Pat The Barber

Pat. Just Pat. Or, more recently, Pat the Barber.

There have been many key men in my life. Men that have been there for years and decades. As it happens when you get older, many have died. Aside from my father and my grandfathers, most of these men were uncles. When I look back at my 40+ years of life, there are very few men from outside my family that have been there for more than a few years.

Pat Pelletier was one of them.

For over 30 years Pat was my barber. And my father's barber. And, more recently, he's been my son's barber. He was always there for me. Through tough moments in my life, and his, he was ready to stand behind me to give me a new look for the month. To make me feel better about myself.

I don't remember when I first met Pat but I can remember what likely drove us to him. When my dad and I moved to King George in 1980, we found a barber. I distinctly remember him cutting my hair. More specifically, I distinctly remember him rubbing his penis on my arm as he moved around the barber chair. My arm. Sitting on the arm rest. I remember where it happened but don't remember who it was. Just a faceless man cutting my hair while rubbing himself on me. I pass by the shop every day and, after 30 years, have days where I don't think about the assault.

I don't know if I ever told my father about the incident but I do remember, in some form or fashion, telling him I didn't like going there. So we found Pat cutting hair in Fredericksburg. He was across the street from the 2400 diner, on the corner of Princess Anne and Germania Streets, and it was a routine of going there for a haircut. Back then, Larry Lancaster, Pat, and a third barber would cut hair.

This was where I was introduced to the subtle routines of barbershops. Or at least I would have been if I paid attention. As I grew older, I realized there was a very precise, yet unwritten, ebb and flow to the routine. As the new arrival, you found an open seat and waited your turn. You had to take note of who else was sitting in the chairs waiting because there was no order to the seats, no deli counter tickets announcing which person was next. You just had to know. But if you goofed, or didn't pay attention, Pat would remember.

Pat would also remember your name. Most of the time. And he'd remember your haircut. All of the time. And as I got older, he'd remember when he last saw your father and tell you that he came in for a haircut the week before. But Pat was always there, ready to talk or listen or stay silent. He was adept enough to know what you were in the mood for and could adjust his socialization style just as quickly as he could adjust the clippers.

As a small boy, I wasn't given much choice in my haircut styles. Or at least my father had a few hard and fast rules on what haircuts I could not get, primarily a mohawk. With my son, I loosened the reins and he was allowed to get what he wanted. Being a Beatles fan, he insisted on growing it long like a mop head.

For over 30 years Pat was a staple of my life. Every month I'd stop in for a haircut. I went off to college and, if I was lucky enough to time my trips home right, I could avoid the barber in the small college town of northwestern Pennsylvania and have Pat cut my hair. I had no problems with those barbers, they worked in a pinch, but they always asked what number I was. Number 3 on top, number 2 on the sides. I could never remember the numbers. Pat, he just knew what you meant. He was an old fashioned barber and would know the difference between short, long, high and tight, and blocked in the back. And, if he cut it a little longer than you wanted, he always asked if it was okay before you left giving you a chance to have him fix it. But if you were in a rush, you could always sit down the following month and say, a little shorter than last time and he would remember.

My least favorite part of visiting Pat for a haircut was the itchy hairs left behind. As I grew older, those hairs got greyer. And fewer. And he began to offer to cut the hair in my ears. And eyebrows. But, over the years, the decades, that I saw him, my favorite part remains the back of the neck shave. Warm lather. A sharp straight razor. A steady hand. At times, it felt like I was in Floyd's Barber Shop when he pulled out the razor and sharpened it on the strop. It felt comfortable. Like home.

For over 30 years Pat was there for me. Unless he was fishing. Which would sometimes lead me to get a haircut from Larry. Or Pat's sister Paulette. Or his partner Joe. But oftentimes, if Pat was on vacation, it meant going home to wait until he came back. For over 30 years Pat was there, to listen to a quick summary of how your life was going. Or talk baseball or football or fishing. Regardless of where his shop was located, he was there.

I don't know when exactly it happened, but Pat got sick a few years ago. He started wearing gloves. Walking with a limp. Taking breaks with his foot in a chair. He was no longer the youthful barber of my childhood. He had grown into an old man with an underlying illness. As most men do, you put on a brave face and don't talk about it much. You suffer in silence. I never asked what was wrong with him but learned through the years that it caused him a lot of pain. Standing on his feet made things even more painful.

As time went by, his health improved in spurts and failed in spurts. And then he was diagnosed with cancer. Stage IV. I found out around the same time I found out my mother's partner had gotten the same diagnosis. It was heartbreaking on multiple fronts. As Pat rebounded a little after treatment, he told me he was at peace with death and ready for it. He didn't say it like he wanted to die but like a man that knew his time on earth would be short and that he was prepared to see Jesus.

After that conversation, he cut my hair one more time. Maybe twice.

Little did I know that my last haircut from Pat would be my last haircut from Pat. I went in a few times to have Joe cut my hair and would get some updates on how he was doing. In the hospital. Out of the hospital. In a care facility. Wherever Pat was, he wasn't standing behind me asking me if I wanted a long crew. I regret not saying goodbye to Pat one last time. Not giving him a hug or shaking his hand. He was there for me for so many years. He helped me look good.

And now he's gone. Gone are the days of itchy necks. Gone are the days of seeing a photo of his son in a baseball uniform. Gone are the days of seeing the football pennants on the wall. Gone are the days of seeing Navy hats on display. Gone are the days of a shaved neck. Gone are the days of the crinkly paper around your neck. Gone are the days of the Dippity-Do in your flattop. Gone are the days of a slightly slippery floor covered in loose hair.

Pat the Barber is gone. But his impact on this world is not.

Patrick James Pelletier

September 17, 1948 - July 16, 2020

Free Lance-Star Obituary

Elizabeth's Haircut Part 1

Elizabeth's Haircut Part 2

Elizabeth's Haircut Part 3

No Shave November

As I sit here staring at a Christmas tree invading my space in my usual spot in the corner, I'm reminded that things can be a lot worse. A lot worse. I've been listening a lot to Gary Vaynerchuk, aka Gary Vee, lately and he constantly reminds me to be positive. That complaining isn't worth your time. That we live in an age where we really do have it better than ever.

And before I get too far, I'll warn you, especially you mom, that this may make you cry.

Growing up as a kid, I was totally comfortable with having divorced parents. It was normal for me. I never knew how horrible an experience it is, for everyone involved, until I got older and met kids who had parents in the middle of a divorce. Or parents who didn't talk to each other. And then, as I was even older, I talked to my parents more about their experience in getting a divorce. It sucked. Thankfully, they put me first and, despite what some may claim, I feel like I've come out of the process as a fairly normal person.

My mother would eventually remarry. Bobby. Pa. Bob. Whatever I called him, he was my stepfather. I didn't know it at the time but he wasn't the nicest man. He was but he wasn't. He would go from being a complete racist to showering me with love and gifts. I never knew how good, and bad, he was until I was older. He died twenty years ago this past July and it hit me and my mom hard at the time. It was unexpected.

Shortly after Bobby's death, my mom started dating a new man. Steve. When I first met him, he looked like Jesus. A slightly older version of a long haired, bearded, straight out of some gold plated art piece, Jesus. I was shocked at how fast my mom went from grieving her husband to moving in with a new man. As I got a little older and watched other people in my family go through the same process of losing a spouse, I realized it wasn't a mistake. I realized it was perfectly acceptable because it was what they wanted. It made them happy to be together, love each other, to live with each other. I was the one that had a problem, not them.

I got over my problem with mom and Steve. I grew to accept Steve. I never lived with Steve as much as Bobby so I never got to know him as well as I should have. Again, that was my problem, not theirs. But over the last twenty years, I've gotten to know him well enough that he's been the best thing my mother could hope for. The best thing I could hope for in somebody taking care of my mom. And they really do take care of each other.

Where is all of this leading? Steve has cancer. He's had several different types of treatments with varying levels of success. But the cancer isn't curable. He's currently going through chemotherapy treatments which, as is often the case, is leading to hair loss. For a man that has had long hair and a beard for decades, this is a big deal. Even though he says it doesn't matter, I think it's been part of his identity for so long, I think it will matter.

So that's why I grew a beard for a month. No Shave November, or Movember in some places, began as a way to raise awareness of cancer in men. It has grown over the years and morphed a bit, but the endgame is still the same. Raise awareness and money for cancer research. So I grew a beard for a month.

In the end, it was interesting to see how everyone reacted. My son noticed first and knew exactly what I was doing. My wife and daughter noticed but didn't say anything for a bit. My wife made it clear she didn't like the beard. My kids didn't care much. I don't think my dad said anything about it. My mom was sad when she found out why. I told her that if Steve was going to lose his beard to chemo, I could grow one for a month in honor of him.

Every day, I was tempted to cut it off. It itched for the first week. Made me look like a skunk for the second week. Tickled and made my face feel numb in the third week. Insulated my face from a cold pillow in the last week. All in all, it wasn't fun. But I knew, every time I wanted to call it quits early, I knew Steve had it worse than me. So I kept it growing.

As others around town noticed, only a few asked why I was growing a beard. If they asked, I told them. It felt weird giving an elevator pitch on how my beard was linked to Steve but after a few tries I got a little better. Most people didn't ask. Some didn't notice. And that made me realize that it was like cancer. So many people have survived it or are currently suffering from it yet they don't throw it around in conversation.

As we're now past No Shave November, I'm back to a clean shaven face. I hated that beard. I don't think I'll ever grow another one. I hate cancer. But I can't do anything about that. But maybe, just maybe, if we all throw a few coins into a pot, we can help researchers find a cure or a better treatment. After all, cancer treatments have progressed exponentially in modern history. After all, we really do have it better than ever.

Beard:

No Beard:

Family Recipes vs. Mobile Apps

As a fresh-faced house spouse that's a 41 year old man, I'm a bit of a contradiction. And I'm okay with that. People don't understand my role in my family and in society and usually give a look of confusion when I answer the "what do you do" question. But to be honest, sometimes I don't understand my role either.

You see, as a house spouse, or housespouse if you prefer, I am fighting decades, centuries, and maybe even millennia of tradition where the "man" is the provider and the "woman" is the house keeper. So giving me a confused look is totally okay. But I challenge your preconceived notion about me because I still feel as though I "provide" for my family, just in other ways.

One of the ways I provide is by cooking. And I have a long and checkered past with cooking. Once upon a time, back in the olden days when television was on low-definition and cassingles were easily found, my ability to cook was limited to the simple things. A bowl of cereal. A sandwich with cheese and mayo. A box of macaroni was about as complex as I got.

As I grew older, I expanded my cooking abilities by learning how to make hot cereal, adding ham to my sandwiches, and, when I wanted to live on the edge, put tuna in my mac and cheese. But now that I'm a house spouse and YouTube creator, I'm delving deep into cooking. Deeper than I ever expected to go. And I have the women in my life to thank for it.

My wife was, and probably still is, extremely cautious about my cooking. While she seems happy to teach me how to cook certain things, she doesn't like it when I don't follow the recipe. Or when I DON'T. FOLLOW. THE. RECIPE.

I have my reasons for changing things, namely that when I cook, I try to put things in that I like but also know that the kids might like. And sometimes I just want a change on that recipe that's been used and reused so many times we're all a little tired of it. But another big reason is food allergies. My kids and myself are allergic to a few things and adding or removing or otherwise modifying a recipe is pretty normal. Prime example is most cookie  and cake recipes from my grandmothers include nuts of some type. That's a big no-go in our house.

But back to the recipes. According to the Washington Post, they might be "dead." And I can sort of see their point. With Generations Y and Z, apps are the shiznit. Apps are so hip, that my daily crossword will use "APP" as the answer to clues talking about computer programs. Meanwhile, I still try to make "SOFTWARE" fit into three squares. Apps are so commonplace, they can do just about everything for you. And as the article suggests, cooking is one of those things.

Despite all of these things swirling around in the vortex of today and the future of cooking, I'm not sure I agree with the idea that recipes are dead. And as I sit here and think of ways to convince you that I'm right, the only thing I can do is prove that recipes will become more of an "artisan" thing. Like blacksmithing and glassblowing, using recipes will not die, only become more of a niche market for artists.

That makes me sad. As much as I want to preserve history, especially my family's history, I can see how cooking will become an art (I mean, it already is but you know what I mean) reserved for special meals and everyday cooking will be relegated to bots, apps, and maybe even food replicators.

So where does that leave me as a housespouse trying to learn how to cook? It leaves me in debt to those women who came before me and who are with me now. My grandmothers, their mothers, my parents, my wife, all of them have worked so hard at the hearth, the oven, the cooktop, to ensure I was fed and wouldn't go hungry. I can only hope my children can do the same for their kids.

Happy Thanksgiving

New Polaroid Film In An Old Polaroid Camera - A Review

A recent Instagram post by my local camera shop (shout out to Richmond Camera!) showed some new Polaroid film hitting the shelves. As in, old film that's not so old any more. As in, I can use my old camera now!

Some History

As I was doing some research for my 40 Years Ago Today project, I had many Polaroids that needed dates on them. I could guess based on what was in the image but if it wasn't labeled, I couldn't tell for sure. The research was further complicated by the fact that I had Polaroids from several different people in my collection.

As I began to research the film itself, I quickly learned there was a way to identify when the film was manufactured. Once I found the production codes on the back of the film, I was able to better guess as to the range of years the Polaroid came from. I could also get a clear picture on which photos were from the same production batch. This helped in some cases where I may have had two different pictures from one single film batch but only one picture had a date on it.

Another interesting tidbit I never knew about Polaroid film until I did this research was that the batteries to power the camera were inside the film cartridge. This means that when the film is used and the cartridge is ejected, there are no batteries left to corrode in the camera. And for me, this meant that the camera was left is nearly pristine condition when I started using it again. Granted, I probably should have cleaned the rollers inside like the directions said and should have made sure everything looked good, but hey, it worked right away after decades of sitting around.

If you look at this Polaroid, it was manufactured in October of 1976. But the photo was taken in May of 1977.

The Film

There are eight (8) photos per cartridge. And at roughly $20 per cartridge, you're talking an average of $2.50 per photo. So think about your photos wisely. Below are some photos of the film as it's sold today. Note that the box has a stamped date on the bottom for when it was produced.

I can't really show you the cartridge until I finish this particular pack of film. But from the looks of things, it hasn't changed much. Although the battery does look a little more modern.

Included with the film is of course an instruction page. I really enjoy the part about shaking it.

The Camera

The camera is old. As in, I'm not even sure how old it is but I'd guess early 1980s. This is based on a photo taken in June of 1981 and a family photo in 1982. It's also the first camera I ever remember using as a kid. I specifically remember visiting my mom in Salinas, California in the trailer park that she lived in. We went up to the pool house and she gave me the camera and I took a picture of her. It was pretty crooked but I remember the awe of being allowed to use this fancy camera. I also learned that I needed to hold the camera steady and straight.

Since then, the camera has been a staple of most of the 1980s. It wasn't the best camera and my dad would eventually use a 35mm Canon for most of the important stuff but that meant the camera became mine. And while I didn't always take pictures of everything, I did use it. Once I got older and began using 35mm and then digital camera, I eventually left the Polaroid in a drawer or box never to be used again. At least that's what I thought.

Below are some photos of the camera. I can't show the serial numbers inside the flap until I finish this pack of film. But I'll try to come back and update the post later.* Note the light/dark dial on the front, the photo counter on the back, and the shutter button. The flash shown is a disposable flash bar that is powered by the battery in the film pack. I do have another flash that snaps onto the top of the camera and is powered by four AA batteries.

***UPDATE***
I found a used Polaroid exactly like mine at a local Goodwill store on November 28, 2017. I purchased it, along with the external battery-powered flash bar, for a whopping five dollars. After a light dusting, I put a new cartridge of film inside and pushed the shutter button. And it worked! Sadly, the flash bar was too compromised by corroded batteries to work. Below are photos from the inside of this new Polaroid camera.

The Results

The first photo I took, I used the flash, stood under a single lightbulb, and totally overexposed the film.

The second photo was a little worse. I assumed the overhead lights would be enough to light the subjects, but it wasn't. Should have used the flash. I also had some issues with the shutter button. I'm not sure if it's because I have fat fingers or if the button was recessed too much or if the button is old and not working right or if I was just being stupid. What ever the source of the problem, it didn't quite work as expected. Which I assume is why the image is blurry.

My third photo went much better. I stepped further back, had more lights (including the flashbar), and took extra care to press the shutter button carefully. As you can see, much better! But you'll also notice the image looks a little washed out some with the colors. They don't exactly "pop" but then again, it's an old camera using new film.

LOST With Elizabeth - Finale

Well folks, it looks like the LOST With Elizabeth idea dried up sooner than expected. I had hoped to continue watching, writing, and discussing the show with my daughter but two big challenges arose. The biggest one was that the Season 3 discs no longer have questions at the end of them. So even though we made great progress into Season 3, we no longer had any discussion prompts. The second hurdle, and one that was expected, was school finally caught up to us. We started this project over the summer when bedtimes were much more flexible. As school began, our free time declined and so did our discussions.

So because school is more important than these blog entries and because I don't have the free time to create discussion questions, we've decided to table the project for now. There are two or three other shows I'd like to watch with her to see what she has to say but have yet to come up with a way to do it. So LOST With Elizabeth will be like The Knight Rider and Magnum PI posts in that they will only occur as time allows.

Meanwhile, I'd like to thank you for reading her thoughts and I hope you stick around for more!

LOST With Elizabeth - Season 2, Disc 6

Changes to previous answers are highlighted.

Disc 6 Questions
Just like Season 1, there were no questions at the end of this disc. But we went back and re-visited the previous questions to see if there where any changes in her answers.


Disc 5 Questions

What else will Michael do in his pursuit of Walt? [he just killed Ana Lucia and Libby]
He took four people with him but Hurley was allowed to leave so technically he made three people go as prisoner. But I really feel like that boat is suspicious. Like they're not going to just let him go and be free [see note below about Season 3].

What will we find out about Henry Gale?
[insert chuckling] He is the "king" of the Others for lack of a better term. And if you don't listen to him, then I don't know what happens to you but not something good [see note below about Season 3].

What is Dharma and why do they have their own food products?
Dharma is an experiment to see how people do with this problem their faced with. And they have their own food products because the people on the island need some source of food besides papayas, mangoes, and fish. They didn't want any other companies influencing the experiment people. And I feel like the question mark place was an experiment too.

Is Hurley really crazy?
I don't think Hurley is crazy. I think it's his conscience that is crazy.

Another pre-island coincidence? [Libby in the mental hospital]
Yes.

? [the black light painting on the blast door that shows a map]
I think it's meant so that you can find all of the other Dharma buildings and what the center of the island is. It will lead you to an underground passage back to the real world. Well, they're in the real world so like back to civilization. In contact with real people. But it's like a mystery and they have to solve it. Except it didn't take them anywhere. It took them to a place where they were monitoring the other Dharmas. You know, really when you think about it, why would they have people on the island doing that when they could just as easily have people on land doing that.


Disc 4 Questions

Who kidnapped Sun?
Charlie. [said in a really bad Australian accent like Claire]

Should we believe Henry Gale's story?
No.

Or listen to what Rousseau says about him? [Henry Gale]
I don't know if she [Rousseau] went extreme now. What it seems like is he's the leader. When he was prisoner he made it seem like he was a lower class but what we're seeing now [see note below about Season 3] he seems more like the person in charge.

How is Sun pregnant?
I don't know.

Will they find Henry Gale's balloon?
They found his balloon but it wasn't his balloon. It was the real Henry Gale's balloon, not the other Henry Gale's balloon [the one in the Hatch].

Disc 3 Questions

Where is Walt writing from?
The boat people are the same as The Others. He asked for Alex and Alex was with the Others. Walt was writing from where the other Tailies were. Walt and the other Tailies don't know that they're on the same flight but they're both against The Others. So Walt is teamed up with them [the other Tailies].

Is it a coincidence that Eko and his brother ended up on the same island?
Yes.

Will Claire and Charlie's relationship ever be the same?
It won't be the same but it will be similar.

Or will Charlie give into temptation? [heroin]
No.

Will Michael find Walt on his own?
He will think he knows where Walt is and come back and get help. I was right except he knew [see note below about Season 3].

Will Jack and Ana Lucia lead a war against the Others?
I don't really think so anymore. I don't think there will be a war against the Others. I think the people on the beach will try to be nice to the Others but the Others will be mean to them. So then the Others will be like we have some of your people. Then the people on the beach will try to go to war against them but it won't work out so well for the people on the beach.

Disc 2 Questions

Where did "The Others" take the other 9 Tailies?
That one is a little more complicated. To the zoo place with the aquarium [she means the Hydra station or the one with the polar bear cages that is seen in Season 3, Disc 1 - we kind of goofed and forgot to do these questions before starting Season 3].

Was that really Walt? [standing in the jungle]
No.

Does absence make the heart grow fonder? [Sun and Jin and Bernard and Rose]
Yes.

Will Sawyer make a full recovery?
Yes but his left arm will be weaker than it was.

Are they more connected than they think? [Jack and Ana Lucia]
Yes. But they still both have big trust issues. So does Locke. Really, everyone on the island. Not anymore but at the time, yes.

Disc 1 Questions

What have the Tailies been through the last 48 days?
There was an entire episode about this.

What happens if they don't push the button before the time runs out? [in the Hatch]
The electromagnetic thing doesn't turn off, it becomes more powerful and starts attracting things like airplanes out of the sky.

Is a reunion in store for Bernard and Rose?
Yes.

Was Jack and Desmond's previous meeting a mere coincidence...?
No.

... or is it fate? [the meeting of Jack and Desmond]
I wouldn't say fate but it wasn't a coincidence. It was half in-between.

LOST With Elizabeth - Season 2, Disc 5

Changes to previous answers are highlighted.

Disc 5 Questions

What else will Michael do in his pursuit of Walt? [he just killed Ana Lucia and Libby]
I don't know.

What will we find out about Henry Gale?
He is of the lower class of the Others. He's not really trusted.

What is Dharma and why do they have their own food products?
Dharma is an experiment to see how people do with this problem their faced with. And they have their own food products because the people on the island need some source of food besides papayas, mangoes, and fish.

Is Hurley really crazy?
I don't think Hurley is crazy. I think it's his conscience that is crazy.

Another pre-island coincidence? [Libby in the mental hospital]
Yes.

? [the black light painting on the blast door that shows a map]
I think it's meant so that you can find all of the other Dharma buildings and what the center of the island is. It will lead you to an underground passage back to the real world. Well, they're in the real world so like back to civilization. In contact with real people. But it's like a mystery and they have to solve it.


Disc 4 Questions

Who kidnapped Sun?
Charlie. [said in a really bad Australian accent like Claire]

Should we believe Henry Gale's story?
No.

Or listen to what Rousseau says about him? [Henry Gale]
Not quite. I think she went a little bit extreme but I'm more on her side than his side.

How is Sun pregnant?
I don't know.

Will they find Henry Gale's balloon?
They found his balloon but it wasn't his balloon. It was the real Henry Gale's balloon, not the other Henry Gale's balloon [the one in the Hatch].

Disc 3 Questions

Where is Walt writing from?
The boat people are the same as The Others. He asked for Alex and Alex was with the Others. Walt was writing from where the other Tailies were. Walt and the other Tailies don't know that they're on the same flight but they're both against The Others. So Walt is teamed up with them [the other Tailies].

Is it a coincidence that Eko and his brother ended up on the same island?
Yes.

Will Claire and Charlie's relationship ever be the same?
It won't be the same but it will be similar.

Or will Charlie give into temptation? [heroin]
No.

Will Michael find Walt on his own?
He will think he knows where Walt is and come back and get help.

Will Jack and Ana Lucia lead a war against the Others?
Sort of.


Disc 2 Questions

Where did "The Others" take the other 9 Tailies?
To one of the other places. One of the other six things. But it wasn't where Claire was. Unless there was some sort of secret locked room.

Was that really Walt? [standing in the jungle]
No.

Does absence make the heart grow fonder? [Sun and Jin and Bernard and Rose]
Yes.

Will Sawyer make a full recovery?
Yes but his left arm will be weaker than it was.

Are they more connected than they think? [Jack and Ana Lucia]
Yes. But they still both have big trust issues. So does Locke. Really, everyone on the island.

Disc 1 Questions

What have the Tailies been through the last 48 days?
Well they were on the beach then they went in the jungle.

What happens if they don't push the button before the time runs out? [in the Hatch]
In some cases it malfunctions and accidentally tells the story before, well not a story but the map or a clue.

Is a reunion in store for Bernard and Rose?
Yes.

Was Jack and Desmond's previous meeting a mere coincidence...?
No.

... or is it fate? [the meeting of Jack and Desmond]
I wouldn't say fate but it wasn't a coincidence. It was half in-between.

LOST With Elizabeth - Season 2, Disc 4

Changes to previous answers are highlighted.

Disc 4 Questions

Who kidnapped Sun?
Charlie. [said in a really bad Australian accent like Claire]

Should we believe Henry Gale's story?
No.

Or listen to what Rousseau says about him? [Henry Gale]
Not quite. I think she went a little bit extreme but I'm more on her side than his side.

How is Sun pregnant?
I don't know.

Will they find Henry Gale's balloon?
No.

Disc 3 Questions

Where is Walt writing from?
The boat people are the same as The Others. He asked for Alex and Alex was with the Others. Walt was writing from where the other Tailies were. Walt and the other Tailies don't know that they're on the same flight but they're both against The Others. So Walt is teamed up with them [the other Tailies].

Is it a coincidence that Eko and his brother ended up on the same island?
Yes.

Will Claire and Charlie's relationship ever be the same?
It won't be the same but it will be similar.

Or will Charlie give into temptation? [heroin]
No.

Will Michael find Walt on his own?
Yes. But it will be more like The Others will find Michael.

Will Jack and Ana Lucia lead a war against the Others?
Sort of.


Disc 2 Questions

Where did "The Others" take the other 9 Tailies?
To one of the other places. One of the other six things. But it wasn't where Claire was. Unless there was some sort of secret locked room.

Was that really Walt? [standing in the jungle]
No.

Does absence make the heart grow fonder? [Sun and Jin and Bernard and Rose]
Yes.

Will Sawyer make a full recovery?
Yes but his left arm will be weaker than it was.

Are they more connected than they think? [Jack and Ana Lucia]
Yes. But they still both have big trust issues. So does Locke. Really, everyone on the island.

Disc 1 Questions

What have the Tailies been through the last 48 days?
Well they were on the beach then they went in the jungle.

What happens if they don't push the button before the time runs out? [in the Hatch]
In this one [this disc - disc 4] it started going into black and red with white symbols and I thought if they matched, or didn't match, then it would blow up but if that wasn't true, then it sort of told a story of some sort.

Is a reunion in store for Bernard and Rose?
Yes.

Was Jack and Desmond's previous meeting a mere coincidence...?
No.

... or is it fate? [the meeting of Jack and Desmond]
I wouldn't say fate but it wasn't a coincidence. It was half in-between.

LOST With Elizabeth - Season 2, Disc 3

Changes to previous answers are highlighted.

Disc 3 Questions

Where is Walt writing from?
He's writing from where ever the boat people get power. But I think the boat people are different than The Others [the ones that took the Tailies].

Is it a coincidence that Eko and his brother ended up on the same island?
Yes.

Will Claire and Charlie's relationship ever be the same?
It won't be the same but it will be similar.

Or will Charlie give into temptation? [heroin]
No.

Will Michael find Walt on his own?
No.

Will Jack and Ana Lucia lead a war against the Others?
Sort of.


Disc 2 Questions

Where did "The Others" take the other 9 Tailies?
Where ever Ethan took Claire. And I think Claire met some of them before she lost her memory. There's nothing to remind her of that so she can't get her memory back.

Was that really Walt? [standing in the jungle]
No.

Does absence make the heart grow fonder? [Sun and Jin and Bernard and Rose]
Yes.

Will Sawyer make a full recovery?
Yes but his left arm will be weaker than it was.

Are they more connected than they think? [Jack and Ana Lucia]
Yes.

Disc 1 Questions

What have the Tailies been through the last 48 days?
Well they were on the beach then they went in the jungle.

What happens if they don't push the button before the time runs out? [in the Hatch]
The electromagnetic thing turns off. But nothing other than that.

Is a reunion in store for Bernard and Rose?
Yes.

Was Jack and Desmond's previous meeting a mere coincidence...?
No.

... or is it fate? [the meeting of Jack and Desmond]
I wouldn't say fate but it wasn't a coincidence. It was half in-between.

LOST With Elizabeth - Season 2, Disc 2

Changes to previous answers are highlighted.

Disc 2 Questions

Where did "The Others" take the other 9 Tailies?
Where ever Ethan took Claire. And I think Claire met some of them before she lost her memory. There's nothing to remind her of that so she can't get her memory back.

Was that really Walt?
No.

Does absence make the heart grow fonder? [Sun and Jin and Bernard and Rose]
Yes.

Will Sawyer make a full recovery?
Yes but his left arm will be weaker than it was.

Are they more connected than they think? [Jack and Ana Lucia]
Yes.

Disc 1 Questions

What have the Tailies been through the last 48 days?
Well they were on the beach then they went in the jungle.

What happens if they don't push the button before the time runs out? [in the Hatch]
The electromagnetic thing turns off. But nothing other than that.

Is a reunion in store for Bernard and Rose?
Yes.

Was Jack and Desmond's previous meeting a mere coincidence...?
No.

... or is it fate? [the meeting of Jack and Desmond]
I wouldn't say fate but it wasn't a coincidence. It was half in-between.

LOST With Elizabeth - Season 2, Disc 1

Changes to previous answers are highlighted.

Disc 1 Questions

What have the Tailies been through the last 48 days?
They've been through sort of the same thing but they haven't....they don't know what the Smoke Monster is. They haven't encountered it. They've made use of their shelter.

What happens if they don't push the button before the time runs out? [in the Hatch]
The electromagnetic thing turns off. But nothing other than that.

Is a reunion in store for Bernard and Rose?
Yes.

Was Jack and Desmond's previous meeting a mere coincidence...?
No.

... or is it fate? [the meeting of Jack and Desmond]
I wouldn't say fate but it wasn't a coincidence. It was half in-between.

LOST With Elizabeth - Season 1, Disc 7

Changes to previous answers are highlighted.

Disc 7 Questions
There were no questions! Boo! But we did revisit the questions listed below.

Disc 6 Questions

Is she there to help or does she have other intentions? [Danielle]
She is there to help herself get Alex back.

Will they find help? [the people on the raft]
They did but it wasn't exactly help. But they may find more people.

Where is the black smoke coming from?
From the fire on the other side of the island.

Will Dr. Arzt's knowledge be helpful?
Yeah. He may not be but his knowledge will be.

Will dynamite open the hatch?
Sort of. It will create some impact and from there they will somehow be able to open the hatch.

Disc 5 Questions

How will Shannon handle Boone's death?
Not very well at first.

Who will help Locke open the hatch now?
Hurley. Jack. Danielle. Dr. Arzt. Kate. Well not Dr. Arzt anymore And Danielle left. They both technically helped.

Will the new raft make it off the island?
Yes.

Will Jack find Locke...?
Yes.

... And what will he do if he does? [Jack]
Locke will go through the Jack Treatment. It's hard to describe but Jack will ask him a question and Locke will try to answer and Jack will start yelling and I don't know after that.

What do these numbers mean? [4, 8, 15, 16, 23, 42]
They mean something good has happened but in return something bad will happen or in their case several bad things.

Disc 4 Questions

Will the raft get them off the island?
It will get them off the island but they'll end up coming back like Gilligan's Island. The entire raft that was built [the first one] won't get them off the island, but the stuff that was left over will help.

Where did Ethan come from?
From the whisperers. Also known as the Others. Also known as the Smoke Monster.

Why is Walt "special?"
It's when he's mad that bad stuff happens.

If he is not the real Sawyer ... who is? [shrimp stand guy in Australia]
It was the shrimp guy, he's just good at acting.

Where was Claire?
Ethan made some sort of concoction, like Locke made for Boone, and made Claire lose her memory. And he let her free hoping to get her back and to see what's going on in the camps. So Claire would be a spy but with no previous memory.

Disc 3 Questions

Why is the airplane so important to Kate?
Because it was her childhood sweetheart's. They dug it up in the time capsule.

Is Rose right about her husband?
Yes.

Are they more than "just friends?" [Sayid and Shannon]
Yes.

And what does her brother think of it? [Boone]
Well he doesn't really have a say anymore [he died].

Why was it so important for Claire to fly on Flight 815?
I think he [the psychic] can see what can happen to people. At least until they change their mind. Like Alice from Twilight.

Where is Claire?
The French woman and Ethan aren't working together but they know each other are on the island. Claire escaped Ethan but was captured by the French woman.

Disc 2 Questions

Who attacked Sayid?
Locke. John Locke.

A friendship or more? [Sun and Michael]
Just friends.

What will he find? [Sayid]
He found the French woman [Danielle].

Will the survivors ever find more food?
Yes.

Who is the real Sawyer?
I think it was the shrimp guy but he was very good at acting.

Will life be better at the caves?
About the same but Charlie and Jack will be there [that's a good thing].

Disc 1 Questions

How did John end up in the wheel chair?
I don't know because I don't think that [the last answer] is the answer anymore.

What's wrong with Sun's marriage?
She wasn't really excited about getting married and didn't know how to break the news and isn't telling him everything and he doesn't like that.

Where did Locke learn to hunt?
More his father than the Boy Scouts.

Why was Jack in Australia?
Finding or trying to find his father.

What did Kate do?
She did rob the bank. She didn't take money but she took the plane. She had the key but it still counts as robbery because she forced the guy to open the box. She was also on the run before they dug up the time capsule so she did something else but I don't know what.

Where is the transmission coming from?
It's in the cloud monster thing where it [the smoke monster] lives.

Will Charlie kick the habit?
Yes and I say that because it did show the lady thing [the Virgin Mary] but I think that's there to remind him that he kicked the habit so he doesn't do it again.

LOST With Elizabeth - Season 1, Disc 6

Changes to previous answers are highlighted.


Disc 6 Questions

Is she there to help or does she have other intentions? [Danielle]
She is there to help herself get Alex back.

Will they find help? [the people on the raft]
Yes.

Where is the black smoke coming from?
The island. It's like a volcano. Sort of.

Will Dr. Arzt's knowledge be helpful?
Yeah. He may not be but his knowledge will be.

Will dynamite open the hatch?
Sort of. It will create some impact and from there they will somehow be able to open the hatch.

Disc 5 Questions

How will Shannon handle Boone's death?
Not very well at first.

Who will help Locke open the hatch now?
Hurley. Jack. Danielle. Dr. Arzt. Kate.

Will the new raft make it off the island?
Yes.

Will Jack find Locke...?
Yes.

... And what will he do if he does? [Jack]
Locke will go through the Jack Treatment. It's hard to describe but Jack will ask him a question and Locke will try to answer and Jack will start yelling and I don't know after that.

What do these numbers mean? [4, 8, 15, 16, 23, 42]
They mean something good has happened but in return something bad will happen or in their case several bad things.

Disc 4 Questions

Will the raft get them off the island?
It will get them off the island but they'll end up coming back like Gilligan's Island. The entire raft that was built [the first one] won't get them off the island, but the stuff that was left over will help.

Where did Ethan come from?
From the whisperers. Also known as the Others.

Why is Walt "special?"
It's when he's mad that bad stuff happens.

If he is not the real Sawyer ... who is? [shrimp stand guy in Australia]
It was the shrimp guy, he's just good at acting.

Where was Claire?
Ethan made some sort of concoction, like Locke made for Boone, and made Claire lose her memory. And he let her free hoping to get her back and to see what's going on in the camps. So Claire would be a spy but with no previous memory.

Disc 3 Questions

Why is the airplane so important to Kate?
Because it was her childhood sweetheart's. They dug it up in the time capsule.

Is Rose right about her husband?
Yes.

Are they more than "just friends?" [Sayid and Shannon]
Yes.

And what does her brother think of it? [Boone]
Well he doesn't really have a say anymore [he died].

Why was it so important for Claire to fly on Flight 815?
I think he [the psychic] can see what can happen to people. At least until they change their mind. Like Alice from Twilight.

Where is Claire?
The French woman and Ethan aren't working together but they know each other are on the island. Claire escaped Ethan but was captured by the French woman.

Disc 2 Questions

Who attacked Sayid?
Locke. John Locke.

A friendship or more? [Sun and Michael]
Just friends.

What will he find? [Sayid]
He found the French woman [Danielle].

Will the survivors ever find more food?
Yes.

Who is the real Sawyer?
I think it was the shrimp guy but he was very good at acting.

Will life be better at the caves?
About the same but Charlie and Jack will be there [that's a good thing].

Disc 1 Questions

How did John end up in the wheel chair?
When you have surgery, you're supposed to stay and rest and if you don't something could go wrong. And because he got up and left he damaged something somehow, leaving him paralyzed.

What's wrong with Sun's marriage?
She wasn't really excited about getting married and didn't know how to break the news and isn't telling him everything and he doesn't like that.

Where did Locke learn to hunt?
More his father than the Boy Scouts.

Why was Jack in Australia?
Finding or trying to find his father.

What did Kate do?
She did rob the bank. She didn't take money but she took the plane. She had the key but it still counts as robbery because she forced the guy to open the box. She was also on the run before they dug up the time capsule so she did something else but I don't know what.

Where is the transmission coming from?
The Black Rock.

Will Charlie kick the habit?
Yes, he burned it.