Want To Feel Good...? Give Siegfried Und Joy A Chance

 Did a little Instagram surfing the other day and I came across a site. If you're familiar with Instagram, they inundate you with ads in the form of "follow recommendations." Rarely do I take the bait and check them out. I saw a site with videos of two men throwing up a sheet, holding it in place (while shaking it for effect...), then throwing the sheet aside to reveal a big surprise. It looked cheesy, and, in all honesty, it was cheesy.

I decided to click on the video and after a few moments, I was hooked.

I hit "follow" and I'm glad I did.

It's a hoot!

The site is: Siegfried & Joy and you can find their Instagram account by clicking: HERE. The men's main shtick is to hold up a sheet, shake it, then reveal what's behind the sheet to the amazement of others. Their twist on the classic reveal surprise is that they're as corny as possible. They barely try to hid themselves, and when assembling groups out of now where or vanishing existing groups into thin air, they don't even attempt to keep us from seeing "how it's done," as if that small sheet conceals the obvious from our eyes.

Just watching two over-performing men do their act is one thing (and it's a great thing...), but, part of the genius of their site is they include videos where others attempt to do their own versions of the act. The people performing the act love doing it, the spectators watching the act cheer and clap, and those of us watching the videos have a better day because of it.

I almost passed on the duo, almost moved on and scrolled down.

I'm glad I didn't. They've made me smile many times.

Never Not A Good Time...To Read "Haunted Yuletide"

 Earlier today, I was doing some web surfing when I came across an Instagram post. It was from a fellow author doing a little self-promotion. All authors know, there's nothing wrong with that. Then I remembered, I have a story in that book.

There's never not a good time to read Haunted Yuletide.

Anthologies are interesting. A few writers can get together, come up with a topic, send out request for submissions, and the stories come in. I've been part of those conversations, at symposiums, at comic cons, at literary conferences. "You know what would be great?" one of us would ask. "We should do an anthology about such and such."

"Yeah," another author always chimes in. "That sounds like a great idea!" Many times, the idea dies there, but every once in a while, it has legs and becomes an actual book that people can read, put on their nightstands and ignore, or use as a social media self-promotion topic (which is exactly what I'm doing...).

My story, All Through The House, is, I believe, the last story I had published. It came out almost two years ago. I have been derelict in my writing duties. For an author, that's unacceptable. I need to do better.

But, forget all that--I think you should pick up our little collection. You can find/buy it by clicking: HERE. Since it's a haunted anthology, it's perfect for Halloween, Christmas, and every day in between. Buy it, tell your friends to buy it, and read the crap out of it. If you like spookiness and Christmas, well...like I said... 

There's never not a good time to read Haunted Yuletide.

Did You Know You Can Grow Violin Bows In Your Garden...?

 I came across an Instagram post a couple of weeks ago. It was very informative. Years ago, I used to hang out with the star of the Instagram post, hung out quite a bit. I have many wonderful memories of those times.

It's good to see my friend again, albeit on a screen. It's good to see him continuing in the family business. It's good to see him sharing a sliver of his wealth of knowledge with the world.

If you're on Instagram, you can see this incredible video by clicking the link: HERE. I wish I could download the video on this blog, but you'll have to click the link to see it. I recommend you do just that. My friend Paul lets us in on a little secret--you can plant and grow bows for violins and other stringed instruments in your own back yard! 

That's amazing!

Yes, it's true. I know its because I've seen the proof with my own eyes. It's one of the many things most, if not all, of us did knot know. In the past couple of weeks, my wife has been busy planting vegetables, flowers, trees...neither of us ever considered the planting of bows.

If you're in the mood for something fun, give the above link a click. Even if you've never heard of my friend Paul or his family business, the short video is funny, and it will make you smile.

The world needs more videos like this one.

Taking A Danish Summer Tour--Sounds Fun...Even On Instagram

 As a fan of all things Danish, I subscribe to several Danish Instagram sites. I'd say the majority of them focus mainly on the country's capitol, Copenhagen (pronounced "koh-puhn-HEY-guhn" not "koh-puhn HA-guhn"...). Truth be told, I love those pictures and videos form a city where I spent a year of my life. I could looks at pictures of Copenhagen all day. 

One picture I saw while browsing Instagram this afternoon caught my attention. It was from the site: denmarkdotdk. It showed two bikes (I was used to seeing two bikes when I was in the country...) and what looked like a cross between Stonehenge and Easter Island. The picture had a question attached: "Can you guess today's location?"

I did not know where the picture was taken. When I lived there, I spent time in four cities. I saw a lot, but there's so much more to see, even for a country about one-fifth the size of my home state of Utah (not including Greenland, of course...). 

What interested me also was the purpose of the photo--the site is conducting a summer tour of the country and since I'm not able to visit the country in person this summer, following along via their Instagram account sounds fun. If you'd like to take the tour, too, go to their Instagram site by clicking: HERE. 

I know so much has change since I walked and drove and biked the streets and paths of that amazing country almost forty years ago (can't believe it's been that long...). Maybe, just maybe there's one thing I might recognize, unlike the picture they posted today.

Oh, the location...

It's Lolland.

That Time I Saw An Amphibious VW...

 On occasion, I'll find myself browsing the pictures and stories of Instagram. I'm not as much an active participant, but rather an observer. I have a couple of topics I follow...University of Utah and their various sports programs being one of them.

Another topic I enjoy...is following sites dedicated to the appreciation of classic Volkswagens. 

A wonderful site I follow is: oldvwclub.

Yesterday, they posted a video from Germany, a video of VW amphibious vehicles from the 1930s or 1940s.

They were beautiful.

It reminded me that in the summer of 1985, I too ran into an example of this fine vehicle. I was in Denmark at the time, and I happened to snap a couple of pictures. They're not the best pictures...sort of mid-ish/late-ish Twentieth Century photo quality. If you're on Instagram and want to check out the video, click: HERE. If you like classic VWs, you might want to give them a follow. All the captions are in a different language, but I don't care...they're special cars.

Even the ones that drive on the water.

"On Adventure With Dad"...A Fantastic Instagram Account

 Imagine, you're a new father and you're home with the baby. You get a text or a call from your spouse with a simple question, "How's the baby?"

If you're Kenny Deuss, you get creative.

And you make an incredible Instagram account.

The account is: OnAdventureWithDad, and you can access the almost one-hundred pictures by clicking: HERE. If curiosity hasn't taken hold yet, basically Kenny photoshops his child in dangerous situations and they're wonderful. Many have written about how the site came to be. To get some background, you can access one such story by clicking: HERE. 

It's amazing how some people's minds think. And because we have the miracle of the internet we have access to these people and we can see what the create, even if they live in Antwerp, Belgium, or they live in your own house.

If you're a new parent, or even if you're not, check out OnAdventureWithDad. It will/should make you smile.

They Really Don't Know Me...Do They?

 Social media intrigues me. The thought that people from all over the world (except some socialist countries--just think of the irony of that...) can interact, communicate, share interests, even engage in commerce.

But, since there is opposition in all things, there's a dark side. Anything that can be used for good will inevitably be reprogrammed and used in other ways.

Take, for example, Instagram, though I find the same thing happening with other social media platforms. Requests from total strangers to have me "follow" them are coming in all the time, but more recently, they've been showing up more on Instagram, which is interesting because I actually spend less time on Instagram than others.

I'm in my mid-fifties. I know there's a lot of bad things out there. Throw away all the other possible reasons these people--interestingly enough all young, all women--want me to follow them, and it must all boil down to one simple reason...

Money.

They're looking for money.

Not companionship as some claim, not banter, not anything but money. 

This is where I don't know if they know anything about me. Since everyone's information is most likely available to any and all who want it, any research on me or my family will show I'm not loaded. I spend very little online--even my salary is public record. I don't have a lot of disposable income to spend on whatever it is they're selling. Plus, there's the very real possibility that these people don't even exist, at least not in the form they're presenting themselves.

Maybe they're using a shotgun marketing approach--send out thousands of requests to snag a few. Perhaps. Personally, I don't really want to know or find out more. When these requests come in, I ignore them. I don't know if I get a lot--maybe a couple every other week. That might be excessive; it might be low. I have no idea. But, I do know that I'll most likely keep getting a few of these requests...

And I'll keep ignoring them...

Because I don't think they know me at all.

Decisions...

We took the family to a local eatery last week. Looking at those waiting in line, I snapped a picture and put in on Instagram. 

I thought it turned out great.

I blurred everyone but my son. He's staring at the menu wondering what he wanted to eat. This may have been the first time he ever ate there--maybe you can see it on his face. The good news is he found something he liked. Things turned out well.

I don't post a lot of pictures on Instagram...only a few this year. If you happen to follow me, you'll see this is true (my Instagram handle is: Hyggeman, if you're interested in following...). I like Instagram and follow many of my friends. I'm sure I could get more people following my account if I posted more.

Getting followers was something I used to pursue. Not so much anymore. I figure if others are interested, they make those decisions for themselves. I have friends who can number their Instagram followers in the tens of thousands. Good for them, I say. But, they have to work hard for those numbers (either that, or they are extremely good looking and people like to see as much of them as possible...). So, that's not really an option for me.

Yes, my son had decisions to make. I decide if/when I'll post any pictures on this particular social media site, and everyone out there decides what they're going to do with their time.

Decisions all the way around.

Sometimes...I Miss Idaho

The other day I was scrolling through my Instagram feed and this picture popped up.

Stunning.

Even if you don't understand the significance of the building, the singular structure, the purple hues of the foothills, and the towering expanse of the Grand Teton peak make an incredible composition...it's simply a wonderful picture of what man has made and what God has made.

It also reminded me of my childhood, which is weird, because when I was a child, that building was decades away.

I grew up in Utah, near Salt Lake City. If you're familiar with the area, you know that the state's largest populated area rests in a valley surrounded by mountains--that, and a dead lake. If you're ever lost, just look up. Depending on which mountain range is closer, you know where you're at. If you see (or smell...) a lake, you know you're close to the Great Salt Lake.

But, if you drive north a couple of hundred miles, the mountain ranges separate and I no longer find myself sure of north, south, east, and/or west. That is, until I spot the Teton range to the east.

My mom grew up in Driggs Idaho, under the shadow of the Tetons--the Idaho side (which, in my humble opinion, is the best side...). We visited there many times as a child. As I grew, we visited family in Idaho Falls and Hamer (if you know where Hamer is, you get a gold star...). To get almost anywhere in Southeastern Idaho, you've got to drive. And when you drive, you're able to see the Tetons.

When I see those mountains, I know where I am, mostly because I know where they are.

This picture reminded me of being unsure of my location as I grew up when we visited Idaho so many times. It also reminded me of good times with wonderful people, many of which are no longer with us. Man, sometimes I miss Idaho...and everything that comes with it.

May 4th...It Means Something Else To The Danes

While many in the world are celebrating all things Geek--I myself am currently wearing my only StarWars shirt and the only piece of Geek clothing I own--in a small country atop Europe looks upon May 4th under a different light.

May 4th is a day of freedom.

The Denmark.DK Instagram account (Denmark.DK) posted two pictures about the significance of May 4th for their country. Today marks the 75th anniversary of the German withdrawal from Denmark.

Back in 1986 I was told a story from someone who lived through those years of Nazi Occupation. 

And I remember the story she told me of the day the Germans left.

Jytta Svendsen was a teenager living in Odense, Denmark on 5/4/45. The Germans required all citizens of the city to line up along the main road through the center of town to watch their captors leave. As Jytta stood with the others the Germans opened fire on the people lining the street. The woman next to Jytta was hit and she dropped. Jytta ran and hid inside a drug store. She never knew what happened to the woman next to her. Just remembering her tell the story brings back the horror of her story, terrible times of history that she lived through, that she survived.

Jytta passed away, years after her amazing husband Svend left us, in the summer of 2007. I was unable to attend her funeral since it fell on the same day as my mother's. As the years pass, fewer and fewer of those who remember the dark days and the events exist only in histories.

Today Danes put up candles in their windows, the flame representing freedom from tyranny and the start of a new chapter in their millennia-long history. Sure, it's fun to put on Geeky clothes and watch your favorite Star Wars film or sharing a funny meme. But, in a small European country the heat from a simple candle warms the world and gives us all hope.

Behind Handlebars...One Of My Favorite Sites

I'm not a big Instagram participant. Sure, I'll post a Pic Of The Day on Facebook and Twitter, but I've always felt Instagram should be for better pictures, higher quality. I know not everyone feels this way, but I've tried to include some of my favorite shots.

I subscribe to many Instagram accounts from Denmark. We live in an amazing time when I can log on and see pictures of a country I love from strangers sharing what they see, and I can do it everyday. One stranger I follow has a unique perspective--basically, from behind his handlebars.

Behind Handlebars is one of my favorite Instagram sites, and you don't have to love Denmark to enjoy and appreciate it. Not only does he take wonderful pictures in his native country, he's quite the traveler and shares pictures from locations all over the world. You can access his Instagram account by clicking: HERE. Or search behindhandlebars on your Instagram app.

One shot that made me feel especially homesick was posted in June, 2018. It's a shot of Odense, Denmark, a place where I lived back in 1985. Hidden in these narrow cobblestone streets is the childhood home of Hans Christian Andersen, perhaps the world's most famous Dane. The memories came flooding back by just looking at it.

I've corresponded with the photographer only a few times. Once, I told him he must come to Utah, especially Southern Utah. I think this biker would absolutely love Slick Rock and would fully appreciate it. Apparently, I'm not the only one--another cyclist from Utah has told him the same thing. One day I'm sure I'll log on and see the beautiful Utah scenery in front of his trademark handlebars. I sure hope he makes it here.

There's so many sites out there. Behind Handlebars is one of my favorites.

Apparently...Social Media Believes I Have Bad Breath

It's no secret everything we search online, see online, or speak through our phones--online, or not--is stored, kept, accessible, retrievable. I've blogged about this before--how I mention something casually to a friend one day, and the next time I get online, there's an ad for that very thing.

Like I said, it's no secret.

Still, I find it interesting when I see this type of personal information hijacking first-hand. It happened again to me this morning.

Two days ago, I posted a subtly funny Pic of the Day picture. It contained a bag of goodies given out by the Walmart corporation for using their drive-up grocery service. We've used the service for years and we intend on continuing. From time to time, the good folks at Walmart have included a bag of stuff to celebrate a local holiday or other event. This week--Halloween.

Most of the contents were edible, but a few weren't. I thought it would be fun to arrange the edible things with something some have tried to consider edible, tried and failed and take a picture. This morning I received a Facebook comment about my picture, about mouthwash, about millennials, and their judgement (or lack there of...). I should say that I do not necessarily agree with this assessment of an entire generation. Just wanted you to know.

I responded to my friend's post, but not before noticing an ad for Listerine Ultra Clean Mouthwash directly under my friend's post. 

Coincidence?

I think not.

I closed the program. As I'm wont to do, I then opened Instagram. And what did I see? Another ad for Listerine. I decided to press my luck and see if there was an ad for Listerine on the third leg of the social media holy trinity, Twitter. I actually expected a Listerine ad to be on my Twitter feed, but it was not. Of course, the Instagram Listerine ad may have only been added after I saw the Facebook Listerine ad. Although, I'd like to think the Instagram Listerine ad was sitting there waiting for me to see it all along.

The more we look for this type of thing, the more we'll see it. Of course, there's always the distinct possibility that I actually need to use the product.

Hell From Heaven...

Last night, as we headed out to pick up our daughter, I looked west and was blessed to see another amazing Utah spring sunset. 

I snapped a picture.

It wasn't until I added it to Instagram that the words, "Hell From Heaven" popped into my head. To me, it's what the picture looked like. Those three words mean something else to me, and to several other people.

They're the words that were on my father's B-17, his plane that flew over Germany in WWII.

It wasn't until I was an adult that I found the pictures and learned a little about the plane and its crew. My father had passed some thirty years earlier. I never tried reaching out to any of the crew members then, and it's even more unlikely any of them are still alive today. Their stories and the stories my father knew have passed with them. Hopefully, one day I'll get to hear them.

When I took the picture last night, it wasn't one of the most spectacular sunsets we've had. I wasn't even sure if I'd use it for anything. But, when I posted it to Instagram, it made me think of my dad, and that made me think of his plane, and that made me think about all the things associated with that.

Hell From Heaven...it fits the picture. And I'm sure, as those kids (basically...) were flying in that rickety plane, it did fell like hell. I have so much respect for them every time I think about what they did. Thanks dad, and everyone else who served.

The Lure Of A Photograph...

*

Instagram...it can cause a lot of problems.

Case in point--an innocent-enough-looking Instagram account called @oldvwbug that shows photos of some of the most beautiful cars I've ever seen. Of course, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I happen to love cars originating from Germany beginning a few years after WWII and continuing today. Yes, I love those old classic Volkswagen cars and vans. To me, they're stunning.

So how can pictures of classic German cars cause problems? 

Good question.

Currently in our home we have two teenagers. These teenagers are not driving teenagers, but they both somewhat aspire to be so. And a couple of new drivers means the possibility of buying another car. So, why not pick up a beautiful old VW? I could let the kids drive my car and I'd get something air-cooled and old.

Oh, those cars on that Instagram account are amazing! Before I got married, all I drove were VWs. I had several bugs--some good, some crap...Okay, all had an amount of crap, but I loved them. And the thought of possibly getting one again made me smile.

That is, until I did some more thinking about the idea. Yes, VW Bugs are cool--especially in the winter. In fact, they're downright freezing. The temperatures around here are cooling in preparation for the cold and snow, and the thought of starting a bug in the middle of winter and having absolutely no heat in the thing was something I definitely do not miss. Nor do I miss windows that cannot be defrosted. There are a lot of things that I do not miss, a lot of things my current car does quite well. 

So why did I want a bug? All I can say is that lure of the beautiful pictures is pretty overwhelming. It was those darn pictures. They somewhat seduced me. They made me want something that I really do't want, or might want in the future when I can drive a VW say, in the summer and have a place to park it in a garage--two things I can't do right now.

Yes, pictures can evoke strong emotional responses and be effective motivators. I guess we need to be careful about what it is we're looking at.

* Photo used without permissiom from the OldVWBug Instagram account

If You're On Instagram...You SHOULD Follow Jordy Collins!

Back, oh...thirty-one years ago, I met a surfer from California. He was probably the first surfer I had ever met in my life. I did not meet him on the beach or in college, but on a train platform in Odense, Denmark. 

Not a lot of surfing in Denmark, though some do surf there.

The surfer was Daren Collins and he waited for me to get off a train with all my earthly possessions in two suitcases. Both of us wore suits, ties, and black name tags. For the next two months we served together as missionaries for the LDS church, and we've been friends ever since.

Unfortunately, Daren and I haven't seen much of each other in the past thirty-one years. Both of us got married and raised kids. Part of the miracle that is social media is being able to follow your friends and their families and seeing what they're up to.

And on Facebook yesterday my friend asked the digital world to help out his son, who is following in his father's footsteps. Jordy just won the Boys West Coast Champion Under 17 title and he's looking for more Instagram followers.

So, if you're on Instagram (which I know many of you are...), search jordy_collins and give the kid a follow. You're supporting a great surfer and he's posted some beautiful pictures. You know, I've never met Jordy, but if he's anything like his father, he's a total stud!

Instagram...Love It Or Not?

For years, I knew nothing about Instagram, except it had become a hugely successful app. The main reason for my lack of knowledge was because I didn't have a smart phone. I think that I could have set up an account using my computer, but I didn't.

When I got my phone I signed up and I use the app occasionally. I could use it more, of course, but there's something that bugs me about the app--it has to do with the filtering. I think it has to do with how I was raised. I felt the same way about music for a long time.

Growing up, I used to think that the better something is, the more respect they should get. I have no idea where this came from, but I remember in Jr. High, kids would like some songs that I knew weren't difficult to play (because I was learning to play instruments myself...). I've since changed my tune (see what I did there?) about this and I react more to music by the way it makes me feel. I enjoy more music now.

So, back to Instagram. I've posted the original picture and the modified picture. I like the one I adjusted--I like how it turned out. But it's not a true representation of what I saw back when I took the picture on the 20th of December, 2013. I didn't work hard to get the better shot, meaning I didn't set the camera to take an interesting picture.

Instagram did it for me. 

I ended up liking the way it turned out. Now, I need to learn to enjoy it more.