The Heart of Man, The Love of God
Don't miss this one!
You have one more chance to see this great movie!
I love movies. I love movies that are made well. I love films where the director focused his lens on beauty. But I really love movies that make me think and potentially change my view on the world.
The Heart of Man is one of those movies. As a reader of my blog, I don't want you to miss your once chance to see this film on a big screen, surrounded by a full audience in a public theater environment. It really is worth your time and money to experience this film in a theater.
You know how much I love to talk about the gospel and the love of God. It is part of my everyday conversations around here. It is so rare that a film is made and communicates the concepts of God's love and redemption so clearly.
FILMING TECHNIQUE
The Heart of Man is filmed in a unique way. It very clearly depicts individuals and couples who share their personal lives in a documentary interview format. They are quick to walk you down to the dark spaces in their journey with God. Addictions, hurt, damage, and pain are on display. (Note: this film speaks candidly about sexual sin and you should consider who you bring - more on that below). Had the director stopped there, I would simply not recommend this film. There are plenty of places on the internet where you can listen and watch folks open up honestly about dark sinful choices and how they were redeemed.
“What if our brokenness is a bridge, not a barrier?”
This director does not stop there.
Within the personal interviews, the director weaves a story of The Prodigal in a beautiful and vivid way. The story is simple and easy to follow, but is told without dialogue. This is why you must see this film. The images still burn in my mind. To see the depth of the love of God and what He does to pursue us before, during and after our descent into sin is life-changing.
THEMES
This film speaks clearly to themes of sexual addiction, infidelity and sexual abuse, but in no way should you pigeon hole this movie in that way. It's a movie about living in freedom and knowing that the Father loves you and pursues you and never gives up on you.
This is a film for those struggling in addictions. A film for those struggling with sin. It is a film for those struggling with loss. It's a film for those struggling with despair and a loss of hope.
In fact, I would say that this film is made for everyone. Sinner. Saint. Believer. Unbeliever. Christian. Non-Christian. Protestant. Catholic. Muslim. Jew. Hindu. Buddhist. Gay. Lesbian. Transgender. Man. Woman.
DISCUSSION
I believe this movie will begin discussions on your walk back to the car. You will leave a changed person with a desire to talk through certain scenes, how they were filmed and what they communicated and how you feel about it.
Kendra and I saw it on opening night during a limited release. We immediately made plans to purchase this film and turn it into a community event where we could invite our friends who are waking up from Gospel Amnesia and those who are discovering the love of God for the first time. We were stoked to hear it was out on re-release for one more night.
What about kids? We have learned to have discussions sooner rather than later. That being said, we would not hesitate to take OUR 10 year old son. We've had hard conversations already. This film would only serve to clarify the love of God in his life. We are willing to step in and talk about themes of sexuality, lust, adultery, pornography and the brokenness in the world. If you aren't prepared for that, you might want to consider who you invite along.
Are you interested in joining us? Leave a comment or contact me here and we'll keep you in the loop.
Quietly making noise,
Fletch
Noah - The Movie
You know I'm a huge film buff, so I am excited about this new film. Working with the original screenplay from God and his co-writer Moses, Director Darren Aronofsky's new film Noah is ready for release. Starring Russell Crowe, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Jennifer Connelly and Emma Watson, the film follows the story of Noah from the book of Genesis.
After visions of an apocalyptic deluge, Noah, the world’s only righteous man, is chosen to undertake a divine mission to build a massive ark to save his family and all of creation before the impending rains fall and the flood waters rise. Click here or on the poster to link to the new trailer.
Quietly making noise,
Fletch
How People Change 2013 - Join Me!
If you have been hanging around theMangoTimes for the past few years, you know how often we like to talk about the gospel and how it centers us from looking for our identity in the "practices" of religion or the traps of the world.
On April 26th and 27th I will be attending the "How People Change 2013" in Modesto, CA. Several churches, organizations and individuals are bringing Tim Lane, president of CCEF for a two day conference that focuses on just this topic. Understanding our identity in light of the gospel.
I recommend this conference to ANYONE wanting a deeper understanding of the gospel. If you are struggling in your faith, feeling like it's "hard work," or wondering what it was that woke our family up from "gospel amnesia" then I would love to have you join us for this event.
It is open to individuals, church leadership, so feel free to share this with others. For more details you can click through the photo above to the conference website, or take a look at this video put together by some leaders in our church:
If you have any questions or would like to hang out with me at the conference, let me know!
Quietly making noise,
Fletch
Updating theMangoTimes
I have recently added two new sections to theMangoTimes.
Who We Are - A Gallery of Family Photos
My Favorite Links - Some recommended places for you to cruise around the web!
Quietly making noise,
Fletch
Vacation Reading
I have worked through several books on this vacation. Currently enjoying "Thinking, Loving, Doing" edited by Piper and Mathis and adapted from the October 2010 Desiring God Conference of a similar name. After years of being entrenched with a group of thinkers (primarily) and seeing thought take predominance over loving or doing, this book has found rich soil of agreement.
The conference and now the book seek to encourage balance in the life of the church. Since our foundation, we have swung the pendulum out to our own personal desire of operational faith. Some emphasize love, some deeds and some deep thoughts. Here we have Warren, Mohler, Sproul, Anyabwile, Chan and Piper circling the wagons. Great read! Thanks to my best friend Eric for giving it to me!
Quietly making noise,
Fletch
Acts29 Bootcamp
Heading to San Jose this weekend for the Acts29 Bootcamp. If you are going, I'd love to hook up with you.
Quietly making noise,
Fletch
Troast in Review
As always, Jon took requests from the audience, provided the stories behind the songs and entertained us with his wit and humor of life on the road as a traveling musician. We counted about 75 (See Official Concert Pic Here) in attendance at the concert. I'd guess that about half of them were brand new to his music and the other half knew his music and sang along with him.
The afterparty involved a bunch of guests back at the house hanging out around a campfire on the back porch. Every visit is fun with Jon. Since he stays with us, we always have fun catching up with him and his life in Nashville. The littlest Fletcher's love having Jon around the house and I think Kenj just enjoys having an adult that she can talk with. It's always a bummer to see him leave and we look forward to his next tour through California!
Bonus...
As Jon took requests from the audience, someone asked him to sing "The Andy Song." It's a personal favorite for obvious reasons. One of the Mangokids caught it on video and made a quick movie. Enjoy!
Quietly making noise,
Fletch
Dinner at Phil's
A quick trip to Santa Cruz for a New Year planning weekend. Kenj and I got caught up on some long overdue paperwork and school discussions. We capped the night with a quick trip to refuel at our favorite seafood restaurant on the coast. Phil's Fish Market claims to serve the best cioppino in the world (Phil proved it by beating Bobby Flay on Throwdown). I have to agree that it's pretty dang close to the best I've had.
Ten out of ten Fletchers agree that Phil's is a worthy stop when you are visting the central coast. Tucked in and amongst the fisheries and docks in Moss Landing, CA (look for the smoke stacks between Santa Cruz and Monterey) you will find this warehouse/market/restaurant. It's first come, first serve...never any reservations. It tends to get packed by dinnertime, so plan accordingly. We give it 5 out of 5 stars!
Quietly making noise,
Fletch
Harry Potter, Homeschooling, and a Pink Professor
!!!WARNING!!!
THIS POST IS ABOUT HARRY POTTER!
If you haven't seen Harry Potter 5, navigate away now! Spoilers abound in the following paragraphs!
Also...If you don't like Harry Potter or if you think that by reading this you may be turned into a newt, then please stick around! I promise this isn't a pro/anti Harry Potter rant. I also promise not to "geek-out" on you and I promise, promise, promise that you won't be indoctrinated into witchcraft and wizardry just by reading this post!
Actually, this post is really more about one character than it is about the book/film in general.
Okay, the warning is over...now onto the post. I just finished Harry Potter 5: The Order of the Phoenix (and by "finished" I mean the movie). Yes, I'm watching HP from start to finish with one of the Mangoboys (and for the fun of it, let's call him "Jack"). It is our goal to catch Deathly Hallows Part 1 and 2 on the big screen. Overall, I've enjoyed the stories as they follow the classic storyline of good versus evil, redemption, hero/villain, with some enjoyable twists.
Dolores Umbridge
Professor/Special Asst. to the Minister of Magic
Hogwarts School
In book/film five of the story, they have introduced a fantastic new character: Dolores Umbridge (pictured here). I won't overwhelm you with the whole HP story, but Professor Umbridge has been appointed to Hogwarts School by the Ministry of Magic as an agent of change at the school. As I watched her character develop in this movie, I couldn't help but laugh at some similarities she shares with a few characters whom I've met in real life.
On first glance, you know Dolores is different. Instead of the typical black robe worn by students and teachers, Dolores shows up in a tailored pink wool suit complete with a flowery pink pill box hat and matching handbag. She looks like a spokeswoman for Pepto-Bismol. Visibly, she is the antithesis of what wizardry and witchcraft look like. Her first words to the student body give you a hint as to why she has been brought to Hogwarts.
After the Headmaster's brief introduction, Professor Umbridge interrupts to say:
"Progress for the sake of progress must be discouraged...let us preserve what must be preserved...let us perfect what can be perfected...and let us prune practices that ought to be prohibited."
Spoken with a tight smile and a syrupy sweet British accent, you know she is going to be at odds with at least the students and most likely the administration. I'll get back to her "pruning practices" in a moment, but I want to begin with her first day in the classroom.
"There Is Nothing Out There, Dear!"
On the first day of class, Professor Umbridge introduces herself and her subject matter:
Dolores Umbridge:"Your previous instruction in this subject has been disturbingly uneven. But you will be pleased to know from now on, you will be following a carefully structured, Ministry-approved course of defensive magic. Yes?"
Hermione Granger:"There's nothing in here about using defensive spells..."
Dolores Umbridge: "...You will be learning about defensive spells in a secure, risk-free way."
Harry Potter: "Well, what use is that? If we're gonna be attacked it won't be risk-free."
Dolores Umbridge:"It is the view of the Ministry that a theoretical knowledge will be sufficient to get you through your examinations, which after all, is what school is all about."
Harry Potter: "And how is theory supposed to prepare us for what's out there?"
Dolores Umbridge:"There is nothing out there, dear!"
Please tell me you caught what I caught here? Maybe it's just my experience with uber-conservative Christianity, but there are several aspects to this character that I found to be humorously analogous to some branches in the Christian Homeschooling Tree. Here is what I caught: Theory versus reality. Risk-free environments. Professor Umbridge focuses on teaching these Hogwart's students the theoretical knowledge of dealing with evil, but refuses to provide them any real skills or experience for engagement or defense.
The comparison I found is simple. Christian homeschoolers (and I'm one of them) have plucked their kids from the public school system. Theory of engagement with the world is and should be taught, yet for some families that is where they stop (and this is where I swing down a few branches on the tree). Here's what I've personally witnessed: These families never use their training in the real world. In an "us vs. them" mentality they continue to sterilize their children by raising them to avoid any engagement with the world. They disengage from anything to do with popular culture instead of entering the culture equipped with a Christian worldview and practicing the skills of defense (read: Gospel living). After pulling away from the philosophies of the world, they never return to engage the world with sound Biblical philosophy. Even after equipping their families with the tools to engage, their energies are spent avoiding the world and living in a "secure risk-free way." Like this example from Professor Umbridge at Hogwarts School, these parents never intend on letting their students leave the classroom.
High Inquisitor
After only a short time at Hogwarts, the Ministry of Magic expands the Pink Professor's role at the school: "Having already revolutionized the teaching of Defence Against the Dark Arts, Dolores Jane Umbridge will, as High Inquisitor, have powers to address the seriously falling standards at Hogwarts School."
Here is another place where I found that art intersects reality.
Measuring Up
Dolores becomes both a teacher and a clipboard carrying inquisitor. She is often seen interrupting classes in session and challenging what and how other instructors are teaching the students. One of my favorite scenes shows Dolores using a tape measure against the choirmaster to literally see if he "measures up."
Hello? Can we find similarities with this clipboard carrying inquisitor within our own experience? How often have I picked up the clipboard and tape measure? Too often. We don't need to look too far into the Christian homeschool community or even some of our churches or some of our own lives (there I said it...) to find the behavior we see displayed in Dolores.
On the outside, she projects perfection. Tailor-fitted clothing and a matching pink office with walls covered with photos of cats (yes, she is the ultimate "cat lady"). Visitors are escorted into her office and served a hot cup of tea. Dolores appears kind and hospitable (afterall, she's doing things right!), yet without skipping a beat, she politely shows where her guest has not met the standard and all the time smiling and sipping tea.
Comparisons. Pride. Inquisitions. This doesn't just happen at Hogwarts people! This happens around our kitchen tables (and sometimes around our communion tables...ouch!). We are reminded in Proverbs that God hates a proud look and one who has haughty eyes, yet this behavior comes so easily to us as Christian homeschoolers. With little effort we can all become like Dolores. We pick up our measuring tapes and evaluate one another according to a standard that we have created and others simply cannot keep. How easy it is for us to become pink-washed tombs? Ha!
Pruning Prohibited Practices
After her instatement as High Inquisitor, Dolores also focuses her attention on student behavior at Hogwarts. With a down-turned eye, she instates a series of new decrees to the Hogwarts student body. Clothing standards, relationship standards, how to talk, how to think, how to live...nothing is outside of her reach.
With each declaration, she frames the edict and her lackey assistant nails it to the school wall. As her laws multiply so does the difficulty to police student behavior. Dolores solves this by recruiting several Hogwarts students to serve on her Inquisatorial Squad and rat out classmates whose behavior is out of line. Within time, there is a new law for every behavior and the school wall is covered with framed decrees. Students are driven to misery until the inevitable finally happens. In the movie, a comical student revolt is led and Umbridge is driven from her post at the school. As the lawmaker flees the auditorium, the framed laws shatter away from the wall (see photo below).
Exploding Degrees at Hogwarts
Legalism is tricky that way. You can't stop with just one law (like Pringles potato chips). Laws have a funny way of multiplying and soon they are hard to keep track of, let alone keep. Yet there are families trying to manage behavior every day with external systems and rules. It's impossible. I've tried. I've witnessed it in church and in the homeschool community with my own two eyes. I've seen kids that were seemingly well controlled for years finally revolt.
I remember reading an article a few years ago about kids who "jump ship" and reject a system based on meaningless rules. I've seen it and when they jump, they jump far away and land running! Lists of right and wrong behaviors will serve to frustrate children, not encourage them. Dolores Umbridge had rules, plenty of them. What she lacked was a relationship with her students and a desire for them to grow and learn and apply their learning in real world situations. They never were allowed to take their education and use it outside of the classroom.
Oh how I loved and hated the character of Dolores Umbridge. What an example of how not to run a school of witchcraft and wizardy!
Quietly making noise,
Fletch
PS...see, you didn't turn into a newt!
Advent Plans
This year for Advent we will begin reading through the third book in this excellent advent series. If you haven't read these books yet, they are WAY WORTH the investment in time and effort. "Jotham's Journey" and "Bartholomew's Passage" are great stories full of adventure and evening cliff hangers.They are each unique stories, but each one is written parallel to the other stories and there are several cross-over characters and even the occasional blending of the stories as the main characters meet one another on their journeys.
It has been a great way for our family to prepare for Christmas every year. What are you doing to celebrate the Advent season in your homes? Any traditions?
Quietly making noise,
Fletch
Cup o' Joe
Aeropress Coffee MakerI don't think I have mentioned this yet, but the Aeropress Coffee maker is my favorite way to drink coffee lately. This is the perfect system for making "less than" a pot of coffee. It is super easy to use and equally easy to clean and there is no glass so you have less chance of breaking. You can count on this little press to make consistently good cups of coffee.I was introduced to this cool little gadget by my dad. I used it a few times at his house and loved the flavor of the coffee it was making. So, I decided that I needed one of my own (and one at the office...and potentially one in the VW bus).
It is so simple. Pop in a filter. Add one scoop of coffee. Add hot water. Mix with the handy paddle they provide. Press a shot of hot coffee through the filter into your cup Add hot water to the strength you enjoy. Stir and enjoy a yummy full flavored cup of coffee.
Clean up is a breeze too!. Twist off the filter cap and plunge the grounds and filter into the trash. The plunger cleans and dries the system, so all you need is a fresh water rinse and you are good to go.
And, it was invented by the guy that made the Aerobie flying ring. Very cool indeed.
Quietly making noise,
Fletch
Washington DC - Top Six Things
Here's a cool thing. Kendra's mom(Grammy Adele, G-Ma, or my personal favorite "Ladele") has decided to introduce each of her grandchildren to American history with the gift of a trip to Washington, DC. Instead of taking everyone, we decided to split the trips, so this past month we travelled with the top three Mangoboys to DC and Colonial Williamsburg.
It was a very fun trip. Kendra planned out all of our events and did a great job allowing us to see more than the highlights of the city and surrounding region. There is so much to report on, but to keep it simple, here are my top six highlights of our week on the east coast.
6. The Metro. I'm not a regular commuter in the DC area. I don't know how good or bad it is on a daily basis for commuting. But, if you have to use a public transportation system, it is hard to beat the Metro system in Washington. It was super easy to understand and navigate for newbies and tourists. We only used our rental car once to go into town and the rest of the time we easily travelled to and from on the train.
Maybe I'm being naive (probably), but I felt very safe and especially loved the opportunity to sleep on my way in and out of town. Very cool indeed!
5. Art Galleries. We visited two art galleries: The Smithsonian Gallery and The National Gallery of Art. They were both fantastic. The main exhibit on display at the Smithsonian was the personal collection of Norman Rockwell's belonging to Steven Spielberg and George Lucas. Way cool! The National Gallery of Art was equally phenomenal. Walking from room to room took us from the 13th to the 17th century of Dutch, French, Italian, and American pieces of art. Seriously, from a guy whose knowledge of art stops at Disney cartoons, these two museums were a highlight of our week! My personal favorite find was DaVinci's smudged thumbprint in one of his paintings. How cool is that?
4. The Library of Congress. This was my first trip to the Library of Congress and I was stunned by the beauty and architecture of this building. I'm not normally moved by grand architecture, but this place is truly amazing. I watched Nicholas Cage run around the building in "National Treasure 2," but that does not begin to do this place justice. As the largest library in the world, they have over 140 million volumes. We were able to see a real Guttenburg Bible on display. We browsed Thomas Jefferson's personal library, and the list goes on. They receive over 20,000 new items every single day. We could have spent an entire day just touring the library.
3. Maryland Crabs. Here is a little known fact for the readers of theMT. I was born in Baltimore, Maryland. It must be in my genetic make-up, but we feasted on a dozen Maryland blue crabs until our bellies were full. We didn't take the boys (acted "shelfish"-hahahaha). These tasty big boys (did you know you order Maryland crabs by sex and size) were doused in Old Bay and accompanied by a dozen Blue Point oysters (not ordered by sex) and a few Red Stripes and "the best Arnold Palmer Kendra has ever tasted." For our west coast friends, we are still partial to the steamed Dungenous crabs. We can't wait for crab-feed season (the only high point in otherwise foggy Januarys).
2. Mt. Vernon. Hands down, my favorite piece of history continues to be the home and property of George Washington. Gorgeous riverfront acreage, beautiful grounds and a wonderfully restored home. What's not to love?
There is plenty to learn about Washington's life as a farmer, a soldier, a president and a husband, but my favorite fact has to do with his prolific correspondence. In the course of his life, George Washington wrote over 20,000 pieces of personal correspondence. Granted, he had secretaries, but that is a lot of ink/feather letter writing (as we struggle to reply to an email).
1. Companionship. The sites were terrific, but at the top of my list was the company I enjoyed. I loved hanging out with these goofballs for ten days. We ate a ton of good food, walked our butts off, and just enjoyed the opportunity to spend time with these young men.
They were great travelers and had great attitudes as we dragged them through the city for ten days. Iron hats at Jamestown, juicy burgers at the Hard Rock Cafe, drinking songs in a Williamsburg tavern, balsa wood airplanes at the hotel, and trying to act cool on the Metro...just a few of my favorite memories with these guys!
Thanks Ladele for such a great trip! You rock!
Quietly making noise,
Fletch
Where to find me...July 2010
I'll be enjoying the groovy tunes of Jack Johnson's latest album, To The Sea. After a free Starbucks download of "At Or With Me" I knew this album would be good. He continues to deliver some of the best music out there and his sound/lyrics have theMangoTimes written all over them. Throw this on the speakers, climb in the hammock, pull someone you love close, and call it a night. Favorite lyrics of late:"Are they laughing at or with me? People are just trying to fit in-But is there something telling you-You can’t trust anyone in this town-Ah baby those are such great shoes".
I've spent a great deal of time enjoying the preaching of Pastor Britt Merrick from Reality Carpinteria church. I was introduced to him through a few videos I saw on facebook. He has been very transparent dealing with his daughter's recent diagnosis of stage 3 cancer. His sermons are some of the best I've heard and if you are a fan of gospel centered preaching, you will not go wrong with this podcast. His current series, Missio Christi, will speak life into any stagnancy you've allowed to develop in your faith. Ever wonder why a Christian's favorite meal is fellow Christians? Ever questioned how to speak truth without judging your brother or sister? As a teaser, I've included a snippet of his sermon, "Truth Telling without Judging" below. If you enjoy it, go download the whole sermon![podcast]http://themangotimes.com/music/Merrick41810.mp3[/podcast]
Jason Mraz is another great musician you will find playing through mangoland (or my office...or my car...or on my iPod). If you listen to any pop-radio station, you've heard his music, but I would recommend you dig a little deeper for some of his really good stuff. If you get there fast enough, you can still get a FREE DOWNLOAD from Levi's Pioneer Sessions of Jason singing "Spirit in the Sky" and if you want to see the behind the scenes video, here it is:YOU CAN FIND ME HANGING OUT HERE:
We are going to Mt. Hermon's Summer Concert Series to take in some great tunes by Sara Groves. She is one of Kendra's favorites and we've been waiting a long time to find a way to catch her in concert...and this one is nearly in our backyard (well, maybe not our backyard, but close enough). I love going to Mt. Hermon. It's perfectly placed in the mountains above Santa Cruz and on a personal note, it's where God chose to reveal His grace to me (way back in 1982 when I attended Young Life Winter Camp).
The backporch is a favorite locale for many visitors to mangoland. For me personally, just swinging in the hammock chairs with Kendra or curling up with some cute mangokids while the warm valley California air drifts through the back yard spells summer at our house. I actually notice that I rarely use the front door during the summer. Life just slows down and moves at a slower pace. So drop by, leave your worries in your car and join me on the back porch to swing and relax. Consider this your invitation...
As part of our Summerzcool curriculum, we've made it our goal to get back to the beach as much as we possibly can to find out "what is and what is not cool." We continue to return to some of our favorite sandy spots on the coast. Santa Cruz at the harbor. Capitola, complete with the pastel cottages dotting the lagoon and Pizza My Heart. Want to join us for our summertime classes on sandy beaches and distant reaches? There is just something about watching your kids chase waves and seagulls that makes this life we've chosen that much better![podcast]/music/summerzcool.mp3[/podcast]
You will definitely find me standing in front of this new addition. If you know us, you know that life often revolves around our kitchen! Now that my parents have recently installed this outdoor wood-fired pizza oven, our kitchen party has moved outside. We have been busy perfecting doughs and creating our favorite pizzas. At 700+ degrees, we are spinning out pizzas every two minutes for the hungry masses....AND THE REST OF US WILL BE HANGING OUT HERE:
Hope to see you this month!
Quietly making noise,
Fletch
Storyville Live - Music + Coffee = Freedom
A few months ago, I was approached by Storyville Coffee Company to host a live concert in my home. Since I have already hosted a few concerts before with our favorite in-home performer, Jon Troast, we seemed like a perfect match. This concert is a little different, because it is not just about great music, because the purpose is to spotlight a ministry called International Justice Mission.
Storyville Coffee has created an experience called Storyville Live.
From their website: "A Storyville Live concert is an opportunity for an evening of music, coffee, and community unlike any other. Our coming together also creates an opportunity to bring freedom to the millions of people around the world that are trapped in the atrocity of human trafficking. There are 27 million people today that are in slavery — not in slave-like conditions, in actual slavery. 27 million. We couldn’t believe it. We’re partnered with International Justice Mission, an organization that has created a blueprint to end slavery in our lifetime. The two main barriers are lack of awareness and lack of resources. Storyville Live provides both. By hosting or attending a concert, you're making a difference."
It is our mission to put slavery out of business for good.
Our specific concert is being hosted on Saturday, June 19th. We are excited to welcome the featured musician, Pierce Pettis. Your ticket includes the concert, dessert and coffee...what a deal! See the images for details and concert code! We would love you to join us!
Quietly making noise,
Fletch
Feeling LOST...
Well...it's finally over.
For this LOST fan, I'm very disappointed to see such a great television show disappear (and this from a non-TV watcher). At the same time, I'm glad the producers decided to bring the story to an end before the show was cancelled or any of the major actors quit the series.
Not everyone liked the show. Some people were "lost" the whole time they watched it, while many others drew conclusions without ever watching an episode. Just living in my own house showed me there were people that didn't understand the LOST phenomenon or the weekly addiction many shared, but I cannot think of another show in television history that connected great acting, great characters, beautiful scenery and consistently fantastic writing.
In the past few days, there's been a lot of discussion about whether this show ended well and even more theories about what the show really meant. I read a twitter update during the series finale that said something like, "I never understood Trekkies until LOST." As a self-professed "Lostie," I've been asked several times what I thought about the show, so in true style I thought I would offer a top-ten.
Here's my own list of Top Ten Reasons I Enjoyed Six Seasons of LOST:
ALERT: LOST spoilers and secrets are revealed!
10. It is a Survival Story - This series began with a bunch of people surviving a plane crash on a deserted island. What other comparison did I have but Gilligan's Island? It took NO TIME for me to begin enjoying this show...only this time around there were not as many coconut creme pies.
9. Character Development - By the second episode, I realized this was not just another show. Methodically, the writers took the viewer through every characther's "back story" and what led them to the island. You quickly began cheering and booing the characters based on who they were "off island" and who they had become "on island." Over six years it became an emotional roller-coaster as characters travelled full circle from good to bad and back again and again.
8. Great Acting/Writing - LOST had a huge ensemble cast, extending to include international actors, screen actors, and stage actors. The writers mixed comedy, adventure, intrigue and drama brilliantly. Instead of a weekly show, LOST was really more of a six-year miniseries. Personal favorites: Terry O'Quinn, Michael Emerson, Josh Holloway, Jorge Garcia, Elizabeth Mitchell, Daniel Dae Kim and the list goes on and on and on...and the writing was the best...hands down.
7. Hello? It was filmed in the Hawaiian Islands - Do I need any commentary here? From the beach to the jungle this series owned the cinematography.
6. Theme: Free Will/Destiny - Without giving away too many spoilers. One major theme from beginning to end was the constant tension between free will and destiny. Were the characters given choices in life or was it destiny to be on the island or even more were they "called" to be on the island. From the beginning, this theme was developed and massaged, so can you see why I liked it? The average viewer may have missed this in the first few seasons, but by the end it was as clear as black and white :) .
5. It is a Story of Redemption- I like stories that show characters needing, seeking and gaining redemption? LOST did not disappoint. Every major character in LOST lived some form of a tragedy that required redemption and each of them was given the opportunity to rectify the wrongs they had committed. Personal acts of contrition, confession, repentance were seen throughout the series, as well as forgiveness and healing, leading to true redemption for characters. Some characters turned the corner early in the series, while others took the full six seasons to develop and occur. I was blown away as the writers developed the most unworthy characters and showed that even they could be redeemed when an external source intervened in their lives.
4. Easter Eggs - One of my favorite parts were the fun "easter eggs" hidden throughout the series by the writers and producers for the viewer to find. Characters were named after famous theologians, philosophers, and scientists. Shows were developed around pieces of literature, musical scores, historical figures, scientific inventions, heroes of the faith, and characters of myth and legend. Sprinkled throughout the series were recurring literary, religious, and philosophical themes from Wonderland to Narnia to Eden to Hell to Purgatory to Nirvana. It was impossible for me to watch LOST without diving into research behind every cultural reference "hidden" in that week's episode. Again, the writers/producers did not just write a show and develop characters...they allowed their own reading, religion and philosophy to work through the series.
3. Good vs. Evil - As the series came to an end, I rewatched the pilot episode. It was evident from the first 30 minutes that the writers were laying the groundwork for a story of good pitted against evil (or as it is introduced, dark vs. light) from the very beginning. The writers develop this theme each year through movie references (Star Wars), game playing (backgammon), biblical themes (Jacob/Esau), and even simple colors (black/white).
2. Time Travel - I love the idea of time travel. Since I was a kid, I have been fascinated with storylines that deal with this theme. Sure, it has been fun to think about going backward and forward in time ("Strange things are afoot at the Circle K!"). LOST takes it a step further. Can you travel backwards and change the outcome of your life? Can you create an alternate plan? I already mentioned that they did a brilliant job with character "back stories" (in a sense, they used this technique to show what happened pre-island/in the past). They also appeared to show the audience what happened post-island or what they called a "side-story," which looked like a parallel time-line (not too much to comment here, because this is a major portion of the final season). Not to dissuade anyone who might think this show is just plain hokey, they incorporated time-travel brilliantly (taking into account the science, the myths, and all of the potential effects). Personal favorite: what if you could travel through time and see yourself in the past?
1. It's Not What You Think - Finally, this is why I loved LOST. It is about a plane crash, but it's not about a plane crash. It is a random group of people on an island, but it's not a random group of people. Sure, there are polar bears, there is a smoke monster, and there is a lot of mystery, but everything has a reason. If you can't handle the impossible, than LOST is not for you. It is more than really handsome/beautiful actors in a tropical location. Each episode of LOST is another piece in a giant game. You need all the pieces to put the story together. Unlike any other show, LOST never disappoints (well except for Nicki and Paulo and an episode of Jack in Thailand). For those that tuned in late expecting to see a show about people getting "off an island" they were probably confused and disappointed. Like Narnia is more than a story about school kids walking through a wardrobe, LOST is way more than what it looks like on the surface. It never failed to confuse or surprise the viewer, with each season pulling a different layer back on the bigger story!
But...
"But Fletch, LOST was uber-popular and at the center of our already television saturated culture. How could you be so positive? As a Christian, didn't it conflict with your beliefs? I heard it was an "all paths lead to God" show...Why did you let your kids watch it? You are such a sell-out, You are a joiner!..."
Well, there are plenty more questions and conversations to be had about the television show LOST. Maybe I'll talk about them and maybe I won't. For those interested, I already addressed some of these questions in this post I wrote about popular culture. I understand that I respond to culture differently than most. Sorry to disappoint.
Quietly making noise,
Fletch
Fuzz Buzz Friday Night
I searched theMangoTimes and
realized that I have written several times
about the famous Fletcher
"Fuzz Buzz"
without ever offering the recipe. Since this
adult slurpee
is a summertime staple around our kitchen and it's been a scorcher in the Central Valley this past week, I thought I would finally break open the vault and let everyone enjoy these frozen summer beauties. Have a great weekend and enjoy the photos of these yummy treats (Read: I expect to be invited over...).
Fuzz Buzz (makes a pitcher)
4 peaches (remove pit, but leave on skin...that's the fuzz part)
1 large can limeade
Vodka (that's the buzz part)
Ice (to taste)
Combine all ingredients and blend until thick, icy and smooth. Pour into glasses and enjoy!
"Fresh Peaches (We hand picked ours tonight!)"
"One can frozen limeade"
"Ice, ice, ice..."
"Blend until smooth and icy"
Quietly Making Noise,
Fletch
***Yes, yes, yes...these are adult slurpees, and I left out pictures of the vodka, so don't forget to add one can vodka for each batch. Of course, if you want the "kid version" you can leave the vodka out. That's how the mangokids like them! Cheers!
Byron Wolfe - my favorite photographer
My long time friend and favorite photographer is Byron Wolfe. our relationship started back in college at the now infamous Wine Wizards where we met a variety of characters, wines, and cheeses (each with their own story). These years knowing byron (and his family) and his photography have been laced with great memories, fun conversations and very deep side splitting laughter. My house and office contain different prints of his work, but more than anything else, it has been his style and philosophy of photography that has inspired my desire to even try to make pictures and he was the main influence behind my first attempt with "First Look."
Byron and his family now live in northern California where he works as a professor at California State University, Chico in the communications department (by the way, he owns a tweed jacket and i'm working on finding him a pipe). When he is not teaching the youth of California non-verbal communication skills, he is actively applying his trade.
A few examples of Byron's professional work includes:
1. Third View - where he worked as a main photographer and project director (if you are a photographer or homeschooler - this site is a must visit - very cool!)
2. Yosemite In Time - where he teamed with others to provide a photographic and historical look at yosemite park.
3. And then there is my personal favorite (at the top of the post): Everyday, where he photographically walks the reader through a year in his life (one day at a time). Some of my favorite all time photographs are contained in this book, but it's his depiction of time annually and seasonally that I find most enjoyable!
And here is the great news...if you live in the Central Valley, you have the opportunity to see things through his lens live and in person at
for the next few weeks at the Knowlton Gallery in Lodi, CA. It is worth the visit, if you are able!
Quietly making noise,
fletch
Stranger Than Fiction
The concept in this movie is brilliant, the cast is fantastic, and the acting was smashing. This movie opens doors for conversation on the discussion of free will. I don't want to spoil anything for you, because I think this movie should just be enjoyed. But, speaking in vague terms, who is in control of your life? Is it you or do you have someone else authoring your life? Is there a supreme author in all of our lives? Do you have a role in deciding each and every page of the book and how the chapter turns and twists, or are you written in and out of scenes at the will of the writer?
Jeremiah 29:11 - "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."
Quietly making noise,
Fletch
theMT Recommendations - July 06
Pirates of the Caribbean, Part Two: I stopped recommending movies a long time ago. It seems there are many homeschoolers with opinions toward film and culture...so I'm not recommending that you go see this movie. I'm just saying that I liked this movie...saavy?
French Exchange Students: Not all students...just ours. Elise was with us for nearly two months - it was a great experience that is worthy of it's own blog.
Crackling Cactus: This is a firework that was a smash at this year's event. Remember, in California, we have to use these wimpy fireworks - nothing big or in the air...
Flora Springs Wines: We spent our 15th anniversary in Napa Valley. I was able to make it by FS for another great tasting. I recommend their estate wines, as well as a new winery they started called "Toad's Hall" which pours a great full bodied red called "Bodacious."
Cambazola: I am a lover of good flavors. I used to work at a little bistro in the valley that served cheese and fruit boards and I fell in love with good cheeses. Cambazola remains a favorite. It is soft and creamy (like brie) with a streak of bleu cheese down the middle for some bite!
Quietly making noise,
Fletch
theMT Recommendations - June 06
Slurpees: I'm sorry, but there is nothing better in the summer than this icy cold treat from 7-11. I'm not certain that these frozen drinks are available across the country, but they are the best frozen drinks by far. They surpass slushies, icewhips, icees or any other knockoff - they are the one and only.
Its-Its: keeping with the theme of summer, these tasty ice cream pucks from San Francisco are phenomenal. Two oatmeal cookies sandwiched with vanilla ice cream and then dipped in chocolate. Any questions?
Hammocks: ours sits in the shade of the deck just outside the family room. It's the perfect place to lie down and challenge the mangokids to a contest.
Fuzzbuzz: Whoops...I lied...there is one frozen drink that is better than a Slurpee. The recipe is being withheld...for now.
Jack Johnson: great singer/guitar player. There is nothing better than lying in the hammock with Kendra, sharing a fuzzbuzz and listening to a little "banana pancakes."
Quietly making noise,
Fletch