Big Brother 17: Live Feeds Monday into the Evening - August 17

Rowdy games inside

Here's the latest from inside that Big Brother House of Animal House Rejects:

• Here's a shocker for you -- Liz did NOT use the Power of Veto and the nominations remain the same.
• Do you need a moment to get over that unexpected news?
• Heehee.
• Vanessa hugged and otherwise sucked up to Liz for not backdooring her.
• If only she knew that they just figured the next HoH would do that dirty deed.
• Becky talked to (of all people) Johnny Mac about not knowing where she stands with Steve and how she might be able to work with him.
• Huh? Ask the guy you're on the block with about working with someone he is friendly with? Why ever would her opposing nominee help with that? What sense does that make?
• It sounds like Johnny Mac had a good speech, Becky not so much. That's in the PoV meeting which we're blocked, that is.
• Vanessa thinks she's in like Flint with the Austwins bunch now.
• She's not. 
• They're just leading her along.
• Austin and Liz do seem to want to keep Steve around. And, they want Steve to bring Johnny Mac aboard.
• Y'know, if the house becomes one big alliance with one fake member (Vanessa), that's not such a good thing.
• Becky pleaded her case with Austin and Liz.
• They humored her. Their minds are already made up, but they'll take any info she can give.
• Julia proposed keeping Becky this week and keeping Vanessa next week.
• That got shot down.
• Liz and Austin really really really want Johnny Mac to win HoH and send Vanessa packing under his reign. Really.
• They can't do that if they boot him this week!
• Game talk died down as they all had fun in the yard and pool.
• Julia pushed Liz more and then Steve about voting out Johnny Mac this week.
• No.
• Ain't gonna happen, Julia.
• SHUT IT DOWN, JULIA.
• ("The only person I don't care for in here is Johnny Mac," she says.)
• The pork chops they were given for the Have Nots don't look too appetizing -- cut way thin.
• The word is out how much Vanessa earns with poker and how she doesn't "need" the BB winnings monies.
• Rowdy fun inside the house ensued.
• Little or no game talk.
• Well, Julia might be somewhere telling people how they need to get Johnny Mac out, I guess.

Um, I'll pass on the coffee, thank you.

Johnny Mac making faces

Steve eats dollar store pork chops

Thinking of his next prank?

Vanessa smiling and sans winter hat?

Big Brother 17: Live Feeds into Monday - August 17

Oh my, what's he on? BB, that's what.

Here's the latest from inside that Big Brother House of Maniacal Misfits:

• They were getting rambunctious with James and the twins throwing chocolate around.
• BB told 'em SHUT IT DOWN.
• The BB voice can get a bit surly at times.
• James wrapped up all of Steve's stuff onto one of the dentist chairs in the Have Not room using plastic wrap.
• Mighty impressive, but I think he used the entire roll of wrap on it.
• I hope they don't need the wrap for kitchen purposes!
• James covered up the mummy chair with blankets.
• He's up to shenanigans, I say!
• Lots of talk about lots of things not game once again.
• I think Becky talks about Black Friday at least once a day!
• Nothing much game-wise has changed.
• The veto won't be used. Becky is the go away target.
• Liz and Austin are still secretly hating on Vanessa but will leave her nomination up to someone else.
• Steve is pushing the Weak Steve Card and thinks it's working.
• He knows Vanessa keeps lying to him.
• That's about it.
• For now.

The one without a hickey.

James is up to shenanigans.

Steve going for a new look.

Big Brother 17: Live Feeds into Sunday Evening - August 16

Meg goes for a new alliance

Sundays are usually the most uneventful day of the week in Hamster House. This one was no exception. Here are today's happenings from inside that Big Brother House of Froot Loop Dinguses:

• Since the yard opened again last night, Steve did his stay up until dawn bit, talking to himself and us. His latest kick is to figure a way to improve his relationship with Meg. He thinks he's in with just about everyone except her. He even has more than a few final two deals.
• Oy. Not so good, Stevie. If it comes about through the grapevine about final two deals, you're going to have final nine deals in the jury house.
• Live feeders voted to give the hamsters cinnamon rolls.
• The Have Nots Could Not partake.
• Tons and tons of small talk.
• Vanessa and John ended up being the only ones out on the couches in the morning.
• No fisticuffs.
• No bullying.
• Although Johnny Mac did seem amused that Vanessa (and some others we found out yesterday and Friday) didn't realize OTEV is Veto spelled backwards.
• Silly recruited hamsters.
• Liz thinks that Johnny Mac should win the next HoH so he can get Vanessa out.
• More than a couple of them commented on how boring the house is right now.
• Well, yeah. It's the doldrums. It won't really perk up until Thursday. We all know that Becky is all but guaranteed out this week even though the PoV meeting hasn't gone down.
• Hey ... unless there's a BROUHAHA! 
• That could liven things up!
• Julia lectured Liz about her hickey from Austin being inappropriate.
• She's right, it is. I didn't think anyone over 14 did that anymore/
• Ew.
• They had photo booth day. Whoopie.
• Becky thinks she's a pawn. She's been told that. But I don't think she really believes it. She shouldn't.
• Vanessa told Liz she threw the HoH comp.
• Liz noted to herself (and shared with Julia and Austin) that Vanessa threw it while Johnny Mac was still in it! 
• The Austwins gathered more information from Vanessa that made them even more wanting her gone.
• They think that Vanessa will try to brainwash Steve and that she really will target Austin.
• Probably right on both counts.
• Vanessa did her tears and anxiety act once again ... even though she's not on the block and really has no reason to worry this week.
• Steve begged Johnny Mac not to leave him alone with Vanessa.
• I don't blame him.
• And the beat goes on ...

Too hot for 'The Hat'

Steve isn't a comfortable Have Not

Why are there still twins in the house?

Johnny Mac contemplates his foot

I don't think I'd want Austin cooking

What if she comes back?

Big Brother 17: Second HoH (non-live), Nominations Show Blog Party - August 16

Good evening! Ready for a blog party? While many of us already know the results of the PoV comp, tonight's episode will focus on the second HoH comp and nominations not shown (not done at the time) on Thursday. It's kind of like experiencing jet lag!

Tonight's show is running about a half-hour late here due to golf. But, when it starts, I'll update this entry with the major happenings as it airs here on the East Coast. Refresh the page to get the latest. As always, the real party is in the comments area. I hope to see you there!

Finally, 8:32pm, it starts with the recap. 

Meg cries. People are confused. James thinks someone was in Steve's ear. Steve regrets winning HoH. And, yes, Vanessa was in his ear.  

Steve cries. Julia tells us that they have to keep him safe because he kept them safe. Steve cries more. Meg cries.

I do not cry. 

He tells the camera "about 50% acting." Hmm. 

Becky, Meg and James think they're alone. Then Johnny Mac joins them. They think they need to get Steve on their side. Steve talks to them and it's evident that Vanessa is the one who told him Jackie was talking about evicting him. They offer to work with him.

The HoH comp has the backyard done up in emojis and a giant keyboard. Mixed Emoji. Done in rounds. 

James against Meg - Meg wins, James out
John against Austin - John wins, Austin out
Vanessa against Julia - Julia wins, Vanessa out
Becky against Liz - Liz wins, Becky out 

Meg against John - John wins, Meg out
Julia against Liz - Liz wins because Julia got wrong answer

Steve is doing a great job hosting!

John against Liz - (Commercial break) Lis wins and is the new HoH

Becky is worried, as she should be. She is sure that Vanessa will push for her to go home. 

Sure enough, Vanessa's first words after their happy dance is that they need to get Becky out. 

The twins, Austin and Vanessa discuss who to put up. The target is Becky. Liz doesn't want to send John home. They think of putting up John and Meg, replacing one with Becky after PoV. Then, John and Becky. But what if Becky wins PoV? 

Becky spills the Vanessa beans over the Austin backdoor plan from Vanessa to the Austwins. Will that save her? 

Vanessa tries to put the past argument with Johnny Mac behind her and wants to work with him. Heh. He calls her a bully and says he doesn't like it when she cries and yells at people.

She runs to Austwins and says Johnny Mac shouldn't be just a pawn this week. And she fusses about him. Johnny runs up to HoH and interrupts them claiming he's worried. 

Nominations today! Liz tells us her nominees will be based on previous loyalties and who she considers a threat to her and her sister in the game.

She nominates Becky and Johnny Mac. JM - Veto superstar. Becky - undercover superwoman, great at everything. Best of luck in veto comp.

Um. Okay.

Johnny vows to us if he makes it through, he's going after Vanessa.

Off Topic: That Was the Week It Was - August 16, 2015

Good morning! Welcome to my weekly off television topic reflection of the past week in both words and photographs I've taken along the way! This post is a year 'round "feature" on the blog. If you're looking for Big Brother posts, they can all be found at this link right here. If you're not interested in this particular post, please feel free to skip on by it. I'll be posting a Big Brother blog party post coinciding with the East Coast airing of the show and, late this evening, another live feeds post. Stay tuned.

We started this past week with heavy rains and ended up starting a long heat wave which is expected to be around for most of the upcoming week. Have I ever mentioned how much I dislike heat and humidity? I got a Nixle alert on my cell phone yesterday telling me the cooling center will be open at the YMCA. I expect, if it does last and gets nasty, they'll open the one at the Senior Center closer to where I live in town.

But I won't go. I have air conditioning and fans in my apartment. As long as I can pay for the electricity (one of the reasons I work for a living), I can have my AC. I prefer the winters bill-wise -- my heat, hot water and cooking gas are included in my rent. It's just the summers that I have to pay more for air conditioning. The bills haven't been so bad this season so far. That old refrigerator I had was sucking up power. I've seen significant decreases in my power usage since I bought the new one. My new refrigerator is now almost a year old, but it will be new to me until it's old!

Life has been going as usual for me, nothing overly exciting, nor horrible has happened this past week. The new-ish neighbor remains quiet although I actually heard a television playing from there one night when I had my windows open. That's certainly not a problem. I'm just loving the change from the noisy screaming thumping family who used to reside there.

I didn't take a gazillion photos this week. First, it rained for a few days. Then it was hot and I just didn't feel too inspired with what I was seeing. I really have to head to the park. Maybe I'll do that on my next day off if it's not too too hot.

Clicking on an image will open it larger ...

The pigeon overlord

Master of his domain, King of the Chotola (apartment building), Ruler of North Avenue in Plainfield. What if ... he's actually a government spy? Perhaps he's a camera with audio disguised as a pigeon!?!?!

Okay, he's just a bird. However, he's majestic in his own way.

Cool, man

I messed a bit with the colors of this way close up shot of a red hibiscus bloom.

Sad wet hibiscus

The rain came down on the passed bloom, making it even sadder.

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

Big Brother 17: Live Feeds into Sunday - August 16

Late night hot tub

Here's the latest from inside that Big Brother House of Future Psychiatric Ward Residents:

• As mentioned in my previous brief update, Liz won the Power of Veto.
• It was the OTEV comp. John was out the first round, unknown if he really threw it as he had promised Becky.
• Becky tried valiantly to win, but fell short.
• Heh. In the comp, Jace's song clue had the line "They erased my face from the Memory Wall." 
• Now, the comp is blocked to the live feeds. So we didn't see it. We're just listening to them talking about it.
• Liz told Vanessa that she plans to keep the nominations the same.
• Vanessa had a heart attack, figuring for sure she would be backdoored.
• Okay, I made up that last one.
• Meanwhile, Julia and James have declared war against each other.
• No fear. It's a pranking war. They've been trying to scare each other for a few weeks now and now it's war.
• Heck, it's better than watching Austin maul Liz.
• Steve and Vanessa talked. She tried to pry information about what Johnny Mac might have said about her. He tried to get her to tell him her targets.
• Neither were successful.
• BB gave them booze. As usual, not a heck of a lot of it.
• Becky once again told her train tale.
• She is handling the loss of OTEV well although she realizes she will probably be out the door Thursday.
• After Becky's train story, James told about the time he was swallowed by a great white shark and had to cut his way out.
• Ah, yet another Sharknado fan, eh?
• Liz is rather modest about her OTEV win -- said she had no strategy and just really got lucky. 
• It's nice not to see gloating for a change.
• But she sure is happy that she won it!
• Becky's frustration did come out when she talked to her buddy, Johnny Mac.
• He lamented that they deliberately didn't hang out together in the house trying to avoid being put on the block together.
• Most of Becky's venom was about Vanessa, not Liz (the one who most likely will get her out).
• Maybe they're holding onto the thought that just maybe Liz will use the veto and backdoor Vanessa?
• Nah. They know she won't.
• Liz and Austin talked about getting rid of Vanessa.
• But they ain't gonna do it!
• Liz continued to lead Austin on a bit, then cut him off. She really doesn't want to "make out" with him no matter how much he wants to do it.
• And, she's rather blatant. He just can't take a hint.
• They said that Becky would go out unless she spilled some major information on Johnny Mac.
• Hmm.
• Lots of small talk in the wee hours of the night, reminiscing about the first day or two in the house, other hamsters, etc. James mentions that he lives on $20,000 to $26,000 a year.
• He obviously doesn't (couldn't) live in this area on that!
• As it stands, it looks like the noms will remain the same and Becky will go out the door on Thursday.
• I wonder if BB will mark the event with a train whistle.

Some couples just can't be unseen

Julia is really not that keen on Austin

Scheming

Any hope for this one?

Fun with nominated llama and company

Watch out! Train! Er ... MILK!

Vanessa, no hat

Big Brother 17: Live Feeds Power of Veto Bulletin

Didn't win, but not sad

I didn't post an update earlier because it was the same revolving discussion.

The PoV players were Liz, Johnny Mac, Becky, Austin, Steve and Meg.

It sounds like it was the OTEV comp. Apparently, at one point, Becky knocked Austin down. Perhaps she thought he was a train.

LIZ won the Power of Veto. Becky better start packing, I guess.

Put it down, Austin. LIZ won it.

Big Brother 17: Live Feeds into Saturday pre-dawn - August 15

The Hat Attack

Here's the latest from inside that Big Brother House of Grassy Knolls:

• Oh noes! Johnny Mac ate a cookie and he's a Have Not!
• He said he completely forgot and even offered to BB to throw it up.
• He's very upset, said he really didn't need the problems it presents now.
• It doesn't sound like it's going to result in a penalty vote. I guess we'll see.
• The target was shifting towards backdooring Vanessa when I last posted.
• Well, that seems to be gone now.
• They've really decided, with so many wanting Vanessa out, it's not necessary for them to act.
• Steve is in heavy with Austwins.
• Johnny Mac is definitely the pawn, Becky the target.
• Liz is worried about "blood on her hands." Becky is a relatively safe target for her as she's drifted back and forth.
• Of course, Johnny Mac is still worried that he'll go out. And, his strange ways -- sitting staring and thinking -- tend to make him a bit suspicious to others.
• Vanessa went around bad-mouthing Steve.
• She knows he's in more with Austwins than she is. Hey, she tried to get Austin backdoored. People don't forget those things.
• Much of the HoH room discussion centered around how they don't want the veto to be used and who Johnny Mac should pick if he gets Houseguest's Choice.
• Steve really, really doesn't want to play veto.
• But, then again, he didn't want to win HoH last week, either.
• They seem to be counting on ANYONE other than Becky winning the veto. 
• If someone wins and saves Johnny Mac, it's possible James may go up -- still a pawn, supposedly.
• Austin did a long talk with live feeders basically pondering what to do if the veto is used ... said that they (Austins) are safe and in a good place right now -- they're in with Meg and James, they're in with Steve. He wishes he could tell Steve about Meg and James being with them, but is worried too many people would "sketch him out." They want to replace Vanessa in the group with Johnny Mac. Austin is very upset that he had to whine and grovel to save his butt because of her.
• He said they can't take out Vanessa because she would blow them (Austwins) up.
• But they need to decide what to do. If the veto doesn't get used, no problem. Becky goes.
• He rants more about Vanessa and her "ultimate betrayal" when she tried to get him and Liz both on the block.
• Can't put Steve up. We've promised too many people too many things.
• We'd have to put up Meg or James. Keep Meg. James? Send home Johnny Mac. James? Send home Becky.
• We're in a bad situation. Made too many promises.
• Are we the good guys or the bad guys?
• This season, everyone has been working every angle.
• Really like Meg and James.
• Vanessa has gone off and done a lot of things on her own we don't like.
• Steve saved us and has worked with us all along. We want to continue to work with him.
• Becky and James. Hmm.
• Both have targets who aren't us.
• Lie to the one who has to go home.
• Could we betray Vanessa and let her go nuts for the week?
• Then, if she goes, who will be targeted? If she comes back in, she would kill us.
• James would be our best choice for the renom as it would be the least amount of blood on our hands.
• If it's James and Johnny Mac up, JM would go.
• Ahh.
• Okay, I'm sick of transcribing.
• When veto is played, we'll know. But they don't really have a good contingency plan if Becky wins it.

True love, for sure

Strategy mask

I sit and stare a lot

In with Austwins

That rat tail beard looks silly

Big Brother 17: Live Feeds Friday Daytime, Nominations - August 14

Listening to Vanessa brain freeze

Here's today's happenings from inside that Big Brother House of Perplexed People:

• Okay, I lied. They're not people. They're hamsters.
• I personally don't mind the twins so much in the game. But their voices and screaming have to be evicted.
• This morning Liz freaked out over ants in the kitchen. I certainly hope she doesn't live in an apartment with shared walls. If I ever heard a neighbor screaming and carrying on like that I'd call 911. Have they never had any home training?
• After Johnny Mac rescued Liz from the ants, he asked her if he does go up, to please not make him a Have Not.
• She said she wouldn't.
• Austin nixed that one on her right away.
• I guess he's the HoH, after all.
• Austin preached an anti-Vanessa sermon to Liz and Liz admitted she doesn't really like Vanessa. (But not to the point that Austin was trying her to get to.)
• Vanessa, Austin and the twins discussed how depressed Johnny Mac has been lately. Vanessa thinks it's been a couple of weeks.
• Austin thinks it's been because he thinks Becky and Johnny Mac are hiding some sort of deal or alliance and things went awry with Becky's plan last week.
• I guess Austin is finally thinking, eh?
• The feeds were blocked for the Have Not selection -- Liz chose Vanessa, Steve and ... Johnny Mac.
• Well, that's the way to improve his spirits!
• They have pork slops this week, so it won't be a bad week. They can eat actual pork chops.
• Unless, of course, they're vegetarian or of a religion forbidding pork!
• Liz feels bad about making Steve a Have Not. She says she really loves that kid. Hmm.
• Meanwhile, Johnny Mac is worried that he's the target.
• He has a heart to heart talk with Vanessa.
• Or, more like a never-ending fast talk while he dazed out with Vanessa.
• She told him that she doesn't think he's the target and will ask them if he is.
• She pointed out (truthfully) that while she is close with Austin and the twins, she is the fourth one and not in that inner circle of the three.
• I would go further even in saying that it's an inner circle of two and the twins will stick together when they're through using Austin.
• The Vanessa/JM talk kind of ended with JM remembering something Vanessa said and Vanessa denying it.
• Oh, it's the Audrey within them all this year!
• Now there's yet another named alliance in town -- The Brass Tacks -- Austin, the twins, James and Meg.
• @@
• Liz and Austin both say Becky opened their eyes about a lot of what Vanessa's been doing.
• But, will they target her and bring Becky aboard their crazy train?
• Nah. Even though she has experience with trains, she's going to be left on the platform this time.
• Liz promised Steve she won't put him on the block.
• And, she seems to mean it. She told Julia that she thinks of him like a little brother. I don't think Julia feels quite as sisterly to him, but hey.
• They decide that they won't target Vanessa because someone else will take her out.
• The nominations went down -- Johhny Mac and Becky
• Liz thinks Johnny Mac gets called to the Diary Room often because he's popular with America.
• Well, kind of, sort of. He gets called because his DR sessions are funny.
• (Didn't you love his "What do you want?" he barked at Julie last night when he went in to vote? I cracked up!)
• Sigh. Johnny Mac went from acting depressed to acting out.
• It gave Vanessa material to claim he's "volatile."
• Steve backed him up and has been trying to figure ways to calm him down.
• Johnny Mac's behavior may do him in even though, on the whole, it's Becky they feel is sketchier.
• Liz says JM scares her.
• But now Austin is really, really pushing his anti-Vanessa kick. Combined with Johnny Mac's anti-Vanessa "rage," it might turn into a Vanessa backdoor although they've mentioned James as a backdoor.
• A lot is going to hedge on the Power of Veto.

The hat remains the same

Sad Johnny Mac

Twins with wine, sans Austin

This year's Victoria

Will she still be smiling on Thursday?

Big Brother 17: Live Feeds into Friday, 2nd HoH - August 14

Pensive

Well, that was something, wasn't it? Here's the latest from inside that Big Brother House of Topsy Turvy:

• After the live show ended and the feeds returned, everyone was a bit subdued.
• Steve went around apologizing to appropriate parties.
• He also got very antsy checking to see if his HoH basket was in the storage room yet.
• The basket is about all he gets for his reign in the house.
• Becky, naturally, is not a happy camper that the "Mad Hatter" remained in the house and her grand backdoor plan backfired.
• Johnny Mac isn't overly thrilled with the nominations that Steve made but thinks he (JM) did what he had to do ... not use the veto.
• Meg, occasionally teary, doesn't think she can play dirty enough to play the game.
• Well, duh. We know that.
• She also can't win comps.
• Becky and Meg think that Vanessa all but brainwashed Steve.
• They don't know that, albeit be a strange one with Vanessa holding the cards, Steve has been aligned with Vanessa all along.
• As much as Steve can be aligned with anyone, that is.
• He's a bit of a lone wolf.
• Or, more accurately, a sad puppy tied out in the rain in the yard.
• Becky and Meg are sure Austin's been throwing comps while playing summer camp with the twins.
• Meg and Becky told Steve he should have gone after Austin because Austin and the twins have just been using him.
• Steve isn't handling things well. He got mad at himself for the nominations he made and realized the twins had been being nice to him solely for their game ... according to Meg and Becky, that is.
• He threw his HoH key (which does him no good anyway because the first HoH in a double eviction doesn't get the room at all anyway -- it's purely symbolic). The key broke. Must be a BB Dollar Store key!
• The feeds got blocked for the second HoH comp.
• Oh my.
• LIZ won HoH.
• That's not quite what I was expecting.
• Does this mean I'll have to listen to high-pitched twin squeals and those voices all week?
• For the second time I've seen, Steve says he wants his mother. Poor kid. 
• He also wants his basket with his letter!
• Vanessa thinks they should work to get Becky out of the house. In a worse case scenario -- if Becky remains and Jackie comes back, they'd work together.
• Talk of Johnny Mac going up as a pawn.
• Austin thinks Becky is an easy target because she's offended everyone.
• Well, I agree she's an easy target, but I don't think she's offended all in the house. She certainly offended Vanessa, but ...!
• Liz is personally leery of Johnny Mac -- she thinks he's been getting too close to winning HoH comps and thinks he might target her.
• The Have Nots ended and Meg and James could finally eat real food. James had been holding up fine, but Meg not so much.
• Steve finally got his HoH basket!
• Heh. Becky said her family would only send old photos because they don't want to be tied in with the show at all. I doubt we'll see a Becky family segment this season!
• Austin is still grumbling about the "stinky" comic of him -- he showers! He said now he's obsessive with cleaning and deodorant. Others tell him he doesn't smell, not to worry about it.
• Becky approached the HoH Trio (Liz, Julia and Austin) and once again began her anti-Vanessa campaign.
• Same old stuff she was saying last week, this time portrayed using M&Ms.
• BB told them they couldn't use Freaks and Geeks as their alliance name, perhaps copyright issues? They sat around trying to think of a new name.
• Austin thought that Becky made some valid points.
• But I personally doubt that he would push for a Vanessa ouster until he's cornered.
• They decide on the Scamper Squad and even have a little dance.
• It's looking like they're probably going to target Johnny Mac.
• Oh my. 
• Johnny Mac is talking to Liz as I get this posted. She seems to like him. 
• We'll see.

Sad

What's gonna happen now?

Look! No hat!

This didn't go too well

Steve apologizes

James and Steve are good

You didn't think I could do it, did you?