At Least 3 Things You’ve Never Heard Me Talk About
January, January, what have you wrought?
I’ve been a busy boy these past few weeks, but all that hard work is soon going to pay off. The fun part’s coming when I get to tell yous what’s been in the works.
Kevin looks like a guy you can trust. Until he asks about Nick Cannon.
One of the revelations will be a complete overhaul of my web presence which brings me to the way it all got started–blogging.
Kevin Haggerty invited me to talk about my life as a writer, professor, and pop culturista. Although he may have outed me in at least one area. No, I’m not gay* in case you were wondering
There are even a couple new wrinkles for those of you who know me all too well. At the very least you can discover which Muppet I would spend the day with and how I really feel about Flo from the Progressive commercials.
So click on over to Kevin’s site The Isle of Man to read the interview sure to sweep the nation like a Hoover.
*Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
What Inspires You?
I’ve been underground lately, and for good reasons. More on that in the near future. In the meantime, I have a special weekend planned and want to take you with me.
Well, I can’t take ALL of you, just a piece. Specifically, an inspirational piece.
See, I’m going to Gettysburg this weekend for a unique time of reflection and writing. I’ve wanted to go stay in a house in the middle of nowhere for a long time but never did it. I finally buckled down a couple months back and researched possible towns to stay in. I’ve been to Gettysburg before, but as soon as I thought of it I knew I had my winner.
Then I set about checking out bed and breakfast type establishments. I’ve never stayed in one of those. I found one that actually doesn’t serve breakfast. This was actually a key attraction for me. Instead, they have a stocked kitchen and you just do your own thing. EXCELLENT if you know anything about my life and sleep patterns.
It’s also major off season. This means A) The rates are cheap and B) There’s no one staying there.
I literally get the entire house to myself because the proprietors (who are very nice) stay offsite nearby.
All this to talk about inspiration. I recently asked the Twitter world what music they use to get in the creative mood. A lot of the responses were movie soundtracks. I get that. Ellie Soderstrom and her husband Mike are all about the Tron soundtrack, so I’ve been playing that one recently.
I listen to a lot of rock, and that won’t change, but I’m open to new ideas! So I’d like to know, What Music Inspires You?
How Would You Have Answered These 2 Questions?
I recently helped one of my students out when she had to do an interview with a professor.
I told her I had to think about a couple of the questions and would reply via email later.
Here are the 2 questions:
1. If you could require a college student to read one thing before they graduate, what would it be and why?
2. What advice can you offer an undergraduate?
Those are pretty big questions. I could’ve answered a lot of different ways too. There are potential funny answers, lots of them. There are also plenty of serious answers.
I came up with answers I felt good about and sent them off.
I’m curious, how would you answer those two questions for a young student?
The 2012 Pop Culture Baby Naming Guide
My sister who lives in Florida is about to have a baby any day now. I say any day because she’s been ready like that for the past 9 months. She’s definitely not catching Angelina Jolie anytime soon. Or ever.
Since I’m about to become UncleClaytion again, I thought I would take time to comment on a topic that women go crazy over every year: What to name people who don’t exist yet.
My dog's pouting because he wants a cool and relevant name like Tolkien.
The new list of most popular baby names came out recently and it appears as though people are taking their cues from pop culture. For example, the Kardashians and Twilight are influencing many young parents searching for just the right name to identify their flesh and blood for all time.
Maaaaaakes sense*.
As a result, we have a lot of Isabellas and Jacobs running around. The rest of us will just have to hold our collective breath in crushing anticipation of what the next pregnant Kardashian names her child. Sigh. Even writing that sentence satirically makes me want to punch myself in the face to numb the pain of reality. Read more »
Will Norton & The Light
I’m not really into reposting my old stuff but my top post of this year and all-time comes from this past June when I told the story of Will Norton whose amazing life was cut short by the Joplin tornado. I’ve been thinking about Will’s family this week and the pain of empty spaces around the holidays.
There’s a singer I like named TobyMac who’s been singing a song for a long time called In The Light. Will’s story changes lives because he lived in the Light. I hope you’ll take a minute to read this story, especially if you’ve never seen it. Then go look at the beautiful monument that the Norton’s had placed last month in tribute to their Willdabeast.
~*~*~*~
On May 22, a devastating tornado hit Joplin, Missouri. Millions of people now know the story of Will Norton, the 18 year old who could not survive the storm that struck as he drove home from his high school graduation service.
The storm ripped him from his vehicle even as his father in the passenger seat struggled to hold him. A cell phone and graduation cap were the only thing found until Will’s body was discovered a few days later. He was reportedly reciting Scripture in those final moments. But the story goes deeper.
I first heard about Will through Amy, one of my original blogging acquaintances. Her family survived the deadly tornado despite harrowing conditions that she recounted in a powerful way. Her description of the town in the days following the tragedy will shake you.
I learned about the discovery of Will’s body when I came across a link Amy put on Facebook. She only added “What an amazing life. Thinking today about Will’s family and friends.” The search for the high school grad had come to an unhappy end, but Amy linked to a video called “50″ by Will Norton. I got choked up when I watched it, kind of like the way I feel now as I write this. Read more »
My Big Fat Greek Penance
It’s payday. Not the kind where I happily collect checks and go to the bank. No, today is the day I pay for my transgressions as a wayward, gambling Steelers fan.
Forgive me Thoughtsy, for I have sinned.
Many of you already know about my now legendary wager with Miss Thoughtsy Appears over the recent Balitmore Ravens-Pittsburgh Steelers football game and how I was a big fat loser.
So I had to watch the worst chick flick that Thoughtsy and her evil minions readers could come up with.
They picked a doozy called Mamma Mia! Don’t let that exclamation point confuse you. It’s in the title. I wasn’t excited. At all.
But I’m a man of my word, so I took my medicine and watched one of the greatest atrocities ever put on film. And I’ve got a guest post over at Thoughts Appear to prove it. I hope it makes you laugh so the universe can be evened out after all the tears I shed while enduring Pierce Brosnan’s voice amidst an estrogen fest of the devil. Read more »
Politics and Religion: The Party Taboos
One of my favorite parts of being a professor is that I work in places where the open exchange of ideas is expected. They say you should never talk about politics and religion at a party, but I get to teach about that stuff in the academy.
The biggest reason these topics are taboo is that so many people get too emotional at the expense of intellect. But it shouldn’t be that way.
I like to think about these things, especially at a time like this when Time magazine makes The Protester it’s “Person of the Year.” That’s a great call when you think about how much the world changed over these past few months.
I have a lot of unpublished thoughts on all kinds of spiritual-cultural topics but try to use this space sparingly for much of that. In a few days I’m going to post about my new web presence coming in 2012 and will be asking you for specific ideas to help design the new direction*.
One part of that new web stuff will be a place to bring a different side of my brain to the internet discussion. I like the phrase that Donald Miller used in the subtitle of his phenomenal book Blue Like Jazz: Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality
I’ve written a guest post along these lines for my friend Kim Wilson about how Christians can look like ignorant protesters if we’re not careful. I hope you’ll head over there, check it out, and join the discussion.
*No, eduClaytion isn’t going anywhere, just getting a face lift.
Happy Not Dying To Me!
It’s my birthday again. This happens every year. I never know what I’m going to write about on my special day. In the past it’s been all boob jobs and hair. Somehow this year ended up being about He-Man and a drippy bathmat. Go figure.
See, I recently moved into this new place. In the process I’ve been going through loads of stuff including boxes filled with the nostalgia of my youth. One of those boxes contained my old He-Man figures from when I was a kid.
I remember getting a bunch of these for my 9th birthday. The party was held at Chuck E Cheese’s because that’s where a kid could be a kid. That birthday was especially memorable because we didn’t usually do big parties with all kinds of people. I got such cool presents and was allowed to spin the free token birthday wheel. I really wanted 50. I got 16. I played Frogger.
It’s funny what you remember about certain birthdays.
I remember becoming a teenager. I sat on the couch with my mom and opened a present she had wrapped for me. For some reason my aunt and sisters weren’t around that evening. I think we watched Singin’ In the Rain because I wanted to laugh and imagine that I was as cool as Cosmo Brown. I wasn’t very cool during high school, but I was at least a nice guy even if I did finish last sometimes. I don’t remember any birthdays during high school.
I remember a little about my 18th birthday. I was nearing the end of my first semester at university. I had been home for cake and ice cream. My sister took me to the store and drove me back to campus. She told me to pick what I wanted. I got the Smashing Pumpkins newest album, a double cassette of Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness. I listened to “Bullet with Butterfly Wings” way too much. I also got Madden ’95 for Super Nintendo which I played way too much. Read more »
Thanksgiving
When I was in 5th grade, my super teacher Mrs. Smith had all kind of fun stuff going on including how to acronym it up. So in honor of Mrs. Smith, I’m going to give it another try. Here’s a simple sample of some of the many things I’m thankful for:
Always thankful for Starbucks!
Today–I thank God for every day I wake up. It’s a gift.
Home–My new apartment is fantastic!
Another Muppet Movie–Can’t wait to see it!
National Military–Thank you all who serve our country.
Kin–My family is honestly too great to describe, but the word kin also reflects friends who are as close as family.
Success–Any success I have is also a gift from above.
~*~*~*~
We’re so ridiculously blessed in America and in the West. It’s great to take a day and pause for gratitude.
Here are just a few of the fine Thanksgiving posts I’ve caught this week. These folks express thankful sentiments better than I could, so please click and enjoy.
Thanks for Nothing by RobShep
Pilgrim, As You Journey by Piper Bayard
An Attitude of Gratitude by Kristen Lamb
Happy Thanksgiving everybody!
None of Your Business?
I’ve been thinking recently about something I was told years ago after some guy threw me through his kitchen wall. Well, let me back that thing up for a second.
As a private school educated 17-year-old, I was especially naive during my first semester at university. About midway through that first year, I started going to places I shouldn’t have gone where other college kids did the kinds of things that college kids do.
Image from mobilehomerenovation.com
My roommate was older and suave and eventually allowed me to tag along with the “cool” kids. One of the weekly haunts was the apartment of a guy I’ll call Bender.
Bender was an upperclassman with a cool nickname and the adoration of more than one female including a particular girl I crushed on for two straight years. (She never went for me despite my secret strategy of being too afraid to really talk to her).
One late night I found Bender alone in his kitchen basically spazzing out. He was gritting his teeth and punching himself in the face kind of like he might be getting ready to play linebacker in the big game. I remember thinking how bad one of those punches would hurt me. After all, I was weighing in at a whopping 155 pounds back then. Read more »
Pittsburgh Lights It Up!
Hey all you holiday cheerers, it’s Professor Scrooge here to show you what happened in Pittsburgh Friday night.
I got stuck in traffic, that’s what, because apparently we’re celebrating Christmas. Whaaaaat?! Trees were lit, Santa showed (I hear), and cheer was consumed. Personally, I think people just like to make excuses to a) spend money and b) drink.
It’s not even Thanksgiving yet people.
Here's the going into work part.
But I’m a man of the people. Or at least for the people. Either way, I took exclusive footage for you, yes you, that’s right you, dear reader/viewer. Read more »
Hello, My Name Is…
When my friend Bill and I used to travel during grad school we always enjoyed assuming fake identities when we met people. We also spoke fake German on elevators and even posed as government agents a couple times.
In our favorite assumed identities, Bill would be a brilliant bassist from Pittsburgh, and I was a pro volleyball player ranked just high enough to be impressive but low enough that no one would doubt it.
A few times, when things got especially loose, Bill referred to me as Moonsauce Washington. Later, I introduced him to my family as Pirate Bill and the name stuck for a few years. Neighborhood children would ask when “Pirate Bill” was coming over. Read more »
8 Lessons from Chicago
A couple weeks ago I took a quick 24 hour trip to Chicago for a marketing seminar hosted by by my wonderful agency, MacGregor Literary. Here are some things I learned that weekend.
1. I still don’t know what creme brulee is, even after eating it. But it’s good.
2. Marketing is knowing where your audience is and standing in front of them.
3. At a ritzy hotel restaurant, seasonal fruit means two slivers of strawberry.
4. [Attributed to Carolyn See] The secret to a writer’s life is to write 1000 words a day and send a note of appreciation to someone. Read more »
Work At Home (In the Nude)
I love seeing what questions people ask the internet. Google auto complete has given me marvelous blog fodder in the past, but you can find great questions in other places too.
Yahoo Answers contains some real doozies, but I found a simple one today from a young girl who wanted to know:
“What do writers wear/look like?”
Apparently her school was doing something about a reality town and she was to dress as a writer. As a professional writer, I suppose I’m qualified to answer this query. Sure, we look a lot different in public than when we’re at home crafting brilliant prose. *snicker* Read more »
I’m a Big Loser
When I was in my early 20s I got sucked into the fun world of betting football games online. Yes, I was stupid but then again scientific studies* show that most guys are at their worst between the ages of 21-23.
Let’s just say what started off well sure didn’t end that way. But hey, it was the 2000s and we were young, crazy kids. That’s what free credit cards were for.
Next time Gadget...
*throws self into steel radiator*
One particular Sunday afternoon, I was in my room watching the hapless San Diego Chargers play the solid Baltimoron Ravens (who would go onto win the Super Bowl) before dinner. My relatively safe wager was somehow reliant on the Ravens holding a big lead at halftime.
I was in great shape when the call for dinner came, but as I walked down to eat the stupid Ravens fumbled. The Chargers recovered and were suddenly in field goal range as I picked up my fork. Unbelievable, their kicker John Carney kicked a long field goal as the first half expired. I lost my bet. And my money. It was the only points the pathetic Chargers scored all day. I wasn’t very hungry after that. Read more »
Life. Culture. Education.
Life as Pop Culture Professor Clay Morgan
In The Matrix, Morpheus tells Neo he can take the blue pill and go on believing whatever he wants to believe. Or he can take the red pill to stay in Wonderland and find out how deep the rabbit hole goes.
This is a red pill type site that provides information in an entertaining way. It’s about clear thinking and good writing. It’s about finding meaning amidst the absurd. It’s about humor and truth.
I’m a writer / speaker who teaches history and political courses at a couple of local colleges. Where is local, you say? Well, that would be Wonderland of course.
On topics ranging from pop culture to the meaning of life, my brain’s always poppin’. Take the red pill and unplug.
