Matthew Dicks's Blog, page 702

Working for free

All of my New Year's resolutions pertain to personal goals that, if achieved, will yield a happier, healthier, more financially successful version of myself. 

Not a single speck of altruism can be found amongst any of my sixteen goals, and I thought this was just fine.  

But it turns out that other people are more charitable than me. 

One person has decided that his New Year's resolution is to make an infographic for every episode of This American Life ever made. "The idea is to expand...

On the precipice of revision

CHICKEN SHACK should be done by the end of the week. 

After allowing myself fifteen minutes to bask in the joy of finishing another book, I will begin revising. 

I'm not a fan of this process. 

I'm the kind of writer who edits and revises along the way, so that when I finish a page, I'm finished with the page.  Though I know that I may ultimately return to the page for revision, I have no desire or expectation of doing so while I write.  I work at it until I think it's just right, then...

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo: A recap

I finished reading THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO last week, one of the most hyped books in recent memory, at least for me.  Many, many people urged me to read this book.

Some of my thoughts (with a possible but vague spoiler) include:

I haven't been hooked on a story to this degree in a long, long time. As complex and nuanced as the story was, it was surprisingly easy to follow, even when days passed between readings.  Boy does Steig Larrson believe in the use of specific brand...

Dessert for dinner

Since when did sweet potatoes become a dessert item rather than a vegetable?

It seems as if one cannot make sweet potatoes any more without topping them off with a one-inch layer of marshmallows and brown sugar. Isn't the only vegetable named for its sweetness sweet enough?

And am I actually expected to look upon a casserole like this and not think dessert?

Instead of sweetening something that already is sweet enough, why not add sugar and marshmallows to a vegetable that could use a...

Obnoxious and stupid

I couldn't resist pointing out this idiot, who's car I saw at the gym today.  It's parked about three feet from the curb and in the path of oncoming traffic. 

In fact, notice the passenger-side mirror, which is smashed and hanging to the car by a thread. 

Apparently this isn't the first time this moron chose to leave his or her car in harm's way. 

It's also  important to know that there are at least half a dozen open parking spots directly behind me, about twenty feet from this...

How I found my agent

I spent this past week visiting the Lucy Robbins Welles Library in my hometown of Newington and the Portland Library in Portland, CT.  Both events were very well attended, and I had the chance to meet a lot of readers who enjoyed SOMETHING MISSING and are anxious to get their hands on UNEXPECTEDLY, MILO. 

One of the most interesting comments made at both appearances came when I described the means by which I found my agent.  After being asked to describe the process, I explained that after...

Resolution Update: March

In an effort to achieve my yearly goals, I post my monthly progress here.

Below are my sixteen New Year's resolutions and my progress thus far.

1.  Lose seventeen more pounds, bringing my weight down to 185 pounds, which was my high school pole vaulting weight.

I lost the eight pounds that I put on during my trip to Florida, so I'm back to even.

2.  Complete CHICKEN SHACK by April 15 (adjusted from an original target of my birthday).

Looking good.  

3.  Eat three servings of oatmeal...

Retro eyewear

You know what you don't see much of nowadays?

The monocle.

You know, the single eye piece adorned by nineteenth century capitalists, German military officials, Karl Marx, The Penguin, and Colonel Mustard.

What an odd choice for a corrective lens, don't you think? Essentially, a rounded piece of glass is jammed into the eye orbit, and a string or light chain is used to connect the monocle to an item of the wearer's clothing, in the event that he or she tired of the constant squinting...

Creed is Creed

For fans of The Office (and if you're not, what's wrong with you?), I have recently become aware of some trivia that will blow you mind.

Of course, it might not be so mind blowing if you already knew this.

Did you know that the character of Creed Bratton, the creepy, kleptomaniac director of quality assurance at Dunder Mifflin, is played by Creed Bratton, the actor and former member of The Grass Roots, a 1960's rock band?

The guy has two Wikipedia entries. One for himself and one for his...

Bugs better than bears

My new favorite animal:  Termites.

Why?  Termites work 24 hours per day and they don't sleep.

My new least favorite animal?  Koalas.

Why?  Koalas sleep 22 hours a day. They will stay in the same tree for days.

I admire hard work and despise inefficiency.