Matthew Dicks's Blog, page 263

Resolution update: August 2017

PERSONAL HEALTH

1. Don’t die.

Not even close to death in August.

2. Lose 20 pounds.

I remain stuck at six pounds lost. The summer is so full of good food. 

3. Do at least 100 push-ups and 100 sit-ups five days a week.

Done.   

4. Practice yoga at least three days a week for at least 15 minutes each day.

I participated in a full week of yoga while teaching at Kripalu. I believe that yoga can do wonders for me. Improve my golf game and my quality of life.

It's just so boring.

Still, my friend has a routine for me. I'm going to learn it and do it. Maybe with headphones.  

5. Take the stairs whenever I am ascending or descending five flights or less.

DONE!
This was a pain in the ass, by the way, because my room at Kripalu was on the fourth floor, which meant a lot of stairs many times during the day.  

WRITING CAREER

6. Complete my sixth novel before the end of 2017.

Work continues in earnest. Due date in has been moved back to October. I'm closing in on the finish line.   

7. Complete my first middle grade/YA novel.

Work continues in earnest. Due date is December.  

8. Write at least three new picture books, including one with a female, non-white protagonist. 

I still working on a non-fiction picture book about the great Idaho beaver airlift of 1948.

I also pitched a series of picture books to my agent. She liked them. Eventually. They may be better as a series of graphic novels.    

9. Complete a book on storytelling.

DONE!

10. Write a new screenplay.

No progress.

11. Write a musical.

DONE!
I was not able to watch the debut performance of "Back in the Day," but I hear it went really well. 

12. Submit at least five Op-Ed pieces to The New York Times for consideration.

I have submitted one piece to the Times so far in 2017.

No luck.  

13. Write a proposal for a nonfiction book related to education.

Note-taking completed. My proposal will need to include some sample chapters, so that process has begun.  

14. Submit one or more short stories to at least three publishing outlets.

No progress.

15. Select three behaviors that I am opposed to and adopt them for one week, then write about my experiences on the blog.

On the suggestion of a reader:

I spent April praying to God at least once a day. Quite often three or more times per day. As you may know, I'm a reluctant atheist, so I hadn't prayed in a very long time. 

I'll be writing about the experience on my blog this month. 

I'm currently looking for my next behavior. Ideas anyone?

16. Increase my author newsletter subscriber base to 1,600.

I grew my list by 43 subscribers in August (and 230 overall this year). Total subscribers now stands at 1514.  

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17. Write at least six letters to my father.

I wrote one letter to my father in August. Three in all so far.      

18. Convert Greetings Little One into a book.

No progress. I am willing to hire someone to take the content of the blog and convert it to book format, but I have yet to find that person. 

Recommendations?

19. Record one thing learned every day in 2017.

DONE!

My favorite thing learned in August is this:

Amazon was originally named "cadabre" from abracadabra until it was mistaken as "cadaver." He also considered relentless.com, which still redirects to Amazon.

STORYTELLING

20. Produce a total of 12 Speak Up storytelling events.

DONE!
We produced a show at Infinity Hall in Norfolk, CT, in August. We also produced showcases at the University of Connecticut Law School and Kripalu Institute for Yoga and Health as a part of our bootcamps. bringing our total number of Speak Up events in 2017 to 12. 

21. Deliver a TED Talk.

DONE!
I spoke about the important things that teachers do at The Pomfret School in April.

Here is the recording. It's actually been used by principals in at least two schools as a part of their professional development. 

I've pitched talks to two other TED events. One has rejected my pitch. I await the other.  

22. Attend at least 15 Moth events with the intention of telling a story.

I attended one Moth StorySLAM in August at The Bell House in Brooklyn in August, bringing my yearly total to 13. I did not get chosen to perform that night. 

23. Win at least three Moth StorySLAMs.

DONE!
I won two Moth StorySLAMs in Boston and one in New York. My win total now stands at 31.

24. Win a Moth GrandSLAM.

I am unavailable to compete in the Moth GrandSLAM in September, making it the third time that I am forced to pass on competing this year because of scheduling.

Hoping for one more shot before the end of the year.

25. Produce at least 50 episodes of my new podcast Live Better.

I pulled down my first episode after receiving feedback from a friend who works in radio. I'm currently re-recording with a slightly different format.

That same friend has agreed to build me a template for the show. Obviously 50 episodes will be impossible this year, but if I successfully launch the podcast, I will be satisfied. 

26. Perform stand up at least once in 2017. 

I attended the open mic at Sea Tea Comedy Theater in August, not realizing how many comics regularly perform during these open mic nights. Elysha and I arrived about an hour late, and there were 19 comics already on the list. I will need to return next month and perform to complete this goal. 

27. Write a one-person show.

DONE!
The "writing" for this show is complete. I performed the show at Kripalu, altered slightly so I could teach lessons between stories. 

I'm going to begin the process of booking a theater for a formal performance now.  

NEW PROJECTS

28. Explore the option of teaching a college class.

I met with a professor from a local college and described my proposed class. She approved of my idea and promised to pass the information onto her department head.    

This isn't enough, of course. I need to speak to a department head or higher myself. 

29. Cook at least 12 good meals (averaging one per month) in 2016.

A friend has passed on ideas and recipes for meals that I plan to make. So far I have done nothing.

30. Plan a 25 year reunion of the Heavy Metal Playhouse.

The search for a location continues.

MISCELLANEOUS

31. I will stand in vocal opposition to every negative comment made about age disparities between male and female romantic couplings because I choose to respect a woman’s choices of romantic partner regardless of their age or the age of their partner.

I defended an attack on the Melania/Donald Trump marriage based upon their age difference. 

You can imagine how hard that was for me.

32. I will report on the content of speech during every locker room experience via social media in 2017.   

DONE! 
Over the course of the month, I heard no man bragging about sexually assaulting women in any locker rooms (or anywhere else for that matter). This included a locker room at the gym, a locker room at Kripalu, and two different locker rooms at golf clubs.  

33. I will stop presenting the heteronormative mother-and-father paradigm as the default parental paradigm when speaking to my children and my students.

DONE!
Not as hard as I thought. I switched over to "parents" in January and haven't slipped yet.     

34. I will not comment, positively or negatively, about physical appearance of any person save my wife and children, in 2017 in an effort to reduce the focus on physical appearance in our culture overall. 

I tweeted a comment on the ugliness of Donald Trump. My reference was meant to describe his heart and soul, but it was misconstrued as a comment on physical appearance. 

I'll need to be more careful about my choice of words. 

I've also learned that at least seven other people have adopted this policy, which thrills me.    

35. Surprise Elysha at least six times in 2016.

I surprised Elysha with cards hidden around the house while I was away in August

Three surprises so far in 2017.  I currently have two surprises in the works for her. I'm so excited about one of them!

36. Replace the 12 ancient, energy-inefficient windows in our home with new windows that will keep the cold out and actually open in the warmer months.

Our windows were cleaned yesterday, but this does not count. 

37. Optimize our television for a streaming service. 

We upgraded our cable television interface to a voice activated, much more intuitive system that may fit the requirements of a streaming service. This upgrade is tremendous. Credit Elysha for the upgrade as well as the reduction in our cable/Internet bill as well.  

One of my anniversary presents is her promise to get the Apple TV working, which would complete this goal.  

38. Set a new personal best in golf.

I shot a 47 for nine holes last Monday morning, but it was an executive course. I was 11 over for the round.

Later, I snuck onto a public course and played a par-3 three times AND BIRDIED THE HOLE EVERY TIME.  

I've got my swing back, thanks to my friend, Andrew, and his excellent coaching. I think I have a real shot at topping my best score this fall.

39. Play poker at least six times in 2016.

No progress. This annoys me so much. I love to play poker. How have I failed to get a game going? 

40. Spend at least six days with my best friend of more than 25 years.

Four days spent working as DJ's at weddings in total.

I invited him to attend a Moth StorySLAM with me again.

He declined.   

41. Post my progress in terms of these resolutions on this blog on the first day of every month.

DONE!

Quite the catch

I'm lying in bed, waiting for Elysha to finish brushing her teeth. I've staring at my phone.

I laugh.

"What's so funny?" Elysha asks.

"Nothing," I say. "I'm just reading some haiku that Charles sent to me. This one really has me thinking."

I pause. Wait a moment.

Then add, "That's right! I'm the kind of guy who reads haiku before bed! I'm quite the catch!"

Her response: "Uh huh."

Probably less enthusiastic than I deserve because she still had a toothbrush in her mouth. 

Stretch your summer

If you're a parent and your child is returning to school this week, or you simply adore the summer like I do, a bit of advice:

Sometime over the course of the next few days, sit down and make a list of everything that you did to fill your summer days.

My list includes beach days. Trips to museums. Golf. Movies. Carousel rides. Lots of ice cream. A trip to Washington, DC. Evenings spent performing onstage throughout New England. A week spent teaching at Miss Porter's School. A week spent teaching at Kripalu Institute for Yoga and Health. Poetry in the Hillstead's Sunken Garden. Weddings that I DJ'ed. Couples who I married. Concerts and fireworks and dinners with friends. Baseball games and bowling and lazy afternoons spent in the backyard.  

The end of summer is a tough time for many people. It's a tough time for me. As much as I love my job, I love my summers a little bit more.

As much as a child might love school, summer vacation is often slightly more remarkable.

Parents often lament the end of lazy days with their children. 

This exercise - this listing of my summertime activities - has stretched out my summer vacation in my mind. Allowed me to reflect on all that we did. Helped me to feel good about the two months that just passed. Made it a little easier to watch summer come to a close.

I'll read this list to the kids in the next couple days. Invite them to add to the list. Share their own memories. Re-live our summer as Labor Day approaches, and with it, the chill of autumn and the return of demands and obligation.

That's okay. As I said to Charlie last night, the best thing about summer is that there's another one right around the corner.   

A little girl, a Supreme Court justice, and courage

It's the top of the seventh at the Hartford Yard Goats last night, which means we have abandoned our seats for rides on the enormous, inflatable slides behind the right field fence. 

Charlie has hurtled down these monstrosities before, but for Clara, this is her first time. I expect her to be nervous. Frightened. She may back out.

She is who she is.

I watch as Clara climbs the ladder, admittedly impressed by her willingness to even begin the process. A few seconds later, a hear her voice. She's shouting.

Her words:

"Ruth Bader Ginsburg!"

Then she comes plunging down the slide, repeating the name of a Supreme Court justice again and again.  

She lands with a thud at the bottom of the slide, hops off, and makes a beeline to the ladder for another ride. 

"Clara!" I call. "Why are you shouting Ruth Bader Ginsberg?"

"When I'm nervous, she gives me courage!"

She is who she is.  

A fitting end to a new beginning

My summer vacation has come to an end. Today I return to the school that has been my home for the last 19 years.

These last few days of summer have been excellent, and they have served as a reminder about how important my school is to me.

How important the people who I met inside those brick walls have become to me. 

A couple days ago we visited Old Sturbridge Village with a former colleague and his family.

He is also Clara's godfather.

Two nights ago we went out to dinner and a movie, leaving our children in the care of a former student. In between dinner and the movie, we popped into a Barnes & Noble, where I bought gifts for a two colleagues who I am proud to call my friends.  

Yesterday morning, I played golf with my former principal and the father of former students.

He is also Charlie's godfather.

Actually, my former principal is also the father of a former student.   

All of these people are dear friends. My closest friends. Some of the best friends I have ever had. 

And then of course there is Elysha, my wife, best friend, and love of my life, who I fell in love with while teaching one door down from her classroom. 

When asked if I am excited about returning to work after a summer off, I often say, "I love my job beyond measure. But honestly, I love vacation a little more."

It's true. If given the choice, I would take another week (or month) off to spend time with my family and friends. Write. Read. Golf. Play superheroes with my kids.

But if I must work, I can't imagine a better place.

Last night, Elysha and I learned that one of our former students is serving in the Navy. She's stationed in Norfolk, VA. A young lady who didn't have the easiest path in life is now serving our country with distinction. 

Summer vacation is now over, and a part of me longs for a few more days. This morning, before our school district's convocation, I'll play nine holes of sunrise golf. It's become a tradition. My attempt to suck the last bit of marrow from the summer.

After convocation, I'll walk to the edge of the high school parking lot and hop over a small, white fence onto the local public golf course where I play all summer. There's a par-3 adjacent to the parking lot. I'll take two or three clubs over and play that hole a few times.

The very last bit of summer.

Then I'm off to prepare for my incoming students. Say hello to colleagues who I haven't seen in two months. Meet new faces. Some may become close friends. Trusted confidants. Best friends, perhaps.  

Maybe I'll even find a new golfing partner.

Things I do #8: I plant pennies heads-up

I plant pennies heads-up throughout my home and in the wild because of the commonly held superstition that finding a penny on heads is good luck and/or allows you to make a wish. 

I like to think that every heads-up penny makes someone feel a little bit happier. 

In our house, Charlie accompanies these discoveries with, "Find a penny. Pick it up. All the day you'll have good luck!"

Happened twice yesterday. He was so happy. 

Makes me a little happier, too. 

Northeast School is a stupid name for a school. Three times over.

I drove by Northeast School in Vernon, CT the other day. Lovely little school filled with teachers who are undoubtedly doing an excellent job, but Northeast School?

With the opportunity to name a school after any of the people in the world worthy of recognition, the town of Vernon decided to name their school based upon its geographic location in town?

That is sad.

Even worse, there are THREE schools just in Connecticut that are named Northeast School. Bristol and Stamford also chose to name schools based upon where they are situated in town. 

The town of Vernon is actually guilty of naming all of their schools poorly. Instead of honoring a Connecticut luminary or perhaps an underrepresented or unrecognized war hero or civil rights activist, the town named all of their schools based upon simple geography: 

Rockville High School (a section of Vernon)Vernon Center Middle SchoolCenter Road SchoolLake Street SchoolMaple Street SchoolNortheast SchoolSkinner Road School

Vernon, CT isn't the only town guilty of wasting this opportunity. Many schools, streets, and other structures bear meaningless, oftentimes geographically oriented names. 

I just happen to be driving through Vernon recently. 

Naming a building or a street or any other public structure is an opportunity to bring recognition and praise to a person deserving of celebration. A town or city should be excited about the chance to honor someone deserving. 

Squandering an opportunity like this is just dumb.

'80's John Hughes villain comes alive

On Tuesday, Louise Linton, wife of Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, posted a photo of herself stepping off an official government plane wearing designer labels.

I know she was wearing those labels because she hash-tagged them in the photo caption. 

Jenni Miller, a Portland, Oregon mother of three, didn't love the photo and wrote “Glad we could pay for your little getaway #deplorable.”

Linton responded by insulting Miller. Essentially, this born-into-wealth, married-into-wealth failed actress made fun of Linton for being poor. 

“Aw!!! Did you think this was a personal trip?! Adorable! Do you think the US govt paid for our honeymoon or personal travel?! Lololol. Have you given more to the economy than me and my husband? Either as an individual earner in taxes OR in self sacrifice to your country. I’m pretty sure we paid more taxes toward our day ‘trip’ than you did. Pretty sure the amount we sacrifice per year is a lot more than you’d be willing to sacrifice if the choice was yours. You’re adorably out of touch. Thanks for the passive aggressive comment.”

“Your life looks cute,” she wrote an hour later before deleting the comment and making her Instagram account private as the world saw her comments and rained scorn upon her. 

Linton is a woman who was literally born in a castle. She's a woman whose designer labels are the result of her birth and marriage. She's a woman who has always had everything that she wants and needs.

She's a woman so vacuous that hashtags the designer labels that she is wearing.  

This isn’t Linton’s first act of stupidity.

In 2016, she published a memoir about the six months she spent in Zambia in 1999 during her gap year. The people who she worked with refuted the claims she made in the book. The Zambian government criticized her for falsely characterizing the country as a "a war-torn hellhole" when it was actually at peace during her time there. 

In addition, Linton’s book featured photos of the HIV-positive children, which were used without the children’s (or their families’) permission.

The backlash was so acute that Linton pulled the book and apologized.

So yes, Louise Linton has apparently decided to embrace the image of the 1980's John Hughes female super-villain:

A snobby, condescending, pretentious, mean, wealthy woman whose fortune comes solely through birth and marriage and yet feels like this alone places her above all others.

Her last film, Cabin Fever, has the unique distinction of having a score of 0% on Rotten Tomatoes. In that film, she played a sheriff's deputy. Perhaps she's trying to present herself in a new light to prospective producers or directors.

"Look! I can do evil, stupid, rich-bitch ice queen, too."

Yes, Louise. You certainly can.

Forest Man is the best man

This is simply amazing. The best, most inspirational documentary of the most remarkable person I've seen in a very long time.

Feeling like you can't make a difference? Feeling helpless.

Don't.

Forest Man will make you feel like you can do anything. 

Boy and bear

You know what's even more overhyped than a partial eclipse?

The panda. I know I sound like a curmudgeon, but every time I see the panda at the National Zoo, I can't help but think, "Yup. It's a bear. Black and white, but really, just another bear." 

My friends find bears wandering in their suburban backyards all the time. Larger, more impressive bears than this solitary, bamboo-eating machine. 

Even Charlie wasn't all that impressed.