Big Brother 17: Live Feeds into Wednesday - August 19

Late night or early morn hammock

Yeah, yeah. I was lackadaisical this morning. But, to my defense, so have been the hamsters! While this crew is quite adept at entertaining themselves, it really doesn't make great fodder for me. I'm not all that personally interested in their views on lots of things and I can only watch so much tomfoolery before my mind wanders and my bed calls me. After all, I do this atop a rather stressful full time job. I'm happy that they're entertaining themselves, but I'm not going to sit and watch it all! Here's the latest from inside that Big Brother House of Tomfoolery and Hijinks:

• Johnny Mac said he pays about $40,000 a year to student loans. Becky said she doesn't even earn that much a year.
• Hmm. If she's indeed a store manager for Abercrombie and Fitch, their store manager salaries certainly aren't great for a national chain of fairly large stores. She could earn twice as much at many other retailers.
• That is, if indeed she's an actual store manager -- not an assistant or department type manager.
• Becky hurt her toe in the OTEV comp and it's swelling more by the day. She seems to be in a lot of pain from it.
• While Steve and Vanessa played chess, they talked about Steve's social skills issues. Vanessa thinks he might have Asperger's Syndrome. Steve says he's never been diagnosed, but it's quite possible he does due to his failure to pick up social cues and such.
• Maybe he does, maybe he doesn't. 
• A lot of people just have problems with social skills and there's not a real need to throw labels on them.
• From his asides to the cameras, I think he can read people quite well. His big problem seems to be that he's trying to be friends with everybody and then his conscience bothers him because he doesn't want to disappoint them or hurt them.
• Several hours after she begged BB to see a medic, they've called her into the Diary Room.
• James thinks they should have a medic on site 24/7 just for Meg!
• Now you see why I was lackadaisical ...

Will NOT go on Survivor, good.

Whoop Whoop

BB1 had no washer or dryer!

Talking Steve's social woes

Once again, Larry and Voodoo on the block

Becky is in pain, toe pain

She seems to have lost the green hat

Big Brother 17: Live Feeds Tuesday into the Evening - August 18

John is having a ball ... or a sphere

Here are today's happenings from inside that Big Brother House of Boisterous Ballywumps:

• Becky has gotten on Meg's nerves.
• James told Meg that the way Becky treats her is how Vanessa treats him.
• It's Meg and James against the world!
• Or, at least, a portion thereof.
• They're both glad that Becky will be going on Thursday.
• It looks like we're probably going to have either a unanimous vote or close to it for her to go.
• Vanessa is very anti-Johnny Mac, but she just might "vote with the house" anyway.
• Julia would prefer to keep Becky this week, but will probably "vote with the house" to appease Liz.
• Steve advised Liz to proofread her HoH blog because BB doesn't. I'd say they probably check for content for legal reasons. But it's obvious reading some of these over the past few years that they do no editing for errors!
• When it was all said and done, Liz thinks she wrote "the cutest blog ever."
• Oy.
• The HoH camera came out and fun was had by all. Yawn.
• Lots of small talk once again. Liz lives at home while Julia shares an apartment with another sister. The others compared and contrasted the twins. They talked about probably not having jobs due to their BB absence from work. Becky thinks hers is secure. 
• Which reminds me -- Becky says she's a store manager (Abercrombie and Fitch), yet in another conversation I heard her talking about earning overtime pay. Hmm. It would shock me if their store managers aren't salaried. 
• They talked about fast food places, their cooking competition last night, bands and more. And more. I mean, even the sugar content in fruit.
• Not much game talk, though.
• Steve wondered if Meg is upset by him calling himself a New Yorker. He's from upstate New York. Meg said it doesn't bother her.
• It shouldn't. She's from New Jersey. Not even the NYC Metro area -- we're talking Collingswood, South Jersey, farms and such. She hasn't lived in NYC long at all.
• Hmm ... Steve told us that he wants James and Meg out before Vanessa. He also said (again) that he doesn't want to win HoH Thursday.
• But he's said he didn't want to win comps before and won them.
• On the other hand, Johnny Mac told Steve they need to get Vanessa out before James or Meg.
• Will Johnny Mac be able to convince Steve?
• Neither JM or Steve think Liz and Austin will be a thing outside of the house.
• Heh.
• There ya go!

The mouse roars! (Or yawns)

It's contagious!

Other than no shirt, what are those shorts?

She has a new hat

Chef Julia

Big Brother 17: Live Feeds Overnight into Tuesday - August 18

Alone in the pool until the wee hours

Here's the latest from inside that Big Brother House of Chopped Ain't Got Nuthin' on Me!:

• At least these hamsters amuse themselves. Sure, there's a lot of daytime sleeping. But, come night, they have bowling games and other activities they create.
• Last night was a cooking show. 
• They had teams and made three-course meals complete with dessert, plated nicely.
• Although I still wouldn't want Austin cooking for me with his hair hanging all over -- I don't cook for myself with my own hair hanging all over -- he apparently CAN cook.
• Of course, the Have Nots (Steve, Johnny Mac and Vanessa) couldn't eat any of the tasty dishes whipped together for the "show."
• Austin thinks he and Liz will be Brendon and Rachel next year. 
• Ack.
• I doubt it.
• I think more of a McCranda break up within months.
• Julia, Liz and Austin talked about how much worse Becky's gotten with turning every conversation into one about her.
• Steve and Johnny Mac talked about what JM would do if he won HoH. He said he was thinking of putting up goblins (James and Meg), then backdooring Vanessa.
• Steve talked about how Austin knows he shouldn't be in a final three with Liz and Julia as they'd take each other.
• One would have to go before that point.
• Steve also suggested keeping Vanessa around until the final five or six.
• (I say they keep her that long and they might as well let her win!)
• Later, the twins would tell Johnny Mac that he really needs to target Vanessa.
• Liz is for getting Vanessa out quickly; Julia thinks she needs to stay until they see who gets back in the house.
• It's enough to make you want to pull teeth, I say! 
• Liz and Austin had a make-out session AGAIN.
• I don't watch the feeds for that stuff.
• At least give me something happening on the other cameras, please!
• So, that's about it. Becky is still the one to go this week and she isn't doing herself any favors with her increased importance of self in group discussions.

Judging the cooking "show" dishes

Talking game with Steve

It's all about Becky -- just ask her!

Mocking Becky

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