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Mon, 14 May 2012 13:21:04 EST Megan Ledford http://armstrongcircus.com/blog/885/#comment_31174 well, that was awesome! Mon, 14 May 2012 12:59:39 EST christine gill http://armstrongcircus.com/blog/882/#comment_30810 Paul, You are brilliant and beautiful. You and your family are loved dearly by every last one of us Cuddlahs. I'm so grateful that I know you & Sonia. I'm so sorry that you're in such pain and there aren't any words to make it better. But please know that we are here for you if there's ever anything we can do. love from Seattle, Katie & lowercase Mon, 16 Jan 2012 15:07:01 EST Katie Baker http://armstrongcircus.com/blog/878/#comment_30317 @Scott - no, it's not just Canada. I've worked in a few studios and like with all people, proximity and time and stress can deteriorate any relationship - and often dysfunction ensues (especially because you aren't married to these people, they're not family, and the desire to "work it out" just isn't always there). @Ben I only ever write raw ;-) I'm writing something on "success" right now. Thu, 13 Oct 2011 21:06:57 EST Paul http://armstrongcircus.com/blog/878/#comment_30312 Very raw writing Paul. This certainly strikes a chord with anyone who has started their own shop. The realities of running a business—as you point out—can play dangerously with one's self-image. And, our self-image probably shouldn't be so primarily aligned with business "success." Thanks for sharing. Wed, 12 Oct 2011 13:53:00 EST Ben http://armstrongcircus.com/blog/878/#comment_30311 Paul - I think you pretty much summed up a lot of the things that have been on my mind the last couple weeks (especially). I think there's always a really tough balance that anyone with an inkling of creative spirit has to find in order to feel fulfilled, happy, or whatever you want to call it. Spending time with my family is really important but there's lot of times when I feel like maybe I'm missing out on being able to follow an idea that would both bring some sense of fulfillment but also allow me to be even more free to be in the moment with my wife and kids. A proper paying gig is nice on one hand, but some of the sacrifices that come with that really might not be worth it -- if for no other reason than how f'd up most companies are because they're too busy fighting one fire after another to notice either what that kind of environment does to morale, or what opportunities they're missing out on as a result. Or maybe that's just Canada ;-) Wed, 12 Oct 2011 10:51:13 EST Scott http://armstrongcircus.com/blog/878/#comment_30310 Great insight and very personal. Definitely could relate. Wed, 12 Oct 2011 10:43:30 EST Adam Peterson http://armstrongcircus.com/blog/877/#comment_29354 You've made me think. I wrestle with fate in a drunken sort of way; rolling to the least uncomfortable position whenever it pokes at me. With one grandfather who lost his mind in middle age, another who died from complications of Parkinson's, a grandmother with Alzheimer's (but who died from an aneurism), an uncle who died indirectly as the result of alcoholism, and a father with cancer, Parkinson's, diabetes, and spinal degenerative disease, and me being nearly 40 and childless, times like this I often wonder... Mon, 13 Jun 2011 18:22:30 EST Mike http://armstrongcircus.com/blog/876/#comment_29113 This is a great post. I had a really random thought this past weekend while cutting the grass that I think is relevant to this post. I'm sometimes jealous of how relaxed I was as a child despite the fact that my family was severely dysfunctional and insecure. My adult life has actually been far more secure yet the responsibility of it keeps me at least a little stressed everyday. But despite all of the stress and worry I wouldn't trade any of my experiences or memories to go back and be nine again. I didn't have many memories to reflect on as a 9 year old. But I do now and I'm thankful for every one of them. Thu, 09 Jun 2011 21:40:56 EST Richard http://armstrongcircus.com/blog/876/#comment_29015 +1 Though it is slightly busier and more crazy, I'm learning that getting older doesn't have to automatically suck. Keeping perspective and maintaining priorities in life seems to help on most days. Tue, 07 Jun 2011 14:21:55 EST Christian Ross http://armstrongcircus.com/blog/866/#comment_19261 I do agree, though, about the "Be careful little eyes" song. That song is creepy. Fri, 24 Sep 2010 16:47:40 EST Ben http://armstrongcircus.com/blog/866/#comment_19260 About the song "Jesus Loves the Little Children": It might be politically incorrect, but I don't think it's racist at all. In fact, it's the opposite of racist: it's inclusive. Fri, 24 Sep 2010 16:46:27 EST Ben http://armstrongcircus.com/blog/864/#comment_18712 Yeah, I agree, we're labeling is part of the fact that we can better identify things. This was also my attempt to see the current world through the eyes of someone older (not me; just an accumulation of older people I know); which isn't to say I don't have some of the same feelings. Sat, 14 Aug 2010 15:52:23 EST Paul http://armstrongcircus.com/blog/864/#comment_18711 Labels are about understanding who we are, wanting a place to fit in. With an increasingly niche-oriented world, people want those labels. What amuses me is that people seem to think these "trends" of labels being applied is some sign of an increase in things: say, autism or bi-polar disorder. I think it's just more of an idea that we have, as a society, de-stigmatized these things, and the medical community has done a better job of diagnosis. That said, we're definitely getting fatter as a country, and I'm a part of that. Sat, 14 Aug 2010 15:26:10 EST Geof F. Morris http://armstrongcircus.com/blog/865/#comment_18710 Sure, we're governed by our history [I'm with Joe; love that line]. But I'd also argue that these feelings of stuck are there for us to re-evaluate things. They're the cognitive reminder that either the course needs correcting, or the old plan wasn't followed, or that the old plan was shit and now what do you do? I view life as a rope, fixed on one end: our birth, into the situation we were born into, with the talents and flaws we were doled out. On the other end, we're weaving in all these strands of things, making the rope we have. You can't really cut the rope that fixes you to your past---it'll always be there in your mind, even if you "re-invent yourself" and become a whole new person. You'll still know that it's there. But just because that fixed endpoint is there, and the momentum of the rope that's laid out has an arc to it ... that doesn't constrain you to putting new strands in, taking old strands out, and trying to change the arc of the rope. I've been coming to grips with a lot of things in the last year or so. I have hit four realizations ... and before I continue, I'll just blog this on my own site. But thanks for the start. :) Thu, 12 Aug 2010 21:50:52 EST Geof F. Morris http://armstrongcircus.com/blog/865/#comment_18709 "That is until you realize each one of us is governed by our own history." Great thought - this is something I've been thinking about recently but haven't been able to put into words as you have, something I'm not great at. Sometimes where you are stuck can provide true freedom and purpose in life. I'd mess up what I mean by this if I tried to expand on that thought so I'll just leave it at that. Thu, 12 Aug 2010 19:08:38 EST joe sleeper http://armstrongcircus.com/blog/860/#comment_18704 The only way this show has kept people watching has been the questions it's raised. Wed, 04 Aug 2010 03:31:32 EST miu miu http://armstrongcircus.com/blog/819/#comment_18701 love that opening photo, brilliant. I too despair of the lawn fetish syndrome, amazing what brain conditioning can wreak. Mon, 02 Aug 2010 10:48:30 EST Bill Gibson http://armstrongcircus.com/blog/863/#comment_18477 I think for me it goes back to this normal scenario for me; if I intend to order the T-Bone steak and someone else at my table orders it before me, I will change my intended order. I think I still like plenty of popular things (House, LOST, Bones, Coldplay, Angles and Airwaves, movies that aren't Avatar but did well). I think my initial mindset is that of distrust of motives or information. Unless, like I said, I know the person well. Sat, 19 Jun 2010 20:35:07 EST Paul http://armstrongcircus.com/blog/863/#comment_18476 It's funny, Paul. I'm sort of approaching things from the other direction. I've always felt different from most people and had a natural draw toward things I perceived as having a value that mainstream culture could not grasp. I was an outsider and a cynic. Of late, however, I've intentionally acquired a taste for pop culture. I don't accept it blindly, but I've disabused myself of the assumption that popularity entails lack of meaning and value. I try to look into pop culture phenomena and find the reason why so many people like it. That way I can possibly understand and appreciate it as well. What follows is that I can understand and appreciate more people now than I could when I was cynical of everything that was popular. I feel like I'm in a similar place to where you are, but if I look back, the path here is different. Fri, 18 Jun 2010 23:36:35 EST Mike http://armstrongcircus.com/blog/863/#comment_18473 I just want to say that my wife and I started watching LOST a month ago. Originally, when I would see "lost" posts from you - I kind of thought, what the hell? It just seemed odd to do a TV commentary. I completely understand now. We are nearly halfway through season six. Also - I find it funny that the guy above is JUST LIKE YOU. You'd better change. At least one of you. Thu, 17 Jun 2010 07:11:24 EST Ryan Detzel http://armstrongcircus.com/blog/863/#comment_18464 GET OUT OF MY HEAD. Okay, without Internet shoutings...I felt like you were writing about me and my cynical stance toward the human race. Some days the collective weight of mankind's sin (and sinfulness) is difficult to bear. One of my biggest struggles is bitterness which, on my best days, manifests itself through biting remarks and heavy doses of sarcasm (sometimes gentle sarcasm, but it's still sarcasm). At my worst, I wear an involuntary scowl on my face when I walk around. It's a pretty far cry from my Pollyanna-esque optimism pre-college, that's for sure. Mon, 14 Jun 2010 17:03:45 EST Daniel http://armstrongcircus.com/blog/862/#comment_18438 Really liking the picture you painted with this post, Paul. :) Hope you had a great day. Tue, 01 Jun 2010 23:17:16 EST Chris Hall http://armstrongcircus.com/blog/862/#comment_18436 This was beautiful. Happy Birthday, sir! Tue, 01 Jun 2010 14:22:15 EST Jarrett Fuller http://armstrongcircus.com/blog/862/#comment_18435 Beautiful piece...there's so much truth in it. We have to take time to consciously to not only put our memories on the "shelf" for a time later but also reflect frequently on where we've come and where we're going. Thanks for the reflection...greatly appreciated. Tue, 01 Jun 2010 09:15:04 EST Ryan Hartsock http://armstrongcircus.com/blog/862/#comment_18434 very well written Paul. I'm getting my scissors out tonight... Tue, 01 Jun 2010 09:00:28 EST Paul Schaefer http://armstrongcircus.com/blog/861/#comment_18429 Loved the snarky link, bro. :-) As I've been thinking the whole time, it's a neat show but doesn't really know what it's doing with any real focus. I'm guessing BSG was planned out from the start (even if some details may have changed). I think of it as much of 70s progressive rock lyrics - fun to look at, dramatic, mysterious, but doesn't really make any sense if you look to close. I quit paying close attention after the first season ended and didn't care until this last one because they were forced to have a direction. I did like the finale mostly for emotional closure. Only thing that annoyed me was Sayid's true love (what about Nadia???), but that's because I never liked what's-her-name. I still feel like the alternate reality was limbo because I thought Christian Shepherd's speech about he & Jack being there but being dead and everyone has to go sometime" told us this was in the future once they're all dead. Once they find a purpose (love?) they get to move on. It actually reminded me a lot of Haibane Renmei, a beautiful and neat anime with themes similar to the finale. I'm feeling the need to rewatch BSG now.... Sat, 29 May 2010 11:23:33 EST Jean http://armstrongcircus.com/blog/861/#comment_18424 I like that summation Ronnie, thanks for posting it. I can see how that all fits together (though, there are still some weird inconsistencies, but nothing drastic). I guess it is like Battlestar, for me, in that it will take me time to process what was done, in light of retrospect. I'm softening more and more toward the finale. Thu, 27 May 2010 11:47:15 EST Paul http://armstrongcircus.com/blog/861/#comment_18422 On first viewing, I agree with your post entirely, but I've since re-watched and read a lot (a LOT) of stuff online. And now? Now, I feel much happier with the ending. One of the articles I've read over the past few days is the one from one of the Bad Robot writers (click my name). Wed, 26 May 2010 17:53:53 EST Ronnie http://armstrongcircus.com/blog/861/#comment_18419 And just so it doesn't seem like I'm bitching about how many things were unresolved, there's a nice list of things that mostly go unexplained (a vast majority of them I'm fine with -- but it's an AMAZINGLY huge list). CLICK MY NAME to see it. Tue, 25 May 2010 16:51:25 EST Paul http://armstrongcircus.com/blog/861/#comment_18418 Also, click my name (down there to the bottom right) and watch this clip from 2005. Clearly the writers and JJ didn't see eye to eye - as the finale pseudo eludes to (and technically, the island _isn't_ purgatory, but the element that some of the show was is semantics). Tue, 25 May 2010 13:53:51 EST Paul http://armstrongcircus.com/blog/861/#comment_18417 #Jim - I agree with your overall assessment; they opened to the door a great dialog of faith and science, in a way that only science fiction truly seems able to explore without being pandering or preachy (though even they failed in the end). I'm not sure the formula of answers to questions are needed to be resolved to equal a good mix of mystery and finality (and I believe the writers intent was to put to rest these characters in an eternal state of reward/happiness for what they endured). It's a shame for many of us who have followed the series from the beginning to feel somehow duped -- which is the danger with any long series that is based on a continual storyline -- that they plot evolved (and like I said, the about-face left some of us by the wayside). Tue, 25 May 2010 13:50:39 EST Paul http://armstrongcircus.com/blog/861/#comment_18415 I feel pretty satisfied with how it ended. In the end, Jack, the man of science, became the man of faith and sacrificed himself to save the others and the island. I think that was pretty consistent with what the series was about. Sure, in the end a lot of the "answers" were still pretty vague...(there's a light that gives sepecial powers to its protector...and it spews a bunch of electro-magnetism...) and they left a lot open to interpretation. Perhaps that can be seen as a cop-out, but it's still giving everybody something to think and talk about, which was something this show excelled at. Boy am I gonna miss that. Tue, 25 May 2010 06:27:07 EST Ernesto http://armstrongcircus.com/blog/861/#comment_18414 The Jack vs. Locke fight scene was a long time coming... Tue, 25 May 2010 04:03:32 EST DK http://armstrongcircus.com/blog/861/#comment_18412 I think it sucks! It seems like the writers do not know how to end the story they have been trying to tell for 6 years...Maybe they have forgotten how the story started because it's been too long. Very disappointing!..One big family at the end...Yawn!!! Mon, 24 May 2010 22:27:47 EST C. HO http://armstrongcircus.com/blog/861/#comment_18410 The actor who played Mr Echo left the show and left the Lost creators out of the loop. I read some years ago that the producers had more for Mr. Echo, but he wanted to be done with the show, so they had to kill him off. I think the Island was real. The characters weren't dead. The Island was a place where Jacob brought "lost" people to try to "let go." The beauty of it is wrapped up in the Man in Black's character. He was the force of the island who could not let go. He could not let go his past, his mother, his brother, his responsibility and it played out wonderfully. It was great that he embodied Locke, the character who let go right away. I think the Island does matter. It's the place that defined these people and gave them answers on how to let go. "Dead is dead" is real. They were alive on the Island. The sideways/alternate timeline was the not real world. Jack never had a son. It was a purgatory, a holding pattern for the characters to be awaken by each other to move on to nirvana, heaven, love place, etc. I don't think there is any time in the sideways world. This is evident in that the sideway world includes people who had died at different times (Charlotte, Juliet, Boone, Shannon) and those that went on to live past Jack like Ben and Hurley who probably lived on the island for a long time after and past it on to someone else. The last scene was an arbitrary time where all of them are ready to go on to nirvana. Honestly, I thought the Christian speech was too heavy handed and spelled too much of this out. I thought the show could have been more effective to let us figure this out instead of Christian telling us as much, but I think more people would be confused and pissed off. I like the story line and totally disagree with you, Paul that it felt different than past seasons. I think the producers knew exactly what they were doing and of course real things like Walt growing up to look like he's 40 and Mr Echo not wanting to continue or the writer's strike, some plot holes, some bad acting and the like were there, but i thought the overall arch was strong. The Island was a great MacGuffin to explore theology, mythology, human nature and all the other fun things science fiction does. Maybe this is cheesy, but I like this idea that we all have defining moments in our lives and they are the ones we share with others and our God and that all the rest is purgatory leading us to be awaken together. Christians believe that we are put on this island called Earth to connect with God with each other in a perfect kingdom without sin and that a schism happens and that kingdom that was supposed to happen is laid dormant and that when we connect with Jesus we get a glimpse of what that kingdom is supposed to look like and we are supposed to help wake everyone up and share that connection with as many people as we can. And one day in some other reality we are all going to be together living in this heaven on earth. God keeps trying different ways to wake us up, so that we remember that our car payments don't really matter. He set apart Israel to be the light of the world to wake us up. He sent his son down to wake us up. He sent his holy spirit. He awakens many of us to help each other wake up. When we are awaken we are reborn and it doesn't really matter if we are alive or dead. Mon, 24 May 2010 12:56:37 EST Renaud http://armstrongcircus.com/blog/861/#comment_18409 Some how I knew all anyone would read in my comment was the words "glowing hole". But of coarse I wouldn't let that stop me from typing it. Mon, 24 May 2010 12:32:14 EST Daniel http://armstrongcircus.com/blog/861/#comment_18408 #Ben - so what you're saying is that the writers were essentially saying "Your mom is a glowing light hole" Mon, 24 May 2010 12:30:12 EST Paul