Matthew Dicks's Blog, page 718

Stolen thought

I have had an interesting and oftentimes contentious relationship with vegetarians.

Recently, a vegetarian told me that while she does not eat meat, so has no issue with people who choose to do so except for one minor bit of confusion: 

Why not eat all meat?  "If you're going to eat cow and pig and duck, why not dog or horse?"

I respect this type of logic a great deal.

Another friend of mine has claimed that he is a vegetarian for years but continues to eat fish.  "You're a...

Ingenious

Behold!  A transparent toaster!  The end of burnt toast is in sight as the world's first transparent toaster went on sale last week.

The sleek Vision Toaster is currently being sold exclusively by John Lewis stores in several locations in the UK.  It has yet to appear on the store's online store. 

Staring death in the eye

I had a dream that the United States was at nuclear war with an unknown enemy. Sitting in my car, I saw a mushroom cloud erupt in the distance, presumably New York City. Seconds later, I watched as a second missile appeared in the sky, clearly heading to a location a short distance from my position.

In that moment, I was certain that I was about to die.

Even though this was a dream, it was real enough that I awoke in a sweat, breathing heavily, genuine panic coursing through my body. I...

Alligator

Over my recent vacation, I read Peter Benchley's JAWS, a book I had read several times as a teenager but never since then.  I remembered the book being extraordinary and have often implored people to read it, assuring them that it is far better than the film that was based upon it.

Sadly, JAWS did not stand the test of time.  Re-reading it this week, I found the story to be rather disappointing and surprisingly predictable.  The relationships that the characters have to one another differ...

High-five

My wife is a huge supporter of the high-five.  She's been trying to bring it back ever since I've known her.  Apparently she is not alone:

How convenient. You and God believe the same thing!

Regrettably, I am one of the growing numbers of Americans who do not believe in God.  I say regrettable because I would very much like there to be a God and hope to one day discover that my lack of faith is errant and misguided. 

Just as long as God is not as angry and vengeful as The Bible depicts him.

Despite my lack of faith, I have read The Bible, front to back, three times in my life, and I recently began a fourth reading for a new project that I'm working on.  As a result, I often...

My abyss

Nathan Bransford writes about the nervousness that he feels when starting a new book.  He writes:

"I liken it to staring down at a deep, dark abyss. You know it's a long way down and it's pretty scary to jump."

I have never felt this way.  In fact for me, it's completely the opposite.  I have about a dozen ideas for books rattling around in my head, and I'm ready to start almost any of them on a moments notice.  I can't wait.   

For me, the abyss begins to loom around the halfway point...

New Years Resolutions: 2010

In keeping with tradition, here are my New Year's resolutions for 2010. 

I've decided to eliminate some items from last year's list because they have become so routine that they do not warrant resolution status anymore.  These include writing for at least two hours a day and flossing every day.

To put these items on the list would seem like cheating.  They've become akin to breathing and assuming that people who smoke must be of low intelligence.

Automatic.  Almost second nature.   

I...

Resolution update: 2009 in review

In January of this year, I established a list of twelve New Year's resolutions.  At the end of each month, I report on my progress as a means of holding myself accountable.

1. Finish my second novel before my birthday in mid February.

Done.

2. Live a healthier lifestyle. Specifically:

Done. I lost 33 pound in 2009 and lowered my cholesterol to a "slightly elevated" level  but not high enough to concern my doctor. I played a great deal of basketball and golf in 2009, and added walking...

I cant help it.

I logged onto Facebook this morning while walking my dog and saw that most of my friends had posted wishes for a happy new year. 

These status updates seemed benign enough, but instantly, I felt the need to do the opposite.  Reject the norm.  Resist the pull of the majority.  Post a status update to the contrary.  

I can't explain why I feel this way, but I always have.  My mother used to refer to me as The Instigator.  Others have used less polite language to describe my propensity to...