Category: Non-Fiction

Juggler Wisdom

~ thatneilguy ~ Leave a comment

I’ve been listening to Penn Jillette’s podcast since it was a radio show. And it stopped being a radio show in 2007(!).

One constant of the show has been cohost Michael Goudeau. I always enjoyed Goudeau’s quick wit and generally happy attitude. What’s not to love about a juggler whose favorite song is “Tomorrow” from Annie?

Michael Goudeau – photo from mikegoudeau.com/media

Earlier this year (maybe it was this year? It’s so hard to remember anymore. 2020, amirite?) Goudeau said something on the podcast that really struck a chord for me, so I wrote it down.

Last week I started thinking about the quote again and it occurred to me that it contained a new resonance in this time of lockdown. So I wrote an article about it, published in the online magazine An Idea.

It’s called The Secret to Enjoying Lockdown — and the Rest of Your Life: How a juggler taught me the meaning of life in less than 90 seconds. Please do check it out and let me know what you think!

Writing Roundup

~ thatneilguy ~ Leave a comment

Here are some pieces I’ve put out into the world over the past few months.

My first piece for Trek Movie, a Star Trek site I’ve been reading for many years. It’s an 

interview with New York Times bestselling author Dayton Ward about his latest book, KIRK FU MANUAL.

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And speaking of Star Trek, I wrote an article for the official Star Trek website, all about my own personal trouble with Tribbles.

Theatre Reviews

HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH – Review of a fantastic production at The Warehouse Theatre.

THE HEATH – another great production at the Warehouse, this of a new play by Lauren Gunderson.

BRIGHT STAR – I saw the original production of this Steve Martin/Edie Brickell musical when it was on Broadway. I incorporated that experience into my review of a terrific production by the Mill Town Players.

NEWSIES – This production at Greenville Theatre was top notch (and, disclaimer, my son was in it).

DEAR EVAN HANSEN – the touring company came to the Peace Center.

COME FROM AWAY – What a wonderful show! We saw the touring production. I interviewed Julie Johnson, who graduated a year or two ahead of me from Austin College (in Sherman, TX).

Bonus – Five Great Local Hikes, written for a tourist guide to our town, published by the Greenville News.

My new book – Growing Greenville for 50 Years

~ thatneilguy ~ Leave a comment

I wrote a book.

It’s called “Growing Greenville for 50 Years: A Celebration of Greenville Technical College 1962-2012.”

Produced for the college’s 50th anniversary, the book was released last night at a celebratory gala. I am co-author, having written many of the chapters and helped arrange the overall flow.

It was a fun project to work on and I’m proud of the result – it’s a great looking book. And I learned a lot about the huge effect Greenville Tech has had – and continues to have – on the community.