The Daily Bongo

August 2013


Thursday, August 29, 2013 -- Evening

Eviction Night
I haven't had much chance this week to watch the BB shows, but I'm camped in front of the TV this evening. It looks like Aaryn is going to go tonight based on the live feeds. And it seems that Andy might be willing to sink the Demanda alliance. It all will depend on who wins the HOH tonight.

The show started with Julie talking about Amanda making enemies in the house. Andy went up on the block, and as Amanda was getting up from the couch, she told Elissa to sit down trash. Aaryn realizes that it's the end of the alliance, and that she is going to go home because Andy has more alliances. Andy says that the new plan for himself does not include Amanda and McCrae. Amanda tries to taunt Elissa, but she doesn't have a lot of success. Regardless of wheat Amanda says, Elissa says that she is not going to be manipulated by a girl like Amanda. Amanda doesn't realize that she is on the losing end by annoying people. Amanda says that everyone is being nice to Elissa, and just hiding behind her. Amanda would not let Andy leave the room as she denigrated Elissa. Amanda told Andy that he HAD to stay in the room. Amanda also says that anyone who talks to Elissa is her next target. GinaMarie is talking to Spencer, Judd, and Andy about how Amanda is psychotic with her repulsive behavior. Spencer says that Amanda and McCrae have been running things too long. The four of them say that they are the new alliance to get rid of Amanda and McCrae. They are calling themselves the Exterminators, and say they will go after Amanda and McCrae next week. Amanda tells Aaryn that she wants her to stay, but that she has been in an alliance longer with Andy. Amanda did not like how Aaryn picked Judd for the veto competition. Amanda starts crying, then Aaryn starts crying, and Amanda goes over to hug Amanda. Aaryn admits that it's going to be hard to stay because she might not have the votes. Aaryn talks to GinaMarie about the vote. GinaMarie says that Aaryn has her vote, but GinaMarie is covering her back by having the Exterminator alliance.

Aaryn tries to get Spencer and Judd on her side. Spencer tells Aaryn that he is concerned about her loyalty, and that her alliance seemed to shift. In DR, Spencer says that he needs to keep Andy for his vote. Aaryn says she will trhow people under the bus if she has to because she is not ready to leave. Aaryn talks to Amanda and McCrae about how keeping her keeps the target off of more people. Aaryn tells Amanda and McCrae that Spencer will put her up. Amanda calls over Spencer and asks him about it. Spencer denies it saying that he would never even talk about nominations. Spencer says that it is Aaryn's web of lies. Aaryn hopes that Amanda can see that Spencer is lying. Amanda tells Aaryn that Spencer is lying. Amanda asks Aaryn if she will take Amanda and McCrae to the final three. Amanda thinks that she may have to consider keeping Aaryn over Andy.
Julie tells us that the two who finish last in the HOH competition will have to wear either a bunny or a chicken suit. America gets to pick it. Geeze, Louise!

Julie talks to Dan Geisling about what he thinks of BB this year. Dan says that Amanda is playing a mean game. As Dan says, Amanda is playing the game like a brat. Dan tells Julie that the mist works. As Dan says, he backstabbed, but he didn't embarrass people. Dan says Danielle talks to him, and everyone is cordial. Dan likes Judd. As he said, Judd came back saying that he was going to play with a clean slate. Dan wonders what people are thinking about keeping a showmance in the house. As Dan says, he doesn't think Amanda and McCrae will talk to each other a month after they leave the house.

So Julie looks at some of the biggest showmances. First up is Rachel and Brendon. They met three years ago and got married last December. Rachel wants the first BB babies. Dani (from season 8) married Dominic. As Dani said, when Dominic left the house, that's when she realized that she missed him, and that she wanted a relationship. As Dani says, people see shomances as a big power threat. Then we saw Jeff and Jordan, together for four years. Jordan said that Amanda wears the pants in that relationship. Then Jordan says that Jeff needs to put a ring on it. Finally, it is back to the game.

Julie talks to the house guests. Judd thinks that not a lot of things have changed since he left. Julie congratulates Amanda on the veto win, but then asks about taunting Elissa. Amanda says that now the house guests know not to push Amanda's buttons. Elissa said that Elissa said game related things, and Amanda took it another step. Elissa said, you have to put up people. However, Elissa said that she would let bygones be bygones. Amanda looked like she wanted to stab Elissa. Spencer talked about the very messy front bedroom. It seems that Spencer throws his clothes in piles all around.

Aaryn then gives her spiel thanking family. Andy gives an Emancipation Proclamation, using Abraham Lincoln's words, and giving love to Anderson Cooper (from CNN). Time for the vote:
Aaryn is evicted from the BB house by a vote of 5-0. Julie reminds us that she can't say anything to Aaryn about the outside world. I know that people are hoping that Aaryn will get blasted for being a racist, but she won't. When Aaryn hears that she is out, she smiles. GinaMarie is crying as Aaryn leaves. Everyone is dressed for Endurance. AS Aaryn walks out, she got boos from the audience. Julie asks Aaryn about getting her hands dirty for Amanda and McCrae. Aaryn says that the house votes together, and Aaryn told GinaMarie to vote with the house so GinaMarie will not be a target. Aaryn is asked about not getting along with Elissa. Aaryn claimed to like Elissa at the beginning, and Aaryn really liked Rachel. Aaryn didn't like Elissa's lies. Julie asks Aaryn about her racist remarks, and Aaryn said that she hoped to not come across as racist, but she's from the South, and everything she said was all taken out of context. People laugh. Julie calls Aaryn on her comments, about not seeing Candice in the dark, Helen should make rice, and Andy being queer. As Aaryn says she did not remember saying that, and the audience laughed. Aaryn was really on the hot seat, and I was surprised about that. Aaryn said that she feels like a different person. Judd said that Aaryn is a competor. amanda said that Aaryn is her friend. Elissa has nothing to say. GinaMarrie says that she loves Aaryn, who will always be her BB buddy. Aaryn pretty much said in Texas, you talk a certain way. I guess that means Texans are racists. Julie tells Aaryn that after she goes home and watches the footage, she might have a different view.

The competition has the house guests hopping to a fence (their feet are tied together), sticking their hands through a mesh fence, and then moving the egg through the HOH maze on the fence. After they get the egg out, the house guest has to hop the egg to a basket and start over. The goal is to get 12 eggs in their basket. The two with the fewest eggs will have a punishment, which will be the chicken suit. This competition will take a while. Update on HOH later!

Sunday will have a surprise competition for the house guests. Then next Thursday will be another double eviction.

Friday, August 23, 2013 -- Afternoon

Inferno by Dan Brown
Cover of Inferno by Dan Brown Dan Brown: the mere mention of his name can turn some people into raving lunatics. Brown can't write. His stories are contrived. His plots are thin and poorly imagined. His grammar and language suck. His research is superficial. I could go on and on with the rantings of these folks. What I don't understand is why these folks feel compelled to read Brown's books? If the books irk you so much, save your money and your time. Walk by the book display. I think that some folks just love to complain, and I think that others like to believe that they are part of the intelligentsia that only reads literature. Others may be suffering from petty jealousy because they would love to be a best selling author. Let me just say that i am not part of the attacking hoards. I like Dan Brown's books. Heck, I even loved some of the them.

Inferno came out in May, but I didn't get a chance to read it until my vacation last week. I wasn't a huge fan of Lost Symbol, but the concept of Inferno seemed to return to Brown's earlier themes of symbology in classical works. In this case, the classical work is Dante's Divine Comedy. Robert Langdon awakens in a hospital in Florence, realizing that he lost two days. He can't remember how he got from his class at Harvard to a hospital in Florence. As he tries to figure out what happened, with the help of young, super-intelligent, Sienna Brooks, Langdon realizes that he needs to look at Dante's journey through Hell (Inferno), Purgatory, and Heaven to find a biological threat to civilization. As Langdon races through Florence to recover his lost 48 hours and to discover the secret of Inferno, he is hunted by mysterious police officials dressed in black. Langdon races through Florence and Venice trying to escape deadly assassins. That's enough to be said about the plot.

Inferno is full of the fast-paced thrills and puzzles that Brown gave us in The DaVinci Code. I thought it was a much more entertaining read than Lost Symbol, which I guess is a recommendation. The ending was a bit of a disappointment, and it just seemed to be more like the balloon deflating from a slow leak than the heart stopping pop that I was hoping for. I like the earlier Brown books much better. I think that the more time he puts into the books, the more confusion he adds to the mix. That said, I'm still looking forward to the next Dan Brown book. The only problem is that it will probably be years from now before it will be published.

Thursday, August 22, 2013 -- Evening

Returning Jury Member
Finally, the returning jury member twist. I can't wait to find out who it is, or how it will go down! GinaMarie tried to flip the house to vote out Spencer, but of course, again, it was for naught.

Tonight's show started with Julie talking about the returning jury member, and Helen's constant campaigning to stay in the house. Spencer is not surprised, but he's not sweating it. Aaryn said that not putting Amanda up will appease Amanda. What a fool! Helen says that it's clear that Aaryn is being bullied by Amanda. Helen tells Elissa that she has to work with Aaaryn and GinaMarie. Helen is trying to tell them that Amanda and McCrae are going to run the house. Helen tells Andy that he needs to vote for the good people, her, and get rid of the bad people, Amanda. Andy says that he is getting pissed off that Helen is doubting him, and in DR, he does not like Helen saying who is good and who is bad. Well, Andy is not voting for her, and of course, he runs down to tell Amanda about Helen trying to get folks to keep her. Helen says that she knows Andy keeps on saying that he is keeping her, but that Helen can read Andy's bogy language, and knows that Andy is lying. So Helen got to talk to McCrae to hope that he will vote for her. Helen tries to get McCrae to see that he is playing Amanda's game, and not his own game. Of course, McCrae ignores her because he likes being p*ssy whipped by Amanda because he gets sex from Amanda. As McCrae says, Helen counseling him about his relationship is really off putting. Amanda is getting pissed off at being attacked on a personal level when she doesn't pick on Helen personally. It's gets really awkward in the HOH room when Amanda goes on and on to McCrae, Spencer, and Andy about how she is not a bully, and asking if she is a bully. Spencer says, yeah, sort of.

Elissa and Helen try to talk GinaMarie into voting for Helen, and GinaMarie does want to vote for Helen because she wants to break up the Amanda/McCrae alliance. Elissa and Helen talk to Andy about voting Helen out. Andy admits that he is wavering about voting out Helen. Elissa tries to explain that Amanda and McCre are a pair. Helen tells Andy the gig is up and that Andy will be targeted for eviction. Andy admits in DR that he is always trying to keep himself off the block, and that is something he is really afraid of.

Time to talk with the house guests. Julie showed them video of the Have/Have Not competition. Amanda said that being in the black box made her scared, and he eyes never adjusted. GinaMarie said the hardest part was walking and sliding and not seeing. She said that she was prepping in the house walking around at 4 a.m. trying to find Nick's hat. Then we saw Elissa battling in the POV competition. Andy said that he was terrified to get in Elissa's path. Time for the nominees to give the speech. Andy says hello to everyone, the usual speil. Helen says hello to everyone at home. She says to keep her, but regardless of the vote, she loves them all. Time for the vote:
That means that Helen goes home. We got to comercial break, and when we come back, Helen gets the news that she is out by a vote of 4-1.Helen and Elissa hug a long time. Helen really starts to cry when she hugs Andy, Amanda, and McCrae. Helen goes out to Julie. Helen said it was emotional. Julie asked about the McCrae and Andy's loyality. Helen realized that Andy wasn't loyal to her. Helen thought Andy wasn't a liar or cheater, that he's a good, old boy. Helen wanted Andy to take out a huge player. Julie asked if Helen should have acted sooner on Amanda. Julie can't understand why everyone was so scared of Judd. Helen says it was all paranoia on the house guests. Julie asked how much of the tears this week were real. Helen said that if it would keep her in, she would cry a river. Helen said she went down swinging. Andy's good bye speech was about Helen's good and bad comments. McCrae said that the game is like a chess board, and that Amanda is McCrae's queen. Amanda says that she had to take the first opportunity to take out Helen. Elissa says she is going to miss Helen every single day. Julie asked about doing things differently. Helen would not have taken out Howard, but would have gone for Amanda. Julie tells Helen that she and the other jury members will compete to get back in the house. Helen is quite excited!

Julie told us that Candice, Judd, and Jessie have been in the jury house. Candice wanted to see GinaMarie, and she was shocked to see Judd. Judd admitted that he didn't see it coming. Candice adored Judd because he makes her laugh. Then Jessie came in, with Judd hoping it will be Helen. Judd wants answers on why he was evicted. Jessie tells Judd that it was Helen who wanted Judd out for being MVP and nominating Amanda. Two days ago, there were a special setup for the jurors with a note. They found out that one of the jurors would be going back into the BB house. Judd says he is going to put up Helen and Amanda. Jessie also wants to target Helen and Amanda. Judd calls Amanda the devil. Candice wants to get rid of GinaMarie. Judd says they get to have revenge on the snakes. All four are in endurance style closes. The winner goes back into the game as if they were never evicted. Julie says the house guests have no idea what is going to happen. Julie calls everyone into the living room. Julie tells them that the four members will be competing to re-enter the game. The door bell rings, and all four jury members come in, and there are hugs all around. Elissa is crying over Candice. Everyone has to go out to the back yard. The jury and HOH competition is about to begin. It seems that jury and house guests will be competing together.

The competition is a typical wall hanging competition. The house guests are split in two groups. The first person to catch ten balls wins, whether it is a house guest or a juror. So If the juror is the first to get ten, he/she is HOH. If they fall off the wall, they are out. The balls are shot at the house guests randomly, and Jessie caught the first one (or at least got it in her collection). After the first ball, they house guests get sprayed. This one may take a while.

As the show ended, Jessie had two balls, Judd had one, and a few of the others had a ball too.

Wednesday, August 21, 2013 -- Evening

Helen realizes her time is up as she cries to GinaMarie
Helen Blow Up
Today's BB show started after the Helen and Elissa nomination. Aaryn says that Helen going home is the best for her alliance. Helen isn't scared because she has a final three with Andy and McCrae. Helen thinks that McCrae can control Amanda. Elissa tells Helen that they have to win the veto. Helen warns Elissa not to argue with Aaryn. Elissa thinks that if they win veto, Spencer goes up and goes home. Helen goes to talk to Andy, and Andy claims that he feels very out of the loop. Helen bad mouths Elissa in front of Andy because no one is really friends in the BB house. Andy says in DR that it is heartbreaking that he has to lie to Helen to protect his real alliance with Amanda and McCrae. Helen tries to assure Andy that it is critical that Spencer goes up and goes home.

Meanwhile, Amanda and McCrae are making out in one of the bedrooms when Elissa walks in and lies down on the next beed. Amanda tells Elissa to play hard, and that Helen really isn't on her side. Elissa says that part of her thinks Amanda is just playing her by claiming that Helen threw Elissa under the bus. But then Elissa isn't sure if Helen might be against her. Amanda thinks that with Helen gone, Amanda will control Elissa. Andy tells Spencer that Helen is gunning for Spencer to go. Andy says he can't win the veto, but that Spencer should. Spencer says he has to dominate to win the veto. Time to pick players for veto. Aaryn picks GinaMarie's chip out of the box. helen picks Spencer, and Elissa picks house guest choice, and she picks Andy. Andy is not happy, but Spencer is happy because he is going to foil Helen's plan. Elissa realizes that she has to win. Helen asks Andy if GinaMarie would take someone off the block if she won. Andy assures Helen that McCrae is pretty loyal. Andy won't use the veto if he wins it, but he lets Helen think he will take her off. Andy tells Helen he is going upstairs to hear what people are talking about. Amanda and Aaryn are upstairs talking about how Helen cannot win. Andy tells them that he does not want to win veto. Amanda doesn't like that Andy would rather remain clean by throwing the veto. Amanda says Andy has to play for it, with her threatening, Demanda way.

The veto competition is an OTEV competition. There are trees, mud, water, wood chips, and a huge beaver. The questions are based on love letters, sent to an evicted house guest. They have to find the letters, wipe off the front to see the name, and be the first back. The last one back is eliminated in each round. The first clue was for Jeremy, with a clue about ranting about wine. helen is very back. Elissa finds Jeremy but is also scanning for other house guests that she might need. She is second back. Aaryn is third, Spencer fourth, and Andy fifth. GinaMarie was only finding Nicks and no Jeremy, but she is the last back. GinaMarie is first out. The second clue was about a grizzly bear shirt, so we know it's Judd. Spencer is back first. Helen stumbles, and Elissa flies by her to take the last stump. Everyone talks about Elissa being so set on winning over her friend Helen. Amanda is happy that Helen is out. Round 3 is about a clown, and it's obviously Candice. Again, Spencer is first back, then Aaryn, and it's down to Elissa and Andy. Helen realizes that Andy isn't trying to win, but Elissa says she has to win. Elissa tackles Andy like wimpy girl, according to Andy. Round 4, and the clue is about chiseled stone, and it's about Howard. Elissa is up first with Spencer close behind. Aaryn is out. It's down to the final round. The clue was about Jessie giving away the 5k. Elissa is back first with Jessie. She wins veto. Elissa says the others need to realize that she is there to stay. Elissa really channeled Rachel for the veto comp. It was amazing. Spencer really tried to win, and he's pissed because he is going up next. Helen is excited because she thinks that means she and Elissa are staying, but as Amanda says in DR, Helen is going home.

Helen does a crazy dance, and Elissa is super pumped that they may win. Helen says that after veto, Elissa's head is in the game. Helen tells Elissa that she will make sure that Spencer leaves. Helen thanks Andy for trying to win for them, but meanwhile, she was thinking that Andy did not try hard in the competition, and she sees it as a huge red flag. Elissa goes to talk to Amanda. Amanda says that Spencer is going up, but Helen is going home. Amanda says that there is nothing anyone can do to keep Helen. Amanda says that the worst thing Elissa can do is try to flip the house, because everyone will be after Elissa. It's amazing how everyone there lets Demanda do the thinking for them. Elissa dn Helen are cleaning the bathroom. Elissa wants to warn Helen, but she's afraid that Helen will go after her. Helen asks Elissa if Amanda is trying to get her out. Elissa asks not to be brought into anything with Amanda. Helen realizes that Elissa is trying to tell Helen that Helen is the target. Helen realizes that Elissa must have been threatened by Amanda that if Elissa helped Helen, Elissa would be out next. Helen goes to talk to Aaryn about Amanda and McCrae playing everyone and running the house. Aaryn tells Helen that Andy might not be loyal to her. Aaryn tells Helen that Andy tells Amanda everything. Helen tries to tell Aaryn that the game changing move would be to get Amanda out of the house.

Aaryn says that it's always good to get wine to take the edge off. Of course, they bring up the whole Jeremy taking the win. Aaryn tells the story that everyone hated her so she drank the wine. Amanda starts arguing with Amanda about it. Aaryn says that Amanda saying "start checking people's mouths" as not being nice. McCrae says there's mouthy Amanda blowing up at Aaryn when Aaryn is HOH, and could potentially backdoor Amanda. Aaryn says that it's obvious from Amanda's tone that she thinks she is better than Aaryn. Aaryn tells Andy that she doesn't think Amanda has Aaryn's best interests at heart. Andy is trying to make the 3AM alliance stick together, because he didn't want his plans to fall apart around his ears. Amanda just keeps on arguing with Aaryn, which is really stupid. Also, it's really stupid how everyone puts up with that. Aaryn tells Andy that everyone is gone so far because of Amanda and McCrae. Aaryn says that she needs to stop playing Amanda's game and play her own. I just cannot understand these folks. They need to get rid of Amanda, but it's never a good time. Amanda is going to make it to the end with this sort of attitude, and make it without winning anything.

Time for Elissa to use the veto. Helen had been trying to get Aaryn to put up Amanda, but that fell apart because everyone does what Demanda wants. Helen hopes that Aaryn sees that Amanda is the bigger threat. Demanda says that if Aaryn puts her up, she will put Aaryn up because "trust me. I get what I want." Elissa takes herself off, and Aaryn puts up Spencer saying it is the corner she is being pushed into. Elissa says she will be a vote to keep Helen in her speech. Spencer thinks he might go home. Helen says that Amanda better hope that her plan to evict Helen works because Helen is after Amanda. Amanda in DR says that Aaryn did a great job of doing what Demanda wanted. Gosh, I really hate Demanda!!! Let's hope Helen comes back on Thursday, and that she or Elissa wins HOH.

Sunday, August 18, 2013 -- Evening

Helen on the Block
All afternoon on the feeds, Helen has been campaigning to stay in the house. Helen realized that Amanda and McCrae are voting her out, but so far, Helen hasn't figured out that Andy AND Aaryn are on the McCranda side. Well, Helen gets what she sows. She has been a huge advocate of the "house" voting as one. Well, she is going to be burned by it.

The BB show tonight started with Jessie's eviction. Amanda smirks in DR about having a hand in ever eviction and how she hopes to have a hand in all future evictions. Spencer does not want to be on the block again because there are bigger targets in the house. Andy is crying again about the Jessie eviction because she was genuinely a good friend in the house. Then we saw Demanda looking like a addled idiot during the HOH competition. BB shows Demanda and McCrae talking. McCrae thought that Demanda would get it. McCrae says that in future he is not throwing anymore competitions for her, basically because Demanda is too much of an idiot to win anything. Demanda says she sucks and cries. McCrae says that was another competition that he threw for Demanda that she lost. BB showed Demanda crying in the storage room while they played clown music. Demanda is really an idiot at competitions, and she's lucky that McCrae carries her, and that the others let Demanda determine their thoughts.

Elissa worries about her safety with Aaryn, and wonders if Aaryn would put her up with Helen. Helen tells Elissa to go an talk to Aaryn. It's a game, make it a challenge, Helen says. Helen says that she worked really hard on Aaryn and that she plans on continuing it. Helen goes in to talk to Aaryn, and Helen tells Aaryn that Aaryn is better than Janelle, and that Aaryn should be happy with how she has progressed in the house, and to turn the frown upside down. Demanda says that after crying behind the garbage can, she is ready to target her new victime. Aaryn has to put up Helen and Elissa on Demanda's orders. Aaryn has an alliance with McCrae, Amanda, and Andy called 3 A.M. based on them talking at 3 a.m. in the morning. McCrae gets to Aaryn first and says that it has to be Helen and Elissa and that Helen can't win veto Aaryn says that the three of them talking is too obvious. Aaryn wanted to put Spencer up because Spencer is sketchy. Aaryn realizes that putting Helen up puts blood on her hands. Andy comes in, and he's excited about the plan, mainly because he has no blood on his hands.

Aaryn said it's hard to get together with her 3 A.M. alliance with eight people in the house. Demanda is the Mastermind. Andy is the Agent because he goes around getting information from everyone. Aaryn is the Beast because she wins competitions. McCrae is the enforcer. McCrae is just happy that they don't call him a little girl.

Time for the HOH room reveal. Elissa is not excited about seeing it again. Spencer says that Aaryn has won so many competitions, they have to see pictures of her with goats. Amanda goes around being very jealous and bitter. As Andy says, Demanda must have thought she was so close to being HOH, but not really. Helen talks to Elissa about how she must talk to Aaryn. Elissa says in DR that she really doesn't like Aaryn because of things Aaryn has done and said. Elissa tells Helen that she does not think Aaryn is a good person. Elissa cries because she won't see her son got to his first day of third grade. Helen says that she misses things too, but that Elissa needs to be a good alliance member for Helen. Helen gets really testy with Elissa telling Elissa that she needs to stay in the house instead of going to the jury house with the others. Elissa said that if she is evicted, she would not go to jury, but just leave. Helen gets really upset at this because as far as Helen is concerned, Elissa is saying that she won't stay around to give Helen a vote in the final two. Helen cries in DR about how it hurts her heart that Elissa would just leave her. Helen goes into the HOH room, and she starts crying to Demanda, McCrae, Andy, Aaryn, and GinaMarie. No one else really has sympathy because basically Helen cries to them all that when Helen is in the final two, Helen won't have Elissa's vote. Helen is clueless about how she won't make it to the final two. McCrae in DR says that Helen is deluded into thinking she will make it to the final two. Aaryn in DR says that Elissa doesn't see the BB experience as the others because it's important to them. Spencer says that Elissa had a bad day. GinaMarie said that Elissa has been like that from the beginning, and GinaMarie really went on a good rant about how Elissa had a stick up her ass. In DR, Demanda says "Helen don't cry. Elissa's not the target. Silly girl."

Time for the Have/Have Not competition. They have to randomly select chips to get on teams. The girls are all green, and the guys are orange. Aaryn plays on one team, but she will not be a Have Not. They go outside, and there is a huge black box. The green team goes first. They have to find the key hidden inside. They have to take the key outside and unlock the buzzer. The team with the fastest time eats. Elissa is worried about being on the block and a Have Not. The inside of the box is pitch black. GinaMarie says she can't see her hand in front of her face. There are sticky, dirty parts. There are buckets in the middle of the room with spaghetti and stuff like that in it, and the outer walls have hidden passages. Helen kept on finding the buckets like there was more than one set. The key is right outside of the buckets, but they couldn't find it. Finally GinaMarie finds i, and they all have to get out. Andy did not like the goo on the floor pulling out his hair. Spencer found the key right away. He then gathered everyone quickly, and they tried to get out. The first door was trick door with stuff. McCrae finds the door, and Spencer corralled all the people out. The Green team took 7 minutes 21 seconds. Orange team was 3 minutes 41 seconds.

GinaMarie was mad because the guys were 4 minutes faster. Helen was concerned about Elissa being on slop and bringing down Helen's game.

Helen says her father was from North Korea. GinaMarie said that she comes from Staten Island. Helen's parents left Korea after the Korean War. Helen's mom doesn't speak English, and just knows general words. GinaMarie said that her mom must feel like she's in another country, which she is, duh. Meanwhile, Elissa talks to Aaryn. Elissa goes on and on about her body hurts because Elissa doesn't have an exercise mat. Elissa just doesn't know how to talk to people. Aaryn tells Elissa that if Elissa goes up, Elissa is not the target. Elissa feels that she really opened up to Aaryn, and Elissa realizes that it's not going to be a delightful week. In HOH, Helen asks Andy if she can talk with Aaryn for a little bit. Helen realizes that Elissa might be going up on the block, and that Helen might have a target on her back. Helen says that if she wins the veto, she would not take Elissa off the block. Helen said that she would do whatever Aaryn said. Aaryn reallizes though that Helen has to go.

Time for the nominations. Demanda hopes that Helen's "I'm a mom" tears didn't change things. Helen hopes that Aaryn sees that Spencer is more dangerous. Elissa feels sad because she knows she's the target. Spencer is tired of being a pawn cause there are bigger fish to fry in the house. Aaryn hopes not to do the wrong thing that will lead to the down fall of her game. Time for the ceremony. The keys come out in this order: GinaMarie, Spencer, Amanda, McCrae, and Andy. Aaryn says that she nominated Elissa and Helen because they are a power duo after her power duo (Aaryn and GinaMarie). Elissa does not want to lose Helen. Elissa claims that she wants to make it to the end with Helen. Helen trusts Aaryn, and thinks that things may be okay. Demanda is happy about getting her way once again. Bye-bye Helen!

Thursday, August 15, 2013 -- Evening

Psycho Amanda crying after losing HOH
Psycho Demanda
Well, Demanda officially wins Psycho of the BB house. She has hidden herself behind a trash can in the BB house storage room, and she's crying because she is so incompetent at competitions. I mean, really!?!?! After all, McCrae threw it for her. No one picked Demanda till the end so she would win. Then Aaryn was waiting to see if she would pick a song. When Demanda didn't, Aaryn buzzed in. Demanda finally came out from behind the trash can, and she is already working on Aaryn to put up Helen and Elissa. Amanda is now sure that Aaryn is going to win because Aaryn wins competitions, and no one will know that Demanda is the puppet master behind the nominations. With Demanda and McCrae talk, Demanda makes the plans to get rid of Helen. Demanda also tells McCrae that she wasn't upset at losing the game, but because McCrae "yelled" at her for not winning, since everyone was obviously trying to throw the win her way.

Thursday, August 15, 2013 -- Evening

Eviction Time
Time for the eviction episode of Big Brother. It should not be a shocker. The show started with tensions after the veto meeting. Andy wants to get rid of Jessie, but supposedly, Jessie doesn't know it. Jessie checked in with Amanda and McCrae about being the pawn. Jessie says that it's scary because both she and Spencer are "pawns" on the block. Jessie said that Helen and Elissa are acting distant to her, and Jessie feels out of the loop. Jessie talked to Andy. Jessie does not think that Helen has her back. Andy thanks Jessie for telling him about Helen. Andy told Helen and Elissa that they need better poker faces. Andy tells the pair to act as if they are Jessie's best friend. Jessie goes up to talk to Aaryn and Helen in the HOH. They were all talking about Judd going out. Helen tells Jessie that maybe Judd was trying to use Jessie to get Amanda out. Jessie calls Helen out on the Judd and Amanda conversation. Jessie said that Helen seems to be trying to throw Jessie under the bus. Helen claims that Jessie was still trying to get Amanda out of the house. When Jessie calls Helen on the lie, Helen says that Jessie is lying and storms away. Jessie goes to Amanda and McCrae about Helen and Elissa joining with Jessie to get Amanda out. Amanda thinks it's a bad time to start the argument, but Helen and Elissa don't want to do it. Helen, meanwhile, doesn't want it out there that Helen wanted Amanda out. Helen attacks Jessie, and says that it was a lie. Helen asks Jessie why Jessie is lying. Jessie doesn't like that Helen is leaving Jessie out on the limb. Helen goes up to talk with Jessie by the chess table. While Helen and Jessie talk, Andy and GinaMarie listen in. Helen claims not to remember the conversation. Amanda and McCrae listen in downstairs. Amanda thinks that everyone knows that Helen is lying. Andy knows that Helen came to him to get Amanda out of the house, so Andy knows that Helen is lying.

Jessie tells Aaryn about what Helen did. Jessie says that Helen is trying to get Amanda to take the fall for Helen trying to get Amanda out of the house last week. Helen goes to talk to Amanda and McCrae, followed by Aaryn. Jessie listens outside the door, and she learns she was always the target. Jessie tells Andy that she was listening through the door, and that he should take a guess what she heard. Andy tells Helen, Elissa, and Aaryn that Jessie was listening in, and knows what they were plotting. Aaryn is freaked out over Jessie blowing up her game. Jessie tells Spencer and GinaMarie that she found out that she was being played. In DR, Spencer is relieved that he is the pawn after all. Jessie tells GinaMarie that Aaryn is always talking about GinaMarie and throwing her under the bus. Aaryn went to talk to Andy and Spencer about Jessie blowing up the house. GinaMarie tells Aaryn that Jessie was saying that Aaryn was playing folks. GinaMarie kept on trying to say that there was no problem. Then Aaryn and GinaMarie start arguing because Aaryn started to get so nasty to GinaMarie. GinaMarie keeps on telling that Aaryn is yelling like a psychopath again. GinaMarie goes out and yells in the house to wake everyone up so everyone will know that Aaryn is yelling at GinaMarie. GinaMarie invites everyone up to enjoy the show. GinaMarie asked Aaryn if she wanted to say anything negative about GinaMarie in front of everyone.

In the living room, Aaryn tells Julie there aren't many people left and tensions are high. Andy is asked about Judd, and Andy said that Judd was awesome and lots of fun, a huge presence in the house. Demanda says that no one should feel safe in the house and there should be a little bit of paranoia. Helen comments on the question of making big moves instead of doing what the house wants. Helen claims that Judd is the big move. Helen is too much of a two-faced politician. She's a well-seasoned and practiced liar.

Time for Spencer and Jessie to make a spiel. Jessie thanks her family. To the house guests, she says that it was pleasure to play with them. Spencer wishes a happy birthday to his brother, and says that everyone in the house is great and he wants to stay. Time for the vote:
As per usual this season, everyone voted the same, and Jessie was out to jury. Julie reminds everyone that Jessie is still part of the game, and cannot get news or feedback from outside the house. Jessie hugs everyone and doesn't say anything. andy is crying in the house, and Helen is receiving hugs like she is the family of the deceased. Julie asks Jessie about the roller coaster of the last few weeks. Jessie wanted to make an impression about the unanimous house, Jessie wants to see a Helen versus Amanda blowup. Jessie felt loyal to Helen, but also felt betrayed by her. Jessie was hoping to find a buddy, friend, or even a showmance in the house, but nothing. Jessie said that she was always struggling to fit in. Jessie says that she will have a bone to pick with Judd in the house. Amanda tells Jessie that "this is what happens when you try to get me out." Aaryn said that it was hard because she thought Jessie was a friend. Andy said that Jessie was no longer a use to him. Helen said that she had to keep Amanda in the house to get further in the game. Helen is so insincere. Jessie thinks that she did the best she could. Time for the HOH competition.

HOH is a question and answer. Two at a time, they will hear a short song that identifies a competition: HOH, POV, Have/Have Not. If you get it right, you get to pick the next two. If you get it wrong you are out. If neither of the two answers, both are our. The winner picks the next two GinaMarie and Helen were first, and GinaMarie got the HOH song right. Elissa and Spencer are next. Spencer ran in first with veto and wins. It was now McCrae and GinaMarie. McCrae got the veto song. McCrae picked Spencer and Aaryn. Aaryn rang in first with Have/Have Not, and she wins. Then it is Amanda and McCrae. McCrae went with veto because he knew it was wrong, and wanted to throw it to Amanda. Now it is down to Amanda and Aaryn. Aaryn rang in with veto, and it was right. Amanda was very slow, and just seemed confused about what was going on. It's really pitiful to see Demanda struggling to compete and understand the games. She is soooo out of her element.

Julie congratulates Aaryn on her fourth HOH win. Aaryn says she is happy, and that it is great to be safe, but it will be hard. During next Thursday's live show, the house guest evicted next Thursday will compete with the others in the jury house to return to the game.

Wednesday, August 14, 2013 -- Evening

Big Brother Show
I wasn't home this evening to see Big Brother, and might possibly miss the show tomorrow too. We'll have to see. I know what happened from the feeds: Andy wins POV. He does not change the nominations, and between Spencer and Jessie, Jessie will be the one going home. Jessie has been causing some drama in what has been an extremely boring week. She called out Helen, who was doing a bit of scheming against Amanda last week. That confirmed McCrae's believe that Judd was innocent of all the accusations against him. Unfortunately, Jessie did her shit stirring AFTER the POV ceremony, so nominations were not changed. Now Helen and Elisse are planning on going after Amanda and McCrae next HOH, and Amanda and McCrae are planning on Helen and Elisse. We'll have to see if either scenarios comes to fruition.

Sunday, August 11, 2013 -- Evening

HOH Catch-Up
Tonight on the BB show, we get to find out what the live feeders have known for days: that Andy is the HOH>

The show started with a recap of the Thursday's show. Spencer said that the Candice/GinaMarie dialog was ridiculous. They kept up the talk all through the voting and commercial time. Andy thought it was tumultuous because both girls are nuts. Aaryn said in DR that GinaMarie was making a lot of really low blows, and she didn't want to be associated with GinaMarie. Some talk was made of GinaMarie commented on Candice's mom not liking her, which is a low blow since Candice is adopted. Elissa was sad to see her leave, and thought that Candice had to put up with a lot of crap in the house.

Aaryn said that she did not want to win HOH. Jessie was bummed because it seemed that it would be her and Spencer on the block. Aaryn was talking to the guys about who she would put up, and Aaryn said that she wanted to put GinaMarie up. That was the secondary plan. Judd said to put up Jessie because everyone was after her. Spencer went up, and he didn't know what was up because of all the whispers and alliances. Aaryn won HOH and veto quickly, so it left the house guests with a lot of scheming time. Aaryn wanted to keep her nominations the same, but we see Helen tell Aaryn to backdoor Judd. CBS is making it seem like it is Helen's idea when it was really Demanda wanting Judd out because Amanda thought Judd has been MVP. Jessie gives her allegiance to Aaryn. Helen says that Judd is very strong, and that he has a strong social game. Helen and Aaryn call everyone into the airplane room, and tells them all to vote out Judd. McCrae and Amanda tell Spencer to go with whatever happens. Judd thinks everyone is talking about keeping Jessie when as McCrae said that it is heartbreaking to vote Judd out. Even Andy said that it was icky feeling, and that his heart was telling him not to vote out Judd. Aaryn puts Judd up as Helen and Demanda wanted. Helen tries to talk during the commercial break, and Judd tells her that he doesn't want to hear her. Aaryn said that hearing Judd try to fight for his BB life was heart breaking. Judd said that it's not to late, and they can still keep him. Helen tries console Aaryn. Demanda says that she really loves Judd, but that he was MVP. Demanda was so wrong about that, and she really needs to hang her head in shame. Demanda was sure that Judd put her up. That's why Judd went out, because Demanda was afraid Judd was after her, when he really wasn't. Everyone appears to be crying, except for Helen and Demanda: wenches. Amanda was relieved that Judd went out because he was DEFINITELY, DEFINITELY I TELL YOU, MVP. So, almost half of tonight's show was a recap of Thursday.

Aaryn said that the house wanting to backdoor Judd shows you how quickly the house turns on people. Aaryn wants to know when she is going out. Helen calls Aaryn Janelle, and tells Aaryn that for once in the game, no one is after her. Meanwhile, Judd and Andy cry. As McCrae said, Judd was his best friend in the house. Demanda takes Aaryn into the airport room, and says that she will never doubt Aaryn again. Aaryn claims that she trust Helen the most, but Demanda wants a final four with Aaryn, Andy, Demanda, and McCrae. Demanda keeps on saying how it is huge deal. Andy said that seeing Judd go out was like watching a wounded animal. Only Demanda doesn't cry because she is an evil wench. Andy is crying with the group, then he wants to go by himself. Helen says that getting rid of Judd is good for everyone's game. Spencer says they are like wild hogs turning on each other. Time for the HOH. The backyard has two banana boards facing each other. Aaryn does not look happy. Andy wants to win so he can show people that he wants to play. The competition is tournament style. The first player to land the "cherry" on the sundae wins. The first match is Helen versus Jessie. Then Andy versus GinaMarie. Demanda versus Spencer, and finally Elissa versus McCrae. Andy realizes that he has to win so he's not a victim of a big move.

Not only is the winner HOH, but he/she gets to name the Have Nots. It was Helen versus Jessie. Jessie and Helen take a long time, but Jessie wins. Then it is Andy and GinaMarie. Andy wins. Spencer wanted to make big moves in the house, but Demanda got her ball in on the second roll. McCrae takes out Elissa. Elissa was distracted by all the noise that McCrae was making. Now it was down to the final four. Andy went against Jessie and beat her. Andy's ball just knocked out Jessie's ball. Then it was Demanda versus McCrae. Demanda said that McCrae MUCST let her win the challenge, but his ball goes in, and Demanda, of course, gets pissed and starts crying. Demanda said "why couldn't Demanda throw it?" McCrae did not want to throw it to make it look like he was making a concession for Demanda. Now it's the final two: McCrae and Andy. Andy wins by remaining calm and level-headed. Andy landed the ball on the first try. Helen, GinaMarie, Elissa, and Aaryn all volunteered to be Have Not. Aaryn said that she volunteered in the spirit of Aaryn the good witch. Andy says it is hard because he has been friends with everyone in the house.

Meanwhile in the house, Demanda yells at McCrae about how upset she is with him because she sucks at competitions. McCrae said he didn't even try. Demanda kept on about how McCrae wouldn't let her win HOH. The girl is wacky-o. She can't win a competition that asks her to name her name!

Helen goes to console psycho Demanda. Helen tells Demanda that they are all their because of Demanda. Helen said that Demanda wins without winning--because everyone does what Demanda says. Demanda said that she is just frustrated. Andy comes in, an Demanda says she is happy for Andy, but annoyed for herself. Demanda keeps up with the "i'm the only one didn't win anything in this house." Of course, she blames McCrae, but tells him she is not mad at him. McCrae tells her that she has controlled every nomination since the start, and Demanda has. Andy goes up to his HOH room, and tells Helen that he is nominating Spencer and Jessie. Helen tells Andy that she would put up Demanda and McCrae. Helen does nto realize that Andy is not with Helen. He is with Demanda. Andy doesn't think that it is time. Helen says that they don't have a lot of weeks left, and they should make the move. Andy doesn't want to choose a side because he is on both sides.

It's time for Andy's nominations. Helen is hoping for Demanda and McCrae to go up. McCrae hopes that Andy stays loyal. Andy says he has to be overt in what he is doing and get his hands dirty. So he takes the easy way out of nominating Jessie and Spencer. The keys come out in order: GinaMarie, Helen, McCrae, Aaryn, Demanda, and Elissa. Andy says that the nominations are strategic. Spencer says that he's on the outside in the house, and he needs to get on the inside. Spencer thinks things will work out. Demanda says the goal is to send out Jessie. Helen is hoping that McCrae and Demanda get backdoored. If not, Helen says she will know where Andy's loyalty lies.

Thursday, August 8, 2013 -- Evening

Barbara Mertz: aka Elizabeth Peters and Barbara Michaels
RIP Barbara Mertz
My favorite author died today. Barbara Mertz, who wrote as Elizabeth Peters and Barbara Michaels, died today at the age of 85. She had not published anything in recent years, but I have many, many hours of enjoyment reading her books. I also read, and loved, her non-fiction books on Ancient Egypt, written under her real name of Mertz. Here's the news release from her publisher. This is very sad news because it's the end of the story for Amelia Peabody and Vicky Bliss.
Double Eviction Night
One of my favorite Big Brother nights is double eviction night. I really, really hope that Amanda leaves tonight. There should not be a lot of stupid interview pieces tonight, I hope.

Julie let us know that the jury begins tonight. Julie hints that a blindside might be too good to pass up. it won't happen because people are afraid of Amanda. Candice in DR said that people are starting to look at Amanda. Amanda claims that she is going to play "nice Amanda." Amanda tells Jessie that she wants to be friend. Amanda claims that she was never after Jessie. Jessie doesn't buy Amanda's fake apology, and she wants to evict her. Andy said that he trusts Amanda, Judd, and McCrae. Judd tells Amanda not to have any more emotional outbursts. Amanda doesn't trust Judd because she is 99.9 percent sure that Judd is MVP. Idiot! Candice and Elissa are talking about how Amanda is the biggest threat. Jessie says that they have to get rid of Amanda, and Candice says that people aren't thinking of $500,000. Jessie has to convince Helen that it is her golden opportunity to take out Amanda. However, stupid Helen says she can't do it without all her allies on board. Jessie tells Judd that this week is huge, and she tries to plant the seed with Judd that Amanda needs to go home this week. Jessie says that if they don't get out Amanda, they will just be giving her the money at the end. Helen talks to Andy about Amanda and McCrae being too comfortable. Helen thinks Andy is the closest with her in the house. Helen is stupid and does not know that Andy is in an alliance with Amanda, and he has Amanda over Helen. Andy tells Helen that this is not a good week. Candice tells Helen that they are crazy to keep Amanda in the house. Candice told Helen that it's obvious that Helen has a loyalty to Amanda. Helen says she will get rid of Amanda when the house wants it. Jessie is flabbergasted that Helen is so stupid.

Julie talks to the house guests. She tells them that there will be nine people in the jury. Julie also tells them it's a double eviction night. Julie also says that just because they are on the jury, it doesn't mean they are out of the game. Time for the speeches. Candice says that she came to play a game, and when Candice tries to give her speech, but GinaMarie talked over her. It became a real cat fight. Spencer tried to make a jokey speech. Then Amanda said hi to folks, and gave her same spiel as before. Time for the vote:
Candice is out with all seven votes. Julie says that she can't give Candice any feedback on the outside world because she will still be part of the jury and the game. GinaMarie yelled after Candice that GinaMarie's mom liked her not like Candice's who gave Candice up for adoption. That is a really low blow. Candice apologized to Julie for the exchanges. Candice said that she knew she was going to leave, and she was going to defend herself. She did not want to let GinaMarie talk about Candice. Candice said that because Candice wasn't part of Amanda's alliance, she was on the outs. Candice thinks Amanda will make it to the end. Julie alluded to the racial tensions, but didn't say much more.

The HOH competition, Summer School, is on the knowledge on items and events in the BB house. Answers are more or less. First, is the number of airplane seats more or less than 14. Answer more. Elissa is the only one to get it wrong. In Popsicle Factory, were there more or less than 5 different color popsicles. Answer is less. Andy and Jessie are out. In the living room, is the number of black balls in the fireplace more or less than 20. Answer more. All get it. In the veto competition, did Kaitlyn get more or less than 23 votes. It was more and only Aaryn got it right. Aaryn is the new HOH.

Aaryn is talking to Andy and McCrae, and Aaryn says she can't figure out what to do. Spencer says if he goes up on the block, he's going home if Jessie wins the veto, and Aaryn does not put up GinaMarie. Andy asked Aaryn what she wanted to do. Andy says that he doesn't want Spencer to go home. Time for the nomination ceremony. Julie lets us know the MVP twist is over. From now on, there will only be two house guests who go up. Jessie and Spencer are nominated.

Time for the veto competition. Andy, Judd, and Amanda were selected to play in the veto competition. They have to race down their lane, and get six colored nails to complete the veto puzzle. The person who completes the puzzle first, and gets the gold veto nail AND has the puzzle right, wins veto. If the puzzle is wrong, that person is eliminated. Everyone is putting in nails, but Aaryn got the puzzle right, and won the veto. She has to decide if she is going to use the veto. This means that Jessie is going home.

Helen is giving Aaryn a pep talk about they all owe her. Jessie is sitting on the living couches alone. She knows she is going home. McCrae is hugging witchy Amanda. Dang, that girl is still there, and no one will get rid of her now. No one has the guts. Aaryn took Jessie off the block, and she put Judd up in Jessie's place. Aaryn said that Judd is playing her, and that everyone in the house wants Judd to go home.

Time for the Spencer and Judd to talk. Spencer asks to be kept. Judd said he guesses that everyone wants him to go. Judd said that the things said about him weren't true, and he is on their side. Judd is telling the truth. The vote:
Judd is evicted by a vote of 7-0. Judd runs away, grabs his hat, hugs people, and then leaves. Julie asked Judd what happened. He was confused, and he didn't know what happened. Judd said that he should not have trusted Amanda--I will call her Demanda from now on--and McCrae so much. Judd says Demanda is running the house. Meanwhile back in the house, Helen is insisting that Judd is a schemer. No...actually Helen and Demanda are the schemers! We'll have to see who is HOH later tonight on the live feeds.

Wednesday, August 7, 2013 -- Evening

POV Show
House guests practice for an upcoming competition CBS has announced today that both evictees tomorrow will be going to the jury house. So that means nine people in the jury. Also, BB has given the house guests the apparatus you can see at the right. They were all told to practice, so now everyone is talking in the house about this coming Thursday being a double eviction night. Amanda seems to be pretty good at rolling the ball down the slide and into a bucket. I wonder if that will make the house guests rethink strategy and get rid of Amanda. Nah, won't happen!

Meanwhile, on the show tonight, the action started right after the nomination ceremony where GinaMarie called Candice a rat. As GinaMarie said, Candice is her target while Jessie is the pawn. Candice was appalled at what came out of GinaMarie's mouth. Jessie realizes that she has to fight hard. Amanda and Judd went off to laugh after the ceremony. Amanda said that GinaMarie is entertaining. GinaMarie told Jessie that she wants her to win the POV, and Jessie is not going home. GinaMarie apologized about calling Jessie a flipflopper. GinaMarie and Jessie promise to have each other's back. Candice tells Judd she has a thick skin, and isn't offended at him laughing. GinaMarie called Candice up to her room (calling Candice sweetheart). Candice told GinaMarie that her comments were harsh. Candice said that she did not like the tattletale comment because Candice knows a lot of secrets. Poor Candice gets a bad rap for going against Team Amanda/Helen.

Amanda thinks that the twist is who the MVP is. Spencer does not think it is anyone in the house. Amanda thinks that only someone in the house would be putting her up. Amanda thinks America loves her. Spencer says "if you do something people don't like." Amanda is befuddled at that because she just does wonderful things like get rid of mean people. Meanwhile Amanda doesn't like Jessie being in the same room as her. Amanda asks McCrae to sit by her, and McCrae says no. Amanda gets mad and walks out of the HOH room. McCrae goes to talk to Amanda, and she says that McCrae is annoying. Amanda was upset that McCrae let Jessie sit near him. McCrae thinks that her actions are unnecessary, and that Amanda just wants to keep him on a leash. When Amanda showers McCrae goes to talk to her. McCrae cannot understand why Amanda is irritated, and she is upset that he can't see why she is irritated. Amanda says that girls like Jessie drive her up the wall. McCrae says in DR that the Amanda relationship reminds him of other relationships he had, and how he wishes he could get out of the house. McCrae said that he would like to separate himself from her, but he doesn't think he can because hell hath no fury like a scorned Amanda.

Time for the MVP nomination, and Amanda sees that it's her again. To her, it does not make any sense. McCrae said that he is not surprised because Amanda had been making a fool of herself, and it was obvious to someone else. Time to pick the other two players in the Veto Competition. Spencer and Judd are the lucky twosome. The host for the competition is Aaryn. Candice is happy, and Elissa and Helen talk with her. They think it is Judd. Amanda thinks the real MVP is Judd because he acts super weird. Amanda asks Judd if he wins the MVP, he will use it on her. Judd says he will use it on Jessie, which freaks out Amanda. Judd said that it is a ploy; he will use it on Amanda. Then Amanda asks Spencer if he will use the veto on her. Spencer said that it's like the Joker asking Batman for help. Amanda insists that it is stupid. GinaMarie said that she would use the veto on Amanda. Aaryn got angry and walked out of the HOH. As Aaryn said, Amanda is selfish because Amanda is thinking of only herself. Andy talks to McCrae, and says that Amanda pushing for people to use the veto on her is making her alliance uneasy. McCrae tells GinaMarie that if GinaMarie won the veto, she should not use. it. Amanda gets mad that McCrae doesn't think everyone should use the veto on Amanda. As McCrae says in DR, Amanda thinks that everyone owes Amanda everything, when they don't owe Amanda anything. In the airport room, McCrae goes to talk to Amanda. McCrae tries to explain to Amanda why he was telling GinaMarie not to use the veto. Amanda tells McCrae that he needs to stop his ditatorship. Amanda says that she doesn't know where McCrae's loyalties lie. McCrae says in DR that Amanda is like a bull in a china shop. That's why America keeps putting Amanda on the block. She's annoying, and people want her out.

Time for the POV Competition. There are buckets of frogs. They have to fling frogs at numbered lily pads. The house guests with the fewest points is out for that round. In the first round, Jessie gets 3, Spencer 5, Candice 4, Judd 8, Amanda 23, and GinaMarie misses the pads. GinaMarie is out. She claims the veto, which sucks because she is the first to find it. In Round 2, Spencer gets 5, Candice 24, Judd 6, Jessie 4, and Amanda get 1. Amanda is out. She get the 5th place prize of a doggie cone of shame for 48 hours. She trades for the veto. Round 3: Judd gets 21, Jessie 9, Spencer 5, (while the competition is going on Candice tells Judd that Amanda is calling Judd a shady rat. Amanda starts yelling at Candice. Amanda asks like a definite ass, making derogatory comments. Amanda taunted Candice calling her an idiot.) Candice missed the pad, but took the 4th place prize. Candice got a vacation, but she took the veto from Amanda. Amanda keeps on taunting Candice, calling Candice nuts. Candice tells Amanda to just leave her alone. McCrae hopes that Amanda would just shut up because it puts a target on his back. Judd gets a 23, Jessie a 13, and Spencer gets the lower score. Spencer gets a spray tan, but he takes the vacation from Amanda. It's down to Jessie and Judd. Jessie lands on the 50, but it falls in the water. Judd got 29, and he won the competition. Jessie gets the second prize. Amanda instantly starts in on Judd about where she was. Even Helen realizes that Amanda is rubbing it the wrong way. Jessie's price is $5000. She traded for the veto. Judd got a clown suit, but he traded it for the $5000 that Candice had. Amanda was pissed, per usual. Jessie was very proud of getting the veto. Amanda admits that she sucks at competitions. Candice hopes that the others see that Amanda is a bigger target. All I know is that CBS is painting an ugly picture of Amanda. Too bad the house guests are too afraid to vote her out.

After the competition, Amanda goes into the airport room. McCrae follows her, and McCrae argued with Amanda over not shutting up and keeping up the argument with Candice. Amanda doesn't get it. McCrae tells Amanda that she was making a spectacle of herself, and that Amanda was coming across as a bully. Amanda says that Candice is going home, and Amanda was rubbing the salt in it. Amanda claims that she wasn't saying anything, and she tells McCrae to leave her alone. Candice is so upset over what Amanda did in the competition, but Candice is trying to keep her temper, and come across as the bigger person. Aaryn said that Candice and Elissa are friends, and they are joking in the kitchen. Aaryn worries that Elissa might try to keep Candice. Aaryn tells GinaMarie that maybe GinaMarie should put Elissa up so Elissa can't vote to keep Candice. Candice dresses up in her clowny-tard. Candice really does seem to be making the best of the situation. Amanda has to get her spray tan, and she looks awful. The third punishment was the cone of shame. The cone of shame was not that bad. As Helen said, GinaMarie doesn't see anything as a punishment. Helen goes to talk with GinaMarie to make sure that Helen's allies are safe. Helen said that she wants to work with GinaMarie. GinaMarie tells Helen that Elissa is campaigning to keep Candice. Helen claims that she really loves GinaMarie and that Helen plans on only seeing Elissa, Andy, and GinaMarie after the game ends. She may rethink Andy when she realizes that Andy ratted out Helen to Amanda.

Time for the POV Ceremony. Obviously, Jessie is going to use it on herself. Jessie hopes that there will be a bold move in the game, like putting up McCrae to level the playing field. Amanda realizes that Jessie won't use the POV on Amanda. Rolling my eyes! Candice hopes that people see that Amanda is a bigger target. GinaMarie just doesn't want the replacement to come after her. Jessie comes off, and Spencer goes up in her place. Spencer says that Candice is freaking everyone out with her tirades, and Amanda who is on meltdown. Amanda is just clueless. Let's hope she goes to jury on Thursday. Candice said that she won't go down without a fight. it will be WWIII in the house. Tune in for double eviction tomorrow!

Wednesday, August 7, 2013 -- Afternoon

N or M? by Agatha Christie
Cover of N or M? by Agatha Christie Although Agatha Christie is mostly known for her murder mysteries, mostly starring Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple, she was also a very good espionage writer. Those books are few in number, but one of my favorites is N or M?, which features Tommy and Tuppence Beresford. Tommy and Tuppence were only in a handful of Christie books: The Secret Adversary, Partners in Crime, N or M?, By the Pricking of My Thumbs, and Postern of Fate, which was the last book that Christie wrote. Tommy and Tuppence start out as young people fresh from World War I with no prospects. They get involved in a spy case, looking for the mysterious Jane Finn. They open a detective agency in Partners in Crime, which is a collection of short stories with an overall unifying theme of working for Mr. Carter and looking for a man known as No. 16. For each case in the book, Tommy and Tuppence took on the personality of a well-known (in 1929) fictional detectives. With N or M?, Tommy and Tuppence are now middle aged. World War II is in full force, and the Berefords want to get in on the act of helping their country, but they are dismissed as being "past it." War is for the young, like Tommy and Tuppence's twins, Derek and Deborah.

N or M? starts with both Tommy and Tuppence down in the dumps because they don't have a role in the war. When someone comes knocking at their door, we all know that it is adventure. This time, it's in the shape of Mr. Grant, who has been sent to solicit the services of Tommy for a boring desk job in Scotland. When Tuppence gets called away to tend to a sick friend, Mr. Grant lets Tommy know that Scotland is a rouse. He's really going to a boarding house in Leahampton called Sans Souci to look for a Nazi spy. The spy can be one of two main people known as N and M. N is a male, while M is a female. Tommy is not to tell Tuppence a thing, and a few days later, he goes off to "Scotland." Imagine Tommy's surprise when he arrives at Sans Souci, as Mr. Meadowes, to find Tuppence already in residence as Mrs. Blenkensop, Tommy is elated. Tuppence figured out that Mr. Grant didn't want to talk in front of her, so she plotted the phone call with a next door neighbor. As Tommy and Tuppence investigate the inhabitants of Sans Souci, they realize that people are not as they appear. Just as Tommy and Tuppence are playing a role, any of the other house guests could be someone else. The only one who seems above suspicion is Mrs. Sprot with her two-year-old daughter, Betty. Christie cunningly hides the identities of N and M, and I was greatly surprised by both reveals. There are no murders in the book, but there is lots of adventure.

I loved N or M?, and it makes me want to re-read the first two Tommy and Tuppence books. The latter two are not very good, so I'll just avoid them for now. As Christie would say, you are not past it until you are dead, and you should never believe everything people tell you.

Keep your eyes open for the part where Christie has a character talk about amnesia that is brought on by the stress of life. This is obviously an reference to the amnesia adventure that Christie had. She rather famously went missing in 1926 when her husband Archie Christie was divorcing her. The claim was that Christie suffered amnesia from the stress of the divorce. You can read more about that here.

Sunday, August 4, 2013 -- Evening

BB Show and Update
Aaryn, Elissa, and Jessie share Helen's BBQ party win There has been drama in the BB house. Amanda was the MVP nomination, and of course, she is freaking out. Of course that didn't stop here from teling GinaMarie what GinaMarie should do with the veto (if she won it). McCrae tried to tell Amanda to cool it, but to no avail. Amanda also got in a fight with Jessie (calling Jessie a slut), and with Candice. Candice and Jessie were also up on the block, but Jessie won the veto, so she will be coming off. Personally, I want Amanda to go home on Thursday because I think it would be a strong power move, AND I would like to see McCrae play the game without her disruption. They are the only couple left in the house after Amanda made sure to eliminate the others (because couples are strong!)

As the BB show was on the air, Helen, Elissa, Jessie, and Aaryn were winding down from Helen's BBQ party, won by Helen as one of the first three to fall off the log in the HOH competition.

The BB show started with the HOH competition. Spencer says he has to win. They then showed Elissa almost faling at the very beginning. Candice realizes that she is a huge target and alone in the house without Howard. Aaryn hopes Howard leaving solidifies her alliance with Helen. Andy thought Howard was shady. Spencer wished that he could have voted for Amanda, but he couldn't. Spencer also admits that he has to work his way back in with Amanda. Helen looks at who needs to leave the game, and her goal is to take out a lynchpin player. That means Helen should be targeting Amanda. Helen thought the competition was hard. McCrae thought the competition was easy, because he has carny blood in him. Spencer says he's sweating, and it's like being on a treadmill from hell. Spencer is the first out, with Candice right behind him. Candice wanted to play a low key game because only Spencer was after her. Helen went third. Then Elissa feel. Then Amanda, which leads McCrae to say in DR that he has to make up for his alliance members (aka Amanda) sucking. Judd feel, and he was disappointed in himself. Andy felt next, but realizes that he got far in this game by being everyone's friend. Spencer got the bullhorn box, having to speak through a bullhorn until nominations. Candice got $5000, and Helen got the BBQ party. The final three are Jessie, GinaMarie, and McCrae. As soon as Jessie fell, GinaMarie started to tell McCrae that she had him. GinaMarie said she wanted HOH to get her crown. GinaMarie mentioned that she wanted her hair dye.

Elissa said that she can be in big trouble if GinaMarie wins. GinaMarie kept on telling McCrae that he is safe, and he kept on teling GinaMarie the same, and that she would have no blood on her hand. McCrae tried to tell GinaMarie that she is super smart. Meanwhile Helen is saying in DR that McCrae should not take GinaMarie's deals. GinaMarie is getting nervous over McCrae over not taking her deals. McCrae lost "focus" and fell off the log. GinaMarie won. GinaMarie was so excited, and so was Aaryn because she is safe from nominations (except for MVP). Amanda does not know who GinaMarie would go after her. Candice hopes that GinaMarie does not listen to Aaryn and put Candice up. Helen says that GinaMarie is a big question mark. Then GinaMarie gets some political spiel from Helen, who wants to shape GinaMarie's game strategy. Andy says he was dying a bit inside watching GinaMarie and Aaryn dancing around after the HOH. McCrae tells Amanda that now would be the time to make a move on them. Amanda says that she trusts GinaMarie. Spencer in DR said that Amanda doesn't hold a long grudge. Amanda has a couple of targets that she wants to get out before Spencer, so she will keep him around as long as she needs him. GinaMarie tells Aaryn that GinaMarie may not be smart, but she is a beast when it comes to physical competitions. GinaMarie said that Candice is a target because Candice picks on Aaryn, GinaMarie can't stand Candice's voice, and Candice causes drama. Aaryn said that Spencer should go up with Candice, and GinaMarie agrees because Spencer got rid of Nick.

Time to see GinaMarie's HOH room. GinaMarie screamed because she got a picture of Nick. She also got a crown and dresses from her pageants. As Andy said, it was very much like a teenage girl. Helen mentioned that she got the BBQ for herself and three other people. Helen picked Aaryn and Elissa. Jessie asked "why Aaryn?" Helen said because Aaryn kept up her end of the deal, and Elissa is her best friend. The third spot is up for grabs. Aaryn goes and tells Amanda and her followers what Jessie said. Then Jessie talks to Amanda, McCrae, and Andy about how she is upset that Aaryn is going to the BBQ, because Jessie has been loyal a long time. Amanda says it's not a big deal, and Jessie said it is a big deal because she can drink. Amanda says in DR that Jessie should get over it. Amanda starts arguing with Jessie about how Jessie was trying to get Amanda voted out. Jessie and Andy talked later about voting out Amanda. Andy told Amanda and McCrae. Jessie tried to explain how she was checking out all options that would be best for her game. Amanda said that Jessie was planning on flipping the house on Helen and Amanda. Jessie said that the plan was brought to her by Howard. Amanda tries to turn everyone else against Jessie. We don't see on the CBS shows that Amanda called Jessie a slut and claimed Jessie was trying to steal McCrae.

McCrae and Jessie talk about Jessie's credibility. Jessie tells McCrae that he and Amanda have been controlling the vote. Jessie said that she doesn't like to take other people's orders. McCrae said that BB is all about timing. Jessie said that she went to Andy in confidence, and Andy obviously went to them. Jessie said that she did not vote against Amanda. Jessie said that Amanda can't control all of her thought processes. Jessie said that Amanda has been a target for others in the house since day one. BTW, Amanda has on really short bikini underwear and a shirt that doesn't fit. Amanda says that Jessie is a sad person. Jessie calls Amanda a bitch, and Amanda calls Jessie a victim, and a pitiful person. Amanda tells Jessie that she has no one. Amanda tells Jessie that she is all by herself, and then Amanda tells Jessie that she is going home this week. Jessie said that Amanda may target Jessie, but it doesn't take the target off of Amanda. McCrae tried to tell Amanda that she did not look good threatening to Jessie. Amanda says "why should I apologize to Jessie?" I think it's really funny that Amanda calls Jessie a slut (not shown on CBS), while Amanda runs around in ill-fitting underwear and having sex with McCrae. McCrae is trying to get her head into the game because it puts a big target on him and on her. McCrae realizes that Amanda may go out sooner rather than later.

GinaMarie talks to Jessie. Jessie said that it just came out. Jessie said that it might be harder to get Candice out because Amanda uses her power of persuasion on everyone. GinaMarie said that Jessie is not her target, but Candice is. GinaMarie said that Candice is going on, but she can't figure out who to put up against Candice.

It's time for the nomination ceremony. The keys come out in this order: Aaryn, Helen, McCrae, Judd, Amanda, Elissa, Spencer, and Andy. GinaMarie said that Candice is beautiful and she has great qualities. GinaMarie calls Candice a tattle tail and rat. Judd and Amanda snicker. GinaMarie calls Jessie a flip-flopper, going to different sides of the house. Candice is shocked, and is going to brush off the crazy things. Jessie said that she is not going to roll over because of Amanda. Jessie wants respect. Amanda says that Jessie goes on the block as her time out, and that Julie should keep a chair warm for Jessie because Amanda is getting Jessie out of the house this week. Funny, since Jessie gets the POV, and Amanda is on the block.

Friday, August 2, 2013 -- Morning

GinaMarie confirming with production that she won HOH
HOH Results
So I watched the live feeds in my living room until 10:15 p.m. ET. I decided that I would go upstairs to watch the rest in my bedroom. I closed down my laptop, got my iPad, and went to bed. Well, as soon as I got upstairs, within 5 minutes at the most after leaving the living room, most of the house guests had "fallen" off the log. The only three left in the competition were McCrae, GinaMarie, and Jessie. As far as I could figure out, Helen was one of the first three to fall, and she got a BBQ party. Spencer was also among the first three, and he has to talk through a bullhorn until nominations. I don't know who got the $5000 at this point. Anyway, the three continued on for a bit. Jessie fell off around 10:45ish p.m. ET. McCrae kept on telling GinaMarie that he had her, and GinaMarie kept on saying that she wanted HOH so she could get her hair dye. McCrae said that he needed HOH to keep Amanda safe, obviously because Amanda is incapable of winning the HOH or POV competitions on her own, and needs a guy to do it for her. GinaMarie did not give up, and McCrae eventually "fell" around 11:00 p.m. That's 8:00 p.m. for the folks that have the live feeds.

I thought that I liked Amanda before, but she's really grating on my nerves. She constantly goes around telling others what to do, and threatening people with nominations and evictions if they disagree with her. And she really appears to be a dolt when it comes to any sort of competition. It really does appear that her skill was latching on to McCrae from week one and using him to bolster her existence in the house. I know that there are many out there who believe that the relationship between Amanda and McCrae is true love. I think it's someone who seized the opportunity to further her game and has wrung every little bit out of it that she could.

Thursday, August 1, 2013 -- Evening

Eviction Night/Endurance HOH
The feeds have been on trivia a good part of today. Everyone is sure there is going to be an endurance competition tonight, so that may be part of the reason. As of this morning, it looked like Howard is heading out the door, but we will know after tonight's show.

The show started with Julie commented on how we are almost halfway through the game. The video clips started with the post Veto meeting fallout. Spencer says that it's going to be really bad for his game if Howard leaves the house. Candice mentioned that in true redneck fashion Aaryn put up Candice. Amanda thinks that Howard is shady and no one trusts him. That's because the stupid trust Amanda. Howard hopes they can get the votes to get out Amanda. Howard tells Amanda that he is not going to be ugly, but they aren't going home. Candice and Howard argue over the fact that Howard thinks they will stay. Howard has a positive view that they will stay, and Candice says she is being realistic that one of them is going home. Spencer talks to GinaMarie about how stupid it is to take out Howard when Amanda has all the power. GinaMarie agrees, but they are afraid to vote against Amanda. Spencer and Howard talk to Andy and Judd. Howard says that he's never seen something where people just always vote the way they are told. BB does not show Andy running to Amanda and Helen and saying that Spencer and Howard are trying to get Amanda out. Andy goes to Amanda and tells her that he made a fake deal with Howard and Spencer to vote out Amanda. Amanda starts to do fake hysterics, and Andy tells her to calm down.

Later, Spencer goes outside, and Amanda says that she knows what is going on. She says that Spencer is in trouble now for trying to get Amanda out of the house. Amanda says she is confident that she has the numbers to stay in the house. Spencer says in DR that he won't let Amanda intimidate him. Spencer tells Amanda that she tries to threaten people, and that he's not going to listen to her. As Amanda tries to talk over Spencer, he tells her to shut up. This causes Amanda to call Spencer a bully because no one tells a woman to shut up. Boy! I wish the heck she would shut up. Helen meanwhile runs in to tell Candice that Spencer told Amanda that he is trying to get Candice out. Of course, Candice is psycho, and now wants to ensure that Howard goes how by opening her big trap. Candice calls a house meeting and says that Spencer told Candice he wanted Amanda out. Then Candice says that Spencer told Amanda he wanted to get Candice out. Spencer tells Candice that she is just trying to make her look bad. So Candice has just sealed Howard's fate to go home. Candice is such an idiot.

Jessie goes to talk to Aaryn and Ginamarie about how Candice is a bigger threat because Candice is willing to attack. The three girls agree that they want Candice out. Jessie says that she is so over Candice and wants her out this week. Aaryn said that she was coerced into putting certain people up on the block, and that she really wants to evict Candice.

Julie talks to the house guests. Julie mentions that they have been in the BB house for 42 days. Julie mentions that babies have been born, and she has a current events quiz. Julie tells them Britney had a baby girl. The first question was about the name, which is Tilly. Then it was on Kanye West's daughter, North West. And then the big news was on the royal baby. All the house guests applauded. Julie asked Jessie about what she missed most from home. Jessie missed Ari, her dog. Judd is homesick for his family, friends, and his dog too.

The video of the family back home is Judd's family. They don't believe he is from a small town. Judd's mom and dad are on, and they show the small town where one woman says Judd on BB is like the discovery of electricity. Judd's mom says that Judd can get along with anyone. Judd's dad said that Judd is a big BB fan. It seems that Judd also made the front page of the local newspaper. There was even a parade in Englewood, the hometown, for Judd. Everyone in the town needs subtitles to be understood, another Judd problem.

It's time to hear from Amanda, Candice, and Howard. Amanda says hi to her family and friends, and says that she is not ready to go yet. Amanda hopes they keep her there. Amanda says that she is BB engaged to McCrae. Candice sends out wishes to her family. Candice wants people to vote with their heart. Howard thanks God, and says hello to family, friends, and Pastor. Howard asks people to vote with their own heart and mind, and not because of pressure from someone else. Time for the vote:
Howard has been evicted by a vote of 7 to 1. What a bunch of brainless, lame sheep. Amanda is quite smug when she finds out she is safe. Helen fakely gives Howard a hug. Then others want in on the act. Howard leaves the house. Julie says that everyone looks sad, but they all evicted him. Howard said that there was a power in the house (Helen, Amanda, and McCrae). As Howard said, he was in the Moving Company at first, and he didn't get in with the others. Howard said he lied to Helen about it at first because he was trying to keep his loyalty to the others in the group. Julie asks Howard about the racist comments. As Howard says, outside of the house, it's easy to walk away, but it was hard inside. Howard said that he didn't confront anyone because he wanted to take the high road and not stoop to their level. The audience applauded that. Spencer said that he tried to keep Howard. Amanda admitted to trying to get Howard out from the beginning. Helen said that she was sorry to get Howard out. Candice called Howard "Howie Boo" and hoped they could continue their friendship outside of the house. Julie asks about showmance. Howard said that there was no showmance, but that there was a great friendship, and that he couldn't go against Candice. As Howard said, he can look at himself in the mirror after this.

America is again the BB MVP. I'm voting for Aaryn and Amanda.

Time for the HOH competition. It is an endurance competition. It's called Bull in a China Shop. they have to stay on a log and hold on their "bull," which is a tether to a china closet. If they fall, the china falls and breaks, and they are out. Helen has issues, and Elissa almost falls. We find out that there will be no Have Nots this week. The first three house guests who fall of the barrel will get to open a box. One of the boxes has $5000 in it. Julie lets us know that next Thursday is a double eviction episode. Before the show ends, the log starts spinning faster. Who will be the next HOH?

Thursday, August 1, 2013 -- Afternoon

Cover of The Dancing Floor by Barbara Michaels
The Dancing Floor by Barbara Michaels
I was randomly reading the books by Barbara Michaels; but there are only a few left on the list that I haven't read, so I put them on the back burner. However, the local library had a copy of The Dancing Floor. The Dancing Floor is one of the last books that Michaels wrote under that pseudonym. The book was published in 1997, and only Other Worlds was published after it. Other Worlds doesn't really count, because it's not Michaels' typical romantic suspense book.

In The Dancing Floor, Heather Tradescant goes to England in memory of her father. He had recently died, and he and Heather had always planned to tour the gardens in England that were designed by a famous British gardener of the name Tradescant. Heather is at a loss, and she really wants to see Troyton House. However, Frank Karim, the rich owner is reclusive, and it doesn't look like Heather will get a chance to see the gardens. However, she finds her way into an old, thorny-hedge covered maze at the back of the house, and in a fright at one of the statues hidden in the maze, barrels out onto the lawns of Troyton. Frank is quite taken with Heather's last name, and thinks it's a sign that she should help him in the restoration of the garden. However, there is a force that seems to be trying to hurt Heather. Could it be because of the Witches of Pendle? Frank's son, Jordan, doesn't seem happy to have Heather around, and the security guard, Sean, also seems suspicious of her, although that doesn't stop his womanizing ways. Then there's the neighbor, Giles, who used to own Troyton, and is having issues with his troublesome wife and his hooligan young son, Bobby. As accidents happen to Heather, she starts to wonder if they are natural or supernatural.

Some of the later Barbara Michaels books were disappointing, but I found enjoyed reading The Dancing Floor. It reminded me more of some of the earlier romantic suspense books that Michaels/Peters wrote, only without a really strong occult feel to it. I'm really glad that I picked up the book at the library because it was a very enjoyable read.