Vacation

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We all need a vacation. It’s a reprieve from stress, a time to relax or to pursue an adventure in an unfamiliar place.

A vacation is a break from the everyday routine and environment. That can look different for some people. It might be a break from work and home, or a break from school and academics.

Taking a vacation depends on one’s schedule, of course. Vacation time could be built in to the year (i.e. the university calendar), the days that can be taken off from work, or it could be happenstance (i.e. if one decides to take a year off).

No matter how it looks, it has the same purpose for everyone. It’s the break we need from the routine–a time to recharge. It allows the stress, anxiety and pressure to melt away as we decompress.

A change in scenery can have a profound effect on our sense of wonder and excitement. The unpredictability and the unfamiliarity of a new environment engages us to explore, and it piques our curiosity and willingness to see and try new things (i.e. foods, stores, locations, etc.).

A vacation for some people could look like a day at the beach. It could be a trip to another city or country. It could be a hike in the woods or a hike up a mountain. It could be a cross-country trip, or a day at the museum or the zoo. It could be something as simple as spending time doing one’s favorite sport or activity, such as golf or sailing.

But it can be hard to take a vacation when our mind is wrapped up in something. It could be something that is unresolved or a creative/intellectual idea that has grabbed ahold of us. Even if we take a vacation, our mind is stuck on the thing which holds our attention.

But the point of a vacation isn’t to solve problems or to pursue creative/intellectual ideas. It’s a rest–a step back–from the stresses of life. The purpose of the vacation is to improve our mood, to make us feel positive, optimistic and happy. And then when we return to our everyday lives–we feel refreshed and renewed, and ready to face the future.

Technology and Creation

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How much easier life has gotten with the advance and innovation of technology. My ability to type this blog is owed to technology and the advances that have been made in computers. It bridges the gap between time and space, allowing communication between people to happen instantaneously no matter where they are on earth.

Technology makes it possible to share my stories with audiences, to edit my writing, to create book covers and format my books. For musicians, it allows them to record and compose music on their computers with a wide array of software, instruments, and tools. Instead of working alone on a project, one can discuss their work through video conferences, or even share their screen and work on the project together.

In essence, technology makes it possible to bring the artist and the creator out of anyone. For example, anyone can be a filmmaker, a songwriter, a writer, etc., and have access to the tools and resources to share their work or collaborate with people. All it takes is to apply oneself to create. Anything is possible.

Games in Life and in Art

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We play games to take our minds off the things of reality (unless they are a simulation for something, such as aviation). They have their own rules and logic which set the stage for the kind of game it is. They stimulate our imagination and creativity to figure out how to master the game. Even though games are removed from reality, they play a vital role in our lives as being hobbies, entertainment, or even a means of improving certain skills (i.e. memory, coordination) or our physical health.

For example, playing a board game such as chess can be mentally challenging and rewarding. A video game can be entertaining and fun, since it allows us to explore virtual worlds where we are trying to progress to the next level. Then there are sports games such as soccer and basketball, which test our physical endurance, strength, speed, and overall athleticism.

Games help us connect with people as well, either in a competitive or a cooperative way. They also help us understand ourselves better–to see what we’re capable of and how far we are willing to push ourselves to improve.

Apart from participating in games, we enjoy watching them as well. For example, people might watch the olympics, or their favorite sports game, video game, or board game on TV (or the Internet).

In art, such as in movies or novels, games can engage the characters in a physical or intellectual battle. Within the games themselves, they can have their own conflicts (i.e. the struggles of training and practice, teamwork, etc.). Or there can be stories where the games serve as the stage for which the character(s) battle their personal demons and overcome overwhelming odds. In this case, winning the games isn’t the ultimate goal. Instead, the games showcase how the character(s) triumph, as well as the valor of the human spirit.

Games have a great impact on our lives, and they bring people together in a way that challenges their mind and body. Despite the fact that games have little to do with every day life, they touch upon our creativity, athleticism, and competitive spirit.

Renewed Energy

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After I finish a novel or a short story, I feel drained. It takes everything out of me. My faculties are worn out, and my creative and intellectual energy are depleted. It feels like there’s nothing left to keep me on the path of writing.

But in time, I come back to writing. A new idea crops up in my mind, and so does a renewed burst of excitement.

The whole creative venture repeats itself, and at the end of it, I’m drained again. But I’m not drained forever, because in a few hours or days, my vitality builds up, and so does the will to be creative and productive.

It’s hard to explain, since it would be more logical to stop wearing myself out. Take a vacation–a much needed break.

Of course, all of us need a break to renew our energy, to keep from burning out or giving up. But the real question is: why do we continually invest ourselves in projects which wear us out?

There’s a spark in us that motivates us to innovate, create, write, paint, etc. This spark renews our energy–our will. It doesn’t ever seem to stop. We can never be content with what we’ve made. It would be much easier to be content with our accomplishments, but each spark reinvigorates us, and we strive for more.

Origin Stories

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I enjoy superhero films, but one thing I’ve noticed over the years is the plethora of origin stories with regards to superheroes: Batman, Superman, X-Men (i.e. after X-Men 3), and Spiderman. It seems that with every reboot, an origin story must be in the works.

Each iteration is almost the same but with differences in the cast, direction, villains, etc. It makes me wonder if in each one, are the filmmakers trying to enlighten or educate us on something new about the superheroes? What knowledge was missing from the last iteration? Did they acquire new powers or abilities? Is another origin story necessary to inform us of who the superheroes are or why they exist?

Batman went through 4 different iterations already beginning with Tim Burton, Joel Schumacher, Christopher Nolan, Zach Snyder, and now Matt Reeves (the 5th iteration in The Batman). Each director brings a certain style, and each actor brings a distinct look and attitude to Bruce Wayne/Batman. Spiderman went through 3 iterations already starting with Sam Raimi, Marc Webb, and Jon Watts. Like the Batman films, each director brought their own style, and each actor brought a distinctive personality to Peter Parker.

In addition to all the comics and animated shows on these characters, it seems redundant to retell their origin story again and again. Irregardless of the redundancies, perhaps the bottom line is to reboot the franchise for future sequels. It’s as if the storyline cannot move forward until a new cast and team of filmmakers have started at square 1. If a new cast and team of filmmakers came on board–another reboot (square 1 again).

I find them unnecessary, to be honest, since each origin story has already been told. It might look newer and fancier with the newest special effects and CGI, but it’s essentially the same story all over again.

Movie Reviews

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I used to watch movies straight away without regard to reading or watching movie reviews. I made the effort to watch them based on the simple fact of whether the trailer or storyline piqued my interest or if it was made by a filmmaker whose work I liked.

Nowadays with so many series and movies on the market (i.e. on Netflix, Amazon Prime, Apple TV, etc.), I tend to read a lot more reviews to see if I should invest my time watching them given the plethora of options at my disposable.

In the past, I used to read movie reviews by Roger Ebert, who wrote concise and descriptive reviews that were engaging and well written. Whether or not I agreed with his reviews, I found them to be insightful regarding the storyline and the film’s technical merits. But nowadays, I mostly read customer reviewers that are listed on Amazon, iTunes, etc., given how many films and shows are out there.

After reading so many, good and bad, I can get a general sense of what would amount to be an average assessment of a film. There’ll be many fans of the movie who will write nothing but good things, and there are those that loathe it, who write nothing but bad things. Then there are those who are in the middle that list the pros and cons of that film–a more balanced perspective.

But the final assessment is when we actually watch the movie. I find that more often than not, my assessment doesn’t exactly align with what most of the reviewers say, and if it does, it’s for reasons different from what they stated.

In the end, movies are subjective experiences. I don’t think words can 100% capture/summarize what that experience is since movies are visceral experiences (an experience that is the sum total of the film’s editing, acting, lighting, camera angles, etc.).

A review is moreover a reflection of what that experience was for the viewer, not so much an assessment of whether that movie is objectively good or bad. Of course, a survey can be taken with an audience to determine the film’s overall quality (i.e. an 8 out of 10 or something of that sort), but does this necessarily match an individual’s experience of the film? If one were to give a film a 7 out of 10, what’s to say that assessment is incorrect from the average?

The viewers that liked a film saw something in it that others didn’t. Perhaps they appreciated the cinematography more, or the acting more, etc. Those that disliked it might’ve been focusing on the lack of plot, character development, or dialogue instead. Each person emphasizes different aspects in terms of what is good or bad to them. They are in essence assessing the qualities that resonate with them, which in turn, amounts to a positive or negative experience for them.

Aside from plot, acting, cinematography, each person has a preference for genre, whether it be science fiction or drama, etc. They might prefer movies by certain directors, actors, or studios. For example, one person might find a period piece boring but a mystery film intriguing (and vice versa). It’s one of those things where the value is already predetermined by the viewer/audience.

So this brings up the question of why one would ever read a review if the experience is subjective to begin with?

For me, I read movie reviews because I want to see if a film will resonate with me based on what was written about it. This is more like a gauge as to whether I’ll have a similar experience. Of course, I might have the opposite experience after I watch the film.

In the end, we’re all looking for and emphasizing different qualities as to what is good or bad to us. Maybe our goal is to be entertained regardless of how well-written the plot or characters are, or we want to be moved by values that are portrayed in the story. In the end, aren’t we the arbiter for what we seek in entertainment and art? Perhaps it’s just better to watch a film and judge it for ourselves.

Intuition

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We use reason and experience to know and understand facts about the world. Logic is applied to solve abstract and philosophical problems, and we use our senses (i.e. experience) to solve day to day problems or situations that are familiar to us. But intuition falls into neither category.

First off, what is intuition? Intuition is not a means of cognition, but a means by which to navigate situations and to assess their value (or importance) that is beyond experience or reason. It’s our gut-feeling about things–a sixth sense, so to speak.

We might have a bad feeling about a situation–sense that something isn’t right without knowing exactly why. On the other hand, we might have a good feeling about a situation without knowing why either. In games or puzzles, we might make a decision despite not knowing if it leads to a win or a loss. In all these cases, it is our intuition speaking to us.

Essentially, intuition is a means of navigating the gray areas of life when there are no clear cut answers. With all the uncertainty we face in everyday life, we make approximations rather than precise calculations. In many situations, we’re under time pressure, and we have to make split second decisions, relying on our intuition.

Brainstorming

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Brainstorming is a crucial part in developing an idea for a story or a project. It’s a way to work through the premise/concept before it comes to fruition. In the beginning, an idea feels murky and unclear. It has no clear direction, but serves as an impetus–a springboard for further ideas.

I brainstorm by typing my ideas down in a blank word document. I don’t check for spelling or grammar or consistency. Usually, I don’t even go back to edit it. The point is to get my thoughts out before I forget anything.

Soon, I’ll start filling in the details to scenes and characters. The scenes will have a beginning, middle, and end. The characters start to take shape in my mind as having distinct voices and personalities. Once I finally have a vision of the story (i.e. I can picture it in my mind), I will start to work on the order of the scenes as well as the crucial moments and twists.

Brainstorming isn’t something you do in just a sitting or on a time schedule. It’s something that happens throughout the day when ideas start to randomly crop up in your mind. For example, I could be walking outside or eating lunch and I’ll have an epiphany about a scene or a plot twist. You have to be ready for the light bulb moments, and capture them on paper or type them in your phone before they disappear.

Brainstorming for some people is a visual process. They could draw a mind map, a Venn diagram, a flow chart, or illustrate the concept on a storyboard, etc. It’s a way of developing an idea and bringing the moving parts into harmony. And once the idea has been established and laid out, it’s time to manifest it into art.

Burnout

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Burnout happens when we don’t stop to rest. It’s that feeling when our mind and body shuts down after an exhausting day of work. It can happen to anyone in any profession, and when the burnout is bad, it makes us want to quit–plain and simple.

Burnout is mental fatigue–a drain on the emotional and the physical. It wears us down little by little until we’re broken. It starts off slow–gnawing away at our psyche: why am I doing this? Why does this matter? When the burnout reaches a pinnacle, we might say: I can’t stand it anymore. Why am I here?

It has happened to me more than once while I was writing. After pushing through a story for countless days, the burnout set in, and it was no longer fun to write. Writing felt more like a chore than something I wanted to pursue. Day by day, I lost motivation, and soon, I no longer looked forward to writing.

But burnouts are temporary. They’re a sign that we need a break, that we need to refuel.

Thoughts run through my mind such as: get up and go for a walk. Relax for a day or two and then return to the project. Don’t force yourself to finish fast, but take your time with it–let it be fun.

There’s no point in fighting burnout because it’ll eventually take over. The mind and body can only take so much. Overworking destroys us. It saps the joy from creative work.

Burnout is like an engine that’s overheating. Once it overheats, it can’t operate for awhile. It needs time to cool off. That’s what burnout does to us. We have to know our limits and give ourselves a breather.

Finding a Great Book

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When you find a great book, you don’t want to put it down. You want to keep reading it, and you don’t want it to end either. The world captivates your mind–makes it dance with imagination. The author’s voice speaks to you personally. It’s as if the author is talking to you directly–as if the book was meant for you.

When you find a great book, you are inspired to read more books by the same author. You want to stockpile their books and pour through every last word until they’ve been read.

And when an author writes a series, you to want read the books from beginning to end. And it all began with a great book.

To find a great book is like a treasure hunt. You’ll pick up lots of books along the way to find it. Maybe they’re all great, but which is great to you?

Sometimes you find a great book, and it takes everything out of you to finish it. It was a marathon-of-a-read–an uphill battle that tugged on your heart, drew on your emotions. Even if you don’t get to author’s other books, you remember this one. It left an impression on your mind that will last forever.