Lost Season 4 is out! $$$ Mad Money

I am a true fan of the very good, tense, creative and thrilling prime time award winning show of "Lost". I have been there since the beginning and have never lost (no pun intended) faith on the journey they were taking me on. Now I can admit that the show is not perfect and some episodes per season seemed like filler but many can agree that the show has been on a heads on role ever since they announce when the series will end. Many believing that this gave the show direction and that we were not on a wild made up per episode trek but a true journey towards something. Like stated before, I have enjoyed the ride and enjoy a good mystery, in this case a compelling mystery.

Now the great "LOST" season 4 (filled with so many answers but even more questions) is out on DVD and i couldn't wait to pick up my copy. So like many of the past seasons I went to my local Costco for my purchase but then I noticed the price $39.99. I was surprised by the price and started to think. Wait, isn't this the season that was affected by the writers strike so we ended up with less episodes (this still after the announcement that the remaining seasons would be shorter than the standard 24 episodes), however this season even held less than 16 episodes. I ended up not buying the season in favor of searching on the Internet for a reasonable price but noticed that many online stores offered it close to the same cost. Now I understand that when something new is released it will go for more and later the value is deflated due to its popularity. Despite that, like stated before, we are being sold a product with less for the same price, even thou it is made up with hours upon hours of bonus material. I understand some fans that price is not an option but I believe in being more economically mindful (some may call this being cheap). I will succumb to the purchase eventually nonetheless I ask you is the price being asked for reasonable?

Accidents do happen

When you here about the waterfront or the mention of the name longshoreman (and women) in the media it is usually connected with the economy, a labor strike, hiring opportunities, etc. but very rare when an occurrence or accident happens. Like any other blue collar job in America where man/woman works closely with machines accidents are bound to happen and some of the time may result in the unfortunate death of a working bother or sister. The images provided are of an incident which occurred but blessed with good no one was injured, even the operator of the machine, known as a Top Handler (Top pick depending which dock system you originate from), was fine. The machine toppled over a stack of 40 foot shipping containers creating a domino effect to the stack. It was a stroke of luck no one was on the other side of the container pile. 

The reality of the docks it is a very dangerous place to work. It may not be on the "top 10 most dangerous jobs" like crab fishing in the Arctic but if something happens to an individual they will not just get a bump on the head and go home fine. One will end up seriously injured or may not survive at all. The long shore community has been advantageous that the death statistics have not been higher throughout the years but it must be seen that even one death a year is still a tall price to pay. This is the real battle that the longshore community faces, helping to create a safe work environment, making sure that individuals don't become complacent on the job, etc. and all this is on top of the huge list that most jobs in complicated times are fighting to maintain: higher work wages, medical benefits, etc.

So next time you run into information dealing with the waterfront or longshoreman/woman and they are being demonized realize that what they fight for is a small percentage of what is owed to work in a dangerous work place.