Carte Blanche
One of the other student teachers where I’m student teaching asked me if I had any speakers she could borrow for a lesson plan she’s teaching this week. I didn’t have any, but my housemate Eric did, so I asked him if she could borrow them.
Of course, this is where it’s suggested that Eric let me borrow the speakers for her in return for a blank check. Then he found out she needed the speakers for two days. Two blank checks. I agreed, and promptly thought to myself, quite Gob-ianly, “I’ve made a terrible mistake.”
Eric suggested I write a contract. It reads as follows:
On this date (11/16/08) Justin M. hereby gives two (2) “carte blanches” to Eric Z. in return for the use of his speakers on the following dates — 11/17/08, 11/18/08.
Any breach of contract on Eric’s part will result in a return of the “freebies” and a swift kick in the balls. Likewise, should Justin reject said favors, he too shall recieve a swift ball-kicking.
Aforementioned favors must be reasonable in the sense that Justin will not give Eric any free money, put himself in danger, touch people inappropriately, or endanger his status as “student” at SUNY Geneseo or any other future insitution.
By signing below, both parties agree to this contract.
*x___(My signature)____ x___(Eric’s signature)___
*Eric also agrees Justin is awesome.
Eric made me cross out that last part. After making a copy of the contract, we each have it hanging in our rooms, and I worry that I will one day regret my decision immensely. Time will tell.
Now, in the non-sequiter portion of the update, I have two tidbits.
Firstly, I watched a movie called American Pop recently. It’s an animated film by Ralph Bakshi (of animated Lord of the Rings fame) that was made in 1981 and chronicles the evolution of music from I think the 30s, to the early 80s, following around one family line and how music affected their lives. It’s an interesting flick, but I can’t reccomend it too highly, unless you’re really interested in music, or the neat roto-scoped animation.
One of the scenes, early in the film, really stuck out to me though. The eldest male in the family, Zalmie, falls in love with a “stripper” at the show where he works as a clown. Backstage he approaches her as she’s getting dressed, and he begins to take off his clown costume. The scene was done in semi-slow motion, with little noise or sound.
The idea of the stripper, baring everything in front of the world, but becoming beautiful when she puts her clothes on was really great. What struck me most, though, was the terrified Zalmie gathering up his courage, dressed as a clown, and approaching this girl. By wearing the clown suit he’s kind of saying, “Hey! This is what I feel like on the inside when I approach you - but you make me comfortable enough to take it off, and let me be myself.” Meanwhile, she’s got the whole, “You find me beautiful when I put my clothes on, whereas everyone else wants me to take them off.”-thing going on.
The dichotomy of the dressing and undressing was choreographed really well, and I thought the scene was really beautiful and emotional. Maybe I’m looking too into it all, though.
The second thing I wanted to mention was a brief impersonation I came up with today when discussing a Sociology paper a friend had to write.
My impression of a sociologist: “So, have you heard about self-fulfilling prophecies? And how about that thing in some city - terrible isn’t it?”
I’m here all week, folks.
