Shawn Stutz

Lost Cast in Lego... now that's funny!

So the final season of LOST premiered Tuesday night.  And for the record, I’m completely confused (some would say LOST… ha ha.  I know you haven’t heard that before).  I watched the 2-hour episode and found myself almost thinking I’ve figured it out, but then “guess who” comes back to life!  He’s my least favorite character on the show by the way.

But I do have a theory or two… and here they are.  Let me know what you think, where I’m wrong, and other mysteries as well.

1. Jacob and the Dark Shirt guy of season 5′s ending are feuding Egyptian gods.  They were banished to a floating island where they must live out eternity hating each other.
2. Richard Alpert is a servant or lesser god-like being who does the bidding of Jacob to prevent the evil of Dark Shirt dude (of which we don’t yet have a name… or we could call him John Smoke [ha ha]).
3. These ‘gods’ are using people as pawns to try and loophole their banishment and kill each other or better yet return home (off the floating island).
4. Everyone you’ve seen as dead, was dead and were inhabited by these gods to pawn out their purposes.  Manipulating the people towards loopholes in other words…
5. However, because this is TV, something restorative will happen at the end and most will be restored to life (especially the central cast).
6. This is my wild adjustment to the theory.  Desmond is going to be a surprise character which actually has a bend towards evil working with John Smoke.
7. As for time travel… no idea.  That’s not my favorite aspect of the story.  Ask Doc and Marty.

Either way, wrong or right or close, I’m excited to see how this story ends.  It’s been some of the most entertaining television I’ve seen (evil Coca-Cola Polar Bears and all).

Share on Facebook

This is a poem I wrote after a simple, and somewhat silly, discussion the other day about how Koi fish will grow to the size of their environment.  It’s built into their DNA to just take, fill, use what they’ve been given and nothing more.  That’s contentment to me…

* * * * * * *

Koi fish swim the pond

living life long and full,

content and true

* * * * * * *

This is a poem I didn’t write.  It is the same poem that inspired Nelson Mandela while in prison.  And it also served as the title for Clint Eastwood’s new inspirational movie.  The word Invictus means unconquerable which is found in the first stanza.  What are your thoughts about the poem?  I’d be interested to know…

Share on Facebook

I have been amazed by the power of community lately.  And what amazes me more is how I’ve had lessons of community spring up in my life.  I recently watched a movie entitled Lars and the Real Girl.  The movie was disturbingly uncomfortable at first, but really grew into a powerfully heart warming metaphor for life.  Here is a guy that lived the ‘loner life’ and was thrust/compelled toward life with others.

What’s really intriguing is the reaction of Lars’ church, doctor/therapists, and even family.  People have needs for fellowship with others that run so deep.  This story would be more common with friends you know if it wasn’t so awkward.  The end of this movie is so rich (and sad-esque), but more than anything it’s the result of relationship, moderate acceptance, and people that guide his life within the context of community.  And some urban legends have called this film the prequel to the Notebook, but I’m not buying it.

In addition to this movie, someone recommended the movie, Fight Club.  Now, a huge disclaimer need be mentioned about the weirdness of this movie.  But the first 30 or so minutes are great at dealing with the desire for communication, vulnerability, and acceptance within community.  The main character in the movie, Ed Norton, happens to be a loner of sorts and gets addicted to visiting various drug, alcohol, and cancer support groups.  The catch is that he doesn’t have any illnesses or addictions.  He is just impacted by the freedom of communication and ‘soul feelings’ he gets in sharing life with these struggling communities.  Of course his whole life gets tweaked when he meets another faker.  Watch at your own risk…

And then there is cycling.  I love to cycle.  In fact, I’d just about to sell my car and ride everywhere (if it weren’t for my non-pedaling family) and the crazy effort it would take to get to the San Fran airport in the winter.  But it’s also interesting that as much as I like to ride, riding with others on the routine ‘River Road trail’ is way more fulfilling.  It’s the element of community again.

Community ought to make sense since God Himself gave us six commands that talk about life with others directly.  It’s time with good friends that teaches us the great need for God and helps us better understand the beauty of the Trinity relationship.  And without a doubt... I am thankful for the community of friends, family, and collegues that God has given to me.

Share on Facebook