Lost season 6: “Lighthouse”

Hey, Jack… what’s that scar?  😛 Hey, A kid! David.

Wow, Hugo… longest tshirt ever.

Hey, Jacob needs Hurley. Ooh, who’s coming?

Woo, shout out to the Red Sox!

Oh, look. More daddy issues.

Barf… holy shit, Jin. Ow ow ow ow.

I’m a big fan of Indy, too, Hurley. “Why don’t YOU go back to the courtyard?” “And I just lied to a Samurai”

Yeah, that’s waaaaay natural. Pretend to tie your shoe for 20 minutes. “…like obiwan kenobi… Man, I love Hurley.

Duuuude. I think you’re gonna get the chop, Jin. I see a Boone-like leg fate in your future. Hopefully not, though.

Awww. She’s really gone crazy. I’m not by myself.. I’ve got my dead boar pig skeleton fur baby.

“I leave everything to my illegitimate daughter Claire.” HAH. Called it. Maybe.

EWWWWWWW!!! GAAAAHHH!!!! Yes, of course I’m your friend, Claire… Just stop acting spooky. Holy crap, she’s awesomely scary.

Well, none of us forgot they were there. Yeah, what if those skeletons were you… we’ve been saying that for ages and ages.

So, you’ve lost your dad, and your son. Good job, Jack.

Aw, Jack… why do you do things to make me like you? That was sweet.

GRACK! I totally just screamed.

Heh. Your son’s a pianist. Like Daniel. (Aw, that just makes me miss Daniel.) Duuuuude. That’s Dogen! woah.

So, it’s going to be like Pete’s Dragon pretty soon, then. Gotta light it to help the ship get there.

WOAH!!!!!! No, Jack. I saw it, too. And the names again…. wow.

Jack. you frakking idiot. get mad and break shit. Is that how it’s going to go? Jacob probably planned it knowing you’d do something douchey.

Awww. I like alternajack. That was sweet.

Wow… Jacob is infuriatingly mellow.

Yeah, Jin.. you have to lie through your teeth to get away from crazy jungle Claire.

Mmhmm, Claire’s “friend.” I love how they STILL won’t give him a name.

-the end-

Ravelympics 2010: progress

I finished my first tawashi yesterday. It didn’t take very long once I got going, but I kept getting distracted by looking at other people’s Ravelympics projects, and trying to figure out how to get NBC.com streaming to work on my computer. I’ve had to settle for watching the highlights and what not. I missed the short track speed skating and mogul wins, alas. But I did have a lovely dinner out with friends and finished the first tawashi en route.

This one is called “Puzzle” and it’s in Tawashis in Crochet by Cindy Adams, one of my fellow Ravelers in the Tawashi Town group. It’s a very simple design: make four strips in contrasting colors and loop them together to form a wee square.I used Lily Sugar ‘n’ Cream yarn in Hot Pink and Pine Green, which I think is quite fetching. Really, I’m just using up my cotton stash. It came out pretty good for my first one. I still don’t think I understand the instructions for the last row of the strip, so I just improvised. It looks fine, but I have trouble turning written instructions into actions sometimes.

Here’s one of the strips waiting for its buddies:

This one makes a nice splint cozy:

Two strips linked together:

And the finished tawashi, top view:

And side view:

I only have a couple of colors at the moment, and we wouldn’t want to get bored with the same tawashi, would we? No? I didn’t think so. To the yarn store!

Ravelympics 2010 – Days 1 and 2

Opening ceremonies were great, I don’t care hat the haters are saying. That giant bear was awesome, and the super clever use of fabric and lights was amazing, especially the whales. My favorite part of the whole show was of course the one that featured the culture of the Maritime and Atlantic provinces. Tartan and fiddles and dancing and screech. Oh, and sparklers on their SHOES! So great. YAY, Canada! I loved watching the athletes walking into the stadium, especially the US and Canadian teams. Oh, and the teams who only had one athlete competing. How amazing would it be to represent your country like that? I admit to being very child-like and innocent about the Olympics. I am bracing myself for the bitter disappointment that will inevitably come when we learn of some sort of corruption or drug use or whatever. But for now, though, I’m basking in the sportsmanship and honor of the games. I don’t even care if that sounds lame. I love me some Olympics.

I’d like to note for the record that attempting to crochet while injured is proving to be more difficult than I had anticipated. I didn’t realize how much I used my left index and middle fingers. I’ve sort of worked out a system where I keep tension with my left pinky, but it’s really awkward and causes my hand to cramp up periodically. Oh well, that’s part of the challenge.

The tawashi I’m working on first is a series of interlocked strips to form a neat little puzzle ball. Like this one, but crochet instead of knit. I’m doing it up in that same shade of pink, plus dark green. I’m having a bit of trouble understanding part of the directions, because I’m not as familiar with crochet as I am with knitting, but I think I’ve figured it out now. This first one might be a bit wonky, but oh well. I don’t think my dishes will mind.

Ravelympics 2010

I love the Olympics. I love yarn. What better way to combine these two things than the Ravelympics? Ravelry is a really fun social networking site for knitters, crocheters, spinners, and other fiber artists. There are message boards and groups for every sub-genre of yarn enthusiast. Like Joss Whedon and knitting? Join the Big Damn Knitters Firefly fan group, or the Whedoknitters. Like making bento lunches? Ther’s a group for that, too. How ’bout horses? Yup, there’s a knitting group for that, too. (I’ll let you guess which two of the three above I’m actually in.) And hundreds of other groups.

Given the diversity of the members of Ravelry, you can expect that entries into the Ravelympics to be equally diverse. When The Yarn Harlot came up with the Knitting Olympics for the 2006 winter games, the challenge was thus: set a goal for yourself, cast on during the opening ceremonies, and finish your project before the flame is extinguished at the end of the closing ceremonies. This year keeps those same guidelines, but with the use of the Ravelry universe (Ravelverse?) we fiber people have organized ourselves into teams and are aiming to compete in various events. Teams and events loosely sprung up in the 2006 games, but Ravelry helps keep us all organized, and we can more easily check out the work of our fellow competitors.

I had originally joined Team Big Damn Knitters and my goal was to knit as many Jayne hats as I could in preparation for all my upcoming Cons this spring and summer. Alas, I broke my finger and cannot knit. However, I can still crochet. Kinda. Well, I can loosely hold the work in my injured left hand and hold the hook with my right. Anyway, I’m going to try. I joined Team Teami (Teh-ahm-ee, Japanese for “hand knit/crochet”). The events are broken down into broad categories, such as spinning, hats, mittens/arm warmers, etc., except that they have super cute olympic-themed names. For example, I’m entering the Skelegurumi event for amigurumi (cute crochet toys), and the Platter Lift for home goods (Japanes dish scrubbies called tawashi in my case).

I plan on working entirely in cotton yarn, probably Lilly Sugar and Cream, as that’s the most readily available to me. To start with, I’m using patterns for tawashi in this book: Tawashis in Crochet by fellow Ravelry Tawashi Town member, Cindy Adams. I’ve also found some patterns in Japanese, as well as guides to understanding Japanese crochet patterns. We’ll see how that goes.

In 2006 my goal was to learn to spin and then make something from my handspun yarn. My goal this tim is also not so specific. I just want to make a bunch of tawashi and amigurumi (unspecified number), and complete at least one item using a pattern written in Japanese. This time the challenge will be learning how to crochet with my hand in a splint, which may not be so difficult, who knows.

I’ll of course have pictures and links to share along the way, and will keep track of my progress of my adventures in crocheting while injured.

Are any of you joining? What challenges have you set for yourself?

Lost: Season 6, episode 2

As before, no analysis or even context. Here are my random comments from watching this week’s episode:
Don’t pester Sayid; he’s  been mostly dead all day.

Wow, Kate. You’re a bitch in this reality. Poor Claire.

(it’s really hard to type witth this stupid splint, and i have to look down to type and i might miss something.)

Oh Jack. always getting bitchslapped.

Oh James, I don’t want you to be smokey snacks. Be safe. And, Kate, you better listen to him this time and not follow, but we all know you won’t listen.

Hey, it’s Mac from Always Sunny again. YAY!

Very convincing, kate? You mean with your tongue down his throat. Don’t you dare, Kate.

Hey, is that Booga from Tank Girl in the garage?

The Pit of despair! Don’t even think of trying to escape! Nobody withstands the machine. I’ve just suxked one year of your life away. Tell me: how do you feel, Sayid?

Ticka ticka sound? Yeah, we’ve heard something like that.

Oh Kate, watch out for the booty traps.

“Step aside” was the magic word? I’ll have to remember that.

So, he’s “sick” like Rousseau’s team was sick? What is that a miracle pill? Why is everything a princess bride referece tonight?

Yeah, Asian guy, lay on the guilt trip. Jack deserves it i suppose, but will he be aware you’re obviously manipulating him?

BRAAAIINNNSSS!!!! No, he’s not a zombie.

It’s a miracle pill. The chocolate costing makes it go down easier.

Ooh, tough dilemma for Jack. Sayid trusts him. They playing him like a toy fiddle.

Oh crap… here comes Aaron.

Hmm, Sawyer, whatcha diggin for?  Memories of Juliet? Hey, Kate at gunpoint again. And I wanna know what’s in the box!

ETHAN!!! Dr Goodspeed, eh? Hmmmm. Is he going to take the baby? Is he tricking her? I can’t trust him, even in this reality. OOH she just named zee baybee!

Which time indeed, Sawyer. Bringing up Juliet’s name, Kate, probly not a good idea right now… yes it is your fault kate. And Sawyer’s. You were always looking at Kate when you should have been looking at Juliet. You make me cry. OH it *was* a ring… that’s what we were thinking. So sad.

Duh Jack. it’s a baseball.

Really what’s in the pill? Just tell him. It can’t be any stranger than a time traveling island. Actually, that was a pretty good move, Jack. Too bad it’s poison.

Oh crap… Sayid is claimed? Yeah, by what? So he’s been claimed by the nothing?

Mac, you’re a douche, but you make me laugh. Ah, there she is… crazy scary weird Jungle Claire. She looks a bit like Rousseau did when Sayid first found her.

and we’re done.

Whew. Lots of little bits to mull over.

Lost: Season 6, Episode 1 (parts 1 and 2)

I thought it might be fun to sort of live blog my Lost experience this season. Since I was so late to the party and only (finally) got around to watching the show this summer, I’m going to try to get as much out of it as possible. I’m not going to go into a crazy in-depth analysis, however. I’ll leave that to the expert. This’ll just be a collection of my comments as I’m watching the episodes. When I was catching up on the first five seasons, I used Twitter to make wee little comments here and there. This time, though, I don’t want to accidentally spoil anything for those who are behind this season. (I’ve had to stay away from the internet for TWO WHOLE DAYS before I could see this episode.) Enough introduction, here we go!

PART I:

Hey, it’s Jack and… woah, DES! WTF? Awesome.

Woah. Worst CGI underwater sequence EVAR.

And now on the island, what? Miles and Kate are deaf in the jungle…

HAH! Jack gets a boot to the face. Yeah, Sawyer.

Meanwhile, back on the plane… Luckiest guy in the world, Hurley? How ’bout that! Also, Arnst: STFU. Don’t you have some exploding to do?

and, meanwhile back at the blowed up hatch in an alternate timeline??? A voice from the rubble! Juliet??? But Sayid is dying. 🙁

I guess when Jacob sneaks up on you in the jungle and asks if you got a minute, you say yes, of course.

And back on the plane. Yay, douchey Jin is back. Hurrah.

Hey, it’s FROGURT! YEAH! and Hi, Boone! And John got to go on walkabout? Word. Boone to Locke: “you’re not pulling my leg are you?” BWAHAHAH!

Esau/Not-Locke and Ben in Jacob’s house… woah. Ben, meet the guy you killed. Yeah, John’s still dead, you bastard.

Jacob is dead… and he’s talking to Hurley. Save Sayid! or Juliet!

Meanwhile back on the plane, Charlie’s in trouble, I think. Yup, sure enough. And a baggie is removed from his breathey tube. Hmm… Is he still a junkie? A mule? ponderous.

Hatch: Juliet??? Oh, man, please don’t say we have to watch you die again. Hi to you, too, friend!

Dammit, just do what Jacob said and take Sayid to the temple! Yeah, Hurley! Take charge!

Yeah, Not-Locke, who are you? Invincible, apparently. Hmm. Uh oh… Smokey. Crap. OOh! Protective circle! Nice. Ew. Giant stake through the heart. Shoulda brought a bigger bag o’ magic dust, dude. (Btdubs: I was SO right about Smokey and Not-Locke being the same person-thing. Win!)

Juliet and Sawyer kissy face. D’awww. Something important to say? Are you preggers, J? Dammit, don’t DIE! Again. No no no no no no no.

Plane: “I was supposed to die” says Charlie. Hmmmm. And where did Desmond go? Freaky. But here we are at LAX. Oh, man, Charlie. Wait, Locke’s not getting up. Is he still in his chair? Oh, man, he totes is. Bummer. Bye, Kate. Have fun in prison.

Everyone looks so dejected.

PART II

Crap. She’s really dead. Poor Juliet. Poor Sawyer.

Okay, Hurley, what are you going to do with the giant Ankh? (Yeah, I had that bit spoiled. Oops.) It’s like the Goonies down under the temple! Don’t set off any booty traps, you guys! Um, Kate? What’d you do! I said don’t set off any booty traps! I didn’t see any guns, so she couldn’t have been kidnapped again? Dudes. Jack just got jumped. Again.

Oh, Airport Kate. You stole Jack’s pen. Good thing he didn’t need to perform a tracheotomy or anything. And to the elevator… who’s that? Of course it’s Sawyer.

Ok, Miles, use your dead people skills. What did Juliet want to say??? “It worked.” Hmmm. Ponderous.

Temple time. Wow, that place is like the TARDIS. Freaking huge inside.

Holy crap, they lost Jack’s dad? How do you lose a dead guy?

Woah, jungle stewardess? Don’t shoot! I’ve got a giant ankh and I know how to use it! Well, not really. Ooh, it’s the list! Maybe? Don’t die, Sayid!

Okay, Sun… help with the English already!

Apparently it’s temple bath time. Kate: What’s he doing? Me: testing the water for healing powers, you idiot. What do you think he’s doing? And now for the baptismal allegory. Except with more drowning. Does he yet live? (Arms stretched wide like Jesus on the cross. Nice touch, guys.) What does he mean dead? Isn’t he just mostly dead? You know, still slightly alive? Ok, guys, you set us up for a watery rebirth and all you give us is a dead guy? WTF?

Well, at least Sayid is alive in the other timeline. Hmm, Kate? Shouldn’t you, like, you know, leave the airport soon? Frogurt! Oh, shit! Kate’s been seen! OHAI, Claire!

The gang’s all here, aparently. Party at the temple. Shit just got real. Jacob’s dead, y’all. Quick! Get the magic dust for the circle! Cool. Jungle flare. (Btdubs: I was right with my very first assessment of the magic circle, not my second guess. Should’ve stuck with my first impression of the protective circle to keep something/someone out. To protect the cabin. Instead of thinking it was to keep Esau trapped.)

Locke’s last thought: “I don’t understand.” Yes, that is the saddest thing I’ve ever heard. Poor Locke. It’s weird that Not-Locke is speaking about Locke in the third person. So, you want to go home, eh? Where is that exactly? Hmm. Ponderous.

Miles? Did Sayid just say something to you? Oh, Kate? Don’t even try seducing Sawyer. Juliet’s body’s not even cold yet.

Locke to Jack: “They didn’t lose your father, they just lost his body.” And there’s the twinkly eye. Oh, man. Locke lost his knives. Boo. “Nothing’s irreversible.” Huh.

Esau/Not-Locke to Richard before E/N-L knocks out R: “It’s good to see you out of those chains…” WTF does that mean? Crap. Not-Locke is disappointed. This can’t be good.

OHAI, Sayid! Back from the dead I see.

End part II.

Woah.