LOST Reaction: "Dr. Linus"

Sorry I've been so behind on these.

This week's LOST, "Dr. Linus," was yet another great Ben episode. Ben is either terrifying or weirdly endearing (or obnoxiously evil), and our perception of him seems to change every episode.

Ilana finds out that Ben killed Jacob, which is apparently worse than we thought. She looks like she's about to eat him once Miles reads Jacob's ashes (WTF?) and tells her it was all Ben.

They go back to the beach (once a-fricking-gain), and Ilana forces Ben to dig his own grave. He's penitent seemingly without ulterior motives, which is a first. Smokeylocke sets him free and tries to recruit him, but Ben explains to Ilana, while holding her at gunpoint, that he feels terrible for killing Jacob, and blames it on his distraught state of mind after Alex's death. He seems genuinely sorry, and says he's going to Smokeylocke because "he's the only one that'll have me."

This exchange really intrigued me. Ilana then goes against everything she's already said and accepts Ben. "I'll have you," she says, picking up her gun and heading back to the beach.

Did she forgive him? Does she know that he truly is sorry? It's an intriguing view of forgiveness, and I think it's high time Ben was truly redeemed.

The other Island storyline, with Hurley and Jack running into Richard, was incredibly illuminating. Richard explains that he was touched by Jacob and therefore given a gift. Both Hurley and Jack were also "touched" by Jacob, so what does that say? Are the Losties candidates for Jacob's job, or Richard's?

Richard leads them to the Black Rock where he tries to get Jack to kill him, which doesn't work. It's obvious they both, in the words of Walt, "still have work to do."

As for the LA timeline, I found it be quite interesting. Ben is a high school teacher who deserves more credit then he gets. He's a great teacher, cares about his kids (one of which is his alt-adopted-daughter, Alex), and is friends with a growingly-obnoxious Arzt. Seriously. A one- or two-second cameo was enough. The guy's annoying now.

Anyways, he's trying to get his history club back together (by inexplicably trying to become principal, some weird school politics if you ask me) and tries to blackmail the principal with lascivious emails, only to be reblackmailed into choosing between the principal job and Alex's future. And once again, a alt-timeline Lostie chooses others instead of themselves. He chooses Alex and goes back to being pitiful Dr. Linus again.
I think the alt-timeline characters are proving to be a lot more sane than their Island-bound selves. I hope all the flash-sideways tie together and prove useful, and aren't just filler. I really hope they have something to add to the story, but so far, they don't really have a bearing on the Island timeline.

Time will tell.

The Best Omegle Chat Ever

You're now chatting with a random stranger. Say hi!

You: What are you?

Stranger: Imm'a machine.

Stranger: Built tough... like a ford.

You: I am a sock.

Stranger: MHMMM yess sir built tough like chuck norris

Stranger: But not as tough...

Stranger: How is that? typing with no weight

Stranger: or strength or anything.

You: I am a prehensile, self-aware sock.

You: FEAR ME

Stranger: OH CRAP!

Stranger: PREHENSILE, SELF-AWARE SOCK VS MACHINE

Stranger: FIGHT

Stranger: MACHINE USES ROCKET LAUNCHER

You: SOCK USES DRYER SHEET, MACHINE NOW SMELLS OF FRESH LINEN

You: *HEADSHOT*

Stranger: LMAO

Stranger: SOCK WINS!
FATALITY

You: You have fought well, worthy adversary.

Stranger: *bows*

Your conversational partner has disconnected.

Another Little Awesome Thing

It's getting close to Easter, which is awesome for two reasons. First, it is a time for us to remember Christ and His sacrifice on the Cross to pay the punishments we all deserve every day. And we should never forget that.

But it is also the season of the best jellybeans known to mankind.

The perfect candy exists, and it is Sweetarts Jelly Beans. I discovered them a couple of years ago. I usually don't get into the whole bunny/candy/not-related-to-the-actual-Easter-in-any-way thing, but these are certainly an exception. I remembered them as Target was beginning to put up the ridiculous baskets and assorted not-really-Easter decorations and patiently waited for the candy to be put out.

Suddenly, one day at Hy-Vee, I found them. There, in their glorious pink, blue and green bag, were the little nuggets of awesome.

This was about a month ago. We are on our fourth bag. They are THAT good.

They have a normal gooey jelly-bean center, but it's the coating that makes them spectacular. It's like they crushed actual Sweetarts and coated jellybeans with them. I can't get enough of them. My wife doesn't like them as they are a bit sour, but eats them anyways.

"They're okay if I just suck off the outside stuff first," she says.

Either way you eat them, Sweetarts Jelly Beans are yet another Little Awesome Thing that makes my day just a little bit brighter.

Five Ancient Versions of Websites

The Internet's not that old. But, interestingly enough, it IS old enough to look back on and notice how old and outdated some webpages were, back in the day. So here, courtesy of the Wayback Machine, are five of the greatest examples of Digital Nostalgia. (Go try it out yourself, it's addictive!)

1. Facebook

I can remember when there wasn't Facebook. That makes me feel really old. The original design, when I first started using it, was pretty clean. They've kept that up, for the most part.

Unfortunately, the Wayback Machine only has the login page, but you can still see that is was a lot simpler back then.

2. Google

Back in the day when you still had to choose a search engine (and when Google wasn't a verb yet), I mostly used Lycos and Excite. But I gradually came around, and now most of my life is uploaded and synced with Google and their servers. Back in the day, they were just a prototype at Stanford, but still colorful.

3. Excite

I was the one kid in sixth grade who didn't get a Hotmail account. I decided to go with Excite as my search engine and webmail of choice. I remained steadfastly an Excite user until 2006, when I finally broke down and got a gmail address. No, I am not making that up. I had an Excite.com email address for more than ten years. And I still have one that's so full of spam I could sign it up for a Monty Python sketch.

The first iteration of the lame-o search engine is a classic victim of late-90s webpage design. "Let's just put everything on the front page all at once! That's easy, right?"

4. The New York Times

I never was much of a news junkie until I got to college, and then I mostly used the start page of iGoogle or Excite. It wasn't until I was actively taking journalism classes that I started getting my news directly from news sites.

The New York Times' first iteration from 1996 is hilariously bad. It looks like they half-scanned the first half of the front page and stopped there.

Note the "Please open your window to the width of this line of text" banner across the bottom.

5. 3M

And finally, an example of what corporate America was thinking about this whole Internet thing in the late 90s. I've worked for 3M, my father still works there, and I've always gotten the impression that 3M was so massively gargantuan that it takes them a long time to change directions as a company.

Their first website, launched in February of 1997, is no exception. It looks like someone who read a book on HTML got his hands on a few press releases and lumped it together into a "Website." Oh well, the net was young, and we were foolish.

Shuffleboard 8

1. "Happy Is A Yuppie Word" by Switchfoot from Nothing Is Sound

I'm a big fan of Jon Foreman and his lyrics. This track is no exception. "Happy Is A Yuppie Word" is a rather odd title, but the song is still a cheerful, upbeat song. With lines like "nothing in the world can fail me now" coming right after the title line, the song shows that happiness is not necessarily the thing to strive for.

One line sums up the whole idea of the song: "Blessed is the man who's lost it all." In a way, it's a reprobation of the suburban feel-goodery that has all but taken over the modern church in America (I'm looking at you, Joel Osteen). Another great offering from Switchfoot.

2. "The Water Buffalo Song" by Superchick from Veggie Rocks

How did THIS get in there? Ahem...right. Well, the show must go on.

I've been watching Veggie Tales for quite a while. I actually own the Lord Of the Rings (Lord Of The Beans) DVD. My mom got me the Veggie Rocks CD many years ago, which features several Christian artists covering Veggie Tales songs.

"The Water Buffalo Song" was the first Silly Song with Larry, a series that continues to this day. This cover is done by Christian mainstay Superchick, and it's a fun and random track. It also features one of my favorite background lines of all time.

"Look, there's one!"

"Nope, that's a dog."

Hehe.

3. "Trinity Dream" by Don Davis from The Matrix Reloaded

I first saw all the Matrixes (Matrices?) back to back to back, so I like them all. I'm not one of the rabid fanboys that refuses to admit there were sequels. I liked them.

Anyways, Davis wrote some incredible music for the Matrix trilogy. It's jarring, odd, and the score's ever-present bell-tone trumpets and high brass make for exciting action cues. His softer romantic stuff wasn't the best.

This track opens the second film, when Trinity is beating up security guards with a motorcyle helmet and falling from a skyscraper while gun battling an Agent. It's one of the coolest and most imaginative sequences I've ever seen. The score highlights both aerial bits, as well as a eerie drop off once Trinity's hit. Davis excelled at the fever-pitch strings and high brass when Agents were attacking, and this track is no exception.

4. "Junior" by RJD2 from Magnificent City Instrumentals

I debuted RJD2 on my last shuffleboard. This track is similar, hip-hop/electronica background music. Fun to listen to as background noise, no doubt. When actively listening, it gets slightly repetitive, but it's meant to be a backing track. The drum beat features Christmas bells every once in a while, the fuzz bass line is catchy, and the action is broken up every once in a while by a flute and even some soft female vocals. A great background track.

5. "Treasure" by Trevor Rabin from National Treasure

National Treasure was a great fun movie, full of conspiracy theory stuff that I love. The score, unfortunately, was mostly forgettable. It had a few okay moments, like instilling a little awe when they were holding the Declaration of Independence in Independence Hall, but overall it was rudimentary at best.

This track is the closer, played when the heroes discover the vault of treasure beneath New York. It's a little sappy, but features the "thinking" theme (tinkling pianos) as well as the triumphant strings/synth-sounding brass theme for America or something like that.

It fits the scene okay, I guess, but I'm definitely not a fan of synthed instruments. Good Lord, this was a Disney-fueled film, you'd think they could have sprung for a full orchestra or something. Oh well.

The Omegle Project, Mk II

I ran an experiment a few months ago on a random chat site, Omegle. Read over that one, and then check out this updated version of what random people from all over the world think of Obama and how he's running the country.

1. The New Yorker

You: Hi, where are you from?

Stranger: hey

Stranger: new york

You: Hi, I run a blog called The Reactor (the-reactor.blogspot.com) and I'm doing a survey about politics. What do you think of Obama and how he's running the country?

Stranger: i think he's doing a good job for the most part, i still support him

You: Did you vote for him in 2008?

Stranger: well i couldnt vote yet but i did support his campaign

You: And what do you think of all the criticism he is getting from both Republicans and Democrats?

Stranger: well i think Republicans have no credable argument to make against Obama's policies, they have turned into a party ruled by positions they think will get the "tea party" to vote for them

You: What about the criticism from the Democrats?

Stranger: well from my perspective i think democrats make more sense, especially when they critize him about the war or banning dont ask, dont tell, they can make clear arguments i can support

You: So do you disagree with anything Obama has done or has talked about?

Stranger: waiting a year to ban dont ask, dont tell, his support of private companies like Blackwater in Iraq, and his general lack of fight when Republicans tells lies about his positions

You: What lies have the Republicans told?

Stranger: death panels, that he is a socialist, an secret muslim, he was born in Nigeria, the stimulus plan did not work, he is weak on terrorists, etc

Stranger: i could go on and on

You: Alrighty, thanks. That's all I needed. Be sure to check out the blog for your response and many others!

Stranger: yea i did, i loved last nights Lost btw

You: Thanks a lot! Bye.

2. The Clueless Aussie

You: Where are you from?

Stranger: 'Ello 'ello.

Stranger: I'm from Australia.

You: I run a blog called The Reactor (the-reactor.blogspot.com) and I'm doing a survey about politics. What do you think of Obama and how he's running America?

Stranger: Yes, sort of...

You: Sort of what?

Stranger: I don't really know too much about politics HERE, let alone in America. I'm only 14.

Stranger: So I'm sort of useless. My apologies.

You: Not a problem. What have you heard?

Stranger: Hm...

Stranger: ...

Stranger: Actually... I can't really remember! Sorry for wasting your time.

3. The Non-starter (once again, there were tons of these)

Stranger: eey

You: Hi, I run a blog called The Reactor (the-reactor.blogspot.com) and I'm doing a survey about politics. What do you think of Obama and how he's running America?

Your conversational partner has disconnected.

4. The Recycling Fan

Stranger: hi

You: Hi, I run a blog called The Reactor (the-reactor.blogspot.com) and I'm doing a survey about politics. What do you think of Obama and how he's running America?

Stranger: Well I don't hear much on what hes doing so I feel he has done very little, but he is perfecting recycling and stuff so thats good

You: Where are you from?

Stranger: USA

You: What have you heard, exactly?

Stranger: nothing

Stranger: now bye

5. The Civil Chatty Canadian

Stranger: Ask me anything!

You: Hi, I run a blog called The Reactor (the-reactor.blogspot.com) and I'm doing a survey about politics. What do you think of Obama and how he's running America?

Stranger: I'm not in America.

Stranger: But!

You: Where are you from?

Stranger: Quebec.

You: Okay, so what do you think?

Stranger: I think he's doing fine, for a politician.

You: And what do you mean by that

You: ?

Stranger: I'd like to see him adhere to more of his campaign promises, but I won't say I'm surprised.

Stranger: He's failed to close Guantanamo Bay or step down the US' war efforts.

Stranger: His focus on healthcare, while honourable, is single-minded.

You: How so?

Stranger: He seems to be devoting the brunt of his executive energies to that.

Stranger: Still, he's put a fresh face on US politics, and his day-to-day dealings with foreign nations have been positive.

Stranger: I like his support for science.

You: And what do you think he should be "devoting the brunt of his executive energies" toward?

Stranger: Same thing any president should: a full range of foreign relations, domestic initiatives, and budgetary improvements.

Stranger: As I said, I'd like to see him do more to end the United States' foreign entanglements, and restore civil liberties in that country.

Stranger: Still, he can't be held fully responsible: the legislature is materially responsible for these changes.

Stranger: And his positions are overall agreeable.

You: Well thanks very much! That's all I needed, be sure to check out the blog for your response and other's from around the world!

Stranger: Word.

Stranger: Good luck.

6. The Odd Tarantino Fan

Stranger: They're coming.

Stranger: You have to get out of there.

You: Hi, I run a blog called The Reactor (the-reactor.blogspot.com) and I'm doing a survey about politics. What do you think of Obama and how he's running America?

Stranger: Is he the guy from Inglourious Basterds?

You: He's The President of the United States...

Stranger: ... That's a no, then?

Stranger: Wait.

Stranger: I thought the president was that Appalachian guy.

Stranger: Aldo Raine?

You: I honestly have no idea what you're talking about. [NOTE: Apparently he's from a Tarantino movie]

Stranger: So...

Stranger: Let me google this Obama guy.

Stranger: Oh, very f***ing funny.

Stranger: Like a black guy could be prez.

Stranger: I'm sure in 2012 we'll be electing Captain Homosexual McLiberalton.

You: Thanks for your time.

Stranger: And yours.

7. The Non-sequitur

You: Hi, I run a blog called The Reactor (the-reactor.blogspot.com) and I'm doing a survey about politics. What do you think of Obama and how he's running America?

Stranger: What’s the password?

8. The Racist (you can't escape them on the internet)

You: Hi, I run a blog called The Reactor (the-reactor.blogspot.com) and I'm doing a survey about politics. What do you think of Obama and how he's running America?

Stranger: hi there#

Stranger: obamas still better than bush or mccain

You: And why is that?

Stranger: more chicken in the white house

You: What do you mean?

Stranger: kfc

You: Why is that?

Stranger: negroes

You: And that's why Obama is better than Bush and McCain?

Stranger: with mccain you would have another 1000 years of war, and obama has at leat a few good ideas....

You: Like what?

Stranger: his medical plans....

Stranger: plans to end the war

Stranger: plans to do something in the gaza strip

Stranger: and a few other things, like the idae of talking before boming

You: Thanks for your time, that's all I needed! Be sure to check out the blog for your response and others

LOST Reaction: "Sundown"

Will anyone survive this final season of LOST? The answer's starting to look more and more like "no."

This week, we got to see just what the "darkness" growing in Sayid is capable of.

He killed Dogen and Lennon, and got an extremely creepy grin on his face after Smokeylocke destroyed the Temple. As far as the Island timeline goes, there's not much else to say. Claire and Sayid let Smokeylocke in the Temple, Kate discovers Claire is crazy, and Ben (where on earth were Ben, Lapidus, Ilana and Sun? They just randomly appear at the end of the episode) is terrified of new Sayid. If Ben is scared of something, it is truly something to be feared. I almost got chills when Ben backed slowly away from Sayid. Ben's seen that darkness before.

The question for the Island timelines is now what Smokeylocke and his "team" are going to do, especially since Kate inadvertently joined up with them.

Sayid's LA timeline showed his softer side (as has been the trend; I'm thinking that the LA timeline Losties are going to fare better overall than the Island-side ones) as he protected his brother's family from mobsters led by the insufferable Keamy. The story was a throwaway loan shark cookie-cutter plot, with familiar characters thrown in there for twists. Don't get me wrong, I cheered when Sayid shot Keamy. I was dreading having to listen to his sadistic low-pitched mumbling. Obnoxious character FTL.

What really got me curious about the LA timeline was Sayid's discovery of Jin in the mobsters' freezer. How was Keamy involved with Paik Industries?

With all these new questions being raised, I'm wondering if Cuse and Lindelof can really deliver on the their promise of answers.