Lost

Jumping The Octopus

Several weeks ago my Instagram feed was inundated with ads for a patina garden sculpture of an octopus (sometimes labeled as a squid.) I was intrigued, it might look nice in the spot in the patio where the raggedy rose bush was. But they wanted over $40 for ’em. I poked around on Amazon and found one for $20.

It arrived yesterday, and after moving the arms around to a look I liked, it seemed a little dwarfed in the spot. The one I bought has a head size of about 16″ x 16″ and Amazon has some that are $45 that are 22″ x 22″. So, now I’m thinking I buy the bigger set and use it’s larger head and that set’s 4 more arms. Or should I just not waste the money and put the smaller one in a smaller area? I’m on the fence.

Instead of stopping the rewatch of LOST, I’ve just accelerated my viewing. Between yesterday and today I have burned through the last 10 episodes of Season five. I have “just” the 18 episodes of season six to finish and I might just go ahead and delete my digital copy of the show. This IMDb featured review of the show says it all.

Red Sox chances of making the Wild Card round in the 2026 playoffs: 7.2%

 

Jumping The Shark

I’m continuing with my rewatch of LOST, although I don’t know why. I am in Season Five now, and 6 episodes in. On a show that was loose with reality from the get go, there have been several chances to say the LOST had jumped the shark, but for me it was the third episode of season five, 89th overall, entitled “Jughead.”

No, it isn’t a crossover with the Archie comic books, but some reason the island are “heroes” are on has become unstuck in time. This plot device represents the Fonz putting on the water skis, the shark jumping part occurs during one of the time jumps. The characters are dropped in with some military types in 1954 and they find a twenty ton hydrogen bomb:

Red Sox chances of making the Wild Card round in the 2026 playoffs: 7.6%

 

Two Days In The Life

Monday was pretty much a washout as well, but at least I got out of the house for a coffee. I also swapped vehicle order, putting the GTI up front; it is its week to be driven. Also yesterday, I pulled the trigger on dedicated summer tires on new wheels for said GTI. They’ll be here tomorrow.

Today I got out. First was a trip to the ATM to take out some cash, then I went to Fred Meyer for a couple items I should have bought on my regular Friday trip. I know I could have gotten cash out at the grocery store, but I like to take it out in a big chunk, which exceeds what Freddy will let me take out. Plus I needed to take the GTI out for a spin. I needed the practice too; I actually stalled the car taking off from the first light I came to. On the way home I grabbed my usual latte, and even though I had ridden the exercycle for 45 minutes this morning, I walked a mile and a half while sipping on it.

Red Sox chances of making the Wild Card round in the 2026 playoffs: 17.3%

 

How Was Your Weekend?

Thanks for asking.

Saturday was a washout, literally. I rained all day. I only stepped outside of the house onto the side porch once to verify that the loud noise I was hearing was in fact a downpour. The Miata had just its fabric cockpit cover on. But that was just fine, as the cars are covered by an awning/portico, and unlike the southern thunderstorms, the rain falls mainly straight down, not sideways.

Neither car moved today either. I did get out for my typical Sunday bike ride to breakfast at Stomping Grounds. And in spite of the promise of no rain, when I started out, it was cold, damp, and lightly misting. Instead of turning downhill to start the usual route, I turned right and went to get the muffin and latte first. I figured if it still felt like that when I was finished eating, I could just go home and get on the indoor bike. But afterwards it had started to warm up a touch, and the mist was gone, so I did my route backwards. The only downside to going in the opposite direction was it finished on an uphill instead of a downhill blast.

I am about 4 episodes from the end of season three of LOST, and it is starting to get weird, which is saying a lot for the show.

Red Sox chances of making the Wild Card round in the 2026 playoffs: 22.0%

 

Allergies?

Sniff, sniff. The last week or so whenever I’m out walking, my nose will get all stuffy, and my eyes will get a little teary. I don’t remember this problem in the spring before, and this is my third one here in the Portland area.

After a couple seconds I realized this is actually my first spring here. In 2023 I was hardly getting out of the house much, what with taking care of Donna. Last year I was gone on the big road trip from mid-April to mid-June. All three of my usual paths are typically lined on both sides with all these springy, flowery things. Maybe pop a Benadryl before heading out and/or some tissues.

Today’s evening movie showing was Life of Crime a movie based on an Elmore Leonard book…nuff said. Oh, and I restarted watching LOST yesterday. So far I’m just watching one episode a day, not like the 2 per day clip from before.

Red Sox chances of making the Wild Card round in the 2026 playoffs: 17.9%

 

No Car Day

Daguerretype Miata


 
When I said “no car day,” I meant I didn’t drive a car today, not no car content day. The photo above was from yesterday morning’s walk. When I finished my loop, I noticed that I had parked in the same spot as the GTI from last Saturday morning. So I gave the Miata the same “photoshop” treatment as I did for the GTI.

Instead of driving to get my morning latte, I walked for it. I’ve done this about 3 or 4 times, and every time I get back, I swear I won’t do it again. Two-thirds of the trip is on fairly busy roads, and along most of that, there are zero sidewalks. Plus, the traffic makes it very noisy for listening to podcasts. This time when I got back, I didn’t swear I’d never do it again, so maybe this will flip the switch, and I just not do it again.

Red Sox chances of making the Wild Card round in the 2026 playoffs: 35.5%

 

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday

Today was jam-packed.

Started with my go-to weekend bicycle ride. I changed it up a little in the beginning to try a different bike path heading east. It really didn’t improve anything, and it actually was a downgrade because it is less traveled and as well-kept as the Ch’ak Ch’ak trail. It was a bit chillier of a ride because of yesterday’s rain, and it was still overcast. So instead of my usual dining outside at Stomping Grounds, I sat inside for my latte and muffin.

Sunday is laundry day, when I wash the sheets and towels as one load and then a second one for the clothes that have accumulated since Wednesday. While doing the washing I was watching the Red Sox lose to the Braves 8-0. This afternoon I washed both cars and changed their driveway order. The Miata is up front now because it is supposed to be a mostly sunny week with highs in the 70s. After the car washings I watched the last two episodes of season two of LOST.

My new toy/impulse buy showed up via FedEx, the widescreen FlightWall. After setting it up on the side table and getting it dialed in, I just let it run. I was going to wait until tomorrow to mount it in its permanent spot when I got the flat extension cord from Amazon but couldn’t help myself.

Along in there, I had time to break down the completed jigsaw puzzle and start a new one. plus watch several episodes of The Charismatic Voice. She really breaks down the singing and, to a certain extent, the sound as to how they are so good. I knew these songs were good, but she helped me understand why they are.

Red Sox chances of making the Wild Card round in the 2026 playoffs: 38.5%