BB-8, the newest Star Wars droid everyone wants.

BB-8 droid from Star Wars: The Force Awakens

I admit it, when I saw the previews for the new Star Wars, I actually hated the newest droid, BB-8. Well, now that I've seen the movie, I love the little guy. He's happy, loyal, intelligent, and has just enough human-like qualities to make him instantly endearing. I'm not sure droids have gender, but I'll just use the male since I'm male and I like it. Funny, I never thought they could pull off another R2-D2 without being ridiculous.

Yup, they did.

The little ball robot mimics a thumbs-up, chirps in a way sounding almost exactly like "yep", and has sounds that speak of a vocabulary without using any words (just like R2-D2 did). I'm amazed how instantly I related to the little guy and had no trouble at all falling right into line with him. I'm sure we will see him function in the same way the other droids have, with him doing little helpful things and being generally nice.

He's the only droid in focus, and that's fine since he easily fills both fun guy and useful guy. The most important part is he's likable and not in the way. He's a great part of the movie without interfering. You can't ask for much more than that.

- M

By the way, did you know it's a real toy too? One you can drive around with your smartphone? Just passing along the word...

Cartography -- ie. mapmaking

Have you ever looked at really old maps? Especially ones without North America on them. They have really interesting parts, such as the famous "Here be dragons" and vague boundaries of Africa and other areas. There was so much unknown at those times, and it's interesting to imagine how this changed as the world became understood. I wonder what it was like not to know? Going into the darkness must have taken real courage. After all, dragons were real, weren't they?

 

Do we still have that kind of unknown now? Yes, there's space and the vast areas underwater. I think we all have a primal fear of large vistas of water, because who knows what's underneath. And space, wow, it's totally empty, hostile, and filled with unexpected terrors. But, also very beautiful. The unknown is like that, I think. When you really come face-to-face with it, there's a surprising beauty to be found. Well, unless it's a zombie or some kind of space vampire or something--that wouldn't be nice at all.

 

I'd love to collect old maps. They are works of art, and relics of a bygone era. The world will never again look strange and unknown. And, there are stories hidden in those maps, secrets to find, and mysteries to solve. Mostly, they're history and I'd love to own a small piece of it. Funny, I never expected I'd want to learn more history, but I do. Truly, knowing the past helps us know the future. And, it's like time travelling, with art at your side.

 

- M

Villains are all kinds of nasty, aren't they?

The new Star Wars movie has gotten me thinking about villainy again. By their very nature, villains are nasty and frightening. But, they can also wield a pleasant face, do pretty deeds, and pretend to goodness. To me, that's the most terrifying aspect of villains--not knowing exactly who they are or what they're up to. Villains who mask themselves behind purity are especially nasty--like a friendly neighborhood dog who suddenly attacks your face.

Kylo Ren from Star Wars: The Force Awakens

The best kinds of villains make the audience squirm, however they manage it. Star Wars tends towards villains who are very up front in their evilness (although one is commonly pulling the strings in the background). When the heroes are in the presence of the villain (knowingly or not), it sets the audience on edge, because we expect something to go wrong. Tension is always great in a story, and the more the better.

 

A special kind of villain is the one who's in the process of becoming a full villain. They may be waffling between good or bad, and redemption is still a real possibility. Until that possibility is broken, the audience still hopes against hope that everything turns out well. But, when the villain finally reveals true villainy, it still manages to shock and dismay. That's the magic point, where crisis and tension jump up another level. Heroes need something to fight against, and the better the villain the better the story. Don't keep it a secret too long though, or you run the danger of loosing your audience.

 

- M

Merry Christmas!

On this festive day, I hope you all have a wonderful time with family, friends, and everyone you cherish. Remember why we celebrate and give thanks. May you all be richly blessed!

 

 

Mortal combat!

Sorry I missed last night, but I was embroiled in a fight for my life!

This isn't it, but it looks evil enough

 

Let me ask you, have you ever assembled a wardrobe?
 

I've got slivers and bumps and scratches and claw and tooth and burn marks! I swear this piece of furniture was possessed. I think there's something to that, since the instructions made me put it together upside down. Have you ever tried using a hammer while on your head? It's not easy. And, don't even get me started on turning in screws and lining up nails. Yeowch! Then, when I put it mostly together, I needed to hang the doors. That's an awfully violent process, and my feet didn't take well to it--well, I did have to lift the doors to hang them.
 

But, that wasn't everything. Once it was all together, I still had to fasten it to the wall, so it wouldn't tip over and crush me. I think the wall and the wardrobe were in on it together, because that drywall refused to open up a hole for the screw! It was uncanny. I used a spike to put a neat hole in, then tried putting in the drywall screw, and it melted and snapped in half. Hmm, no worry, I got another and the same thing happened. I pulled out a plastic sleeve and tapped it in place ... rather, tried to because the thing wouldn't slide in. Finally, I got an all metal screw with expanding sides. Hammering in that sucker took nearly everything out of me, but it worked!

 

I am victorious!

 

... except, I didn't quite put it in the correct place ... sorry, honey!

 

- M

Star Wars: The Force Awakens ... my review--with Zero spoilers

 

 

Star Wars. I grew up with it. It's one of my all time favorite stories. It formed a lot of my desire to produce my own stories, as it did for many others. I love and admire the heroes, just as much as I love to hate the villains. The story is generational, and has indeed become classic to our culture. Now, we have a new Star Wars upon us. How does it measure up?

 

I loved it.

 

Clearly, the people involved in producing this new trilogy have deep respect and appreciation for the source material. But, this is a new story, with new characters, new motivations, new enemies, and new places. This is not a rehash. This is not fan-fiction. This is a fresh, breathing, alive new universe. This movie did something all great movies do: made me care for the characters! I want to see them succeed, and when they do I cheer and when they don't I cry. Their goals become my own and I feel myself enter their world and ride alongside them.

 

I won't critique the story (every story has flaws), but I will say that as a storyteller myself, this movie hit all the right notes. It gently brought us to the point where we understood the goals and the stakes. Even the opening title crawl only gives enough to get the ball rolling (hee hee, droid joke there ... you'll get it later). As an audience member, I'm fully invested in the fate of these new heroes. Yes, this is a wonderful story that brings Star Wars to a new generation.

 

I eagerly await the next installment, because this story matters to me. I'm willing to bet you'll feel the same way. The Force has indeed Awakened.

 

- M

All things chocolate. Let us give thanks and rejoice!

Did you know today was National Dip Everything in Chocolate Day? And how dare you call yourself chocolatiers? I'm just kidding. Chocolate is one of those amazing feats of human engineering that dazzles and delights. I've seen some pretty amazing creations using nothing but chocolate. The creation of this treat is fairly simple, but there's a bewildering range and probably an infinite number of uses. It's sweet, rough, smooth, tart, delicate, and tough. All the same stuff ... chocolate!

 

Why do we like candy so much? Sure, it tastes good, but there's more to it I think. We love treating ourselves, and that goes in a big way to food. We eat to survive, but we also eat to relieve stress, share time with friends, and just because we want to--which is why I think we love candy. And, where there's demand there's supply. It's incredible to think people make their living creating and serving these snacks--not to mention entire industries.

 

We do love our comforts and entertainments. Sometimes I wonder if we do too much. I suppose it's only natural to want an easy life. It reminds me of the song from Fiddler on the Roof, "If I Were a Rich Man." Well, we may not have such a dream life, but we can certainly enjoy some fine chocolate. I personally prefer any with hazelnuts in it, especially the praline chocolate--like Nutella. Whatever your choice, remember, it's always better with chocolate. While your at it, try dipping anything in chocolate ... I'll bet it's better that way!

 

- M