Earlier this week, I caught a story on the news about a Houston school teacher whose comments to her class of four and five-year-olds had been recorded without her knowledge.  Many parents were upset at hearing the recorded remarks:

"Nobody are you good for. You're just a bad kid. When are you going to be a good kid? Do you think any other class acts like this? No. You're just mean to your teacher and I'm going to be mean to you, too. Everybody understand that? You're mean to me so I get to be mean to you.

"Ya'll are just stupid kids. I swear to God."

ABC News reports that the teacher's attorney stated that the woman "wishes to apologize to the students and the students' parents. Her actions that day were an aberration … the result of medication that she was taking as a result of a recent hospital visit."

One source reports that the child recording the teacher's remarks had been suspended four times.  Not a teenager, mind you, but a child somewhere between 4 and five years of age.

So... the one question no one seems to be asking is: Are the kids in question indeed stupid?  From what I'm reading, it appears the consensus is that the teacher's remarks are socially innappropriate.  But if the children are dumb-as-stumps, isn't she doing them a favor by telling them the truth?

A five year old getting one suspension is bad.  But four?  That doesn't have the ring of scholar to it, does it? 

And what if these children are under the control of a boy preacher from out-of-town who's inspiring the class to murder their parents - and the mind control gives them the APPEARANCE of stupidity.  Isn't the teacher doing the right thing in telling them they're stupid?

Or, what if they're "stupid" because they have in fact succumbed to a mysterious ailment causing the children to at first seem less than smart while later manifesting a more feral mentality and a taste for human flesh?

What if these children are ground zero in Houston's very own zombie apocalypse? 

Perhaps then the teacher's remarks wouldn't seem quite so harsh.

Posted by Aron Head at 7:47 AM CST

Updated: Saturday, 1 March 2008 8:19 AM CST

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Back in the day, I listened to the local public radio exclusively.  KERA had this wonderful eclectic music programming schedule book-ended by their news programs Morning Edition and All Things Considered in the morning and evening respectively.  Several years ago, station management decided that the news and information shows drew in more pledge dollars and out went the music.

That was sad, too.

FM radio in DFW is a wasteland of corporate owned content choked with inane commercials, even more inane personalities, and music fit for more for Abu Ghraib than drive time. 

KERA played some of the most wonderful music you've never heard.  It's where I found Moxy Fruvous, Don Walser, and Rumors of the Big Wave, and a number of other artists that I have never, ever heard on any other station.  The format was changed more than ten years ago, but folks still call the noon talk show to bitch about it.

I often grouse on the subject.

So does Rodger.

Both of us stopped pledging.

Don't get me wrong, I loves me some Public Radio.  Fresh Air?  ATC? This American Life?  All these shows are wonderful.

But I miss the music.

I think about how many wonderful artists KERA brought to my attention and now I wonder how I find new ones...

A week or so ago, I was reading Adam's blog.  He mentioned a song by Chumbawamba.  You remember them, right?  They did that "Tub Thumpin" tune back in the 90s?  Honestly, that's the only song of theirs I'd ever heard.  While it was an enjoyable pop song, I had discounted the group as a one-hit-wonder.

But Adam's recommendation made me take a listen, and now their "One By One" is on my iPod.  It's in regular rotation.

A song by Johnny Cash with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers backing him up was recommended to me: Sea of Heartbreak.  Sweet fancy Moses, this is a great song!  I love the guitar in this... it's strong, assertive.  Plus there is this wonderfully meaningful bass downbeat in the piano.  Excellent song.  It is likewise in heaving rotation on the Nano.

When KERA was playing music, I found great music like this all the time.  That was then.

Today, I scroll through iTunes... surf Pandora... read blogs... and look to you, dear reader, for recommendations.  What's worth listening to?

Aron Head
www.EvilBastard.net 

Posted by Aron Head at 7:30 AM CST

Updated: Wednesday, 27 February 2008 9:13 PM CST

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Good news!

The guy has insurance!  I reported last night's incident this morning after some difficulty navigating their voice mail system (believe it or not, I hit their out-of-office message for Thanksgiving).  I maneuvered through their marketing department and eventually made a love connection. 

The adjuster is supposed to call me within the next day or so.

This afternoon, I took the car over to my body shop for an estimate.  I was thinking it'd be around $1100.

The estimate came back at $2400.

Ouch!

And speaking of ouch, my back is killing me.  It starts in my ass and runs all the way up to shoulders.  I'm all strung out on Advil.  There is tub soaking in my future.  And beer.  That's gotta help, right?

Aron Head
www.EvilBastard.net
 

Posted by Aron Head at 6:26 PM CST

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

I was on my way to church last night after work.  It was rush hour, which is to say that traffic was creeping.  Crawling along Interstate 30, I slowed to a stop as traffic was more-or-less parked before me.

WHAM!

An American made white van had plowed into me.

I pulled onto the side of the road as did the other driver.  I came flying out of the car all prepared to chew the guy a new one, telling him it was his fault because he wasn't paying attention.

"Man, I'm sorry!" He said emerging from the van.  "That was totally my fault.  I just wasn't paying attention."

Really, he was a very nice guy.  So hard to be mad at someone who's as earnest and apologetic as he was.  He even had insurance.  Or at least a paper that says he has insurance.  I'll be phoning his agency shortly.

Bumper, side-panel, tail light, and trunk are all a bit messed up.  But the car still drives.  And I'm mostly unscathed.  My back hurts.  I'm hoping the fist-full of Advil I've taken will put a dent in that...  

It's a busy week at the office.  I'm not gonna get the car over for an estimate until Friday.

Coulda' been worse.

Aron Head
www.EvilBastard.net 

Posted by Aron Head at 7:30 AM CST

Updated: Tuesday, 26 February 2008 10:10 PM CST

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

I was thinking today about last week's post concerning this summer's movie releases when it occured to me that I left one out - The Incredible Hulk.  How could I have overlooked the gamma irradiated goliath?  This distressed me.  After all the second Hulk feature film is slated for June 13, 2008 release.  It dawned on me that I have not seen a trailer for it. 

In fact, I've seen virtually no promotion for it.

I went to the official site and found very little there.  Just pics and a short description.  No video... no wallpapers... no commentary... nothing at all fostering community or even interest.

Iron Man has had video available online in one form or another since the San Diego Comicon.

They did promote the Incredible Hulk toys at the recent Toy Fair. 

Digging deeper, I found an article posted on Superhero Hype last week reporting that the trailer should be posted in early March.

Early March!?!

Doesn't that seem, I don't know, kind of late.  The movie's just three month's away.  A few years ago, I wouldn't have thought anything about it.  Now though when movies are promoted a full year in advance (e.g. Star Trek)?

I have a sinking feeling.

Somebody, tell me it's gonna be okay. 

Aron Head
www.EvilBastard.net 

Posted by Aron Head at 7:30 AM CST

Updated: Monday, 25 February 2008 6:28 PM CST

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

After finding Jesus several years ago, Anne Rice vowed that she would never again write another chapter in her heavily erotic, deeply hedonistic Vampire Chronicles.  Of course, she probably should have spoken to Sean Connery.

Never say never.

Time Magazine/CNN report that the Got-My-Christ-On Anne Rice is returning to the world of Louis, Lestat, and Akasha for one last undead romp.

I couldn't be less excited.

I used to love her books, truly. 

I read Interview with the Vampire when I was in college.  It was unlike anything I'd read before.  The depth of character and background forever changed my expectation in fiction.  Further, it changed the kind of writer I wanted to be.

The Vampire Lestat was a relevation in detail.

Honestly though?  She went off the rails with Queen of the Damned. 

My favorite of her works also happens to be the most infuriating.  I skipped a day of work to finish the tomish The Witching Hour.  It was somewhere past midnight.  I distinctly remember hurling the book across the room.

At some point along the way, I realized that all of her characters were either beautiful, rich and gay or beautiful, rich and bisexual.  Except the women, that is.  They all seemed to be beautiful, rich and straight

While this was interesting and different in Interview with the Vampire, it just seemed lazy as I progressed through her other books.  I generally like a bit more variety in my characters.  I mean, how about a poor, beautiful bisexual?  Or a gay guy of moderate means with a lazy eye?  Now that's writing!

It has been many, many years since I have read an Anne Rice book.   In that time, she's returned to the Church, given up vampires, and started writing about Jesus.   A more beautiful, wealthy, gay messiah you have never seen - I'm sure.

Aron Head
www.EvilBastard.net

Posted by Aron Head at 8:12 PM CST

Share This Post

Post Comment | View Comments (1) | Permalink

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Titanic's Leonardo DiCaprio will produce a live action film based on the manga and anime classic AKIRA.  Warner Bros. will be releasing the picture and is eye-balling summer 2009.

That's gotta be a soft date.  I cannot imagine putting together such a mammoth film in such a short time.

Now, I am not at all a fan of the anime genre.  I mean, I have had an abiding love for Starblazers since I was a boy (and would love to have the complete series on DVD).  Beyond that, though?  Not a fan.

In 1988, Marvel's creator owned Epic Comics imprint released the American english language version.  Quite simply, it was unlike anything I had ever seen in comics.  Certainly the feel was very much in the vein of Ridley Scott's Bladerunner, but never before had I seen such a large story told in such generous detail.  That's 2000 pages, m'friend.

I remain amazed at the work.

According to reports, the AKIRA live action story will be told in two parts.  This gives me hope that Mr. DiCappuccino plans on producing a great, big story.

Me.  Happy.

Aron Head
www.EvilBastard.net 

Posted by Aron Head at 7:30 AM CST

Updated: Sunday, 24 February 2008 8:18 PM CST

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

I've been out of town most of this week attending a training conference out on the east coast.  People were there from all over the organization.  Folks I haven't seen in years and a whole lot I'd only ever spoken to on the phone or or communicated with through email.

One such fellow was a guy I'll call Todd (not his real name).  Our projects have only intersected a couple of times, so we only know each other at a very polite, professional level.  We were having a coffee when he asks, "Do you know Paul?"

Now, you dear blog reader, know Paul from our Funny Books with Aron & Paulie regular feature. 

"Oh yeah," I nodded, "I know Paul.  He used to manage our market's accounts."

"Well," Todd said with a sniff of superior familiarity, "I work with Paul."

Something about the way he said it made it seem like a competition.  Like he somehow had greater knowledge of things Paul.  This annoyed me.  Who the hell did this chump think he was presuming he knows Paul better than I do?!?  

I considered enumerating the litany of antics and misadventures Paul and I have experienced together.  Like the time Paul was on a two day furlough from prison to help me capture his former partner in crime?  Or when I was working as a bounty hunter and had to return an on-the-run Paul to New York City from LA so that he could testify against the mob, while our 3000 mile journey crossed not just this great country but a terrain of missed opportunities on a road leading to greater understanding?

Looking archly at that Todd from across my coffee cup, I thought of just saying: "Well Paul and I have shared a woman." 

But I felt certain that Todd would counter with, "Well I blew him."

Forseeing how this could quickly escalate to a level of familiarity that makes me squirm in discomfort, I opted to let the matter drop.

I complained about it to Paul later in the day, "I mean we talk about comics for crying out loud!"

"Yeah..." Paul shrugged, cutting his eyes across the room to where Todd sat.  "We've talked about the Silver Surfer, he and I.  Once."

So, that's that. 

Without actually saying it - because Paul and I are beyond mere words - he confirmed that I am a better friend, yes even a better person than that Todd... for I have seen Paul's holo-foil, embossed soul.  

In your face, Todd!

Aron Head
www.EvilBastard.net
 

Posted by Aron Head at 1:41 PM CST

Updated: Sunday, 24 February 2008 5:05 PM CST

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

I've discovered that I could whoop twenty-five five year-olds in a not-so-fair fight.  I'm on my way to Grace Lutheran, my old kindergarten.  Gonna test out this new knowledge...

Unless there's 26 kids in class, that is.

Thanks to Deb for pointing this one out... 

Aron Head
www.EvilBastard.net 

Posted by Aron Head at 12:01 AM CST

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

The folks at Gamer Ground, a game store not a coffee bar for gamers, will be at Fear The Con.  Casey, Gamer Ground co-owner, has assured me that they will have Fudge dice on hand at the con.

I am so excited!

Fudge dice are used in games employing the FATE system, such as Spirit of the Century.  These dice are six-sided, but they are not numbered one-to-six.  Rather, they are labeled with "+" and "-" and blanks.  The typical roll for any action with Fudge dice is 4d6 (or 4dF).  This provides a range of results from -4 to +4 or "sub-Terrible" to "trans-Superb" in Fudge terms.

I can't find the darn things here in DFW and can't locate anybody who sells them online that doesn't charge a ridiculous amount of shipping. 

Aron Head
www.EvilBastard.net 

Posted by Aron Head at 7:30 AM CST

Updated: Tuesday, 19 February 2008 9:39 PM CST

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink