Big Brother 14: Live Feeds Into Late Sunday Night 7/15-16

Coach Dan

G'day, hamsterwatchers! I'm sure you're just dying to know the latest hijinks from those Big Brother Scampering Sillies! Here goes:

• Ian had his big date night with Ashley.
• While Dan had coached him on how to present himself, Boogie coached him on getting intelligence from her.
• Heh. I said "getting intelligence."
• Boogie wanted Ian to find out which girls SHE likes or not.
• Britney was their waitress because Wil (the waiter) ended up being called to the Diary Room.
• Most of the "date" was built around the discussion of organic chemistry.
• @@
• In their date game talk, Ashley told Ian she would be voting whatever her team votes.
• Ian reminded her that it's really not a team game.
• Many are really losing sight of that. But the teams are making for ready-made mini-alliances.
• Ian thinks he "planted seeds" in Ashley's mind gameplay-wise.
• Janelle thinks Willie is becoming too controlling -- he blew up because he thought she and Kara were scheming when they were just talking fluff stuff.
• Janelle says she won't allow Willie to bully either herself or Wil.
• NOW he's starting to sound like a Hantz!
• Willie thinks all the coaches want to target the stronger players.
• Well, duh.
• Janelle thinks that Danielle has a big crush on Shane.
• Well, duh.
• JoJo says she'll go on a date with Ian next week with espionage in mind.
• Can you see Ian and JoJo as a couple? Yikes!
• Willie thinks that they should stop talking eviction until just before eviction because they keep changing their minds between Kara and Frank.
• Y'think?
• Ian spent some time alone talking to the camera in the Have Not room. He thinks he might need to win HoH soon as he might be a target. He also thinks Frank is going to go this week.
• There ya go ... the news of the evening. As I get this posted, most are in bed but Dan is sitting alone outside.
• UPDATE -- Now it's Willie and Ashley outside talking strategy. Willie is trying to get in with everyone. Hopefully his social game will be better than Russell's was!

Dressed up for his date night

Rub-a-dub-dub

Big Brother 14: Live Feeds Into Sunday Evening 7/15

Hunka-hunka

The big event of today was that the PoV meeting was held. For feedsters, its a bit of a non-event as the feeds get blocked. Today's was even more of a non-event as we knew Shane wouldn't use the veto. The nominations remain the same. 

What else has been happening in that Big Brother House of Ill Repute? Read on ...

• Boogie is definitely the early riser this year. Oh well.
• He gave some shout outs and fussed about dirty dishes and ants.
• Heck, the house has ant issues every year.
• Paranoid Joe has been pushing the idea that BB will switch up the coaches.
• Wil and Joe talked. Wil thinks that Willie has an agreement with Frank.
• He does, kind of sort of.
• Neither Wil nor Joe think that Frank could be trusted in whatever he's got going with Willie.
• They're probably right.
• Joe told Janelle that Frank and Jenn approached him about taking out Willie.
• If that indeed happened, I missed it.
• He says that Willie and Shane are their targets.
• Danielle is STILL following Shane around like a puppy dog.
• It's almost as creepy as some of Ian's oddities.
• Boogie is trying to recruit Shane.
• With Joe's telling on Frank to BritJan, etc., it looks like the tides are turning once again.
• First the target was Frank.
• Then it was Kara.
• Now it seems Frank's in trouble again.
• They're getting all psyched for Showtime as I type this up.
• Don't they realize we're out here watching them 24/7?
• Ian has been being coached on dating.
• Tonight will be date night.
• Oh well. 

The Odd Couple

Janelle is worried

Big Brother 14: Blog Party! 7/15 Episode

Yep, it's even starting on time! As the show airs, I'll post major events right here on this entry. But the real fun is in the comments ... come join us!

The Coaches Competition will give them a new power. All four coaches compete this week to grant one player safety. It will also decide the Have Nots for the week.

Boogie won. He saves Ian. The Have Mots are decided by each coach. Brit - Shane, Dan - Danielle, Janelle - Ashley, Boogie - Ian.

Nominations. Ian is wearing a duck on his head and is safe. Key order -- JoJo, Shane, Wil, Danielle, Ashley, Jenn, Joe. Kara and Frank are on the block. Earlier they decided that they would nominate the two strongest players from Boogie and Dan.

Big Brother 14: Live Feeds into Sunday Morning 7/15

Oh my, what big chess pieces you have!

As I get this written up, the hamsters are all still sleeping. Willie talks in his sleep ... something about getting the bears. Um. Okay. Here's the latest news from the late night and overnight hours inside that Big Brother House of Recruited Characters:

• Don't expect Janelle to ever do another "All Stars" season. According to her, it ain't gonna happen.
• Ian can name every BB eviction in order. That's an obsession, for sure.
• They had a flare-up when trying to get the fire pit started.
• I'm not sure why BB gives them dangerous weapons.
• Ian can kick himself in the face with his foot. I know I saw that on his Facebook page, now the hamsters have seen it.
• Why? That's my only question.
• Joe is STILL paranoid!
• Willie told Frank that he is indeed Russell's brother.
• So now the news is getting around. I don't think it will bear much weight with them at this point. He's getting known for his own merits or otherwise.
• Jenn and Frank told Joe it wasn't their fault they were chosen by Boogie. They'd like to disassociate themselves from him, but can't really do that.
• Since no one is telling him, Dan told Kara he thinks she has a 75% chance of staying.
• Yeah, right.
• She's still the latest target.
• Although I would go for getting Frank out. But I'm not a hamster in the house.
• Janelle thinks Dan is trying to send her on guilt trips when he tells her that she's his mother's favorite houseguest.
• Dan's mother just has good taste! I only wish she had told him to stop shouting in the Diary Room.
• Later today, expect the PoV Meeting! 

His knees are going to regret that someday

Chillaxin'

What? We're supposed to PLAY the game?

Off Topic - That Was the Week It Was - July 15, 2012

Good morning, people! If you're a Big Brother fan looking for a live feeds report, check out the post before this one. I will be getting the latest update up in just a bit. This is my weekly off television topic photo post reflecting on the week gone by in both words and photographs I've taken along the way.

I had a staycation this past week. Unfortunately, a stomach bug of some sort took up a good portion of my time off. On Wednesday, feeling a bit better, I thought I'd venture out to photograph the wildlife at Mindowaskin Park in Westfield, then hit up Trader Joe's for some goodies. 

What a mistake! They've let the park get all rundown, its pond covered with algae and smelly. I got a few shots, but saw no ducks or geese, my planned targets. The neglect of a park which had always drawn in such water fowl is sad indeed.

I took so many much better photos stopping by Bernice's garden after attending the opening of the Summer Invitational Photo Exhibit at the Plainfield Public Library. Once again, the photos at the exhibit were truly inspiring! I felt so proud to be a part of it last year and actually even a bit proud of Plainfield itself! Congratulations, Bernice!

I spent some time at the big Citizens Appreciation Day BBQ put on by Plainfield Firefighters, ate a bit and headed on home to catch up on my Big Brother live feeds. Yes, it's that time of year again. I return to work tomorrow already having received a text message from my boss warning me of a very busy week ahead. I guess it all keeps me off the streets and out of trouble!

Onto the photos -- clicking on an image will open it in a new window, clicking again will make it larger, closing that new window will send you right back here. 

Beeware!

This is one of the shots I took in Bernice's flower garden. What a sweet little oasis in the middle of downtown! Thank you for showing me around, Bernice!

Orange happiness

Also at Bernice's.

Pleased to meet you!

One of Bernice's little friends.

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

Big Brother 14: Live Feeds into Saturday Evening 7/14

Dollar store rugs?

Now, we all know that BB gets their arts and crafts for the hamsters from dollar stores. Apparently they get their bathroom rugs there, too. That said, it wouldn't hurt a hamster to sweep up all the cheap rug shreds all over the floor. It bugs me every time I see it. Get a Swiffer in there!

The schedule is a bit askew this week due to them having to have show fodder for the premiere. As a result, today was a bit of a doldrums day -- nothing scheduled, sunshine and boredom. Without further ado, here's what's happened today inside that Big Brother House of Whack-a-Mole Cousins:

• The sloped and oddly shaped beds in the Swirl Room seem to have claimed another victim. It took a while for Shane, the first up, to look comfortable and he complained about his back.
• Boogie worked on Shane to use the veto to save Frank, promising him safety and all.
• No go.
• The Ever Paranoid Joe questioned Boogie on why he would put him on the block.
• If he doesn't cut it out, he might be on the block just because!
• Anyway, he's always picking at food with his fingers. I know he's a chef, but he lives in a houseful of hamsters. Keep yer little hamster claws out of the food! Utensils!
• Oh. And just after I took the screen cap of the bathroom (above), Boogie came out of the toilet stall and walked on by without washing his hands.
• EW! EW!
• Danielle is just short of useless in the game. Dan really doomed himself with his picks.
• Ian spends his time between acting like a fool for the cameras to just lurking about making others uneasy.
• Sigh. I had such hope for the boy!
• They're still flip-flopping over who should get the boot this week -- Kara or Frank.
• Janelle wants to stay quiet, then blindside Dan by booting Kara.
• But then she also thinks of reasons to keep her.
• It's going to be a long week in the house.
• Willie, who has been growing a slight beard, says they told him he can't shave until Thursday.
• We know that's so they can use clips out of order without worrying about beard/no beard! At least it's too early for them to air clips we know were taken three weeks ago and pretend it's news for the TV show!
• Shane talked with Frank, acting like he's willing to be in an alliance with him.
• Oh yeah, if they do indeed evict Kara (as deemed by BritJan), Frank won't know Shane had nothing to do with it and Shane gains an ally.
• They already have the chronic problem of expired foods and fruit gone bad. 
• Maybe BB gets its food at dollar stores, too!
• Willie and Joe cleaned out the refrigerator. Joe kept sticking his fingers in things snacking and "testing."
• Britney even called him out on that yesterday. Yet he continues.
• I think they'd be happier if both nominees could go. It should be Kara, though.  

I can see him still dressed like this at 60

Th-th-that's all, folks!

Big Brother 14: Live Feeds Into Saturday Morning 7/14

CarrotTop on the block

Hamsters in Limbo a'goin' on in the house! With the PoV meeting not expected until Sunday, the two nominees (Frank and Kara) are definitely feeling the stress. Even worse than that, it's hard for me to figure out who's going this time around! Normally there's a clear-cut So-and-So will be out. Not so much with these two.

Here's the latest from inside that Big Brother house of Rampant Rodents:

• Willie really really wants to keep Frank for some odd reasons of his own. Supposedly he feels he can trust him more than he can trust Kara.
• BritJan are pushing for Kara to stay. Their reasoning? Frank is a stronger player, get him out while they can. Frank is also one of Boogie's Boys. They do NOT want Boogie to remain unscathed if they have a chance.
• Willie did have a heart to heart talk with Kara about working together despite coaches.
• Oh my.
• Shades of Russell even if Willie does sound and come across as less of a snake oil salesman!
• Dan seems to be migrating a bit away from Boogie and more towards BritJan.
• Willie and BritJan think that Ian and Jenn are spying on them.
• The boys got their alcohol last night. Woohoo.
• It put most of them to sleep before the others headed to bed.
• Dan not only shouts in the Diary Room, he taps a lot.
• And I'm not talking dancing.
• Stop it, Dan.
• Dan has been pleading Kara's case.
• I personally think getting rid of Frank would be a better move. 
• He doesn't entertain me much on the feeds.
• So he can go.
• JoJo is on the annoying side.
• But, then again, she's from Staten Island ... where most of the Jersey Shore cast hails from. Enough said.
• I don't care that Staten Island is about ten miles from me. They're a whole different world.
• Joe is super paranoid that the veto will be used and he will go on the block.
• Yep, his name has indeed come up!
• But I don't think that Shane will use the veto unless BritJan tell him to.
• While talking to Willie, Kara told him he has her word that she wouldn't nominate him if she won HoH. She wants Boogie's team out.
• Willie, Joe and JoJo all smoke this year. JoJo smokes while wearing a nicotine patch. @@
• WHOA! Now BritJan have changed their (solitary) mind! 
• They have decided to take Kara out and get DAN out of the game!
• Willie, of course, agreed.
• It's what he wanted all along -- Kara out.
• They decide not to say anything to Dan or spies, but to keep their votes intact.
• So now it looks like Kara will be out the door this week, shiny knees and all.
• And little Mr. Nerdy Ian better watch his game. His name as a nominee is being mentioned WAY too much.
• Of course, anything can change between now and Thursday.
• Stay tuned. 

Ms. Shiny Knees

A bundle of joy

Odd bedfellows

Definitely a young Tom Cruise with a better nose thing going on

Big Brother 14: Live Feeds Update into Friday Evening 7/13

Fashion Police! Bust him. NOW

Of course, I broke the biggest news of the day earlier -- Shane won the PoV. Since he's on the Girl Coach Duo alliance, he's sure not to use it. But what else has been happening in that Big Brother House of Coached Kitty Feed? Read on ...

• The Janelle/Britney bond is going to be a tough one for the boys to break.
• Boogie wants to drive a wedge between them via one of their team members, but has no real plan.
• BritJan like Dan, but know he's somehow automatically in with Boogie.
• Dan has bigger problems of his own -- his decisions and his team suck.
• They really do.
• Of the two he has left since Jodi's early exit, Kara is his best player.
• And she's on the block.
• Danielle seems to occupy her time following Shane around in daze.
• The PoV game had to do with coins, water and soap they all seemed to get in their eyes.
• They're all really banged up, so it had to be rough.
• Willie said he and Shane were really close to winning, but Shane did just a bit better.
• They said Dan did odd things like directing Kara to stack coins(?) and having Danielle sabotage other players.
• Boogie doesn't think Danielle's a school teacher like she said. He thinks she's in the medical field.
• That was a stupid lie anyway.
• Frank says that the coaches need them, but they don't need the coaches.
• He's got a point there. They should never forget that they're playing individual games, not a team game.
• While Ashley was in horrible shape last night and whisked away to a doctor today, she's not looking like Miss Death anymore.
• Ian wants to dress up like a cat for the live show. @@
• Apparently he wore a duck on his head during nominations.
• Shane suggested that he use the veto to save Kara, then they could put Joe on the block.
• Why Joe?
• Because they're not sure of his vote to save Kara. D'oh!
• It still looks like the veto will not be used. And, it's a toss-up between who goes home. BritJan really want Frank to go. Willie wants to keep Frank, but will probably go with BritJan. I just don't know. 

Ian is giving me great photo fodder

He'd look less like Russell sans cap

On the block blues

My Picks Suck blues

Dan works it out with Janelle and Britney

No comment, Danielle

Big Brother 14: Special Bulletin - PoV Winner

First PoV Winner of the season

My pool boy Shane won the first PoV of the season. It's unlikely the nominations (Frank and Kara) will be changed.

I'll be filing a full report later tonight. Most of today so far they waited around for the comp to start. 

Big Brother 14: Live Feeds Into Friday Morning

Ian isn't the hamster I hoped he would be

Nothing of any huge importance has happened since my first report. However, we're still trying to catch up with things missed as the hamsters were in the Habitrail for nearly a week before the live feeds went on. Plus, I must say, this crowd is already heavy into the game ... unlike many seasons before. 

So, here's the latest news gleaned from inside that Big Brother House of Fun:

• Ian isn't meshing well with the crowd. While the kid gives good Diary, he's a bit of a social outcast amongst his fellow hamsters. 
• Some discussed how differently (normal) Ian started acting when he knew the feeds went live.
• Of course, WE don't know that because the feeds weren't live!
• Britney and Willie talked about how many sensitive people there are in the house this year (those who burst into tears).
• Included on that list are: Ashley, Danielle, Wil, Kara and Joe.
• The coaches had some kind of comp which Boogie won.
• Janelle said she felt bad beating Dan in the comp.
• Due to the comp (somehow), Ian has safety this week. He couldn't be nominated, nor can he be put up with PoV changes.
• In other news, Wil freaked out because JoJo drank his drink and then laughed and talked about him when he reacted.
• Instead of actually confronting her, he went into to some quiet little hissy fit making Britney and Janelle worry about him.
• JoJo needs to watch her bridges burned. She seems to be into everything.
• They say Joe is a drama queen, although I haven't seen it. Britney and Willie jokingly discussed how he'd commit suicide to get out of the house -- go in the pool and keep inhaling water until he sinks, poisoning his own food.
• Yes, Britney does still have that Mean Girl streak. But she's always entertaining.
• Janelle and Britney are tight. They think Dan made horrible picks.
• Willie wants to keep Frank over Kara. But the Coaching Duo of Britney and Janelle tell him it's more dangerous.
• Not sure when PoV will happen. They're all still on indoor lockdown and are sleeping right now. 

Begrudgingly, I admit Boogie has matured a teensy bit

Storage room strategy

Shh ... sleeping hamsters

Big Brother 14: Live Feeds Update into Thursday Night 7/12-13

On indoor lockdown

Okay, it's the first live feeds update of the season and we're already behind. Nominations have been made. There appears to be a Have Not group. The PoV is supposed to be played "tomorrow," yet they're on lockdown now and allowed alcohol. Dan and Boogie vs. Britney and Janelle is already in motion.

Here's the skinny on the Hapless Hamsters and Returning Rodents:

• Willie (HoH) nominated Kara and Frank.
• Boogie is already being a creepy so-and-so.
• He told Kara all the girls were against her.
• Britney, Janelle and other girls told her not so!
• Ashley and Danielle are Have-Nots.
• Ashley has been crying to Willie (who is surprisingly supportive) and Britney because she feels she let Janelle down. Must be over the Have Not bit.
• I haven't seen any focus on Willie being a Hantz.
• Britney, Janelle and JoJo sat around trash-talking Boogie.
• I personally feels he deserves it. He skeeves me out.
• JoJo will host the PoV.
• Ashley seriously doesn't think the feeds will show her crying in the Swirl Room.
• Silly hamster.
• They received alcohol. In an unexpected move, Boogie agreed with Janelle's request to let the girls have it. The next time there's alcohol, the guys will get it.
• Of course, it boils down to less than two beers each, but hey!

Th-th-that's all for now folks! Just wanted to get the bigger news out there! 

Janelle still has it

Easier to BEAR a grudge this season!

Ashley thinks she let Janelle down

Jenn's a nut

Big Brother 14: Season Premiere Blog Party!

Come one, come all! It's the season premiere of Big Brother 14 and the biggest (and most fun) blog party is right here! While I won't be posting blow-by-blow happenings, I will update this entry with major events. However, the real fun is to be had in the comments area. Come join the fun! The pool is ready and the drinks are on the (BB) house!

The live feeds themselves won't be starting until 1am here on the East Coast. I plan to be gathering some fodder and getting a post up after a few hours.

Oh my, rumors were true. "One will leave before the night is through."

The returning rodents will be "coaching" the hapless hamsters.

Invitations, but no keys?

Ian, the cute little nerd dude, is already onto Willie Hantz as he's also a Survivor fan.

Returning: Dan, Janelle, Britney and Mike Boogie (rumors were true). Each coach picks three hamsters to coach. If a coach has the winning hamster, he or she wins 100 grand. Dan outed Willie Hantz as Russell's brother, but Willie is denying it.

They received invitations instead of keys because there are only 11 keys. (Their budget must be really bad ... couldn't make another key!) The comp will determine who leaves.

Britney picks Shane, Willie, JoJo

Boogie picked Frank, Ian, Jenn

Janelle took Wil, Ashley, Joe

Dan chose Kara, Danielle, Jodi

HoH comp, playing in teams. Winning team coach picks HoH. Losing team coach must pick the person to leave. They have to get bears on a shelf -- it's slumber party related. They have cross three moving beds.

Britney's team won. The comp is still on for the worst team. Coaches can make substitutions now.

Janelle's team is second, Boogie's is third.

Britney chose Willie as HOH. Dan has to send someone home. Jodi is indeed gone. Gee, now the cast is all white. Oh. And Dan still shouts in the Diary Room. Gah. 

Big Brother 14: Blog Pool Picks and Schtuff!

First off, I'd like to extend a big thank you to ORKMommy for running this season's blog pool. She rocks and so do all of you with your excitement over the upcoming season! I think we're in for a lot of fun!

Here are the random picks -- you can cheer on your pick until they get the boot. Of course, if they never get the boot, you get bragging rights until next season!
 

Ashley Iocco - JonMD1267, Cha Cha, Monty924, Auntie Leigh

Danielle Murphre - Laurie, Ayana, Petals, Terry in TX

Frank Eudy - Micaela, Donna, ORKMommy, Serina Cox

Ian Terry - Rbennie, Brenda, QuixoticElf, MEB

Jenn Arroyo - AmyTL, Jessica, Michi, Marlo Lee

Jodi Rollins - Joey, Gaylos, Witt, Nana in NW

Joe Arvin - bbbw_princess, Janice/GA, Karen from CA, Glenn

JoJo Spatafora - Brent McKee, Donna in FL, Alicia, Jennasmom

Kara Monaco - Lynn1, Nina, Sasha, PDXGranny

Shane Meaney - Buzzmaam, Jackie, SueGee, Sydney

Wil Heuser - Delee, Dierdre, Merrilee, Becky

Willie Hantz - M&M, Chris, Sister Sue, Tammy

Cool. I ended up with Shane Meaney. I personally don't know how great he'll do since he was never a fan of the show, but is a recruit. If memory serves, he was the sexiest man in Vermont in Cosmopolitan magazine. So, he's eye candy for me. Plus, he's from Bennington, VT. I'm quite familiar with Bennington as it's nearby (and a part of) family stomping grounds.

Onto SCHTUFF --

• At 9 PM EDT tonight, I'll put up a blog party post. Everyone is invited to party and comment as we watch the show together!
• The live feeds don't go live until after the West Coast premiere -- at 1am EDT. I will gather some fodder for a post a few hours after they start.
• The hamsters have already been in the house since this past Saturday, so the feeds tend to be a bit confusing at first as we don't know what's already gone down. Bear with me.
• My plan for posting this season is three live feeds updates per day -- early morning, early evening and late evening based on my own East Coast times. Of course, there may be extra posts when things warrant.
• I will be including screen caps from the live feeds, but they've really come down on any videos posted. I don't want to lose the blog by posting videos even though I do have the technology to do it. Anyone you see post extended videos of the feeds or posting the feeds themselves are exposing themselves to fines and shutdowns of their accounts. The videos of mine on YouTube date back before the crackdown.
• I do ask that folks remain fairly civil and PG-rated here. I know it's prudish, but ...! 
• Not everyone is going to like or dislike the same hamsters. Speak your mind about the hamster, but treat other members of the blog with respect, please! I reserve the right to remove any comments which disrupt the community.
• Just a personal request -- even when posting about the hamsters, it tends to creep me out when folks make personal appearance insults. Sure, this cast is "pretty," but I'd prefer you post about their ACTIONS, not insults about noses, waistlines, etc. Your choice, of course. But I just wanted to get that out there.

Hamster watchers ready?

Blog Pool is ON! Get your names in here!

We have a volunteer to run the pool -- the same person who started it so long ago! Woohoo! Thank you, Theresa! We also might have something going on with a pool for the "mentor" twist. Stay tuned!

To get into the pool, your name MUST be submitted by noon EDT on Thursday! Be there or be square! Or something like that ...

Volunteer Needed for Pool!

Folks ... if someone wants to run the blog pool for Big Brother 14, I'd really appreciate it! It would entail a random pick of blog readers and hamsters, as well as an update regarding who's out with each eviction.

Any takers?

Off Topic - That Was the Week It Was - July 8, 2012

What? It's Sunday? I guess it must be time for my weekly off television topic reflection on the week gone by in both words and photographs I've taken along the way.

But, first ... (as says the ChenBot), I do have to touch on all of the Big Brother 14 news just a bit. If you haven't noticed, I've started posting about the cast. I plan on posting more a bit later today about our new hamsters. They actually entered the house last night, but the live feeds don't start until after the premiere airs. I posted cast interviews over on my Big Brother Facebook Page for this blog. Please feel free to like the page -- I link all my BB blog articles there, as well as some additional content.

On more personal non-television matters, I received word from the new landlord that Vincent can indeed stay despite the new "no pets" lease. YAY! I really didn't want to move. But if they said he had to go, we would find another place to live. I did make it clear to them that I would be moving if they didn't allow him. I know this area isn't the easiest to find good tenants and, apparently, so do they.

As for my knees mishap last week, they seem to be okay. I couldn't make an appointment due to the holiday week, but really need to call back this week. The left (older) knee swelled up for about three days and is still sporting all kinds of beautiful colors. The right (new) knee has a scrape and a small bruise in addition to some residual pain around the kneecap. Both seem to be stable enough. I'm not going to have them redone no matter what! At least not for the next twenty or thirty years, I hope.

My latest staycation started yesterday. Supposedly the latest heat wave should end tonight and I might be able to enjoy roaming about with the camera or take a run into the city. I'd go to the beach but too many people go there this time of year!

Onto the photos I've taken this week -- I had some extra photo fodder because the Plainfield 4th of July Parade was held yesterday, on the 7th. Don't ask. I watched the parade because it goes right by my apartment building. But I didn't partake in any of the other events of the day because it was just too darn HOT. Clicking on an image will open it in a new window, clicking again will make it larger, then close that window to return here. 

Horse in the 'hood!

I edited this to leave only the horse and rider in color. Obviously, this is from the parade. We rarely have horses just roaming around here in the 'hood.

Early morning Presbyterian

I like the way the early morning sun played out on the local Presbyterian Church. East Front Street, Plainfield

I see the bee's knees!

The bees are still busy in Bridgewater!

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

Big Brother 14: Meet the Cast

My personal jury is still out. I will need to know more before I can draw conclusions other than young and can spend three months away from life as they know it. But I wanted to get the photos and basics up for you. More as I delve into them to see what makes 'em tick. Four "mentors" would bring the cast to 16.

Top Row: Danielle, Frank, Shane, Ian, Willie, Jenn /Middle Row: Joe, Kara, Jodi /Bottom: Jojo, Wil, Ashley

Jenn Arroyo, 37

From: Brooklyn, NY

Current City: Brooklyn, NY

Musician - former bass player for the female metal group “Kittie”

---

Joe Arvin, 41

From: Lexington, KY

Current City: Schererville, Ind.

Chef

---

Frank Eudy, 28

From: Marion, AR

Current City: Naples, FL

Unemployed

---

Jodi Rollins, 42

From: Englewood, CO

Current City: Calipatria, CA

Restaurant server

---

Willie Hantz, 34

From: Vinton, LA

Current City: Dayton, TX

Tankerman

---

Wil Heuser, 24

From: Louisville, KY

Current City: Louisville, KY

Marketing consultant

---

Ashley Iocco, 26

From: Pittsburgh, PA

Current City: West Hollywood, CA

Owner of a mobile spray tanning company

---

Shane Meaney, 26

From: Bennington, VT

Current City: Bennington, VT

House flipper

---

Kara Monaco, 29

From: Orlando, FL

Current City: Los Angeles, CA

Model

---

Danielle Murphree, 23

From: Grant, AL

Current City: Tuscaloosa, AL

Nurse

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JoJo Spatafora, 26

From: Staten Island, NY

Current City: Staten Island, NY

Bartender

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Ian Terry, 21

From: Pittsburgh, PA

Current City: New Orleans, LA

Engineering student

Big Brother 14: Hamster News

We've already gotten a glimpse of the new Habitrail and now, despite the fact that the official cast reveal is supposed to be tomorrow ... we see some of the hamsters.

It is looking like it's going to be a season of new hamsters mixed with returning rodents as mentors. Whether the returning rodents will be eligible to win, I don't know. Folks who know me know that I'm not too keen on returning houseguests. Rumors are still persisting that the returning hamsters are Mike Boogie, Janelle, Dan (BB9) and now ... Rachel (WAH). And one of the rumored new houseguests even bears a familiar name. 

Here's what I've gathered for y'all on the new hamsters:

A new commercial:



 Another new commercial:



Here's the familiar name, alas, Russell Hantz's brother. Sigh. That said, I don't think he's going to be either like Russell or that silly weird nephew.
 


 Kara is Playboy's Playmate of the Year 2006. @@




One of the new hamsters, Wil Heuser, has his own YouTube channel and, supposedly, a fan following.

Your thoughts on these hamster glimpses and the new "twist"? 

Happy 4th of July!

I hope everyone has a fantastic Fourth! Tomorrow I expect the big cast reveal for BB14!

Big Brother 14: Press Day Stuff!

Okay, I'm not such a happy camper with the rumors I'm hearing. You've all seen the commercials hinting at the largest number of houseguests ever. Well, rumor has it that there will be sixteen new hamsters and four "mentors." The mentors would be returning players. Sigh. It had better not have the couple we see in this Press Day video (keep in mind, these are not the real hamsters, they're press people -- maybe one day I'll get an invite!) --

 

Other new house decor photos can be seen here and here.

The new hamsters should be in sequester now. We should be seeing commercials by the end of the week featuring them, I believe.

Off Topic - That Was the Week It Was - July 1, 2012

It's once again Sunday morning. You know what that means. It's time for my weekly off television topic post reviewing the week gone by in both words and photographs I've taken along the way.

Briefly visiting the actual topic of this blog -- television, really -- I expect there to be announcements perhaps as early as tomorrow regarding the cast of the new season of Big Brother. They should be in sequester at this time filming teasers for commercials and avoiding the outside world. My personal educated guess is that they will enter the house next weekend (July 7, 8) although the live feeds won't start until after the season premiere. When I know news, I'll get it posted.

In other TV news, I'm now on individual waitlists for every single America's Got Talent live show in Newark through August. I really hope to snag tickets to go with friends to at least one show! In looking at the times of the shows which vary from 5:30pm to 6:30pm, I'd have no trouble getting to Newark on time on the train after working. It's only a two block walk from Newark Penn Station to the Prudential Hall where the shows will be filmed. And, it's FREE. The only real problem is actually getting the tickets!

In other news, it's just been one of those icky weeks for me. The weather was either stormy or heat wave. I hate the heat and humidity. I don't like to sweat while just walking. I wrote the letter pleading that Vincent be grandfathered with the new landlord, but haven't heard back yet. I didn't take ANY photos this week that excited me. But, then the week got worse.

I fell. I fell due to an idiot putting a dark duffel bag on the floor of a dimly lit corner store directly in the only path one has to approach the register area. I already get irked by the people who just mill around in that store on Saturday mornings buying bus tickets to Atlantic City or spending their government issued monies on scratch off tickets and Lotto. Now I will regard them all with distrust and venom in my eyes.

I fell directly on both knees (replacements). The pain was unreal. I yelled at the woman who had no reason on earth to leave that bag on the floor! It wasn't even near her. It was five feet away next to the Drake's Cakes rack. I went ahead to work as I was nearby the train station already.The left (older) knee immediately swelled up. The right (new) knee had a scrape on it, but didn't swell. I worked a shortened day, did what I had to get done, then headed home to elevate and ice.

That was yesterday. Today both knees seem to be stable enough, but the left one is still quite swollen, the right one a bit swollen. Both still hurt. There's no sense in going to the Emergency Room as, while they might take x-rays, there's nothing they could do about knee replacement damage other than to give me painkillers. I don't need painkillers bad enough to pay the deductible for an ER visit. I have needed to set up my yearly follow-up on both knees with my orthopedic surgeon. He takes x-rays then. I'm not sure if I'll be able to get in during the holiday week, hopefully next week. I'll live with the pain ... as long as the knees seem to be stable. Hopefully I did no damage to the mechanisms. Sigh.

In better news, I only work three days this week. It should be four days due to the holiday, but I also added a personal day in for Saturday. Then I'm on my last staycation before my paid time off hours switch over on September 1st (anniversary with the company). I get several weeks vacation and a number of personal days yearly. If I don't take those hours, I lose them come my anniversary date. On the other hand, my sick hours can accrue up to six weeks, then they add up no more. If I leave the company, I can collect any vacation or personal days due, but not the sick time. The sick time just vanishes. I think I might be sick a lot the year I retire. :-)

Onto my rather lackluster photos of the week. Clicking on an image will open it in a new window, clicking again will make it larger. Just close out that window to plunk you right back here on the blog. 

Hey, everybody, have you heard?

He's going to buy me a mockingbird. If that mockingbird don't sing, he's going to buy me a diamond ring. This mockingbird I spotted at the Bridgewater Train Station was surely going through an array of songs ... in between dive-bombing any other bird in sight. What a violent little bird!

We're having a heat wave, a tropical heat wave

One morning, it was already really warm and sticky as I headed to the train station a bit after six in the morning. The sun just hung in a haze. Yet, in the other direction, storm clouds darkened the skies. I took this shot at the fence for the Union Community College parking lot on Church Street in Plainfield.

Bees don't care

With the exception of torrential downpours, bees don't care about the weather. They have stuff they have to do! If these bees sit still enough, they're great photo fodder. They're not aggressive at all. But I did see some yellow jackets this week. I'm leery about them. I am allergic to bee stings, so I have to be careful with more aggressive bees.

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