Online gaming rpgs, like World of Warcraft and other similar ones

I've played computer games since personal computers first came out (yup, I'm ancient). Specifically, role playing games have held special fascination with me, mainly due to the idea of growing your character and watching them become powerful. Without any effort there is a story that attaches to your gameplay, and it's very easy to feel like you are the character you play. Naturally, some people go way too far and get lost, but for most it's just a wonderfully relaxing way to spend some time.

Replayability is a struggle for games like this. Back in the early days, the games were mainly a one off kind of thing where you follow a big story from start to finish and that's it. Sure, they many times had hundreds of hours of gameplay, though it wasn't something you wanted to do over and over. Modern online games do have stories they tell, but after you've done it then it's only about the gameplay and interaction with other people. I've often wondered if this philosophy will change, or if the famous online grind will go on forever?

The enticing thing about roleplaying is the creation of stories personal to yourself. I love getting into character and generating stories with the people I interact with. It's fun, and there's nothing quite like it in any sort of gaming. Yes, I play World of Warcraft, and I've played many others (starting with EverQuest) though not as much as in years gone by. Creating in an environment of fantasy or science fiction is an incredible experience, and I'd recommend it to anyone willing to give it a try. Just make sure you have fun--after all, a game is just a game and not a job. Get out there and enjoy yourself!

- M

Water, water, everywhere!

I love the sounds of water: rushing over rocks, languidly rolling past logs, being pushed aside by paddles (my favorite), and general liquidy goodness. I've never really pinned down why that is, but the noise is so unique, so instantly recognizable, that it puts the sounds of water into a category all its own. Either way, we couldn't live without it and it provides some pretty fantastic settings for stories.

One of my favorite films starring water is: "Lifeboat" by Alfred Hitchcock. It's about a bunch of people stuck on a lifeboat after their ship is sunk by a Nazi U-Boat. Naturally there's mystery, but the real tension is that there is only water all around them. And, since we can only see the top of the water, we don't know what's underneath them either. It's a wonderful movie, and I encourage any who haven't seen it to find it somewhere, because it's one of Hitchcock's best.

Water places limitations on a story, sets boundaries, and forces characters to come up with clever solutions to problems they otherwise wouldn't have. And, it's another thing we can all relate to. We know what it feels like, tastes like, and understand the paranoia of being trapped under it. But, I always come back to the sounds it makes. My wife loves to fall to sleep with the sounds of a rainstorm tickling her ears, while I could sit and listen to the sounds of a gurgling spring for hours and never notice the time go past. And, it tastes so very delicious!

- M

My wife, my hero, my best friend, all wrapped together in one perfect package

Happy Anniversary darling!

There are few things in life as wonderful as someone who listens without issuing prompt judgment on you. There are even fewer people who do so and love you for it. And then there is only one for whom all judgments pale in comparison. My wife is my hero. She started off as my truest friend of all time, then my deepest confidant, and finally my companion throughout life. She is the wisest person I have the pleasure of knowing, and is as humble as they come. Indeed, God broke the mold after creating her.

Relationships are the cement holding us together in our daily lives. Without them we become hermits with bad teeth, don't bathe, and prattle on about imaginary squirrels. I don't pretend to understand how these magical connections between us get started, but I am so very glad they do. More than that even, they are important to keep us balanced between humility and arrogance. Without true friends, I daresay we'd fall to one side before too long and be of no use to anyone.

My wife has every quality that I seek to learn, has taught me how to listen, and daily shows depth of character that puts me in complete and total awe of her. I treasure her advice, and quickly discovered that when she gives it I'd better pay attention. Despite her impressive nature, she is humble and unpretentious. She is a light to be treasured, followed, and watched. I am blessed to know her, and doubly blessed that she chose me from the vast pool of suitors out there.

Happy 22nd Anniversary, the shortest years of my life.

- M

Dragons, the mythical beasts that spur the imagination

There are few creatures in history as notorious as the dragon. Beasts of fable, myth, and probably some bits of truth, they are mostly bad guys in stories. Oddly, dragons are usually ascribed a lot of intelligence, normally breathe fire and are reptilian in nature. Not all of them fly, but they all are nasty and powerful.

Probably the best known dragons are Smaug (from Tolkien's The Hobbit), Thermothrax from the Disney movie Dragonslayer (it was a stop motion project, but is still incredibly realistic), St. George's dragon, Beowulf's dragon, and the popular Renaissance dragons with their four legs and two wings. It's amazing that seemingly every culture has a version of a dragon mythology. My guess is that there is some truth at the beginning of these stories, since it is so widespread, but whatever the origins they are stimulating creatures that never cease to amaze and terrify.

With modern computer imagery getting better all the time, these dragons are being visualized with greater realism. Smaug is absolutely amazing in the new movie, but so were the dragons from Reign of Fire. I can't wait to see the dragon in the new Maleficent movie, and the trailers are giving enticing peeks at her. Despite the ages old subject, dragons continue to spark the mind and I love to see them more and more.

- M

Basketball and the NBA. Local spirit!

I've never been a big sports fan really, though I understand most of the rules and can talk somewhat intelligently about it (if not the actual teams themselves). What has always mystified me was how intense some fans can become about their teams, a fact that still amazes me no matter how much I learn. Truly it's fantastic that so many people are excited about sports and are willing to put time and effort into their fandom. It's inspiring actually.

My wife is now a huge fan of the NBA team the Thunder, from Oklahoma. It's cute to see, and I'll stay up to watch the games with her and cheer them on. Of course, it's the playoffs right now and so the stakes are higher than they otherwise would be. It's neat, adorable, and instructive all at once. The stereotype is for the man to be into sports and not the woman. I'm happy we break the mold.

All that to say, I'm enjoying it. I've rooted for various teams over the years, but it's great having my family doing it all together. There's something new to talk about (well, so long as they don't lose and then the mood is a bit reluctant), and there's a focus on a singular thing that does bring people together. I suppose that's why fans cheer so much inside stadiums--because the atmosphere feeds on itself and blossoms and grows. Sports are fun, we can all play them, and it's neat to watch people play who are extraordinarily good.

- M

Redemption

We all desire redemption in some form--for our sins, for our past, for things we've done, for things we've allowed. And, if we get it, are we sure about it? This is a theme for tons of stories, throughout the ages. We seek it out constantly, and humble ourselves when we find it. It builds character, creates depth, but also shows yearnings and longings that are so heartfelt that the audience can scarcely miss them. Look at the greatest heroes in literature, and you'll find every one found redemption at some point during their career.

When I first began writing, I wrote many short stories that had some kind of redemption as a quick theme. But, it's not really that simple. There's a process, short or long, that comes first. It can take someone an entire story to move through the process, but it must be realized in a believable manner or it won't resonate with the audience. I think that's why some stories fail, or at least fall flat. We as an audience want to cheer them on, but fake efforts are really obvious. It needs to be believable.

Of course, these are just grandiose words written by a stranger on the internet. Anybody can philosophize. Still, my guess is we keep making up redemption stories because we want it for ourselves. I know that I want my heroes humble, not bragging about their achievements or puffing out their chests. Then again, not every hero is a warrior priest. My mind goes to Odysseus, who spent quite a lot of time mouthing off about himself and yet he's still a great hero (and I love the stories about him too). However it works, redemption is a worthy of stories.

- M

Cutting edge, and taking things to the extreme. Oh, and Superman still rocks!

Over the years I've realized that there are fewer and fewer times when I want to see the bleeding edges of entertainment. There's nothing wrong with it, but for the majority of my entertainment I want nice comfortable normality. I think solid stories can be told without digging into the razor edges of the of society. More even, I believe we need more grounded stories to teach and show how we should behave rather than how certain outside segments do.

I truly believe we need stories that demonstrate strong character, guide and teach, and particularly lift up examples of true heroes (and I don't mean superheroes, but heroes like firemen jumping into burning houses to save trapped children). Those stories are out there, and they make tons of money when the public finds them--which, incidentally underlines our desire for good material. At the same time, the edges should be shown; we can hardly expect to teach without demonstrating what is out there. But, I think the focus shouldn't be quite so harshly pointed at the edge but at the wholesome.

What brought this to mind was watching a recent movie, "Superman Returns" which was hated by critics but did moderately well in the box office. I actually really enjoyed it (though, it does require knowing some things that happened during the previous Superman I & II movies, particularly the part with Lois and Clark actually being married briefly, but I don't want to spoil anything). The movie has a very strong heroic setting, and Superman is an incredible hero. Sure, the writing is a bit melodramatic, but the story is quite good and well worth watching. But, what I appreciated most was the wholesomeness of the displays of honest families. There was true respect displayed. I found it refreshing.

- M