Snuggle up to some good books ... mine of course!

During this uncertain time of illness and tragedy, we all need something to slip our minds into a better place. We need good books. We need some escapism. We need fun back in our lives.

My Erahsil fantasy trilogy is perfect for such times, if I do say so myself. These three books are full of hope and overcoming obstacles, and naturally heroes and villains. The stories are filled with enough imagination and twist to please anyone. Yes, they are labeled as a Young Adult series, although I feel the stories are for anyone willing to let their mind drift and be care-free once more.

In short, Phaedra, a girl finishing high school, and later Craig, also her age, battle to save the world of Erahsil from destruction. It's at first an unwilling mission, but quickly takes them on a journey that will see them save two worlds.

I love fantastical creatures and magical places, so I've filled Erahsil with all those aspects. My readers tell me they really enjoy it and I hope many more will experience the wonders of Erahsil.

You can find all of my books at Amazon, here.

Erahsil, book 1,    Erahsil, book 2,    Erahsil, book 3.

May you all be blessed and stay warm and healthy.

- M

Are you ready for another holiday get together?

Family times are loads of fun, especially for the parents who set it all up. When I was a kid, I hated these things; I didn't know any of these somehow relatives, I didn't want to drive in a car for hours, and I sure didn't want to be uncomfortable for hours turning into days. But, now that I look back, I value the travel and seeing far-away places (like Colorado and Florida). Because of these trips, I have a greater sense of family and the world in general. However, these realizations didn't happen right away, and took a lot of years to actually come to my attention.

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So, for the most part, these holiday gatherings are a time to play outdoor games and eat good food. If family gets in the way, just smile and behave yourself, answer whatever goofy questions are asked and move onto something else as fast as you can. Trust me, in the far future, you'll appreciate these memories. It's even possible that a little bit of fun will weasel its way into the festivities. Who knows? Maybe you'll even have fun.

As for the food, that's my job on holidays. I love cooking outside on the grill (even though I'm now using a propane grill instead of a flaming charcoal pyre of burning doom). I'll cook steak and hot dogs and sausage and chicken and anything else we can think of putting on there. It all tastes extra great from a grill. Also, it gives me a fantastic reason to be a curmudgeon and ignore everyone ... I only joke, I'm happy to talk and laugh with anyone willing to brave the flames. Heh heh.

- M

Playing in puddles and laughing at chipmunks

Children have fun as a matter of duty and pride. They will thoroughly engage themselves in the study of rocks and tea parties, laughing all the while. Then, they grow up and strangely lose that same pride. What is it about life that makes us all so dull? Having fun seems like a chore, a bother, and even troubling. But, have you watched chipmunks eat? Have you stepped in a puddle and paused to watch the ripples? Have you petted a bumblebee?

Chipmunks stuff food into their cheeks as they eat

I think what's remarkable about how children view the world is not their continuous questions and awe, but their ability to ignore all the heavily important parts we adults focus on and instead turn to finding anything fun in their immediate vicinity. They'll get excited about blades of grass! It's incredible. Adults usually roll their eyes and tell the youngsters to get moving, but what's wrong with being amazed? Yes, adults have totally different priorities, however we also need to remember to enjoy the life we work so hard to maintain. Work is only half of the equation; play is the other.

When you do something for enjoyment, plan on having fun! If you do something, do it with all your heart and soul. Take this phrase to heart: "Work hard, and play hard." There are few better mottos. If it's sports, then rave like a lunatic, if it's a dance, then flail with abandon, and if it's love, then pour your passion into every glance. Fun, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder, so why let someone else take it away? Go out there and skip in puddles and laugh at the silly chipmunks!

- M

Stories about games you've played with friends are the absolute best kind.

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Have you ever played a game with friends, and then wind up telling stories about the game for years to come? Maybe it was a board game where everything went hilariously wrong, or a video game where you all had a marvelous time, or perhaps a hand of cards that gave commands to each player? Whatever the game, I think the best part of playing with friends is the magical stories you share later on. It's simple to resurrect all the laughter and good cheer with a few words, then share new experiences as you relate more about the game.

People love to connect, and they yearn to engage and extend those friendships. We learn to play as children, but also never quite get over the urge to cut loose and play. Fortunately there's plenty of stuff to choose from. And, like all adult toys, you can spend lots of money if you want to. Well, in my experience there aren't many adults interested in a game of tag or some dramatic keep-a-way. Adults don't like being silly, feeling stupid, or socially awkward. However ... if you'll open yourself to new opportunities, there's a world of fresh moments to share with friends.

For me, I can talk for hours about past gaming experiences--and, no, it doesn't even matter if it was only tic-tac-toe. I love reliving those times and keeping the memories alive. That's why games are so important. Games can inspire, transform, redeem, and glorify your life. Am I being poetic, sure, but I believe there's at least some truth to it. We wouldn't put so much effort into games if they weren't important. Go for it and try one out today.

- M

Honking your nose and other silliness

One game people love to play with children around here is to "honk" their nose, or even steal their nose. You gently pinch their nose between the second knuckles of your middle and ring fingers, then make a popping sound and pull away. Quickly stick your thumb in the same spot and let it poke out. There, you've taken their "nose." It's all silly, of course, and I doubt any children actually believe it, but it's fun for everyone. Sometimes, it's good to throw your brain away and let yourself laugh.

My girls, playing in the mud, as all kids do.

I absolutely love slapstick comedy. I grew up on Laurel & Hardy, Jerry Lewis, Red Skelton, and many other marvelous physical comedians. However, you can't think overly much about what's going on, or the fun is destroyed. How could anyone slip on a banana peel? Do legs really fly up in the air when you fall down? Nobody can take a hammer blow to the head and laugh it off. Doesn't that hurt? Yeah, leave those questions behind and just go with it. The ultra popular British comedian "Bean" is a modern example--his antics make very little actual sense, but are so overwhelmingly funny you can ignore the logic and play along anyway.

Children are the masters of this, probably because they don't have fully developed senses, see the world through innocent eyes, and don't have much logical maturity. You can learn a lot by watching children play with other children. The games they create are dazzlingly complex, ridiculously simple, and span whole universes. Even more, children can make a game out of anything. Go on, try to stump any child with seriousness, and you'll find yourself scratching your head in bewilderment. Well, there's only one thing for it ... jump in with both feet and let the fun overwhelm you.

- M

Fun with water, so break out the Super Soakers!

I love Nerf guns and water pistols. It's the kid in me, sure, but there's something instantly enjoyable about running around and pretend fighting. Nobody gets hurt (unless they twist an ankle or run into a wall), and everyone has a grand time. I think the best part is losing. Truly. You get wet and pounded with foam darts, but you're the one having the most fun in avoiding it all. It's all how you look at it. If your goal is having fun, then don't ignore the places you find it.

I know it's not a water balloon, but it's such a funny expression!
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Maybe that's why adults lose the ability to play? Well, adults do have the most expensive toys, but those aren't normally the kind you want to lose or break. There's a primal joy in having fun. Deep down, we want to laugh and enjoy life. No matter how stressful life becomes, it's great to cut loose. Comedians have used this principle for all of human existence, by shining the light of ridicule on the wealth of human foolishness. Then there are the physical slapstick sorts, who remind us how funny human beings actually are.

Modern technology has created incredibly powerful water squirters and foam throwers. One Christmas, my family had a bunch of them and we had little wars for months. It was great fun! Oddly, I felt pride that my wife and children played with such abandon. It was like being a kid again. Yes, anyone can play with foam darts and water balloons, trust me. Now, go out there and have some fun!

- M

Happy surprises are still the best

As children, we love being surprised (think of the game Peek-a-Boo). Yet, we continue this love throughout young adulthood and into old age. Something about being surprised makes us electric, filled with energy, and eager to have more. I think that's why we give gifts, and why we deeply desire a specially selected item (rather than a gift card). Sure, the gift card is more practical, as we can buy whatever it is we actually need, but we want a surprise gift. It's the adult version of Peek-a-Boo.

Even animals play Peek-a-Boo
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Surprises come in many forms, such as: happy scares, prize boxes, marriage proposals, grandchildren, new foods, roller coasters, and books. What we find good and great varies by person, of course, but generally speaking they are desirable nice things. On the flip side, bad surprises are typically tragic and horrid and we label those "bad news." Sure, it's semantics, but I rarely hear surprises labelled as anything bad. Maybe it's because words do carry deep meaning for society, and we are loathe to move preferred words into other areas.

I think we never quite lose a baby's fascination with Peek-a-Boo. True surprises are frustratingly rare, and when we find them we adore the experience. I've found myself recommending various activities, solely on the idea that people will be amazed. Sure, I'm a big kid, and I believe everyone should have the joy and fun and excitement derived from great big surprises. Why do we ever stop seeking the experience? Are adults not supposed to have fun? Bah. Let your defenses down and bring back the joys of childhood wonder.

- M

New gadgets are like birthday presents any time of the year!

I'm a computer nerd, so I especially love electronic gadgets. Phones, automatic cat feeders, e-book readers, pencil sharpeners, and basically anything that goes "whizz" and "zoom". The oddity is my phone. I use a computer for messaging and basically everything, so getting a phone for me was never a priority. I'm happy with a flip phone. Well, my wife couldn't stand it and got me an actual smart phone (hardly a fancy one, but suitable).

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So, now I'm tickled with a new gadget to tear apart and put back together, lots of new fizbang stuff to mess with, and essentially a new toy. It's great! What's even better is how I basically can't do any real harm to the device, unless I drop it off a building or run it over with my van. Also, I am now officially part of the 21st century. Yippee!

Of course, without electricity these will all become paperweights. It's easy to take for granted the ability to plug a device into the wall and get power to it. There are plenty of other things we never consider either, but I won't make you feel bad (or me). Suffice it to say that our generation is blessed with incredibly powerful devices of luxury hardly dreamt of in years past. Imagine what H.G. Wells would think of our society? His brain would explode.

- M

I like hats. Especially work hats.

For some reason, hats have an important place in my life. I love seeing my wife wear baseball caps--she looks so cute in them--and I have a habit of wearing a cowboy hat as I write--showing my children that daddy is working and shouldn't be disturbed. I had a nifty hat that I wore at the camp where I met my wife. And, hats keep the sun off my face, so I don't get sunburned. I don't personally wear a hat a work, but there are many professions requiring them, such as construction. The phrase, "I wear many hats," describes someone who performs many varied jobs or tasks. Although, the phrase does usually get used to say the person is overworked and stressed. Well, phrases come and go.

When I was little, I loved the official firefighter hats and construction helmets. They had a kind of flair to them, and hinted at glorious adventure. As an adult, I don't see things the same way, but the hats are still interesting. What's really incredible is the amount of technology and money spent to create the hats! Particularly sports helmets are unbelievably pricey. What incredible inventions they are.

But, I think what catches my fancy about hats are how unique many are. Everyone wears hats in a different way, decorate them uniquely, and adjust them with their own flair. Like socks, hats are a statement of who you are deep inside. Or, I'm just being poetic and simply love hats ... you decide.

- M

Movie review: Spiderman: Homecoming

Spiderman: Homecoming

Since this movie has been out quite a while, I won't worry much about revealing plot details, so ...

*Spoiler Warning*

Okay, so let me begin by saying I loved this movie. It's fun, it maintained my attention, and especially it captured the joy of being a youthful, naïve, and starry-eyed superhero. Also, the villain truly challenged and threatened the hero. It worked well as a self-contained comedic story.

This Spiderman is really trying to do right, to make his way in the world, and is desperate to prove himself. He helps old ladies with directions, stops a bike robbery, and leaves goofy notes (something I did when I was a kid too). He is a 15 year old super-powered boy, and acts like it. However, he is also wanting to be a part of the Avengers, so he pushes too hard and that gets him into trouble--and easily provides the conflicts for the story.

Regarding the villain, The Vulture, he is easily my favorite villain in the new Marvel movies. This is a regular guy, with a flying winged suit. And, yet, he is easily capable of destroying Spiderman whenever he wants, and he makes it very clear he has absolutely no issue with doing so. Also, the villain has his own peculiar moral code, which prevents him from releasing his knowledge of who Spiderman actually is. Because of all this, the Vulture is terrifying and real. When the big reveal of Spiderman's love interest actually being the daughter of the Vulture happens, the air is rife with tension and we understand exactly why Peter Parker is forced to break so many of his promises. Then, when the Vulture directly threatens Peter, we are horrified and truly worried for him and anyone he cares about.

The biggest point I'd like to make is how Peter Parker is walking the same path seen in Iron Man 3 (a very under-rated movie), where Tony Stark learned he is still a superhero even without his fancy armor. Now, Spiderman has never relied on fancy gadgets--until Tony built a spiffy suit for him--and then it's taken from him. He is forced to grow and mature, to use his natural abilities, and not rely on toys. Because of this, Spiderman has a clear personal arc, and ends the movie miles beyond where he started. He is a full superhero at the finish, without question in his own mind or anyone else's. That's fantastic! Incidentally, Marvel has since done the exact same thing with Thor in Thor: Ragnarok.

Yes, Spiderman makes plenty of mistakes in his journey, but he ends up making the right choices. We are witness to his maturing, his defeats, and his victory. That's a great story.

I highly recommend Spiderman: Homecoming. Get it and enjoy it!

- M

Happy candy day!

Today is an eventful day of the year. Both my father and father-in-law have their birthday today. This is Reformation Day. And, we hand out loads of candy for Halloween. Pretty fun all around.

Enjoy the candy!

- M

Game Time! Get the popcorn, the board and pieces.

I grew up playing board games with my family. Not only did we develop great people skills, but also sportsmanship, analysis, bartering, theft, cheating, and competitive pouting. I admit it's mostly just fun and laughs, because we never took things too seriously. It's kind of tough getting upset when a toss of dice doesn't go your way (though, it's not unheard of). Remember to let competition be less important than fun, and you will all enjoy yourselves.

My favorite games are in the strategy genre, like: Stratego, Risk, Othello, Chess, Checkers, and sometimes Go. Sadly, those games take a lot of time, so I don't play them much. What really works well are the quick card and dice games. The more the merrier. If you can get four players, nearly anything will work, but get a gang together and you can play more complex games with teams. I love those types of setups. There's more mature games, such as spelling, dictionary, story, and trivia. These limit your players to certain ages and above, so it's tough for children to play as well.

When our whole family gets together, we do our level best not to be too competitive, but who am I kidding ... I want to stomp everyone into the dirt and dance on their ashes! Hee hee, hah hah. I will rule everyone! Ahem, that is, I enjoy myself entirely and under no circumstances will I belittle anyone at anytime ...

If you haven't had a family time where you play games, then you need to plan it right now. These times are cherished memories for me, and I can't imagine my childhood without them. I regret how in my own little family, we don't try hard enough to gather and play. Well, perhaps I can change that. It's well worth the effort, even if I don't win.

- M

Stuffed animals are fun

With the state fair over, I've had some time to reflect. I realize the games at the fair are not strictly honest, but the prizes of stuffed animals give far more joy than they are worth. My youngest daughter was beaming from the two she had gotten. I love seeing such smiles, because they transcend any typical smile and radiate absolute happiness. It's a special kind of thing, and I've seen it many times from the ridiculous trinkets games provide as winnings. Stuffed animals are little slices of joy.

What other things make us happy, despite their seeming uselessness? Well, flowers for one. You can get a kiss by giving a girl a nice rose. When I was in high school, I made a bunch of plastic cubes which I glossed to a high sheen--my parents kept them, for apparently no other reason than I made them. Parents are renown for treasuring anything their children create. I have a bottle of ocean water, as a memory of a wonderful vacation with my wife. The saying, "One man's treasure is another man's trash," is completely true.

Back to stuffed animals, little children particularly love snuggling with them at night. It's adorable. Like pets, stuffed animals are things children get to take care of, play with, and teach. Watch little girls doing tea parties with their stuffed toys and you'll understand what I mean. Stuffed animals maintain an innocence we lose as we age, and winning them at the fair is like capturing a bit of that again. I think it's wonderful.

- M

Time for a fair ... state fair that is.

I love state fairs. When I was a kid, we would trudge down, spend far too much on tasty pastries, and enjoy a free concert or two. One of my very special memories is enjoying a concert from a man of many voices. He pretended to shoot the rafters with a six shooter, rolled wooden doorknobs down the stairs, did a fantastic impression of a locomotive, and entertained with his hilarious stories throughout. Apparently he was the sound effects for the Disney movie, "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" (storm sounds, wind noises, and lightning, etc.).

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Depending on my mood, I'll either enjoy the games or become very frustrated. Usually I won't play them anymore ... not because they're rigged (they aren't cheating exactly, but are still insanely difficult to actually win). Mostly, I enjoy watching the people interacting with others. Also, there's lots of shopping to do, and even I can find interesting things and trinkets. It's a good thing I don't bring much money, because I could spend a lot on stuff I don't actually need--that goes for the fried butter and funnel cakes too.

My wife is entering her quilts into the fair, so I'll surely go see those. It's neat to see how she has grown in confidence, and isn't afraid to put her work out there for others to critique. Takes a lot of guts to do that. If you've ever gone to see what people enter, it's absolutely stunning to see the variety of arts represented, and the wide variety of talent. Last year we could have spent several days just looking at the arts and crafts section, but there's also food, beverages, collections, and on and on and on. Whatever you enjoy, I'm sure you'll find it at the fair.

If you can, I urge everyone to attend your state fair. It's all good fun! Did I mention all the rides and other fun? ...

- M

Happy Labor Day!

So, in celebration of Labor Day, we take a day off and work at home ... strange, but that's what we do. Oh, that and watch lots of sports and eat chips and salsa. It's all in good fun. Enjoy your day, you've probably earned it ... hopefully.

Happy Labor Day

- M

p.s. On a much more somber note, please pray for Texas and the major disaster that has befallen them. They can use whatever aid you can send.

Dance the night away!

I can't dance. Sure, my knees don't support much flailing around, but I could still do something. Sadly, I have never learned. However, I can do a pretty awesome imitation of a beached fish. Or, maybe a crippled bear. Whatever the animal, my dancing is not coordinated in any manner known to science. That's okay though, because I have fun anyway.

Why are we so serious so much of the time? I suppose it's always been that way, otherwise there wouldn't be comedians. But, at least we can laugh at their jokes and see the world for the ridiculous place it actually is. Laughter is contagious. When you're around people having a good time and sharing their enjoyment, it's really tough to be sullen and moody. Put a bit of light into someone else's life, and laugh along with them.

Some of my very favorite movies are old-time comedies. Some have nearly no plot, make very little sense, and I'm not sure even have a conclusion. It doesn't matter. I want to laugh and have fun. I miss that element in modern movies. Even comedies are too serious these days. I want more mindless, goofy, family-friendly hilarity. Or, I could just dance and let my children laugh at that. It's all the same in the end, isn't it?

- M

Sometimes I just want to turn off my brain and enjoy a good action film.

In movies there are "summer blockbusters" or so-called "popcorn movies" which are fun, action-filled, films with flimsy plots and lots of grunting. They are pure escapism. If you try to dissect the story, or search for hidden meanings, you'll end up either very disappointed or aggressively confused.

Goofy blockbuster movies are fun, mindless, entertainment which may or may not have actual depth to their stories. Why demean this form of enjoyment? I sure have in the past, but my best friends taught me not to be so stubborn and judgmental. Due to those lessons, I hope I've become a much better man and kinder and nobler and more magnificent and wonderful and all around a fantastic kinda guy!

See what dumb action movies can do for you? It's miraculous!

- M

Seriously though, there's no need to disregard the silly or absurd. There's great value in being goofy. Comedy dwells in the realm of the curious. Children's tales are filled with the fantastic. And wisdom comes from all quarters. It's only the truly foolish who ignore everything.

Hot potato, hot potato, whoops.

Do you enjoy games? I sure do. Be they computer games, board games, puzzles, mysteries, or anything else I can find. Imaginative games are especially fun, although I do love good strategy too. Kids and adults treat games differently, sometimes wildly so, especially in regards to victory. Children mainly want to understand how to play, have fun, and perhaps win. Adults are either completely apathetic to it (playing only because their kids want to) or savagely competitive.

Why do we change the way we play? Does maturity temper fun? Do we need to be "adult" even in the games we enjoy?

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I've watched my wife play gams, and am astounded by the way she can totally enjoy herself no matter the game or how well she's doing in it. I do my best to emulate her, but find I'm way too competitive to pretend for very long. Games should be fun, otherwise why bother to play? Actually, games teach good sportsmanship, both in winning and losing. Games are like pretend wars, without the threat of death and harm. Pretty amazing for a game, isn't it? So, why fight so hard to win?

Try playing a game just for fun. Try to win, sure, but don't let it consume you. Maybe there's a bit of child in us all, yearning to have a bit of fun without the worries of adulthood. Take it like a vacation... a vacation from your problems.

- M

Be very, very quiet ... I'm playing an awesome game.

I've enjoyed stealth games since the original "Thief." Now, there's a new one in town, "Horizon Zero Dawn." Basically, it's a girl with a bow and arrow versus robot monsters. Woohoo! Since it's an open world environment, there's plenty of danger all around and you'll find yourself doing things very carefully a lot. Patience is a key factor, since the actual chances of being discovered are fairly slim. Still, I'm glad to see a new game using good stealth mechanics.

I do have to wonder why stealth is so easy now? The old games were brutally tough (which probably wouldn't go over so well these days), but rewarded not only patience but foresight and imagination. Chances of winning on the first try were basically zero. There was a true threat of failure on a consistent basis. I miss the danger.

And that brings up the question of why games are either fairly easy or impossibly difficult (such as the Dark Souls games). What happened to pleasantly hard? With tough games, the likelihood of playing through again rises--because you want to show how good you now are, by repeating the game with fewer dying moments. This still happens, but it's somehow not the same. I loved ghosting a whole level in "Thief" without ever being spotted. That was some great fun!

- M

Gadgets, Tricks, and Toys

Being a technological kind of guy, I love stories with neat gizmos for the people to use. James Bond stories are like that, but I'm thinking of almost any science fiction tale. Technology can make ideas pop and sparkle, though the toys can also take over if you dwell on them overmuch. I suppose it's a fine line to tread, but it's so much fun! As a young boy, I wanted to experience all the hopes of future technology that I could get my hands on. I couldn't get enough.

Ancient stories also used the same principle, though it often amounted to "Deus ex machina," or "god from the machine," which supernaturally assisted the hero and solved desperate problems. These days the concept is considered a cheat, such as having someone suddenly find a gun to protect themselves when no such device was ever established. It decays suspension of disbelief for it to happen too often. Provide too many nifty gadgets and the audience will stop believing the heroes are in any danger at any time. Without that tension, the story falls flat.

Despite the dangers, fancy tricks and technologies are fun to play with. I can't be the only one who waits breathlessly to see the newest James Bond, or Batman, or Mission Impossible gadgets. Most times the things just make tasks easier, like a fancy grappling hook or glass cutter. It makes me think of a wonderful moment during "Batman Begins" where the Batman tosses a spy scope he was using to a little boy. Yup, I wanted to be that kid. Inventing new technology is fun for everyone and I can't get enough of it!

- M