Aliens in South Africa?

So the movie I've been anticipating all summer is about to be released on August 14th. District 9 is a sci-fi/action blend that will have your skin crawling for months. I don't want to give too many details away, but the movie is about aliens visiting planet Earth. Now before you start thinking it's another take over, end of the human race deal, realize it's the exact opposite. Instead of them taking over us, we take over them. Check out the teaser:






The crew behind the movie has been using interesting advertising techniques. Certain bus stops around the world now contain these signs:


The film doesn't look to disappoint and for sci-fi enthusiast I'm sure it'll be incredible. Now it's just up to the media to either bash it or praise it.

Violence is not the Answer in Paradise

Ok so today I’m a little ticked off. This Independence Day weekend was both exhilarating and disappointing. I spent this weekend in Key West, having a great time (or at least to the best of my knowledge). Besides the fact I walked 6 miles from Downtown to Stock Island just to get a bed to sleep in I became a little confused about the local population. I have tremendous respect for all the locals in Key West and I applaud them for such a spectacular weekend (I myself have family living in Key West).

The only real thing that ticked me off was on the night of July 3rd. After spending a great night with my 16 year old cousin, (who is in fact a local and a student at Key West High) we decided to hit Duval and see downtown. What I saw was incredible. A group of local kids (17 years old, about four in total) got themselves in a scuffle with a tourist who must have been in his 30’s. Next thing I knew there were screams and that same tourist was laying on his back while the four local boys were stomping on him.

After they were finished they scattered and weren’t seen again. I told my cousin that this wasn’t appropriate and he chuckled, which showed me how the young local population in Key West admire violence. They look up to the older guys that fight as well as to their peers when they get into squabbles. At the end of the night I gave my cousin a lecture on the seriousness of the actions that had occurred (and I’m no one to lecture, just look at the title of the blog). I told him about the dangers of doing that where I live in Miami (next thing you know you’re in county jail or worse, staring down the barrel of a gun). My advice to everyone else? Keep away from the young locals in Key West, unless you want a problem.

Find more videos like this on www.truveo.com.

Just an example of what happens in Miami at a regular house party.

Stereotypes?

Well for this installment I'm referring to the assignment I was given last week in my visual media class. We were given a topic on pictorial stereotypes and I thought to myself, "well let's see how many messy ads I can discover". The incredible thing about this is that you don't have to do much research to come across an ad that is that outlandish. You can very easily type "stereotypical ads" into the Google search bar, click images, and boom! Instant satisfaction

Take this one for example. Self explanatory, and low (and kind of funny). The name “Levy’s” most likely comes from the term “leavening”, which means to ferment or an agent that ferments such as yeast or something along those lines.

The next one I wanted to share was the album cover of Memphis’ very own blues and jazz singer/musician Junior Parker. What's interesting about these two ads/images when compared is the striking similarity between them.

In fact the Junior Parker image was created after the Levy's ad, so who knows, maybe it was influenced some how.

To tell you the truth, both of these images made me laugh. I do see the negative stereotypes and I am not imune to them at all, but sometimes you need a sense of humor. Hispanics, like myself, receive alot of guff from every part of today's stereotypical society. I guess what I'm saying is in the end, you have to take it in stride.

What? It can't be all fun and games can it? Or did you want another soccer blooper video?

Here's where I got my info (if you want to learn more about it):

Image courtesy of Poplicks.com

Definition of leavening by Dictionary.com

Junior Parker Info on Wikipedia

Life's a piece of...when you look at it...

So for my first blog, I decided to shed some light on what I'm trying to accomplish. I want to make it clear that this blog is not for me, but for you, the reader. This is strictly for entertainment and I hope it does entertain you.

That said, I gave this particular post a title that suits it completely (and trust me, it suits it completely). When you’re down, be optimistic (or not) and always “look on the bright side of life”. If life bites you in the bump, get up and bite it right back. And if not, then who cares, it’s only you in the end you have to satisfy right?!

I’ll leave this now on a lighter note with a video for your enjoyment which includes exactly what I’m talking about (or at least what Monty Python was many years ago).