Enzo, Matt wasn't surprised.
• He says no one trusts Enzo.
• But they all seem to like him.
• Lane told Matt that Brendon told Hayden and Enzo that the house is full of cowards.
• I don't know why anyone tells anyone anything in this house!
• Apparently Rachel left a message for Brendon in pretzels.
• I don't know the content and every time it's brought up, the feeds get blocked.
• Matt seems to think it directed Brendon to put him (Matt) on the block.
• Matt has been trying to get the Diary Room to do something about it as they aren't supposed to write in the house.
• If she did do it (which is likely), Matt would definitely have a case for something. After all, an evicted hamster who had already given interviews and has more insight to how the public reacts a bit ... writing a message.
• Tsk, tsk.
• Lots of counting of stuff and memorizing events and dates.
• Enzo decided he was going to crack into the "libations" early.
• I will be very happy when I stop hearing the word "libations."
• Hayden and Matt decided that if America voted one hamster a power, it would be Enzo.
• Yeah right, Matt. You sneaky snake.
• He's actually playing the game, though. He definitely doesn't annoy me as much to watch as did Ronnie. If Matt didn't show his huge chip on the shoulder in the diary room, I'd fall in his camp a lot more. I just don't like know-it-alls.
• Especially when I know WE know it all.
• Matt told Hayden he will remain loyal to the Brigade to the end.
• Hayden's eyes glazed over.
• Gee, he was at a loss for a reply.
• Ragan has been sitting around contemplating his navel or something most of the day. He's very worried that if Matt goes, he'll have no one.
• They're having another pool tournament.
• Blech.
  

Matt has almost full "sleeve" tattoos, yet none on his back or chest. I just find that a bit odd. But, then again, he's Matt and he isn't really normal.


Pick your nose Hayden and someone will snag a screen capture of it!

Big Brother 12 - Live Feeds Into Tuesday Dawn - August 17

Ragan lecturing Matt on how he needs to stay in the game.

Just as Brendon tends to show he's a (swim) coach when he gives Enzo pep talks, Ragan shows he's used to being the One With All Knowledge when he lectures others. I personally find it kind of annoying. But Matt is patient with his bromance bud. Here's what happened last night in that Big Brother House of Eager Egomaniacs:

• Kathy has kind of wormed her way in with the Brigade Boys -- Enzo, Lane and Hayden.
• As a group of four, they're in Brendon's alliance.
• Or, are they?
• Nope. Brendon thinks they are, but they want him out!
• The boys are ready for a Matt exit this week despite whispers of a possible secret power somewhere out there.
• Ragan has bought Matt's wife lie in its entirety and is using it as a campaign platform.
• Matt has told Ragan he doesn't need him to campaign for him.
• But that's what a best bud bromance dude has to do!
• Hayden continues to believe someone has a power. Ragan told him he's sure Matt doesn't have it.
• Matt technically hasn't told anyone of the diamond veto although he tippytoed the borders of telling Hayden that one exists.
• Enzo is still on his "Britney can't win" kick.
• Well, maybe he should step up his own performance in competitions then!
• Brendon is still complaining about Matt, Ragan and Britney.
• Well, at least he made the move ... and put Lane (whom he doesn't complain about) on the block!
• Silly hamsters.
• Lines I'm sick of this season -- "It is what it is." and "That's what SHE said."
• The latter usually comes from Ragan. Go figure.
• They talked about the saboteur. Most know it's being done just to mess with them and there isn't much truth (if any) in the messages.
• No one is suspecting Ragan. As he pulled himself off the block and completed their measly tasks asked, he'll get his money.
• They had their nightly pool tournament more out of boredom than any other reason.
• It was a fairly early night in the house as they were all beat from staying up the night before.
• It's still looking like they'll vote to evict Matt (Lane also has Kathy's vote to stay) ... until he pulls the power.
• Thursday should be very interesting!
  

Big Brother 12 - Monday Live Feeds - August 16

Enzo makes faces after Ranting Ragan walks out of the room.

Matt should be evicted solely on the basis of
wearing those pajama pants with that hoodie.

Here's the latest scoop from inside that Big Brother House of Ditzy Dolts:

• The group who stayed up late to catch the saboteur caught nothing.
• Well, maybe a cold. They're all talking about how cold it is at night there this summer.
• Ragan talked to the cameras (or to himself) as the dawn arrived.
• He wasn't looking for the saboteur.
• He knows that when he uses the PoV, it's likely his bromance best bud Matt will go on the block.
• He thinks it's more important to keep Matt in the house and splitting up the three "boys" (Lane, Enzo and Hayden) is of lesser significance.
• When Ragan came to him to ask what he should say to Brendon, Matt told him not to plead on his behalf.
• Ragan told Brendon how much he wants to keep Matt in the game.
• The feeds were blocked for the PoV meeting.
• The replacement for Ragan was indeed Matt.
• Matt told Hayden that he has hope that there's a power out there someone has which might save him.
• He's treading dangerous ground there. Knowing Matt, he checked how much he can say.
• But why is he saying anything?
• Just whip out the diamond PoV Thursday night!
• Britney told Enzo that Brendon told her people were throwing her under the bus.
• Well, yeah. It's Big Brother, silly!
• Ragan keeps fussing that a person who claimed to be taking out floaters is taking out one of the best competitors and that's poor sportsmanship!
• Matt has mentioned that Brendon actually brought up the subject that he wouldn't nominate him or backdoor him.
• He did.
• And, he did.
• Lane told Matt he thinks he (Lane) is going home.
• He lies.
• Enzo and Hayden would vote to keep Lane over Matt.
• So would Britney.
• But we know none of the boys are going anywhere.
  

Ragan counts the ways he hates Brendon.