Maybe they've been magically healed, just like Locke?

And Claire's baby? The one that had quit moving and then started up abruptly again? Interesting idea. As long as you don't get dead, you might actually be in the best shape of your life.

That was one of the episodes I missed. I hope these DVDs go on sale somewhat soon after the season. Was that how the Alias DVDs were released? I think 24 comes out fairly quickly--or at least, not nearly as slow as BtVS and A:ts.

I want you all to know that I am sticking my fingers in my ears and LALALAing loudly, because if I end up lost on a desert island (or, you know, anywhere) "the sun rises in the east and sets in the west" is the one thing I thought I knew! I suppose I'll be wrong, but at least I'll feel like I know something! God. This world just keeps on invalidating boy scout readiness, doesn't it?

The transation was blocked out (pout)

The transation was blocked out (pout)

You highlight to read it. I guess it was spoilerfonted in case some people didn't want to know what he was really saying; it's not actually spoilery.

This world just keeps on invalidating boy scout readiness, doesn't it?

Well, Locke's doing all right for a scout. Though the extensive walkabout prep might be contributing a tad.

As long as you don't get dead, you might actually be in the best shape of your life.

And hey, maybe even if you do get dead, see Jack's dad. Hmm...hallucination? Jack had an injury. Anybody see Locke get near him with a pestle?

Also, Sail, thanks for the map, very interesting.

Oh, and I don't know if I think the translation rules out Jin's linguistic skills.

"the sun rises in the east and sets in the west" is the one thing I thought I knew! I suppose I'll be wrong, but at least I'll feel like I know something!

Well, it is a good generalism. the sun does appear to rise in an easterly direction, and set in a westerly one.

The farther away from the equator you are, the easier it is to plot directions. Even if you are on the equator at equinox, it's possible.

Pound a stick in the ground, and mark off distinct points on the ground where the tip of the shadow falls. After a day, two maybe, you will have an arc. Draw a line from the stick to the topmost point of that arc. The line will be pointing south when you are south of the equator, and it points north when you are north of the equator. It also tells you when approximate noon is.

Sort of a primitive sundial.

It gets trickier the closer you are to the transit line of the sun on the earth, but even then, the lack of a shadow at noon still will let you draw a line that is east and west, and from there the right angles are north and south.

t /boyscout lairnin.

Lost numbersluuuuuuuuuuut!

(psst, tavela, JZ is a her)

Sorry, JZ! It's, er, the sexism inherent in the system! Or something.

Hey, tavella, are you Tavella on TWoP?

Yup. LJ as well, as Consuela was asking (hi, suelac!)

I'm still unclear on how a surgeon without any instruments managed to sew up a bleeding artery. Because, need a curvy needle and some really strong thread -- did they unwind heavy-grade thread from around coat buttons? Do people flying from Australia even take their coats with them? I'll grant that he has the expertise to sew up a bleeding artery, but the tools are what I'm talking about.

He's got needles; presumably he could curve one if he had the forethought, and he's got at least his own suit jacket. So the tools are theoretically available.

Which illusion will be punctured by the first Lostite who comes down with appendicitis, because anybody watching a doctor improvise abdominal surgery outdoors, with a hunting knife, some alcohol for sterility, and no anaesthetic -- they'll change their minds about how strong the safety net feels.

Oh, I agree, they don't really understand the trouble they are in, and especially the trouble they'll be in when antibiotics run out -- while there are things Sun can find like tea tree oil that have some antibiotic properties, they aren't going to dig a true antibiotic out of the jungle -- given the choice over the improvised tool surgery and dying slowly in agony of appendicitis... I'll still pick the surgeon for my team.