I love when a conversation turns Southern. My day job recently had me in our nation’s capitol for a conference. These events are catnip to me. My extroversion explodes. Meeting new people, making connections, networking and engaging in conversations energizes me. About 700-800 people, give or take, attended this conference, and I knew only a … Continue reading When a conversation turns Southern
It’s the first week of the year, and if you’re like me, it’s important to know now what the weather and moon phase will be on March 26. (That’s warm with scattered showers and first quarter on the way to waxing gibbous, by the way.) How did I know that with 88% certainty? The Old … Continue reading Preparing for 2026 with The Old Farmer’s Almanac
I don’t know if you’ve noticed but the Year of Our Lord 2025 is waning. With five days to go, we’ve reached that magical time of year between Christmas and New Year’s when the writers at all the media companies want to take some time off. So instead of covering actual news (they leave that … Continue reading The State of New South Essays 2025
Unlike every other internet influencer that has been serving up Christmas content since August, New South Essays observes a rigorous adherence to a holiday schedule that allows each celebration to have its own, dedicated season. With Thanksgiving now in the rear view, we can officially turn our attention to Christmas. And in this season of … Continue reading The definitive must-watch Christmas movie list
On April 3, 2025, I enticed Carla and our friend Heather to join me in violating the no. 1 rule of our influencer-driven, celebrity-obsessed culture: Never meet your heroes. Landon Bryant and his lovely wife, Kate, are the rare exception. We were among the first to arrive at Eagle Eye Books in Decatur that night … Continue reading Landon talks… to me
Widely known as the “Mark Twain of Lilburn,” I have an appreciation of stand-up comedy as an art form and humor more generally as a quality that enhances life. I am aware of my readership, so from time to time I enjoy performing a public service and letting you in on a comedian whose work … Continue reading Aaron Weber serves up quality comedy with ‘Signature Dish’
A look back at the year that was in 2024 for New South Essays.
It's Star Wars Day, and I cannot let this occasion go uncommented upon. "The Phantom Menace" is back in theaters on the 25th anniversary of its release, and I am frankly shocked that there is now a whole generation that looks back at the prequel trilogy with nostalgia. My children are among them. As I … Continue reading May the 4th be with y’all
My day job has been a relentless torrent of small talk the last few weeks. And it’s glorious. For an extrovert like me, good small talk is a renewable and infinite energy source. I readily admit I have the gift of gab, and I feed off of the social interchange. What I find so appealing … Continue reading Small talk
This week marked the end of an era. For more than 30 years I have been shaving with a Gillette Sensor razor. The same Gillette Sensor razor. That all came to a sudden and tragic end the evening of April 7. While removing my toothbrush from the cabinet, my finger caught on the underside of … Continue reading On loss and stubble
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