The committee was most impressed with the overall story idea and the plot twists and turns. While at times the story started to drift, you always managed to move forward. Most importantly, throughout  the series you kept the story interesting and thoughtful. Passengers in the tail section lived and were reunited with the main group. Michael goes rouge. The flashbacks got meatier. Hugo breaks his curse. The Others led to the back story of the Dharma Initiative. Sawyer got happy. And Ben Linus always got a good beating. Good television all around.

The committee, however, always worried about the loose ends. So many loose ends. Lost, you always prided yourself on answering one question then asking two more. Again, that approach makes for great drama. At some point, it had to end. That end was last night.  The committee did not expect everything wrapped up with a nice bow. But we did not get a box, nor any pretty paper, or a bow.

Lost, you wimped out. The finale was all warm, fuzzies, hugs, and tears. All shot with warm light and soft focus. Instead of answers, you gave  us nonsense like: Jack and Smokie as Locke marching to the magic cave. Desmond pulling out the cork of the island without a reason. The immortal Smokie as Locke dying with one bullet in the back. Sideways Desmond getting everyone to the benefit gala without a reason. Jack getting all teary-eyed with ole dad – is that considered redemption for Christian? Jack figuring out he is dead in a sideways timeline that had no point except to confuse the viewers. To end it all, Christian Sheppard walking into the light. Bullocks.

Lost, you could not make the show make sense, so you didn’t even try, You have failed.

Something happened at the new location. The prices on the menu went up. Service slowed down – way down. It took ten minutes to get our beers. The place is big and roomy, but what I really miss is the small place with a wait person coming by every few minutes to check on us.

Wait staff were wizzing by, but we did a lot of sitting. The two fellas playing Irish music was a nice touch, but I would rather have canned music if my food would come quicker. After 40 long minutes, our food was served.

Normally after a long wait, I will pretty much devour anything edible with a smile on my face. However when our food came, a wave of disappointment came with it.  I ordered a gyro. What I got was was an organic concoction posing casually as a gyro. Grilled chicken, slivers of carrots, organic lettuce, hummus, and a funky tzatziki sauce makes for a pretty plate but a gyro it does not make. The menu said gyro. I was hoping for one. After 40 minutes, my hopes were high.

The bill was $40. I paid $40 for slow service, a 40-minute wait, and a meal that didn’t meet my expectations. Indian, anyone?

… to keep things neat, tidy, conservative and white.

The Board is in the process of making recommendations for changes to social studies, economics and history textbooks.

What is out? Thomas Jefferson as a writer who influenced the nation’s intellectual origins. What? Yes, the man who actually wrote the Declaration of Independence. Apparently, he wasn’t Christian enough for the Texas State Board of Education.

Also out, recent third party Presidential hopefuls Ross Perot and Ralph Nader. Topics getting de-emphasized are Lyndon Johnson’s Great Society and nasty words like “American imperialism.”

What is in? More emphasis on the conservative movement of the 1980s and 1990s and country music as among the country’s most important cultural movements.

It would be funny if it weren’t so serious.

Conservative Christians and conservatives in general should understand that different – even disparate – ideas are good for the country. Are you listening – Karl Rove? Lynn Cheney?

Number of countries: 5

Successful flights: 15

Unsuccessful flights: 1

Miles of road travel: too many

Bottles of water: 57

Plates of unidentified meat: 6

Disinterested customs officials: all

Polite conversations: 17

Odd looks from foreigners: 12

Minutes of videotape: 190

Number of still photos: 517

Days of sleep needed when I return: 3

Person who has my heart: 1 beautiful Amanda

2. It is like the internet, only slower.

3. On television – India beats China in ping pong. Amazing!

4. Cars in Bangladesh run on propane. They keep the tank in the trunk.

5. They announce prayers to Allah 5 times a day on loud speakers. Everywhere.

6. Those really are baked beans they are serving at the breakfast buffet.

7. Cricket is more popular than soccer.

2. Monarchy rules.

3. They like their bling.

4. Thailand is the Asian Brazil.

5. You can always find a cricket game in T.V.

6. Pound for pound, a Thai can out shop an American.

2. The price of goat meat has skyrocketed.

3.  On the road, you will breath as much diesel and dust as oxygen.

4. Paved roads are out, dirt roads are in.

5. Cell phone reception is pretty good.

6. Maoists are all the rage.

2. Shoes for taxi drivers are completely optional.

3. The country has a total of 3 McDonalds.

4. Buddha is a bigger deal than Olivia Newton John.

5. The play Rick Astley with a straight face.

6. White people get through the checkpoints faster.

7. Kids dreams of being a Bollywood actor.

2. The people liked fried chicken – a lot.

3. The Philippines have their own version of “Full House” and “Family Fued.”

4. The people in the Philippines really like American music.

5. The U.S. 7th Fleet was once stationed at Subic Bay.

6. The Philippines was a Spanish colony for 400 years and tied to the U.S. for 50 years. They say here that the Philippines was in a convent for 400 years and in Hollywood for 50 years.

Meet me in Munich

here the nights are

getting dark too early

the days just fade away

let’s cash out

tomorrow

let’s find a way

Our lives are just beginning

too much at stake

the Old World is calling

let’s get away