Laughter Remembered

[Photo by Alice Herden. – Legal use licensed via Dreamstime - August 2014]

Robin Williams made me laugh.

He left me with a smile on my face long after the punchline. Robin had a gift that made life a little bit easier to confront for the rest of us. By all accounts, he was a kind, generous, and giving person. He brought visibility to charities and causes, gave hope to those in difficult circumstances, and entertained generations of people.

Now he’s gone, and the world’s a little darker place because of it.

However, the laughter will be remembered. It’s something we can carry with us in our hearts forever. And it’s something that we can pass along to cement his legacy and continue his efforts to reach out to others.

I'm doing it, and I hope you will, too. Remember the laughter and share it. Rest in peace, Robin. Make God laugh.

 Life can be hard to cope with sometimes. My father always said, “You often don’t have control over what happens to you in life, but you always have control over how you choose to react to it.”

Unfortunately, for those who suffer from chronic depression, the desire to react a certain way isn’t so easily available as it might be for others. If you feel that life is just too much for you to handle, don’t give in to a sense of despair. There are people around you who care about you and who want to help. Let them help you. That’s what loved ones are here for.

Finally, if all else fails, and you feel you’re at the end of your rope, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. It's a free, confidential call, and there are trained counselors who care and who truly know how to help you.

Be well.

Arachnophobia

[PHOTO BY Suprijono Suharjoto - LEGAL USE LICENSED VIA DREAMSTIME - AUGUST 2014]

I killed a large spider in my bathroom today. *shivering*
Some of you might know about my fear of spiders and may well wonder if I’m exaggerating or not. But yes, it really was a large spider...at least in my estimation it was. With its legs spread out, it was about the size of a fifty-cent piece. I don’t care what anyone else has to say, that was big!

One might well wonder how I can fear spiders when one of my all-time favorite comic heroes is Spiderman. For one, Spiderman wasn’t a real spider; he was a human who had been infused with spider-like qualities and abilities. I mean, Wonder Woman wasn’t really a wonder—wait, no, she really was, actually. But there’s always Superman, who really wasn’t all that super—no, he really was pretty super, wasn’t he? *pausing*
Hm, this analogy is really much harder than I first considered. *contemplating*

Okay, analogies aside, the real issue is that I’m afraid of spiders. I realize they’re quite useful, essential creatures in the overarching ecosystems around the planet, but I find them intimidating and quite terrifying. So, I’m happy to let them have the run of the outdoors, including barns, storage buildings, and occasionally, a small corner of my garage. But inside my house, the premises are wholly off-limits to spiders! All I need is a little postage stamp-sized spider-free zone in my life from which to seek refuge and I’m quite happy.

Going back to that comic heroes theme, I’m a big fan of Spiderwoman, too. In fact, I might like her slightly better than Spiderman because…well, she’s quite an attractive woman. *shrugging* What red-blooded man wouldn’t be interested in her, right? But I digress.

Now, where was I? Did I mention that I killed a large spider in my bathroom today?

Jazzed About Rain

[Photo by Stuart Blyth - Legal use licensed via Dreamstime - July 2014]

I’m a big fan of rainy days.
It’s raining today with temperatures unseasonably cool in the lower 70s. Outside, the rain is periodically cycling between drizzle and rhythmic showers. It feels truly marvelous for this time of year. Ever since I was a child, I have enjoyed the rain, even thunderstorms. There’s a snuggly sense of comfort and relaxation associated with watching rain fall, as well as hearing the soothing sounds of raindrops hitting the window pane. It’s especially nice when clouds are thick enough to affect the outdoor light levels, giving that near-evening appearance. In my mind, it conjures thoughts of lazy days spent reading a good book while sipping tea. There are few things more satisfying than perching on a cushioned window seat while flipping pages in a book…or scrolling through a novel on my Kindle. Then perhaps a nap. *smiling*

It may surprise you to know that I also enjoy going shopping on rainy days. Though rather unusual for a guy, I like to browse shopping malls and stores on rainy days. Don’t ask me why, but in my mind there’s just something sedate about shopping when it’s raining. Of course, I especially enjoy browsing through bookstores on rainy or cold days. Granted, with my smartphone or iPad, I can go browsing through an online bookstore no matter where I happen to be, but I prefer casually perusing the aisles of an actual bookstore. Regardless of my environment, my mood is typically lighter and more carefree on rainy days. There’s something calming about the sights and sounds of rain falling; it invokes a quieter, introspective state of mind in me. And let’s not forget the soothing appearance of rainwater as it trickles down the outer surface of the glass.

I’m going to go watch the rain fall some more while I listen to the raindrops falling outside. Are you a fan of rainy days? Drop me a line and let me know. Enjoy your day!

The Frogs of Summer

[Legal use of this photo licensed and secured via Dreamstime - July 2014]

I’m a big fan of frogs, especially Kermit the Frog, but that’s another thing altogether. Sure, they’re handy little critters for eating insects, but according to biologists they’re also an excellent source of gauging environmental impact to an ecosystem. Apparently, frogs and their behaviors react quickly to abrupt changes or contamination in their ecosystem, making them excellent to serve as “Nature’s Detectors.”

However, I’m also fascinated by the various body types and colors in the frog community. It’s true that many are quite alien-looking, but some are quite colorful and artistic looking while others are actually somewhat cute and endearing. Yes, it’s an unusual way to describe frogs, but hey, I have an affinity for them. They can actually evoke a sense of personality in a certain light.

Around my house, frogs are a common sight. Not only do I live across the street from a neighborhood pond (stocked with fish, though that’s another story for a different day), but I have a number of flowerbeds around my home which are very hospitable for frogs. They’re fun to watch and they help keep the bug population down around the house. I’ve noticed that the annual June bug infestation is much more manageable with frogs around.

Part of the soft spot in my heart for frogs was formed as a child via Kermit the Frog on Sesame Street and The Muppet Show. However, that affinity carried on into adulthood, as well. A few years ago, I helped a small, ailing tree frog through the winter after he was caught in a freak ice storm early in the season. I put him in a small aquarium in my den and simulated his habitat, complete with a warming lamp and food such as crickets from the local pet shop. He appeared quite pleased and I released him back to the wild early the next spring. Needless to say, I felt really good about our time together.

Are you also an avid frog fan or supporter? Drop me a response, and if you have your own frog story, please share it with me.

The Operating System of My Dreams?

Recently, I watched an excellent, Academy-nominated 2013 film called Her. While the acting was outstanding and emotions evoked were compelling, the premise of the near-future storyline itself was especially thought-provoking. In the movie, a man named Theodore (played by Joaquin Phoenix) installs a sweeping new operating system on his computer that’s supposed to present refined artificial intelligence that interacts with the computer user. The operating system (voiced by the talented actress Scarlett Johansson) begins its independent existence by naming itself Samantha. The OS soon interacts with Theodore in a highly realistic, nearly human, manner. Over time, Samantha’s personality develops in highly nuanced fashion, eventually reaching self-realization and sentience.
I won’t spoil the film for you, but what proceeds is an emotional journey between two beings. Suffice to say, the movie made me contemplate humanity’s continued technological innovations and improvements in computer processing and operating systems development. I wonder if there will come a time in the not-too-distant future – or at least, during my lifetime – when an operating system might reach a quasi-sentient level of interaction (or simulated interaction) with people that mimics a fellow human being. Would that be a good thing, or would it merely encourage people with reclusive personalities to further withdraw from interacting with other people?
It occurs to me that there are situations or conditions where people might not have the luxury of living in areas where there are large numbers of people to interact with; in which case, having a computer-based, human-simulated entity might be reassuring for someone.
Granted, a number of films and books have examined this situation before. Consider the station computer named GERTY from the engaging 2009 film Moon starring Sam Rockwell, or Stanley Kubrick’s 1968 film 2001: A Space Odyssey in which the H.A.L. 9000 computer system serves as both human nurturer and suspicious antagonist for the astronauts. Despite a series of past examples, there are always fresh human drama opportunities available for an author to mine for future novels and films on the subject. Essentially, the human experience is dynamic and there’s always a demand by readers for compelling, emotional storyline.
Perhaps I’ll consider my own future storyline. Hmm…