An Idiot’s Journey: Day Three – Down with “Up the Academy”
on June 4, 2010 at 4:02 amA blog whist I intern at MAD Magazine
First, I need to make a correction. June 3, 2010 is the actual anniversary of William Gaines passing. I heard in the office that it was the second, then I checked Wikipedia and it said June 3rd, but I figure that the horses mouth knows better. Well, today the horses mouth corrected itself so I, the horses other end, shall do the same. Regardless of date, his memory and legacy remains.
I got around to taking a photo of me with that Alfred E. Newman statute that was created for the infamous film “Up the Academy” which MAD lent it’s name to. The story goes that the movie was one of the worst films in history. So bad that MAD not only took it’s name off of the credits, but also harshly ridiculed it. And, as the story continues, the staff sent in letters of complaint for having to sit through it in order to ridicule it. In any case, the makers of the movie gave the MAD group the statue used in filming. To this day MAD does not know if that was a gift or an insult. I kinda like it. So I posed with it and gave my goofiest grin (which, sadly, is my only grin).
Today was a good day for ideas – not so much mine but others. Beatle, the other intern made something of a hit and it was interesting to be in the think tank as the editors tossed around ways to make the idea make the most impact. Perhaps I wasn’t contributing as much but I think the idea and the image he came up with was pretty solid. I hope he gets it published.
At lunch I made a trip down to renowned Greenwich Village for the obvious reason everybody heads there: to go to the bank. That really is a great place to be. I fell into a trance as I strolled up and down the tree-laden streets amid beautiful brownstone buildings adorned with lush flowers… What was I saying? Oh, yeah. I had to go to the bank. Well, normally my bank is opposite a Burger King or a used car lot. Not here in New York. Directly adjacent to the bank was the magnificently constructed Grace Church. I had to take a picture and share. It’s amazing how some architecture can have a profound affect on us. Breathtaking.
I’ll tell you what else was breathtaking: that hot dog I scarfed down on my way back to the office. That was the best $2 hot dog I ever ate, I tell you what. The pigeons came strutting around looking for crumbs and I swore I heard one actually say, “Selfish glutton!” Get lost, sky vermin!
Best part of the day? The guy I’m staying with let me in on the secret to cheap New York coffee! I can’t wait to try it out. Gotta love the java!
great blog…