Oil is pronounced OL

Virginia weather is crazy. My first weekend in the grand ol' city of Richmond, hurricane Ernesto dropped on us. "Luckily" at this point, the storm was downgraded to a tropical storm. The boiler in our house went KAPUT and we were out of hot water for a week while it was being fixed.

Since this time, we have had our cellar flooded 2 and a half times. Welcome to Virginia! Locals have told me that the weather this fall is abnormal. I am not so sure.

For years, I wondered why the weather channel actually existed. Why on earth would a channel need to dedicate 24/7 programming to something as boring as the weather? Last thursday I watched this channel for over two hours. I eat my words.


There was a TORNADO WATCH! Does this scare anybody else? At the height of the storm I was outside brooming water away from the house as it was pooring down into our cellar. Since I have moved here, I have learned the joys of a sump pump and an above ground oil tank.


Oil is pronounced OL in Richmond, VA.

Never become committed to a show with cocky Executive Producers

This summer, I made the leap into a cultural phenomenon. It cost me $87 to join, and I have invested at least 50+ hours into the cause.

I am a Lost addict.


I admit this with a reluctant heart. Even to the point of self-ridicule and the knowledge that I did this to myself. While I was in NY on my internship, I needed something to do to pass the time while I lived as a "single" dude in the City. Since money was tight...I was paying my dues in the form of an unpaid internship AND tuition, I needed something to do that was free (a one time cost at least;)

I also needed to get OUT OF THE HEAT. (Man, I don't miss the scorching temperatures of an NYC summer).

I digress.

So in my mind, I justified the purchase of season 1 on DVD. I knew what I was getting into. Instantly, I was hooked. Perhaps it was the power to watch as many episodes I wanted at my fingertips. The storylines were intriguing and the action and character development were fun and satisfying. I zipped through season 1 in about 3 weeks, tops. As an addict, I could not control my urge to purchase season 2 on iTunes as it had not made it to DVD yet. Two weeks later, and I was done with that season as well.

Now, here I am, 6 weeks into season 3 and I am not a happy camper.

This is the meat of what I am trying to say. NEVER BECOME COMMITTED TO A SHOW WITH COCKY EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS. Mr. Carlton Cuse and Damon Lindelof how I despise you now.

Really. I do.

As a public service, I have created a quick how-to guide for any up-and-coming Television producers.

GUIDEBOOK FOR COCKY EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS

1. Create a brilliant show. TV viewers get hooked on said show with a huge budget, all-star cast and great location. Throw in some mystery, clever flashback sequences and mix all together...


=the most popular water-cooler TV show in recent history.

2. Entice these fans to interact with all aspects of the show. Create a community in which people can speculate about the mysteries of the storyline and the island. These said fans will spend loads of money on DVD's and whatnot. Win some Emmy's.


3. Let it all go to your head. This includes smug podcasts, teasing of loyal fans, arrogance and the ability to write mysterious storylines into a corner. Make sure to avoid answering any real plot questions or mysteries.

The sad thing about the show is it really used to be brilliant. My feeling is that the production staff is trying to milk the series for all the money its worth. Pressure from ABC and its investors have put the creators of LOST in a hard position.

They are stretching out the show.

My feeling is that the writers really only had a story which would be told in about 4 or 5 seasons. Since the LOST franchise has brought in so much revenue, they are trying to spread out the show to last much longer than originally, or creatively planned.

Anyone who has seen Season 3 can testify of this. Each week, the fans get their hopes up. "This week will be better...some questions will be answered....it'll get moving." And each week we are dissapointed.


Sad thing is, since I have invested so much time into the series, I have chosen to stay until the bitter end. In the meantime, these two smug Exec Producers, Mr. Cuse, and Mr. Lindelof continue to insult the intelligence of their viewers. They do this by systematically neglecting to answer any real mysteries that have arisen since LOST began over 2 years ago.

According to the Neilsen Ratings, Lost has continued its downward slide in the ratings. Hmm, imagine that. I guess money really does talk. Hopefully this 'lost' revenue will cause these dudes to wipe the smug look off their faces and give us some real answers.

ahhhh Richmond

Looks like we made some national news.

Voting mishaps