Matthew Dicks's Blog, page 473
April 14, 2013
Kmart is cool?
Kmart is probably the least hip brand in the world, but things might be changing based upon this daring, clever commercial.
April 13, 2013
Just leave the bigots behind
The Republican National Committee voted unanimously Friday to reaffirm the party’s commitment to upholding the definition of marriage as between one man and one woman, upending party efforts to grow support among younger voters.
A resolution introduced Wednesday by Michigan committeeman Dave Agema, who came under fire last month for posting an article describing gays as “filthy” on his Facebook page, passed the full RNC by a voice vote and without debate. A second resolution reaffirming “core values” of the party — including opposition to same-sex marriage — was also passed.
Frankly, I’m stunned. It is clear that America is moving swiftly in both opinion and with legislation on this issue, yet Republican leadership has decided to stand by bigotry when it has become increasingly clear that gay marriage is rapidly becoming universally accepted in this country.
There will come a day, much sooner than later, when our children are going to ask why in hell we wouldn’t allow two men or two women to get married, much the same way my generation asked our grandparents why in hell they needed two separate drinking fountains for blacks and whites.
In fact, that day might already be here. Except in the halls of the Republican Party.
As a person who leans toward the liberal side of the aisle, the fact that the Republican Party is turning its back on this cultural sea change does not bother me much. Democrats are sure to score huge political points on this issue in upcoming elections.
Who wouldn’t love run a campaign against a bigot?
But I have Republican friends who support gay marriage who must be devastated by this news. For these people, of which I think there are many, I propose that you simply leave behind the mostly white, mostly older wing of the Republican Party that opposes gay marriage, denies climate change and establish a new, Rationale Republican platform.
Just like we would do at a dinner party, shove all the bigots, liars and morons into one corner with a bottle of Johnny Walker and a box of Depends and move your party in a direction of integrity, decency and ultimately strength.
April 12, 2013
April 11, 2013
Speak Up storyteller: Rachel Leventhal-Weiner
Less than a month to go before our inaugural Speak Up storytelling event at Real Art Ways in Hartford, CT.
May 4 at 7:00 PM. Admission is free.
Today I’m proud to introduce our third storyteller, Rachel Leventhal-Weiner.
_____________________________
Rachel Leventhal-Weiner is a sociologist mom living in West Hartford. A native of New Jersey, Rachel has been writing creative stories since she was a little girl, but is only now braving the stage to share a personal account of her own life.
By day, Rachel divides her time between her doctoral dissertation project in sociology at the University of Connecticut and teaching in the Educational Studies Program at Trinity College. Though the smallish feel of the liberal arts environment is a far cry from her Rutgers University roots, she enjoys connecting with her undergraduate students and getting more involved in Hartford Public Schools as a part of the Ed Studies Program.
By afternoon, evening, and weekend, you can find Rachel filling every minute with adventures with family and friends. She is the mother of two exuberant little girls who keep her on her toes. She loves to cook most things from scratch, wishes she had more time to crochet, and is never going to give up on her dream of running a (half) marathon. She loves a good hike, a great cocktail, and time with her incredible husband, David.
Rachel spends her “free” time sipping on coffee at Hartford Baking Company while writing scholarly papers and blogging at www.roguecheerios.com.
Her pirate name would be Black Heart
We’re leaving the kids with their grandparents for three days while we head off to Vermont for Booktopia, a weekend book retreat.
Before reading to Clara tonight, I told her that I was excited about her upcoming visit with her grandparents but would miss her a lot.
“Don’t miss me, Daddy,” she said. “Three days isn’t long. I’ll be having fun. You should, too.”
Wisdom beyond her years. Or cold as steel. I wasn’t sure.
Before singing to Clara tonight, Elysha said that she’d think about her every day that we were gone.
“Don’t think about me. It’s not my favorite.”
The girl has a black heart.
April 10, 2013
A solution to the balancing of home and work
I’d like to propose a solution to the seemingly omnipresent struggle between the work and home life balance:
Spend less time worrying, complaining, commiserating, measuring and strategizing about your work and home life balance and spend more time actually living your life.
Bad news for cats and dogs and goldfish everywhere
Eternal Earth Bound Pets, the company of atheists who sought to care for pets left behind on Earth following the Rapture, has gone out of business due to a lack of clients.
Apparently the true believers have no qualms about leaving their pets behind to starve when they join Jesus.
Either that or they have faith that when push comes to shove, God will reconsider his position on dogs and cats and include them in the Rapture.
April 9, 2013
The omnipresent coffee culture has officially jumped the shark
There are ten items in this “10 Tools For Success” slide show from Jonathan Coleman.
I’m not a fan of the slideshow in general. I think all ten items are fairly ridiculous. The slideshow is either designed to highlight Coleman’s most remarkable qualities or provide a list of attributes that people may or may not have but will certainly not acquire via a slideshow.
But #5 annoys me the most because of its inclusion amongst items like Humility and Humor and Optimism.
Even the most lunatic coffee culture aficionado has to admit that this is taking things too far.
What I Carry: 10 Tools for Success from Jonathon Colman @jcolman
