Disney Misses the Mark

The folks over at Disney could not possibly have missed the mark any worse with their ridiculous attempt at a good health poster. Walt's head must be spinning in it's jar right now. The only real explanation is that Disney does not hire fat people to work for them because if there was even one overweight person at that planning table I'm sure they would have tossed a flag out. The delicious irony in all of this (pun intended) is that Disney seems to cater specifically to the overweight, as they are more likely to spend money on the "reasonably" priced foods. At the entrance of every theme park is a rascal renting station which is cool for the disabled and elderly, but in reality like 1 out of 5 scooters is actually rented by someone that needs it. If I had a dollar for every time I saw a couple riding separate scooters with no problems, other than the fact that they weigh roughly 400 pounds, I would be a financially stable guy. So, it really is baffling that the guys up in Disney HQ thought that those posters would be inspiring to their well-fed masses. So much so that there is an accompanying ride to go on. I can't imagine a worse hell for a little pudge than to go in there with his turkey leg and McDonalds fries expecting a fun time, and then boom! You are fat and therefore bad please stay in the foods around the world exhibit in EPCOT. In closing, I leave you with a question: Don't you think these fat people look like the Mucinex family

This article is chock full of Pathos. And bias.. Lots of bias. Clearly this lady was infuriated by the release of the posters and ride. The author clearly states her intentions in the first paragraph with her word choice. She starts of strong by describing Winnie the Pooh as, "a binge eating bear with a honey guy" and goes on to call the posters, "a boneheaded stab at promoting healthy lifestyle choices." She also finishes the article strong with call for Disney to smarten the hell up: "You want to promote good health? Start by looking at your own sugar and animal fat-laden menus. And go on by respecting children of all shapes and sizes. Because they’re the ones who trust in the mouse to see them not as Lead Bottoms and Gluttons but as princesses and pirates. As beautiful." She may have gone overboard in her rage, I mean really, who gets this worked up about something like a poster? But hey I enjoyed the article nevertheless.

Article:  Disney’s fat-shaming fail

The Devil Lives in Idaho

I have seen the devil, and his name is Frank Vandersloot. This guy is the epitome of a big fat bully. He uses his money to silence his critics, he clearly hates anybody different, and most importantly he's a liar. It takes a serious lack of morals to publicly out someone by buying newspaper ads. If you've read any of my other posts it would be plain to see that this guy would be my arch nemesis. He is basically in charge of putting Mitt Romney in office. I'm not going to go down his rap sheet but I would recommend you check it out in the article below.
This article is a mix of pathos and logos and the purpose is clearly to enrage its audience. The author simply states facts about this guy who is clearly just a jerk, and by simply stating the facts the point is gotten across that Frank is bad news.

Article: Billionaire Romney donor uses threats to silence critics

Sticking It to the Academy

This past weekend the Grammys happened, and whether you like it or not, that was the thing to watch. Most of the awards went to Adele. Actually every award went to Adele. Except in the best new artist category. My boy Bon Iver took that home, but he wasn't as pleased as you would think (Now is the time to watch the video).

I have to give this guy a standing ovation for his shot at the academy. I mean the academy is great and all when they are choosing and artist for a category that nobody cares about, but when the big awards come out, it's all about star power. Bon Iver isn't even a new artist. His first album was released in 2008 and the critics loved it too, and even if you look past that he still isn't the best new artist. So I respect him for dropping that little line which was very much in the same vein as director Michel Hazanavicius's acceptance speech at the Critic's Choice Awards. If the academy put people that deserved awards on the show then nobody would watch, but at least it would be respectable. 

Is Anyone Else Jacked Up For Loiter Squad?

One of my favorite groups right now Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All, abbreviated to Odd Future, is coming out with a new show on the best channel ever. Yup, Adult Swim. Apparently it's going to be a Chappell show/Jackass combo and it's produced by D**khouse. I don't know about you guys but this sounds like possibly the best recipe on the planet. Odd Future, Adult Swim, Sketch Comedy, and Jackass style antics. You can't go wrong with something like that. This is exactly the kind of exposure OF needs to get big. Not too mainstream, but on a big enough stage to get some serious looks. They are the future of music whether you hate them or love them, and I flipping love them. Odd Future is so good it almost seems like they were manufactured by some corporate fat cat, but they hate corporate America so it's crazy that these kids could come up with all this on their own. They appeal to everybody, well obviously not EVERYBODY, but most people. Their subject matter ranges from Tyler's outrageous rants about kidnapping girls and cutting them up to Domo's laid back flows all about smoking weed and everywhere in between. Even at the concerts you can see what fans came to see who. There were sketchy white kids beating the crap out of each other when Tyler and Hodgy rapped, there were stoned black guys cooling listening to Domo's laid back delivery, and of course the ladies for Mike G. Even with such a polarized group, everyone got along because that's what Odd Future is about in the end. They do what they do for the kids that don't want to go along with the status quo. They know when someone puts an OF donut on their skateboard it stands for something. They want to create a community where everybody has fun and doesn't care what the person next to him thinks about it. So remember, Loiter Squad on Adult Swim on March 25th, be there or be square.

Why Is Everyone Hating on Lana Del Ray?

I don't get it man. Hipsters want to embrace her but can't because she's just a little too pop, and the masses want to get her, but she seems a little too indie. My solution: just treat her like a pop star. Elizabeth Grant, the mastermind behind the Del Ray enigma, released her own album under her own name a few years ago to not much success. From the ashes of her album rose Lana Del Ray, a strangely old-timey yet modern singer. Del Ray, a self proclaimed, "Gangsta Nancy Sinatra," was poised for success with the release of her single "Video Games" but then the haters came in. Oh the haters. The elitist music snobs who only listen to the stuff nobody knows about, but they weren't haters in the beginning oh my friends let me tell you. Everybody loved "Video Games", but once she went big with her album, the critics attacked. Honestly I think they are all just bitter because they actually fell for a pop princess, something I'm sure they all swore they would never do. I like Lana Del Ray's album, but I don't think it is something to have a heart attack over. It needs to be looked at as what it is, a shameless second bid for fame and fortune. I can respect that. If the mainstream media takes her in she will become a pariah in the underground music scene, but hey, as long as her pool stays clean and her cars go fast I'm sure Lizzy doesn't care.

M.I.A's Latest Video: Crazy as Usual

I have more than a few questions after watching Mia's latest video. Isn't M.I.A from Shri Lanka, what's she doing all the way out in the desert? Where is the connection between song and video? And is that the thing to do out in those sandy countries? Doing tricks in 90's era BMW's? Even though I'm pretty confused by the whole thing it doesn't even compare to the level of absurdity that her video for "Born Free" did. If you don't know what I'm talking about you should check it out. Honestly I'm not really a huge fan of the song itself. She always has awesome beats, but I just don't think that she has good lyrics. Maybe I just pretend to love her stuff in the hopes she will call me one day. I mean she is pretty cute. Dontcha think? Check the video out and tell me what you think.

Some Great Music For Yo' Azz

Welcome back to the latest installment of Bloggystyle ladies and gentlemen. Today I bring to you my latest find in the music world. Soul Coughing. I found them while searching Salon.com for an article to blog about. It was in the entertainment section where I found an interview with Soul Coughing front man Mike Doughty. Doughty seemed like kind of a tool shed but I checked out the band on Youtube anyway, and my ears were delighted with a sound that was so wonderfully 90's I wanted to break out my break out my Beanie Babies and dance. As I dug deeper  I found a connection that I thought would only be possible in my dreams. Their song "Rolling" was on a Cartoon Network Groovie! If there is one channel that I have watched consistently through my life it is Cartoon Network, and now the angelic beings that handle CN's business are returning the favor by leading me towards a new and wonderful band. It is obviously a sign that I should keep listening. Soul Coughing disbanded in 2000 and according to the interview there is absolutely no chance of them reuniting. It's very bittersweet to find out about a band by hearing of how they disbanded. As I listen to them I can only think of how they all hated each other.

Article:  Alt-rock hitmaker: Why I hate my band

My second Memoir Choice

For my next memoir I will be reading This Boy's Life by Tobias Wolff. After one chapter it looks to be a similar story to Townie, but maybe with a little more humor. So I'm looking forward to that!

Not The Last One Off?

This Italian cruise director is too much for me. Not to be racist but this is about as stereotypically Italian as it gets. His actions are borderline French even! However I have to give him props for going out in style. He didn't even announce that the passengers should abandon ship. What a guy. It takes a real man to wine and dine a lady not thirty minutes after you crash your cruise ship with thousands on it. Every one keeps talking about how captains need to go down with ships. Screw that! that guy drives a cruise ship man, he obviously has a higher net worth than most of the people on that boat. if people didn't turn into chickens with their heads cut off when they heard the boat was sinking then maybe they could have all got away. Just saying.

The article is an interview with John Maxtone-Graham, the authority on ships with over 25 books published on the subject. I actually just skimmed the article as I am a very lazy guy, but I don't think that matters anyway. I write about what I think when I see the articles. That's what the articles are supposed to do anyway. Get people to think. At least that's what they should be about. Ron Paul 2012.

Article: The captain who wouldn’t go down with the ship

My Memior Choice Pt. 1

For my next outside reading endeavor I will be reading Townie By Andre DuBuse III. I am one chapter in and so far it seems like an interesting read. That is all.

The Worst Thing Ever

As some of you may have noticed or at least heard about sites like Wikipedia, Reddit, and Etsy are shutting themselves down today to protest SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act) and PIPA (Protect Intellectual Property Act). Both of these acts would severely limit the freedom that one has on the internet. My faithfuls may already know that I do not support the acts one bit because if these acts go through, where will I get my free music? That isn't what I want to talk about however. I want to talk about how outrageous it is that this deal was even able to be proposed in the first place. Congress seems like a school administrative board sometimes. They only pass things because nobody goes to the meetings to object their crazy ideas. How is it that the only thing congress wants to try and pass is this act when there are soooo many more things they should be focusing on? It seems like these Conservative Republicans are always contradicting themselves. If they Support SOPA doesn't that mean they are basically using their almighty constitution as toilet paper? I present to you that special interest groups are behind all of this because in the end politicians will do anything for a buck. It's a shame to see something like this even be considered. America as a whole was doing so well embracing the progressive lifestyle and then the Tea Party came in and sent America back sixty years. When you think about it it's all Sarah Palin's fault, but maybe that's just my opinion.

Article: Internet blackout!

Santorum on the Rise

Just when Americans thought the old school Republicans were back, Rick Santorum has risen to the front of the race with talk of faith, gays being bad, and how Jesus should live in the White House. I used to think it was funny when Michele Bachmann and rick Perry would say crazy things about how much more faithful they are than the next candidate, but with the primary's so close I really can't laugh anymore. Santorum has been rising in the polls thanks to his latest endorsements from major Christian groups. The only funny thing I can see coming out of his recent surge is the result of googling the word "Santorum"and looking at the first result. Haha Rick haha. The irony is hilarious. If you don't know what I'm talking bout I recommend you look it up, but only in your home. It's not quite safe for work. Unlike the other extremely conservative Christian candidates Santorum actually has a chance in the race for GOP candidate thanks to his great showing at the Iowa caucus, and now that it's time for candidates to start dropping out of the race Santorum will be able to pick up the voters from other conservative candidates like Rick Perry and Michele Bachmann. That, my friends, is a scary thought. I'm not particularly worried about Santorum though because Mitt Romney is going to take the New Hampshire primary and after that he will be off to the races.

The article I read has nothing to do with Santorum's recent rise. It's about his stance on birth control, but I didn't really want to talk about that because it's boring. If you want to read the article you can. It is riiiiiight here.

Article: Rick Santorum really is after your birth control

F****d Up (The Band)

Spin magazine has announced their 50 greatest albums of the year and I am pleased with the selection. It definitely isn't a comprehensive list there are many albums that were left off (Adele-21, The Strokes-Angles, and Tyler, the Creator-Goblin) but they did their best and I respect it. Now I'm sure you're all wondering why I chose this article to blog about because I know how many people wait patiently every Sunday for my latest update to Bloggystyle, so let me enlighten you! The number one album was "David Comes to Life" by Canadian hardcore band F****d Up. A band which I happen to be a fan of. Before I went to see them with Wavves in September I had no idea who they were, but after the wildest performance I had ever seen I was hooked. The lead singer, Father Damien, yells, but it's a powerful punk rock roar not a sissy I hate my parents screech that seems to infests the punk rock scene today. On back up vocals and bass is a girl (really, a girl) that goes by the name "Mustard Gas" her vocals go surprisingly well with Damien's scratchy roar The other members aren't all that interesting. To be honest F****d Up would be nothing without the on-stage antics of Damien. To say he is the most energetic performer I have ever seen is an understatement. He could make a crowd of paraplegics start moshing. It's safe to say F****d Up reignited my love for someone yelling in my face/ears and i brings me joy to see their work finally acknowledged, but it also brings me sadness to learn that they will be on hiatus while Father Damien raises a family with his baby boy and wife Lauren.

The list was expertly compiled by the Spin staff. There is a possible bias however. The staff, I would imagine, consists of elitist music snobs who don't respect anyone on the radio besides Lady Gaga, Kanye West/Jay-Z, and Britney Spears. Honestly I was actually surprised to see Britney Spear's album on the list at all. I'm not going to cry about it however since it's number fifty anyway, but that doesn't take away from the list because I would rather have people like that compile a list rather than say the people who plan "Now That's What I Call Music 25." With that said I still never would have thought that F****d Up would get the #1 spot considering the fact that they have been operating quite under the radar since around 2001. Maybe they shouldn't have gotten the number one spot, but I like them so I don't really want to argue. If my article has piqued your interest at all I recommend you download their latest album as soon as possible.

Article: SPIN's 50 Best Albums of 2011

Bless Me, Ultima Chapters 17-22

Well the book is over and I am relieved, but I'm also very disappointed. My top prediction about Antonio becoming an "Ultimo" was completely wrong. I clearly have not been using my clues well enough. The ending is not surprising though, and now that I have thought about it I feel like it was probably the best choice for an ending (aside from my prediction). The story ends like it begins, with uncertainty. Toni never knows what he wants to be and by the end surprise, surprise he still doesn't know. I'm all for the coming of age novel, but I thought that this one was not that great. I didn't care for how much emphasis was placed on religion, but I can live with it because I'm sure early twentieth century Mexico was intensely religious. Antonio places a whole bunch of significance into his first communion, thinking he will have a new found connection with god. This shows how immature Antonio really still is. When Toni is disappointed by the communion it shows that he can't just go with his mother's views like that. I would rate this book with a 6.5 out of 10, but that is just my opinion. Many people seem to like it.

Bless Me, Ultima Chapters 13-16

By the end of chapter 16 Antonio's innocence is lost. When Antonio goes to Rosie's with Narciso and the woman replies, " Which Marez," (Anaya 164) when Narciso asks to speak with the Marez. Antonio's mother wants him to keep his innocence, but it seems to be impossible. Everyone loses their innocence it is a fact of life, but it is not always a bad thing. Antonio's loss of innocence seems to make him a wiser person. He is already and incredibly mature individual, but after witnessing two deaths and now the incident at Rosie's perhaps Antonio now sees the true colors of the world. Toni's early maturation only helps to strengthen my prediction that Antonio is going to become the male Ultima or "Ultimo" if you will. This is the only one of my predictions that has come true however. It seems that Gabriel will never get to take the family out to California like he wanted which forces him to drink even more, and that is never good. Along with growing up/losing one's innocence the theme of forgiveness is evident throughout the book, but it is most apparent in these chapters. With all this said, don't start thinking I like this book because it has been an absolute chore to read. I will march on against all odds to finish this book.