Girl Power

For me, when I think of the song "Cherry Bomb" my brain automatically gears towards the movie "Dazed and Confused". Moreso the soundtrack. What an anthem! For a teenage girl riddled with hormones, angst and curiosity this song packs a punch. Colleen was, and still is, one of my best friends. This song brings back great memories of rockin' out in her blue Suburu... or the Bubaru as we called it.

I remember, vividly,singing along "Hello Daddy, Hello Mom, I'm your ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch CHERRY BOMB!"

A lot of these memories resurfaced last night when I watched the Indie film "The Runaways" starring Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning. They both play the teenage versions of Joan Jett and Cherie Currie, two of the founding members of the all girl rock and roll band of the 70's.

I consider myself semi savvy when it comes to musical knowledge -- nowhere near my brothers expansive knowledge on the subject -- but then again he couldn't tell you even ten of the top forty hits. He's just not that guy. Though he could tell you who plays what instrument on whatever album by whoever, pre 1994 that is. I think with the death of Kurt Cobain, Bob felt nothing good could or would ever come from the music scene again.

I digress... I, of course, knew who Joan Jett was. "I love Rock 'n Roll" and her version of "Crimson and Clover" are ranked up there with some of my favorites. However, I really knew nothing about these power rockers who changed the world of music... really they did. When did you see an ensemble of five girls with so much agression (both sexual and violent) before The Runaways? Although the idea of five teenagers out on the road consuming massive amounts of drugs and alcohol -- not to mention a lot of sex -- is slightly unnerving to watch. I remember being that age though and it was - though harsh - quite true. At fifteen I had already been a smoker for over a year. I was a habitual pot smoker as well and by the next year I'd experimented with other drugs. The really hardcore stuff didn't come until later. (Thanks college!!) If I had been a rock star I would have taken the same path as these girls did. Who knows where I would be today. More than likely a member of the twenty seven club.

There was truth to this movie, the acting was actually very good. I was worried that Kristen Stewart would play Joan Jett as an angry Bella... but alas, the girl can actually act. I forgot about Bella Swan within the first few minutes of her entrance. She played a wicked Joan Jett, seriously hard core. She dropped F bombs like nobody's business and it was natural! Maybe Kristen Stewart really is a badass.

Being the Twi freak that I am knowing Dakota and Kristen were in this together was another draw. I was in no way expecting to see them make out. But it wasn't weird -- that is until I thought to myself with a chuckle "tee hee hee, Bella and Jane are totally making out... I wonder if the Volturi know about this?" -- Yes, I'm queer to the nth degree - but that's just who I am.

Oh to be back in the Bubaru, screaming out our rage along with our foresisters. Thank you Runaways for making me realize I wasn't the only teen with anger issues. Thank you for being who you were and continue to be who you are.

LOST and found

Well, almost a year later than everyone else, I made it to the series finale of LOST. It was really hard getting information about the show without finding out the ending, but I sort of did it.

Around season four I accidentally stumbled upon an article stating that the survivors were actually dead all along. Though super upset by this ... not so much the information but the fact that I'd been "spoiled" by the outcome, I just kind of waited for it. Much like the death of Charlie in season three... I knew it was going to happen, I just had to brace myself for it.

Now, having finished it and knowing that wasn't the case at all, I think the ending was fantastic! I'm actually happy I read so many blogs and articles saying how badly they thought it ended. My answer to them is "apparently you didn't get it." I am sorry for that. Yeah, there are questions left unanswered but that's ok. Nothing huge was left open ended. That of course is my opinion and many many many people will tirelessly disagree.

OK OK -- so I do have a few minor gripes. I think one of my biggest nit picks about the ending was if Sayid spent his life trying to be with Nadia... why would Shannon end up being his soulmate? Sure they had a little island romance and for the sake of the storyline it did work. Is it because it was Jack's interpretation? Because he never knew Nadia but he knew Shannon? I don't like that answer either though because Jack wasn't even around when Hurley and Boone orchestrated the little fight scene that had Sayid and Shannon "find eachother". Honestly, if that's my biggest gripe... the show ended damn near perfectly.

I never understood the whole alternate universe thing and finding out that it was a sort of limbo for everyone to find eachother and move on was, for me, easier to grasp than any other answer would have been. I loved it. My husband did not and was confused and annnoyed. Even after I explained as best I could my own personal interpretation he still felt it was, and I quote, "Crap". Oh well... sucks being an athiest, huh?

Being the nerd that I am, I had to go and buy the official LOST Encyclopedia. I am reading it cover to cover, word for word, illustration by illustration. "I have looked into the eye of this island and what I saw... was beautiful".
For those of you who would like a little more Lost to gnaw on, this book is great at answering some questions about those who left the island and survived. For example, I learned that a seventeen year old distraught and confused Walt ends up at the Santa Rosa mental facility and soon after is brought back to the island by Hurley to be in the place where he should be. I like that, Walt was left with no one and no answers.

Hmmm, that does bring me to an unanswered question though, what were his special powers? Is he meant to work for Hurley and Ben and use his special gift in some way? OK, I do have questions, how could I not? Only, I'm satisfied with that. There are too many people that are / were seriously pissed off and felt as if they were cheated and wasted six years of their lives. That is absurd. It could be so much worse. Imagine ending up in 1977!? Working for Dharma!? OK -- that would be kinda cool.

Take it or leave it - the show is over what we know is what we know. We are free to come up with our own answers and interpretations. Have fun with it. I do. I've actually gone back to the beginning. It's fun to watch again after knowing what I know. I am able to pick up on so many little details I definitely would have overlooked the first time around.

Yeah, I'm pretty sad it's over though. I'm in search for my new "Lost", so far to no avail. I don't know if I'll ever find anything that captured my heart (and attention span) as much as this show. Candidates? Even when thinking of newer things, Lost references are constantly on the brain. sheesh.

I wonder how hard it is to get stranded on an island these days? Just let me pack a few things... I'm on my way!

Totally LOST

OK - I realize that I am a little behind but LOST is the most awesomest show... ever! When I first received my Netflix subscription the first thing I watched was Heroes Season 3. I was so blown away by the first two seasons of course I wanted to continue. Well, unfortunately as we all know Heroes fell flat on it's face. Cancel the show... save the world. I needed something fresh, something new... something that had several seasons available for streaming.

My previous knowledge of Lost had been basic. Plane crash, a bunch of people stranded on an island, the hot guy from Party of Five, the fat guy who I couldn't understand was fat for years while being apparently trapped on an island. I had no idea about the paranormal or mystery aspect of the show. Nothing.

The first episode had me completely entranced. The effects and emotions keep you constantly on the edge of your seat. I also remember thinking "Hey, it's Matt Parkman (the mind reading guy from Heroes) he's the pilot. Cool! Whoa! Holy crap, what just happened? Wait? He's dead? That was quick."

Hubby and I flew through the first three seasons. For whatever reason we switched gears and 'Lost' was on indefinite hiatus. I think "Dexter" took over at that point. So flash forward to about two weeks ago. I don't remember what it was that had me yearning to be back on the island (ironic considering that was the plot when I got back into the show), but I just had to.

Now here I am, about 7 episodes from the highly anticipated (though from what I've heard... dissapointing) series finale. I am so incredibly anxious to find out as much as I can but trying just as hard not to be spoiled. The show is just the biggest mind fuck. I love it. I love the element of surprise. Just when you think you might just have something figured out.. someone crawls out of the woodwork that just throws your entire hypothesis out the window.

It's sick, Lost is seriously all I think about. I dream about it for fucks sake. Damn island!