'Big Brother 12 - Live Feeds Into Saturday Morning - Sept. 4

A thrill a minute.

Hmmm ... for the first time since I've been doing this, I have a bit of trouble with reporting any news from inside that Big Brother House of Britney and da Boys. Let me give it a try:

• One thing I don't believe I mentioned in my last report is that Britney is the one who cleaned up the mess from the coin hunt.
• The bedrooms remain a mess.
• Same as it ever was, same as it ever was.
• Enzo made a huge thing about washing his own plate after eating aimed specifically at Britney.
• But she's the one who does the most actual cleaning these days.
• They heard someone over the fence shouting that "Big Brother rules!"
• I miss the days of Miss Kitty with her megaphone, people throwing candy, etc. That's back when it was a real house, not just a studio on the CBS lot.
• They're all worried that Britney will win the veto and blow all the Brigade plans.
• I don't think Lane is as worried about that as are Hayden and Enzo.
• They actually went to bed fairly early for them -- about 1 AM their time.
• And that's just about it.
  

Big Brother 12 - Friday Live Feeds Report (including nominations) - Sept. 3

Their housekeeping is getting worse and worse.

Scared by a mouse? Or could it be something else?

At least something happened in the house today -- a "treasure hunt" and the nominations. Excitement by the minute, I tell you. Here's the latest from inside that Big Brother House of Tearing Down the House:

• After a mundane start to the day, the feeds were blocked with trivia.
• Yep, that's usually a sign that a comp is going down.
• This time they returned during the action.
• BB had made an almost CD-sized "coin" for each of the houseguests, then gave them time to hide their own coin.
• Then the others had to search. The owner of the last coin found would win $10,000.
• Although we didn't see all of it, we saw a lot of the action.
• They tore the house apart!
• Hayden was out first when Enzo found his coin.
• Next Enzo was out when Britney found his coin.
• Britney found Lane's coin, so she's the big winner. She had hidden her own coin in a box in a bag with chicken ick on it in the trash.
• Then they got to put the whole house back together before nominations.
• Hayden once again broke something and fussed a few times about how he's always breaking things in the house. Enzo also broke a big urn. The breakages happened in the heat of the coin search.
• According to BB, the search was supposed to last about a half-hour.
• It lasted more than three hours.
• They had discussed the limited possibilities for nominations since Hayden won.
• More than once Lane said Hayden should just put up Britney and himself.
• Who is Hayden to refuse?
• They'll all play in veto and the winner of veto is the sole vote this week.
• Lane and Britney are on the block. If Britney wins, Enzo will go home.
• I'm not so sure on Lane. If he sticks to his Britney F2 plan, he'll boot Enzo.
• If Hayden or Enzo win, I believe Britney will go.
• We'll see.
• As I typed this, Britney is talking about there being no big alliances in the house this season.
• Lane even led her on about "what if there was a four-person alliance?"
• I can't believe she doesn't see it!
• Ack.
  

Big Brother 12 - Live Feeds Into Friday Morning, September 3

Hayden says, "I'll never see the inside of the jury house."

The epitome of boring live feeds in a single screen cap.

Not only did they NOT return the live feeds until after last night's HoH comp was over, but they trapped the hamsters inside with nothing to do. So they napped. Here's the latest from inside that Big Brother House of the Final Four:

• It's interesting how they cling onto any bits and pieces of the audience at the live show -- from glimpses to hearing them laugh or applaud. I don't recall others doing that so much in past years.
• Lane told the others about his talk with Julie, calling himself a dodo ... but didn't tell them about taking Britney to the final two.
• That is, if he gets the chance.
• Enzo advised Hayden to wait and let Britney talk to him, make her think she's safe.
• Lane looked worried a lot -- he might be losing his Britney.
• Enzo, a bit self-confident for someone who constantly loses comps, went as far as to suggest that Hayden put himself and Lane on the block.
• Of course, it doesn't really matter who goes on the block as the power of veto winner will hold all the power this week.
• BB returned their glasses and silverware. Lane had just finished eating a bowl of cereal when they discovered them.
• They think the next comp will be the faces morph. It should be, but you never know.
• Grasping any clue to the outside world, once they could go into the yard,they found a soda can in the with a new amusement park ride advertised.
• Hayden opened up his HOH room. A letter from his father, a new string "bracelet," some Corona beer.
• Enzo is really playing up to Hayden now.
• This isn't too great for Lane because someone needs to be friends with Britney (him) and it distances him a bit from Hayden.
• Enzo even spent the night with Hayden in the HOH room.
• No, not like THAT!
• Enzo hopes he hasn't embarrassed his wife too much by losing so many comps.
• Forget the wife, think about the entire state of New Jersey! Sheesh!
• Enzo thinks they should hang out more with Lane so that "Britney doesn't get in his head."
• Um. She's already there.
• Enzo is really working the Brigade status. After all, that's been his only big move in the game.
• Right now, I believe Hayden will want Britney out, then Enzo.
• Enzo doesn't know that.
• It's all going to hinge on POV.
  

Oh, joy! Another HOH room!

Big Brother 12 - Live Feeds HOH Coverage - Sept. 2

As I get this posted, the feeds haven't returned. Once they do, the latest news will be at the top of the post.

9:20 PM - The feeds returned and, though not voiced, Hayden has the HoH key while at the table.

9:23 - Now it's voiced, official -- Hayden is the new HOH.

Big Brother 12 - Live Eviction Show, HOH - Sept. 2

The show is NOT about to start here on the East Coast. Here in the NYC area, it will air at 1:37 AM. (Grr.) I'm tuning into an east coast feeds website, but with all on one screen while taking notes for my TV Squad review, I might run a bit behind on major updates. However, I'm sure the commenters will keep everything up to date as long as you're seeing the show on time.

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.

Britney and Enzo voted Ragan out.

HOH has them "decorating" Christmas trees and will be picked up on the live feeds. I'll post a separate live feeds HOH update post to cover that.

Big Brother 12 - Live Feeds Into Thursday, September 2

Sigh.

Here are the late night and overnight events from inside that Big Brother House of Harried Hamsters:

• The sigh isn't over Ragan's likelihood of leaving tonight.
• It's over him analyzing himself and the season.
• It's his own version of talking to the Internet.
• But it's definitely not like when either Dr. Will or Evel Dick did it.
• It's like he's on a psychiatrist's couch and we're the shrink.
• I feel like spinning the hammock upside down.
• Argh.
• I really don't want to hear him go on about his father who passed away some time back. It's fine to touch on it, but do I really need a biography?
• Britney said the show is getting the best ratings ever as per the diary room.
• Really?
• Hayden thinks Britney will have an advantage if the HOH comp is a quiz.
• Yep, she will.
• They're all asleep as I post this.
  

Big Brother 12 - Wednesday Live Feeds - September 1

The big excitement of the day ...
Lane caught a praying mantis on his foam paddle.
And tried to sic it on Enzo.
Instead, it jumped at Lane.
He screamed and ran.
Well, not really screamed, but ...

Alas, this was more the norm for the day.

Here's the latest from inside that Big Brother House of Lazy Lazabouts:

• Britney has taken over the cleaning. She even scrubbed down the counters in the storage room.
• She doesn't do windows, nor clutter in the bedrooms.
• Lane got his HOH camera. Fun, fun, fun.
• Ragan is really annoying me and creeping me out.
• He still can't get off the Rachel thing.
  
• He needs to go.
• Now.
• Okay, if not now, tomorrow.
• He also said that since he's a celebrity, he had to verify his Twitter account.
• @@
• They napped a lot.
• And that's it.
  

Big Brother - Power of Veto Show Blog Party Post - September 1

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.

Tomorrow night might present a programming dilemma for many of the readers ... and definitely for myself. In this area (NYC metro viewing area), no CBS affiliate will air the live eviction show before 1:37 AM ET. I'm hoping that one of the sites which airs the East Coast feed will have it at 8 PM ET. If not, I'll put up a post anyway, but will have to watch and write up the episode for TVS in the middle of the night. Then I'll have to go to work.

I don't like football and certainly don't like pre-season games messing with my shows!

Lane out first round of Otev veto. Hayden out. Britney out. Enzo wins veto! Fearing the others night turn on Britney, Lane put up Hayden in Enzo's place.

Big Brother 12 - Live Feeds Into Wednesday Dawn - September 1

Finally, something other than pool -- moon sand!

Finally, dishes are getting washed!
They must have run out of clean dishes, I say.

Here's the latest news from inside that Big Brother House of Arrested Development:

• I last told you of Ragan's attempt, with pretty valid points, to keep himself in the house.
• Instead of actually wanting to win the half-million, Lane told Hayden and Enzo all about the plan and it became a running joke.
• Of course, we won't really know anything until Thursday night if indeed there is a tie.
• They are playing on Hayden's insecurities (although his insecurities are nowhere near as intense as Ragan's insecurities), but I do think that Hayden thinks they're joking and he'll be staying.
• Britney (why must it be the girl?) decided it was time to wash the dishes since there's a virtual mountain of them.
• She complained about how long it takes to wash dishes.
• I don't know. If you do them after each meal, it really doesn't take long even when you do them by hand.
• Like anything else, if you let it pile up, it's going to be a much larger task.
• Silly hamsters.
• Hayden volunteered to dry.
• Britney made up some of her HOH Hamburger Helper for dinner -- mixing the Cheesy Macaroni with the Stroganoff.
• If I have Hamburger Helper, I personally go for the Beef Pasta one.
• But that's just me.
• Another evening of boredom and trashing people.
• Ragan just can't get off the Rachel trashing. Heck, she's been out of the house for weeks now!
• I liked when Britney and Ragan were mocking Kathy, Enzo spoke up and said how nice Kathy was and that he liked her.
• The real excitement came when Enzo went in the storage room and came out with Moon Sand.
• Like little kids, they all gathered around and played.
• Enzo said he wanted to claim a steak or stake a claim or whatever it is.
• I know it's stake a claim.
• But Enzo is easily confused with words. It's part of his charm.
• They're all asleep as I post this.
• And, the dishes are clean.
• Wow.
  

Big Brother 12 - Live Feeds Tuesday Daytime - August 31

Ragan goes over his speech to Lane with Britney.

Apparently Ragan hasn't lost all his fight within himself to stay in the game. Here are today's happenings from inside that Big Brother House of Circling Helicopters:

• After moping, fussing and curling up in a fetal ball, the fighting Ragan has once again emerged.
• No, not like the cat fight with Rachel.
• Ragan was up first this morning and went over his proposed speech to Lane while alone in the hammock.
• He has good points.
• The assumption is that Hayden will vote Ragan out while Britney will vote out Hayden. (Yes, it's a big assumption.)
• Lane would be the tiebreaker.
• These are Ragan's thoughts, but I can't disagree with him -- if Lane is in the final two with either Enzo or Hayden, he loses. No matter what, he can't beat either of the two.
• But, if he's in the final two with either Britney or Ragan, he should definitely carry the jury votes for the big win.
• If the question is posed about never making a power move, this would be it for Lane.
• Ragan practiced and repracticed his speech, then told Britney.
• Britney thinks the best she can do is second place despite the fact "the boys" are saying she'd win at the end.
• No, one of them would win against her with the jury votes.
• Britney against anyone but Ragan would lose the big money.
• Ragan can only get second prize tops. He's just made too many enemies.
• Everyone thinks Enzo is the one that must leave before the final two. He has no blood on his hands, has never been responsible for an eviction and has been friends with every single person in the house.
• Finally Ragan went over his points with Lane.
• Lane nodded a lot.
  
• Although I've grown kind of fond of the Jersey boy, I agree with Ragan. Lane won't win against either Hayden or Enzo.
• It seems like he's seriously considering it.
• He told Britney he wants to take her to the final two.
• Of course, Lane and Hayden have a final two pact.
• If Hayden gets voted out this week, the three working against Enzo (who's bad in comps) should easily knock him out of the game.
• Lane told Britney that Hayden won the trip and the money in that PoV game.
• She told him she wouldn't say anything.
• She already had a clue because Hayden is the only one who asked if the jury would know who took the prizes.
• In other house news, for some reason there are a lot of helicopters in the area.
• Also, someone on the CBS lot yelled Ragan's name. The feeds cut away when that happened.
  
• In my own house news, I really need to eat dinner.
• Later!
  

Ragan going over his PowerPoint presentation with fingertips.

Big Brother 12 - Live Feeds Into Tuesday Morning - August 31

Alone in a cruel world

Regan knows he's toast this week. And the house is boring, once again. Here are the late night and overnight events (or lack thereof) from inside that Big Brother House of Delusional Dingbats:

• Ragan thinks the diary room wants to make him squirm in his sessions.
• Apparently they told him that all he's been doing is staying in bed.
• He has been and has isolated himself an awful lot this week.
• But he thinks they're ignoring how hard he's played.
• Something they (the DR) told him has him on a rant.
• But every time he talks about it, they block the feeds.
• Enzo thinks Ragan will turn into another Chima with his fusses about production.
• Britney tried to talk Ragan into going to Lane and explaining, from a gameplay point, it would make more sense to vote out Hayden this week.
• Yeah, like that would happen.
• Enzo said the diary room has been "twisting his arm" about voting for Ragan. To stay? Hmmm.
• I think they're trying to gather video clips so they can make it look like Ragan has a chance on the show.
• When we know he doesn't.
• The garbage can in the kitchen is overflowing.
• Britney tried to plead Ragan's evict Hayden case to Lane.
• It's not going to work.
• Britney said she studied Spanish so that she could always get a job -- being bilingual is a big advantage in the job market.
• She's right.
• Lane thinks Britney makes his family seem dumb.
• Lane thinks redheads are smart people.
• He's so right. He's talking real redheads, not Rachel-heads.
• (I'm a redhead.)
• Lane used to sit next to smart people in school (redheads and guys with tennis shoes and cowboy hats). I'm not sure if he intended to cheat or whether he thought brains are contagious.
• They talked about getting together after the season ends.
• Ragan stayed alone in his room for the most part.
  

Big Brother 12 - Live Feeds Monday Daytime - August 30

Call me a mean girl.
But she should know there's a camera behind the mirror!

Ragan improvises.

Here's the skinny from inside that Big Brother House of Punish Them Some More, Please:

• Kudos to whomever thought of the punishments. Not so much the first one with the silverware and glasses.
• But both the puppet and dancing rocked!
• The best dancing for them was the "rock" track.
• The best to watch for me was the classical music. Enzo actually swayed around to the music, Ragan tried ballet, Britney reminded me of Mary Tyler Moore dancing to the Nutcracker Suite her first Christmas at the station. But Hayden and Lane ... they jumped around, wiggled their hands and just couldn't cope!
• Heck, Future Funk did the waltz better than Hayden and Lane!
• Britney, a hotel sales manager, advised the others to never pay full price for a hotel room.
• I'll remember that.
• Enzo is making a spaceship with macaroni, foil and other odd bits and pieces.
• Mind you, it's model size. He's not about to do a Chicken George and try to blast off.
• The feeds were blocked for the Power of Veto ceremony.
• When they came back, Enzo had taken himself off the block and Lane put Hayden up.
• Hayden volunteered as it's all but a done deal that Ragan is going this week.
• Lane had been worried that Enzo, with his push to evict Britney as an ongoing thing for weeks, might try to vote her out instead of Ragan.
• Lane and Hayden have also been talking about a final three sans Enzo.
• They think they're the most evenly matched final two, but either could win against Britney with the jury vote.
• They're not so sure of their chances with Enzo.
• They still believe in the lie from the saboteur about lifelong friends and think it's Andrew and Brendon.
• Silly boys.
• Lane and Hayden actually think they'll have show business type opportunities when they leave the show.
• Silly boys.
• At least Britney is just still hoping that she'll have a job. She doesn't think people will recognize her.
• I think it's time for Enzo to keep his game stepped up. If not, his boys will off the Meow Meow.
  

Look how filthy the kitchen is! They lay around whining that they're bored, yet junk is all over every counter, dishes aren't done, etc. I guess they don't believe in putting things back in the refrigerator after they pour a glass (bowl) and such. What pigs! Kathy, Brendon and Andrew were the only ones who cleaned on a regular basis. It's no wonder that have an ant and roach problem. Plus, this is being televised! Yikes! I would be so embarrassed!

Big Brother 12 - Into the Dawn Monday, August 30

If not for the dancing, they wouldn't be entertaining at all. Here's the news from inside that Big Brother House of Dancing Fools:

• It's funny when they play classical music for them to dance to -- Lane calls it "freakin' ballerina" music.
• They talked about sports and jobs.
• They played pool.
• Lane talked about the way he was raised -- he couldn't cry or tell his parents if other kids picked on him. He had to handle it himself.
• And I'm sure he did.
• He said all the boys played sports; no one talked of becoming an attorney or anything.
• Basically it was a night of a whole lotta nuthin'.
• And they're still at it as I post. They need to go to bed or they'll sleep all day!
  

Big Brother 12 - Live Feeds Into Sunday Night, August 29

Hayden does have a good physique.

I just don't like his hair or his mouth. Maybe it's my age or something, but the kid does absolutely nothing for me when I consider his face alone. I might be in the minority there, I guess.

Here are today's happenings from inside that Big Brother House of Mixed Nuts:

• On a different note from the usual "I locked myself out" -- Lane got locked out of his room by BB.
• They claimed they were fixing the door.
• They no longer have to speak through their puppets.
• Rats, that was cute.
• They found out their silverware and glasses won't be returned until Thursday.
• Lots of nap time, lots of small talk about sports or being "reality stars."
• They rehashed and retrashed previous hamsters.
• They talked about religion.
• They have a new punishment, the last in the series.
• It's not every hour from what I can tell, but at least every two ...
• ... piped music comes through the house speakers and they have to stop what they're doing and DANCE.
• Ragan's loving it, but I think Enzo dances better than he does.
• Lane and Hayden don't have careers as male strippers dancing to music.
• It's a hoot.
• They should have to wear the puppets and have the puppets dance as well.
• Other than that, we're talking a very quiet house.
  

This is how I feel, too.

Big Brother 12 - HoH, Nominations 8/29 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.

Lane won HoH. He opened Pandora's NBox, got a whole $91.17 and three punishments on the house. No cups or silverware for the week.

The target is Ragan, Lane put Enzo and Ragan on the block.

Big Brother 12 - Live Feeds Into Sunday Morning - August 29

Ragan half-heartedly talks using his hand puppet.

Britney's hand puppet has blond hair just like hers!

Here are the late night and overnight happenings from inside that Big Brother House of Puppetmasters:

• I'm in shock. I'm embarrassed. I might just have to plead insanity or exhaustion, but I don't believe I mentioned ...
• ... the fact that Lane too had a Pandora's Box.
• He claims he went for envelopes of money but that all combined, he got $97. He also said he chose three rewards and three punishments.
  
• But, due to his opening Pandora's Box, they had no Have/Have Not comp this week.
• Instead, they have punishments they must comply with or become a Have Not.
• The first one was going without using utensils for eating. I did mean to post that, but it was so un-newsworthy that I didn't.
• But now they have a more interesting punishment.
• Each was issued a hand puppet quasi-resembling themselves.
• Every time they speak, they must move the puppet's mouth.
• Hayden and Lane took off their puppets to prepare dinner, thus being unable to speak at all as they made the meal.
• Ragan had his puppet talk to the Internet. He said he knows he's leaving on Thursday and wonders how he's been portrayed.
• He said, if he could do it all over again, he wouldn't cry as much. Oh my, what an improvement that would be!
• He also would have stayed up on the paint can and take down "the boys."
• Too late for crying over spilt paint, I say.
  
• He says he has some proud moments.
  
• Although so much of Ragan this summer has been crying, pouting, Drama Queen, arrogant and rude belittling of others (especially Rachel and Brendon), lecturing all ... he does have some moments in which he can be very proud.
• His performance (until he tossed them to Matt) in the two endurance comps.
• His house knowledge and the way he studied hoping the HOH and then the PoV would be knowledge-based.
  
• I can't believe how he was rattling off the house events timeline with minute details, backwards and forwards.
• I couldn't do that.
• No one else in the house this season or any other season could have done it.
• Alas, the comp which did him in had nothing to do with extreme house or season knowledge.
• Although he was upset about Enzo "taking" the win from him in PoV, he says he's over it -- he claims he just needed time to calm down.
• I believe, that if Enzo physically knocked him aside or something, BB wouldn't let Enzo keep the PoV.
• But it really sounds like Enzo saw Ragan eying and heading towards the needed clue and beat him to it.
• It was kind of like Brendon looking at Ragan's puzzle to cheat, but makes more sense as Enzo could beat him to the punch while Brendon copying the puzzle would always remain behind him.
• Ragan likened himself to the movie Castaway -- He's the Tom Hanks character while his puppet is Wilson. He feels isolated.
  
• And that he is.
• Wilson! WILSON! WILLLLLSSSONNNNN!
• I'm sorry. I can't resist calling for Wilson when I think of the movie.
• Ragan wants Lane to win.
• Hmm.
• Enzo asked Britney if she would go out with Lane if she and Nick split up.
• She refused to answer.
• One refreshing thing about Britney, despite her mean girl ways at times, is her loyalty to Nick while she's in the house.
• In a scenario in which so many women seem to get so trampy (Erika and Boogie, Rachel and Brendon, Kristen and Hayden), she has done nothing to tarnish her relationship with her fiance.
• Britney doesn't feel well and asked for medicine.
• Well, her puppet asked, I guess.
• Enzo listened to Lane's Eminem CD and rapped with his puppet.
• Yeah, Enzo's a lazy lout.
• But at least he can be entertaining at times, as can Britney.
• Lane comes up with some good "dumb country boy" lines, but is more entertaining when with Britney.
• Hayden is actually kind of boring unless you like to hear him talk about sports, skiing and snowboarding.
• They're all wondering what the third punishment will be.
• Wanna bet Lane got more than $97? At least it's better than the $1 lie by Matt.
• They're all asleep as I post this.
  

Why did two cameras focus on this photo in Lane's HOH forever last night? Why are the feeds so often all focused on different views of the same thing so much? Why did the live feeds which we pay for NOT COME BACK ON AT THE SAME TIME AS THE SHOWTIME AFTER DARK SHOW after the second HOH comp on Thursday night?

Off Topic - That Was the Week It Was - August 29, 2010

Sunday morning ... lots of time with nothing to do, lots of time to spend with you, on Sunday, Sunday morning. -- Spanky and Our Gang, "Sunday Morning"

Well, I don't know about the "nothing to do" part of that. But it is Sunday morning and that means it's time for my weekly off television photo post reflecting on the week gone by. Sometimes my photography is decent, other times I'm just showing you a bit of what I've seen in my day to day life. I think this week is more leaning towards the latter.

I believe I'm wearing down. The early part of the week was rainy and, in the latter part, I seemed to be running late, not seeing anything which really struck me as photo fodder for "the picture of the week" or I had my hands full. Sometimes it was a combination of all three things. I had a great hawk opportunity, but he just wouldn't fly still! He was so close that he kept flying out of my camera's path much too quickly. Hmm ... why was a hawk circling ME?

Sigh. As much as I enjoy the blog community and all the fun, Big Brother tends to really tire me out by about this time every year. (Note -- a new BB12 live feeds report will be posted a bit later. We're talking puppets and punishments.) Something odd or traumatic usually happens during the blogging of the summer in the BB house, too.

The first year I attempted blogging it, the cartilage in my left knee had inexplicably shredded as I was merely walking along. I spent the summer awaiting surgery that, when it happened, the knee never recovered from. One year I had shingles. One year I deliberately scheduled knee replacement surgery during the BB season so I wouldn't be working full time and covering the feeds. Of course, it's the knee which didn't recover before and I had a DVT atop the surgery just to make things more interesting. Last year, my 17-year-old cat died a few weeks into the season.

This year? Hmm ... it's been relatively trauma free and we only have a few weeks left. (Everyone knock on wood, please.) About the only thing out of the norm going on is that I have jury duty scheduled the day after Labor Day. I've had jury duty before and it usually ends up being a whole lot of people watching, reading, sketching ... and boredom. I've never even made it to the voir dire. At least I'll get to photo stomp around Elizabeth, NJ ... a city I haven't had a reason to wander around since I moved to the state.

Although I'm in a busier crime county than the last time I was summoned (Union County versus Somerset County), I don't think it will mean anything other than the usual. At least my workplace pays me the difference between jury pay and my normal pay. Otherwise, I'd earn a whopping $5 a day for being on jury duty!

Other than that, it's been the same old stuff here -- BB live feeds, BB show reviews, work, eat, sleep and pay attention to a certain cat. Onto the photos for the week (clicking on an image will open it larger in a new window, clicking again will make it even larger) --

Ghost train at night

The almost empty train looks a bit eerie as it sits at the Bridgewater Train Station last night after dark. This is the train heading west, away from Newark and New York City. Apparently everyone is having too good a time to head home this early. I'm actually waiting for the train to go towards Newark and NYC, but getting off in Plainfield.

Ballpark lights at night

I worked later than usual last night and it was dark as I waited for my train adjacent to the TD Ballpark in Bridgewater -- home of the Somerset Patriots, a minor league ball team. It's usually light as I pass through there when ball games are on. At least it gave me a chance to shoot the lights. The small white flecks are bugs attracted by them.

Tuesday night's full moon

I keep trying to get a decent full moon shot -- one in which the moon isn't so glaring white as to obscure the details. This is my best attempt so far. I need to keep trying! (Or get a better camera which is out of the question.)

Morning moon over Presbyterian

Wednesday morning as the sun shined in the east, this was to my west. Note the leafless branches on the left. So many of the trees have suffered here this summer. It was dry for so long accompanied by record heat waves. Earlier this past week when it rained for three of four days straight, many big branches and entire trees came down, unable to continue on. East Front Street, Plainfield.

Rainy train day

My apologies for all of the train station shots this week. Alas, that seemed to be the only time I could (a) be out of the rain or (b) actually had time to shoot photos. I liked this one because of the reflection of the station lights on the train windows -- practically a light a window. Plainfield Train Station.

Same Day, the Other Way

Now I feel I'm cheating with the photos. I turned around and shot the other way. But the lights aren't reflecting in unison with the train windows. Note the platform difference between Plainfield and the photo of the Bridgewater Station.

Plainfield is a raised platform which makes it level with the entrance. Once in the train, there is a handicapped/bike/bathroom area, then you can go either upstairs or downstairs to sit. At stations without raised platforms, it's a climb into or a steep descent out of the train. Me? I prefer a raised platform, please ... even if it means you see feet when sitting on the lower level.

Let there be a mushroom

Yes, the stinkhorns are still around for photo fodder if I want to go that route. But I decided a cute little mushroom in wet grass instead. Notice how the stem is nearly translucent. It's so delicate. So I stomped on it!

Er, no. I didn't.

I made the stomp part up.

Looky! More Plainfield Train Station!

This time in sepia.

Even MORE Plainfield Train Station!

This one I edited to leave the "Plainfield" sign in color, the rest in black and white.

Train station, but different

There was a huge dark bank of clouds obscuring the sunrise early Monday morning. It made it look almost like we have mountains in the distance. We don't have mountains here. In the other direction from this shot, there are the Watchung Mountains. But they really are no more than hills. When I first moved here, I was shocked over how flat everything is. I was used to the Adirondacks and then the Berkshires and Catskills. Or, in my skiing days, I loved the Rocky Mountains.

Panda King

A new Chinese restaurant replaced the old one on Watchung Avenue in Plainfield. I deliberately obscured the phone number on the sign just so they don't get any crank phone calls. But I'm not here to talk about the new Chinese restaurant. I want to talk about the color scheme. Who does this? Melon, orange and lavender mixed with the original red and tan mosaic tile on the front of one of the buildings. Drugs, anyone? At least the orange Caribe taxi fits in well with the color scheme.

I don't think it's New York

I think it's more like China, Malaysia, etc. When I lived in New York (remember, I'm originally from NY), I don't recall seeing any "New Jersey Furniture and Linens." East Front Street, Plainfield.

I NEED to be on your shoulder!

Vincent droops himself over the edge of a chair. I've never known such a drooper of a cat. This is pretty much his pose when he's draped over my shoulder. What an odd kitty I have in my life. But I wouldn't give him up for the world!

How was your week?

Big Brother 12 - Live Feeds Into Saturday Night - August 28

Ragan must be pondering his future
in the jury house with Rachel and Brendon.

Here are today's events from inside that Big Brother House of Flying Pigs:

• There was a power outage, then partial power before the hamsters really got up and going for the day.
• Ragan kept on studying.
• As we now know, it was to no avail. The comp wasn't on house knowledge, nor was it the faces morph.
• They rehash bashed Brendon and Rachel.
• Enough already!
• An extensive feeds block went up as the comp went down.
• Ragan was upset when the feeds came back up.
• He thinks Enzo grabbed something from him in the comp causing him to lose and Enzo to win.
• Apparently it was one of the comps where they have to find clues/HG pictures or something.
• Enzo saw Ragan heading towards something and beat him to it.
• From what they're saying, there wasn't any physical contact -- Enzo just cut in front of him to grab the clue (whatever).
• So Enzo has the PoV and finally won something.
• It's only taken him all season.
• He's sure to take himself off the block.
• Lane might put up Hayden -- Hayden already had volunteered before Lane decided Enzo in the first place.
• It's more likely Britney will go up.
• Either way, Ragan is the target and should be going home this week.
• Most likely unanimously once again.
  

Big Brother 12 - POV Winner

Pigs must be flying over Bayonne tonight.

Enzo won the veto.

I'll have a full report up late tonight ... very long day.

Big Brother 12 - Live Feeds Into Saturday Dawn - August 28

Lane grooves to his Eminem CD.

It's been same old-same old in the late night/overnight hours inside that Big Brother House of Rejected Reality. Here's the scoop:

• Britney thinks she's still in with the boys.
• Ragan knows he's not in with the boys.
• Enzo is worried if he's still in with the boys or not.
• Said boys now pretty much ruling the house are Lane and Hayden.
• Lane and Hayden believe if they're with anyone else other than each other in the final two, the vote will be a slam-dunk against them -- Britney, Ragan or Enzo would win.
• They've decided it would be much more of a fair "fight" if they were in it together.
• So, the other three are expendable and can really go in any order.
• But they want Ragan out first.
• Since he's almost exiled himself, Ragan has done practically nothing except run through all of the events in the house, study the memory wall photos and recite counts of stuff, as well as other house info.
• If the PoV comp is related to memory or the morph, unless he freezes, Ragan should be almost scary good at it.
• If it's skill, he's probably sunk.
• Enzo has been studying a lot on his own, too. He's worried. He knows Ragan is the target but he wants to be safe.
• I have more faith in Ragan winning than I do in Enzo winning.
• As they say in the house, "It is what it is."
• And the "is" is that Enzo is totally inept at comps, even when he tries to win.
• Enzo was finally relieved of the penguin costume.
• Keep in mind, they also took all of his clothes for charity.
• No, he's not naked.
• He's borrowing clothes from Lane and Hayden.
• If they had kept Brendon in the house, Brendon was lending him clothes, too.
• Britney isn't lending him clothes, although it would be interesting if she did.
• They're all asleep as I get this posted.
  

No longer a penguin.

Big Brother 12 - Friday Live Feeds Including Nominations - August 27

The do-rag is the perfect accessory for a penguin suit.

A whole lot of nothing went down today in that Big Brother House of the Criminally Insane:

• They had left food out overnight and the ants got to it.
• Well, duh.
• Ragan has been off to himself most of the time, studying and memorizing everything and anything.
• He's like a machine.
• Watch, the comp he needs to win will be skills.
• Lane lied to Enzo, telling him that he was thinking of putting Hayden up.
• Yeah, right ... those two want to be the final two.
• Lane told Britney he won't put Hayden up.
• Now, that's the truth.
• He also told Britney he won't put her up.
• So, it's going to have to be Enzo and Ragan.
• Ragan is the target.
• If he wins the veto and saves himself, Britney goes up.
• Lane had the most trouble of anyone I've ever seen, walking around the house trying to memorize the "As the Head of Household, one of my duties is to nominate two houseguests for eviction."
• Heck, I just did that off the cuff and got it right.
• He also got confused with the keys.
• There are only 2 keys!
  
• In the end, he nominated Ragan and Enzo.
• Big surprise.
• Enzo isn't a real happy camper and seems to be a bit worried that he's going to be booted from his own Brigade.
• Well, he could try winning something!
  

Big Brother 12 - Into Friday, August 27

Lane did his first win of the season in a big way.

Well, things almost may as well be set in stone now. It's only a matter of which one of the Brigade Boys will take it all home. Here's what happened after the live show in that Big Brother House of Bodacious Boys and Brit:

• Lane's win practically guarantees a final three for the Brigade.
  
• It's sure that Britney and Ragan will go on the block with Ragan as the first target.
• If veto is used, Britney will go home.
• The remaining outsider will have to win HOH to stay in.
• Lane was so excited about his win that he was ready to move into the HOH before BB had it ready.
• Enzo can eat again, but the penguin suit was for a week. I think, if memory serves, he put it on last Saturday. Or was it Sunday?
• Lane figured out they should have the morph comp this week.
• The HoH comp was indeed the catapult ball into segmented doohickey.
• Ragan told them some of Matt's secrets, but not the big ones.
• He told them his real age (33, not 30) and the fact that he was supposed to be on last season but didn't because of his wedding.
• They got their "libations."
• They did the HOH room reveal and it's obvious that Lane is close to his family.
• Everyone is happy.
• Ragan should know his days are numbered, as are Britney's.
• Lane's music was Eminem.
• Lane and Hayden plan on being the final two.
• It's likely Enzo will go on the block with either Britney or Ragan, probably Ragan.
  

Big Brother 12 - Live Feeds Bulletin - HOH

Lane is the new HOH.

More later.

Big Brother 12 - Live Double Eviction Episode Blog Party - August 26

It will be interesting to see if the show editing will attempt any hope at Matt staying. His guitar is already waiting for him in the jury house. A whole lot of nothing happened in the house today and all of the sleeping areas are still a mess.

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.

Double eviction announced. First vote:

Brendon --> Matt
Hayden --> Matt
Ragan --> Matt
Lane --> Matt

Bye, Matt.

Hayden won HOH!

Nominations - Brendon and Ragan

Ragan won POV. Britney is on the block with Brendon.

Live vote:
Enzo --> Brendon
Ragan -- > Brendon
Lane --> Brendon

Bye-bye, Brendon