Saturday, August 30, 2014

Petting bumblebees and other cases of facing your fears

Years ago my son had a fear of bees. We tried all sorts of ways to help him past it, but nothing worked. One day I was leaving the house and noticed a pair of bumblebees enjoying the flowers around our mailbox. I knew bumblebees were pretty calm critters, so I reached out and gently stroked the back of one of them. The bumblebee didn't mind at all. So, I went and got my son and showed him how to carefully pet a bumblebee.

The amazing thing was, he did. It was a lightning stroke moment. And, completely successful! My son hasn't feared bees since. And, it demonstrated the principle of facing your fears head on. We all need that lesson, and I'm sure we need it more than just once. I never expected a bumblebee to provide that point.

Fears are universal throughout the human race, and tons of stories take advantage of that fact. We fear what we don't understand, or what we don't see, or anything stronger than we are. And when there isn't anything to fear, we make something up and fear that.

As Bob Newhart said in a terrifically funny skit, "Stop it!"

- M

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Epicness, what is it really? And, why do words change meaning?

We are living through a trend of epic stuff lately. Epic movies, epic music, epic stories, epic lives. But, what is it really? The dictionary puts it down as: heroic, majestic, impressive, spectacular, or unusual size or extent. Not much help for the modern trend. I'd say that the way it's used these days is to describe anything with bombast, aplomb, or just hyped up. Epic has turned into slang for anything that people really like.

Our English language adapts, changes, and evolves with use. I've shed many tears over words that have terrific meanings but have either fallen from common use, or changed far beyond their original meanings. It's a shame, but I do understand why it happens. Still, a word like "epic" loosing its focus and becoming a synonym for "like" makes me sad. Words have more than meaning, they have flavor and subtlety that makes them special. Imagine the word "tender" becoming another word for "good"? However, the language continues growing and words come about to fill the gaps.

One thing that will help in this area is for people to improve their vocabularies. The average adult has a woefully small vocabulary. It's sad, truly sad, that adults don't pick up dictionaries every now and again and look up a better word. We teach our children to read, use the language properly, and tell them to use proper grammar. When was the last time we did the same? Does learning stop at adulthood? It shouldn't.

So, get out there and learn a new word!

- M

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Your One Final Meal

 
If, for whatever reason, you were forced to pick your final meal... what would it be? I have no idea how someone could decide. Would you pick a ham and cheese sandwich? Or McDonalds? I really doubt it. Probably the finer things may pop to mind, like a nice t-bone steak, or some caviar, or sparkling grape juice. Things you haven't tried before, were too poor to try, or simply never gave in to the temptation to try.

The other tactic would be to order whatever your favorite meal actually is, like steak and potatoes, or a nice charbroiled chicken, and maybe a nice pie. I like pie. Chocolate silk pie. Yummy. I think I'd choose Spaghetti Pie. Yup, that really is a meal, check it out.

I find it really interesting that despite our human need for food, and so many recipes created and passed on, that our stories have very little to say about what the characters within them eat. I think it's probably mainly because unless you're the one eating, it doesn't really have much of interest. I've read plenty of books that describe all sorts of meals, and I've generally found it boring. At times it's neat, such as when people are surviving on grubs and worms (ick) because I have no idea how to actually live that way and so it's interesting.

So, if you were forced to pick, what would it be? Maybe the better question is why?

- M

Saturday, August 23, 2014

Travelling to Other Worlds

Exploration is part of our DNA. When we look through our telescopes, we can only imagine the worlds spinning around other stars. What are they like? What would it be like to be there? Could we even get there? And how different would we be if we lived there?

Science fiction has tackled this issue for a long time, and there isn't any shortage of such stories. In fact, many of my best hours of reading has been striding through the sands of another world (John Carter of Mars springs immediately to mind). Having a story set on another world lends an air of credibility to the whole thing, in a different way than fantasy because fantasy is entirely made up while science fiction at least tries to come up with reasons and wherefores and whyfores--though that does tend to make the story about the setting and not the characters.

I'm especially fascinated by the recent mission to a comet shaped like a barbell. It's incredible to see the pictures sent back, and wonder how such an object came to be. There is so much we don't understand about our universe, and it seems that the more we learn the more questions we have. I hope it never ends, because I like to learn and want to continue learning forever.

Our desire to visit other worlds sparked one of the most famous lines in recent storytelling, "A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...."

- M

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Chess, the playground of the mind


Keeping to the topic of logic for the moment... I'd like to discuss the game of chess. I think most people view the game as something highly intelligent people do for fun. While that is true, it is a battlefield simulation and a fantastic teacher of logical thinking. The trick is to remain moves ahead of the other player. There are very few lucky winners in chess.

Disciplined thinking is mature thinking. Ability to organize thoughts, plan strategies, and execute those ideas takes mental acuity. Some people seemingly are born with the ability, but I believe it's trained and learned. Like any muscle, the brain gets better the more it's exercised. Chess is a fine way to exercise that gray matter.

I don't pretend to be a grandmaster at chess--far from it--but I have learned a few things over the years. The most important thing I've learned is how to forecast the future, see farther ahead, and guess at moves. That talent is so useful in life it's hard to express how valuable it is. Try it out, and you'll see what I mean. It's the closest we can get to predicting the future. And, all from a game!

- M

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Lateral thinking and puzzles of logic

The riddle: A man goes to sleep in a chair then is startled awake. Without opening his eyes, he knows he is in a different place. How?

Logic is pretty straight forward: take a concept, add facts, follow the numbers and arrive at a conclusion. Lateral thinking is related to logic, but it removes the single concept and replaces that with many. For example, I once read about an engineer that was tasked with making ball bearings. The problem was in a part of the plant where the ball bearings had to make a 20 foot drop, and they always were damaged during such a long fall. His solution was to create many small drops, with several angled platforms making the ball bearings go down the same path but in small increments, thus preventing damage. The neat thing is, that isn't the only solution possible.

Lateral thinking is a manner of arriving at novel solutions to problems. It's "thinking out of the box" kind of stuff. Being able to bring in ideas that may at first seem silly, but prove useful. And, there isn't a single correct answer. With lateral thinking, any answer you can support will work. My riddle has many answers, but I will give you mine at the end. So, work on it.

From time immemorial, humans have asked riddles of each other. I think the real reason is we like challenging our minds, demonstrate our intelligence, or humiliate those who don't know. Mostly, I believe riddles teach, and in particular teach how to think. The challenge with riddles is to out-think the creator, and that makes it a game. And that brings me to lateral thinking riddles, where the challenge becomes to think of as many answers as possible. There might be hundreds or thousands of correct answers!

- M

So, my riddle... The man is sitting in an airline seat, on a plane. He falls asleep while on the runway, but is startled awake when the plane lands and thumps the ground. Without opening his eyes, he knows he has arrived at his destination and is therefore in a different place.
<note, this isn't the only solution, there are many possibilities.>


How many answers did you come up with? I'd love to hear them.

Saturday, August 16, 2014

From a Father to his Children

Words can hardly express my love for you. I've seen you born, seen you grow, watched you change, and prayed each day that you will find your place in this world. You are unique in all of creation, bright jewels of unimaginable value, and absolutely the best things I've had a part in forming. There are times when you completely take my breath away, and others when I want to scream in frustration. But, the good times overwhelm any bad times, and I'll cherish every moment I have with each of you. You are my dreams come to life, and it's hard to believe it's true until I get another glimpse of your smiling faces. Dreams do come true.

Fathers enjoy a special place in the lives of their children, and an enormous responsibility. We are role models, teachers, deal out discipline and love, demonstrate courage and maturity, and hopefully inspire to greatness. Philosophy aside, I am deeply honored that you trust me in so great a task. You are worth all of the sacrifices, heartache, and effort. Nothing is too small, or too big, when it comes to you. You are worth it.

I have often wondered what words of wisdom I could possibly give you. I still don't know. I'm not wise, only well read and with enough mistakes in my past that hopefully I've learned a few truths. So, here is what I say, "Live passionately, love deeply, and don't forget to play. Have faith, forget the wrongs done against you, and let your imaginations run free. Find something you love and chase after it. Never give up. Ever."

I love you, and will always love you no matter what happens in your life or anything you do.

- M

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Tornados, Earthquakes, Sand Storms and living in other dangerous area.

Why do we humans insist on living in dangerous locations? I'm not one to ask, since I live in the heart of Tornado Alley. But, I have to wonder why we do it? My guess is we don't like anything getting in our way of settling down, and we will find a way to build in those areas regardless of the environment--much of Florida was originally swamp, but it sure is gorgeous!

The amazing thing is that when disaster does strike, there are tears and howls, but then we go right back and build all over again. We remain, doggedly fighting against the dangers with every bit of gristle within us. It's remarkable how persistent we are, and maybe it comes down to pure stubbornness. Either way, we are in every environment on Earth, and I very much doubt it will ever change.

Now, the funny thing about all this is that people do complain... a lot... about the terrible conditions. Everywhere on Earth, the weather changes constantly... yet, it's only in my area that it changes with the minute hand. I have to grin whenever people say that "here" if you don't like the weather, just wait an hour. There's danger anywhere you want to look, if you look hard enough. That's probably why we stay, after all. We picked our spot, and we'll live in it. No matter what. But, we reserve the right to fuss about it. Often.

- M

Monday, August 11, 2014

Mentors and passing knowledge onto the next generation

Where does knowledge come from? Ever ask that? Well, there is one answer: it comes from those who already know. There's a concept called apprenticeship, used in some parts of the world, where a master teaches a willing student. We don't do much of that here in America, but I sure wish we did. Having a master teach someone passes the knowledge along, refines it, and creates connections from past to future. The world needs more such connections, not fewer.

Mentors are likely the most popular version of apprenticeship now. But, it's normally an adult being a mentor to a child. Elders teaching the new generation. We need more of that, throughout our lives--not just at the beginning. I can't imagine a time when I know everything. We can always learn, if we want to. Mentors teach, and so do masters.

The next generations need to know what's important to us, but also why it's important. They need to understand, and that doesn't come solely from books. It almost certainly doesn't come from sitcoms and fluff on television, or dribbling nonsense on the internet. Find someone who is a master and learn from them--seek out experts. Not only will they enrich those who'll listen, but the knowledge they share will grow through a new generation and find fruit nobody could have guessed.

- M

Friday, August 8, 2014

Overacting, chewing the scenery, and the hilarious ways actors take over their roles.

Movies are great entertainment. I don't deny that I love them. Most of the time it's because of the stories, and for some odd reason I have developed an encyclopedic knowledge of movies (strange quirk, but I love freaking out my children by remembering them from single frames, or even the opening credits). Anyway, there is a particular part of acting that I grin at nearly every time.

Overacting.

I'd say it's an art form. Sure, when it's done badly it fails horribly. But, in those occasions when actors are gleefully chewing through their lines with such wild abandon that you get swept along for the ride without knowing it, I find myself grinning like a crazy cat. It's hard not to. Think of the early Jim Carrey movies, like "The Mask." Mr. Carrey really cuts loose when he becomes the cartoon hero, and it is glorious! Watching him blow away everyone around him is terrific fun. That's what I mean when I say how great overacting can be.

And then there are actors who growl through their lines to such a degree that nobody else gets noticed. Robert De Niro is famous for it, and so is Clint Eastwood. "Do you feel lucky, punk?" (yes, not an exact quote, but it's turned that way by common usage I think).


My point is that acting doesn't need to always be Oscar-quality seriousness. Make things over the top, crazy, pure outrageous scene chewing. Overact. I dare 'ya. I double dare 'ya. I triple-dog dare 'ya!

- M

Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Fuzzy bunnies, rockets, and the radiant flares of sunrise...

I'm easily entertained, I'll readily admit. My view is that life is much too interesting to leave alone, uninvestigated, unexplored, and unseen. When you really take the time, you'll find so many things that beg for another look. Sunrises are one of those things, and, though I'm sadly colorblind and can't appreciate the variety of shades blazing through the sky, am blessed to see enough that the celestial painter's work is clearly visible.


And, bunnies... those cute, fluffy, happy little creatures. Why do they even exist? All they do is make more bunnies, eat cabbage leaves, and dig. So, why are they so adorable? I doubt anyone could frown if they held a bunny. Maybe that's how to bring peace to the world? Bunnies for everyone!

One more piece of joy for me is rockets. I loved them as a kid, and still love them as a grown-up. They go wiz, and whoopf, and shoot, and fly! Sometimes they go bang, but other times they go into space. Maybe they don't work, and maybe they do. But they're rockets! You know, I'm not sure I ever did grow up... ah well. I love rockets!

I encourage you all to get out and find something to be fascinated by. It's good for you. Extend the scope of your awareness and embrace a new interest. Bunnies!

- M

Monday, August 4, 2014

Apocalypse! The End of the World! Yikes!

The end of the world is always a popular topic. I suppose because we all know that eventually everything must end, and it's more fun to imagine it happening in a spectacular manner. Some recent films depict comets or meteorites blasting us to smithereens, or massive nuclear wars, and even gigantic monsters (I still love Pacific Rim). The end of everything we know is a terrifying prospect, but it's also sensational and maybe by facing it in stories it's a little less scary.

Whatever the reason, the destruction of worlds is a recurrent theme in fantasy and science fiction (though it probably wouldn't even work in other genres). It goes along with world building, envisioning how it will all go wrong. The newest Planet of the Apes movies demonstrate this theme very well, showing how our human world goes up in flames and is replaced by something else.

It doesn't have to be such a serious thing though. There are plenty of stories that make light of the whole idea. Humor can make anything better. I think laughter is the greatest medicine known to mankind. Giggling about it provides a new perspective, a different view that isn't bound by strict reality. It makes it bearable.

So, get out there and make new stories about the world burning up from an exploding sun, or whatever tickles your fancy. There are a universe of possibilities.

- M

Saturday, August 2, 2014

Ebola, and plagues that threaten horrible death.

Stories have used disease as a plot element for centuries. But, science didn't necessarily understand such plagues very well, and so the authors aimed mainly to shock with their unknown elements. Today, however, science does understand quite a lot about disease; how they travel, what causes them, and more importantly the effects on human beings. They say knowledge is power, but in this case, knowledge creates more fear.

In our modern era there are some really nasty plagues out there: AIDS, malaria, cancer. With Ebola making the world news headlines, I thought I'd discuss it as a plot element. What makes Ebola so nasty is how people die of it--bleeding out internally, while organs liquefy. Yuck. It's a horrible image, and something people can imagine all too well. It also has no cure. No vaccine. Nothing to do, but drink water and pray. It has between a 50 - 90 % fatality rate. It's extreme. Characters within a story don't even need a villain, other than surviving this plague. In another sense, this is considered a "Man vs. Environment" story. In my mind, it's a "Survival" story, where the human element is magnified by the horrific things around them.

Everyone wants to live. People have an incredible desire to survive, no matter how. It's a defining characteristic of human beings. Stories using plague as plot devices sharpen those human desires, and how the people behave becomes the best parts of the stories. You could call them "Character Studies." Alfred Hitchcock made one kind of like this, called "Lifeboat" about people trapped on an inflatable raft, after their ship had been torpedoed by a Nazi U-Boat. Plague stories become claustrophobic in their atmosphere, and the trapped nature only accentuates the fear and helplessness of the people doing their utmost to survive.

- M