Katoucha

It's leap year! Everyone take a bound!

So, today in the city that I love and long to visit - Paris - a model who had been missing since January has been found, floating in the Seine.

Here's part of a CNN article about the discovery:

"PARIS, France (AP) -- The body of Katoucha Niane, one of the first African women to attain international stardom as a model and a vocal opponent of female genital mutilation, was found in the Seine River, police said Friday.

Known simply as Katoucha, the former top model for Yves Saint Laurent and other top designers was found Thursday near the Garigliano bridge in Paris, judicial police in Paris said.

An autopsy showed no signs of foul play, pointing to the possibility that the 47-year-old may have fallen accidentally into the river, they said."

How scary is that - to just fall into a river on accident and thus end your life.

It's kind of odd though - and I hate to compare this tragedy to a reality tv show - BUT there is a girl in this season of America's Next Top Model who is practically Katoucha reborn. Probably around the same time of this models disappearance, Top Model started filming Fatima - an African girl who was circumcised at 7 years old, who wants to use modeling as a voice against that very mutilation.

Fatima in the latest photo shoot

In a somewhat similar but completely different side-story... I was born the day after my last great-grandpa died. My great-grandma thought that part of his soul was transferred to me, and so she always cherished me in that regard.In that same thought - the moment that one voice left this industry, a new girl with the same hopes and goals arrives on the scene.

I just found it interesting.

Nyquil Burps Are THE WORST!

So, I decided to take some nyquil last night, as my cold has come to full fruition and I needed to kick it in the bud. For some reason, the black-liquorice tasting green shit makes me super gassy, and there's nothing more classy than a nyquil burp. ISH!

It did knock me out, after an hour or so, like it usually does, and let me tell you - WHAT a dream!

There I was, standing at the top of a ladder, being scolded by my dad and my uncle below. My mom and cousin were standing by, and if I hadn't been getting an undeserved verbal beating, I would have felt bad for them. I ran to my right, hurt and crying, to a little cubby hole in the wall. I squeezed myself through it and ten feet later was in another room; my bedroom. I sobbed, loudly, and tried to make my sad presence known.

After a minute or so, I crawled back through the cubby hole and without standing up, slowly crept my way to the ladder. Down, in our pit of a living room, everyone was playing scrabble. My 16 year old cousin had just spelled 'baroque' and the room exploded with laughter at how smart of a boy he was. They didn't care that I was in pain. So I ran back to my cubby hole and laid down.

My dad, who must have heard me depart, followed me, and when he finally persuaded me to come out of my room, he told me he had a secret that would make me feel better.

We walked to our left, down a short hallway with a closet on our right and a door straight ahead that led outside. He opened the closet, and pushed all of the jackets to the right, leaving a large empty space of wall uncovered.

"Someone lives here with us, Robbie; inside the walls," he said. "Ever wonder why our house has crawl spaces and no doors? Ever wonder what you're traveling under when you go from room to room to room?"

It sounded plausible, but oddly enough those questions had never come to my mind.

"Who lives in the walls?" I asked?

"See for yourself" He gave a rap on the bare surface in the closet, and a seven by three foot chunk of the wall pushed out and moved to the side.

We walked in, and were shortly after greeted by Santa Clause.

I won't finish my dream, as it pretty much goes from there... there was also a green imp who liked to talk to itself that lived in the walls too... not to mention that they were all smoking pot... my mom brought us cookies, and there was a beautiful city-scape view (from the inside of the walls of a suburban house??) YET, I still had to ask my dad

"Is this real?"

before waking up... that Nyquil is some crazy shit.

Seven Entries In One Day!

I decided today to get caught up with the previous week's entries which I have been getting behind on.

To find out about my hectic week that I have JUST blogged all about, please read the relatively short entries, and comment freely:
It All Ends Thursday
Friday Fish Fries... er, Pesto Linguinis
Spastic Saturday
The Book!... I Mean, The Movie! - Spiderwick Chronicles Review
Finally Forever Plaid Auditions!
Ta Ta Tuesday

and obviously this one... to find out about today - Wednesday.

I found out today, via e-mail, that the callbacks for Forever Plaid will be held March 10th. Also, anybody who is cast will need to be Equity or "go Equity" if they aren't already. This was a big bummer to me, as I don't feel like I'm ready to become an Equity actor, but I will worry about that if the role is actually offered to me. I can always resign from the union if it doesn't work out for me in the long run, and then join again when I am properly prepared.

Next Top Model was on tonight...

***only read further if you have seen the episode or don't care if the episode is spoiled for you.***

Sooo many surprises came with the first elimination episode of Cycle 10.

First, HOW excited am I that the OH-SO-GORGEOUS super model Paulina Porizkova will be enhancing the weekly judging panel with her grace - replacing Twiggy from previous seasons. I LOVE this woman to death! She is such a classy and refined model. Her mere presence on the show made me beg for more. I don't know if I will ever get enough of Paulina, I am SO excited.

So wonderful!

The second surprise, was Kimberly's running away! It makes me want to sing Beauty School Drop out from Grease... Top Model drop out, no graduation day for you!

In front of the panel she told the judges she didn't really see the interest in modeling and would like to leave - so she left! And after THIS great picture!?

What a disappointment!

As I predicted, Atalya AND Allison were found in the bottom three, and Atalya was sent home. Paulina said that she kept forgetting who Atalya was - it's like we have the same mind!!!

BORING!

Also, Anya - one of my first glance top two - jumped ahead and was the frontrunner of the competition this week; being called first by Tyra at elimination.

She reminds me of a french painter!

The third surprise came when my FAVORITE, Amis, was placed in the bottom TWO! Honestly though, I think that girl will tap into her true potential and make it really far. I honestly think she's got what it takes, regardless of what this week's panel stated.

I LOVE this girl!

Now, as I've seen the girls actually perform - I'm still sticking with Allison being the worst. Of the girls that I previously thought wouldn't make it - I have reconsidered Whitney and Aimee. I think both of them are AMAZING, and honestly, I would LOVE Whitney to make it to the end. I've been very disappointed by the previous seasons' plus sized model - I think she would be the perfect fit for the next Top Model. I'm still rooting strongly for Amis though. I'm scared Anya will crash, but I think Aimee will pull through out of nowhere and beat everyone else down... it's going to be a bloodbath!

Go Whitney Go!

OH I LOVE THIS SHOW!

Yeah, I DEFINITELY have a cold, 'tis the season, non?... boo!

Ta Ta Tuesday

Today was supposed to be the "Employee Appreciation" party at work, where the office closed down at 12:30 and everyone went bowling!

I didn't want to participate, as I felt it a little too ironic for this company, SO I called in yet again. This time; however, I told my manager that I would not be finishing my two week notice, as I wouldn't be able to do my job sufficiently even if I did show up, and that would be a detriment to both me and the company. I did wish them a happy bowling jamboree with plenty of turkeys to go around.

Tata, Ciao, Au revoir, So long, Farewell!

Later today I watched Big Brother, and I have to tell you - I am so fed up with this season. I honestly will not be blogging anymore in regards to it, and I might even stop WATCHING it - sticking to Biggest Loser Couples for Tuesdays' time slot, Next Top Model for Wednesdays', and maybe take a break from TV totally on Sundays. They've just turned it into an increasingly-dramatic version of The Real World. Imagine the same dramatics from that faded reality tv show created by MTV, and now LOCK the crazies inside the house and never let them out for partying or even for some random job. Can you imagine the insanity? Now multiply it by ten and you have BB: Matchmaker. Boo CBS. BOO!

On another note, my throat was stinging and sore all day... I hope I feel better tomorrow.

Until then, to you for now and to my former employer for good...

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Finally Forever Plaid Auditions!

Didn't go to work again today.

To fill you in quickly, read my short entry from last thursday...

The only way they would allow me to leave for my audition, without getting penalized, was to arrive at 7 am. My alarm woke me up and I said screw it. Who cares about being penalized when you've put in your two week notice? What are they going to do if I miss another day? Fire me?

I had my audition for Forever Plaid at the Old Log Theatre today. If you don't remember, I spoke about this auditions in this entry mid january... I've waited a while for this moment.

To help prepare for my audition technique, Anita Ruth, the wonderfully talented musical director of The Fantasticks - who has done a lot of work for Chanhassen Dinner Theatres and The Guthrie here in the twin cities - took two sessions to look over my audition and give pointers.

Needless to say, I was very audition, BUT I did a wonderful job and was even told that I was a 'top pick' for the role. Here's to hoping!

Oh, and I'm glad I took the day off from work, as I had a printer issue, and two hours would NOT have been enough time to get my resume/headshot printed, while trying to get lunch, warmed up, and to the theatre on time. Plus, the stress-free morning helped tremendously, I'm sure.

I sang Mooning from Grease, and Catch a Falling Star from Forever Plaid itself (as seen halfway through this highlight video of one Forever Plaid production)

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The Book!... I mean The Movie! - Spiderwick Chronicles Review

After going to a candle party on Sunday - who knew you should burn three wicks at a minimum of 6 hours a session? - a couple of Robbies and I went to the movie 'Spiderwick Chronicles'.

The story is about a secret fairy/demon world that lives within the very nature that surrounds us, and a guide to that world that took a man's entire life to research and create. When finding the book, a couple of children become the protectors of its pages; their task being to keep it away from an ogre leader of the demon world who wants its knowledge to destroy all other life on Earth.

The movie was very adventurous and fun, but I was left wanting more. I felt that the movie was all about keeping the secrets of the hidden magic world; even from us viewers. I thought that the creatures were very creative and fun, but overall it only skimmed the surface of its overall potential.

In a way it's a compliment to the movie. I liked the ideas, but you could tell that it had been a book prior to its movie debut, and that it's unfinished feel was just due to the editing, I just hope there's some kind of sequel somehow so I can get more, as I don't see myself reading the actual book anytime soon.

Another interesting fact, this movie did actually creep me out a few times, which is always fun in my opinion.

I do recommend the movie to anyone who likes family/fantasy/adventure films.

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Spastic Saturday

Had two shows today, and goodbye to The Fantasticks.

Ninety minutes total of putting on/taking off make up.
Ten entrances from a box.
Four overly exaggerated deaths.
Two chicken cesar wraps/helpings of pasta salad/cookies.
One grande white chocolate mocha.
Three-quarters of an hour for strike.
Twelve or so chicken in a biscuit crackers with Easy Cheese.
Two and a half pomegranate sodas with vodka.
Plenty of sleep!

Friday Fish Fries... err Pesto Linguinis!

Busy weekend ahead! Land-ho!

Didn't go to work today, with what's on my plate in the next few days, I need some rest, and I really don't want to step foot in that building any time soon. Time to take my well-deserved gondola ride into the hectic weekend.

Found out that my car - who was speaking to the whales last week, was actually screaming to me; it was saying "I'm running out of power steering fluid! HELP!" Needless to say, I started using my dad's truck today for transportation.

Went to Maggiano's Little Italy for the first time after the show tonight. Friend and fellow actor, Patrick Morgan, pretty much offered me a new job - LOCATED in St Paul. I just moved from St. Paul to Minnetonka to be closer to my work... now I need to move back!? We'll see what happens, or if I even follow through with getting the job.

It All Ends Thursday

As Nicole Kidman sung oh so beautifully in Moulin Rouge:

'I was a fool to believe,
A fool to believe,
It all ends today,
Yes, It all ends today.'

Thursday began with a horrible day at work. I had just finished conversing to my good friend, whom I'll refer to as John, telling him how I was tired of the corporation in which we were employed, and how I felt that we simply weren't appreciated anymore, when less than an hour later, John calls me from the parking log outside, having just been terminated. The reason? For missing work, WHILE spending his time with his dad and family as his father was in ICU; terminally ill - the company only cared about the former part of that last statement.

It was appalling to me; their heartlessness in this situation, and it really showed me just how much we were worth, SO I put in my two week notice.

First Glance Top and Bottom Models

I think we all know what starts tonight!!!

And after looking at the first portfolio pictures, the naughty new york poses, and the VERY SHORT video of each girl, I have chosen my First Glance Top & Bottom Models... hehe... I think that's funny.

First, my picks for First Glance Bottom Models. There are a couple of girls that I keep forgetting about, and whom I just haven't been impressed by yet...

Allison and Atalya, sorry... if it were up to me, based on these first glances, you'd be gone.

The Farthest Bottom Model to me is Allison

Allison, you've looked like a deer in the headlights in everything, your NY Avril Lavigne poses, your quick video, and even in your first portfolio pic. Show me you can pose without thinking/needing approval of your choices.

And Atalya is second...

Atalya, same thing. You've shown more confidence in your first glance material, but you've bored me, and I keep forgetting about you until I see your picture. Hopefully you'll make a more lasting impression on the show.

Now, my picks for First Glance Top Models. Based on previous seasons, it's pretty clear that ANTM likes diversity. For that reason, along with the pattern of the previous winners, I'm guessing that this one will go to a caucasian contestant. I was pretty even in my thoughts of a couple girls, until I saw their videos and only a couple stood out.

My top choice for this category is Amis.

She's got a very interesting look, that has already transformed a few times in her pictures, showing that she can offer a variety of poses/emotions. I was a little scared that she might have a look that was too strong for the competition, but after watching her video, it was the only one with a girl who was having fun/laughing/and looking like a model all at the same time. Everyone else was stiff, trying to look bad ass, with the emphasis on TRYING. I hope Amis shows the other girls a thing or two.

The second is Anya.

This girl is exotic, and I think she could make it to the end. She's shown that she can play the innocent, fragile girl as well as a very confident/seductive girl. Plus, the fact that she LOOKS foreign will be enough for the judges to keep her.

In regards to the rest, I feel there are two categories, the strong and the interesting.

I feel that Aimee, Dominique, Lauren, Marvita, Stacy Ann and Whitney will take very strong pictures throughout, but I think their downfalls will be too bland, too old looking, too strong of features, too strong of features, and too slutty - respectfully.

Then, Claire, Fatima, Katarzyna, and Kimberly, in my opinion, look like they will be the underdogs, but will stay around as they each have a very interesting/distinct look to themselves, and we know how ANTM likes to keep the odd ones in as long as possible as they have such an individualized appearance that's easily recognizable.

This was my pre-premier first glance obsession... man I love this show... a little too much.

Half-ass Blog Post 3

Who wants to eat Dog Paws?

I'm gonna vomit...

The Beans Are All Over The Floor

This is still my favorite team... everyone else can go already.
But, until that happens... it's the battle of the divas

The Pity-Me Manipulator

VS.

The Already Taken Competitor

Poor boys...


We will miss either of you...
One can only hope for the veto...

Who do you want to go?

It Doesn't Sound Orca!

As of late, my car has been making whale noises.

I'll turn on the car, and it will be so stiff from the cold that it won't move at first, once I get it moving, it then has a hard time turning - THIS is when I start speaking to the ocean.

As I speed up, the sound goes away completely, but comes back just as loud as ever when I slow down and start turning.

Wwwwaaaaahhhhhhh

Whale noises don't really have an onomatopoeia, I guess.

It reminds me a lot of Nemo though - and oh-so-hilarious Ellen Degeneres as Dori, talking to the Whales herself.

"Mmmmmm Weeeee neeed toooo find his sonnnnn!"

Hopefully my car won't come across some krill... uh ohs!


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House Sitting Oops!

I'm house sitting. I started Thursday night and will go until sometime on Tuesday. It's a very nice, old, rambler that the owner has modernized, but it's got a lot of hallways with tight corners and hidden areas and closets, and so it scares me at night to be there alone.

The entrance is the worst, as it's about 30 feet from the driveway to the door. You have to walk along the side of the garage, in this weird wooden tunnel, and so the end of the walkway is PITCH black. I use my cell phone light to try to brighten it up a bit, but it's still freaky as hell.

It helps though, when I finally get the door open, to hear his little pug, Harry, come running up to the door. If there was an intruder he would probably be dead or held up somewhere. He's really cute, and so good and adorable - he never barks, and he likes to take his toys in his mouth and shake his head really hard. He has a snake toy that he's chewed both eyes out of.

The backyard and sliding glass doors remind me a little too much of the Drew Barrymore sequence in Scream.

After having gone to sleep, waking up alive and whole this morning, and getting myself ready, I was about to leave for work, when I couldn't find the house keys. I then realized that I had left them IN the door. So, if an intruder DID want to kill me that night, I made it more than easy for him to get inside. Good thing I'm not on anyone's hit list... that I'm aware of...

Speaking of pugs...this cheered me up

All Aboard!

Caboose is leaving us today. He's turning his square weels away from us and choo-chooing on down the road.

I encountered him throwing a plant away, it was awkward.

So long Caboose.

I Don't Know, Good Question

***Disclaimer: I apologize in advance for this depressing entry. I don't believe in deleting something I've written and posted, even if I look back on it and regret it... I may have needed the cathartic release... but, just to balance it out I might post something a little more upbeat and happy later on, if my mood improves by the end of the day***

I'm not big on posting personal troubles on this blog - it doesn't make for fun/happy-go-lucky blogs - But, I just can't think of anything but troubles today - my mind right now is a complete pile of mush and I'm on the verge of another anxiety attack - I had one last Friday when I was at work and I left early, I can't do that again.

The last time before last week that I had one of these attacks was over a year prior - when I was working for a different company and was being intimidated/harassed by my manager and my manager's manager who was secretary to the president of the company. It ended with me getting distracted while at work and making subconscious mistakes here and there, which ultimately got me terminated. It was not a good time in my life, but I was able to find employment within a week, and the month's worth of severence made for a nice break. I've been with that new employment since, and I have a real manager now; not a hot-headed, non-business-like manager who was in desparate need of anger-management.

If it's not my job, then what is causing this anxiety?

Life in general, at the moment. Work + Theatre + Housesitting/Dogsitting leave little time to stop and think. To be more personal, which I'm almost scared to be on here, are guys. If you have ever known me, you will probably have noticed that I am never with someone on my arm, I'm always single.

I can't tell you how many times in the past week alone that I've been asked "Why are YOU single?" - I just don't have an answer to that.

In some scenarios, I become infatuated by someone, for having an amazing personality and being attractive... but I can't control my infatuation very well at all, when it happens. I will push the person away somehow, by becoming clingy or always wanting to talk to them/be around them.

In others, I settle for someone that isn't necessarily my cup of tea, but is a good person, and then I just get angry right away. I know I don't want to be with them, and so I'll get touchy... nothing will happen as I get scared to hurt their feelings by telling them that I'm not interested anymore, and then when it happens I lose even a friendship with them.

Then there are the times when I'm just not attracted at all. I don't try to be anyone else but me, and they fall head over heels.

Why can't I just have that same sense of mind with guys that I do find interesting and do genuinely like? Why can't I just sit back and not feel the need to impress them or talk with them all the time? Why can't I control the urge to express my feelings? I'm just so bad at this dating game... it's depressing.

Valentines Day doesn't ever really get me down, and it didn't this year... this morning I woke up feeling really good... but then things happen. People text me or write me or somehow let me know that I'm rejected once again. Even if they know me, and they know that I'm not normally clingy or obsessive, that I have a hard time controlling these emotions when they pop up, that they can't look past my flaws right now and they need to get as far away as possible.

Nothing has ever worked for me in calming down my nerves when I get infatuated/rejected, and while I have some good things to look forward to in the future, it's all just overpowered by this feeling of being alone... being rejected... my whole life of dating has been a rejection

so when people ask me why I'm single, I mainly say "I don't know, good question" because saying "when I like someone, I get uncontrolably clingy in the beginning, and I have a tendancy to smother someone to the point of them wanting to move to China" isn't going to help my cause AT ALL.

So right now, to those few of you that I may have pushed away, although none of them will probably ever read this, I apologize for putting you in an uncomfortable position. It's a shame for me to project myself in a manner that doesn't give justice to the terrific person that I am.

We all have flaws, and mine just happens to be a hill that nobody is willing to climb. At least I will always have my family, and some theatre friends

A New Habit! A New HoH!

I was once told that in order to successfully make/break a habit you had to continue/discontinue the habit everyday for six weeks... well, after yesterday's entry, I have now posted every single day for six weeks! A New Habit has been born! Yay! Thanks to all of you who have commented/read my blog within that time!

---------------

So, while I promise to not write solely about reality tv on here - I will not become THAT kind of blog - I do have to give my THIRD update this week on the Big Brother House, after this week I will make it a point to write about reality tv only once... or twice... in any given calendar week. Gotta keep up the variety, as that seems to be popular per my most recent poll!

***THE FOLLOWING CONTAINS SPOILERS FROM LAST NIGHT'S EPISODE***

Last night's episode was, to say the least, dramatic - which is why I watch reality tv in the first place! Well, we found out on Tuesday that Team Jerker (Jen and Parker) had won the first Big Brother Power Couple title, which granted them the ability to kick another team out of the house; skipping the regular nomination/vote process.

Now, if you're AT ALL smart, you know that you should NOT insult someone with the kind of power that Jerker had... You don't just tell the current Queen that some people think the King is a snake - ESPECIALLY when you're telling a lie and consequently have no names to back it up! This is the ultimate reason that we said goodbye to Team Shack Up last night... Jacob, your dumb ass ideas got you into trouble - now I can see how you could have cheated on Sharon, you're just not all there in the brains dept, are you?

"I heard other people say your partner is a snake"
... SO STUPID

"RISE AND SHINE EVERYONE!... Put on some clothes Allison..."

"Now, Jacob, who did you hear say that I'm a snake?
Point them out right now or you look like a liar"

"Uhhh, I- uhhh... I shouldn't have to name people..."

"Rah, Rah, Rah! We evict Jacob and Sharon! GO TEAM JERKER!"

"Goodbye then"

Before they had been kicked out though, Sharon had tried to discretely tell Parker (the King as mentioned before in my metaphor) that Ryan was the one calling him a snake, in an attempt to save her and Jacob from leaving...

"It was Ryan?"

If you remember from the previous post, Ryan is secretly dating Jen (Parker's partner; the Queen) and have been for quite a long time... so when Parker approached Jen and said that he wanted Ryan and Allison - Team All is Sighin - to go, Jen panicked... and you know what the genius did next? She TOLD Parker the secret!

"We can't get rid of Ryan, he's my lover...
now let's do some more half-naked cuddling"

It's only THE SECOND episode and the secret gets spilled... couldn't you have tried a LITTLE HARDER to come up with another plan before caving in and just blurting it out?

To top it all off, once Ryan found out she had told him, he decided to tell his partner Allison about the secret too... BIG MISTAKE!

"Look, I've been dating Jen for about 9 months."

"W-what!? You're dating Jen? Are you like joking with me?
This isn't funny... BIG BROTHER SAYS WE'RE SOULMATES!
THIS CAN'T BE HAPPENING! I'M GONNA BLOW!"

Allison is going to try to be a homewrecker here... and she's on the verge of telling the secret to everyone else in the house - big no no! All of us gays know, you NEVER out someone else, same should go with any secret, if it's not yours to tell DON'T TELL IT!

The third couple that Team Jerker had thought about getting rid of was Team Sheild 'Em. Partners Sheila and Adam were still complaining about each other to the point of annoying the whole house...

"So what if I called them retards? I bust my ass all day cutting their hair! I can call them what I want to call them!"

"Then YOU'RE a retard, Adam! Cut your own hair!"

"Ahhh shit, we're gonna go home..."

But, when Team Shack Up packed up and left, Sheila and Adam turned it all around and even learned to make fun of their incompatability during the Head of Household Competition.

For those of you new to Big Brother, The Head of Household (aka HoH) is a position of power and imunnity given to one individual (or one team as in this season) who then nominates 2 people (teams) for elimination. They don't get to participate in the vote later on that ultimately decides which person (team) is leaving, but for the temporary power and immunity it is definitely worth it.

Towards the end of last night's HOH competition it was down to Team Holy Ho and Team SPAMdex for the win - my least favorite and most favorite teams respectfully. Obviously I wanted it to be Amanda and Alex to win it, and in the end my desire was granted!

Here's to hoping they make it to the end!

Either way, it's kind of an embarassment to Big Brother as all of their twists are pretty much down the drain within the first week - the ex-couple got voted out, the secret couple outed themselves, and the poorly matched couple learned to get along...

Better luck next time BB!

Let's Meet The Lovers... I Mean Teams

The next season of Big Brother premiered last night and sure enough it was immediately revealed that this season was going to be called Big Brother: Matchmaker.

Sigh.

Before the show they all took some extensive testing, answering many questions about their personalities and interests (according to what Julie Chen, the Chenbot, said).

CHENBOT!

Based on these results they split everyone into eight groups of two, pronouncing them as 'til death do you part' partners. These partners have to do everything together, even sleep in the same bed and be eliminated together. This is going to be a short season with everyone leaving two at a time. Boo.

There are two other 'twists' that were announced in the game play last night. One is an ex boyfriend and girlfriend couple - he cheated on her a long time ago and they broke it off and she shut him out of her life for good, until they got partnered up this season. Meet the happy couple:

--JACOB & SHARON--
"Team Shacob (Shack Up)"

Jacob: 'Jacob is an ex-Marine now working as an electrician. He has lived all over the world and attended elementary school in San Diego, California and Okinawa, Japan before moving to Maryland, then Jacksonville, North Carolina. He is single and trying to move on from his last relationship, although he still has feelings for the woman who was his childhood sweetheart.'

He's a cutie and seems to really feel bad for his stupid cheating mistake. It's ok Jake-y!

Sharon: 'Sharon is a military brat (her dad has served in the Marine Corps for 28 years) who easily adapts to any situation. She is spirited and lively, feisty and dramatic, but she also sees herself as being sweet. Sharon, who is currently single, has been in a 12-year on/off relationship with a guy who followed her home in the 8th grade. She describes herself as loud, dramatic and over the top.'

She was kind of a downer the whole episode. The only way to get past this angry state is to GET PAST IT. Be a strong woman. Being partnered to Jacob doesn't mean you have to be his girlfriend again.

The OTHER twist, which seems to be more fun than the first as it involves secrets, mwahaha, regards a couple who is together and very much in love. The challenge is that they have to be partnered with other people and keep their existing relationship a secret. Remember our confusing friend Jen? The single yet taken gal? Well she's a part of it! She's partnered with Parker.

--JEN & PARKER--
"Team Jerker"

Jen: 'Jen describes herself as energetic, adventurous and beautiful, as well as a fighter and competitor. Her pets include her dog, a pug named Oscar, and a box turtle named Shellamar.'

You know, I really like her a lot - when at first glance I thought she was going to be some flirty tramp ho. She seems to really care about her boyfriend, and even though she's been a little flirty with Parker, I'm sure it's all a game - she's playing her part of the twist really well so far.

Parker: 'Parker graduated with a bachelor's degree in radio/television from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale and currently works as a photographer for TMZ. He served in the Air Force from 1999-2002 and received a general discharge. He admits that he couldn't conform to military standards.'

PAPARAZZO! RUN! I kind of feel bad for him, he has no chance with Jen as she is already taken. He seems nice, but you know the lengths some photographers take to get what they want! Dun dun dun!

Jen's other half is her boyfriend Ryan - who I for some reason find to be insanely adorable, and is paired up with Allison.

--RYAN & ALLISON--
"Team Allisyan (All is sighin')"

Ryan: 'When it comes to relationships, Ryan describes his ideal romantic partner as pretty, intelligent, motivated and aware of what she's doing in life. He sees himself as intelligent, easy-going and thinks he has a good sense of humor. He has one pet, an American Pit Bull terrier named Jada.'

He needs to make sure he doesn't stare too much at Jen like he did this past episode. At some point he will get insecure and paranoid, I can already tell, but I hope they successfully keep their secret going the whole way!

Allison: 'Allison was interested in becoming a professional gambler but failed miserably at it. Now she has a strong aversion to gambling and doesn't do it at all. She describes herself as confident, agile and sexy'

She was kind of invisible for this first episode... and agile she was not in the first challenge - she couldn't get back up after reaching for the heart pillow - I will explain the challenge later.

There is one couple that Big Brother set up just for conflict as they are the furthest thing from a good match as can be.

--SHEILA & ADAM--
"Team Sheildam (Sheild 'Em)

Sheila: 'Sheila is a former model who is now a stay-at-home mom to a 16-year-old boy, Mikhail. She studied acting for 15 years both in New York and Los Angeles. She and her son have a dog named Kitty.'

They totally ruined the MILF potential in this woman - there could have been a Mrs Robinson relationship in the house. She was our first to cry this season, but I don't blame her - I would to if I was partnered up with...

Adam: 'Adam is very close to his mother. He sees himself as an "in the moment" kind of guy when it comes to relationships and likes aggressive women who know themselves well. He talks a big game with women and considers himself to be quite the Casanova.'

Casanova my ass. He's a big pile of gross, and was so rude to Sheila after they got partnered up. Plus, he's a PR manager? With that attitude/mouth how is HE a PR manager? I changed my mind, he should be the first to go.

Speaking of my old decision of who should leave early...

--JAMES & CHELSIA--
"Team Jalsia (Jail, See Ya!)

James: 'His favorite movie is "Fight Club" and his favorite music is by The Clash. James has seven tattoos. He is currently single, but was engaged to an older woman at one point.'

Ummm, hello - this is who should have been with the MILF! - James surprised me a lot this episode. He wasn't as loud or annoying as I thought; however, I was amazed at the slight anger management problem when he got pissed off at Chelsia and threw a pillow at her face. He might be the next one to get sent out by the network for knife play.

Chelsia: 'Chelsia says she has had everything pierced and has three tattoos, two of which cover her back. She loves to watch football and her favorite activities include dancing, drinking, going out and watching movies.'

I don't like this girl. My first impression was just overall gross. The part about liking men with bikes though was kind of funny.

Remember our Minnesota girl?

--AMANDA & ALEX--
"Team SPAMdex"

Amanda: 'She's a hopeless romantic and wonders where all the good men are in the world. She sends her friends a daily motivational quote of the day by text message. Her favorite activities include running, shopping, dancing and entertaining. She loves football and played powder puff football in high school. She has two cats, and one, Chloe, thinks she's a dog.'

My cat used to think he was a rabbit... what's up with the cats here?

Alex: 'Alex was born and raised in Staten Island with his younger brother by his single mom. His father came into his life in high school and he tragically lost him on 9/11 in World Trade Center 2. Alex has dedicated his life to making his dad proud.'

This is going to be one of my favorite teams on the show. He had only wonderful things to say about Amanda in the beginning - but I was a little worried at his reaction when Amanda fell somewhat early in the comp. They're so cute!

One of my least favorite duos in the show though...

--MATT & NATALIE--
"Team Holy Ho"
no name trick there

Matt: 'Matt is the ultimate competitor and feels he has something to prove since he lost on Couples' "Fear Factor" three years ago. He keeps most of his exes around for "booty calls," except his most recent ex who hooks up or flirts with guys to get him angry'

Probably the only thing Big Brother had to do to make this guy happy was give him a couple of big breasts. He seems to be the chauvanist of the season, and was constantly talking about how he wanted to have sex with all of the girls... put it away, please.

Natalie: 'Natalie is religious and takes her Bible everywhere. She's still very proud of her figure and loves to enter bikini contests. She previously won the title of Miss Hawaiian Tropic Oregon. She claims that she can make any coffee drink imaginable, and in a bikini at that.'

Who is this girl and why are you on this show? Oh, and you can put it away too, please.

That leaves us with group 8 - the boys!

--JOSHUAH & NEIL--
"Team Gnosh (Ganache)"

Joshuah: 'Football is his favorite sport. He played from the 4th to the 12th grades in school and loves watching college football. His has a huge fear of snakes and thinks they are the spawn of Satan.'

Is this fear directly out of the Adam and Eve story? And how can you fear snakes? You have a one-eyed one and you yearn for others that have them too...

Neil: 'Neil is close to his mother and says no matter what they are talking about they always end up laughing. She is currently in the throes of a divorce and he is definitely there to support her in her time of need.'

Neil, you sound like a good guy. I don't know how much you'll like Joshuah, as in my opinion it wouldn't really be a match made in heaven - but what do I know, I've only seen you guys interact for... 5 seconds, which is enough for some gay boys - oy.

So those are the teams! Who are you going to root for?

Well, just to give you some insight on the fun times that are ahead - the first challenge (just in case you didn't watch) involved the teams holding eachother suspended above a bed. If they reached down and grabed the heart shape pillow on the bed and won the challenge they would get an extra 10,000.00 - Jen and Parker won... they have to chose a team to go home and Parker wants it to be the threatening Ryan and Allison team... how can Jen say no without giving away her secret? DUN DUN DUN! Tune in, tonight! YAY!

I hope that there's a challenge with a giant martini-glass bed...