And I was probably about 19 years old.
Planes, Trains, & Automobiles isn’t my favorite John Hughes movie (that would be Uncle Buck), but he knew how to get the best out of John Candy. You don’t need to know anything about the plot in this movie in order to appreciate this scene. Trust me.

And because it’s unfair to even MENTION Uncle Buck and not SHOW you some of it, here’s the greatest scene of any movie of all time. My brother and I still have NO IDEA why the schoolteacher yells “BLASPHEMER!” You’ll see what I mean. Also, when Buck pulls his Cadillac right up to the front door of the school, and that MUSIC starts playing ahahah, I always think of Joey Hyndman hahahahaha. This is for you Joe.

- [HE'S COOKIN' OUR GARBAGE!]
P.S. Ok, one more. I just found this. I’m TELLING you guys, this movie may be heaven.

Normally I’m writing posts that involve hilarious snippets about my day with some nutty kids, or I’m posting some media that’s been inspiring my world. Today, this post is one part entertainment, one part creativity, and one part education. I know, this is all so sudden.
Our nation’s in a financial bind right now. We all know that. But do we all underSTAND it?
I know I sure didn’t. Not until I watched the following two videos. It’s called “The Crisis of Credit: Visualized”. Some bro made a ten-minute long flash video explaning, in its most basic form, how we got into this whole bloody mess. Now, hear me out, I was reading over the comments on Youtube and someone made the wise acknowledgement that these videos can seem outdated almost as immediately as they are created. Yes, I agree.
But this video is like an introductory course in college - very basic and very general over a wide spectrum of topics. Yes, there are other factors that are influencing this credit crunch (like politics, in my opinion), but this is the basic stuff here. It helped me to understand something I don’t REALLY understand because credit is something not so concrete. These videos helped make it concrete. Also, it’s humorous haha, which I’m all about.

And… just for good measure, here’s something hysterical and it’s only 20 seconds long! Think of it as your reward for watching something informational. I know you’ll come away from this post only thinking about this dog, but I’m cool with that.

- [MELLO!]

It doesn’t get much better than the Arcade Fire… and a live show doesn’t get much better than this. In my opinion, “Wake Up” is the best song of the past decade. Watch it in High Quality!:

Haha, earlier I was watching that video and my dad walked by. He saw all the fans with their raised hands and said, “What idol are they worshiping?” Hahahaha
Speaking of idol worship, check out Stephen Colbert totally destroy the entire Hollywood community at the Emmys three years ago. I love how there’s a hint of truth to everything Colbert says. Hummer and I quote this all the time:

- [MELLO!]

I’ve been a fan of Irish laddie Glen Hansard (of Once fame - click here to see the movie trailer) for about a year now, but not until a couple weekends ago did I finally get my ears involved with his band, The Frames. Once again, all thanks goes to Mr. Dunn.
Then I found this video of The Frames playing their song “God Bless Mom” at Lollapalooza 2006. This may possibly be the best representation of the Indie spirit I’ve ever seen. I’m telling you, it has it ALL - hugs, grunge guitars, dancing like an idiot, crowd participation, violin , a bouncer, “Annie” references, screaming (watch Glen explode at 5:40 - it’s what he does best), and last but not least - Beatle Bob.
I was going to write out times for you to fast forward, but just do yourself a favor and watch the whole video. There is so much going on. And if you want to know who this Beatle Bob character is, well look him up on YouTube. He’s a show-going legend and his dance moves are totally out of control. Don’t be fooled though, that guy’s like 50. Incredible.
BUT, if you don’t want to watch the whole video then please just fast forward to1:54 and watch it for about 30 seconds. After some buildup, there’s a pause in the song and Glen screams numbers in such a rapid procession that I almost fell off my chair the first time I heard it. Hahahaha even thinking about it’s making me laugh. It’s one part hilarious and one part insane. Even Beatle Bob stops his moves and gets lost in the moment hahaha. It’s so unreal. I LOVE IT.

- [MELLO!]

You know that weird boat scene in the original Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory? You know, the part where the kids head down the river and disgusting insect images are flashed on the walls of the tunnel? You know, THIS NIGHTMARE:

Today I had a horrifying mental experience with a disgusting insect and my mind was flashing colors and images much like Willy’s hell-ride.
Today I thought one of these disgusting garden centipedes had made its way into my left shoe somehow. I had been going through some papers while the kids were HSPA testing and as I got up, I felt something wiggle its way into my shoe. I’m pretty sure I stalled mentally. Whatever Mrs. Rosso was saying to me went through my brain without hitting its target. I blanked. Completely blanked. All I could think about was how I had to walk all the way down to the other side of the building crushing a putrid red centipede under my heel over and over and over again.

You have no idea how hard it was for me to shuffle through Google images of this beast. I normally have an cast-iron stomach. I could probably EAT one of these things and not feel queasy. But I gagged a couple times just LOOKING at this thing.
And you would think that, being so disgusted by this, I would have taken my shoe off immediately to inspect the damage. Oh no, not me. I endured an entire lunch duty with this thing in my shoe. I kept normal conversation with the other teachers, but all the while I was just nodding and smiling. They could not understand the inner turmoil I was going through.
As soon as lunch was done I rushed to the bathroom. I threw my shoe off and then I slowly peered into its dark contents. I expected a giant African centipede to stick its red head out at me and spit fire into my eyes or curse at me or something evil. The only capacity I ever encountered one of these things in battle was in Zelda.
But I never had to dig up that experience because I tipped my shoe toward me and… a jumbo silver paperclip slid down.

It’s New Media Tuesday! (I know, what a catchy title right? WRONG). I’ve been watching this video on repeat for the past day. I can’t get enough of it.
If you don’t love football after watching this then our friendship is done. And I mean that individualistically, because in two seconds I’ve thought of every person I’ve ever known and ever will know. THAT MEANS EVERYONE ON EARTH.

I would marry Carlos Tevez.
- [THE APACHE!]

I canNOT believe this video! One of my favorite songs of 2008, I think this video rivals my love for Sigur Ros’ “Hoppipolla”. Check this out. I am all about creativity and this may be the most creative video ever made:

- [OH-OH-OH! OH-OH-OH! OH WHOA!]

I love my jams.
As you all know, I am ALL ABOUT sharing music, movies, books, whatever with other people. Here is some of the new music I’ve been listening to lately:
MGMT - “Electric Feel” (Fast forward to 1:30 unless you want to hear the band talk for awhile) I’ve been recommending MGMT to everyone I talk to. I can’t get enough of their infectious hooks.

Beirut - “The Shrew” The new EP from Beirut came out last week and it is quite wonderful.

Shugo Tokumaru - “Parachute” The communion of indie music and the Land of the Rising Sun is magical.

Since most new media comes out on Tuesdays, I think I’ll delegate this day to that same purpose. PLEASE let me know what YOU’VE been listening to lately! Most of the music I listen to now is because of other people.
- [MELLO!]

Today, one of my students referred to his belt as his “holster”. He was dead serious. I had to bite my knuckles.
Last Tuesday, I noticed that Pastor Tim had a box of Peanut Butter M&Ms on his desk. He knows I love them, so he gave me three bags. Bad idea. Sunday rolled around and I told him how fast I ate those bags (ummm in ONE day???… I’m not proud of this) and he enabled me by giving me three more bags. Why would this man do this to me?
This time I gave two away, and I shared one with Marie. Two steps forward… one step back?
Speaking of candy… at work Melinda told me about how recently her boyfriend ate a whole massive bag of Skittles but only left his least favorites for her. When she told me this, I’m pretty sure the heavens opened up and a rainbow poured down upon me, just like in the commercials. Yes, finally, a whole bag of green Skittles is coming my way.
I referred to myself as Nortorious C.A.R.M. today and Marie almost drove off the road. Any day where I can cause Marie to laugh to the point of almost committing an MVA, …is a good day. Maybe next time I’ll think about my own personal safety in the situation before I open my  mouth.
Marie’s been showing off her “Six Kick” lately. She learned that from Billy Blanks. You know him, he’s that nut who created Tae Bo.
He’s cool and all, but I’ve finally found a chink in his armor (or, in his case, a stray thread in his tanktop):  “Six Kick” is the improper term for this particular series of exercise moves.  I’ll tell you why - four-sixths of the “Six Kick” are not kicks at all! They use no legs. They are PUNCHES. The “Six-Kick” pans out as follows - the first two are jabs, the third an uppercut, the fourth a sidearm… THEN the kicks come in with the fifth move being a groin basher and the final blow being heel-to-chin combo.
Billy, your goose is cooked.
I used that phrase about my cat the other day when he bo...

Reading through an article about my beloved Liverpool, I came across a portion discussing the song played before the match at Anfield the other night against Everton. Whoever was running the soundboard that night decided to play “Panic” by The Smiths. It noted how we Liverpool fans are now “panicking” due to our sudden drop in form… plus there is a sense of worry lingering around Anfield because the juggernaut, Manchester United, has leapfroged us in the table.
BUT… that’s not why I came on here to write. This used to be a football blog. No longer.
THIS IS A LIFE BLOG!
Besides, writing about my football frustrations has never helped. I take those frustrations out on the cement foundation to my house…
Anyways, I wanted to hear this song, so I clicked a link sending me to Youtube. I don’t know much about The Smiths, but I sure do like them after hearing this song. The line “Hang the DJ! Hang the DJ!” will be in my brain for days now, I can tell. Here’s a little sample of the lyrics near the end of the song:
Burn down the disco
Hang the blessed DJ
Because the music that they constantly play
IT SAYS NOTHING TO ME ABOUT MY LIFE

- [HANG THE MELLO!]

Thank God for Jesse W. Dunn. If it hadn’t been for him I would never have discovered Death Cab for Cutie. While I’ve just begun my foray into their music, I am completely obsessed with this song called “Cath…” off their new album Narrow Stairs.
Mr. Dunn told me that Ben Gibbard writes his lyrics as stories, which I am ALL about, let me tell YOU. This song tells a really interesting story, so make sure you listen to the lyrics closely.

Watch it in high quality!

In unrelated news, this week work has been an EXCELLENT. NO idea why! The kids have been super well-behaved and Melinda, Karyn, and I have made it known to them all how great it’s been. Positive reinforcement. Just today a student asked Melinda, “You’ve been different lately. You’ve been really nice!” She responded that she’s been really nice because THEY’VE been really nice.
I’m really happy this is all working out for Melinda too. Being the new teacher in our classroom, she has had to be tough to the point of being unliked. But I think the kids are starting to love her now. It’s amazing!
I’ve been reading The Great Gatsby with the kids and it’s been awesome to see them truly enjoy the story thus far. It warms my heart to hear them discussing the symbolism and how much Gatsby refers to Nick as “Old Sport” hahahaha. LOVE IT.
- [MELLO!]

I came on here to write a post simply promoting a music video, but I figure you probably want a dissertation as well.
Vampires have been a pretty big thing lately. Don’t say “FALSE”. You know it’s true.
Especially with the Twilight books are flying off every shelf and straight into every girl’s heart. Twilight fans believe Edward and all his cronies exist in reality almost as much as I believe that Hogwarts is currently sending me an owl with an confirmation of my acceptance into their program.
So, we’ve learned that according to Stephanie Meyers, Vampires are romantic.
Then Underworld: Rise of the Lycans is coming out in theaters very soon. Another vampyric setting involving forbidden love and, in complete polar opposite to forbidden love, vampires. It freaked me out, but the main werewolf (or lycan if you will) in this movie also played the role of Tony Blair in The Queen. Threw me for a loop. Imagine Tony Blair coming to the seat of Prime Mininster in England only to declare a bloodfeud between lycans and vampires.
So, here we’ve learned that according to director Patrick Tatopoulos, vampires are violent.
But I say the biggest reason for the Vampire craze is because of one band out of Columbia Unviersity - Vampire Weekend. They are not romantic. They are not violent. But they are certainly the catalyst for 2008’s love of all things vampire:

P.S. Sorry about the swearing! Apparently vampires swear too.
- [MELLO!]

OMG! CARMELLO’S ALIVE!
Christmas has ridden a sleigh straight into my heart, holly leaves and all (PAINFUL), and those tidings of good cheer remind me to begin the exciting task of putting together my Top New Songs from 2008 and Top 10 Albums of 2008.
Here are some rules:

Some of the songs may be from albums released last year, but re-released this year (most likely because they are from overseas).
Beirut’s album The Flying Club Cup was released in fall 2007, but I discovered them right around New Years, therefore missing my cutoff date for LAST year’s list. They appear on the 2008 lists.
If you fact check me, I will hunt you down.
I know you guys really don’t give flying-triple-nickles about my rules.

_____________________________________________________________
TOP 30 NEW SONGS 2008
^^The title is a link to these thirty songs in a playlist from my iMeem account! You will need to create an iMeem account to listen! FREE.^^
#30 COPELAND “THE GREY MAN”
I don’t really know who the “grey man” is, but this song reminds me how when you lose someone in any kind of relationship, the world feels a bit colorless. Wow, what a DOWNER to start it off! Sorry!
#29 KEANE “PERFECT SYMMETRY”
Classic Keane - they know how to attach apocalyptic lyrics to an upbeat song. It makes me wonder if they think that at the end of the world we’ll all be dancing in the sky as the sun explodes.
#28 SIGUR RÓS “VIÐ SPILUM ENDALAUST”
A driving beat? Check. Happiness? Check. Hopefulness? Check. Iceland? Check. Lyrics I sung in a language I don’t understand? Double check. I love this band.
#27 LIGHTSPEED CHAMPION “GALAXY OF THE LOST”
You want to see something bizarre? Do yourself a favor and click on this link to see his video for “Galaxy of the Lost”. This song encapsulates the quirky and catchy weirdness British songwriters come up with and I still have no idea what he’s getting at.
#26 BEIRUT “THE PENALTYR...

My cousin’s boyfriend said it best: “I watch this every night before I go to bed.”

- [MELLO!]

Steven Gerrard - Liverpool FC 2 - 0 Inter Milan Steven Gerrard's goal from long range in 90th minute

...

Puppet Jose Mourinho has a new "interactive phone-in experience/football discussion program" on Seta