“We don’t create a fantasy world to escape reality, we create it to be able to stay.”

“We don’t create a fantasy world to escape reality, we create it to be able to stay.”
― Lynda Barry - American author, cartoonist 

          Before you dismiss the 2014 Emmy Awards Show as another aggrandizing, shallow show business fluffa-thon, delve deeper into our allure of fantasy and performance, especially when our world appears to be in a constant state of chaos.  Throughout history from our earliest ancestors cave drawings to our modern scientifically based 3D graphic designs, entertainment is more than a sitcom or mini-series, show business is a necessary form of escape.  Even the Emmy statue itself is a unique work of art- a  graceful winged  muse balancing a solitary atom representing the Television Academy's desire to elevate the arts and sciences. Moderation is key to escapism. As the obscure rock band Circe Survive philosophized, "the difference between medicine and poison is in the dose." 

     A spoonful of escapism prevents dystopia from going down. Without a sugary sweet sprinkling of positively preposterous affirmations, Mary Poppins wouldn't be so supercalifragilisticexpeali .. no? During stressful events and tragic circumstances it's imperative to refocus our attention- it's for our own survival. A shift in our thought  patterns prevents us from becoming hopeless and depressed when a situation is out of our control. Atrocities in our world continue but we can all play a part in helping  each other.  Most of us do have control over our own mind. We have the power to prevent further escalation. We have the power to prevent further damage. Now is the time to show our appreciation for beauty and pleasures great and small in our lives. What do we know of tomorrow?  Now is the time to honor the people who make us laugh, cry and contemplate.  Now is the time to show our gratitude for those who keep us informed, entertained and especially those who keep us safe.  

     One of my favorite quotes of all time was eloquently spoken by English professor John Keating portrayed by Robin Williams from "Dead Poets Society". Keating's inspirational words were soul crafted by a brilliant screenplay writer  named Tom Schulman:
  

    " We don't read and write poetry because it's cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion. And medicine, law, business, engineering, these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for. To quote from Whitman, "O me! O life!... of the questions of these recurring; of the endless trains of the faithless... of cities filled with the foolish; what good amid these, O me, O life?" Answer. That you are here - that life exists, and identity; that the powerful play goes on and you may contribute a verse. That the powerful play *goes on* and you may contribute a verse. What will your verse be? "

         

      Theater, dance, drama, music, comedy, graphics, special effects, costume and set design, audio, direction, writing  -all of the entertainment arts and sciences serve humanity in more ways than we can ever imagine. When our children choose careers in  sports, humanities or performing arts we should be as equally encouraging, elated and proud as those who pursue political science, medicine, or physics. It ALL matters. We all deserve to make our own wish. Allow your star to illuminate a new path in the universe. 

Congratulations to the Graduate. Love you, Drew.

Birthday wishes to Jack.

Peace always to my family and friends.