Post #105 The Shadow Hare

First, I know that I have been lazy lately in posting. I plan to get it together soon and do a whirlwind post-fest to catch up. But I had to post this video from our local news cast. It is about a vigilante crime fighter in the area and his team of partners. It makes me proud to live near Cincinnati.

Post #104 LOST Revelation Thursday (Friday Edition)

Episode Title: Some Like it Hoth
Primary Focus Character: Miles Straum

This is the episode I have been waiting for since season 4: a Miles-centric episode. The character of Miles is compelling for many reasons: he is moody, sarcastic, quick witted, and he can talk to dead people! In this episode, the writers confirm that Miles is the son of Dr. Pierre Chang (aka Dr. Marvin Candle, Dr. Mark Wickmund, and Dr. Edgar Halliwax.) We also discover that the Swan Station is located in an area that had been agreed to be off limits to the DHARMA folk. We also get a glimpse at a possible new faction in the story in Bram and Ilana.

In the last episode, Illana and Bram are seen guarding a large metal crate on the beach. Ilana also asks Frank Lapidus "what lies in the shadow of the statue?" In this episode, we see Bram kidnap Miles and threaten him to not go on Widmore's freighter. We also hear the "shadow of the statue" question in this episode, only it was asked by Bram and directed to Miles. Hurley and Miles have some great interaction in this episode, especially Hurley's ideas about "The Empire Strikes Back."

Finally, we see the return of Daniel Faraday as he emerges from the submarine. Now we just need to see where he has been for so long.

- Who does Bram and his crew work for?
- How do they know about the Island?
- What "teams" is Bram refering to?
- Why and when did Daniel Faraday leave the Island?
- Where did he go?
- Why did he return?
- What is the origin or reason for Miles' ability?
- Why was Alvarez's death being covered up?
- Why did Chang want his corpse brought to the Orchid?
- How did Felix die?
- Why (and how) did Lara and Miles leave the Island?
- Why did Pierre Chang not come with them?
- Why did The DHARMA Initiative choose to build The Swan Station in Hostile territory?
- Why did The DHARMA Initiative think they can build something as big as the Swan without it being noticed by the Hostiles?

Post #103 Best Nerf Guns...

Popular Mechanics had an article about the best Nerf guns that have been produced. My favorite is the Nerf N-Strike Vulcan EBF-25.

Post #102 Lego Jesus...

A statue of Jesus Christ made entirely out of Lego construction bricks stands in a church at Vasteras, Sweden, April 12, 2009. The 1.8 metre (5.9 fet) tall statue, a copy of Thorvaldsen's "Resurrected Christ", has taken parishioners 1.5 years to construct out of 30.000 tiny plastic pieces. (AP Photo/Jonas Ekstromer)

Post #101 Ram Tough...

Post #100 G20 Police...

Post #99 New Pope

Post #98 MacGyver...

Post #97 Insanity...

Post #96 How do we fix it...

Post #95 A Cause...

Post #94 LOST Revelation Thursday (late edition)

Episode Title: Dead is Dead Primary Focus Character: Ben Linus Secondary Focus Character: John Locke In Wednesday's episode, we see two specific storylines: Ben's past and present and the beached survivors of Ajira 316. In Ben's past we witness his kidnapping of Alex, his mentoring of Ethan, and his overthrow of Charles Widmore. In his present, we see Ben summon the smoke monster, be judged by it (and by Alex), and we witness his promise to follow Locke's orders. On the beach, we witness Caesar being shot (by Ben), Ilana and another survivor (Bram) taking control of weapons, and a strange question by Ilana to Frank Lapidus. Overall, this episode was more informative than the previous two. The story is moving along quickly, but leaving enough unanswered questions to keep us on the edge of our seats.   I pulled some questions from the Lostpedia entry for this episode. They seem to sum up my own thoughts after viewing the episode. - How did Ethan become a member of the Others? - What is in the crate? - Who are Ilana and Bram and what are they up to? - Did Ben lie when he denied recalling the losties back in 1977? - Where did Locke go when he left the Barracks? - What is the Monster's relation to the Temple? - What is the meaning of the picture above the grate in the Temple? - Why did the Monster demand that Ben follow John Locke? - How did Locke know where the Monster was? - What was Ben's true understanding of resurrection on the Island? - If what he claims was true, what was different about Locke that allowed him to be resurrected? - What is the meaning of Ilana's question to Frank? - What is the strange drain beneath Ben's house? - Why was Ben allowed to live after all that he's done? - Where did the Flight 316 survivors find the guns? I look forward to next week's episode. The previews imply that it will be Miles-centric.

Post #93 The End to a Christian America?

I came across this article by Newsweek writer, Jon Meacham. It focuses on the shift in perceived power of the political Christian movement. There are some great quotes, but here is a taste:

There it was, an old term with new urgency: post-Christian. This is not to say that the Christian God is dead, but that he is less of a force in American politics and culture than at any other time in recent memory. To the surprise of liberals who fear the advent of an evangelical theocracy and to the dismay of religious conservatives who long to see their faith more fully expressed in public life, Christians are now making up a declining percentage of the American population.

Kathleen Parker adds to this conversation in this Washington Post article.

If people who call themselves Christians want to see any influence in the culture, then they ought to start following the commands of Jesus and people will be so amazed that they will be attracted to Him. The problem isn't political. The problem is moral and spiritual.... You have the choice between a way that works and brings no credit or money or national attention. Or, a way that doesn't work that gets you lots of attention and has little influence on the culture.

Post #92 LOST Revelation Thursday...

Last Night's Episode: Whatever Happened, Happened
Primary Focus Character: Kate Austin
Secondary Focus Character: Ben Linus

Two weeks in a row and very little appears to be happening on this show. Don't get me wrong, I love this show. However, in last week's episode, Sayid shot young Ben in the last five minutes. That was the only important aspect of the episode. Then, in last night's episode, Hurley and Miles discuss theories of time travel, including a great reference to "Back to the Future." The only other important aspect was that Kate and Sawyer took a mortally wounded young Ben to see Richard Alpert.

Check out Lostpedia for a thorough summary: here.

There are a few questions to answer:
- How does Juliet know to take Ben to Richard?
- What did Richard do to young Ben in the Temple in order to heal him? Is there some "Other" form of treatment that we are not aware of yet?
- Where will Sayid escape to? Will he eventually join the Hostiles? Will he find Danielle?
- Why are Ellie and Charles in positions of authority among the Others?
- Why didn't Kate tell Jack she left Aaron with Carole?

Post #91 Great Meltdowns at the Office...

Check this out, but be aware the at the site might be inappropriate for some viewers.

Top 10 Greatest Office Meltdowns

Post #90 Thought I Would Mention This...

Just a quick blurb about something we have decided on: Michelle and I have chosen to pursue adoption. We are excited to start this adventure. The process is tedious, but we know it will be worth it. If you know of any agencies that work in Ohio and help with domestic adoptions, please let us know. Thanks.

Post #89 Church Search...

I mentioned a while back that we were looking for a place to call our church home. Well, Michelle and I have been attending Wellspring Community Church and we really are excited about the things they are doing in the community and the world. It sounds like the kind of place that we can get on board with. It is difficult finding our feet though. We have always been very involved in the other churches we have been a part of, and figuring out where we can serve (or if we are ready to serve) is a challenge. We are looking forward to see what is in store for us.

Post #88 Difference Between Pixar and Dreamworks...

Post #87 I might be busy, but I have not forgotten you...

The past week or so has been pretty busy and I blew off doing any posts. So I have a few to catch up on. I will get back on track. Tonight is LOST night, so there will be a LOST Revelation Thursday post tomorrow. Thanks for the messages. I will get it together.