Archive for February 2019
Speak Up Storytelling #37: Steve Brouse
On episode #37 of the Speak Up Storytelling podcast, Elysha Dicks and I talk storytelling along with storyteller and guest host Steve Brouse! In our followup segment, we talk about how a listener is using Homework for Life to remain in communication with his son, who is completing basic training. We also review listener feedback…
Read MoreWhy you should embrace every snow day
We had our first snow day last week. A glorious, slightly unexpected day off. Many teachers hate snow days, knowing how each one eats into our summer vacations. A day off in February means another day of work in June. But they are wrong to think this way for one simple reason: It’s exceedingly presumptuous…
Read MoreA perfect collection of birthday presents
Yesterday was an especially delightful today for me. It was my birthday, and the gifts that I were given were brilliant. It started off in the morning with Elysha. Her family has always given their gifts at the crack of dawn, which was decidedly different than the after-dinner gift giving that I was accustomed to…
Read MoreI leveled up.
I both love and hate this little meme. I love the idea that I am leveling up today. Level 48. Yes, that’s badass. Severely badass. I’m leveling up today. But you’re certainly not an old person at age 43, and you’re also most certainly not an old person at age 48. Correction: There are some…
Read MoreThe worst thing about Valentine’s Day
It’s Valentine’s Day. I know that a great number of people can’t stand Valentine’s Day. They reject it as a fabricated, commercialized Hallmark holiday They protest the inflated flower prices and packed restaurants. They are offended by the reminder that they are still single. Or newly single. Or endlessly single. These are the folks who…
Read MoreMy binder clip IQ test
Here’s a simple test to determine the intelligence of a small child: Pry open a large binder clip. Ask a child to put their finger in the binder clip. If the child puts their finger in the binder clip, the child is probably dumb. If the child refuses the request, the child is probably smart.…
Read MoreI did not speak like this when I was ten years old.
The children are trying to argue with me that they are no longer little. “We’re big kids now!” Charlie said. I insisted that they are still little. “Look at you,” I said. “You’re short and tiny. I can still pick you up!” Clara’s response: “When I refer to myself as big, Daddy, I’m speaking in…
Read MoreSpeak Up Storytelling: Marie Greene
On episode #35 of the Speak Up Storytelling podcast, Matthew and Elysha Dicks talk storytelling! In our followup segment, we talk about our confusion between Tom of Brisbane and Tom of Long Island. We also discuss the origin of “telling stories from scars and not wounds” as well as advice on handling our explicit episodes…
Read MoreThis map is terrible. So is this administration.
The Trump administration is not a fan of details. This was apparent early on when Trump’s official inauguration photo contained the sentence: “No dream is too big, no challenge is to great.” So stupid. Since then, the American people have been subjected to misspellings of every kind, as well as obvious errors in administrative procedures…
Read MoreSpielberg didn’t hire me. Big mistake.
When I was 14 years-old, I went to see Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom at The Stadium in Woonsocket, Rhode Island. After seeing Raiders of the Lost Ark three years earlier and loving it, I couldn’t wait to see the latest installment in this franchise. When I left the theater after seeing the…
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