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How
Came To Be:
For six weeks beginning in August of 1994, my freelance
business dried up. It was the best bad thing that has ever happened
to me. I had always wanted to write stories, but never seemed to
have the time-- until then.
By the time business picked up again, I had written
half a dozen stories-- several of which had been published in 'Zing',
a Pittsburgh humor publication; in 'The Standard Observer',
a daily newspaper serving Pittsburgh's eastern suburbs; and in 'The
Informer' an e-zine published by Westmoreland On-Line, an internet
service provider.
Since then, over 180 'OutThere' columns have
been published.
Sadly, 'Zing' succumbed to the high cost of newsprint several
years ago. In March, 2000, 'The Standard Observer'
became a staff-written, bi-weekly supplement in it's parent-paper, 'The
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review'. Weekly publication continues in
'The Informer'.
Geoff Miller's Background:
EDUCATION:
B.S. Ed, Communications Minor; Indiana University of PA., 1980Sigma Chi Fraternity
Graduate of Johnstown High School, Johnstown, PA. 1976
WORK HISTORY:
Radio Broadcasting: '79-'89(WBXQ-FM, Altoona, Pa.; WYDD-FM, Pittsburgh, PA; WHJB-AM/WSSZ-FM, Greensburg, Pa.)
Metro Media/GRV (Advertising Agency); Pittsburgh, PA.
Writer/Manager of Video Production Department, '89-'92
Freelance Writer/Producer '92-'96
Project Manager, Wix Pix Productions, Inc. '97-Present
PERSONAL:
I grew up on Highland Avenue in the Moxham section of Johnstown, Pa., the eldest son of Chet & Harriett Miller. Brother John is an audio engineer who lives in Allentown and works all over the country. If you happened to read the story called, 'True Confessions', John never did not and never would suggest that we should go to a nudie bar.Sister Ann is a dancer. She attended Point Park College in Pittsburgh, the University of the Arts in Philly and now teaches at the University of Pittsburgh. Everything you may have read about her in the columns is true.
Since the mid '80's I've been a single dad. My son, Benjamin, is now 20. He serves as a jet engine mechanic in the United States Airforce and is stationed at Luke AFB in Phoenix. In my opinion, his two best decisions so far have been joining the Air Force and marrying my darling daughter-in-law, Amanda. (Hi Kazooie!). Most-but-not-all of the things I write about them are true. In the story called 'A Boy Named Huh', the girl who tried to hide under a pile of Ben's dirty laundry was Amanda. In the story called, 'The Dangers Of Conformity', the parts about Ben wearing a bathrobe to school and putting a pot roast in the middle of our street are both true.
When I'm not working or writing, I'm pedaling my 1971 Schwinn Varsity-- a venerable road bike that I've owned since it was new. In this case, 'venerable' means old and heavy, but that's OK. I can't count the memories that have those handlebars at the bottom of them.
God help me, I've just taken up golf. 'Hit ball with stick. Hit ball with stick. Hit ball with stick.', and so on for about another ten or eleven times until it eventually goes into the little hole. Repeat. I should sell videos of this. They'd be much funnier than any of these stories.
I appreciate your taking time to visit. Thanks.