Lost: answers … and questions
How about that Lost season finale, eh? They pack a lot into those two hours. It was intense, but that’s nothing new. I was pretty happy with some resolutions, but also on the edge of my seat with some new questions. Don’t read on if you haven’t seen the finale yet and don’t want it spoiled, but if you have watched it I’d love to hear your theories and predictions.
Some things that I’m disappointed/frustrated with are that Ben’s way off the island wasn’t explained, nor the method to moving it; how horribly Jin died (and that Sun watched it happen, traumatization for life right there), and that Hurley lied to Walt about his father being still alive; and the lack of clarity regarding Claire. I don’t believe she’s alive, mostly because of her association with her father – who I also think is dead – and also since she visited Kate in a dream.
There were some positives in the finale, however. Sawyer actually did something selfless; it’s now clear the island moves in time, not geography; and – my personal favourite – Desmond survives and finds Penny.
Two more seasons to go …
My prediction is that the next season will revolve around why Locke leaves the island, changes his identity and ends up dead, and how the Oceanic Six are convinced and attempt to go back to the island. Hopefully further explanation of the Dharma experiments and Jacob will be included.
The final season will probably fill in the blanks of what happens after the six get off the island and include their return … and maybe how everyone gets off? Or, maybe they’ll all decide to stay there and live happily ever after. I don’t think anything could surprise me anymore.
Falling from space
Michel Fournier’s balloon took off yesterday … but without him attached. A “freak accident” caused the capsule to disconnect from the huge helium apparatus so Fournier’s record-breaking jump from space will have to wait.
He was hoping to fly to the very edge of space, wearing a space suit and oxygen, then fall the 130,000 feet to earth, breaking the sound barrier as he went. This was his third attempt; he’s vowed to try again next year, though I’m not sure he has $1 million stashed away for a couple of new balloons.
So yes, this guy is a little crazy, I’ve said that already. But today I discovered that a British stuntman is attempting the same jump! Steve Truglia is hoping to break the same records Fournier is aiming for – highest, longest and fastest fall, and highest balloon flight.
Skydiving would be awesome, but this is way beyond a simple jump out of a plane and pull the parachute cord. I think it would be really cool if one, or both, succeeded with their attempts, despite all the risks.
Everything will kill you
CTV and the Globe and Mail released a report today on many canned goods that have Bisphenol A, a cancer-causing agent. Health Canada is already planning to ban some plastic bottles and baby food that has this chemical, but apparently some other packaging is even worse.
I totally agree that we should prevent releasing this, and other dangerous chemicals, into our food and drinks. I’m all for innovative ways to make our world healthier and greener. But I’m pretty sure there are a lot of other things that cause cancer much more than Bisphenol A.
We should ban cigarettes completely. Seriously.
A thousand things from car exhaust to bacon have carcinogens. If we attempted to avoid every one, the global economy would collapse. We’ve been eating food from cans for decades and I’m not planning on stopping anytime soon.
People are generally more paranoid these days. Katie recently blogged about how schools no longer have any play structures that could potentially cause injuries, and I agree that it’s simply ridiculous. We keep kids safe inside, letting them play video games and surf the internet for hours every day instead of allowing them to explore the world around them and learn by doing things themselves, then wonder why so many are socially inept and immature.
I could go on. People tend to be overprotective and overly cautious, which is sometimes necessary but more often stifling. If we were to remove ourselves from every possibly dangerous or risky situation, we would all be living in plastic bubbles.
Skydiving madness
A former paratrooper is hoping to set a world record with a crazy stunt that makes ordinary skydiving look silly. Michel Fournier is planning to hop on a helium balloon for a ride to 130,000 feet – the edge of space. Then, he’ll lean forward and fall for nearly eight minutes before opening his parachute.
He will wear a space suit and carry oxygen, since the air is extremely thin that high up. His mission has been postponed a couple of times, as weather conditions have to be very specific to ensure success.
Maybe this feat is making up for never getting into space as an austronat, but whatever the motivation, Fournier has some issues with adrenaline, I think. If even something small goes wrong, there’s a good chance he won’t reach the ground alive. But I suppose he’s though of that, since he’s been working on this project for several years and made attempts twice before.
There’s no question this is a crazy ambition. But Fournier is officially my hero of the day.
Sesame Street sold out
Apparently it is now okay to put children’s television characters on potentially dangerous items in a community drug store. In Winnipeg, where there has been an outbreak of fires set by young people, Shopper’s Drug Mart was carrying lighters with Elmo, Cookie Monster and other Sesame Street favourites on them. Hmm, I wonder if there is a connection.
“It’s like putting a picture of Big Bird on a shotgun,” said Sgt. Derrick Todoruk in a Reuters story. “It makes no sense.”
What happened to the letter of the day? F is for Fire, kids. Buy one of our specialty lighters and you can play with fire all you want.
Anyone missing a foot?
This is one of the oddest stories I’ve read in a while …
The RCMP in British Columbia have found four severed feet, still in their shoes, washed up on shore in the Gulf Islands in the last nine months. The body parts are obviously being tested and analyzed, but apparently police don’t have any clues to the origin or circumstances surrounding the finds.
Here’s a pretty amazing quote from Corporal Nycki Basra, published in the Globe and Mail: “It’s very difficult when all you’ve got is a foot. I mean, the possibilities are endless. Yes, we’re going to assume the rest of the body is deceased, however, someone could be out there without a foot. It’s possible.”
Check out another article here, and be sure to scroll down to the comments – some people like to think they are quite witty with all their puns.
to do this summer
Don’t worry, I won’t bore you with another list of a hundred things I’m hoping to accomplish. But, there are some exciting events and places around Ottawa that I plan to visit over the summer and I figured I would share my ambitions. It’s the first time I’ll spend the entire season in the capital, so I plan to make the most of it.
I checked out the tulip festival a couple of weeks ago – it was beautiful! The variety of colour, size and shape always astounds me. Here’s a few photos (click for bigger versions):
Next stop: Bluesfest. Great Big Sea is a must see, and I’d also like to catch Fergie (yes, I admit it), Crash Parallel and a couple of others that I think will be good shows.
I’m hoping to check skydiving off my official list of things to do before I die, in July if all goes as planned. Stay tuned for video, photos and stories of the craziness.
It’s not quite as drastic as hurling myself out of a plane, but still very cool: I’m hoping to head out to the Great Canadian Bungee for a little adrenaline rush. The jump is the highest in North America at 200 feet! I’m not sure I’m brave enough to attempt that yet, but if not, I’ll settle for the 1,000 foot zipline experience.
Speaking of ziplines … Camp Fortune has a pretty neat obstacle course in the trees with a couple of those guys thrown in. I’ve been there to photograph a group doing the route, but I have yet to participate myself.
I know the Senators’ season is long over, but there are some cool local sports still playing hard. For example, did you know we have an Australian rules football team in Ottawa? Admission for games is only $2! According to one of the players, who I interviewed for a story, it’s the place to be for girls who want to check out athletic men in tight shorts. Yes, he said that. In his awesome Australian accent. Who’s with me?
Looks like it will be a busy few months … but the Ottawa area just has too many cool options and places to explore for me to sit at home for much time at all. Let me know if you want in on any of my adventures, because before we know it, we’ll be hibernating through another long Canadian winter. Brr, I don’t want to think about it.
More of the same
Josef Fritzl isn’t the only creepo parent out there . . .
A guy from Argentina, Eleuterio Soria, was just sentenced to 16 years in jail for psychologically and physically abusing his daughter since 1992. After enduring the treatment for over a decade, and having at least two children by him, the girl finally escaped and reported her father to the police. The difference between Soria and Fritzl is that Soria didn’t hide in the basement - it seems his family was pretty aware of the abuse since they all took off. You would think they would try to intervene instead of just removing themselves from the situation.
Back to the Fritzls. Today it was reported that Elisabeth, possibly with her children, are suing their father for damages. I think they have a pretty solid case.
Josef is now blaming the Nazis for his behaviour. The defense is crazy, of course, but he’s pretty articulate about his motives considering he’s supposed to be claiming insanity.
Also, the oldest daughter, Kerstin, looks like she may recover from her multiple organ failure and infection. Good thing - the family needs some positive news in this whole mess.
Steven Curtis Chapman
Yesterday the youngest and third adopted daughter of Steven Curtis Chapman was killed in a car accident in her driveway, possibly by her older brother who was driving the vehicle that hit her.
Steven is an extremely talented Christian musician who I hugely admire. This is such a sad incident and I can’t even begin to image what their family is going through right now.
Here’s a video of Steven playing for President Bush at the White House a few years ago, soon after 9/11. I think the song will take on new meaning since yesterday’s accident.
It also happens to be my favourite song of his.
playoff predictions, round four
It comes down to these. The Pittsburgh Penguins and Detroit Red Wings will battle it out for the Stanley Cup, starting on Saturday.
I can’t lie, I’ve lost a large amount of interest in the playoffs since the Canadian teams were eliminated. I was much more invested in the series last year when the Senators were so close to holding the cup. But, I will still make my predictions and I’m sure I’ll watch a few of the games. It is the Stanley Cup, after all.
Though many are saying the Red Wings dynasty will take it all home, I’m definitely rooting for the Penguins (even though they did beat out the Sens). In seven games, just because the intensity of being down to the wire makes it even more interesting.
Cheryl