Lisa Q. Mathews
I have to admit, I’d be a little embarrassed to have another adult (like, say, Jennifer Garner) switch with me, much as I really do love my life. (Dust bunnies? Right this way. Writing deadlines and a mind-blowingly-boring new diet plan? Be my guest. A doggie whose obedience skills are so minimal that he couldn’t attend his own canine family reunion last weekend? Welcome to my world.) But then I realized that my 10-year-old granddaughter is already very grown up, and she would love to be in charge. She’d probably have me all organized by the time we switched back. And I’d love to go to school and be smart in math and take Irish dance lessons. What would she get out of this deal? Well, she might want to be a kid again, STAT. But also, this year she would not be a dog again for Halloween. Ever since her first Pottery Barn dog costume (reordered each year until she sized out), that has been her biggest wish. (Not so much her younger sister, who inherited the costumes when she wanted to be Valdemort.) It’ll be the time of your life, eh, kid? Sometimes you just gotta say, What the heck. (Okay, that’s Risky Business, not Freaky Friday!)
Ellen Byron
I really struggled with this, which is great! It must mean that I pretty much like my life the way it is right now. Yeah, I’d love to switch with a billionaire for a day (or more) so I could pay off bills, fix my house, travel, and donate to all the causes I love. But that’s just for their money, not for their life.
I thought long and hard, and here’s what I came up with. If I could trade places with someone for a day, it would be a docent at the Bronte Parsonage. I’m obsessed with the Brontes and visiting their home is number one on my bucket list. This way, I’d not only get to do that, but as a docent, I’d have insider intel about the Brontes, like which moor walks were their favorites, and I’d get access to locations not available to your average tourist. Just writing this, I feel like I’m there already! But I’m not, sigh. Dang. If only I had that billionaire’s money and could hop on a plane tomorrow.
Vickie Fee
If I could spend a day in someone else’s shoes, and they in mine, I’d switch places with hubs. We’re happily married, but I believe the adage that you can’t really understand someone unless you’ve walked a mile in his shoes. Shoes wouldn’t be a big issue since mine and his are close to the same size. His inseam and my chest size would make switching problematic. Wait a minute. We switch bodies, too, right? So, not a problem.
I’d have to shave my face, which if hairs keep popping up on my chin may become a regular thing anyway. He’d have to shave his legs. I’d enjoy watching him tweeze. And I’d suddenly be tech savvy! Seeing what it feels like navigating technology with my brain would be a sobering revelation for him. Not to be too sappy (okay it’s sappy), the best part is he’d know from the inside of my heart how much he means to me. And he’d cry at Hallmark commercials.
Leslie Karst
I’m going to pick a fictional character—and one of my own, to boot. I’ve always been curious as to what it would feel like to be a man for a day (but for no longer than that, because I’m quite happy being a woman!). So if I could switch bodies with someone for a day, it would be Eric Byrne, Sally Solari’s ex-boyfriend/current BFF. He’s a nice guy with a snarky sense of humor, and is in pretty good shape, so I figure as men goes he’s as good a choice as any.
I’d get to see how it feels to have testosterone coursing through my system, to perform chin-ups with no training, and to get a shave with a straight razor and shaving cream in one of those old-time barbershops. And how fabulous it would be to go hiking and then simply step behind a tree when that morning cup of coffee was telling me it was time to leave! Plus, once I was back in my own body, I’d be able to write about Eric with ever so much more accuracy.
Kathleen Valenti
I know this is a total copy/paste of the movie(s), but I would love to trade places with my daughter. She’s in the thick of middle school angst, complete with test anxiety, mean girl frenemies, and worries about which scrunchie goes best with which outfit. It probably sounds crazy to want to return to the hell that is middle school, but I’d love to walk a mile—or B Hall—in her Vans. Of course, I wouldn’t mind if she experienced Working Mom World and all the juggling that entails. (I’m pretty sure she thinks I sit around eating bonbons, which isn’t true. I eat fun-size Snickers bars.) But mostly I want a glimpse into the secret life of my pre-teen so that I know what she’s going through, how I can help. Oh, and which scrunchie to wear with my sweat pants. (My FORMAL sweatpants. I’m guessing velvet?)
Becky Clark
If I could trade places with anyone, I would run—not walk—to the magical portal and step into the life of my adorable dog, Nala. First, because people would always be referring to me as “adorable.” But also because she lives a righteous life: comfy beds all over the house so she can flop down whenever and wherever she chooses; treats on demand; food at regular times and in appropriate portions. Of course, she doesn’t get much variety in her diet, but I’ve been known to eat the same lunch every day for a week with no complaints. My dinner rotation has become a bit predictable, too. Aside from her cushy life, though, I would LOVE to know what goes on behind those big brown eyes. What was her life like before I met her? What are her true thoughts about the squirrels, deer, magpies, and bunnies? Where does she hurt and what would make it better? What does she like about living with us? Why does she ignore toys? On the flip side I’d like her to know some things, too. We’ll always come home. She doesn’t need to feel bad when age makes her tinkle on the floor. Plastic bags won’t hurt her. The UPS guy is harmless. And that unconditional love thing? I’d want to make sure she felt it, too.
Readers, what about you? Who would you switch places with for a day (or a week or maybe forever)? Or does the very idea of a cosmic switcheroo terrify you?
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How fun, ladies! I once told my wife that I wouldn’t mind being George Clooney. She told me she wouldn’t mind that, either!
LOL, J.C.! Maybe we could all switch places with a movie star for a day to experience that red carpet treatment!
J.C., George is a neighbor! He lives in the fancier part of our neighborhood – if he’s still there. I thought he owned the house, but someone said he rented. He’s been there since ER. I saw him on his motorcycle a couple of times. He gave keys to his place to guys I know so they could come play basketball on his tennis/basketball court when he wasn’t home. He really is just one of the guys.
That is too cool, Ellen!
Ha ha, J.C.!! Hilarious! And, Ellen, wow! How cool. And I love that he’s such a nice guy, for realsies.
I am with Becky. I would want to switch my dog Tyler to know what he is thinking and what he really feels about me and all the things I have to do to him. I wouldnt even mind getting his insulin shots for the day. Maybe then he would understand I love him just as much if not more than he loves me. The things i do for him are for his own good, not because I want to do them. That he is the most amazing thing in my life and that we will always be here for him. Great idea Becky.
Agreed! I’d love to get inside our Pogo’s head.
Betty … your dog’s name is Tyler Tyler??? That’s awesome! I would also like to shed with ridiculous abandon, just to watch the cascade of hair when I shake.
I’d trade places with someone with vacation time and nothing major planned so I could enjoy a day away.
I’m daring and bold in my plans, aren’t I?
(And the Jamie Lee Curtis/Lindsay Lohan version of the story is far, far superior to the original. It’s proof that not all remakes are automatically bad.)
Making the switch to score a vacation sounds pretty smart to me, Mark!
Mark … you could switch with someone who owns a catamaran, or a ski instructor, or an Italian villa, or a—gasp—bookstore owner!!
Oooh, good one, Mark!
Sounds like a good plan to me! (And I like the Jamie Lee Curtis/Lindsay Lohan one, too.)
I like the Curtis/Lohan version also, Mark!
Who would I switch with? Becky Clark. Ever heard of her? Maybe?
Why? Because I would like to be in her head for one weekend when she is outlining a book. I would like to experience her plot process. For at least one day. Plus, she’s funsick. That means she’s sick in a hilarious way. Yup, that’s a word. I just invented it.
No, I am not sucking up. It’s for real.
And I will talk to you all in a week. Probably won’t do too much social media next week. Since I’m gonna be in Vegas getting married and all. Remember, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. Except herpes, that s@$t will come back with you And if Elvis dies at my altar, I’m coming after you Vickie!
OMG, Hestia! That is one of the sweetest things anybody ever said to me! It rates right up there when my 6yo son told me he loved me more than monkeys.
Have a fantastic wedding and vacay in Vegas! Oodles of love to your and yours. May it be everything you dreamed of.
I love this! And huge congrats on your wedding!! <3
Cool choice, Hestia! I imagine spending a day inside Becky’s head would be more fun than an amusement park — and you’d get to hang out with Nala!
Best wishes to the bride and groom! Unlike Mama and Earl’s wedding, I’m sure your Elvis minister will make it through the ceremony alive!!
Awwww… so sweet. AND HAVE A GREAT WEDDING!!!
Felicitations, Hestia! We’re all so happy for you!! We want a full recap AND tons of photos!! Cheers and xoxo from all of us Chicks!!!
I would have said my dog, Ziggy, if Becky hadn’t beaten me to the punch. But how fascinating would it to be inside the brain of a dog for a day? And to smell what the smell! (Okay, so maybe that wouldn’t be always such a good thing, now that I think about it. And would have really have to roll in cat poop?)
Yes! To figure out how that marvelous nose works would be cool. But I don’t think you’d care if you rolled in cat poop. You’d think it was delightful!
I could see swapping with my cat so I could sleep wherever I wanted and chase humans so they’d feed me. BUT, I kind of have that already since hubby brings me coffee in the morning 🙂
Sounds good to me!!
Nice, Robin!
Lucky you, Robin!