Two years later

Two years ago, there was a big blowout at my house, as we celebrated the end of the show LOST. It was, in my opinion, the most creative and overall best series in the history of television. It raised so many questions about the human condition and the reasons that the world's paradigm for living is broken, and explored how we search for those answers. And it did it with characters that we deeply cared about. For the best explanation of why it was so good, please visit (or revisit) this blog post from my friend Rob:

Why LOST Matters

So two years later, the feelings are still there from the fans. Some disappointed by the ending; others like me who found it extremely appropriate for the theme of the show. After all, it was called LOST not because they were geographically lost, but because they were lost as human beings. And, regardless of whether you agree with all the answers to our lostness, that was what the ending addressed. Powerfully.

That is why I found this interview with LOST producer Damon Lidelof extremely interesting. It's the most extended explanation I've ever heard, and in it he deals with the disappointment of the person interviewing him. The most telling statement in the interview occurs at the 5:00 mark:

There is no worse scene in the history of genre than the Architect explaining to Neo everything that happened in The Matrix...And I wasn't going to touch that with a ten-foot pole.

And that's just one of many fascinating observations from Mr. Lindelof.

It changed television. It dealt with mysteries of the human condition and our struggle for redemption from start to finish. It asked many questions that are important to those of us trying live out the Kingdom of God on earth. And I miss it.
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PS - It was an amazing time at the Manis crib that night two years ago. Here's a video we made of the fun:

That's not what happened...not at all

"On March 21^st, 1963, Alcatraz officially closed. All the prisoners were off the island. Only that’s not what happened. Not at all."

With the narration began one of my most highly anticipated shows of the last two years. Just a few months after LOST ended, word got out that there was to be another show with some of the same bloodlines. JJ Abrams producing. Michael Giacchino doing the score. And one of my all time favorites, Jorge Garcia (Hurley!), as one of the stars. I was sad LOST was ending, but I looked forward to Alcatraz.

It took nearly two years after LOST ended for it to hit the air. In the meantime, there have been several really shows to catch my attention. The best of these is Fringe, another Abrams creation. (You should check it out.) But there is something about the promos for this show that whispered hope for those of us who missed the greatest serial drama  of all time.

Before I give my thoughts, here's a trailer so you can see what it's all about:



Well, after watching the first night, what's not to love? It has in only two hours, introduced interesting characters who I think I will begin to care about soon, laid out a fascinating premise involving government conspiracy and time traveling prisoners, several layers of mystery, and two major plot twists that caused my jaw to drop. With the narration quoted above, it hooked us and then repeated the same lines at the end of the first hour in context (while giving us the first big reveal). Love that! It laid out a format for future episodes (one prisoner at a time) that, in my opinion, will help keep the premise from getting old.

And I had forgotten how much I loved watching Hurley until I watched Garcia creating another lovable character.

Ok, I can hear some of you who watched saying that there were places where the plot was too unbelievable to get in to. Sure, it's out there. But I would say to you, relax. Enjoy it. Suspend your need for logic for an hour and just enjoy.

By the way, it does have a few things in common with Fringe. A core group of characters who are not just random investigators, but have a history related to the bigger mysteries of the show. And an aspect that is like a procedural drama (case of the week) but all in the context of a bigger mythology. Yep, pretty cool.

So...has LOST been replaced for me? That's not even possible. I had to go into this reminding myself not to use that as the standard...it would only lead to disappointment. But the first episode was a dang good one to me, and I can't wait to see what happens next.

Alcatraz...check it out.

May 23

Today is a date that will always stand out to me. For a reason that may seem strange. One year ago tonight, we had one amazing party at my house. The show that I consider the best in the history of television brought its story to an end. (Here is the best explanation I've read of why it's the best, from my friend Rob: Why LOST Matters.) LOST concluded with a riveting 2.5 hour finale. It was an awesome night of TV, but even more importantly, it was a night I would never forget as my family and many of my closest friends gathered for the sendoff. We had a great time!

And that's why it's kind of appropriate for the anniversary to fall this week. I'm currently off the coast of Alaska with nine of the most amazing people in the world. Father. Sisters. Brothers-in-Law. Nieces. Nephew. As we sat around the dinner table last night, talking, laughing, and enjoying the night, I was thinking that times with loved ones like this are the closest thing we ever get to a glimpse of heaven.

So May 23. Two years in a row it's been a pretty cool day. What an awesome family!

Fringe Fridays

There are few great television shows. A little more than a year ago, the final season of my all time favorite show began.  LOST.  I remember the anticipation of finally seeing the conclusion of its amazing story arc. I could not wait to see it, and yet I dreaded its end. It was a fantastic run, ending May 23. I will never forget that night, gathering with friends and family to celebrate the six-year journey. The night at my home is captured in this video:




LOST was one of the many brilliant projects of JJ Abrams, a genius who is perhaps the leading storyteller of our time. Another of his creations is the show Fringe. It's a show built on a premise of mystery,  and unexplained phenomena...but it also has strong characters whom I've grown to care about, and a healthy mix of humor. It's a fun, exciting, thought-provoking, and emotional story. It's not LOST, but, well, what is?

Fringe has gotten better with age. The characters have become more complex and the writing is very strong. I'm excited about the second half of season 3 beginning tomorrow night. But also apprehensive. This quote from a fan site explains why:

It's a fascinating, emotional tale that's improving every week. And now all that's at risk after having been sent to what's commonly referred to as "the death slot." But at least "Fringe" isn't going quietly.

 Yes, Friday night is a graveyard for television shows. (Most of us have other things to do on Friday nights.) So if you are also a fan, please watch it. If you happens to be home tomorrow night, watch it live. If you've never seen it, give it a try.

This show, like LOST, is telling a long compelling story. The thread runs through the shorter stories that are told in individual episodes. I will always love the fact that I got to see a completed story with the end of LOST. I'm looking forward to seeing a completed story with the last Harry Potter movie next summer.  Here's hoping that Fringe will get the same opportunity. Join me if you will.

2010

2010.

It was a year of change, a year of joy, a year of struggles, a year of memories.  Yes, much like every year.  In short, it was the latest of the small number of years God has granted us to live on this earth.  We need to savor every one of them.  With that in mind, here is a short list of things that stood out to me about the year that just ended.

1. Africa.  For two weeks this summer I entered a world that my imagination could never have done justice.  I learned so much from the kids and people we met there, and I have been changed forever.  A part of me will always be there, and I know God wants me to permanently be a part of bringing his love to the people there, and also orphans everywhere.  I'm still learning, but that two weeks changed my life.
2. Pasadena.  I was blessed to begin the year by traveling to Cali with my nieces, dad, and a very good friend.  I love Alabama football and the tradition of excellence it stands for.  To experience a national championship in the place where the Tide's championship tradition began, and to do so with those close to me, was unforgettable.  "Remember the Rose Bowl, we'll win then."
3. Europe.  Remember that cloud of volcanic ash that shut down airports over there for about a week?  Yeah, I was one of those who got stuck.  (And yes, I know there are worse fates.)  I will tell the whole story on this blog one day, hopefully soon.
4. Tuscaloosa.  I spent more time than usual there the first half of this year, because of a relationship with an amazing woman there.  I leaned alot of from that time, and wouldn't trade it for anything.  I also spent time there doing some calculus with my niece who, as an environmental engineer,  will one day save the world from unsafe water.
5. LOST.  The television show I consider to be the greatest in history came to an end, and for me, it did not disappoint.  The thing that caused this to make the list however, was not (as awesome as it was) the show.  It was an amazing evening as friends and family gathered at my house for a big finale party.  That was a night to remember, and I'll always be glad I shared it with y'all.
6. Facebook and Twitter.  Yeah, I know.  Waste of time.  Scrambles our brains. Scourge of the earth.  All that may be true (and definitely is if we don't keep in moderation), but I have so, so many friends that I would be out of touch with without these tools.  Let's face it - ten years ago, when a friend moved away, most of the time we would drift apart.  Not anymore, at least for me.  So to all my online friends, I am grateful for you and your daily encouragement.

Yes, it was a great year.  And I am not even touching on all the things that make my life great year after year: my awesome family, my church, my career, and of course God's love, mercy, and grace.  Those things are constants, and 2010 was no exception.

So goodbye 2010.  Welcome 2011.  I can't wait to see what you have in store.

A tradition renewed

It was a cold night in Minnesota, January of 2008.  I was there to go ice fishing (of all things), invited by friends up there that I work with.  It was very, very cold -- about 10 degrees below zero -- and there was lots of snow.

So on Friday night while I was there, I got a call from some friends.  Turns out it was snowing at home.  In Montgomery!  For the first time in years.  So I left the south to see snow, and there it was in my back yard.

But that's not what this blog is about.  It's about what my friends were doing when they called me.  You see, a small group of friends who had met as YoungLife leaders had begun getting together on a regular basis at my house.  We would eat Thai or Indian food.  We'd talk about life, our ministry together, and fun stuff.  And, as a group that loves good stories, we would watch a couple of favorite TV shows together.

At the time we were watching a couple of shows, Heroes and 24, as a group.  But on that cold night, we were caught up as a group, and they were snowed in, and they were looking for something new.  Enter the greatest show in the history of television.  That's right...LOST.

At the time, the show had not begun its 4th season, and my friends had not ever seen an episode.  So...the phone call.  I discovered that cold Friday night that my friends were at my house, without me, watching my DVD of the pilot episode.  I was thrilled, because you always want to share your passions with those you're close to.  And this definitely qualified.

Well, it's too late to make this long story short, but my friends became as addicted to this amazing drama as I was.  I had the most fun watching the DVDs with them, and watching them enjoy it was almost as cool as the show itself.  We had long discussions about what stuff meant.  But as great as that was, what really, really was awesome was a tradition of getting together with friends and sharing life.

Fast forward two and a half years.  Two of our group, Clark and Laura (pictured at the top of this post), have been in Asia for the past two years.  They have had two children.  Throughout most of history, end of friendship, right?  But through the technological marvels of email, skype, and facebook, we have kept in close touch.  I even went to visit them once.  And now...they are back.

So, Sunday night, we renewed a tradition.  This time at their house.  The core of the old group was back together.  Eating chicken tikki masala (not to mention some delicious pies Laura made!).  Talking about Asia and my trip to Africa.  Catching up on life.  Watching a movie.

It's good to have y'all back, guys.  I look forward to many more evenings like Sunday.  Friends and family...the stuff life is made of.

today's the day!

"I promise, I'll tell you everything."
August 24 is here...

LOST: The call

Locke: "Why do you find it so hard to believe?" Jack: "Why do you find it so easy?" Here is a short clip from one of the special features that will be on the LOST DVD release August 24 (I cannot WAIT!!). Take a look and then let's talk a little: As many of you know, I think LOST was the the pinnacle of television as an art form. In fact, if it weren't for football, we might could throw the dang things away now that it's over. (Well, maybe not - I get carried away.) It is a story full of mystery, but ultimately it was about people and thus it has themes throughout that are close to God's heart...a point eloquently articulated here: Why LOST Matters. Please take time to read it.

The clip above starts with this quote from Damon Lindelof: "The thing that resonates in the hero's journey...is this idea of 'the call'."

Out of the many themes in the show, this is one of my favorites. The idea that characters (and more specifically Jack) had something that they were called to do. You can resist it, you can deny it, you can try to run from it, but ultimately you have a decision to make: will you do what you were created to do?


Jonah faced this same choice. In fact, the parallels between Jonah and Jack Shephard are startling. Both found themselves drawn to a calling. Both resisted....angrily. Both ran from it, as far as possible, but in doing so their lives fell apart. They could run no longer and they finally did what they were called to do.


What is your call? What is it that God created you specifically for? Have you been running from it? Do you feel empty? For me, I know that he has called me to pour myself into teenagers through YoungLife. And recently he has distinctly called me to be a voice for children in Africa, and do what I can to make a difference in their lives. I can run from those things. And yes, despite the expression, I can even hide. But ultimately, you would hear me crying out in desperation with Jack Shephard, "We have to go back!"


I leave you with the words of Steven Curtis Chapman:

"We will abandon it all for the sake of the call.
No other reason at all but the sake of the call.
Wholly devoted to live and to die for the sake of the call."


What is your call?

Not letting go...

If you are a fan of LOST (and were all the way to the end), you know the significance of the post's title. I'm looking forward to the final DVD release on August 24, which will include a never-seen epilogue. In the meantime, here's a newly-released deleted scene from the finale. Enjoy: