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CAT Tracks for June 28, 2011
GROUNDHOG DAY IN CSD #1...MOVIE TRAILER |
Okay, I messed up...
...somewhere in the making of the movie, a classic scene wound up on the cutting room floor.
In planning the release of the DVD, your CAT Tracks Director was torn...how to present the excised material.
Coincidentally, just yesterday I watched a DVD from CSI, Season Eight. Amongst the four episodes featured was a cut labeled simply "Deleted Scene". Well, it just wasn't a worthy presentation.
That's when I thought of the concept of the "Movie Trailer"...the random excerpts used to promo the movie, to tease you into going, watching.
Well, hell...you've already been there, done that...don't think for a second that I can get you to go back, even if I offered free buttered popcorn.
But, then my quirky sense of humor kicked in..."trailer", something that follows.
So...
...here we be!
The scene happened during Cairo Superintendent of Schools Leotis Swopes' failed "coup attempt" - when he tried to get the Financial Oversight Panel to cut back on the power and authority (and $$$) of the Financial Advisors. You will recall the "pregnant pause" that followed Superintendent Swopes' proposal of a "Scenario 4" to cut the FA's budget in half and give the BOE greater reign over District affairs...a proposal that to even those of us residing in the cheap seats was obviously unexpected and unwanted.
Feeling no fear, Superintendent Swopes rushed in...where even fallen angels should know better than to tread.
"We have Ms. Pickett!"
The response from the FOP was doe-like...caught in the proverbial headlights.
"Who is Ms. Pickett?"
Another pregnant pause...
...broken by Superintendent Swopes who tried to cover by describing Ms. Pickett as the person who works here in the Central Office...works closely and well with Justin. When there was no response to that, Superintendent Swopes soldiered on...trying to explain how Ms. Pickett could pick up some of Justin's duties while Justin expanded his financial duties to take over for the Financial Advisors.
Well, you know the rest of the story. In the Director's Final Cut of Groundhog Day in CSD #1, the pregnant pause segues seamlessly into the "thanks, but no thanks" response by the FOP of Swopes' "Scenario 4" and the adoption of the FA's "Scenario 3"...with the corresponding $60,000 budget (which, as it turns out, is actually $71,000.)
But, hey...
...That's Life!
Yep, gonna go back and do a re-edit...need a song playing while the credits roll.
Wanted something that would kinda fit the theme of constant beatings, hope that just refuses to die, but, in the end...did.
Settled on a moldy oldie by Frank Sinatra...
I've been a puppet, a pauper,
That's life
I've been a puppet, a pauper,
That's life
My my...
Damn...
...in the eye of the beholder.
As I was formatting the song, I re-read the lyrics...
...may well reconsider.
One could look at the lyrics above as an "Ode to Leotis".
I mean there is some poetic license. Leotis was "riding high" in like February when he tried to get a new contract as Superintendent of Schools, only to be "shot down" in March...forced to submit a letter of resignation/retirement. (Gotta admit...if you try to sing it with February/March, it just doesn't seem the same.) But, damned if he isn't "back on top" in June!
July...a big ball...die...my, my.
As we get nearer to the opening of next school year...contemplate that first Institute Day, I have a feeling that many a district employee will take note of that the closing stanza of Franks' little ditty and assume the fetal position.
So...
...music to close by.
What's a movie director to do...
How 'bout the Jaws Theme? Oh...yeah, that might be better used for the opening credits...while there is still ominous suspense, before the innocent bystanders were dragged under by those pearly whites.
What's that you say? The Titanic?! No, no no...Celine Dion music can be sad, but it's still uplifting, still gives hope...and, as we all know, hope died on the night of June 24, 2011.
Oh, NOT the movie? The REAL Titanic!
The song the band played supposedly to the end...
"Nearer, My God, to Thee"
Groundhog Day in CSD #1...Director's Note:
CUT...PRINT...IT'S A TAKE!
That's life
That's what all the people say
You're riding high in April
Shot down in May
But I know I'm gonna change that tune
When I'm back on top, back on top in June
I said that's life
And as funny as it may seem
Some people get their kicks
Stomping on a dream
But I don't let it, let it get me down
'Cause this fine old world
It keeps spinning around
A pirate, a poet,
A pawn and a king,
I've been up and down and over and out
And I know one thing
Each time I find myself
Flat on my face
I pick myself up and get back in the race
I tell you, I can't deny it
I thought of quitting baby
But my heart just ain't gonna buy it
And if I didn't think it was worth one single try
I'd jump right on a big bird
And then I'd fly
A pirate, a poet,
A pawn and a king,
I've been up and down and over and out
And I know one thing
Each time I find myself laying
Flat on my face
I just pick myself up and get back in the race
That's life, and I can't deny it
Many times I thought of cutting out
But my heart won't buy it
But if there nothing shaking coming this here July
I'm going to roll myself up in a big ball
And die...
