I spent the first part of my life in Austria, drinking in the glorious vistas of the Alps, before my family settled down in Oklahoma. Those early years of beautiful mountains created a world of imagination in me that has never faded. From the very beginning, I knew that I wanted to weave my very own stories.
My stories are good, clean, fun for the whole family. I love imagination, and want to bring out that joy in everyone, no matter their age. Mostly, I hope to provide a warm night's entertainment that will tickle fancies and lighten hearts. Everyone deserves a good read.
The art of painting has always fascinated me. It ranges from the purely abstract (I'll never understand how a blank canvas with a blue dot on it is art) to the lifelike realism of others. The ability to make a slathering of various colored paints look like anything at all is incredible, let alone an instantly recognized work. It reminds me of the famous quote of Michelangelo, when he was asked how he knew what to carve away (in reference to the statue of David). Michelangelo replied, "It's simple; I carve away anything that doesn't look like David." To have such a solid image in mind that it flows out onto the canvas is miraculous to me.
A drawing crafted by my eldest daughter
My oldest daughter paints, and we proudly display her work on our walls like any good parents would, but it's more than that. I see in her, and all my children actually, the ability to imagine in solid and visceral ways. To take your imagination and give it form is true art, and I applaud anyone willing to try and do their best. Who cares if it isn't understood? The fact that it was created is reward enough! Of course, even better is when people are willing to pay to posses it too.
Those of you who paint have my deepest respect. It's an incredible skill. And, don't let anyone dissuade you from trying your hand at it. Give it a go. Maybe you'll find a passion you never knew before. That's the greatest reward of most things in life--finding something new that excites you. So, pick up a brush, find a canvas, and go to work!
It's a funny thing how things start out big and powerful, then progressively get smaller and less powerful. But, with that miniaturization they become much more focused and deadly. Weapons follow this pattern pretty closely, such as bombs and guns. I can only imagine showing up during the Napoleonic wars with a machine gun. It'd be incredible at least.
The question is, why do we like to continuously perfect things to make them smaller and more effective? Well, a tool that's heavy and bulky is less comfortable than one which is light and specifically designed to the task. And, we never stop tinkering because there just might be a better way that hasn't been tried yet. One thing about we humans, we love to experiment.
I'm not sure about snowball fights though, since getting clocked by a big snowball can knock you on your backside in nothing flat. But, if you have a snow fort then you can hide a huge pile of snowballs and pelt your enemies from the safety of fortifications! And then you could add a catapult and toss huge boulders of snow and decimate all attackers! Let the enemies of the fort not go unpunished! Yeaargh!
On this special day we remember the great debt we owe our fallen heroes. I am deeply grateful for the courage and strength of the many who have spent their blood, sweat, and lives defending our freedoms. We should all take time today to remember and pay our respects. Military holidays are an important part of our traditions and should be passed onto the next generations with appropriate conviction. We must never forget the importance of the sacrifices of heroes.
We take the day off work, enjoy our families, and make some sweat barbeque. Maybe people travel long distances, turning one day into many as they take well deserved vacations. Actually, this is one of those heavy travelling weekends where if you don't need to drive you probably shouldn't. Some people just don't know how to drive when they're in a hurry (hint: don't be in a hurry and you'll arrive in one piece).
To those in the military right now, I salute you. Despite our leaders' political aims, you are doing what you feel is right in protecting our country, our freedoms, and our lives. I don't understand why anyone would want to cut soldiers down simply because of politics. Soldiers are the warriors for a country, not the whipping boys. Honor their many ongoing sacrifices, and tend them when they come home wounded in body or mind.
Happy Memorial Day! May our soldiers return home to care and love. And to the many who have fallen, I give my deepest respects.
One of my favorite comedy skits is the famous Monty Python "Black Knight" sketch where King Arthur takes on the famed knight. After King Arthur chops off the knight's arms, the knight charges with the cry, "I'm invincible!" It's hilarious and deeply disturbing, mainly because I can recognize at least a dozen times I've done that myself (well, maybe not armless but charging ahead foolishly at least). But, since the whole movie is one long joke, it's alright to see the characters behaving like idiots. Where else, but in stories are such nitwits held up as heroic figures? If you haven't seen the skit, I won't ruin it, but for those who have ... "We'll call it a draw."
So, think about the many tales you've heard over your lifetime. And, consider how often the people inside the story act just a bit larger than life. It doesn't matter if the story is true or fiction, because storytellers naturally embellish to give the story flavor and make it grand. Admit it. You like hearing other people tell of your exploits, because it gets better with the telling. These days we don't see a whole lot of oral storytelling going on, but we do have comedians ... and they tell stories all the time--yup, jokes are stories. People will want oral storytelling again, I'm sure of it (and, you can witness the spectacle at many Medieval Fairs around the world).
And the miracle of telling these stories is that words aren't even absolutely necessary. I've loved watching the "People are Amazing" videos on YouTube. What are those but magnificent stories documenting the incredible feats of the human body! We are involved in a constant greatest story ever told as we live our lives. Naturally, the question is: what is your ending? Happy or sad?
I love robots. Big, small, huge and fighting, or tiny and sneaky. I've always loved robots. The recent Transformers series of movies have highlighted robots in a big way, and I think it's all great. Also, Pacific Rim showed us huge robots fighting giant monsters! With the Avengers and now Avengers 2 we have Iron Man and an evil robot (Ultron). I'm smiling ear to ear about it all. I can't wait to see miniaturized robots flying around--perhaps a remake of Fantastic Voyage.
Iron Man, the villain Ultron, and Captain America
Today's robots mostly build stuff--assembly line robots, or automated cutters, or 3D printers--and they destroy things--demolition, military robots--and they explore distant worlds. Of course there are also medical robots, but they are mostly directed tools used by human operators. I think we are quickly arriving at the point where robots will do quite a lot in regular life. I doubt we'll ever have fully autonomous robots (able to think and learn for their own), mainly because life is simply too complex for a programmed mind to handle. Now, if we could create artificial intelligence on the scale of what we see in movies it would be possible, but I have my doubts. Anyway, scientists will continue pushing toward that point until time comes to an end.
What makes robots fun is how they can be human and yet not. As an example, think about Data from the Star Trek series. It's a common story tradition--using something not quite human to express human concerns, issues, and troubles--and robots are perfect for the job. The great thing is we aren't even all that worried when a robot is destroyed, because we can rebuild them! Great stuff. One of my favorite movies is The Iron Giant, which lets that happen in fact. It is my wish that robots see a long life of use in reality and stories.
Is there a story that you desperately want to have a sequel? To continue the tale and keep the world alive? And how do you react when an announcement comes out that your wish is coming true? What if you could make it happen yourself?
I think back on one of my most beloved movies: Tron. When the announcement of a sequel shocked the world, with brilliant new light cycles and an incredible teaser, we were given Tron: Legacy. Whatever your impression of the movie (personally, I loved it), it generated incredible buzz. Now, it sounds like we may even get a sequel to that one! (Possibly named Tron: Ascension). Anyway, my point is the buzz about the sequel was unbelievable. People were slobbering all over themselves just to talk about it. It was inspiring, especially when you consider the length of time between movies. Amazing.
Right now there is a bit of a sequel frenzy going on. It seems like no story has a chance without at least three parts already made (trilogies, tetralogies, or more). Maybe it's because a three act story is such a fantastic framework (the starting triumphs, the middle tragedies, and the ultimate victory). But, I'm all for it. I love continued stories. Any good story is worth an extension. But, please make sure there's a story to tell and not just make it for profit--give it a reason to exist.
I think stories define us in ways nothing else does. Entire civilizations are known mainly for their stories. Take the Greeks for instance. We all know about Greek gods and goddesses (particularly with Percy Jackson books and movies). Isn't that incredible? So, what's your story?
Have you ever slept past when you wanted? Waaaay past? Hopefully not getting up for work, but what about on the weekends, or when you're on vacation? You have things to do and yet you sleep it all away. Right now my favorite reaction is to wonder why I needed sleep so badly. But, say you've missed something important? What then? Do you blame your alarm, or power going out? Do you blame yourself? If you've missed something that isn't possible to redo, then what happens?
There's a brief conversation in one of my favorite television shows: Babylon 5. It's like a UN in space. Anyway, one emperor is talking with the main hero and asking him if he has any regrets. The answer is poignant: "My dad said to live life as if each second were your last; love without reservation, fight without fear; he called it the way of the warrior." That's powerful and is a great tactic on living without regret.
I think we get trapped by regrets over things we've done. Maybe the best way to answer my question about oversleeping is to grab hold and say, "Apparently I required the sleep, and I did it with gusto!" Not sure I'm swayed by the argument, but it's a thought. Either way, I hope you all had a wonderful sleep last night and may your next be reviving to your body, mind, and soul. Live without regret and live free.
Being a computer programmer, I get asked a lot how to protect yourself online. Well, firstly I'd say stop clicking on ads or anything that looks unsafe. Basically, if you didn't specifically want to go someplace, don't let a website steer you. With that out of the way, you probably want to invest in a good solid anti-spyware/anti-malware program. There are plenty to choose from, and if you go to any electronics store that sells software you'll be fine with what you find there. Particularly you want "active" protection that scans your computer as you use it, as well as the regular "scans" when you tell the software to check out your system and fix anything fishy. McAfee is wonderful, while Norton is loaded on everything these days. Both work great.
If you're wanting something free, check out Spybot for active protection (though it also scans) and MalwareBytes for powerful scanning. The combination of these two works great to keep you safe online, and you can upgrade to the purchased version for nice bonuses as well. So, even on a limited budget you can still keep yourself safe. And, if you don't like it, you've wasted nothing.
As general rules, keep in mind that this isn't the Wild West. With an active scanner in place there is little to fear. Sure, there are times, but when you have your computer scanned regularly, while also being monitored as you use it, then you are pretty safe. Yes, be careful (haxxer sites with free movies/music/etc are like going into a lion's den with a steak around your neck) and stay away from shady stuff. Just like the rest of life, if it stinks it's probably dead.
- M
For a bit of the funnier side (and a lot of hyperbole), check out this video:
Understatement is a fact of life, I think. We do it all the time. How many times have we described a fantastic development as "good" just because we didn't want to brag? Or how about saying "I'm okay," when you have a broken arm? It's a bit crazy when you think about it. In the same way, we talk about the "simple pleasures" of life. Such things as stroking a cat's belly, or sitting with your children and watching a movie, or listening to a favorite song. What's so simple about those? Seems to me they are some of the finest things in life.
I think about how unbelievably connected we are today. It's something we take for granted, that we can tap in a phone number and speak with someone on the other side of the world (or, if they have Skype, you can video call)! What about going to the grocery store and getting nearly anything your fancies crave? Perhaps you'd like a new music album and you connect to iTunes and download it. Incredible. There are parts of the world without these treats, and they certainly see these gifts as the astonishing things they are.
Today I've been reminded of the little joys in life. Walking and standing, mostly pain free. My knee surgeries have gone well. I would get on my knees and thank the Creator--though kneeling is sadly beyond my capacity--because such "simple" things are a glorious gift each and every day. My children are happy and safe, my wife is beautiful and wise, and I am writing. How much more could I possibly ask? I am deeply grateful to have a voice to express these things, and I hope it's encouraged you to see beyond the bright, flashy, things and appreciate the simple things.
My wonderful mother, surprised when I made a perfect strike in bowling, during a perfect game ...
(or I could be remembering it a little bit wrong...)
"Mom." Who can possibly explain the depth of emotion tied up within that single word? Mothers provide comfort, love, unending patience, and steadiness in a mixed-up, crazy world. If I live to be a thousand years old, I'll never possess the wisdom, courage, or sincerity of my mother. She is a true example to be followed and I pray my life is a reflection of the beauty of her own.
When I think of the best parts of my life, my mother is a perfect example. Like anyone, she has rough patches, but I barely see them. What I do see is a life I want to emulate. She has sacrificed so much, and asked for so little, that I'll never be able to repay all of it. Maybe, if I'm lucky, I'll come close. Whatever I can do will never be enough though. She deserves so much recognition and praise. I can only thank her from the bottom of my heart.
To think of your mother is like pulling a warm blanket over your heart. Why is it that men in combat ask for "Mom" when they're hurt? Because when Mom is there, everything is alright, you're safe and home. And why is it that at sporting events we hold up signs: "Hi, Mom!" Why? Because we want our mother to know we're on television and enjoying our moment of fame. Kids want to impress their mom, so all is right in the world. If we could, we'd do a dance too.
Mom, I love you with all I am. I'm proud you're my mom and I hope you feel special this Mother's Day.
People tell me I'm odd for a variety of reasons, but one of them isn't that I watch movies multiple times, or read books over and over, or listen to songs on a loop. Apparently a lot of people do the same thing, which leads me to wonder why? The story hasn't changed, so we know how it ends, and our feelings about it are probably the same (if not more fond and pleased about the item). Actually, we can widen the question to why we revisit old memories? It's a funny quirk, because the memories may not even be faded much at all--think of all the people who'll see a movie and then go back the next day and watch it again.
I think it's because we want the burst of emotions we felt the first time. The emotions may not be as strong, but they remain and are reinforced. That's why we love hearing stories concerning people we know, not because we haven't heard them before but the act of hearing them again refreshes the memory and keeps it alive. It's likely the reason people are so afraid of dementia diseases such as Alzheimers--because a great part of who we are resides in our memories. Since stories in hard print (movies, books, photos, and such) are unchanging they are great memory refreshers.
For me, I'll return to movies and books all the time. I have favorites I've re-read dozens of times, or watched a hundred times or more (I can quote the original Star Wars series pretty much verbatim). It's funny, but with music I'll remember the instrumental tune but haven't the foggiest about lyrics. Well, what we choose to remember varies I guess.
So, do you have something you revisit again and again and again?
In my life of reading, I've found a few precious stories so intense they made me cry, made me dream, and made me curl up in a ball. It's incredible what a good story can do. And, when we find stories like these they become treasure to cherish and share. We find ourselves talking about them, bringing them up as side moments in conversations, and pausing to think about them at crazy times. They affect us deeply, probably more than we imagine, and end up changing everything.
I'd offer up the "Truman Show" as one example. It's a Jim Carrey movie about the title character
being an unwitting star of his own reality television show. It's a brilliant setup and it radically altered the world's concept of reality shows (prior to it there really wasn't anything like it, but look now). The story is probably a bit silly, but wow what am impact it has at the end. I sure won't spoil it, but I'm sure anyone will enjoy it. Just make sure to watch it all in one uninterrupted sitting (bathroom breaks allowed) because otherwise you'll ruin the emotional impact.
"The Cold Equations" by Tom Godwin is another powerful example. It's short, only a bit over 10,000 words. There isn't a word that doesn't need to be there. It is one of my favorite examples of a "character study" story, where what really matters are the people and not the situation/logic (because the logic of this story is defeated with a tiny bit of pre-planning by the company). It features an inescapable ending that never deviates, yet the tragedy of the moment is dynamite! What amazes me is how much you care for the doomed character, yet are also applauding the courage of the pilot to see it all through. Sure, there are concerns about other things, but I'm interested in the power of the story to make readers feel something strongly.
When we find any sort of story with power like these, we remember. Funny or sad, tragic or fortunate, easy-going or frantic, when we find a story we love we share it. That's one of the biggest reasons I write: I want to share what I love.
We've been packing up some old things and in the back of a closet, my wife found a bright red cloth tied with a neck hole. Talk about a flood of memories! I wore that one Saturday afternoon, playing with my children at the park. I even wore a blue shirt with a big "S" on it. Yup, I was Superman! The cape still fits, so I put it on. When I closed my eyes, I saw the whole day in my mind. I'm smiling as I write this, because memories like those never fade.
Why is it that we don't let drop our adult attitudes and play with children? At least, we only do so rarely. And, we somehow feel guilty, stupid, foolish, embarrassed, and happy all at the same time when we do. Tell me, what's wrong with playing as adults? What's wrong with being silly? What's wrong with having unabashed fun? Yes, I'm a writer and highly imaginative, but I can't be the only adult who let's down his guard and has unbridled fun. The world would be a happier place if we could only enjoy our surroundings as much as any child does.
I'll never forget the joy on my children's faces as I pretended along with them. I may have been pretending, but in my children's minds I was Superman! In that too brief slice of life, my kids lit up like supernovas. Before long, all the other children in the little park came over and we all played together. I'm sure there were other parents in the park, but I don't remember them at all. They probably thought I was a bit crazy, but so what? I was in a world of fantasy with children playing along beside me!
One of my favorite comedy skits is the famous Monty Python "Black Knight" sketch where King Arthur takes on the famed knight. After King Arthur chops off the knight's arms, the knight charges with the cry, "I'm invincible!" It's hilarious and deeply disturbing, mainly because I can recognize at least a dozen times I've done that myself (well, maybe not armless but charging ahead foolishly at least). But, since the whole movie is one long joke, it's alright to see the characters behaving like idiots. Where else, but in stories are such nitwits held up as heroic figures? If you haven't seen the skit, I won't ruin it, but for those who have ... "We'll call it a draw."
