Archive for June 2020

In 1985, Tina Turner sang, “We don’t need another hero.” Perhaps she did not foresee 2020. If you find yourself in need of a hero, I have two examples of heroes who I think you’re going to love. The first is an entire team of professional softball players. The 18 members of the Scrap Yard…

Chuck E. Cheese declared bankruptcy last week and announced the permanent closing of 34 locations. The location about two miles from my home is not on the list of closures, though if it were, I wouldn’t be upset. As a child, I didn’t visit Chuck E. Cheese, which changes the way you view the restaurant…

I like this Wallace Stevens quote a lot. I think that many times in our lives, a walk around a lake, or a moment of reflection before reaction, can be exceedingly helpful. Whether it’s time to modulate or temper your reaction to something that has upset you, or it’s the understanding that calculation, patience, and…

Elysha, Charlie, and I watched Toy Story 4 last week. Great movie. Also, I was not emotionally mature enough to handle the end of that film. I’m still devastated and may never fully recover. But more importantly: Bo Peep is my new favorite superhero. Disney owns this character and also owns Marvel. They should ABSOLUTELY…

On episode #98 of the Speak Up Storytelling podcast, Matthew and Elysha Dicks talk storytelling! In our follow up segment, we share emails from listeners and discuss our first Speak Up virtual show. We also discuss upcoming shows and workshops, all online! STORYTELLING SHOWS 2020 July 11: Solo show at MOPCO Improv Theater (7:30 PM) (virtual) October…

The City of Florence, Oregon has opened a new park last week. The name of the park may surprise you: Exploding Whale Memorial Park The name was chosen via a community vote. The residents of Florence, Oregon chose this name, and for good reason. On November 12, 1970, a 45-foot, 8-ton sperm whale carcass washed…

I’m like to offer my deepest and sincerest condolences to all the white people who are struggling with the recent loss of the Aunt Jemima and Uncle Ben: My condolences for living a life so pathetic that it requires racial stereotypes and slavery-based iconography in your kitchen in order to be happy. My condolences for…

Why is Trump sycophant and overall scumbag Matt Schlapp equating the statues commemorating white, racist traitors with the statues of a brown-skinned, Middle Eastern Jewish pacifist? Doesn’t he know that the current movement to remove certain statues from the public square does not include statues commemorating brown-skinned people?

In a monologue about Trump’s response to the pandemic and the recent protests, CNN’s S.E. Cupp opened her piece by saying, “It’s been one hell of a month, and we are all still reeling.” I hate this. We’re all still reeling? This has certainly been a difficult time for me. The pandemic has added many…

Earlier this week, CNN published a piece entitled 50+ gifts perfect for any dad this Father’s Day When I saw the title, I thought, “Great! Maybe I can find something I really want and drop a hint to Elysha.” So I scanned the 50+ items on the list. Items ranging from cooking and grilling accessories…