nonfiction

The Plane: Memorializing a Show-stopping Moment and So Much More

Posted on December 21, 2018by Clay Rivers

A hefty Christmas tree ornament to commemorate a very special flight.

One of my favorite gifts is a rather weighty and sizable prop plane ornament, given to me ten years ago by Joey M., a then nine-year-old fellow actor in New York’s Radio City Christmas Spectacular. He bestowed me with this memento as a final gift during our annual Secret Santa gift exchange. He gave it to me as a reminder of a specific moment in the show, but it has come to symbolize a greater gift I was given by him and so many others. One I try to share as often as possible.

The Write Life

10 Things You (Probably) Don’t Know About Me

Posted on September 17, 2018by Clay Rivers

Clay at Disney’s Magic Kingdom Theme Park, circa not that long ago.

Thanks to the lovely Lecia Michelle for tagging me in this challenge! Here goes, tipping my hand just a little. Hopefully, not too much.

1. I am not a fan of children.

I don’t have the patience for them. They’ve got too much energy and require a ton of attention. They’re not high maintenance.

All the World's a Stage

Backstory: “Show Biz Is” and one Memorable Prank

Posted on April 15, 2018by Clay Rivers

The cast and crew of "Show Biz Is" around 1980-something.

We all have backstories; adventures and foibles few would believe the people we are now would ever be a party to. So in the interest of mixing it up a little, this week I’m unpacking the story about almost committing professional suicide on-stage. During a show. Enjoy!

The Bigger Picture

Depending on How You See a Thing

Posted on January 2, 2018by Clay Rivers

The Helix Nebula, news.nationalgeographic.com

New Year’s Resolutions, 2017, and Beyond

I don’t do resolutions. I gave up the practice a long time ago. Maybe it’s just me, but by the time February rolls around, I’m too consumed with surviving the public shame of not having a proper Valentine to remember a promise to improve some aspect of my behavior that I made after three glasses of champagne on New Year’s Eve. I can’t recall exactly when I tossed the promise to lose weight long. It doesn’t really matter as I’ve kinda become accustomed to my new cherub-bod. It’s growing on me. Literally.

The Bigger Picture

In It to Win It: Affecting Change Right Where You Are

Posted on May 22, 2017by Clay Rivers

Image by Tamarcus Brown, unsplash.com

A lot people say they want change, but a lot more people aren’t willing to do what it takes to bring about that change. I’ve seen this play out in a reality TV show and in my own community over the last week, each with markedly different results.