Master Helps's Us, Master Never Betrays Us...

I sit here in awe of the cinematic event I took part in last night. Oh my gosh.

Unless you are a carnivorous super-conservative crazy, you must go go go see LOTR: The Two Towers. Never before have I witnessed such an awe-inspiring, mesmerizing, and utterly moving film. This is the reason movies are made. This single film justifies the existence of Hollywood and absolves all of that wanton wretch's past sins...except Judge Dredd.

If I had to choose between LOTR and the Star Wars melodrama, I would renounce George Lucas' sagging mound of marketing fodder, and vow never to see "Episode III."

Peter Jackson has revolutionized the way epic stories are told on film. He creates characters that resonate to the core of human experience. These are the heroes we loved in our youths, the heroes that are absent from the stories told to the current generation of angry, sullen children. These characters ennoble us, make us bolder. They inspire us to fight the evil of the world, and overcome it.

J.R.R. Tolkien wrote this powerful series as part-fantasy, part-historical study on man's constant pursuit of power, and the evils he will commit in order to obtain it. While the horrors of Hitler's Nazi regime and the second World War were in Tolkien's immediate memory, we can relate today to the shock and terror of facing manifestations of pure evil. We know the fear and concern of hearing of a warlord building weapons to destroy the world. We hear voices saying, it's not our war.

So many moments of this movie resonate deeply. Gollum's constant battle with himself, the tearing of good and evil within his soul. Merry and Pippin's desperate attempts to enlist the forest spirits to the cause.

I'm still in awe of this film. Wowsa.

"If we don't do something, the fires of Isengard will burn all that's green and good in the world. There won't be a shire."

Executive Decision

(a memo from the corporate office)

"Well, I've talked it over with the Board of Trustees, and we have come to the decision to retain the URL "Teacherdave" until further notice. Also, the title, "Anything to disrupt the tedium..." will also remain in place, due to our well-established name recognition in the 16-35 year-old age bracket.

"Despite a global economic environment of uncertainty and possible downsizing, we guarantee our staff that there will be no layoffs for the entire 2003 fiscal year. So, rest assured, because your financial future is safe with this firm.

Have a happy and peaceful holiday season, and we will look forward to seeing you again in the new year!

--Steven J. Carnigal, Chief Operating Officer, A.T.D.T.T. Inc."

Well, that's a relief.

"Everyone's Beautiful"... except the Dead-ites...

Apparently, either my mind is starting to go, or King Arthur from the cult-classic Army of Darkness looks like a mulleted Don Chaffer of the indie folk band Waterdeep. Am I going crazy here? Or have I stumbled upon something mysterious and reeking of conspiracy?

"Understand the Dream is Over..."

Wow. A month. And so much has happened in that month. So let's get down to it.

I will have to change the URL of this site now, because as of this morning, I am no longer a teacher. Yes, it's true. I submitted my letter of resignation, with, well, resignation. The less said, the better, I suppose. I will limit my further commentary on the circumstances of my fall to the following:

I was offered the opportunity to resign. The sudden job change was unforeseen. The justice of the action is in question.

However, since severance pay is a good thing, I hereby speak no evil of my employers. I know, I did not excell as much as I could have, and I did not improve in the ways I was advised to improve. I earned this. But my lackluster performance notwithstanding, I was blindsided. All indications were that while the ice was thin beneath me, I still had the opportunity to move. This turned out not to be the case.

So now, I revert back temporarily to my former self, in which Papa John's Pizza is my only source of income. Not for long, don't worry. But for the immediate time, it is.

On the bright side of this situation, I will have more time to read, more time to write, and hopefully more time to post. So never fear, dear readers, I will keep you abreast of all my comings and goings.

I appreciate the warm sentiments that I have already received from some of you. I know the rest of you share their feeling. Thank you all for your support and affection.

Don't worry, it's not like I'm dying or anything. I'll bounce back. The fat ones always do. Cuz you can't fight physics.

If any of you would like to send my lovely parting gifts and monetary support, you know where to find me. ;-)