Frazz by Jef Mallett for December 07, 2016

Welcome to America! Though that cup looks a bit heavy to me.

I certainly hope no one uses me as a guide.

I’m a perfect role model…

… of what not to be.

The receding hairline and spare tire don’t help the image either.

you can goo anywhere carrying a clipboard and a lashlight

Over use of the word just. Unnecessary, almost cloying and makes the strip worse not better.

To be able to switch to a coffee cup you have to have transferred all the knowledge in the book to your head. That way you don’t have to carry books anymore.

These days I tend to carry a scotch glass around…

Its very fractionally weird, the “just”, but only Frazz could legit drop it and it does still change the meaning a little if he does. Could have gone for only instead with the first sentence I think?

But I thought the three just’s was a bit of deliberate contrast, and 95% for me it worked.

I would bet there’s a divide along gender lines how people view it though

He’s got pi on his shirt.

“I wish Frazz were more like Mr. Spaezel” -Mrs. Olson

“I wish I were more like Frazz” -Mr. Spaezel

Actually, I DO find Mr. Spaetzel to be an EXCELLENT role model for students. Is Mr. Spaetzel perfect? No, but no one is. But, as a character, he is a IMO a pretty damn good role model:

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1. He is by all accounts, very kind, considerate, and thoughtful as a Principal.

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2. He always shows great care for his work and his co-workers.

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3. He is accepting of differences in people, but at the same time has been very good at getting people who have differences to work together well.

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In regards to the kids comment about the book bag vs. coffee cup…. the way I am reading Mr. Spaetzel’s chagrin at himself, I am thinking he must feel he should be presenting a more “scholarly” image in some way? Not sure, but that is what I am assuming he is meaning. But, the reality is, he is a learned fellow, and as Principal, he has a wide array of books in his office, I am certain. He does not need to be carrying around a bookbag of books, because he has a permanent office (unlike the students). He has also, a briefcase, where he likely stores paperwork and potentially books as well that he carts back and forth between school and home.

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If he is feeling regret about his “role model” image because of the coffee cup, I am not really understanding why. There is no harm or foul in his having and enjoying coffee. Scholarly and non-scholarly folks the world over enjoy coffee.

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So, from my perspective…. I think Mr. Spaetzel is being far too hard on himself! He is a good guy, a great Principal, and a real decent human being. These are all things that IMO make him a role model the kids SHOULD aspire to.

My school didn’t allow kids to carry backpacks to classes, only to their lockers. This was to reduce the chance of hiding a weapon.

I look forward to the day when we aren’t raising a generation of hunchbacks and can free them from those backpacks by equipping them with tablet computers. You shouldn’t have to spend 12 of the best 18 years of your life imitating a mule.