The American Dream (And Revenge of the Nerds)

Video is from the 2003 film adaptation American Splendor starring Paul Giamatti

RIP Harvey Pekar
On July 12th Ohio lost the one thing worth remembering it as a state, Harvey Pekar. Pekar was a 70 year old “regular guy” with just enough ambition and creativity to make his mark on American culture. Harvey began his professional career as a file clerk at Cleveland’s Veteran’s Administration Hospital before meeting Robert Crumb in the 60s. Crumb became a renowned counter-culture artist doing weird comics for adults and even doing professional work for the likes of Janis Joplin and the Holding Company.

Crumb and Pekar met through a mutual love of Jazz music and Pekar was immediately interested in the young artists drawings. The two collaborated on Pekar’s own comic book “American Splendor” which became Harvey’s claim to fame. The comic was different from what other people had done before, and in a way was far ahead of it’s time. Pekar described American Splendor as “an autobiography written as it’s happening. The theme is about staying alive. Getting a job, finding a mate, having a place to live, finding a creative outlet. Life is a war of attrition. You have to stay active on all fronts. It’s one thing after another. I’ve tried to control a chaotic universe. And it’s a losing battle. But I can’t let go. I’ve tried, but I can’t.”

Rest in peace Harvey, and my best wishes go out to Pekar’s friends and family. Much as he’d never admit it, the man was one of a kind.

Down to Business?
What can we learn from Harvey Pekar? Well first it doesn’t matter what you look like, or if you’re a rock star, or whatever. You can still be successful. Hell, according to Pekar breathing is a measure of success. I’m reminded of some of Bruce Lee’s philosophical thoughts: “What you habitually think largely determines what you will ultimately become.” And another lesson from Lee, “Know the difference between a catastrophe and an inconvenience. — To realize that it’s just an inconvenience, that it is not a catastrophe, but just an unpleasantness, is part of coming into your own, part of waking up.” Whenever life took a swing at Pekar he didn’t let it stop him, he instead channeled that energy into his comics going so far as devoting a series specifically to his struggle with cancer.

There’s also a certain inventive tenacity to Pekar’s story that I’ve always found appealing. Myspace, Twitter, Facebook all owe a debt to Pekar’s innovative idea to present and market everyday life to the masses. Before Pekar, who would’ve ever thought the average person would care about what’s going on with the average person elsewhere? Think outside the box and you’ll be surprised what you’ll find…

RL.news
My wife received a big promotion from the schools, now instead of one cramped class room she essentially has her own wing of the school. I mean that literally. I went with her today to help pack up things from her old room, turns out I don’t have to actually move anything over to her new rooms though (the school has people taking care of that for us). The school itself has received additional funds this year, so now every single classroom has new computers and SMART boards. This is quite huge, as this is a poor school district. I’m obviously quite proud of my wife, she’s only been teaching at this school for a year and already people are learning what I’ve known since I met her: she’s amazing.

GUILD.news
Face on Fire is still recruiting. We’ve been burning through hardmodes but still have a few left.

Updated Info:
We’re 8/12 H ICC 25 Man
Currently Recruiting: Hunter, Enhancement Shaman, Restoration Druid.

Register on the forums at http://faceonfire.org/ for more details and to apply.

No application = no invite.

The Bloodscalp Report
+ HORDE
It was a good week for me, I banked 50K in sales this week. A lot of it was “opportunity” sales, but I’m still putting it down as a win. I’ve spent a bit here and there getting things done, but I’m still sitting on 60K horde side. With every opportunity for more gold this week. The fires of industry are indeed bright again…

+ ALLIANCE
I have a lot of concerns outside the game this week so spent no time on the alliance. My immediate goal is to transfer some materials and finish off tradeskills on my Alliance main, and get him leveled up so I can actually get to work over there. We’ll see how it goes.

That’s all for this week guys, thanks for reading…