LOST update

OK - I know my blog should be about more than just LOST but for now, that's the most fun thing in my life!

So, did Kate really call that little blonde headed boy Aaron? Does that mean Claire is still on the Island, alive, dead? But why doesn't jack want to see the child? This also explains why when Kate and Jack met at the airport she said 'he' was waiting for her. Did she mean Aaron?

So, would Aaron be one of the Oceanic 6? He wasn't a passenger per se, but with Clair being so close to delivery at the time of the crash....

And what about Miles extorting Ben for $! What's going on there? I thought for a second he was going to come out and admit that he was Ben's spy.

OK - I'm still getting more and more frustrated with Locke. What in the heck does he think he is doing, or hoping to accomplish with his crazy antics!

Oh, by the way, I got a new iPhone today. I'm still trying to figure all the features, but so far it's fun. I can wait to show B&B.

I have tomorrow off, so no work for me. No real plans, just run some errands, maybe take clean work out clothes to the gym so that I can be ready to start working out again. Also thinking of going to find the City Courthouse and see what the process for a Handgun permit is, and potentially a Concealed Weapons permit.

I spent so many years shooting firearms while in the Navy that I find that I actually miss the target practice at the range. I think it would be fun to get back into that again. No, I'm not a card carrying NRA member, but I don't think there is anything wrong with having a handgun purely for recreation (ie...range target practice) purposes.

Correction to Oceanic 5

OK - K and I got talking at work and she made a good point. Would Ben really be one of the Oceanic 6? He wasn't on the plane and isn't a survivor of the crash, so why would he be celebrated as one of the Oceanic 6. So, my thanks to K for keeping me real and on the up and up.

With that in mind, a few interesting oddities from someone who obviously has more time on his/her hands than myself....:)

Charlotte Lewis - Charlotte is an anthropologist hired to work on Naomi's team. Full name Charlotte Staples Lewis hmmm … C.S. Lewis?

Miles Straume – “Straume" is the name of a city in Norway, and a Norwegian word meaning "penalty" or "punishment".

Daniel Faraday is a physicist who was hired to work for Naomi's team for unknown reasons.
Faraday invented the Faraday cage, a cage that prevents electro-magnetic radiation from permeating it.

The SI unit of electrical capacitance, the farad, is named for Faraday. The face of Michael Faraday is visible on the Bank of England Series E £20 note that can be seen in the secret room at Ben's home in the Barracks. ("The Economist") Faraday worked on a theory that combined the interchangeability of electricity and magnetism, with the interchangeability of gravity. He was not successful.

So, maybe Faraday is Ben's spy? Tomorrow's episode could prove pretty interesting. Unfortunately, I think that puts us at episode 4, half way through the 8 episodes that NBC has indicated will be provided this season.

Jumper (a movie or my life?)

We saw Jumper today. It was pretty good. The special effects were definitely worth seeing on the big screen. Hayden Christianson was pleasing to the eye and cute to watch. Jamie Bell sure has come a long way since Billie Elliot, and King Kong. A lot of loose ends so someone is obviously leaving room for a subsequent films!

Started cataloging my wine today. Got through the first five cases. Didn't realize I had that much, and there are still two cases to go. The new wine fridge is certainly coming in handy. I got about two and a half cases loaded into it. It was nice to get the wine out of the garage and out of the boxes.

Tomorrow being President's day and all, I'm looking forward to having the day off. J and I will be working on organizing some of the numerous boxes in the garage and trying to make some room in there. Hopefully, we'll be able to clear enough space to also clear the boxes out of the kitchen so that we can bring the butcher block stand back in.

We've made good progress seeing as how it's only been six or seven weeks since he's moved in. He may shrug and roll his eyes a bit at the 'only' part of that statement, but in a caring and flirting manner. The adjustment has been going well I think.

The house isn't as big as it used to feel when I lived here alone, but it's definitely been worth it. I know I can be a bit obsessive compulsive at times, but he's held up well so far, and has keep his patience. I do enjoy the extra intimacies that come with sharing a bed, sharing more time, even the little things we do together, like watching TV.

I still can't believe at times that he's been a part of my life for 11+ years. Sure we've had our struggles, what relationship hasn't. But, we've worked at it, and are certainly the better for it. I've grown a lot, and he'd be too humble to accept that a lot of that growth has been because of him and our relationship. I've been fortunate to have someone so patient, caring, and open!

Oceanic 5

Happy Valentines day everyone...

Two of the Oceanic 6 revealed in one episode. Pretty shocking. So we now know 5 of the Oceanic 6! Who could the 6th person be?! Although the waiting was torturous, the last 3 episodes have at least appeased me enough to make watching Lost enjoyable again.

Kate
Jack
Hurley
Sayid
Ben

Who do you think the 6th person is? Drop me a 'comment' and let me know your thoughts.

I certainly found Sayid's future pretty interesting, but yet, his meeting with Ben implies that he's doing it to save those who were left behind. He gets entangled into the weirdest things.

I hope Desmond finds some answers. He's been a pretty tortured soul as of late. The pilot guy (I forget his name) seemed to have the look of acknowledgment when Desmond inquired about Penny.

And what is the deal with Dan (the physicist) and his payload experiments? Regina recorded the trajectory to their exact location and yet it arrived on the island 31 minutes later. And why was he only supposed to talk to Regina? Why was Dan warned to get off the phone if 'George' got on the line?

I wonder if the hidden room Sayid found in Ben's cabin/house was where he was getting all his info. He had a stockpiile of clothes, passports, so that would explain his comings and goings off the island (back when there was a sub). But, was there any electronic equipment, or was he physically having to leave the island in order to get the data?

As Sayid was in bed with Elsa did anyone notice her bracelet? It was the same one that Sayid took off from Naomi's body. Did Sayid give it to Elsa? Was that just a coincidence? Is anything on that show a coincidence?

Have a safe and happy President's Day weekend. If you're fortunate enough to have Monday off, relax and take it easy. Enjoy the extra day.

Capitalist or Conscientious Consumer?

Dare I ask?

I went shopping today. I thought I needed a new scarf. You know a nice scarf, european in style. One of the long ones that european men wear, multiple loops and very chic!

So, into Nordstroms I go. I found and purchased a simple black cashmere scarf. It's very soft and warm, and plenty long so I can double and tie it or I can wrap it, many times. Very cool.

Then I get to thinking that I need some new pants to replace my current slacks which are starting to show a little wear. I don't like buying pants. Like most men my age I'm in denial regarding the impact of time and my waist size, and it's hard to be in denial when you have to pick out pants. Anywho...I found two pair of flat front slacks in khaki and dark brown.

At this point one would think I was done, but that wouldn't explain the title of this post now would it? Did I escape unscathed at that point (or did my bank account) you ask, remember in the Nordstrom's flagship store you have to go past the men's shoe department to get out of the store. Therein lies my next dilemma (or infactuation)

So there I was looking for replacements to my old Diesel sneakers, and my Kenneth Cole buckled slip ons. I successfully found some replacements to the sneakers but alas I can't make the mental (or financial) leap to $380 Prada sneakers so those will just stay on my wish list.

I did however find some To Boot New York shoes that are really cool. They'll go with just about anything. Casual slacks for work, business casual (button down and sport jacket), and even Jeans. They are so comfortable. So, two pair later. Yes two pair...you know I have to have them in black & brown. I finally make it out of there!

I've included a pic of them just in case you're interested....

(To Boot New York - Viejo's)

Here endeth the lesson. Did I answer the question? I certainly hope not!

TV updates

Well, I got my wish. First episode of Survivor and Johnny Fairplay is gone. At least now I can look forward to the rest of the season without that slime ball getting in the way.

Lost was interesting. As it turns out it's been that they're after. Didn't see that coming. And what makes the 4 weirdo-s so special. Naomi, supposedly the toughest (and the squad leader) get's herself killed. Daniel got a screw loose, Miles is wound way too tight (although he appears to have some kind of para-normal ability), Charlotte a little too arrogant for my taste, and the helicopter pilot (name?) appears to be the only one with an actual connection to Oceanic Flight 815 (that we can tell so far).

As an extra, a link to a cool, fun, hip, energetic, and wacky You Tube video that B sent me this week. I bet C loves it, all the motion, the drums, the beat, the action. It's pretty cool. Check it out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XC2mqcMMGQ

Enjoy. Have a good day.

West Wing

The West Wing complete series set arrived - yahoo!

I'm staying up to start watching the first season. It's going to be awesome.

Tomorrow night - new LOST. Here's to hoping it's as exciting as last weeks!

Oh yeah and Survivor starts new tomorrow as well. I pray that Johnny Fairplay is the first voted off because I never liked him! Not because of the grandma lie either, I don't like him because he's just plain ol' slimey.

Super Bowl Sunday?

The NY Giants win the Super Bowl. Having been born and raised in NY one would think I'd be more excited, but alas! Actually, I don't really care all that much though.

Football's never been one of my interests. I find it hard to even follow the Seahawks. They did pretty well this year, but unfortunately they didn't make it past round two of the play-offs, so my interest quickly waned thereafter.

I'd be more than happy though to share my interest and enjoyment of Tennis, and how many hours I spent watching the recent Australian Open. Needless to say, I'd be hard pressed to have even considered the fact that Federer wasn't going to take it again. It's too bad about Roddick though. I was hoping he was going to make it further!

I ordered the complete West Wing collection today. Boy, do I miss that show! I don't lament the loss of many tv programs, but I'd have to say that West Wing is the show that I've missed the most. Even more than Seinfeld! It's due in a week or so, so I'm sure that first weekend will be spent reacquainting myself with all the old friends, via a complete review of at least Season 1 (see 1/31 posting if at this point your exclaiming...wow...he's kind of a geek!) :)

J and I also picked up the Rock Band game for the XBOX 360. We haven't purchased the 360 yet because there is still some work to be done on the game room but hopefully in the next week or two we'll be able to pick up that system and complete his collection.

Oh yeah, and I have tomorrow off. For those of you getting up for work tomorrow, my apologies. I know how most of us feel about Monday's. However, my employer has a strict 'Vacation Cap' policy, and I can't keep more than 160 vac hours on the books so I've got to take a day or two off a month. If I don't, I'm not able to earn any additional accruals and the hours are lost.

I know I'm a confirmed work-a-holic, but one of my work goals this year is to not lose any vacation accrual. Last year, out of a potential 120 hours, I was only able to actually earn 80 of those, because the other 4 mos I was at the cap! This year, I can earn 160 and I'll be damned if I'm going to lose any accrual this year. So far so good, beginning of Feb and so far I've managed to take enough days so as to earn both Jan and Feb's accruals.

House work

We're continuing on our quest of organization. It's only been a month since J moved in but we've been making good progress.

We picked up the new ottoman (very cool leather ottoman with storage), picked up an inexpensive (but complimentary) rug for the living room floor, and hung the pot rack (and cleared out two cabinets by hanging all our pots and pans).

Tax Refund

Got my Tax refund today. Surprisingly, it's days ahead of what was projected, how cool.

I'm going to use it to by J an XBOX 360 and the Rock Band game to go with it.