Here is a long overdue update!

I am still writing, but not for a specific site or public consumption…yet. There are various creative projects in the works. Vague, party of one! 

But I am thrilled to be able to reveal that I have contributed two chapters to a new book called “LOST Thought: Leading Thinks Discuss LOST” (slated to be published in early 2012). One is my essay about LOST and Alice in Wonderland, and the other is a collaboration with my good friend Erika Olson from LongLiveLocke. 

I also wanted to let you know where my heart and focus will be in 2012. I am the co-founder of a new charity fundraiser called Cancer Gets LOST, which we hope will be an online auction combined with a live event in Los Angeles next summer. 

Stay tuned for more updates about Inside Alcatraz and Cancer Gets LOST, as well as the obligatory Best of 2011 list!

For more frequent and brief TV analysis, you can always follow me on Twitter. :)

My official selections for the best new shows of 2011 are now posted!

Once Upon a Time (@OnceABC) is my #1 pick and favorite series among the 30 or so I had the chance to watch in advance, and so I am giving away 2 new posters from SDCC. Above is the lovely Ginnifer Goodwin as Snow White, and I also have a poster with Lana Parrilla as the Evil Queen (who plays this character perfectly and deliciously).

Fun random fact: Parrilla played Dharma ‘Other’ Greta, stationed down in the Looking Glass on LOST.  

The show debuts on October 23. If I had to guess, Once Upon a Time co-creators/writers (and former LOST executive producers/writers) Adam Horowitz and Eddy Kitsis had something do with their new show debuting on one of THE numbers. I approve. 

Click on the article to see the details for the giveaway!

And stay tuned for photos and updates both here and on Twitter this weekend from a familiar location…

[I posted a version of this on TVOvermind & wanted to spread the word through Tumblr as well. Any reposts/RTs are very much appreciated!]

Next week will be my fourth annual trip to San Diego Comic-Con (the first as a fan, the next 3 as press). I have made every conceivable mistake along the way, and wanted to pass on a few suggestions for rookies and newbies alike. Admittedly, these tips are geared more toward film & TV fans that are attending panels than they are for actual comic book fans with different agendas.

Here are a few suggestions to avoid boredom, dehydration and overall frustration at the Con.

THE CONSTANT

Buddy up! Always have at least one friend or new acquaintance to save your place in line or guard your chair with their life. Because you will need to use the restroom and grab food/water. In the larger rooms, you will be given a color-coded pass if you need to leave during or between panels. Even though you have already secured a seat, and even if your backpack is on said seat, you will want a trusted source next you to in order to reinforce that it is indeed taken.

THE COST OF LIVING

Cash! Obtain it before you get to the Con and keep plenty of it throughout. You’ll need it every day, for snacks, toys, autographs, coffee, etc. Avoid ridiculous non-branded bank ATM fees inside the convention center.

DO NO HARM

Tube etiquette! If you don’t bring a poster tube, you’ll likely purchase one on the exhibition floor. Even if you have no plans to buy any posters, you will be handed free prints and swag all day that you may want to keep in decent shape. Please, for the love of Robert Pattinson, be aware of your tube. That is not a euphemism. Or maybe it is. But we’ve all been sideswiped and clocked by the plastic poster tubes protruding from your backpacks and swung over your sweaty shoulders. So let’s all exercise a little more tube awareness this year.

EVERYBODY HATES HUGO/EVERYBODY LOVES HUGO

Panel Q&As! If you are fast enough to make it to the microphone and have a chance to ask a question at a panel, DO NOT BE A DOUCHE. The masses, who waited in line for hours to spend 45 minutes with their heroes, will audibly groan and hiss at you (it happened to me at my first Con; I may or may not have had a fan girl moment directed at Liz Mitchell in front of 5k people).

Know your cast/crew/film/show and ask intelligent questions that relate to the actual panel and talent. Don’t declare your love for anyone on stage, or use your precious 30 seconds to just make negative statements and walk away (i.e. “I just wanted to say that I really hated the LOST finale”). It is a Question & Answer session, not a Question from A-hole session.

FIRE + WATER

H20! Whether you are making your way to the convention center or in lines weaving inside and outside awaiting panels, you will be in the scorching sun at some point. Ignore the forecast teasing you with mid-70’s temperatures; the weather channel lies to us every year. You will need water. Bring your stainless steel canteen with the trendy design. Save money (and the environment) by avoiding the purchase of bottled water. There are water fountains around the convention center for your convenience.

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

Apps! In addition to the official SDCC app (a handy, quick guide to the panels, maps, times, etc. so you won’t have to schlep around the heavy guide they hand out when you pick up your badge), you should definitely download other apps that will assist your search for local ATMs, bars, coffee, grocery stores, restaurants, etc. Suggestions: AroundMe, Open Table, Urbanspoon, Yelp.

THE GREATER GOOD

Deodorize! The notorious lack of personal hygiene at the Con is not a myth; stinky fan boys are a reality (for what it’s worth, I’ve yet to brush into a particularly odorous fan girl). I would simply recommend that you all lather on a strong layer of deodorant before heading to the Con (or throw it in your backpack to freshen up later in the day). Because you’ll be in very close proximity to others on the exhibition floor, in lines and in chairs at panels. And definitely include a small container of hand sanitizer in your backpack.

HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN

SPF it! Some lines have shade, but many portions of the lines do not. And you will be outside awaiting shuttles and walking from your hotels and parking garages. Keep sunscreen and Chapstick on your person at all times.

But they tend to over-air condition the panel rooms and it does get chilly after Sundown, so when you’re out to dinner or at parties - you might consider throwing a thin additional layer in your backpack.

THE LONG CON

Rise & line! The earlier you arrive to start each day at the Con, the better. If you want to see a panel in Ballroom 20 at 4pm, you’re going to have to get in line as early as 9am. They only let in a few hundred people at a time between panels, as many fans plant themselves in there all day long in order to guarantee spots for their upcoming panels. Even if the first panel of the day is at 10am, and they may not open the Con doors until 9 or 9:30am, lines will form early and primarily outside in the vicinity of your panel.

ONE OF THEM

OMG, it’s that guy from that thing (more often than not it is Mark Sheppard)! Download the IMDB app. You’ll have plenty of time while waiting in line to learn more about the casts and creative folks behind the films and shows you’re about to see at panels. Use this app to create spontaneous trivia games with new friends in line.  And if you have the chance to meet someone you admire, you will be armed with facts about their previous roles (side note: actors and writers tend to appreciate your knowledge about their experiences prior to their current show/film).

THE PACKAGE

Mangia (not to be confused with Manga)! You’ll all have a purse or backpack. Bring food that will not melt, smell or taste disgusting after sitting in your bag for 6 hours. Make sure your snacks contain protein. Your blood sugar will get low and it won’t be pretty. Suggestions: nuts, apples, granola/protein bars (w/o chocolate), dried fruit, beef jerky. Also: bring gum. Your friends and line neighbors will thank you.

PILOT, PART 1 & PART 2                 

Screenings! If you have a pass for Preview Night on Wednesday, plant yourself in Ballroom 20 and watch 3-4 previously unreleased pilots for brand new shows debuting in the Fall and Winter. In my experience, there are always seats because most fans are out on the exhibition floor that night. In some cases, these pilots will air again during the Con, at their individual panels. Pay attention to the schedule, because there are encore screenings of certain pilots later in the evenings at the Con.

SOLITARY

125k attendees! Don’t be that person, the anti-social one in line that never looks up from your texting addiction. Talk to people in line, at panels and booths. Because they’re YOUR people. This is the one place on earth where being slightly or outright geeky is rather awesome. Let your freak flags fly, but wave them politely.

SOMETHING NICE BACK HOME

Swag! Leave room in your suitcase, because you will be lugging home plenty of goodies (free and purchased). And bring a sharpie. It is possible that you’ll stumble upon someone you admire and have the opportunity to ask for an autograph. But don’t pull out a lame flyer or piece of scrap paper; have a notepad or specific item ready in your backpack (i.e. the tee you just bought from her show or the action figure from his film).

SPECIAL

Enjoy the insanity! Your experience at the Con is entirely up to you. As stressful as pre-planning and long lines can be, you really can make the most of your time, make new friends for life and network with people who can potentially change your life. Don’t stress out if you don’t get into a panel; it will appear online somewhere the following week. If you’re unable to obtain a limited edition toy at a booth, it will no doubt appear on eBay shortly thereafter. SDCC is a hectic yet incredible four days, and you’re lucky to be attending. Soak it all in, and sleep when you get home.

THE SUBSTITUTE

Panel flexibility! Be patient. The panels taking place later in the day tend to have far shorter lines (if any at all). Thousands of exhausted nerds start heading back to their hotels in every afternoon after very long days at the Con, opening up seats at panels for patient souls like you. And aside from Glee, you are more likely to easily secure a seat at most panels on Sunday.

And size isn’t everything. For panels, that is. Yes, the major films and show panels take place in the larger rooms. Spend a good deal of time perusing the schedules, because there are some amazing, entertaining and informative panels in smaller rooms all day long. And you have a better chance of getting seats at those panels.

WALKABOUT

Comfort, not fashion! Costumes aside, don’t try to impress anyone with your Con clothing choices. Any variation of jeans and tees are the standard. And trust me - wear your most comfortable shoes. Because you’ll be standing in lines, waiting for shuttles, hiking miles back and forth to your car and walking the exhibition floor far longer than you’ll be sitting at a panel. Unless you’re a Hall H or Ballroom 20 seat whore.

WHAT THEY DIED FOR

Charge! Your phones and camera batteries will die after several hours of tweeting, texting and posting all day long. So keep your chargers with you throughout the Con; there are various outlets available in panel rooms and hallways. I strongly recommend that you also acquire a cell phone battery extender case, which will power your phones for hours beyond the norm.

The End. Namaste. Any ?

I attended a screening of Super 8 last night and LOVED IT. Click here to read my spoiler-free review!

I am co-hosting a live LOST chat with DocArzt on Monday, May 23 at 6pm PST/9pm EST and we would love for you to join us! Details are posted on my Lost site. 

Random chat participants will receive a few goodies, including a few rare Damon Lindelof-autographed Action Comics #900. 

So come and discuss how you feel about the series finale, one year later, and what life has been life without LOST!

I have a road trip in the near future, and am creating playlists for the journey. Because the 1-year anniversary of the series finale is fast approaching, I am compiling songs from my collection that relate to various characters on Lost.

But I need additional suggestions. In the words of a certain ghost trapped in a cabin, “help me.”

ALPERT

1. The Chain - Fleetwood Mac
2. Chains of Love - Erasure
3. Eternal Flame - Bangles
4. I’m a Slave For You - Britney Spears
5. Life on a Chain - Pete Yorn
6. My Immortal - Evanescence
7. Slave to Love - Bryan Ferry
8. Ship of Fools - Doors
9. Young Forever - Jay Z

BEN

1. Ben - Michael Jackson
2. Every Breath You Take - Police
3. Fences - Phoenix
4. Hit Me With Your Best Shot - Pat Benatar
5. Lisztomania - Phoenix
6. Rabbit Heart - Florence + the Machine
7. Sympathy for the Devil - Rolling Stones
8. Ulysses - Franz Ferdinand

CLAIRE

1. Baby Boy - Beyonce
2. Baby Love - Supremes
3. Down Under - Men at Work
4. Hey Baby - No Doubt
5. Sweet Child o Mine - Guns & Roses

DESMOND

1. 4 Minutes - Madonna & Justin Timberlake
2. Constant Craving - kd lang
3. Disaster Button - Snow Patrol
4. Driving Sideways - Aimee Mann
5. Electric Feel - MGMT
6. Flash - Queen
7. It’s the End of the World as we Know It - REM
8. Lucid Dreams - Franz Ferdinand
9. Traveling Without Moving - Jamiroquai
10. Under Pressure - Queen & David Bowie

EKO

1. Faith - George Michael
2. If I Ever Lose My Faith in You - Sting
3. Keeping the Faith - Billy Joel
4. Like a Prayer - Madonna
5. Livin’ on a Prayer - Bon Jovi
6. Losing My Religion - REM
7. Save a Prayer - Duran Duran
8. True Faith - New Order

FARADAY

1. Basket Case - Green Day
2. Daniel - Elton John
3. Disarm - Smashing Pumpkins
4. Does Your Mother Know - ABBA
5. Einstein on the Beach - Counting Crows
6. Handle with Care - Traveling Wilburys
7. Land of Confusion - Genesis
8. Maps - Yeah Yeah Yeahs
9. Piano Man - Elton John
10. The Scientist - Coldplay
11. She Blinded Me with Science - Thomas Dolby

HURLEY

1. Australia - Shins
2. Behind the Wheel - Depeche Mode
3. Crazy - Gnarls Barkley
4. Dynamite - Taio Cruz
5. I’ll Go Crazy - U2
6. Lucky Boy - Matt Nathanson
7. Lucky Star - Madonna
8. Magic Bus - Who
9. Talking Bird - Death Cab for Cutie

JACK

1. Doctor Doctor - Thompson Twins
2. Fix You - Coldplay
3. The Fixer - Pearl Jam
4. Gone Daddy Gone - Gnarls Barkley
5. Here’s Where the Story Ends - Sundays
6. Hit the Road Jack - Ray Charles
7. How to Save a Life - Fray
8. Let Go - Frou Frou
9. One Night in Bangkok - Murray Head
10. Raise Your Glass - Pink
11. Rehab - Amy Winehouse
12. Runnin’ Down a Dream - Tom Petty
13. Shut Your Eyes - Snow Patrol
14. There Goes My Hero - Foo Fighters
15. We Don’t Need Another Hero - Tina Turner

JACOB

1. The Cave - Mumford & Sons
2. Freedom of Choice - Devo
3. God - Tori Amos
4. I’ve Been Everywhere - Johnny Cash
5. In the Days of the Caveman - Crash Test Dummies
6. Invisible Touch - Genesis
7. Private Eyes - Hall & Oates
8. Ring of Fire - Johnny Cash
9. Safety in Numbers - Joan Osborne
10. You’re a God - Vertical Horizon

JIN & SUN

1. Distant Sun - Crowded House
2. I Will Follow You Into the Dark - Death Cab for Cutie

JULIET

1. (I Just) Died In Your Arms - Cutting Crew
2. Fall Down - Toad the Wet Sprocket
3. Lady in Red - Chris de Burgh
4. Miracle Drug - U2 
5. Mysterious Ways - U2
6. The Other Side - Bruno Mars
7. She’s Crafty - Beastie Boys
8. Suicide Blonde - INXS
9. Time Won’t Let Me Go - Bravery
10. Wake Up Bomb - REM
11. You Dropped a Bomb on Me - The Gap Band

KATE

1. Bizarre Love Triangle - New Order
2. Born to Run - Bruce Springsteen
3. Fugitive - Indigo Girls
4. I Ran - Flock of Seagulls
5. Maneater - Nelly Furtado
6. Run - Collective Soul
7. Runaway Baby - Bruno Mars
8. Take it on the Run - REO Speedwagon
9. Waterfalls - TLC
10. Wild Horses - Rolling Stones
11. Who’s Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses - U2

LOCKE

1. Believe - Bravery
2. Car Crash - Matt Nathanson
3. Here Comes the Rain Again - Eurythmics
4. Locked Out - Crowded House
5. Please Don’t Leave Me - Pink
6. Rain King - Counting Crows
7. Scar Tissue - Red Hot Chili Peppers
8. Soul Meets Body - Death Cab for Cutie

MAN IN BLACK

1. Bring Me to Life - Evanescence
2. Devil Inside - INXS
3. Everybody Wants to Rule the World - Tears for Fears
4. History Repeating - Propellerheads
5. I Want to Break Free - Queen
6. New Pollution - Beck
7. Not Ready to Make Nice - Dixie Chicks
8. That’s Not My Name - Ting Tings
9. Waiting for the End - Linkin Park
10. When Smokey Sings - ABC

SAWYER

1. 21 Guns - Green Day
2. Bad to the Bone - George Thorogood
3. Bang & Blame - REM
4. Cold Beer & Remote Control - Indigo Girls
5. Criminal - Fiona Apple
6. I Fought the Law - Clash
7. Rebel Rebel - David Bowie
8. Smooth Criminal - Michael Jackson
9. Tom Sawyer - Rush
10. Tuff Enough - Fabulous Thunderbirds
11. Watching the Detectives - Elvis Costello
12. Where Have all the Cowboys Gone - Paula Cole

SAYID

1. All These Things That I’ve Done - Killers
2. Army of Me - Bjork
3. King of Pain - Police
4. Sacrifice - Elton John
5. Seven Nation Army - White Stripes
6. Torture Me - Red Hot Chili Peppers
7. What I’ve Done - Linkin Park
8. Zombie - Cranberries

WALT

1. Dog Days are Over - Florence + the Machine
2. The Only Living Boy in New York - Simon & Garfunkel
3. Special - Garbage
4. Spirits in the Material World - Police
5. What’s My Age Again - Blink 182
6. A Whisper - Coldplay

THE ISLAND

1. Four Seasons in One Day - Crowded House
2. Island in the Sun - Weezer
3. La Isla Bonita - Madonna
4. Middle of Nowhere - Hot Hot Heat
5. Somewhere Only We Know - Keane
6. Stuck in a Moment That You Can’t Get Out Of - U2
7. Welcome to the Jungle - Guns & Roses

So…which songs do you associate with certain Lost characters? 

To celebrate Free Comic Book Day, which is this Saturday, I am giving away a few from my collection. Why? Because I can and want to. And to encourage you and your friends, children and families to continue supporting comic book artists and the industry in general.

Click on the link above to locate your local participating comic book store, and then drop by on Saturday to pick up some freebies and add to your own geeky cool collections.

I have the following up for grabs. To be eligible to win one of these, simply: 1) re-post this on your Tumblr, 2) RT on Twitter or 3) post on your FB wall by Saturday. Please email to let me know where you’ve shared it (jo at jopinionated dot com), in case I miss it…and note which comic book you’re interested in. On Sunday, I will randomly pull a few of your names from a hat and announce the winners.

• Falling Skies (limited edition comic from the upcoming TNT series)
• Heroes #3, 2008 Comic-Con Exclusive (and bonus Claire Bennet bookmark)
• Ultimate Wolverine vs. Hulk Issue 2 (2006, written by Damon Lindelof)
• Ultimate Wolverine vs. Hulk Issue 5 (2009, written by Damon Lindelof)
• Ultimate Wolverine vs. Hulk Issues 1-6, hardcover (2009, written by Damon Lindelof)
• The X Files #0, Sep 08
• The X Files #1, 2009 Comic-Con Exclusive (2 copies available)
• The X Files #2, Feb 09
• The X Files #3, Mar 09
• The X Files #4, Apr 09

Happy Free Comic Book Day! Spread the word, nerds.

And stay tuned, as spring cleaning continues - because I will be giving away a few very cool LOST items to commemorate the 1 year anniversary of the series finale this month, and will also be giving away many pop culture items when I reach 4k followers on Twitter. 

She IS as genuine/sweet/hilarious as you’ve heard.

Here is my recent WonderCon experience behind the scenes with the lovely Elizabeth Mitchell, including a 10 minute video where she addresses V, LOST and the ridiculously attractive men that surround her on any given day at work.

p.s. Liz was wearing 6-inch leopard print stiletto heels. Bonus points for style and removing them for our photo!

Jorge Garcia and his girlfriend Beth are amazing human beings. They have personally donated an actual piece of Oceanic flight 815 (autographed by Jorge) to a LOST charity fundraiser I’m hosting. Their generosity is both touching and unparalleled, and I am so appreciative for their friendship and donation to the cause.

Details are posted here. The long and short of it is that if you make a donation to the National Brain Tumor Society, you will be entered to win various pieces of LOST swag and memorabilia from my collection. Some of it is autographed, some of it is rare. Shipping is free and this is open to anyone around the world.

Namaste,

Jo

There were no press opportunities and I did not take notes; I simply enjoyed and absorbed the conversation…

We attended a free lecture at Stanford tonight called The Philosophy of Lost, featuring Michael Emerson as the guest of honor. 

A few fascinating tidbits from Emerson (most of which I posted on Twitter earlier):

• His only real regret was that they never had time to explore the Ben and Annie story, and that we never had the chance to find out what happened to her.

• In Season 3, he thought that Jacob ordered Ben to kidnap specific people because they were candidates…for artificial insemination. 

• When he read the script for the scene where Ben kills his father, he said to himself, “wow, I have to do THAT?!”

• He was very satisfied with both the Lost finale and that Ben was “left on the bench of eternity.”

• In Season 6, at night after particularly long days on set, the cast would get a bit punchy and make each other laugh. For example, “oh look - Jack plugged the island with a pacifier.”

• They did in fact film Ben’s flash sideways awakening/island memory moment, while he was perusing Alex’s yearbook. He said that something in that scene revealed too much, so they cut it out and did not include it in the episode! [sidenote/wishful thinking from Jo: perhaps they’ll include it on an ultra-deluxe anniversary box set someday]

I recorded a brief video where Emerson addresses a question about his time on the island as the #2 man in charge under Hurley’s leadership (apologies for the quality/appearance of the footage; it was taken on my iPhone). 

Emerson is an extremely articulate, intelligent speaker with amazing stage presence, and is also a huge fan of the show and its many interpretations. Overall, it was a very enjoyable evening in an intimate setting with fellow Lost fans. It is quite clear that the road to letting go continues, for all of us.