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Home / Patio Deck Tiles Rubber and Plastic / StayLock Tile Perforated Colors
Decking Tiles, Deck Floor, Outdoor Rubber Deck Tiles, Perforated Outdoor Deck Flooring Tiles
StayLock Tile Perforated Colors
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Light Blue
Dark Green
Light Gray
Terra Cotta
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|9/16 inch
|1.00 feet
|1.00 feet
|1.25 lbs
|Manufacturer Warranty
|5 year limited
Top Features for StayLock Tile Perforated Colors
- Rooftop installation over rubber membrane for residential
- ASTM 1292 fall height rated at 20 inches
- Quick and easy DIY installation with an active locking connector system
- Made in the USA, your choice of designer colors
- Color consistent from batch to batch, UV stable color 7 years
- Decking tiles will not separate over time
- Waterproof and resistant to many oils and acids
- Non-slip and durable perforated modular tile allows drainage
Deck Tiles, Rooftop Flooring, Pool Surrounds, Wet Areas, Outdoor Play Areas
Outdoor PVC Decking Tiles, Raised PVC Flooring Tiles for Wet Areas
StayLock Perforated outdoor decking tiles offer exterior patio and deck flooring for homes and light residential condos that are easily installed, easy to maintain, and is exterior 5-year UV-rated. StayLock Perforated tiles feature a non-slip perforated top surface, and they are offered in many popular colors. These PVC outdoor flooring tiles feature an ASTM fall height rating of 20 inches. This perforated flooring tile is also very good for pool surrounds and shower floors.
These outdoor rated PVC flooring tiles are 1 x1 feet, and made in the USA of durable plastic material. Our StayLock tiles provide foot traction and comfort to bare feet on exterior surfaces, such as patios, spas, pool surrounds, and rooftop decks. They also work as an indoor floor tiling option for shower floors, greenhouses, kids play areas and indoor industrial applications. This tile is rated for residential installations when used outdoors for example on flat rooftops.
Pool and Spa Applications
When you're looking for outdoor flooring installation options, the StayLock tile offer the durability you need. These PVC deck tiles have a 7-year UV stable colorant and anti-fungal additive, ensuring that these tiles work especially well for outdoor installations where they need to stand up to tough weather and varying temperatures. Additionally, the tiles have a 5-year manufacturer warranty with them.
StayLock Perforated tiles will provide safety flooring for residential outdoor swimming pools, patios, rooftops, and decks. These PVC decking tiles are durable enough to hold tables, lawn furniture, and lawn chairs with feet larger than about 1.5 inches in diameter.
Installations around outdoor pools are among the most popular reasons to use these perforated tiles. These plastic PVC tiles will allow rainwater and water that splashes out of the pool to drain through them without absorbing any of the water, preventing moisture buildup. And even when the surface of the tiles is wet, it remains slip-resistant, unlike cement. The tiles yield a safer area for your children to walk or run around the pool.
Should you have French drains around your pool, or areas where the cement surface slopes slightly to allow for drainage, you can install the StayLock Perforated tiles directly over these areas, and their shape will slowly conform to the slopes. This product also works great for areas around hot tubs and spas, because the tiles are non-absorbent.
StayLock perforated non-slip floor tile is easy to install with our tab locking system, which ensures the tiles won't separate over time.
Other Outdoor Applications
If you have a deck that looks worn out from splinters and old wood, the StayLock Perforated tiles can give the deck a fresh and new look that's safe to use. Simply installing the new tiles directly over the old wood will provide a fast means of fixing the problem of a worn out deck with far less effort and cost versus sanding and staining.
You could install the PVC deck tiles anywhere outdoors that you want to provide traction. Some people have reported success installing these tiles around a children's swing set or around other areas where children play. The PVC plastic tiles yield a softer landing if a child falls, and because the tiles can be installed over dirt or grass, they can prevent running children from slipping on wet grass or in mud. When installing the tiles over sand or dirt, we recommend placing a landscape fabric mesh material over the ground before placing the PVC decking tiles.
Don't worry about leaving these StayLock perforated tiles in place during the winter, as you can shovel snow off the tiles, just as you would any other hard surface. However, if you plan to install these PVC plastic tiles over grass, it's recommended that you don't leave them in place permanently if you plan to save the grass. The perforated tiles will not allow enough sunlight from to reach the grass to keep it healthy over the long term.
Portable Applications
Another potential application use is for camping areas. You can take a few dozen of these tiles with you to a campsite and create a makeshift patio right outside your camper door. Using these tiles in this manner means people will track less dirt and grass into the camper, as the tile surface will provide a place to clean your feet. Should it rain while you're camping, the makeshift tile patio is perfect for keeping mud out of the camper and giving people a dry place to stand or sit. The perforated design of the tiles allows rainwater to drain through the tiles, keeping the top free from mud.
Because these 1-by-1-foot tiles are lightweight and easy to disassemble and reassemble, they represent a great option for taking with you on a camping trip. You can create a makeshift patio or sidewalk in a short amount of time. With the durable construction design, they'll stand up to any rocks or sharp objects that might be in your camping site too.
In fact, the tiles will work to create a portable narrow walkway anywhere you need one. If you're camping at the lake and would like to give people an ability to walk to the lake with bare feet without having to walk on hot sand or across sharp gravel, these tiles work perfectly. If the ground is slightly uneven, the tiles will conform to the ground as you create the pathway.
Indoor Industrial Applications
StayLock Perforated tiles provide a sturdy flooring solution for indoor industrial applications, especially those locations where workers may be exposed to a wet floor. The PVC deck tiles provide a great grip for workers who need a steady surface to be able to perform their jobs safely without the worry of slipping. The tiles are naturally resistant to oils, acids, and toxic chemicals because of the PVC based material.
Another benefit for using StayLock Perforated tiles in indoor industrial installations is because of the anti-fatigue benefit they provide. In jobs where people must stand for long periods of time, these flexible PVC decking tiles provide a softer, cushioned surface over concrete, reducing leg fatigue.
Installation Tips
StayLock Perforated tile options have rounded edges on the underside, which makes it a smart solution for placing directly on top of rubber roofing membranes. This reduces the chance the edges of the tiles will puncture the roofing membrane. This tile provides great drainage on any flat surface as well.
When you're ready to install these tiles, you will not require glue or adhesives. Each tile easily connects to other tiles for a long lasting, durable floor.
If installing these tiles against a wall or another large object, we recommend leaving a 1/2-inch gap between the PVC deck tiles and the object to allow for expansion of the tiles in the heat. Expansion of tiles, whether they're rubber or plastic, is normal when the tiles are installed outdoors and exposed to widely varying temperatures. Heavy furniture, table and chairs are not recommended to be permanently placed on top of these tiles. The tiles need to be able to shift as they expand and contract in changing temperatures.
Should you need to fit the PVC deck tiles around poles, doorways, or other obstacles, you can cut them with a utility knife and a straight edge.
Due to the method of interlocking these PVC decking tiles, you can easily separate, remove, or relocate them, if needed. By not using adhesives when assembling these tiles, disassembling them doesn't take a lot of effort.
If installing the tiles on a deck, you can just place them directly over the wood with no barrier layer between. As long as the deck's wood is not rotted and can support the weight of people walking on it, you can install the PVC deck tiles and then use the deck as you normally would.
Should you attempt to install the tiles over a slightly uneven surface, you'll have success, as the PVC plastic tiles will conform over time to match the contours of the surface. A hard, flat surface is recommended for installation, but the tiles will have success with slight differences in grade along the surface.
When doing a wall-to-wall installation of the PVC decking tiles, you will start in one corner of the area, leaving the slight gap for expansion, and work your way across the deck. To finish the edges of the tiles, you can use the border pieces. As you move the installation across the deck, you may need to cut tiles to fit against walls and other objects. Just use a sharp utility knife and a straight edge to size the tiles properly.
Ordering Options
The flexible PVC plastic StayLock Perforated tiles each measure 9/16-inch in thickness and are 12-by-12 inches in size. Each tile weighs 1.25 pounds, giving these PVC decking tiles a size and weight that's extremely easy to handle.
You may create your own custom look for the PVC deck tiles with a selection from our of popular designer colors. Standard order colors include light blue, light gray, terra cotta and tan. Additionally, this non-slip flooring can be custom ordered in virtually any color desired simply by contacting our customer service team. Optional border and corner pieces are also available. Feel free to order tiles in multiple colors to create patterns with the installation.
If you order these flexible PVC decking tiles in black, the product is made from recycled content material and may contribute to LEED points in green buildings. Over time, this product will fade somewhat from exposure to UV.
Product can be damp mopped with common household floor cleaners, avoid bleach.Shipping
Ships in cartons via ground service to your door, for larger orders product may ship freight delivery.
This Product Ships UPS Ground, FedEx Ground and/or Freight.
Please review our shipping disclaimer.
⌃ Back to top ACCESSORIES FOR STAYLOCK TILE PERFORATED COLORS
|In Stock
|Product Type
|Material Type
|PVC Plastic
|Product Edging
|9/16 inch
|1.00 feet
|1.00 feet
|SF per Item
|1.25 lbs
|Number of Pieces per Package Type
|Non Absorbent
|Special Adhesives
|Universal Interlock
|Interlock Loss
|0.00 feet
|Material Hardness
|Shore A 85
|Interlocking Connections
|Made In
|Surface Finish
|Perforated top
|Surface Design
|Solid color
|Installation Method
|Interlocking, dry lay
|UV Treated
|Border Strips Included
|Manufacturer Warranty
|5 year limited
VIDEOS⌃ Back to top
Q & A⌃ Back to top
Product Questions:
Hi! Would this product be good for under an area with our pool and kids swing set? Thanks, Christie
Can this product be installed over rubber roofing?
can this product be installed outdoors over sand
How do you cut this product for fitting around obstructions?
Can you use a snow shovel on this material?
How many tiles per carton?
Could this product be used to resurface a wood deck that I don't wish to paint any more?
Can they be laid over cement?
I have a cement area 18 ft. long by 4 ft.wide..How much would I need to order to cover the area?
Are tapered trim pieces available for this product?
My pool surround isn't flat. There are areas where the concrete slopes slightly lower to French drains. Will either the ''Staylock'' or ''Patio outdoor tile'' flex slightly to conform to these areas? Which would be better?
Can this product be used on uneven floors?
Can you put these tiles directly over grass
One of the reviews mentioned ''buckling'' when in direct sunlight. Do you have suggestions for how to accommodate for this?
Is this Strong enough to have a wooden kids swing set installed on top of it. I'm looking for product to put between wood and earth.
Do the tiles get hot in the summer months? Looking for something for the wooden pool deck that does not get hot. How is it to walk on around the pool in the summer?
Customer Rating:
Absolutely love them. They work great in the areas we have placed them in and the residents of Aberdeen Arms appreciates them too.
Highland Beach, FL
Customer Rating:
They're great!
Riverdale Park, MD
Customer Rating:
My new mats on the deck look fantastic. Installation
was quick and easy. I would highly recommend great mats.
latham, NY
Customer Rating:
Purchased these to use as a surface for dogs in the back of my car. I'm a trainer, and must have my dogs with me for my work days. So they spend lots of time in the back of my car. The light color (grey) which resists heat absorption, the perforated surface which is raised off the floor to allow more air circulation under the dogs, and the way it ''gives'' so it's a softer surface for them to rest on, make a perfect summertime doggy resting place. Of course, car ALWAYS parked in the shade, the moonroof & the windows always open more than halfway, the tailgate lifted to let the breeze blow through with a barrier to keep dogs safely in car. And with these mats, the dogs are cool and comfy while they are waiting their turn to be the ''demo dog''. I'm a 63 year old woman and had no trouble putting the pieces together and cutting to fit exactly around the wheel wells in the car. Dogs really like it. When my tailgate is up with the car sitting in my driveway, the dogs jump into the back of the car as their first choice of place to rest. Pleased with this purchase and would recommend to others for this same use.
Customer Rating:
Greatmats has transformed my outside hot tub area into a beautiful, safe and soft area to enjoy. The product was as described and easy to install. Very pleased with the product and the value of it. I highly recommend this to all who have seen and experienced it. Great product!
Customer Rating:
Nice look. Practical surface for around the pool area.
Customer Rating:
Easy to navigate website. Excellent customer service. Items arrived on time. Very happy with my order.
Priscilla M
Customer Rating:
Great product, great customer service and support.
Customer Rating:
Awesome product, came early and easy to work with and feels and looks awesome.
Charlie Dilisio
Customer Rating:
came on time, look very nice, easy to install and cut to fit
Customer Rating:
The product, StayLock Tile Perforated, is great. Perfect for my basement, which occasionally has water on the floor. The service was outstanding. Easy to order, all questions answered, and when the shipper lost one of the 22 boxes in the shipment, Greatmats had a replacement shipped immediately.
Customer Rating:
Fantastic - great for a pool/shower area
Customer Rating:
Quick and easy
Customer Rating:
Looks very neat and presentable.
Customer Rating:
Customer Rating:
Hurricane Irma trashed our wooden roof deck, so we demolished it. We had the roof resealed, and, on a muggy hot morning, my husband and I installed the StayLock Perforated PVC roof deck tiles right on the coated roof surface. They went together like a dream in around 3 hours. It was incredibly easy to cut partial and corner pieces with an exacto knife.
The tiles locked together with finger pressure alone. They feel soft and springy underfoot and make for a quiet foot step. It's rained nearly every day since installation, and the tiles have drained beautifully. They are not slippery when wet. We have metal sling chairs with very thin legs, so we bought furniture-grade PVC end caps to sit the chair legs in so they don't puncture the tiles or slide into the seams. A hole was drilled into each of the end caps to let the rain out. This works perfectly, and the chairs can now be moved without friction.
Customer Rating:
Sent samples as requested...and delivered order promptly. Nice experience.
Customer Rating:
We have only had the mats for about a month. They installed easily and so far, so good. Anxious to see how they hold up to the test of time.


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Hybrid, solar power and even bamboo are a few words associated with protecting and preserving our environment. Dildos, vibrators and the occasional lube are words rarely linked with the environment, but now, even those unmentionables have gone green.
Ailecia Ruscin, former graduate teaching assistant for women's studies, said that glass sex toys had been around for years.
"Some use glass toys because you can warm the glass or keep it cool," Ruscin said. "It gives it a different sensation."
Ruscin said glass toys were probably better for the environment because the toys would last longer, instead of ending up in a landfill.
Pat Davis, president of Passion Parties, a company that sells adult accessories and helps plan sex toys parties, said glass toys were beneficial because they were easy to clean.
"Glass toys can be very pretty, very decorative and very creative," Davis said. "People even buy them as a decoration piece for their home."
Davis said glass toys now come with vibrators in them. She said she thought more environmentally conscious consumers could be a reason the glass toys had picked up in popularity.
Shoppers seeking more green options may have helped glass toys become more recognizable, but the health benefits may have also played a factor.
Milton Wendland, second year doctoral student, said the phthalates were a substance used to make the plastic in the toys softer, more pliable and realistic. He said phthalates could cause the plastic to breakdown and could then release toxins into the body and the environment.
"Since phthalates are found in everything from paint to dildos, there is a lot of potential exposure," Wendland said.
Emily Gertz, environmental journalist in New York City, said vinyl phthalates could cause harm to your health and could cause damage to your reproductive organs. She said not much testing had been done on phthalates.
Wendland agreed and said sex toys weren't regulated by the government because they were classified as "novelties."
Ruscin said the government banned all children's toys from having phthalates in them because no one wanted a child sticking a toy with phthalates in their mouth.
"No one wanted to think about the sex toys. They didn't want to think about where women were putting those toys, and how that might be dangerous to their health," Ruscin said.
Gertz said women should probably avoid all toys that contain phthalates to be on the safe side, and instead to use some alternative options like silicone.
Ruscin said silicone could be easily sterilized, which was better because it could protect you from spreading sexually transmitted diseases if the sex toys are shared.
Consumers aren't the only ones that need to worry about health risks. The retailers who sell these products have become concerned as well.
Ruscin said Good Vibrations, a retailer that sells products online, put symbols next to their products that didn't have phthalates in them to let their customers know what they were buying. Ruscin said Good Vibrations was trying to phase out all products with phthalates.
Davis said Passion Parties had icons on their Web site that helped their consumers find what they wanted. She said they tried to make sure the customer felt confident about the product they were buying.
Davis said she thought women were becoming more educated about these products. Ruscin said she thought there was still more to be done in terms of raising awareness.
"We need to learn more about phthalates and what they can do before putting them inside our bodies," Ruscin said.
Ruscin said the only reason she had become aware of the dangers associated with sex toys was because of her women's discussion group. She said other women who wanted to explore their sexuality should join a local support group. Ruscin said anyone wanting to join their group could come to the Solidarity Revolutionary Center, 1109 Massachusetts St., on the second and fourth Wednesdays of every month.
Source: KANSAN.COM

subset: commoncrawl


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This post includes one or more Amazon Affiliate links. Purchases made through the link(s) allow me to make a small commission. This is at no extra charge to you. You can read more here.
May was another month that I didn't purchase many books. Unlike March & April, though, I also didn't receive any from authors either (I currently have my review requests closed) so whereas gifted books can usually make up a chunk of these posts, I don't have any to talk about! I only received one ARC (from NetGalley and it isn't even an ARC anymore because I am awful at prioritizing but it was an ARC when I received it so… yea) so the rest are books that I myself purchased this month!
All the Worlds Between Us – Morgan Lee Miller
Again, But Better – Christine Riccio
All the Bright Places – Jennifer Niven
Hold Still – Nine LaCour
The Warden – Anthony Trollope
This is such a short list that I'm now sad and feel the urge to go buy about 10 books. I'm going to refrain… for now, since the reason I bought so few books was because books can be so expensive sometimes and I really should have more will power. On top of that, my rereading lately has kept me from seeking out too many new reads, so at least this month I didn't add 15 books to my already overflowing TBR/book cases. I'm actually really pleased with this list and excited to read them all (though The Warden is required school reading, I still enjoy classics most of the time and am looking forward to it).
What books did you buy this month? Talk to me (:


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Career Portal
Common purpose.
Uncommon opportunity.
In the pursuit of enduring value, one factor matters most: people. It's the integrity, hard work, and curiosity of our team that keeps Pine River competitive and focused on the next challenge.
Pine River is seeking talented professionals to join our growing global partnership. As part of our team, you'll find rewarding challenges, competitive benefits and salary, and something more: a career that unites you in common purpose with fellow employees, our partners and clients.
Join Us
Click here to submit your resume and search openings.
This is a culture where individuals count and where all are treated with respect. Our work is driven by a core belief—that together we can always do better.
- Brian Taylor, CEO


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Today was rough. The A/C was out in our classroom (AGAIN) and so in an effort to keep kids from getting sick we got moved into the smallest classroom in the basement of the school. And when I say smallest, I mean 1/4 of the size of our normal classroom. There isn't enough room for all the students to have chairs to sit at tables, and we also can't all sit on the floor in a circle. This kind of makes it impossible to stay consistent with any of our teaching or behavior management tactics that we're supposed to use. All that gets thrown to the wind and we just do the best we can in the space we have with the restrictions put upon us.
Here were our results:
-1 write up for a kid kicking another kid in the head
- 1 girl tried to spell "rainbow" with a "k" and a "g"
- 5 kids had to go to the bathroom in the middle of lessons
-6 kids reminded me that they hadn't been on the field trip the day before.
-3 kids counted to 16 (SUCCESS!)
-1 kid counted to 10 and then started over again at 1.
-3 kids tried to make me wear different hats (I probably have lice now)
There were little successes throughout the day though.
The boy who never speaks looked at me and said "Ms. Olivia I already washed my hands!" when I kept telling him to wash his hands. When that happens I want to grab him and squeeze him and hold onto the words and the sound of his voice because I know it'll be days before I hear that again and I never want to let it go.
or the little girl who usually hides behind her best friend who played me in tic tac toe today and showed proficiency in patterns and the ability to comprehend simple game rules. Later in the day she also told me she loved princesses and then we zoomed around the playground in her princess car.
I got home today, tired and stressed, but after a 2 hour nap and some reflection about my day, I thought about all the successes of the day and it made me smile and realize I'm totally ready to go back tomorrow.
(Well after I internalize all this writer's workshop)


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From A. Quincy Jones to Joseph Eichler, the California modernists are among the most celebrated figures in design, but few have crossed over into the public imagination like John Lautner. The Michigan-born architect, who passed away in 1994 at 83, etched his glass-and-concrete mark into the southern California landscape over the course of a career that spanned more than half a century. Today his work continues to inspire and challenge a new generation of architects.
As an early apprentice of Frank Lloyd Wright, Lautner demonstrated his considerable ability while overseeing the construction of Wright's well-known Wingspread residence in Wisconsin and designing the Drafting Room at Teliesin West. The two architects remained close throughout their lives.
Upon exiting the program in 1938, Lautner set up his own practice in Los Angeles. His sharply angular, surprisingly functional approach is evident in such homes as the Silvertop, the Levy residence, and, of course, the Chemosphere, his film-and-television famous flying saucer perched high in the Hollywood Hills.
Lautner remained actively involved in large-scale projects until his death in 1994.
Helena Arahuete, who began collaborating with Lautner on the Arango Residence in Acapulco in 1971, served as Project Architect on many of his later works, eventually rising to the position of Chief Architect at his office. Arahuete will be on hand at Dwell on Design in Los Angeles to discuss how she continued his vision on many projects.
Originally submitted by Luke Hopping


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Illinois Deer & Turkey Classic recap
Deer Classic info
Dates— Friday through Sunday, March 1
Hours— Friday 2-9 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tickets— Adults $10 one-day, $17 two-day, $23 three-day; Military personnel tickets $9 one-day, $15 two-day, $20 three-day; $7 for Hunter Education graduates ages 12-18 who show proof of course completion at the ticket window (otherwise, pay adult price); $3 youth ages 6-11, children five and under admitted free when accompanied by adult. On Friday Family Night all youth ages 11 and under are admitted free when accompanied by an adult.The three-day adult ticket and military ticket are new.
Trophy contest— Cost is $15 and includes a three-day pass.
Whether you like seeing big bucks, talking about big bucks or hearing about big bucks, the Illinois Deer & Turkey Classic can usually satisfy any of those needs.
And this year was no different. Though the overall head count was down for mounts (500 versus 605 last year) and for Boone and Crockett Club entries (33 this year compared to 48 last year) the crowd was up 40 percent on Friday and appeared to be up Saturday.
Here are the 20 Boone and Crockett Club non-typical qualifiers.
Here are the 13 Boone and Crockett Club typical qualifiers.
Here are the Best of Show winners:
Gun: 184 2/8 inches—John Graber, Monee, Williamson County, 2007
Bow: 176 6/8 inches—Clark Piper, Paris, Edgar County, 2008
Black powder: 172 4/8 inches—Michael Wozniak, Brimfield, Peoria County, 2008
Gun: 222 5/8 inches—Gregory Wilson, Litchfield, Montgomery County, 2007
Bow: 219 2/8—Scott Fiala, Enfield, White County, 2008
Black powder: 222 1/8, Jeremy Cauble, Ramsey, Fayette County, 2008
The early leader was Jeremy Cauble's 222-inch Fayette County gun kill. Cauble brought his deer to the show early Friday.
Not far behind the Cauble buck is Ransom Brooks' Richland County gun kill (pictured above in the display area). Brooks' buck was officially scored at 218 3/8 inches on Friday by veteran Boone & Crockett Club scorer Tim Walmsley, founder of the Illinois Deer & Turkey Classic years ago back in Decatur. While the final score was a few inches less than Brooks initially expected, the youngster was all smiles as he toured the show with his father.
Other bucks arrived Saturday, including Brock Tarr's big 21-point Jasper County bow kill. Anther surprise visit came Saturday when new Department of Natural Resources director Marc Miller stopped by the booth. Miller didn't have long to visit, since he was headed to the Illinois Conservation Foundation's Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame banquet in St. Charles. But he visited several booths during his brief stop and took time to pose for a picture in half of our spacious booth.
Sunday brought yet another surprise buck from White County, Scott Fiala's 219 2/8-inch bow kill. More about that in the days to come as we pull together three days worth of scribbled notes in a notebook.
Beyond those top bucks are several mounts that top 200 inches including the following:
216 1/8—Rodney Williams' 22-point Jasper County muzzleloader buck.
215 2/8—Michael Belshaw's 16-point Hancock County gun kill.
214 2/8—Scott Lemmon's 18-point Perry County bow kill (pictured below in one of several impressive full-body mounts displayed this weekend. For some reason, most of them seem to come from Perry County).
213 7/8—Donnie Krull's 23-point Randolph County gun kill.
209 7/8—Leslie Gordon's 25-point Perry County bow kill from the 2006 season.
207 6/8—Jacob Landon's Knox County 16-point gun kill.
207 5/8—Mark Nordstrom's 16-point Henry County gun kill from the 2007 season.
206 5/8—Michael Kuhn's Jasper County 19-point gun kill.
200 5/8—Chad Landrum's 15-point Edgar County bow kill from the 2007 season. Incidentally, this was Landrum's first deer.
200 1/8—Rodney Armstrong's 20-point Marion County bow kill from Oct. 7, 2008 that grossed 206 6/8 inches.
The highest-scoring typical overall was this 2007 kill:
184 2/8—John Graber's 10-point Williamson County gun kill (pictured below).


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Well, it a appears I got a computer virus.
I don't exactly know how. F-Prot detected a few files in my Java Plugin cache last night, but the service person took one look at Limewire, and suspected that.
So, my laptop is out gone to be serviced for the next while, with no guarantee I'll have my data, when I get it back. The ironic part is that I recently bought an external hard drive, and moved a lot of info I had on CDs to it. Not much in the way of important info, with the exception of Firefox, Thunderbird, and Sunbird profile backups from May 26th. I did manage to transfer most of my current Thunderbird profile before the computer froze. I then couldn't get that far again. The important info is on a partitioned drive, so hopefully it will not need have to be deleted.
Having said that, don't be surprised if you don't hear from me in a while. I'm posting this via the family computer, and trying to salvage what I can from the external hard drive. It's also a good time to go to a bar.


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LPC, CCG and Public Health Contracts.
Find information about the LPC, where we are, who's who and what we do.
There are five Advanced Services within the NHS community pharmacy contractual framework
NHS, Councils and Health Watch
Volume-2-Specification-Needle-Syringe-Provision - Reviewed 2018V2 (2)
The General Pharmaceutical Council require all members of the pharmacy team to undertake training. To demonstrate this activity, the GPhC will require evidence. One simple...
To help you to keep track of all the different contractual deadlines, we've compiled a list of the most important...
The Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has via its Central Alerting System (CAS) published an alert regarding the...
Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has today granted the following list of price concessions: Drug Pack size Price...
The latest online training module: Dry January Training can be viewed here


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The English Word Power Learning Path is designed to teach you to write and speak English with grammatical integrity
- Correct use of twelve English tenses.
- Correct word usage and order.
- Dramatically improved comprehension when reading English.
- Ability to make an informed choice with spell- and grammar-check programmes.
- Improved writing skills.


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Drink Recipe: Merchant's Remedy
Throughout the Caribbean, at nearly every beach bar, restaurant and rum shack, sweet tropical drinks are a mainstay. Popular ingredients like fruit juices, lime, coconut cream, bitters and, of course, rum are common. Different variations on these traditional island cocktails are numerous and everyone seems to have their favorite mix. For us, most of these "beach drinks" are a bit too sweet and the rum is overpowered by the rest of …Read More >


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The Tennis Channel's popular series 'Destination Tennis' will feature Vermont Tennis Vacations at The Essex Resort & Spa this weekend.
The half-hour show, which features host Mayleen Ramey, "will meet people involved in the local tennis scene, explore the city and all it has to offer, as well as present firsthand information that will stir the passion in tennis players of all ages and levels."
The Tennis Channel selected The Essex Resort & Spa for the show last year and filmed the segment over several days last August.
For a slideshow of photos from Mayleen's visit, click here.
'Destination Tennis: Vermont' airs on The Tennis Channel Sunday, February 27th, at 7:30 p.m.
The Tennis Channel is channel 400 on Dish Network, and channel 217 on Direct TV. Check your local cable listings for times and dates in your area.


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Thursday, April 2, 2009
And The Number Is... Week 13 Weigh In
I did not eat like I should have this week. I tried to watch what I ate but it is so hard when you feel so sick. Nothing healthy sounded appetizing to me. Yesterday I had a bagel and cream cheese and two donuts. I haven't had either of these in months. They tasted great. I told myself it was OK because it was my Birthday and the baby was up all night and I was feeling very miserable and I knew that I would be taking care of two miserable kids all day. Not fun but I survived.
When I stepped on the scale this morning I was a little shocked. The number on the scale was 193.6. Crazy!!! This brings me to a total loss of 23 pounds! I say a little shocked because I didn't think I did great this week (it's hard to judge when you don't track your points) but my pants were getting very loose. I am so excited! I am almost in the 180's. I haven't been there in a while. I can't wait. My goal is to be there in the next to weeks. That will really be an exciting moment for me.
My Week In Review:
1. Exercise: I only made it to the gym two days this week.
2. Track My Points Every Day: I was only able to track my points until Saturday. After that we were all to sick.
3. Exercise Points: I didn't earn many and I'm not sure if I used them.
4. Water: I drank a lot of water this week because I had such a sore throat.
5. Late night eating: Honestly I can't remember but I don't think I ate in the middle of the night. Lack of sleep = Lack of memory.
6. Snacking: I snacked more then I should a few days this week. I think it was because I felt so lousy with being sick.
7. Eating more fruits and veggies: I did pretty good on Thursday and Friday then I had my birthday meal at Red Lobster on Sat. and the sickness started on Sunday. I ate as many veggies as I could but it's hard when you are not feeling good. Nothing healthy sounds very appetizing.
I plan to get back on track with my eating and exercise as soon as we are feeling a little better. Right now I am at the point of barely functioning (combination of lack of sleep and being sick). I hope to be telling you next week that I am even closer to the 180's. Yippee!!!!
Have a great week!
14 comments:
- Shelley said...
Woohoo on the loss! Sometimes I think the scale takes into account the rough week we had!
- April 2, 2009 at 8:31 AM
- Tricia said...
Hope you feel better soon! Being sick is no fun...
- April 2, 2009 at 8:33 AM
- Angie said...
Congratulations! You have inspired me so much. I'm ready to do this. You are doing awesome! My biggest problem is, my veggies. I am not a veggie lover. Keep up the good work! BTW, your before and after pic is awesome!
- April 2, 2009 at 8:44 AM
Congratulations Great job...Look out 180's here she comes!
- April 2, 2009 at 10:38 AM
- Pubsgal said...
For the non-veggie lovers: try the old hide-the-veggie trick: finely mince veggies (or cook and puree), then add them to chili, spaghetti sauce, meatloaf, puree soup...the possibilities are out there!
(P.S. Congrats on the loss this week, Jessica! That's awesome!!! You're going to blow past me pretty soon! :-D And considering the week you've endured, making it to the gym twice is a good accomplishment. I hope you all are back to good health very soon!)
- April 2, 2009 at 10:40 AM
- Lucrecia said...
Very exciting!! You are doing so well, it seems your new healthy ways are more subconsious than even you realize. Even when you are sick you are able to maintain good eating and portion control! My office brought in bagels and donuts yesterday, I had to resist as I was afraid I'd really over do it. And I like my bagels LOADED with cream cheese. Maybe I should say I like my cream cheese with a hint of bagel? :-)
- April 2, 2009 at 10:40 AM
- Wendy said...
congrats on the loss! you are doing a great job!
- April 2, 2009 at 10:54 AM
- Melisa said...
Wow, what a great loss! Congrats. Sorry all have been so sick but it will pass in time.
Tracking is key for me, especially if there is a little indulgence. :)
- April 2, 2009 at 11:40 AM
- Unknown said...
Congrats on the loss! I can't wait to be below the 200 pound mark. Keep up the good work.
- April 2, 2009 at 12:26 PM
- wildfluffysheep said...
Awesome loss. Not so good to be sick! Hope you guys all feel better soon.
- April 2, 2009 at 12:44 PM
- Gigi said...
You rock...even sick as a dog.
- April 2, 2009 at 3:08 PM
- jana s said...
Hey girlie!!! WTG! OMG, I CAN'T BELIEVE IT! U R AWESUM!
- April 2, 2009 at 6:21 PM
- Unknown said...
Congrats Jessica! :) Keep up the great work girl! :)tj
- April 2, 2009 at 9:29 PM
- Christy said...
Yay! Congrats! I know you could do it. YOU look fantastic!
- April 3, 2009 at 12:04 AM


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buster wrote:Johnny,Thank you for your great web sites.
Pharoslvr wrote:In the states it is fairly rare to see them in the downtown business areas.
epona wrote:It happened again. I checked the web site out and really got into it.
I would highly recommend checking this web site out and also taking a look at the links listed.
Carole and of course Epona
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A Blackpool mum who thought she was coming down with a cold is now facing a triple amputation after being struck with severe blood poisoning.
Charly Babington, 40, was out shopping with a friend when she began feeling dizzy and cold. Less than 24 hours later, she fell into a coma at Blackpool A&E and was kept on life-support for 23 days. When she woke up, her hands and feet were black, and she had lost all feeling in them.
Charly was suffering from pneumococcal sepsis, a serious bacterial blood infection with an almost 40 per cent mortality rate. She remains in Royal Preston Hospital awaiting amputation surgery on both of her feet, her left arm, and three fingers on her right hand.
The mum-of-two said: "I was doing the shopping when I started to get back-ache. I couldn't walk so I decided to go home, and when I got to the car I turned cold and jittery.
"The next morning I said to my daughter, I don't think I can manage taking you to school today. She said 'never mind school mum, you need an ambulance!'
"My eyes were all swollen, my face was turning blue and I was struggling to breathe."
Daughter Katie, 10, and son Shaun, 12, called for an ambulance, and Charly was taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital A&E, where she fell into a coma. Her kidneys failed and she was put on life support and a kidney filter machine for 23 days while doctors worked to save her life.
She said: "The last thing I remember is being in A&E and everybody in blue rallying around me. When I woke up I had missed my little boy's birthday. I was devastated."
But an even greater tragedy was to come – Charly, who works in North Shore as a cleaner – was told that she would have to lose three of her limbs as a result of extreme blood loss caused by the sepsis. She said: "My feet and one of my hands are just dead. I can't move them at all.
"I can feel and move my arm from the wrist down, but the fingers are black and numb. I'm going to need three or four operations."
Charly is now coming to terms with living without the use of her feet and left hand.
She said: "I'm going to be disabled for life and there's no avoiding that. We're going to have to move; I'm going to need a ground-floor house. My little boy took it quite hard at first but I said to him, would you rather have a mum with plastic legs or no mum at all?
"The main thing is that I'm still alive.
"This sort of illness is extremely rare in adults and we still don't know what's caused it.
"Not many people can say they've beaten it, so in a way I'm very lucky.
"I'm looking on the bright side. Where's feeling sorry for myself going to get me? I still have family and friends and two wonderful children to look after.
"I'm going to fight this fight and get through this recovery so I can get back to my children and normality."
n A fundraiser has been set up by Charly's friends to support the family while Charly is unable to work, and can be found online at www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/wendy-wild


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Curly-haired sisters unite! Curly hair is super beautiful, but girls with curly hair know that it's also extremely hard to manage at times. So take the stress out of beautiful strands by checking out this video on how to style effortless, smooth curls.
Blowing out a curly head of hair takes the right tools -- and a fair share of patience. Our host Rebekah met with a hair expert to find out precisely what we curly girls need to have in our arsenal if we want to achieve a super-straight, sexy look.


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Writing Challenges
When given a writing assignment, one of the first questions struggling writers often ask is "How long does it have to be?" Focusing on length instead of content can be an indicator that adult learner are struggling to put words on a page or are not confident that they have anything to say.
Confidence and Proficiency
Recognizing and acknowledging that writing is difficult for many adult learners is the first step toward improving their writing. Giving adult learners a specific and manageable structure for writing and gradually increasing the writing demand improves their chances of become confident and proficient writers. Also perhaps, it helps them to fall in love with words and accept the challenge of crafting good writing.
Ask for 200 Words
Think about asking for word count on assignments. Asking for a page or even a paragraph can be anxiety producing, because a blank page is hard to fill and how long is a paragraph anyway? Asking for 200 words is much less threatening. For example, this paragraph has been crafted to have exactly100 words. This may not look like much of a challenge, however to novice writers 200 words can be huge, but it's concrete! Word count is an amazing tool that also allows us to gradually increase the demand by 25-50 words until the novice writes a full page!
Structure and Simplicity
Explain what word count means and how to use the "word count" function on MS Word under the "Review" tab. This might encourage them to learn to type or word process, too! Also let them know that the average person writes about 10 words and types about 15 words on a line—so you're asking for 200 words or about 10 to15 lines. Very concrete!
Here are simple structural things to do to help a struggling writer find success on your next writing assignment:
- Create a sample passage
- Offer specific "step-by-step" written, visual and oral directions
- Provide a short list of topics, but also be willing to be flexible
- Set the stage for pre-writing skills with lines for three ideas and five important words
- Describe how proof reading and rewriting improves the final product
A Final Word about Word Count
Also, if you really want to see word count really work to your advantage as a teacher, try limiting the word count! When I was trying to improve the content of writers who use a lot of words but don't actually say very much, I would put strict parameters on word count.
When I taught intensive reading for at-risk high school students, I would limit summary sentences to 10 words or introductory paragraphs to 25 words. This would result in the students working intensely (Just like I did crafting that 100-word paragraph!) to get the exact word count. Some of my students would even complain that they needed more words! Sure loved hearing that!


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What does fact checked mean?
At Healthfully, we strive to deliver objective content that is accurate and up-to-date. Our team periodically reviews articles in order to ensure content quality. The sources cited below consist of evidence from peer-reviewed journals, prominent medical organizations, academic associations, and government data.
The information contained on this site is for informational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for the advice of a professional health care provider. Please check with the appropriate physician regarding health questions and concerns. Although we strive to deliver accurate and up-to-date information, no guarantee to that effect is made.
An allergic reaction to corn in the United States is extremely low, with an estimated prevalence of 0.016 percent in the general population, according to the Corn Refiner's Association. The symptoms of an allergic reaction to corn are similar to other food allergies, with skin inflammation and dermatitis commonly cited in sensitized individuals.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Immunologic Response to Corn
An allergic reaction to corn occurs when the immune system mistakenly identifies the lipid proteins in corn as foreign and dangerous. The immune system mounts an IgE mediated attack against the lipid proteins, and activates and mobilizes pro-inflammatory cells to the inflammation site. These immune cells, primarily basophils and mast cells, perpetuate the immune response by releasing histamine into the bloodstream and surface of the skin. Histamine dilates and increases blood vessels, allowing fluids to move to the surface of the skin. It also increases the contraction of smooth muscles in the upper respiratory tract, and digestive tract.
Skin Rash
The release of histamine dilates and increases the permeability of blood vessels and capillaries, thereby allowing fluids and toxins to move to the surface of the skin. A skin rash involved with hives can appear anywhere on the body. The hives are typically red, itchy and raised with a pale center, and can migrate throughout the body. Hives and the accompanied swelling typically appears within 24 hours of ingesting corn or corn derived products. Atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema, is another skin rash commonly observed during an allergic reaction to corn. The skin eventually becomes cracked and thickened because of the scratching and itching.
Treatment of an Allergic Skin Reaction to Corn
The most effective treatment for corn allergy is avoiding corn or corn-derived products 2. A corn-free diet requires the elimination of corn flour, corn starch, cornmeal and corn. If you accidentally ingest corn and develop an allergic skin reaction, you may not need treatment if the symptoms are mild. Over the counter corticosteroids, such as:
- hydrocortisone
- as well as second generation antihistamines
- including Zyrtec
- are effective in reducing the inflammation
- itching
Testing for an Allergic Skin Reaction
Due to the scarcity of an allergic reaction to corn, your physician may need to perform an allergy test 2. A skin test may be given by your physician to ensure correct diagnosis. You will be injected with a small amount of the lipid protein from corn on your forearm or upper arm. After a period of 15 to 20 minutes, your physician will be able to determine if you are allergic to corn based on if whether or not you have swelling, redness or develop hives at the injection. A blood test may also be conducted to determine the level of circulating IgE antibodies in response to corn. A provocation test in which you are given corn or corn-derived products under medical supervision may be used to provoke an allergic reaction. These tests should only be performed by a physician.
- yusnizam/iStock/Getty Images


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June 28, 2013
Pat Maurer, Review Correspondent
With June winding to a close, these three short summer months are really flying by fast.
Of all the seasons, I think summer is most fun and of course, shortest of all. There's nothing new about that. Summertime is always "fast time" unless you are a kid of course.
Kids always seem to be able to make the most of summer vacations and can always find something to do even if it is just catching minnows in the edge of the river.
Warm sunny days seem to invite a swim in the river for the granddaughters, although this year with one in her teens and the other fast approaching it, it doesn't seem to be as inviting as it used to be for them.
After all they are growing up and would much rather head to the lake and the boat and skis then wade in the river out here at G-ma's house.
We are planning trips to Herrick Park with the rafts as often as possible in the next couple of months. I even bought a season pass so we can go anytime.
When the weather is a little cooler it is a great time for bike rides and walks. We have a couple of bikes here for them to enjoy this year. As the year's pass, that activity doesn't appeal to me as much as it used to, so I let them go and have their own adventures.
Besides, I really should be working around here. We have a long, long list of projects we want to accomplish this summer. We are always so optimistic when we make that list too, but camping and other fun things always seem to get in the way of actually getting them done. Our list this year is still just sitting there waiting for us. Thank goodness for Farmer's Markets. I didn't even get a garden planted this year, and Jack has been busy just keeping the mowing done on this mammoth yard.
While that list waits, gathering dust, every weekend in July is now filled with other things, much more enjoyable, that we need to do. Summerfest has already started, and there are fun things planned for the next week all centered around the Fourth of July. I can't miss any of that!
That takes care of the holiday. After the Fourth, it is vacation time for the Maurers and hopefully a long weekend up at the camper. Then my All-School Reunion is coming up, the annual Richardson Reunion and a few other little "trips" that are already in the planning stages. One I really want to add to my "fun" list is a canoe trip down the Au Sable River near the camper. That is a wonderful ride. There is a pristine 15 mile stretch called the Mason Track" with no houses, just woods and wildlife and for about four hours you could almost be back in the good old days. If you can, the best time for that trip is mid-week if you don't want to share the course with hundreds of "other canoers."
Working at home is much less stressful than the office used to be, but in the evenings, I still enjoy sitting outside under the stars and listening to the river bubble over the rocks. There is nothing that can take away the stress of a long day of computer work like a few minutes doing that – if the mosquitos don't drive me back inside again that is. Even when no one is around, just stilling by the river qualifies as a good time.
It's not just the way things look or even the sounds that make summer so special. Every season has a different scent. Fall always has the faint tang of burning leaves. Winter is cold and sharp and clean. Spring is lilacs blooming and the smell of new things growing.
Summer is lush and green, the smell of wildflowers alongside the road when you go for a walk and the scent of fresh cut grass in the air. At night after a soft rain the air is so fresh you can even smell the water.
Maybe I will take the girls to the beach this afternoon for a bit. Guess the list will have to wait again.


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The New Era has posted some comments from youth on general conference. It is inspiring to see how well these addresses can connect to youth and how deeply the youth can feel about the pure doctrines of the gospel. Their spontaneous reactions to the conference addresses show a simple and growing understanding of and faith in the Lord and His servants.
Youth can send their comments to the New Era here.
Filed under: New Era | Tagged: conference, general conference, latter-day saint, lds, magazine, mormon, New Era, teen, youth |


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Let's Book It! Winning the Hotel Booking
In 2016, OTAs accounted for 41% of gross hotel bookings in the United States, 69% in Europe and 64% in Asia Pacific (Skift, 2016). These are big numbers and add up to big commissions in order to fill rooms.
So why are the OTAs winning so many bookings? Most of the time, it's because of price (OTAs are perceived to have the lowest price), past positive booking experiences, and loyalty/reward programs (Google, 2014). The good news is these are things branded and independent properties can replicate – if they focus on the right things.
Topics Covered In This Conference
A High-Converting Website
A beautiful website isn't enough. Learn 5 best practices for a high performing website – one that converts.
The Shifting Balance of Power
Hotels are being sold on multiple platforms, and are just one piece of the guest's complex travel booking experience. Learn how to navigate these rough seas.
The Online Booking Engine
Are you armed with the right technology to help you drive direct? What to look for in a good online booking engine, and how to use it to drive more revenue.
Meet Our Speakers
Joey Egan
VP, Marketing, Leonardo
David Chestler
EVP Global Enterprise Sales & Business Development, SiteMinder
Darlene Rondeau
VP Best Practices, Online Merchandising, Leonardo


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How do you know if an idea will be successful?
Am I ready to perform automated tests?
The world is interconnected and social, with multi-dimensional relationships. This complex environment makes it difficult to gain insight into how you will compete in the future.
Can my team deploy predictive automation to enhance our performance?
An ecosystem is a community of ideas in conjunction with the abstract and living components of their environment interacting as a system. These components include organizations, founders, investors, products, locations, roles, etc and are regarded as linked together through time cycles and energy flows.
Ecosystems are defined by the network of interactions among these components and their environment, and can be of any size of shape. Energy flows through an ecosystem over time and influences the overall health and wellbeing of the components.
Ecosystems are controlled by external and internal factors. External factors such as global economic trends, employment, productivity, competitor performance, all influence the overall structure and wellbeing of the ecosystem. Many of these factors are not influenced by the evential structure or impact of the ecosystem.
Internal factors control ecosystem processes and and are subject to feedback loops. External factors have an impact on internal processes, and often are not visible to components within the ecosystem.
Organizational and idea diversity affect ecosystem function as do processes of disturbance and succession. Ecosystems provide boundaries within components are managed. These boundaries shift and change over time and are sensitive to many conflicting internal and external forces.
Ecosystems are sensitive to disturbances over time, but there constant processes to attempt to recover from past disturbances. There is a constant attempt by components in an ecosystem to stay close to equilibrium and increase its resistance. Not all ecosystems are resilient as disturbances can be severe and cause structural changes that are irrecoverable.
Classification of ecosystems and their components into homogeneous elements is an important step towards ecosystem management. Certain ecosystems require more energy than others to manage in order to achieve predictable outcomes.
Components and elements in an ecosystem can exert energy to alter the structure from within. For example, an organization implements a strategy to alter it's products by implementing a radically new idea that starves other elements in the ecosystem from resources. This ensures that the organization controls more energy and interrelated benefit across components in an ecosystem.
We use ecosystem thinking and apply artificial intelligence to analyse and predict behavior in organization and human ecosystems.


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- Acting, Producing and Directing Salary
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- Wedding Planner Salary
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A Commitment to Central Oregon's Disabled Athletes
Once warm weather forces the chill from the air, Central Oregon athletes trade in their skis and snowboards for bicycles and kayaks. For most, the change requires a simple garage rearrangement, a fresh coat of sunscreen and a trail map. But locals with disabilities look to non-profit Oregon Adaptive Sports (OAS) to help provide "life-changing outdoor recreation experiences at a low cost."
Initially focused solely on winter activities, OAS is gearing up for its fourth summer season of activities and events.
"Our summer programing is always dependent on weather, but generally starts in May and will wrap up in September," says Executive Director Suzanne Lafky.
A Humble Beginning
OAS was started by Jack Alexander, an avid skier who over and over again witnessed children and adults with disabilities having difficulty with the sports they loved. To help these eager athletes, Alexander started a program that involved people who understood physical and cognitive disabilities and were passionate about encouraging people to achieve goals they never thought possible.
OAS participants struggle with a wide range of cognitive disabilities such as autism, Down syndrome and ADHD. Physical disabilities include spinal cord injuries, amputations and complications from strokes.
It Takes a Village
"Volunteers are very critical to the OAS programming," remarks Lafky, a four-year veteran of the organization. "Without our volunteers, OAS would not be able to offer our amazing experiences."
Instructors and volunteers are trained on specific adaptive training techniques, in addition to scheduling and securing equipment.
"As the summer program grows, the number of volunteers involved and the training sessions offered increases," explains Lafky. "Last year we had over fifty volunteers actively involved with our participants."
OAS offers cycling, hiking, golf, and paddling programs on a regular basis, including a specific activity, scheduled bi-monthly, geared towards individuals with visual impairments. During the summer months, OAS also offers a weeklong adaptive youth camp and a weekend for veterans and their families that includes various adaptive activities. OAS focuses on what their participants can do and not what they can't do. They utilize equipment for adaptive use such as hand-cycles, tandems, tricycles and recumbents. Specifically-designed products allow OAS to customize golf clubs, cycles and kayaks.
"Our inventory of summer gear is limited, but we're committed to expanding the inventory in the next few years to include more bicycles, climbing gear and additional paddle sport vessels," explains Lafky.
Funding the Programs
As with any non-profit organization, OAS's programs, services and equipment rely heavily on donations, grants and fundraisers to keep their mission alive and their goals met.
"Awareness and education about our programs is the largest obstacle to our fundraising," emphasizes Lafky. "Our community is growing every day, so it's continually challenging to raise awareness about our programs."
Bigstock, an all-day music festival celebrating life, love, and music, is OAS's biggest fundraiser of the year. OAS has been fortunate over the last several years to draw local and national talent to their Bend-based festival. This year, Bigstock will feature Los Lobos, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real and Franchot Tone on Saturday, August 13. Tickets are available by invitation only.
As part of their mission statement, OAS strives for their "participants to gain confidence, build self-esteem and strive for independence leading to an enhanced quality of life." Lafky, and the entire OAS team are so committed and passionate about their organization that raising awareness is not just a job; it's a lifestyle.


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... and the angels shouted for joy.
This is my third design card for Christmas cards all year round December challenge. Please click on the link to see the lovely designs from the rest of the team and we would love to see your entries there.
I inked the lovely Tin Can Mail stamp with versamark and heat embossed with metallic gold rich - straight on to the black card blank, simply wrapping around a piece of gold ribbon and tying.
This is also for:
12 months of Christmas link up: anything goes
Holly jolly Christmas: embossing
AAA cards 53: anything goes
Sparkle n sprinkle December: anything goes (used embossing powder)
A snowflakes promise 11: Christmas winter theme
One crazy stamper December: Christmas/winter
Addicted to stamps 114: anything goes
Amusing challenges (stamped blessings): anything goes
Retro rubber 28: anything goes (stamp is much older than a year)
Morgan's artworld 12: monochrome
The artistic stamper December: Christmas
Vintage stamping (flonz) 38: traditional Christmas
Timbro scrap mania 114: Christmas is coming
Artistic inspirations 146: anything goes/twist of Christmas
Cardz 4 guyz 99: Christmas CAS
Card mania 75: Christmas
Lunagirl December: angels
Natalie and Amy 39: Christmas
Stampavie and more 251: shabby or vintage
Ruby's rainbow 118: Christmas with a metallic twist
Fresh brewed: anything goes Christmas
Word art Wednesday 212: anything goes
Creative inspirations 338: anything goes
Inspiration destination 62: anything goes
Craftin desert divas: Christmas
Fresh brewed: anything goes Christmas
Inspiration destination 62: anything goes
613 avenue create 152: anything goes
Craft your passion 290: anything goes
Crafting from the heart 88: anything goes
Crazy challenge 211: everything goes
Crafty gals corner 48: anything goes
Penny's 256: anything goes
AnMaCreatief 51: anything goes
Crafts galore December: anything goes
Creative moments 82: anything goes/bling it up
Crafting by designs: anything goes
Papertake: anything goes
Through the craftroom door: anything goes


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UPDATED & IMPROVED! Provides participants with working knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety Act - how to use the Act, the minimum standards it sets out, and the related regulations that govern workplace health and safety in Ontario.
The Occupational Health and Safety Act (the Act) and regulations set out the minimum standards for health and safety in Ontario workplaces as well as duties, responsibilities and rights of workplace parties. Contravention of the Act or regulations can result in fines of up to $100,000 for individuals and/or 12 months in jail while corporations can be fined up to $1.5 million. A 25-percent victim fine surcharge also applies to all fines.
Safety, Health & the Law is one-day, instructor-led course designed to increase awareness and working knowledge of Ontario's Occupational Health and Safety Act and regulations. Participants are guided through the sections in the Act using a variety of methods to increase learner engagement and improve understanding and retention of concepts including: exercises, self-assessment checklists, case study and video. Includes a comprehensive 76-page participant guide and a copy of the current Carswell Pocket Ontario OH&S Act & Regulations, Consolidated Edition.
This training solution meets the mandatory awareness training requirements of Ontario Regulation 297/13.
This course is delivered in a public classroom and/or can also be delivered in an on-site location.
Please contact Customer Care at 905-614-1400 or 1-877-494-WSPS (9777) for more information about availability and on-site pricing.
This solution is suitable for all WSPS sectors that are regulated by Ontario's Occupational Health and Safety Act.
The course is intended for those who are required to use the Act but are not familiar with or experienced in its application or use. This includes:
Volume discounts for selected training, which have been marked throughout the catalogue, are shown below.
1. Participants must be from the same organization
2. Participants must register for the same course. However, course dates and locations can vary; CSA/WSPS courses excluded
3. Registrations must be received by WSPS at the same time
UPDATED & IMPROVED! Understand your legal duties to protect the health and safety of workers, your role as a leader and what it means to be duly diligent.
UPDATED & IMPROVED! Proactively manage the hazards and risks in your workplace with a proven method and practical tool.
NOUVEAU! Ce cours d'une demi-journée a été conçu pour fournir aux gestionnaires une meilleure connaissance de la santé mentale grâce à les outils pratiques et les ressources nécessaires pour réagir et gérer les problèmes de santé mentale en milieu de travail. Available in English.
Learn strategies to communicate effectively about mental health in workplace.
Renseignez-vous sur les stratégies qui vous permettront de communiquer efficacement sur des questions de santé mentale en milieu de travail.
Take steps to improve your mental fitness in the workplace.
Prenez des mesures pour améliorer votre force mentale en milieu de travail.
Understand your legal duties to protect the health and safety of workers, your role as a leader and what it means to be duly diligent.
Gain awareness about workplace violence and harassment.
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Rate This Movie SYNOPSIS: A teacher opens a time capsule that has been dug up at his son's elementary school; in it are some chilling predictions — some that have already occurred and others that are about to — that lead him to believe his family plays a role in the events that are about to unfold. REVIEW: Nicolas Cage …Read More »
Home | Tag Archives: Adrienne Pickering
Tag Archives: Adrienne Pickering
Film Review: The Reef (2010)
Rate This Movie SYNOPSIS: A great white shark hunts the crew of a capsized sailboat along the Great Barrier Reef. REVIEW: Director – Andrew Traucki Starring – Damian Walshe-Howling, Gyton Grantley, Adrienne Pickering, Zoe Naylor As if you needed another reason not to venture out into the ocean, along comes a little gem of a movie called "The Reef." Based …Read More »


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5.11 "Whatever Happened, Happened"
Kate goes to great lengths to save young Ben's life, while Jack infuriates everyone by refusing to do anything to help.
|Written by Carlton Cuse & Damon Lindelof
Directed by Bobby Roth
In 2005, Kate visits her friend Cassidy, with a less-than-one-year-old baby Aaron along for the ride. (Cassidy is the mother of Sawyer's baby, and the woman who helped Kate covertly meet her mother, to ask why she turned her own daughter in. All of this happened before Oceanic 815 crashed on the island.) This is the first time Cassidy has seen Kate since the Oceanic 6 were rescued, and Cassidy's very happy to see her. She's followed the media coverage of the Oceanic 6, and knows Kate was one of those rescued. She asks what brings Kate to her door today, and Kate replies, "Sawyer sent me."
Kate tells Cassidy the truth about the Oceanic 6 and what happened to them on the island. She gives Cassidy money to take care of Clementine, per Sawyer's request. And she explains Sawyer's sacrifice, when he jumped from the helicopter. Cassidy, still bitter about how Sawyer swindled her and refused to accept that Clementine was his daughter when she visited him in prison, calls Sawyer a coward, believing he jumped out of the chopper to run out on Kate. When Cassidy asks about Aaron, Kate tries to perpetuate the lie that he's hers, but Cassidy sees through it, and asks why she's lying about being Aaron's mother. "Because I have to," Kate replies.
In 2007, the familiar scene at the L.A. pier plays out from Kate's perspective, and while Sun holds Ben at gunpoint, she exits in her car, with Aaron in the backseat. Aaron complains that he's thirsty and needs milk, so she stops at a supermarket. Inside the store, Jack calls Kate's cell, but she doesn't answer. While she's looking at her phone, Aaron disappears from her side. She panics, running through the store and checking every aisle. Finally she finds him with a friendly lady who's helping him — a woman who strongly resembles Aaron's real mother, Claire. Kate grabs Aaron and holds him tight.
The next morning, Kate takes Aaron to visit Cassidy and Clementine, who calls her "Auntie Kate." Alone with Cassidy, Kate spills her guts, telling her that the other members of the Oceanic 6 are going back to the island, and that Jack says they were never supposed to leave. Kate then tells her about losing Aaron in the store last night, and that "as scared as I was, I wasn't surprised." She says she'd always expected him to be taken from her, because she took him herself. But she justifies her actions, saying that Aaron needed her. Cassidy corrects her: "You needed him." She says that because Sawyer left her, she grasped onto Aaron to fill the void that Sawyer left.
That night, Kate goes back to the hotel where she and Jack saw Carole Littleton, Claire's mother, meeting with her lawyer. Carole seems wary at meeting her again, and explains that she's still confused about Jack's visit the day before, when he was "going on and on about some person named Aaron." Kate confesses everything, that Aaron is Carole's grandson, and that she believes Claire is still alive on the island. She explains the Oceanic 6's lie to Carole, telling her that when Claire disappeared on the island and left Aaron alone, she decided to keep Aaron herself. She knew that Claire would want him to be adopted, but Kate couldn't bare turning him over to a stranger, feeling that she needed to protect him. When Carole asks her why she lied this whole time, and why Kate never came to her in the first place, Kate replies, "Because I needed him." She apologizes and gives Carole a picture of Aaron, and then reveals that he's asleep in a hotel room two doors down from Carole's, where Kate has checked in. "I know this is a lot to handle," Kate explains tearfully, "but when you're ready, he's waiting for you." She says that she's told Aaron that Carole is his grandmother, and that she'll be taking care of him while Kate is gone. Carole asks Kate where she's going. Kate replies that she's going back to the island to find Claire.
Minutes later, Kate returns to her own hotel room where Aaron is sleeping, and while the two of them are still alone, she says an anguished goodbye and exits.
Immediately following the events of "He's Our You," an unconscious Jin gets a call on his radio after being knocked out by Sayid, who's disappeared into the jungle. It's Phil, who says that Sayid has escaped; Jin reports that he was attacked by Sayid, before he spots young Ben on the ground. He checks on the boy, who's gravely wounded but isn't dead yet. "Please help," young Ben whispers. Jin puts him in his van and drives.
At the Barracks, everyone is still cleaning up after the burning van tore through the facility. Horace rallies the troops, explaining that Sayid escaped, and what that means to the truce. Jack questions Horace's words, and Horace bristles, asking Jack who he is and telling him that there's no way Sayid escaped on his own. He had to have had help from someone in the Dharma Initiative.
Roger Linus approaches Kate on the sidelines and asks for help cranking a winch. Even though she's in the motor pool, she has no idea what he's talking about. The two of them commiserate over their respective sucky jobs, and Roger reveals his name to her, which of course she recognizes. Jin pulls up in his van and carries Ben into the Infirmary. Roger sees this and freaks out.
At Dharma's Security HQ, Sawyer desperately checks through various video feeds from around the island, trying to find any sign of Sayid. Kate enters the building, tells him that it was Ben that Sayid shot. Sawyer warns her to keep quiet, and that she shouldn't be in there. Horace and a crew of Security guys — including Jin and Miles — enter, and Horace asks who Kate is and what she's doing there. Sawyer covers for her with a lie that he was trying to find out if she'd seen anything when Sayid escaped. She didn't, so he dismisses her. Horace wants to see Sayid's empty cell, and upon checking, they find a set of janitor's keys are still in the open lock. Horace says there are only three janitors working for Dharma: Roger Linus, someone named Lilly, and the new guy, Jack Shephard. Sawyer says he'll question the new guy, and leaves, taking Miles with him.
Outside, Sawyer tells Miles to grab Jack, Kate, and Hurley and keep them in a house, together. Sawyer explains that he doesn't want them talking to anybody else, or things could spin even further out of control. Sawyer then goes to the Infirmary, where Roger is waiting outside on the same bench where Sawyer and Jin recently waited while Amy was in labor. Roger asks who did this, but Sawyer merely says they don't know yet. Roger says he doesn't know how Ben is doing, because Juliet ordered him outside. Sawyer offers to get an update for him, but before going in, he asks Roger if he has his keys on him. Roger can't find them in any of his pockets.
Inside, Sawyer finds Juliet furiously performing emergency surgery on young Ben. She tells him that the regular doctor is at the Looking Glass station until Friday. Juliet takes Sawyer aside and quietly tells him that Ben is bleeding internally someplace that she can't find or fix. He needs a real surgeon. He needs Jack. Sawyer leaves at once to retrieve the doc.
At a Dharma house, Miles loads his shotgun while Jack, Kate, and Hurley watch. Jack asks if they're under house arrest. Miles says no, they can leave anytime they want, but he'll shoot them in the leg if they do. He's acting under Sawyer's orders, he explains. Kate defends Sawyer as "just doing his job."
Hurley looks at his hand with an odd expression on his face, and Miles asks what he's doing. Hurley says he's checking to see if he's disappearing, like in the movie Back to the Future. He says that if young Ben dies here in 1977, then they won't exist here because adult Ben is "the one who made us come back here in the first place." Miles explains that it doesn't work that way, that history can't be changed no matter what. Sayid shot young Ben, he says, and that's exactly what always happened. Ben didn't die, "so the kid can't either," he concludes. Kate asks what if Miles is wrong. Before she gets an answer, Sawyer rushes inside, and asks Jack to come to the Infirmary, quick. But to everyone's surprise, Jack refuses. Even if it means Ben dies, Sawyer can't persuade him to go.
Moments later, Kate looks out the window and watches as Sawyer returns to the Infirmary and talks to Roger. She approaches Jack and demands to know why he won't save Ben. Jack says that according to Miles, they can't change anything. Kate counters that maybe history means for Jack to be the one that saves Ben. Jack reminds her of all that's going to happen in thirty years, when they are captured by Ben. He says he's already saved Benjamin Linus by operating on him once — and he did it at Kate's behest — and he doesn't need to do it again. Kate argues that this entire situation is their fault, because they brought Sayid with them when they returned. Jack says that the last time he was on the island, he spent all of his time trying to fix things. "Did you ever think," he asks, "that maybe the island wants to fix things itself?" He thinks he was just getting in the way of that the first time they were here. Kate says that she doesn't like the new Jack; she liked the old Jack better. He replies that no, she didn't like the old Jack, either. She storms out of the house, ignoring Miles' objections.
At the Infirmary, Juliet is attending to Ben when Kate enters, tells the nurse she's a universal blood donor, and she'd like to donate blood to help Ben. Juliet draws her blood, and while the two of them have a moment alone, Juliet asks why Jack won't help. Kate replies that she doesn't understand anything Jack does anymore. Juliet asks if anything happened between the two of them off-island; Kate reveals that they were engaged.
Roger busts into the Infirmary, unable to sit outside and wait any longer, demanding to know what's happening. Kate offers to sit with him, while Juliet works on Ben. Roger tells Kate that Ben stole his keys and set Sayid free. Kate asks why Ben would do that, and Roger replies simply, "Because of me." He asks if she has any kids, and after a moment's hesitation, she says no. Roger says he always thought he'd be the best father ever, but things didn't work out that way. Kate asks about Ben's mom, and Roger explains that she died giving birth. He says that in coming here to the island, he was trying to do what he thought his wife would have wanted, "but I guess a boy just needs his mother." Kate is visibly shaken at these words. Ben suddenly goes into hypoxic shock, having great difficulty breathing, and when Roger freaks, Juliet orders him back outside again.
At the Dharma house, Hurley and Miles have an amusing conversation about the nature of time travel. Hurley has particular difficulty understanding how the fact that everything they're doing right now is part of history. Miles repeatedly loses his patience with Hurley, until Hurley asks a question Miles can't answer: when the castaways first met and captured Ben in 2004, why didn't Ben remember Sayid as the man who shot him in 1977? "Huh," Miles replies. "I hadn't thought of that."
Outside the Infirmary, Juliet tells Roger that Ben is stable. She sends him to the Staff station for medical supplies, and he thanks her for everything she's doing. Kate sits nearby, listening, and once Roger is gone, she looks to Juliet for the truth. Ben really is stable, Juliet says, but not any better, and she can't fix him. Kate asks if they could take him somewhere in the submarine for treatment, but Juliet says it's gone and won't be back for months. Kate mentions time travel, and asks Juliet if Ben can really die here. Juliet says Ben is going to die, because "he's in a medicinal situation that is not resolvable." Kate says there must be something they can do, and Juliet is suddenly lost in thought. "Maybe there's something they can do," she says, referring to the Others.
Juliet and Kate secretly load young Ben into a Dharma van. Juliet wants to come along, but Kate tells her to stay here. She has a good life here, and being part of this will only wreck it. Juliet says Sawyer is going to come asking about Ben, and she'll have to tell him the truth, but she'll give Kate as much of a head start as she can. Juliet wishes her luck, and Kate takes off.
At the sonic fence, Kate stops the van. Ben fades, delirious: "Tell my dad I'm sorry I stole his keys," he says softly. Another van approaches; it's Sawyer. To Kate's surprise, he says he didn't come to stop her, he came to help her. He disarms the fence and carries Ben into the jungle. Kate asks why he's helping her try to save Ben, and he says he asked Juliet that same question when Ben was first brought in wounded. Juliet's answer was that she wouldn't let a kid die, no matter what he was going to grow up to be. Sawyer says his reason is Juliet's; he's doing this for her.
At the Dharma house, Juliet barges in, angry, and asks Miles and Hurley where Jack is. They tell her he's in the shower, and Hurley, observing Juliet's agitated state, asks if Jack is "in trouble." Juliet says she needs to talk to him, and asks for privacy. The two of them leave the house, and Miles is now considerably more interested in hearing Hurley's thoughts about time travel.
In the bathroom, Jack gets out of the shower to find Juliet waiting for him. She's angry, saying she needed him earlier when "that kid" was bleeding out, that he was a surgeon and she needed him and he didn't help. Jack argues that "that kid" is Ben. Juliet says he's not Ben yet, he's just a kid. Jack says he's sorry, but he can't help her. Juliet says she's not asking for his help, because he made it very clear he wasn't interested in helping. She says that it's up to two people who actually care now — Kate and Sawyer. Jack argues that he cares, that he came back here to save all of them. "We didn't need saving!" Juliet shouts. "You came back here for you!" She asks him to tell her why. He says he came back because he was supposed to, and she asks what he's "supposed" to do. When he replies he doesn't know yet, she bitterly tells him he'd better figure it out.
In the jungle, Kate offers to carry Ben for a while, but Sawyer declines. She asks if it's clue that young Ben was the one who set Sayid free, and Sawyer replies that "a kid will do almost anything if he's pissed off at his folks." Kate asks if that's why he asked her to take care of Clementine, before jumping from the helicopter. He asks if she did as he asked, and she tells him of course she did. He asks about his daughter, and she tells him that Clementine looks like him when she smiles. Then Kate tells him Cassidy's theory on why he jumped from the helicopter — that he was running out on her. "You and me would'a never worked out, Kate," Sawyer says. "I wasn't anymore fit to be your boyfriend than I was to be that little girl's father." She comments that he seems to be doing okay with Juliet. He replies that he "did a lot of growing up" over the last three years.
The Others suddenly emerge from the surrounding jungle and level weapons on them. One of them says that Kate and Sawyer's presence here is a violation of the truce, but Sawyer cuts him off, demanding to be taken to Richard Alpert.
Some time later, Kate, Sawyer, Ben, and the Others finally reach Richard, who steps out of the jungle to meet them. He greets Sawyer as "James," recognizes Ben, but asks who Kate is. Sawyer says, "She's with me." Kate explains that they've come to ask if he can save Ben. Richard hesitates. "If I take him," he says slowly, "he's not ever going to be the same again." Kate asks what that means, and Richard replies that Ben "will forget this ever happened, and… his innocence will be gone. He will always be one of us." Richard asks if they're sure they want him to do this. Kate and Sawyer consider it, until finally Kate says yes. One of the Others steps forward and tells Richard, "You should not do this without asking Ellie. If Charles finds out…" Richard replies, "Let him find out. I don't answer to either of them."
Richard carries Ben into the jungle alone, until he arrives at the ancient Temple from which we've recently seen the smoke monster emerge and retreat. Richard accesses a door and takes young Ben inside.
At the Hydra station in 2007, adult Ben awakens to find John Locke sitting at his bedside. Ben is clearly stunned to see Locke alive. "Hello, Ben," says Locke. "Welcome back to the land of the living."
- Sawyer asked Kate to see to it that his daughter, Clementine, received all the financial support she would need from her father.
Question: What was the favor Sawyer asked of Kate? [4.10]
- Kate decided to give Aaron to his grandmother Carole Littleton.
Question: What happened to Aaron? Why does Kate no longer have him? [5.06]
- Why did Kate change her mind and decide to go back to the island?
Question: Kate decided to return to the island to find Claire, presumably to help Claire escape and be reunited with her son. [5.06]
- It was always what happened.
Question: Did Sayid change history by shooting Ben? Or was his attempted murder always what happened? [5.10]
- Whatever Richard Alpert did to Ben inside the Temple altered him somehow, and erased his memory of the events leading up to his near-death.
Question: If history wasn't changed when Sayid shot Ben, then why doesn't adult Ben seem to remember meeting any of the Oceanic survivors when he was a child? [5.10]
- What exactly did Richard Alpert do to young Ben inside the Temple? Why did it cause Ben's memory to be erased and his innocence to be lost?
Even the Evangeline Lilly critics out there — and there are many of you — have to admit that this episode featured her best work to date. The scene where Kate leaves Aaron behind is one of the most heartbreaking moments Lost has ever featured.
True to its title, "Whatever Happened, Happened" illustrates exactly how time cannot be changed. In essence, it boils down to this: just because the castaways have free will and can do whatever they want in 1977, doesn't mean that events won't unfold exactly the way history records.
I was fascinated at how very different Roger Linus was with Kate than what we've seen of him with his son. He was friendly, funny, and downright charming. Could it be more clear how much resentment he holds towards his son? And yet, his paternal instincts finally kicked in for real when he saw his son had been hurt. Perhaps this will mark the beginning of a change in the way Roger treats his son? We know that on the day of his death — which was also Ben's birthday — he made a real effort to reach out to his son. Maybe this is his first step onto that path.
Jack actually made some decent, understandable points in his explanation to Kate about why he wouldn't operate on young Ben. Though his first answer, that they "can't change anything" regarding history, doesn't wash, because it was one of them (Sayid) that changed things by shooting Ben in the first place. But the truth was what came out later with Juliet: like Sayid, he secretly hopes that Ben dying will prevent all of the terrible things Ben did to all of them. He was right about one thing, kinda-sorta… It was the island that "fixed" Ben, not himself or anyone else.
Jack's line to Kate about how she didn't really like the old Jack, after she claimed to prefer him over the new Jack, was all about what happened between the two of them and how their engagement ended badly. His obsession with being "Mr. Fix Everything" led to his downward spiral into prescription drug abuse, alcohol, and a need to control. And Jack wasn't lying when he said this; the old Jack ended very badly, and it was only Locke's death that pulled him out of it, helping him to change. It may yet turn out in the end that the new Jack is more to Kate's liking, after all.
To clarify the timeline, this is how I believe Kate's adventures off the island played out… Kate returned to the mainland with the Oceanic 6. She "adopted" Aaron. She received her settlement from Oceanic Airlines. She visited Cassidy and gave her money, fulfilling her promise to Sawyer. She was put on trial, amid a media circus, and ultimately acquitted. She and Jack made nice and moved in together. Jack asked her to marry him. Sometime during their engagement, Kate speaks to Cassidy on the phone regarding a meeting of some kind. (Maybe they were just getting together for coffee or something, and she kept it from Jack because Cassidy is linked to Sawyer?) Jack dopes up, Kate breaks off the engagement. Locke visits everyone as Jeremy Bentham. Jack tries to convince Kate to return to the island with him, she refuses at first, but eventually changes her mind because she knows Claire is alive and wants to reunite Aaron with his real mother. Sound good?
As the father of a small boy, the scene where Kate says goodbye to Aaron absolutely destroyed me. But I have to say, as sad as I am that Aaron is now separated from the only mother he's ever known, I am really glad to see that Lost's writers are finally letting Kate grow, change, and accept responsibility. Up until now, she's just been "the love 'em and leave 'em" chick, running out on everyone she ever loved and anything resembling reliability. Here, at last, she's taken responsibility for her actions, and made a choice that will change her forever: to go back and find Claire.
Now we know why she went back. She seemed like the least likely of all of them to ever return, so I had high hopes for the explanation on this one, and happily, it didn't disappoint. Not only does it make perfect sense, it also gives her character new territory to explore. That's an example of good writing, folks — serving the plot and evolving the character in a "two birds with one stone" scenario. Aspiring writers take note: this is how it's done.
Can I just say how much I love that the return of the "love quadrangle" hasn't led to melodrama so far? I love that Kate and Juliet are actually on the same side, I love that Kate and Sawyer haven't stirred the pot, and I love that Sawyer and Juliet are remaining steadfastly and unapologetically steadfast to one another. I hope this can only mean that the writers are as disinterested in clichéd melodrama as we, the viewers, are, and they intend to take the "love quadrangle" into more interesting territory than unrequited pinings and secretly cheating partners.
Hurley and Miles' conversation about time travel was one of my favorite scenes, and Hurley's repeated confusion with it was undoubtedly the writers having a bit of fun with us, the viewers, many of whom have complained about the difficulty of understanding Lost's rules of time travel. But they cleverly turned it to their advantage, verbalizing a question that's been on many viewers' minds — regarding Ben not remembering Sayid in 2004 if he was shot by him in 1977 — as a way of setting up the answer that was to come later in the episode. I also love that Miles and Hurley's conversation ended with the two of them suddenly bonding.
Regarding that answer, apparently Ben's memory will be altered by whatever happens to him in the Temple. Sure, this is an awfully convenient — and awfully sudden — plot point. But clearly something big is up with Ben and the Temple. What exactly happened when Richard took him inside is going to be the subject of much fan debate. It muddies the waters significantly about Ben's devious ways: Is he bad because of the choices he makes as an adult? Because of the abuse he suffered from his father? Or because of the mysterious change he has now undergone in the Temple? Fans who love to hate Ben are probably going to cry foul at what they perceive as the writers trying to absolve Ben of all responsibility for his evil actions. But I say, let's wait and see how it all plays out.
For now, here's what we know. Richard's taking Ben into the Temple will cause Ben to:
- lose his memory of being shot, and (presumably) all of the events surrounding that action
- lose his innocence, whatever that means, exactly
- from now on, always be considered an Other
The big question on my mind is this. Remember Danielle Rousseau's people Montand, Robert, and all those fellows that went inside the Temple earlier this season? And how they came back from that experience… different? Danielle believed they'd been infected by some kind of disease which changed them fundamentally, to the point that Robert was willing to shoot and kill his own wife and unborn child. Whatever you want to call it, it's clear that exposure to the interior of the Temple changed the French people significantly. So now that Ben has been taken inside the Temple as well, will he be changed the same way that they were? If so, does that mean that the Temple made the Frenchmen into true Others? (And what would that even mean, exactly?) What we're meant to believe from this episode is that the good, kind boy that was young Ben was changed into the devious, scheming, manipulative man that we know as adult Ben — by whatever is done to him inside that Temple.
This leads to all sorts of new questions. The most obvious being, what is the Temple? Is it the smoke monster that alters people inside there? How? Why? To what end? What does this mean for Ben? Is he not in full control of his actions? And what about Richard Alpert? I doubt this was his first time inside the Temple. It seems obvious that he answers to the island, the smoke monster, or Jacob (assuming all three aren't one and the same!). So maybe he's immune to whatever happens inside the Temple. Or maybe he underwent the procedure already. Or maybe Richard IS the smoke monster! Aaaah! One could go mad theorizing.
Whatever it all means… does this mean that Kate and Sawyer, in choosing to allow Ben to be healed and changed by Richard, are somewhat responsible for what eventually happens to the Dharma Initiative at the Purge? It's a confluence of events, to be certain. A domino effect, that many of our characters will bear some responsibility for (most recently Sayid, for shooting Ben and starting all this). But it could be traced back further, to the Oceanic 6 leaving and returning to the island. Or even all the way back to Jacob, for ordering Locke to move the island — which adult Ben did instead. How much of it comes down to choice, and how much of it is fate? Perhaps when Lost's endgame comes into focus next year, "fate vs. choice" will be revealed as the fundamental theme of the entire show.
When one of the Others told Richard that, in essence, "Ellie" and "Charles" would not be pleased that Richard took this action with young Ben, it was a confirmation of info we either already knew or suspected: Eloise Hawking and Charles Widmore were, in the past, major players in the Others. Charles was their leader at one point, and it looks like Eloise held a position of similar power as well. This goes a long way to explain the two of them and their places in the world off the island. But it leads me back to a frequently-asked question from earlier in the season: were Eloise Hawking and Charles Widmore ever a couple? And could that coupling have resulted in one Daniel Faraday? I hope we find out soon.
As much as I've been enjoying the trip back through time to the Dharma era, I'm very glad to see that Locke and Ben have reentered the larger picture. But for what feels like the gazillionth time, the episode left me wanting to know… Where in the world is Daniel? Where is Desmond? And where, oh where are Rose & Bernard?!?
Your turn.