Back on Tangent

Ugly is in the Eye of the Beholder

2010-08-10T14:56:00.004-06:00

Feel good about yourself. You could be one of these guys:

Ugly Animals

Though I have to disagree about #5 and #8. Those two are ugdorable.

If I were a Blobfish I would literally vomit every time I saw my reflection. Or I would mistake my reflection for someone else's vomit and be so grossed out that I would still end up vomiting myself. What a very sad, very ugly little being.

"If you're a dinosaur, all of your friends are dead. If you're a pirate, all of your friends have scurvy..."

2010-08-04T10:36:00.005-06:00

Am I the most completely morbid person alive because I want this book? Ha! It apparently sold out crazy fast at Comic-Con. That's my kind of crowd. But then, Comic-Con is all about fantasy, sci-fi, super heroes and quirkiness, so I already knew that ;)

Darth Vader: From Sith Lord to Bank Robber

2010-07-26T13:45:00.001-06:00

Really? You haven't been able to apprehend the jerk in the Darth Vader costume? Really?

Virtual Choir

2010-07-15T12:28:00.007-06:00

Have you guys seen these? Pretty fantastic. It's the brain child of American composer/conductor Eric Whitacre and its a musical experiment where almost 200 different people, all around the world, each separately record themselves singing one part of a choir piece and then they combine them all together. The whole concept is, 'singing together, alone' and it turned out amazingly and sounds like they were all there together recording it. I love the idea that we can all be apart from each other and not even know each other but can play our individual role to unify and create something beautiful. Here is a little background.

My Boyfriend's Back

2010-06-30T15:23:00.000-06:00

Sigh. My favorite Old Spice manly man is back for more. I want one.

Full 'Deathly Hallows' Trailer!

2010-06-29T12:36:00.000-06:00

Okay, so, of course I devoured all of the Harry Potters books and I've seen the movies and very much want to go to the theme park, but I admit that since the book series ended and I have had some frustrations with changes in the last couple of movies and there are so many other things like the Twilight craziness that seem to be taking over the Harry Potter thunder, that I haven't been dying for the new movies. I mean, of course I wanted to see them and have the series concluded, but it was kind of a meh feeling. Until, dun dun duh!... I just watched this full trailer for the new Deathly Hallows movie coming out November 19th and was biting my lip and holding my breath the entire time! Gah! I forgot how great they are and now I want to go back and read them all again! It's like coming home to old friends, like my Amelia's, and those are the best kinds of stories ;)

Sanuk = Love (Well, Actually 'Fun,' But I Love Them)

2010-06-21T14:50:00.002-06:00

So I have recently become obsessed with Sanuk footwear. The name is the word for fun in Thai. They have been out for several years and I have heard of them, but they are getting more popular and are starting to be available in more places. I believe the only place that actually carries them around here is REI, but there are only a few options to choose from. What actually led to to investigating them, funnily (and possibly embarrassingly?) enough, is that I was browsing Twitter a few weeks ago and Nina Dobrev, star of the TV show The Vampire Diaries posted a link to the Sanuk website, so I got curious and checked it out. I thought that they were so cute (plus I really only have flip flops and needed a good pair of summer shoes) so I ordered the 'Kitty Hawk' Sidewalk Surfers:

Little did I realize that they are not only visually appealing, but they are ridiculously comfortable as well. The Sidewalk Surfer is a deconstructed shoe upper on a sandal footbed, allowing the foot to bend and flex naturally. With the new construction, the Sidewalk Surfer has been labeled "Not-A-Shoe," creating a new category in footwear. Seriously, soooooo comfortable and breathable and adorable. The perfect summer shoe.

I loved my pair so much right away, that I jumped on-line and splurged and ordered another pair. I wanted a pair that was a very different pattern from my Kitty Hawk's, so I went with the 'Del Mar' Sidewalk Surfers:

It was kind of a tough call, because I am not normally one for animal print apparel, but I love these 'I'm Game' Surfers as well:

I also love these 'Spring Flings' as well, but I wish they came in some colors besides just black. I could go for a nice, bold red:

Gah! I want them all!

I did, however, also order some Tubeflops. How fun are these!?! They are basically thin leggings built in to your flip flops! Perfect for boating mornings when you've got your swim stuff on but its still chilly out. LOVE:

The Tubeflops are pretty much for the ladies, obviously, but Sanuk has sandals and Sidewalk Surfers for Men, Women and Children too. It's fun in Thai. They are Green. Get a pair. Do it. I'm serious.

"If You're Not in New York, You're Camping Out" -Thomas E. Dewey

2010-06-16T08:00:00.044-06:00

Back to the Big Apple! Wasn't I just here? Yes, but I love it! The last several times I have gone it was in Autumn and Winter, so it was kind of nice to be there in the summertime. Also, I typically plan my trips around a specific Broadway show that I am dying to see, and this time the trip was for more personal reasons. Not that we didn't fit a couple of shows in, (please, this is me we're talking about) but the reason for the trip was to attend the reception of my friends Brian & Isa. They actually got married back in the end of December, but had a belated reception. It was in Central Park and was super casual and it was so good to see them so happy!

My friend Adam and I (who are both friends with Brian from our BYU years) took a Thursday night red-eye flight and arrived in NY bright and early (and humidified) on very little sleep, but that hardly mattered. We stayed with our lovely friend Alli (another mutual friend from BYU- she is a nurse and her husband is at Med school at Cornell) and they graciously let us make a wreck of their living room all weekend.

Adam had been to NY before as well, but he had a little bucket list of things he wanted to do and we did a pretty dang good job of covering it considering we only had three days and Brian's reception was the main point of our trip and travel time getting all over takes up a lot. Things on the list we covered were:

1- The Metropolitan Museum (I go every time I'm in NY, but I love it)
2- The Guggenheim Museum (I had never been!)
3- The NY Public Library (I had also never gone here- really glad we did)
4- St. Patrick's Cathedral
5- Cruising out to the Statue of Liberty (Instead of taking the two hour ferry we took a speed boat- I would highly recommend it ;)
6- Top of the Rock (I had never done this either- its a look out at the top of Rockefeller Center. If you have never been to NY then you have to go up the Empire State Building, because, well, its the Empire State Building, but now that the Towers are gone, it doesn't have the best view anymore. Top of the Rock has a great view of the ESB and also of Central Park)
7- Serendipity! I can't go to NY and not go there either, apparently. I'm okay with it
8- Times Square and Broadway shows! We went to two shows, Memphis and Fela! They were both really great, and both won awards at the Tony's this past week. Memphis won the coveted Best Musical
9- Strolling/eating in Greenwich Village
10- Baseball game- the Yankees were sadly out of town, but we went to a Mets game at the new Citi Field
11- Most importantly, got to spend time with Brian and Isa and Alli and got to finally meet Alli's husband Dustin, who is great- it is so awfully thoughtful of my friends to keep marrying people that I like ;)

Not too shabby for three quick days! Here are some pics!

LOST S6: E17 & E18 FINALE- 'The End'

2010-05-24T09:00:00.003-06:00

...For a moment the unearthly stillness of the desert enveloped us...
Then Newman said, "My father once told me a story I always think of, when the going gets rough and things look hopeless. It's about Destiny….
Destiny came down to an island, centuries ago, and summoned three of the inhabitants before him. 'What would you do,' asked Destiny, 'if I told you that tomorrow this island will be completely inundated by an immense tidal wave?'' The first man, who was a cynic, said, 'Why, I would eat, drink, carouse and make love all night long!' The second man, who was a mystic, said, 'I would go to the sacred grove with my loved ones and make sacrifices to the gods and pray without ceasing.' And the third man, who loved reason, thought for a while, confused and troubled, and said, 'Why, I would assemble our wisest men and begin at once to study how to live under water.' "
I, too, never forgot that story. When our cause seems doomed and the future LOST, when despair becomes unbearable and the heart is on the edge of breaking, let men summon hope and honor and high resolve in yet one more stubborn affirmation: Come, let us assemble our wisest men and begin at once to think, to study, to try to learn – even to learn, if we must, how to live under water."
-Leo Rosten, Captain Newman, M.D.

Legen... wait for it... dary. From the music to the aerial shots to the battle in the rain to everything coming full circle with Jack lying down and closing his eyes in the same spot he woke up and opened his eyes in the very first scene of the very first episode... loved it. I suppose I will have to find something new to obsess over and blog about now. Sigh. Or get a life.

Little satisfying acknowledgments and reveals:

-LockeNess referring to Jack as the obvious choice, because that is what we were all thinking
-Kate snickering at the name Christian Shephard-Island Claire saying she is crazy
-Juliet is Jack's baby mama as hoped/confirmed (though I guess the little guy doesn't actually exist, sad.)
-The whole story has been a combination of elements from different mythologies and religions, and I love that it remained generic to the end- like Christian standing in front of a stained glass window with icons from several theologies

Things that choked me up:

Okay, so I pretty much started getting emotional from the moment the show began and the music played, but here are some specific times:

-Every time someone had a flashback sequence and finally remembered
-Charlie's face watching Claire from the stage-Kate helping Claire give birth to Aaron, again
-Sawyer whispering, I've got you, to Juliet

-Jack saying to Desmond I'll see you in another life, brother
-Jack's conversation with Christian in the end

Things that made me smile like a fool:

-All the people who remember smiling like idiots at the people who don't remember yet (Hurley at Charlie, the Kwons at Sawyer, Kate with Jack...)

-The joyous reunions that came with two people remembering at once (Sayid & Shannon, Sun & Jin, Sawyer & Juliet, Kate & Claire...)
-Boone already being in the know and he and Hurley giving Shannon & Sayid a little more time
-Ben's face to Hurley when he finally got to be the chosen one
-Jack & Kate's epic kiss on the cliff
-The symbolism of them protecting the Light on the island and then walking into the Light in the end

Favorite lines:

-Sawyer asking Jack what the Burning Bush had to say for itself (te he)
-Kate to Jack- you didn't ruin anything, nothing is irreversible... Hurley, this would be so sweet if we weren't all about to die
-When Desmond was going down the hole and said he would go where the light was brightest, all I could think was, second star to the right and straight on til morning! (From Peter Pan)
-Miles- I don't believe in a lot of things, but I do believe in duct tape

-Charlie- I was shot by a fat man

From the very first season, fans clamored around the theory that the island was Purgatory, and the writers/producers promptly shot that down. It was very clever that the twist is that its actually the Flash-Sideways world that is, maybe not Purgatory, per se, more like Limbo, or a literal passage to the light, for the dead to move on. It's a very nice idea that you create a perfect world to find those that matter most to you so that you can remember and let go and then move on together. The ending, with them all hugging it out in the church, which Kirsten aptly named, The Titanic Moment (as in the final scene of Titanic when Rose walks up the stairs and everyone (especially Jack- what a great name!) is there) was also wonderful. Everyone there but those who weren't quite ready to move on yet- Ben, Miles, Charlotte, Daniel... (and those spirits who are apparently trapped forever on the island like Michael?)

For several weeks now I have been suspicious of the to-good-to-be-true nature of the sideways world, feeling like it was some kind of Matrix. Then last week Desmond had me confused when he said that he was there to help them, let go. I was so caught up in it all that the realization of what was really happening didn't hit completely hit me until Jack walked into the Church and looked at the casket and I knew Christian wouldn't be in there because they were all dead. I had an eye-popping, jaw-dropping, make-my-friends-pause-so-I-could-get-a-grip-and-explain moment.

At first when it ended, feeling extremely overwhelmed, I felt like there was a lack of continuity with them all being dead since there were a few in the Island time, aka, Real Time, that were still alive. The more I think about it the more perfect it is though. They really did go through all of that and successfully saved the island and fulfilled their destiny. Those that died seem to have sort of, waited for those who lived so they could all move on together. Hurley and Ben had their moment of -you were a good second...you were a good first, so they really must have cared for the island together for a time. For how long? It hardly matters, because as Christian said, this place they created has no place and no time- they created what was familiar and contemporary to them so that they could all find each other and be together. Though they didn't confirm it, and that's okay, its nice to wistfully think that Desmond got back to his Penny, that Kate and Claire stayed friends and lived a full life loving Aaron, and that maybe Sawyer and Miles did become cop partners! So when Kate said to Jack, I've missed you so much, it really must have been a while for her since she lived years longer than him. (And who knows about Richard.) Its also fun to think of Hurley finding his groove as the new Jacob. He would be a friendly face to meet, with Ben-as-the-new-Richard being the intimidating one. What a pair. I wonder who Hurley chose as his replacement...

Genius. Fulfilling yet lingering. I'll miss it and I want more, but I agree that it was time for it to end. The whole episode answered enough, but was still beautifully ambiguous, which is fitting, because all of LOST has been one exquisitely mysterious journey. C'est la vie.

Little Brother is All Growed Up and Graduated!

2010-05-23T09:00:00.003-06:00

So this is a couple of weeks belated, because I was lazy about getting the pictures uploaded, but two weekends ago I went to Bozeman, Montana for the college graduation of my (second of four) little brother Parker (fondly nicknamed 'Bug'). My folks are still out of the country, so I was the family representative. He was a film student and it was really a lot of fun having him show me campus and show me his art classrooms and videos they have worked on and what not. It made me sentimental for school and made me think that Film would have been a pretty awesome major since, if this blog is any proof, I kinda like media stuff. Sigh, bygones. Once Bug is on a roll, he is hiring me as his personal assistant, so we're good ;)

Here is a little slide show of my brief but eventful adventures in Bozeman:

Here is a video of Bug actually walking across the podium. You know, for the folks:

LOST S6: E16- 'What They Died For'

2010-05-19T08:00:00.181-06:00

At the innermost core of all loneliness is a deep and powerful yearning for union with one's LOST self.
-Brendan Francis

Flash-Sideways:

Desmond has certainly found his stride in knocking the truth back into everybody. It has certainly been some quick and confident thinking on his part to be pulling off all of this. But, like he said to LockeNess on the island, he isn't afraid of anything. So I guess, why hesitate and second guess yourself and your purpose if you have no fear? The whole time I was thinking, 'the gangs all here!' It was so fun to see so many favorites/originals together and I love Desmond for making it happen. He made that call to Jack about the coffin arriving soon, so is his goal to get everyone to the airport? If they fly a plane out over the island will they mesh with their Island entities? Also, though I never really doubted him, it was nice to have it verified that he did in fact hit John to help him let go, and not to actually harm him. That phrase, 'help him let go,' is curious. I have been assuming he just needs to make them all remember, but as we have said before, this Sideways seems to be, for the most part, sort of a dream world idea of closure and being okay with that they have, yada, yada, yada. Maybe the reality, even if its darker, is better, because its the truth, and Desmond has to knock that into them. More than just remembering, but accepting as well, and being who they were before. The way that John is now, once again, a Man of Faith.

Side Note 1- I secretly always thought that Kate and Sayid would have been an awesome, Mr. & Mrs. Smith kinda team. Too bad that never happened. I always liked their chemistry and their mutual respect.
Side Note 2- Anna Lucia! It was nice to see you dear, but unlike all of the other old characters who felt like they were guest stars, she really just felt like a brief cameo, so it felt a little off. But alas, as Desmond said, she's not ready.
Side Note 3- I am still really hopeful that we will see Juliet in the finale, because I know we are going to be seeing some other familiar faces.

Island:

I was loving the whole Three Amigos feel of Richard, Ben and Miles. That is, until Richard got clobbered and Ben started acting like, well, Ben. He realized that Smokey was always the one in control. That conversation with Ben and Smokey on the porch was crazy. I was amused and horrified all at once. Nobody can deliver a line like Michael Emerson (Ben). At first I thought he was bluffing and it was going to be some kind of an attempt at a trap, but nope. Gave Charles up, shot him himself, then asked who else there was to kill. He was practically drooling. Not that I will really miss Charles, but I sort of wanted a little more time for some Charles/Ben frenemy banter. Charles said Jacob visited him after the freighter. Between that (since Ben is still bitter that Jacob never chose him) and Charles potentially getting to save his daughter (while Ben lost Alex) there was no way he was going to let him live.

The conversation that Jacob had with the Final Four at the fire was amazing. I guess his ashes in the fire allow them to see and hear him? The most 'aaaaaahh' moment of the entire episode for me was finding out that Jacob only crossed Kate off of the list because she became a Mother and that was a more important role.

I'll tell you what they died for, why I chose them and why I chose you, then I'll tell you all you need to know to protect the island because as soon as that flame goes out one of you will have to do it. Gah! I liked Jacob taking responsibility for his mistake. And then describing why he chose them... I didn't pluck any of you out of a happy existence... you were all flawed... like me... alone... all looking for something... you needed the island as much as it needs you. What is interesting is that he chose people who were more like his brother was, than like he was/is.

Jack volunteered! The minute he did, the first thought in my head was that he was going to get killed and one of the others would have to step up, but now that he's drunk Jacob's blessed water (interesting that its the incantation that counts and not what the liquid itself is- water, wine...) So since he is now like Jacob and Jacob's Crazy Mama before them, he should prove pretty hard to kill. Hopefully Richard isn't really dead from that little scuffle with Smokey and he and Jack can start a beautiful bromance. My friend Adam screeched so long and loud when Smokey came out and whacked Richard. Ha!

Desmond is a Fail Safe. That's what Charles whispered to Smokey. (Charles was little too quick to give that information up, if you ask me. I know he was trying to save Penny, but he should have stuck with his original, and far more accurate, you'll kill her either way, mentality.) How can Smokey use this information and use Desmond to help destroy the island? Use him as some kind of electromagnetic conductor? Since Island Des and Sideways Des are so in sync, if one died would the other know? Would the other also die?

Striking lines of the night:

In the beginning when Kate was heartbreakingly talking about Sun & Jin and told Jack that they need to kill LockeNess and Jack simply replied, I know. Ooooh, good chills.

Miles to Ben in his old house before Smokey arrived: What's that? A secreter room? Haha!

Smokey to Ben when asked why he doesn't stay in smoke form all of the time: I like the feel of my feet on the ground. Makes me remember I was human. Ooooh, creeper chills.

Jacob to Hurley: You should get your friends Hugo. We're almost at the end. Yeah we are. (Sniffle)

The Periodic Table of Super Powers

2010-05-18T09:21:00.006-06:00

Hmmm, if I could only have one of each category, I believe I would take E - H - Ge. I like to be practical ;)

LOST S6: E15- 'Across the Sea'

2010-05-12T08:00:00.295-06:00

And then, something happened. I let go. LOST in oblivion. Dark and silent and complete. I found freedom. Losing all hope was freedom.

–Narrator in Fight Club

Ummmm, wow. This post is very quote-heavy because, well, the episode was so chock-full of captivating insights!

Crazy Mama & Her Spouts of Wisdom: Played by the always wonderful and entertaining Allison Janney, an actress that I was certainly not expecting to see in LOST. How long had she been there? Who passed the torch to her? She tells the birth mother that she got to the island the same way as them, "by accident." Then later, she tells the boys, "They're not like us, they don't belong here, we're here for a reason." Seems a little contradictory to me. Was she somehow watching the outside like Jacob later did and knew that the child of that woman would be her heir? She also says that she has "made it so you can never hurt each other." Okay, witch woman, but they can still be killed by others. Is the fact that MIB can't kill the Candidates because they are sort of protected by proxy of her little spell-casting since they are potential new Jacob's?

The Favored: Though there were a lot of eye-popping moments and comments in this episode, the most interesting thing to me is the fact that Jacob wasn't actually the desired Candidate himself. From the very beginning with the birth there was a lot of symbolism. Hair color and complexions aside, Jacob was the firstborn, wrapped in white and not crying, while No-Name is wrapped in black and bawling. From the beginning it appears that Jacob was the one that was innately good, while MIB is prone to deceit and can see the dead. (Though we know from Hurley that seeing the dead doesn't mean one is evil. Ha! That would be the biggest twist of all if Hurley ended up the evil spawn of MIB and a criminal mastermind!) she still states this in a positive way: "Jacob doesn't know how to lie, he's not like you, you're special." Yet she later tells Jacob, "I couldn't let you become one of them, I needed you to stay good." So she knew that Jacob was the 'good' one but favored MIB anyway, despite him being the one who leans towards deceit? Or perhaps because of this? Perhaps because he was more like the rest of humanity than Jacob she thought he would be the one to understand? Because she saw herself in him? MIB asks her at one point, "what's dead?" She tells him its "something you will never have to worry about." I suppose this conversation verifies that she was indeed going to choose him as her predecessor and was planning on giving him the Cup of Life.

From Man to Monster: Thirteen year old No-Name looked a lot like a mini Zac Efron. They did a good job showing us his humanity so that we could semi-relate. With who he was though, and not who he now is, since what he is now is merely a monstrous phantom version of his dead self. Curious that it ended up being Jacob who was the cause of the Man in Black's death and him turning into a monster. MIB has the innate ability to see the dead, but Jacob does not. You really can't blame the man fro feeling betrayed and for wanting to see his homeland and see what is out there in the world. Why should he respect the Light when he hasn't been told why he should, and when he can harness it's power? When he stabbed Crazy Mama and she was dying, he asked, "why wouldn't you let me leave mother?" She replied, "because i love you," and then she added "thank you..." Why the thanks? Because she has been in this position for so long and couldn't die and now she is finally being released?

The Back-Up Chosen One: Despite his seeming very innocent and Adam-like, Jacob was more than what he seemed. Despite choosing to stay with Crazy, he still came to see his brother and watched the people sometimes, to see if Mama was wrong about humanity. He disagreed, and it ended up being MIB who agreed with her on that stance- "You want to know if they're bad. The woman is mad but she is right about that... they're greedy, manipulative, selfish..." yet he wants to be one of them. Also paralleling a conversation we have seen before is when Crazy Mama is describing the warring of Mankind and says, "it always ends the same," which is is the same phrasing that Man in Black said to Jacob the very first time we saw them in the show. Interesting that, though Jacob is the one who stayed with Crazy Mama while No-Name left, it is No-Name who had more in common with her. Jacob never loses his faith and hope in people. It wasn't something instilled in him by his upbringing, so where does it come from? And Jacob knew. He knew that Crazy Mama loved MIB more and was going to choose him. "Why do you love him more than me?" Then later at the Light telling her that he knows that she wanted it to be MIB but she's giving it to him because he's all she now has. A man of duty though, he still accepted the responsibility. Was it all in Crazy Mama's (or something far beyond her) master plan? Did Jacob need to be humble?

The Light: When she first took them to the Light it felt very Garden of Eden-like, and young Jacob felt very much like Adam, innocent and childlike. Crazy Mama told them they had to make sure that no one finds the light- a little bit of the light is in every man but they always want more. Apparently they can't actually take it, but if they try it may go out and if it goes out here, it will go out everywhere. "What's down there?" "Light, death, rebirth... its the source, the heart of the island. If you go down there you will be worse than dead." MIB's new people are clever and innovative and have discovered pockets of magnetism around the island and have built the wheel to harness the Light and water. The bottle Mama used to give Jacob eternal life or to make him the keeper of the Light, or what you will, seemed to be the same bottle that he later used to describe to Richard that the island is like a cork keeping evil from spreading into the world. I used to think that the evil he meant was the literal entity of Smokey himself, but now we understand that it's Jacob's fault that that is the case- when he tossed little brother into the Light, he seemed to suck it all into himself. So I guess now they need to find a way to get it out of him and back into the island? The same thing in essence, but different than I first understood it. After he drank, she said, "now you and I are the same." They aren't though. Maybe in immortality and responsibility, but I don't know how much similarity I see beyond that. He is very much his own person.

Adam & Eve: So the cave our Losties went to in Season One is the home of Jacob's youth, and the skeletons they found are Crazy Mama and Man in Black. Why leave them there like that? It seems that it has been centuries at least, so one thing for humanity is apparently a shared respect of the dead since the bones haven't been disturbed with all the stragglers coming and going over the years. They seem to have kept nicely. Island thing, I guess.

Ooh, and here is a good recap to check out.

Geek Soda

2010-05-11T14:33:00.005-06:00

Okay, so, I'm not a big sugary beverage person, and I am way to old to get excited about things like this, but the fantasy geek in me is DYING to try these new Dungeons & Dragons "Spellcasting" editions of Jones Soda. Aaah, the fun my brothers and I would have had with these as kids, as we were role-playing fantasy/action scenarios in the backyard. The six new flavors, aka, potions, are:

Potion of Healing

Sneak Attack

Illithid Brain Juice

Dwarven Draught

Bigby's Crushing Thirst Destroyer

Eldritch Blast

How fun is that?! Jones has done other Limited Editions in the past (holiday themed, sports themed, Hot Wheels, Punk Rock Bands...) but this is by far the coolest. Makes me want to don a cape and brandish a sword and conquer evil... er, you know, like, 20 years ago. Ahem.

LOST S6: E14- 'The Candidate'

2010-05-05T10:00:00.001-06:00

Nothing is LOST yet, nothing broken,
and yet the cold blue word is spoken:
say goodbye now to the Sun,
the days of love and leaves are done.

-R.P.T. Coffin

The Fallen: And then there were four (plus Claire). I found it difficult to feel too emotional when Sayid died for several reasons: 1- I've been suspecting all season that he would die as a martyr, it was a very abrupt scene and he didn't get much of a sendoff, he has been a Claimed bum for a while now, and I know we will see him alive still in the other timeline. That being said, it still stung to hear Jack yell to Hurley, 'There is no Sayid!' As for Sun and Jin, that definitely left me weepy. It was a fitting end for them though, finally together and finding a sense of peace about it all, and it was beautifully filmed. Nice to catch a glimpse of Jin taking flowers to Sun in the Sideways right after though. Also, too bad about Lapidus (at least I am presuming he died after getting slammed by that door and probably drowning if that didn't kill him.)

Kate: Widmore has a list with four names on it- Ford, Reyes, Kwon and he didn't say, but I presume the fourth is Shephard. (How did he receive this list? From Jacob before he died?) Kate is not on the list and her name was crossed off in the cave, but I swear 'Austen' was on the wheel in the Lighthouse and was not crossed off. Maybe that doesn't mean anything, maybe the lighthouse names just reflect who Jacob has been watching and not who he has discarded as Candidates, but I still feel like there is some kind of loophole that will be revealed as far as Kate is concerned. Poor thing, thinking she is unneeded and then getting shot my Widmore's folks, almost drowning and losing her friends... she seemed far more concerned for Jack than for Sawyer on the beach in the end. Sawyer was the one lying unconscious and yet it was Jack she fell into, crying 'I couldn't find you... I couldn't find you...'

Jack: Nice parallel that he referred to Locke a Candidate in the Sideways timeline though he no longer is in the Island time. Needing to find the answers and take care of everyone, as always, and discovering a lot of connections with the Oceanic flight in the process. A sweet offer to Claire in the end with the declaration that they are family. Also, in all of the Sideways flashes there has been a shot of someone looking in a mirror, but it was a little different this time because it was both Jack and Claire in the mirror of the music box at the same time. An interesting reaction from John when Jack was trying to convince him to do the surgery. I think he is saying no for more reasons than just guilt over his fathers circumstances, and when Jack said 'I can help you John, I wish you believed me,' he seemed to hesitate, not in a reconsidering way, but maybe in a deja vu way. On the Island, Jack keeps wanting people to trust him and thinks they can't get hurt, but keeps being wrong. First Juliet and now they have lost three more. Best line to put Jack in a nutshell, when John's fiancee asks him, 'why can't that be enough' and Jack responds, 'because its not.' Plain and simple.

Different Circumstances, Same Outcome: It is interesting what we are discovering about the backgrounds of our Losties in the Sideways world. When we first saw them all in the premiere episode, once again on the Oceanic flight, it seemed that things were much the same with them except that they landed this time. As we are learning, their pasts are NOT the same, though they were still ed (by Fate?) to that same flight again. Sayid was an honest business man this time around, Sun and Jin were together though not married, Locke still ended up in a wheelchair but for different reasons, Jack was still going to pick up his father's body but he has a teenage son now... Kate is still on the run, but I think we will discover that she may be innocent of what she is accused of and it will be something different from blowing up her father.

Who to Trust?: For one thing, I am confused about the Claimed, Claire and Sayid. Do they just have a difficult time thinking clearly unless a strong and personal emotion is brought out to knock some sense into them? For Claire, talking to Kate about going home to Aaron and for Sayid talking to Desmond about the kind of man Nadia would want him to be? With LockeNess, I think Jack is right that he 'needs them' to get off the island but he has simply been unclear about what he needs of them, that he needs them dead and as I've suspected, he can't kill them himself for some reason. If this is true though, then I am wrong in my theory that he can't straight out lie, since he was threatening Jack about killing him if he wanted to. Widmore- I am very confused about him. He has the list of remaining Candidates that he seems to want to protect, locked them up saying it was for their own good, he shoots at them at the boat, though granted, the only one that gets hit is Kate who he thinks is expendable... he isn't exactly great about making himself clear if he IS a good guy, and it does seem likely that LockeNess lied about Widmore setting up the bomb on the plane, but if LockeNess wanted to blow them up on the sub, why didn't he just do it on the plane and save some time?

Those Absent from the Episode: Desmond- so he is still in the well, and Sayid acknowledged that 'Locke wants him dead, which means your going to need him." Then he tells Jack that he is telling him these things "because its going to be you Jack." It being the final Candidate? the new Jacob? Does Sayid know this for certain or is he just basing it, like I am, on the fact that Jack seems like likely one at this point. Maybe Desmond can answer that. And, I forget, what were Richard and Ben off doing again?

Vinni Pukh, aka, Winnie the Pooh

2010-05-03T11:50:00.005-06:00

So its official. Winnie the Pooh is completely adorable in any language. Here is a Russian version to prove it. Though the graphics aren't any where near as good as the classic Disney version and he's more of a quirky adorable than a sentimental adorable. I'm not going to buy the DVD of this version or anything, but it sure makes me smile.

Animal Novelties

2010-04-30T13:00:00.000-06:00

I want a pony-dog! Or a bunny-dog!

Meet Einstein:

Meet Darius:

How cute are they?! Its nice to see that some birth defects turn out so great. Did that sound insensitive? Meh. At least I'm not posting images of the types that don't turn out so great. Hmmm, just thinking about that makes me want to wear a Superman tee shirt and eat a Baby Ruth. If you get that reference, well, I'm glad we're friends ;)

Betty White on SNL = Happiness

2010-04-29T13:02:00.004-06:00

So maybe you have already all heard about this, but I am pleased as punch about it! So everyone's favorite Golden Girl, the hilarious and immortal Betty White, beloved by all, has somehow never hosted Saturday Night Live, in all the years that she has been making us laugh. Don't you think that is a travesty? Well, so do over five hundred thousand other people. People like myself. Connected people. Facebook people. After BW was featured in the hilarious Snickers commercial during the Super Bowl, a campaign was started on Facebook pleading to see BW as the host of the thirty-five year old sketch comedy show.

Well the Powers That Be, aka Lorne Michaels, heard the plea and it is really happening. Now, BW is going strong, but she IS 88 years old, so they decided to have her host the May 8th episode, which is the night before Mother's Day, and so that she doesn't have to carry the weight of the entire night, it is going to be sort of a Women of Comedy thing, with appearances by six fabulous former SNL cast members, namely: Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Molly Shannon, Maya Rudolph, Ana Gasteyer and Rachel Dratch.

Yeah. It's gonna be a good one. I am not at all an avid SNL watcher these days, more of an SNL Hulu watcher if I specifically hear about a great skit or to see what the brilliant Kristen Wiig is up to (she is the best part of SNL these days). I will definitely want to be watching this episode, however. I luff BW.

Brother Parker, I will be in Bozeman for your college graduation the weekend this airs. I guess we know how we're going to party afterwards. Some cherry enhanced fountain sodas, some pre-packaged cookie dough, some cozy hotel beds and Betty White on SNL... its like they planned it just for you ;)

Here is a promo. She is fabulous.

'Glee' Flash Mob (Helping to Sustain My Hope for the Human Race)

2010-04-27T21:00:00.007-06:00

Aaah, the joy and inspiration that Glee brings to the masses. Check out this rad Glee flash mob! Glee songs are perfect for a medley of sporadic street dancing! Love it! (Many thanks to Kirsten for the initial link)

The above video is in Seattle, but click HERE to go to YouTube and see several other Glee flash mobs that have popped up in cities around the world. I love that this is a trendy thing and that Glee is such a global phenomenon!! Who wants to organize one and do it at The Gateway mall or something? Haha!

And for those of you who weren't thrilled by last nights new Glee episode, Home, read this recap. I agree with the writer that it is hard to come off of the big and sparkly Madonna episode and that Home deserves a second look. It caught me off guard because I have gotten used to anticipating constant hilarity and rock ballads, but this one was very sentimental and had very 50s musical style numbers. I dug it. But then, to me, Glee can do no wrong ;)

Things to Do, Places to See & Events to Attend Before I Die

2010-04-26T15:30:00.015-06:00

So, despite the fact that I have recently been devising and confirming my summer plans, which, I am pleased to report, should keep me sufficiently busy, I have still been feeling slightly bored and a bit on the wistful side recently (maybe because I have been reading so much fiction lately- I always read a lot, but the last couple of months I have been reading A LOT). I find I always feel better when I have something to look forward to. For me, that something typically needs to be a trip or a death defying act to suitably subdue me for any decent amount of time. I have therefore concocted the below list of thing that I wish to do, places I wish to see, and events I wish to attend while there is life still in me. (Okay, so perhaps the fact that I just turned 28 may have prompted this. A bit.) After you see this list you may deem me fairly ambitious or possibly even unrealistic, but I say, it never hurt a girl to have a few aspirations. This list isn't of the practical, day-to-day, New Year's Resolution variety (get in shape, own a home, have babies, blah blah blah...), this is my just-for-the-fun-of-it, travel/adventure, obscure goal list.

TO DO:

-Tour the Holy Land (including a visit to Petra and a dip in the Red Sea)

-Take a Greece/Turkey Trip (I may need a full month for this one. So many ruins & islands, so much culture & history, such a lot of all around amazingness to behold)

-Go to Bora Bora, French Polynesia (Honeymoon?)
-Visit Angel Falls in Venezuela ('Paradise Falls' in the movie 'Up' were based off these)
-Visit the fjords in Norway during the Midnight Sun

-Visit Prince Edward Island to fullfill my Anne of Green Gables Childhood Fantasies (perhaps combine this with a Martha's Vineyard & Nantucket trip? While there, scout for a plot of land to retire as a dog lady)
-Travel a section of the Silk Road (The whole thing is ginormous and would take forever, but it would be fun to caravan a section as part of another trip or two)

-Hike to Machu Picchu, Peru

-Hike Mt Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
-Go Kayaking in New Zealand

-Do the Canopy Tour Zip-Line, Costa Rica (I did a pretty great zip-line in South Africa, but this is the big original one and is supposed to be gorgeous- apparently there is now a bigger one in New Zealand, so maybe I will just do that?)

-Drive at Maximum Speed on the Autobahnen, Germany

-Raft/Hike Through the Grand Canyon

-Walk the Great Wall of China

-Participate in an Anthropological Dig (I still secretly want to be an archaeologist, but I want to be the one crawling through tunnels, not doing paperwork. Blast you Indiana Jones and Amelia Peabody! I didn't mean that. I love you.)

-Purchase a Hand-Painted Dish Set in San Gimignano, Italy (in person)

-Gondola Ride in Venice (Been to Venice, didn't want to ride, uncoupled as I was. What a waste of romance THAT would have been)

-Go Down in a Shark Cage

-Dive the Great Barrier Reef, Australia

-Go On a Real Submarine Ride

-Swim with Dolphins (I did at a hotel once, but I mean NOT in captivity)

-Go on a Hot Air Balloon Ride (I've been up in one anchored to the ground)

-Get up the Guts and Try Out for a Show (I get queasy just thinking about it)

-Attend an Opera at the Paris Opera House (been in the building but not to a performance)

-Attend an Opera at the Sydney Opera House

-Go Hang Gliding, Paragliding

-Take Lessons: Fencing, Martial Arts or Ballroom Dancing (I took Karate for like 2 months when I was 8 or 9; Doesn't count. I have no skills. Not even nunchuck skills.)

-Sleep in a Tent On a Branch of a Giant Redwood Tree or Hooked to Ropes Along a Cliff Face (Yes, you read that right- might sound crazy but I have seen both in articles in National Geographic. Both are probably better left to the hard core professionals, but, meh)

-Live on the East Coast for a While (NY, Boston, DC…)
-Stay a Night in the Cinderella Suite in Disneyland

-Read 1,000 novels (I'm currently in the 350's (when I remember them I add them to my Goodreads list to keep track), though I am sure there are some I am forgetting- and I am not counting books like 'Clifford the Big Red Dog' or 'The Berenstain Bears,' (I'm a Belle, not a Gaston) I mean full-length novels
-Learn Italian (even though I know Spanish would be more practical and I know its a travesty that I don't already have a second language)

-Write/Publish Something Truly Timeless & Beautiful (Article? Novel? Memoir? Obituary?)

*The Below 3 Could be Done Simultaneously:

-Stay in the Ice Hotel in Sweden (December-April)

-See the Aurora Borealis, (If via Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, November-April)

-Ride on a Dog Sled

-Attend a Formal Ball/Gala (Political?)

-Attend The Oscars and/or the Cannes Film Festival Once My Brother Parker is a Big, Famous Writer/Director (Alright, so this one requires more effort from him, but I am sure I will still have to put some work in (pleading, groveling, guilt-tripping, blackmailing...) to be his date ;)

-Attend Summer Olympic Festivities
-Be in Boston (or Chicago. Or Ireland, for that matter) for St. Patrick's Day
-Visit DC (and/or East Asia) while the Cherry Blossoms are in Bloom
-Attend a Major Sporting Event (Super Bowl, Wimbledon, a Soccer World Cup...)

-Attend the Kentucky Derby & Wear a Big Hat (May)

-Attend Comic-Con in San Diego, California (July)

-Attend Bonneville Salt Flat Races, near Salt Lake City, Utah (September)

-Attend Marti Gras, New Orleans, Louisiana (February-March)

-Attend the International Kite Festival in Adelaide, Australia (March)
-Attend Carnival in Venice, Italy (February)
-Attend a Palio Race in Siena, Italy (July & August)
- Attend the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, Spain

-Find a Way to Survive After LOST Has Ended (I'm not kidding)

-Join the Mile High Club (Haha! I AM kidding! (PS, Mom, I'll explain it to you later))

The following list is items that I have already had the pleasure of doing, but would have been on the To-Do list otherwise. Basically my checked-off section of the list. I hope I don't sound braggy, believe me, I know perfectly well how lucky and blessed I am to have been able to do all of these things by the age of, ahem, 28, and I don't have any idea how they all came to pass or how I will fund all of the above items. I basically wrote this section to make myself feel better about the long way I have to go to accomplish the above section. If anything, you should pity me for having no personal life and compensating by aiming for outrageous things like these.

DONE:

-Live Abroad: Zimbabwe

-Get Scuba Certified

-Go Bungee Jumping: Victoria Falls (over the Zambezi River, the border between Zimbabwe & Zambia)

-Raft the Zambezi River (saw a dead floating hippo and a couple of live crocodiles. Just little ones ;)

-Ride an Elephant: Zimbabwe

-Go on an African Safari: Kenya

-Go Sky Diving: Oahu, Hawaii

-Go Parasailing: On an Eastern Caribbean Cruise

-Tour Italy, from Lake Como down to Sicily

-See 'The Last Supper' in Milan, Italy

-See 'The David,' in Florence, Italy

-Go to Monte Carlo, Monaco and See Grace Kelly's Tomb

-Go to Angkor Wat in Cambodia

-Rock Climb in Krabi, Thailand

-Visit Stonehenge

-Visit Egypt: Rode a Camel, Saw Old Cairo, Giza, Philae & Karnak, Bought Lotus Flower Perfume and a Papyrus Painting, Sailed the Nile (it was a brief and beautiful week, and there is so much more I would love to go back and see)

-Join a Cause: Tsunami Relief in Thailand

-Go Deep Sea Fishing: Caught a 30 lb Halibut Off the Coast of British Columbia

-Take a True Sailing Trip (where you live on the boat): Belize

-Ride in a Helicopter: Hawaii, Big Island

-Sleep in a Bunk on an Overnight Train ((between Mombasa & Nairobi, Kenya)

-See the Penguins in Cape Town, South Africa

-Visit a Renaissance Fair: Boise, Idaho

-Hike Goblin Valley, Arches, Canyonlands & Zions National/State Parks, Southern Utah

-Attend the Sundance Film Festival, Park City, Utah (seeing movies, not just strolling)

-Attend Winter Olympics Festivities, Salt Lake City 2002 (By accident because I happened to be at College there at the time, but I'm counting it)

-Attend a Wedding in Las Vegas, Nevada (Thanks Tawns!)

-Bike the Haleakala Volcano, Maui, Hawaii (The Sunrise Tour)

-Become a Season Ticket Holder of Something (This year for the first time, Hale Center Theatre)

-Go to Disney Land and Disney World

-Cut Down Our Own Christmas Tree

-Drive Across the United States (Okay, so we didn't go ALL the way, but from Raleigh, North Carolina to Boise, Idaho is pretty good, so I'm counting it since I have been the rest of the way on separate occasions ;)

-Become a Pirate (Okay, it may just be my Halloween default, but in my head its real. I would have been an awesome pirate. I have the Captain Jack Sparrow hat to prove it.)

By City:

New York: Go to an Original Broadway Cast Production, New York City (I have done this on more than one occasion as it is a bit of an obsession of mine); Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, Metropolitan Museum, American History Museum, Walk the Entirety of Central Park, Eat in China Town, Eat in Little Italy, Dance on the Giant Floor Keyboard at FAO Schwartz, View the Rockafeller Center Christmas Tree and the Windows on Fifth Avenue at Christmas, Watch the Ball Drop in Times Square, Hail a Cab, Eat at Serendipity

London: Go to a Show in The West End (London's equivalent of Broadway); British Museum, Tower of London; Ride a Double Decker Bus; Make a Call in a Red Phone Booth (er, took a pic pretending to make a call, but whatev); Buckingham Palace; Globe Theatre; Tate Museum; Millenium Bridge

Paris: Ride Up the Eiffel Tower; Climp up Notre Dame Cathedral; Go Down Into the Catacombs; See the 'Mona Lisa' at the Louvre; Devour Crepes Galore

Rome: Tour the Vatican; See the Ceiling of the Sistine Chapel; Toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain; Stick My Hand in the Mouth of Truth; Stand on the Spanish Steps; See the Colosseum and the Roman Forum; Devour Gelato Galore

I am sure that I am leaving some things out, possibly in both sections of the list, and I'm also quite certain that I will be coming back and adding things periodically. Can anyone think of other things that I have mentioned or that I am forgetting? Any suggestions for knocking some of these off the list? Anyone want to tag along?

LOST in a Flash: Top 10 from 'The Last Recruit'

2010-04-23T10:00:00.002-06:00

Whitney Matheson who writes the Pop Candy column on the USA Today has a LOST discussion thread after each new episode and each Friday she posts the ten most intriguing comments. I seriously cannot believe some of the little Easter Eggs people catch. Here are the ones for the 4/20/10 episode, The Last Recruit. (Click the title to link to the article.) There are some really good ones this week:

1. okgirl_ok: What I love in this episode?

Jack's mirror moment reveals not self-reflection but ... LOCKE!

What a beautiful juxtaposition.

2. Sister Carrie: It looks like the same ancient story was played out in two different ways tonight.

The first is when Locke is in the ambulance and says, "My name is John." I knew this sounded familiar. It reminded me of the story of the birth of JOHN the Baptist. His father Zachariah didn't believe the angel Gabriel when he told Zachariah that his barren wife Elizabeth, a daughter of AARON (and also the name of Libby's sailboat!), would conceive in old age. Because of his UNBELIEF he was struck mute. It wasn't until after the baby was born and relatives were arguing over what his name should be that his father wrote on a TABLET: "His name is John" (the name the angel gave him). At that moment his BELIEF restored him, caused his physical restoration and he was able to speak. I had a feeling tonight that Locke's pronouncement of the words "my name is John" was significant in some way, some declaration of belief that would also lead to his physical RESTORATION (which of course will be at the hands of Jack, who also showed evidence of his BELIEF on the Island tonight).

This same scene was played out in a different way with Sun. She also used a TABLET to communicate because she could no longer speak English. But once she was reunited with Jin, she was able to say "I love you." And Frank rightly said, "Looks like someone got their voice back." Two different kinds of restoration, playing off the same ancient story.

3. jwildstar: It was revealed that Ilana's last name is Verdansky. Is that a play on the name Vernadsky as in Vladimir Vernadsdky, a Russian mineralogist and geochemist who is considered one of the founders of radiogeology?

Interesting that Sideways Ilana has no accent. And on the door to the law office: Sweetzer & Verdansky. That's the second shout out to Sweetzer this season. Penny and Desmond are having coffee at the corner of Sweetzer and Melrose.

4. Ashleysailvt:

guyf wrote:

Just an observation that what we're being told from some of the characters is inconsistent. If Flocke was appearing as Jack's dad, how did Jack see him in LA in the lobby of the hospital after he got off the island?

Also, Michael said the whispers were heard when dead people appear or are around. We heard whispers before Goodwin's wife told Juliet to stop Faraday and Charlotte from doing their work at the Tempest, and we also heard whispers when Walt would appear. Neither of them were dead. Like always, I wonder if there's more to the story...

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

I agree completely with you...I was really disappointed when Flocke told Jack that he was pretending to be Christian. It doesn't make any sense at all. Christians body was missing from the coffin, unlike Locke's body who was still in his coffin. This has already been discussed but MIB doesn't take over someone's actual body, he takes over their likeness. So where is Christian's body??? I always thought that Christian had been brought back to life due to the island's healing powers (or Jacob's touch). Remember at the beginning of season 5 when Sun and Lapidus went to the dharma camp looking for Jin. It was Christian who they found in the dharma camp waiting for them. He told Sun that if she wanted to see Jin again, that she would have to be "patient"; the same thing that Richard told Ben when he was a child (when Ben asked to join the others). This seemed like a very Jacob-y thing to say. Also, at the same time Sun and Lapidus were talking to Christian at the dharma camp, Flocke was already walking around back at the beach with Richard/Illana...remember??? Flocke and Christian can't BOTH be MIB. Flocke is lying to Jack and Claire. He is manipulating them so that they trust him. I don't think we've seen the last of Christian.

And your point about Jack seeing Christian in the hospital off the island...we NEVER see MIB off the island but Jacob on the other hand..he's been seen quite frequently.

5. Ashleysailvt: To piggyback on my whole Flocke is lying about being Christian thing...When Jack asked if he was pretending to be Christian and FLocke said yes, Jack asked why. FLocke's reason: "You were looking for water". Jack JUST told Hurley this story a few episodes back while they were in the caves on their way to the lighthouse. He said when he was out looking for water, he saw his father in the jungle. He said he chased his father until that pursuit led him right to the water he was seeking. MIB could've totally overheard that story...or Hurley could've repeated it to him?

6. kraz: Looking like Desmond going through the magnetism box has somehow put Jacob into his body. He has all the knowledge that Jacob does and is performing all the same tasks in the alt timeline.

7. KerryAnn: When Jack dives from the bomb and Locke carries him away, he tells him, "Now you're with me" (pardon it is not exact). This makes me think JACK JUST DIED.

8. wolv256: And I know the big theory is gonna be "Is Jack dead?" But remember the dynamite couldn't kill him earlier. I don't think he's dead.

9. Howwillitend: The paramedic taking Locke to the hospital said that Locke's wheelchair was totally destroyed. That's not true! I saw the screencap showing Desmond driving away after hitting Locke, and the wheelchair is just fine!!

This is one of many odd occurances happening in the sideways world. The date being off on Claires sonogram, The flight arrivals that Desmond is looking at shows Oceanic 815, arrived, the next frame, it say it hasnt arrived yet.Desmond being on the plane, then seeming to vanish!

Could this mean that there are Two sideway worlds, or are things just out of sync with that world because it's not supposed to happen that way?

10. Sister Carrie: Now Original Ben and Sideways Locke have a shared experience: lying facedown on an operating table waiting for Jack to save their lives.

Should Juliet find her way into the OR, their experience will be complete.

LOST S6: E13- The Last Recruit

2010-04-21T08:00:00.008-06:00

The doctors take the bodily evidence as the disease. . . . disease is itself an impudent opinion. He throws off the feelings of the sick and imparts to them his own which are perfect health, and his explanation destroys their feelings or disease. . . . He is like a captain who knows his business and feels confident in a storm, and his confidence sustains the crew and ship when both would be LOST if the captain should give way to his fears.
-Phineas Parkhurst Quimby

Wow, so everyone is finally starting to come together in the Flash-Sideways world and also in the Island world, sort of. Also, we got the clarification that it HAS been Smokey/The LockeNess Monster showing up as Christian Shephard, and probably everyone else's loved ones, and messing with everyone all this time. So the only dead spirits I trust are the ones that Hurley sees and Miles hears.

Sayid: Is there still hope for you?! It seems to me that if we didn't see it then it didn't happen, and therefore Sayid did NOT kill Desmond. Loved that conversation at the well. Unlike LockeNess who plays on peoples fears and insecurities and selfishness, Desmond is acting like Jacob and helping Sayid to make an honest and logical choice. The man surely knows how to play the love card. "What will you say when she asks you what you did to be with her again?" Poignant. Even if Sayid is turning a new leaf, I still, sadly, think he won't make it through the end of the season. Maybe he can at least die as a martyr though.

Sun & Jin: Yay! They are finally together on the island! Its been like two seasons that they have been apart! She even got her English back when she saw him. Sigh, gotta love a good Constant. Also yay, in the Sideways their baby is a-okay! Interesting that Sun recognized and was afraid of Locke when she saw him in the hospital. I bet she doesn't even really understand why, and it all ties into the theory that those dead or close too it or badly injured have a closer connection to their parallel selves. when Island Sun was knocked out and made a connection to Sideways Sun and lost her English, Sideways Sun mist have also felt something and had some kind of vision or memory of Locke (Well, Smokey as Locke).

Sawyer: Oh buddy, bitter much? I think Jack is right and he knows that there is still something you need to do on the island, but I can understand him not feeling like he owes the island anything when it has sent him through the ringer- its one thing for Jack who decided to come back, but Sawyer has never even gotten to leave at all since he jumped out of the helicopter for them, got tossed into the 70s and then loved and lost Juliet. He'll come through in the end though. He always does. In the sideways, I liked his comment to Kate about someone trying to bring them together- Oh James, always so surprisingly insightful. I do love always love the sassy back-and-forthing between Kate and Sawyer, and we will probably see a little somethin' somethin' between them in the next couple episodes, but I am still holding out that we will see Juliet before the end, that she will be Jack's baby mama and that she and Sawyer will meet and it will be instant connection.

Claire: Still don't know what to think about her. I think she was sincerely hurt and felt abandoned by everyone and she was definitely shooting laser darts of death out of her eyes as she watched everyone leaving her again. Yet I also think she was sincerely touched by Kate's little speech. I always love the Kate and Claire scenes. I like Kate in the sort of big sister role. When Claire decided to go with them though, I definitely got bug eyes and chills when she said, 'If he finds out we're gone... he's gonna be mad.' In the Sideways, I admit that if I were Claire I would have been a little creeped by Desmond's insistence. Awfully convenient that Ilana (now with an American accent) and her law firm were in the same building and even the same floor and the adoption agency that Claire was headed to. There's kismet for you. Sorry Jack was a tad abrupt with you Claire, sweetie. He's just in a bit of shock. Ummmm, her preggo belly looked super phony.

Jack: "Doesn't feel right leaving the island... last time it felt like a part of me was missing... we're supposed to do something... maybe he's afraid of what we do if we stay..." Sawyer: "Get off my boat." Jack: "I'm sorry if I got Juliet killed." Hmmmm. Well, it is still holding that Jack seems the likeliest Candidate, but again, maybe its to throw us off and surprise us in the end. Then the Widmore bombing. I guess those electromagnetic maps that Jin helped them out with are doing the trick. Good thing it was only extras (who are dressed like they are ready to follow Moses through the Red Sea) that got killed. What body part was it that fell next to Jack's head? Gross. (But it still made me chuckle. I'm so morbid). LockeNess may have hauled you away Jack, because he needs you, but don't you trust him! What exactly did it mean when Claire said that he was with LockeNess? 'You decided the moment you let him talk to you, just like the rest of us.' Jack, make sure Sayid's allegiance is with you, and get Desmond (Is Des out of the well now and stalking LockeNess?) In the Sideways, it was almost too sappy with Jack and his son, which reminded me of a couple of weeks ago with the Desmond episode and how things are supposed to feel perfect here and that it might all be a facade or a Matrix. Except that now, the people from their real lives are crashing into them and its coming back. Will we get a Locke-walking miracle from Dr. Shephard? I liked his confidence going into the surgery.

Lines of the night:

Harshest- "John Locke was not a believer. He was a sucker."

Hurleyism- "What's going on?" "People trying to kill us again."

Sawyerism- "That pilot that looks like he stepped off the set of a Burt Reynolds movie." Also, his reference to Claire drinking LockNess' Kool-Aid. Ha!

'Embrace Life'

2010-04-20T08:00:00.000-06:00

So I wouldn't typically post something that as mundane as a seat belt commercial (unless it was a spoof, of course), but this particular commercial was just so cleverly and artfully done and is not condescending or scolding at all, like most public safety type ads tend to be. It's really quite beautiful and I seriously almost teared up. Yeah, for a cynic, I'm quite the sap. (Thanks to my sister-in-law Sara for sending me this video).

Roller Derby 101

2010-04-19T09:00:00.004-06:00

(*Click the post title to go to the website*)

So this weekend my friend Jen and I went to a Girls Roller Derby match in Ogden.Why? Because there was a Girls Roller Derby match in Ogden. How could we pass up on a chance to say we'd been to one of those?

The two teams were The 25th Street Brawlers (in pink) and Wasatch Roller Derby (in blue). Right off the bat we were rooting for the Brawlers. My brother-in-law would tell me that my reasons for this are girly, as are most of my reasons for favoring certain sports teams, but I am, after all, a girl. Our reasons were as follows: 1- Their name was cooler, 2- They were wearing pink which just seemed right for a Girls Roller Derby team, and 3- they had more individual personality with bright tutus and tights than the other team that were all more demure in their choices and just felt like a whole instead of being able to single out specific girls to root for, 4- the sister of the guy who was sitting next to me was on that team. For not having been to a RD match before and having no connection to either team, I feel that these were all valid reasons.

Had to love the signs on the floor where we were sitting.

Friendly ENT's waiting on the sidelines in case someone gets severely pummeled. Disappointingly, nothing too serious happened. I wonder if these guys enjoy getting assigned to a show or if the whole time they were thinking, 'we could be out helping people who are getting hurt by accident.'

Difficult to capture such swiftly moving persons

The girl in the font in the pink tutu who is mostly in focus is Skull Candi, captain of the Brawlers.

You can go HERE to read more specific rules and get a history of the sport, which it fairly interesting, but here is what we picked up as we watched (because we had no idea before hand.) The Derby was split into two halves, each about forty minutes long, and there are several heats. In each heat one girl sticks a cover over her helmet with a star on it and to get points that girl has to get through everyone and make one full lap around. They keep trying for as many laps as they can within each heat and they swap out who has the star (and the other positions) each heat.

Unexpected Highlights (is 'highlights' the right word?):

1- There were two commentators throughout (they must have been local radio hosts or something) and I couldn't really say if they were more amusing or irritating. Example: at one point one of the Brawlers, code name, Carnage Kitten, had a pretty bad hit and the stopped everything so the ENT's could have a look at her to be safe. After a few minutes when is was clear it was nothing serious, one of the commentators said something along the lines of, "What a trooper. All Carnage is suffering from is too much awesome." Jen and I exchanged a silent eye roll and moved on.

2- There were some pretty exciting falls and shoves, but we were slightly disappointed that there was no blood and that no scuffles broke out. We did almost get rammed into by a roller girl who got knocked out of the rink. She slid into the lady sitting next to us.

3- Four little scouts came out at the beginning with an American Flag and one of them was on the microphone trying to give them orders the whole time, 'about face!' and stuff like that, and they had no idea what they were doing. It was hilarious and I wish I had gotten video of it, but I was busy with, you know, my hand over my heart like the true patriot that I am ;)

4- The fact that they patted down the girls right before the match started to make sure no one was packing any kind of shiv. The announcers played it of lightheartedly, but I'm pretty sure they were serious.

5- The creeper fourteen or so year old kid and his Grandma sitting near us. The kid had a crush on the captain of the Brawlers, 'Skull Candi', was not in the least embarrassed when Grandma told us this little fact, kept pestering his Grandma to take pictures of her for him, and at one point, in his weaselly voice, excitedly told me how Candi was dating one of the Refs, though the kid obviously didn't know her personally. Grandma told me that she came for lack of something better to do, and saw that her ex-stepdaughter (yeah, sounds complicated) was on the team, though she certainly wasn't there rooting for her. It's a toss up who wins the creeper award of these two.

Turns out we were rooting for the underdog and didn't know it. We were kind of surprised when part way through the second half we realized, ummm, where was I? Oh yes, we were surprised to discover that the Brawlers were being quite badly beaten. Because we were gradually figuring out how rules and points went as we watched, and because we were so distracted and captivated by the feisty flurry of pink, we didn't notice how often Wasatch was scoring. It ended up 142 to 67, Wasatch. apparently they have a shot at going to Nationals. Yup. Roller Derby has Nationals.

Not sure how clear it is with all the cheering, but I loved hearing them announce all their funky names. Examples: Daisy Dukes Em' Out, Tsunami Bombshell, Pandora the Explora, Mauly Mormon, Sadistic Stiletto, Skatey GaGa, Chica Dolor, Miss Bizness Das...

And here they are in action:

The verdict, creepers aside: Was it quite as exciting as I hoped it would be? Sadly no, though I bet going to Nationals or a Derby competition that was more professional and hard core, would be extremely fun. Am I glad I went, was I entertained and would I go to one again? Yes, yes and yes.

LOST in a Flash: Top 10 from 'Everybody Loves Hugo'

2010-04-16T12:00:00.004-06:00

Whitney Matheson who writes the Pop Candy column on the USA Today has a LOST discussion thread after each new episode and each Friday she posts the ten most intriguing comments. I seriously cannot believe some of the little Easter Eggs people catch. Here are the ones for the 4/13/10 episode, Everybody Loves Hugo. (Click the title to link to the article.) Also, I would like it to be acknowledged that I already mentioned a couple of these in my own posts ;)

1. layfieldster: "Why arent you afraid?"

The line that Locke spoke to Desmond before he pushed him down the well. This wasn't just a question but it appears that it was a concern of MIB. And looking back it does seem that everyone he motivates and influences is guided by fear. MIBs main weapon is prying on people's fear in order to get them to do what he wants. Thus, it appears that MIB relies on fear and Jacob always relies on choice. This is the significant difference that separates the battle lines.

2. Sister Carrie: Not to sound like a broken record, but Michael again brought up the idea tonight of being "stuck" on the Island "because of what I did." He confirmed that The Whispers were others who were also stuck, unable to move on.

Maybe this was another example of the creators introducing a theory to dismiss it, but when reviewing Libby's backstory I came upon her encounter with Eko and Charlotte Malkin in the airport. Charlotte tells Eko that she saw Eko's brother Yemi when she was DEAD and "BETWEEN PLACES."

So again we have this idea of the Island as an "in-between place," somewhere people are "stuck." This could be another reference to the Island as "underworld," "abode of the dead," "Sheol." All are in-between places where people await final judgment. BUT Michael seems to intimate tonight that there is the possibility for REDEMPTION even for those in this holding cell. He tells Hurley that if he ever sees Libby again to tell her he's "very sorry."

So perhaps there is a way to be "unstuck" and that is through REDEMPTION or FORGIVENESS. I so wanted Hurley to say, after the big kiss with Libby on the beach: "Michael says he's sorry." And then Michael would be free!

3. EileenBurmeister: On a more serious note, I couldn't remember where I had heard Spanish Johnny, the restaurant Hurley was to meet Rosalita at. "Spanish Johnny" is from Bruce Springsteen's "Incident on 57th Street." Spanish Johnny is described as "dressed just like dynamite." He meets "Puerto Rican Jane" who wants to take him "to the other part of town where paradise ain't so crowded." The new couple find their "soul flame" while "out on the street tonight." The song that comes after this one on the album? "Rosalita." I'm just saying...

4. Superdudex: Maybe at this point Desmond knows more than we've seen him remember. He is not trying to create near death experiences for the other passengers, but he is trying to recreate significant moments that will trigger their recollection.

Desmond's moment of recollection came not when he came in contact with his constant, but when he lived a nearly identical moment to his other self (Charlie's hand underwater).
Charlie's must have been as he was dying by lack of oxygen.
Faraday's when he saw Charlotte.

And now he is trying recreate moments for others:
Hugo's is when he kisses Libby (happened in season 2, and Desmond makes no attempt to create near death, just watches and makes sure it happens)
And at the end of the ep we saw Locke's recollection, as he was lying on his back after an accident, just like when he was pushed out the window.

How Desmond knows how to trigger their recollections i don't know. But it seems more recollection knowledge comes with more similar experiences (Desmonds other flashes when he was in the electromagnetic machine, when he shook hands with Penny, and Libby's on being in the institution and sitting on the beach with Hugo). Maybe he's made a significant recovery of other-life memories by meeting with Penny for coffee and following around other Oceanic people.

5. Cincy Steve:

Exurban Mom (0 friends, send message) wrote: 5h 18m ago
I think, in lieu of a mirror moment, we get Hurley looking at himself on a poster for Mr. Chicken. It's very close to a mirror moment, anyway, and the camera does pause and look at the poster for a second before Hurley is seen entering the Mr. Chicken franchise for his family bucket.
**********************************
Why couldn't the "mirror" moment be at the beginning with the film showing him from a baby through his life's work? It was a way for Hurley to reflect on his life and where he's at now like everyone else did with their instant mirror reflections.

6. dd42: When Richard said to ask Jacob was the Island was, I think he was referring to the 'cork' for the wine bottle, not something we haven't heard before. It was something that Jacob told Richard a long time ago.

Also, it seems like only people that originally died on the island (charlie, libby, faraday) have knowledge that the sideways world is not the "right" world. Except for Desmond because the rules don't apply to him. But only after they touch those who are still alive in the island world, do they realize this to be true as well in the sideways timeline.

7. Bubble of Sanity: The dynamite from Black Rock is all gone now; the atomic bomb has been detonated. I've got to find some explosives somewhere, because if they kill Desmond, I will blow up this show and look for an alternate timeline...

The "previews" of next week were the most revealing I've seen on "Lost" in quite some time. It appears that both Desmond and Locke survived their "encounters" with each other. Now, we will have to see what becomes of that. I'm with those who say that Desmond was sending Locke to a meeting with Jack. Not only will they both connect with the island, Jack will fix Locke's back.

As I noted in another post, in Genesis, Joseph the son of Jacob is thrown into a well. I have since noticed that there are references to Jacob's well, even in the New Testament. Is it possible that Desmond will be a "son" of Jacob, rescued from the well, and used to deliver everyone else, as happened in the biblical story?

To those of you who have already read what I said earlier, I'm just connecting a little more.

Oh, and to the one who mentioned compiling a list of the ten funniest moments, I'm grotesque enough that I nominate the following:

#1 - Arzt and the dynamite, with Hurley's follow-up comment. I remember that when it went off, everyone was shocked, but maybe a little relieved that Arzt had finally shut up...hilarious.
#2 - Juliet's husband and the bus. I did not think it was funny when it happened to Nadia, but Juliet's spouse was abusive and controlling, up to his comical last moment.
#3 - Ilana and the dynamite. If it's funny once, why isn't it funny twice? Maybe not...

8. CA Steeler: Desmond will do anything to make sure everyone meets up with their constant...even if it takes running over John Locke so he can see his constant, Jack Shepard.

9. eyolar: Okay, when Locke is on the ground after getting run over, I totally flashed on wow, that reminds me of when Locke is on the ground after the plane crashed originally. Also, it totally reminded me of his panicked, painful breathing after getting thrown out of the window. Now, bear with me, but that is when Jacob showed up and touched Locke, to comfort him as he lay there, very much in the same way that Ben was comforting Locke as he was laying on the ground after Des ran him over. Hmm, that makes 3 near-death experiences for Locke now doesn't it? That's got to be significant in some way.

10. Kathryn -- DC: At the very beginning of the episode, when Hurley is talking with his mother outside of the hotel, I think he made a reference to "The Human Fund." That is a fictional foundation from Seinfeld.

LOST S6: E12- 'Everybody Loves Hugo'

2010-04-14T09:00:00.003-06:00

I couldn't tell fact from fiction,
Or if the dream was true
My only sure prediction
In this world was you.
I'd touch your features inchly.
Beard love and dared the cost,
The sented spiel reeled me unreal
And I found my senses LOST.
-Maya Angelou

Wow, so, Ilana got blown right up there. Just wanted to get that out of the way. Provocative musings by Ben, wondering what the island would do when it was done with all of them.

Hurley & Libby: Aaaah, so once again its a loooove connection that brings it all back. Libby and Hurley are then new Demi and Ashton. Nice how their conversation paralleled their island conversation on the cliff just before she was killed. I chuckled a little after she kissed him and he was like, "I think I'm remembering stuff." I was waiting for him to say, "Maybe if you kiss me some more..." Yeah, yeah, nice line buddy ;) (Also, this knocks Libby out of the runnings for potential Mother of Jack's son, so I'm thinking its Juliet).

Hurley & the Spirits: So the whispers are officially souls that are stuck on the island and can't move on. Is it like poltergeists or like purgatory? I should probably stop speculating into too much detail because I am guessing we won't get this answer, and the details probably don't really matter to the plot, but I can't help wondering what is the criteria for a soul getting trapped? Because they didn't get closure about something in life? Because they can't forgive themselves for their actions? Because someone alive is still holding on to them? Again, its probably unimportant and I can't be nit-picky, but it did leave me curious. Interesting to have Michael, the murderer of Libby, playing Hurley's Spirit Guide this week. Nice of him to apologize, I suppose. I do really think it IS Michael, too. Smokey used to be able morph into different people, but Ilana said early in the season that he had made his choice and I really do believe that at this point, other than still being able to be Smokey, he is stuck as Locke. Therefore, I do believe that every time Hurley speaks with a spirit it really is that person. Does that mean he should always listen to them though? Not necessarily. I mean, now all of the original Oceanic 815 people (who are still alive) are with LockeNess. (Except for Jin, of course- can't poor Sun and Jin catch a break?!)

Theories I Am Clinging To: 1- Jack seeming like the obvious choice for Candidate. I have talked about this before, but it came into play again this week with his conversation with Hurley. Jack is learning that he can't be in control all of the time and learning to let others lead sometimes: "this is me trusting you." 2- Last week with Charlie I talked about how it seemed that perhaps those who were no longer living in the island timeline were closer to their memories. I think that held this week with Libby.

The LockeNess Monster: He told Kate, "You were only able to get on this island because you did it together; if we're going to get off it has to happen the same way." I wonder how true that statement is, and if true, what all 'the same way' entails. The return of the phantom child who keeps haunting/taunting LockeNess. It still seems the most likely that it is somehow a young Jacob, but we await an explanation. He seems to really freak ol' Smokey out (he way Sayid keeps freaking me out with his dead, shark eyes). Another thing that seems to freak him out is Desmond's lack of fear. "What is the point of being afraid?" If Smokey IS a stereotypical mythological villain, then fear is probably his greatest weapon because he can control people that way. You can't manipulate someone who has no fear at all. Unless you create something to make them afraid, I suppose. I didn't even flinch when he toppled Desmond into the well. It was all too obviously coming, and I refuse to believe that Desmond is going out that way, so I'm not bothered by it. Ilana was one thing, because we didn't really know her, but Desmond is too important.

The Conversation at the Well: So the well is really old, and its not the only one, and it was dug by people who wanted to find answers (about the island, the meaning of life, the universe...?) According to Smokey, Widmore is not one of these people and only wants power, not answers. From what we know of Widmore's past and the way he has acted thus far on the island (collecting Jin for his knowledge of the Dharma maps and being, for all we can tell, ignorant of the Candidates situation), I think this is probably true. Does it have to be one way or the other though? If he craves power, can't he also crave answers? He DOES seem to know that Smokey is evil and not to be released from the island. I don't trust him any more than I trust Smokey though.

Flash-Sideways Desmond: I enjoy seeing him play the sweet little guardian angel, pushing people in the right direction. He is so confident and I wish I knew what he knows. I'm torn about his reasons for hit-and-running John: 1- He knows that the way to connect John with his island memories is to get him to Jack and give him a walking miracle, 2- he truly did want to kill him in the hopes or knowledge that it would weaken him as the host/vessel of Smokey.

Favorite Hurley Lines: 'Give me a bucket. Family size' ... 'He's one of the people who come back and yell at me after they die' ... 'Clearly she's good enough for like, a fajita field trip.' Also, him teasing Libby about this 'bizarro universe' she is remembering- gotta love it when the characters call it like it is. I can appreciate writers who can make light of themselves.

Anyone notice how in the preview for next week they were playing the eerie, crazy song from tunnel scene in the 1971 Willy Wonka movie? Creepers.

Also, check out this sweet promo I found, haha!

The Amelia Peabody Mysteries

2010-04-13T08:00:00.000-06:00

The Amelia Peabody Mysteries, by Elizabeth Peters, is my very favorite book series of all time. I know that is quite a statement to make, particularly when there are such rivals out there like Harry Potter, but I just love them. I, along with the majority of my family, have been reading them and following the series and the author for years. I probably started reading them when I was fourteen or so and at that point there were probably eight books in the series and Ms. Peters was very good for a while at getting a new book out every Spring adding up to a total of eighteen books in the series. Until today. It has been four years and I had been very afraid that the eighteenth book would be the last as Ms. Peters isn't exactly a spring chicken these days, she has other series that she is working on as well, and the last one wasn't any kind of cliff-hanger and very well could have been left as the conclusion.

If you aren't familiar with the series, they are about British Archaeologists working in Egypt around the turn of the century. Might sound boring and historical described like that, but every Season they go out they get caught up in some exciting mystery. These books have a little of everything in them. They are murder and intrigue, romance and adventure, lovingly sculpted characters and they are hilarious to boot. Also, Ms. Peters has a PhD in Egyptology from the University of Chicago, so with all of the historical information about the locations at the time and the dates of certain discoveries, she knows what she is talking about. I was a History major, so maybe that part of it appeals to me particularly, but they really are wonderful all around.

I guess there is one more thing that I should sheepishly mention... they are the product of my biggest book crush ever. And I read a lot of books. Ramses is the name and it has really almost become a joke in my family now, "I wish you would find your Ramses"... "Have you met Ramses yet?"... What's taking Ramses so long?"... "Ramses has ruined you for real men..." Alright, so maybe nobody in my family has actually said that last one to me, but I know they are thinking it. (And it's only somewhat true- Westley from The Princess Bride is partly to blame ;) As Ramses is described in the book at one point:

He pretends to despise the gentleman's code of his class, but he is everything they claim to be and seldom are- gentle and strong and brave and honorable.

I'm not much of a swooner, but if anyone could get me to it's Ramses.

The new book, Amelia Peabody Mystery No. Nineteen, is called- A River in the Sky. It is a prequel- not of the whole series, but it comes sort of in the middle, and it is classic Amelia and I smiled through every moment of it. In my thinking, nineteen is an awfully awkward number and she might as well round out the series into a nice even twenty at this point, right? Here's hoping.

LOST S6: E11- 'Happily Ever After'

2010-04-07T08:00:00.040-06:00

Now, little boy LOST, he takes himself so seriously
He brags of his misery, he likes to live dangerously
And when bringing her name up
He speaks of a farewell kiss to me
He's sure got a lotta gall to be so useless and all
Muttering small talk at the wall while I'm in the hall
How can I explain?
Oh, it's so hard to get on
And these visions of Johanna, they kept me up past the dawn.

-Bob Dylan

Desmond loves Penny...

Charlie loves Claire...

Daniel loves Charlotte...

Love makes them remember... love conquers all! Be still my beating heart during the cat scan Penny flashes! Also Penny's giddy laugh and Desmond's joyful strut as they parted ways at the stands. Does this whole show boil down to soul mates?! I can dig it.

I had fun with the opening island scenes of this episode. It felt all Island of Doctor Moreau-ish. At first it seemed like the Jurassic Park compound and I was sure we would hear raptor screeching, then when they turned on the generator too soon and the dude was still touching it, I wanted it to morph him and give him a crab hand or make him like Jeff Goldblum in The Fly or something, but sadly they played it safe with the old 'fried to death' bit.

Des has always been the wild card and could travel back and forth to the different times in his mind. Widmore knows this about him. Is Widmore aware of the alternate timeline and knows that Desmond is the only one who can connect the two realities? Was electromagnetism the only way to connect him to the other world? In the end Des seemed to understand his purpose, or at least felt good about knowing he had a purpose, but Widmore referred to it as a great sacrifice. What does it entail?

The first few Flash-Sideways sequences we saw seemed to be really positive alternatives and giving people closure. Then we had a couple that were sort of ambiguous and made me question that, like Sayid's and Sun/Jin's. This week is the first time I really viewed the Sideways scenario to be sort of trickery or a facade. Is an ominous Someone trying to keep them happy in this fake world and trying to give them what they want to keep them form their higher callings? It made me think of the scene in Labyrinth when Sarah is sort of drugged to forget her purpose so that her time to succeed will run out, but then she sees some familiar things and remembers. Desmond taking Penny's hand was sort of his, "you have no power over me" moment where he knew who he was and what was needed of him. Apparently in both realities. Not sure why he was so cool going with Sayid in the end, but maybe we is just so zen in his purpose and in the euphoria of Penny that he knows he will be able to accomplish his mission no matter what? He wants the flight manifest because he needs to 'show them something.' What is the plan, Des?

The title of this episode was Happily Ever After, which could just be a sweet reference to the love story that is Desmond and Penny, but I think it is meant to be taken a little more, ironically or sarcastically. The Flash-Sideways seems to represent this facade of happily ever after, but it can't last because there is no such thing as that. Not in a cynical way, just in a realistic way. No 'happily ever after' doesn't mean no happy in your life, it just means there are responsibilities and sacrifices to think of. Also, however much you (whoever the you or what is in this situation) try to give people new memories to keep them... distracted, so to speak, you apparently can't actually rid them of their strong emotions. Reality is their true Happily Ever After and they need to get back to it.

The Flash-Sideways is our Losties Matrix Eloise Hawking Widmore, what do you know, woman? "What happened, happened," - nice touch. She was always a bit of a Seer- does she understand the discrepancies in the Flash reality but prefers to stay in it because she gets to keep her son in this version of her life, like the betrayer in the first Matrix who wanted to forget? What is interesting though, is that with this new perspective of the Flashes I am thinking back on what has been taken from these people to make them start seeing the truth. For Des, Charlie and Dan its their ladies, for Sun/Jin it is their child who they may have lost when Sun was shot... but for others they were given something- A son for Jack, a shot at raising Aaron for Claire... they might be harder to convince. Desmond is the new Jack, trying to get everyone 'back to the island' in a way. Though this episode was the most blatant, Des and Charlie and Daniel aren't the only ones remembering, so maybe it won't be hard to convince the others of the truth, it just might be hard to get them to make the right decision in choosing their real life. There were scenes/moments with some of the others, most specifically Jack, where they seemed to have deja vu or were trying to makes sense of a memory.

Charlie was also, of course, the perfect person to help guide Desmond because of their friendship in the other reality which manifested it in the 'Not Penny's Boat' scene. Charlie looked outside of himself- did he remember the island and Desmond when he almost died before and did the hand thing to jog Desmond's memory? Maybe Charlie is just sort of a talisman since he is dead in the other reality. Maybe its because he is dead in the other reality that he is so much closer to his memories than the others. The way Juliet slipped into it just before she died and the way Sun was affected when she passed out.

Nice touches & parallels with the Flash-Sideways: Running into Claire and predicting a boy, Having the scene in Widmore's office where they drink together and Widmore tells him nothing is too good for him when in a previous situation in his office he won't offer him a drink because he isn't good enough, having George be the driver in this episode since he was in the pivotal Constant episode, the nutty guy who died on the freighter, I believe of a brain aneurysm for his lack of a Constant.

Great lines of the night:

Daniel- "What if this wasn't supposed to be our life?" ... "I don't want to set off a nuclear bomb... I think I already did."

Charlie- "Spectacular, consciousness-altering love," nice description, and "then why are you accosting a man in a dressing gown."

Penny- "I shook your hand and then you fainted; I must have quite an affect on you," and the classic, "have we met before...?"

LOST Peeps

2010-03-31T10:07:00.004-06:00

I actually can't stand the Easter candy Peeps, but this is hilarious:

Click HERE to see the other competitors in the Washington Post's fourth annual "Peeps Show" (te he). Some of them are extremely creative and impressive. Still Peeps though. Bleck.

LOST S6: E10- 'The Package'

2010-03-31T07:30:00.003-06:00

When a man has LOST all happiness, he's not alive. Call him a breathing corpse.

-Sophocles

Paik and Kwon, not married. Yowza. They certainly gave us a tricky interpretation of the truth in the season premiere. But he is still working for her dad, who is a jerk in any reality, and it now appears the entire situation was set up to get rid of Jin for getting romantically involved with Sun. A less than warm welcome back to Mikhail, aka 'Patchy,' (now patchless and fluent in many languages). When Jin was tied up that creeper Keamy said to him, seemingly sincere, "some people just aren't meant to be together." I will be very sad if this is foreshadowing. Sun shot in the crossfire- did their unborn child survive? Gaaaahh! If there had been a little more time, I was half expecting a Flash-Sideways scene at the end where they are at the hospital and Jack saying something like, 'I'm going to do everything I can to help you, but I need you to trust me,' to parallel the conversation he had with sun on the beach. I always liked the Jack and Sun friendship- respectful with no presumptions or expectations, just easy and honest. (Side note, I hate Sun's hair in the Flash-Sideways!!)

Island Sun! Good girl for running from LockeNess even though you really want your Jin back! She has been so bitter that I was worried about her making a stupid decision. So he was chasing her just so he could chat some more? Because he apparently can't take them against their will. Can understand English but can't speak it. Jack said it might be Aphasia, but I think maybe it is the two realities colliding. It happened when she had an unconscious occurrence like when Juliet seemed to slip into her other self before she died.

Drug darted by the Tina, er, the Zoe chick (who is apparently a geophysicist (Widmore likes his specialists- Charlotte, Daniel...). They aren't there to rescue them, they just want Jin to explain to them the Dharma grid maps with pockets of electromagnetism, which makes me think that Widmore may not understand the whole 'Candidates' situation. Also interesting that LockeNess is not all-knowing and they could just swipe Jin out from under him. Also, other than making threats and leaving a spy, he didn't do much. So far he's been kind of on top of the situation, but with losing Pretty Eyes last week and Jin this week, I see that he will have to work for it and the odds may be more even than they have seemed. The Package is Desmond! Good to see you Brutha. Sorry you are all drugged up and apparently there against your will. What is that wily Widmore planning? Will Sun be surprised to see him or was she aware of his coming based on the hints of them working together from their off-island conversation a season ago?

That was a surprisingly sane conversation Clairseau had with LockeNess, up until the part when he pretty much told her she's allowed to murder Kate once she assists to gather the other still viable Candidates to leave the island with him. Even after that though, she didn't make a wicked face like, 'yes, I get to kill Kate,' she made more of a confused, 'do I still even want to kill Kate?' face. (Also, unless he was lying to keep his promise to Claire, Kate is officially NOT a Candidate- and yet... he is basing that on the cave and not the Lighthouse where there was distinctly an un-crossed-out 'Austen.' They wouldn't have showed us that for nothing. When Jack and Hurley got to the Lighthouse they wondered why they hadn't seen it before and said something about you see it when it wants you to (or when Jacob wants you to?) So, does Man in Black not know of it? I'm not convinced Kate is really off the list yet). I do think Claire is Claimed like Sayid, but I think that perhaps her maternal affection and hope for Aaron has kept her from going completely over like him, despite all the time they have been separated. Though it was a Kwon-Centric episode, my quote at the top this week was for Sayid. Even in the Sideways his eyes looked dead. He doesn't feel anything and it will help him get through what's coming. What's coming?! War, apparently. If LockeNess gets off the island we would all just 'simply cease to be." Dun dun duh...

Because the Flash-Sideways scenarios have been sort of closure/happy endings until now, a lot of people have theorized that this reality is how the Losties lives would have gone if Jacob had never touched them and so he therefore must be more wicked than he seemed. I never thought much of that, partly based on the fact that Sayid and Hurley were touched just before the Ajira flight and not before the Oceanic flight, yet their lives were different already, but now I should think that theory is for sure out. Even if Sun and Jin's baby can be saved, they are still in a foreign country with no money, a language barrier, and dead bodies to be explained. This then makes me think that maybe as opposed to the two worlds literally becoming one at some point, the Losties will maybe have to/get to make a choice of which they want. Despite all they have been through, I think Sun and Jin would choose the island timeline.

I think the key to all if it is Hope. Hope is tied to faith and love and all of these other themes, but with the scenario of the island being a corked bottle to avoid evil pouring into the world, it reminds me of the story of Pandora's Box where Hope is the greatest weapon to defeat the evil, or, despair in the world. As with the story of Pandora, Hope has the potential to be just as dangerous on its own as any of the worlds evils, but all together, Hope balances the other evils out. The individuals that Jacob has chosen are survivors- after all they have been through they are still fighting, not only for themselves but for each other, their children and the future. You can't be a survivor without a large capacity for, and ability to, Hope.

'Love Never Dies' (But Should it Have?)

2010-03-26T10:00:00.001-06:00

So even if you have never heard the music, seen the play or seen the movie of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical, The Phantom of the Opera, you have to have at least heard of it. It first came out in London's West End in 1986, and has become a timeless classic. It is very sentimental for me as I grew up listening to the music and it is one of the first live productions I ever went to and the music is just so moving and incredible and the story so mysterious and bittersweet.

Exactly one year ago I was on a Delta flight reading their Spirit Magazine and read an article that Andrew Lloyd Webber had written a sequel to Phantom and it would be debuting in the next year. What?! First of all, creating a sequel to a stage musical has never been done before. There is talk of making a movie sequel to the movie Hairspray which was an adaptation of a stage musical, but that is different. Not only is it a gutsy move because it hasn't been done before, but its disturbing something iconic. One of the things that I adore about Phantom is that it ends somewhat ambiguously. It is so poignant and mystifying and it lingers with you. I liked musing about them and leaving it in that quiet place of wonder. (It's true that I just posted about the creativity of Stephen Sondheim in writing stories that look at what happens after happily-ever-after, but that isn't for all shows).

The Music: For those of you that don't know, Andrew Lloyd Webber only writes the score and not the lyrics for his music. The brilliant Charles Hart (and somewhat by Richard Stilgoe) wrote the lyrics to the songs for the original Phantom and they are so clever and romantic and poetic. The lyrics for Love Never Dies were written by Glenn Slater. It's not that they are bad lyrics, but they definitely lack the whimsy and the soulfulness of the original. And as we learned from the movie Music & Lyrics:

A melody is like seeing someone for the first time. The physical attraction. But then, as you get to know the person, that's the lyrics. Their story. Who they are underneath. It's the combination of the two that makes it magical.

Lyrics aside, I have to admit that some of the melodies are completely captivating and beautiful and definitely reminiscent of the soaring original score. The cast is fantastic and I definitely have some of the songs still ringing in my ears. As with any new musical the more time you give and familiarity you gain with the music, the more you can enjoy it, and this show is still new to me and I am working on forgiving it for daring to infringe on the original that I know and love so well.

The Story: The show is very much like Les Miserables in the sense that almost everything is in song and not much is regular talking, so you can piece together the entire plot by listening to the CD. I admit that when first started listening to it I was already feeling resentful that they had the effrontery to even attempt this, and I had myself braced to despise it. I won't give away any of the plot, but I will say that they were definitely creative in the storyline. At first I was a little irritated with some character personality changes and situations that I felt contradicted what we took from Phantom, but as I reflect they didn't actually do anything that changes what happened in the first, it just gives us a different perspective. Like Wicked with The Wizard of Oz. It doesn't change the story that we all know, it just provides a different point of view. There are some lovely role reversals that parallel the original and it retains the darkness and the bittersweet feeling that I love about Phantom. I even think that the ending was completely fitting. I'm just still not sure that we needed a new ending.

So all in all... I am torn. Part of me really appreciates the inventive plot and the beautiful music and the daring it took to even attempt a stage sequel, but part of me feels like its a betrayal and I just want to blast the Phantom CD and pretend this new one never happened. Maybe it will grow on me more, as music tends to do with time. I just feel like it kills some of the magic by even existing. If I wasn't so fiercely attached to the original that I have been listening to since I was four and know backwards and forwards, I think its possible that I would really like this new one, but I would never love it, either way. I'll let you judge for yourself. I would however, definitely suggest you avoid it if you haven't heard/seen the original. Phantom must come first.

An Ode to Stephen Sondheim

2010-03-25T11:00:00.001-06:00

So Stephen Sondheim turned 80 this week. Who is Stephen Sondheim, you may ask? Only a lyrical genius. Even if you don't know the name, you are sure to have heard of at least one or two of the stage musicals he was either the mastermind behind or at least the lyricist for:

West Side Story

Gypsy

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

Anyone Can Whistle

Company

Follies

A Little Night Music

Pacific Overtures

Sweeney Todd

Sunday in the Park with George

Into the Woods

Assassins

Now these aren't all of the shows he has been involved in, just the most well known. Now I love musicals of every shape and size, but the genius of Sondheim is the depth and the oddity and that he chooses themes that you wouldn't normally think of for a stage musical. He is the Tim Burton of the theatre world, in my opinion, which makes it all the more fitting that it was Burton himself who directed Sweeney Todd for the big screen. Not that all of his shows are as over the top as crazy as Burton movies can be, he is just so unique and he has a way of finding the good and bad in a situation and in an individual, showing that the world is not just black and white.

For instance:

Sweeney Todd- Sondheim wanted to see if it was possible to truly shock an audience with horror in a live production. The character of Todd is completely violent and insane, and though he has his reasons it is no excuse for the horrors he commits... and yet, you feel for him. Later there were other plays of murder and mayhem, (Phantom of the Opera, Little Shop of Horrors...) but Todd was the first.

Into the Woods- the first half of the show combines well known fairy tales, with the endings we know (Jack & the Beanstalk, Rapunzel, Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood...) Then in the second half it shows what happens after happily-ever-after and its not all a 'fairy tale.' Many tales, particularly stage musicals, end with the into-the-sunset moment but Sondheim wanted to explore what happens beyond that. Not in a, theres-no-such-thing-as-happily-ever-after kind of way, just in a 'happily ever after' might not be what you expect. Life isn't all a dream and people make mistakes but you do your best to find a way to be happy even when things don't go as planned.

Assassins- This is a show that is literally about assassins. More specifically, about the people who either attempted or were successful in assassinating presidents of the United States over the years. Now who would sit down and think that this would make a good idea for a stage musical? Only Sondheim. It is told by a narrator who moves us across the different stories. The most beautiful song in the show is a duet called 'Unworthy of Your Love' sung by two characters, not to each other, but for their respective love interests. One is John Hinckley who was obsessed with the actress Jodie Foster and attempted to kill Ronald Reagan to gain her attention, and in his twisted mind, her affection. The second is Lynette 'Squeaky' Fromme who was one of Charles Mason's women and attempted to kill Gerald Ford. They are completely off their rockers, yet Sondheim finds a way to show that, at least from their perspective, their actions were for love.

Okay, so I just described the darkest of the Sondheim shows to show his bravery and creativity, but not all of the shows are so elaborate or so morbid, though even the ones that are slightly more traditional romantic musical stories (Anyone Can Whistle, A Little Night Music...) have a certain bittersweet quality to them. Also, many of his shows are very funny. For all of the broken fairy tale stories of Into the Woods, there is just as much humor. Just listen to the duet of the two Prince Charming's called 'Agony.' Sondheim just has a way of breaking through the sentimental fluff that the musical can often fall victim too, and explores the deeper layers of the human soul. It's amazing what he has been able to portray from the confines of a stage. He leaves you not only humming the tunes, but also contemplating humanity.

If they ever made a musical of LOST, Sondheim would be the man for the job ;)

So here's to you on your 80th year, Mr. Sondheim. What a life. What a melody.

Another 'Glee' Sneak Peek!

2010-03-24T13:24:00.003-06:00

Here is another new Glee promo! I just can't resist. Lea Michelle sounding fabulous as usual singing Like a Prayer from their upcoming Madonna-themes episode where they will apparently be singing a total of ten Madge songs. Yay. A lot.

LOST S6: E9- 'Ab Aeterno'

2010-03-24T09:12:00.002-06:00

I hold it true, whate'er befall;
I feel it, when I sorrow most;

'Tis better to have loved and LOST

Than never to have loved at all.

-Alfred, Lord Tennyson

the title of this episode, Ab Aeterno, is a Latin phrase meaning (Thank you Wiki):

Literally, 'from the everlasting' or 'from eternity'. Thus, 'from time immemorial', 'since the beginning of time' or 'from an infinitely remote time in the past'. In theology, often indicates something, such as the universe, that was created outside of time.

Is this referring to Pretty Eyes and his immortal state or to the further knowledge we gained of how epic and timeless the island mythology is becoming? Either way, its fitting.

Wow, so, Richard. He was looking very Last of the Mohicans when we first saw his racing through the Canary Islands on horseback in 1867. Also, though I think most of us were 98% sure already, it was nice to get it officially verified that he did in fact come to the island via the Black Rock ship. Also a nice little touch to know how the Tawaret statue was broken. Interesting that his immortality is because he requested it. also interesting that his reasons were because it would be better to live forever than to go to Hell for his sins since he Jacob couldn't give Isabella back or absolve him of his sins. It was a very touching moment when Isabella, via Hurley, revived Richard's faith in not only making him understand that those we love are always with us, but also making Jacob's prophesy to Ilana true in making him the one who knows what they have to do. they have to keep MIB (Man in Black) from leaving the island or they will all be in Hell. What?! I think they are being lose with all of the tossing around of the term 'Hell.' I don't think in this case they mean literally Hell, just that if MIB is lose it will be like Hell. I literally caught my breath for a moment when they cut to the LockeNess Monster watching them. Oooh, shivers. Was he on his way to get Richard but Isabella/Hurley intervened in time? Now he knows that they will be trying to stop him, so he will be getting desperate and probably more violent if needs be.

Is the island really some kind of Hell and they are dead? No, I don't think that at all. All of this Devil and Hell talk is really just MIB's perspective. To him its Hell because he is trapped and Jacob is the Devil because he opposes him. (And also perhaps a little shout out from the writers to the audience because one of the very first prominent theories was that the island was Purgatory but the writers always denied it) MIB told Richard, 'The Devil betrayed me. He took my body. My humanity.' To be betrayed suggests to me that there had to be trust or friendship there at one point. If a random person is sent to guard you, you don't feel betrayed by them. Are they related or were they friends or is he simply referring to perhaps a trick Jacob played on him to keep him there?

When Richard was having the conversation with Jacob and asking for his wife back and then for his sins to be absolved I kept thinking of Genie in Aladdin, "I can't bring people back from the dead. It's not a pretty picture, I don't like doing it!" Of course, other than the Disney version, genies, or djinns, are often viewed in a negative light, contained because they abused their free will, so in this scenario perhaps its MIB who is the genie. I also liked how he said, referring to his home in the statue, 'No one comes in unless I invite them in.' Not only did it make me think of the scripture Matthew 7:7, but it also solidified the reasoning that Jacob knew what was coming and allowed himself to be killed.

This episode definitely brought out some more of the Christian parallels of MIB as a Devil and Jacob as a good God. MIB, not caring who he has to manipulate or murder to achieve his selfish ends, and Jacob, forever having faith that mankind is innately good and wanting them to understand their worth for themselves without his intervening. Even his talking in analogies- the wine bottle explanation was fantastic. I also really like Jacob's Tough Love approach- showing that he can get frustrated like anyone else and practically drowning Richard to make his point. Jacob's explanation of MIB being trapped to prevent his 'darkness' from spreading into the world also brought me back to a Greek example that I touched on a few weeks ago- the ancient war with the Gods where Zeus cast his wicked, Titan father Kronos into the demon prison Tartarus. It's a place in the Underworld even lower than Hades. That could justify the fact that they really are sort of in 'Hell,' though they are still alive as they weren't sent there for sinning and then dying, but as guardians. Also, Titans are often depicted as monster forms as opposed to human- Smokey?

I think that a lot of people are really wanting to know specifically who and what Jacob and MIB are. Christian figures? Egyptian? Greek? Islamic? I don't think that necessarily matters. Mythology of every kind runs into each other to a degree because the themes of 'good vs evil' and 'for the greater good' and 'fate/destiny' are universal. We respond to what is familiar to us. It is their own LOST mythology that parallels stories we know so that we understand, but doesn't have to actually BE one of the stories that we know. As much as we have been frustrated with wanting answers, let's be honest- if Season 1 and 2 had thrown all of the information at us that we are now getting, would he get it? We are just like Jack and the other Losties and have had to go through this long journey for all of this final, important information to mean something.

Beware 'Snake Lake'

2010-03-22T14:41:00.003-06:00

Ever seen one of SyFy's original movies with the ridiculous plots and graphics? Well here is a parody of one, called Snake Lake. Ha! It pretty much hits the nail on the head. Why do I love a good over-the-top gorefest so? Why am I so morbid?

LOST S6: E8- 'Recon'

2010-03-17T08:00:00.001-06:00

Just because I'm losing doesn't mean I'm LOST;

Doesn't mean I'll stop, doesn't mean I will cross.

Just because I'm hurting, doesn't mean I'm hurt;

Doesn't mean I didn't get what I deserve.

No better and no worse, I just got LOST.

-Coldplay

Flash-Sideways: Sawyer's a cop and his partner is Miles? Sweet. When Miles jokingly asked Sawyer if he wants to die alone, other than the appreciation of the wording since "live together, die alone" has been prominent in LOST, I was screaming in my head, 'of course he doesn't! He just hasn't met Juliet in this reality yet!!' Charlotte, you hussy! You look lovely though, and I can hardly blame you, it's Sawyer after all. Welcome back. I found her character more likable in this episode than I ever did on the island. Maybe she just isn't great under pressure or maybe its because as adorable as Daniel was I always thought she and him didn't make sense. She also had my favorite line of the night: "Yes. I'm exactly like Indiana Jones." Saucy.

It was interesting what he told Charlotte about coming at a crossroads in his life and choosing to become a cop over becoming a criminal. Is there some big choice like that in all of our Losties Flash-Sideways realities that made their life go a different direction? (Sayid pushing Nadia towards her brother, Jack ending up having a son...) I think the sense of closure in this Flash was not finding his namesake so that he could kill him, but rather finally opening up to someone (Miles) about the whole thing. Finally allowing himself to rely on someone and not be alone. Trusting and getting close to others is something that Sawyer has struggled with the entire series. Other details of the Flash- Charlie's brother looking for him at the police station, watching Little House on the Prairie. using 'LeFluer' as the code word for the cops to come in at the beginning (the name he was going by with Dharma in the 70s).

The LockeNess Monster: Though he twists his phrasing and manipulates the truth, he doesn't seem to straight out lie. Can he literally not tell a straight out lie the way he can't straight out kill the Losties? After he stopped Claire from killing Kate and had words with her at the fire my thoughts were that he probably whispered to her something along the lines of, 'not yet,' because when he first sent her into the Temple he made her some promise and my best guess is still that the promise was she is the one who gets to kill Kate. I was really almost finding him charming and calming until his conversation with Kate on the beach: He is not a dead man. Crazy mother. Growing pains. Problems that could have been avoided... just like what is now happening with Claire. Oh, and there it is. LockeNess, trying to convince Kate that Aaron should not be raised by Claire. Charm gone. As crazy as Clairseau is acting, I've still got in the back of my mind what was drilled into us so fiercely at the beginning of the series: Aaron should be raised by Claire. Kate's no dummy.

To Be Claimed: This episode had me revisiting the question of exactly what it means to be Claimed. I don't mean the mechanics of it, like do you have to die first, but the outcome. I had been presuming that being Claimed somehow put an evilness in you or brought out the evil that was already inside you, but after this episode I feel like it more, how to put it... muddles a person's thought process and moral compass. Clairseau seemed truly wicked when she oddly held Kate's hand for a moment and gave her a look of death and it was no big surprise when the attack came. After, though, when she sobbed and hugged Kate, she really did seem sincere. Did letting out some of that rage allow Claire to find some, I suppose the perfect word would be, clarity? Not that I think Kate is in the clear now, as I still feel that Clairity could become Clairseau again at any moment, but it does bring me back to my ramblings of a few weeks ago and whether her Mother's Love for Aaron is enough to break through the spell she is under. Sayid was equally bewildering. Just before the attack, the way he said, 'Kate' when she sat down next to him was so robotic like he was trying to register her and what she was to him. When he told her he believed in LockeNess' plan he had a look on his face like he was trying to sort out what was happening, or having some kind of internal struggle and was just giving a default, programmed answer.

Charles Widmore/Hydra Island: Ummm, I admit I'm still a little confused about the pile of bodies, and who is this lady who looks like a poor man's Tina Fey? Seemed odd, somehow, that Sawyer and Widmore had never met before. They shook on Sawyer's proposition, which Sawyer then revealed to Widmore, but Widmore is no idiot. He isn't really just going to sit there assuming it will play out as Sawyer said. Also, I am trying to recall the conversation, but before Sun came back to the island and was all ice queen without Jin, she approached Widmore and they came to some kind of an understanding because they both wanted the same thing, which was to get back to the island. Could it be that Widmore was tracking Sun somehow and that is how he found the island? Are they in cahoots? Well, those details aside, they are on the same team now, all against Lockeness, and Ben is on that team as well, so it looks as though Charles and Ben will have to find some kind of peace with each other.

Kate/Sawyer: Together again in both realities. I admit, it was nice to see. I don't mean in an I-want-them-to-end-up-together sort of way, I mean in the same way that it was nice to see some of the gang get together on the beach at the end of last week's episode. Sawyer and Kate have always had a great connection and trust and understanding and I truly believe that they will always have each others back and in the current circumstance they are in, that is kind of a big deal. It was especially nice to see since Kate went through a bit of an emotional wringer this episode. I loved how the entire time Sawyer was playing both sides and then he just sits down with Kate and tells her the truth without blinking an eye. I love their history and their friendship. They are both such survivors. It will be interesting to see how things play out with them in the Sideways world.

Other LOST Thoughts, Not Necessarily About This Episode:

Flash-Sideways': I know in the Flash-Sideways sequences we have seen, all of our characters really are the same personalities with the same strengths and weaknesses, just with different life circumstances. I feel like thus far all of the flash-sideways stories have paralleled the Island characters and given them some redemption or closure for things that they didn't get redemption and closure for in the island reality. (Locke realizing that his life doesn't have to be wasted just because he is a cripple, Jack realizing that he doesn't have to turn into his father, Ben making the right choices regarding Alex and his father...) The only one that threw me off was the Sayid episode a couple of weeks ago since he ends up being a killer in both realities. Then I realized that him becoming a killer maybe IS the closure. In both realities he struggled feeling like he was undeserving and needed to be good because of his terrible past, but in the end even Nadia asking him not to didn't stop him from violence. I thought his closure would be about Nadia, and though it does revolve around her, I think it is really Sayid coming to grips with the fact that this violent person really is who he is. but maybe for him the thing he realizes is that really is who he is, sad as it is to say it.

I am viewing the Flash-Sideways of this season much like the Flash-Backs we had in the first couple of seasons. Starting out focused on individual characters with small cameos by the others, then gradually the stories will become more and more intertwined. This makes more confident that we WILL discover the identity of Jack's baby mama and that it will be someone that we already know. Because of David's blue eyes and the age appropriateness, my best guess right now is that it will either be Juliette or Libby. Juliette would make sense because she is a nurse and there was the flirtation with Jack before he left the island and she fell for Sawyer. (Though I still hope that her dying ramblings about getting coffee and going dutch were a conversation with Sawyer). Libby was a psychologist so they could have crossed paths medically, so she is my second guess. (How fun would Hurley be as a step-dad, haha, we still need some Hurley/Libby closure).

Thoughts on Candidacy: Are they going TOO much with the whole, Jack is the front-runner? I feel like they are very much portraying him as the obvious choice, which makes me automatically suspect that it will turn out to be someone else. Someone like Ben? If last weeks episode can be trusted and Ben really has seen the light, then maybe it really could end up with him in charge, but finally the person Jacob needed him to be. Though we have learned that the numbers are associated with our Losties and they are potential candidates to replace Jacob, I still think its not just about their individual potential. Their lives have been crossing in every reality and I think it has taken all of them, and the right chemistry and all of this experience to get whoever will be the chosen candidate into the person and place they need to be. Also, there is a lot of back and forth about 'Kwon'- it was only written once, so is it Sun or Jin? Seems that Jin is the likeliest since all of the other Candidates are male and Kate is still a bit of a wild card with the 'Austen' on the wheel being associated with an unknown number, 51. Could it be both the Kwon's? It seems that when Jacob went to their wedding he touched them both, so for them could it be a package deal? Or, could it have to do with their child? Though, (and I didn't catch this when I watched, but I read it in a comment someone made) apparently in the premiere when they get to LAX and Sun and Jin are detained, Security referred to them as Mr. Kwon and Ms. Paik, Sun's maiden name. Was this a reminder to us by the writers that Sun was not originally a Kwon? If Jacob has been watching them all from the time they were children then the 'Know' must refer to Jin.

Mom. (Major Cheese Alert)

2010-03-16T00:05:00.001-06:00

Today is my Mother's birthday. Mom is like Joe from Little Women - give her any task to do and she will put her whole heart into it and and will finish it quicker and better than you could have ever hoped for. She is seriously amazing at whatever she decides to do.

A few years ago my Dad had each of us kids write a little something about how much Mom means to us, and here is the super corny sonnet I wrote her. I do not profess any great bardic skills, though in my supreme moments of whimsy I have been known to wax poetic, and the sonnet style is my preferred victim of choice. Feel at liberty to mock away- I can take it ;)

So many things a Mother ought to be:
Supportive, patient, generous and sweet.
Strong roots She forms to grow a healthy tree,
Vast branches to provide a safe retreat.
Through your bright presence, I have witnessed each
Of these great gifts, though you may shake your head.
My place in Heaven would be within reach,
If I could better follow where you’ve led.
So blessed, I feel, to have you in my life;
You are so loving, virtuous and kind.
I know you’re there, through any form of strife;
A truer friend and guide I’ll never find.
With perfect faith that we met up above,
I have no thoughts for you but thoughts of love.

Mom, you really are amazing and I cannot wait for you guys to come home this summer so that we can play, play, play! Love you! Give Hunter (and the Pres, for that matter) a swift kick in the bum for me if they don't appreciate you today! Also, one last thing, in case you aren't embarrassed enough yet- I figure it's still three months until you guys get home, so that is enough time to forgive me. Hey! I posted my cheesy poem, so its you and me both, lady ;) Here are a couple, though sadly not high quality, song recording of Mom playing the lead in South Pacific- this was a community theater show while she was in California before she met my Dad (they were married in November of '79), so I guess this was somewhere in the 1978 to 1979 range ;) Didn't I say she was amazing?

I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Out of My Hair

Honey Bun

Not only did my Mother provide me with an appreciation of music and theater, but also of reading. (We enjoy so many of the same genres and authors and it will be a lot cheaper to book swap when you get home and I don't have to keep mailing things to Africa with the hopes that I will see them again!) Mom loves mysteries and has quite the collection to prove it, and what is a mystery collection without the brilliant Agatha Christie? I remember a lot of the Agatha series' were turned into TV shows and we would watch them all on Masterpiece Theater. Just watching this intro makes me sentimental and happy (images by the hilariously morbid (and appropriately named) artist, Edward Gorey):

So Mom, here's to the memories we've made and the future memories we've yet to make, but mostly here's to you. I really do love you. Happy birthday.

'Eclipse' Trailer

2010-03-12T10:00:00.004-07:00

Here is the trailer for the 3rd movie in the Twilight series, Eclipse. I enjoyed the books, and I haven't hated the movies like a lot of people (maybe because I just liked the books and wasn't obsessed with them). I think the books and the movies have both been entertaining, and though I'm not absolutely dying to see this, I of course will. In this one the part of the villain 'Victoria' is now played by Bryce Dallas Howard. As much as its awkward to see a character you have known as one actor change ('Rachel' in the Dark Knight, anyone?) I think Bryce is so phenomenal and I am excited to see what she does with the part :

Release Date: June 30, 2010

'Tron Legacy' Trailer

2010-03-12T09:00:00.001-07:00

There is finally a full trailer up for the sequel to the 1982 Disney Sci-Fi classic Tron, this one called, Tron Legacy. If you watch the original now, though the idea/story is great, the Graphics look pretty cheesy. I can't wait to see how this new one will looks with what Graphics have become today. From the preview below, 'pretty sweet' is what its looking like:

Release Date: December 17, 2010

LOST S6: E7- 'Dr. Linus'

2010-03-10T08:00:00.000-07:00

All the treasures of the earth cannot bring back one LOST moment.

-French Proverb

Flash-Sideways Ben: Once more we see the redemption process happening in the flash-sideways reality. For Ben it is not only making the right choice for Alex this time around but also possibly caring for his Dad (instead of killing him). It was very interesting to discover that they HAD in fact gone to the island with Dharma but in this reality they didn't stay there. Why? From the way he talked it doesn't seem that they are aware that the island is now under water as we saw in the premiere. (PS, I was really bummed we didn't get to see Mama Rousseau. poor thing, working two jobs and all).

Island Ben: "Right up until the knife went through his heart he was hoping he was wrong about you." Ooh, harsh words to hear from Miles via Jacob's ashes. Doesn't mean Jacob didn't know he needed to die though, just means he still held out hope that Ben was a better man than that. Beautiful acting and wonderful scene with Ben and Ilana. For all of the slippery lies and manipulation that have come out of that man's mouth, I really did believe his sincerity. That doesn't mean he is going to stay sincere and trustworthy throughout the remainder of the season, but I think it must mean something that at his emotional rock bottom he picked the right team. I think that shows that he truly does care for the island and still has faith in what he grew up knowing since he chose to stay with Ilana instead of taking the offer of the silver-tongued LockeNess Monster, who likes to propose peoples wildest dreams to get them on his side. Has Ben finally learned that nothing comes that easy? (PS, so LockeNess is headed over to the Hydra Station with his crowd, hmmm)

Richard= Man of Lost Faith: Poor Richard, pulling a Doubting Thomas. Just because you don't know the whole plan doesn't mean that what is happening right now isn't part of the plan. I can understand that you are feeling somewhat betrayed but after all of these years as the right hand of Jacob and all the things you have seen, you decide to lose your faith? Interesting that he cannot kill himself but can be physically killed. It has also been interesting to watch Richard be frazzled this season. The past seasons he has seemed so in-the-know, but now he is seeming like a lost lamb. (Biblical pun intended with the whole lamb thing ;) Also adds more fuel to the fire of the whole Jacob as a Christ/Aslan figure with not telling the whole Plan because choices need to be made and things need to play out and believing without seeing is necessary.

Jack= Man of Found Faith: Jack. Buddy. Thank you for finally starting to comprehend your own worth. Way to believe Fate, or what you will, has a purpose for you. Also, way to keep yourself in the lead as the front-runner Candidate. Having Richard start following you around and blindly following your judgement is a good start to being the new Jacob. All of our Losties who have been 'touched' by Jacob have been given a gift (or a curse?) I'm not ready to jump to the conclusion that the gift necessarily means not aging or immortality just because that seems to be the case for Richard. Maybe the gift is different for everyone. Maybe Jacob's touch instills the possibility of a gift but you have to understand and claim/accept it for yourself before it can have an effect. Like Bastian in the end of The Neverending Story. He had to be taken through this whole long journey of heartache with these characters so that he would know and understand because if he had just been flat out told in the beginning that it was up to him to save this unreal place he wouldn't have believed or cared enough. It had to become his story too.

Ilana: 'Jacob was the closest thing I ever had to a father.' Interesting. How well does she know Jacob? We only had that one flash of her where she is all bandaged up and Jacob comes and asks if he will help her and she agrees. They obviously had a history before that. For how long? Is she very old like Richard? Does she know more than Richard? Jacob obviously trusts her since she is aware of the names and the Candidacy. How is it that no one is wondering if Jacob didn't let himself die as part of his Plan? I mean, Ilana knows about the Candidacy, so what did she think, that Jacob was going to find his replacement and then retire to the Bahamas? Maybe she did know. You could still be hurt and angry about losing someone you love even if you knew it had to be. As the character Penelope says in one of my favorite quirky movies, The Brothers Bloom, "I feel like I want to know more about her."

Charles Widmore: So here comes Widmore in a submarine. Is he good now? Is he who Jacob meant when he told Hurley someone was coming to the island? Since he is coming from off the island, could it be possible that this particular Widmore is of the Flash-Sideways reality? Probably not since the Flash-sideways island is apparently under water and we don't exactly know how these two realities are separated (Space? Time?) If I recall, the last we saw of Widmore he did seem sincerely penitent talking to Desmond because he missed Penny. Also, like Ben, though he can be ruthless and ambitious, I think Charles really does care for the island and wants to protect it. He would be a powerful ally. (Also, I automatically want to trust people named Charles. Maybe because that was the first name of Professor X. Also my Grandpa ;)

As a side note, I have to say it was really nice to see some of the gang getting all back together on the beach at the end! The 'Good Guys' team. I don't know if there is a lot of hope left for Island-Sayid and Island-Claire at this point, but please get Kate, Sawyer and Jin back with you!!

Hurley: "Cheese curds."

"Alice in Wonderland" Movie Review

2010-03-08T15:00:00.004-07:00

So I went to Alice and Wonderland last weekend with my BFF Kirst (Mom, remind me what BFF stands for? I forget. Te he, inside joke ;) As some of you may know from a blog of mine several months ago, I had been looking forward to this movie for a while.

Before I went I had been reading some not-so-friendly reviews, so I had taken my expectations down a notch (Reading reviews can be good or bad. In this case it was good, but in some cases, like for me, with Avatar, it can be bad. I truly did like Avatar, but I didn't believe it to be the masterpiece that all of the hype had me expecting it to be). So with the reviews and just knowing that it would be Tim Burton insanity, I went into it very braced for over-the-top craziness. Other than a couple of silly bits at the end that I could have done without, I liked it. Didn't love it, but really quite liked it.

It was colorful and magical and though at first I questioned the choice of the Alice actress, I adored her by the end. (Mia Wasikowska- genius at accents- I completely thought she was actually Polish because of a movie I saw her in, she is British in Alice, but she is actually Australian. Gotta love those Aussies.) I think her normalcy was a necessary contrast to the other outrageous characters. The show was completely stolen by the fabulous feels-like-they-actually-become-the-character acting styles of Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter though. I always adore the quirky and the whimsical and this story definitely delivered both. It also had some sweet messages and had some moments of nonsense that are at the same time moments of insightful clarity, reminiscent of Big Fish. This is the glory that is Tim Burton- he finds the beauty in the bizarre.

These last few days, in hindsight, I have found myself thinking of very funny lines and beautiful colorful scenes and realized that I like the movie even more than I originally thought. I mentioned that to Kirsten and she has been feeling the same way. There is just so much going on in the movie that I think it is, at times, too overwhelming for its own good, and you miss some of the sweetness and magic and subtle brilliance because it becomes a bit of a blur. I would like to go to it again and I think I would be able to catch more of the witty humor, the clever and thoughtful dialogue and the lovely themes about cultivating the imagination and of having faith in yourself. There is a quote from the Lewis Carol book itself that reflects this a bit-

'Everything has a moral, if only you can find it.'

So, even though it didn't absolutely blow me away the first time I saw it, in my book it is definitely the mark of a good movie that it has me thinking and smiling about the wonder of it all several days later. So, if you like fantasy and fairy tales, quirky out-of-this-world characters, off the wall hilarity, or have ever just wished that you yourself might escape reality and stumble down a rabbit hole into a world of adventure... you will like this movie. I'll go with you.

'Have I gone mad?'

'I'm afraid so. You're entirely bonkers. But I'll tell you a secret: all the best people are.'

LXD @ The Oscars!

2010-03-08T09:33:00.004-07:00

So Adam Shankman, one of the judges of my beloved So You Think You Can Dance, was one of the producers the the Academy Awards that aired last night. for the presentation of the Best Score category in which they always play a clip of each nominee, this year they had a dance medley to go along with the music. The dancers included several SYTYCD alum, (Kathryn and Jakob from last season, Kayla from the season before... also Harry Shum (who plays 'Other Asian' on Glee and has been a longtime member of LXD) was involved in the choreography) It felt a little off to be a part of the swanky, black-tie Oscars, but it was an enjoyable performance to watch, none-the-less. I especially like the choreography for Up. ('LXD' stands for, League of Extraordinary Dancers ;)

lxd @ Yahoo! Video

LOST in a Flash: Top 10 from 'Sundown'

2010-03-05T10:00:00.001-07:00

Whitney Matheson who writes the Pop Candy column on the USA Today has a LOST discussion thread after each new episode and each Friday she posts the ten most intriguing comments. I seriously cannot believe some of the little Easter Eggs people catch. Here are the ones for the 3/5/10 episode, Sundown. (Click the title to link to the article.)

*Check it out, I have been reading this for like the last three years of LOST-watching and this is the first time I ever commented and I made it to the Top 10 comments! Sa-weet!

1. froglegggz: The flash sideways are showing us what happens if they "take the deal" from Flocke/Jacob.Dogens deal w/jacob was that he would take his new job... keepin the temple safe... and he would be rewarded with his son never having died... his sacrifice would be that he was never allowed to see him/leave... So i think it was very clear tonight that we saw Sayid after he took Flocke's deal... Nadia would be alive...and his sacrifice was HE COULD NEVER BE WITH HER!

2. CA Steeler: The hieroglyph tile on the wall in the temple hallway that Ilana pushes to open the secret passage is a Shen ring. The Shen ring is an ancient Egyptian symbol of eternity and protection. In ancient Egypt, the Shen Ring also represents dual concepts of time; the cyclic line of periodicity and lineal time.

3. amypro: Dogen's deal with Jacob to save his son's life was very similar to the deal that Juliet made with Bento save her sister's life. Interesting cause Ben never really spoke to Jacob yet it seems like he was acting on Jacob's behalf.

4. Bryan: Why didn't Jack and Sayid recognize each other at the hospital? They both had played a part in getting Charlie out of the bathroom in sideways 815. Is this supposed to mean something or did this Sayid sideways story happen before the flight?

5. QuarterRoy00: I think the big takeaway from this episode is that Jack's jeep (seen last week) and the van in Nadia's driveway both have the same California license plate(2SAQ321). This can only mean that Nadia and Jack are having an affair.

6. monkeyringleader: With all the Flocke is offering the 815ers, Claire - Aaron, Sayid - Nadia, Sawyer - life elsewhere; it seems to me that the Flash-Sideways Timeline somehow belongs to Flocke. He hates everything that's on the island, and it destroyed seems to be his ultimate goal.And in the FSL, so far, those he's tried to tempt have it a little better, Claire has Aaron and the adoptive parents aren't taking him, Nadia is alvie, Sawyer seems to be OK, and even Kate is in good with Claire and Aaron. What if what Flocke's offering all of them is this other Timeline we're watching? Jacob's Timeline = the one we've watched for five years, MIB's Timeline = The Flash-Sideways Line.

7. zmc: I think the only reason Kate walked out of the temple alive was because Claire made Flocke promise her (right before she walked into the temple) that she would be allowed to kill the person who was raising Aaron.Everyone else in the temple was dead except for Sayid and Claire (and those hidden behind the stone wall, which I am assuming the smoke monster couldn't get through). Sayid and Claire have reached an "agreement" with Flocke and Kate never met Flocke until last night...why should she be spared? I shouldn't think it very hard for the smoke monster to just reach down in that hole and grab her if he really wanted to.

8. Sister Carrie: Dogen would not kill Sayid with poison but tried to get Jack to administer the medicine.

Dogen would not kill the MIB but tried to get Sayid to stab him in the chest.

Dogen had a chance to kill Sayid but a glimpse of the baseball stopped his hand.

Is that part of the bargain: His son only lives if he refuses to take another life? Since he was the cause of his son's death, perhaps the bargain is reversed or invalidated if he chooses to take another life. As long as he lives and lets live (and performs his "new job"), his son lives.

I think that is why Flocke gave Kate the sideways glance when she walked out of the temple.

9. okgirl_ok: Wait, wait, wait.

I'm trying to figure this logic train out.

There's an epic, age-old struggle going on, tied to the island, and perhaps to the world off it as well.
MIB has been "trapped" and wants to leave the island
Jacob, we're not sure exactly what he wants. To protect the island? To save the Losties from some fate? To pis MIB offi? Either way, he can and does leave the island. And brings people to it. And comes and goes freely, until he's killed via some wackadoo loophole.
Now Jacob is dead, and for some reason, MIB isn't trapped anymore and tells people they can leave?

That doesn't make sense, so whatever, but regardless, this all points to one HUGE conclusion we've been leaving out completely:

WHO or WHAT DO MIB and JACOB ANSWER TO?

Because all that drama doesn't just stir itself up on its own for hundreds of years. Somebody else has some rules these boys have been playing by.

So, who's the man behind the curtain?

10. Haylscat: I have been reading this for a couple of seasons now and have never commented before, and I apologize if I am repeating what someone has already said (there are so many comments!) but I loved the depth of so many religious/mythological parallels in this episode. Other than the obvious LockeNess Monster/Jacob = Satan/Christ (especially with this new definition of LockeNess as evil incarnate), there was more Egyptian symbolism that jumped out at me.

When Dogen was explaining to Sayid about the machine that determines if a person is more good or evil, it made me think of the Egyptian 'Weighing of the Heart' in which a deceased person's heart is weighed on a balance against a feather to determine if their deeds in mortal life were good enough to let them move on in the Afterlife.

LOST S6: E6- 'Sundown'

2010-03-03T08:00:00.002-07:00

We are never so defenseless against suffering as when we love, never so forlornly unhappy as when we have LOST our love object or its love.
-Sigmund Freud

Flash-Sideways: Sayid visiting his bro who is married to Nadia because Sayid pushed her that direction because he didn't feel worthy of her. You DO deserve her Sayid, you do! Once again in this scenario there are elements of 1) redemption (for Sayid, working twelve years to be a better man and pay for his past and finally have a deserving shot with Nadia), 2) Seeing character from the island pop up, 'Others' or otherwise (creeper soldier guy who killed Alex. Not surprised that he is still a villainous type in any reality. Also, I suddenly would really love to see Rousseau and Alex show up in a flash-sideways acting as a normal and functional mother and daughter in this timeline) and 3) More connections showing up in the lives of our Losties in this reality. Sayid's brother ending up at Jack's hospital and then finding Jin tied up. (Can we please have a Kwon episode next week!? So that we can find out what happened between Jin being detained by Security at the airport and ending up tied to a chair in a kitchen closet and so we can see a happy reunion for Sun and Jin? Other than the brief unhappiness at LAX in the flash-sideways, we haven't seen Sun and Jin together for like a season and a half!)

The Island: So Dogen, who I lovingly prefer to call the Samurai, tells Sayid that the machine they used on him was sort of a scale to see if there was more good or evil in him. This automatically made me think of the Egyptian weighing of the heart in which a deceased person's heart is weighed on a balance against a feather to determine if their deeds in mortal life were good enough to let them move on in the Afterlife. This is definitely not the first time we have seen an Egyptian (or any religious/mythological) parallel. When the baseball dropped from the table causing Samurai to release Sayid (ummm, oh my awesome fight scene, by the way), was it just chance but jolted his memory of his son or was it Jacob's doing because he wanted Sayid spared? Perhaps, 'Claimed' or not, all our Losties need to be alive for things to come to pass as they are meant to. We know that LockeNess can't kill them, so it seems that he and Jacob both need them alive. Though it may only be Jacob who wants them alive.

What is the importance of the knife given to Sayid to kill LocheNess? Is it a special, sanctified sacrificial blade? Samurai knew that it wouldn't actually kill LockeNess, so what was the point of taking a fancy blade out of a hidden box and presenting it to Sayid in that way?

When LockeNess asked Sayid what if he could have whatever he wanted and Sayid said the only thing he ever wanted died in my arms and my heart broke a little. LockeNess is wily and doesn't really straight out give facts, he always says things like, "what if I told you..." which makes him seem more and more like a parallel of the Devil, particularly since Samurai described him as "evil incarnate." Does that make Jacob Christ (giving his children opportunities to repent and find redemption and letting them make their mistakes and figure it out in their own time instead of just commanding them what to do?) What would that make Richard Alpert, who is the right hand of Jacob and doesn't age? John the Beloved?

I'm getting off track, surprise, surprise. Back to LockeNess and his manipulative phrasing, when he was making his (possibly empty) promises that Sayid could still have the one thing he wants if he sticks with him and leaves the island my thought was, how? If they leave the island with LockeNess will they meld into their flash-sideways existence somehow? It seems like they will have to come together at some point- will they have to choose one life or the other?

The message: Jacob is dead and you are free of the Temple and you can leave the island if you join him. If you do NOT join him, at sundown you die. It is really hard to tell with him what is a bluff and what is truth. Obviously he truly is dangerous and murderous. Did he choose sundown just because he has been trapped so long that he is in a hurry to be free or because with this loophole he discovered in killing Jacob he literally has a small window that he can escape before becoming tied to the island again? Is his hurry a race against Jacob naming a replacement? The front-runner for that position appears to be Jack at this point, if he would only have faith in himself. once again, I see Jacob's method of free will coming into play here. I think he needs his chosen Candidate to freely choose and accept the position and understand what it means.

Interesting that it was Dogen himself that was the protection against LockeNess being able to enter the Temple grounds. He said that Jacob basically offered him this job on the island to save his sons life, though he would never be able see him again. You are right Sayid, Jacob drives a hard bargain, but I don't think it is because he is intentionally being cruel, I think there are simply rules. Also, in Dogen's situation, his son's injury being his own fault, I am thinking the decision to take Jacob's offer was an easy one. there are always consequences for actions. I remember near at the end of last season when we saw Jacob touching our Losties, I had a tinge of bitterness towards him, feeling like he let Nadia get hit by the car to get what he wants. Now, though, I think that fits into the Christ parallel. How often do people blame God for bad things that happen? I now think that he simply knew that Nadia's death was going to happen, but it isn't in his 'Plan' to intervene in things like that.

I guess Samurai verified once and for all that LockeNess has in fact been the one appearing as everyone's loved ones. When he told Sayid he would "appear as someone you know who has died," I thought he would appear as Nadia, but he just appeared as Locke. Ilana did say a couple of weeks ago that he has made his choice and now he is sort of stuck as Locke, so maybe we are seeing that now since we haven't seen him change his form except into Smokey. (Unless, heaven forbid, he is appearing to Hurley as Jacob, but I truly don't think that is the case). The only dead loved one that we have seen that I am not sure has been LockeNess is Christian Shephard because he has appeared so often, to more than just his children, and because I think it is possible that the number we saw representing 'Shephard' in the cave and on the wheel could be referring to Christian, not Jack. Perhaps Jack's number is the 108 that Hurley was supposed to turn the wheell to before Jack busted the mirror. Kate has a number that is different than the numbers we have known all this time, so why not Jack? Even though it is an ensemble show, I have always felt that Jack and Kate have been the MAIN main leads, (and Sawyer to a slightly lesser degree) and so I think it will really come down to them. Not in a romantic way, just in a, they are the key kind of way.

The LockeNess Monster attacks and its Frank and Ilana to the rescue! I honestly had this relieving rush of familiarity and trust when they came bursting in. It was even sort of nice to see Ben acting the part of good-doer rescuer, if even for the brief time that his do-gooder nature will probably last. Creepiest look ever on Sayid's face, to topple the reigning creepy looks we have gotten from LockeNess and Clairseau this season. Ben knows evil when he sees it.

Clairseau and Kate. Clairseau just humming and biding her time in the hole = chilling. I guess by her reaction to Kate's news that she did, in fact, believe Jin last week when he retracted his claim about Kate taking Aaron. While Kate was explaining things to her, I was hoping she would throw in something like, "Aaron is with your mother right now just waiting for you to come back to him." Is it too late to apply to be a dialogue writer for LOST. Sigh, probably. Perhaps this Claimed Clairseau is beyond being saved by the proper phrasing anyway. In my sentimental, raised on fairy tales heart, however, I like to think that any evil can be overcome by a parents love for their child.

So the two sides are officially forming, and whoops, Kate is sort of accidentally with the wrong group because she came back to the island to get Claire and doesn't want to leave her side. Will she come to make a bad decision based on good intentions? How much do good intentions count in LOST? If you have read Dante's Inferno, and I am trying to recall the specifics of this, but there is the story of two wicked brothers. One of them, as he is getting on in years, realizes that he better look out for his afterlife and starts acting the part of a good man, selfishly and insincerely, and still goes to Hell. the other brother, though wicked until his dying day, sheds one repentant tear for the Virgin Mary on his dying breath, and the angels swoop in and save him from the fate of Hell. It is true that actions typically speak louder than words, but how much does the heart count? I think, to Jacob, a lot. If not, people like Sayid Jarrah, James 'Sawyer' Ford and Kate Austen probably wouldn't be Candidates in the first place.

People we didn't see on the island this episode: Jin- I hope you are okay, buddy, and still just hanging out in Clairseau's shack. Jack and Hurley, are you guys still just being mopey at the Lighthouse or what? Sawyer, are you waiting for LockeNess at some rendezvous point?

Side Note: It was a super cool movie type of scene, but what was with the music playing when Sayid, Claire and Kate were walking out of the Temple through the rubble to meet up with LockeNess? There was an undertone of lyrics, but it wasn't discernible.

Best line, Miles, "Sawyer sent you packing, huh?" Best face, Kate, reacting to Miles.

PS, I liked the V commercial about LOST. Well played, ABC, well played.

♪ I've Got a Golden Ticket... ♪

2010-03-02T08:30:00.003-07:00

Well, not at this exact moment I don't, but I could. The Wonka brand candy bar company is holding it's own Golden Ticket contest. I can't say the prizes look nearly as enticing as getting a tour of a secret facility by a hermit eccentric and then potentially inheriting the whole business, but I guess it's still a pretty fun idea. I am not really a big candy person myself, much to the mystification of my friends with vivacious sweet tooths (sweet teeth?), but this new development makes me want to go and buy a candy bar, just to say I participated in the contest. Like my Mom always says about buying lottery tickets, 'if you are meant to win it will only take one." Oh, sorry Mom, if I just outed you for letting Dad by the occasional lottery ticket, but it was a perfect analogy. Of course, I suppose I could have just said, "as we learned from Charlie in the beloved Roald Dahl novel, it only takes one." Oh well. Now I have double analogy power. Happy chocolate buying. Let's try not to be Augustus Gloops now.

LOST in a Flash: Top 10 from 'Lighthouse'

2010-02-26T12:00:00.004-07:00

Whitney Matheson who writes the Pop Candy column on the USA Today has a LOST discussion thread after each new episode and each Friday she posts the ten most intriguing comments. I seriously cannot believe some of the little Easter Eggs people catch. Here are the ones for the 2/23/10 episode, Lighthouse. (Click the title to link to the article.)

1. Sister Carrie: "One thing that will kill you around here is infection," says Claire, the woman with The Infection.

Christian's study has a supply of MacCutcheon Scotch, the favorite of Widmore, Anthony Cooper, and Sawyer!

The Chopin piece on David's desk (Fantaisie-Impromptu in C-Sharp Minor) was the very same piece Daniel was playing as a boy!

David Shephard – really? David the Shepherd Boy who becomes King? (That's even more obvious than Christian Shephard!)

More bunny imagery and "Alice in Wonderland" references (Jack reads to Aaron, Jack reads to David). I'm pretty sure there was a key hidden in a rabbit in a Miles' flashback, too.

All their lives are bleeding into each other, like some sort of collective unconscious!

2. kbx3: Love that the sign Jack read in the conservatory when going to see David play said "Welcome Candidates."

3. justbatey: David's phone number is 734-235-6787

This is the area code for Ann Arbor, MI where Daniel Faraday was sent to work for the Dharma Initiative....

Piano playing seems even more important....

4. mjkoos: Few quick observations at the lighthouse....

When Jack was looking in the mirrors while Hurley was turning it...the first thing he saw was Japanese temples in the mirror (which were the same ones where Sun and Jin were married which is really the Valley of the Temples in Kailua, HI used a lot for wedding photos...)....and the second thing he saw was something that looked like a church steeple but was really the Oxford building that Faraday taught at. (of course, not really Oxford but what the show says Oxford...)

Also...curious that Jack noticed his appendix scar but didn't remember it in the 2004 reality. He had his appendix taken out by Juliet in Season 3(?) or 4 (?). This is the second time he had sort of recognized a physical issue on his body. In this season's premiere when he was in the airplane bathroom, he noticed a shaving nick on his neck but didn't know how it got there.

5. baconpie: I thought we were gonna see who David's mom was. Because the key was under a rabbit statue my guess is: Juliette!

6. messenger123: I think that Libby is David's mother. Why? Libby was a featured character is the Hurley-centric episode titled, "David", in the second season. And ... although we know very little about Libby's character, we know that she attended medical school before changing her career to a psychologist.

7. 6foota: #23 is CHRISTIAN Shephard, not Jack. When Jack went to his mother's home, they made a point to show the address that had '23' and another number that wasn't visible and also when the Looking Glass compass landed on ''23' it was Christian's home...not Jack's (officially). I believe Jack is 108 but never made it to that number b/c he saw his father's number.

8. hloring: Did anyone else think that when Jack went to go pick up David at the school that it might be the same school where Ben teaches and John substitute teaches?

9. lola121: Psalm 108 - Song of David

10. calnot: Interesting how Jacob was dipping his hand in the pool-o'-resurrection-for-Sayid... wonder what was going on in his mind?

Dogen tells Jack that David is special. Just like Michael was told that Walt was special.

And I don't want to believe this theory, but it won't disappear:

mreo99: Sawyer is dead! He killed himself in the house that he shared with Juliet. (Note the gun directly behind his head when Flocke first sees him and that fact that Sawyer's father also killed himself over love lost.) Flocke can only recruit dead people such as Claire while Jacob can only recruit the living. Ultimately Sawyer will kill Flocke just as Ben killed Jacob. He will heroically do so in order to save Jack (the new Jacob) and possibly Kate from Flocke.

A correction about an earlier ep:

Marvin Candle: Interesting note: On this week's podcast the producers said that the date on Claire's sonogram was a production error. It should have said September, not October. Sideways Flight 815 landed in September 2004 just like the original.

NPH + Glee = Divinity

2010-02-25T14:52:00.002-07:00

Just when I think I couldn't be any more excited for Glee to come back in April, I get news like this.

LOST S6: E5- 'Lighthouse'

2010-02-24T08:35:00.002-07:00

Not until we are LOST do we begin to understand ourselves.

-Henry David Thoreau

Jack-Centric week. Once again in this flash-sideways sequence there were starting to be some instances of memories colliding. In the beginning Jack was talking to him Mom and trying to remember when he had his appendix removed (which actually happened on the island in the other scenario). I'm excited for the eventual episode when the memories come flooding back in the flash-sideways. (Oh, and once again seeing an Other in the real world- are they just regular folks?)

So Jack has a kid named David who he only sees once a month. Who is the Mom? Maybe it doesn't matter. David is a musical prodigy who obviously really loves his Dad (sweet with the pic on the mirror and sweet voice mail Jack left him about just wanting to hear his voice). It is nice to see them all get a certain degree of closure in these flash-sideways story lines. Last week Locke realized that life was pretty okay just the way it was, wheelchair and all, and this week Jack finally had a break through that he is not destined to turn into his father. In this parallel reality they all seem to be facing the things that were their biggest fears/insecurities/struggles while we knew them on the island, and so far they have been coming out on top.

At first I was admiring this strong, wild Claire, but the introduction of skull baby wrapped that right up. She really is the new Rousseau. I really am captivated by her though. Jin! You big dummy. You way you explain to an obviously unstable woman that your mutual friend has been caring for her child is maybe something like, "you vanished into the woods and left Aaron and we searched and searched and we couldn't find you anywhere and an opportunity to get off the island became available and we thought you were probably dead and we couldn't just leave Aaron alone, so Kate made the tough decision to bring him with her for his own safety and has loved him and felt guilty ever since." Did you really had to say, "Kate took him. He's been with Kate for three years," and leave it at that? Then you try to backtrack, admitting to her that you lied to her to protect her enemy (even though retracting the information about Kate is the actual lie). So now she thinks you are just a big liar who wants to drag her to the Temple, aka, the headquarters of her sworn enemies, and she wants to murder Kate... Badly played sir, badly played.

PS to Claire, you need new friends. You said you had your Dad and your friend, who, no surprise, turned out to be the LockeNess Monster. I am still thinking it is possible that ol' Smokey is actually the one who has been appearing as Christian, so I am going to have to see them side by side to be thoroughly convinced otherwise. Also, Jin said its been three years since they left, but do we know if that is accurate? I know that last year when the new plane crashed some landed in the 70s and the others, we assumed, landed back in real time, but do we know that for sure? When the bomb went off and they left the 70s and ended up back in Sun and Ben's time, can we really be sure it is their present? I am still a little thrown off by the comment last week about Rousseau being dead for 'years.' I guess we'll have to wait and see.

Adam and Eve- they're back. I was very excited to see the caves and see those bodies again, because I feel like that is a great step in things really starting to come full circle. Very perceptive thoughts from Hurley. Are the bodies a couple of them somehow? Most random moment of the night, finding Shannon's inhaler. I think that little tidbit was because they want to ease into remembering the beginnings and the original people because it is going to really start coming back to them.

Oh, also, "You have what it takes" is what Jacob told Hurley to say to Jack to convince him to stay. I am trying to recall the significance of that and feel like I missed or an forgetting something obvious. I like the dynamic between Jack and the Sensai as well. When he said to Jack, "I appreciate your honesty," and then gave a sly smile, I felt like his thoughts just then were, "I think you might finally be the one."

It was very nice this episode that the Losties themselves are actually starting to ask some questions. Along with Hurley philosophizing about the bodies in the cave and the possibilities of time travel, I loved Jack asking why they haven't seen the Lighthouse before. Is it because the island shows you what it wants to, when it wants to? When they got to the top of the lighthouse and Hurley said, 'Dude, this is cool..." took the words right out of my mouth. I had just leaned over to my friend Adam who I was watching with and said, "Lost makes the coolest sets." Sometimes it feels like when I was little and was dying to have the Swiss Family Robinson tree house. Okay, I still want that. Seriously though, I feel like they should keep some of the hatches and sets and do Lost tours in Hawaii the way they rebuilt some of the sets in New Zealand to do Lord of the Rings tours.

Okay, back to the Lighthouse. When I first saw all of the names of the candidates around the spy wheel, my first thought was that it was going to show them a glimpse of their flash-sideways reality. I would want answers too Jack, but why must you be so rash? I know that you admitted yourself that you are a broken man, but don't lose your hope of the island just yet. I loved the conversation with Jacob and Hurley after the mirror smashing. He was really seeming like a father figure- he loves his child and wants what is best for him, but in the process he has to be patient and let him fall and skin his knee a few times to learn. He wants him to know that he is important, and I love how the struggle of Jacob trying to get through to Jack paralleled the flash-sideways situation of Jack finally getting through to his own son. I mean, what is a Lighthouse anyway? Its a beacon and a bearing to guide you safely home. Food for thought, Jack.

Side Note 1: Well, remember how last week with the cave we learned that Kate's name is not attached to one of the ominous Numbers like everyone else, crossed out or not? Well, her name was on the wheel, it was NOT crossed out, but it was a number we haven't seen before- 51. So since she is not crossed out I presume that she is still a potential candidate, but why is her number not grouped with the others? Does that mean something?

Side Note 2: Was what Jacob said to Hurley about needing him to help guide someone to the island just a bluff to get Jack there to see the magic mirror? Did he mean bring someone to the island in a symbolic way, as in, turn Jack's heart and faith to the island? If there really is someone coming, who? My initial hope was Desmond, cause I miss that guy, but then, to go along with the possibility that they really are several more years into the future than we are all presuming... could it possibly be an older Aaron? Probably not, mostly because it has been drilled into our heads that Claire was supposed to raise him and since that didn't happen maybe an un-raised-by-Claire Aaron would be wicked. There have been a lot of suggestions and hints and theories throughout the years of the importance of Aaron and what he might mean for the island, so I am definitely excited to see how that will play out.

There were a few favorite lines of the night, and though I couldn't pick just one, they all came from Hurley:

"...history, Indiana Jones stuff..." "and I just lied to a samurai," "be cool man, act natural..."

President Getting a Gleeful of Easter

2010-02-23T07:55:00.001-07:00

Interesting...

What is a holiday at the White House with out the cast of Glee?

Men's Antiperspirant- When did You Become so Sassy?

2010-02-19T09:00:00.000-07:00

So I used to kind of think of Old Spice as an old man brand. I don't know, maybe it had something to do with the fact that it has 'old' in the name. But now they have this new series of provocative little ads. Axe, you naughty fiend, I believe you have some competition my friend.

Below is by far my favorite, but go here to view them all.

Barbie Cam

2010-02-18T09:00:00.003-07:00

I was never a doll person. I was a huge tomboy, so sure I had a lot of stuffed animals and sure I liked the Disney characters, but for the most part my toys were things like pirate maps and Indiana Jones whips. I believe I was given a Cabbage Patch doll around the age of six and I promptly cut off its hair. I promise I'm not a sadistic nut job. I had short hair when I was little so I probably just wanted the doll to match me and not be so girly, but I think my Mom told me that the reason I gave her for the offense was because it 'looked like poop.'

But I digress.

Though dolls were never for me, I have never begrudged others their taste in them, and despite my general apathy towards dolls, (that is until I had a niece who loved them), I have always found the Barbie phenomenon fascinating. I remember several years ago when an official statement was made in the news that Barbie and Ken had broken up and she was now seeing some new surfer guy and I am intrigued by the Barbie Through the Years display every time I go to the FAO Schwartz toy store.

The latest Barbie update news has me on the fence. My friend Heidi, who is also entertained by the random and obscure, brought to my attention that this summer they are coming out with a new Barbie that is also a video camera. My initial reaction when Heidi presented me with a link about this information was:

"Wow. I don't know if I'm impressed or appalled. I specially like the line, 'this new toy actually gives aspiring kids a tool to help realize their dreams.' A bit presumptuous to say, but I guess it is pretty cool. I may just have to blog about this."

So here we are. The article that quote was from is overly bubbly and takes the product very seriously as a helpful, teaching toy, and you can read it in its entirety here. Other articles are a little more humorous and in some cases wary of the product, and I must admit I am leaning toward their corner at the moment. Here is an example.

The geek in me is impressed that technology can create such a small camera, but, okay, its already bad enough that anybody can just can go online and learn how to put together a hidden camera, but now we are just going to provide them? In something as supposedly innocent as a child's doll, no less. (Its just like stupid IT where the clown is the villain- blast you Stephen King and the way you can make me cringe!) I mean, you can learn how to make bombs online too, so shall we start selling bombs in Wiffle balls to save people the trouble? I realize that is an extremely dramatic response, and yes, it is technically just a toy after all, but I feel like after the buzz of this cool newness, this toy will in the long run be the catalyst for people who will make future appearances on Americas Most Wanted, not the Oscars. Thoughts? Are all you girlies who grew up Barbie fans, like, super amazing excited about this until I ruined it with my bomb talk? Do the rules for airplanes apply to blogs and I should quit saying BOMB? Discuss.

(I know. I'm a cynic.)

LOST S6: E4- 'The Substitute'

2010-02-17T09:25:00.006-07:00

The man who listens to Reason is LOST: Reason enslaves all whose minds are not strong enough to master her.

-George Bernard Shaw

So I'm trying to remember- in the original timeline Helen and Locke had broken up before he went to Australia, yes? So I guess he is not as bitter in this version, though he has lost faith in miracles. Think the whole redemption for him is just letting go and being happy with what he is? Being content in reality without seeking out miracles? I would submit that what Locke needs to learn is that miracles are far more likely to happen when you aren't trying to force/demand them as he tends to do.

I love successful Hugo, and I love all of the connections with everyone coming together in the Flash Sideways. Guess they were all meant to come together in any scenario. I like the idea of Locke as a teacher. Ben would be a creepy teacher though. Of course, Ben would be a creepy anything. Still the question of the Others (like Ben and like Ethan last week) in this Flash Sideways- are they still connected to the island in this scenario?

Ooh, when Ilana was putting Jacob's ashes in the bag I had a very Raiders of the Lost Ark moment, which is never a bad thing. Still don't know her background and why she knows Jacob and so much about the island. She said that LockNess is stuck in that form (and yet he can still turn into Smokey...) so does that mean that he could actually be killed if Sawyer had pulled that trigger? Since they buried the real Locke, he isn't literally inhabiting his body, so how is he stuck? Also, interesting when he was flustered and fell down and I believe he muttered the words, "don't tell me what I can't do." Now that is a Locke line. Since he has chosen this image to represent, does that mean there are strings attached? When you decide to be someones doppelganger are you stuck with some of there essence in you?

I had been thinking that LockNess was the one appearing as the phantoms of the dead to everybody else, but he seems to be seeing a phantom as well. One that Sawyer can also see, but Pretty Eyes Richard cannot. First impression is that the phantom he was seeing seemed to be some kind of child version of Jacob. Baby Jake told LockNess he needs to remember the rules, which include the fact that he can't kill Sawyer. I don't think that this means that he literally/physically can't, or else he wouldn't need the reminder. With that in mind, it seems an even odder conversation- LockNess, despite all of his talk to convince Sawyer that the island is just an island and despite his murderous ways and intentions that typically conflict with Jacob, he obviously knows full well the power of the island, and respects and even perhaps fears it. Also, I presume this rule about not killing applies to all of those that Jacob touched.

Speaking of which, thanks for some answers, LOST! The numbers are associated with those touched by Jacob and they are all potential candidates. To be the new Jacob. Interesting how their numbers aren't in order. After last seasons finale I was working under the assumption that this isn't the first time Jacob has gathered what we can now refer to as 'potential candidates' to the island. So, I wonder if he had the names in his head years and years ago and wrote them down (or up rather) and numbered them, not knowing at that point what combinations or which generations they would be a part of. Epic. Also, Kate doesn't seem to have a number. Interesting.

That was a crazy with the LockNess Monster as Smokey perspective, flying around and spying on angry Sawyer banging up the house and what not. Don't you torture Pretty Eyes! Though I definitely did not like seeing Richard all beat up, it was even more disconcerting to see hi so afraid when he is usually the zen shaman type. So LockNess is 'recruiting.' So instead of killing Jacob's chosen, since he can't just dispatch them, he has to get them on his side. I guess we will start seeing the two sides forming for the inevitable final showdown. How very observant intoxicated Sawyer is- spotting that Locke wasn't Locke so quickly- guess he's been on this nutty island long enough that things don't surprise him so much anymore. I thought the ladder suspense seemed a tad pointless unless it was just to show the a bond forming between Sawyer and LockNess. (Though didn't we learn something from Speed about relationships that begin under duress...)

WHY ARE YOU ON THIS ISLAND.

Definitely an enticing question, Sawyer, as is the promise of getting off the island, but what is it worth?

Favorite line of the night: "Well I guess I better put some pants on." Nobody can pull of the sarcastic drawl like Sawyer. Mmmm, Sawyer. Don't become the right hand of the devil! The header quote was for Sawyer this week- reason is good as long as you don't ignore faith and emotion and instinct to use it. LockNess is playing him based on reason, but mind and heart need to be used together to make the right decisions. I know his heart is crushed right now but, well, I have faith in him ;) He's always pulled through when it counted before. Maybe he will seem a villain til the end and then play the martyr. I can see it.

For more theories and insight, check out Let's Talk Lost or Lost Redux- two of my favorite recap/discussion threads.

Glee- April Promo!!

2010-02-16T15:28:00.003-07:00

Okay, so it's still two months until the ridiculously fabulous Glee returns, but who is already getting excited!?!

Well, me, obviously... anyone else? Well, you should be. Need proof? Here:

Here Comes Sharktopus!

2010-02-12T15:36:00.001-07:00

It's little things like this that make me happy.

Here Comes Sharktopus! - giant monsters - io9

2010 Super Bowl Ads: Personal Favorites

2010-02-11T12:52:00.008-07:00

These are in no particular order of favorites. Also, I wasn't going to put any of the beer ads on here cause most of them were pretty funny and it was hard to pick, oh yeah, and cause my Mom reads this blog. But... I couldn't resist the LOST parody:

Bud Light- Stranded

Dodge- Man's Last Stand

Doritos- Kid Slap

Bridgestone- Whale of a Tale

HomeAway- The Griswolds

Snickers- Betty White

Okay, so this next Snickers one I didn't see during the Super Bowl, but I love it too:

Snickers- Aretha Franklin & Liza Minelli

LOST S6: E3- 'What Kate Does'

2010-02-10T08:00:00.024-07:00

Today I begin to understand what love must be, if it exists. When we are parted, we each feel the lack of the other half of ourselves. We are incomplete like a book in two volumes of which the first has been LOST. That is what I imagine love to be: incompleteness in absence.

-Edmond and Jules De Goncourt

Significance of the Title: Now the title of this week's episode, What Kate Does, is an interesting play off of the title of the season 2 episode titled What Kate Did when we first discover that she killed her real dad who she thought at the time was just her abusive step-dad. Is it a reference to the killing or to the running from justice, which she does in both scenarios? Is what she did exactly the same in this parallel reality? With her simply asking Claire if she would believe her if she said she was innocent, it left it vague. We know things were different for others this time around. As far as fate and karma and things like that are concerned, do the actions of the characters in one reality affect what happens to them in the other?

I'm really liking the Kate and Claire dynamic and I love that back in Season 1 it was Kate who helped deliver Aaron and now she helps get Aaron delivered again. Eeeeew, creeper Ethan. Side note, in this reality was he ever an Other since the island is under water? At hearing the name of Aaron I felt like Kate had a couple of moments of almost remembering the way Jack did on the plane in the premiere, which makes me even more sure that there two realities will have to collide at some point.

Reborn Sayid is kinda timid and un-Sayidlike. I miss tough Sayid. This new one is whiny. So he has been... Claimed. When glasses hesitated on the translation I was sure he was going to say posessed. Why is it that the wanted/needed Jack to be the one to administer the poison pill to him? Is there a rule that says they can't? Whoa, island Claire looks Ca. Ra. Zy. I think that if something can get her unClaimed it will be Kate talking to her about Aaron. It wouldn't be the first time in a story that a mother's love is what it takes to undo some kind of wicked spell. Oldest trick in the book ;)

Here are the two possible conclusions that I draw from this: 1- it verifies to me that the visions of Christian on the island have indeed been the LockNess Monster, (formerly known as the Man in Black, aka, Smokey, who I have to admit, I sort of missed this week. He's just so evil and unpredictable its fun to watch!) This conclusion is drawn from the fact that Claire was with him and not with the Others who apparently feel the need to kill Claimed individuals. At this point in time I feel inclined to presume the Temple People are the 'good guys,' which of course, with LOST, is relative, but Dogen (the Asian Other) is growing on me. 2- The Christian who has had Claire is working with Jacob in some way, and he has kept her away from the Temple People so that she isn't killed. Reasons for this? Well, I am beginning to think that there is a hierarchy on the list of people. I think some people are there to get the other people to where they need to be. Jack is obviously high on the importance list, and I think its possible that Kate and Sawyer are as well. If this is true, perhaps Claire is there for Kate's redemption. Raising Aaron then giving him up and coming back to save Claire... maybe that selflessness is what it takes. Did LockNess as Christian Shephard lure Claire off so Kate would take Aaron to insure that he wouldn't be raised by Claire?

Question: Does a person first have to be drowned in the spring to be Claimed? Can it go either way? You are worthy and you come back as yourself or you are unworthy and you come back Claimed?

Okay, so I just have to say, you know the annoying Other guy who was helping Jin and Kate go after Sawyer? Aldo, I think was his name. Well, if you don't know, he is from this goofy comedy series called It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia and it was really distracting watching him. Although, what did he stop the other Other from saying about Rousseau? And what did he mean, she's been dead for years. She hasn't been dead THAT long, right? Is that a hint that this island time is a tad in the future?

Island Sawyer- at first it seemed that he was back to the selfish Sawyer from the first couple seasons, but poor, broken-hearted James. Aaah! He had a ring and everything! Some beautiful acting by Mr. Josh Holloway during that dock scene. These poor actors must be so drained after filming all the emotion they have to portray. Also interesting when Sawyer says, 'which time' in reference to Kate coming after him. She runs away from the things in her own life, but she is compassionate and fiercely protective when it comes to going after and helping others- Sawyer, Claire, Aaron...

Interesting Doc Jensen Theory: ''LA X'' ended with Sideways Fugitive Kate jumping into a cab already occupied by Sideways Claire. In the Island World, Claire was en route to L.A. to meet with a couple that wanted to adopt her unborn child. Claire was given her airplane ticket by a psychic who initially warned her not to give up Aaron, then changed his mind. Kate, Claire, and Aaron have some kind of fused fate. Kate played midwife to Claire during Aaron's birth. And as we already said, Kate took care of Aaron during the Oceanic 6 idyll. Also remember that Kate's whole motivation for leaving her Oceanic 6 life behind and returning to the Island was to bring Claire back. Finally, I can't resist this. Claire's favorite lullaby for Aaron was ''Catch a Falling Star.'' Kate also used to sing for Aaron. As it happens, falling stars play a role in one of the oldest myths of reincarnation we have, found in Plato's Republic. In that philosophical work, we are told the story of how when people die, they choose a new life for themselves, then drink from a river that purges their memory of their old life, and then fall back to earth like shooting stars to their new bodies/lives. Does this explain the Sideways world? Is it the next life that the Island castaways will be reincarnated into? For now, that's my theory.

PS, here's a helpful link that discerns the differences in the 815 flight in the original Pilot episode to the version we saw in the Season 5 Premiere last week: Original VS Flash-Sideways Timeline

Kirsten. It's Your Birthday.

2010-02-10T07:30:00.002-07:00

Well, Kirsten Lorah (Briggs) Smith, I did say that I would keep birthday posts to immediate family only, but you ARE sort of my BFF and all, so I guess I'm entitled to break the rule and reminisce for a moment on this celebratory day of your birth. How did we not know each other when we were both in Hawaii for the same summer term? How did we not hang out more during and right after our Europe semester abroad? How are we not related?! I think the following images of our joyous times together kinda prove that we should be:

Oh, whoops, that last one is from fifty years in the future, exploring some foreign beach. You get the gyst though, which basically is:

Kirsten + Hayley = Awesome

And so, my dear Kirst, sincerely from me to you . . .

Just have a happy birthday, okay?

Jimmy Fallon 'LOST' Parody

2010-02-09T12:10:00.002-07:00

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Laugh Away Your Abs

2010-02-08T12:03:00.003-07:00

Ummmmm... I can't decide if doing this workout would make me so annoyed that I would end up kicking the instructor in the head or if it would leave me curled up on the ground laughing the pee out of myself. With either scenario... I'm gonna say its probably best for everyone if I just don't ever attempt this workout. Ever.

Jack Nicholson... I Don't Even Know...

2010-02-08T08:37:00.005-07:00

I have never been a huge Jack Nicholson fan- I think he comes across as arrogant and a little nutty and gets steadily creepier as he gets older in an innocent-but-awkward-great-uncle-who-kisses-everyone-on-the-mouth sort of way. That being said, I actually do think he is a fantastic actor and has played some amazing roles: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Chinatown, Batman, As Good As it Gets... THAT being said, I felt the need to share this article that I read today. I don't know the last time I read such a catchy opening line to an article:

Jack Nicholson is considering being picked to death by vultures when he dies.

The article itself may seem anticlimactic after that dramatic opening, but I had to read that line like three times to believe what it said, and then proceeded to laugh heartily. Please don't think me disrespectful of cultures or peoples funerary preferences, but... its Jack Nicholson.

Here is the full article.

LOST S6: E1 & E2- 'LA X'

2010-02-03T03:17:00.014-07:00

LOST- adjective: 1. no longer to be found; 2. having gone astray or missed the way; bewildered as to place, direction, etc; 3. not used to good purpose, as opportunities, time, or labor; wasted; 4. being something that someone has failed to win; 5. destroyed or ruined; 6. distracted; distraught; desperate; hopeless

Wow, that was officially nuts. Here we go-

Juliet: I thought this was very interesting. I had fully prepared myself for the fact that we had seen the last of Juliet, as sad as that made me. I knew the actress, Elizabeth Mitchell, was going to briefly appear in the season but I thought it was going to be in a flash or in an off-island scenario. It was an interesting choice to keep her alive just long enough to let her die. Was it for a sense of closure so that she could die in Sawyer's arms instead of alone? Interesting how in those last moments of life she seemed to be out of it for a bit, talking about getting coffee, and then she came back and wanted to tell Sawyer something. Miles says that what she wanted to say was, 'it worked.' For her to know that it worked, it seems that in those last moments, caught between life and death, she was somehow embodying both of her existing psyches at once, and the conversation about coffee is the conversation that she was having in the parallel circumstance. At this point, I just hope that the person that she ends up having that coffee conversation with is Sawyer (oh, and also, that he is NOT trying to swindle her at the time).

The Man in Black: Instead of just calling him the Man in Black, I think we need to call him the Superman in Black- did you SEE how that bullet bounced off him and then he turned into Smokey!! Maybe Super Villain in Black. It certainly does seem at this point that there is no question that he is indeed the bad guy. When Man in Black was talking about wanting to get off the island, it made me think of Greek mythology- Zeus wrangled all of the elder race of Gods, the Titans (who are often presented in monster form), and cast them into an abyss called Tartarus which became sort of a prison for Gods who have committed crimes. Has Man in Black been trapped here all of this time and wants out so that he can be free to wreak destruction and havoc in the world once again?

Hurley: Nice to see you taking some kind of charge, buddy. Loved it when Jacob told you he was killed an hour ago and you were like, 'Dude, that sucks.' Classic Hurley. So the guitar case was filled with a giant wooden ankh (Egyptian sign of life) with a secret letter inside. What did the letter say exactly?

"Dear minions,

Below are the names of the people I have chosen and need to bring me back from the dead:

Hurley..

Jack...

Kate...

Etc..

Thanks, Love Jacob."

Was this situation the whole point of Jacob choosing Hurley as one of his special group? He knew that this was going to happen and needed Hurley, who sees the dead, to be there to get the message to the Temple?

Sayid: Is that the Fountain of Youth in the Temple? Is that why Richard doesn't age? Is that what they are protecting? So 'there will be risks' in healing Sayid- like when they had to heal kid Ben after Sayid shot him and Richard was asking them if they were sure because he wouldn't be the same... he has to die to live again and that changes a person? If Sayid is back in his body now, why the delay? Why didn't he wake up when they expected him to? Was he unworthy? When Jacob touched found him and touched him on the street did that give him some kind of get-out-of-death-because-I-still-need-you free card? Or, in another possible scenario... is it now Jacob in Sayid's body? There was a moment when it seemed the body spoke to Miles- what was that about?

Sun and Jin: Such contrasting scenarios for them. They are finally back in the same time on the island, so when they are able to get to each other I am sure it will be a beautiful and happy event. Back in LA, they are at their original relationship of Jin being domineering and Sun wanting to escape him. Is she going to let him take the fall for his suspicious belongings and continue to play dumb about understanding English?

Old Friends: It was nice to see some familiar faces. Nice story for your sister, Boone, way to cover up the fact that the actress has scheduling conflicts ;) Charlie, interesting wording when you found yourself alive- 'I was supposed to die.' Not, 'I wanted to die,' or something like that. He was very calm about it. What do you know, Charlie? When you were so close to death, as seems to have happened with Juliet, did you get a glimpse of your other self and understand something? Desmond, nice to see you brother, but where did you go? Were you really even there? Only Jack ever saw you for sure, and we know you have the ability to time travel that no one else possesses. Did you just zoom your little self there to make sure your buddy Charlie got saved? Also, its kind of funny to see the flight attendant acting as a full-on Other.

Fate: Is fate somehow still at play in this other version of reality? Did Christian's body get lost so that Jack and Locke would meet? Were things meant to work out so that Kate would end up in a taxi with Claire? It seems that there is a possibility of Sawyer conning Hurley, therefore connecting them, and by the looks of it Jin could meet up with Charlie in jail. Are we seeing that their lives would intertwine in any scenario? There did seem to be moments on the plane when Jack looked like he was almost having deja vu or the memory was so close to him but not close enough. Will they eventually start remembering their other life? Though we haven't seen them (yet?) we can presume that everyone was on that plane, as in Anna Lucia, Libby, Eko, Michael... will we see them again and will their lives all connect even if this other reality? Also, now with any show with fantasy type elements to it, they can really do what they want, but it seems to me that at some points these two realities will have to come together. Book placement has always been prominent in LOST, and does anyone remember how when Jacob was sitting on the park bench waiting for Locke to crash out of the window before touching him, he was reading, Everything That Rises Must Converge. I think these two different lifetimes will have to eventually converge. Interesting are the differences we are seeing with people. In the beginning we saw that the island was submerged, so bombing the almost-hatch in 1977 affected a lot more than just stopping one plane from eventually crashing. Desmond would have never gone the the island. Hugo is lucky. What else will we discover. Was Faraday never born?

PS- I wonder if it will ever come back to the random fact that Kate ended up in a tree or if that was just for our confused amusement. Also, what was with Jack's bleeding neck on the plane? Enough with the wide-eyed, 'its you!' moments- can somebody just give us a name for the Man in Black?!

Jimmy Fallon 'Glee' Parody

2010-02-02T15:46:00.003-07:00

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