Darryl's Random Rants - because I can.

Three States, One Winner

2012-02-08T19:59:00.003+01:00

I have to say...I did not expect this. I knew at the point when I wrote the last post that Rick Santorum was polling well in Colorado, Minnesota and Missouri, but I did not expect him to sweep all three states. Let's take it one state at a time:-

Colorado

Rick Santorum took the top spot in Colorado. He had been expected to do well, but winning the state was definitely a bonus for him and defied most expectations. He was followed by Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich and Ron Paul in last place. The difference between Santorum and Romney was 3000 votes, while the difference between Gingrich and Paul was less than a 1000. 2nd place Romney received nearly triple as many votes and 3rd place Gingrich.

126 votes went to other candidates.

Minnesota

Again, Santorum came in first place as he was widely expected to do. Ron Paul came in 2nd place with not much more than half the votes. Romney came in a surprising 3rd place which is his worst showing in 2012 so far. Newt Gingrich came in fourth with just over 10% of the vote. As I write this, just under 99% of precincts have reported but there are no changes expected to the standings.

So far, approximately 141 votes have gone to other candidates.

Missouri

Missouri's contest carried no delegates but does much in the way of providing exposure to successful candidates. Once again, Santorum got the gold here with over 55% going his way. Missouri is consequently the first state where all counties returned a majority for a single candidate. Romney came in a distant second with less than half the number of votes attained by Santorum. Paul came in an even more distant 3rd with less than half the number of votes received by Romney. Nearly 10,000 voters were uncommitted and over 7000 votes went to former candidates who were on the ballot. Michael Meehan and Keith Drummond who were also on the New Hampshire ballot received 364 and 162 votes respectively, coming in last of the candidates on the ballot. While this boosts Drummond, it is Meehan who experiences a real climb, overtaking Fred Karger (who is supposedly running a national campaign) in the popular vote.

Newt Gingrich was not on the ballot as he missed the filing deadline and in doing so missed out on the potential exposure his fading campaign needs.

Overall

So, overall, do I think I was wrong to eliminate Santorum? No, not quite. While his triple victory was a surprise, I was aware that his polling numbers in the three states were good when I eliminated him. The fact is, even though he may receive a significant boost (indeed, so far he has won more states than any other candidate) from today's results, I just don't see him winning the Republican nomination. Therefore, my decision to stop following him remains intact. Naturally, this would be temporarily overruled if, like today, he performs exceptionally well in a contest.

In my eyes, the contest now becomes a battle between Mitt Romney and Not-Mitt-Romney. The question is, who is 'Not-Mitt-Romney'? Is it Newt Gingrich, two-time front runner and winner of South Carolina but who has failed to make the ballot in more than one state and is slipping in the polls? Or is it Ron Paul who's got the strongest base of any candidate stretching over multiple parties but has yet to win a single state and has been unable to take the national lead at any point during the race?

I go with Ron Paul. Newt Gingrich's appeal as the conservative alternative to Romney has fizzled and pretty much been transferred to Santorum. Neither one can be the nominee and, if they are, neither one can unite the party. Paul, on the other hand, has solid ideas and passionate supporters who have the potential to propel him to the Republican nomination. This Romney VS Paul match will also see a direct clash in Virginia where they are the ONLY two candidates to have made the ballot.

Therefore, so long to Newt Gingrich. In fairness to him, his campaign has had to overcome many roadblocks and missteps and he should be proud of having come this far. However, I do feel that this is the end of the road for him. It's hard to be a candidate for a major party unless you're on the ballot of every single state.

Maine's week-long caucus process is underway and will conclude on Saturday. On Sunday, DRR's last blogpost on this stage of the campaign will go live where one candidate will be chosen to take on Obama in November.

Both candidates are 2008 veterans so...do you go for Mitt Romney or Ron Paul?

Darryl, from Malta - Online.

Nevada Sets The Odds

2012-02-06T19:21:00.003+01:00

The results took extra long to arrive, but we have a clear winner in Mitt Romney with 50% of the vote. Clark County's results were delayed yesterday and considering it had the largest share of the electorate (by far) the result wasn't clear. Consequently, the blog was delayed. Clark County didn't bring any changes to the standings of the big four other that a few percentage points here and there.

There were no votes (at least, none were publicized) for former candidates but there were 69 votes recorded for 'No Preference'. Newt Gingrich took 2nd place with nearly 10,000 votes less. Still, though, all four major candidates got a fair share of the delegates. Ron Paul came in third place with less than 800 votes between him and Gingrich. It was a good showing for Paul who'd lost traction in recent contests, but he remains the only candidate not to have one a single contest.

In 4th place with approximately half of Paul's votes we find Rick Santorum. Santorum had been unable to build on his Iowa victory but, to be fair to him, no one could have expected him to last this long. Even as late as December he was polling in 7th place. However, as is the nature of the blog, one candidate must be eliminated and this round is Rick Santorum's curtain call.

Three states hold contests tomorrow. In two of them, Santorum is more-or-less the front runner. However, blog methodology aside, it is safe to say that Rick Santorum will not be the nominee or the next President. The Missouri contest will not feature Newt Gingrich who missed the deadline but will include Michael Meehan and Keith Drummond who were also on New Hampshire's ballot and received 51 and 41 votes respectively.

Maine has already started casting ballots but the results for the state will not be out before 11th February, at which point Darryl's Random Rants will be able to put its 'support' behind the candidate it views as most likely to unite the party. I draw a distinction between 'favourite' candidate and 'uniting' candidate. For example, in 2008 Ron Paul and Bill Richardson were my favourite candidates but the most likely uniters were Mitt Romney and Hilary Clinton (both of whom went on to lose). This year, there was no analysis for the Democrats but my favourite Republican was Jon Huntsman. The 'uniter' will be determined in less than one week.

So, that's leaves me with nothing other than one last farewell to Rick Santorum and kudos to him for his surprisingly strong showing this primary season (tomorrow he very well may, if recent polls are anything to go by, prove me wrong for having eliminated him).

Heading into Missouri, Colorado and Minnesota the three candidates the blog will be following are Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich and Ron Paul, so until Wednesday this is...

Darryl, from Malta - Online

Florida Gives 50 to Romney

2012-02-01T20:00:00.003+01:00

The first winner-takes-all state has given its all to Mitt Romney who received a decisive 46% of the vote and the 50 delegates (down from 99) allocated to Florida. Following South Carolina, it looked like Newt Gingrich might steal Romney's victory but a rebound during debate week cemented Romney's standing. Gingrich takes 2nd place but unlike previous contests, gets no consolation prize.

He did, however, receive an endorsement from former candidate and front runner Herman Cain. Apparently his endorsement of 'the people' was only a time-filler. In other news, the Cain's campaign was re-suspended by hijacker Stephen Colbert following South Carolina. Herman Cain came in 8th place in Florida beating out only Gary Johnson (currently running for the Libertarian nomination).

Rick Santorum came in 3rd place. He went off the campaign trail for a while a few days ago due to his daughter's health problems but was at it again as soon as she was within the safe zone. He has said that he will stay in the race - a move I completely agree with. The momentum he'd experienced following his Iowa victory (initially thought to be a close second) has pretty much faded but there's still hope for him.

Then we come to Ron Paul who, by and large, opted to skip Florida and move on due to the nature of the primary (i.e. winner takes all). He only received 7% of the vote which must be disappointing for the guy who came in 2nd place in New Hampshire in BOTH the Republican and Democratic primaries. He was beaten only by Barack Obama. He, along with 3rd and 4th placers Mitt Romney and Jon Huntsman, would have been ineligible to receive delegates anyway due to their not being Democrat party members.

Most recent drop-out Rick Perry came in 5th place - the highest of all the former candidates with just over 0.4% of the vote. He was not hijacked by Colbert, Stewart or anyone else...which was disappointing (in a humorous way). That said, Rick Perry is now off my watch list and the big four have all my attention.

The next stop in the road is Nevada which holds its caucus on Saturday. I'll be here on Sunday with a blog and one less candidate. But until then we'll be looking at Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum and Ron Paul.

South Carolina boosts Gingrich

2012-01-22T10:17:00.006+01:00

A week crowded with twists and turns in the race has resulted in Newt Gingrich's first primary win courtesy of South Carolina. A week ago, the polls favoured Romney by a comfortable margin to win the race until mid-week when Gingrich surged and enjoyed a lead over Romney. A lead that would turn into a double-digit victory for Gingrich with 40% of the vote. Romney will have to be content with 2nd place.

And, as it turns out, this is not the first time this year that Romney came in second. An examination of the Iowa result showed that Romney 8-vote lead over Santorum was incorrect. Santorum actually won Iowa with appoximately 30 votes over Romney. This means that Romney's achievement of winning both Iowa and New Hampshire as a non-incumbent is reversed. However, we do get a new rare statistic in having three different winners for the first three states. Santorum received a bronze medal thanks to his third place finish in South Carolina.

Coming in fourth place was Ron Paul who, like the rest of the above candidates, has pledged to continue on in the race. Paul received 13% of the vote.

In fifth place we find December drop-out Herman Cain who's place on the ballot was actually hijacked by comedian Stephen Colbert. It's uncertain whether voters for 'Herman Cain' where actually Cain-supporters or Colbert-supporters. Below Cain/Colbert we find this week's two dropouts:- Rick Perry and Jon Huntsman (in that order).

In both cases the candidates dropped out the morning before a debate. Huntsman dropped out on Monday while Perry followed on Thursday. Again, in both cases I felt that this was premature. In Perry's case his numbers were indeed dwindling, but after deciding to push on to South Carolina (following Iowa's results) and skipping New Hampshire, his decision essentially meant that he'd wasted two weeks running a non-campaign. I would have expected him to at least stick it out through South Carolina and then make a decision after the state voted.

Huntsman is a whole different game. His numbers were on the rise and he had a certain lead on Perry in Florida and an apparent lead in South Carolina. His decision was incredibly disappointing to me as he was my favourite candidate in the race. All through Monday I had been hoping that the rumours were just rumours until Huntsman himself confirmed them. In my opinion he should have stayed on until at least Florida and, if he still wasn't satisfied with his results by then, dropped out before Nevada. Huntsman endorsed Romney while Perry endorsed Gingrich. I hope to see Huntsman running again in 2016 or 2020 (some say that the only reason he ran this year was to boost name recognition) and before then, I hope to see him as a running mate or in the cabinet of a Republican President. To my mind, no one is more qualified than he is to be Secretary of State.

That means there are four major candidates still running. However, for the purposes of Darryl's Random Rants I feel that at this early stage in the race, four candidates is too few to follow. I have been trying to find a way to rectify this. At first I considered bringing Buddy Roemer back into my follow list, but he's already been eliminated and I'm not sure how I feel about 'uneliminating' candidates. Huntsman, who dropped out nearly a week ago, will certainly be eliminated following this blogpost. Rick Perry isn't running anymore so continuing to follow him seems frivolous.

Having said that, he is still on the ballot in Florida and he received 2,541 voted in South Carolina. With this in mind, while there is no Perry campaign left to follow, I will still be following his result until Florida in addition to the Big Four. Maybe, Stephen Colbert will decide to run on a Perry ticket in Florida which could give me something fun to blog about on 1st February. Failing that, I encourage Jon Stewart to follow Colbert's lead and pick a candidate (Perry) to be his 'representative' at the polls. Then Colbert and Stewart could battle it out for the most votes in Florida.

Florida votes on the 31st and for the next 10 days, the candidates to watch are:- Newt Gingrich, Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum, Ron Paul and 'Rick Perry'.

Darryl, from Malta - Online.

New Hampshire Goes Romney

2012-01-11T19:19:00.005+01:00

An unsurprising (and unexciting) result today as New Hampshire gave 1st place to Romney. The only exciting thing about that is that he is the only non-incumbent Republican in recent history to win both the Iowa caucus as well as the New Hampshire primary. Co-incidentally, later in the day, the Doomsday Clock managed by the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists moved forward one minute closer to midnight and now stands at five minutes to midnight.

Romney's win is unsurprising as New Hampshire is the only state he has consistently held the lead. Even throughout the high days of Perry, Cain and Gingrich, New Hampshire remained consistently Romney-zone. Second is fellow 2008 competitor Ron Paul. It increasingly looks like the nomination battle will be between these two 2008 veterans. Fellow 2008 competitor and eventual nominee John McCain recently endorse Romney while one-time front runner this year Herman Cain is expected to endorse a candidate before South Carolina. The likelihood is that he will endorse Newt Gingrich, but Cain was very cryptic about it and he may not endorse anyone at all.

Jon Huntsman sealed a comfortable 3rd place. A good result considering he's ranked sixth in national polls, but somewhat disappointing considering how much he's staked in New Hampshire. Additionally, with South Carolina being the next primary on the calendar, Huntsman is not expected to do well which could spell the end for his campaign. Newt Gingrich remains in 4th place, just like Iowa and was closely trailed by Rick Santorum at 5th. He was unable to build on his Iowa success in New Hampshire, but still a good result for Santorum who was swapping last place with Huntsman until a few months ago.

In sixth place we had Rick Perry who, other than attending the weekend's debates chose to skip New Hampshire and went straight to campaigning in South Carolina. Recent polls suggest he will not do well in the state. In fact, some New Hampshire polls had him ranked after 7th placer Buddy Roemer. To the latter's credit, this week he beat all the former candidates, single-state candidates, joke candidates and the combined write-in's. Looking at the larger picture, coming in 7th our of 33 candidates isn't bad.

Incidentally, I've just been informed that Jimmy McMillan (who I'd stopped following after Iowa) had accepted the Moderate Moderate Party's nomination. In December. Must have been very low key.

Back to serious business. Following New Hampshire none of the 7 serious candidates dropped out so it's time to eliminate someone from the field. That person is Buddy Roemer, who was lucky to escape elimination last week thanks to Michele Bachmann's campaign suspension. While I was disappointed that he was not invited to the debates last weekend, the truth is he will not be the USA's next President. He seems to have indicated as such in a recent interview and is now running a campaign similar to Fred Karger's whereby he's running to raise awareness on a particular issue. In his case, campaign financing.

So, farewell Buddy Roemer. A month ago I wouldn't even have expected you to make it this far, but you were fun to follow. Going into South Carolina Darryl's Random Rants will be following the six major candidates:- Mitt Romney, Ron Paul, Jon Huntsman, Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum and Rick Perry.

Until the 21st (22nd in my case) this is Darryl, from Malta - Online.

EDIT:- I've just noticed that this is blogpost no. 108. That's one for all you Lost fans!

Iowa Again: Obama VS ???

2012-01-04T19:07:00.006+01:00

It's been four years since I last looked to Iowa for inspiration for my blog. But here we are again in a US election year. I'll begin my analysis shortly, but before that I'd like to mention the lack of a New Year's Eve post. The reason for the absence was purely that I had nothing to say. I tried to come up with something but couldn't think of anything worthwhile and opted to stay silent.

Turning to the caucus, I'll start with Barack Obama who ran virtually unopposed with the only competition coming from a number of unknowns. He took 98% of the Democratic vote, with 2% voting otherwise. No doubt here (not that there ever was any) that the Obama/Biden ticket will be the one presented by the Democrats in November.

So this year, my focus is on the Republicans. I began following a lot earlier this year so I've seen the rise and fall of many candidates and watched as people like Herman Cain, Gary Johnson and Roy Moore (among others) called off their campaigns.

The candidates we're looking at this year are the 7 major candidates (in national order): Newt Gingrich, Mitt Romney, Ron Paul, Rick Perry, Michele Bachmann, Rick Santorum and Jon Huntsman, as well as 4 fringe candidates: Buddy Roemer, Fred Karger, Andy Martin and Jimmy McMillan.

Jimmy McMillan is a joke candidate whose only aim for running seems to be to make money for himself via donations. He is not on any primary/caucus ballot. Andy Martin is the typical perennial candidate, and also a joke. Fred Karger is not seriously running - having said himself that he knew he couldn't win and just wanted to raise awareness. Buddy Roemer has not been invited to any debates but launched a serious campaign and was on the Iowa ballot.

The winner this year, but not by much, was returning candidate Mitt Romney who only won by 8 votes. Rick Santorum was the surprise 2nd place candidate followed by returning Ron Paul who has taken 3rd. Anyone who read my blog in 2008 may remember that he was my favourite from the pack back then and I'm please to see that he's doing so well this year. Together, these 3 candidates raked up about 70% of the vote.

They were followed by Newt Gingrich and Rick Perry. Perry seemingly dropped out earlier today, but is now apparently back in the race. Michele Bachmann came in 6th and subsequently dropped out. Jon Huntsman came in 7th, but had effectively decided to skip Iowa and has been campaigning in New Hampshire (his main strategy for the entire campaign).

Approximately 250 voters had no preference or voted for someone not on the ballot (I wonder if Karger, Martin or McMillan got any votes) while 58 voters went with Herman Cain who suspended his campaign a while ago. Finally, 31 voters went with Buddy Roemer.

As I did four years ago, I will be eliminating candidates from my 'following list'. The plan for after Iowa was to follow seven candidates (thereby eliminating the fringe candidates if they failed to perform). Needless to say Romney, Santorum and Paul will remain on my list, as will Gingrich. Perry will apparently be heading to the debates in New Hampshire this weekend and campaigning in South Carolina thereafter, so I'll keep him in there. Having dropped out, I will remove Bachmann from my list. Huntsman retains his position.

Filling spot number 7, I have decided to give Buddy Roemer a second go at it (he can thank Bachmann for that!) Unlike 2008, I won't keep following the progress of candidates who have dropped out, at least not at this early stage, so the buck passes to the next highest candidate.

An interesting observation - the candidates who fared comparatively worst in the caucus were the two candidates who were most affected by Iowa in August, Ames specifically. Bachmann won that poll and Perry's decision to enter the race seemed motivated by his very good showing in the same poll (in spite of him not having begun campaigning at the time).

So, goodbye to Jimmy McMillan, Andy Martin, Fred Karger and the big fish herself, Michele Bachmann.

On to New Hampshire with the following candidates:- Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum, Ron Paul, Newt Gingrich, Rick Perry, Jon Huntsman and Buddy Roemer (albeit, thanks to luck, not success).

Darryl, from Malta - Online.

7,000,000,000

2011-10-31T19:44:00.003+01:00

On this day, and possibly as little as one hour ago, the 7 billionth concurrent human being was born. It is possible, however, that someone died right after bringing the total down to 6,999,999,999 only for it to go back up a second later.

I've been waiting for the Day of 7 Billion for quite a while now and it's cool for it to finally be here. Of course, by no means is this necessarily the ACTUAL day the world hit 7 billion. But if the UN are happy with it, then so am I.

Number 7 billion is likely to have been an Indian girl - in fact a group called Plan International actually gave a birth certificate to an Indian girl born at the designated time. When I was born, the world had a little more than 5 billion people. This was the first milestone officially marked by the United Nations and the baby was a boy born in the area that was then known as Yugoslavia. 3 years later, I came along. 6 billion came around in 1999, but I wasn't aware of it back then.

If all things stay the same, we should reach 8 billion in the mid- to late 20s by which point I will be in my 30s. What's quite impressive is that most of the milestone babies are likely to be alive today. Numbers 3, 4, 5, 6 and now 7 billion are all still alive. Number 2 billion may also still be alive having been born in 1927, but he/she is probably dead. Certainly number 1 billion is long gone having been born in 1804. The UN estimated that we could have 10 billion people by the end of the century. Previously, they thought that the population would peak somewhere above 9 billion (but below 10). This revision is quite shocking. I might be around to see the world be filled with 9 billion in my life time. 50% more than when I came in. My parents, by comparison, are living in a world with twice as many people as when they arrived. For my grandparents that is thrice as much.

Big stuff.

I would like to take the best 0.1% (so 7 million - and a bit more by now) and move to a new planet that uses logic as its base for society. Just saying.

So...happy birthday number 7 billion, and indeed anyone else born on this day. In addition to being Halloween babies, you can boast being number 7 billion. Knock yourself out!

Number 5 billion-something, from Malta - Online

The Vegetarian Paradox

2011-10-07T20:20:00.002+02:00

While there's been no further progress on the list yet, we do have a new rant today! Sort of rant, anyway. It's a mash-up of a rant and some logical thought. We should have more frequent posts in January when the Republican primaries get underway. I began following at the beginning of summer but it's still too early for me to post analysis. Obama only has one challenger at the moment so his renomination is pretty much a done deal (barring any catastrophe).

I might be making further progress on the list sometime very soon - but don't hold me to that. For now, we'll get to today's blog topic.

So, as I'm sure all people reading this know, a vegetarian is someone who does not eat meat for some reason. This post is directed at people who cite animal rights as a reason for not eating meat and, more specifically, believe that every human being should abstain from eating meat. I do not particularly like meat. I cannot digest steak, do not like fish (not including shellfish with that, mind you) and pretty much have difficulty chewing any kind of meat unless it is with pasta or the fake stuff (hot dogs etc). Until recently (i.e. when I started cooking my own food in December 09) the mere talk of meat put a bad taste in my mouth.

In a way, I am a semi-vegetarian. I'm saying this so that readers will understand that I am not some meat-crazy angry person. So, to recap, this post only thrashes the animal rights extremists.

I would like to start off by speaking about the Panda species (quite possibly my favourite animal). As carnivores, they are required to eat meat. However, for reasons I do not understand and reasons I don't think anyone is 100% certain about, at some point they decided to become vegetarians en masse. The United Panda Authority (fictional, to the best of my knowledge) passed a law decreeing that all Panda's must eat bamboo. In order to make up for the lack of vitamins and minerals they receive as a result of abstaining from meat, an adult panda eats a staggering 19 kilograms a day of bamboo leaves. The result? The panda is now one of the most endangered species on the planet. There just isn't enough food to support them all.

Make no mistake, habitat loss plays a big role in that, but the argument stands that had they stuck to their natural diet, they would have a much larger variety of food available and they would not be in quite the precarious situation that they are in today. Now, let us apply this to humans.

On October 31st (estimate) the world will have 7 billion humans. One in every seven of these will be undernourished. Now, let's say that the United Nations passes two laws and every nation in the world ratifies them and there is 100% compliance by the general populace.

The first law is that food must be equally distributed. As a result of this, we no longer have any undernourished people and obesity falls. The second law is that eating meat is no longer permissible. You don't have to go all the way and be a vegan, but you can't go half way and be a pescatarian. Vegetarian - plain and simple.

So, all of a sudden the world has lost half of its available food. We also have to produce three times (possibly more, I'm being conservative with my numbers) as many fruit and vegetables as we were before the law took effect in order to maintain a healthy energy content. Either that or sacrifice our well-being for 'the cause'.

In other words we have to find more agricultural land. In the process, that means homeless people in the developing world have to remain without housing. Oh well. So, let's say that we find enough agricultural land to produce the necessary amount of food. We are now completely dependent on good harvests season after season. If a typhoon strikes India, damaging the crops we now have a critical food shortage. If a drought hits the African continent, we're reduced to government rations to survive. And so on.

But at least the animals live. Of course, we have to feed these animals too. One would assume that they would also be bound by the 'no meat' law. Fair's fair, right? Well, no, for the animal rights extremists, animals are to be afforded all human rights, but no obligations. Either way, we also have to feed all the animals. Now we have a problem. Are we going to feed the animals when we barely have enough food for us? No. No we're not.

Unless you're an animal rights extremist.

But I'll assume you aren't. Therefore animals will die out at pretty much the same rate as before, except that their meat is not being put to good use. Going forward a few decades our food requirement will be so high, crop rotation will not be an option, resulting in poor harvests. The lack of food results in the slow destruction of the human race (which the aforementioned extremists would love). Of course, at this point, the UN's first law will be widely ignored and the richest people will be able to buy the food to the detriment of the lower class and most of the middle class.

Mass vegetarianism is not sustainable and actually counter-productive as well as destructive. Of course, my analysis above makes certain assumptions. For example, I assume that we won't find/discover/invent/create a magical fruit and vegetable dispenser among other things. Vegetarianism with animal rights as a reason and to a greater extent vegetarian activism (encouraging vegetarianism) can be described as a selfish, poorly thought out pursuit. It has little to do with love for animals, but is more of a facade for people who get queasy at the thought of eating a part of something that was once alive. In an attempt not to feel embarrassed by their own inability to, essentially, eat they feel that it is necessary to push their selfish ideology onto others as if it was the way of the enlightened.

By the way, guys, plants are living things too. Guess you need to find something new to eat. Are nuts living things? Maybe you could be come nut-arians. You're already nut-jobs so you're half-way there.

Now, look, I don't have a problem with vegetarians per se. However, I do have a problem when they attempt to bring other people into their habit and nowadays some children are unfortunately being raised in this way, which can only be described as abusive and dictatorial. If you're going to be a vegetarian for another reason - that's fine. If you're going to be vegetarian because you don't like eating something that was once alive, it's immature and juvenile. However, if it makes you happy - go ahead. But do NOT raise your children in that environment and do NOT try to spread your vegetarianism to others. They deserve the best and imposing your way of life does not provide that. Trying to achieve vegetarianism en masse is selfish, as I've already established.

That's all for tonight.

Darryl, from Malta - Online.

Life List: Tour Chislehurst Caves

2011-06-10T12:36:00.006+02:00

Day 2, and strike 3 from the list. The day started with an English breakfast at the hotel before purchasing a day Travelcard and making my way to Chislehurst. On arriving, it wasn't hard to find the caves as it is well marked (provided you take the correct turning out of the station).

I arrived at 11:06 which meant the tour had just left and I needed to wait until 12 for the next one, which didn't bother me one bit as it was a cool day and I waited outside watching the crows and a robin. This is when I noticed that the Lucozade from the day before was fizzy. The gift shop had water bottles for sale so that was easily solved. As the time approached the previous tour returned and it turned out that they were a school group and I enjoyed listening to their questions, especially about this one show called Merlin.

Anyway, off we went into the caves for a well-planned tour by lantern. The tour guide was very good and the caves were well 'decorated' with wax figures depicting the scenes from the war. Everywhere we went, we were given two stories, the 'exciting' story that formed over the years, and the more probable story.

It was too dark inside for pictures so I meant to take one of the wax figures in the gift shop. But I forgot. So I turned back and took a photo of the cabin (seen above). I know, I could have gone back in to snap a shot of the wax figures (entry to the gift shop is free), but I felt stupid doing so, so I settled for a cabin shot. Chislehurst caves was an activity we didn't have time to do when we visited in 2006 (although it was planned), so it was important to me that I get it done - hence its place on the list. It was worth it!

After this, it was back to central London, stopping at London Bridge to revisit the Britain at War Experience or London Dungeons. There were no queues for either but something pushed me towards the War experience over the dungeons (though both were very good when I visited 5 years ago. The experience was as good as I'd remembered it. Next on my list of things to do was visit the Dickens museum, but I decided instead to go to the British museum as I'd seen adverts all over the underground.

Just as I was about to arrive, I found that the police were evacuating the building. This was 8th June, so if any readers know what was going on, I'm quite interested in the reason behind it. So I reverted to the Dickens museum plan...but I could not find this darn Doughlty street. Not wishing to waste time, I searched through my mind for something else I could do. Eventually, I settled on the London Aquarium. It was great when I'd visited the first time, but my legs were killing me that day and I remember feeling as if I hadn't made the most of it. Plus...they had penguins now! Penguins are awesome.

So, a trip to Waterloo and a short walk close to the London Eye and there I was. The price, I was shocked to find out, had doubled. However, the increase was justified as they'd improved on it quite a bit. The Antarctic section, Thames section etc. Even the main tank with all the sharks (and other fish) seemed to have more life in it (including more sharks). Virtually no queues so I could walk through it at my leisure enjoying all the fish and petting a starfish. The penguins are amazing, and the sharks came up very close. The whole area is very dark so photos are difficult to take. They now also give you a leaflet with a list of sustainable fish to eat.

The second day in London saw three main bursts of rain. All three times I missed it. The first time I caught the beginnings after the Britain at War, but had to catch the tube. By the time I emerged, it had ended and all that was left were puddles. The second time was while I was in the aquarium (ironic, huh? All that water and I didn't get wet). The third was while I was in the airport/on the plane so missed it again. All very unfair!

Off to Tesco's to take advantage of the meal deal offer. I bought another ham and cheddar croissant, a Kit Kat and tropical juice. It was then off to Russel Square gardens, hoping to see a squirrel. I ate my meal (leaving two bars for the Gatwick express ride)...no squirrels :(. I walked around a bit hoping one will pop out...and it did! It was very friendly - it came all the way up to me and looked at me. He/she was adorable. I didn't pet it though as I was afraid that it would run away if I made any movements, so I watched it play for a while before heading to the hotel to collect my bags.

This is where it gets sad. I caught the tube one last time to get to Victoria station. Then got on the Gatwick express. Checked in. Once again, Lost co-incidences were present. Flight was scheduled to leave at (4)0 minutes past nine on the 8th of June. Air Malta left from Gate 15 (I was shocked when I read this) and my seat was 16C (I did not ask for this seat - it was just given to me). No 23s or 42s though except on the in-flight screen every now and again. Boarding the plane was sad. The flight experienced virtually no turbulence (unlike my flight a day earlier) so my hopes of a crash on the island were...zero. Instead, we landed on a separate island - Malta. The dinner wasn't that good (for me) as it was meat and other stuff I don't like, so I had what I could bear. There was also bread and a carrot cake along with apple juice. I also ordered a scotch. It was very good - Bell's. Just as I was about to order a second one, the plane began its descent...so the bar was closed. Damn.

So we landed...got on the bus (I was dying to say "Mind the gap, please. Mind the gap"). That was the end of it. Back to my miserable existence. I was hoping the second scotch would make this part more bearable...alas. Initially, my plan was to go somewhere other than England for the purpose of the list since UK citizenship is one of my goals, I figured I could do all the activities pertaining to England (or even the UK as a whole) while I'm living there. Also, going somewhere else may have helped me in my goal to visit every country in the world.

I've got in excess of £30 left which I won't be converting. I feel safer with real money as opposed to the toy euros. Besides...I'll need the cash for when I return permanently. And I will. Oh, I will.

Darryl, from Malta - Online.

Life List: Experience entire standard British Natural History Museum

2011-06-09T13:28:00.006+02:00

12 hours ago I arrived back from a one-night (2 full days) stay in London. Also known as the land my heart calls home. While there, I fulfilled the second item on my list. I'd already briefly visited the Natural History Museum the first time I was in London (2006 - click on the London tag at the bottom to go to the relevant post in question). However, for the purpose of the life list, I needed to explore any part of the museum which was freely available. In 2006, we only saw the dinosaur exhibit (at a charge) but had to leave afterwards as the museum was closing.

So anyway, since I'd stopped working I decided I needed to go on holiday somewhere. By myself, of course, otherwise it wouldn't be a holiday. Mobile was also switched off the entire time and I only carried it with me just in case I needed it for an emergency (and to check the time as I didn't carry a watch). Initially I tried to go to Saba but the expense was too much for an unemployed guy. Then I looked at France, Italy and Scotland. I came very close to choosing Scotland and almost booked. However, I was concerned with the distance to Loch Ness since Scotland would have been a new place to me. So I put that off for a future time. Anyway...then I came to London. I was planning to go over for one day (no hotel) just to visit the British Natural History Museum, but I ended up finding a more cost-effective alternative by spending a night there. In doing so, I also crossed off another item on my list (see tomorrow's post for that).

So on 7th June, at 8:40, I left on a flight that would last 3 hours and 15 minutes on KM 116 in seat 23C. The only thing missing from making this a Lost flight was a 42. I tried desperately to find it...but no luck! On board we were served with a breakfast (sausages, muffin, bread and butter, orange juice and later, apple juice). No feature film, though. Perhaps a cost-saving measure by Air Malta? Once I arrived home via Gatwick Airport, I got myself a Gatwick express return ticket and a 1 day travelcard and went off to start mu journey. I arrived at the hotel (President Hotel in Russel Square - close to Royal National from 5 years early - same company too) before check-in time but my room was ready so I moved in immediately. My first impressions weren't very good, but it improved over the next 24 hours.

Once I'd settled, I left immediately for South Kensington and the Natural History Museum. One thing that struck me was the amount of maintenance works going on. Gatwick, Kensington, Russel Square etc. The museum is wonderful. Divided into 4 distinct sections and easy to maneuver. I went through the museum at my leisure (taking the above picture in the process), and when I was done got to check off the second item from my list. Had quite a scare at the museum when I thought I'd lost my ID card. The problem was solved soon enough. Honestly, I didn't need it, I just wanted to avoid having to go to court to get a replacement.

After being content that I'd satisfied the requirement for my list, I crossed over to the science museum for a quick run through. I was hoping to get a hot dog from the garden area of the Natural History Museum later, but by the time I was done with the Science museum, it had closed. I then made my way to Piccadilly circus to visit Ripley's Museum. Good fun and no crowds so I could go through it at my own pace. The Hall of Mirrors is great! The attendant seemed impressed with the speed at which I completed it. I went through it a second time and completed it again. A bunch of people who started before I went for my first try were still in there by the time I'd completed my second run through (the trick is to use logic instead of perception...but I won't go through that here).

Once Ripley's was done, I decided to go back to the hotel and rest before dinner, but not before taking a stroll through Trafalgar Square and around Nelson's column, with some relaxation time in front of the fountains. I bought a sandwich from Tesco's and got a 2 drinks for £1.80 deal. Ribena and Lucozade (I think) - one for each day. Unfortunately, the next day I found out that Lucozade was fizzy so I had to throw it out as I don't like it but I wouldn't be allowed on the plane with it (I didn't check any luggage, just a carry-on).

I returned to Denise's for dinner. I ordered the same meal I did 5 years ago (and this time finished it...but had no room for dessert), freshly squeezed orange juice and 2 shots of scotch. After that I went for a quiet night-time walk through Russel Square gardens (although - I didn't know that it was Russel square gardens as I'd planned on looking for it the next day).

And that was my first day in London. Tomorrow, I'll be back with the second (and last) day of my trip and reveal the third item to be crossed of my list.

Darryl, from...Malta :( - Online.

Life List: Read the entire Republic by Plato

2011-05-31T19:08:00.004+02:00

That's the first tick on my list! I started reading it last Thursday or Friday and finished late yesterday evening. It's a good read and one of the oldest books in existence being something like 2400 years old.

We studied parts of it for A level philosophy but I wanted to find the time to sit down and read it all and that's what I did. Throughout the book, we find out that Plato sure like to hear himself speak! But then again, the point of the book is to explain his philosophy.

As I read through it, I did find myself wondering what Plato was thinking at the point he wrote what he did. I mean, 2400 years ago life was so different. No gadgets and gizmos, just togas and sandals. At one point he talks about how slaves should not be treated badly (so far, so good) but then goes on to say they should merely be ignored. This doesn't make him any less smart, of course, he was talking in relation to the times. But still, looking at it today one would pause and say "Um...no, Plato...that's not what you do either".

A part which confused me was the ending, to be honest. He spent most of the book criticizing fables and literature as deceptive but then ended his book with a long tale about the afterlife. It seemed sort of...contradictory. Also, if we were to go by his classifications, for reciting such a fable he would be relegated to the working class.

In short, for those of you interested in philosophy, this is a must-read. It's not easy to read...but you should make sure to attempt it at some point.

74 to go!

Darryl, from Malta - Online.

Country Check List

2011-05-28T19:28:00.005+02:00

In pursuance of the item on my life list to visit every country in the world as at 23/5/2011, I am posting a list of all places that needed visiting which will be marked when I visit them. Note that remaining in the airport (on a layover, for example) also qualifies as a 'visit'.

By countries I refer to all 192 members of the United Nations and Vatican City. With regards to the 10 unrecognised/partially recognised states, I will consider to have visited them whenever I visit the state that lays claim to that region. In the case of Taiwan, I consider the Republic of China to be the legitimate leader over all China (including the area currently controlled by the PRC) so visiting either area counts as 'China'.

Afghanistan
Albania
Algeria
Andorra
Angola
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Armenia
Australia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Bahamas
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Barbados
Belarus
Belgium
Belize
Benin
Bhutan
Bolivia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
Brunei
Bulgaria
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cambodia
Cameroon
Canada
Cape Verde
Central African Republic
Chad
Chile
China
Colombia
Comoros
Congo
Costa Rica
Côte d'Ivoire
Croatia
Cuba
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Djibouti
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Egypt
El Salvador
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Estonia
Ethiopia
Fiji
Finland
Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
France - 28/07/2007
Gabon
Gambia
Georgia
Germany
Ghana
Greece
Grenada
Guatemala
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Guyana
Haiti
Honduras
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Italy - 26/07/2007
Jamaica
Japan
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kiribati
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Latvia
Lebanon
Lesotho
Liberia
Libya
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Madagascar
Malawi
Malaysia
Maldives
Mali
Malta - 26/06/1990
Marshall Islands
Mauritania
Mauritius
Mexico
Micronesia
Moldova
Monaco - 28/07/2007
Mongolia
Montenegro
Morocco
Mozambique
Myanmar
Namibia
Nauru
Nepal
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Niger
Nigeria
North korea
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Palau
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
Russia
Rwanda
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Samoa
San Marino
Sao Tome and Principe
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Serbia
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
Solomon Islands
Somalia
South Africa
South Korea
Spain - 29/07/2007
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Suriname
Swaziland
Sweden
Switzerland
Syrian Arab Republic
Tajikistan
Tanzania
Thailand
The Congo
Timor-Leste
Togo
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Tunisia - 31/07/2007
Turkey
Turkmenistan
Tuvalu
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland - 14/08/2006
United States of America
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
Vanuatu
Vatican City - 27/07/2007
Venezuela
Vietnam
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe

Progress:- 8/193.

The 100th Blogpost

2011-05-25T21:11:00.019+02:00

At long last, the milestone has been reached. On 20th July 2006, the first post was made on Darryl's Random Rants followed by the first actual rant the following day. It's been a slow process, but we've reached the 100.

In celebration, I will be posting the Top 10 (10%) of blogposts from over the 5 years. So how do I determine the top 10? Quite simply, these are the posts which bring me the most pride when I look back at them. The only rule is that I needed to include at least 1 entry from each year. In the case of 2010 which, due to working very long hours had few blogposts, this was a little bit harder. 2008-09 has the largest number of posts so many of them are from that period.

I would like to honour a runner-up blogpost,if you will which was bumped off the list because of the rule above. This is/was How The Axis Won World War II (24/10/08). It's also worth noting that DRR's most popular post is A Farewell to Charmed (13/10/08) bring in the most viewers as well as comments.

Without further delay...

Ten
2010 - A Round Of UPs And Downs

Added in as the only entry for 2010. The post looked at the highs and lows of 2010 and followed on 2009's similar post. Wikileaks was one of the praiseworthy items while Miley Cyrus was someone we could have done without.

Nine
Paris Hilton - Of All Topics To Officially Start With...

The second post and first rant to grace the blog's front page. In short, this spoke of my irritation and utter disdain for the person in question. The blog has come a long way since 2006 and while it isn't just a blog for ranting anymore, it has remained a space where I say what I like, whenever I choose to.

Eight
My Life List

The most recent (apart from this) addition to Darryl's Random Rants, coming along just yesterday. A list of things I'd like to accomplish, in no particular order or level of importance. All achievements and progress will be chronicled on the blog. At some point, I will probably also start another check list of all the countries I've visited, to keep track of my progress on no. 26.

Seven
A Tribute to the FDD World

My tribute to the online FDD world which had all but faded by the time the post was made. Its fate was sealed in 2009 when Geocities was closed (but, thanks to the good people at geocities.ws, some of the damage has been undone!). This post basically sums up my thoughts and feelings on the past as far as Digimon and FDD are concerned. This was later followed up by a Top 10 countdown of Digimon Entrance.

Six
Malta Budget 2008

My overview of Malta's budget for 2008. The budget itself ended up being an election gimmick more than anything else. Still, though, I like my analysis.

Five
Some Thought On The New Year

Before we had the end of year top 10 countdowns, we had this. At the end of the first 3 out of 9 months of my life I would like to undo (no, I wasn't pregnant, before anyone tries to be smart), I had six main points of frustration with humans and society. So, I spent my New Year's Eve writing them out in anticipation of a better 2009.

Four
Eurodisney/Disneyland Paris: An Overview

Fresh from a holiday to Eurodisney/Paris, I sat down and put together a guide of the park for those on their way or thinking of going. This came complete with a detailed recommendation for different age groups. This was followed by a guide to the Studio's Park the next day. Have a gander if you'll be going to Disneyland anytime soon.

Three
An Insider Looking In - From the Outside

Not a rant, more of a reflection on the way we perceive each other and other cultures. I quite like it (otherwise it wouldn't be on this list) and this is one of the reasons I started the blog. So that anytime I had something on my mind which couldn't be adequately expressed verbally, I could put it down in writing and in my own time.

Two
The Age of Men

Another favourite. In this blogpost, I vented my frustration at the way a man's life has degenerated because of sexist policies and social expectations which favour women. I start off the post by giving a rundown of the average man's life and end post by calling for a worldwide strike of men. This post would later be followed up by The Age of Men Redux which set out the demands of the striking men.

One
Reversing A Mistake

Posted on the day I left University once and for all, this post is my favourite not just because of this fact but because it goes on to provide encouragement to the reader to follow their dreams and not do what is expected, or make decisions based on co-incidences (such as getting a pass in a subject you never thought you would). Not a day has gone by that I haven't been happy with my decision to leave that horrible place. Unfortunately, time did not rewind to October 1st 2008, as was hoped. However, it's never too late for the universe to be kind! As I read excerpts of it again, I still nod my head in agreement and admire my past self for writing it. Big-headed of me, true...but while we're on that note, I'd like to end with excerpts of a paragraph from that post.

I didn't leave the university empty-handed, of course. I acquired a very important piece of information I will carry around with me forever. ... I am ALWAYS right. ... I have to remember in everything that I do from now on, that I am, without fail, never wrong when it comes to the things that matter. I should also remember that if ever I doubt myself...I shouldn't. I am right from the start. THANK GOODNESS that my mistake came when I applied for university. It could have been a lot more serious such as getting married or having children later on.

Darryl, from Malta - Online.

My Life List

2011-05-24T19:12:00.008+02:00

Y'all know what a life list is? It's basically a list of things that you want to accomplish in your life. This week I compiled mine after being inspired by John Goddard who wrote his list at age 15. Today, aged 85 (approx) he has accomplished about 109 (some sources say 111) of the 127 items on his life list. His list is impressive and you should have a gander at it on his own website.

What I set out to do was create a list of 75 things that I wanted to accomplish. Ideally, you do not set a fixed number, but I chose to do so, so that my list would have an end date and I wouldn't add things ad infitum. At the same time, I would just stop when I ran out of things that were on the top of my head and seriously think and research things that look fun/interesting until I reached that number.

So, why 75? That's mathematics. I'll be 21 very soon, and optimistically I figured I wouldn't live more than 75 additional years (i.e. age 96). So that's where the number came from. It's not that I'm only going to fulfill one each year (though it may be the case...who knows?) but it seemed like a nice number to use.

I also set some rules for my list. Firstly, its important that this was a LIFE list, not a wish list. True love and stuff like "have the courage to speak my mind" were not included in this list. As you may gather from reading my blog, I have no problem with that last one anyway. In other words, I'm not a 13 year old. No metaphysical crap...they have to be real, measurable accomplishments/achievements. Things that as soon as I've done them, I'll know it and I can tick it off the list.

The second requirement was that it didn't have to depend on anyone but myself. So, as much as I would sincerely like to be Knighted. It would require somebody else (the British monarch) believing that I had done something to deserve it. Furthermore, it couldn't depend on external circumstances. So 'saving a life', while a life goal, is not something I could add to the list. The reason being that if no one's life was ever in danger while I was around, in order to fulfill this requirement I would have to put them in danger myself - just to save them from it.

Anyway, enough chit-chat...on to the list. I think anything else I want to comment on will be better understood once I've posted the list. I've divided the 75 items into 6 categories - they are not necessarily in the order which they were conceived.

Group A - General
1. Pilot-in-Command of an aeroplane
2. UK citizenship
3. Daily vlog for a year
4. TV/movie idea/script picked up/produced
5. Experience snow
6. Attend a Papal audience
7. Climb to the crown of the Statue of Liberty
8. Play 9 holes of golf
9. Gamble in Montecarlo
10.Gamble in Las Vegas
11.Attempt Pizza by Luca or similar challange
12.Watch a Chelsea match in a stadium
13.Experience entire standard British Natural History Museum - Complete!
14.Volunteer in some capacity
15.Participate in an archaelogical dig
16.Bake a loaf of bread
17.Bake a cheese cake (pastizzi)
18.Weave and sew a top
19.Celebrate 2 New Years in one year

Group B - Literary
20.Publish a non-biographical book
21.Publish an autobiography
22.Read the entire Republic by Plato - Complete!
23.Read Two Treatises on Government
24.Read Utilitarianism and Other Essays
25.Read A Brief History on Time

Group C - Travel
26.Travel to every country in the world as at 23/5/11 (i.e. 193 total) (In Progress:- Follow Here)
27.Spend a week in Saba
28.Visit our Lady of Lourdes grotto
29.Tour Chislehurst Caves - Complete!
30.Visit Loch Ness
31.Gondola Ride
32.Visit Antarctica
33.African Safari
34.Australian Walkabout
35.Visit a rainforest
36.Tour the Galapagos Islands
37.Swim in the Dead Sea
38.Holiday in a tree house
39.Spend a week with a tribe/commune

Group D - Knowledge
40.Fencing course
41.Tai-Chi lesson
42.Archery course
43.General understanding of drumming
44.Proficient in knife throwing
45.Proficient in First Aid
46.Proficient in Fire Fighting
47.General understanding of roping
48.Use and master a boomerang

Group E - Animals
49.Ride a horse
50.Stroke a panda
51.Ride an elephant
52.Milk a cow
53.Ride a camel
54.Swim with dolphins
55.Ride in an animal-drawn sleigh/sled

Group F - Adrenaline
56.Experience zero or low gravity
57.Scuba dive
58.Go sailing
59.Participate in a marathon
60.Skydive
61.Ride the slingshot
62.Ride a zip line
63.Ride Dragon Khan
64.Ride Goudurix
65.Ride in a speedboat
66.Walk over hot coals
67.Ride a segway
68.Go Zorbing
69.Climb to at least 2000 metres
70.Ride a mechanical bull
71.Ride the Scorpion's Tail or similar water slide
72.Ride in a hot air balloon
73.Ride a canoe
74.Ride in a submarine/submersible
75.Abseil down at least 30 metres

Of course, all progress will be documented on this blog.

As you can tell, the goals range from the mundane to the extreme. There are some items I purposely left off my life, for various reasons. For example, while I'd like to travel to outer space - it is way over what I will ever (conceivably) be able to afford. So if I do do it, great! But it's not on my list as I don't want to set myself up for disappointment. Getting elected to public office and coaching England's national team have also been left out. The former as generally, people who hold a daily vlog don't get elected and the latter as with all the things I plan to do, I question whether I'll have enough time. Again, I'd love to do these things, so it would be great if they happen, but I'm not placing them on the list, just in case.

The list is basically made up of things I can see myself accomplishing. However, I have also put down the minimum I will be happy with. For example, I do not need to become a fencing expert to cross that item off my list, merely completing a course will suffice. You may also have noticed that some items (such as Papal Audience) could fall under multiple headings. The reason one is chosen and not the other reflects the way I think of the situation. I would consider a Papal Audience to be a general achievement as opposed to a travel achievement, for example.

One item I sort of regret adding was the TV/film script. Not because I'm not passionate about it, but because, off all the items on my list, it is the one that depends on other people the most in order to be accomplished. All the others are mine and mine alone which is what makes them so great.

It will be an expensive life, but if that's what my autobiography will look like at the end of it, it will also be a rich life (see what I did there?). Do any of you have life lists? Go ahead and share them if you do!

Also, this is the 99th blogpost for Darryl's Random Rants! The next one (probably tomorrow) will mark out 100th edition and will be a top 10 countdown of all the blogs in DRR's 5 year history, so be here for that!

Darryl, from Malta - Online

A Note Of Thanks and an Update Notice

2011-05-19T19:19:00.002+02:00

I've just posted an update in the form of a comment to the Digimon Entrance Top 10. The full post can be found here. It relates very much to what I'm going to say in the next part of the post.

The people at Geocities.ws have successfully archived the Digimon Entrance as well as several other ex-Geocities sites and have made them available on the world wide web. The extent of the archive stretched beyond what Jimdo has done in the sense that every page is available as if it never went away. Only off-site features like guestbooks and message boards did not form part of the archive.

On top of this, they offer the option of free web hosting and control over the old site to former webmasters which is absolutely wonderful. Naturally, there will be no updates to the site from my end as the site closed before Geocities did, but it is very nice to know I have the option.

So, thank you, people from Geocities.ws. Thanks a lot.

LOST:- Top 10

2011-05-18T19:43:00.003+02:00

The sequel to my Top 10 list for Charmed which was drawn up on October 13th 2008 (and can be found HERE).

Truth be told, I've stalled on this one for a very long time but I've finally found the time to sit down and put this together. My original plan was to post this on June 22nd 2010, which was the day I finished analyzing Lost (30 days after the series finale aired). Here we are, almost a year later and five days away from the first anniversary of Lost's finale.

So, my top 10 list for Lost will be a list of survivors who are the most fun to imitate. However, not all characters are included. In fact, my top 10 had to be chosen from a long-since determined 26 characters. These are:- Jack, Kate, Sawyer, Hurley, Charlie, Claire, Aaron, Locke, Boone, Shannon, Sayid, Jin, Sun, Michael, Walt, Ana Lucia, Libby, Eko, Desmond, Paolo, Nikki, Juliet, Daniel, Charlotte, Miles and Ilana.

Now, the criteria. They had to be main characters. The only exception to this is Aaron who would have been a main character if it weren't for the fact that he was played by different babies throughout the series (William Blanchette being the only one to play him in more than one season (Seasons 2, 4 and 5)). Rose and Bernard, among others, are not included as they were main characters for purely for the final episode.

They also had to be survivors. Therefore, all 815 survivors who were main characters (and Aaron) automatically made the cut. Desmond and Juliet both joined the survivors as did the freighter folk and Ilana. Ben, Richard and the Man in Black are excluded as the island was their home for the majority of their lives. Frank is also excluded. While he did join the survivors, he played no significant role. One could argue that Paolo, Nikki and Ilana were equally or less significant then Frank. However, Paolo and Nikki were both survivors of 815 and Ilana, while only briefly, was central to the plot in the sense that she had answers that no one else had whereas Frank did not have any answers and did not create any mysteries. He was more of a tool used to ferry the survivors on and off the island. Not that he wasn't a cool character, but for the purposes of this countdown - he has been excluded.

Ten
Charlie

Starting off this list (but only making it by a hairline) is Charlie. He's fun to imitate because of the way he sings. Watch Pilot Part 1 to see what I mean. Also, the way he taps on the airline seat in Pilot Part 2 has also given me some fun moments. There's nothing quite like pretending you're experiencing withdrawal symptoms. After his character died in Through The Looking Glass, he got kind of annoying as a ghost/flash sideways person. But watching his reunion with Claire in the end (the whole scene, in fact, staring from Aaron's (re)delivery) almost made my heart stop beating. Favourite line: "You All, Everybody!"

Nine
Miles

Hehe. Miles. When he first joined the series in Season 4 he was one of the characters I liked least on the show. But from season 5 onwards, he grew on me and quickly be came one of my top characters. He doesn't really have any signature lines, but his style of sarcasm is a lot of fun. Case in point, when he outs Ben as the guy who killed Jacob and follows it with an "Oh oh". Favourite line: "Not Yet." - in The Economist when Hurley asks whether Miles was there to kill them.

Eight
Hurley

The dude himself. He had to make the list, right? Hurley's awesome. So, apart from instilling the need to use 'dude' every so often, Hurley also gives us a good example of how to make awkward moments awesome. He doesn't do it intentionally, but the next time you put yourself in an awkward situation, be like Hurley and 'dude' yourself out of it. Favourite line: "It's 'furry.' 'Furry fist.' I need a spell-check." - best part of all this...he's in 1977, there is no spell-check...at least, not the automatic kind.

Seven
Locke

Great fun if you want to irritate a scientist (or, as we in the Lost community say, a 'man of science'). There are a lot of great line you can use about belief, faith and fate. His flash-sideways counterpart also provides us with some great lines for letting go. If the man of science you're debating with has the audacity to suggest that you're not allowed to use those lines in the debate then you know it's time to say...Favourite Line: "Don't tell me what I can't do!" ... or some variation.

Six
Eko

Another Man of Faith, as it were. We could have had many more great lines from this well-written character if it weren't for the actor's wish to leave Hawaii. If you haven't watched it in a while (or never have to begin with) take a gander at his recital of Psalm 23 (in the episode...well...The 23rd Psalm). Just magnificent. But...that is not my choice for favourite line, as marvellous as it is. Favourite Line: "I did not ask for the life that I was given. But it was given, nonetheless. And with it... I did my best."

Five
Sayid

My favourite Iraqi. There's so much to imitate here. His accent (which is at its best in Pilot Part 1) is fun, although Naveen Andrews gets sloppy as the seasons progress and merges it with his own British accent. His moves are/would be (in some cases) awesome to replicate and his altogether demeanor would make for some great dramatic moments. Albeit, fake...but that's what makes it great fun. Just change your name to sound Middle Eastern, put on an Iraqi accent and pretend that you're a tortured former torturer seeking redemption. Chicks dig it. Favourite line: "My name is Sayid Jarrah, and I am a torturer".

Four
Desmond

So many great lines from this guy. And what an awesome accent to recite such lines. The imitation of Desmond isn't a game, it's an art. It takes a fair amount of practice and discipline. After that, it's just awesome how you can throw in a Desmond into almost any conversation. Not that it will necessarily make sense, but many times people won't actually notice you said rubbish until after you're gone. True story. Favourite line: "I'll see you in another life, brother". I imagine this will be the last thing I say before I die...as was the case with Jack. Speaking of Jack...

Three
Jack

Okay...so let's put aside the 'Jackface' for a moment. I'm sure some of you may enjoy that. Strangely...I don't...I'm not sure why. Not that I hate it...I just don't get much fun out of recreating a Jackface. But, I do get fun from imitating him. No fun accent here. Just a West-Central American accent, but a lot of great speeches and line. Live together, die alone etc. etc. You can pick out a monologue from any season and feel like a leader. As you can tell from the picture I chose, my favourite Jack is flash forward bearded sucidal Jack. This is because you also get some fun mannerisms to imitate along with great dialogue. Favourite line: "We have to go back!". Seriously...use that in everyday life. It's awesome. "Oh crap...I left my wallet at home. Hey, hey guys wait up...We have to go back...WE HAVE TO GO BACK!"

Two
Sawyer

Like Jack above, Sawyer gives us great material each season. What's great about Sawyer is that every season has a different feel to it. From 'leave me alone' Sawyer of season 1 to season 2 'Sheriff' Sawyer. Season 3 brought in the 'trying to make amends' Sawyer and season 4 gave us the 'free' Sawyer having finally killed the original Tom Sawyer. Seasons 5 and 6 gave us 'in love' and 'heartbroken' Sawyer respectively. All six of these were played so well by Josh Holloway and give imitation enthusiasts a vast array of options. When all else fails, there's nothing like a good Southern "Son of a bitch" to ease some of that stress. It comes in second as my favourite Sawyer line. The award goes to another quote. Favourite line: "Is three years long enough to get over someone? Absolutely." The whole monologue, in fact but that bit in particular. Picking just one of Sawyer's lines was particularly hard. His conversation with Kate in What Kate Does also placing high up in the ranks.

One
Daniel

If imitating Desmond, Sawyer or Jack is considered an art, imitating Daniel is a science. It requires close study and genuine appreciation. His movements, his manner of speech, his vast knowledge...but also his horrible memory, must be properly represented. If you're going to do a Daniel...you should do it well. The character deserves respect. There's also no shortage of interesting lines to use and, if none suit you, you could always say anything else using the Daniel's mannerisms and it would still be Daniel Faraday to anyone watching you. The line I chose is from the flash-sideways for the simple reason that we saw a different Daniel. A stable Daniel. There was no confusion or stammering which is a reflection of what Daniel could have been. Still, however, remnants of his life remain and there's a hint of hesitation in his voice. Favourite line: "What if, this, all this, what if this wasn't suppose to be our life? What if we had some other life and for some reason, we changed things?" Part of what makes this line so great is the Michael Giacchino composition that plays in the background.

That bring us to the end of our countdown. I hope you enjoyed it! You'll notice there are no female characters on this list. The reason being that none of them matched up to these 10 characters in my opinion. They weren't unique enough to make them fun to imitate (although, Charlie was close to being knocked off). Also, being a guy...I may have some bias in the sense that I find it easier to imitate guys. I invite any girls to make their own lists so that we can have a comparison. Post in the comments or in your own blogs, as you prefer.

Also, I must apologise for the size of the pictures. I think I'll remove them if it makes the page hard to browse. Let me know in the comments if they bother you.

Darryl, from Malta - Online.

A Personal Plug

2011-01-09T16:02:00.003+01:00

No rants in this blogpost - just a quick note about my forum, Looking Ahead.

When it was originally set up (in 2005) it was designed to deal with issues that could affect us during or before 2010. Well, now that 2010 is gone, the (incredibly inactive) forum has been revamped to tackle issues which could affect us in or before 2030. I'm not expecting any major activity, but I still wanted to give it a little plug :).

So, anyway, if you're into discussion and debate - come and check us out by clicking here!

This topic will not have any labels since...um...it doesn't really link to anything. So...there you have it then!

Darryl, from Malta - Online.

2010 - A round of UPs and DOWNs

2010-12-31T13:10:00.008+01:00

That's 2010 for you. Unfortunately as I started working this year I haven't had as much time to blog as I did over the past 2 years. So, my prediction of reaching 100 blogs was not reached. With this blog, Darryl's Random Rants stands at 95 posts.

Some of you may remember last year's New Years Eve post which looked at five things which made me happy and another 5 which made me angry during the year. I'm doing the same thing this year, with slight alterations - mainly that the things I mention needn't necessarily have made me particularly happy/angry but are things I feel deserve to be praised/criticised. As last year, the topics I have chosen are things which I have never blogged about - this was especially hard this year as there are a lot of things that need to be criticized (Malta's divorce movement)...but fair's fair.

This year I have had to leave out an issue which is very much deserving of praise because of my personal emotional investment in said issue. And, while I have no doubt that praise is deserved with or without me, in the interests of fairness and impartiality I have omitted it. (*issue could refer to anything from an event to a person...using the word 'issue' as it is generic).

As last year, these are in no particular order...

UP

A. Wikileaks

The first item on the 'Up' list this year is Wikileaks. This year they have put their safety at stake to bring truth to the people and therefore are good in my books. The shameful way some organizations have shunned them is pathetic (paypal for example). They show their lack of commitment to the truth and fairness and I will think twice about using any of their services in the future. Kudos to Wikileaks...and stay strong! Don't let the man bring you down.

Wikileaks

B. Homework-Free Schools

At least two schools in the United States (Grant Elementary School in Wyoming and an elementary school in Tennessee) have realised the importance of childhood. Both schools, and a few others I'm told, have taken the initiative to abolish homework for children. I cannot stress how important it is that this becomes a universal policy. Children should not be made to work overtime. I have a rant planned in the future about this as well as other issues related to education so I'll leave my complaints for then. In the meantime, I would like to congratulate and thank everyone involved in this policy at both schools as well as any other schools which have adopted similar policies. This is a great step in the right direction. (Link talks about school's doing this in the UK)

School's try abolishing homework

C. Chilean Miners

Without a doubt, one of 2010's most watched events was the explosion of the Chilean mine and the subsequent discovery and rescue of the survivors. Today, the miners are praised worldwide and, rightly so, have been given a few treats (football games and such). It's great to see so many people come together to help these 33 miners, but what's even greater was to see how these men survived and lived and worked together for months (both before and after the discovery) and became a family while still operating like a machine to make sure that no one got left behind and made it back to civilisation. Unfortunately, mankind has become accustomed to the 'every man for himself' philosophy so to see something like this unfold is encouraging.

Wikipedia article on the event

D. Hope For Haiti Now

The year began with a devastating earthquake in Haiti. Just like the mining accident, mankind joined together to help the people who had been affected. CNN correspondents to celebrities all pitched in to deliver aid to the country with the collapsed capital and put together an event (Hope For Haiti Now) which allowed the general public to contribute too. Also of note is the collaboration between Bill Clinton and George W. Bush to set up the fund for Haiti. As I said earlier, a rare display of compassion is always notable.

Hope For Haiti Now

E. Annabelle Vassallo

('Irrid Nghix' means 'I want to live')

Annabelle Vassallo was brought to the forefront earlier this year when Xarabank dedicated a program to her (or maybe 2...I can't remember). She's a Maltese woman who is dealing with terminal cancer (by the end of the year it has now consumed much of her life and she is very weak - Xarabank featured an update 2 weeks ago). What makes her special however is that in spite of this illness she has kept holding on and has not let it bring her down. She wrote a book this year about her journey and how she wished to keep on living. In a recent interview she has admitted that in the past few weeks it has become so bad that she has, at times, wished to die. However, her faith remained strong and she overcame those feeling. Doctors told her she wouldn't live anywhere close to this long, but she has. Looking at how the sickness has progressed this year, one can see that there may not be a lot of time left. She's hoping to stay around to see her niece's (I believe) birth. The best of luck from my end and, if and when the time does come to move on, here's hoping for a painless passing on to the next realm.

Annabelle Vassallo - Irrid Nghix

DOWN

A. Tea Party

Now we start with the crap. The Tea Party was among that crap this year. Basically these are a bunch of fundamentalists who don't believe that, among other things, the United States should join the developed world and have free health care for all. The fact that Sarah Palin is their ringleader should give you a hint regarding their legitimacy. Essentially, they're nothing but lonely buffoons who don't understand the value of looking our for your fellow man disguised as being concerned about expenditure. If you're so damn concerned about expenditure, stop sending your own people to fight in other countries and cut war spending.

Rally To Restore Sanity

B. USA Secret Dealings

Wikileaks exposed a lot of mundane cables...and nothing in particular has caused a single human being to be placed in danger. The only thing that has been placed in danger is the credibility of the US government. Apparently...they don't like us so much. There are a lot of dirty tricks messed up in there which bring shame to the nation. For example, pressuring Germany not to bring charges against American agents who erroneously kidnapped and detained a German national for months. SHAME! Clinton has asked diplomats to spy. SHAME! The US offered 'visits from Obama' as compensation for taking Guantanamo prisoners. Pathetic. There are a few others which are just as lame. The sad thing is, especially with regard to Clinton, they have tried to deny it when her signature clearly authorised the action. Clinton should have resigned there and then...but she's brushed it off. She was never cut out for politics...just months after her appointment to the cabinet she was shouting at students for having asked about her husband. Poor, poor work. Petty insecurity has no place in a nation's top diplomatic posts.

Hillary Clinton should resign

C. Taylor Momsen

Make way ladies and gentlemen, for the latest freak. With Britney Spears back in the world's good books, someone had to join Lindsay Lohan at the bottom of the cesspit. Momsen is a kid who's playing the goth victim in some feeble attempt to make herself seem like a streetwise adult and experienced, hurt individual. She needs to grow up, and I mean...actually grow up, not act grown up - badly. Her recent stunt - exposing herself during a show, isn't as perplexing as her mother's happy reaction to it. Looks like, yes, Virginia, in the case of weak kids like Taylor, it is the parents' fault. Also, for whatever reason, the local enforcement forces aren't pursuing Taylor for breaking the law...could it, perhaps, be because she's a girl? The way she attacks other celebrities is also a desperate cry for attention. People/production companies to cut her out the spotlight. If not for our benefit, then to make sure she doesn't become another early tragedy. Although, that would give her a lot of attention...maybe that's what she wants.

Leighton Meester

D. Miley Cyrus

Pretty much the same as above. The difference is that this one's now 18. I used to defend Miley in the beginning when I thought the media took things out of proportion, but as time has gone on she's done one stupid thing after the other. You can't call it 'growing' and 'learning' when it's being done intentionally. Her recent music video (I don't care enough to remember the name) was completely inappropriate for a girl who had not turned 18 yet. The same goes for her costumes and recurring antics. She and Momsen, who have fought in the past, better make friends real quick...because they'll be spending a lot of time together in the lesbian porn industry once no one else will want to be associated/work with them.

Ashley Tisdale

E. Decade Crashers

This one I came up with today to fill up the last spot. As we reach the end of 2010...that stupid debate of when a new decade/century/millenium begins has started back up. Let me make something clear...the 2010's decade started in - you guessed it, 2010. Look, I know there was no Year 0...but who the hell cares? If it makes you feel better, we can include 1 BC with the AD side as an honorary member. It's just a matter of simplicity and convenience in a complex and inconvenient world, okay? The new millenium started in 2000, the next century will start in 2100 and the 2010s decase is 10% over because it started in 2010. Can you just cut the crap now and stop being difficult by moving everything by a year. It's silly!

Give 2011 a warm welcome!

That last link was just for fun :) Anyway, that's the end of the blogpost. I must note that some of the links that were posted were not my first choice, as I wanted to steer clear of anything I'm personally attached to, they were the next best options.

A few hours ago I received an email from myself which I sent on October 22nd 2009 via Futureme.org. It was cool to read - I'd forgotten a lot of the things I wrote. That was pretty cool...I'd been waiting for a long time!

So...yeah, that's all I got. Happy New Year everyone!

Darryl, from Malta - Online.

Not Lost, Episode 16: Finale

2010-06-19T14:29:00.001+02:00

After two years, this is the six-part finale of Not Lost. It was very long so it had to be split up into two videos.

Not Lost was a minimalist production which used nothing more than powerpoint and Wondershare.

Darryl, from Malta - Online.

Not Lost, Episode 15: Everybody Wants To Be A Main Character

2010-06-12T09:02:00.003+02:00

Here's the two-part second episode of Not Lost's sixth series, and also the penultimate episode of the series as a whole.

Not Lost is a minimalist production which uses nothing more than powerpoint and Wondershare.

Darryl, from Malta - Online.

Not Lost, Episode 14: The Curious Case of Ilana Verdansky

2010-06-05T10:21:00.002+02:00

It's been a while since I've blogged. I'm working now so time isn't as abundant as it used to be. Anyway, here's the first episode of the sixth series of Not Lost. Next week will be a double episode, and the week after the 6-part finale! Caution, season 6 spoilers ahead!

Not Lost is a minimalist production which uses nothing more than powerpoint and Wondershare.

Darryl, from Malta - Online.

Not Lost, Episode 13: The One With The Bomb

2010-02-22T13:35:00.002+01:00

The thirteenth episode overall, and final episode of series five has been uploaded! Series six will start later in the year - watch the NotLostProductions channel for more information!

Not Lost is a minimalist production which uses nothing more than powerpoint and Wondershare.

Darryl, from Malta - Online.

Not Lost, Episode 12: Three Times. Times Three.

2010-02-15T10:36:00.002+01:00

Presenting the third episode of Not Lost's fifth series of episodes! This also happens to be the blog's 90th post! The countdown to 100, begins!

Not Lost is a minimalist production which uses nothing more than powerpoint and Wondershare.

Darryl, from Malta - Online.

A Decade In Review: Part 3 - The Future

2010-02-12T21:13:00.007+01:00

At long last, the third and final part of the decade review is here! This one is called the future...but it could more accurately be describes as the present + future. In this countdown I'll be looking at the developments which took place/started in the 2000s which will have a significant effect on the 2010s. As always, you'll understand better as you read the post.

Ten
Private Space Flight

This is last on the list because I added it earlier today, just to fill in the last space so that I could make this post. Nonetheless, it's a valid addition. In 2004, the first private space traveler left orbit. Nowadays people are using words like space tourism and several companies have begun investing into creating space holidays. Will they be available in this decade? Maybe...but not for any besides the very rich. I'm talking Bill Gates and Hugh Hefner rich.

Nine
3D Movies

Everything's in 3D. In the early 2000s it was a novelty (but not new, per se) but now it's essentially considered necessary. I don't know why. I'm not more likely to watch a movie if it's in 3D. The next Harry Potter movie is going to be in 3D apparently. It's nice and all...but is there really need for ALL movies to have it? I think this will play a major part in the 2010's...maybe dying down in the latter half of the decade in favour of more traditional viewing. Or maybe...something more advanced we have yet to see??

Eight
Supernatural Movie Adaptations

As in...from books. Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings arguable started this off. But now we have that damned Twilight. Apparently more are coming. I'm not bothered enough to look up which they are. Something about Greek gods...I dunno. Actually...the Greek gods one might be cool. But Twilight? Please. It's funny how people who thought vampires and werewolves were lame a decade ago (when they were actually cool) now think they're the greatest things mankind has created. Sigh.

Seven
The Next Generation

Oh yes. One of the most obvious contributions the 2000s made to this decade was the introduction of a new generation. By now, they've reached the 'target market' stage. All companies target them. They don't actually have a name yet...but they'll get one before the decade's up. As for past generations, we all take a step forward into a new frontier. The Millennium Generation (my own), for example, move from being the 'targets' to the 'creators'. People born in the 90s are the new Hip, Hot Hollywood! Those born in the 80s are starting families. The 70s are taking positions of power and decision making as well as leading Hollywood by example. The 60s are being elected world leaders. The 50s are retiring and, in the entertainment world, becoming legends. The 40s, alas, join the ranks of the 'elderly' and will likely start dying en masse towards the end of the decade. But don't despair! The oldest person in the world is Japan's Kama Chinen - born 1895...so there's hope all of you! For more on this, read the 'Generations' post I made back in October 2007.

Six
Lisbon Treaty

Forced on to Europe in 2009 after it was rejected, this will have some serious repercussions in the coming decade. The treaty has set the stage for total control over countries forming part of the EU and ultimately fulfilling Hitler's dream of one country under Germany...and the French obviously, but they're less of a country than they are a large trade union-like entity.

Five
Marco Cremona

For those of you who don't know who this Maltese chap is...read on. I first heard of Marco Cremona and Hoter system on the news quite a while ago. Incredibly, I later found out that months after I had watched the feature, Cremona and his project were selected for The Good Entrepreneur on CNBC. I'd heard of this programme during the Tonight Show breaks but had no idea he was on it. He didn't win...but it's great that he and his project are getting exposure. Basically, his idea is that of turning drainage into drinkable water (aimed mainly at hotels...so I'd assume 'Hoter' comes from HOT(el wat)ER). And this baby works! It's a 3-step phase. The first is standard, the second turns the water into irrigation suitable water and the third turns it into drinking water. Cremona himself drinks this water and it's proven to work. This shows great promise in the coming decade to help ease the pain that water scarcity will increasingly cause.

Four
United Nations Millennium Development Goals

Signed in 2001, these eight goals outline what the philosophy of the United Nations until 2015. I'm going to go through the eight goals.

1) Eradicate Extreme Poverty and Hunger - Recently admitted that this was failing. So I'll move on.
2) Achieve Universal Primary Education - Definitely something which can be accomplished and it looks like it's working and close to completion. Excellent!
3) Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women - No comment. I think it's already been accomplished, but they won't be happy until women have taken over completely and men are losing (OK...so I essentially commented).
4) Reduce Child Mortality - Let's hope this 2/3rds reduction is accomplished! Sounds great to me.
5) Improve Maternal Health - Statistics show that this is proving successful.
6) Combat HIV/Aids, Malaria and other Diseases - Before I research the success rate, let me just say that if the spread of AIDS can truly be reversed, it would truly be a great achievement for the UN. Hmm...but there's no conclusive indication for this goal yet.
7) Ensure Environmental Sustainability - Yes. This looks set to be achieved by 2015. Failure to do so is not the UN's fault however, for they have been trying to get the message across effectively for a while now.
8) Develop a Global Partnership for Development - I think this could be accomplished. Doesn't seem that farfetch'd. Statistics also show that we're moving in the right direction to getting this accomplished.

Three
Twitter

The Geocities/Facebook/Youtube/anything else of the 2010s. Twitter has increasingly become compulsory for celebrities, politicians, activists and anyone with something to say. It's become preferred over blogging in fact. Personally, I haven't succumbed to it yet...though at times I'm tempted. However, I can't see it replacing blogging...there's nothing close to enough space to express how you feel. Vlogging, perhaps, will replace blogging. And when I do move, that's the direction I'll go. It's not much help for those who are camera shy, however. On a related, but irrelevant, note...I've started to appreciate the joys of IRC.

Two
Obama's 'World Without Nuclear Weapons'

Probably won't happen in the 2010's, but this idea has great potential for growth in this decade with both Russia and the United States of America (the countries with the largest amount of nuclear weapons) agreeing to cut supplies. This will surely impact the way defence talks are discussed in the coming decade and I'm glad someone finally said it. I hope to live to see the last nuclear weapon being dismantled.

One
United States of America Health Care Reform

I don't mean to give the country more attention that it deserves by donating the top two spots on the list to them, but it had to be done. The USA is the last developed country who does not have some form of Universal Health Care so kudos to Barack Obama for getting it done! He's the first President in a long time to actually care, it seems. Public option was scrapped, but it's a small part of the bill which will bring relief to so many. Also, abortion funding was scrapped which makes this bill so much better and wonderful! This will not only impact the USA's standard of living positively, but will firmly carve universal health care as being a pre-requisite for being considered 'Developed'.

Finally done! Took me five weeks to plan and nearly two hours to write but it's done.

Darryl, from Malta - Online.

Not Lost, Episode 11: The Life And Death Of Aaron Littleton

2010-02-08T10:26:00.002+01:00

And, right on time, here's the second episode of series 5!

Not Lost is a minimalist production which uses nothing more than powerpoint and Wondershare.

As you can tell, the third installment of the Decade in Review isn't up yet...but I did make some progress! I just need one last part and I'll be able to post it.

All the best!
Darryl, from Malta - Online.

Not Lost, Episode 10: Unholy Child - Three Years On

2010-02-01T12:19:00.002+01:00

Not Lost series 5 is here! One day before the real Lost season 6 returns to our screens! The fifth series is comprised of four episodes and the first is below:

Not Lost is a minimalist production which uses just powerpoint and Wondershare.

I'd also like to make a note regarding the Decade In Review series. I know the last part hasn't been uploaded and the reason is that I'm still mapping it out. I'll try my best to get it done this week.

Until then this is Darryl, from Malta - Online.

A Decade In Review: Part 2 - The Present

2010-01-03T13:02:00.007+01:00

Welcome back and here is DRR's second decade-related countdown.

This issue deals with the 'Present' (which is now the past, but was the present a decade ago). This countdown is for developments which took place during the decade. But wait, there's more. In this specific countdown, I'll be looking at the things/people that became popular during the decade and, in the same decade, fell into mediocrity/disrepute/any other negative-type adjective. Once again, you'll understand it better as you read on.

Ten
MySpace

Founded in 2003, MySpace rose to prominence in the mid-2000s. It became one of the internet's main sites (like Youtube and co. are today) with several celebrities maintaining an account. For many it was like a hot club. Alas, loading time was slow and by 2008 it had faded into relative obscurity as it could not keep up with main competitor Facebook. It's still relatively popular, but nowhere close to the status it had pre-Facebook.

Nine
Global Economy

The 2000s was a very good year for the economy with the world economy doubling in size by the end of the mid-2000s. However...it was also a very bad year for the economy when the global recession hit towards the end of the decade. Jobs were lost, people were left unemployed...less money all around. Yeah, the global economy was having a good decade, until it decided to get cocky. Shame on you, global economy, shame on you!

Eight
Price of Oil

Very much related to number nine. Between 2003 and 2008, oil price rose to unprecedented levels peaking at over 147 dollars per barrel. It would have kept going had the world not entered a recession (I'm of the belief that the high oil prices played a major part in initiating the recession). Over the next few month, the price of oil fell to under 35 dollars, a price last seen in 2004. It has since increased again to approximately 80 dollars a barrel. Needless to say, it will continue to rise as peak oil hits later this year.

Seven
Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey's marriage

In 2002 Simpson and Lachey got married. A year later their reality show hit the air. At that point their celebrity shot through the roof. Alas, the relationship deteriorated in 2005 they split up (divorced in 2006). Co-incidentally, so did their star power. Nick Lachey has faded into virtual obscurity. I think he kissed someone on New Years Day...but that's about it. Jessica hasn't faded that far, but public perception of her has diminished significantly. Not Carrie Prejean diminished, mind you, she's just lost the hold she used to have on the youth market. Neither case is particularly surprising, however, as thirty-year-olds do tend to lose their grip on the 'target market'. Lachey has been over 30 for a while (the only thing keeping him in the public eye having been Jessica) and Simpson due to turn 30 this year which could be why she hasn't completely faded yet.

Six
Miley Cyrus

When Hannah Montana hit the airwaves, Cyrus (both as herself and as Hannah Montana) skyrocketed to incredible fame. Children (girls, mainly) who watched Disney Channel became obsessed with the girl named after a state (and the person who played her). This mass of attention may have been what eventually drove her to her fall. Towards the end of the decade Miley became more and more controversial. Mind you, she was only doing things that other girls her age were doing but the fact that she was in the public eye made all the difference. One hopes that the 10s will be one in which she makes a few better choices as it would be a shame for her to follow in the footsteps of someone like Britney Spears, especially since one's twenties are when they have the greatest hold on the entertainment industry (albeit, not 'A+ list', nor 'legends', but still screaming fan worthy).

Five
Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt's marriage

The second marriage on the list. Individually, the decade didn't bring them and more prestige (as they were already high up on Hollywood's list) but the together, as a married couple, their status rose as Hollywood's super couple. That changed when, in 2005, they split. However, unlike Jessica and Nick, it was only the marriage which suffered permanently, and not quite their celebrity status. Brad Pitt, was in his forties, and so benefited from his A+ listing which prevented too much damage being done by him hooking up with Jolie. However, his personal reputation did suffer in the eyes of many. But karma will take care of that in the coming decade. In Jennifer's case, she received lots of sympathy and while her professional work suffered, I'm sure she'll bounce back in the coming decade. While Pitt and Jolie may be considered a super-couple, they will never reach the heights of the Pitt-Aniston marriage because this time...everyone's just waiting for one of them to star in a new movie and cheat on the other.

Four
Sarah Palin

Outside of Alaska, she was unknown for the first eight years of the decade. However, when John McCain named her his running mate she rose to prominence and for the first and only time, the Republicans were leading the race for the White House. Her first speech was an incredible success. Her second speech...repeated her first. Then she started to fall. The point when she was repeating her old material became the break-off point. Soon, people started disliking her (especially democrats) for policy reasons. With months she became one of the USA's least like persons. Nowhere close to the least, mind you, because many in Alaska were still fond of her.

Three
Large Hadron Collider

In 2008, after years and years of construction the Large Hadron Collider would finally be ready for action! The world was watching. Many of us were looking forward to results of the collisions which would provide us with several answers. Depending on what interested us, we looked at different aspects. Some looked at electromagnetism, others looked at history. I looked for quantum physics. Others were in a fit because they thought it would bring about the end of the world. It was operational for just twenty days when an incident took place and it had to be shut down. After all those millions spent and all those expectations raised, poor planning/construction rendered the whole project a flop in most of our eyes. It has since reopened and will operate through 2010, but is scheduled to close again at the end of the year to improve upon it. Hence, no actual results will be documented until it reopens.

Two
George Bush

He was elected in 2000. Then in 2001, 9/11 hit. While the Twin Towers went down, Bush's approval rating went up. It was the highest any President of the United States of America had ever enjoyed. But after sometime, support waned. Poor decisions and bad timing meant he also had the dubious honour of having the lowest approval rating. He was re-elected, but save for a slight boost in approval in 2004, he continued to slip in the public eye. By 2008, he was hated by many including those in his own part.

One
Lindsay Lohan

Even more than Bush, Lohan is a perfect example of someone who rose to prominence in the 2000s and fell into mediocrity in the same decade. After starring in Freaky Friday, Lindsay began a steady rise to fame starring in more successful movies and some which were less successful but continues to boost her image. However, in the second half of the decade Lindsay went throught...shall we say...some changes. Apart from some poor movie choices, Lindsay devoloped eating disorders, probably in an effort to get more attention. Co-stars and production crew in her movies criticised her attitude (Ahem...Shannen Doherty anyone?) and her partying got out of control. Furthermore she turned to drug and alcohol abuse and was served with several DUIs. She became the kind of backer no politician wanted behind them. Finally, her unhealthy relationships (Both romantic and otherwise) including one awkward-to-watch lesbian affair Samantha Ronson who, quite frankly, wasn't someone Lohan needed to be associating with. All this contributed to Lindsay's fall from grace which has made watching her cringe-worthy. Unlike Britney Spears who suffered a similar breakdown, Lindsay has not recovered and has not shown any signs of recovering or wanting to recover which is sad. Perhaps Britney bounced back because she had children to bounce back for. That being said, I do not believe Lindsay should even consider children until her body is free from narcotics and she's on the straight road again. The way things are going, it looks like she's going to throw away her 20s and fade further into pathetic obscurity.

With that, we come to the end of part two. Visit us again later this month for part three.

Darryl, from Malta - Online.

A Decade In Review: Part 1 - The Past

2010-01-01T19:11:00.008+01:00

Happy new year everyone. 2009 has been left behind, as have the 2000s as a whole. And so begins my three-part series looking back at the 2000s.

Each part will feature a top 10 countdown related to the decade. Today we deal with the 'past'. True, it's all the past now, but I'm going further back to the 90s. In this top 10 I'll be looking at the things/people over the past decade which/who we never saw coming a decade previously. It's difficult to explain in paragraph form, but you'll get the gist of it as you read through the top 10. No pictures today as I want to keep the blog loading time to a minimum.

Ten
Terrorism

It's not that we didn't see terrorism coming, but we surely did not expect it to balloon to the extent that it did over the past decade. After 9/11, not only did awareness increase but so did reported attacks. If someone in Micronesia held a three people hostage, the rest of the world heard about it (not that this particular case happened, but anyway). Yes, it was the decade of terrorism and the war on terror. Definitely not something we expected back in the 90s.

Nine
Red Sox Curse

It was a fact all over the United States of America. To me, it had no consequence because I had no idea who the Red Sox where. Didn't until much after the curse broke. However, in 2004, the 86-year 'curse' was lifted when the Sox finally won the World Series. Sure, people must have known it had to happen eventually, but the fact that it happened in the 2000s must have been a surprise to most.

Eight
Disney Starlets

Disney has always had it's little stars, but the fact that they've become such a hit in the past decade is not something anyone expected. I'm talking about Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato, the Jonas Brothers and all other Disney Channel Original Series stars. Most of them were only eight when this decade began and only dreamt about reaching such stardom well...the 2000s was definitely their decade.

Seven
Mobile Technology and Availability

Remember the Telecell? That was, by and large, the extent of our knowledge of mobile phones in the 90s. Sure, we'd seen them get smaller and cooler as the decade came to a close, but few could have imagined how far we'd come in ten years. I remember my first mobile in 2002. It was a Telit. Black and white screen and...yes, I said a Telit. No, seriously, it was a real mobile. Anyway, it served the purpose of a telephone (plus messaging), plain and simple - as mobile phones were meant to be. These days I'm on my third mobile. A PDA-mobile with Wi-Fi connectivity and bluetooth with picture and video camera. It's a computer and a mobile in one complete with Word, Powerpoint etc. Touch screen and all the snazzy editions...some of which I can't even remember right now. Oh! Yeah, and it can make/receive calls/sms. In the 90s, a mobile was something a whole family had to share - or none at all. Nowadays, kids who have them are younger than ever and many people have more than one mobile. Did you see this coming? I definitely did not.

Six
Barack Obama

Heck, we didn't even see him coming in 2003. In the 90s, Barack was just a member on the Illinois Senate. His first appearance was in the year 2000 when he ran for House of Representatives (unsuccessfully). In fact, it wasn't until 2004 that people first met him when he was the keynote speaker at the Democratic Convention nominating Kerry and when he won a Senate seat later that year. That still wasn't enough for most of us to have any idea who he was. Finally, when he ran for President people started to notice. And how. (Imagine Hillary Clinton seeing his name on the list of contenders...she must have thought he was some kind of punk) Go back to 1999 and tell anyone that Barack Obama would be President by the end of the incoming decade and they'd say: "Who?". Tell them that a black man (even if half-black) would be President by the end of the decade and they'd have just laughed in your face. That's the extent of how unexpected this was.

Five
Michael Jackson's Death

Yes, people die. Yes, celebrities die. Yes, some weird people may have been hoping for his death. For the rest of us normal people - this was not going to happen. The King/Prince of Pop? No way. He's too fit...too active. Impossible. Well...possible, apparently. He was very close to making it - a mere six months and one week more and he would not be on this list. Alas, it was not to be. Retrospectively, it's easy for people to see they saw it coming, but realistically, it was not the case. To draw a comparison, it's like saying Eric Bana or Julian McMahon will be dead by the end of the 10s. Truth be told, they do not have Michael's star power, but when it comes to ages, it's the same thing.

Four
Wikipedia

A free encyclopedia? Publicly available? On the internet? Stop dreaming, kid. Ah...but one kid didn't stop dreaming - and made this a reality. Today, Wikipedia is the first stop for anyone who wants to find out anything about, well, anything. Sure, it's not perfect. For example, the case where some foreign teenager will insist that Malta has a presidential election and keep the article from being deleted. However, overall it's the best source for anyone to visit. Mind you, it shouldn't be the only source. One must always double-check facts (to make sure they don't write about Malta's 'presidential election', for example). Other than the creator, I don't see any way that we could have seen this coming.

Three
Wii

Completely revolutionizing the video game world, the Wii has brought gamers of all ages to their feet, actively participating in the game. It took the concept of video arcade interactive cars and jets, and brought it into the home through the use of a Nunchuck. And, it's no longer about being active. It's now also about music and who knows what else? This type of gaming in the 90s? A pipe dream which would only be possible after decades of research. Well, the creators of the Wii thought that that wasn't good enough...and good for them!

Two
Youtube

At the beginning of the decade Napster was shut down. But years later Youtube was born and without a doubt it was one of the greatest innovation of our day. In the 90s, people still relied on cassettes (and CDs too) and Videos. Go figure that the 2000s would bring a way for people to listen to music or watch TV show scenes easily while browsing. Today it is one of the most used websites along with Google, Wikipedia and Facebook. But Youtube, more than any of the others was something that was purely science fiction in the 90s.

One
Pluto's Demotion

Without a doubt, the most unexpected event that took place this decade. I can still hardly believe it. For over 7 decades Pluto was regarded as an equal planet with the giant Jupiter, the hot Mercury and the inhabited Earth. That all changed in 2006. The world found out that a new body was discovered that was bigger than Pluto. So, naturally, most of us thought that this would be a tenth planet. We were wrong, and within weeks we wound up with just eight planets as poor Pluto's contract was terminated. Completely unpredictable. It's simply not one of the things one expects to happen when one thinks about the future. RIP Pluto. Maybe sometime this decade you'll get a companion. You never know anymore...

That's it for part one. Expect part two later this month.

Darryl, from Malta - Online.

2009 - Who Scored? Who Blew It?

2009-12-31T12:03:00.021+01:00

Another year over. Another year of blogs completed. With this post, the tally is 36 blogs for the entire year - a new record. And with 84 blogs in total, 2010 should see Darryl's Random Rants reach 100 posts. Looking at timeanddate.com, it would appear that as I write this Christmas Islands, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga have all entered 2010.

This is a special New Year's Eve as it is the last one of a decade. Tomorrow (or today in some countries) will be the start of a new decade. What interesting on a personal level is that I spent the better part of this past decade thinking about 2010. Six out of ten years was spent imagining 2010. And as of tomorrow, I will be living it. However, the decades' discussion will be tackled in January in a 3-part series of countdowns(stay tuned!). Today, my focus is on 2009.

This blog will list the five things that made me happy and the five things that made me angry in the past 12 months. However, the restriction was that I avoid things that I have actually blogged about so as to keep it original. The things are not in order and in fact are designated by letter (A, B, C etc.) as opposed to numbers (1, 2, 3 etc.). The reason being that all five from both categories could be placed anywhere in the top 5.

The idea for this is stems from an article which is featured in a local magazine (but it looks at the movers and shakers of the month, as opposed to the whole year). I'll start with the things that made me happy and finish off with the things that made me angry for one simple reason. The name of the blog is "Darryl's Random Rants" and it wouldn't be right for me to end the year on a happy note.

UP

A. Up/Pixar

It's fitting that one of the 'Up' movers is actually called 'Up'. The reason this movie, and Pixar as a whole made the list is due to the relatively well-known event where they allowed a dying girl (named Colby Curtin) to watch the movie in advance, knowing it was her dying wish. A heartwarming story in today's ugly world. The girl, sadly, died later that day. She was too weak to actually 'watch', but she listened and her mother explained what was going on. Pixar also sent toys and movie memorabilia to the little girls. I wanted to blog about this earlier, if for no other reason, then to give the movie some positive publicity...but I couldn't find a blogpost to put it in (and hence, the idea for this New Year's Eve blogpost came about - it's been a whole year in the making) Anyway, the movie didn't need publicity - it was a hit. Michael Giacchino, composed for Lost, also composed the score for this movie. So remember, folks, in the the years to come when you're not sure which movie to watch, look for one by Pixar and watch that one. They've proven that it's not just about the money - it's about the spirit which the movies themselves promote.

Pixar Animation Studios

B. Susan Boyle
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You had to know that she would end up on the list? The first time I saw her, Sky News was reporting her success, but I didn't actually hear her sing. I just thought that if she was on the news - she must have been good. I went on to google and typed in 'Youtube'. Imagine my surprise when, instead of a link to the main page of Youtube, a link to Susan Boyle's performance showed up. I watched as this unusual woman spoke and walked and the audience (and judges) shot weird looks. As the music started, even though I knew she had made the news, I'd completely forgotten that she was successful, and I held my breath, scared that she would choke up. But she didn't. And the world was treated to, in my opinion, the best reality show performance ever. I'd even rate it on top of the Paul Potts performance (which I did not know about until after I watched Susan Boyle). Though she didn't win the overall competition, her victory that day was a victory for goodness. It was a case where the good guy/girl came out on top for a change. The judges clearly fell in love with her and her celebrations were sweet to watch. She has released a debut album which is very good - go out and buy it in 2010, if you haven't already.

Susan Boyle

C. Shaytards
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Oh what a fun bunch! I discovered the Shaytards early in October with the "Mommy's Home" video. I was immediately drawn in (apart from the picture advertising the video) by the opening of this video in which Shaycarl (he's the main guy) uses a Steve Irwin Australian accent. Ok, so for those of you who don't know who these guys are...Shaycarl is a youtube vlogger. Since March, he's been filming his family every day for the 29th year of his life. We see everyday of his life including his wife and three kids who are given aliases (most regular viewers know their names by now, but it still gives a degree of anonymity). Oh! And he's got a new kid on the way! This is a real fun, happy family who are an joy to watch. Don't watch the ridiculous reality stuff on TV. Subscribe to his channel and watch his vlogs. You don't even have to subscribe (I didn't, in fact) just look up the videos. They will always put a smile on your face. The 'greatness' of the family' was especially demonstrated recently when on Christmas Day, they stopped the car to give the money they had in their wallets to a beggar. Right now, on Shay's partner channel, Shayloss, a weight loss competition is about to start. Today's the deadline to join, so get in on it if you want to lose weight!

Shaytards

D. George Abela
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Malta's current President. Definitely one of the highlights of the year. For those living overseas, he may not mean much to you, but here in Malta his impact has been second to none. First of all, he is the first President not to come from the party in government (other than Anthony Mamo who was Malta's first President). So with credit to Lawrence Gonzi for his nomination. It is one of the few things that the Prime Minister deserves credit for in this legislature. George Abela is the same George Abela who unsuccessfully ran for Labour leadership in 2008. Furthermore, when Sant called an impromptu election in 1998, George Abela who was Deputy Leader at the time, was the first to condemn the idea and step down. This led to a decade of mediocrity on the Labour side who have only recovered with the election of Joseph Muscat as party leader. While I do not agree with nominating politicians to fill the post of President of Malta, this non-partisan nomination was a step in the right direction. Especially so, after Gonzi nominated Fenech Adami for President in 2004, in what was the most partisan decision ever and possibly the worst in Gonzi's 2004-2008 premiership. George Abela also deserves praise for carrying out minor reforms in the role of the President. Firstly, by being the friendliest President to date. Secondly, by being active in daily affairs and making non-partisan proposals. Thirdly, and perhaps the greatest of all, his involvement in L-Istrina. Now, the President has always, in recent years, been involved in the yearly charity event but George Abela's contribution surpasses all others. Firstly, he removed the concept of prizes being given to those who donate...that's a neutral move from my perspective. However, the fact that he was able to collect the second largest amount in L-Istrina history makes it a great victory for Malta and the Community Chest Fund. Finally, he went the extra mile and organised a charity run (with proceeds going to L-Istrina). Thousands of participants joined the President in a run to the President's palace with some even paying for their dogs to run with them as well as their babies in pushchairs. He hopes to make this a yearly event, and I'm sure the success will continue to grow. Malta's best President. Full stop.

President of the Republic of Malta

E. Chesley Sullenberger

I was almost going to make this a joke entry like, Scotch. But Sullenberger deserves a mention. This is the man who successfully landed a plane in the Hudson after the engines were blown out by a flock of birds. Co-incidentally, in 2008 a Lost DVD feature 'The Oceanic 6: A Conspiracy of Lies' claimed that no plane had ever successfully landed in the ocean...well, I guess the Oceanic 6 weren't lying after all! Kudos to Captain Sully!

Miracle on the Hudson.

DOWN

A. David Letterman
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And now, the 'down-ers' of this year. Get it? Open with a joke they say. Anyway, as if I need another reason to dislike David. Let's forget about the fact that he's just a constantly bitter guy. Ok, yeah, so am I on this blog, but I'm not trying to push the idea that I'm a comedian. So...this guy spends years joking about Clinton's affair with Lewinsky...which is fine. As long as you're not doing the same thing, you moron. And he joked about it. While apologising. He fits the bill for one of those people who would go on the Maury show. I mean, he was in a relationship with someone since 1986, and having affairs in between. One of them with an intern in the 90s. So...hang on...not only did he do the same thing Clinton did...he did it at the same time. And all the while he was making Clinton jokes did he ever stop and say, "Oh wait. That's me." So...why get married? Why stay in the relationship? To me, he nothing but a common cheater and the fact that everyone let him off so easily is very sad. So boycott the Late Show and go watch someone better like Jimmy Kimmel or...oh wait...how about the Tonight Show? You know, the show which he was passed on to host, threw a tantrum and left the network and the guy they got to replace him (Conan) is now the new host. Yeah...go watch that instead.

The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien

B. Colorado Justice System

That's right. It's not the hoax which is on my 'Down' list, it's the Justice System. Now here, we're entering territory which has already been discussed on my blog which is sexism, so if you want to skip this, go straight to C. So here's the deal, guys. Richard and Mayumi (the parents) both did the same thing, didn't they? Deceived the world etc. So why is it that the Colorado Justice System has handed Richard a 90-day prison sentence and 100 hours of community service but Mayumi was only given 20-days during which she only has to report to jail twice and gets to go home at night. Furthermore, she serves her sentence through jail supervised community service. What the hell?? What's the message here? Women are allowed to perform stunts but men cannot? This is the typical sexism which is still rampant in the courts and is absolutely disgusting.

BBC News article

C. Marijuana Proponents

The picture, I believe, is from a rally in Minnesota. However, my discussion will focus on California. As most have heard, recently some organisation announced that they had collected the signatures necessary to put marijuana legalisation on the ballot in 2010. Firstly, as much as I like the Tonight Show, can the immature audience members stop cheering every time Conan announces this. Seriously. Secondly, let's get the facts straight. None of the people pushing for marijuana leaglisation care about the economic crisis (as they claim) or about health reasons (medical marijuana is legal in California so I'm referring to the debate which took place in the 90s). They just want to get high. Period. Does America really need more people who can't use their heads? Really guys? Is this where we're heading? Not just America of course, this is directed at all marijuana proponents. We should be working on making tobacco illegal, not legalising more ways to smoke. Come on...stop smoking pot for a few hours and you'll soon realise how pathetic and ridiculous you all sound.

Obviously, if you're high...you wouldn't understand a word I just wrote...so let me put in your language: "Being sober is, like, so totally whack, man!" I find it interesting how 'whack' can mean both good and bad in drug-speak.

California Correctional Peace Officers Association

D. Al-Shabaab Insurgents

Okay, so terrorism as a whole is deplorable, but these guys were in the news recently. Basically these militants have control over part of Somalia (as you can figure out, between these idiots and the pirates, Somalia doesn't have much of a government anymore). Anyway, the recent news is that they commanded men not to shave their beards but to shave their mustaches claiming that they "will never accept" seeing mustaches and beards together. What a bunch of freaks. Also, they called for men not to wear trousers below the ankle. A little digging allows one to discover some of the other rules these nutjobs have set. The usual stuff against women is one of them (all covered etc). Others are less usual. For example, no one can watch or play football. Huh? No one can dance at a wedding. They must have barrels of fun in Somalia. I really don't feel the need to make an effort for this one. They obviously deserve this spot.

Al-Shabaab group (not pro-Al-Shabaab, obviously)

E. Kanye West

Yep. Had to happen. He was a jerk, so he deserves it. Taylor Swift may be over it but it was still an idiotic thing to do to the poor girl. As bad as this was, he did give us a new catchphrase to enjoy:- "I'ma let you finish but...[SOMETHING] had the best [SOMETHING] of all time! Of all time!" Or some variation. He never bothered me as a person before this moment. I never liked his music, but he never bothered me. I definitely won't be buying his music anytime in the future.

Taylor Swift

Well, that's the end. Of the blogpost and the year (well, for me there's still over 9 hours left, but you catch my drift.

Don't forget to come back in January for the three-part series looking back at the 2000s. Or don't. Either way. Just as long as you "Let me finish".

I suppose some of you may be wondering why people like Tiger Woods or Chris Brown or somebody/thing else didn't make my list. Let me explain myself in terms of Woods and Brown. With Woods, true, he did the same thing Letterman did. However, he doesn't make a living joking about other people doing it. Furthermore, he didn't crack jokes about what he did. Chris Brown did what he did, and it was a bad thing, but he was handed a fair sentence and nobody is letting him off the hook. It's done, it's over, let's move on.

Anyway. That's it for me this decade. Once again, look for my reflections on the 2000s as well as the decade-change as a whole, in January. Happy New Year, and Happy New Decade!

P.S. In the time it took me to write this Marshall Islands, Nauru, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Micronesia, Papua New Guinea and parts of Russia and Australia celebrated the New Year.

Darryl, from Malta - Online.

Oil:- This Is It!

2009-11-11T21:27:00.005+01:00

I hope you'll excuse the reference to the Michael Jackson movie.

So what's all this about then? Well, this afternoon I read an line on CNN which claimed said that OPEC denied oil was close to peak production. So I read into what was going on, and found out the recent happenings (I'll elaborate further, later into the post, for those who are not aware).

Let's rewind slightly to the year 2005. Before I started blogging, before I sat for my o' levels...in short, before a lot of things happened both personally as well as on a global scale. A fifteen year old Darryl was conducting research (I do this sort of thing for fun - I'm not being sarcastic here) on non-renewable energy sources with specific attention to the global peak and end. Anyway, through looking at trends and creating my own graphs I made six predictions - these being the years for the peak and end of all oil, natural gas and coal.

I published the most urgent prediction, that of peak oil, wherever I could. Unfortunately, this was mainly on geocities sites and most of them are gone. My inactive forum, Looking Ahead was set up with this in mind. Looking Ahead was supposed to be a forum for people to discuss issues which would affect us by 2010. Peak Oil was the first issue (unfortunately, to see this, you have to register and there's no point doing so until we revamp it in December 2010 since it's, as I mentioned earlier inactive). I then added a few other issues so that it wouldn't be focused solely on the environment. I also mentioned my prediction in the 'Generations' blogpost, however, as I rechecked it today - I found I left out the date. Other than those, I posted this prediction/projection on forums so in short, I have no actual link which proves my claim. Although I do have a sticky note which I've kept for four years with all six of my predictions.

So, basically what happened this week is that whistle blowers (as they call them) from the International Energy Agency (IEA) announced that the figures from this same agency were being tampered with to appease politicians and that, in fact, we are on verge of peak oil.

Here's what really gets under my shorts. In 2005, a fifteen year old me said this very thing. It took the scientists, graduates, qualified officials and scholars four years to 'agree' with me (In inverted commas as they obviously made no reference to me). That is four years gone, in which we could have set up a framework to deal with this. Of significant interest here is that OPEC are denying that we are close to peak. Why would they do this, after years of warning it was approaching? Simple, my son (or daughter), when it was still far away it was in their interest to say that peak oil was close so as to raise prices, but now that it's actually arrived, they would rather people were not uneasy about oil so that they would not divert to renewable sources of energy.

So, is this what my blogpost is all about? Self-praise for successfully predicting something scores of qualified scientists waited until it was too late to do?

No, of course not. Well, mainly, yes. But I think that now, more than ever, I should put forward the proposals I devised earlier this year for mitigation.

Let's get the facts out there. Peak oil is a situation whereby after next year, demand for oil will exceed the supply, inevitably resulting in unprecedented price rises. Yes, unprecedented. The July 2008 prices will be what we pray for. The IEA (I believe) have said that prices will increase by 550%. I am not an authority on this and cannot confirm of deny this. However, I can safely predict that by 2011, oil prices will be double what they are today (currently they fluctuate between 70 and 80 dollars a barrel). After that prices will continue to rise as long as there is the demand for them.

I don't think I need to go into the consequence of that. The Spring/Summer of 2008 was a perfectly fine demonstration. As I type this, over 80 million barrels a day are consumed in the world. 80 million. A day. The United States of America is, by far, the largest consumer with over 20 million a day - a quarter of the world total. In second place is China, with nearly 7 million. Malta uses up nearly 19,000 barrels a day and Niue, consumes the least with approximately 20 barrels a day - that's 0.0001% of the USA's total. Inevitably, the solution is reducing the consumption rate.

Obvious. Use renewable energy sources. We've been saying that for years, but it's just not working fast enough. I believe that in December's Copenhagen meeting the countries need to make a simple decision. Within five years (that is, 2015) reduce oil consumption to 90% of current levels. That means, 72 million barrels will be consumed each day. And let this 10% apply to all countries so that everyone carries a fair burden. Hence, Niue would reduce it's consumption to 18 barrels a day, while the USA would reduce consumption to 18 million.

Of course, the population grows everyday and with this comes an increased need for energy and consequently oil. No one is saying that this will be easy. The point is, we need to stop talking about emissions and get right to something tangible which is oil consumption. It's about making the right moves. Use solar energy (with batteries to store excess for when sun is less available) in the Mediterranean and Africa. Use wind energy in Scandinavia and windy places. Use hydro and tidal energy in Asia and wherever else it can be used. I'd be careful with geothermal though as digging into the earth may pose other environmental problems.

Ultimately, one hopes that all countries could agree to form a power sharing deal whereby the renewable energy generated in all countries would be available to all, thus the world would benefit from 24 hour solar energy and the like. Understandably, some developing nations may find it hard to make the switch to renewable energy due to financial concerns. For these nations there's the temporary solution of switching to Natural Gas to make up for the 10% less oil.

I must stress temporary here. Otherwise, a couple of decades down the line we'll be in the exact same place. Natural Gas is cleaner and usually cheaper, so it makes a fitting short-term resolution, provided a framework/strategy is set up to switch to renewable energy.

There's no postponing peak oil, we're too late for that. However, with the above measures, we can lessen the effects as with the reduced demand, the price would not rise as substantially as it would if we do not take this action. Then, in 2015, when the 90% target has been met, nations can meet again to lower it to 80% by 2020 and so on, until ideally, we are no longer burning oil.

Naturally, the figures and timescales I list here are unprofessional estimates but I believe that this is the magnitude of change that is warranted given the hole we've dug ourselves into.

At 15, I could not make my voice heard and by the time the experts woke up, it is now too late. So I am listing my other five predictions here, for everyone's benefit, in chronological order.

2030 - Peak Natural Gas.
2040 - End Oil.
2046 - Peak Coal.
2085 - End Natural Gas.
2267 - End Coal.

Needless to say, if the above changes are enacted, changes to the above figures will have to be made - especially in relation to the first two with peak natural gas happening earlier and the end of oil ending later. If humanity ignores peak oil, then in all likelihood the figures will remain the same. I just hope we do not make the mistake of switching to cheap coal. The side effects of such a move, would not be cheap, by any stretch of the imagination.

I'm going to end my post here. I think my point's been made. One of the few things Gordon Brown has done well in his time as Prime Minister, is warn that without an agreement in Copenhagen, there would be no turning back. He is right. This, truly is it. It's not about emissions anymore - targets like those are given little attention. It's about the world's largest cause of pollution - oil. Speaking of what "it's about"..."it's about" time we got off it.

Darryl, from Malta - Online

An Insider Looking In - from the Outside

2009-10-16T21:32:00.003+02:00

I'll avoid 'ranting' in this blogpost. Yeah, I know, with a title like 'Darryl's Random Rants' you'd expect constant, yet random, ranting. But it's not uncommon for me to not rant, as any of you who've been around for a while would know.

Today I'd like to explore the way foreigners would look at Malta. There's no structure to this post, as such. It's more like randomly placed thoughts and philosophical reason that I'm finally putting down on 'paper'.

Anyway, let's look at history. In the beginning of the current decade, which is approximately when I started using the internet (read: started using the internet, not computers) and I would sign up for online games I was faced with a dilemma. When asked to choose my country from a list, Malta was never listed. So I'd have to use 'England'/'UK', 'Italy' (rarely) or 'Other' (often). This changed, fairly abruptly, in the latter half of the decade when Malta started to be listed.

((Writing this paragraph, I realise how old I must sound when I use terms like 'in the beginning of the decade'...as if I am recounting a story from my youth. Which I am...it's just that it's not that long ago. For the record, I'm 19.))

It's not just the internet. Malta was virtually unknown worldwide. I'd estimate that approximately 10% of the global population had ever heard of the country. However, in just under a decade this percentage has shot up (largely inexplicably) to around 75% (I'm making up these figures...but they are based on my neutral perceptions of global affairs as well socio-cultural life in other countries). But while they may have heard of us, how many actually understand what type of country Malta is?

For example, do they understand that while Maltese would be our "mother tongue" that English is an official language. And a significant number of us (myself included) actually speak English in our daily lives and speak it more fluently than we would Maltese. Not only that, but that the English speakers largely do not have some strange accent. That is, we have the accent of native English speakers. Of course, you wouldn't know this if you heard our Prime Minister at the UN meeting recently.

Let's go further, how many would be aware that we are not an old-fashioned country (well, not up here in the North anyway...hehehe). Speaking for myself, first thing I do every morning is watch Sky News and CNN (flipping between them). Disney Channel is the channel I watch the most since it began streaming in Malta last year. Otherwise, I also watch Paramount and Living. Why am I listing all these? Just to demonstrate that an overwhelming majority of Maltese know about the pop-trends in the US, UK and the rest of the world. But they don't know about ours, or that we know about them. (Not that I can blame them...but I won't go into that as it would turn into a rant and break my promise above).

In all fairness, I, as a Maltese person, do not know the situation in Nieue or several other countries. And the reasons for that are the pretty much the same reasons they don't know about us. We're both small countries for starters, though Nieue is much smaller population-wise. Secondly, neither of us are particularly interesting. I cut myself when I read Maltese 'news'...O.K. hang on...I'm going into rant mode again...I'll stop.

My central point is that, especially in the United States of America, they would not expect me or any Maltese person to know about their country to the extent that most of us (and most certainly, I) do. If nothing else, I watch 2 episodes of the Tonight Show on Saturday and another two on Sunday (repeats, obviously) on CNBC.

But ultimately, this narrow view is common to everyone. When I was younger, I was under the impression that Figolla (an Easter treat) was available world wide. I'm still baffled that the Maltese came up with something this good. That many foreigners will never taste pastizzi (especially the cheese :D) is scandalous.

Being the philosopher that I am, I'm going to extend this further. Isn't it funny how some people (celebrities, politicians etc.) are known by millions, but there are some people who will live and die without 99% of the world knowing or caring? It's quite sad really. For example, I know who Barack Obama is...but he has no idea who I am. In Malta alone, there are people I have never even been in the same room or street with (Duh, you might say. But I'm talking about never have been in the same geographical area at the same time in all our years - these are the dilemmas that keep me up at night).

It's sad. Six billion people have experiences and thoughts but most of the rest of the world have no idea. Admittedly, if we did, we'd have very crowded brains...but we'd probably be friendlier...or more murderous/suicidal.

As I said, very unstructured post today. But I just had to put this down. Each one of us has so many memories and experiences...how do we convey them all to every other person in the world. And how can we claim to be so smart, when we don't know six billion other people have thought about or gone through in their lives.

Right now, it's just started raining heavily outside. And I wonder. Where else in the world is it raining? And where else is there someone like me, looking out and asking the same questions I am. I'm reminded of the song 'Kiss the Rain' and I think I shall proceed to listen to it on Youtube.

There you go, dear reader, I have covertly conveyed my thoughts to you.

Here's another thought: If I ever become famous, I'll have to delete this blog...otherwise I might be locked up in a mental institute.

Darryl, from Malta - Online, talking to YOU, one of the approximately 6.8 billion who I probably know so little about and vice versa in this comparatively unfriendly world.

The Age of Men Redux

2009-09-05T20:11:00.004+02:00

The inspiration for this blogpost comes from a recent discovery I made. Those of you who read 'The Age of Men' might remember that I proposed a situation where all men of the world go on strike. Well, apparently, this idea already exists in the form of a marriage strike. I went further, of course, and proposed a complete withdrawal from committed relationships but I'm thrilled to see that this idea is already out there, and relatively widespread too! Plus, several Wikipedia articles outline the principles of such a strike. With this blogpost, I intend to set out what it is men are striking for. For the unconvinced man, this should give him a reason to join the strike. For the men striking, it would point out the aims (though they would probably already be aware of them). For anyone else (women, politicians etc) this serves as our list of demands to call off the strike.

This may not include EVERY single thing that needs to be done. But we can settle for what is listed below. Although, it should be noted that by and large this just tackles the legal issues without going into the way we are treated by women. It is hoped that once the law gives the right message, women will follow suit.

1) In the event of a divorce or seperation, fathers should receive an equal right to the child/children. The mother should never be the 'default' option. If custody DOES go to the mother, then that means she can support them and men should not be obliged to pay child support.

2) In relation to the above, ideally custody should be split evenly. However, if it is the case that they can only be with one parent most of the time, the above applies. Women shouldn't need to be dangerous for men to be awarded custody.

3) Men should no longer be depicted as the sole abusers in domestic violence and sexual harrassment adverts/warnings/examples/whatever. It should be balanced with both male and females being portrayed as perpetrators and victims. On average, more women hit men than vice versa and the only reason this isn't known is because it isn't reported.

4) This brings me to number four. Men should be made to feel comfortable in reporting domestic abuse by a woman. This means that police should not ridicule the male victim, nor should anyone else.

5) Furthermore, when a woman is taken to court for domestic violence, she should be punished by the same standards that men are, and should not be dealt with tenderly.

6) Expanding on this, more women should be prosecuted and incarcerated for their crimes. They should not get off easy and should suffer the same consequences men do.

7) Laws should be amended to allow females to be taken to court for rape. Just because they lack a penis, doesn't mean they can't force sexual acts on another, man or woman.

8) Back to divorce/seperation. The man should not automatically lose any of his belongings. In fact, he should keep anything that was his before the marriage (including his house, if applicable) and anything that was bought during the marriage should be split exactly in half, without favour towards the woman. Furthermore, children should be dealt with separately and whoever gets the kids should not necessarily get the house.

9) Scrap alimony. If someone wants a divorce, that means that they can take care of themselves.

10) ACT on the statistics that show that girls are performing better than boys in school by encouraging boys to work harder without lessening the achievement of the girls.

11) Amend sexist laws that state that a percentage of a workforce has to be female. Instead, they should say that there should be a minimum percentage of both genders.

12) Give fathers an equal stake at parental leave. Make it available to both men and women - allowing either partner to take advantage of leave or split it between them.

13) Women should not receive a preferential retirement age. We're supposed to be equal. If we have to work to 61, they have to work till 61. If we have to work till 92, they have to work till 92.

14) Spend more on men's health issues. It's honorable that money is spent on breast cancer and other female issues, but spend just as much on male issues.

15) Do away with the compulsory 'women and children first' policy. Actually, the 'children first' bit is fine. But the rest is fair game. Equality dictates that men and women have an equal right to life.

16) Just as women have been given the right to place an unwanted child up for adoption or, in some countries, the right to murder the baby before it is born, men should have the right to refuse to support the child and mother in the event of an unplanned pregnancy, in effect giving up rights to the child. This demand does not apply to countries where abortion is illegal or areas where a man and woman must mutually agree to put a baby up for adoption (in cases where the father is a husband/boyfriend/known in some way obviously).

17) Do away with positions like 'Minister for Woman' (for ex. UK) and other 'Woman's Rights Advisers' and rubbish of the sort. It should be 'Minister for Equality' and 'Equality Advisers'. Furthermore, these position should not be occupied solely by women but also by men. Child Commissioners should also equally be offered to males. Maybe then real progress will be made for child right.

18) When it comes to war, if all men between 18 and 22 are being drafted, then all women between 18 and 22 should be drafted too. In the case of children where one parent must remain home to care for them, the man should have just as equal a chance of not being drafted as the woman. In other words, male-only conscription must be abolished.

19) In cases where men are not allowed to perform a service to women (such as carers), the same restrictions should be applied to women performing the service to men. Alternatively, just do away with the restrictions.

20) Punish teenage girls who have sex with younger teenage boys in the same way that you would punish teenage boys for having sex with younger teenage girls - without exception. Ideally, where there is consent, there is no punishment at all...but that's a different issue so if boys are going to be punished, so should girls.

That should do it, really. As I said earlier, this is by no means an exhaustive list. It is, however, enough for us to believe that the world is moving in the right direction and, hence, we can end the strike.

My message to men the world-over is to join us in the strike. If you haven't already done so, read the original 'The Age of Men' (you can find it by clicking on either the 'Relationships' or 'Sexism' labels below. Between that post and this one, you should be provided with enough evidence as to why you should join the cause.

Meanwhile, to the rest of the world...on behalf of all men, we look forward to the collective agreement.

Darryl, from Malta - Online.

Roe is me! Wade it all go wrong?

2009-09-02T20:11:00.003+02:00

(Get it? 'Roe' instead of 'woe', and 'Wade' instead of 'where did'?)

Needless to say, this is a rant (that's right, we're back to those now) regarding abortion. To be honest, I was under the impression that I had already made a similar rant and was quite surprised not to find it in my list of blogs. The reason being, most probably, that abortion is quite obviously wrong and disgusting, condoned by only the saddest and most hypocritical people on the planet. But before I start bashing on these people who try to excuse their position by calling it 'pro-choice', I'm going to state on the outset, that this isn't the point of the rant.

So there won't be any of that. Abortion is wrong, that's a plain and simple fact, there's no denying it. Maybe I'll delve deeper into it in another post in the future (or perhaps, I might get so angry writing this one that I'll end up doing so right here). No, the point of this rant is directly to address the Roe V. Wade court case in the United States back in 1973.

It's quite funny really, but the whole case was a sham. Henry Wade, who was defending the babies right to life, is sadly dead today having died in 2001 but at the age of 86, he's definitely had a full life. 'Jane Roe' was the psuedonym Norma McCorvey (relax, her name isn't the sham...Norma is a perfectly acceptable name).

Today, Norma, at age 61 (62 this month) is a pro-life advocate. That's right ladies and gentlemen - both sides of Roe V Wade are pro-life. A great, big congratulations to Norma for not only realising her mistake but working actively to reverse the horror the 1973 case has brought. The only sad part is that this realisation did not come in 1972, a year before the court made its decision. Millions of babies could have survived. Anyway, back on track.

Norma has revealed a lot of interesting stuff since she stopped being anti-life. Now, here comes the kicker. She was manipulated by two ignorant, self-righteous lawyers who were only looking out for themselves and their careers and did not stop to consider how inhumane and despicable what they were doing was. Sarah Weddington is lawyer #1. At 26 years old (at the time) this was a very convenient situation. She became the youngest person to ever win a supreme court case...that looks very good on a young lawyer's resume. She was later elected to the Texas House of Representatives. Following that she served in the US Department of Agriculture and they year after served under Jimmy Carter. Whoops! I meant she was an advisor to Jimmy Carter. She now lectures at the University of Texas at Austin and Texas Woman's University. I'm telling you this so you know which places to avoid/send hate mail to.

Lawyer #2 was Linda Coffee. I don't need to go into much detail with her. Quite simply, the Texas Bar has 'bar...red' her from practicing law. Ain't that a kicker? I can really stop the blogpost here...but there's more.

So Norma was basically manipulated by these lawyers. In order to generate sympathy among the public she claimed she was raped (something she later denied as being the truth). But obviously, by that time the judges had been swindled (with the exception of two judges). Poor Norma, her intentions weren't bad. She wanted abortions for people who had been raped, been a victim of incest or where the mother's life was in danger (of course, she fell under neither of these so her participation in the court case is still questionable...albeit...that could have been more manipulation courtesy of Bitches Sarah and Linda). As a side-note, I'd like to mention that Norma gave birth to the baby she was pregnant with at the time.

Sarah and Linda had bigger plans for abortion. They wanted it to be utilised as a form of birth control. They got their wish, as we all know. Norma McCorvey on the other hand, is today an honest and honourable woman. In fact, in 2004 she went to the Supreme Court to have Roe V Wade repealed. Sadly, the courts decided it wasn't important.

So basically...this here, is the sham part...the entire court case was based on lies, manipulation, trickery and a desire for power. And people actually question whether or not it should be overturned? Ridiculous.

I supported Obama in the US election, because I had to look at more than just this one issue. However, something that McCain had going for him was that he was seeking to overturn Roe V Wade, which any decent human being should do.

I hope Barack Obama realises this. Ultimately, I think he has to look at his daughters, and think about how things could have been. If Barack and Michelle had parted ways instead of getting married, and Michelle wound up pregnant. What would have happened? Michelle is lawyer, and an ambitious (in the good sense) woman. It's possible that she would have aborted the baby, and Malia would be dead today.

The fact that we kill babies in this day and age is troubling, and a sign that mankind, as a race, has screwed up.

Well, I'm done for today. In a few days expect a sequel to 'The Age of Men' rant from a while back.

Darryl, from Malta - Online.

LOST. Season 6, Episode 16 - Last Will And Testament

2009-08-24T10:08:00.002+02:00

This is the final episode of LOST (well, my version anyway).

Story Starts Here

It's morning at the beach. Most of the survivors are having breakfast. A small group are gathered to a side.

Ilana: The four of use will use the guns we brought with us.
Jack: I'll take the fifth one.
Sawyer: Hang on there Doc, there are only seven guns. Take away the militias over here that only leaves us with three. Now, I'm not a spinal surgeon or anything like that - but I was head of security for three years, so I'm pretty sure the last three guns should go to Jin, Miles and me.
Jack: Sawyer we only get one shot of this.
Bram: Exactly. Which is why the cowboy's right. Sorry, Jack, but we need the ones with the most experience holding the guns.
Miles: Don't worry. When one of us dies, you're next in line.

Suddenly the group hears an explosion.

Ilana: That's the dynamite! They're here!
Claire: No! It can't be! There's still twelve hours left!
Ilana: Maybe they don't follow the rules.
Bram: Let's move!
Richard: Wait! This doesn't make sense. We're outnumbered...if we ambush them we'll lose. We should wait here. Let them come to us. It will buy us some time.
Ilana: Ok. Everyone. Battle stations.

Everyone moves except Claire stands there, confused.

In the jungle, the Others are recovering from the explosion.

Cain: Body count!
Other 1: Eight dead, sir. Forty-two of us alive, but two are too injured to go on.
Other 2: We should go back home, have them treated.
Cain: No! We don't have time. Treat them here. If they can't fight, they can't fight. It doesn't matter.
Ben: They heard the explosion, won't they be coming for us?
Cain: No. It's not time. We have to wait here for another twelve hours.

Back at the beach, Jack is hiding behind a tent next to Kate.

Jack: Looks like this is it.
Kate: Yeah.
Jack: You scared?
Kate: No. You?
Jack: Yes.
Kate: Well...me too...
Jack: I really don't see this working. Fifty versus fourteen...only seven guns...and some sticks. Sounds like suicide.
Kate: Maybe that's always been our destiny.
Jack: Well...that's depressing.

Frank examines his sharpened stick.

Frank: What exactly will I do with this?
Ilana: Pierce one of them.
Frank: I hardly think I'll get close enough.
Ilana: I got you covered, remember?

Richard and Hurley sit behind a tree line.

Hurley: So...dude...is it hard?
Richard: What is?
Hurley: Having to fight your own people?
Richard: I guess. But I've seen a lot of them come and go. Eventually, you stop becoming attached.

In the jungle, it is now dark.

Cain: Alright. Let's move out. Ben.
Ben: What is it?
Cain: You know what you have to do, right?
Ben: Kill...Richard.

Cain nods.

At the beach.

Claire: We have four minutes.

As the entire camp waits tensely, the Others emerge and begin shooting. The beach guys reciprocate. Those without guns also help but cautiously. Claire does not move from her place, as she seems to be counting down to an event. Several Others fall. The two Ajira redshirts are killed. Frank is also hit.

Ilana: Frank!
Frank: I'm ok...help the others.
Ilana: Let's get you behind a tent.

As Ilana helps Frank move, those who are unarmed pick up the guns of those who have died (Others and Ajira) and join in the dogfight. Claire becomes increasingly erratic as she looks around, searching for something while continuing to countdown. Ben finds Richard and holds his gun out. He pulls the trigger but Bram jumps in the line of fire and dies. Ben and Richard are both shocked. Richard takes Bram's gun and he and Ben hold each other at gunpoint. Claire finally sees what she wants to see, the beginning of a lunar eclipse. She's still counting down and it is apparent that she is counting down to the point when the eclipse reaches its peak.

Ben: I'm sorry, Richard.
Richard: You don't have to do this, Ben. You have a choice.
Ben: No. You all tell me I have a choice. First Jacob, now you. But I only seem to have a choice, when it's convenient for you. Otherwise, all I ever hear is that I'm 'supposed' to do something. I guess the tables have turned Richard.

Ben has tears in his eyes and Richard also seems tense. Claire finally reaches zero and the lunar eclipse reaches its peak. The full moon is completely red. The redness seems to also resonate off the island, and everyone stops shooting.

Kate: Light doesn't scatter quite right.
Sun: What?
Kate: Daniel. He mentioned it when they first arrived on the island. I never understood what he meant, until just now.

Their conversation is interrupted by very loud whispering accompanied by the clicks of the Smoke Monster. As he emerges from the jungle many of the Others drop their guns and raise their hands in the air in fright. The Beach guys also place their guns on the floor. Cain lowers his gun and smiles. Richard and Ben keep their guns pointed at each other.

Cain: It's time.

As the Smoke Monster emerges, the whispers get louder, and bodies seems to emerge, surrounded by the smoke. Everyone on the beach watches as all the people who ever died on the island walk out and surround them, whispering erratically. Jack sees his father and other familiar faces such as Boone, Ethan and even Jacob walk out, all surrounded by smoke. They seem angry.

Cain: Ben. End it now, the Island has chosen us.
Richard: You're right, Cain. You were always right. The Island shuns blasphemy. People posing as the people they aren't.

Cain spots John Locke in the Smoke Monster, staring at him and whispering. Cain, who is still in Locke's body stops smiling and begins shooting at Locke's figure, to no avail.

Ben: Goodbye Richard.

Ben and Richard both pull the triggers and they fall to the ground. At that point the eclipse ends and the red tint fades, as do the figures of the dead people. The Smoke Monster begins growling as Cain backs away. The Monster grabs Cain and drags him deep into the jungle, dragging him down the deep hole that Locke was almost dragged into in first season finale. Cain screams in agony.

Back at the beach, the sixteen remaining Others surrender to their designated leader, Ilana.

The next morning, Jack is treating Frank a cheerful Frank. The Others are burying their own dead as well as the Bram and the Ajira redshirts, and Ben and Richard.

Claire: I'm so glad to be rid of the ticking.
Kate: So it's over now? We can all go home?
Claire: I suppose so. I don't have any answers anymore. I could only see up to the battle.

Sun (in Korean): I can't wait for you to meet her!
Jin (" "): Do you think she'll like me?
Sun (" "): She'll love you.

Ilana: Let's get going.
Hurley: Going? Where?
Ilana: To the Temple. That will get you back home safely.
Jack: Wait. Hang on. Back home. Permanently. It's over. We don't have to come back.
Ilana: Destiny found, Jack. You don't have to come back unless you want to.
Jack: No, no. That's not good enough. Promise me, they'll never be an dire reason for us to return.
Ilana (laughing): Jack, as far as I know, you've done what you need to do.

Jack looks relieved as do the rest of the island survivors.

Kate: Well...I guess it's off to jail for me.
Ilana: Why?
Kate: I wasn't supposed to leave the state. Court order.
Ilana: But you never left.
Kate: Excuse me?
Ilana: It's 2007 here. The Temple will take you back to the day Ajira 316 crashed. You'll come out at the Lamp Post.
Sawyer: What about me? Claire, Miles, Jin...we've been dead all this time.
Ilana: You'll need to create new identities.

Jack, Kate, Sawyer, Hurley, Claire, Sun, Jin, Miles and Frank follow Ilana to the Temple. They are silent the entire journey and all we see are a series of Flash Forward.

Jack - The day of the Ajira crash. He is surrounded by reporters.

Reporter 1: Dr. Shepherd, your comments please?
Jack: Look, clearly, I was not on Ajira 316. Neither was Kate or any of the Oceanic 6. If we were, we'd be dead right now.
Reporter 2: But your names were on the manifest?
Jack: Some joker probably thought it would be funny. That joker is dead now. Kate couldn't even leave if she wanted to. Please, no more questions. We're all still here.

Kate - The same day. Kate and Claire walk into Aaron's room (the room where Kate left him before leaving on the plane). Carole is with them and in tears.

Aaron: Mommy!
Kate: Hey sweet pea. Listen, I need to talk to you. You see this lady? This is your real mommy.

Aaron doesn't understand. Kate and Claire are both in tears.

Kate: She's the one who'll take care of you from now on. She's your real mommy. When I left you a few hours ago, I went to get her.

Kate steps back as Claire kneels next to Aaron's bed.

Claire: Hi baby. You don't remember me, do you?
Aaron: No.
Claire: The last time I saw you, you were tiny. Smaller than that pillow.

Aaron giggles and Claire hugs him.

Hurley - The same day. He walks into his parent's house.

Carmen: Hugo! Hugo! Hugo!

She hugs him tightly. Then she pulls away and slaps him.

Hurley: What was that for?
Carmen: Because I love you.
David: Hey! Hugo!
Hurley: Hey Dad.
David: You're out of prison?
Hurley: Yep. I'm free. Completely.
Carmen: Hugo...you went back to the island didn't you?

Hurley grins and traps his parents in a bear hug.

Sawyer - It's the day after the crash. He rings a doorbell which is answered by Clementine. He smiles when he sees her.

Clementine: Can I help you, Mister?
Sawyer: Uh...Cass- your mother home?
Cassidy: Yes, she is. Clementine get inside.
Sawyer: Hey.
Cassidy: Hey. So...Kate got you back.
Sawyer: Yeah.
Cassidy: She told me about the money. Thanks.
Sawyer: Least I could do.
Cassidy: What do you want Sawyer?
Sawyer: I want...to be there.
Cassidy: Excuse me?
Sawyer: For Clementine. I know there's no chance for us...but...Clementine needs a father and I want to be that guy.
Cassidy: Sawyer...
Sawyer: Call me James.
Cassidy: Huh?
Sawyer: That's my real name. James Ford.

Cassidy smiles.

Sun - Three days have passed since the Ajira crash. She is hugging Ji Yeon and her mother is there. They speak in Korean.

Mrs. Paik: When I saw your name, in the news. I fell apart. I thought I'd lost you again.
Sun: Just some pranksters. Mom...I'm leaving Seoul.
Mrs. Paik: What?
Sun: I want to start a new life. Forget about Jin and my father.
Mrs. Paik: But...
Sun: Mom, I've made up my mind. I just need you to do one thing.
Mrs. Paik: What's that?
Sun: Don't tell Dad that I was here.
Mrs. Paik: I won't. I love you.
Sun: I love you too.

Sun walks out to a car and puts Ji Yeon in the back seat. Jin starts driving. The conversation is in Korean.

Sun: Ji Yeon, this is your father.

Ji Yeon excitedly throws her arms around Jin from behind much to Jin's pleasure.

Sun (to Jin): Everything's set. We can live in Los Angeles.
Jin: Your father?
Sun: Wouldn't dare mess with us. I still have control over the company.

Miles - About a week has passed since the crash. He's walking in Scotland and stops when he sees a passed out Desmond being carried to a car by Penny and a man (Desmond's brother). He notices that Desmond is bleeding out of the nose and understands what's happening. He nods to himself then walks on, and starts eating a sandwich peacefully.

Claire - It's been a month since the Ajira crash. Claire answers the door, it's Carole.

Carole: Hi Cindy!
Claire: Hi Mom. Aaron's in the living room.
Carole: Is he used to the change yet?
Claire: He adapted fairly quickly, Kate visits occasionally.
Carole: I wish you'd come back to Sydney.
Claire: I changed my name. Not my appearance. If I go back, people will recognise me, and the secret will be blown. Besides, Aaron's lived here for three years, it's what's best for him. Living close to Aunt Kate.
Carole: You know what's best darling. I'm just glad you're blonde again.

Claire and Carole laugh.

In the present, the group arrives at the Temple.

Jack: Well, Ilana, it's been a pleasure. Sorry about your friends.
Ilana: They sacrificed themselves for a worthy cause.
Hurley: Hey...uh...I know there are only a few dozen of you know but...whenever someone crashes on the Island...try not to terrorize them.
Ilana: Don't worry, I'm not Ben or Widmore.
Sun: What's going to happen to the rest of the Ajira survivors?
Frank: I'm going to help them get rescued.
Sawyer: Wait, you're staying here?
Frank: Yes. I'll get the Ajira survivors off the island. Then...I'm going to stay here. With Ilana, and the Others.
Ilana (smiling): I think you can stop referring to us as the 'Others' now, Frank.
Jin: How do we get back?
Ilana: Just stand in the middle over there.

The entire groups moves to the middle of the room. Ilana activates a mechanism.

Frank: How do you know what to do?
Ilana: Instinct, I guess.

A pendulum starts to swing and Frank and Ilana watch as the eight of them gradually disappear before their eyes. Frank waves.

LOST

(Omitted scenes - More beach scenes pre-war; more Others scenes pre-war)

Darryl, from Malta - Online.

LOST. Season 6, Episode 15 - The Guardian

2009-08-23T18:05:00.002+02:00

At the beach, Ilana is eating fruit when she spots Frank pacing nervously.

Ilana: Are you ok?
Frank: Huh? Oh yeah...just preparing for the whatever.
Ilana: The war?
Frank: I guess.
Ilana: And pacing helps you...how?
Frank: Stress relief.
Ilana: Don't worry Captain, just stay close to me - I'll keep you safe.

In the jungle, Jack, Hurley and Miles continue their trek back to the beach. Hurley spots smoke wisps and recognises them as the monster. He freezes.

Hurley: Dudes...don't move.

The Smoke wisp circles them as the three stand still, then it floats away.

Flashback - Jacob and Cain are standing at the site which would later become the ruins.

Cain: You asked me to trust you when you wanted to bring the Egyptians here. Now I'm asking you to trust me. This is for the best.
Jacob: Why?
Cain: The Island needs a guardian. To protect it anyone else who tries to harm the island.
Jacob: Not all humans are like that.
Cain: Are you willing to take that chance? (When Jacob doesn't answer) Let's do this.

Cain and Jacob place their hands on a stone structure and close their eyes. As they focus, smoke emerges from their hands and gathers in front of them. We see the Smoke Monster form but it seems more timid and does not make any of the creepy sounds we are familiar with. It has a more greyish tint as opposed to black. The Smoke Monster descends into a hole and takes the tunnels to the Temple. Cain goes off in one direction and Jacob in another, towards Richard. We realise that this scene directly preceded episode 12 (Pyramids and Deities).

In the present at the Barracks, Cain and the Others arrive at the Sonar fence and are about to deactivate it when the Smoke Monster gathers in front of them. They stop and stand back. The Smoke Monster is unable to penetrate the fence.

Other: What do we do now?
Cain: We wait.
Ben: I see why you wanted us to leave so much before zero-hour.

Flashback - The Smoke Monster has manifested in the temple. Jacob walks in.

Jacob: It's time.

He reaches inside the Smoke Monster and it becomes darker (the dark colour we're familiar with). It also begins making the creepy clicking noises.

Jacob: Cain wants to abuse your power. Fine. You're all his now.

The Smoke Monster disappears into the vents, leaving behind the ash which Jacob would later use at the cabin.

In the present, Jack's group arrive close to the beach.

Hurley: Wait! Wait! What if they already changed the dynamite patterns.
Miles: It's ok. Just follow me.
Jack: How would you know?
Miles: That's not really important...just follow me.

Miles begins to maneuver around the trees. Jack and Hurley look at each other nervously and follow him cautiously.

It's nightfall at the Barracks. The Smoke Monster finishes dissipating. The Other walk through the fence and set it up again to protect the children.

Ben: Do we still have enough time?
Cain: Yes. We have exactly 24 hours to get to the beach. Let's get going.

At the beach, Miles arrives followed by Jack and Hurley.

Bram: How did you get past the dynamite?
Hurley: He did it, with his awesome super powers.
Miles: They're not super powers.

Ilana holds out her gun.

Ilana: I suppose you're hear to spy. Or take our ammunition. Either way, you made your choice...you're not welcome here.
Jack: We never made it to the Barracks. I realised I made a mistake.
Kate: What changed your mind?
Jack: It's not what Locke wanted me to do.
Jin: Locke's dead.
Miles: Let's not go there again.
Jack: Look, the fact is...we're here. This is the side we've chosen. I was...wrong.
Sawyer: Well, alright then. We're all on the same side. What do we do now?
Hurley: Dude! We thought you joined the Others!
Sawyer: Nah...just took a toilet break.
Miles: You were gone for over a day.
Sawyer: Constipation?
Sun: So what do we do now?
Claire: We wait. And we rest. Because in twenty-four hours, we won't have that luxury.

LOST

(Omitted scenes: More beach scenes; more jungle scenes; possibly more flashbacks; possible more Barracks scenes)

Darryl, from Malta - Online

LOST. Season 6, Episode 14 - The Fickle Heart of Destiny

2009-08-22T11:32:00.002+02:00

Flash Alternate - It's 2004. Jack is walking through the airport, 815 having landed safely in LAX. Someone taps him on the shoulder.

Ana Lucia: We were supposed to have a drink on the plane.
Jack: Right. I don't have to leave right away, care to join me?
Ana Lucia: Sure. My mother can wait a while.

He gestures at a bar. She smiles and they walk towards it.

In the present, Jack, Hurley and Miles are walking through the jungle.

Miles: What exactly were you planning on telling them?
Jack: Who?
Miles: The Others...when we arrive.
Jack: Uh...that we've decided to take them up on their offer.
Miles: And when they ask us for information?
Jack: They won't get it.
Miles: What if they kill us?
Jack: You didn't have to come with me, Miles.
Miles: No, don't get me wrong...the whole idea of not dying, sounds great. But do we really have any guarantee?
Jack: That's why they call it a leap of faith.

Flash Alternate - It's early 2007. Jack and Ana Lucia are living together.

Ana Lucia: Saved any lives?
Jack: No. Slow day. You?
Ana Lucia: Nope. Arrested a pickpocket, though.
Jack: Slow day?
Ana Lucia: Pretty much.
Jack: Ana...
Ana Lucia: Yeah?
Jack: Um...could you look here please?
Ana Lucia: What is it?

Ana Lucia turns and sees him holding a ring.

Jack: Will you-
Ana Lucia: Yes.
Jack: ...give this to your partner?
Ana Lucia: What?
Jack: I'm kidding. It's for you.

Jack puts the ring on her finger and they kiss.

In the present, Jack's team continue their trek.

Miles: You know...looking back...we probably should have brought a gun with us.
Jack: They need all the guns they can get back there.
Hurley: So, dude, do you really think Sawyer's gonna be there?
Jack: Where else would he be?
Hurley: I don't know. Maybe...the hatch remains...you know...that's where...you know.
Miles: Your linguistic capacity astounds me.
Jack: It doesn't matter where Sawyer is. I'm not going to the Other because of him. I'm going because I think it's the right thing to do. Because I think that's what Locke wanted all along.
Hurley: And since when do you go along with what Locke wants?
Jack: Since his message was so important he felt he had to die to get it across. Since he was willing to leave the island deliver it.

Flash Alternate - It's 2008. A bearded Jack is standing on an abandoned overpass. A car pulls up and it's Ana Lucia.

Jack: Hey.
Ana Lucia: What do you want?
Jack: Answers.
Ana Lucia: How about telling me why you're still wearing your ring?
Jack: Because I haven't given up.
Ana Lucia: It's over, Jack.
Jack: I don't understand.
Ana Lucia: You don't understand? You spend obscene hours at the hospital. You're there for everyone. Except me.
Jack: I'm a doctor.
Ana Lucia: Exactly. You're a doctor. Not a husband. You never were. I had a miscarriage and it's as if it never happened to you.
Jack: Hey! It was hard on me too!
Ana Lucia: You could've fooled me.
Jack: Who is he?
Ana Lucia: Let it go, Jack.
Jack: I just want to know...who...
Ana Lucia: Goodbye Jack. Don't ever call me again.

Ana Lucia walks away and Jack doesn't stop her. He removes his wedding ring and throws it on the floor. As Ana Lucia drives off, Jack walks back to his car. He spots something and stops, looking at it longingly and morosely. The camera spins to reveal that he's looking at the ledge which overlooks the busy street below.

In the present, the Others are gathering outside. Ben and Cain are also there.

Ben: What about the children? Shouldn't someone stay with them?
Cain: They'll be fine. We'll activate the fences. They won't be harmed.
Ben: You said the Island had to choose. What exactly?
Cain: Who's best for the Island. Who's looking out for its best interests.
Ben: But...it's just an island...how will it choose?
Cain: Come on, Ben. You know better than that. You know it's more than just an island.

Back in the jungle, Jack's group stops to take a quick drink. They hear noises from nearby.

Jack: Wait here.

Jack moves towards the sound and sees Cain hurling knives at a tree.

Jack: You! We've been looking for you!
Cain: Have you?
Jack: Yes...we...want to join you.
Cain: I'm sorry Jack...but you can't join me. You see...I'm dead.
Jack: What?

Cain continues to hurl the same knife into the same tree, the way Horace Goodspeed was chopping down trees in Cabin Fever.

Cain: You're not understanding a word I'm saying, are you?
Jack: Who are you?
Cain: My name is John Locke.
Jack: No...you died...I put you in the coffin...
Locke: You also told me you put your father in the coffin.
Jack: John?
Locke: Hello Jack (all the while, Locke continue throwing the knife).
Jack: John...I'm going to join the Others. Just as you wanted.
Locke: You do what you want, Jack. But you're joining the wrong side.
Jack: But...you were their leader.
Locke: I'm not anymore. Your destiny isn't with the Others.
Jack: Destiny...hasn't been very kind to me lately.
Locke: It's not supposed to be kind. Look at me...I'm dead for goodness sake.
Jack: You don't seem sad.
Locke: It was my destiny.
Jack: So what do you want me to do?
Locke: Whatever you want to do.
Jack: But you just told me the Others were bad.
Locke: No. I said I wasn't their leader anymore.
Jack: You told me I'm joining the wrong side.
Locke: I will admit to that.
Jack: So...I should go in the other direction?
Locke: You have to go back, Jack.
Jack: Fine.
Locke: You have to go back!
Jack: What?
Hurley: Jack!

Jack wakes up back with Hurley and Miles.

Jack: What happened?
Miles: You sat down and fell asleep.
Jack: Where's Locke?
Hurley: Uh...Locke's dead dude.
Jack: We have to go back...
Hurley: Dude...we are back.
Jack: No...I mean...to the beach camp.
Miles: Oh come on!
Hurley: Why?
Jack: That's what Locke said I had to do.
Miles: Three years and nothing's changed...you guys make a plan to go somewhere, then change your minds and go back to the beach. Then we go somewhere else...but pretty soon, we're back at the beach.
Jack: I know this may be hard to understand...but I need you to trust me.
Hurley: Ok dude...whatever...we'll go back.
Jack: Miles?
Miles: Why not? I'm pretty sure we'll be walking back here in a few hours anyway.

They begin walking back to the beach.

At the barracks.

Cain: Listen up. We have thirty hours to be at the beach camp. Make sure you all have your guns. Check that your children have enough supplies for three days. Pack food and water for yourselves. I'd recommend packing some other type of weapon, just in case you run out of ammunition. Be back here as soon as you can. We leave in a few hours.

LOST

(Omitted scenes: More scenes with Jack's group, more flash alternates, possibly more barracks scenes)

Darryl, from Malta - Online.

LOST. Season 6, Episode 13 - Gearshift

2009-08-21T11:11:00.002+02:00

Kate is scurrying around the beach camp, it's late morning.

Kate: Sawyer's gone!
Sun: What do you mean?
Kate: I saw him leaving last night, I thought it was just to go to the bathroom, but he hasn't come back yet.
Jack: Sawyer can take care of himself. He probably took a walk and hasn't come back yet.
Miles: It's not like he's been much use to us ever since the bomb anyway.

In the jungle, Sawyer is walking aimlessly when Vincent runs up to him. Sawyer smiles and pats him.

Flash Alternate - Sawyer is dressed smartly and sitting in an upscale apartment. It's January 2008, he's watching the news.

Newscaster: DriveShaft have announced that they will be releasing a Greatest Hits album following the sad passing of former member Charlie Pace. Pace was found to have overdosed in a hotel room yesterday. Forensic analysts on the site suggested that he had been dead for up to two days. That information is expected to be confirmed this evening when the autopsy report is released. Liam Pace, Charlie's brother and former DriveShaft member, has been acting as a spokesperson for the family. He said that the toxicology results would not be available for at least another week.

Sawyer switches off the television. Just the Nikki walks into the room and they kiss.

Nikki: You're gonna be late.
Sawyer: I couldn't leave without my kiss, could I?

They kiss again. Sawyer grabs his briefcase and walks to the elevator. Once inside, he opens the briefcase which is filled with money. He's just conned Nikki.

In the present, the survivors are discussing whether or not to go after Sawyer. Jack is quiet for most of it until he speaks up at the end.

Jack: I think he might have gone to the Others.
Jin: Why would he do that?
Jack: Because...maybe...it's the right thing to do.
Kate: Jack? What are you talking about?
Jack: Look, we came back because of Locke-
Kate: I did not come back because of Locke.
Jack: Well, I did. And when I arrive on the island, a man who looks an awful lot like Locke asks us to follow him.
Claire: That isn't Locke.
Jack: Says who? We've always known Locke to be different. Who's to say that hasn't been Locke all along.
Richard: Because Locke is dead.
Jack: Yeah...well...Sawyer and I were both interested in what whoever he is proposed. I could see it. And I think he made the right choice, and I'm going to follow him.
Bram: No, you aren't.
Jack: Excuse me?
Bram: You know our tactics. There's no way we're letting you leave.
Jack: I won't tell them anything. I'll die before I let them hurt Kate.
Hurley: Dude.
Jack: Look, I won't tell them anything. After I'm gone, you can change move the dynamite around, I don't care. You have my word.
Bram: I'm sorry Jack, your word isn't good enough.

Bram holds up a gun to Jack. Claire steps in front of him.

Claire: No! Stop! If he wants to go...he's free to go.

Bram lowers the gun and Jack walks off.

In the jungle, Sawyer is following Vincent and they arrive at Rose and Bernard's cabin.

Bernard: Hey there, James. What brings you back?
Sawyer: The dog. Wow...this place is still up?
Bernard: Yep...after the time flash it was still here. A mess...and it needed a lot of work. But still here.
Rose: When are we now?
Sawyer: 2007.
Rose: The bomb didn't explode, then?
Sawyer: It did.
Bernard: But you're still alive.
Sawyer: Not all of us. Juliet, Sayid...they're gone.
Bernard: I'm sorry, son.
Sawyer: Now they want to fight again. You guys were right.
Rose: You're welcome to stay here, if you don't want to fight.
Sawyer: Really?
Bernard: Sure! We could use a young man like you to help us out. The two of us do fine for now...but we're getting old.
Rose: You're getting old. I'm just fine, thanks.

Flash Alternate - Months have passed. Sawyer is in a resort in Vermont and walks into a bar. He looks around and walks straight to a particular point. He sits down and orders a beer. Sitting next to him is Bernard.

Sawyer: You come here often?
Bernard: Every year, around this time. You?
Sawyer: First time. Hope to make it a regular event.
Bernard: It's nice up here. Good place to unwind.
Sawyer: Where you from?
Bernard: New York. My wife always wanted to come here.
Sawyer: Divorced?
Bernard: Excuse me?
Saywer: You're not wearing a ring.
Bernard: Oh...she died three years ago yesterday. That's why I come up here at this time. Where are you from, son?
Sawyer: Jasper, Alabama.
Bernard: Oh, nice place. I lived there for a while a few decades ago.
Sawyer: I wasn't living there back then. But I had a cousin who did. Ford. James Ford.
Bernard: Uh...
Sawyer: Son of Mary Ford.
Bernard: Oh Mary! I remember Mary! So she was your aunt? And little James...yes of course. Mary was a sweet girl.
Sawyer: Yeah.
Bernard: Until her son of a bitch husband ended that. Oh...I'm sorry...he was your uncle, right?
Sawyer: Yep.
Bernard: Say, whatever happened to little James.
Sawyer: Got put into care. But he died...a long time ago.
Bernard: I'm sorry to hear that.
Sawyer: I'll see you around.
Bernard: So long, son.

Sawyer walks out of the bar.

In the present, Sawyer is sitting outside the cabin eating fruit. It's nighttime. Bernard walks out.

Sawyer: Rose asleep?
Bernard: Yeah.
Sawyer: So...you've really made it work out here, huh?
Bernard: I have all I need. (after a pause) I'm sorry about Juliet, son.
Sawyer: Stuff happens.
Bernard: I didn't want to say anything in front of Rose but...why are you really her?
Sawyer: (after a while) Juliet's dead. I'm done fighting. I'm done with 'destiny'. When Locke brought me the man who killed my parents...and I got to kill him...I thought that the island was where I was supposed to be. Turns out destiny just likes to screw around.
Bernard: Oh I don't know about that. (a short pause) We, Rose and I, went to Australia on our honeymoon. Rose had cancer...and...I took her to a faith healer. She told me it worked...but it didn't. But when we came to the island. It was gone. And it hasn't come back. So...sometimes destiny...just has a sense of humour...but that doesn't make it a bad thing.
Sawyer: Oh?
Bernard: Most people look at a plane crash as a bad thing. But it gave me the one thing I wanted most in the world. My wife. As for you, you may have lost Juliet...but you'll never lose the memories.

Flash Alternate - Bernard walks out of the bar. Sawyer tackles him and pushes him to a secluded spot, hurling him onto the floor. Sawyer points a gun at him and begins reading from his letter.

Sawyer: Dear Mr. Sawyer, You don't know who I am but I know who you are and I know what you done. You had sex with my mother and then you stole my dad's money all away.
Bernard: What? What are you talking about?
Sawyer: Mary Ford.
Bernard: You...you're James?
Sawyer: James is dead. Only Sawyer's left now.
Bernard: Listen son...I didn't do anything to your mother...I swear.
Sawyer: Shut up! So he got angry and he killed my mother...
Bernard: I promise, James, I had nothing to do with this...I barely knew your mother.
Sawyer: And then he killed himself, too...
Bernard: If you shoot me...
Sawyer: All I know is your name.
Bernard: There'll be no turning back...
Sawyer: But one of these I'm going to find you...
Bernard: It'll come back around!

Sawyer stops reading, remembering those words. He lowers the gun and begins to cry, walking away realising he's been double crossed again.

In the present, Jack is walking away from the camp.

Hurley: Dude! Wait up!
Jack: Hurley?
Hurley: I'm coming with you.
Jack: What?
Miles: Yeah...me too.
Jack: I don't understand.
Miles: All this...it just doesn't make any sense to me.
Richard: You can't be serious...the three of you...

More of the camp has gathered at this point.

Hurley: Look...I made the mistake of not following Jack once. I'm not making it again. (he turns to Jack) I've learnt my lesson.

Everyone is quiet as Jack, Hurley and Miles walk into the jungle.

Kate: Sawyer! Help!
Sawyer: Juliet!
Kate: Sawyer!

Sawyer runs over to Juliet and grabs her hand.

Sawyer: Where do you think you're going blondie? Kate! Help me get those chains off!
Hold on! You hold on!
Juliet: I can't.
Kate: Got them!

Sawyer pulls Juliet up and kisses her.

Sawyer: I thought I lost you. We flashed to 2007 and you weren't there.
Juliet: Where do you think we are James?

Sawyer looks around. Kate, Jack and everyone else are gone. The entire area is silent and Juliet doesn't have any blood on her.

Sawyer: I don't understand...
Juliet: It was my destiny, James.
Sawyer: But...why...we had a good thing.
Juliet: That doesn't always matter. But there's still something you have to do. You have to do this James. You have to help them. Otherwise...the past three years would have been for nothing.
Sawyer: I miss you so much.
Juliet: I love you.
Sawyer: I love you.
Juliet: It's okay.
Sawyer: Don't you leave me.

They kiss and Sawyer wakes up in the cabin. It's sunrise. He walks to Vincent.

Vincent: I'll see you around boy.
Bernard: Heading back?
Sawyer: I'm sorry, I didn't mean to wake you.
Rose: It was time to wake up.
Sawyer: I...have to go back.
Rose: We know. We were just wondering how long it would be before you realised.
Sawyer: Thanks for everything.
Bernard: Anytime. And if you change your mind, you always welcome.
Sawyer: Hey...if after all this is over, and we're still alive. I'm going back home, if you want me to come get you.
Rose: No thanks.
Bernard: We are home, right here.

Sawyer begins to walk away.

Rose: Oh, James! Do me a favour, don't tell the others we're still here. You're okay, but I really don't want to hear any live together, die alone lectures.
Sawyer: You got it.

A few hours later Sawyer walks back to camp. He runs into the Ajira redshirts who are rearranging the dynamite. He goes back to the beach safely and is greeted by Kate.

Kate: We thought we lost you.
Sawyer: You did?
Kate: Well, I did. Where were you?
Sawyer: Just took a long walk. But I'm back now. (he smiles)
Kate: Really back?
Sawyer: Really back.
Sawyer: Where's everybody?
Kate: Jack, Hurley and Miles left to join the Others. We thought you did too.
Sawyer: Son of a bitch.

Sawyer walks off to his tent. Kate smiles.

Kate: He's back.

LOST

(Omitted scenes: More beach scenes, a scene with Jack's group in the jungle, possibly an earlier flash alternate).

Darryl, from Malta - Online.

LOST. Season 6, Episode 12 - Pyramids and Deities

2009-08-19T11:04:00.003+02:00

The episode begins with a flashback. We see a scene similar to the one where Jacob and Cain arrive on the Island. This time, the boat is bigger containing around twenty people, one of them being Richard. Jacob and Cain stand on the beach and wait for them to dock. They speak in Egyptian.

Jacob: Welcome to the Island.
Richard: Where are we? How did we get here?
Jacob: I brought you here. My name is Jacob, and this is Cain.
Cain: Who are you?
Richard: My people call me Ra. This is my crew. We hail from Egypt.
Jacob: Ra. That's the sun god, correct?
Richard: Yes.
Cain: You may want to consider a different name here, like Ricardus.
Richard: Why?
Cain: The Island shuns blasphemy. People posing as others they're not.
Richard: It's just an island.
Jacob: It's more than just an island.

In the present, the survivors are gathered once again.

Ilana: We have three days. We need to come up with some kind of strategy.
Sun: Don't we have dynamite and guns?
Ilana: That's not going to be enough. How many of your people are there?
Richard: Around fifty, give or take, not including the children.
Ilana: And how much time to we have left?
Claire: Eighty hours.
Ilana: The dynamite will only take out the front line. After that, we have seven guns protecting 14 people.
Miles: But we have Richard. He knows how the Others work. He's been with them for a really long time.
Richard: Yes, but they're under new leadership now. Leadership I've never worked with. I don't know what they could be planning. We've spent three years living relatively idly since all of you disappeared.
Ilana: Ok. Look. Everyone, gather whatever you can use as a weapons. If our ammunition runs out, you'll need to defend yourselves with whatever you have. Sticks, oars, traps...anything.

Flashback - The Egyptians are standing around a fully constructed statue. Jacob walks up to Richard, they speak in Egyptian.

Jacob: Impressive, Ricardus. With just twenty men.
Richard: We're very committed. The Island has blessed us with this incredible drive.
Jacob: I've also seen you mark off some other areas. More plans?
Richard: Yes. We hope to build temples and tunnels. To remind us of back home, and to pay tribute to the Island.
Jacob: Why Taweret?
Richard: The goddess of rebirth. The Island gave us a new life, it seemed fitting.

In the present, Jin and Sun speak in Korean.

Jin: Sun, tomorrow morning, I want you to escape from the camp. Go to the other side of the island. You'll be safe from the Others there.
Sun: I'm not going anywhere, Jin. We promised we'd be together forever.
Jin: But we'll be fighting a losing battle. You'll die if you stay here.
Sun: So will you. (after a pause) I'm not going anywhere.

Meanwhile, Claire sits alone holding her head. Richard walks up to her.

Richard: Are you ok?
Claire: Yeah. Just a headache. I can thank my new ability for that.
Richard: You'll get used to it.
Claire: It's like a constant ticking...a countdown in my head. It's all new to me. How does stuff like this happen?
Richard: You've been exposed to the island for a long time. Changes happen to most of us.
Claire: Like what used to happen to Desmond?
Richard: Yeah, I guess.
Claire: But Sawyer's been here as long as I have. So has Jin.
Richard: I guess it's because they weren't in their own time. You remained in the present while they went to the past.
Claire: So do all the Others have this ticking.
Richard: I said most of us, not all of us. Some just aren't on the Island's list.

Flashback - Richard stands a few feet away from what would later become the ruins. He watches on as Jacob and Cain have a heated conversation. Cain walks away while Jacob walks to Richard. The Island now has the creepy feel we're familiar with. They speak in Egyptian.

Richard: How did you do that?
Jacob: Ricardus, listen to me. Cain has become alienated by what your people have done.
Richard: This was never my intention.
Jacob: I know. I trust you. You're not like the others.
Richard: So what's going to happen now?
Jacob: Cain will try to take full control of the Island. And now he has the tools to do it. That's why I need you on my side.
Richard: Definitely.

Jacob touches Richard on the chest. On impact, there's a faint white light.

Richard: What did you do?
Jacob: I've given you part of what I have. Eternal youth, intuition...all the things you'll need to protect the Island.
Richard: How can I protect the Island?
Jacob: Choose the people you believe will protect the Island. And take them to the Temple you constructed. That will keep them safe from Cain.
Richard: And then?
Jacob: Then just wait for me to bring more people to the Island. Each time, I want you to choose the virtuous and bring them in to the community.
Richard: You're still willing to trust outsiders after what my people did?
Jacob: One incident will not make me lose faith in the entire race.
Richard: How did you get such power?
Jacob: It's not my power, it's the Island's. I've just been here a long time, and the Island trusts me to use it. Just like it trusts Cain.
Richard: I don't understand. How can an Island 'trust'?
Jacob: You will understand, in time.

In the present, Jack walks up to Kate.

Jack: I think you should go to the Barracks.
Kate: Excuse me?
Jack: Join the Others. They'll keep you safe.
Kate: I don't need to be safe, Jack.
Jack: Kate, listen to me, we don't have enough guns. They outnumber us.
Kate: Fine. Then you go to the Barracks.
Jack: But...I...
Kate: I guess 'live together, die alone' only applies when you're leading, huh?

Elsewhere, Hurley and Claire are sitting together.

Claire: You know, you could hide in the jungle if you want.
Hurley: What? Me? Why me?
Claire: I know you don't like fighting and all that stuff. You'd be safe in the jungle.
Hurley: You don't like fighting either.
Claire: But I'm they're stopwatch now. They need me.
Hurley: Well...I'm their...uh...jukebox. I don't know. Look, I'm not abandoning anyone.
Claire: Live together.
Hurley: Die together.

Finally, Richard walks up to Ilana.

Richard: You've got all the qualities Jacob said you would.
Ilana: Excuse me?
Richard: Leadership. Courage.
Ilana: Jacob spoke to you about me?
Richard: Yes. He thought you'd be perfect.
Ilana: For what?
Richard: Leader. Of our people.
Ilana: Really?
Richard: Ben can't lead anymore. Locke's dead. He wanted you to take over. So after all this is over, if you want to stay on the island - the position's yours.
Ilana: What about you? You've been here longer than I have.
Richard: I'm not fit to be leader. I don't want the position. The last time I led a group, they almost corrupted the island. I'm more of an adviser.

LOST

(Omitted scenes: More beach scenes; possibly more flashbacks)

Darryl, from Malta - Online

LOST. Season 6, Episode 11 - 108 Hours And Counting

2009-08-18T11:09:00.003+02:00

Claire walks down the Swan corridor. She hears the beeping, indicating that it's time to push the button. She walks into the computer room and continues to hear the beeping. However, when she looks at the timer, the number showing is '108'. As she looks back to the computer, she sees Mr. Eko sitting there. He looks at her, then proceeds to type in the number '108'. The sound of the timer resetting is heard but the number on the timer remains the same. Eko stands up and walks to Claire. He gives her his stick and she looks at the inscriptions. At the place where 'John 3:05' was written, she finds a new inscription which reads: 'Cain 1:08'.

She wakes up in her tent and finds she is clutching Eko's stick, just as in the dream. She walks out of her tent, it is morning but still very early and not everyone is awake. She walks up to Jack's tent and wakes him.

Claire: We have 108 hours...

Hurley who was awake nearby walks over after hearing the number.

Hurley: 108 hours for what?
Claire: Until the battle for the Island.

Flash Alternate - It's 2006. Hurley is in Santa Rosa, wearing a robe. He's being walked to his therapy session. He walks into a room and the nurse leaves him alone. A shot of the therapist reveals it's Libby.

Libby: Hello Hugo. I'm Dr. Elizabeth Smith, but you can call me Libby.
Hurley: Hey.
Libby: How ab-
Hurley: And you can call me Hurley.
Libby: Ok, so how ab-
Hurley: Sorry.
Libby: For what?
Hurley: Interrupting you.
Libby: That's -
Hurley: I didn't again, didn't I?
Libby: Are you nervous?
Hurley: No.
Libby: Ok. So -
Hurley: Well, yeah. A little.
Libby (smiling): You look familiar. Have I seen you here before?
Hurley: Uh...I don't know...I was here a few years ago.
Libby: So was I.
Hurley: I'm pretty sure we never had a session together.
Libby: No, we didn't. Last time I was here, I was a patient.
Hurley: No way dude.
Libby: Yes way.
Hurley: What happened?
Libby: My husband died. Messed me up for a while. I think I might have seen you around the institute.
Hurley: Yeah, could be.

In the present, most of the survivors are gathered around Claire. Jack is inspecting Eko's stick (which steal reads 'Cain 1:08).

Jack: Claire, a dream...doesn't necessarily mean anything.
Claire: Then how do you explain the stick.
Jack: I don't know.
Kate: Do you think Vincent might have brought it to you?
Hurley: Dude...Vincent's still alive? That's awesome!
Claire: I don't know...he might have.
Jack: Well. There you have it then.
Claire: It doesn't explain why I can still sense the timing.
Jack: What do you mean?
Claire: I know that there are 107 hours left now. An hour has passed since I woke you.
Jack: It's only been an hour. It's fresh in your mind. Pretty soon you'll lose count.
Hurley: Dude...you just blew up a hydrogen bomb and fed us a story about destiny. What's changed?

Jack's unable to answer and the gathered survivors disperse.

Flash Alternate - It's 2007. Hurley is now out of Santa Rosa and dressed in a suit. Other similarly dressed people sit around the table. One of them, sitting directly across Hurley, is Boone. They listen to the man at the head of the table.

Man: And with the signing of this contract, Carlyle Incorportated and the Hugo Reyes Corporation will merge into a single entity - The Carlyle and Garcia Foundation. (after a pause) If both parties agree, we can sign the papers.
Hurley: Let's do this, dude.
Boone: Can't tell you how happy I am that this finally took off.
Hurley: Yeah. I just needed to stop looking at my money as a curse.
Boone: Money? A curse?
Hurley: Long story dude.

As they finish signing, the people at the table stand up, applaud and shake hands.

In the present, Hurley walks up to Jack.

Hurley: Hey dude.
Jack: Hey Hurley.
Hurley: So...like...dreams huh? Crazy stuff.
Jack: It's been three years and I haven't changed one bit.
Hurley: What do you mean?
Jack: Three years ago, Claire was having these dreams. I dismissed them. Pretty soon after that, Ethan kidnapped her.
Hurley: So, does that mean you believe her?
Jack: I'm skeptical. But if she says something going to happen in 108 hours. Then I'm ready for it.

Flash Alternate - Inside a Mr. Cluck's. Hurley and Libby are sitting together, they are now a couple. Sitting on the other side of the booth are Boone (who is now Hurley's partner) and Shannon. They are apparently also together.

Boone: So, hey, how did you guys meet anyway?

Hurley and Libby look at each other uneasily.

Hurley: We...met at a mental institution.

Everyone is silent for a while.

Libby: How about you guys?

It's now Boone and Shannon who look at each other uncomfortably.

Shannon: Um...our parents introduced us.
Libby: Oh! That's incredible, your parents knew each other before you guys met?
Boone: Well, actually...
Shannon: You know what? Why don't we talk about something else...like...um...something else...
Boone: Sounds good to me.
Hurley: Yeah.
Libby: But...
Hurley: Just go with it.

In the present, Cain wakes up in the middle of the night. He leaves his house and walks to Ben's house. Ben answers the door, half-asleep.

Cain: In ninety-two hours, we need to be at the beach.
Ben: Why?
Cain: Because that's when the Island will choose.

LOST

(Omitted scenes: More beach scenes; possibly more flash alternates)

Darryl, from Malta - Online.

LOST. Season 6, Episode 10 - Parlay

2009-08-17T11:02:00.008+02:00

The episode begins where the previous one left off, with everyone gathered around the guitar case. One of the Ajira redshirts inserts the code and the case unlocks. Everyone looks on intensely as the case is opened. Inside is a guitar.

Miles: I'm shocked.

Miles and Sawyer walk off. Bram grabs the guitar and smashes it against a tree.

Hurley: Dude! You didn't have to do that.

Bram doesn't acknowledge him as he searches through the broken guitar and pulls out a book.

Richard: I remember that. That's the Black Rock ledger.
Bram: I don't understand. I thought Widmore had it.
Ilana: Jacob told me he's be delivering something in a guitar case. This must be it. He must have taken it.
Richard: Why would he bring it back to the island. Years ago I put it on another island for the Hanso family to find.
Jack: The Black Rock. That's the ship in the middle of the island.
Ilana: This was Jacob's way of telling us what to do next.
Kate: The Black Rock still has dynamite on it. We could use those against the Others.
Hurley: Wait...I don't understand something. Claire, you said it's 2007. Jacob visited me in 2008. But you guys said he was dead...
Claire: Jacob's very powerful, Hurley. It's possible that he time travelled.
Jack: What if this guy wasn't Jacob? What if it's a trap?
Ilana: No. Definitely Jacob.
Jin: Why in a guitar case?
Bram: It's a stolen book. Widmore would have had people at every airport looking for it. No one would expect it in a guitar case.

Jack isn't convinced but they successfully manage to make him accept it. The decide to go out to the Black Rock and get whatever dynamite or weaponry they can find.

Kate (to Sawyer): Aren't you coming?
Sawyer: How many people do you need to collect dynamite?
Hurley: Yeah, I'd rather stay here too. Last time we were there pieces of Doctor Arn..Arz..the doctor ended up in mouth.

Jack, Kate, Bram and the two redshirts decide to make the journey by themselves. Bram opens the journal, skipping a few pages. He begins reading. The words of the book are shown on the screen:

It happened so abruptly...

Flashback - We see the Black Rock has crashed upon the rocks by the statue. Slaves are being marched out by the sailors. On the beach, Richard is next to two men.

Richard: So who are you?
Man 1: My name is Magnus. Magnus Hanso. I'm the captain of the ship. This is the first mate, Joshua Alpert. He's a mute so don't expect him to say much. Who are you?
Richard: My name is Ricardus. I'm one of the natives on the island.
Magnus: In my country, your name would be Richard.
Richard: Where are you from?
Magnus: Great Britain. I'm sorry for intruding on your island...We're not sure what happened really. One minute everything was fine and the next the tide became to much for us to handle. We'll be off the island as soon as we fix the ship. The damage is minor, it should only be a week or two.
Richard: There's no rush. Maybe you're supposed to be here.

In the present, Miles is sitting with Hurley.

Miles: Hey, so, what do you think about all this?
Hurley: Huh?
Miles: I mean...this..."war". How do you know you're on the right side?
Hurley: Uh...
Miles: I mean...look, you can see dead people, I can hear dead people...and then the bald guy tells us that if we join him, no one else has to die. That...kinda sounds like a good deal.
Hurley: In theory.
Miles: What?
Hurley: I'm sorry dude, but the last time I wasn't on Jack's team a lot of people died, Claire almost did too. You were there. I'm not making the same mistake again. I'm staying with Jack.
Miles: Hmm.

The Black Rock team arrive at the Black Rock and enter the ship. They find the dynamite and split the load between the five of them. As they're about to leave, Bram opens the book again and resumes reading.

We knew the natives and the slaves were getting along...but this was ridiculous.

Flashback - The slaves and the Others are shouting and cheering over the ship. The main crew hides further down the beach. Joshua writes the above sentence in his journal and continues on. This is at least two weeks after the crash based on the crew's appearance.

Magnus: This is ridiculous! The savage natives will lower the value of the Africans. Teaches me to trust uncivilized societies.

Back at the ship, the slaves grab some dynamite and hurl them at the statue. They explode and the statue crumbles. In the distance, Richard looks on scornfully. This was not what he had in mind.

In the present, Miles walks up to Sawyer.

Miles: James. (Sawyer grunts) I was just wondering what you thought about all this. Do you think we're on the right side?
Sawyer: For goodness sake Marshmallow man, I'm not your boss anymore. Make your own decisions and just leave me alone.
Miles: Ok then. Good talk.

A few minutes later, Jack and Kate return to the beach.

Claire: What happened? Where are the other?
Jack: We got all the dynamite. The others are just setting it up.
Hurley: Uh...I just thought about something. If the Others can't come in, doesn't that...like...mean we can't go out?
Jack: We've designated a secret area which we'll be able to enter and exit from safely. We'll show it too all of you once the others get back.

Further away, the Ajira crew are just finishing setting up the last dynamite trap. Bram opens the journal again.

They've joined forces...

Flashback - The Others and the slaves (who have now become Others) are holding the crew captive in the ship. Magnus is already handcuffed to the ship. They grab Joshua while he's writing and handcuff him. Suddenly the Smoke Monster's roar is held. The Others run out of the ship in a panic. The Smoke Monster emerges onto the beach and grabs the entire ship dragging it into the jungle. The ship is damaged further as it pounds through the jungle. The Smoke Monster drags it to the spot in the jungle we're familar with. Inside, a bruised Joshua looks around him. He spots Magnus who has died in the course of the journey. Elsewhere, Richard walks out to the beach and finds the journal (which must have fallen out of the ship during the Smoke Monster's attack). He picks it up and looks at it.

In the present, the Ajira crew walk out onto the beach.

Sun: One thing I still don't understand, how did a ship end up in the middle of the jungle?
Bram: The ledger doesn't mention anything. The last words are hurried, my guess is that the slaves grabbed him before he could finish.
Claire: What are the last words?
Bram: Nothing special. He says: They've joined forces, they've taken over. The Captain's locked up and they're...(after a pause) It ends there.
Jack: Arzt thought it might have been some tidal wave or something...

A few feet away, Richard listens to the conversation but does not reveal what he knows.

LOST

(Omitted scenes: More beach scenes, more scenes on the way to the Black Rock, possibly an additional flashback).

Darryl, from Malta - Online

LOST. Season 6, Episode 9 - The Price of Death

2009-08-16T11:05:00.005+02:00

The episode open with a flash alternate. It's 2004, Miles is sitting in the Kahana. Charlotte is in the same room. Keamy walks in.

Keamy: You two, get to the chopper. We're leaving now.
Miles: Yippee.
Keamy: Hey, you both know what you have to do. Get Linus and Hawking and get out of there. We'll cover you, you just focus on your tasks.
Charlotte: Linus and Hawking aren't the only reasons we're going to that island.
Keamy: Just complete your assignment, Lewis. What you do after that is up to you.

The three of them walk to the helicopter where the mercenary team is waiting. The pilot is not Frank.

In the present, Miles is sitting over the dead redshirt from the outrigger scene. His eyes are closed and the scene resembles the one in Confirmed Dead when Sayid was sitting over Naomi.

Bram: If you're done with him, we'd like to bury him.
Miles: Go ahead. He's a pretty boring guy. Not much there.

Bram and Miles carry the body to the cemetery where the survivors are gathered. A quick funeral is held.

Flash Alternate - Miles, Charlotte and mercenary team are at the sonar fence. A member of the team disables it and they run through, storming the barracks. The Others run in panic as their houses are blown up.

Keamy (to Miles and Charlotte): Go! Now!

They each run in different direction (apparently already aware of where they need to go). Miles approaches Ben's house and meets him walking out. He holds up his gun to him.

Ben: Miles, you don't want to do this...
Miles: How do you know my name?
Ben: I know a-
Annie: Daddy!
Ben: Annie, get inside.
Other (holding a gun up to Miles' head): Drop the gun!

He is consequently shot by a member of the mercenary team. Miles grabs Ben and forces him to walk at gunpoint. He runs into Charlotte who has trapped Daniel in a similar fashion.

Keamy: Alright! Let's get out of here!
Daniel: It's useless. You won't be allowed to leave.

As Daniel says this, the Smoke Monster begins roaring. Keamy speaks into his satellite phone and shouts orders to "Torch the island!".

The Freighter team try to run to the helicopter, some of them leaving pieces of metal behind as they go. The Smoke Monster catches up and takes some of them. Keamy, Miles, Charlotte, Daniel and Ben get to the helicopter safely and the pilot takes off. While in midair, Keamy punches a code into his Sat-Phone and several explosions are heard below. Everyone looks down to see the Island being engulfed in flames and the Smoke Monster moving erratically destroying anything in its path (including the Barracks). Daniel and Ben are distraught, but unable to react due to their binds and being held at gunpoint.

In the present, Jin and Sun sit at the beach. They speak in Korean.

Sun: Is your neck any better?
Jin: Yes. It's fine now. The shock was worse than the injury.
Sun: What possessed you to get into the outrigger?
Jin: They're our friends aren't they?
Sun: I don't know. The last time we trusted outsiders, you ended up dead for three years.
Jin: I never died.
Sun: But I didn't know that.

Elsewhere, Hurley and Miles are taking a walk.

Miles: So...you actually built a golf course?
Hurley: Yeah dude, look - there's one of the holes right there.
Miles: Unbelievable.
Hurley: It's too bad we don't have the clubs anymore. We could play a game.
Miles: Who does this? Stranded on an island and builds a golf course? Didn't you have better things to do like...I don't know...get rescued?
Hurley: Everybody had their thing. This was mine - entertainment. I mean, Jack was the doctor, Locke was the hunter, Michael built the raft, Sawyer stole stuff, Charlie played the guitar, Sayid...oh my God.
Miles: What?
Hurley: The guitar case. I lost it! I never brought it back to the beach! It might still be in the 70s!
Miles: So what?
Hurley: You don't understand dude! We need that guitar case! (Hurley runs off in the direction of the Swan.
Miles: Oh come on!

Miles walks after him.

Flash Alternate - Daniel and Ben are being held captive in a room on the Kahana. Miles and Charlotte are standing guard in the same room. Keamy walks in. Ben is distraught and Daniel seems to have regressed into the Daniel we saw after Charlotte's death in This Place is Death/LaFleur

Keamy: How do you like that Linus? Widmore won after all.
Ben: You killed all those innocent people. My daughter, his family (referring to Daniel). He broke the rules, and now neither one of us will have the island.
Charlotte: This was not the plan. I was promised I could explore the island - get answers.
Miles: Forget about the island, we never signed on for mass murder.
Keamy: Hey! You'll get paid for your services just as you were promised. As for you, Benjamin, don't try to get my sympathy. I know all about what you've done.
Ben: And I know what you've done, Martin. I have people off the island...and they'll come after all of you.
Keamy: Oh, Mikhail? Yeah, he's dead.
Daniel: Why? Why did you this?
Keamy: I'm sorry you got caught in the middle of all this, Hawking. But Mr. Widmore wanted you unharmed when we torched the island.
Ben: There were children on that island. You killed them.
Keamy (using the same tone Ben used in the Season 4 finale): So?

In the present, Miles and Hurley have arrived at the spot where they ended up after Juliet detonated the bomb.

Hurley: Help me look for it.
Miles: What's so special about this guitar anyway?
Hurley: I...don't know. I never opened it.
Miles: You're kidding me. All this panic for something you haven't seen?
Hurley: It was locked dude. I didn't know the code.
Miles: You forgot the code?
Hurley: No. It wasn't mine. Some guy left it in a taxi. I felt...like...I was supposed to bring it to the island.
Miles: Idiot.

After a while of searching they find it.

Flash Alternate - It's 2005. Miles drives through a gate in a very expensive car. He enters an expensive looking house. This is his house. The money from the freighter mission has allowed him to have all this. Miles hears whispers and looks around for the source. They stop, abruptly and Miles shrugs his shoulders. It is apparently not the first time he's heard them.

In the present, Hurley and Miles arrive back at camp. Ilana's group are shocked to see the guitar case.

Ilana: Who gave you that?
Hurley: Uh...I don't know...some dude.
Ilana: Blond guy?
Hurley: Yeah, that's right.
Ilana: That's Jacob.

As the rest of the camp gathers, Bram snatches the guitar case and Ilana's entire team begin working on opening it.

LOST

(Omitted scenes: Several more beach scenes)

Darryl, from Malta - Online

LOST. Season 6, Episode 8 - The End Game

2009-08-15T10:01:00.005+02:00

We open with a flashback. A small fishing boat is washing ashore. There are two men paddling, Jacob and his nemesis (i.e. Man in Black). Jacob steps out onto the sand and laughs as he looks around.

Jacob (in Latin): Well, will you look at that, Cain? Our very own Garden of Eden.

Jacob helps Cain out and they both smile and laugh excitedly. There is no animosity between them. We pan out and get a view of the entire island. There is no construction whatsoever or any sort of creepy feel. Jacob and Cain are clearly the first human beings to arrive here.

In the present, Cain sits in a house he has occupied for himself. He's looking at maps of the island and circling parts of it. There's a knock on the door. It's Ben. Cain returns to his desk while Ben stands in the room.

Cain (without looking at him): What do you want, Ben?
Ben: Answers.
Cain: To what?
Ben: Everything. Who are you? What's your name? Let's start with those.
Cain: These questions are irrelevant and a waste of my time. Leave me alone.
Ben: You made me kill Jacob, now you're asking me to kill Richard. I deserve to have some answers.
Cain: No, Ben, you don't. You seem to believe you're so special. You aren't. Just go back to your house and let me do my work.

Ben leaves, defeated.

At the beach, the survivors realise they've exhausted all nearby resources and decide to split up into groups. The Ajira crew and Jin will go hunting; Kate, Claire, Sun and Hurley will gather fruit and anything else that's edible; and Jack, Sawyer, Frank, Richard and Miles will go to the caves to collect water. The three teams leave for their missions.

Back at the barracks, Cain has just made himself a cup of coffee. He looks out the window and watches some Others playing American football. They're laughing and having a good time together. Cain watches them with a distant look.

Flashback - Jacob and Cain are sitting on the beach. They speak in Latin.

Jacob: It's for the best.
Cain: Why is it for the best? Why can't we keep this island to ourselves.
Jacob: Just the two of us? Come on, we've done that for a very long time. It's time to trust others with the island.
Cain: What's to trust? We left the outside world because we were tired of the evil all around. After all this time, what makes you think anything's changed? If anything it's only worsened.
Jacob: We just need to take a leap of faith. Are you with me?
Cain (sighing): Yeah. Ok. I'm with you. Who did you have in mind?

In the present, the Ajira crew and Jin are returning with a dead boar. Bram looks out and notices one of the outriggers is gone. The six of them look around in a panic until Jin spots it being paddled away in the distance. Ilana believes it's the Others and the six of them get into the outrigger and paddle towards it. The outrigger shootout from This Place is Death is now seen from Ajira's point of view. They begin firing but fail to hit any targets. One of the people from the other outrigger (Juliet) begins firing back. One bullet grazes Jin's neck and another hits a redshirt square in the chest. Bram orders everyone to keep firing but then watches the outrigger vanish before his eyes.

At the caves, the team is collecting water. Miles begins hearing voices and wanders away. He enters Adam and Eve's cave.

Miles: Hey Frank!
Frank: What is it?
Miles: The guy who owned the Kahana. His name was Widmore, right?
Frank: Yeah.
Miles: Because I think I've just met his parents. The voices are faint, but I can still make out the name 'Penny Widmore'.
Frank: Penny Widmore. That was his daughter not his mother.

The rest of the Cave team walk in.

Jack: That can't be his daughter. They were here when we crashed in 2004.
Richard: I remember them. These are Charles' parents. Desmond and Penelope.
Jack: No. Penny was his daughter.
Richard: I remember them mentioning a son. Charlie. That's the reason I brought Charles here in the first place.
Jack: Charlie. Charlie Hume? That's not Penny's father.
Richard (remembering): Wait a minute...they claimed to be from the future. And they told me about a plane crash in 2004.
Sawyer: Bingo Maybelline.
Richard: So I brought the wrong Charles. Well, that explains why they refused to see him when I told them I brought 'Charles Widmore' to the island.
Jack: But...these skeletons have been here at least fifty years. How is that possible?
Sawyer: Doc, we've just returned from the 1970s. Are you seriously still questioning this stuff?

The team gradually returns to the other caves. Jack is last to leave, looking back one last.

Jack: I guess it will have to be another life, after all.

At the Barracks, Cain walks to a bunch of Others who are moving rubble from one of the blown up houses.

Cain: What's going to happen to people who used to live here?
Other: We've all made arrangements to take in those who lost their homes until we can build new ones.
Cain: Is there enough space?
Other: We can make space. We can share for a little while. We are one community, after all.

Cain is touched and a little confused by these words, clearly not expecting to hear something like this.

Flashback - Jacob and Cain are walking through the jungle. They're keeping each other at a distance and the creepy feel of the jungle is also present, signaling that a significant amount of time has passed. They arrive at a cabin (the alleged Jacob's cabin). They speak in English.

Cain: What the hell are we doing here?
Jacob: You'll see.

Jacob pushes Cain into the cabin and quickly completes an almost finished circle of ash. Cain tries to charge at Jacob but is unable to leave.

Cain: What the hell is this?
Jacob: A way to keep you from hurting anyone else.
Cain: What kind of ash has that power?
Jacob: That's my half of the Smoke Monster. You've always wanted total control over it. Now you have it. I'd just like to see you exercise that power from inside there.
Cain: You can't do this! This is my island too. We're supposed to share it.
Jacob: You threw that out the window when you expressed a desire to kill me.
Cain: I only wanted that because of your obsession with destroying the island by bringing in new people.
Jacob: About a 100 years ago you told me that the outsiders were corrupting this island. But now I know the truth, Cain. You're the one who corrupts. You're the one who drives the outsiders to insanity. You and that damn sickness.
Cain: The Egyptians never had dealt with any sickness. Yet they still corrupted the island. Nothing will ever change.
Jacob: Enjoy purgatory, Cain.

In the present, the cave team has returned to the back to see both the other teams rushing around. They spot a dead Ajira crew member and Sun tending to an injured Jin. Jack goes to help.

Jack: Is he ok?
Sun: He'll be fine. It only scraped him.
Jack: What the hell happened here?

Ilana explains the incident. Sawyer and Miles look at each other and proceed to explain what happened.

At the barracks, after sunset, Cain stands looking at Ben's house. Through the window he sees Ben sitting on a sofa, looking at a photo album. He knocks at the house and Ben lets him in. They sit down.

Ben: What did I do now?
Cain: Nothing. Nothing. I was just thinking.
Ben: So you've come up with a plan, then.
Cain: Not about that. (after a pause) You were right.
Ben: Excuse me...
Cain: You do deserve to have answers. Here I am telling you that I don't want anymore lies in the community...and telling you to kill Jacob after all he put you through...and then I act the way I acted this morning. I...I'm sorry.

Ben is unable to speak in shock.

Cain: I was treating you no better than Jacob did. No better than he treated either of us.
Ben: Well...thank you for saying that.
Cain (smiling): When you spend as much time as I do, trapped in a cabin with no one to talk to...you learn to appreciate companionship. (after a while) My name's Cain, by the way. And tomorrow morning, I'd like you to come to my office.
Ben: What for?
Cain: We have a war to prepare for. An end game to set up. And I want you to be a part of it.

The camera zooms out of Ben's house where Ben and Cain continue to speak amicably.

LOST

(Omitted scenes: A light scene with the gathering team)

Darryl, from Malta - Online

LOST. Season 6, Episode 7 - No More Lies

2009-08-14T11:09:00.007+02:00

The Others arrive at the Barracks and disperse excitedly to their old houses. Although some are faced with just a pile of rubble following the attack from the freighter.

Jacob's Nemesis: What's the matter Ben? Not happy to be back?

Flash Alternate - Ben makes his way through the well-kept Barracks - it's 2004. In this timeline, the purge has still taken place and the Others are still in control of the Barracks. Many Others are gathered and we see several familiar faces such as Ethan and Goodwin. Two notable exceptions are Alex (since Rousseau's team was never brought to the island) and Juliet. The reason for Juliet's absence is immediately evident as we see pregnant women and babies on the island. Ben makes his way through the crowd and we see the Others have greeted Daniel and Theresa who have returned with the baby. Eloise Hawking is among them. Daniel walks up and shakes Ben's hand.

Ben: Congratulations Daniel.
Daniel: Thank you. We were so excited to bring him back home.
Ben: I trust you had no problems with the agency?
Daniel: None at all. Just as you said we wouldn't.
Ben: Yes, they were very accommodating to my situation.
Daniel: How's Annie?
Ben: Oh she's better now, thank you for asking. So have you picked out a name?
Daniel: Yes. We're going with Stephen.

At the beach in the present, Jack is having a discussion with Ilana and Bram.

Jack: We have two guns. Jin's and Miles'. The rest of them stayed in 1977.
Bram: We have five guns, one for each of us.
Ilana: That still leaves more than half the camp unarmed.
Bram: And we're drastically outnumbered.

Frank walks up.

Frank: Hey Jack, listen, we've got a whole bunch of survivors on the other island. Shouldn't we do something...
Bram: The Ajira survivors are not a priority Lapidus. They have nothing to do with any of this.
Frank: But they need help. They need to survive.
Bram: That's not our problem.
Ilana: Frank, look, let's just finish what we have to do here. Then, I promise, we'll go back and try to help them.
Jack: They'll be ok. They have the Hydra station and the supplies from the plane. We didn't have any station when we crashed and we were fine.

At the Barracks, Ben is in his house. It's in shambles. He makes his way to his desk which is also a mess. He sits down and closes his eyes for a moment. When he opens them he sees a picture of himself with Alex. He picks it up and looks at it longingly.

Flash Alternate - Once again, Ben is at his desk - this time it's neat. Eloise walks in.

Ben (without looking up): What can I do for you Eloise?
Eloise: I'm just here to remind you that Charles is still out there. And he'll do anything to get to the island. He could use the Lamp Post. Aren't you concerned?
Ben: Mikhail is guarding the Lamp Post. He will die before he lets anyone access it's power.
Eloise: And Charles will kill to do so.
Ben: Knowing Mikhail, that won't be a problem.
Eloise: I haven't seen Richard all week.
Ben: He's with Jacob.
Eloise: Haven't you seen him yet.
Ben (impatiently): No, Eloise. And neither have you. I have to be patient. He didn't choose me to be leader for nothing.
Eloise: He also chose me.
Ben (growing angry): No Eloise, he chose you and Charles to be co-leaders. He didn't trust either of you alone. That way, if one of you screwed up you have someone else to pick up the slack. And you used to be leader. Before you helped Dharma detonate a bomb on the island.
Eloise (looking down, ashamed): They told me...
Ben: They lied, Eloise. This is Dharma we're talking about. If that shaft had been a few feet higher, who knows what could happened! It could have affected the fertility of the people on this island in unpredictable ways.
Eloise: Where is this coming from?
Ben: I'm tired of you checking up on me. I'm sick of it, Ellie. I'm the leader.
Eloise: Yes, Ben.

In the present, Ben walks into a house now occupied by Jacob's nemesis.

Ben: So what's the plan?
Nemesis: Leave that to me.
Ben: But...
Nemesis: Ben, you're not the leader anymore. I am. Now, I'll allow you to take care of the trivial daily stuff, but you leave the strategy to me.
Ben: Very well.
Nemesis: Ben, one more thing. No more lies, ok? I want our people to know exactly what's going on. Lying was the reason you failed as leader.

Flash Alternate - Ben walks into his house. It's sunset.

Girl: Hi daddy!
Ben: Hey Annie! (A shot of a cabinet with photos on it reveals that the Annie of Ben's past is still absent in this reality, and this Annie is just his daughter)
Annie: Look! I drew a picture!
Ben: Wow! Is that me?
Annie: Yep! And that's me on the swing. (In a manipulative tone, typical of Ben) It's exactly what's going to happen in a few minutes.
Ben: Oh? Is that so? (laughs) Ok, but quickly before it gets dark.

They walk out to the swing and Ben starts pushing her. In the distance the noises of the smoke monster are heard. Annie is unfazed by them, considering them a common occurrence. Ben, however, seems a little suspicious. He continues to push Annie but with a distant look.

In the present, Ben walks out of his house to a lot of commotion and people carrying weapons. He walks up to Jacob's nemesis.

Ben: What's going on?
Nemesis: My latest orders. I want every adult armed at all times. You too, Ben.
Ben: Why?
Nemesis: Because I'm not taking any chances on an ambush. Richard's on their side. He knows how you work. We need to shake things up a little.
Ben: Richard is not a bad person.
Nemesis: But he's joined the wrong side. And when you get the chance, Ben, you have to shoot him. That's your next assignment.
Ben: But...I...
Nemesis: Don't tell me your dead daughter's words mean nothing anymore...
Ben: She told me to do what John Locke said.
Nemesis: I am John Locke now. So you either kill Richard, or I will kill you.

LOST

(Omitted scenes: More beach scenes; additional scenes at the Barracks; possibly more flash alternates).

Darryl, from Malta - Online

Digimon Entrance - A Top 10

2009-08-13T12:07:00.005+02:00

I'm taking a little break from Lost Season 6 today and posting this instead. The season will continue tomorrow. About a month ago, I received an email informing that Geocities will close down. Those of you who remember the FDD tribute a while back will know that this means that FDD will now be unresurrectable as more than half of the FDD sites were hosted on geocities, mine included.

So, I'll be posting a little Top 10 about my favourite sections of Digimon Entrance (my site). Some of them will be direct links to the geocities pages (in which case, the pages will be destroyed on October 26th 2009), others will be links to the Jimdo rescue service (these will remain up for as long as Jimdo continues to function). Of course, any links which are present on the Jimdo pages will also be accessible - with the exception of the links on the drop-down lists, which were not archived.

The original plan was to post this on the site's sixth birthday (which will be the 18th of August - five days from now). However, I made a mistake in the math and since it was ready, I decided to post it today - Enjoy! (Please note that Jimdo pages, have been skewed to fit Jimdo's specifications, thus the colour and format is not the original. You'll be able to tell the difference after you see a sample of each from below).

Ten
Times Going By...

This section chronicled the site's milestones. The page was one of the first to be put up and was updated on the site's 1-day, 1-week and 1-month birthday, as well as on its first and second anniversary. The first anniversary brought a major overhaul to the site, including changing the main colour scheme from blue to green and several new banners. The site's birthday was also blessed with continuous updates. The second birthday wasn't as lucky. Updates began - but were never finished. Blurry pictures of the original site are available on this page. Both the pictures and the content are original links and will disappear on 26th October.

Nine
Thanks

This section was created to pay tribute to those who helped out with our site. There were three people on the list - all of whom were added in the site's early days. These three people were my Uncle - the first visitor; Legend - veteran FDD and provided me with lots of help for the site; and Callie - an active member in the site's early days. This is an original link and will disappear on 26th October.

Eight
Coming Soon!

This page has effectively evolved into a six-year lie. The scope of this page was to give people an idea of what I had in store for the site (plus a way of allowing me to remember my plans). Whenever something from the list was added, I removed it and whenever I thought of something new, I'd add it. It was not a first-come, first-serve system...rather, whichever I felt ready to work on, would be worked on. At the site's closing, there were eight projects in queue. The first two on the list had been in development since the site's inception, but never garnered enough interest. The section which would have been set up next had the site remained open would have been a mailing list function, although looking back, I can't imagine that it would have been a popular function. This is an original link and will disappear on 26th October.

Seven
Crests

This section was an analysis of the crests of the original digidestined. It grouped the kids from the first three seasons based on the types of crests which best represent them. It's similar to the 'Sister Cities' project which is carried out in the real world. This is a Jimdo link and thus will remain available indefinitely. The page consists of links to the individual crest pages - all of which will remain available.

Six
Season 1

This section took a look at the entire Season 1 repertoire including the good guys, bad guys and the in-episode mistakes/continuity errors. Later, I also added a page dedicated solely to Myotismon. On the site, I roleplayed the parts of the eight digidestined and threw in myself as the guy in charge. The initial plan of the site was to eventually have them replaced by the Season 2 and later Season 3 cast. However, I abandoned this idea when I realised that maintaining the original, working formula was in the site's best interests. This is a Jimdo link and will remain available indefinitely - as will the links on that page.

Five
Kiriban

For those of you who do now know what the Kiriban is, it's a system whereby one rewards the visitors to their site by providing them with requests (Art/Stories etc.) for achieving a number on the webcounter. My webcounter jammed up for me so we only made it to the 1000th visitor kiriban. However, I offered any visitor to my site a free request to make up for this. Both requests (100 and 1000) were won by Legend. She requested a story be written and thus Saving Foxermon came to life. For her second request she asked for a sequel. Both stories are available on this page and will remain available until October 26th, as this is an original link.

Four
My FDDs

This section was an encyclopedia of every fictional character, Digimon and item/location that existed in my stories. Each has it's own detailed description and an illustration accompanying it. This is a Jimdo page so it will remain up indefinitely. I am unsure whether the pictures will also remain there past October 26th as they may still be hosted solely on the Geocities server. Guess we'll find out on October 27th!

Three
My Fanfiction

This is the place where my main (non-Kiriban) stories were stored. There were four stories over the time that I ran the site. The first three, were three different parts of The Meeting of the Digimon, taking place in an alternate universe to the one of the Digidestined. The fourth was the first part of The Change of Destined - which in itself was a multi-part fic which was never finished. Obviously, since Part 1 was never finished - parts 2 and 3 never got started. There were other planned Fanfics (there was a list of them similar to the Coming Soon section above). But, evidently, they never came to fruition. All my fanfics were given ratings - we had a page explaining the ratings too. This section is a Jimdo link and thus it will remain up indefinitely, as will the four stories.

Two
The Main Page

The Centre. The Capital. This was the main area. It changed quite a bit over time with things added and others removed or changed but the overall structure remained the same. Initially the bottom was filled with links for every single page on the site, before they were divided into three main sections, and email link, a message board link and a drop down list of miscellaneous sections. This was the centre and thankfully, is a Jimdo link! This means it will remain available indefinitely and all links may be accessed - except for those on the drop down list and the message board (which will be deleted sometime in October).

One
Updates

Yes, I understand that it may be strange that the main page does not hold the number 1 spot. However, if the main page is the capital city, then the updates page is the Presidential/Prime Minister's Palace. This was the most updated section of the site - even if there was nothing to update. It basically served as my blog, before I had a blog. In fact, the updates stopped coming, pretty much around the same time I started Darryl's Random Rants. The page was built on the site's first day (August 18th 2003), and the last update was on July 21st 2006, where I officially declared the site under 'indefinate' hiatus and announced that I had started a blog. Two years later, I would announce the site's closure on the main page, and proceed to write my Tribute to the FDD World blogpost. The updates section contained everything from my real thoughts to my invented fantasies, from my site updates to seasonal celebrations. It was all there. Unfortunately, it is an original link and will be completely destroyed in October. But it doesn't matter - because only by letting go of the past are we able to move forward.

Well, that's about it! However, I must make a special mention. The Index Page! While not officially part of the site, it was a portal to the Main Page. Later, when the site closed, I turned it into a portal for my personal projects (including this blog). It's a Jimdo page so it won't be deleted. The page also holds some pictures from the site's early years.

Salutations, Digimon Entrance! You were my first, and you will be remembered even after my last.

Darryl, from Malta - Online.

LOST. Season 6, Episode 6 - Genesis

2009-08-12T11:08:00.006+02:00

We open in the middle of a huge storm. Desmond in a sailing boat. There is a flash of lightning followed by a thunder crack. However, the light continues to get brighter and a time flash takes place. At the end of it, Desmond finds himself sailing on perfectly calm waters with blue skies and very little wind. Penny is with him.

Penny: What the hell was that?
Desmond: I have no idea...
Penny: Is that the island?

Desmond doesn't reply.

Flashback - Desmond's is waiting in a hallway. The skin under his nose is stained with dry blood. A man walks in and brings him a beer and the two of them walk into a room where Penny is with Charlie.

Man: Des...are you sure about this? I don't think I can do it...
Desmond: Brother, I spent a good portion of my life taking care of you and our brothers after what happened to dad. I need you to do this for me. You're the only person I trust. You're married - settled. You have a steady job. Please.
Man: It's not because I don't want to help man, I don't know how to raise a child. Wouldn't it make more sense to take Charlie with you?
Desmond: Where we're going...that's out of the question.

Desmond's brother nods. The rest of the scene involves Penny tearfully saying goodbye to a confused Charlie (reminiscent of Kate's farewell to Aaron). Desmond also says goodbye to Charlie, but starts bleeding out of both nostrils and collapses.

In Desmond's present, Desmond and Penny pull the boat onto the beach. Desmond looks around for a sign of the other survivors but doesn't see anyone.

Desmond: We must be at the wrong beach.
Penny: Are you sure this is the right Island?
Desmond: Definitely.
Penny: How's your head?
Desmond: I feel fine now. No headaches, no blood...just as I thought.

As Desmond and Penny look around, Richard Alpert walks up to them.

Richard: I was told you'd come.
Desmond: I'm sorry brother, have we met?
Richard: No. But someone's been expecting you.
Desmond: Have my friends spoken to you?
Richard: Your friends?
Desmond: The people who were on the island when I was here last.
Richard: You've been on the island before? I think I would have know something like that.
Desmond: I spent three years in that bloody hatch brother. If it hadn't been for the survivors of the plane crash, I'd still be trapped there.
Richard: What are you talking about? What plane crash?
Desmond: Oceanic 815. It crashed in 2004.
Richard (laughs): Well...thanks for telling me. I look forward to witnessing it...in ninety years time.

Flash Alternate - In this alternate flash, we look at the hypothetical situation that the Jughead plan was not the cause of the Incident, but the solutions (as was the intention). It's 2001. Desmond pulls his sailing boat to shore and is greeted by Penny. Desmond has completed the race and they embrace. Charles Widmore walks up to them.

Charles: Fourth place, Desmond. Not bad. As far as I'm concerned you've proven your worth to me and you have my blessing to continue seeing Penny.
Desmond: Thank you, sir! (They shake hands and Charles leaves Des and Penny alone)

In the present, Richard is walking with Desmond and Penny.

Desmond: Can you tell us how to get back to our time, brother?
Penny: I'm sorry. But this doesn't make any sense. We left in 2008...how did we go back to 1914. It's not possible.
Richard: There are many things on this island one wouldn't think possible, ma'am. However, going to the future...that's not one of them.
Desmond: You mean...we're stuck in the past.
Richard: Yes. But you're supposed to be here and you have my word that my people will not harm you in any way. On the contrary, if you need assistance, we're never too far.
Desmond: I don't understand. The last time I was here, all your people did was terrorise us.
Richard: I can't speak for my future self. But I have insturctions to let you live peacefully on this island, together.
Desmond: Who's instructions?

Richard doesn't answer.

Flash alternate - It's 2002. Desmond walks into an apartment in Los Angeles. He's dressed smartly. He takes a seat at an otherwise empty dinner table.

Man: Your host has asked me to apologise on his behalf for the delay. He'll join you shortly. In the meantime, he has requested that I serve the appetizers.
Desmond: To be honest, I'm not even sure why he I'm here.
Man: You're getting married in a month. Consider this part of his wedding present. As well as an apology for all that he's put you through.
Desmond: That's very nice of him.

Desmond starts eating. After a few minutes he feels a pain in his heart and shortly after dies. The man serving the food is revealed to be Paolo (this being the crime he would be sent to jail for in the alternate timeline). He picks up a mobile phone and dials a number.

Paolo: Mr. Widmore. It's done. Hume is dead.
Charles (over the phone): Well done, Paolo. I've deposited the money into your account.
Paolo (as he leaves the apartment): Thank you sir.

In Desmond's present, some time has passed and he and Penny have built a cabin over what would eventually become the Swan site. Desmond hears Penny crying from inside and he investigates.

Desmond: What's wrong?
Penny: Today would have been Charlie's third birthday. I miss him so much.
Desmond (feeling guilty): I'm...so sorry about this Penny. I...
Penny: No. It's ok. If we hadn't had come here, you'd be dead. This way, I know both of you are still alive.
Desmond: You didn't have to come with me.
Penny: Yes. I did. I couldn't lose you again. And Charlie's better off with your brother and his wife. My father won't find him there.

Desmond and Penny embrace and continue to cry together.

Flash Forward - Two people are carrying an old woman into a cave. The old woman is a dead Penny. The two people are an old Desmond and a young Eloise "Ellie" Hawking. It's 1955. When Ellie speaks to Desmond, she is clearly fascinated by him and admires him, in contrast to the future Eloise Hawking.

Ellie: You can come back to our camp if you want. We can look after you.
Desmond: No. I promised Penny I'd never leave her again. And I won't. I know I don't have much time left, and I'd like to spend the little I do with her.
Ellie: It's amazing what both of you did. Leaving your son for the greater good. I don't think I'd ever be capable of doing something so great.

Desmond doesn't reply to this.

Ellie: Here. Take these. (She hands him a bag)
Desmond: Why are you giving me this?
Ellie: One's for you...and the other for her. A black stone and a white stone. Darkness and light. Good and evil. As long as one exists, the other one will too - they're drawn together. Just like you and Penny. There's no Penny without Desmond, and vice versa.
Desmond (smiling): Thank you, Eloise.
Ellie: No, thank you, Desmond.

Ellie leaves and Desmond lights a fire. He sits down next to Penny and opens his book - Our Mutual Friend and begins to read.

LOST

(Omitted scenes - Scenes with Desmond acquainting Penny to island life; possibly one additional Flash Alternate between Desmond's race and his death).

LOST. Season 6, Episode 5 - Promises

2009-08-11T10:09:00.006+02:00

Kate walks up to Claire who's staring out into the water.

Kate: I was looking after Aaron. Off the island. (A slight pause) He's with your mother now.
Claire: Thank you. I know how hard it must have been to leave him after taking care of him for three years.
Kate: That's something I was thinking about actually. Why did you leave him?
Claire: I don't know. It just felt like the right thing to do. I couldn't control myself.
Kate (after a short while): It's the reason I came back to the island. To take you to him.
Claire: I'm surprised you didn't bring him along. Why not?
Kate: You told me not to...warned me not to bring him to the island.
Claire: Kate...I haven't left the island in three years. I never said anything.
Kate: But...I saw you. You were caressing Aaron and you turned to me and...
Sun: I don't think that was Claire.
Kate: No! I saw her!
Sun: Kate, I've spent the better part of last week believing John Locke was alive. Maybe it's the same person.
Kate: Why wouldn't he want Aaron to come back?
Claire: Because...if Aaron came back...you wouldn't have flashed back to 1977. And the person parading around as Locke, would have had to face more obstacles in order to kill Jacob.

Flash Alternate - It's 2004, LAX. Kate and the Marshall are walking out, the Marshall carrying his briefcase. Other agents are present and escort Kate into a police car which drives away.

In the present, Sun gives Claire Charlie's ring.

Sun: I found it in Aaron's crib, I think Charlie wanted you to have it.

Claire is clearly emotional.

By the sea Jack walks up to Kate. She smiles.

Jack: Claire asked me if I was going back home once all this is over.
Kate: Are you?
Jack: I don't know. Actually, I came to ask you what you were going to do.
Kate: I have nothing to go back to Jack. Just a violation of probation.
Jack: What about...(he stops, remembering his promise not to mention Aaron).
Kate: Aaron? It's ok, Jack. You can ask me about him now. We found Claire.
Jack: Well...you have Aaron to go back to.
Kate: No. I came here to bring Aaron's real mother home. I'm not going to mess with that.
Jack: What makes you think Claire wants to go home? She's lived here for three years...and she doesn't seem to be in a rush to go anywhere...
Kate: Just drop it, Jack.

Flash Alternate - It's Kate's trial. A witness is being called, the situation resembling Kate's real trial after the Oceanic 6 rescue. However, instead of Jack, it is Diane Janssen who walks in. She testifies against her daughter. The judge calls for a recess so that the jury could deliberate.

In the present, the Ajira/Others group have almost arrived at the beach.

Ben: Ok. We're here - now what?
Jacob's nemesis: Now...we convince everyone to join the right side.

On the beach, everyone stops when they see the Others approaching. They gather close to each other - most of them in shock when they see John Locke's animated body.

Jacob's nemesis: Relax. We're not here to hurt anybody.
Jack: John?
Sun: That's not Locke, Jack. That's an imposter.
Sawyer: A shapeshifter? What is this? X-Men?
Nemesis: No, James. Claire's right - I'm not John Locke. I'm just using his body. And I'd like to invite all of you to come with me.
Claire: Why would we do that?
Nemesis: Because if everyone's on the same side, there's no war. Nobody else has to get hurt.

Sawyer and Jack are clearly affected by these words. Jack is also struggling with his apparent loss in control.

Claire: Everyone's free to join any side they wish. But after what you've been doing to me for the past three years...what you did to my son...
Nemesis: I never asked you to abandon your son Claire...you did that.
Kate: I'm not going anywhere with you. I'm with Claire.

The rest of the survivors seemingly agree, making this unique in the sense that only Claire was able to unite the survivors behind one cause (albeit, some less willingly). Ilana, Bram, Frank and the three redshirts in Ilana's group make their way to Claire's group. Then, in a move which shocks most of the others and especially Ben, Richard also moves behind Claire. The Others are clearly conflicted about what to do, but choose to stay with Ben and Jacob's nemesis.

Nemesis: Ok then. If any of you change your mind, we'll be at the barracks. You're free to come by anytime. It's a pity it has to come down to war - but you chose this path.

They turn and walk away.

Flash Alternate - It's 2005. Kate is on the prison grounds and seems to be walking to an isolated area. She accidentally hits a trash can which startles someone on the other side of the fence (the men's section of the prison).

Kate: Oh, I'm sorry...I-
Man: No, it's ok. You just startled me. Please, sit.
Kate: Thanks.
Man: What's your name?
Kate: Kate.
Man: Pleased to meet you, Kate. I'm Paolo. (I.E. A shot of his face reveals it's Oceanic 815 Paolo) What are you in for?
Kate: Killed my father. What about you?
Paolo: Poisoned a man a few years back. The guy who hired me turned me in.
Kate: My mother turned me in.
Paolo: I didn't realise this was a competition. (after a few seconds) My girlfriend and I had just come back from Australia...and the police came after me. She thought they were after us for a different person we poisoned in Australia, so she took the diamonds and abandoned me.
Kate: You poisoned someone for diamonds?
Paolo: She did. I poisoned him for her.
Kate: It's funny. The way the system works. Good and bad. Who's good and who's bad? Which side is which? Doesn't a bad guy think what he's doing is good?
Paolo: You killed your father. Do you think you're one of the good guys?

Kate doesn't answer.

In the present, the Others are trekking through the jungle.

Ben: Why are we going to the Barracks? What good will that do?
Nemesis: Ben, you've spent the last three years living comfortably in the outside world. These people have had to live in tents because that's what Richard told them they had to do. They deserve to go back home.

The Others are excited about this and are clearly over the fact that they went against Richard's wishes. A montage begins at this point (possibly to Wash Away as in Tabula Rasa). We see the Others walking away and then flash to the beach. We see the survivors rebuilding their old tents which were weakened over the past three years. Bram, Ilana and the rest of the newcomers are building their own tents or taking over abandoned ones. Hurley helps Richard with his, evidently putting aside previous differences with the Others. Ilana and Frank smile at each other as they collect firewood. Claire sits at her old, destroyed tent rocking the broken cradle Locke made and looking at Charlie's ring. Kate sits away from all the others, looking out to sea mysteriously - a look similar to Locke's at the end of Tabula Rasa.

LOST

(Omitted scenes: Additional beach interaction among the other characters; possibly an additional scene with Ajira/Others on their way to the Beach camp).

LOST. Season 6, Episode 4 - In Harm's Way

2009-08-10T09:59:00.006+02:00

The survivors are gathered around an unconscious Sayid. He's fidgeting and sweating profusely. After a few minutes, he dies silently. Miles relays his last thoughts as being "A walk sounds lovely, Nadia".

Flash Alternate - 2004. Pregnant Claire is in a Los Angeles adoption centre. An agent enters the room and tells her that the couple she was supposed to meet have changed their minds. A disappointed Claire stands up to leave but the agent stops her. Claire is told that there's another couple who are looking to adopt, and she could meet them the next day. Claire agrees.

Jack and Claire are digging Sayid's grave.

Jack (uncomfortably): This used to be a lot easier when there were forty of us. (After a pause) Claire...did you know a Christian Shepherd?
Claire (surprised): He was my father. (Jack nods) He's also the image the bad man used to lure me away from Aaron.
Jack: Claire, uh...Christian Shepherd...was my father too.

Claire stops digging in shock.

Jack: When we got off the island...we held a funeral of sorts for him. Your mother was there. She's the one who told me.
Claire: But Jack...my mother was in a coma. Are you telling me that he actually did it?
Jack: Excuse me?
Claire: Jacob. He said he'd pull her out of it. Are you telling me he was telling the truth?
Jack: Claire, it's not completely unheard of for people to recover from long standing comas. (After seeing that Claire does not respond to this) Look, I don't know what happened but the fact is, when we get off the island - you won't find your mother bedridden.
Claire: Get off the island? So you plan on leaving again?
Jack (sighing): I haven't decided yet. I'll think about it if I survive long enough.

Jack smiles and they continue digging Sayid's grave.

Flash alternate - Claire is back at the agency. The person from the day before walks in with the hopeful adoptees, two familiar faces.

Agent: Mr. and Ms. Hawking, this is Claire Littleton. Claire, this is Daniel and Theresa Hawking.

Daniel does not appear to be the twitchy man we know him to be, and for some reason, in this reality he has not felt the need to change his surname. Theresa is evidently not suffering from any experiments and she and Daniel are married. The three exchange pleasantries and proceed to ask each other questions.

Theresa: We met at Oxford. We're both into physics.
Daniel: Actually, she's the physicist. I'm more into harmonics and music.
Claire: You're a musician? Then...do you know 'Catch a Falling Star'?
Daniel: Yes, I do.
Claire: Do you think...you could...sing it to the baby, or play it or something. My dad used to sing me that song and...
Daniel: Sure, it's no problem.
Agent: Mr. and Ms. Hawking live in Portland but they'll be in Los Angeles for a while, until the baby is born.

After a while the papers are signed.

In the present, the survivors gather for Sayid's funeral. The funeral is typical of the funerals the survivors used to hold pre-Season 4. Hurley eulogizes. At the end of it, all the survivors help replace the sand, except for Sawyer who quickly walks off. Evidently, he was only there out of courtesy and wasn't really interested in participating.

Flash alternate - Claire is lying in a hospital room, having just given birth. Daniel and Therese are in the room holding the baby.

Claire: Have you picked out a name?
Theresa: We're still floating a few options around.
The baby squirms in her hands and Claire looks on sadly, clearly having doubts about her decision.
Claire: I understand that what I'm about to ask may seem strange...and I know I signed off all rights but...do you think I could visit him...just once, in a little while from now. To see if he's...you know...ok.

Daniel and Theresa look at each other nervously.

Theresa: That might be a problem...
Daniel: Yeah, where we live isn't easily accessible. You see, it's not quite in Portland.

In the present, Ilana's group and the Others continue their trek to the main beach camp. Ilana and Bram trail behind slightly.

Bram: So what now? If he's dead...haven't we lost already?
Ilana: I don't know yet. Richard's still alive so not everything is lost.
Bram: Fine. What about the pilot - Lapidus? With Jacob gone, he's useless to us.
Ilana: Not completely useless. Sure, plans have changed, but he's a good guy and he's nice too. We don't have a reason for getting rid of him.
Bram: And what if he turns against us? Joins the wrong side? We attacked him and abducted him...that enough to make him think that we're the bad guys.
Ilana: It's a chance we'll have to take.

At the beach camp, it's nighttime. Claire wakes up. She looks around and sees a figure by the graveyard. She stands up to investigate and notices it's Saywer who has put up two new crosses.

Claire: Who are those for? (Sawyer doesn't answer so she steps closer, she makes out Juliet's name on one of them) You and Juliet became close huh?
Sawyer: What's it to you.
Claire: Nothing. The other one doesn't have a name on it.
Sawyer: Juliet and Sayid aren't the only people we lost. We lost more people than I can remember when we were jumping through time...and never gave them the send off they deserved. Just because they weren't part of the A-team.
Claire: I was in a cabin at the time. I remember seeing flashes of light...but the cabin remained dark. When I was told that it was safe to leave, everyone was gone. The beach, the caves...no one.
Sawyer: We looked for you, Claire, we tried so hard...but...
Claire: It's ok. I know. I'm the one who ran off.

The two of them just stand there facing the new crosses, silently.

LOST

(Omitted scenes: An additional flash alternate with Claire and Carole; Beach interaction among the other survivors; possible more Ajira/Others interaction).

Darryl, from Malta - Online.

LOST. Season 6, Episode 3 - Not Forever

2009-08-08T12:16:00.004+02:00

Claire and Sun emerge from the jungle and walk across the beach to the rest of the Losties. Jin spots Sun and they run to each other. The tell each other that they will be together forever. The rest of the survivors greet Claire, except Sayid who is in pain.

Flash Alternate - Sun and Jin are in LAX, Flight 815 having landed safely. Jin turns to Sun and tells her that he will perform one last task for her father, and then they will move here permanently. He tells her that they will learn English and build new lives for themselves in Los Angeles. Sun is happy about this but admits that she already knows English, but doesn't tell him why she knows. Jin looks disappointed but tells her that it doesn't matter.

On the island, Sun shows Jin a picture of Ji Yeon while Claire explains to the rest of the survivors what she's been through since she disappeared (the same story she told Sun). Sayid begins uttering random things - these things being the last words several people who died on the island said, starting with Boone's "tell her I...". Everytime Sayid is about to speak throughout the episode, whispers can be heard coming from the jungle, the whispers saying the exact same thing that Sayid would be about to say.

Privately, Jack admits to Kate that Sayid is delirious and will die. He adds that it will be painful unless they knock him out. He suggests she take a group to the Staff station and bring back as many things as they can find, but to look out for chloroform which they could use on Sayid. Kate mentions that Jack doesn't usually admit when he can't save someone.

Kate gathers Miles and attempts to get Sawyer. But he is not interested in doing anything, still distant since losing Juliet. Jin and Sun are initially reluctant to part ways again, but realise that Sayid needs help so Jin joins Kate and Miles while Sun remains at the camp to help Jack with Sayid.

At the statue, Ben and Jacob's nemesis emerge and everyone gathers around. Richard reveals that they know 'Locke' is just a poser and asks what Jacob told them. They say that Jacob didn't tell them anything and that he is dead. Everyone begins speaking excitedly while Richard and Ilana's group are visibly angered.

Other: "We've never seen Jacob. As far as we're concerned he could have just been made up. The fact that he's dead, doesn't really change anything."

Most of the Others agree with this. Frank inquires as to what will happen. Jacob's nemesis tells them that they will trek to where the Oceanic survivors are staying, then everyone will be able to choose their sides in the upcoming war.

At the Staff, the group notices that the station has been raided just as the camp was. They gather the few resources that were left behind, but do not find any chloroform. They begin walking back to the beach.

At the beach, Hurley is telling Claire that it feels strange to be back in 2008. Claire, confused, tells him that it's 2007. Hurley insists that the plane left in 2008 at which point, Claire suggests that whatever they are supposed to do, takes place in 2007.

The Staff group arrive at the camp without the chloroform. Sun uses her botanic knowledge to whip up a substitute which is less effective, but will get the job done. Just before she uses it on Sayid, the whispers are heard. Sayid looks at Sun and tells her "I'm your son...". He then loses consciousness.

Flash Alternate - It's 2006 - Sun is cradling a baby. Michael walks into the room in a suit and kisses her. Apparently, Sun and Jin's marriage broke apart and fate brought Sun and Michael together. Walt walks into the room, also dressed smartly. The baby is clearly not Jin's but Michael's. Walt and Michael have seemingly reconciled. The four of them are a family. They go to a cemetry and visit Jin's grave. Michael and Walt stay a few feet back while Sun goes up to the gravestone. She is not crying. In Korean, she tells Jin that the baby was born, and that she and Michael had a son. She tells him that she's cut off all ties with her father for what he did (implying that Mr. Paik had Jin killed). She goes on to say that she's sorry that the marriage didn't work and says that maybe some things are not meant to last forever. As the four of them walk away, Walt complains of a headache. From behind them, a perched bird falls to the floor - dead.

LOST

(Omitted scenes: Interaction among the Staff group (going to the Staff and coming from it); More Sun flash-alternates; More interaction with a delirious Sayid as he recites other last words).

Darryl, from Malta - Online

LOST. Season 6, Episode 2 - The Way It Was Supposed To Be

2009-08-07T10:08:00.005+02:00

The episode opens at the destroyed Swan Hatch in 2007. It is deserted until Jack, Kate and Sawyer appear in the aftermath of the Jughead explosion. Sawyer attempts to enter the station to save Juliet but is convinced by Jack and Kate that even if she's still there - she's dead.

Sawyer points out that Jack's plan failed and Jack looks disappointed - and almost as distraught as Sawyer. They begin looking for their friends. Nearby, Miles arrives at the spot where Sayid, Jin and Hurley are. They've also arrived in 2007 and discuss the fact that Jack's plan failed. Sayid is still bleeding.

Flash Alternate - A flash alternate reveals the alternate lives of the survivors had Oceanic 815 never crashed. In this flash we see Sayid, wearing the clothes he wore on Oceanic 815, in Los Angeles. It is evidently 2004. He rings a doorbell which is answered by Nadia. They greet each other; hug; kiss etc.

Jack, Kate and Sawyer arrive. Jack tends to Sayid. While discussing the events, Miles suggests that detonating the Hydrogen bomb was the Incident all along, and this was the way it was supposed to be. When Jin asks how it's possible they're all still alive if that is true. Hurley expresses the belief that just as the Island sent them to the 70s to keep history intact, the island also returned them to the present once that was fulfilled. Miles is surprised at Hurley's sudden grasp of time travel. The group agree to move to the old beach camp, so that they could use some of their old supplies to help Sayid.

At the Statue, Claire and Sun discreetly leave the rest of the group and make their way back to the main beach camp. Sun asks Claire about the past three years. Claire explains that Jacob and another man (Jacob's nemesis) had been fighting over for the past three years and that control over her was shifting periodically. She exclaims that with Jacob she felt she had a choice, while with the other man she felt forced and in a trance. She goes on to say how Jacob ended up winning - and the other man decided to go after someone else (whom we know to be John Locke). Claire then reveals that she had been told to lead the survivors in a war, but admits she is as confused as Sun is as to why she was chosen.

Jack et al arrive at the raided beach camp. They spot the outriggers and carry Sayid to Jack's old tent. It is sunrise now. They notice that all their supplies are gone and other than a few sheets, there isn't much they can use to help Sayid. Sawyer and Miles recognise this camp from one of their time shifts but do not say anything.

Flash alternate - It's 2005, married Sayid and Nadia are walking down a street. Nadia can't find her sunglasses. The scene is almost identical to the one in The Incident. A man (not Jacob) asks Sayid for directions while Nadia walks on. She turns back having found her glasses. A car speeds past, frightening Nadia but not hitting her. The man thanks Sayid and walks on. Sayid and Nadia cross the road unharmed.

Claire and Sun realise they've almost arrived at the beach camp. Claire tells Sun that Jin is here. There is relief on Sun's face. At the statue, Frank asks whether anyone has seen Sun, but no one has. Frank looks worried.

LOST

(Omitted scenes: More interaction at the statue, such as anxiety waiting for Ben and Jacob's nemesis to emerge; more survivor interaction as well as more details on Claire's disappearance; more Sayid flash-alternates).

Darryl, from Malta - Online

LOST. Season 6, Episode 1 - One Last T-Eye-M

2009-08-06T14:02:00.004+02:00

Visitors from DarkUFO/SpoilerTV can skip the first part and get right to the story. Just jump to the part which says "Story Starts Here" in bold.

Here's a new thing I'll be doing on my blog, seeing as I haven't had much to say lately. Most of you will know that I'm a LOST aficionado. So, in this hiatus before the final season I have decided to try my hand at writing the sixth season, just for fun.

However, I do not have the time or patience to write blow-by-blow scripts so what I'll be posting is an overall episode synopsis. This will include a mixture of what I think will happen and what I would like to see happen. So some of the things I write I might not necessarily want them to happen, and others I might not necessarily think that they will happen. Other parts would be what I view to be natural courses of action without them necessarily falling under the former two columns (i.e. think it will happen and hope it will happen).

There will be 16 episodes and I'll be taking the story in a direction most of you wouldn't expect. Some parts of the possible episode will be left out and I'll list these at the end. Thus if I don't include a character in the main outline and I don't list their adventures as being omitted, it means they are not present in the episode.

Story Starts Here

An eye opens in the jungle. The same place where Jack landed in the pilot. The camera pans out and we see that the eye belongs to Claire. She stands up, confused. In the distance she hears cries for help. She runs through the jungle and see that an Oceanic plane has crashed - apparently in the same way as Oceanic 815.

She runs to help the survivors. That night she is still with this new group, helping where she can. A flight attendant walks up to her and asks whether she was on the plane, as she can't remember her. Claire tells them that she crashed on the island on Oceanic 815. The survivors look confused, apparently not remembering the crash. She tries to refresh their memory and tells them it crashed on September 22nd 2004.

The survivors begin whispering to each other and one of them says that it is September 23rd 2004, and that there was no plane crash the day before. Claire is clearly disturbed by this information.

The next day, a man comes out of the jungle carrying another survivor who has apparently just died. The man explains that while looking for the cockpit, they found another plane and tried to use it's radio to call for help. He explains how the plane crashed to the ground with the now dead man still in it (This is the same drug plane which killed Boone).

The man is crying and in spite of being comforted by the rest of the survivors is unable to pull himself together and runs into the jungle. A gunshot is heard. Claire and a few survivors run to see that the man has been shot dead by another group of people. These are the tail section survivors of the plane. Claire immediately begins noticing the similar experiences of the Oceanic 815 survivors and this plane.

Hours later, back at the beach, Claire spots Christian Shepherd (just like Jack did in White Rabbit). She pursues him and he seemingly tries to get away. Eventually he stops and Claire catches up to him. She asks him for an explanation. He ignores her question and tells her that she has to be a leader now. He goes on to use the line "there's a war coming" and that she needs to gather her friends to fight for the right side.

Claire: "But my friends aren't here anymore Dad."
Christian: "You speak to me as if I were your father."

Christian then walks away as Yemi did in The Cost of Living with Claire asking him who he is. The Smoke Monster appears and grabs Claire tossing her around in the same way Eko was.

Meanwhile, off the island, Desmond et al have just returned from the hospital and are on the boat. They're getting ready to sail again when Charlie starts to whimper and runs to Penny. When she looks at Desmond she sees that he is suffering from a nosebleed but he is apparently unaware. Once he realises, Desmond begins to panic. Penny believes it's just because he hasn't fully recovered, but Desmond knows better. He tells her that he thinks he understands why he has to go back to the island.

He tells her that if he doesn't, he will die.

Back on the island, an eye opens again. It's Claire and she is unharmed, the past day having apparently been a hallucination or vision. She is also in a completely different part of the jungle. It's night time and in the vicinity she hears voices. She walks towards them.

Meanwhile, it's been a few hours since Sun saw Locke's body. Ben and Jacob's nemesis have not returned from inside the statue and Richard is tempted to go in after them. Moving away from the rest of the crowd, Sun sees a figure emerging from the jungle. As she moves forward and squints her eyes she recognises the person.

Sun: "Claire?"
Claire: "Sun! Good to see you again."

LOST
(Omitted scenes: Possible scenes at the statue with Ilana's group/Others. As well as possible scenes with Ben and Jacob's nemesis inside the statue following Jacob's death.)

Darryl, from Malta - Online

Criminology Files : #5 - Juvenile Crime

2009-07-01T13:04:00.002+02:00

And finally, here is the fifth part of the series. I hope you've enjoyed reading them more than I enjoyed writing them. Well...let's face it...you couldn't have enjoyed reading them LESS than I enjoyed writing them. The research contained in this assignment relates to the following title :

Why is animal abuse considered a significant early warning sign of juvenile delinquency? What is the relationship between animal cruelty and criminal conduct and why is it critical to understand the motivations underlying animal cruelty for designing effective juvenile crime intervention strategies?

This edition is likely to appeal to those interested in : Criminology, Juvenile and Youth Issues and Animal Rights, Issues and Legislation

The entire series is posted as has been presented to the university, and no part has been altered or inserted after it's presentation.

In this assignment, I shall examine the way tendencies of animal abuse in children tend to be representative of future delinquency, unless the situation receives due attention. Furthermore, I shall attempt to look at the way the juvenile criminal justice system could use the knowledge of this relationship to devise appropriate juvenile crime prevention and juvenile criminal rehabilitation strategies based on the common factors animal abuse and juvenile delinquency share.

Animal abuse takes place when humans bring about harm to other animals in some shape or form. Animal abuse can be divided into two types. The first is abuse by commission or active cruelty. This occurs when a person actually harms the animal through direct action by attacking or performing sexual acts with it. This is the type of abuse which is most relevant in predicting future delinquency. The second type is abuse by omission or passive cruelty. Put simply, this includes all acts of neglect. Therefore, there is no direct injury to the animal (Pet-Abuse.com, 2009). This is less reliable in detecting future delinquency as children may neglect the animal out of boredom as they tend to do when any novelty wears off and thus, this does not necessarily reflect and inner lust for the pain of others. However, at the same time, if the neglect is deliberate, then it is possible that the child may be seeking satisfaction in the suffering of others.

Macdonald (1963) came up with the triad of sociopathy, better known as the Macdonald triad. This theory assesses the characteristics which lead to sociopathic behaviour in the future. The first two are compulsive bedwetting and incineration of objects while the third is animal abuse. He alleged that these three traits where present in the childhood of people with sadistic tendencies. Further studies on the subject showed that these traits tended to develop in children who were themselves, victims of cruelty (Dicanio, 2004). Pleasure which is brought about by the pain of animals is referred to as zoosadism, a term initially used by Ernest Borneman.

Zoosadism is inherently sadistic as the sole source of contentment is the suffering of the weak through both physical and sexual means. Goleman (1991) asserted that rapists and murderers (particularly serial rapists and murderers) were found to have a history of animal cruelty classified under zoosadism. Very often, the violence directed at animals does not necessarily indicate a dislike for animals, rather a suppressed hatred for humans which is diverted to animals. At least, this is the situation in the early years. As the child grows up, these practices may eventually be refocused on the actual sources of the hatred, or other people who in some form force the offender to recall the hatred they felt for the person or people in question.

The fundamental element in animal cruelty is that a child is venting his frustration or seeking pleasure in the injury of a body which is less powerful than the child. Hence, a more helpless and vulnerable being which is unlikely to successfully retaliate becomes an easy target for the child. This is especially significant when it is the case that hatred is being transferred (as mentioned in the preceding paragraph). This is because the source of the hatred may be too strong for the child to retaliate against (such as a parent) and so a pet becomes an easy target and safety valve (Heide and Merz-Perez, 2003). Of course, as the child grows older and develops more strength, they become able to exert this domination and abuse over larger beings. Initially, it may start out as bullying other teenagers and later into committing serious crimes such as murder and rape on anyone who they see as being more vulnerable, for example the elderly, women (especially if pregnant) and children.

It is for these reasons that understanding the reasoning behind such behaviour is crucial when analysing juvenile crime intervention strategies. One can deduce that if animal abuse is something of a ‘test run’ for juvenile delinquency, then the psychological reasoning behind the two courses of action would be similar. Therefore, prevention of the latter or rehabilitation of the juvenile delinquent could be made easier if the initial feelings and thought processes are understood. Milne (2002) quoted a U.S. State Representative as saying that the way one treated animals was a reflection on the way that one treated fellow human beings. Milne goes on to discuss that eight States (at the time) saw animal cruelty as being a product of mental illness and mandated psychiatric treatment for anyone convicted of cruelty to animals. Thus, one can see that politicians are considering animal abuse as being indicative of potential criminal behaviour which may later manifest itself against other humans and consequently have set up legislation to effectively deal with such problems, even later in life if necessary.

At the moment, the state of Connecticut is debating a bill that does just this. The proposed legislation combines juvenile delinquency with animal abuse. Firstly, it requires juveniles who are charged (even if not convicted) with committing animal abuse to receive counselling. It then goes a step further and mandates that any juvenile who is convicted must also participate in an animal cruelty prevention and abuse programme. In Malta, legislation relating to non-human animals includes the Dogs Act, from 1985, as well as the Animal Welfare Act and Veterinary Services Act, both from 2002. In conclusion, the elements resulting in juvenile delinquency can be closely linked to those of animal cruelty and thus, animal abuse at a young age should be treated seriously and both the cause as well as a means of rectifying the situation should be sought out so as to tackle the problem of juvenile delinquency in a proactive manner.

The Criminology Files have been brought to you by Darryl, from Malta - Online.

Criminology Files : #4 - Issues in Criminology 3: Media and the International Response to Crime

2009-06-30T12:03:00.004+02:00

The fourth edition really only deals with media and crime as the 'international' segment did not form part of the assignment (nonetheless, the full name of the credit is always put down in the title). This was probably my favourite assignment as it involved watching a crime film and writing a personal criticism on it incorporating iconography and conventions into the work. The film analysed below is The Green Mile.

This edition is likely to appeal to those interested in : Movies, Crime films, Prison films, Execution films, Criminology and Religion (specifically religious imagery)

The entire series is posted as has been presented to the university, and no part has been altered or inserted after it's presentation.

The Green Mile, released in 1999, was directed by Frank Darabont (who also directed another crime film, The Shawshank Redemption) with the original story being authored by Stephen King. In this assignment I shall look at the icons and conventions present in prison films. Furthermore, I shall look at the way the director and production team of The Green Mile adapted and made use of these conventions in this film together with any divergences from the norm, especially considering that this film in particular deals with prisoners on death row as opposed to simple imprisonment.

Iconography

Most films, especially crime films, make use of icons to probe the audience into realising the type of film they are about to watch. Prison films are no exception. In other words, icons are physical objects/beings (i.e. something that can be touched) which are suggestive of the theme of the play (Jarvis, 2004). Naturally, the most obvious icon in a prison film would be that of a prison cell. This constant presence of this icon is what distinguishes a prison film from any other crime film. Other icons present include drugs and tattoos. In the case of the latter, they are often obscene and vulgar so as to demonstrate the criminal character of an inmate. Further icons include the prison uniforms (guards as well as inmates), poor food and hygiene (Rafter, 2000). Finally, some films also use a small animal which is adopted as a pet by a prisoner, who is generally more sympathetic than his fellow inmates (Gonthier, 2006).

However, execution films, such as The Green Mile, do not make use of as many icons and replace some of them with icons that are more representative of the theme. Drugs, for example, are omitted as prisoners on death row are not able to mix with other prisoners and drug use is virtually impossible. Looking specifically at The Green Mile, an icon which is added is the electric chair, Old Sparky, which is seen several times throughout the film, even when not being used such as when it is being cleaned. When threatening one of the guards, the protagonist pushed him against this same chair. This serves as a constant reminder that this is more of an execution film, than it is a prison film. On another note, the prison bars and clanking of the lock in the beginning of the film conforms to the prison film icon mentioned above.

The wardens use of uniform is present in the film but not in the case of the inmates. However, the director still includes the prison garment in the film through a sequence featuring prisoners who are not on death row, working on the prison grounds. The food in the film is never shown to be of poor quality. On the contrary, one prisoner is presented with Cornbread made especially by the protagonist’s wife (in fact, he would later request it as part of his last meal). Finally, a mouse, Mr. Jingles, is used to fill the place of a small animal in The Green Mile. In spite of being so small, he is the constant through whom we see the kindest and crudest characters reveal their true colours in terms of caring for him or attempting to kill him.

Conventions

This section of the assignment discusses the conventions in prison films. Conventions are abstract counterparts to icons. That is, they give the audience an idea about the type of film they are watching but do so through directorial techniques as opposed to props. Crime films, as a whole, frequently make use of flashbacks and close-ups to add dramatic effect to scenes. Similarly, montage is often used to show different events occurring at the same time, or a sequence of events leading up to the conclusion. Prison films generally include the arrival of a prisoner as one of the first scenes of the movie, either as a means of introducing the main character or so as to establish the setting for the movie (Crowther, 1989). In a typical prison film, one would be introduced to the wardens as if they were the villains due to their portrayal as sadistic and distant (O’Sullivan and Wilson, 2004). However, The Green Mile breaks away from these norms.

The first break from tradition is in the selection of the main character which, unlike other crime films, is the warden in charge of death row. Furthermore, four out of the five main wardens are compassionate and seem to genuinely care about their prisoners. However, the fifth warden is the sadistic character with good connections typical of prison films. The arrival of John Coffey satisfies the arrival convention, however he is not put through the disinfection process, probably because he is a death row inmate. Flashback, while still utilised, is used differently in The Green Mile. Firstly, the actual story is told in the form of a flashback. Following that, the audience is treated to flashbacks within the long, continuous flashback, which allow us to witness the back story and confirm the innocence of Coffey – assuming the audience had not already deduced this for themselves (King, 1996).

The film also points out the difference between the two time periods. In the present day scenes we see references to popular culture such as The Jerry Springer Show and modern commercials. However, in sequences taking place in 1935, we are constantly bombarded with songs and movies from the 30s, including shots of the radio used to play the songs. The film, Top Hat, starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers is featured in both time periods and is used as a reason for the protagonist (Paul Edgecombe) to recall the events of 1935. We are later shown that this was the movie seen by Coffey before he died, with Top Hat having been a new release in 1935, hence the reaction by Edgecombe over sixty years later.

Additional Notes

In this segment I aim to analyse some of the recurring themes in The Green Mile. Being an execution film, an expected theme is that of life and death. As in the case of a significant number of crime films, death is seen through murder. However, The Green Mile goes a step further as the termination of life is also seen in the form of capital punishment. However, the more intriguing half of the partnership is that of life. In the film, the mouse is the only character to experience death followed by a return to life, courtesy of John Coffey’s abilities. A female character, on the brink of death is cured and given an opportunity to continue living, giving a new meaning to the term “kiss of life”. Finally, in the part of the movie set in 1999, the protagonist explains how both he and the mouse were given an extended life and he explains how he has been around long enough to see all his loved ones die. This theme, perhaps, is best explained by the following utterance by the protagonist:

“We each owe a death - there are no exceptions - but sometimes, oh God, the Green Mile seems so long.”

(King, 1996: Volume 6)

Another theme is that of good and evil. Several characters are referred to as being one of the two. Very often, this distinction is ironically made by John Coffey, the prisoner on death row. In fact, he acts as a judge and executioner in the case of the sadistic prison guard and a fellow sociopathic prisoner referring to them as “bad” men before ultimately disabling and killing them respectively. Later, just as he is being marched to his death, he refers to the four other guards (who had earlier risked their jobs to help the female character mentioned earlier) as “good” people. This is ironic as it is usually the prisoners who are judged and not the other way around. The Green Mile makes use of a significant deal of religious imagery.

The name John Coffey could immediately have been a reference to Jesus Christ. Indeed, Coffey is portrayed as a Christ-like figure, or at the very least Saint Peter, making judgements on other characters. The protagonist also refers to Coffey as a gift from God, just as Jesus was. Finally, Coffey’s abilities (raising the dead, healing and empathy) are reminiscent of the abilities depicted in the Bible; similarly Coffey’s execution resembles Jesus’ crucifixion, with the person on death row accepting his fate. The attitude of the executioner’s is evidently reflecting the attitude of the Roman Centurion who realised the mistake that was made in crucifying Jesus. Darabont makes it a point to reference prayer throughout the film, showing the procedure during the rehearsal while omitting it from the actual execution sequences.

In conclusion, The Green Mile makes use of a number of the conventions and icons generally present in prison films. Understandably, the there are less in number as The Green Mile focuses on execution rather than imprisonment. At the same time, the film is bold as it contains some aspects which are not typical of prison films – such as the protagonist being a prison warden. Hence, while conforming in some respects, the film also adds a touch of originality to the sub-genre.

This has been a Darryl, from Malta - Online presentation.

Reversing A Mistake

2009-06-15T16:15:00.002+02:00

15th June. How long I have awaited ye...

Today at approximately 15.40 I left the University of Malta for the last time. The university, colloquially known as 'the biggest mistake of my life', sucked life out of me one last time as I sat for an exam (which was supposed to finish at 16.30). However, I do not look at this as an accomplishment. It is merely, as the title implies, a reversal of a horrible mistake I made on 1st October 2008 (and the months preceding it) when, against my better judgement, I enrolled in and attended the university of Malta. Unfortunately, I cannot recover the time which was taken away from me (although to be fair, technically I threw it away by applying), but I can make up for the time I have lost.

I didn't leave the university empty-handed, of course. I acquired a very important piece of information I will carry around with me forever. This is :- I am ALWAYS right. Hmm...I already knew this, it's more of a confirmation. I have to remember in everything that I do from now on, that I am, without fail, never wrong when it comes to the things that matter. I should also remember that if ever I doubt myself...I shouldn't. I am right from the start. THANK GOODNESS that my mistake came when I applied for university. It could have been a lot more serious such as getting married or having children later on. At least now I know that anything I disapprove of is bad.

What I'm trying to say is...I'm always right. Did I say that already? Just wanted to stress that point in case someone wasn't sure I meant it.

Now it's time for real life to resume. I would like to apologise to myself for all the pain I put myself through over the past year. I promise it won't happen again...I'll always listen to my initial beliefs and never question me. I hope I can forgive me.

Oh wouldn't it be wonderful if I could wake up tomorrow to find that it is 1st October 2008 and live the past nine months over again. With one crucial difference, of course...when the alarm wakes me up for the first meeting at university (which, I might add, was postponed and half of us were not informed), I switch it off, wake up and go on with my day. That means I never go to university and all the misery I've been through never would have happened. Hopefully I could retain my memories so that I remember WHY I didn't go...but if I lose them - fine, as long as I never step foot in that place.

Oh, the possibilities. My hair would be long again. This blog would only have 42 posts (including this blogpost, I have blogged 61 times since 2006). Downside is that I would lose my driver's licence (however, if I retain my memories, it should be easy for me to get it back). Any new people I met would have no idea who I am. Yes, sacrifices will have to be made. But the benefits are infinite, starting and ending with my happiness. Perhaps the biggest sacrifice would be loss of muscles and strength the past nine months of training gave me.

Bright side is my watch (which was destroyed a few weeks ago) would be in perfect condition again.

And now, we come to the part of the blog where I address you, dear reader. I hope my mistake serves as enlightenment for you. Don't ever do anything you don't want to do. Don't second-guess yourself, your initial instincts are usually right. Take the risks you need to take to accomplish your dream. Ignore the world and work on your own agenda (N.B. without causing harm to anyone or anything). Don't take the 'easy way out'...going to university or college or anything because you feel you have no other option is bullshit. By all means, if that's where you want to be...that's where you should be. But don't do it because you feel you have to.

In short - do what you want. What YOU REALLY want. And another thing...don't misinterpret coincidence or error for fate and destiny. Getting a C in Physics when you were supposed to fail or get an E is not a sign that you're meant to go to university. It's just a sign that the Maltese educational system is flawed and some phony corrector screwed up. Don't let someone else's mistake ruin your life.

I'm sure there are other things I'd like to say, but you'll have to excuse me...as I don't think I can bring myself to write them right now. You see, I have a lot of catching up to do...nine months worth. I have to live again. I'll start by erasing the past nine months from my life and start afresh. Pretend it never happened. Pretend that on 1st October 2008 I hit my head and entered a coma, out of which I have only just recovered. The possibilities are endless.

Here's hoping when I wake up tomorrow it's October 1st, 2008.
Darryl, from Malta - Online

Criminology Files

2009-05-08T15:41:00.004+02:00

This is just a note that Criminology Files Volume 2 - Sociological Theories of Crime, has been temporarily removed from the blog as parts of it have been recycled for a new assignment. The content will be restored as soon as I get the mark for the new assignment which should be some time in July.

On a related note, the total number of volumes forming part of the Criminology Files has been reduced from seven to five.

Thanks from Darryl, from Malta - Online.

P.S. A reply to this post will be submitted when Volume 2 is restored.

Tom Henning Ovrebo

2009-05-07T20:32:00.003+02:00

I was originally going to give this blogpost a title like 'Chelsea Vs Barcelona'...but I figured that my rant is just about this joker, and not about the two teams.

Let's get some basic facts out right away. 1) I am a Chelsea supporter. 2) I have no conflict with Barcelona team.

Onto the rant...who the hell gave this clown his refereeing license? Here's another fact, this time about old Tommy-boy - yesterday was not his first disastrous performance. A little history lesson: back in Euro 2008, he refereed Italy VS Romania. Although I do not remember the match, many (especially Italian supporters) famously remember the undue penalty shot given to the Romanian team and a yellow card to De Rossi. He later admitted to making a mistake.

Fair enough...it was a one-off incident and he acknowledged that he was wrong. But...fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.

So I guess, 'shame on us' because Ovary-bo fooled us again. Out of four possible penalty situations, two of them are indisputable to 6 billion people. The only man in the world who could dispute them (and did) was the referee. Scratch that...there are also the assistant referees. This ~~man~~ boy is responsible for changing established FIFA rules. But it doesn't matter, because he's not a player after all. The rules only apply to players. Referees are free to hump them any way the please.

Tommy Ovary-boy (Yes...I added the 'Y' this time) has once again admitted to making a mistake. Not this time, kiddo, not this time. If you're bad at what you do - you're bad. This wasn't just a single event in a single match. This was a case of at least four cases of poor refereeing in one match followed by a separate incident but one year ago. Face it - you are not cut out for this job. Resign. Turn in your license. Don't even think about it or hesitate. Just do it...you bring shame to the game.

It's worth noting that FIFA have pre-selected him to be a referee at the 2010 World Cup. After a gaffe like the one in Euro 2008 I wouldn't even consider him, but after last night's spectacle?? I honestly believe he should be banned from all international matches. Furthermore, I firmly believe that EUFA not commenting on the actions of their referees is a load of bullshit. Not only should you comment, you should act. His license should be revoked. Or at the very least, let him continue to ruin matches in Norway - but leave the rest of the world free from his stupid antics.

Last night's incident brought further issues to light. The first of them being that replays cannot be used for decisions. This is absolutely ridiculous. We're living in the 21st Century...video has been around for almost 100 years and here we are relying solely two referees at any given time, while the rest of the world - even a boy of four, could make better decisions based on the replay. I mean, what is this obsession with avoiding fairness in a game? What message is FIFA trying to send? How many jokers like Ovary-boy do we need to screw up competitions as serious as this one before it finally clicks?

A second issue is the away goals rules. Now...come on...let's all be men here (and in the case of Women's football, women) if you know how to play the game...it DOES NOT MATTER WHICH BLOODY GROUND YOU ARE PLAYING IN. Is that easy enough to read? You could be playing in London or Paris, Tokyo or Ta' Qali...the pitch is the same. And if the fans in the stand really make a difference to a player's performance then...I'm sorry but you are not a footballer, you are a circus performer. Real football talent doesn't change based on background noise...if you're good, you're good full stop.

I mean...these are simple things like the now defunct golden goal rule a while back (I'm also somewhat opposed to the offside rule, but I won't get into that as it does add a fair degree of difficulty to the match). FIFA, EUFA...the general FA system is sadly outdated and horribly hopeless at providing decent football anymore. You cannot discipline players but treat referees like gods. It's sickening. I am of the belief that it is high-time that the world finds and alternative to FIFA. I mean, come on...it's in French! Ok...joking apart, I think enough teams/countries are fed up of FIFA's antics to just declare it a defunct association and build a new organisation to overlook football.

Moving on. This part is dedicated to all those who would like to take this opportunity to slam Chelsea players such as Drogba after last night. They were 100% correct. Had I been in Drogba's position, I would have hit him. It wouldn't have been the right thing to do, and Drogba should be commended for not doing so (when Ovary-boy deserved it) and not punished for expressing human emotion. Furthermore, had I been Abramovich I would have marched down to the pitch and, flanked by Hiddink, informed Hen-House (a new name for him) that his career in international football is now over. If there's one man on this planet who can do it, it is good old Roman.

My friends, this is the end of today's rant. I'd like to close by saying that I am not a fan of these direct death threats to Tommy Hen-House Ovary-boy. Making such death wishes privately are fine, but to actually threaten him personally is over the line. However, while I do not think his stupidity merits death...if I was informed of his death tomorrow morning I'd smile and thank karma. Then shrug and continue with my day.

So, while my good wishes do not extend to the Premier League, I am now supporting Manchester United for the Champions League. Chelsea still have that FA Cup to win, and there's everything to play for!

Darryl, from Malta - Online

The Age Of Men

2009-05-04T19:06:00.002+02:00

The average heterosexual male follows a certain path in his life. Even more so is one is a moderately successful, heterosexual male. I'd like to go through the steps with you here today.

Ok, first you're born. Blablabla, jump forward approximately two decades and you own a nice little flat (apartment for our North American friends). You drive a decent car which you keep well polished. You wear nice, comfortable clothes outside and in, but with an added emphasis on comfortable for the latter. Your flat has the essential basics and then an unspecified number of items you spent your well earned money on. Flat-screen tv, massage recliner, liquor cabinet, pimped out lighting and audio system, large, spacious bed etc. No unnecessary crap on the walls and no knickknacks which require you to fold your arms when you walk around for fear of things breaking. Oh...and the kitchen has no food which you won't eventually eat. You've got a good reserve of funds in the bank, and some at home too.

Sounds nice. But then you start dating a broad. Sounds better...initially. But somewhere down the line...about a month in you're expected to do something extravagant for a one month anniversary. An expensive dinner should do it. You, on the other hand, will get a pink t-shirt with a bear saying 'I Wub You' on it. Then you have to make, what she calls 'sacrifices' for the relationship to grow. Namely, you can't see your friends anymore unless she's present. She has no problem seeing her friends without you though...that's girl talk, not a bunch of guys goofing around. Also, if you have any female friends, get rid of them. Otherwise your girlfriend will soon start referring to them as 'the sluts you hang out with'.

Let's move on. We're all familiar with the slow takeover. Suddenly you find you have toothbrushes and you lose a whole section in your closet (it's only one section for now). Eventually, you're expected to invite her to move...otherwise you're a commitment-phobe. So she moves in. Then...with all the cheek, she tells you that if you want her living there, there will have to be some changes. All of a sudden the liquor cabinet is gone. Unnecessary furniture fills up your walking space, glass and crystal and china and statues are placed atop...everything. Paintings and more mirrors than faces cover the walls. You've got carpets, sofa covers, tablecloths and a pink bathroom. Your bachelor pad is now a granny heaven. However, you accept this with your good humour because, after all, you're not really a bachelor anymore. You also accept your abrupt diet change as well as your restriction of fun such as sports in exchange for quality time.

Some will get married. Some will have kids. Some will not do either but the trend continues either way. Your healthy reserve of funds is depleted and your clothes are no longer welcome in either of the closets (yeah, I know, where the hell did the second one come from?). Naturally, the fact that they're all over the place is your fault. You have to work twice as hard at your once enjoyable job to keep up with her spending. After work, you come straight home. Enjoying yourself is sexist. Every two weeks there's some holiday you have to buy her presents for. Each present has to be more expensive than the last, otherwise you're a masochist. She's not obliged to get you anything, of course, this is an equal world after all! How sexist of you to expect her to get you something too!

Oh your poor car! She didn't like the attention other girls gave it so in the interests of "safeguarding the relationship/marriage" you traded it in for one of those struggling lower-middle class models.

Eventually the relationship deteriorates. And it's entirely your fault, naturally. So you're in divorce court (in the case of marriage) and your wife gets the flat (formerly known as bachelor pad) and most of it's belongings. Why? Because she's the woman. Good news, however! You get to keep the car you sacrificed your sports vehicle for. If you aren't married, the same arrangement applies and if you demand otherwise, you spend thousands on a lawyer just to get the same result. Plus a knickknack. Where kids are involved you will lose them to. AND have to pay alimony. I mean, let's face it, the only way the man would get to keep the kids is if the mother has been sent to rehab AND is mentally unstable (Think Britney and Kevin Federline). After all, all things being equal, men are not able of caring for a child by themselves.

It's a sad reality isn't it? Women can do whatever they want to men and be congratulated but men are sexist/masochistic/abusive/unstable/commitment phobic/distant/etc if they reciprocate. This trend, unfortunately, is not something men can reverse. However, it is something that women can/should be forced to undo. The question is...how?

Let's face it...we don't need relationships...men just aren't built to require it. Not that relationships are necessarily a bad thing but...men get along fine without them. And that, gentlemen, is my recommendation. A complete withdrawal from relationships. Naturally, one-night stands are fine - sex must come from somewhere and it sure as hell doesn't come from commitment. And there you have it. If the men world-wide stop entering into relationships, we keep our money and our bachelor pads and continue to have sex. Any woman who wants more than that will, quite simply, have to settle for disappointment.

This won't last forever, of course. The human race would die out. Pretty soon women will realise they need men (Feminists world wide shout : SEXIST! Well, I tell you this, you claim that 'men need women'...or is that not considered sexist since it degrades men?) Anyway...women will change their ways and let men have their own space as well as finally treat them as equals. At the same time, through this prolonged (several years) break from relationships men will understand that they, together with their predecessors, didn't need to take all that crap from women and are, realistically, happier when not bound by commitment.

Hence, years later when relationships resume, if ever a woman should slip up and go back to the selfish ways of the former generations men will rememeber (or have been told by the generation that applies the above method) that this stress is all unnecessary, and would be prompt in getting rid of the woman and trying again with someone who deserves his attention, time and affection. With someone who understands the true concept of equality, whether of their own accord or as a result of the action taken (ie. what I describe above).

So...who wants to call it?

MEN ON STRIKE!

Darryl, from Malta - Online.

Not Lost, Episode 9 : 플래시 포워드

2009-04-01T11:24:00.002+02:00

Presenting the sole episode of Not Lost's fourth series! That's right, April 1st 2009 has finally arrived, and while others may be pulling pranks on you, Not Lost Productions gives you a double length episode which we (I) hope you'll like!

Remember, this is just a minimalist production using powerpoint and Wondershare. For those of you wondering, 플래시 포워드 is Korean for Flash Forward. Hmm...what could that mean?

Enjoy! Darryl, from Malta - Online.

Criminology Files : #3 - Drugs and Society

2009-03-17T10:31:00.004+01:00

Launching the third part of the criminology series. This goes into drugs and their effect on society. My assignment focuses on Benzodiazepines. As I mentioned in my first post of the series, the Criminology Files will now go into hiatus until some time in summer, by which time I should have presented and received the result for four more assignment, the final additions to the series.

This edition is likely to appeal to those interested in : Medicine, Criminology, Pharmacy, Law (specifically drug legislation) and Lost (on a superficial level).

The entire series is posted as has been presented to the university, and no part has been altered or inserted after it's presentation.

The aim of this assignment is to explain the use and potential abuse of a given drug as well as the legal aspect of the use of such a drug. Furthermore, an analysis of the socio-psychological explanation of its use and the possibilities for punishment, treatment and prevention where relevant, will also be provided. Throughout the course of this assignment I will present this information with regards to Benzodiazepines. Thus, my research will focus on the way benzodiazepines affect the user at different stages of use as well as after their use (withdrawal symptoms). When necessary, I shall also make references to the portrayal of the drug, or its derivatives, in the media.

Explanation of the Use and Abuse

Benzodiazepines are depressants and therefore induce a calming effect within those who administer it or have it administered to them. Thus, like most drugs, benzodiazepines can be used legally as well as abused illegally and in this section, I will attempt to cover the various ways in which these could happen. Acute mania is one such case when benzodiazepines are used clinically. The American Psychiatric Association lists some of the symptoms of mania as being euphoria and impulsiveness as well as less need for sleep (which could develop into insomnia). Being depressants, benzodiazepines are able to counteract these conditions. Incidentally, insomnia is another condition which is treated with benzodiazepines as some strands are hypnotics and thus, encourage sleep. However, with use, tolerance increases requiring greater dosages to be used and potentially leading to addictions.

This is, in fact, why treatment with benzodiazepines is reserved for short-term treatment. Conversely, insomnia is one of the withdrawal symptoms of benzodiazepines (Katz et al, 2000), which I will delve into further later in the assignment. The media has used benzodiazepines for the treatment of mania in the television series Lost. While I will not get into the specifics and accuracy of the situation portrayed, it is worth noting that Clonzepam, a type of benzodiazepine, was prescribed for someone displaying insomnia and other symptoms of mania as well as anxiety. This brings me to the next legal use of benzodiazepines which is that of an anxiolytic.

On this note, in 2003, the American Psychiatric Association questioned whether benzodiazepines were still the preferred drug for those suffering from panic disorder (anxiety). The results of the study showed that “treatment patterns for psychotropic drugs appear to have remained stable over the past decade, with benzodiazepines being the most commonly used medication for panic disorder” (Bruce, Goisman et al).

Benzodiazepines can also be used as anticonvulsants and have proven effective in the management of status epilepticus. The drug is used with patients in extreme pain and in intensive care; however, it is used cautiously due to instances when chemical problems may lead to benzodiazepine overdose. In spite of having their own withdrawal symptoms, benzodiazepines are effective in treating the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. However, in 2006 the National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse (UK) claimed that while benzodiazepines are the best documented drugs for alcohol withdrawal, the insufficient evidence together with the risk of benzodiazepine dependence deny that the drug’s use is possibly the best method of dealing with alcohol withdrawal.

Benzodiazepines are widely used in animals too, ranging from the sedation of wild animals to treating epilepsy in dogs and treating muscle spasms in cats (Polizopoulou et al, 2002). Muscle spasms are also treatable in humans with benzodiazepines. So far, I have dealt with the legal uses of benzodiazepines and I will now look at the illegal consumption of the drug. Benzodiazepines are primarily abused to benefit from the sedation which aids one to relieve oneself from emotional stress. Abusers become dependant on and tolerant to the drug resulting in increasing dosages to achieve the same effect. Benzodiazepines, such as Clonazepam, are only intended to be used in the short-term, and withdrawal after long-term bears the risk of inducing the same ailments that benzodiazepines generally treat (including seizures).

McLellan, Woody and O’Brien (1979) conducted a study of fifty-one Vietnam veterans who were abused drugs, fourteen of whom abused benzodiazepines. The aim of this study was to examine the causal relation between drug abuse and psychiatric disorders. The study took place over six years. At the end of the six years, eight of the fourteen had developed depression. This would seem to indicate that benzodiazepine abuse has a significant impact on one’s mental health. It is worth noting, that those who conducted the study do not ignore the possibility that personality disorders which existed before the study may have lead to different kinds of drug abuse.

Legal Aspect of the Use of the Drug

Like all drugs, benzodiazepines are subject to a degree of control. However, the level of control varies from one country to another. According to the website of the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, benzodiazepines are regulated under Schedule IV of the Controlled Substances Act. This ranking means that it has a relatively low potential for abuse and that the drug is used for medical treatment within the United States. Additionally, drugs ranked at level four have, in the opinion of the Drug Enforcement Administration, a lower potential for physical and psychological dependence. Hence, in the United States of America, prescriptions for any benzodiazepines are legally allowed to be refilled up to five times in a period of six months. According to the same website, in 1999 there were approximately 100 million prescriptions written for benzodiazepines. In spite of this, the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act (2003) does not allow health insurance companies to cover benzodiazepine prescriptions in their policies. In Canada, benzodiazepines are under similar controls. The same cannot be said for the rest of the world, where regulations are harsher due to the large potential for abuse.

The Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Drugs and Poisons (SUSDP) used in Australia lists two types of benzodiazepines (flunitrazepam and temazepam) under Schedule 8 (Controlled Drugs). This makes them illegal to possess because of their potential to be abused and their dependence producing qualities. While other benzodiazepines can legally be owned for personal use (when prescribed), distribution and trafficking of the drug is illegal and subject to fines or imprisonment. On an international level, temazepam, flunitrazepam and nimetazepam are under Schedule III in the Convention on Psychotropic Substances of 1971. This ranking means that while they are therapeutically useful, they have the potential for serious abuse. All other benzodiazepines are listed under Schedule IV – mainly used in therapy but are still able to generate a significant degree of dependence. In New Zealand doctors are obliged to only allow one month’s supply of benzodiazepines per prescription.

Dr. A. E. Smith (1989) claimed that while under the effects of benzodiazepines, patients of all dosage levels may become vulnerable to committing crimes and in which case doctors may be required to confirm the prescription. Thus, while Smith’s research does not deal with the direct legal implications of the possession and use of benzodiazepines, she is looking at cases when benzodiazepines, because of the behavioural changes they cause together with other effects, may lead the user to commit crimes which not be dealt with by any drug laws.

“The use of benzodiazepines presents a unique set of clinical, ethical, and legal dilemmas” (Bursztajn and Brodsky, 1997). This is because while it is a very important medical drug, it also produces various forms of dependence. Thus, Bursztajn and Bordsky go on to explain how the prescription of benzodiazepines is laden with ethical considerations and that different circumstances may make it unethical to prescribe them, or unethical not to prescribe them. They cite Salzman who summed up the controversial situations that may arise with regards to benzodiazepine prescription into three. Firstly, the potential for abuse following the cessation of the use of the drug for medical reasons. Secondly, controversies relating to long-term use due to the development of dependence and withdrawal symptoms. The third group are those relating to side effect with a special emphasis placed on behavioural changes, as explored by Smith.

So, to bring this section to a close, while benzodiazepines are not considered to be as dangerous as drugs like cocaine and oxycodone (Schedule I and II respectively in the US) in terms of the capacity for addiction and physiological danger, they are still closely controlled in virtually all parts of the world. The need for benzodiazepines in the medical world prevents governments from imposing more serious controls on the drug. The paradoxical side effects that can arise from their prolonged use such as mania and schizophrenia make this drug dangerous when not used under the guidance of a qualified medical professional. In the next section, I will drift away from the legal perspective of benzodiazepine use and focus on the socio-psychological explanation for the use of this drug.

The Socio-Psychological Explanation

Unlike stimulants which increase alertness and activity, depressants decrease awareness and energy levels. This makes it slightly more difficult to understand why such drugs would be used/abused when there is no medical need for them. In a survey carried out by the Australian government between 1999 and 2005 of people in police custody, it was discovered that benzodiazepine users had certain traits which, while not enough evidence existed to generalise for the entire community, gave some insight into the possible behaviour of benzodiazepine users and abusers. The survey showed how benzodiazepine users were more likely to have been homeless at some point in their life and recently abused other depressants. The same survey revealed that they were less likely to be in full-time employment or alternatively, be working illegally and/or claiming benefits from the government (Loxley, 2007).

Benzodiazepines have been used by people suffering from Munchausen syndrome by proxy. This disorder occurs when the person with the illness causes pain and suffering to another person or to themselves with the intention of attracting attention (Artingstall, 1999). In 1997, several such cases involving benzodiazepines were reported where the drug was administered to children (Jones, Schexnayder et al) and to a husband (Osawa, Saito et al) resulting in poisoning. Due to their capacity to lower awareness and reactions, benzodiazepines are also used in cases of rape and even robbery (on the victims). In 1996, a survey was carried out among thirty-five people who claimed to have been drugged before being raped and/or robbed. Seventeen of these had traces of benzodiazepine in the urine sample taken following the commission of the crime (Beugnet, Boussairia et al).

This seems to suggest that when benzodiazepines are not used for medical reasons, the socio-psychological explanation behind their use is not one of personal reasoning, rather that of exploiting others through intoxication. Nonetheless, according to Weir in 2001, alcohol remains the top drug utilised for date rape and other sexual crimes where it is detected in 69% of available samples. This appears to indicate that benzodiazepines are not necessarily an offender’s first choice for use on their victims. In spite of its perception as a relatively safe drug when compared to other depressants and drugs in general, research seems to suggest otherwise.

In 2001 in the United Kingdom, figures released from the Home Office revealed that in Scotland one hundred and fifty-one (151) people died in 1998 from taking benzodiazepines while just one hundred and fourteen (114) died from overdoses in heroin and morphine. Furthermore, between 1990 and 1996, one thousand, eight hundred and ten (1810) people died as a result benzodiazepine use while a smaller figure of one thousand six hundred and twenty-three (1623) are reported to have overdosed on heroin, morphine and other opiates. In 2001, Margaret Bell also claimed that :
“Since 1960, the UK medical profession has turned at least three million adults and two million ‘Benzo Babies’— infants whose mothers took tranquillisers during pregnancy—into brain-damaged addicts. There are currently still some one million patients trapped in addiction and another million disabled by withdrawals”
(Bell, 2001)
This is primarily brought about due to the common misdiagnosis for benzodiazepines which, due to their capacity to develop dependence within the consumer, are dangerous when prescribed for long-term treatment and may conflict with a patient’s medical history.

Mah and Upshur conducted a study in 2002 with the aim of comparing the perceptions of patients and the physicians in relation to the prescription of benzodiazepine as a long-term solution to insomnia. All ninety-three patients were over sixty years old while the twenty-five physicians came from various sectors of the medical profession. The results concluded that the amount of perceived risk was less in the patients then in physicians. This is understandable as medical professionals would have a higher understanding of drugs and their effects than the common individual. Thus, in light of this difference in opinion, the authors suggest open dialogue as a method of clearing up queries.

As a final note in this section, it is worth noting that outside of clinical prescription, benzodiazepines seem to be rarely used for personal reasons. However, research shows that they are still used on others (victims) by perpetrators as a way of reducing the reactions of such people while a crime is committed. Furthermore, while benzodiazepines are generally perceived as comparatively safe drugs, statistics show that their high potential for dependence and paradoxical side effects with long-term use have resulted in the death (through both suicide and murder) of those who consume the drugs.

Punishment, Treatment and Prevention

In the United Kingdom, it is not illegal to possess benzodiazepines without a prescription. An exception is made for Temazepam. In this case, figures from the Home Office show that anyone in possession of Temazepam, a Class C drug, may be subject to a maximum sentence of two years in prison, a fine with no limit or both. Furthermore, if it is being prepared for injection it is upgraded to a Class A drug, increasing the punishment for its possession to up to seven years imprisonment, an unlimited fine or both. However, punishment is harsher for benzodiazepine dealers who could be subject to an imprisonment term of up to fourteen years and/or an unlimited fine. The limit of the term of imprisonment is raised to life if the drug is being prepared for injection at the dealing stage.

The Maltese Dangerous Drugs Ordinance does not make specific reference to benzodiazepines; however it does state that dealers or traders of drugs, if convicted by the Criminal Court, may be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not less than four years and not more than thirty years and fined. For any other drug-related offences a prison sentence of not less than twelve months and not more than ten years and a fine applies. On the other hand, if dealers are convicted by the Court of Magistrates a prison term ranges from six months to ten years while punishment for other drug-related offences is between three and twelve months imprisonment.

With regards to treatment, withdrawing from benzodiazepines gives rise to the benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome comprising of several side-effects which vary depending on the speed and abruptness of the withdrawal. In 2007, McConnell suggested that the best way to withdraw from benzodiazepines is to switch to Diazepam (a benzodiazepine derivative) which has a half-life of twenty to one hundred hours and is not very potent. He suggests replacing the former benzodiazepine drug with Diazepam a bit at a time while allowing for a period of stabilisation. C. Heather Ashton argues in favour of slow withdrawal schedules so as to minimise the withdrawal symptoms. She claims that benzodiazepine users who withdrew too quickly were significantly more likely to report the rarer and more severe side effects. Among these more severe side effects, one finds seizures, comas, suicides and suicidal thoughts, delusions and mania. Heather Ashton also claims that when withdrawal occurs too quickly, some people develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as they are not prepared for the side effects and are overwhelmed. In 2006 (reviewed in 2008), the President and Fellows of Harvard College added that following the successful withdrawal, one must undergo counselling or psychotherapy so as to prevent relapse.

The National Institute of Drug Abuse in the United States of America believes that prevention efforts can begin as a community activity in general, rather than just a personal process. A nine-stage analysis of community readiness was drawn up to enable one to better assess the situation in their community with regards to the awareness of drugs in such a community. The steps range from ‘No Awareness’ to ‘Professionalisation’. At each stage, suggestions are made as to how to best utilise the available resources such as creating motivation for those communities with ‘No Awareness’ and setting up programs targeted at all audiences for those societies at the level of ‘Professionalisation’ (Edwards et al, 1999). It would seem that the old adage that “prevention is better than cure” holds true for benzodiazepines since prevention avoids the whole experience while ‘cure’ (withdrawal) could leave the former user scarred physiologically and psychologically.

Throughout this assignment I have analysed the aspects surrounding benzodiazepines. Thus, I have explored the biological and medical reasons for their use and the potential for abuse as linked to benzodiazepines’ high risk of dependency. I went on to discuss the legal perspective when it comes to the drug both in terms of penalties for misuse and illegal trading of the drug as well as crimes which are committed because of benzodiazepine use. This was followed by an examination of the social and psychological reasons behind the use of benzodiazepines and with the help of published statistics deduced that outside of medical requirement, benzodiazepines are used to intoxicate victims. Finally, the punishment, treatment and prevention options suggested, available and used around the world were tackled. Hence, I can conclude that benzodiazepines are unique in the sense that they are not considered among the world’s most dangerous drugs but in recent years they have come to be regarded as more dangerous than some higher ranked drugs, possibly because of misconceptions about their use.

Courtesy of Darryl, from Malta - Online.

Criminology Files : #2 - Sociological Theories of Crime

2009-03-16T20:18:00.005+01:00

The second edition deals with the sociological explanation of crime. The question discussed is as follows :

What are the major differences and convergences between Left and Right Realism? Which of the perspectives would you be most likely to support? Give reasons for your answers.

This edition is likely to appeal to those interested in : Sociology, Criminology and Politics

The entire series is posted as has been presented to the university, and no part has been altered or inserted after it's presentation.

Throughout the course of this assignment, I will give an overview of New Realism and its two branches – Left realism and Right realism, and the way they analyse crime and the causes of crime. I will analyse their similarities as well as there differences in this respect. Furthermore, through the criticism or support of established sociologists, I will argue in favour or against the two perspectives in terms of their criminological contributions.

As a sociological perspective, New Realism emerged as a response to what some people believed was the inability of currently existing theories to adequately explain the causes of crime. Furthermore, political shifts in the western world led to the requirement of new theories to be able to support this change. Both sections of New Realism emerged in the 1980s once it was recognised by some that the currently existing structures and policies for dealing with crime did not lead to a drop in crime. Thus, since the branches of New Realism appealed to both the left and right sides of the political spectrum, New Realism as a whole was able to identify with people of various political sympathies (Matthews and Young, 1986). The first division which I will examine is Right Realism, the branch which has achieved more prominence in the United States of America.

Right Realism is centred on the idea that the individual is responsible for his own destiny and the concept of societal factors has little or nothing to do with criminal behaviour (Thatcher, 1993). Hence, proponents of Right Realism believe that when attempting to prevent crime, one should focus one’s attention on the individual and their close relatives rather than on the balance of power in the society. It is interesting, but not unexpected, that this theory is so influential in the United States where the welfare institutions are small and the focus is on maintaining the free market and privatisation as opposed to nationalisation. It is worth noting that in light of the financial crisis of 2008; this has been suspended slightly with the country’s government bailing out several failing companies, and taking a stake in the business in the process.

Right Realism opposes the idea that any external, societal factors impact one’s ability to commit a crime (Wilson, 1975). Hence, Right Realism argues that a state of unemployment would not make a person more likely to commit a crime. This goes against the ideas of Murray and Herrnstein (1994) who argue that crime, illegitimacy and unemployment, among other societal factors, go hand in hand and promote each other. So, instead of societal structures, the blame is placed on failing family values, especially those of the lower class as white collar crime is largely ignored by Right Realism. Furthermore, the perspective did not attempt to question the laws which were imposed as they were not seen as the problem; rather they questioned the level to which they were enforced which was not seen as being harsh enough.

Right Realism is further subdivided into four strands. The first of these is the socio-biological explanation of crime. Wilson and Hernnstein (cited in Joyce, 2006: 40) believed that criminal behaviour was largely influenced by biological factors. Thus, one’s likelihood to commit a crime is dependent on the way society has responded or reinforced certain behaviours based upon one’s biological attributes. Thus, the three elements of this approach are constitutional factors, the level of presence of reinforcers and the strength of the conscience. In 1985, Wilson and Hernnstein argued that shifts in crime rates could therefore be explained in three ways. These are changes in the age structure of a society, changes in the cost-benefit balance of crimes and changes in socio-cultural perceptions of the society in question (Walklate, 2007).

The second strand is known as the rational choice theory. This theory states that a potential criminal decides to commit a crime based on whether the benefits that could be reaped, outweigh the punishment that could be given or vice versa (Cornish and Clarke, 1987). This is similar to Cesare Beccaria’s (1764) belief that the severity of the punishment for committing a crime should be equivalent to just over the potential profit made. The central idea of rational choice theory is that when dealing with crime, the focus should be switched from one of punishment to that of protection and prevention. This also requires a deal of crime mapping as one is able to predetermine the crime ‘hotspots’ and provide better protection to those areas (Chainey and Ratcliffe, 2005). One can now move on to examine the routine activity approach.

This approach claims that crime and criminal activity is a normal part of society’s functioning (Felson, 1994). Cohen and Felson (1979) believe that a crime is the product of three factors – a motivated offender, a vulnerable victim and the absence of a would-be guardian. According to proponents of this approach, the best response to crime is to make situations which may lead to crime more difficult to come by. However, routine activity approach, does not take into consideration any other factors which may be present in the commission of a crime choosing instead, to focus purely on the individual and the existing situation. The final strand of Right Realism is that of administrative criminology, a system that is used in the UK Home Office.

Administrative criminology does not attempt to discover (or uncover) the reasons behind the commission of crimes. Instead, it focuses purely on managing crime. Administrative criminology emerged as statistics began to show that while policies for dealing with crime change, crime rates did not drop (Young, 1994). Hence, the focus switched to one of merely administering crime and reducing public expenditure. This was especially evident during Margaret Thatcher’s eleven-year tenure as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom when the need for efficiency overpowered that of searching for solutions - which would absorb more funds than they would give back.

One can now move on to discuss Left Realism, which was more successful in the United Kingdom and arose as a general response to Right Realism which dominated the scene in terms of crime due to the Left’s disinterest in crime and criminology. Left Realism diametrically opposes Right Realism and argues that people belonging to lower classes are most often victimised by crime. In saying this, they are effectively looking at societal factors – something Right Realism ignored entirely. It is viewed as being radical in theory, but realistic in practice. The former because of its view of inequality in society, and the latter through its suggestions that there must be an increase in co-operation between the public and the police (Young and Matthews – cited in Carlen, 1992).

Young and Lea (1984) come up with three main policies associated with Left Realism. The first is an alternative to prisons closely related to another policy which is the minimal use of prisons. The final policy is the idea of communities working together to prevent crime from taking place in the first place. The realistic approach of Left Realism is witnessed in the way they look for both structural as well as individual solutions to crime, and the belief that crime affects and can be committed by anyone, regardless of their economic circumstances. In 1991, Young came up with a new idea which is now considered one of the cornerstones of Left Realism. Building on a former idea, the triangle of crime, Young added a new dimension so that it was now the square of crime, with the factors being the victim, the offender, the state and the public with the last two being the reactive players.

Young goes on to argue that when a person, a group of people or a community is economically and socially weak, they are automatically more vulnerable to all forms of crime. Hence, what he appears to be saying is that the level of economic and social wealth determines the likelihood of being affected by crime and other social ills. This ties in with what Marx wrote in 1859 that those who control the infrastructure, or the base, control the superstructure. Consequently, they are more prepared to face and prevent crime. Young also discusses relative deprivation (a concept discussed by Merton earlier) as a suitable theory for dealing with crime as opposed to an absolute definition. Absolute deprivation refers to the absolute minimum a person may have in order to live, as defined by Gordon in his paper for the United Nations. Relative deprivation on the other hand is subjective and differs according to each society. In England, for example, being unable to offer guests to your house a cup of tea may be considered a form of deprivation. It is for this reason that Young and Left Realism insist on using a relative definition of deprivation as crime does not only take place in response to global conditions, but also to one’s level of integration in society (a concept that was also touched by Durkheim in Suicide (1897)).

In spite of their several differences and disagreements, Left Realism and Right Realism do converge, or agree, in certain policy areas. Both sides recognise that there exists and actual crime problem which has destructive effects on communities, even if, as Right Realism would argue, society does not exist. Furthermore, both sides argue in favour of finding realistic and efficient policies and proposals to combating crime. While it is Right Realism who tend to focus on ‘efficiency’, Left Realism appears to understand that policies must be constantly reviewed so as to ensure that public funds are not pumped into fruitless attempts to reduce crime. This point is important as both understand that there is no single solution to all of crime and that, while each side examines crime in terms of their own political agenda, there is something to be said about tackling crime in a bi-partisan manner.

Both groups of New Realism have affected criminal policy in some way; however, this is where the convergences end. If one looks at Right Realism, for example, one notes how such theoretical perspectives encouraged a general increase in spending on the police force and other institutions maintaining public stability. In the United States of America, the privatisation of prisons took place in the 1980s which could be seen as a direct result of the influence of Right Realism. Finally, tougher stances on crime such as ‘zero tolerance’ to corruption or drug use are products of Right Realism’s support of the Classical School and Bentham’s idea that criminals make rational choices to commit crimes on the backdrop of a cost-benefit analysis. I will now look at the contributions to public policy made by Left Realism.

The central influence Left Realism had on the agenda of crime was that of reducing social inequalities and in doing so, reducing the potential for crime and victimisation. In the United Kingdom, the victory of the Labour Party in 1997 led to the implementation of several policies inspired by Left Realism such as the 1998 Crime and Disorder Act which had the function of dealing with and reducing social exclusion and thus, tackling relative deprivation (Hopkins Burke, 2001). The act tackled several aspects of deprivation including access to entertainment, standard of living and de-marginalisation. Left Realism has also impacted the policing system by advocating a system whereby the general public should set priorities for the police force so as to prevent the force from becoming either militaristic or weak (Lowman and MacLean, 1992). Finally, proponents of Left Realism have successfully argued in favour of allowing the criminal justice system to involve the public in the proceedings. This move increases transparency in the system and allows for the general public to have more faith in the system as it becomes more democratic (Deflem and Swygart, 2001).

Thus, one can note how both strands have contributed positively to criminological thought. However, in my opinion Left Realism provides a more accurate analysis of crime and offers more feasible long-term solutions, often filling the gaps which Right Realism refuses to. One idea that comes to mind is that the lower classes are doubly abused – firstly by the capitalist system and then by members of their own class, because, as I stated earlier, criminals are more likely to victimise those who are more vulnerable (Siegel, 2006). Lee and Young (cited in Siegel, 2006: 240) explain this by saying, “The equation is simple: relative deprivation equals discontent; discontent plus lack of political solution equals crime”. Unlike Marx, who saw socialism and communism as the answer to most of society’s problems, Left Realists believe that while socialism may solve the crime problem, remedies to crime must also be found in the current capitalist system.

It is not just Left Realism’s ideas that make me more inclined to choose it as an appropriate perspective for analysing crime, it is also what I perceive to be shortcomings of Right Realism that have influenced me. One such example is the underestimation of white-collar crime, focusing solely on street crime. Furthermore, the refusal to acknowledge societal factors as contributing to an individual’s propensity to commit crime has resulted in inadequate policy recommendations such as increased prison use. This may be seen in terms of administrative criminology, where the aim is to reduce expenditure. However, imprisonment is the most expensive form of punishment and thus, a contradiction arises. Additionally, while focusing on reducing costs with regards to the criminal justice system, Right Realists contribute only minimally to policies regarding reducing crime and rehabilitating criminals. This means that offenders will keep offending and consequently costs will not be reduced. Finally, in arguing that individual factors are completely responsible for crime, Right Realists are permitting the state to pay little attention to crime – just enough to punish those who are found guilty.

In this assignment I have examined New Realism and both of its strands – Left Realism and Right Realism. With regards to Right Realism, I have also delved into the four subsections of the socio-biological explanation, administrative criminology, rational choice theory and the routine activity approach. Whilst looking at the differences between the two branches and their respective policy implications, I went on to analyse their similarities. I have concluded this assignment by stating my case for Left Realism, including both why I selected it as well as why I did not choose Right Realism as my preferred theoretical perspective for explaining and dealing with crime.

Compiled by Darryl, from Malta - Online

Criminology Files : #1 - Introduction to Criminology

2009-03-15T15:07:00.006+01:00

Here's a new 7-part series for my blog where I will post the full assignments which I have handed in for my course. The point behind it is that...well...they're quite useless once they've been corrected so might as well do something with them for dry blog periods (such as this one).

There are seven parts (projected figure). The first three will be posted over the next couple of days. The rest haven't been completed yet and will only be posted once they have been corrected and the mark confirmed. Thus you can expect the final four parts (unless one of the lecturers decides to scrap an assignment in favour of some other form of assessment...which has been done...in spite of the regulations) during the summer months.

I was also considering posting my presentation transcripts but ultimately decided against it since there's no structure and is largely dependent on the work of my partners.

So, my first post in this series deals with an introduction to criminology. The topic discussed is :

Compare and contrast the Classical and the Positivist Schools of Criminology with reference to the main proponents (Beccaria, Bentham and Lombroso) and their contributions.

Naturally, and this holds for the entire series, the assignments are not free flowing as I am bound by references and bibliography (Don't worry, it won't be posted here - the references will though). Hence, don't expect any inspirational revelations.

This edition is likely to appeal to those interested in : Philosophy, Criminology, History of Biology, Law, 18th Century Literature and Lost (but purely on a superficial level).

The entire series is posted as has been presented to the university, and no part has been altered or inserted after it's presentation.

In this assignment I aim to analyse two major schools of criminological thought. The first being the classical school where I shall refer to the contributions of Cesare Beccaria and Jeremy Bentham. I will then move on to the positivist school where the work of Cesare Lombroso will be examined. Thus, throughout the course of this assignment, the comparisons and divergences of the two schools of thought will be presented as well as an overview of the ideas of the proponents of both schools.

One of the foundation stones of classical criminology is that humans choose whether or not to resort to criminal activity when faced with challenges throughout in day-to-day life. This is the attitude adopted by Right Realism when it comes to policy implementation in terms of crime and criminals. Proponents of classical criminology believe that committing crimes may be seen as an easy way out of problems by some people as a decent result may be achieved with very little sacrifice. In fact, Bentham claims that it is only the guarantee of punishment, and to a degree which exceeds the potential gain from committing a crime, which deters the would-be criminal from going through with the criminal act. One can add to this by citing Beccaria’s assertion that punishment must be proportional to the crime committed. I will explore these principles further later in this assignment (Siegel, 2006).

John Locke (1689) discussed the idea of a social contract. This idea takes into account that every human being is born with free will and a blank slate (or tabula rasa). Thus, this social contract includes the ideas that the governing bodies govern with the consent of those being governed. Furthermore, in covers the belief that everybody is equal under the law and that a de facto agreement exists between the governing body and the citizens binding both sides to a set of duties while entitling them to certain rights and, in the case of the governing body, the appropriate level of power required to lead the nation. Hence, while citizens are born free and with no pre-disposed mental ideas of appropriate behaviour, a set of norms and values in instilled into the child through socialisation based on the social contract, according to the classical school.

One can now go on to examine utilitarianism, which is one of bases of the classical approach. Utilitarianism promotes the idea that one should act in favour of the greatest good for the greatest number. Hence, for the sake of the argument, if the planting a tree will cause more happiness than not planting it, one should plant the tree. The idea is often associated with Jeremy Bentham, however a similar approach exists in Epicurean philosophy. Epicurus believed that one should act towards the maximisation of pleasure and minimisation of pain (Friggieri, 2000). Having covered the basics of classical criminology, I will now go on to elaborate on Jeremy Bentham’s philosophy and his contributions to the classical school.

In order to prove that people balance the possible pleasure achieved from committing a crime against the pain of punishment before proceeding with the crime, Bentham comes up with a mathematical formula which he claims all people subconsciously evaluate in their heads. He mentions this utility calculus in 1789 and goes on to explain the component parts of the calculation. These are the intensity and duration of the pleasure, the likelihood that similar pleasures will follow and/or opposite feelings will not follow, the certainty that pleasure will be achieved and the time that elapses between the commission of a crime and achieving the pleasurable state. A seventh aspect is the number of people who will experience such pleasure, thus fulfilling the utilitarian concept of greatest good (or pleasure) for the greatest number. In 1780, Bentham also discussed the role of punishment.

He applies the utilitarian principles to his analysis. He claims that legislators should weigh the degree of harm caused against the degree of good done to society in terms of punishment. Thus, he argues that punishment which inflicts more harm on the human than the good it achieves in the society is not acceptable. He believed that punishment should be used as a means of prevention and hence, a means, rather than an end in itself. One can sum up Bentham’s beliefs when it comes to punishment by the simple principle that any punishment which benefits society in the long run, to a greater extent than the pain caused in the short run, is justifiable. One can now move on to discuss another proponent of the classical school – Cesare Beccaria.

Referring back to a previous point of discussion, Beccaria argued in favour of the proportionality of punishment to the crime. Beccaria claimed that :
“If an equal punishment be ordained for two crimes that injure society in different degrees, there is nothing to deter men from committing the greater as often as it is attended with greater advantage.”
(Beccaria, 1764: Chapter 6)

To illustrate Beccaria’s point; if the twenty years imprisonment is the punishment awarded to a person convicted of petty theft and another of committing murder, then potential criminals are more likely to choose to commit murder as it the potential punishment remains the same while the possible rewards are greater than that of petty theft. In Chapter 19, Beccaria advocates swift delivery of punishment, especially for serious crimes, so that the crime and the subsequent punishment will be associated with each other. Furthermore, Beccaria affirmed his opposition to the use of torture and the death penalty. In the case of torture, he argued that those being tortured may sign fake confessions so as to put an end to the pain. With regards to the death penalty, one of his arguments in opposition to the practice is that the possibility of long term imprisonment is more likely to deter a person from committing a crime than death.

The other major school of criminological thought is the positivist school. Proponents of positivism promote the observation of phenomena and the use of the scientific method in coming up with theories as opposed to abstract thought (Siegel, 2006). Positivists believe that statements which are not supported by evidence and analysis of phenomena cannot be considered as valid theories of behaviour. The scientific method consists of various steps which must be followed, these being observation, hypothesising, experimentation and analysing and interpreting data. Furthermore, results must be published and the experiment must be able to be replicated by both the person as well as other researchers (Crawford and Stucki, 1990). Positivism can be split up into three distinct parts. These are social positivism, biological positivism and psychological positivism.

Social positivism argues that the society is the cause of criminal behaviour. A similar line of thought is present in Left Realism. Similarly, functionalists such as Emile Durkheim and Talcott Parsons, argue that crime is a functional component of society and that it draws attention to problems in society and the need for a change (Durkheim, 1895). One can now move on to biological positivism. This strand sees biological and medical factors as being responsible for criminal behaviour. In doing so, it would appear that biological positivism clears society of any responsibility for criminal behaviour. Therefore, this approach argues that criminal potential and behaviour is a natural product rather than one acquired through nurture (socialisation). Proponents of this strand of positivism have cited lower level of evolution and deformities as being the signs of a criminal. Nowadays, biological positivism is not highly regarded and very often it is combined with social positivism so as to combine the physical and mental elements of a potential criminal (Siegel, 2006).

The final strand of positivism, psychological positivism, looks at the inner psychological construction of the person as the cause of criminal behaviour. In 1950, Glueck and Glueck argue that criminal behaviour is bred inside children of broken homes where the absence of good parenting turns misbehaviour of children into criminal activity. This idea, as well as other ideas within psychological positivism, has been influenced by the work of Sigmund Freud who claimed that criminal activity was the product of a mental illness or a poor conscience. Furthermore, some claim that once a person has been socialised into a criminal lifestyle, certain types of choices made will remain present for the rest of the person’s life unless they become conditioned into behaving in an acceptable manner (Marshall et al, 1990).

Critics of the positivist approach claim that researcher influence and bias prevents the documentation of adequate results and explanations of criminal behaviour. Part of the reason for this is that it is considered unethical to study subjects without their knowledge and consent. Furthermore, some assertions are restricted to time. This holds in several cases. First of all, the replication of experiments at a time of year when the activity being studied is more/less likely to occur, for example road rage in winter and summer. Secondly, any data collected in 2000 may not be an appropriate explanation for crime in 1980 and 2020 by which time social, political and cultural elements may have changed and evolved. Having said this, proponents of the positivist school, such as Cesare Lombroso, looked at positivist criminology in a different way.

In contrast to classical criminologists, Lombroso argued against free will as being present in criminal activity. On the contrary, he believed that criminals were less evolved than other people and inherited their criminal leanings. Thus, many of the arguments by proponents of biological positivism have their roots in the Lombroso’s work (Terman, 1916). He applied racial and sexual factors to this theory. He believed that Caucasians were more evolved than non-Caucasians and used this reasoning as an explanation for criminal tendencies in people belonging to other races (Herman, 1997). Furthermore, he claimed that while female criminals were rare, those that existed (such as prostitutes) also displayed a lower level of evolution. However, he saw women as already being less evolved than men as they lived passive lives and consequently had a lower level of intelligence and initiative in committing crimes (Burke, 2001).

It was Lombroso who founded the Italian School of Criminology together with Enrico Ferri and Raffaele Garofolo who became proponents of the positivist school in their own right. Ferri did not support biological determinism as Lombroso did; he favoured psychological positivism. He felt that crimes were committed by people who were not immediately turned off by the mere idea of committing a crime and who had no feelings of guilt afterwards (Ferri, 1905). Garofolo also rejected the idea of free will but, like Ferri, preferred psychological and sociological explanations of crime over biological ones. He suggests certain types of punishments for criminals of differing level. Firstly, he goes against Beccaria and Bentham by advocating the death penalty for a criminal who is not capable of conforming to the status quo of social life due to a permanent psychological problem. His second recommendation is a long-term prison sentence for those who are only fit for a tribal society. Finally, he argues that offenders who have only committed crimes under unique circumstances and this particular circumstance is likely to be a one-off occasion should be forced to atone for their wrongdoings before being reintegrated into society.

To conclude this assignment, one can look at what has been presented so far. In this assignment, I have examined the classical school in conjunction with Cesare Beccaria and Jeremy Bentham and moved on to an opposing school of thought, positivist criminology. In discussing the positivist school, I brought forward some of the arguments of Cesare Lombroso and his students Enrico Ferri and Raffaele Garofalo. While neither school is able to give a perfect analysis of crime, be it as a result of statistical problems (positivist criminology) or lack of objective testing (classical criminology), both schools have made a significant contribution to criminological thought.

Brought to you by Darryl, from Malta - Online.