BB-8, the newest Star Wars droid everyone wants.

BB-8 droid from Star Wars: The Force Awakens

I admit it, when I saw the previews for the new Star Wars, I actually hated the newest droid, BB-8. Well, now that I've seen the movie, I love the little guy. He's happy, loyal, intelligent, and has just enough human-like qualities to make him instantly endearing. I'm not sure droids have gender, but I'll just use the male since I'm male and I like it. Funny, I never thought they could pull off another R2-D2 without being ridiculous.

Yup, they did.

The little ball robot mimics a thumbs-up, chirps in a way sounding almost exactly like "yep", and has sounds that speak of a vocabulary without using any words (just like R2-D2 did). I'm amazed how instantly I related to the little guy and had no trouble at all falling right into line with him. I'm sure we will see him function in the same way the other droids have, with him doing little helpful things and being generally nice.

He's the only droid in focus, and that's fine since he easily fills both fun guy and useful guy. The most important part is he's likable and not in the way. He's a great part of the movie without interfering. You can't ask for much more than that.

- M

By the way, did you know it's a real toy too? One you can drive around with your smartphone? Just passing along the word...

Cartography -- ie. mapmaking

Have you ever looked at really old maps? Especially ones without North America on them. They have really interesting parts, such as the famous "Here be dragons" and vague boundaries of Africa and other areas. There was so much unknown at those times, and it's interesting to imagine how this changed as the world became understood. I wonder what it was like not to know? Going into the darkness must have taken real courage. After all, dragons were real, weren't they?

 

Do we still have that kind of unknown now? Yes, there's space and the vast areas underwater. I think we all have a primal fear of large vistas of water, because who knows what's underneath. And space, wow, it's totally empty, hostile, and filled with unexpected terrors. But, also very beautiful. The unknown is like that, I think. When you really come face-to-face with it, there's a surprising beauty to be found. Well, unless it's a zombie or some kind of space vampire or something--that wouldn't be nice at all.

 

I'd love to collect old maps. They are works of art, and relics of a bygone era. The world will never again look strange and unknown. And, there are stories hidden in those maps, secrets to find, and mysteries to solve. Mostly, they're history and I'd love to own a small piece of it. Funny, I never expected I'd want to learn more history, but I do. Truly, knowing the past helps us know the future. And, it's like time travelling, with art at your side.

 

- M

Villains are all kinds of nasty, aren't they?

The new Star Wars movie has gotten me thinking about villainy again. By their very nature, villains are nasty and frightening. But, they can also wield a pleasant face, do pretty deeds, and pretend to goodness. To me, that's the most terrifying aspect of villains--not knowing exactly who they are or what they're up to. Villains who mask themselves behind purity are especially nasty--like a friendly neighborhood dog who suddenly attacks your face.

Kylo Ren from Star Wars: The Force Awakens

The best kinds of villains make the audience squirm, however they manage it. Star Wars tends towards villains who are very up front in their evilness (although one is commonly pulling the strings in the background). When the heroes are in the presence of the villain (knowingly or not), it sets the audience on edge, because we expect something to go wrong. Tension is always great in a story, and the more the better.

 

A special kind of villain is the one who's in the process of becoming a full villain. They may be waffling between good or bad, and redemption is still a real possibility. Until that possibility is broken, the audience still hopes against hope that everything turns out well. But, when the villain finally reveals true villainy, it still manages to shock and dismay. That's the magic point, where crisis and tension jump up another level. Heroes need something to fight against, and the better the villain the better the story. Don't keep it a secret too long though, or you run the danger of loosing your audience.

 

- M

Merry Christmas!

On this festive day, I hope you all have a wonderful time with family, friends, and everyone you cherish. Remember why we celebrate and give thanks. May you all be richly blessed!

 

 

Mortal combat!

Sorry I missed last night, but I was embroiled in a fight for my life!

This isn't it, but it looks evil enough

 

Let me ask you, have you ever assembled a wardrobe?
 

I've got slivers and bumps and scratches and claw and tooth and burn marks! I swear this piece of furniture was possessed. I think there's something to that, since the instructions made me put it together upside down. Have you ever tried using a hammer while on your head? It's not easy. And, don't even get me started on turning in screws and lining up nails. Yeowch! Then, when I put it mostly together, I needed to hang the doors. That's an awfully violent process, and my feet didn't take well to it--well, I did have to lift the doors to hang them.
 

But, that wasn't everything. Once it was all together, I still had to fasten it to the wall, so it wouldn't tip over and crush me. I think the wall and the wardrobe were in on it together, because that drywall refused to open up a hole for the screw! It was uncanny. I used a spike to put a neat hole in, then tried putting in the drywall screw, and it melted and snapped in half. Hmm, no worry, I got another and the same thing happened. I pulled out a plastic sleeve and tapped it in place ... rather, tried to because the thing wouldn't slide in. Finally, I got an all metal screw with expanding sides. Hammering in that sucker took nearly everything out of me, but it worked!

 

I am victorious!

 

... except, I didn't quite put it in the correct place ... sorry, honey!

 

- M

Star Wars: The Force Awakens ... my review--with Zero spoilers

 

 

Star Wars. I grew up with it. It's one of my all time favorite stories. It formed a lot of my desire to produce my own stories, as it did for many others. I love and admire the heroes, just as much as I love to hate the villains. The story is generational, and has indeed become classic to our culture. Now, we have a new Star Wars upon us. How does it measure up?

 

I loved it.

 

Clearly, the people involved in producing this new trilogy have deep respect and appreciation for the source material. But, this is a new story, with new characters, new motivations, new enemies, and new places. This is not a rehash. This is not fan-fiction. This is a fresh, breathing, alive new universe. This movie did something all great movies do: made me care for the characters! I want to see them succeed, and when they do I cheer and when they don't I cry. Their goals become my own and I feel myself enter their world and ride alongside them.

 

I won't critique the story (every story has flaws), but I will say that as a storyteller myself, this movie hit all the right notes. It gently brought us to the point where we understood the goals and the stakes. Even the opening title crawl only gives enough to get the ball rolling (hee hee, droid joke there ... you'll get it later). As an audience member, I'm fully invested in the fate of these new heroes. Yes, this is a wonderful story that brings Star Wars to a new generation.

 

I eagerly await the next installment, because this story matters to me. I'm willing to bet you'll feel the same way. The Force has indeed Awakened.

 

- M

All things chocolate. Let us give thanks and rejoice!

Did you know today was National Dip Everything in Chocolate Day? And how dare you call yourself chocolatiers? I'm just kidding. Chocolate is one of those amazing feats of human engineering that dazzles and delights. I've seen some pretty amazing creations using nothing but chocolate. The creation of this treat is fairly simple, but there's a bewildering range and probably an infinite number of uses. It's sweet, rough, smooth, tart, delicate, and tough. All the same stuff ... chocolate!

 

Why do we like candy so much? Sure, it tastes good, but there's more to it I think. We love treating ourselves, and that goes in a big way to food. We eat to survive, but we also eat to relieve stress, share time with friends, and just because we want to--which is why I think we love candy. And, where there's demand there's supply. It's incredible to think people make their living creating and serving these snacks--not to mention entire industries.

 

We do love our comforts and entertainments. Sometimes I wonder if we do too much. I suppose it's only natural to want an easy life. It reminds me of the song from Fiddler on the Roof, "If I Were a Rich Man." Well, we may not have such a dream life, but we can certainly enjoy some fine chocolate. I personally prefer any with hazelnuts in it, especially the praline chocolate--like Nutella. Whatever your choice, remember, it's always better with chocolate. While your at it, try dipping anything in chocolate ... I'll bet it's better that way!

 

- M

Tell it with conviction

I've studied storytellers all my life. One thing I've seen in common with all successful ones is they are absolutely convincing. Be it a fiction tale or a true tale, the story never lacks a powerful point of view and the absolute authority of itself. The funny thing is, it doesn't even matter how ridiculous the story is, because we drop our disbelief in a wink and carry right along. It seems so effortless, like the story pours out onto the pages without any trouble at all. I love stories like those, and disappear between the lines gladly.

 

There's something magical about stories of far away places. Of fantastical creatures and amazing heroes fighting dreadful villains. In the same way, there's magic in stories of real places and real things. I've recently read a few travel stories about climbing Mount Everest and going through jungles. These stories of survival are dynamite. Have you read the story behind the hiker who had to sever his own arm and hike out of the canyons he was trapped in (Between a Rock and a Hard Place)? Wow, what a story!

 

A lot of entertainment these days is in the form of movies and music, but that certainly doesn't exempt them from having conviction in what they say. The best do it with gusto and panache. I think stories have the ability to bring wonder to everyone, at least for a little while. And when we, the audience, believe in the story a neat alchemy happens--we make it part of us.

 

- M

Christmas lights are incredible.

I've always loved Christmas lights. The wonderful colors and the amazing ways people decorate never stops amazing me. People hold contests to determine the greatest display in a neighborhood, or even a whole city, and some even have displays tuned to music that you can listen to as you watch. It's incredible. We've gone all over the country and seen lights. All I can ask is, "How did you manage to assemble, attach, and coordinate all that?"

 

And the trees people decorate are mind blowing. Take some time and search for Christmas tree decorations and you'll wonder why you're so lazy. There are people who turn decorating into a fine art! I'm sure they do it all year round, but at Christmas it really shows. People put a lot of love into this festival, and why shouldn't they, as love is the point of Christmas.

 

I hope your preparations are going well, but don't forget to take time for your family. Read together, sing together, pray together, and spend time playing together. Take your focus off the many other things and focus on family and friends. Spread the cheer and listen to those around you. And, please go out and look at the lights that people have put together for your enjoyment!

 

- M

Well, I didn't think you meant it...

I'm not sure these pieces fit properly ...
image credit

Funny how quickly we jump to conclusions, isn't it? We tend toward whatever fits our current perspective. It's why drawn illusions work so well. We expect to see something and so we do, even if closer inspections reveal otherwise. Recent examples such as in the movie "The Maze Runner" where a girl is brought in with a note saying this is the last one. The audience & characters assume it means the last person for the maze, but an equally valid assumption is she is the only and last girl. Another example is "The Book of Eli." I won't spoil the twist, but when you see it, ask yourself if there is more than one obvious possibility? You either see it or you don't. It's all on how you look at it.
 

The point is, our first leap to conclusion may be absolutely wrong. What conclusion did you make at the end of "Inception," when the top began wobbling? The funny thing is, even if our conclusions are wrong, the story still works out. I love when I read a story that leaves a few things unfinished, because my mind immediately fills in the blanks. It doesn't always work, though, which is a pity.

Sadly, life doesn't usually allow such second chances. First impressions (and all the conclusions contained within) typically last for a very, very, very long time. I doubt there's much we can do about it, aside from willfully taking another look at our assumptions (a good exercise to make your mind more flexible anyway). But, because I realize it happens, I enjoy looking at movies and books with multiple points of view and watching how it changes the story.

 

- M

Getting lost in your own imaginings

Do you ever daydream? How about flights of fancy? Or, maybe you let your mind drift along with the ether of your own thoughts? I think we all drop into the world of imagination now and again. Perhaps it's because of music, or a smell, or a picture. Whatever the reason, we can slip away from reality for a time and vanish into our imaginations. For some of us, we can disappear for hours and not even notice. Imagination is a wonderful thing!

 

Of course, you could also call this being easily distracted, or possibly even attention deficit. There's a difference though, because when we imagine, we create and actively participate in the activity. It's a wondrous moment of pure thrill. Why do most adults suppress it? I'm not really sure. There's nothing wrong with it--other than annoying people who are trying to talk to you. Creativity needs the juices flowing, and drifting on the clouds of imagination helps enormously. But, I'm a poet at heart, and I'm probably just being goofy.

 

As adults, we get lost in memory more than imagination, but the effect is the same. We're whisked away and into our own meandering thoughts. Time changes pace and we linger in places we haven't been to in years. It's a sort of like time travelling. Just for fun, try sitting back, closing your eyes and dreaming up a fun adventure for yourself. Take your time with it and enjoy where it takes you.

 

- M

Batman v Superman new trailer!

The newest trailer for the movie "Batman v Superman" is now out. It shows a lot of action, and we get our first look at the super-monster: Doomsday. I'm only guessing, but I'm thinking a lot of what we see isn't consecutive in the actual movie, in other words, the editor is playing with our minds. Of course, trailer editing is a fine art but it isn't a truthful one--they tell stories all their own. But, what I'm seeing shows a great movie. I love the new Batman.

 

 

I'm very hopeful for this movie. The story seem well conceived, though I am worried about too many characters. Apparently DC is now wanting to kick start the Justice League universe and this movie is the beginning of it all. So, they're putting in the big hitters right away (they still haven't shown Aquaman though). The story assumes a big fight between Batman and Superman, but it seems clear now that this is the opening conflict, and a bigger fight joins everyone together despite their differences.

 

Superheroes are finally getting a Renaissance. It seems the world is looking for heroes once again, and Hollywood is responding in a big way. I wonder how far this will go? My wish is for a new golden age. We need heroes in our culture again. We need heroes in life and story, myth and reality. I love Batman and Superman, so I am pumped for this movie.

 

- M

Movie music is just as much a character as the characters.

I love movies, and I love music. Movie music is a fine art. What's amazing is how much impact the music has on a movie. Imagine your favorite scenes without any music at all. Or different music. Or the wrong music. Everything changes, doesn't it? There's some fun videos you can check out online to see for yourself. One of my all-time favorite movies is "Ladyhawke" and the music absolutely defines it, every bit as much the characters.

 

I think it goes back to the senses. Good stories use as many as possible, letting us hear and see and feel the action. By using multiple methods, there's more impact. Plus, seeing and hearing are intimately connected with how we interact with the world. Skillfully using them together makes all the difference. Can you imagine the "Jaws" opening with comedic music? Hardly the same impact, even if the visuals are horrifying. On the other hand, the famous scene from "Clockwork Orange" uses the happy "Singing in the Rain" for unspeakable evil.

 

There are also different kinds of movie music. There's the soundtrack, which is what you'll buy at the music store and isn't necessarily specific to the movie, and the score, which includes music directly written for the movie. Plus, you have music which fills empty dead space where something needs to be and also has to be unnoticed. All of these combine to creature the musical backdrop of movies, and that's a kind of magic that simply has to be experienced. Incredible that it all works so well!

 

- M

Discovering music for the first time.

I love finding new music. Sure, I'm hardly discovering it (as it's been published by someone at least), but there's the thrill of finding a new treasure. I've been searching out musicals recently, and found a very fine French one (Notre Dame de Paris) and a sequel of sorts to the Phantom of the Opera (Love Never Ends). There's some terrific music there, even if I don't understand all the words. I find myself often seeking music of longing and loss, because it tends toward the rich and deep rather than auditory abrasiveness.

 

Music is a language of the heart and soul. It touches a part of us regular language never can, and infuses into our lives without even trying. If math is the language of the universe, then music is the language of everything else. I can't imagine a world without it. I could spend days alone and never know, because I have a century's worth of music bouncing around my mind. Music is as much a part of me as the next breath.

 

With the various online music sites it's a whole lot easier to find new material. Finding enjoyable new music is a treasure--right up there with finding the perfect skipping stone, or your car keys. I wish everyone had exactly my taste, then I'd always find new music. Sadly, or happily, that isn't the case, and so I muddle through and find the occasional gem. But, since I'm not the only one who matters, music is available to everyone of all sorts of tastes. I'm glad I don't rule the world--it'd be very boring for some, exciting for others, and downright terrifying for most!

 

- M

Looking at the past with eyes for the future.

It's good to take stock of your life now and again, examine the things which went right and those that didn't. But, don't dwell on it overmuch or your likely to go mad. I find the exercise valuable in discovering what I'm good and bad at. Plus, it's a great excuse to try new things. I'm trying to think of a good phrase, but the oldie works: "The past is behind you and the future hasn't happened yet, but now is a gift; that's why it's called the present." The longer I live, the more I agree with that statement. It's great to plan for the future, we'd be insane not to, and it's good to examine the past, but the present is a gift we shouldn't ignore.

 

Funny how often philosophical I am. I suppose I've always wanted to be one of the great thinkers of our day, but I've never been discovered for that. Now, I'm happy to let my writing speak for me. If I'm only remembered as a teller of stories, that's fine with me. Stories are a great deal more important than most people realize. Without them, there's no history, no fantasies, and no sharing of events. I can think right now of a dozen stories I've told my kids and the smiles on their faces. What a joy it is to hear, "No, don't stop now. Tell about the squirrels! Or, what about the mouse. I know, tell us about the time you--" I've never felt prouder than hearing my children beg for more stories!

 

I admit to pangs of regrets that too many times I've put a stop to it. Why? Was I busy? Or, maybe in the middle of something? No. I just wanted to stop. Selfish. Ah well, that's part of the joys of youth--being boneheaded. But, because of that, I truly hope I am less that way now. So, my introspection guides me toward a better future, of hope, of eagerness, and of passion. Live to fullness!

 

- M

Happy Thanksgiving!

It's the day of feasting in America. This is an unusual holiday, since it's not typically a holiday where we remember the past but instead talk about current family and what we are thankful for. The holiday has very specific roots, historical events surrounding it, yet we celebrate as a day of thanks rather than a memory. I think the Pilgrims would appreciate that we've carried on their celebration of thanks. Of course, we should still learn the incredible history surrounding this holiday, and the many tribulations the Pilgrims endured (you can read the history from the governor of the Pilgrims, William Bradford here). But, in the end, they gave thanks for their survival.

The painting above was done in the early 1900's by Edward Percy Moran and is titled, "Pilgrims Landing."

And now we feast and celebrate our own good fortunes. Sure, we stuff ourselves with turkey, dressing, pies and all manner of great food. We watch sports, gather together, play games, take naps, and have an all around great time. I hope at some point during all this we thank each other and our creator. Life doesn't offer many times to sit back and enjoy things, so have fun while it lasts. On Monday we go back to work, with turkey sandwiches and other leftovers, to put our noses to the grindstone once again.

 

I pray you all have a wonderful holiday, that you are safe and well. And, don't eat to bursting. There's always leftovers for another day. Treasure your families. Treasure your times together. Treasure the thanks shared by all. This is a day to remember what we have and be thankful for it.

 

- M

Dreaming of days gone by.

One of my favorite activities with friends is to tell tales about things we've done together. Especially games we've played (I know I should outgrow such silly things, but I can't help myself ... I love playing!) We'll talk for hours about silly things, stuff we did, and mostly simply relive times of glory. It's a sort of heroic storytelling I suppose, but mainly we are reviving connections we share and bringing those times to life again. It's wonderful. Knowing this happens makes me all the more likely to play games with my children, so we'll also share those times of connection that are so vastly important to me now. And, playing is what I know best, so why not have fun at the same time?

 

This is called a "fish tornado." Really, it's true.

I talk a lot about fun and imagination (other than writing, it does show up most often in my topics), and that's because I think we lose the ability as we age. It takes a lot of work to maintain my imagination (no, I'm not daydreaming ... I'm working!). Like any muscle, you need to exercise it. Kids do this naturally, but adults must force themselves to have fun and imagine. Gazing at clouds is a good start, but try stepping into the world of your 5 year old's backyard. There be dragons and knights and ninjas and oceans. If you allow your very methodical and mature adult mind to float along, you'll surprise yourself what you find.

 

Telling tales of adventures gone by is a way of reliving them, and cherishing time with friends. We live through the connections we have with people around us. How shallow must life be if we cannot text someone with "!" and not get back a grin. Try it with your special someone. At the very least, you'll get a fun conversation started. Here's a hint: try being mysterious and draw it out so long that your friend completely mistrusts everything you say and won't believe you until they see you in person. Now, that's fun!

 

- M

Who's on first? Secondary characters who take over from the main characters.

Band Aha, music video, "Take on Me"

It's amazing how characters take on a life of their own as you write them. I know I'm not alone in this, because I see it so often. Characters who were slated to be background, secondary, or disposable, hold up their noses and refuse to fall into darkness. They rear up, write themselves a new position, and suddenly flare into fully realized main characters. For those who haven't written much this seems impossible, but trust me that characters have a nasty habit of ignoring your carefully crafted plans and come up with it all themselves.

 

Perhaps this makes me just a teeny bit nuts, but I don't care. Do I ever talk to myself? Silly question. Of course I do, and my characters talk back! That's one of the secrets of writers. We can't contain the story ourselves. Sure, careful thought and planning comes first, but then the specifics will make you change those plans all the time. It's okay. We all have our own methods of writing. Some plan every detail, while others do only generalizations, and still others have no plan other than the beginning. I like having a general outline, but love watching as the characters move around and alter my ideas.

So, sure, it's completely understandable when the main character changes. If it's a natural outcome of the story, then your audience will follow right along. I think one of the biggest mistakes authors make is forcing a main character who has no connection with the audience. We have to care about the main focus of the story, and if we don't then it feels wrong and won't work. Maybe if this is happening to you, it could be a sign that your story needs tweaking rather more than you expected.

 

It's okay. Keep moving on and create the story you deeply want to tell. Now that you know more, maybe starting from the new perspective is a good idea? Or, be like Steven King in the "Stand" and wipe out half of the cast so you can start over. George R.R. Martin loves doing that too, and look how popular "Game of Thrones" has become!

 

- M

Dance! Let it loose and boogie!

Funny how certain things immediately put a smile on your face. Watching people having a great time dancing and flailing around does that for me. I just watched a couple of videos mashing up old movies and modern songs. Those are lots of fun. One particular favorite is Matt Dancing (he dances a silly jig all around the world, and became an internet celebrity due to it). I also enjoy Riverdance and Lord of the Dance. Watching the smiles grow on people's faces is a particular delight.

 

Another aspect of this is the sudden appearance of a mob of singers and dancers. The usual name for this is a "flash mob" and they are amazing to watch. Sadly, I've never been at a location to see one in person, but the many internet videos keep me entertained. Plus, there can be specific events tied together with the sudden appearance of dancers, such as weddings, anniversaries, saying hello, saying goodbye. However, the main reason is just to have fun and be a part of something unique.

 

With two bionic knees, my ability to dance is virtually zero (though, to be honest, I've never really tried). I think it'd be fun to try, and I'm sure my wife would enjoy it. There's real magic in dance, especially moving together with someone else. The pair create a whole greater than the sum of the parts. And, watching the fluid movements and incredible synergy makes me willing to give it a try--I'll even buy my wife steel toed shoes for the inevitable foot stomping I'll do.

 

- M

Fear. The soul-crushing enemy of us all.

There's a phrase that is one of the most biting and accurate ones of them all: "Mind numbing fear." It really is incredible what fear does to a person. We've all felt it, and probably more than we'd like. The funny thing is, when it's in a controlled environment (such as a roller coaster or a scary movie) we actively seek out being terrified. But, in the wide world it's something that all too often stops us in our tracks and prevents us from moving forward.

 

I bring it up due to recent events, but also to point out that stories give us an outlet for these fears. Much has been created mainly because the author is working out fears and how to react to them. Since we can all relate, these stories resonate strongly within us. I think it's why the Horror genre even exists in the first place (though nearly any genre can have aspects of fear). We want to see mythical figures deal with fears that are all too real. Sure, we may not ever face maniacs with guns or fight dragons, but fear is fear.

 

My dad told me that we all face fear, but courage is the willingness to stand up and not back away. There are many ways to judge the character of someone, and courage under fear is a great measure. Sure, life isn't like stories where we know everything turns out alright in the end. Life is much more complex than that. But, it sure doesn't hurt to immerse yourself in a good story and let it wash past you, at least for a while. Things really do work out in the end, don't they?

 

- M

Paris, city of romance, we mourn with you.

France suffered a horrific series of attacks yesterday. Our prayers are with you. There are no words of comfort that will do justice to the terrible pains you are going through. But, trust that prayers and aid are being given. Dark days are upon you and it's easy to pull tight and forgo any interactions beyond your own houses. I hope you will find peace and joy once again.

 

Vive la France!

- M

Songs that bring the world to a stop, charge your heart, and make you swoon.

Music has been a big part of my entire life. I grew up in a musical family. One of my favorite things to do was going to the store and picking out a new album (typically classical back then). Because of that musical love I have a deep appreciation for music. My tastes are much broader now, but I still get the most out of music that has no words at all--a fun activity is to let a story develop within your mind as you let the music surround you. Music is a language unto itself, in the same way that math is a language. If you allow it, music will fill your soul with powerful emotion.

 

I have my favorite music pieces, but one constant is how I can fall deeply within the strains of music and find myself completely lost to the world. There are songs where the world could explode and I wouldn't notice at all, simply because the songs have wrapped me in a cocoon of beauty. Love songs particularly do this to me, and I think my children laugh secretly at me about it. Music carries power not found in anything else, and can overwhelm your being with barely an effort.

 

Soundtracks to movies are another great example of the power of music. Have you ever heard the opening music and thought, "Wow, this is already a great movie!" I sure have. I can think of a dozen examples already. Like smells, music penetrates to the core of you and binds with memories. All you need to be back in the moment is to hear the song again, and--whammo--you're right back there, reliving the experience. Music is that powerful.

 

- M

Failure. Bitter, Unyielding, Crushing. Defeat.

What happens when it all goes wrong? As the saying goes, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade." Easier said then done, right? If only our own lives were as simple as stories, because in stories a huge failure usually comes right before a huge victory. You can pretty much count on the idea that the heroes aren't down for the count, but that they'll rise up and overcome once and for all. All the Rocky films follow this method.

But, what happens when they don't? The story then changes from a heroic one, to a tale of survival. True tales of cancer are like that, and are very powerful. Even though the enemy isn't roundly defeated, and may always return, the courage of the hero echoes through the defeat and turns it into a victory of sorts. These are stories of inspiration and examples for us to follow. Really, they are far more heroic than regular hero tales.

Being in the medical field myself, I see the impact of many life-changing issues. The individual responses of people is very interesting to me. It's the people who refuse to give up that really inspires me. I can hardly imagine what they are going through, yet some of their strength passes to anyone who knows even a little about them. There are truly amazing people out there, with courage and strength even the mighty Hercules couldn't match. It's those kind of heroes that show me how to handle defeat and failure.

- M

Movie review: Goosebumps

Jack Black as R.L. Stine

We just came back from watching the new movie, "Goosebumps." It was great. Really. I can't say I've read much R.L. Stine, but I do know this movie wasn't taking things too seriously. As a matter of fact, I think the movie was poking quite a lot of fun at its creator. The source material only sets the stage with monsters, and the movie makes the most out of it. Even as the baddies show up, the story rolls along at a brisk pace without stopping for much explanation or sidetracking.

 

I think the joy of movies is taking part in an exhilarating adventure. Don't think overmuch about the plot and you'll be fine. "Goosebumps" is exactly like that. If you dwell on the plot details, you'll get frustrated. But, if you're willing to suspend your disbelief for a romping good time, then you'll enjoy yourself. The actors clearly had fun and there are lots of great times to be had, especially the flippant manner of the dialogue. We were laughing all through it.

 

If you're wanting a deep movie-going experience, then this isn't the movie for you. However, if you want something to take your teenagers to, then this is a great movie for you. There aren't any real scares, though some of the monsters may frighten little kids. Pacing is quick and efficient, and the effects are fine. The interplay between the three main actors is fantastic, which helps it all combine into a wonderful time.

 

I'd definitely recommend it, even if you aren't familiar with the source material. It's just fun.

 

- M

New toys! Yippee! And, big boy toys too!

Since I'm big and old, I get to buy better toys. At least, that's what I'd like to think. Truth is, my toys don't extend much beyond computers and gadgets. I wouldn't turn down a yacht though, if anyone wants to give me one. The fun thing about new toys is figuring out how they work, the little secrets, and the inevitable flaws. It's all in good fun. The best toys are ones you don't expect to delight--maybe because they're simple, cheap, or old. Those special toys end up on your shelf deep into adulthood.

 

I think we lose that joy as we grow older. But, why? I remember giving my mother little trinkets that I'd made (I knew at some level they were fairly worthless, but I was proud of my achievements anyway), and bathed in the rapturous delight of praise my mother inevitably rained upon me. I hope I've done the same as a father, because I'm tremendously proud of my children! Maybe as we age the appreciation goes away, but that doesn't have to spoil the joy of toys.

 

Actually, I believe the real issue is adults are told they shouldn't play. Well, why not? Are we too important to play? Or, maybe too stuffy, stodgy, and stiff to get down on our knees and pretend? If you get a new toy, it's a rule of nature to play with it! Enjoy yourself. You work hard, don't you? Why shouldn't you play just as hard? Get out your toys and have a blast. Let everyone know you got something neat, cool, awesome, wonderful, and joyous. Who knows? Maybe the joy will spread?

 

- M

Betrayed! How could you?

Emotions run very strong on many things, but I think betrayal is one of the hardest to overcome. There are many types of betrayal: to God, country, friends, spouse, and so on. What matters is that a confidence was broken, smashed, or ignored. It's a touchy subject, because it hurts so incredibly much when it happens to us (or even someone we know closely). To an author, then, this is a tactic to use sparingly. If you allow one character to betray another, realize that it's an act the audience won't forget. It's an effective method if you desire a villain to suddenly show themselves. Depending on how deeply the audience connects with the characters, it can leave a life-long impression.

 

Strong emotions also develop strong connections. Think about some of your very favorite stories, and now ask yourself if there was a key moment when a betrayal happened? Chances are, there is at least one, and the impact of the betrayal profoundly destroys trust. In the newest Avengers movie (Age of Ultron), Iron Man creates Ultron -- admittedly for a good reason -- and Ultron promptly betrays his creator. It's the crux of the entire movie. But, the betrayal the team feels isn't because of Ultron, but because Iron Man did it in secret in the first place (the betrayal actually extends beyond this story and on into the next several, as the Marvel Civil War is birthed by this specific event--yes, it was different in the comics, but the event remains the same).

 

Many times the betrayal will happen very late in the story, so the impact is far greater. When it's earlier, it's just a plot point and the audience understands and moves along. Still, the impact is obvious, as trust between the two parties is completely severed. Maybe the story is about redemption, and that would indeed be a long journey to travel. None of us trust easily, especially after that trust is broken by betrayal.

 

- M

Trick or Treat! Handing out candy...

Jerry Seinfeld has a great bit about Halloween. Paraphrasing a bit, it goes something like, "You mean there's a day when kids get to go to a stranger's house and beg for candy? Really? And, it's okay? They even get upset if you don't?" It really is a crazy tradition, but also so much fun. As a parent with teenagers, I'm now at the opposite side of things where I'm the one handing out treats. And, I'm actually looking forward to it. Not just because I'll see a bunch of kooky costumes, but for the simple pleasure of making children happy.

 

I've never seen a cuter dog!

I know the origins of the holiday, and many of the gruesome tales about events that have happened. But, American culture has diluted any symbolism into caricatures that mean nothing much at all to most of us. Right now it's as much a reason to have candy as Christmas and Easter and Valentine's Day. It's probably because we love candy and will create nearly any reason to get more. I think it really is that simple.

 

So, are you going to dress up? I plan on covering myself in paint and breathing fire like a dragon ... well, probably not. Truth is, I've never been much for costumes (I was always a ghost--a sheet with two holes cut in it). But, I was really good at it! I even faked out my grandparents once by duck-walking around and speaking in a high voice. Yup, I totally fooled them! I am the pinnacle of stealth and deception ... yarr!

 

- M

Flashbacks, Dreams, Time Jumps and other techniques to tell backstory.

A common method to tell a character's backstory is to do a flashback. Because it's already happened, the danger is that the momentum of the story get's stopped cold. So, it better be really important! Dreams function in the same way, but could also show events taking place elsewhere (but at the current time), or another time in past or future. But, it still takes the audience out of the main story and possibly stalls the plot. I'm no expert on the subject, though I do have my favorite method (which is to let backstory come out as part of natural dialogue over the course of the story).

Recently, I've seen time jumping as a favorite method. With this it's not necessarily a flashback--because what's happening is current, it's just in a different time--so the plot steams forward without stalling. I do like this method and it will keep an audience's attention. However, the audience is then tasked with the need to remember multiple time points and keep everything sorted out. Still, it's a good method.

Probably the funniest (because it's awful) way of giving a character's backstory is to have some unknown (like an oddly informed beggar) saunter in with exactly the necessary information and then disappear. I seem to remember the original Star Trek doing that. It's simple, easy, keeps the plot moving right along, and is completely silly. It's the backstory version of Deus Ex Machina (more commonly known as "The Writer wants you to know this, so pay attention!") Just shove it in there and move on.

Whatever technique you use, remember the cardinal rule: keep the story going like a roller coaster and your audience will stay interested and ride along with you.

- M

Alakazam! It's fixed, er, broken, well, I can work with this ...

Ever hear the saying, "You first must break a thing to make it work." No? Well, perhaps I just made it up. But, it does happen a lot where you make an oops into a eureka! Life is a lot like that, I suppose. But, I was really thinking about when we are desperately trying to make something, anything, happen and all that results is a pile of broken pieces. Then, with a bit of thought and frustration, we create a workable thingie that isn't a complete failure. Case in point ... I now have a shower that points up, but works great!

 

Being a parent is also like that over and over. I lost track of the times I've goofed up, only to return with some words of wisdom to pass along. And, I'm really serious here, it was worth doing. All of it. The idea that our kids get to see how we fail, get frustrated, and finally burst through is a dynamic life lesson (one I'm sure we wished we could ignore). Our children get a glimpse of our true selves, unveiled, for all to see. If you're like me, you cringe at the thought. But, we can fix it. We are works in progress, and if we break a piece off, then use the left over pieces from something else. It'll work if you tweak it a bit...

Yes, this is totally an accurate representation of me.
All accusations that this is some fakery called He-Man is ridiculous.

All silliness aside, why are we so afraid to fail? In stories, the heroes fail all the time ... reliably. Yet, we are on the edge of our seats, because we know they cannot possibly fail in the end. What makes us think we aren't the heroes in our own stories? Shouldn't we be? I doubt I'll ever have superpowers, but I sure am going to win at the end. Count on it. In a blaze of glory, with a sword held high. Count on it!

 

- M

Saturday football

Our family has a long-term tradition of Saturday football. It's been going on for generations actually. I'm not much of a sports fan myself, but I can see the appeal. You have two teams vigorously battling each other in mock wars, throwing bombs and breaking through scrimmage lines. Being a student of battlefield tactics, I love the strategy and how coaches and quarterbacks read the field. As we watch, we will do our designated "armchair quarterbacking." (It's not just fun, it obvious we're right and the coaches are wrong. Always.)

Traditions are a fun part of family life. And, despite careful planning at first, the traditions just kind of develop naturally. You can never quite anticipate what they'll be. That's part of the joy. Seeing your family grow and change is amazing. I'd never change one bit of it, both good and bad. Although I wish I could get back the Sunday morning cinnamon rolls ... yummy!

 

My wife fondly remembers going on Sunday afternoon drives, wherever the whimsies of fancy took them. You can do that in a small town with access to long winding country roads. In a metropolitan area, such as we live in now, it's a bit different since it's mainly new and exciting construction and concrete we encounter. I also remember fun things we did as children, but one of my very favorite memories was when my brother and I dug a deep hole in the backyard. (We had the great idea of making an underground lair beneath our shed ... well, we were kids ... it didn't pan out, but we still had all kinds of drawings about the final results.)

 

- M

The new Star Wars trailer is out, and already breaking records at the box office!

Way back, far away, and seeming ages ago, Star Wars blasted into theatres and forever changed cinema. Star Wars ushered in a new kind of special effects, and brought audiences into the future with glee and vigor. The story was unashamedly heroic, with larger than life heroes, acts of dastardly evil, and incredible sacrifice. It gave us a world of wonder and danger, wrapped in effects so dazzling we still point to them as groundbreaking.

 

And now, we have the preview of what's to come with the new story (Episode 7, The Force Awakens). The 88 second video practically crashed the internet, and ticket sales have gone so crazy that some are selling them on EBay for $10,000. It's crazy. Maybe the reason is because the story displayed by the preview is epic and what we've been begging for since the very first Star Wars. I hope the actual movie lives up to the hype--since reality never seems to match up to hype. Here's hoping Disney knows what it's doing with this one.

 

If this new vision of Star Wars is successful, I predict a new swell of stories copying the myth. That's not bad at all. In fact, I welcome it, since I love science fiction. Maybe will all the new money pouring in to fantastical worlds it will bring fresh creative talent into the mix. I doubt I could ever have enough space adventures ... or fantasy ones either.

 

May the Force be with you!

 

- M

Let there be water! Showering triumphs of the day.

Ever get excited over little things? I am. My new showerhead arrived today and oh is it glorious! I can't believe how happy I am, but it's the simple things that make you happiest. Like having functioning shoes or clean air. I find showering to be up at the top of my list--I loathe baths, and couldn't fit in one anyway being that I'm 6 foot 4 inches. I can only imagine myself crumpled into a wet wad of unhappy skin, spooning water over my head... ugh, it's not a pretty picture.

 

Now, the question is, why does the silly thing drip? I probably didn't put enough plumbers tape on the end, but for now I'm just going to endure it and have a nice shower for once. I bought an extension and now the shower is finally high enough that I don't have to bend in half to get my hair wet. It's nice. Shiny too. Very shiny. In fact, I believe you could see enough of your reflection to shave. Not a bad idea actually.

 

My wife and children laugh that I'm easily amused, but who doesn't prefer a comfortable shower to a dip in icy mountain streams? Okay, there are some, but I'm not among them. I think it's important not to overlook the moments of absolute pleasure surrounding us every day. What we take for granted may well be the greatest things in our lives. Take a look around and enjoy life for what it is.

 

- M

Dragons at Halloween ... why not?

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At this time of year my mind tends toward the fantastic. And, nothing to me is more fantastical that dragons. Every culture seems to have them, and the variety is astounding. Maybe it's our way of putting form to the terrors of the night, but many dragons are considered good luck and not terrifying at all. There's a great video called "Dragon's World" which tries to put modern science to prove how dragons might exist (sure, it's goofy and silly, but I love the idea and it does have some pretty neat ideas). Still, dragons are magical and fun and marvelous to imagine.

 

I've been watching some cooking shows and saw a pretty neat preview where a pumpkin was carved into a dragon. I have absolutely no skill in art, so I'm dazzled by the effort. There are sculptures in ice, butter, clay, marble, and even fireworks (yup, watch the first Lord of the Rings movie, Fellowship of the Ring, to see what I mean). Humans are imaginative in their art, so I doubt there's any substance that hasn't been used for making a dragon.

 

I wonder if I can dress up like a dragon for Halloween? Hmm ... I'm getting a disturbing vision of me belching hot sauce. I've never been much for dressing up, but this year could be different. I did dress as Superman once, but mostly I was in a sheet with holes cut for eyes (just like Charlie Brown). I didn't have much zest for creativity with my costumes. Oh well.

 

- M

 

Hmm, maybe just a dragon's head?

Pleasure in being totally worn out

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Have you ever worked so hard that by the end of the day you are too exhausted to crawl into bed? Or, how about exercising so vigorously that all you want to do is collapse on your bed and sleep--without changing into pajamas? And, don't forget playing so much that when you finally stop you get slammed by the tired truck and zonk out somewhere. It's all good, and it feels great knowing you've worn out your body in a good way.

 

Moving furniture is both pleasure and pain. On the fun side, it's great having the house looking like a house rather a yard sale. On the less pleasurable side, I'm sore, tired, and feeling a bit grouchy. Still, I'm glad it's done and my daughter now has a new desk--actually, I'm not sure it's a desk but instead some chuckling wood creature laughing at the cumbersomeness of the design and the impossible weight of it all. Yeah, her desk is a monster. Hallelujah for thrift stores! You can really find amazing deals there. (Just a tip for those looking)

 

So, now I'm slowing down, discovering what hurts after a very refreshing shower, and thinking about what else needs doing to get our house into shape. I'm thinking a good coat of "letting someone else do things for a while" sounds good. But, I know myself and I won't sit still for long. It's just not in my nature to let stuff sit around (yes, dad, I did say that finally). My kids will catch on eventually ... probably when I'm old and senile and every new move is a completely fresh adventure.

 

- M

A new grill! Let the barbeque feast begin!

I finally get to try out our new grill! Have I ever mentioned I love cooking on a grill? I particularly like charcoal, but I'm also fond of the ease of propane. So, this one is propane and I have quite a menu planned for this day. Hee hee, I'm already slobbering all over the keyboard. There's not anything nearly as good as food over an open flame, especially steak. Yum. ... I just wish I had enough teeth left to eat that, so I'll settle for chicken myself.

A grill powered by a Hemi engine! 250 hot dogs in 3 minutes!
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It really is funny how after all these centuries of human existence how we still cook over fancy campfires. And still roast marshmallows. And make an oopsie as we drop our meat in the fire. And forget to turn off the propane so we need a new tank. Maybe cooking with sticks isn't such a bad idea after all? Either way, I laugh how this simple method of cooking remains so common in our digital era. I'm still waiting for the magic ovens of Star Trek, or the plasma cookery I was promised through science fiction stories. Why is it every other part of modern life gets upgraded, but not the way we cook?

 

Back to my new grill, the sucker is huge. It's a gift from friends, and wow, they love us! We are truly dazzled by the present and are very grateful. I'm sure it'll get a lot of use, and it even has a full cover (so I won't be ruining another grill by leaving it out under the rain and snow ... whoops). So, I lift a pork chop toast to all the people cooking on grills today, and I hope you all enjoy full and satisfied stomachs.

 

- M

Wireless, anytime, always-on, unending access to the world

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We truly live in a world of wonder! Our great forefathers may have dreamed of knowing the whole world, but we have actually accomplished it. I imagine it won't be much longer before even the very ocean depths are living areas for adventurous souls. We take for granted that something can happen on the other side of the world, and we sit in our living rooms, watching it happen on our smart phones. Incredible.

All this access makes it easy to forget just how vast this world is, or how much is in it. Have you ever wondered if we've seen everything that matters? It reminds me of the old philosophers and thinkers who claimed that everything which could be invented had already been so forget about making anything new. Rubbish then and now. I hope we never forget that there's always something new, something unseen, and something special just around the corner.

 

I really miss the wide-eyed fascination of children. To them there is only the new and fresh, never old and boring. Every day I try to see things in a new way. Have you imagined gravity working from a different direction? Or perhaps imagined you were sitting on the wall staring down at the ground? How about if every light patch were dark and the darkness brightly lit? Or, goldfish are amazing because they look like they're blowing bubbles? Imagination isn't necessarily coming up with new things. Just use your imagination to find fresh fascination with a thing you've dealt with for years. How could you make it even better? Such thoughts are the playgrounds of invention.

 

- M

They do grow up, trust me on this, I have personal experience of this very event.

I was once a child, a kid if you will. And, I grew up. Really, I did. Now, it's debatable the exact nature of my adulthood, but I'm no longer a child. We all, eventually, do finally grow up. There are no Peter Pans among us. And yet, I feel like growing up isn't something especially tied with age. We all know people who we wish would just grow up a little. You could call that maturity, but it's the same concept.

 

After we were married, one thing my wife talked about frequently was how I was in some ways like a kid. She didn't know how to phrase it, but what she meant was that I have a ginormous imagination and love to use it a lot (like a child). I appreciated the compliment, though she didn't mean it as one to begin with--she does now though. Through her eyes, I was privileged to witness the wild fanciful nature of imagination, and now I see it reflecting out from hers as I grin at her. She and I love to sit and watch the clouds, naming off the many things we see in them. It's fabulous fun!

 

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So, don't worry too much about growing up. You will, and you shouldn't avoid it. But, feel free to keep the child alive inside and let yourself pop into youth now and again. Yes, as adults we can still behave like children, but I'm not talking about being petty and childish. Let out the part of you longing for barefoot Sundays and rolling in the grass. Don't bottle up the urges for wiggling your toes in the mud. Enjoy them!

 

- M

Moving and Unpacking

Moving is tiring, straining, and makes me want to ignore it. But, it's a process you can't do without. When you get a new house, you take your stuff and move it in. George Carlin did a great little bit about "A Place for My Stuff" and really captures my feelings about the whole issue. Happily, it's not a never ending process. Maybe robots will do it all in the future? That'd be nice. Of course, we could have used a moving company to do it all, but it seems a little silly to do that when we only moved a few miles away.

 

And then there's the unpacking. Ugh. Did some space alien label all my carefully packed boxes? I still can't find my razor. I dimly remember putting very specific labels on these boxes, but they're now cryptic and mysterious. It's like Christmas, because I don't have a clue what's inside. Every day I get presents! Oh, sigh, look it's ... underwear. Okay, on to the next box.

 

I shudder to imagine how military families move so very often. I'm sure you get better at it, expert even, but I doubt it's ever easy or simple. What's really funny is how quickly you fill up any new extra space you have. It's like pouring water into a strange jug--everything flows into the twists and turns until there's no space left (or if it's not full, we go out and find more). I applaud anyone who moves on a regular basis.

 

As for me, I can't wait until all the boxes are opened and the contents stored. The sooner this is done, the happier I'll be.

 

- M

Rare and wonderful events

Have you ever noticed how common rare events are? Planetary alignments, special gems, unusual circumstances, and amazing skills. Lots of things are called rare, or unique. I think we love to find these "rare" things, and so we search high and low until we find them. Maybe it's because we humans are natural puzzle solvers, and it's almost beyond us to go through life without some sort of riddle confounding us. So, we seek out patterns that are rare and curious. Planets lining up isn't really all that significant, but a whole field of study was made around it (astrology is what I have in mind, but astronomy fits too).

Chicago's Shiny Object

The funny thing is, we still respond to the common nature of rare events with awe and intrigue, at least until the next rarity occurs. Maybe it's a way of marking periods in our lives, kind of like historic landmarks? All I know is these things keep cropping up and I see no stopping any of it, not that I'd want to.

 

Truth is, I love seeing special things. Maybe it's only special because I haven't experienced it before, but it doesn't matter. Life should be special, and I'm happy to find new reasons for it to be that way. So, I'll keep looking for, and finding, rare new special things. I'll point them out to anyone interested, and hopefully someone else will find amazement and happiness. It's all I ask for that little bit of unique magic.

 

- M

The Doctor always wins

I was thinking about winning and losing in popular television shows. Why is it that in Doctor Who, that the Doctor always wins? Isn't that boring? Doesn't it eliminate the unexpected? How are we still entertained? Well, it's the same as with every other superhero story, we know the ultimate results but we are straining to imagine the how's and why's. Winning and losing doesn't matter, because we want to cheer at the win and be surprised by the elaborate process. In the end, the Doctor always wins.

 

And there's the paradox. If the audience knows the hero cannot fall, then how do you challenge and threaten the hero? Simple. Threaten the hero's friends and family. Threaten the hero's world. Make the hero suffer. Yes, the hero wins, but pain is more than physical and lasts far longer. In the process, make the audience squirm at what's happening.

 

The best part about telling a great story is watching the audience. I love seeing them reflect what's happening and guessing at what's to come. A real edge-of-your-seat story can keep you up at night, prevent sleep, and get you to work bleary eyed and happy. We yearn to be amazed and touched. So, yes, the Doctor always wins and always will, but so do we as we cheer and hope for the best of both worlds.

 

- M

The miracle of undeniable imagery

Jurassic Park (the original one) is still considered one of the finest examples of computer graphics ever made. The dinosaurs depicted by computer are phenomenal, even today. But, how often were the CGI dinosaurs actually on screen? Only 4 minutes out of 127 total minutes. Yet, that's what people remember ... 4 minutes out of a whole movie! I find that remarkable.

T-Rex from Jurassic Park

But, the concept goes far beyond movies. We tend to remember what surprises us, especially images. I think that's why our childhoods are a series of disjointed memories, focused on certain visuals and impressions. It's like a slideshow of our lives. We constantly rearrange the images, fiddle with the colors and make them into something special for ourselves--it's why we often remember something a bit different than reality.

 

Images come to us from our own imaginations too, like when we read or see abstract arts. Even listening to people conjures images we can't deny--such as campfire ghost stories. I admit some of the scariest images I've ever seen are from inside my own head. That's pretty powerful stuff.

 

 - M

Doctor Who returns with a bang!

Peter Capaldi as the 12th Doctor

The new season of Doctor Who is finally here, and it's a cliffhanger! Doh! Doctor Who fans are very familiar with the Daleks (as they are his greatest enemy), but this new season is starting with twirling the entire concept of the Daleks and switching it all up. I won't give away any details, but let's just say we didn't understand the Dalek's nearly as much as we believed.

 

Every new doctor takes a while to get really going, but I love this new one. He's edgy, strange, and wonderful, just as the Doctor should be. This Doctor is afraid. Afraid of what he's done and could do.

 

I'm loving it all. It's like the old Buck Rogers show, or the cliffhanger serials they used to show in early movie theaters. I'm finally seeing the wonder and excitement of television unafraid to be ridiculous and inventive. It's hypnotic. Did I mention I love the new doctor? Well, it's because he started with a full realization of who his character would be. His doctor is haunted, impulsively searching for a bright future as he strains to forget the past.

 

Doctor Who has always been a crazy show, doing brilliant escapism as we roll our eyes at the ridiculousness of it all. Who cares how well these stories hold up against analysis? I sure don't. All that matters is the fun of the show and the imagination of unending new worlds and experiences. Let your brain take it all in and have fun with it. There's nothing wrong with fun, is there?

 

- M