So I’ve started re-watching ‘The Simpsons’ from season one. And oh boy, it’s like busting open a time capsule.

For me the show is more than a cartoon, it was my week night companion at 6’oclock as a kid. Maybe I learnt some morals but mainly it was for a laugh. I think watching back now I see it in a whole new light, not just for it’s countless sexual innuendos, but how relatable many of the episodes are, on the grounds of moral fibre. Surprisingly, these are the episodes I would switch off as a kid as I didn’t fully understand their context.

A gem of an episode I have come across recently from season two is ‘Lisa’s Substitute’. I never understood the importance of this episode as a kid. But re-watching it now I understand the point of Lisa’s daggy substitute teacher, Mr. Bergstrom walking into her life and changing it forever in just under 23 minutes. It’s made me understand the importance of having mentors and or inspirational people in your life.

Mr. Bergstrom (voiced by Dustin Hoffman) nurtures and encourages Lisa’s gifted intelligence. He gives Lisa the outlet to be the person she wants to be without being ashamed of what other peers think of her. It has made me realise, how much I appreciate the people like Mr. Bergstrom in my life.

For Example:

At work last night, I had a supervisor come and sit in with me whilst I was mixing audio promos. He took the time to sit down with me and give his advice and opinions on my work to better the end result, ultimately so the producer was happy (welcome to the world of media).

I ended up a bit frazzled by the whole ordeal and he gave me a sort of pep talk to boost my confidence. Whilst talking about dealing with nerves, he mentioned some of the amazing work he has done spanning his career *cough audio directing the opening ceremony for the Sydney 2000 Olympics cough*.

This astounded me, that a person so accomplished is humble enough to:

1. have never mentioned this before in the 18 months I have been working for him.

2. give me advice and help to further better my knowledge and also for thinking that I am deserving of it.

Even though the moral of his story wasn’t to talk about what he’s achieved. Only how nerves don’t disappear, all you can do is learn to control them.

I simply could not get over his achievements. I still can’t! His modesty astounds me! I feel honoured, like I’ve just met the Queen or something.

This is the Mr. Bergstrom effect!

At the end of the episode, Mr. Bergstrom leaves to substitute at another school in a different city. It saddened me that Mr. Bergstrom’s presence dissolves so quickly from Lisa’s life and to be blunt, I cried at the end of the episode. Furthermore, the note he leaves her really touches you, knowing that the influence he’s had on Lisa’s self confidence is permanent, even though his physical presence in her life is not.

#youarelisasimpson

#isthisaformofdoublelooplearning

In other news, I watched Sharknado. For a terrible movie, it’s amazingly good!