Smiling is an art form

Nothing says happy quite like a grinning hippo

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I've always appreciated a good smile, but I've been baffled why some are so much more pleasant to look at than others. I'm aware that some people practice in front of a mirror to achieve a radiant smile, though a few are blessed with a megawatt grin without any effort at all (we call them photogenic, when we're feeling good about ourselves and freaks when we aren't). Despite the effort, there is an overwhelming change that sweeps over a face when a smile blooms.

 

As I've grown older, I think I appreciate smiles much more. I seek out smiling people far more than frowns. I just don't want to be around grumpy people. After all, if I'm going to spend my time with someone, I'd like to be happy about it. Also, it's far more pleasant to communicate if both parties smile. Now, I'm talking about real smiles, not those forced smiles we see on politicians too often. Yup, I've practiced before a mirror, just before a family reunion--so the pictures would turn out, instead of bleeding through the side of the cameras.

 

Kids smile all the time. Why not? Everything is new to them, and they're easily excited. Their emotions show on their faces before their brain even knows what's going on. On the path to adulthood we apparently decide at some point that smiling is not good, so we stop. I don't understand that. We've all seen a face "light up" when they smile, so why are we against doing the same? Personally, I try to keep in mind that my outward attitude does illuminate my inner attitudes. Maybe a smile isn't easy, but it's good practice for when you really want to grin.

 

- M

When does conserving history mean altering it?

I was watching a documentary about the Titanic sinking and was struck by the state of the wreck these days. There is a natural process whereby sunken metal is digested by bacteria and altered. It looks very much like stalactites in a cave (here's a neat article about the rusticles). What is happening is that the Titanic is being lost to natural decay. There's already a prohibition on removing anything from the wreck, but this new discovery poses the question: "Should we stop natural decay to preserve history?" Doesn't stopping the decay alter history?

Prow of the R.M.S. Titanic
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Funny how fragile history has become. We see destruction of monuments and are enraged, yet isn't nature doing the same thing on a constant basis? What about oral history, which changes and is lost as easily as forgetting a phone number. I remember when they were restoring the Sistine Chapel ceiling that they discovered Michelangelo's original paint was actually very garish and bright, which decades of candle smoke dulled, and they actually stopped because we didn't want to see the original--having grown accustomed to the smoked out dullness.

 

History has always been sensitive to how it's presented. I've seen the same points represented completely differently, simply by having someone else show it. Don't believe me, just go to a national park and listen to various park rangers tell the history (we all put focus on different areas, don't we?).

 

It's worthwhile to consider such things, because one thing is definitely true about all history--it won't happen again.

 

- M

Off to the Fair!

I had the splendid opportunity to go to the State Fair with my wife. She won two 1st prize ribbons for her quilts! Way to go, sweetheart! I'm so very proud of her. I'm glad she finally took the risk and entered. Even more, we got to spend a whole evening together, just walking around and looking at thing. Yes, we did a bit of spending, but on the whole we did very well.

 

What really surprised me was the 4-H exhibits. Wow! Where did you find so many different kinds of leaves? Or butterflies? And, yikes!! That THING is an insect around here? Great googamooga. I'd flee, screaming my head off, if that beast came at me. No, I don't care that it's harmless. The thing is a mutant dinosaur butterfly and I don't want it near me! I don't know what it was, other than "colossus" was in the title and it was an insect with wings. Terrifying.

This is it: Giant Dobsonfly (world's largest insect)

Yes, that's an adult hand holding it. I'd scream like a little girl if it flew at me.

Beyond the insects were the crafts. Incredible. All those kinds of bread, woodcarvings, pottery, needlework, cookies, cakes, and on and on and on. I can't say I've ever had cause to look at them before, and now wish I had. Simply amazing. On the way in, I bought a new cowboy hat (I like wearing one, to let my family know I'm writing). We enjoyed some State Fair foods, watched the people, and enjoyed ourselves.

 

I am so very glad we went. I look forward to next year ... just ... no bugs.

 

- M

Clichés and Tropes aren't necessarily bad.

Clichés and Tropes aren't necessarily bad. Yes, they become cliché after they've been overused and misused, but they are used so much because the original idea is good--if not great. One you can see in virtually any horror/suspense movie is the "jump scare." A surprising event, accompanied by a loud bang, and your flinch and feel a moment of terror. This is so common, that people expect it and now authors are reducing the use. If a trope is overused, then it looses it's impact.

Trope: The mighty hero is actually a coward
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Good ideas deserve good setup. Use what you want, but give the ideas purpose and intent. Don't just throw things in because they've worked in the past. Have a reason. This is my own writing philosophy: everything should have a purpose, or it shouldn't be in the story. Even fluffy, silly, goofy things have a use, such as building characterization. But, just tossing something in because it's worked for others isn't enough, and it'll fall flat. Just like jump scares no longer terrify, they only startle and all tension is thereby released.

 

The new Star Wars movie is absolutely loaded with cliché and tropes, yet they are great fun. I think they were mostly used well, and they worked. Plus, seeing how the movie broke earning records, I think the public agrees. We shouldn't be afraid to use ideas. There's plenty of success to be found in taking risks. Still, take caution when you use a well-understood and possibly overused concept--the audience is already wise to what's going on, so you better set it up well or it'll fall dead flat.

 

- M

Hobbies and Collections

Do you have a hobby? What about something you collect? I think we need something to do that's long lasting. I remember collecting stamps as a kid--though, to be fair, my parents bought them for me and I stuck them in stamp books. One of my best friends collects trite jokes, another pens, and I love swords. Hobbies and collecting things are like owning a pet, but for adults.

I'm not sure why we grow up and completely forget how to enjoy ourselves. Maybe that's why kids don't want to grow up? They probably see us as stuffy and dusty and not a bit of fun. Well, kids are wrong, because adults are great fun, and we can spend hours simply staring at the grass being watered. Yup, now that's excitement! Then, watch as we sit and nap in our reclining chairs. Adults are barrels of fun--

 

I've been working on my sarcasm lately, tee hee.

 

But, really, try picking a hobby and spend time pursuing it. Enjoyment is found in work and play both. Maybe it's okay to try it, don't you think? My wife quilts, and has endless enjoyment crafting these heirlooms that we all treasure. Yes, hobbies can benefit others, and if you collect rare items you can earn quite a bit of money as well. Also, you learn more about the world at the same time.

 

- M

Holograms, an invention of absolute wonder!

Many years ago, when holograms were first introduced, I distinctly remember going to an art gallery where they sold several framed ones. These were the old holograms (created by lasers and typically green in color) and so it was like a frozen image captured inside a pane of glass. They were incredible. You could turn the glass and see completely new angles, even behind edges. It was magic. I wish I'd bought one or two (they oddly weren't all that expensive). I remember one of the Starship Enterprise was pretty awesome.

Pocket watch gears hologram

Then, credit cards started putting holograms on their silly plastic and some of the specialness disappeared. Well, maybe not. The holograms we see now are very cheaply created. The early ones were carefully sculpted works of art. Sure, they weren't complex (I remember one was just an apple), but they were just like peeking through a green-colored window and seeing something barely on the other side. I remember a video game (one of those big cabinet consoles you found in video game arcades--which were common back then) that used a spinning mirror to make your game character appear on a table in front of you. It was pretty cool, like the "Dragon's Lair" arcade game, but you could stick your hand through the image.

 

I've often wondered why the concept never moved beyond the initial stages. There are lots of concepts for how to make it work--such as smoke or water droplets and special lenses. I suppose the new "interactive virtual environments" (Pokemon GO) have taken the place of holograms. Yet, I suspect there's a huge market for 3-Dimensional photographs. I'd love to put up a pictures of mountains, where I can walk up to them and move side-to-side and see new angles. Science fiction stories have guessed at technologies like that, so why haven't we created it yet? Come on, inventors! I want a wall in my basement that shows me the now vanished ebony beaches of Hawaii!

 

- M

How unreliable narrators boost suspense

Two of my favorite short stories are: "The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, and "The Yellow Pill" by Rog Phillips. Both are psychological. Both feature very bright and well spoken narrators. Both feature terrifically persuasive logic. And, both narrators are unreliable. I won't spoil either of these stories; they deserve to be read.

 

What do I mean by unreliable? Well, mainly that your trust of the narrator will waiver as the story progresses. Maybe what they say is true and maybe not? Because the story is directly tied to the perceptions of the narrator, we only experience what they tell us. Yet, because we are outside the story, we can deduce the reality of the situation. The funny thing is, we aren't nearly as good as we think we are. A great story will twist us onto our heads and drop the sky on it. We won't know what's real even after it's all over and the book is closed.

 

I particularly appreciate the story structure of the unreliable narrator, because it allows the author to specifically direct the audience's attention. There's no need of red herrings, or diversions, or distractions, because the narrator isn't trustworthy and the audience is actively suspecting everything. There's a moment in the movie, "Total Recall" (the 1990 film) when the hero is directly challenged about his delusions--and the audience can't determine what's up, at least not until the spell is broken. I adored that moment and have many times dissected how that scene functions.

 

Suspense, dawning horror, even terror can be the direct result of unreliable narrators. Try it out.

 

- M

Simple pleasures

Something I've tried to cultivate in my life is noticing little wonders and curiosities. Flowers, ant hills, clouds, sunsets and sunrises, the sound of water crossing stones. Peace and quiet. Silence. There are times when it's good to sit by yourself and let the world spin on without you. It's a simple pleasure, and increasingly rare to find and even harder to appreciate.

We watch children and laugh at their fascination with ant hills. Yet, why shouldn't they be amazed? The world is fresh and wonderful to their senses. If you take the time to notice, you'll never stop finding amazing things. I wish we could all see the world that way.

So, why is it hard to enjoy the simple pleasures? Do we think it unearned? Or, maybe because it's simple, it isn't good? I'm not sure. Or, is it because we're in such a hurry and can't take the time out of our schedules? Whatever the reason, spend some time and find one thing each day to be excited about. Call it an investment in your future.

- M

Blame, there's plenty of it to go around.

I blame YOU!

One aspect of my personality that I find myself apologizing for constantly, is my propensity to find blame. It's really easy to watch something go sideways and want to put the blame on someone else. I do my best to accept blame for things that I wreck, but when I don't know for sure it's way too easy to just grab the first suspect and tear them apart. It's probably my biggest failing--kids, please accept my apology and I sure hope you don't do the same thing. Learn from my mistakes, blame is best left in the rubbish bin.

 

Actually, blame is a lousy tactic anyway. There's no suggested solutions, no critique of what happened, not even an acceptance of the consequences. Blame is just dreck you vomit up on others. What I--we--should do is acknowledge something went wrong and then get the people involved in finding solutions and fixing the broken bits. The best is not a personal attack, rather a factual understanding and then emotional support. No, it's not saying, "Oh, pity that bridge broke apart, but it's okay you feel bad and all is well." Nope, accept responsibility for your actions and then move along.

 

I doubt anyone enjoys being blamed, no matter their level of guilt. I know I don't--which really makes me feel horrible when I falsely blame someone else, especially my own children. And ... what if your blame turns back on you, because you didn't understand well enough and should have blamed yourself? Oops. It's another lesson in applied patience, not jumping to conclusions, and being loving to those around you. We all fail, deserve blame, and are endlessly grateful when we receive patient guidance and aid rather than anger.

 

- M

Can you have a good story without villains?

I was reading a column about the upcoming movie "Sully," which depicts the amazing water landing of an airliner--the "Miracle on the Hudson." The article closed with the thought, "All good stories need a villain." I couldn't disagree more. Every story does require conflict, but not necessarily a villain. Think of the recent movies, "The Martian" and "Gravity." There's plenty of conflict, in the sense of surviving extraordinarily hazardous conditions, yet there are no mustache-twirling villains. The interest in these survival stories isn't how the hero is picked on, but how they lived or didn't--since these stories don't guarantee a happy ending.

 

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Audiences want interesting, entertaining, captivating stories. There are many tried and tested manners of delivering such stories; frameworks and patterns diagramed and understood for centuries. In reality, there just aren't all that many sorts of stories. Depending on who you ask, you could have as few as two. Yet, all stories contain conflict, because if there's nothing happening the story is a boring research paper with no excitement. Figure out where the conflict is, and then you'll know if you need a villain.

 

If you do need a villain, then keep in mind that "heroes are only as good as their villains." If the hero is too powerful, then the villain poses no challenge and thus no conflict. Oddly, the opposite isn't true, as frequently the villain is far greater than the hero, so in these cases the hero must grow to overcome the conflict. Villains don't even need to be seen constantly to be a true threat, yet their influence must be firmly intertwined with the story to keep the conflict ever present.

 

Yes, a good story doesn't require a villain, it only must have conflict.

 

- M

Lamps and indirect lighting.

I'm a big fan of indirect lighting. Mainly because I can't stand sitting back in a chair, only to stare directly into the bulb of a lamp. Any lamps with lampshades have that problem. I've seen some really amazing indirect lighting schemes, where entire rooms are lit very nicely and there's not a single bulb to be seen. I can only imagine the pain it must be to replace those hidden bulbs, though. Yikes. The lamps we have in our living room have an open top, so the light reflects off the ceiling and disperses pretty well.

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We've sure come a long way from torches and oil-burning lamps. Darkness hardly matters anymore. We can work equally well, night or day. In fact, we probably wouldn't know what to do with ourselves if we didn't have our modern conveniences. It's so easy to expect light with the flip of a switch--or the clap of your hands. If we took the time to notice all the things making our lives easier, I'll bet we wouldn't capture them all. We are so far removed from the settlers who founded our nation that it's barely comprehensible. We just can't imagine their daily lives anymore. No wonder we can't sympathize with people living a couple thousand years ago.

 

Funny how we enjoy "getting away from it all" and take a vacation from our luxuries. Only to return and bask in the comforts once more. It's like going on a scuba dive because you want to see what it's like to be a fish. We never really leave anything behind. We're sojourners on a modern quest.

 

Well, I think I'll stick with indirect lighting and leave the lion taming to the professionals...

 

- M

Happy Labor Day!

Today we celebrate a break from work in the name of celebrating work. I've always thought it a bit odd. Whatever the history of the celebration, America has claimed it for our own and now it has entirely new meaning--barbeque and hotdogs! Yet, it's good to know where holidays come from, and I recommend everyone to check it out.

Either way...

Happy Labor Day!

- M

Rain is such a comforting sound, but are there others?

My wife loves the sound of rain, and so I've come to love it as well. She's certainly not alone, considering a whole music industry exists to create "white noise" to help people sleep. Back years ago there was a huge fad of recorded "nature" music (I swear some sounded like recordings from somebody's back porch). Thing is, those sold like crazy! People have a craving for natural sounds, particularly us city folk. It's comforting.

For me, the sounds of waves (practically true white noise) and the sound of water moving around obstructions. My absolute favorite is the sound of an oar moving through water--it just makes my ears happy. I sure can't explain why I like it, I just do. My guess is most people can't really give points as to why they like certain sounds, or foods, or most anything at all. We like what we like because we like what we like. So, I enjoy discovering what people like and picking their brains for why--yup, I know they haven't a clue, but it's fun listening to their explanations.

The other part of the equation is why we want to listen in the first place. Is it relaxation, meditation, or pure enjoyment? My wife has taught me to slow down and enjoy the music of rain. Maybe that's the greatest value of nature sounds and the reason we should all listen to it. Well, that's my thought for the day. Tomorrow, I'll tackle world peace ... or maybe figure out how to get my cats to sing opera...

- M