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