Matthew Dicks's Blog, page 52

Atone!

The United Methodist Church overturned its 40-year ban on gay clergy last week, marking a historic shift in the church’s stance on homosexuality.

The church has long been divided into factions over LGBTQ inclusion and even weighed splitting into two separate churches over the issue.

In 1984, the church banned “self-avowed practicing homosexuals” from becoming members of the clergy and later added performing or celebrating same-sex unions to “a list of chargeable offenses that could result in a church trial.”

But no more. Those terrible policies have been expunged. This is excellent news, of course. The arc of history continues to bend toward justice.

But I can’t help but think  – and perhaps this is petty of me…

But when you finally abandon your bigotry, you should probably atone for your past bigotry, which should probably begin by admitting you were a bunch of bigots for a long time and probably made the lives of a lot of good, decent people a lot less happy than they could have been.

Right?

Just a simple:

“Hey, everyone! Listen up! It sucks to admit this, but we were bigots for a long, long time. We denied basic rights to people based on our stupid, arrogant beliefs about who should love whom. We were hateful monsters, but we have seen the error of our ways. We are deeply sorry for our immorality and cruelty. You were right, and we were wrong.”

This is admittedly not the Nelson Mandela approach to forgiveness, rooted in the belief that by forgiving your oppressors, you can move beyond the pain and anger of his past and focus on building a better future, but as I acknowledged, my proposal might be coming from a place of pettiness.

But it always annoys me when some hateful bigot fights against the rights of the LGBTQ community for years, only to one day discover that their daughter, son, best friend, or favorite uncle is gay and suddenly see the error of their ways, absent any acknowledgment that they were vile monsters damaging and sometimes destroying the possible happiness of others for a long time before finally changing their mind.

I want some meaningless public accountability, damn it. Is that too much to ask?

Probably.

Ringling Bros and Barnum and Bailey Circus is back

Elysha and I took the kids to Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus this weekend.

Much has changed since my first visit years ago. The circus went on hiatus in May of 2017 and only returned to the big top last year after transforming itself in many ways.

First and most noticeable, animals are no longer part of the show. Elephants, tigers, lions, zebras, horses, and the rest have been eliminated because of concerns for the animals’ well-being and the safety of guests and staff.

In their place was a robotic dog named Bailey that was fine but definitely not needed. Had Bailey been destroyed by an oversized hammer as a part of the show, I would’ve cheered.

The animals were not missed.

The humans—more than 75 in all, hailing from more than 18 countries—were more than impressive. We were highly entertained by the acrobatics, the high wire, the trapeze, the unicycles, the human cannonball, and many other incredible displays of physical impossibilities.

The single ringleader has been replaced with a team of three hosts, including one who sings and another who plays the drums at times. All were engaging, multitalented, and hilarious.

The clowns have also changed considerably. Somewhere along the way, traditional clowns became frightening to small children, so the painted faces and red noses have been replaced by a couple of makeup-free middle-aged men who are admittedly quite funny and skilled in juggling and acrobatics, but they look more like a pair of your least favorite uncles than traditional clowns.

Surprisingly, I didn’t mind this change. They were still hilarious.

The set is also pretty spectacular. Lighted video screens, fire, smoke, and constantly shifting elements allow for an engaging visual display.

Our only complaint about the show was the sound quality. The ringleaders weren’t always audible, and we often had to strain to understand what they were saying. As a person obsessed with the sound of his shows, better sound is very doable. I’m unsure if it was the function of the specific venue or an overall problem, but correcting it should be a priority.

Otherwise, the circus is back with a new look and is well worth seeing.

Good climate news. Kind of.

I have good news.

I think it’s critical to highlight good news when it happens because the media and humans, in general, tend to focus on the negative whenever possible.

So… good news! For the first time since World War II, a renewable energy resource — hydroelectric back then, solar today — has accounted for more than half of the additional energy generation added to the United States energy grids.

All told, the U.S. added 32.4 gigawatts of solar generation, or 53 percent of new generation added, smashing the 23.6-gigawatt record set in 2021.

Huzzah!

Also a far cry from the days when the Reagan administration gutted the research and development budgets for renewable energy at the then-fledgling U.S. Department of Energy and eliminated tax breaks for the deployment of wind turbines and solar technologies, thus recommitting the nation to reliance on cheap but polluting fossil fuels, often from foreign suppliers.

Reagan also removed the solar panels from the White House roof just six years after Jimmy Carter had them installed, even though they produced clean, efficient, nearly free energy daily.

Perhaps an early example of a Republican’s attempt to “own the libs.”

Or maybe just shortsighted and stupid.

Sadly, it took us another forty years for solar power to exceed more than half of energy generation on the grid.

Imagine how much better the world might be today had we remained committed to Carter’s investments in solar energy development and deployment.

Still, it’s fantastic that more than half of electrical energy is generated today via solar power, which is clean, cheap, and abundant, regardless of what liars and no-nothings might tell you.

Granted, none of this good news matters much, given what is happening in the developing world in terms of emissions, but proof of concept is critical if we ever decide to actually invest in saving the climate for future human generations.

So, a little good news?

They can’t stop Me Too’ing?

On a recent episode of the podcast “Freakonomics,” researchers reported that older male professors at colleges and universities are less likely to partner with younger female colleagues because of the impact of the “Me Too” movement.

In other words, these men are concerned about doing something inappropriate that will cause them to be added to the long list of men who have been credibly accused of sexual harassment in the workplace.

This reticence, it turns out, is not good for younger female researchers because less experienced academics often leverage the reputation and notoriety of their more senior colleagues by partnering with them to launch their research and publishing careers.

It turns out that this is happening across business sectors, as men responsible for hiring and promoting within their organizations have been less willing to hire and promote women due to the ramifications of the “Me Too” movement.

To these men, I ask:

What the hell is wrong with you?

I have spent the last 25 years working as one of a tiny handful of men in an elementary school. Currently, there are 18 classroom teachers in my school, plus another seven essentials teachers and at least ten special education teachers. That amounts to at least 35 certified staff members, and I’m probably forgetting at least a few.

The number of certified staff members who are men:

Four. And one of them only works part-time at my school.

In my 25 years of almost always being the only man in the room, I have never been inappropriate with a woman or – at least to my knowledge – made a woman feel uncomfortable. Nor have I ever worried about doing such a thing – intentionally or accidentally.

I also dated two of my previous colleagues (and married one of them), and both of those relationships were conducted respectfully, professionally, and appropriately, absent any inappropriate conduct.

Before becoming a teacher, I attended an all-women’s college where I was always the only man in every classroom. I spent three years on campus with only female students, and I was never inappropriate with a woman or – at least to my knowledge -made a woman feel uncomfortable,

I have spent nearly three decades in the company of almost exclusively women, and I have never once worried about the possibility of being accused of sexual harassment or anything even close to it.

Yet, across academia and business, men are now worried about saying or doing the wrong thing around women.

Here’s the important part:

It’s not hard to avoid sexually harassing your coworkers.

The rule is simple:

Treat all people – women and men – as human beings.

Treat all colleagues – regardless of their sex – as colleagues.

Treat men and women equally.

Unless you’re some kind of a monster, it’s not hard.

If you’re an academic, an employer, a supervisor, an administrator, a human resources director, or a business owner, and you’re afraid to hire, partner with, or promote women because you’re afraid of the “Me Too” movement, you have a problem. And it’s not the result of the “Me Too” movement.

It’s you.

Decent, respectful, professional men do not worry about acting inappropriately around women. Nor do they have difficulty acting decent, respectful, or professional around women.

Weather imperfect, but the rest was ideal.

Spring has sprung.

The weather has turned in Connecticut, which means that when I’m not meeting with my business partner or consulting with European clients in the early morning hours, I can finally leave my home before sunrise and play a quick nine holes of golf before work each day at an executive course about five minutes from the school where I teach.

If I’m not hunting for lost golf balls, I can play a round by myself in just over an hour.

It’s an ideal way to begin the day.

Yesterday morning, however, the weather was less than idyllic. It had rained during the night, and a mist still hung in the air. Gray clouds loomed overhead. The temperature was hovering around 50 degrees, and the course would surely be drenched, so I decided not to go.

Better to spend my time dealing with email and editing my next novel.

A few minutes later, I turned to my cat, Pluto, and said, “Am I really going to be one of those sad people who lets less-than-perfect weather get in my way of doing something good for me?”

Pluto stared back. He didn’t move, but I knew what he was thinking:

“Hell no! Don’t you dare become one of those people who cancels plans because it’s raining! Get your ass out there!”

So I did.

It wasn’t the best round of golf ever played. I wasn’t greeted with the usual golden sunrise. I wore a jacket throughout the round to stay warm and dry, and even with waterproof shoes, I needed to change my socks before heading off to work.

But on the second hole, I saw two deer frolicking on the tee box. I also saw several geese, one hawk, and a truckload of squirrels.

But things got interesting on the third hole when a bobcat stepped out of the trees about 50 yards away and watched me hit my tee shot. Then it proceeded to follow me along the tree line and crossing fairways as I played the next three holes before returning to the forest as I ascended a steep hill to the sixth hole.

I’ve never seen a bobcat on the course, and I’ve never been stalked by a bobcat. I kept my nine iron in my hand at all times just in case it had mistaken me for breakfast.

Then I birdied the final hole of the round – my first birdie of the golfing season.

A memorable, and likely unforgettable morning of frolicking deer, a stalking bobcat, and a birdie. I almost missed it all because it was cloudy and a little damp outside. A little chilly and wet for my liking.

How stupid of me.

Plenty of things stand in our way and keep us from achieving our goals. Obstacles abound. Barriers persist. Hurdles are plentiful.

Life is challenging enough already. Never allow minutia like the weather to stand in your way.

Thank goodness Pluto talked me into playing yesterday. Smart cat.

 

You are morally, ethically, and professionally obligated to say something

Earlier this year, I offered a suggestion about something pertaining to my school district. It wasn’t a big deal, but it was something that I thought might improve the way we educate children.

The response I received – from a person I admittedly don’t know very well – was that it was beyond their power to enact such change.

My response, which is always my response whenever I’m told that my request or concern exists beyond the power of the person with whom I’m speaking, went something like this:

“I am morally, ethically, and professionally obligated to speak up when the health or welfare of children is at stake, and I will never restrict that obligation only to those who may have the power to intervene. Instead, I will repeatedly speak my mind to anyone in any position of power because regardless of your role and responsibility, you should feel the same and should be saying the same whenever possible. This is the only way that change happens.”

I believe this rule applies to anyone responsible for the health, wealth, or welfare of other human beings:

Healthcare workers. Social workers. Government employees Eldercare workers. Members of law enforcement. Educators. Employees of publicly traded companies.

I’ve even spoken these words in my role as a consultant. When my client tells me they don’t have the power to institute my suggestion, I always tell them that regardless of their power or influence, I will always offer my honest opinion when it’s in the best interests of the company, even if it’s not something the client can change themselves.

When you see something that does not serve the best interests of your constituents or identify something that could be done better, you are morally, ethically, and professionally required to say something, even if the person capable of making the change is beyond your reach.

Speak truth to power, even when that power is only one or two rungs up an exceedingly high ladder, because to say nothing violates the trust of the people for whom you are responsible.

Make noise in hopes that others will make noise, too, and perhaps change will eventually take place.

As an added bonus, this response almost always silences those do-nothings in middle management who prefer to look away from problems beyond their job description rather than rattling their own sabers and making at least as much noise as you.

Resolution update: April 2024

Every month, I report the progress of my yearly goals to monitor progress (or the lack thereof) and hold myself accountable. The following are the results from April 2024.PERSONAL FITNESS

1. Don’t die.

Elysha was hit by a car while walking across a parking lot and contracted COVID in April, but nothing nearly as dangerous happened to me.

2. Lose 10 pounds.

I still weigh exactly the same amount today as I did on January 1.

Doh!

However, I lost 37 pounds last year – absent any of those new medications – so holding steady is a good sign.

3. Do a targeted push-up workout at least four times per week. 

Done.

4. Complete 100 sit-ups four times per week. 

Done.

5. Complete three one-minute planks four times a week.

Done.

6. Cycle for at least five days every week. 

Done. I missed only one day in April. I was traveling, so no bike was available, but I also rode multiple times on many days, too. Admittedly, I needed to squeeze in at least two rides after 10:30 PM, but exercise is not bound by any time constraints.

I’ve recorded 123 rides in 121 days in 2024.

7. Meet or beat the USGA’s average golfing handicap for men of 14.2. 

I’ve begun recording my handicap on a new, more accurate, more official app, but I have yet to play enough golf to yield an official handicap.

But I played my first round on Sunday and two rounds before school this week. I should have a handicap soon.

WRITING CAREER

8. Complete my eighth novel.

I continue to work on the book based on the editor’s feedback. Excellent progress. Possibly complete by the end of June.

9. Write my next Storyworthy book.

I need to meet with my agent and editor to determine the subject of this next book.

I have a great idea, but I suspect they will want a different idea.

10. Write, edit, and revise my golf memoir.

I discussed this book with my agent last week and made a plan to proceed.

11. Write my “Advice for Kids” book.

Solid progress was made in April. It’s still very much in list form, but I can clearly see how it will develop.

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

Charlie and I have outlined at least two satirical picture books based on a book that Elysha read to her students in January. The books are irreverent, inappropriate, and fantastic.

I’ve also begun writing children’s books about Connecticut’s infamous October 2011 snowstorm and the gypsy moth invasion of New England in 1981.

I have two other ideas that I am also excited about.

13. Write about my childhood in partnership with my sister, Kelli, at least twice per month. 

Kelli and I spent a day together in February but forgot to discuss this topic. We still need to discuss.

14. Launch a Substack.

I continue to be on pause, waiting to see what happens to Substack. A small but significant scandal has hit the company, and I don’t want to begin writing on a platform that may die. I will take a wait-and-see approach.

15. Write a new solo show.

All the work on this project is being done in my head since I’ve never written down anything I ever say onstage, so I don’t have much to show for my work, but I am working hard nonetheless. I am hoping for a weekend in November to debut the show.

16. Write a musical.

No progress.

17. Submit at least three Op-Ed pieces to The New York Times for consideration.

One story in progress.

18. Write at least four letters to my father.

One letter written in 2024 so far.

19. Write 150 letters.

I wrote 15 letters in April. Recipients included current students, a podcaster, storytellers, a friend, and my children.

I’ve written a total of 63 letters in 2024.

20. Write to at least six authors about a book I love. 

I have now identified three authors to whom I will write. No actual writing progress made.

STORYTELLING/SPEAKING CAREER

21. Perform a new solo show.

A theater has been tentatively secured for the debut of this show, either in August or November of 2024.

22. Complete the re-recording of Storyworthy For Business. 

The revised course outline is nearly complete, and a production schedule is in place.

23. Record and produce at least two new Storyworthy courses.

I’ve recorded two webinars that will likely become courses that we sell. They have already been added to the platform for members, which might not count as a new course unless we also sell them separately.

So maybe?

I’m also recording four new webinars in May, so maybe again?

24. Produce a total of six Speak Up storytelling events in 2024.

Two shows produced in 2024 so far:

“Matt and Jeni Are Unprepared” on March 2 at TheaterWorks in Hartford.“Sportsing” on March 16 at the Connecticut Museum of Culture and History

We also have the following shows scheduled for 2024:

May 3: A fundraising show at Sedgwick Middle School in West Hartford, CTJune 11: A Speak Up – CPA Prison Arts show at The Pond House in West Hartford, CTJune 15: “Stores Sell: Storyworthy Strategies to Grow Your Business and Brand” release party at the Connecticut Museum of Culture and HistoryJune 17: A Speak Up – Voices of Hope collaboration at the JCC in Hartford, CT

25. Submit pitches to at least three upcoming TEDx events, hoping to be accepted by one.

No progress.

I spoke at TEDxBU on April 20. It went very well.

26. Attend at least eight Moth events with the intention of telling a story.

I attended one Moth StorySLAM in April. The theme was “Green,” and I was going to tell a story about Elysha, whose maiden name is Green. She even attended the show with me!

Then my name was not chosen from the bag. Bah!

Four Moth events so far in 2024.

27. Win at least one Moth StorySLAM.

Done! I won the Boston StorySLAM. My 60th Moth StorySLAM victory!

28. Win a Moth GrandSLAM.

I competed in the Moth GrandSLAM in Boston in March and placed second.

I think I should’ve won, but I think that a lot.

I’ll be performing in a GrandSLAM in Seattle, NYC, and Washington, DC later this year.

29. Pitch “You’re a Monster, Matthew Dicks” to at least a dozen theaters and/or directors in 2024.

I pitched “You’re a Monster, Matthew Dicks” to one theater in January. I then performed the show on March 30 at the Mopco Improv Theater in Schenectady, New York. It went quite well.

30. Produce at least 24 episodes of our podcast Speak Up Storytelling.

No progress.

31. Perform stand-up at least six times. 

No progress.

32. Pitch three stories to This American Life.

One story has been pitched thus far.

33. Submit at least three pitches to Marc Maron’s WTF podcast.

No progress.

34. Send a newsletter to readers at least 50 times. 

I’m going to need to revise or eliminate this goal. I’m sending a lot of emails to Storyworthy members and customers now, so defining a newsletter versus a Storyworthy email is tricky.

I’m still reflecting and perhaps pivoting. Depending on what happens with Substack, this goal and Substack may merge.

HOME

35. Organize the basement.

It appears that the basement ceilings are too low to make finishing the basement worthwhile. So, cleaning may commence without the much-anticipated work.

36. Clear the garage of unwanted items.

A trip to the dump is planned for Saturday, which will hopefully remove all large items.

Elysha’s long-forgotten classroom detritus still needs to be eliminated. It is likely a summertime job.

FAMILY/FRIENDS

37. Text or call my brother or sister once per month. 

Done.

38. Take at least one photo of my children every day.

Done.

39. Take at least one photo with Elysha and me each week.

On photo of Elysha and me taken in April. Four so far in 2024.

40. Plan a reunion of the Heavy Metal Playhouse.

No progress. But in a strange coincidence, a teacher in our school grew up in Attleboro, where the Heavy Metal Playhouse was located, and is friends with the person who manages Crystal Village, where it was located.

An in-person reunion is probably impossible, given how spread out my friends are today, but it gave me a little hope.

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

Done.

42. Surprise Elysha at least 12 times.

Two surprises are planned in April, but they will not be revealed until sometime in the future.

Two surprises in 2024 so far:

Tickets to “Little Shop of Horrors” on BroadwayTickets to “Merrily We Go Along” on Broadway

43. Play poker at least six times.

No progress.

44. Spend at least six days with my best friend of more than 30 years.

No progress.

MUSIC

45. Memorize the lyrics to at least five favorite songs. 

I memorized the lines to my new favorite Styx song, “Our Wonderful Lives.”

You should go listen to it.

One song memorized in 2024 so far.

46. Practice the flute at least four times per week.

I’ve practiced just six times in April. Charlie asked me to bring the flute home, but I’m worried he will instantly play better than me. He somehow has taught himself to play the piano, alongside his guitar and trumpet.

He’s even playing the harmonica with skill now.

MISCELLANEOUS PROJECTS

47. Read at least 12 books.

I read two books in April, which brings my total to seven so far:

“Misfit” by Gary Gulman
“How to Weep in Public” by Jacqueline Novak

I’m currently reading:

”Smart Brevity” by Jim VandeHei, Mike Allen, and Roy Schwartz
“The Power Broker” by Robert Caro
“Hello, Molly” by Molly Shannon
“The Anxious Generation” by Jonathan Haidt

Books read in 2024 include:

“Upstream” by Chip Heath”Happy Pepple Are Annoying” by Josh Peck”Comedy Comedy Comedy Drama” by Bob Odenkirk“The Power of Regret” by Daniel Pink“Fluke” by Brian Klass“Misfit” by Gary Gulman“How to Weep in Public” by Jacqueline Novak

48. Finish reading TIME’s 100 Best Children’s Books of All Time. 

I read one book from the list in April.

I also printed a list of books still in need of reading so my students and I can begin collecting those books from the library on rainy recess days.

I’ve read 23 books from the list thus far.

49. Unify my passwords using a password manager.

Nearly complete. Just need to do a final check of the computer for any stray programs I may have missed.

50. Learn to use QuickBooks for my business.

Done! Invoicing, payroll, and taxes are now all managed via QuickBooks. It’s much easier than I thought.

51. Rectify the heating problem in my studio.

I received estimates on this project, which is honestly more than I expected.

As a temporary measure, I’ve purchased an electric radiator and plugged it into a Bluetooth outlet so I can turn the heat on before going downstairs, which allowed the warm to be warm by the time I enter.

This solution might be better than the thousands of dollars required to install heat.

52. Learn the names of every employee who works at my school.

I learned the names of one person in April. I also forgot one person’s name.

53. Assemble a complete toolbox.

I’ve purchased all of the necessary tools and a box to organize them. However, I still need to gather the stray tools around the house, consolidate everything into one place, and eliminate redundant tools.

54. Edit our wedding footage into a movie of the day.

No progress.

55. Memorize three new poems.

I have memorized “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost, which is longer than you think.

I’m now working on Act V Scene 5, lines 18-28 of Macbeth and James Joyce’s “Tree.”

56. Complete my Eagle Scout project.

No progress.

57. Post my progress regarding these resolutions on this blog and social media on the first day of every month.

Done.

But seriously…

You’ve made a joke. Or you think you’ve made a joke. Then, in an effort to pivot to something more serious, you say:

“But seriously…”

For example:

“I’m worried that I might be married to my job. I’m even getting into arguments with the printer.”

Then…

“But seriously, this workload is getting ridiculous. I need to talk to my boss about delegating some of my tasks.”

This is never a good idea. Not the joke itself or the attempt at the joke. Good for you for trying.

It’s the “But seriously…” that must go.

If your joke fails to produce a laugh—and this happens a lot because comedy is hard, people are monsters, and most jokes fail—your “But seriously…” makes you sound silly because, sadly, you sounded serious the whole time.

You weren’t funny.

It’s okay. You tried. Most people are too afraid to even try to be funny. But don’t follow your failure with ” But seriously…” because it only highlights your failure.

If your joke managed to produce a laugh, then your “But seriously…” stabs that laugh in the heart. Those two well-trodden, overused, meaningless words take your lovely little joke and murder it with mundanity and banality.

Just make the joke, hope for the best, and then pivot without any verbal detritus signaling your pivot.

Eliminating “But seriously…” won’t make your joke funny or funnier, but it will eliminate the unnecessary beacon alerting the audience to your attempt to be funny and allow you to be either funny or not-so-funny, absent the unnecessary verbal nonsense.

I know. It’s a small thing. But it only takes a few small things to make a big thing, so let’s eliminate as many small things as possible.

The Moon speech never delivered

The great William Safire drafted a speech in 1969 for President Nixon to read in case the Apollo 11 astronauts became stranded on the moon.

It’s a fantastic speech.
——————————————————————————-

IN EVENT OF MOON DISASTER:

Fate has ordained that the men who went to the moon to explore in peace will stay on the moon to rest in peace.

These brave men, Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin, know that there is no hope for their recovery. But they also know that there is hope for mankind in their sacrifice.

These two men are laying down their lives in mankind’s most noble goal: the search for truth and understanding.

They will be mourned by their families and friends; they will be mourned by the nation; they will be mourned by the people of the world; they will be mourned by a Mother Earth that dared send two of her sons into the unknown.

In their exploration, they stirred the people of the world to feel as one; in their sacrifice, they bind more tightly the brotherhood of man.

In ancient days, men looked at the stars and saw their heroes in the constellations. In modern times, we do much the same, but our heroes are epic men of flesh and blood.

Others will follow, and surely find their way home. Man’s search will not be denied. But these men were the first, and they will remain the foremost in our hearts.

For every human being who looks up at the moon in the nights to come will know that there is some corner of another world that is forever mankind.

PRIOR TO THE PRESIDENT’S STATEMENT:

The President should telephone each of the widows-to-be.

AFTER THE PRESIDENT’S STATEMENT, AT THE POINT WHEN NASA ENDS COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE MEN:

A clergyman should adopt the same procedure as a burial at sea, commending their souls to “the deepest of the deep,” concluding with the Lord’s Prayer.

——————————————————————————-

It’s a great speech that was happily never needed. But here’s my question:

In Safire’s directive to the President, he wrote about “widows-to-be.” And he described a burial at sea procedure to take place:

“After the President’s statement, at the point when NASA ends communication with the men.”

Does this mean NASA planned to cut off communication with Armstrong and Aldrin prior to their deaths?

Did Mission Control decide they couldn’t stay on the line while our first extraterrestrial astronauts died?

“Good luck with the asphyxiation, men. Over and out.”

Could this really have been the plan?

Swapping entire families?

Did you know that in March of 1973, New York Yankees pitchers Mike Kekich and Fritz Peterson swapped families?

That really happened.

The two pitchers swapped their wives, Marilyn and Susanne, and their children.

The Kekich daughters – 5-year-old Kristen and 2-year-old Reagan – moved with their mother to the Peterson house, and the Peterson sons – 5-year-old Gregg and 2-year-old Eric – moved to the Kekich home with their mother, Marilyn.

This is a real thing that really happened.

I can’t believe it.

The two families had been friends since 1969, and at some point, they decided it would be better if they pulled off a switcheroo.

Can you imagine that conversation? How does the person with the idea even broach the subject with the others?

Even more incredible was the spotlight that both men were occupying at the time. Both were Major League pitchers on the New York Yankees, in the midst of solid careers. This was not two couples living in Paramus, New Jersey, unknown to the world, living in relative obscurity. These two men were playing baseball on the biggest stage in the world when they swapped families.

The attention they received must have been astronomical.

Peterson and the former Susanne Kekich remained married for nearly 50 years following the swap, but sadly (I think), the relationship between Kekich and Marilyn Peterson did not last very long.

By June, the Yankees had traded Kekich to Cleveland.  

“Unless people know the full details, it could turn out to be a nasty type thing. Don’t say this was wife-swapping because it wasn’t,” Kekich told the Daily News at the time. “We didn’t swap wives. We swapped lives.”

“It’s a love story. It wasn’t anything dirty,” Peterson told a reporter in 2013. “I could not be happier with anybody in the world. ‘Mama’ and I go out and party every night. We’re still on the honeymoon, and it has been a real blessing.”

Back in 2015, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck were developing a film based on the story, but it seems to have fizzled out, as most Hollywood projects do. but it would’ve made a hell of a story.

Author Julia Quinn famously wrote that “Love works in mysterious ways.” If this isn’t the epitome of that quote, I don’t know what is.