Off Topic: That Was the Week It Was - June 21, 2015

Good morning! It's Sunday, the first day of summer and Father's Day all wrapped in one! Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there! I'd say Happy Summer, but it's not my favorite season of the year -- I'm more into less extreme weather. Give me spring or autumn weather all year 'round and I'd be thrilled. Since it's also Sunday, it's time for my weekly off television topic reflection on the week gone by in both words and photographs I've taken along the way.

If you're looking for Big Brother television show content, check out this link right here for the latest. If you want to sign up to be in the blog pool for the show, you need to sign up only on this linked post. (Otherwise we might miss your request!) Later on today, I plan to post some hot gossip on some of the new house hamsters. Yikes. I said "hot gossip." I feel like a tabloid.

I really don't have much to report on from this past week. Here are some random bits and pieces:

• I managed to catch one of the illnesses going around my workplace this week -- yet another monster cold combined with allergies I've already been suffering. Wah. 
• The weather this past week has been hot, humid and rainy. I don't like that. Make it stop.
• The new guy next door, even when his adult children (maybe in their forties) came with a child about seven carrying a big ball ... hasn't moved my floorboards with thumping, nor can I hear much at all from over there. I still haven't met him. The couple was bearing groceries and I'd guess the child is a grandchild. Oh, and I should add, the boy was CARRYING the ball in the hallway, not bouncing it. 
• We're under a flood watch today. I'm staying in. But it can still stop, please.
• I'm shocked and saddened by the Charleston, SC, massacre this past week. Those folks took him in to pray with them. It speaks volumes about the goodness in their hearts and the hate in his. This world is so messed up. 

Anyway ... onto the photos. Clicking on an image will bring up a larger version.

Mug shot profile

Have you seen this bird? Heh. This is one of the adolescent pigeons born this spring at the Bridgewater Train Station. Similar to how one of the parent pigeons posed for me one day with curiosity about the camera, as did this one and its sibling this past week.

Peapod in da 'hood

I spotted the bright green Peapod grocery delivery truck down the street from me one day. Grocery delivery is really catching on. For the longest time I thought I was the only one around here getting Peapod. Nowadays, at least two other people in my building use the service in addition to this stop down the street and the times I've seen the truck pull in at apartments across the street.

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

Big Brother 17: The Blog Pool is OPEN!

Yep, the blog pool for BB17 is now open, thanks to that rockin' ORKMommy who will randomly match us up with house hamsters!

How it works:

• You need to sign up on THIS post and not in any other place on the blog! It's not that we're being cruel or picky ... it's just that if you sign up elsewhere, we might miss the request!
• The deadline for signing up is Tuesday (June 23) at NOON ET. Be there or be square. Or something like that.
• The pool match-ups will be posted prior to the season premiere on June 24.

What do you have to do?

• All you need to do is cheer on your blog pool pick (even if they could very well be someone you really don't enjoy).

What do you win?

• Because we're just such a large budget operation here, you win ... BRAGGING RIGHTS! Yes, you heard me. From now until the zombie apocalypse, you can brag about winning this pool. This will surely be a life-changing experience!

Please sign up in the comments section and let's have a fun season here on the blog!

Big Brother 17: House Tour, 16 Place Settings and Weekly Twists

Now things seem to be getting a bit complicated. Fourteen new hamsters have been introduced, yet there are 16 settings at the table. Check out the house tour video below ...

I actually kind of prefer this year's design over last year. But then there's the pesky count of seats at the kitchen table ...

And now we have a bit of an announcement regarding the expected, er ... expect the unexpected, twist(s) for the season. Hmm. From the announcement: "Each week a surprise guest will appear on the show to announce a new and different twist into the game." Um. Okay. It doesn't explain the extra two place settings.

What do you think it's all about?

Big Brother 17 New Hamsters: Part Three

This is my third and final(?) installment looking at the new cast we're going to live with all summer. Why the question mark? Well, there's only 14 houseguests listed on the CBS website yet 16 places at the table. I expect we'll have a few more coming in the house -- my guess would be previous hamsters. I just hope it's not Frankie. My other hope would be that it's two people over 40 years old or of color. This cast is very young (33 is the oldest) and quite milquetoast bland.

My previous two posts on the cast are Part One and Part Two. ALL of my Big Brother posts can be found at this link right here. Check 'em out!

Jace Agolli

My first impressions from the Jeff Schroeder interview: Skater Boi. Personal trainer. Thinks he's super-personable. Claims to be a big fan of the show. It's all about the gameplay more than the money. Fast talker for a guy originally from the south and now living in California. Adrenalin junkie. Very confident, but not all that off-putting. He could very well have game.

Jace is 23, I assume single, originally from Dunwoody, Georgia, now residing in Venice Beach, California. His bio doesn't offer up much more than I saw in the video. I guess we'll just have to wait and see. He might be a smaller version of Frank without Boogie.

*************************************

Da'vonne Rogers

My first impressions from the Jeff Schroeder interview: Finally, a woman of color -- the only one in this bland cast! Her name is pronounced DAY-vonne. Ha! A professional poker dealer who's not going to reveal her job! Maybe she'll recognize what's-her-name, the pro-poker player! Another "huge fan" of the show from the start. Although she's older than some, I'm still having problems thinking children are sitting around watching the show. She would have been 12 during season one. She does seem to know the show, though. She wants to win it to give her daughter a better life than she has had. I worry a bit because she's outspoken and that can make for enemies in the house. She definitely has the right attitude going in.

Da'Vonne is a 27 year old single mom originally from Inglewood, California, now residing in Los Angeles, California. Well, this is interesting -- she watched the show all the time with her grandmother, the one who convinced her to apply. She loved and hated Rachel -- loved her in comps, hated the emo agenda. (I can understand that although, for me, the emo bit was over the top and diminished the super comp competitor side.) She's the rebel from a family deep into religion. She should be interesting to watch!

*********************************

Shelli Poole

My first impressions from the Jeff Schroeder interview: Oh, geez ... another perky blonde gal. She plans on laying low in the beginning and observe. Her strategy is to continuously adapt as you never know what's coming. Even she thinks she's "older" at 33 and has an edge in playing the game.

Shelli is 33 (the OLDEST member of the cast, sigh), single, an interior designer originally from Marietta, Georgia and now living in Atlanta. She has an etsy.com site for selling her custom designed jewelry. She got married when she was 28 and divorced a year later. I don't know. She's very perky and blonde. I'm not sure I can take all this perkiness.

**********************************

John McGuire

This guy is still the hold-out on the Jeff Schroeder interviews at cbs.com. That's why the funky photo of him. I had to take it from his online show bio.

John is a 27 year old dentist originally from Scranton, Pennsylvania who now lives in Jefferson Township, Pennsylvania. He doesn't like the "nerdy know-it-alls" on past seasons (like Ian, Derrick, Nicole) because they let their knowledge of the game turn into hero worship. He says he's loud, obnoxious and energetic.

Hmm ... maybe he said something evil to Jeff? I don't know why no interview. I'm probably not going to like him, but I'll hold my judgment ... for now.

Big Brother 17 New Hamsters: Part Two

You can find my first post on five new houseguests at this link here. Here goes the second group of five --

Meg Maley

My first impressions from the Jeff Schroeder interview: Another "people person." Oy. Another "big fan" of the show. "Goofy girl" -- okay, the second one of them! Similar to Steve, she wants to play innocent until she backstabs. This one just might be the voice which makes me cringe on the live feeds.

Meg is 25, seems to be single, originally hails from the rather mellow South Jersey town of Collingswood (known for its farm markets and such), currently resides in NYC where she works as a server. How typical is that casting? At least she's not a mixologist. I don't know. Perky tends to turn me off a bit. I'll have to see with her. Uh-oh. In her bio, she says Frankie Grande was her favorite. Can she be first out, please?

**********************************

James Huling

My first impressions from the Jeff Schroeder interview: Oh, my. I didn't expect such a strong Southern accent from him! Another "people person." He has a daughter and an adopted son. Aw. Downright country boy? He thinks he's in for a great experience. He wants to play the game with integrity. We all know how well that works. But he really would like to win the money for his family. He mentioned that he's the first "hillbilly Asian" ever in the house.

James is one of the "old" guys on the show -- he's 31! He's a retail associate originally from Sumter, South Carolina and currently living in Wichita Falls, Texas. He lived in a boys home after his mother died and his father couldn't care for him. He was adopted by a Caucasian family whom he thinks the world of. He served six years in the military. He seems like a really good guy. That integrity bit might just trip him up, though.

**********************************

 

Liz Nolan

My first impressions from the Jeff Schroeder interview: Is there a reason she came all exposed to the interview? That dress is cut almost down to the navel with no bra. I think I'll have to refer to her as "Sex Kitten" for the summer. That's apparently the image she wants to have. She talked of her heels, bikinis and rocking her body. Ew. She's single and wants a flirtmance. I'm sorry. Call me a prude. But I can't get behind someone who introduces herself to the world with her boobs hanging out. She claims to have been into the live feeds. That doesn't make me like her. Although sitting, she seems to dwarf Jeff.

Liz is 23, a marketing coordinator from Miami. One of her worries about being in the house is that she has to remember not to walk around naked. @@ Yes, I'm rolling my eyes. I don't want or need to see that. I think she forgot to wear clothes for the interview! She likes Jeff and Jordan ... and Frankie. She's a mainstay on the Miami nightclub circuit. Why am I not surprised? NEXT.

*************************************

Jason Roy

 

My first impressions from the Jeff Schroeder interview: Superfan, live feeds fan. He talks about missing his girls but my gaydar is going off. I could be wrong. It doesn't really matter. He says he will probably losing his job stocking groceries. Ah, okay ... now he's talking about being the "gay glue" and working with a girls alliance on the show. I wasn't wrong. He's also a fan of all the English speaking international BB shows. I can see where this guy might be fun to hang out with, but could be annoying living with him day in and day out.

Jason is 25, lives at home with his parents in Fall River, Massachusetts. He seems to have a lot of girls for a supermarket overnight stocker. His fandom level seems just a bit shy of writing blogs and monitoring AOL message boards since season one. (Now, who's THAT crazy?)

********************************

Clay Honeycutt

My first impressions from the Jeff Schroeder interview: Well, hello, good-looking young man! Here's my eye candy for the season! One point against him -- in the first minute of the interview, he used the phrase "at the end of the day." I'm so tired of that bunch o' words! He just discovered the show four months ago. Hmm. Sigh. He's a repeat user of "at the end of the day." Like we needed another one of those! He says he's a Momma's boy and also loves his Dad and siblings. If he wins, his first use of the money will be paying for grad school. He seems like a nice guy, but being nice and not really knowing how nasty things can get, he just might be out of his element. Third "at the end of the day." He needs to stop that.

Clay is 23, from Dickinson, Texas. He currently resides in College Station, Texas and is a graduate student at Texas A&M. He's single. What I find the coolest (besides the eye candy factor) is that his mother keeps exotic animals and is a wildlife rehabilitator.

That's all for now! I'll be posting Part Three tomorrow morning. Right now one Jeff interview isn't up on the site. Hopefully it will be remedied by morning.

Big Brother 17 New Hamsters - Part One

Okay, the cast has been revealed and the Jeff Schroeder interviews are up for CBS All Access subscribers! This is the first installment of five hamsters for the blog here. Unfortunately, I had to work all day at my real job and now I'm playing catch up.

Before getting into the individual houseguests, I need to say --

• Where is the diversity? 
• All young.
• Mostly white.
• At least one lesbian and one transgender so far, so LBGT gets some representation.
• Is there a law against having anyone over 40? 
• Gah. Very typical Allison Grodner/Robyn Kass kind of casting.
• Sigh.

Audrey Middleton

My first impressions from the Jeff interview on CBS.com -- Wiggly, chewed gum, not anyone I'd really want to hang out with, extremely confident ... maybe too confident; should tone it down a bit in the house. I did like that she compared her expected gameplay to Dexter Morgan without being a sociopath.

She's 25 years old, single, from Villa Rica, Georgia. While her job sounds fancy, it's basically responding to FB posts for a company. She says she's a super fan of the show and never missed an episode. So, I assume she started watching at age 10? Has she followed the live feeds, the websites? She didn't say. TMZ is reporting Audrey as the first transgender houseguest.

********************************

Austin Matelson as Judas

First impressions from Jeff interview: I think I like the dude. I didn't think I would. His pro-wrestling name is "Judas." He said that Austin is good guy, but when the top hat goes on, out comes Judas. Under all that hair, he kind of reminds me of Christopher Meloni (Stabler from Law and Order: SVU) in looks. Rather surprising guy. Beside the Austin/Judas bit, if he wins he plans to give some money to an anti-bullying charity. He was bullied himself as a child and in wrestling circles.

Austin is 30 years old, a professional wrestler from Woodland Hills, California. He didn't mention single or married. In his bio, it's mentioned that his parents let him stop attending school in eighth grade. He now has a masters in medieval history. Huh. He says he's been a fan since the first season. I think he's going to be interesting to watch gameplay-wise and for entertainment value.

*********************************

Becky Burgess

First impressions from Jeff interview: She says she's optimistic, positive and thinks because her job is a retail manager, she'll have an edge -- she's used to dealing with high school kids (heehee). She thinks she's loud, sill and a bit goofy. I think I like that better than Audrey's (above) qualities. She smiles a bit too much and goes for perky. A long time fan of the show, she says that she knows she'll have to lie at some time in the game. I think that she might just be a bit too "nice" for this show. We'll see.

Becky is 26, single and hails from Denver, Colorado. She's on the athletic side and thinks she's a people person. She thinks she get along well with both the men and the women in the house. Hmm ...

***********************************

Vanessa Rousso

First impressions from Jeff interview: She's hoping to use skills learned in her poker career such as reading people and strategy. She also studied game theory and hopes that might help her, too. She says she's a big fan of the show. She's very worried that someone will recognize her as a professional poker player and wants to stress her DJ work. (I wouldn't recognize ANY pro poker players, nor would I care. One was on Survivor a few seasons back and he certainly didn't win!)

Vanessa is 32, from Las Vegas and has a longtime girlfriend. She likes Dan Gheesling as a player in the house. Uh-oh. She's scared of flying insects and being publicly humiliated. Does she know what she's getting into?

*******************************

Steve Moses

First impressions from Jeff interview: Gee, looks like they're trying for Ian II, doesn't it? Aha, a real superfan into the live feeds and all! We gotta like him! He seems like he might have a decent likable, excitable boy strategy, yet he thinks he can be ruthless as well. While he's reminiscent of Ian, I doubt he'll isolate himself as much as Ian did.

Steve is a 22 year old college student from Gouverneur, New York. His favorite player on the show is Danielle Reyes, always a good choice. She would have won her season had they not shown the hamsters the diary room sessions. That stopped that practice! I'm not sure how his innocent yet gregarious strategy is going to work and it's probably not a good thing that he looks a bit like Ian (as far as the other hamsters go, not the show fans). I'd like to see him do well.

Off Topic: That Was the Week It Was - June 14, 2015

Good morning! Since it's indeed a Sunday morning, it's time for my weekly off television topic reflection on the week gone by in both words and photographs I've taken along the way. If you're interested in Big Brother 17 television show news, I have posts at this link and will be posting on the new cast reveal this coming Tuesday evening.

I really don't have much for you this week. It was either raining or hot and humid all week. That's so not my favorite kind of weather. I prefer highs in the low 70s! Here are some random thoughts on the week and stuff:

• Two different bugs seem to be going around at work -- a stomach bug and a coughing bug. I don't want either one. People need to stop breathing on me.
• For the most part, I can't even tell I have a neighbor where the noisy screaming thumping family lived. Good. Hopefully he feels the same about me.
• I filled out the latest NJ Transit customer service survey. I complained about all the riff-raff hanging out, drinking and such at the Plainfield Train Station as well as the horrid condition of the tunnel and elevators. I'm sure they'll listen to me. Right?
• I don't like to sweat. Wah.
• I think I need a nap.

Onto the photos for the week -- clicking on an image will bring it up larger in a gallery of all the photos on the post.

Berries

I didn't realize my camera was in a bizarre mode when I shot these berries at the Plainfield Train Station. But I kind of like how it turned out.

A posing pigeon

This is an adolescent pigeon who was a roly-poly fluff ball just a few weeks ago at the Bridgewater Train Station.

Canned goods

These were atop the mail boxes in my apartment building one day, apparently for anyone wanted to take them. The only brand name I've seen before is the Del Monte. I have my own canned goods and would be more likely to do this than to take them. But, I'm sure someone can use them, off brands or not.

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

Big Brother 17 -- Timeline for stuff!

Yesterday, there was a Derrick VIP live chat on the live feeds. On Monday, Frankie will have his own VIP live chat. Both of these chats had/have to do with questions directed at themselves or advice for those who want to be BB houseguests. No information on the new cast will be revealed. The Big Brother Access site has posted a transcript of Derrick's chat here at this link.

But ... then ... on Tuesday (June 16), the big live feeds cast reveal goes down! I'll be posting that evening on the live feeds interviews. Websites who get to do cast interviews probably won't be able to post until the next day. Remember, the live feeds this year are via CBS All Access and, while the cost is a negligible $5.99 a month, the first week is free! (Plus you can watch tons of other things, including full seasons of BB and Survivor from the start!)

The season premiere of BB17 is a two night event -- June 24 and 25, starting at 8pm ET/PT both nights. Starting Sunday, June 27, the regular schedule will be Sunday and Wednesday nights at 8pm ET/PT with the live eviction shows airing at 9pm ET/PT on Thursdays.

Once again, I plan on posting daily live feeds updates at least twice daily -- morning and evening, most likely three times daily with a late night post as well. Of course, I'm here East Coast time, so my late night isn't necessarily the late night of the hamsters! I do a work a full time real job, so I can't be posting all happenings live as they happen.

The season finale date is already set for 90 minutes on Wednesday, September 23. How much do you want to bet that it will follow the Survivor season debut?

Get your Habitrails ready for some hamster-watching!

Off Topic: That Was the Week It Was - June 7, 2015

Good Sunday morning, folks! Since it is Sunday morning, it's time for my weekly off television topic review of the week gone by in both words and photographs I've taken along the way. For television fans -- I don't expect any concrete news about the upcoming Big Brother season until after this upcoming week. I have written some about the show which you can find at this link.

We had a lot of rain this past week. True, we needed it. But I'd personally prefer it to rain when I'm sleeping. Sleeping or even just lazing about goes so much better with the rain than trying to commute to work in it. Yesterday, after a rainy start, the weather turned perfect. That's in my own opinion, of course. Partly cloudy, highs somewhere in the mid-seventies with a slight breeze. I could do that year 'round.

On the home front, all is well. Vincent is fine. My new neighbor, a retired gentleman who already lived in one of the landlord's buildings, remains extremely quiet. He moved here because he has problems with his knees and will be getting a knee replacement. We have an elevator; his building didn't and he lived on the third floor there. I've heard kitchen sounds such as putting away dishes in the cabinets. One evening I heard the sound of a faint television. I can sometimes slightly hear movement or walking, but my floorboards aren't moving and nothing is even irking. If I have my television or music on (which I don't play loud), I hear absolutely nothing from that apartment. Blissful!

Meanwhile, down on the first floor, the screaming child can be heard all the way to the front of the building. That means prospective and existing tenants, along with the super, can hear him upon entering or leaving the building. I can't think they're going to be long for the place. I doubt their lease will be renewed. And, rental leases in New Jersey automatically renew unless there are critical problems with rent payments or violations of said lease. But, for the health of the apartment building, I can't see them staying. I feel sorry for the kid. I think he screams for attention and he gets none.

On the work front ... hmm ... forget it. I don't want to talk about the work front. I'm not a happy camper these days. I seriously have to figure out how to swing things financially so I can retire in a few years. It's a toxic place and I fear I'm getting too old for such stress in my life. I'm still having headaches from my injury last fall and I feel the tension is making things worse.

That's about all I have for you this week. Onto the photos -- if you click on an image, it will show larger in a gallery type display. I hope everyone has a nice Sunday!

A rose by any other name ...

... would smell just as sweet. These were growing in front of a home on East Second Street in Plainfield.

Pretty in pink

They've redone the planters near my workplace.

An elegant dove

A dove on a wire in the waning sunlight near the Bridgewater Train Station.

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

20 Things We Can Expect on Big Brother 17

1. There will be the requisite black male and/or black female. However, never more than two folks of color.
2. Someone will try to set up an alliance on the first night.
3. The old person will be slightly over 40. Hey, maybe a real old one at 45. We can dream.
4. There will be at least one woman with a shrill loud voice that will disturb the neighbors in my apartment building as I watch the live feeds late at night.
5. There will be a gay guy. But never two gay guys. If there were, they'd probably not like each other.
6. We'll have a new array of tattoos to see ... some will have to be covered with Band-Aids.
7. A bunch of the hamsters, convinced that the show is Big Brother: The Musical, spontaneously burst into song periodically during the season. Thus, the live feeds will go into fish (or, old-style FOTH) every time they sing.

8. There will be several model wannabes, both male and female. They will hang around in bathing suits and live for comps akin to wet t-shirt contests.
9. At least three hamsters will think that stardom comes after the wrap party at the end of the season. They would be wrong.
10. There will be "twists" we don't like or want.
11. Fish will die. Yes, the fish in the HoH fish tank die all season. No, they don't show that on television.
12. Ants will invade the kitchen. They always do.
13. BB will dole out a paltry amount of alcohol and the hamsters will act like it's a keg party at a frat house.
14. The hamsters will rush around cleaning up the house on live show days not caring that they're SLOBS daily on the Internet.
15. More than one person will have to dress up in a silly costume as a punishment.

16. Most of the competitions will require the hamsters to make fools of themselves.
17. The women will think of forming a women's alliance, but it won't work out.
18. Both men and women will pop pimples in the mirror. Ew.

19. BB will give them dollar store toys and arts and crafts when the doldrums get too dull.
20. There will be at least one person who cries a lot. It would be nice if she were named Amber so we could call her WAH-mber as we've done in the past.

Off Topic: That Was the Week It Was - May 31, 2015

Good morning! It's Sunday morning. You know what that means. It's time for my weekly off television topic reflection on the past week in both words and photographs I took along the way. I've been on a staycation (budget not allowing any extended trips, but I needed to take the time off) this week. I was thinking of going into the city to capture Manhattanhenge but it was too muggy, I was too lazy and now it's such a crowded event that it's almost annoying.

I did make a trip into neighboring Westfield and spent a part of one day at Mindowaskin Park. Most of this week's photos are from my park visit. For the first time since I started visiting the park several years back, I saw three bullfrogs. I didn't get any photos of them as I startled each one of them and they leaped into the water. Hey, they startled me, too!

A chipmunk also scared me at the park. There I was, innocently sitting on a bench, looking through photos I had taken. Next to the bench, set in the grass, was an old sewer grate. I just caught movement from the side and my thought was RAT or PENNYWISE THE DANCING CLOWN! Er, no. It was a chipmunk. I did get a few shots of it, but they didn't turn out all that well as he ran so darn fast.

The biggest news of the week is that my horrible, noisy, thumping so my floorboards move, child screaming at all hours neighbors moved out! I hadn't voiced any more complaints to the landlord about them since the first time. I figured whoever moved in under them would take care of that. And, so it did. Apparently the landlord lost a second tenant who moved under them.

Alas, they only moved downstairs to the first floor -- the very same apartment that two different families moved out of because of them.  I would guess the were given the ultimatum to move to the first floor or out of the building. It's been blissfully quiet here since they went away. Yay!

If you missed it, I wrote a post with some Big Brother news in it the other day. As more information comes around, I'll be posting. You can always find my BB posts by using this tag.

Onto the photos from the week! I might share some more of the gosling shots next week as they were so cute. I didn't make a slideshow as some people were having trouble loading it. If you click on an image, you'll get a larger view in a gallery.

Wood (or Carolina) Duck

This is the second time in several years that I've photographed a male Wood Duck at Mindowaskin Park. I have yet to see a female there. This male, like the last one I saw, stayed alone, refusing to mingle with the mallards or (heaven forbid) the Canada geese.

The mallard has his own beauty

The males are the ones with the white bodies and iridescent heads. Both male and female sport a swatch of blue or purple speculum feathers on their wings.

Mallard's colors close-up

I love the color of the blue on this mallard!

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

Big Brother Tidbits

I know you're all itching for news on the upcoming season or, more likely, for it to start already. However, I don't expect any casting news for a good three weeks or so. That in mind, I decided I should post some newsy bits about the upcoming season and pass on some recent happenings with past house hamsters.

To start things off ...

Big Brother 17 will kick off with a two-night season premiere -- Wednesday, June 24 and Thursday, June 25 -- both nights are 8pm ET/PT although the Thursday live shows will return to the 9pm ET/PT the next week. The regular schedule for the show will be as in recent years: Sunday 8pm ET/PT, Wednesday 8pm ET/PT, Thursday 9pm ET/PT.

Regarding those live feeds ...

The bad news is that there will be no way for the Canadian audience to access the live feeds this season. The good news is that it's easier and cheaper for the United States show fans to get the live feeds. This year, they're bundling the live feeds into the CBS All Access subscription for a mere $5.99 a month. We'll still have the four camera and quad camera views (probably two cameras at different angles in the same room, but ...!) We'll still have the flashback feature to catch up and there are social aspects like chat rooms and such.

One cool thing about the CBS All Access subscription is that you can watch shows from previous seasons. I signed up this past week and so far I've watched the first season of Survivor and Twin Peaks. I've started skipping through episodes of my favorite BB season -- Season Two. No, you can't access the live feeds from past seasons.

You can sign up for the CBS All Access subscription at this link. You will need a credit card even though the first week is free. They rather bizarrely test out the card by taking a dollar out and putting it back in. Huh. It's the first time I've ever noticed that kind of thing with an online account.

 

CBS will be releasing pre-season bits via the All Access subscription. Right now I'm not seeing much of interest on there beyond access to all previous seasons aired shows (including BB1). On June 10th, BB16 winner Derrick Levasseur will have a private chat with subscribers. On June 15th, it will be Frankie Grande with a chat. Later that week (6/15), they're promising a live stream early reveal of the new houseguests. The live feeds themselves aren't expected to start until after the west coast viewing of the June 25 (Thursday) show.

Past hamsters in the news ...

Jeff and Jordan are the big ones in the news. Not only have they set their wedding date, they're appearing on WE tv's Marriage Boot Camp: Reality Stars. That show has its season premiere tonight (Friday, May 29) at 9pm ET/PT on, of course, WE tv.

For the first time, Survivor seasons were filmed out of order. While they'll be filming the show with previous castaways over the summer and airing it in September, Survivor 32 is already done and over with. But, we won't see it until February. And, guess who's on it? Caleb Reynolds from BB16. It's another Beauty, Brawn, Brains edition. I wonder what woman he'll creepily stalk on the island?

Back in February, Mike Boogie Malin filed for bankruptcy. On the other hand, Will Kirby still operates his successful dermatology practice. Meanwhile, BB14 winner Ian Terry is teaching physics in Texas. Howie Gordon has an actual television meteorologist job.

Life goes on.

Off Topic: That Was the Week It Was - May 24, 2015

Good morning! I hope everyone is enjoying their holiday weekend! Of course, Memorial Day isn't all about beaches and grilling -- please take time to remember the reason behind the holiday to think those who gave their lives in service to our country.

Since it is Sunday, that means it's time for my weekly off television topic reflections on the week gone by in both words and photographs I've taken along the way. I do plan to post some television stuff during the upcoming week even though The Amazing Race and Survivor are over for the season and the summer shows are yet to start. So, please check in for those!

Here are some random ramblings for you:

• I'm on a staycation. I really, really need it. I actually need more than just a staycation, but that's all I can get. I'm so tired all the time! Plus, I'm really grouchy and I don't like to be that way.
• On Thursday night I took a taxi home from the train station as I got home much later than I feel comfortable about hanging around on the downtown streets. (My neighborhood is fine; downtown can be scary at late night hours.) I went to the Yellow taxi across the street from the train station. They called an orange cab (Caribe) to take me home. That was weird.
• Speaking of dangerous, I heard on my scanner last night that three people were shot in town along with many other assaults. It happened at a festival held in a park. I don't go to that sort of thing here.
• I don't know what the theme is for autumn's Plainfield Library Photo Contest and can't find the information online. Hmm. 
• Weather permitting, I hope to hit Mindowaskin Park in Westfield one day, perhaps head into the city (NYC) another and maybe even go to a farmer's market. 
• I might just end up lazing about. Who knows?

Without further ado, here are this week's photographs. Clicking on an image will bring it up in a larger gallery view. I hope everyone has a great week!

Pulling into Plainfield

My train to work arrives at the station. Goody, goody.

The Red Admiral butterfly

He paused on a leaf just long enough for me to snag a quick rather not zoomed in photo.

**********************************

A mother, father and adolescent pigeons practically posed for me at the Bridgewater Train station. The adult birds were very curious about the camera, yet watchful over their two offspring. I'm including a flash slideshow here. If you can't get it to come up on your computer or smartphone, the Photobucket link for the pigeon shots can be found right here.

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

Survivor: Worlds Apart Season Finale Blog Party Extravaganza!

Survivor fans ready?

Well, here we are at season's end. And, guess what? I don't care for ANY of them! I find this is the most wholly unlikeable cast ever on the show! How's them apples?

If anyone, I'd have to cheer on the castaway who was my random blog pool pick -- Carolyn. She's played a strategic game as well as winning challenges. She's no spring chicken when it comes to the overall cast, so that's mighty good. It's hard to be an older woman playing the game. Just ask me.

Er, no. Don't ask me. I haven't been, nor will I ever be, on the show. I'll just mock them from afar.

The only other one I think quasi-deserving of a win would be Mike. That doesn't mean I particularly like him. It just means he's played the game and I apparently have grown used to the hoarseness of his voice.

As the show airs here on the East Coast, I'll update this entry with the major happenings. Refresh the page to get the latest news. As always, the real party is in the comments area. I hope to see you there with fresh fruits and vegetables ... um, make that cold beverages and calorie-laden snacky foods.

Before we get into the show, here are the latest blog pool standings from that Lovely Lifeguard Laurie:

Carolyn - Jackie, TerryinTX
Mike - meb, Nickelpeed 
Rodney - Margo 
Sierra - Jennasmom 
Will - Rbennie 

Jury
Hali 
Joe
Jenn
Shirin
Tyler 
Dan

Let's get started!

Let's see how long the reminiscing takes. No wagering, please! Ding-ding! We have a winner -- eight minutes!

Finally, they're back at camp. Although all voted for Carolyn, it's Mike who is all alone. 

Reward Challenge is a convoluted affair with tiles shuffleboard, balancing them on machetes machetes over obstacles and more. The reward is loved ones visiting. The winner's loved one goes back to camp with them. Plus, the winner will have an advantage in the next Immunity Challenge.

Mike wins Reward and the advantage! Guessing at the talk in camp, he's going to need it. 

Mike's advantage is 30 minutes to explore the maze from the next Immunity Challenge. They will all be blindfolded and have to find four medallions and the Immunity Necklace. His Mom and he screw up and his advantage seems (at this point) to be knowing what the Immunity Challenge IS, not how to complete it. 

And, the Immunity Challenge is on! Mike wins it, but I don't think it's because he had the advantage.

Carolyn has to go to her Plan B, her bond with Mike. Sierra, Mike and Carolyn agree with Rodney going before anyone, Will as a second choice. I'm good with that. 

Rodney tries to get in with Mike. He does have a point that against him in the final, Mike would win. Rodney wants to push a Sierra vote. 

Time for Tribal Council. We'll see if Mike really wants to play with players or will go with the easy win over Rodney or Will. 

Rodney votes for Sierra with a bit too much confidence.

The tally -- Sierra, Rodney, Sierra, Sierra.

Oh, my. Whoa! Both Mike and Carolyn voted Sierra! Oh, my.

Into the Immunity Challenge! Untying knots to open a gate, water slides, keys, puzzle pieces. Mike wins with Carolyn second -- Will sucked at it and Rodney sucked even worse.

Rodney is sure the final three will be Mike, Will and Rodney. Hmm.  Mike tells Carolyn he'll vote Rodney with her, the others will vote for Carolyn. He thinks it will end in a fire challenge and she can practice and win. 

Mike tells us he'd rather lose to Mama C than win over two goats.

Tribal Council time!

The tally -- Rodney, Carolyn, Carolyn, Rodney ... as Mike promised. And, sure enough, it's a fire-making challenge. Carolyn didn't do all that well when practicing, but Rodney is pretty inept at everything. I guess we'll see ... after the commercial.

Dang, neither of them have a fire after twenty minutes! They keep getting replacement flints. The jury is yawning, now 45 minutes. 53 minutes. Rodney has had flame twice, now has fire. So does Carolyn. They have to burn through the rope. CAROLYN WINS! 

Rodney is now on the jury. He's very bitter. 

Jury ...
Joe -- You've got to earn it. Bring it. Earn my vote tonight.
Hali -- Mama C, stereotypical mother role disadvantage ... how did it affect game? Played hard, fought hard.
Rodney -- Will, how did you keep it real and will you keep it real with the jury? Try to make friends. It was all I had. Mama C -- power moves. Tyler, Dan. Hooked up with Mike. Plan A and back-up plans.
Tyler -- Mike, put all on jury. What did you bring in redeeming social manner? I saw paranoia. Mike wanted to do better socially, miserably failed at making bonds. "I suck."Carolyn -- I protected you, heartbroken, gutted. Redeem yourself. Most difficult vote. Survivor makes you do things to get to this point.
Sierra -- She asks Will which trait from the other two he likes in the game.
Jenn -- Addresses the jury and goes pro-Mike.  
Dan -- Mike, Colby Donaldson proved just because you win idols, you don't win the jury. No necklace to save your ass tonight. Mike apologizes to Dan. Dan thinks it's the most genuine thing he's said since the auction. 
Shirin -- She was hoping Mike and Will would be there. Will attacked her, Mike protected her. It was a million dollar moment for her. Doesn't mean Mike has her vote. Her vote goes to the one who played the best and that's Carolyn. Mike is like a howler monkey. Carolyn is a stingray. She was on the winning vote each time. Will is the dead fish. 

Okay, Shirin wins for the jury appearances! She quotes Sue Hawk, let it be the way nature intended. I think it's the only time I've actually enjoyed her this season. She had to be working on that since going to jury.

The vote is on and we should soon whisk to Hollywood. Rodney voted Will so he has one vote. Hali voted Mike. Jenn voted Mama C. Dan looks all befuddled and slams his head. Maybe he abstains! 

The tally -- Mike, Will, Carolyn, Mike, Mike, Mike ... MIKE WINS THE SEASON! 

Mike is no longer eligible to be on next season. He had been a choice in the Second Chance listing.

Huh. Still unlikeable people at the reunion.

The Second Chance cast for the next season to be announced. 

Kelly Wiglesworth 
Kimmie Kappenburg (sp)
Jeff Varner 
Keith Nale
Peih-Gee Lawe
Ciera Eastin
Vytas Baskauskas
Terry Dietz
Andrew Savage
Abi Gomes 
Kass McQuillen
Monica Padilla
Kelley Wentworth
Shirin Oskooi
Steve Fishbach 
Woo Hwang
Tasha Fox
Jeremy Collins
Spencer Bledsoe
Joe Anglim

Heading to Cambodia.

Off Topic: That Was the Week It Was - May 17, 2015

Good morning! It's Sunday morning. You know what that means. It's time for my off television topic review of the week gone by in both words and photographs I've taken along the way.

Spring finally has its sturdy foothold here in my area of New Jersey. We've had at least one 90 degree day (boo) and a few overnights have been a bit more than chilly. Yet, there has been no mention of snow. Woot, woot!

It's also apparently heavy-duty construction time. I realize that spring always brings about some construction and road projects. But I've never seen so many everywhere like I am this year. In Plainfield, they opened the Park Avenue bridge by the Plainfield Train Station just in time to shut down the Watchung Avenue bridge on the other side of the station and keep traffic north/south crippled and detoured. Things have been going on on East Second Street (which really, really needs repaving -- I almost fell stepping in a pot hole) for the last six weeks or so. Now they're calling East Second Street the detour for East Front Street as they pave and re-line from Watchung Avenue to Terrill Road, thus crippling east/west travel.

Even by my workplace, construction has tied up the roads and they've done some mighty strange reworking of the travel lanes. In one place, it's definitely more dangerous for pedestrians in the crosswalk. In other places, it's going to create traffic issues as they took out lanes.

Here are some random thoughts and observations coming from the past week:

• The railroad bridge work crews use an air horn to get their people off the tracks when trains are coming.
• I'd like an air horn to blast bicycle riders on the sidewalks. Sure, I stand my ground and make them go around me. However, an air horn would be a lot more fun. No bicycling on the sidewalks!
• I feel safe riding the train. In view of the distance covered and the commute time involved, I'd venture to guess my commuter train might hit 60mph or so. We have no curves on my work commute route. Now they're saying that the train in the horrific Philly crash might have been hit by a projectile. I've seen people (mostly kids) do that. Once a rock hit the window by my head. It didn't break the window, but it did make me almost jump out of my seat.
• The Plainfield Police are making people move their parked cars on my street (for repaving) by sitting there with their sirens on early in the morning. That's annoying. Just tow the darn cars. The signs are up all over the place. If they don't get it, they deserve to pay the towing charges.
• I am exhausted. At times I feel my work is crushing my soul. I'd rather work with big cats or other animals. People are draining me dry. I can only hope retirement in a few years is financially doable. Then I can pursue things I enjoy doing and, hopefully, have a more positive outlook. Right now, I'm just too tired to do much other than work, sleep and eat.
• I'm going to go through Letterman withdrawal later this week. Sniffle. The big Survivor three-hour finale/reunion and Letterman's last show air on Wednesday night.

Onto this week's photos -- clicking on an image will bring it up in a larger window gallery thingee ...

Just Chillin'

The Plainfield area skateboard/bicycle-tricks teenage crowd has a new hangout. It looks like a combination skateboard, tattoo and skateboard culture gear store has opened on East Front Street. It's just up the block from their skating "arena" near the Park-Madison complex. Now, if I were a parent, I'd have plenty of worries as these kids never wear safety gear and the tricks they do involve a lot of falling on pavement. As a citizen (and they're not doing it outside my windows at home), I think it's just fine. If these guys are focused on learning new skateboard tricks and having fun ... go for it. It's 100% better than other things they could be doing and what many kids are involved in around town.

Pretty in pink

These have been planted near town homes on East Front Street in Plainfield. Whatever they are, they're certainly very pretty.

I am PIGEON!

A pigeon on North Avenue in Plainfield shows off his impressive wingspan.

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

The Amazing Race 26 - Season Finale Blog Party

 

It's Friday night -- time for The Amazing Race! Tonight we're in for a one-hour season finale with four teams starting the leg. While Mike and Rochelle came in last in the prior leg, they're still in it. However, Phil hinted that one team would be eliminated during the leg last week. I've taken a liking to Mike and Rochelle, but I don't think they can compare physically or perhaps even mentally to the remaining teams. They're the only not blind dates remaining on the show. I would be thrilled if they won the million.

As the show airs here, I'll update this entry with the major happenings. Refresh the page to get the latest news! As always, the real party is in the comments area. I hope to see you there. (And bring snacks. And beverages.)

Here's the blog pool standings presented by the Magnificent Margo:

Mike and Rochelle - Cheryl in NC, Laurie

Blair and Hayley - Terry in TX, Margo, Chris

Jelani and Jenny - Marlo, Lynn 1, dla

Tyler and Laura - Ed in OH, David, Nickelpeed

PHILIMINATED:

Jeff and Lyda - Jennasmom, Paula Bell, meb

Lebya and CJ - Donna in FL, PDXGranny 

Harley and Jonathan - Becky, Willie J 

Bergen and Kurt - Nana in NW, Rbennie

Jeffrey and Jackie - Brian, Donna in AL, ORKMommy

Aly and Steve - Jackie, SueGee 

Matt and Ashley - Delee, Merrilee

Let's get this show on the road!

Teams are flying to Dallas. Phil told Mike and Rochelle that a team will be eliminated before the finish line.

Who wants to score? They're at the AT&T Stadium and Mike/Rochelle make it there first! Haley/Blair is last. Fireworks, marching band, Mike on the Jumbo Screen. They have to do football stuff (technical term on my part) first hanging up in the air. Somehow Jelani is getting the clue in the air last.

Tyler and Laura get through it first. 

Now Hayley/Blair are in the lead. They head to a ranch and ride horses to drive cattle. 

Sigh. Rochelle/Mike's taxi wouldn't wait at the stadium and now their new cab has to go out of the way for gas. Meanwhile, the other teams are all at the ranch. 

Sigh even more. Phil greets Mike and Rochelle and Philiminates them. They take it well and their relationship seems stronger for the experience. 

Teams have to go to a tower, climb and rappel down. While going down the team member has to locate the clue.

Heh. It looks like Hayley got them lost. Yay! Laura and Jill do the rappel together and spot flags -- the real next clue.

There are monster trucks they have ride through a bog pit, then a memory test. Right now Laura and Tyler are in the lead. In the memory test, they get locations, come up with the leg number and open a lock. 

Hayley is redoing the rappel and spots the red and yellow flags. 

Jelani/Jill get the lock first. They then have to place several dozen selfies on the map. Laura and Tyler are stumped on the lock. 

Laura and Tyler finish it first and are driving their monster truck back through the bog. They have the clue for the finish line. Jelani and Jill are coming behind them.

YES! Tyler and Laura win The Amazing Race!

2. Jelani and Jenny

3. Hayley and Blair

All blind date couples winning.

Survivor: Worlds Apart - May 13 Blog Party

Survivor fans ready?

Mike no longer has an idol and everyone knows it. Dan still has his two vote advantage and a few people know about that thanks to Tyler (booted last week). Carolyn still has an idol and no one knows it except Tyler who's off relaxing at the Ponderosa. We still have six castaways going into tonight's penultimate episode. Next week's (Wednesday night) season finale is to be two hours followed by the hour-long reunion show. (Followed by Letterman's last show later on!)

Will they oust Mike? Perhaps blindside Dan tonight? I just don't know. As the show airs here on the East Coast, I'll update this entry with the major happenings. Refresh the page to get the latest news! And, as always, please join in on the party down in the comments area. Bring snacks ... and cold beverages, please!

Before we get into the show, here are the latest blog pool standings from that Lovely Lifeguard Laurie:

Carolyn - Jackie, TerryinTX
Dan - Brian, CherylinNC 
Mike - meb, Nickelpeed 
Rodney - Margo 
Sierra - Jennasmom 
Will - Rbennie 

Jury
Hali 
Joe
Jenn
Shirin
Tyler

Let's get started!

Mike knows he won't last long without either an Immunity idol or winning Immunity each challenge. Carolyn wants to keep Mike as an ally option and focus on getting Dan out. She tells Mike about Dan's extra vote advantage.

Rewards Challenge - Two teams, race obstacles, untie knots, hatchet ropes, all leading to a puzzle. It's a helicopter tour of Nicaragua and a feast. Rodney whines more at Jeff's prompting.

Both teams are stumped on the puzzle. They're both stumped still at an hour into the puzzle. Finally Carolyn, Mike and Will win Reward. Rodney is out AGAIN. Heh. Carolyn is the one who finally realized what the puzzle clue was ... now she's on the fence about giving Rodney his turn. Nope. She keeps it for herself. Good for her! He hasn't won it!

Rodney whines and whines about Carolyn not giving him her Reward. Meanwhile, Dan finds some unknown watermelon-like fruit and wins both Rodney's and Sierra's favor. 

Tree mail hints that good hand, eye, coordination and patience will be virtues in the next Immunity Challenge. Mike is trying to scheme. He tells Sierra of Dan's advantage. But she also doesn't want to be with Mike at the end -- everyone is afraid of that. 

Immunity Challenge time. Retrieve three bags with grappling hooks. Bags contain balls. Solve a table maze. Mike WINS IMMUNITY! (And he needs it.)

Dan pushes the Carolyn must go move. Meanwhile, they're thinking it's Dan that should go.

Will Carolyn heed the warning from Mike that Will, Dan and Rodney will be voting for her to go?

It's Tribal Council time. They're not showing any of the votes.

Dan uses his advantage -- two votes.  He goes off to cast his second vote. I'd say Carolyn needs to use her idol. YES! She plays it! Dan and Rodney don't look too happy.

The tally --
Carolyn, Carolyn, Carolyn, Carolyn, Carolyn, Dan, Dan.

HA! Dan is gone!