Frazz by Jef Mallett for January 15, 2012

Wow. Frazz just got that much awesomer!

WT* !?!?!? Where has this narrative line been hiding?

Frazz has ALWAYS been a songwriter. In fact he usually buys a HUGE batch of books for the School library every year. (To the embarrasment of Mr. Spaetzel, the Principle.)

“Why” he stays at the School is usually given as he finds it a rewarding environment due to the kids. Now, of course, he’s involved with Miss Plainwell so he’s got even more reason not to “go Hollywood.”

Then there are the long-term practical considerations: Songwriting’s a very much “Hit-or-Miss” affair, Hot today – Not tomorrow. Mopping floors has more staying power for a 30-40 year career, especially at a public School. Unless he’s caught molesting a kid (Which he would NEVER EVER do) there’s almost NO WAY to get fired. (Especially with Union Contracts)

Jimmy Graham? Saints fan, perhaps?

The little summary that I see to the right has this:About Frazz

Frazz by Jef Mallett follows the adventures of an unexpected role model: an elementary-school janitor who’s also a Renaissance man. While he’s sweeping the hall, he’s whistling Beethoven. Or Lyle Lovett. He paints the woodwork in the classrooms; he paints a Da Vinci on the cafeteria wall. He’s a trusted authority figure who is every kid’s buddy. He took the janitor’s job while he was a struggling songwriter, and when he finally sold a hit song, he decided to stay on at school.

“He’s sold more platinum than an L.A. wig shop.” Priceless.

Wish I was a Janitor

Frazz still has all of his money. The kid is afraid that Frazz may have written a song about his, the parents’ messy divorce.

My favorite: Rubicon – A huge crossover hit.

Frazz is a man who understands that there is more to life than money. Things like helping to shape young lives and minds. Can you imagine Caulfield and Mrs. Olsen without Frazz to temper the waters.

A highly admirable character…able to put words into the mouths of contemporary “Kings” and continue to walk and work with NORMAL folks…typical for the founder of a wealthy family, as opposed to the third-generation of losers…seriously, the story IS of a real HERO, not a celebrity nor a highly-paid sports “best of breed”…the best of the Renaissance (sp?) men of our time of Lilliputians…yeah, fictional, and yet, how I admire him.

Love your janitor, you never know who they might be.

I work in the Administration building at my school district of 30000 students. At the last meeting, the CIO asked us to raise our hands if anyone had received a raise in the last 10 yrs. No one raised their hand, and everyone laughed at the mere idea of getting a raise. They may or may not be overpaid, but it certainly isn’t because of raises.

We are laying off administrators and IT specialists and have been for a few years. Unfortunately, by now we have laid off everyone who can be laid off and still meet state and federal mandates, so the layoffs will start hitting the classrooms.

Why did the kid search Frazz?

“Rubicon” was a crossover hit! Woo-hoo! For Julie Caesar and her Legionairres?

Classical allusions. Gotta love ’em.

Frazz, a multi-millionaire, works as a janitor at an elementary school, so he can dispense wisdom to America’s youth. Meanwhile, the Smith family, whose head could not find an open position anywhere as a school janitor, huddle together in a cardboard box in a rat-infested alley, wondering when they will see a meal that the cat hadn’t brought in.

i like the fact that no one seems suspicious about Frazz hanging out with a bunch of young children to be absolutely refreshing and a throw back from an earlier age. in the real world he would likely be told not to fraternize with the kids as it would make some in the school system and some parents uncomfortable. single men talking with kids sets off a lot of folks radar even though it maybe completely innocent. i know where of i speak.

Custodian with 10+ years in position makes more than a teacher with a Masters degree.Full medical and dental, pension plan, credit union,other benefits.

And having a regular job looks better to banks or other lending institutions than being a self employed songwriter.

Sharuniboy: The 1947 Connant Report on Secondary Education (chaired by another competent physicist) stated, “Albert Einstein would not be permitted to teach high school algebra anywhere in the United States.” No teacher’s certificate. I had a friend who took a course under Einstein and said he was an excellent classroom teacher.

On the other hand, coaches are routinely given both certificates and classes despite rarely being even competent teachers even though they can coach without a certificate, because if they have enough winning seasons, they can be promoted to principal or superintendent – jobs that do require a certificate – and tell real teachers how to do their jobs.

I thought conservatives wanted school vouchers so that kids would have a chance to go to whatever school they wanted.