Newberry’s Five-&-Dime: a brief glimpse of where I came from

Here’s a the first of several short clips from a reading of Trebekistan I did for the Mensa World Gathering in Orlando in the middle of August.

(I’m not in Mensa, btw.  And why were we in central Florida in the hottest days of August?  As I’ve noted before: because Mensa is full of geniuses.)

If you’re from the midwest, you’ve probably shopped at one of these stores in a neighborhood like the one I came from.  I hope this brings back a few fun memories.
 

More on the way.

Genuine fun

Mental Floss magazine, which I have read since the first issue, just posted this interview from last week about Prisoner of Trebekistan.  This is a real kick as far as I’m concerned.

(I should clarify that when I went all Mr. Miyagi in the interview — that stuff about the glass of water in the ocean — I meant fresh water, as when you’re dying of thirst and surrounded by salt water.  This may have been unclear.  As the gospel of Spinal Tap teaches, there is a fine line between stupid and clever.)

Also, the Entertainment Weekly review of Trebekistan
went online a while back, and there’s good news: next week they’re
issuing a correction about that accidental implication that I make serious
income from underground back-alley trivia competitions.  (How I wish this were true!)  And they’ve been super-nice about it.  So good for them.

Tuesday: The Bob & Tom
show.  Neat!  I’m doing scads of radio, but I haven’t said much here
because (a) lots of appearances are local only, (b) many shows are
unreliable about schedules, and (c) I’ve done enough radio that frankly
there aren’t many people I’m excited to talk with.  But these guys do a
great job, and I actively tune in when I’m in Ohio.  So this should be
big fun.

More as things start lining up in the coming weeks.

How much would you pay for a round-the-world air ticket?

How about less than $1900, including taxes? 

Just want to point out the travel links at Trebekistan.com.  When I tell people you can travel a lot more cheaply than people realize, they often don’t quite believe me.  But believe me.  The time is usually a lot harder to find than the money.

If there’s one thing I want people to take from Prisoner of Trebekistan, it’s to start getting excited about how small and interconnected and accessible much of the world really is.

It’s the weekend.  You have the time.  GoClickPlayDaydream.

Then do.