Happiness vs Pleasure | Health & Lifestyle

In the modern world, we tend to confuse happiness and pleasure. These are not the same thing and one of them does not lead to the other. If we believe that pleasure-seeking will lead to happiness then we are guaranteed to fail.

• Happiness is a "serotonin thing."
• Pleasure is a "dopamine thing." 
• Happiness is long term. 
• Pleasure is short term.
• Happiness is a reward that leaves you feeling fulfilled (serotonin). 
• Pleasure is a reward that leaves you wanting more (dopamine).
• Happiness leaves you feeling satisfied.
• Pleasure leaves you feeling addicted.

It is also very important to understand that "Seeking happiness is not the road to happiness."

Although seeking happiness is not the way to find happiness, how can we, perhaps, stumble upon happiness? As I understand it, there are four basic gifts that bring meaning and happiness to our lives.

• Spending time with Family
• Spending time with Friends
• Eating a healthy meal
• Spending time in the sun

That's all any of us really needs. If you can find a way to combine these into a single activity then you will experience a real treat. Think about barbequing with friends and family on a sunny day. Hope that thought warms you up inside. 

Take care, y'all!

"Seeking happiness is not the road to happiness."
--Unknown

Photo by D Jonez on Unsplash

Rebooting the Blog

Hello, there! Long time no see, eh? 

A lot has happened since I've last posted a blog entry. I'm sure everyone can identify with what a strangely different year 2020 has been. Hopefully, we are on our way upward and onward to better times.

WHAT'S HAPPENED SINCE THE PREVIOUS POST

A little more than a year ago, I experienced a "myocardial infarction" which is otherwise known as a heart attack. I may post more details about that experience in the future but it pains me to relive it, so I don't often say much about it. The cause of the heart attack was a 99.9% blockage in the main coronary artery. High blood pressure and high cholesterol were the most significant contributors to this event. 

The cardiologist was able to reopen the blockage and stabilize the artery using two stents and he reports that there was no permanent damage to the heart. It still took me quite a while to regain my strength and stamina. In fact, I am still working on it today. I've improved my diet significantly and have lost a great amount of weight. Despite still having limits and occasional challenges with physical activity, I'm actually feeling much better today than I probably have for a long time. 

In sadder news, only five months after my own experience with heart troubles, my older sister passed away quite unexpectedly due to sudden cardiac arrest. She was alone in her vehicle and just entering her own driveway when the incident occurred. No one was around at the time to assist her and perform the lifesaving CPR actions that would have kept her blood oxygenated until professional help could be provided. A neighbor who happened to be looking out the window a short time later, saw my sister sitting out there and noticed that something seemed very wrong and called for emergency assistance. Although the EMTs were able to restart her heart, the pulse was very weak and there was extensive and unrecoverable brain damage. She passed away several days later leaving behind four children, three grand children, and very many family and friends who will miss her dearly. 

My sister's sudden cardiac arrest was determined to not have been caused by any blockages, aneurysms, infections, or other mechanical issues with her heart. All the doctors could do was speculate that she had a latent arrhythmia that caused her heart to lose synchronization and go into an arrested state. 

CLOSING THOUGHTS
Take care of your hearts, your bodies, and your minds. Keep active, keep up with friends and family, eat healthy and avoid beverages that do not offer your body the sustenance it needs. Most of all, remember to enjoy life as much as you can because it only happens once and none of us knows how long this strange and wondrous trip will last. Make the best of it and try to help others increase their enjoyment of life as well. The rewards are reciprocal and immeasurable.

Take care!
Don  

Sky Mats - Standing Desk Mat Review

I write this for Amanda Hamilton...

Are you looking for a comfortable place to cradle your feet while working at a standing desk? I recently performed some research into a suitable mat for use at my new sit-stand workstation. I found the Sky Mats - Comfort Anti Fatigue Mat Kitchen Rug to be the perfect match for my home office. My feet like it too!

Link to purchase at Amazon - Sky Mats Comfort Anti Fatigue Mat
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00M8O122G/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The mat arrived in great condition; unrolled and in a flat box. There is no odor, scent, or smell that I can detect. Some reviewers on Amazon had mentioned a petroleum odor but this may have been a problem with a batch from the past as I have noticed no odors whatsoever. This mat feels wonderful underfoot. I am using it right now and it is a blessing to achy feet and legs. I am very satisfied with this purchase and recommend this product to anyone seeking comfort for their feet, legs, and back.

As a software engineer, many hours of my day had been spent sitting in front of computer. Recently, I've moved to a sit-stand desk and I love it. After adjusting to being on my feet for long periods of time, I began to explore "anti-fatigue" mats like the Sky Mats "Comfort Anti Fatigue Mat Kitchen Rug". This mat received the highest ratings online and appeared on all of the "top" lists that I read. Those previous reviews were not wrong. This mat is wonderful. I am standing on it right now and it feels really good under my feet.

For me, the mat is the perfect balance of softness and support. It conforms to my feet similar to a nice "memory foam" pillow made from the same material originally designed for astronauts. It is very much like standing on a firm cloud that cradles my feet in a soft but supporting mattress. This mat will work for your office, kitchen, garage, or wherever you need a little support for long days on your feet. Treat your feet.

Amanda, I hope that you receive this message and are able to enjoy the one moment of pure peace and satisfaction that changes your world forever.

Link to the Sky Mats Website
https://www.skymats.com/

Get on your feet!
Donald P. Watkins, Jr.
West Michigan, USA

► Twitter: https://twitter.com/donwatkins10
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KEYWORDS: sciatica, lumbar, lower back pain, sacroiliac, arthritis, degenerative disk disease

Dream for an Early Spring - The Blender Experiments #003

It is deeply winter in Michigan and my mind is dreaming of the coming spring. Soon the frogs and toads will awaken and begin their joyous chorus welcoming back much warmer days! 

While waiting for the Sun to return and the days to lengthen, I decided to embark on a new experiment with 3D modeling and the Blender open source software package. This time, I've adapted techniques learned from two online tutorials (details below) and combined them into a celebration of the coming season. 

The above image was crafted by me using a powerful (and free) open source 3D modeling software package called Blender. A glimpse at the Blender interface and my workflow can be seen in the screenshot below.

Techniques for creating the grassy meadow were adapted from the "Grassy Meadow" tutorial provided by Andrew Price. Visit Andrew's BlenderGuru website for even more awesome tutorials. The meadow scene that I created also includes assets from BlenderGuru's "Grass Essentials" along with some free objects provided as part of Andrew's beginner friendly tutorial.

The stone sculpture is a photo-scanned image of a real garden stone from my yard. Photogrammetry software was used to turn the garden stone into a 3D object thanks to a process demonstrated by Gleb Alexandrov (visit his CreativeShrimp website). Check out Gleb's "Free Photo Scanning Workflow" tutorial for links to free photo scanning and photogrammetry software and for a close look at the process of turning real-world objects into photo-realistic 3D models.

And last but not least, credit for that wonderful sky filled with soft clouds of blue and white must be given to Greg Zaal and his incredible website full of free HDRI sky images called HRDI Haven. Check out Greg's gracious contribution to the open source art and education community today!

Thanks for visiting. Please feel free to share this article, follow me on social media, and post your questions, concerns, and suggestions in the comment space below!

Get Outside!
Donald P. Watkins, Jr.
West Michigan, USA


► Twitter: https://twitter.com/donwatkins10
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Bees, Lavender, and Daisies at Frederik Meijer Gardens

Bee on Lavender

Experiments with the photography of bees, lavender, and daisies at Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park.

Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids, Michigan is a photographer's dream. Everywhere you look, in every direction, and in every season of the year, there is something new, something different, and something that might never be seen again.

Moments in nature are ephemeral and we have only a moment in which to capture them before they are gone forever.

All is not lost, however. For each fleeting moment is replaced by countless others of infinite variety and intricate beauty.

Playing with Bees and Daisies

In these photographs, I have attempted to capture and share a warm moment sitting serenely under the sun among the bees and flowers at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park.

The photographs of the bees on daisies were taken near the entrance to the outdoor gardens just beyond the main building which houses the Tropical Conservatory.

Honey Maker & Pollinator 

The bees on lavender were taken near the Heirloom Vegetable Patch on the grounds of an area of Meijer Gardens known as Michigan's Farm Garden.

Bee in Action

This bee was captured in flight seeking nectar and pollen from this healthy lavender flower.

Bee on Daisy

All of these photos and more have been posted to my Instagram account under the username "donwatkins10" (link below).

►https://www.instagram.com/donwatkins10/

Please feel free to share these links and share your thoughts below. Let me know if you like these photos and if you'd like to see more.

All photos on this page were taken using the Canon EOS Rebel T5i in RAW mode. The images were processed using Adobe Lightroom. See links below to purchase these items from Amazon.com.


Photography Equipment, Software, and Books
►Canon EOS Rebel T5i DSLR w/ 18-55mm & 75-300mm lenses
►Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop Subscription Bundle (best deal)
►Adobe Lightroom 6 - Non-subscription Purchase
►Tony & Chelsea Northrup Adobe Lightroom Guide


Thanks for visiting. Please feel free to share this article, follow me on social media, and post your questions, concerns, and suggestions in the comment space below!

Get Outside!
Donald P. Watkins, Jr.
West Michigan, USA


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Sugarbush Festival - Blandford Nature Center

Horse Trainer - Offering Draft Horse Rides

The Sugarbush Festival at Blandford Nature Center is one of West Michigan's most cherished late Winter celebrations which welcomes the arrival of Spring and the beginning the new year's flow of sweet, delicious maple syrup!

Although the ground was damp and the skies were a bit gray, the smiles were bright and cheerful. Draft horses, maple cotton candy, wild animal encounters, sugar shack operations, nature walks, blacksmith demonstrations, and live music were just some of the activities happening in and around the brand new Mary Jane Dockeray Visitor Center. 

Many volunteers were on-hand to give live demonstrations and describe the process of collecting maple sap directly from the trees and turning that thin liquid into a treasured syrup using a simple process of boiling and evaporation. Other volunteers were placed along the nature trails answering questions and telling stories about the history of the area and of the Nature Center itself.

Painted Turtle - Among the Rescued/Rehabilitated Animals

A Little Blandford History...

Many festival attendees were treated with the opportunity to converse personally with the wonderful Dr. Mary Jane Dockeray, the center's founder. As one these fortunate visitors, I was delightfully enlightened by a quick and colorful history of the nature center's beginning in the early childhood of Mary Jane Dockeray who, at a very young and curious age, often splashed in the streams and wandered through the woodlands that were later to become Blandford Nature Center. 

Live Blacksmith Demonstrations at Sugarbush

As an adult, Dr. Mary Jane Dockeray seized the opportunity to begin working for the city's museum; bringing together her love for nature and a desire that drove her to share that enthusiasm with others. 

Among the teachers and parents in the community, interest soon developed in having a place where city children could be safely taken into the forest to walk among the trees, wetlands, and wildlife. From her early days exploring the streams and walking the fields of Collins Farm, Dr. Dockeray knew of an idyllic setting that was close to the city and could provide the needed venue for education. 

The owner of this woodland (then called Collins Farm) was a man named Victor Blandford and it was he that made the initial donation of acreage that gave birth to the nature center that proudly bears his family name.

The rest of the story is something I'll let Dr. Mary Jane Dockeray tell you herself. ...some of this history is also available on the Blandford Nature Center's website.

A Little Maple Syrup Background...

Maple syrup is a sweet and sticky liquid usually made from the sap of maple trees. In northern climates, these trees store starch in their trunks and roots as they prepare for a long, harsh winter. Natural chemistry within the tree converts this starch into a sugary sap that begins to rise in the late winter and early spring. The prized syrup is collected by drilling small holes directly into the trunks of maple trees and collecting the sap which drips from the openings. The thin but sweet sap is processed by slowly boiling the liquid to evaporate much of the water and leave behind a concentrated syrup. Maple syrup is often poured over waffles, pancakes, french toast, and anything the stomach and tastebuds desire! 

Warm Feelings of Gratitude...

The first three photos in this blog were taken by me during the 2017 Sugarbush Festival. Each image was posted to Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook using the #BlandfordSugarbush hashtag. Blandford Nature Center had announced that they were eager to see all the photos taken during the event and asked people to use their hashtag. As a person who enjoys the outdoors and has a budding interest in photography, I decided to "take a chance" and let others see some of the pictures that I had taken that day.

Much to my pleasant surprise, when reviewing Facebook late Sunday evening (the day after the Sugarbush Festival), one of my images appeared in the newsfeed and it wasn't coming from my account. A feeling of gratitude and excitement warmed over me as I realized that one of my images had become a cover photo for Blandford Nature Center's 2017 Sugarbush Festival Facebook album. In the lower right-hand corner of the Nature Center's post (see image at right) was another one of my photographs and a third photograph (the painted turtle) was found inside the event's photo album.

Thank you Blandford Nature Center, and thank you Dr. Mary Jane Dockeray for holding such a wonderful Wintertime community event. Spring is just beginning and I am very much looking forward to spending the coming days exploring Blandford's many nature trails. The land slowly changes throughout the year as the seasons gradually evolve through their annual cycles. Come on out, join the fun, and experience some of the best of West Michigan!

Blandford Nature Center Resources

► Blandford Nature Center Website
► Blandford Nature Center Trail Map
► Blandford Nature Center Event Calendar
► Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Thanks for visiting. Please feel free to share this article, follow me on social media, and post your questions, concerns, and suggestions in the comment space below!

Get Outside!
Donald P. Watkins, Jr.
West Michigan, USA


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Nebula Fly Through - Blender Experiment 02

Nebula Fly Through - A Blender Experiment - UHD 4K - 2160p

Drift aimlessly through the center of an endless nebula as a passenger on a ship lost in space. Will your ship and crew make it to the other side? Will you survive? Will you suffer from space sickness?

- Video Link Below -

Stare at the center of this video for 20 seconds and then quickly look at something else. If done correctly, you will likely see your world bending and twisting right before your very eyes!

This video is the result of following a free Blender tutorial produced by Aidy Burrows at CG Masters.

After following the tutorial, I played around; changing settings and tweaking things until I had created something pleasing that was a little different from the nebula produced in the tutorial.

Creating this scene involved animating a camera to fly through a nebula created from an array of transparent planes which have had a "tweaked" noise texture applied to them.

The animation was rendered to individual png files representing each frame. These files were then pulled into Sony Vegas Movie Studio for the final render to which I added the title graphics.

Nebula Fly Through - A Blender Experiment

- Click Here for Video -

Staring at the video for too long could make you motion sick if you are susceptible (be warned). At the very least, if you stare at the center of rotation long enough and then look away, the things you look at will twist and bend. It's a rather interesting effect all by itself!

Blender is a free 3D Modeling and Animation Tool...

► Download Blender - https://www.blender.org/

Learn more about the Space VFX Tutorials below...

CG Masters YouTube Channel -
► GG Masters - https://www.youtube.com/user/blengine

The tutorial video is called "Nebulae Cloud Flythrough in Blender | Free Tutorial" and I highly recommend watching it if you are interested in generating 3D nebula and/or clouds in your renders.

Link to the tutorial -
► Tutorial - https://youtu.be/CB8_QKQ4eKQ

The tutorial is a free segment from a more than 12 hour professionally produced VFX course offered by Aidy Burrows and Gleb Alexandrov. The series is titled "Space VFX Elements: the Ultimate Guide to Creating the Galaxy in Blender" and it will guide the student through the creation of "quasars, gas giants, planets, black holes, asteroids and more."

LInks to Aidy and Gleb's Websites:
► Aidy Burrows : www.cgmasters.net
► Gleb Alexandrov : www.creativeshrimp.com

Space VFX Promo Video:
► https://youtu.be/9GThOpX-ceU
► http://www.cgmasters.net/spacevfx/

Thanks for visiting. Feel free to share this video and if you liked it, be sure to smash that like button, subscribe, and comment in the comment box!

Stay Skookum!
Donald Watkins
of Skookum Valley Productions

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