Monday, May 24, 2010

"It worked." - Juliet


"I don't believe in a lot of things, but I do believe in duct tape." - Miles
"He's worse than Yoda." - Hurley
"Let it go." - John Locke


I have been watching LOST since it's pilot. I would have never even considered the pilot if it wasn't for my brother. He's a fan of all things JJ. Abrams - and I am hooked as well.

LOST is one of few shows my hubby and I watch together. My hubby is more of a skeptic. I believe it brings him great joy to find holes in stories, inconsistencies... like so many others.

I'm the type that goes with the flow, if I find the characters, their stories, emotions matter to me. That's what I love about LOST. I loved getting to know the characters, their flaws, strengths and ability to change. Yes, when Jin and Sun went down in that submarine, my body was wracked with sobs.

Sure, I'd have liked to receive more answers about excess details - but I found the finale, the entire series perfectly delicious and satisfying. I imagine that in the end of my life, all the questions that might seem so important right now, might not matter at all when compared to my relationship with my little family. In terms of LOST what mattered to me was the simple symbolism, the journey of faith, trust, loyalty. I enjoyed how these characters struggled, worked, toiled, and then received peace.

One of the most resonant themes was when Jack in the first season said "we either learn to live together, or we'll die alone." The finale demonstrated how well they had learned to live together. They were able to be with the people they chose to care about most, and die (move on) together.

I think it's fascinating how time in the sideways world is not relevant. Time is very much a human condition. When there is no end to time, when eternity is difficult for our minds to fathom, it makes sense that time, the way we view it means nothing.

I loved the symbolism of sacrifice that rang throughout the series. I believe that all things denote there is a God. It always tickles me that even pop culture can't escape this simple fact.

Last night as I watched the finale with my hubby, I could not stop exclaiming... "I LOVE THIS SHOW!" each time a familiar face was awakened, united... or shared familiar one liners, nicknames, conversations... I just wanted to hug everyone.

I'm one of those people that enjoys symbolism, and meanings below the surface. It reminds me of parables. Those that are willing to hear it, will choose to. Those that are not willing, won't. That's what's great about reading and finding great shows like LOST - if you choose to allow something to enrich your life, you will find it. If you choose not to, you won't. So I don't begrudge those that dismiss the finale, or even choose not to watch the series, because we're all at different stages of life and enlightenment. Some of us will read a book and take it at face value. Others of us will be able to see brilliant rays of symbolism jumping out at us on a page, enriching our perspectives... after all life (LOST) is all about choices.


...I just wish Charlie, Desmond and Penelope were in that photo of the cast above. How great was it to see Charlie with Claire and Aaron again? Pretty great!


This is my wistful farewell to LOST. Loved the journey, it was beautiful.

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Choices


I just finished the Mistborn trilogy by Brandon Sanderson.

He also wrote Elantris and Warbreaker - both of which I also enjoyed.

I love the way he writes strong women heroines. They remind me of Sydney Bristow and her kick-a ways. I like to think that if I didn't have any real responsibilities I'd be out, kickin-a in the name of truth, justice and general awesomeness.

The first book of the Mistborn trilogy, the heroine Vin basically believes that you can't trust anyone - because they will always break that trust. I related to her. There have been so many people in my life that I have trusted, only to discover that they were never worthy of that trust. So it is a challenge to believe in people. Yet, I have this need to seek out people I can trust...even if I often am disappointed.

There's also this character I liked, Sazed. He's a religious scholar who studies the world's 300-some religions... most of which have died out. He experiences a crippling depression when he finds that he can't logically find a religion that he would believe to be true. Eventually, he learns that belief is more than what is logical. It's about trust, faith, hope... and most importantly,
choice.

I'm discovering this is a simple, yet challenging concept. Life has always been about our choices. Choosing a path and then accepting the journey seems so simple. I suppose we just find ourselves distracted by other, seemingly complicated ideas along the way.

I choose my faith. It's a conscious decision. It's not one I made because everything was answered, proved and measured out for me. It's not a choice I made based on coercion - it's a choice I made, because what I believe brings me trust in God, faith, hope, redemption.

I choose my current role in life. I am a wife and mother. I would never walk away from this role I choose, no matter how crazy each day may be. I understand that choosing this role means that I am required to give of myself, daily. It is not easy. But it is what I chose.

I choose my personality. I choose to be an effective, confident woman, with real opinions. I remember what it was like to be a blown by the wind kind of girl in crowds. Too terrified of what other people thought about me to ever voice my own thoughts. I know what it is like to follow the whims of society, and its ever-evolving trends. Been there, done that - I've chosen to follow my own path instead.

With our choices... sometimes when things become difficult, filled with trials and the drudgery of living in this sphere...sometimes the hardest thing to do is to realize that the choice for hope, happiness, faith - is ours. We may wish to be saved, rescued in a blink of an eye, or told what to do - but oftentimes it's about the choice of reaction, attitude...and that's hard.

Life would be a lot easier if the choices were all laid out for us. That's why there are rules, guidelines, commandments - they help us make informed decisions. It's hard enough making a choice... imagine not having any reference in which to make them. Chaos!

There are times I have a difficult time choosing to, or wanting to, react well when the storms of life rage around me. I'm more aware of it now. I recently heard a talk about how the speaker thought it was better to be nice than right. As someone who likes truth, honesty, sincerity... that just totally rubs me the wrong way. Or maybe... I'm reacting the wrong way... I don't know... I'm starting to ramble.

The Mistborn series opened up my eyes a bit more - bringing me awareness that while people may scoff, mock, doubt, or ridicule what I believe, or do, there's power knowing that what I believe is not an unconscious, robotic behavior. I also don't do things because I may earn praise, agreement or adulation, I do it all regardless of public opinion. I do what I do because I choose to - it's my choice, and I own it.


p.s.
Just like the mists in the mistborn trilogy... lately I've had a lot of thoughts regarding choices swirling in my head... reading these three books this past week sort of uncorked it all at once. I am not sure if what I'm feeling, thinking translates through the words I type... but I chose to get it all out before I lose this train of thought.

Saturday, May 1, 2010

D'oh!




I pulled a Joey moment tonight.



Today is the start of a very busy week. My daughters are in rehearsals for their big show Fri/Sat and I am busily organizing/coordinating teacher appreciation for both my kindergartner and preschooler... so ... I am about to lose my sanity and what is left of my short-term memory...which is not good to begin with.

I bought tickets to Conan O'Brien's tour the moment they were released. I circled May 1 with a bright red pen and have been looking forward to it for months.



I was organized today - we had rehearsals in the morning, came home and did the weekly clean. Really grateful hubby helped alongside me. My hubby made me take a power nap at 4pm. I had to check twitter and FB and email before setting my iPhone alarm to wake me up.

I saw this tweet by @ConanOBrien:
"I'm in Vegas - and what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. Unless it's a superflu pandemic that spreads thru the nation causing chaos & panic."

QS: If he's doing the show tonight, why is he in Vegas?
Phantom: Vegas is only a short flight from Sacramento.
QS: Oh, well - then I'll tweet how excited I am.

I tweeted this from my @QueenScarlett twitter account:
"@ConanOBrien can't wait to see you rock it tonight in sac-town!"

When I woke from my 30 min nap I ordered pizza for the girls and sitter, showered, tried to look pretty, bathed the girls, picked up the babysitter and then Phantom and I headed to Lemongrass Restaurant.

Seafood Paella - I love the dish and presentation too...I am a sucker for adorable presentation

It was delicious. I also felt a little young. It seemed every table in the restaurant was filled with patrons of the more wise and senior sensibility. Which was actually kind of cute. I kept thinking that I want to still be going out, finding great restaurants to enjoy when I'm in my 60-80s.

Yee-haw! Thai Cowboy Steak

I had their special... the seafood paella - scallops. shrimp, veggies and rice with some curry/Asian flavorings... mmmmmmm. Phantom had their Thai Cowboy Steak and we also ordered their perfect spring rolls. Their spring rolls are made with minced pork, chicken, onions and wood-ear mushrooms. You wrap them with mint, basil, a few other herbs, and lettuce. Dip it in their delightful sauce and ... yum, heavenly.

Crispy, fresh Spring Rolls - my hubby is tearing off some herbs to wrap around the roll

Then we headed to downtown Sacramento. As we walked to the Memorial Auditorium, in the back of my mind I thought... where are all the people? Then we noticed the back door open and figured, we have tickets, it would be sweeeeeeeeeet if we ran into CoCo backstage. We went in and saw the stage occupied by a bunch of ballerinas.... we kept walking and in my head I thought, "maybe it's part of a sketch"...and then my heart dropped and Joey from FRIENDS floated into my mind. I pulled out the tickets and saw THURSDAY, MAY 6th.


The End.

Time for bed, Joey brain