LOST

(A Blog Every Day in May 2013 Challenge Entry)

Doesn’t look like an easy out this time around.

Today’s prompt:

Day 20, Monday: Get real. Share something you're struggling with right now.

Technically, I suppose I could refer back to the multiple posts about self confidence or money, but I will attempt a different topic. Which to choose, which to choose. So many struggles and life issues.

The Long Way Home

While I usually hang out with my brothers on Monday, after hanging out with my grandmother, tonight I had to call the evening short. I was attempting to write my blog at my brother’s place, but all I got out was the above. Something was feeling off. It was stuffy, I was feeling excessively tired, and just the overall atmosphere wasn’t sitting well with me.

Don’t get me wrong, it was a fun time when arriving. My five year old niece had called me up asking when I’d be coming over, because we were going to grill. It was really cute, and I look forward to seeing both my nieces on Monday nights. They always ask me to watch their shows/movies with them and I feel bad when I turn them down. Whether to write, game with my brothers, or some other random reason. I need to focus more time with them when I visit.

Tonight I actually watched some of their shows with them, but soon after felt like I best hit the road. I was leaving a good four to five hours earlier than usual. The risks are already increased with me driving at night, but being this tired even more so. Best not push my luck. Especially with thunderstorms passing over again.

First I had to make a pit stop to my grandmother’s to pick up my watch and slap bracelet I left over there earlier in the afternoon. It was a quick hi and bye, and then I was back on the road again.

During this time of year they love doing a lot of road work, but luckily almost all of the construction being done is farther South than anywhere close to me. Except tonight it seems. On the way home, one of the major ramps I take looked to be closed off. I had already passed up familiar alternate routes, so I took the only exit available before my needed ramp.

I’ve always been curious of the road. That may sound odd, but I have used the exits before and after and am quite familiar with them. This exit, however, I’d never taken. It would be an adventure I figured. Find out where the heck the road led to. It was between two exits I’ve taken time and again, I would be able to find my way to one of those roads simple enough.

Wrong.

There was one road I thought I knew right off the bat, but I bypassed it thinking that the current direction I was going would do well enough to get my to my destination. Again, I was wrong. I eventually came to a “T” and what was that in front of me? A lake. Long Lake Road should have explained this all to me, but you know... whatever. Long Lake Road apparently turns into Valentine Lake Road. Fancy.

I knew going right would take me out of the way more so I chose left. Never mind that “Road Closed Ahead” sign off on the side of the road. It would be made more prominent if it were closed, right? Yeah, no. So I took a journey down this lake-side road, curious as to where it would bring me — secretly hoping to the main highway.

The area seemed rather nice. From what I could tell through the downpour in the dark. There was definitely some kind of development taking place; curious as to what. Then I saw the dreaded white and orange signs and barriers sprawled out across the road. Crap. By this point I’d already driven almost fifteen minutes in unknown territory. Now I’d have to backtrack. Thankfully, I only took a few turns.

So back I went. With the storm, and my car’s reliability being gravely uncertain, it felt like there was a good chance for some bad Stephen King mojo to go down. I’m not too keen on being lost in a storm driving a shitty car with barely any gas.

Once I came to the road I thought sounded familiar, I figured why not. I already drove to some random dead end, why not continue the adventure? So off I went. Eventually there were signs for the main highway, and for a brief moment I contemplated ignoring it. I felt pretty sure I knew where the current road lead.

As luck would have it I played it safe, and finally got back on the main highway. Good thing too, because I was apparently heading North instead of South. Destination: Home was in sight.

So my thirty minute trip was increased by an hour. It’s all good... at least this real struggle was able to be resolved tonight. Could have been worse. I could have had my car breakdown in the middle of who knows where.

Have you ever taken a route you’ve never been on before and gotten lost? Any current real life struggles you are battling?
(An A to Z 2013 Challenge Entry)

All week I’ve been excited about “L” so that I could talk about LEGOS. It seems strange, but considering they were among my favorite toys during my childhood — along side my army men and G.I. Joes — it felt fitting. I wouldn’t have been able to promise anything in depth. Though after my random stream-of-consciousness-esque post for “K” yesterday, I imagine it best not to delve too deep into my crazed mind today.

I wanted another short entry. I’ve lots of catching up to do, since falling behind on blogs I follow. I sat here and I just couldn’t think of anything. It's only 7pm — no big deal, right? — but I’ve disliked how close I’ve come to almost missing the daily deadline. Not that there are any repercussions or that anyone would care; except me. I would know, and I would undoubtedly care.

Sitting here, in contemplation, I’ve been struck by the overbearing feeling of being lost...

LOST & Found

LOST is one of my most favorite television series. Possibly my number one, which was once held by Alias (both series have the same creator: J.J. Abrams). What’s not to love about it? It has action, drama, mystery, romance, sci-fi elements, and even Polar Bears! POLAR BEARS!

If you didn’t already know, LOST is a show about a group of people that survive a plane crash and become stranded on an island. It isn’t too long into the pilot episode that we discover that the island contains its fair share of mysteries, and that the survivors are not alone.Throughout the series these castaways fight/struggle amongst themselves, their inner demons,  and unexplainable forces — all the while, discovering an abundance of secrets the island holds —  as they try to find a way back home

The series is very heavily character driven (just the way I like them) and continually explores the inner workings of each main character, piece by piece; their past, their demons, their dreams. There are many great characters, and many times when watching a show/movie I like to pick one I like — in a way, to represent me. It’s something I've done since a child. Will my character end up good or evil? Will they survive? It’s fun, don’t judge.

Locke & Load

While some would expect me to pick Jack Shephard — given my name obsession — my character is John Locke. It was tough to choose between the two, each having their own draw to me. Jack and Locke had many differences of opinion/philosophy, which were mirrored in the series recurring theme of Science Vs Faith. He was arguably the heart of the show, at least for me. Being one of the most tragic of characters, his initial “reveal/secret” and journey of self-discovery after crashing on the island was one of the strongest elements keeping me glued to LOST.

Simply put, Locke is a badass. In fact, in my Liebster Award answer regarding what fictional character would I be, I feel dirty he wasn’t listed. I'm going to fix that right now! Maybe the fact he was played by Terry O’Quinn (who I’ve been a fan of for a long time) added to this perception. I don’t think so, though, as Locke is a series favorite for many. The part is so well written and acted, the character’s story arc thought-provoking and inspirational.

If I was stranded alongside the survivors of LOST, John Locke would be an individual I would want in my corner. Showing me how to hunt, talking about philosophy, and screaming into the night. I’m pretty sure he’d have my back. As long as I didn’t tell him what he couldn’t do.

All Good Things Must Come to an End

Unfortunately the series came to a close after six seasons. By the final season, many viewers — including myself — were distraught there may not be enough time to wrap up all the story arcs and explain the countless mysteries uncovered during the shows airing. We (the viewers) had been told that the end was planned from the beginning, and that while most mysteries would be explained, not all would. That the unanswered questions were part of the show’s “magic” and appeal.

This concerned me, but I wasn’t going anywhere. Like most, I had invested too much time to just walk away. The creators knew this; bastards. In the end, it was like they said, most major mysteries were explained. I use “explained” loosely.

And what about the ending itself? All I will say is that I thought it was an incredibly beautiful/poetic, fitting end for the series. I don’t think I could have imagined it any other way. I am trying to refrain from saying “perfect,” but it may have been, within the context of the series.

There Can Be Only One

So, Is LOST number one? King of my favorite television series? I came into the series at the fourth season. This was literally like a double-edged sword. I could watch the first three seasons straight through (marathon style), but had to wait weekly/yearly for the last three. It was torture. I couldn’t wait for more, I wanted more, I needed more LOST. I spent countless hours reading forums/discussion boards, discussing with family and friends — hypothesizing/debating — and having my thoughts and dreams invaded by it.

It would be a fitting champion.

I am catching up on so many series, though — Battlestar Galactica, Dexter, Game of Thrones, The Walking Dead — it’s hard to say which will eventually reign supreme.

One thing I know for sure is that LOST will always rank among the top, and hold a secure place in my “database” (memory), even if some of the specifics were... lost... over time (Give me a break! I’ve only seen it through its entirety once, which is a crime on its own... I know, I know).

It’s about time I went back and got... lost... on the island, once again.

“We have to go back!”

Don’t judge.

So so so so much more I could/want to talk about, but being brief... Keep it short... Breathe...

Did you watch LOST? If so, who was your favorite character? Did you love or hate the series finale? Do you have an all-time favorite TV series? If so, which and why?