Image Credit: Mario Perez/ABC
<An aside from the blogger who's posting Doc's article below: I'm posting this because it's chock full of interesting links for folks who have an interest. I have not read it yet, but will read it and other people's ideas only after I've written my own initial thoughts on the end of Lost, and it's retro-impact on the whole series and on me. :) I'm working on it and it might take me forever, but luckily, as Christian Shephard so succinctly put it, "There is no NOW here, Jack." And now the article I have not written begins below with pic above:::>
The end of Lost is nigh, and with it will no doubt come… THE END OF THE WORLD AS WE KNOW IT. Will there be life after Lost comes to a close with “The End” in May 23? Will reality be able to soldier forth without Jack, Kate, Sawyer and friends flickering across our televisions? The answer — and this is a conservative estimation of the matter — is really, really uncertain. How are you spending the downtime until doomsday? If you’re looking for suggestions, I have a few.
First, visit the 815 Sentences About Lost project. Do this now, then come back. Best stuff you’ll read today about Lost. (A shout out to Todd VandDerWerff at The Los Angeles Times; I first read about the project in his column.)
Second, check out this painting that Marilyn Manson painted of Lost’s resident antichrist superstar, John Locke/Fake Locke. Neat, huh? I like the idea of Smokey manipulating the candidates through the paces of his mousetrap conspiracy while ironically humming: “We’re all stars now/In the dope show!”
Third, after staining your mindscape with Marilyn Manson’s reeking spiritual stank, soak your brain in the cleansing holy water of my essay on Jacob’s philosophy of redemption. You’ll feel like a better person for it.
Fourth: Start the process of filling the gaping Lost-shaped hole in your life by buying stuff! Click over to Damon Carlton and a Polar Bear to find some cool new posters and T-shirts that have gone on sale. I’m also told that the site will be giving away tickets for a pair of fun (and funny) Lost-themed variety shows produced by the Upright Citizens Brigade that will be held in New York and Los Angeles on Saturday nights. More details to come.
Fifth: Consume all things Carlton Cuse and Damon Lindelof. On Wednesday, they’ll be reading the top ten list on The Late Show With David Letterman. And on Thursday, they’ll be doing a Times Talk Live Q&A that you can watch/participate via movie theaters around the country.
The truth is, the culture is crackling with End-of-Lostness. It’s “Lost Day” on Twitter on Friday. Guess I’ll have to crank out mucho theory tweets via @ewdocjensen. The Paley Center — which will celebrate Lost this weekend at its New York and Los Angeles venues — is asking Lost fans everywhere to submit pics of their last official day of active Lost fandom. There’s an exhibition of Lost themed art at The Vilcek Foundation. There’s an auction of Lost props. And then, on Sunday: Lost viewing parties everywhere. In Los Angeles. In Cincinnati. In St. Louis. In Arlington, Virginia. In Columbus, Ohio. In Portland, Oregon. In Dallas. In Pelham, New Hampshire, at a movie theater called Chunky’s. (Check out this Business Week round-up of Lost culture festivities/grief rituals for more info.)
There’s one more significant event happening this week in advance of the series finale, maybe the most significant event of all: tonight’s penultimate episode of Lost! It’s called “What They Died For.” Let me tell you three things about it (SPOILER ALERT!): 1. It picks up where “The Candidate” left off two weeks ago. 2. The title would seem to suggest that someone will explain why Jin, Sun and Sayid had to die two weeks ago — and someone will do just that. 3. For an episode with such an ominous title, and one that ratchets up the tension and stakes in advance of the finale, “What They Died For” is a surprisingly funny outing. How do I know this? Because as I explained in last Friday’s Doc Jensen column, I got a chance to see the episode last week. Click over there for a more expansive preview and a few additional teases about the episode.
As for my finale plans, I intend to finish Lost the way I began it: on the couch, in the family room, with my wife by my side. Afterward, we plan on watching Jimmy Kimmel’s salute to Lost. (And not just because Jimmy tweeted a really flattering thing about me last week. I genuinely think Jimmy is really kinda funny!) I keenly recall watching a screener of the Lost pilot with Amy in July 2004, a couple months in advance of the September premiere. The second it was over, Amy turned to me and said, “Do we really have to wait two months for the next episode?” She was instantly hooked. I was more skeptical. “It’s easily the best pilot I’ve seen since Twin Peaks,” I told her. “But I have no idea how they’re going to keep this alive as a series. There’s no way this lasts more than a year or two…”
Words: eaten. My life? Changed. My life… now over? To be continued… and concluded.
+++
Last week at “Lost Live,” a celebration of the series that showcased the music of Michael Giacchino, executive producer Carlton Cuse made a passing reference to last week’s episode “Across The Sea” and mentioned that the story was set in 500 BC. He may have been joking (though it seems most Lost scholars, including the folks at Lostpedia, have pegged the story as taking place between 500 BC and 200 BC), and I don’t think his intention was to make an official clarification on the dating of the Mother/Jacob/Man In Black drama. However, let’s pretend for at least this column that we can hang our theory-thinking caps on this 500 BC business. What was going in the world at that time, you ask? I’m glad you did! Because as it happens, some momentous, world-changing stuff was going on circa 500 BC — stuff that connects profoundly with Lost. For example:
1. Buddhism. Mother, Jacob and MIB were contemporaries with Guatama (also Siddhartha) Buddha, who lived from 580 BC-480 BC. The core ideas of Buddhism include the idea of “letting go” of the things of this world that keep us from recognizing and growing our spiritual nature and reincarnation and evolution of consciousness through a myriad of lifetimes.
2. Pythagoras. One of the most influential pre-Socratic philosophers, Pythagoras lived from 570 BC to 495 BC. He is famed for his mathematical theorems, his fixation with numbers, his mystery cult religion, Pythagoreanism. Core beliefs: “The Wheel of Life,” the view that existence is a cycle of life, death and rebirth involving the purification — or debasement — of the soul; and transmigration, a philosophy of reincarnation.
3. Heraclitus. Another essential pre-Socratic philosopher, who lived from 535 BC to 475 BC. Prior to season 6, I wrote an essay about his relevance to Lost. Heraclitus — known as “the weeping philosopher” due to his dim view of mankind and also as “the obscure” due to his penchant for expressing himself in the most cryptic fashion possible — believed that everything was made of fire and that everything was in a constant state of flux. He advocated the “unity of opposites,” that a state of tension between opposing properties (good/evil, peace/war, light/dark) was the natural way of things. He also believed that the logos of the world — its truth; its meaning — was ultimately unknowable, either because mankind is intellectually incapable of knowing it or simply doesn’t care enough to try.
Interesting. Mother certainly shared Heraclitus’ cynical view of people. And her sons Jacob and Man In Black definitely represent a “unity of opposites.” What Mother called “The Source” — the fiery heart of The Island and the junction of “life, death and rebirth” — sounds a lot like the “Wheel of Life” of Pythagoreanism. (By the way, sounds like Jacob and Pythagorus share a passion for numbers.) And as I explored in an earlier column, Lost seems suffused with Buddhist subtext… and having seen tonight’s episode SPOILER ALERT! I can report that there’s a few developments in the Sideways world that further bolster a Buddhist reading.
What do all of these (potentially irrelevant) allusions really mean for Lost? Well, I was going to suggest that when The Island gets a new guardian, the philosophical and religious ideas of his or her time become imprinted on The Island. But honestly, the main reason why I walked you through all this was… nostalgia. I’m not going to get many more chances to be crazy-theory guy. In fact, I can count on two hands how many more times you’ll hear from babble on about this show. 1. The new episode of Totally Lost, which you’ll find below. 2. My Instant Reaction to “What They Died For”; look for it tonight right after the episode airs. 3. My recap of the episode, posting tomorrow. 4. A Doc Jensen column posting on Friday. 5. An instant reaction to “The End,” posting on Sunday night. 6. My final recap, posting Monday. 7. One last episode of Totally Lost, date TBD. 8. One last Doc Jensen column, date also TBD. That leaves two extra fingers on those two hands. I shouldn’t let them go to waste. Perhaps I’ll put them to good use–with a surprise or two.
More tonight.
Doc
Update: Totally Lost is live (below)!
via popwatch.ew.com
http://www.dharmaware.com/india_gallery/limgam1meter.html
http://www.bellbookandcandle.citymaker.com/catalog/item/1256874/746484.htm
http://www.nationalminerals4u.com/holy-shivalingams.html
Somewhere across the continent, it lies waiting
In a dark storage unit in the way-back
My most valued possession a living stone
If you don't feel that stones are alive,
Hold one sometime, and there is no better stone
To start with than one culled and polished from
The bed of the Narmada River in central western India,
Where meteors have collided and infused otherwordly
Material into "our own." Ha!
I dream of it and long to have it near
The frequency emanated enlivens
All of my nineteen and counting - senses
In a crystal bowl,
A bed of sand,
It stands. And stands
It's red eye, one
Evokes the sun.
Here on earth,
Worlds collide
Stone as bride
Washed in water, sacred
Sealed by fire, mated
Anointed by oils,
Breeze and sand
To have once again
Cradled by hands.
A dream until ten
and four years have passed
At last.
http://mepow.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/
Me and my brother
Have both uncovered
Layers beneath the sand
There we find noble
Stories of Eagles
Global and regal
From ever-moving sky to 'solid' ground
The present, an emissary
There and then, bringing here the found. Reclaimed from the din
To find wings within
Released from chains
Of everyday clamor.What some may call
A regular life
Of toil and strife
Adding just the right distraction
To calm the fear
Of not being what one is.
Imagine being locked in form
Could you still be free
Were you put in a cage
Could you find a way
To soar on high and say
Again and again and again...The eternal 'Yes!' and how? Together once more
This stroke of a pen
Brings us our daily bliss
Assuaging and inspiring that human yen.
Today bore the kind of soul-sucking heat that
Had me trying to find the ball park figure
For central air conditioning.
We're talking Yankee Stadium dollars
And that's a pipe dream at best as I'm
Strictly minor league.
Have to deal instead with sweaty clothes
And extra heaping helpings of the usual no energy Reminded me of way back in the day
India in the hot season
Where the coolest clothes you bring from home
Are like being covered in 10 tapestries.
In the end I get clothes locally made
Barely there material for the heat. Everywhere I look I see lizards on the walls and ceilings
Occasionally on the floor.
Bunch of people meditating nobly and full of grace
On the marble floor of the open-air covered hall. A kriya overtakes one woman and her head falls
Backwards onto her neck, mouth open.
At that same moment, a lizard's toe pads
Silently detach from the roof overhead and it
Plummets downward toward the bulls eye target An open mouth now full of green lizard scrambling to get away
Amid coughing and yelping, until finally
It's free
"Wherever you are is the entry point"
~Kabir
* I think it's cool how the rain comes in about 1:45; I was waiting for it! :) *
The pictures in the gallery, the text below
And the time-lapse video
Appeared at this link:
http://atlasobscura.com/place/kelburn-castle
Kelburn Castle in Scotland is a stately home whose original structure likely dates from before the 13th century. It is thought to be one of the oldest castles in Scotland to have been continuously occupied by the same family — the other being Dunvegan Castle — and its original Norman Keep (which was built primarily for defense rather than comfort) is now enclosed within a larger home that was completed around 1581.
In June 2007, after learning that the entire concrete facing would need to be replaced, the open-minded family invited Brazilian graffiti artists to paint the large section of the castle that will eventually be replaced. Painted by artists Nina, Nunca, and the duo Os Gemeos ("Twins" — which the two artists, in fact, are), the contrast between the 16th-century building in the woods of Scotland and the 21st-century urban Brazilian graffiti creates an eccentric and delightful visual landscape. In 2009 the building suffered from a fire, but suffered only minor damage.
You can visit the Kelburn Estate between Easter and November second, and the graffiti is expected to stay on the estate for at least a further while until the estate can raise the funds to have the concrete refaced.
Column name derivation? :)
The article is interesting as are the comments,
Many of them. One of my studies ~ Philosophy
I think I'll keep an eye on this
Column from time to time.
http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/05/16/what-is-a-philosopher/
The Stone: What Is a Philosopher?
In the first of a series of writings by contemporary philosophers, a reassessment of the ancient art.
- Nate Stevenson has Drawn many Songs, which you may view here.
I have this picture in my mind of Jamie Bell as Billy Elliot
Jumping on his bed in the opening scene of the eponymous film.
First, he had twice-started his brother's vinyl of Marc Bolan
As T. Rex singing "Cosmic Dancer" as he prepares by jumpin in place
Behind the table and the record player.The wallpaper behind him is classic to the period.
And his adventurous, joyful, completely open face
Shows nothing yet of his command of small movements of the
Body which add up to understated as well as raucous grace.
The pointing of a toe here... the flapping of the hand there...
The mid-air turns and pranks as if he was on the ground. It's a great scene - which I've included here.
You might want to stop before his brother speaks,
For the purposes of the song...
But just so's you know there's harsh language for
Young ears after that... Tread at your own risk.
But most of all, enjoy - the discovery of music and
What comes naturally.Boy, does he jump high!
Who knew you could get that much
Loft and rise from some old bed springs?"Embedding disabled by request," says Youtube's field for this video. You can still watch it here:
In Egyptian mythology, Isis is the goddess of fertility. She is also a guardian of the dead, and she allegedly has powerful magical abilities, including the ability to heal people. Historically, Isis was often associated with the moon, which sometimes appeared in representations of her, typically held in a headdress which also included the horns of a cow. According to legend, Isis was mortal once, but she tricked the sun god Ra into giving her some of his powers. She is also described as the sister to Osiris, as well as his wife. The name “Isis” means “Queen of the throne,” linking her with Osiris in his role as ruler, and in some representations of Isis, she wears an empty throne as a headdress, symbolizing the severed link between herself and Osiris. The most well-known tale about Isis involves the death and resurrection of Osiris. According to legend, Osiris was murdered by his brother Set, and brought back to life by Isis so that the two could have a son, Horus. Horus was hidden until adulthood so that he could take revenge on Set, while Osiris was torn apart by Set in a fit of rage. Although Isis was able to reassemble her husband and bring him back to life again, he was officially considered dead, and sent to the underworld.
Many statues of Isis show her suckling or holding the infant Horus, reinforcing her role as a goddess of fertility, and in some regions she was worshiped as a goddess of childbirth as well. In addition to being the goddess of fertility, Isis was also one of the goddesses who looked after the dead, tending to the canopic jar which holds the liver, and she was viewed more generally as a goddess of protection and defense because she watched over the dead. In addition to being venerated in Egypt, Isis was also a figure of worship in Greece and Rome. Isis cults made their way to Greece around the third century BCE, and reached Rome not long afterwards. These cults often acted out the story of Isis and Osiris annually, as a symbol of rebirth and fertility, and by all accounts, their rites were quite raucous. Isis worship endured through the sixth century CE, although such cults had largely been stamped out by then. Some people have suggested that the story of Isis has some links with the story of Mary and Christ in Christianity, and it is likely that early Christians were influenced by the myths surrounding Isis. Certainly both Isis and Mary are mother figures, and some forced converts may have found comfort in viewing Mary as a version of Isis.
I've got Isis on my mind.
It may have to do with Mother's Day,
Mother's day is every day, and Isis does come up at that interval.
It may have to do with the ending of TV's "Lost,"
And how much I love how ancient they've taken
This struggle.
In any event, a bit about the deity:
From:
http://www.wisegeek.com/in-egyptian-mythology-who-is-isis.htm
