Back in Business, but not here

In case I had any loyal readers who happen to check this blog...ever...I would like to inform you that I have moved my thoughts and opinions to my new domain, Mikekupfer.com. I hope to see all of you there.

Making up for Lost time (get it?)

So during the dysfunctional keyboard time (which still hasn't been resolved), I didn't really write too much on here. Most notably, there was no Lost recap last week. I sincerely apologize for that hole in your lives, but I'm not really gonna do anything to fix it. Instead, I'll just pick up from this week's episode.

First off, Locke's father: I like it. Let's forget about the how for a moment and look at the why. Why would Locke's father show up on the island? I have no idea, but someone does. The writers do. Up until this point in the season, there haven't been many dramatic discoveries or revelations, and it kinda worried me. It seemed like we were getting fluff while the writers figured out where the story was headed and how to explain everything up to this point. But I guarantee no one at the storyboard meetings said "I don't know where we're headed, but let's get Locke's father on the island." I feel at ease knowing that there seems to be a plan to explain where he came from.

On to theories, where did he come from? The only really stupid possibility I can think of is that he was on the plane, probably in the tail end. I think that would just piss everyone off though, so I doubt it. And even if it was possible for someone to randomly find this island, what are the odds it would be the father of one of the few people on it (and most likely, the murderer of one of the other people's parents)? I think there is one obvious explanation: the Others brought him there. Now let me expand on that idea...

Here's what I think: The Others know the Locke Sr. is the real Sawyer. They went out and found him with the intention of using him as some sort of bargaining chip with Sawyer. Unfortunately for them, Sawyer escaped. So now they're sitting there with this old con man and no use for him. And then Locke shows up. Ben, being the conniving little man that he is, comes up with his "magic box" idea for the embarrassingly gullible Locke, and goes on to convince Locke that they brought him there just for him. Locke not only believes him, but spends some quality time with Dad and they become buddies again. Eventually, Sawyer makes his way to Otherville, recognizes Locke Sr/Sawyer Sr (from the flashback in the next Sawyer episode) and promptly kills him. Locke and Sawyer then become mortal enemies.

Well, take that for what it's worth. I'm gonna run with it until proven wrong.

Oh, and who's dying next week? The only major character possibility is Desmond, but I doubt it. It's either one of Paolo/Nikki (is that her name?) or some other background person. Oh well, I guess we'll have to wait a week to see. Till then...

Back to school

Consider it a method of escaping this rut I'm in. Consider it an expensive step towards a better future. Or, consider it boredom. Any way you look at it, I'm going back to school.

I have decided to go for English, for 2 reasons:
1) I'm good at it.
2) I think I would be happy as a teacher, and English is one of the few areas I myself in such a capacity.

Is it a coincidence that amidst my confusion and certainty about what direction my life and career should take that I turn to teaching, the profession of both of my parents, and college level English teaching, the exact position of my father? Maybe. But even so, I think it is something I will enjoy.

Since this was a relatively recent decision, some schools are not options for the fall semester because deadlines have already passed. Many are still available, but most are in the city, which would be a commute I'm not terribly interested in. Ultimately, C.W. Post seems to be the one prime candidate. This week will be spent collecting information and completing their application. Fortunately, they do not require the GRE (I think), so that won't be an issue.

I'm excited about this. I hope I remain so.

keyboard repair

Please excuse this lull in postings. My keyboard has gone insane and it has become quite tumultuous for me to try to write any lengthy thoughts I have. Everything should be back to normal in the next day or so. Thanks.

Baseball Season

Spring training has begun. The smell of overpriced hot dogs fills the air. In just about 1 month, the season will officially begin. I am currently awaiting the arrival of my Mets tickets. My friend and I bought the Sunday package, which gives us tickets to all of the Mets' Sunday home games during the season, including one of the Subway Series games. It also entitles us to jump the line for tickets to any other regular season games, as well as playoff games, when (not if) they become available.

We have 3 tickets to each game, and plan on selling certain games off, so if you're interested, let me know. As far as the Subway Series game, we have 1 unclaimed ticket and are currently coming up with some sort of contest to see who gets to come with us. I'll be sure to post details about the contest when plans are finalized.

I also recently purchased MLB 07: The Show for PS2. It's a good game all around, much like its predecessor. The thing I like most is that the "hall of fame" difficulty setting is one that actually seems realistic. I can't win on a regular basis, but I don't get destroyed either. That's something basketball games never fixed for me, although it's been a couple years since I played one.

Well, expect plenty more on the Mets once the season starts...

Poor Tricia Tanaka

One sure way, in my opinion, to have a good Lost episode is to make it about Hurley. Hurley, also known (thanks to Sawyer) as Stay Puff, Snuffy, International House of Pancakes and more, is always entertaining. Add to the picture Cheech playing his father, and how can you lose?

Ok, well it wasn't the greatest episode ever, but it at least got them back on the right track. The OMG! moment that they love to use as the cliffhanger at the end of the episode was pretty lame, since everyone in the world besides Rousseau already knew it. But like I said, at least the story is progressing in the right direction, as opposed to the last 2 weeks when it just kinda stayed where it was. I'm curious to see if Roger (Workman?) turns out to be anyone of importance.

I'm also glad to see Patches O'Houlihan - as he will be known until he gets a real name - has not been forgotten. I wouldn't quite call him a "blast from the past" as the teaser did, but I look forward to meeting him.

Overall, I'm happy with this episode and feel like they have a good adventure episdoe set up for next week. I'd like to see a Sayid episode, since he's been pretty backgroundish since he and Jin tried to rescue Jack, Kate and Sawyer, and I know he'll be one of the main characters in this episode. My gut tells me it's gonna be our first real Rousseau episode though. That would probably be interesting as well.

Thank you, Lost, for getting back on track.

Famous Last Nerds

If you're reading this, there is a very good chance you've seen the "Shawshank in a Minute" video by the Famous Last Nerds since it is on my Myspace page along with one of the only existing links to this blog. If not, shame on you. Click here for it:

Shawshank in a Minute

Now that you've gotten that out of the way, it's time to see some of the other, lesser known and almost as brilliant musical numbers these gentlemen have put together. Check out Whassup Holmes...



Pretty freakin good, eh?

I suggest you log on to YouTube and search for Scratch N Burn, which is the name of the group's short-lived MTV show from 2002. There are 4 or 5 more videos there, all of which are worth your time.