Preparing for the next year ...

It's almost a new year, and so people are thinking of what they plan to do, what they won't do, and how they accomplish it all. It's time for New Year Resolutions, and measuring our past performances. Hopefully we keep things simple and realistic (so, no pledges to surf the waves of Jupiter this year), and truly plan to achieve what we set out to do. I'll be honest, I don't really make resolutions of my own--I just don't see the point--but, that might be changing. I do see value in making long-term plans (even though a single year isn't all that long, really). At least, take the time to consider what you'd like to do.

Some things are easy, like school and work and planned holidays. For me, it's the smaller things that are the most complicated. Why is it so hard to plan cleaning the garage, or seeding the front lawn, or organizing the bookshelf? It seems like whenever obvious road signs are available, then we let those set our goals for us, but when we must set our own goals it's a wrestling match we don't win. I believe that's one of the biggest reasons so very few become ultra-successful in life. People who set goals, strive to achieve them, and then set new goals, are the ones who get things done. Think about it, would you rather have help from someone who never completes anything, or someone who gets things done?

It's also tradition for a new year to bring about a clean state of affairs. It's like getting a do-over in life. Sure, it's just a tradition, but there's a great deal of truth to it. Once in a while, we need to let go of old failures, or successes, and move on to different things. A new year gives permission to do that, in a way that's as simple as a calendar. So, take the leap and jump into the new year with eyes closed, nose plugged, and feet braced. Who knows? Maybe you'll land in a pool of strawberry jam ...

- M

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

In these days of joy, presents, food, and family, take time to remember the fortunes we have. No matter how small, count your blessings. Hug your loved ones. Re-form old friendships. Spend your time generously, be miserly with your criticisms, and give hope a merry place in your heart.

Pray for those suffering, grieve with the mourners, honor sweet memories of your fallen. Tears of joy and sorrow flow equally well. Pay attention to the special moments, and don't let old grudges fester. Let this be a time of celebration for the prospects of new beginnings.

Most important, remember why we celebrate: our Savior's birth.

- M

Special memories are worthy creations

There are times when you don't want to forget even a single aspect of something, such as: baby birth, your wedding, meeting a long-lost friend, birthdays, holidays, vacations, and the list goes on. The reason we do this, is because all we can really carry with us in life are our memories. No matter where we go, no matter how lost we become, no matter how old we get, memories remain with us. The really special memories are like glittering jewels, and we take them out from time to time just to peer inside and relive something wonderful.

image credit

When my children were little, we actually had a complete whiteout blizzard (yeah, living in the southern United States, snow is special). My wife and I bundled up the kids and we walked through the snow, to get hot chocolates at the nearby gas station. The kids hated it, but I told them all to focus and fix this event in their minds, to form a long-term memory. Guess what? Today, they do remember, and remember with great fondness and joy. It's a treasured memory for them.

Why do I bring this up? Well, with the Christmas holiday in the next few days, I hope you will all find new special moments to seal into treasure boxes inside your memories. Gifts, food, and music is all wonderful, but really grab onto the times with loved ones. Capture those events. Ingrain them into your long-term memory. Realize the importance and make the effort to pay attention. Life is far too short to miss the really good stuff. Take a few seconds away from your busy schedule, and stoop to smell the flowers you pass on a daily basis.

- M

Addressing the audience directly.

Why is it so rare to smash the barrier between the world of story and the audience witnessing it? It's called, "Breaking the 4th wall." Back in the times of open plays, particularly Greek plays, it was common for the "chorus" to directly address the audience. It was a useful method to give exposition and provide transitional moments. Modern storytelling doesn't do this often anymore, preferring to maintain the illusion of story at every turn. In fact, breaking the wall is so extraordinary that when it is done, there's special attention drawn to it.

Is it wrong to address the audience? No. Does it break the immersion of the story? Probably. However, it also can increase immersion if done well. Narration falls into this second category, as it's similar to the Greek "chorus" and tells information without shattering the wall. To me, having the wall broken is jarring, stunning, and sets me on my heels. It takes a bit to recover from it. In movies, if the actors look directly into the camera's eye, it's like they're acknowledging they're inside a story and none of it's real. Blammo, no immersion.

Of course, rules are meant to be broken. If it works, then go for it. Storytelling isn't an exact science, and is based fully in the realms of feeling. The best crafters of tales somehow know exactly where to push, how to pry, and when to pull. However it's done, I absolutely love a good story. If it takes poking me with a stick and shouting, "Boo" directly in my face, well then I say go for it! My favorite is at the very end of "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" where the main star tells the audience to go home. Brilliant!

- M

Anticipation is hard to contain, especially pertaining to Star Wars.

I love the Star Wars movies, having watched them since they came out, and even have the ones people would rather forget. The new Episode 8 is coming out this week, and I can hardly wait. I've noticed reviews coming out already, though I've studiously ignored them completely. What really astounds me is how many contain full spoilers of the movie. Why do that? After all, the idea of a review is to educate, not spoil, the movie.

My hopes are that the story will continue in a good way. I don't mind old plot points being reused, or even seeing the old cast. What I hope is to experience a fun and engaging story, with space action and space guns and space twists. It's an adventure, but with laser swords. I try not to push my expectations overly high, because no story can possibly achieve legendary status on demand. Let it be fun and I'll be happy.

Disney has enormous plans for the Star Wars universe, including many spin-off movies and possibly another trilogy. Well, if the public wants it, then sure. My fear is that the story will lose its central position, and fan-service will take its place. Yes, fans love seeing their favorites on screen, but if there's no reason for it then the display falls empty in its own stewing juices. Create new worlds for us to experience, new characters to love, and especially new villains to make us quake in fear. Keep moving forward ... we'll hurry to catch up.

- M

Batman versus the Joker ... why are they still at it?

Batman fighting the Joker has become part of American culture, even more so than Superman battling Lex Luthor. My question is, why? The Joker is a horrible person, utterly vile, completely wicked, and excruciating to be around for any length of time. Yet, the public can't get enough of Batman fighting this singular villain. So, let's examine it for a moment.

Batman versus Joker
image credit

Batman wants to redeem people, while Joker wants to corrupt people. Batman won't compromise for any reason, while Joker is seductively flexible. Batman has rules, the Joker doesn't. Batman is the yearning to overcome any obstacle, Joker is the lunacy lurking within humanity. Joker is almost literally Batman's internal darkness come to physical life, revealing what Batman would become if he lost control completely. Batman against the Joker is a modern day retelling of the story of Jekyll and Hyde.

Certainly this struggle hasn't always been depicted the same way, but it's interesting that no matter who is writing the stories, the tension between Batman and Joker remains the same. There's an inherent understanding of what drives them both. Very simply, it's hope versus despair. Sure, Batman isn't a saint, but he's a morally driven hero, struggling to do good despite the wickedness around him. That's probably why people are drawn to Batman, because his struggles are similar to our own (though amped up to superhero proportions). The Joker is chaos and vileness personified, with the single goal of corrupting any good thing he finds.

This is why I love comics so much. Like no other medium, comic books have delved into the very nature of who we are and what makes us good or bad. It's an important study. Plus, comics have given us stories that have survived the test of time.

- M

Christmas music is the best part of the year.

I love Christmas music. In fact, I regularly listen to Christmas songs throughout the year. I've never felt tied to seasons for my music, and Christmas music is inspirational and heart-warming. I love them, even the silly ones like "Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer." Yup, even the hippo song. It's great music anyway, but I love having my heart filled with encouragement. Life is tough and hard, so why not freshen it with goodness?

Plus, much of holiday music is made purely for fun and good cheer. I enjoy listening to stuff that makes me happy, gets my feet moving, or raises goosebumps on my arms. Music is like a wonderful story you can experience over and over and over. There's incredible power in music to heal, comfort, and inspire. I find holiday music is especially good at that.

Sure, Christmas could become boring and over-used, but it's like the movie, "It's a Wonderful Life," and is perfect at least once a year. Let yourself experience the wonder all over again, and listen with fresh ears. Break out the Christmas music and smile. It's a wonderful time to be alive.

- M

I woof you! Here's a gift ...

For Valentine's Day, my wife bought me a little stuffed animal dog, with the phrase, "I woof you!" on its side. I have it sitting at my desk. It's colors are ridiculous, it's a dachshund--so is wildly stretched--and there's a crazy smile on its face. The whole thing is silly. And ... I cherish it. My wife searched, found, and purchased this stuffed animal, for the sole purpose of giving me a token of her love. Of course it means the world to me.

image credit

Have you taken the time to give a gift of love? They don't even need to cost anything. Remember when you were young, and you made something out of a stick and gave it to your mother? She adored it, right? Yup. When we grow older, we still like getting those stupid little tidbits. Maybe it's because it demonstrates that you were actively thinking about the other person, or just that we like getting presents, but there is a lot going on beneath the surface emotions. I think it comes down to needing to be important to each other.

For some reason, there are those who disparage and put down these simple tokens of affection. I don't understand it. People want to give them. People want to receive them. Are the complaints real, or just sour people who haven't gotten any? Even at work, a simple gift is a huge gesture of friendship. Never underestimate the power of a yellow highlighter, or a can of soda pop. Find something unexpected and give it away ... who knows where it will lead.

- M