Mental Post-Its

Thoughts, Notes, and General Mental Mayhem

Category Archives: Pop Culture


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Top 10 Shows Cancelled Too Soon

493999989As we come to the end of another TV season, the networks begin to announce returns and cancellations. I found this great rundown by the Huffington Post here. Sadly, there are always a few good ones that leave us too early. But it got me to thinking about my favorite shows that were shut down in their prime. Below is my own personal Top 10 List, in no particular order.

  1. Alias – Probably my favorite show of all time. I watch annually. Sydney made me want to be a spy…and take up kickboxing. But I’d have gone with Will Tippin.
  2. Arrested Development – The funniest show every to grace the small screen. It reintroduced us to Jason Bateman, and introduced us to some of the greatest characters ever created.
  3. Veronica Mars – I needed to see this girl complete college and go to the FBI! Smart mouth and sleuthing can’t be beat.
  4. Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip – Aaron Sorkin and Matthew Perry. Enough said.
  5. Firefly – A mere 13 episodes created quite a following. Super original–space cowboys with wit.
  6. Chuck – The fun-filled spy adventures and Zac Levi. Everyone knows a Morgan and Lester.
  7. Eli Stone – Funny and musically-inclined, we barely got into Eli’s life before he was gone. They ended really well for it being so short.
  8. Missing – How could we refuse Ashley Judd on TV!?!? A mom who really knew how to kick butt.
  9. Prison Break – A feature film every week! Glad they were able to release the two-hour special to complete it. But I could’ve really learned a few more things from Michael Scoffield.
  10. Pushing Daisies – Completely original and quirky, we’ve never seen anything like it but hopefully we will again in the future. We need more clever writing.

If you haven’t seen any of these, do yourself a favor and go watch immediately. Let me know what you think. If you have, there’s nothing wrong with a refresher! They are sooooo worth it.

By the way, this list was just off the top of my head, so I probably missed a few. What do you think?

 

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Olympic Efforts

Hello, my name is Kristi and I’m an Olympic junkie.

Seriously, I LOVE the Olympic games! I’ve been counting down the days till Opening Ceremony and am now thrilled that they are here. It’s something I’ve always been in to, which is ironic because I never watch any sort of sports. Mostly, I could care less, but there is something special about these games that draw my attention every two years. Actually, there are a few special things:

1. Average Joes – these athletes are in peek physical condition, yet they are the most like us regular people. They aren’t like pro athletes in that they have million dollar homes and entourages. There are very few with product contracts. And some of them even have to raise money or save up to be in the games. One family even talked about how they didn’t give gifts or go on a trip for Christmas so that they could spend the money to get to the games. Another female athlete pushed back her wedding date so her family could afford to both attend the Olympics and her wedding. These games have heart. They aren’t in it for the money, they are there for the love of the sport.

2. Good Stories – I actually really enjoy all the commentators at the events. They are able to provide the background on the athletes and countries, and they all seem to have such wonderful stories. I want someone to cheer for, and these people are handed to me. This gives me a greater connection to them because I now understand them better. I know where they’ve come from to get there. And it gives me the desire to cheer and root for them more, even if they are from other countries. I really want Canada to win a gold medal, because they have never won one on their soil, though this is their third time to play host!

3. Participation – I think it’s inspiring to see the countries show up to the Olympics that only have a few athletes competing. This year there were several with only one. I am glad they decided to come and participate, not with great dreams of winning but simply with the spirit of belonging. They still have as much right to attend as more developed countries but they have more obstacles to overcome, yet here they are. I think that is really cool.

4. Loyalty – Not that I’m an unproud American, but I probably never feel more patriotic than during the Olympics. It was nothing short of thrilling to see Michael Phelps win his record-breaking medal in the last Olympics. And it was just as exciting to see Apollo Ohno set another last night. I am proud to say that we are from the same country. I’m looking forward to cheering on many more of the same over the next two weeks. I have something in common with these people, and that is a great bond.

5. Perseverance – I often joke that if a movie is based on a true story, I have to see it because I know it’ll be good. Usually, these aren’t the movies that I would choose to see first, but I always know they’ll show someone overcoming adversity to do something incredible. It’s the same with the Olympics. I will watch basically any sport, even if I don’t know what it is or how it’s played, because there will be some amazing element to it. Someone will overcome adversity to stand on that platform and have a gold medal hung around his/her neck. They will triumph…and I’ll probably cry. There is almost nothing greater than seeing humans overcome odds to win.

6. Unity – I think one of the coolest things that happens during the games is the spirit of worldwide unity. Though we are competing against one another, we applaud each other’s efforts. We recognize and identify what it took to get to this place. We stand on common ground. It was heart-breaking to hear about the death of the 21 year-old luger from Georgia, but it was touching to see the world come together to mourn him and support his country.

7. Competition – I love a good competition. I’m a very competitive person, so I feel like these games are the height of competition. They are worldwide recognition of the best.

8. Knowledge – It seems like every Olympics there is a new sport, or even a new country, that I’ve never heard of. I really enjoy learning about the sport and what it takes to be good at it. And I always seem to learn more and more about the ones I’ve seen many times, or how they’ve improved it. We keep trying to be better, it’s in our nature.

9. Distraction – The Olympics are also just a nice break from the norm. They are this shiny, new, exciting toy we get to play with periodically. And before we have a chance to get bored with them, they go away. But just wait, they’ll be back!

10. Grandeur – Everyone wants to be part of something bigger than themselves and I think the Olympics is one of those somethings. Every two years I have an incredible two weeks. I see history-making stories unfold. I am part of the crowd cheering for my home countries athletes. I was one of the 68 million people who watched the Opening Ceremony. I am holding my breath as finish lines are crossed. I remember moments from the past that are still talked about. I am glued to my TV as records are set, tears are shed, and medals are awarded. I was there. And it was grand.

See, now with all of those reasons, why wouldn’t I love the Olympics! They are these things and so much more. They aren’t just games, they are monumental.

Now I have to go…the news is almost over and the moguls will begin soon…


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A Little LOST

SPOILER ALERTS!!!

As many “others” prepared for the Season 6 premier of LOST on Tuesday night, I’ve been steadily watching recaps (thank you, iTunes) of the previous seasons. So much has happened to my castaway friends that as I prepared to watch Season 5 on Netflix, I felt I first needed a refresher course. And while it’s hard not staying in synch with those watching the in-season episodes each week, I’m excited that I still have quite a bit of time left with my island friends.

The last two recap episodes were very different in that co-creater, Damon Lindeloff, and one of the producers interjected comments between scenes, set up background info and provided insight into the minds of the characters. They really began delving into the psyche of our heroes and villains (also watching last season of Heroes, FYI) and I began to identify with some of them. Here are a few I thought I’d share…

JACK: I also feel the need to step up and lead to fill voids. I probably also struggle, though not near as much as I used to or as much as Jack does, with the “savior” complex and the need to help fix people. I, too, feel a great deal of loyalty and protection for those I love. I have had to return to places of great pain. We differ in that I am not a big fan of blood or needles.

KATE: Like Kate, I can feel conflicted in my decisions or deeply torn between two choices. You may have noticed that I also have freckles. And I also like to feel involved and not left behind. I want to be part of the action. We have both had crushes on the Jacks AND the Sawyers of the world. We differ in that I’ve never blown up my mother’s boyfriend.

SAWYER: I make literary references. James has actually read the books and I’ve mostly seen the movies, but nonetheless, I get the references! I also have things in my past I’m not proud of. Stubborn and resourceful are two qualities we share. We differ in that I’ve never conned any woman out of thousands of dollars.

LOCKE: John and I have a strong sense of faith, destiny and purpose. We are both willing to look a little foolish for the things we believe in. And we each have a great sense of adventure and curiosity. We differ in that my father has never stolen a kidney from me.

SAYID: I think we are both driven people. We have absolutely been searched at the airport more than once. We have different kinds of wounds, but woulds still. Underneath it all, we want to be kind and compassionate. We differ in that I was never a member of the Republican Guard, or any guard.

HUGO: We have both worked in the restaurant industry. I have also felt crazy from time to time. I have a strong moral streak. Like Hugo, I also want to see people get along and make others laugh. We differ in that I have never won the lottery.

JIN: We both like Korean food. I have also been in places where I don’t speak the language, literally and metaphorically, and have felt out of place. I also want to be useful. We differ in that I have never worked in a hotel.

SUN: I have also helped teach someone English. We both have a great desire to do the right thing. I struggle with tradition and my own independence. We differ in that I have never been married to a Korean man.

CLAIRE: We both really love peanut butter. I have also been to the doctor a lot recently. I have blue eyes. Claire and I hate feeling helpless. We differ in that I have never given birth in the jungle.

BEN: We both have a thing for the Wizard of Oz. We each have the power to manipulate (having is different from using). I also long for a more perfect world. We differ in that I have never caused a genocide.

CHARLIE: We have both let our vices control our actions from time to time. Our heart often dictates our head. We would sacrifice most anything for our friends. We differ in that I have never had a rock album. (You all, everybody!)

MICHAEL: We both lived in New York. We have each had our hearts broken. I, too, get irritated easily. We were both annoyed by Anna Lucia. We differ in that I would not name my child Walt, as much as I love Disney.

DESMOND: We are both crappy sailors. We both “pushed buttons” for too long. I have also been separated from friends and family for periods of time. We differ in that I don’t like calling people, “brother”.

JULIET: We have taken one assignment and ended up in another. I’ve felt like an Outsider among the Insiders. I am pretty confident as well. We differ in that I probably wouldn’t be a part of a book club.

Well, that was fun. Enough about me. Which character(s) do you identify with and why?

PS – Thank you JJ Abrams, for yet again bringing something of quality to television.


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Happily Ever After: The Return of the King (Part 3 of 3)

screen-shot-2016-12-10-at-2-28-46-pmHappily Ever After: The Return of the King (Part 3 of 3)

Welcome to part three in my series on lessons I learned from The Lord of the Rings trilogy. This is the closer, people. The music is swelling. The breath is baited. The swords are drawn.

Charge!

1. The lighting of the beacons. I’m not sure why I love this scene so much, but I’m always struck by the lighting of the beacons. It’s very powerful imagery. As hard as it is for me, I have to remember that there will be times when I need help. I should never be afraid to ask for help. And on the flip side, I should always be available to help someone else. It’s perfectly normal to be on either side.

2. Stewardship and pride. The steward of Gondor lost sight of his role. He became drunk with the position of power and ignored his actual duty to the throne. It became about him rather than the kingdom. Not a stretch of imagination there to see the correlation. However, as stewards of the things on this earth, we should learn a lesson from him: turn or burn. (Sorry, couldn’t resist.)

3. We’ll screw up. Bless Frodo’s heart; he sure did a number on Sam. It’s a good thing that Sam was a true friend and stayed loyal even though Frodo told him to get lost. But just like Frodo, we will screw up a friendship or two at some point. There will be ones that will reconcile, and sadly, there will be ones that won’t. It’s crucial to mend the ones that we can, and have a clear conscious on the ones we can’t.

4. People pleasers. Wanting to please people can end up getting you hurt, but it’s really hard not to want to please the people that we respect or from whom we desire attention. For Borimer, it was his father. But it can be just about anyone, for good or bad reasons. However, it is our Heavenly Father that we must be most concerned about. We have already been given His love and attention. This fact can be really hard to remember when it doesn’t physically stare you in the face each day, but it is still true. Out of all the things God has control over in the universe, He desires a relationship with you.

5. Grab your sword. The battle for Middle Earth called on everyone that lived in it to fight. Our entire cast of characters all ended up as part of the war. Merry and Pippin, who joined the group inadvertently and avoided conflict at all cost in the beginning, even volunteered at the end because they caught the vision. They believed in the cause. They saw their place in the story. There is a great battle going on every day. Even though we can’t usually see it, we are part of it. Evil is on the attack. We tend to overlook that, or easily get distracted from it. But Ephesians 6:10-20  clearly outlines the armor we need to be best prepared for war. If you have caught the vision, believe in the cause, and see your place in the story, you have no excuse.

6. Friends forever. Find friends who will stick with you till the end. Support is a strength we cannot afford to overlook. It is what saved Frodo in the end.

7. To quote. In Frodo’s final monologue he laments, “How do you pick up the threads of an old life? How do you go on when, in your heart, you begin to understand there is no going back? There are some things that time cannot mend. Some hurts that go too deep, and have taken hold.” Some experiences will change you forever. There are times that it is hard to accept that things can’t go back to the way they were, the good ol’ days. But the experiences that change us, both positive and negative, still lend to our growth. It’s all in our perspective.

8. The end is near. I know there are loads of people who were bugged by the fact that the movie had multiple endings or went on too long or whatever. But to be fair, Bilbo did tell Frodo, “There’s always room for a little more.” Same goes with life. There are multiple stages in our lives that signify one end and another beginning. Each comes with it’s own set of opportunities and challenges. Will you make the best of it? Will you be open to another adventure? Or will you just become frustrated that the old and familiar is over? There is no adventure in complacency.

9. The King will return! I recently heard Francis Chan say that we should live as if the next breath will be taken in heaven. I know I don’t do this; I get too easily distracted by the details of my life. My focus is often on the wrong things, the temporal things. But this promise is something I need to make a priority in my life. The Good News is that Jesus desperately loves us, redeemed us and will come back!

10. Special features. I’m one of those people that actually enjoys watching the special features, particularly this series. Yep, it does take another week of my time but I feel it’s worth the investment. It deepens my love and appreciation for these movies, the story and the characters. I love to know the work that went into making them, the passion people had for the project, and the admiration people had for the director. It’s a glimpse behind-the-scenes of a great work. To me, it’s the equivalent of watching an artist sketch and paint their masterpiece. The really cool thing with the Bible is that we do get all of those pieces. Follow the 66 books through the timeline of history and you will see the same things: the puzzle pieces, the passion and the admiration. No story, how epic or masterful, can ever match the Bible. The lengths that Creator God will go to in order to connect with us will always be the greatest ever told. And we get to be a part of it!

I could literally come up with ten more from each movie easily, or expand in greater detail, but I guess I’ll stop here. No one is probably reading anyway! Heck, I’ve had a good time, though. But now you can get a glimpse of why I love them so much. They are as rich as they are entertaining. I’ve not written anything earth-shattering, but I hope that I got you thinking nonetheless.

And I won’t lie, after writing these blogs I can’t wait to watch them again! I would also love to hear any that you came up with, so let me know.

PS – Did anyone else notice that Mordor looks a lot like the Wicked Witch of the West’s castle? Glowing green and lots of rocks? Evil henchman walking out of a big black gate? I’m just saying…

 

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Are We There Yet? The Two Towers (Part 2 of 3)

screen-shot-2016-12-10-at-2-29-01-pmAre We There Yet? The Two Towers (Part 2 of 3)

This is part two in my series of lessons I learned from The Lord of the Rings trilogy, one of my favorite movie series of all time. I’m a huge fan of the movies but don’t think I’ve necessarily reached geek status because I couldn’t get through the books except on audio. The Hobbit was so much easier to read! But if I’m lying to myself, I’m okay with that, too.

Funny story on that note: When I saw the first movie in the theater, there were some “true” fans sitting behind me. When the Fellowship entered Rivendell and the camera panned back to show the kingdom, a guy behind me whispered to his friend, “It’s more beautiful than I imagined!” True story; still makes me laugh.

Now on with it…

  1. Middle men. Being stuck in the middle is never cupcakes and butterflies. This is my favorite of all three movies for a number of reasons: the stage is already set, the tension is great and the stakes are high. We know where we’ve been and we know where we’re headed. We’re just not quite sure what the road to getting there looks like. I feel this way many times in life. It’s not an easy place to be, but it is familiar.
  2. Two-faced. I think Andy Serkis does a masterful job of playing Gollum. And his monologue in this movie is particularly brilliant. I believe we all have a little bit of Gollum in us. We all struggle between wanting to serve and be the master. We all crave power.  We all believe the lies Satan tells us sometimes. The Apostle Paul even wrote about it in Romans 7:7-25 and it’s as fitting then as it is now. Gollum let it destroy him in the end. I pray we make better choices.
  3. A second look. When Gandalf reappears, he is no longer Gandalf the Gray but instead Gandalf the White. Though he is different in some ways, he is still the same. The Fellowship recognizes him and it comforts them. We must remember that there are times when God can look different than He did before in our eyes but He is still the same, mighty God. And that is a comfort. His Truth doesn’t change.
  4. Talking trees. Come on, you know I couldn’t go without some sort of environmental message! Respect for creation is respect for the Creator. And I think we can clearly see that it’s not good to piss off nature or it will revolt.
  5. The Battle of Helm’s Deep. At some point we will all have our own Helm’s Deep, a great conflict that will be known as a turning point in our lives. This battle was extended because the King of Rohan thought that the fortress was impenetrable. He didn’t know his weakness, and therefore, lost many more lives and almost lost the battle. The key for us is to know our weaknesses. As our friend G.I. Joe would say, “Knowing is half the battle.” We’ll certainly have more of an advantage if know where the Enemy can strike us. It’s just good strategy.
  6. Director’s Cut. Peter Jackson has a cameo in each of his movies, which I think is pretty fun. Be sure to look for him in each one. If you know what he looks like, you’ll easily spot him even if the shots are usually just for a second or so. Though directors are usually behind-the-scenes, sometimes they can pop up where we least expect them, in front of the camera. But it certainly doesn’t mean they’ve taken their eyes off the big picture. The same holds true for God. We’ll see the Director if we are looking for him and know how to recognize Him.
  7. Be careful not to burn bridges. The Elves showed up just in time to fight alongside the army of men. The captain said it was to honor an old alliance.  So, the lesson here is to never burn bridges. You never know when you may need to call on an old friend.
  8. Say it again, Sam. Okay, so Sam’s speech at the end of the second movie is one of my favorites in cinematic history.  I know, that’s saying a lot – especially as many movies as I’ve seen. But I love it so much, that I usually watch it at least twice when I’m going through the movies. This time, I watched it three times so I’m using it for points eight through ten. Number eight is about doubt.  Sam wonders how good can reemerge after evil has shown itself. After the horrors that happen around us every day, it’s perfectly normal to have doubt. In fact, blind faith is just dumb – mindless. God tells us to test the spirits in 1 John 4:1 to make sure they are of God.
  9. Plenty of chances. Sam says that the characters in the greatest stories are heroic because they were given plenty of chances to turn back, but didn’t. There will always be hardships but our character is shown by our choices. People will see our faith more by how we handle hard times than anything else. Our greatest sermon is our life story.
  10. Worth fighting for. Sam ends his monologue with the same positive outlook that he is known for in the trilogy. He declares that heroes decide to take risks because they see good in the world and are determined to fight for it. I think this is a pretty good way to live. Simple, but not always easy.

Okay, kids, I hope you are enjoying reading these entries as much as I’m enjoying writing them. Gosh, I love these movies! Only one more part to go before we reach the end of this journey – stay tuned!

 

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