Events, activities and other hometown items going on in and around Tipp City, Ohio by Greg Enslen

Tipp City Area Community Foundations    

The Distribution Committee of the Tipp Area Community Foundations held their quarterly meeting in December and awarded over $24,000 in grants to six different local and area organizations. Since 1943, the Foundation has been awarding grants to local and area organizations.

Groups that received grants last quarter included:

• the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, in support of their efforts to bring music into Tipp City schools, including classroom lessons and concerts;
• Tipp Monroe Community Services, in support of their Band Instruments Program, which provides instruments for students who  might otherwise not be able to afford to play’;
• Tipp City Area Arts Council, in support of their program to bring more music to the downtown with their Canal Music Festival; and
• We Care Arts, which funds two separate programs for students with disabilities “with the goal of alleviating the isolation and boredom that some of these students feel.”

Other groups that received smaller grants included Bethel Local Schools, the Indian Creek 4-H Club, Miami County Recovery Council, and Tipp City Exempted Village Schools.

Thanks to the foundation, its board members, and its donors for continuing to make such a positive and important contribution to our community.

Tipp City TV

Every wish you could watch TV shows dedicated to Tipp City, or enjoy old episodes of the Get Social Show?  At TippCityTV.com, I’ve created what is essentially a 24-hour TV station dedicated to Tipp City. I uploaded a smattering of Tipp City videos and other segments.  I’ve also included some old movies and TV shows, and added pages for up-to-date news and weather.

Speaking of TV

There is some really good TV coming back in mid-January, including a few shows that I’m very excited about:

• 30 Rock (January 12) – Back for season six, Liz Lemon has a secret.  She’s relaxed and happy, so naturally everyone on the set of the fictional “Girlie Show with Tracy Jordan” is worried about her.  Hey, it’s New York – happy is just unnatural, right? Oh, and Jenna signs up to judge an American-Idol style show.  Sign me up.
• Undercover Boss (January 15) – I love this show, if only to see CEOs of major corporations picking lettuce or trying to learn how to drive forklifts.  A classic fish-out-of-water exercise.
• Justified (January 17) – you do not want to be a criminal around U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens.  He thinks he’s a cowboy, but he also thinks he’s personally in charge of making the world a better place, so criminals and deadbeats and anyone he doesn’t like would be best served by moving to another state.  Returning to his home town after serving for years in other parts of the country, Raylan has reconnected with family and friends but found an interesting foil in childhood friend .  And last year’s stunning cliffhanger, with a long moment where Raylan shared a drink with a criminal and we waited to find out which glass had been poisoned, highlighted the amazing writing on this show.  If you like good writing—I’m talking to you, Breaking Bad/Sopranos/Deadwood fans—you will love this show and end up going back and ordering all of the old episodes from NetFlix.
• Royal Pains (January 18) – this show about a concierge doctor and his practice in the sunny Hamptons is the perfect anti-dote for cold weather.  Hank Lawson and his brother Evan run the kind of doctor’s practice that used to be common—he makes housecalls! Of course, his clients can afford it, but Hank still manages to run into some crazy diagnoses.  Check out the show for the gorgeous locations shots and stay for the characters, especially Divia, Hank’s physician assistant.
• American Idol (January 18) – Last year was interesting, with Simon gone and two new faces in Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler joining Randy Jackson in the “let’s find a star” juggernaut show.  This is the 11^th season, so it will be interesting to see if they can keep the audience that tuned in last year, expecting a train wreck, only to find a panel of judges that jelled surprisingly fast.  Now if they could only find an actual American Idol – it’s been a long time since they found an outstanding singer.  And isn’t that what the show is supposed to be about?
• Smash (February 6) – starring Debra Messing, Anjelica Huston and American Idol runner-up Katharine McPhee, this tune-filled drama explores the harried launch of a Broadway show and the players involved, each fighting for a moment in the spotlight.  I don’t usually enjoy musicals but this looks good—I love behind-the-scenes shows.
• The River (February 7) – ABC is taking a crack at the horror/suspense crowd with this thriller about a famous explorer who goes missing in the Amazon.  His wife and son set out with a documentary crew to find the explorer, but everything is not as it seems along the dark river.  It’s supposed to be scary and suspenseful, which I like, as opposed to gory and bloody (I’m talking to you, Walking Dead – come on!), which I do not like.  Check out the trailer on ABC.com and get some sleep now…while you still can.

Ginghamsburg Church Hosts Family Flick

The folks out at Ginghamsburg Church are hosting a Family Flick Night on January 20, when they’ll be presenting the family animated movie “Rio.” Admission is free, but they ask that you help support their New Path Food Pantry by bringing along a canned food item as a donation for each person in your group.

If you have questions, please see the church website at www.ginghamsburg.org or call Kelly Flora at 667-1069, extension 260.

Check In With Me

Hear something interesting for “Tipp Talk?” Visit my website at www.gregenslen.com and drop me a line using the “Contact Me” page. And don’t worry—I won’t quote you unless you want me to!

Events, activities and other hometown items going on in and around Tipp City, Ohio by Greg Enslen

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Christmas was great at the Enslens—we had Sam’s aunt and uncle in from New York City and enjoyed several days of decadent meals, gift exchanges, and just hanging out. I was the happy recipient of both a copy of Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 and a sweet blue lava lamp for my office. Sam got books and one of those make-your-own charm bracelets they carry at Hapinstance. Xander got Hex Bugs, and Anna and Katie got Zoobles, so all was right with the world.

New Year’s was a blast as we partied at my friend Diana’s house to celebrate the New Year. I made chili, which seemed to be a big hit, and we all hung out and played with kids and swapped stories while we waited for the big ball to drop. Thanks to our gracious hosts for having us over—it was a privilege, counting down the New Year with you.

We also made a conscious decision this year to put the Christmas decorations up early and leave them up late, so the tree and all of our Santas and pine trees are still out and about. I’m not in any hurry to pack away all our decorations just yet—it seems that the Christmas season comes and goes so fast already. Why hurry it along?

Sam decided this year that her business, Dragonfly Editorial, would give a donation to a worthwhile charity in lieu of gifts to staff and clients. They donated to Mira’s Movement, a nonprofit that supports families of children who have been diagnosed with cancer.

Two years ago, our good friends Chris and Christine Brouwer lost their four-year-old daughter Mira to pediatric ependymoma, a form of cancer that arises in the central nervous system. They created Mira’s Movement to help other families facing the same crisis. If you’d like to learn more about this organization or make a donation yourself, visit www.mirasmovement.org.

Resolutions

Anyone have any good resolutions so far this year? I know most people are going to go with the standard ones, like “lose some weight” or “promote world peace.” I’m shooting a little lower this year: I want to go for more walks and finish reading all the books on my bedside table. And I’d like to write and publish at least two books.

Display Gardens Filled with Roses?

Last year, Garden’s Alive/Springhill Nurseries bought a California company named Weeks Roses. Weeks is a wholesale grower of roses and has been doing so in their Wasco, California, location since 1938. “In addition to their rose lines, Weeks also offers a premium selection of edible fruit and ornamental trees,” their catalog says.

Why do I mention an acquisition that took place last May? Well, I don’t know if anyone will remember me mentioning last fall that Springhill had removed their massive test gardens that stretched along South Hyatt. I was seriously bummed to see them ripping out all those plants, shrubs, and trees.

Well, I have it on good authority that the space was cleared to make room for a Weeks Roses test garden. That’s right, soon there could be a massive rose garden planted along Hyatt Street featuring tens of thousands of roses. Wow.

Tipp City TV

Every wish you could watch TV shows dedicated to Tipp City, or enjoy old episodes of the Get Social Show, which starred me and my friend and City Councilman Mike McDermott? Well, over the Christmas break, I was trying to figure out how to upload our Get Social videos to the Internet where everyone could enjoy them. Unfortunately, YouTube limits their uploads to 15-minute segments, so I was going to have to chop up all of the shows into smaller pieces, making for a lot more work.

I finally found a solution that lets me upload entire episodes and, even better, puts the shows and other videos in rotation on a website that anyone can access. At TippCityTV.com, I’ve created what is essentially a 24-hour TV station dedicated to Tipp City.

In addition to old Get Social episodes, I also uploaded a smattering of Tipp City videos, including Matt Spangler’s narrated Opera House tour, the Tipp City Resume video created by the city in 2004 to encourage businesses to relocate here, Bucher’s Beat appearances at Winter’s Gatherings past, and a story that Fox 45 ran on the opening of the Big Robot Game Café.

I’m looking for more videos and for suggestion—what would you like to see on the channel? I’m also hoping people will send me videos or upload them and let me know about it.

In addition to the 24-hour channel, all of the clips and shows are available in a Video Library on the same page. If you’re hankering to hear Mike and I talk about the time Touchdown Jesus caught fire and burned down, just go to “Get Social Episodes,” find the right show, and hit “Play.” It will replace the live station with your selection—and go back to the live channel when it’s finished.

Ginghamsburg Church Hosts Family Flick

The folks out at Ginghamsburg Church are hosting a Family Flick Night on January 20, when they’ll be presenting the family animated movie “Rio.” Admission is free, but they ask that you help support their New Path Food Pantry by bringing along a canned food item as a donation for each person in your group.

And they’re inviting everyone to show up in the PJs! “Bring a blanket, pillow and your camera, as this promises to be a night you’ll never forget!” They will also be selling pizza at a nominal cost. If you have questions, please see the church website at www.ginghamsburg.org or call Kelly Flora at 667-1069, extension 260.

Check In With Me

Hear something interesting for “Tipp Talk?” Visit my website at www.gregenslen.com and drop me a line using the “Contact Me” page. And don’t worry—I won’t quote you unless you want me to!

Last Saturday afternoon, when the weather was unseasonably warm, I sat inside and enjoyed hours of the ‘Teen Mom’ marathon that was airing. It got me caught up on several of the episodes I had missed as I was just recently exposed to the popular series. Even before hearing of the near conceptions being performed at Tipp’s Homecoming Dance I thought of the difference the show could make in the lives of many teens. And it doesn’t take long to become addicted.

‘Teen Mom’ follows the lives of four young mothers, who first appeared on the series, ‘Sixteen and Pregnant.’ Each has a bundle of difficult drama in their life, along with their precious baby. Their worries go way beyond Facebook gossip and what pairs of shoes best match their outfit, to issues like child support, paying rent and midnight feedings. Unlike a number of reality shows, ‘Teen Mom’ excels at appearing to actually be real rather than staged for the camera.

The featured players are Maci, who will attract your attention with her southern charm, deep blue eyes and by trying to figure out the tattoo on her back. She has split with the father of her child, but rumors abound they will get back together. Maci recently moved to Nashville, from Chattanooga to be closer to her boyfriend, who then dumped her.

Also at 19, is Farrah, whose ex-boyfriend and father of the baby, was killed in a car accident. She is forced to raise Sophia alone, with little help from her mother who she is trying to rebuild a relationship with.

Perhaps the biggest villainess on television is Amber, who seemingly on every episode throws her on-again, off-again fiance Gary, out of the house. What he see’s in her, I don’t know but he keeps coming back for the same routine. She is mean spirited, foul mouthed, and physically abusive; yet compelling to watch. Her segments are my favorite, because besides fight with Gary, I never know what she’s going to do next.

The youngest at 18, but in some ways the most mature is Catelynn, who gave up her daughter, Carly, for adoption. She is still in a relationship with the father, Tyler, who strangely enough is also her step-brother. Yes, Catelynn’s mother is married to Tyler’s father, which makes them siblings. There can’t be much worse than having your parent fall in love and marry a parent of your fiance. My sympathies are with Catelynn, not only for the structure of her family tree, but from the abuse received by her mother.

The lives of each of the four women and millions of others across the country was drastically changed by one moment of believed to be inconsequential passion. WRONG! Amber wasn’t able to graduate high school, and is still trying for her GED. Their relationships were heavily strained or broken and home lives shattered. Each penny earned has an added worth and is spent more quickly. Moments of total peace don’t exist, nor do care free nights out with friends. Every single movement, choice, and relationship made has an effect on another human life.

One of the most striking scenes, is of when Amber is once again throwing Gary out of the house, while their daughter Leah is screaming. It’s the depiction of a chaotic life, totally out of control, a teen in control of another life when she can’t even take care of her own.

It’s common nature for a teenagers to think they know all the answers, I did, but watch ‘Teen Mom’ and you’ll be faced with a whole new set of questions. It might even make you stand a little farther apart the next time you dance. Yes, it can happen to you. Neither Maci, Amber, Farrah or Catelynn ever expected to be teenaged mothers, and most don’t even get a television show for their troubles.

The season finale of ‘Teen Mom’ airs this Tuesday night, Oct. 12 at 10:00 p.m. but it’s not to late to be impacted. Episodes are also available on MTV.com. It should be required viewing for every teenager, it’s an hour that could forever change lives. And on Oct. 19 a new season of ‘Sixteen and Pregnant,’ begins, featuring teens who never watched ‘Teen Mom.’

Following in the path of Cloris Leachman and Buzz Aldrin as the senior citizen is Florence Henderson. It’s depressing to me that Mrs. Brady, who remains one of my lustful desires has reached that status in life….Did I really just say that? Cover that floor with some Wesson Oil and watch Florence sizzle. I suppose Betty White was to busy, still actually having a career.

The role of a female beauty went to Audrina Patridge. I had never heard of her, she stars on ’The Hills.’ Guess it’s time to stop watching so many ’Brady Bunch’ reruns.

To satisfy the female audience is Mike ‘The Situation’ Sorrentino from the MTV series, ‘Jersey Shore.’ I just wonder if he will be able to stay sober long enough to be able to compete. The dancing will be more challenging than keeping up with Snookie.

Filling the need for professional athletes is retired quarterback Kurt Warner and former basketball player Rick Fox. And in the category of…remember me? is Michael Bolton,
Brandy and comedian Margaret Cho.

Though without the deceased Patrick Swayze and with the limitations of being on national television, fans of the movie ‘Dirty Dancing’ can relive the glory as Jennifer Grey is part of the cast.

Finally, the dream to be on reality tv will come true for Bristol Palin. Am just glad that Levi isn’t part of the cast. And she’ll be able to work off some of that unwanted weight from giving birth.

Also scheduled to dance is Kyle Massey from ‘Cory in the House.’ Has anyone heard of that? And last but not least, David Hasselhoff in his trademark leather pants.

The 11th season of ‘Dancing with the Stars’ begins September 20 at 8 p.m. Despite this cast, I probably won’t be tuning in, except maybe to see Mrs. Brady!

REALITY-COMPETITION PROGRAM

American Idol: Since half of the judges have resigned or been released since last season, I don’t think it deserves an Emmy. Plus, I haven’t heard a single mention of the winners name. What is it again?

Project Runway: I may go to a Richard Marx concert by myself, but I draw the line at turning in to this series. Besides, as wardrobe will show you, I’m not very fashion conscious.

Dancing with the Stars: Everyone talks about it, and with Ochocinco, plus Pamela Anderson on it this season..did I mention Buzz Aldrin too, I tried to watch it but couldn’t make it through a whole episode.

Top Chef: I get my fill of cooking shows watching the half dozen that Gordon Ramsay has. Besides, if it doesn’t include cooking it in the microwave I’m probably never going to make it anyway.

Emmy goes to: The Amazing Race…The category should have included Survivor, Big Brother and Hell’s Kitchen, but the Amazing Race is compelling television.

My Pick: Missing from this category are three of my favorites; Survivor, Big Brother and Hell’s Kitchen. They would make perfect replacements for the three shows which were nominated that I don’t watch. While I may go to a Richard Marx concert by myself, I draw the line at tuning in to Project Runway. I get my fill of cooking shows by watching those with Gordon Ramsay and I tried but just couldn’t make it through a full episode of Dancing with the Stars.

That leaves American Idol, which I am a fan of, but since half of the judges have since resigned or been released I don’t think they are worthy of winning. So my pick is for The Amazing Race.

SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES

Chris Colfer as Kurt in Glee: Though one of the most talked about shows of the year, I didn’t watch Glee. I tried a couple times, and didn’t see what all the hype was about.

Jon Cryer as Alan in Two and a Half Men: I loved him as Duckie in the 80’s film, ’Pretty in Pink,’ but that means nothing here. In all the years its been on, I’ve never watched an episode or even part of one of Two and a Half Men. I just hope that Charlie Sheen doesn’t attack him with a knife for not winning.

Neil Patrick Harris as Barney on How I Met Your Mother: Again, a sitcom that I don’t watch. Monday has always been wrestling night for me on the television.

Jesse Tyler Ferguson as Mitchell on Modern Family: Is one half of the gay couple.

Eric Stonestreet as Cameron on Modern Family: The other half of the gay couple.

The Emmy goes to: Ty Burrell as Phil on Modern Family. No show made me laugh more than Modern Family, the entire cast is superb but I think Burrel is most deserving.

SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES

Jane Lynch as Sue in Glee: I suspect she will win, but not from my vote.

Jane Krakowski as Jenna on 30 Rock: This is another show that I should watch, but for one reason or another have avoided it.

Kristin Wiig as being several characters on Saturday Night Live: She is a real chameleon, among my favorites is the Target cashier but I can’t overlook MacGruber.

Holland Taylor as Evelyn on Two and a Half Men: See previous category.

Sofia Vergaro as Gloria on Modern Family: The best television wife that Ed O’Neil has had since Peg Bundy. Is curvaceous and funny, is in tight race to win in my book.

The Emmy goes to: Julie Bowen as Claire in on Modern Family: I picked her onscreen husband in the previous category so might as well keep it all in the family. Besides, she is one of my secret crushes.

SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES

John Slattery as Roger on Mad Men: I hear lots of great things about this series, but have never seen it.

Martin Short as Leonard on Damages: Never even heard of it.

Aaron Paul as Jesse on Breaking Bad: This category is really making me feel like I need more drama in my life. Have never even seen a commercial for it.

Andre Braugher as Owen on Men of a Certain Age: Okay, where’s a TV Guide?

Terry O’Quinn as Locke on LOST: Now we’re talking, apparently LOST provided all the television drama I need. A great character and performance, ordinarily would be a sure winner but there is only one person that offers some competition.

The Emmy goes to Michael Emerson as Ben on LOST: I love Ben, one of the all time great television performances. Surrounded by a great cast, he still rose above them all. If he doesn’t win, it’s a crime.

SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES

Christina Hendricks as Joan on Mad Men: Who?

Rose Byrne as Ellen on Damages: What about the women on LOST?
Archie Panjabi as Kalinda on The Good Wife: Sorry, never heard of you.

Sharon Gless as Madeline on Burn Notice: Used to be on Cagney & Lacey, which I watched about as many times as I have Burn Notice…zero.

Christine Baranski as Diane on The Good Wife: Beginning to wonder why I’m even writing this column.

The Emmy goes to: Elisabeth Moss as Peggy on Mad Men. I don’t know why, but I had to pick somebody.

LEAD ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES

Larry David as Himself on Curb Your Enthusiasm: Probably a good show, but am to cheap for HBO.

Tony Shalhoub as Monk on Monk: Is on basic cable, yet still never watched it.

Matthew Morrison as Will on Glee: Based on these nominations, maybe I should give Glee another try.

Jim Parsons as Sheldon on the Big Bang Theory: Dang wrestling keeps me from all this comedy.

Alec Baldwin as Jack on 30 Rock: He was once married to Kim Basinger, that’s enough of an award.

The Emmy goes to: Steve Carell as Michael on The Office is always dependable for a few good laughs, is perfect as the clueless boos, but didn’t have enough ‘That’s what she said’ lines this season.

LEAD ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES

Edie Falco as Jackie on Nurse Jackie: Don’t have Showtime either.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Christine on The New Adventures of Old Christine: The series was cancelled so feel it isn’t worthy of an Emmy.

Lea Michele as Rachel on Glee: Not only can she act, but sing too. To bad I missed it.

Toni Collette as Tara on United States of Tara: Again, no Showtime.

Tina Fey as Liz on 30 Rock: I have nothing against Tina, I think she’s brilliant and love the glasses but even on Saturday Night Live I always liked her final competitor a little better.

The Emmy goes to: Amy Poehler as Leslie on Parks and Recreation. She’s another personal favorite of mine.

LEAD ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES

Jon Hamm as Don on Mad Men: Maybe I should start spending less time on Facebook and watch some of these shows.

Kyle Chandler as Eric on Friday Night Lights: I’ve never even seen the movie on which the series is based.

Hugh Laurie as Dr. Gregory on House: I really don’t see what all the women see in him.

Michael C. Hall as Dexter on Dexter: I thought Showtime was a movie channel anyway.

Bryan Cranston as Walter on Breaking Bad: I’ve never even heard of anyone talk about this show.

The Emmy goes to: Matthew Fox as Jack on LOST. Wasn’t my favorite character on the show, but can’t go against it in any category. Especially since it’s the only show I watched.

LEAD ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES

January Jones as Betty on Mad Men: She looks more like a July to me…HOT.

Kyra Sedgwick as Brenda on The Closer: She will bring home the bacon (her husband Kevin) but not the Emmy.

Mariska Hargitay as Olivia on Law & Order:SVU: There are so many L&O and CSI’s but I don’t watch any.

Glenn Close as Patty on Damages: Sorry, but I still hold what you once did to that poor rabbit against you.

Connie Britton as Tami on Friday Night Lights: Hope you’re a winner on Friday, because you won’t be on this night.

The Emmy goes to: Julianna Margulies as Alicia on the Good Wife. A good wife is hard to find and being one is deserving of some praise.

OUTSTANDING COMEDY SERIES

Curb Your Enthusiasm: I like free tv much better.

Nurse Jackie: See above.

Glee: For tonight, change the name to Sad.

30 Rock: I might try and watch it next season,

The Office: One of my favorite shows, but not enough ’That’s what she said’ lines this year.

The Emmy goes to: Modern Family. I said somewhere up above, that no show made me laugh harder this year so I have to award that.

OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES
True Blood: Enough with Vampires already.

Dexter: Didn’t that used to be a comic strip?

Mad Men: I’ll be happy if it doesn’t win, but probably will.

The Good Wife: One praise was enough.

Breaking Bad: Are you telling me this has more drama than Desperate Housewives?

The Emmy goes to: LOST. When the series being over leads to a deep depression, that is Emmy worthy drama.

Wow…that’s a long one…’That’s what she said.’ Now I know why awards shows take forever, so do the articles about them.

The Emmy’s are Sunday night, August 29 at 8:00 on NBC…I’ll be watching Big Brother instead.

The folks over at the Get Social! Show, KIT-TV’s LIVE TV show, are excited because the folks from Midnight Shadows Paranormal Society are headed to the show!  Get Social is a live TV talk show that highlights the activities of local businesses and organizations in Tipp City and the Miami Valley. Hosts Mike McDermott and Greg Enslen explore local entertainment, news, sports, and weather with a range of special guests. The TV show airs LIVE ON WEDNESDAYS at 1pm on KIT-TV Channel 5, with frequent re-airings throughout the week. Tune in!

From the Midnight Paranormal website:
“Through our own personal experiences, fate has entwined us to form MIDNIGHT SHADOWS PARANORMAL SOCIETY. We are; friends, family, and a forum of paranormal investigators. We constantly thrive to achieve the information,and knowledge to help those in need,and our own spiritual advancement. We show the interest in the fields related as; THE PARANORMAL, THE OCCULT, DEMONOLOGY, AND SPIRITUAL ADVANCEMENT and EXPLORATION. We conduct our investigations in; Businesses, Residential, urban legends, as well known attractions,in a spiritual but scientific manner. If you are in need of some assistance, please feel free to contact us, We will gladly help,or answer any questions as quickly as possible. You can contact us through midnight.paranormal@yahoo.com”

As a television enthusiast whose spent thousands of hours watching a variety of programs from ‘Saved by the Bell’ to ‘E.R’ and everything in between I believe that no series has ever been more compelling than the drama about the island castaways. The question of, Who shot J.R? does not even compare to, What do the numbers mean? ‘LOST’ has provided many mind-numbing questions through its six seasons, very few of which have ever been answered.

‘LOST’ is a perfect title for the series, because the viewers are kept lost trying to figure it all out. My head is starting to spin just by the thought of it. Not only is an alternate reality featured, in which none of the castaways ever crashed on Oceanic Flight 815, but also flashbacks from before the flight and people on the exact same island some of which were transported back to the 1970’s and others in present day. There was another element of time traveling that I’m not even going to try to explain, but it caused some of them to have nose bleeds.

Despite all the confusion, it’s the wondering of what really is going on, that makes ‘LOST’ so entertaining to watch. Right when some answers seemed to finally be discovered the questions would change. What once seemed so important, no longer seems to matter. The Dharma Initiative is long forgotten. The focus has changed to Jacob and the Smoke Monster.

Another saving grace is the cast, each episode is perfectly acted. My personal favorites are John Locke and Ben Linus. They are fascinating characters and a pure delight to watch, especially when interacting with each other. With my apologies to Marcia Brady, though for totally different reasons, I don’t know if any other character has caused more viewing pleasure than Ben. He’s the ultimate schemer, who you love to hate. He’s going to be greatly missed.

It has also not been a struggle watching Kate in a tube top for six years, hearing Hurley say different variations of, ‘Dude,’ or laughing at the nicknames that Sawyer would give people.
I do wonder whatever happened to Walt, who for the first couple of seasons was made out to be a vital character and has since been forgotten. Won’t even mention Vincent, a dog who hasn’t been spotted in forever. He might still be stuck in 1972 from one of the time warps.

One flaw of the show, much like another television classic, ‘Gilligan’s Island,’ is that the castaways are trapped on the island unable to escape, but countless other people come and go at ease. Characters such as Charles Widmore, Ben, Desmond and the all important Jacob have earned frequent flier miles from making multiple trips back and forth.

Another minor irritation is the number of other civilizations that have been found on the mysterious island, that’s supposedly some mystical, secret place. First it was the Others, then the Dharma Initiative who had hatches all over the place, then a group from a freighter, and other groups as well, including those introduced this season who lived in a huge temple. How it had never been found before, I don’t know? Just one of the reasons it keeps me feeling lost.

It is a show that makes you think, which is a major factor that sets it apart from all the others. ‘Golden Girls’ was a great sitcom, highlighted by the ever popular Betty White and her St. Olaf stories but burned very few brain cells. ‘LOST’ is almost worthy of a degree if any sense is made from it and lead to many water-cooler conversations and message board debates.
On more than one occasion when the word ‘LOST’ came up on the screen, marking the end of the episode I thought to myself that television at its finest had just been seen. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end.

It will be hard to say goodbye to ‘LOST,’ it was a wonderful journey together and could always be depended on for a good time. Like all relationships there were occasional bumps in the road (Nikki & Paulo) and some sadness (Charlie’s death) but in the end I would take nothing back and only wish it could last longer.

I’m going to be lost without ‘LOST,’ but at least will still have my ‘Desperate Housewives.’