Beltmann

Right there is a classic SNL sketch waiting to happen.

I teach honors English to sophomores (and film to upperclassmen). Last semester, I discovered that one class was keeping a list of my many Wilco t-shirts, which I often wear on Fridays. I started making sure that I wore a different one each week so that their list would be complete, and I discovered right along with the kids that, to my surprise, I own 18 of them. In fact, it looked like I might not get them all in before the end of the year, so one day I worked something out: I wore one shirt, and then had the librarian sit in for me as I ran an "errand." A few minutes later I returned to

I teach high school, and today I did a spit-take upon seeing a 10th grader walking down the hall wearing a red YHF t-shirt.

Lou, I think I agree. There are tracks on the new one that rank among her absolute best--"Ragtime" comes to mind--but as a total package, it's a tad uneven, much like "Middle Cyclone." "Fox Confessor" remains my favorite. That said, the last two records, despite their flaws, still strike me as vibrant and exciting, because they represent such a unique and evolving vision.

I agree that salary is secondary, but for me the primary concerns are workload (currently unsustainable) and lack of autonomy (our methods have been micromanaged by know-nothings to the point of paralysis, which is having a severely detrimental effect on student learning). The financial hits due to Act 10 were painful, but there's nothing more demoralizing than having your once-rigorous classroom succumb to standardized mediocrity. It makes good teachers feel like frauds, powerless to maintain integrity.

I think I listened to "Ragtime" 15 times yesterday. Even more today.

I guess Mark Oliver Everett has lost favor--that new Eels record is criminally overlooked this year. I think it ranks among his better albums, and is definitely one of my top ten of the year.

Same here. That's the song that convinced me Neko deserved attention. Been a huge fan ever since. (Incidentally, around the same time that I discovered Neko, I interviewed an indie filmmaker who had used "I Wish I Was the Moon" in his movie. I asked more questions about that scene than any other, perhaps betraying my bias!) Still love that song beyond reason.

I agree that teachers are underpaid, and yet, contrary to public opinion, I'm not too concerned about my salary. I'm a simple guy who likes to live modestly, so my salary is adequate. I'm much more concerned with my workload, and in fact would gladly accept a pay cut in exchange for a manageable workload. Unfortunately, Act 10 has made it impossible for unions to negotiate any workload issues. The result in my district and many others is a workload situation that has made it impossible to do any part of the job well. We are so frantic during the day--in perpetual survival mode--that thousa

That's commonplace in the profession. The job requirements are not actually feasible in the "normal" workday, which is why I've averaged 60-70 hours per week over the last thirteen years. When crunch time comes, it's literally impossible to keep up. I never take time off for being sick--it's more work arranging for an absence than just going in--but I have taken sick days to stay home and frantically grade papers for twelve hours straight. I knew what I was getting into when I pursued this profession, and I would never argue that teachers work more hours than many other professionals. I'

Neddie, if I made a list of the top five movies I'm most eager to see, Blancanieves would be on it. Can't wait for it to be available in Milwaukee. (Along the same lines, I'm dying to see Miguel Gomes' Tabu, which I've been anticipating for more than a year. Come on, distributors!)

My wife and I are public school teachers in Wisconsin, so we were hit double by Act 10. Whenever I see a "Stand With Walker" bumper sticker, I think, "There's a person who proudly stands with scapegoating and demonization." Fair? Surely not. But it's hard to think well of those who thought it appropriate to deprive my (already low) family finances of $12,000 per year--and write it into law that my salary, forevermore, cannot keep up with inflation--just so they could save, on average, $30 on their state taxes. Thanks, neighbors.

Overall it’s been a weak year. Still, while I don’t think I’ve encountered a bona fide masterpiece, I’ve seen a handful that I think are strong works: Upstream Color; Berberian Sound Studio; Lore; This Must Be the Place; Fruitvale Station; To the Wonder; Rust and Bone; Before Midnight; and Mud. There were patches of greatness in Starlet and Ginger & Rosa, even if they were ultimately uneven. Plus, there’s been some very good nonfiction: The House I Live In; How to Die in Oregon; Happy People: A Year In the Taiga; The Gatekeepers; and Side by Side. Some of those were released in major

My heart palpitated when I read your opening sentence, Tracy. I'm so very, very saddened to hear this.

Seeing a new twobobs post is almost as great as hearing "Cars Can't Escape."

When I was in college I had a summer job waxing floors. My supervisor once asked if I was Asian. My eyebrow rose as I replied no--I'm obviously a Midwestern white guy--and then she followed up with, "Then what religion are you?"

Equally important, perhaps more so.

Good advice, indy81. I listen to Okonokos more than anything else by MMJ (perhaps because it was the last thing they put out before my interest began to wane a little). The Okonokos DVD is also one of my favorite concert films. Shug, even though I had seen the episode previously, I had forgotten all about the Storytellers show until you posted the clip! Thanks. I had recorded it to DVD-R years ago, and your reminder prompted me to grab the old disc and press play this morning. MMJ plus donuts equals a fine Saturday morning.

Good to see you back around here, Derek!

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMIy_KiBpKU[/media]

Good to see you, awatt. Is it still All Wilco All The Time for you? Interesting that you bring up live webcasts and the old VC "streaming parties." Those were always terrific fun, and some of us revived the tradition a few weeks back. It was kind of surreal doing it here at VC like old times, while simultaneously doing it on Facebook--the latter actually provided far more lively interaction, and within multiple circles of friends, so that we were bouncing between the various strands that only occasionally intersected.

Well, your description fits the official Wilco page on Facebook, and that's surely no substitute for VC. But many of the posters here are friends with each other on FB, too, and that's where some good discussion often happens, between individuals or a small group of acquaintances. I suppose that's a narrowing of the circle, which has drawbacks. The FB vehicle isn't always conducive to the mass exchange of ideas, and yet I'm not sure FB is designed to serve as a substitute for larger forums. While VC is a large circle, FB isn't just a tinier version of that circle; rather, it creates concen

Perhaps I'd be less suspicious if it weren't for the simple fact that the late-Friday tactic--a common political strategy across the country and across the parties--has been a staple of the Scott Walker administration since he was sworn in. Few things in politics aren't theater or otherwise carefully orchestrated. It strikes me as naive to not assume that a political calculation was likely made.

I can't keep it all straight, either. Gave up trying some time ago. (I just discovered a few weeks ago which one of my FB friends is Big Perm, embarrassingly, after years of being connected there.)

Welcome! This is a great place.