Clay Morgan is a professor, writes for and runs EduClaytion.com and is one of the more enjoyable Twitter users you will ever follow.
He grew up in the 80's and 90's like I did, so he shares a lot of the same traumatic experiences. Mostly due to people wearing backwards pants and white people trying to rap.
Clay is legitimately one of my favorite bloggers on these here "interwebs." If you give him a chance, I believe you'll feel the same way.
On my signal, unleash the shenanigans:
Kevin Haggerty: Clay, thanks for taking a few minutes to answer some questions and help me and my readers get to know you a little better.
Clay Morgan: Happy to be here. I wanted to get you something nice for inviting me, so I anagrammed your named and came up with a couple options for how the letters in Kevin Haggerty can be rearranged. Pick from "Try Having Geek" or "Thin Gravy Geek" or "Ever Gay Night."
KH: "Thin Gravy Geek." No brainer.
First, please tell the readers about your site: educlaytion.com. What is the purpose of the site and why should we all check it out?
CM: Well, the original purpose of the site, about 3 years ago, when it began, was to have a place for me to start writing again. These days, it's a combo of pop culture and the meaning of life. We have a good time.
KH: Talk about your full-time job a little. You're a teacher, yes?
CM: I teach history, political science, government, and more at three colleges where as a professor I'm expected to profess things. I think my specialization is generalization. I've now been in front of college classrooms as long as I sat in them as a student.
KH: What got you into the education profession?
CM: I was made to teach and have been blessed with great opportunities. A phone call out of nowhere literally changed everything. These things find me. It's a big part of who I am and speaking in general is an extension of that. Lately I've been speaking to groups of teachers which is really fun.
KH: How do you feel that being a teacher helps you as a writer? Are there any ways that it sometimes inhibits you?
CM: Interesting timing for a question like that. The inhibiting side is that as writing becomes more and more of a priority it's tough to keep a balance. I teach a lot but actually am spending more time writing than on all three colleges combined these days.
Teaching definitely helps me as a writer. I have to be able to communicate a lot of different content to a lot of different people. The ability to communicate clearly is key in the classroom and on paper. I can write things that I hope are interesting or funny and try them out in the classroom, so teaching gives me a test audience. And honestly, if I want to research something as a writer I can work it into assignments for my students. Seriously. They learn and I get free research.
KH: I recently interviewed Knox McCoy and we talked about his (as well as my) love for "pop culture." You share a similar affinity. What is it about pop culture and entertainment that not only intrigues you but makes you want to write about it?
CM: As part of "Generation X," I grew up on TV, but have really loved movies and music all my life. I really don't watch much TV anymore, but music plays all the time. I don't even think about the references that come out when I speak and write. I think in movie lines and plot examples. Strange, but that's what happens in my brain.
KH: What's your favorite TV show of all time? What's your favorite TV show that is currently on air?
CM: I've liked a lot of shows in my life, especially in the 90s. I think "Quantum Leap" gets the nod though as favorite all time. Currently, I'm a "Psych" man, with "The Walking Dead" a very close second. "Psych" is the perfect blend of humor, witty writing, and all the delicious Gen X pop culture references you want.
KH: If you could hang out with any of the Muppets for a day, which one would it be and why?
CM: I thought about this a lot when I wrote about my Muppet personality makeup. Kermit and I would have plenty to talk about, but me and Rowlf the Dog would be the team. We'd have a blast and be able to talk about anything.
KH: What's a weird habit you have that not many people know about?
CM: I've been told I'm weird my whole life, so I can't see one spot clearly just now in an ocean of quirks. In general, I would say that most people would be surprised at what's happening in my brain all the time. It never stops. I play through endless scenarios that will never happen. Nothing neurotic or obsessive, I just constantly think about every little thing around me. Donald Miller wrote about how he never realized that everybody doesn't daydream like him all the time. He was surprised. I get that. Since then I wonder what people do think about all the time.
KH: What advice would you give to someone who is just beginning to blog or write, in general?
CM: Know what you want to write about, post consistently (at least once a week), and respond to every comment. Successful bloggers connect with readers. I'm also a big believer in Tentblogger and Copyblogger as key resources.
KH: Worse terrible movie -- "Snakes on a Plane" or "Anaconda?"
CM: "Anaconda" was super terrible. "Snakes" was actually better than I thought when I saw it. I had expected it to be SO bad.
KH: Let's do some word association. I give you a name or title and you tell me what pops into your head first. Example: If you said, "Dunkin Donuts," I'd respond with, "Was Krispy Kreme not open?"
Let's get started.
American Idol: Can't believe it's still on without Simon.
Mayonnaise: Gross but it can be hidden on sandwiches.
Nick Cannon: You actually came up with a pop culture name who I had to look up. Why is he relevant to anything?
(This is a fantastic question that I cannot answer.)
That chick "Flo" from the Progressive commercials: Strangely attracted.
Treadmills: Love-hate relationship.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Loved the TV show after school back in the day, played the Nintendo game, hated the movie. Splinter was always cool.
Ashton Kutcher: I think he's sneaky smart, but doubt he'll ever top "That 70s Show."
Netflix: World changer.
Televangelists: Christianity is still recovering.
KH: What inspires you to write?
CM: Different things in the past including a desire to impress certain people and money. I've had a couple periods in life where writing was my only income, before teaching. In recent years I write because I can't not write. Stuff is bursting out of me, and I have gobs of files stashed away.
KH: What's the worst advice anyone has ever given you about anything?
CM: Wow. Let's go with "Follow your heart."
KH: Do you think it's time that the government, once and for all, steps in and tells Chick-Fil-A that they need to be open on Sundays?
CM: I lurv Chick-Fil-A, but respect their game plan. I guess. My compromise is that they make extra food on Saturdays and have food dispensers available for Sundays.
KH: If you could be sponsored by any company and get a lifetime supply of their product, who would it be and why?
CM: Lot of possible creative answers here, but let me go with one that's also practical. We have Chinese restaurants around Pittsburgh called The Sesame Inn. I'll take them. Or Skittles. Or Amazon.
KH: Did I miss anything? Anything else you want to plug or promote?
CM: The new eduClaytion and another site are finally well underway and going to launch soon. Just stay tuned for some other big developments in 2012.
KH: Thanks again for your time. I appreciate it!
CM: Great to be here Kevin.
Make sure to check out Clay Morgan on Twitter HERE. Make sure to check out his website, EduClaytion.com, HERE.
