grin and bare it
A blog by Matthew Dicks
This list totally sucks
Here is a list of the eight most common stroke triggering behaviors, excluding persistently high blood pressure. Coffee consumption (10.6%)Vigorous physical exercise (7.9%)Nose blowing (5.4%)Sexual intercourse (4.3%)Straining to defecate (3.6%)Cola consumption (3.5%)Being startled (2.7%)Being…
Read MoreDaytime television at its best
I can’t decide which is worse: The toy, which is simply horrifying. The behavior of the host, which was utterly bizarre. Her face, which looks like it is being held up by invisible wires. This…
Read MoreMatthew Dicks: Under arrest
Great. Someone who shares my name has been arrested and booked at the Polk Country Jail in Des Moines, Iowa for failure to pay child support. You’d think my name is difficult enough without guys like this…
Read MoreThe rejection of a nickname should be a red flag
A man’s choice about his name says a lot about him. Some names are destined for nicknames, and those that reject these predetermined, perfectly palatable nicknames in favor of their formal and complete name leave…
Read MoreLessons from Irving and Franzen
A number of interesting thoughts from John Irving and Jonathan Franzen from their appearance at The Connecticut Forum. John Irving’s favorite word is penis, and he claims it to be a very useful word when…
Read MoreCreative, cruel and clever
One of my students named my bald spot Jerry today. “Hi Mr. Dicks,” she said. “Hi, Jerry.” Sometimes their cruelty can be so damn cute.
Read MoreKids make me sound stupid
Last week I wrote about my opinion of the the celebrations following Osama Bin Laden’s death, and while I still believe that my assertions are correct, these kids sound a hell of a lot smarter…
Read MoreIt’s never enough.
Cecil Rhodes, former Prime Minister of the Cape Colony of South Africa and founder of the De Beers Mining Company, the Rhodes Scholarship program and the state of Rhodesia (later separated into the nations of…
Read MoreNot a happy day
Mother’s Day is a difficult day for me, as I expect it is for many. For most of my life, Mother’s Day was an opportunity to tell my mother that I loved her through time…
Read MoreSignificant fringe benefits
Tonight Elysha and I had dinner with Allison, a former student who was in my class for second and third grade. After dinner she helped me choose the date for the next A-Mattzing Race and…
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