Resurgence of A Capella singing.

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Singing "a capella" (singing without instrumental accompaniment) is actually not a weird or nerdy thing these days. Wow, amazing. Two mainstream movies showcase it (Pitch Perfect 1 & 2), there are popular bands like Pentatonix (or PTX) which have brought the style into the limelight. I've been increasingly impressed by the ability of modern groups to do beat boxing (doing drums and such by mouth gymnastics) and how easy it is to listen to groups doing this. It's really incredible.

I bring this up because there are so many times we feel limited in daily life when we don't have the "proper" tools and equipment. What ever happened to creativity and improvisation? Why do we have to have the perfect stuff before we even attempt anything? There's nothing wrong with preparation (and I, being Batman, heartily approve with getting everything ready), but you can't expect everything. Let yourself go outside of the confines of your little box and try something different! Sure, it may not work, but you might just create a completely new technique. At some point, people didn't know eating oysters was good ... okay, not a wonderful example, but you get the idea.

Bringing back forgotten things is also frequently done. It's funny how old building techniques have found a certain resurgence, as have smaller homes. Old styles of art are seeing a fresh audience. I expect we'll see more areas where this happens, as the wheel of discovery, innovation, usefulness, and fondness is always turning back on itself. Maybe we'll remember that old concepts aren't bad after all, like a capella singing. Ah, I love having my ears tickled by finely tuned human voices and not robotic programs like Auto-Tune.

- M

Happy Memorial Day, a tribute to real-life heroes

Today, we honor the fallen.

I hope you all have a wonderful Memorial Day! There's outdoor barbequing, family gatherings, talking, joking, and remembrance of fallen friends. This could easily be a bitter-sweet day, but for the most part we celebrate people who we knew and loved. I believe there's few things which draw us together more than bragging about heroes in our families and telling their stories. We desperately need heroes in our lives, even if they're no longer with us.

Nations should pause and remember those who made it great by paying the ultimate cost. We need a sense of perspective, see the value of sacrifice, and watch how greatly we honor those who willingly march into the jaws of death. Courage is what we remember most, but there's so much more to every story. Heroes aren't perfect, but they are still heroes. That's why we need holidays like Memorial Day. We're told who these people were, what they did, how they died, and the legacies left behind. It's not only military we honor, but firefighters and police officers and rescue teams and so many others.

Hopefully while we eat and enjoy the great outdoors, we take time today to learn about the heroes all around us. They deserve the honor and recognition we offer, they've earned it. I salute you all, and am grateful for the sacrifices you've given. May your family's grief be outshone by the thanks of your country mates, and the prayers of us all.

Happy Memorial Day!

- M

Childhood pets

When I was a young boy, my father felt it was a good idea to have a family dog. He'd had one in his youth and found a similar one, which he then brought home. Chum was an interesting dog to say the least. She didn't care for a bath at all (I have great memories of my father closing the bathroom and entering into mortal combat to give that dog a bath), didn't seem to care much for my brother or I, and made out with the dog from down the alley. However, during an insurance salesman's sales pitch, Chum gave birth to a litter (that's another great memory of this poor guy trying to sell insurance while a dog is howling and giving birth... ha!).


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So, Snoopy was born into our house. The mysteries of birth were somewhat revealed to me, and my brother and I were privileged to have the pick of the litter. We picked the only brown and white one--the other's were black and white--and Snoopy turned our hearts to mush. They say a boy and his dog share a very special connection. That's absolutely true. Snoopy will always be the pet I think of when someone talks about animals. That dog was smart, cute, happy, and completely adorable. I'll never forget her (yeah, we named a girl dog, Snoopy).

Pets serve a really important function for children, as pets are completely reliant on their owners for their care. Kids need something to care for, to nurture, and protect. There's a special love kids and pets share, which will never be touched by any human being. It's a magical thing, really. I'm in awe of the connection my kids have with our two cats. Amazing. Personally, I'll never forget Snoopy as long as I live.

- M

Chairs defy me on purpose! I swear. It's not me. They're out to get me.

The chair attacked me! I crushed it's spine in self defense.

One of the examples of having faith is the humble chair. It's said we all believe without question that chairs will support us, and don't put much thought into the act of sitting in one. Well, I beg to differ! My experience is chairs are unqualified and should be viewed with extreme skepticism at all turns. I cannot count the number of chairs that have exploded beneath me. Personally, I'm insulted, but I can only view this as a massive conspiracy against me.

We depend on many things to work as designed and when they don't we're understandably upset. It's a point of faith. When we get into our cars and turn the key, the engine should start. When we use a broom, the bristles should stay put and sweep up the dust. When we flip the light switch, the light should turn on. It should be faith, it should be a certainty!

Maybe I should put together a petition against objects in general. Inanimate objects hate me. Pencils and pens also fly out of my grasp like greased weasels (my best friend remembers very well being smacked in the face by soaring writing implements in computer programming school). Walls reach out and crack me in the elbow. I'm hardly clumsy, but these things happen all the time. It's on purpose, and the inanimate world is to blame! #SayNoToChairs

- M

Silencing the mystery...

Being mysterious is a great character trait for surly wizards and drifting gunfighters. However, it gets tiresome quickly. Within stories it's not so bad. Gandalf is rarely straightforward about his plans and methods, yet we love him as a character. Sherlock Holmes has practically no back story, is frustratingly scarce with his thoughts, and yet he is the model detective. Belle, from Beauty and the Beast, is only known for being kind and a fan of reading while the rest is a mystery.

However, if we met these sorts of people in regular life, we'd either tear their heads off in frustration or ignore them completely. It's awfully hard to get to know someone who's hiding behind a veil of mystery. I've tried to figure out why some people do this, and I have to admit complete failure--unless the answer is these people are auditioning for parts in movies. In full disclosure, I've used this tactic in the past to get out of circumstances I didn't like, and discovered it's really mentally exhausting to keep this up for very long.

Stories trade in mystery as part of the essentials of plot. If everything is explained and up front immediately, then why bother working through the story at all? So, yes, mysterious characters in stories are great. I love knowing Sherlock Holmes is ahead of me, or that Belle reads and loves so readily. Why should everything be explained? Life is hardly so kind, so I don't want my stories to be either. Yes, let loose the mysteries!

- M

Animals are faithful companions but also undeniable heroes.

News stories often contain stories portraying heroic animals, mostly dogs but I've also seen cats, parrots, horses, pigs, and I wouldn't put it past a goldfish or two. Normally these stories detail fires gone bad, where the pet rescued their owners, or some other dire circumstance. But, heroism isn't restricted to tragedy. I've worked in a medical setting where pets are brought in as comfort for the patients. It's incredible to see the impact of a purring cat on someone's lap, or a gentle dog sitting beside someone. Animals can be heroes simply by being around! Incredible.



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And then there are animals who bend belief to the snapping point. Dogs and cats who travel hundreds of miles to find their owners, cherished pets who remain at their dying owner's sides until help arrives. I once read a news story about a cat who dialed 911 and meowed to the operator, who somehow got an ambulance out and saved the life of the woman inside the house. It's spooky and heartwarming.

There are many reasons why people form such miraculous connections with animals, and I think the main one is because animals don't judge us. Sure, animals don't talk, but they certainly understand us. Besides, we rapidly learn to rely on each other. Our pets become part of the family, and we mourn their loss. In light of this, why is it any surprise when animals become heroes and rescue us? It seems only natural when there's such strong connections between us. That, in itself, is miraculous.

- M

Shame is a good thing.

Have you ever done something you knew wasn't a good idea, gotten caught, and then tried to excuse your way out of it? I'll bet we all have. That's an experience in shame. Hopefully nobody believed the excuse, and you accepted just punishment. Congratulations, you've learned a portion of responsibility in how to behave in life. Sadly, I've been noticing a lasting trend toward getting caught and then attacking whoever noticed the indiscretion. Sure, it's no fun being caught when you're up to no good, but the shame you feel is because you know you did wrong. Shame is a good thing. It means you know right from wrong.

In America, the concept of shame has been dwindling for many years, to the point in popular culture that it's rarely even a story point. That's too bad, because it remains one of the finest teaching tools in how to behave in society. If there's no shame, then why not do anything so long as you can get away with it? Shame gives teeth to the boundaries around us. Without it, well, let's say bullies feel very little shame in what they do.



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It's hard to encourage shame, because we feel bad and horrid about it. We don't like making others unhappy, or cause hurt, yet without it we lose a lot. It's been said that a train running wild in a field beyond the railways is technically free, but it cannot enjoy such freedom because it runs on rails. We need boundaries within which we thrive. As a society, when we lose shame we lose more than we realize. Like so many life lessons, it hurts to grow and mature. Of course, too much is never good, however, I suggest shame is generally a good thing and useful to a healthy life.

- M

Happy Mother's Day!

To all mothers, past, present, and future. You hold the hope of life in your hands. You are to be cherished, praised, and honored. Motherhood is a fine occupation, perhaps the best of them all. I love seeing the beaming smiles of mothers watching their own children--a rapturous smile if ever there was one. With all the pains and suffering which brings about motherhood, I am amazed how it never prevents fresh mothers from eagerly anticipating what is to come. Mother's are truly special.

So, yes, we set aside a national holiday to celebrate mothers. Raise your hands high and clap with all your might. We all have mothers. I hope everyone will give their mothers a big hug and say a prayer of thanks. For those gone beyond the grave, we say a prayer of gratitude and a pledge to be better. Mothers shape our lives from the beginning and on through to the end.

Happy Mother's Day!

- M

Why are families so strange?

I refuse to believe that my family is the only odd, goofy, weird, and crazy group of genetically similar humans on the planet. It's become a joke that whenever my parents come in for a visit that the weather turns foul and deadly--true maybe half the time, so pretty good odds actually. My brother flies planes, when he isn't fiddling with horses, and I write stories. Yup, we're just a normal and typical family. Maybe I should have business cards printed?

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There are so many experiences that I remember with terrific fondness, such as the summer vacation to a lake where I basically turned into a walking wrecking ball. Apparently everything I did went gaspingly wrong, just not tragically. They called me, "Thumbs." Yes, I love those memories. Or, when my brother spent a summer working with a group to build a newly designed plane called the "Angel." Perfect name for a plane, actually. I've never since met such a band of strange, odd, and curious people who blended together to create something truly wondrous. We took lots of great pictures, and I got a private plane ride that I'll never forget.

You see, family is far more than the people making it up. There's love and experience and togetherness. I understand how some are tough and harsh, but as the saying goes: we don't get to pick our families. Families are worth the trouble ... even if they are weird.

- M

Salt water is good for your health!

I've recently discovered that there are no allergies in the middle of the ocean! Woohoo! I'm moving there tomorrow. My plan is to float on a city-sized raft and enjoy blissful breathing without any stuffiness or grogginess. I haven't figured out all the details yet, but the plan seems solid and workable. I am a bit concerned about being run over by cargo ships and cruise liners, but they have radar and will avoid my awesome raft city.

See? Even dogs love salt water!

Apparently this is all made super convenient by the presence of so much salt. Sinus cavities are cleaned out by salty air, and salt is good for your skin as well (that's why people go to the Dead Sea and have a good soak in the water). Also, salt water makes floating on your back extremely easy--to the point where going for a dive is very difficult. Of course, I could also be some sort of mutant balloon-like human who's natural habitat is meant to be airborne? [note: That's fine with me by the way]

My wife understands now--especially now that she's had a chance to swim in the ocean. She'll probably love floating on the raft, without anything to do but stitch and quilt and loaf around. I'll become a tough and tanned survival man, ready to take on the world with my bare hands! I bet I'd be able to punch a shark and make it my best buddy (I'll call it Ralph).

Just think: all this from salt water! What a deal!

- M

Words have power almost beyond comprehension

In the excellent story "The Book Thief," which is also an equally wonderful movie, the point is made that words are life. Sure, why not? Words have power which is difficult to calculate. Words can cause terror or inspire hope, teach or mystify, grant wonder or steal dreams. Words build societies and tear them down. Can we really limit what words are capable of? Should we?

With all that power, it's possibly that wordsmiths are the most influential people in the world. However, life doesn't follow the same logic. Pity. I'd love to see how the world would be if the most powerful people were science fiction writers. Fun thought, isn't it? We'd finally have real hoverboards, teleporters, and flying cars!

Yes, words are useful and powerful. Becoming proficient with words is a great idea for anyone, particularly since being well-spoken is regarded as a fairly good sign of intelligence (rightfully or not, it's the way the world works). To me, though, words are the givers of wonderful stories and dreamy adventures. Because of words, we have the worlds of Middle Earth and Narnia, the universes of Star Trek and Star Wars. Philosophy wouldn't get far if there weren't people to set it all down with words that made some kind of sense.

So, for my first act as total world dictator, I decree ...

- M

Summer brings growth, warm rains, and ... allergies!

Summer is filled with life! There are blushing brides, giddy parents, flowing vines, and clouds of pollen. Well, as much as I love summer happiness, I'm among those who also loathe allergies. Actually, my allergies are the stuff of legend and I get to enjoy them all year round. Yay! But, that doesn't diminish the thrill of seeing life bloom everywhere else. Focus on the positives, that's the way to get through it.

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It's also a test of nerve and constitution to pass through such difficulty with flying colors. It's sort of nature's battleground. Wouldn't it be great if we received awards for passing? I can see it now ... everyone lines up ... then a line of hills rises up and slams everyone to the ground with a shudder. I think nature is more likely to punt us over the field goals than give out trophies. Nice idea though.

Beauty is the privilege of summer, with flowers and the bounties of the fields. For centuries we've fed ourselves because of the blossoms of summer and the harvest of the fall. Songs and poems burst from the hearts of artists with the beauty of summer. It's no mistake that we have big celebrations during this time. Summer is glorious is many ways.

I just wish allergies wasn't part of it.

- M

Ah, vacation ... followed by, uh, work ...

It's always difficult to leave something fun for anything less amusing. That's how it feels when you come back from a vacation and step back into your less-comfortable shoes and go to work. Not that work is a bad thing by any means--I like having money to pay my bills and put food in the refrigerator. Yet, it's always a bit of a culture shock to return to work after a wonderful vacation. One aspect about our personalities that makes me giggle is how if our "vacation" was actually our "work" then it would cease being fun and turn into a job. Curious isn't it?

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The trick, of course, is to change the way you view working. It's been said that if you enjoy what you do, then you won't work a day in your life. Work shouldn't be torture and pain. I wish we could enjoy toil and labor with all our hearts. We've been built to work hard, designed as great machines of production, and feel best when we exert ourselves. We tend to focus on hardships, pain, and difficulty. Change to focus on the joy and pleasure of successful work and it will become an easier thing.

So, with that settled, I'm still stunned at the transition from vacation to work. It's like being hit by a water balloon, then falling down into a mud puddle, followed by a quick crawl through thorns. However you look at it, the process is a tiny bit uncomfortable. Maybe we should just punch ourselves in the face instead? Nah. It's tempting though.

- M