Happiness is Evil

Here's one of the things that sucks about being a writer: When I see a main character having a moment when he/she/it is completely happy, I fold my arms and narrow my eyes because I know that happy moment is going to crash and burn in the next five minutes. As a result, I can never enjoy happy moments in movies because I know that a super-duper happy moment is just a clever plot device to set up the inevitable horror and tragedy about to follow. I love seeing characters work through the tough times, but to preface the tough times with a moment of super-duper happiness makes tragedy SO predictable. [SPOILER ALERT] I watched How to Train Your Dragon 2 again today, and the moment when Stoick is dancing with his wife and she says, yes, I'll go back with you to Berk and they're all hugging because they know they'll be a family again--I knew all that happiness was about to be ripped away. And true to form, the battle with Bloodfist immediately follows and Stoick dies. [END OF SPOILER] I was screaming in my head, NO! Don't hug and say you'll be a happy family again! That's as bad as saying 'things can't get any worse.' The Universe will have it's revenge for your moment of happiness!' Here's your advice for the day-downplay all your moments of happiness. That way, the universe won't feel compelled to rip it away from you five minutes later and then you can be moderately happy all the time!