Now That Disney Has Taken Over Marvel Comics...

I chose Fandango as today's post because the fractal is a fanciful image and this post is a mere flight of fancy. The image is purely "fun"--as I hope this post will be. (Frankly, I could use a little lighthearted amusement in my life these days.) SO--let's dive in, shall we?

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The entertainment world was abuzz today (August 31) with the announcement that the Walt Disney Company will be acquiring Marvel Comics. Execs at Disney feel this is a good move because Marvel characters appeal primarily to boys while the Disney characters are skewed largely toward young girls. (Yes parents, Disney will soon own the collective psyches of ALL your children!) Shares of Marvel Comics jumped $10 on the news (and you can be sure Disney would never have made the deal if they didn't feel it would enhance their bottom line). Still, if f you the business details go look them up for yourself: this post is about something more frivolous. Read on and you'll find otu what...

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Marvel and Disney are both NOTORIOUs for cross-promotion: that got me thinking--now that Marvel and Disney are under the same roof it's only a matter of time before Marvel and Disney characaters start being featured together. Being a fan of both Disney AND Marvel Comics I came up with a few ideas...

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Marvel's version of Hercules and the other Olympian Gods is replaced by the animated Disney version. Herc juins the Avengers and Phil the Satyr comes along as team trainer.

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Ariel the Little Mermaid, is revealed to be the long-lost cousin of Prince Namor--the Sub-Mariner. Subby has to lose is fish-scale speedo and a lot of his angst while Ariel becomes more edgey.

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Mulan becomes th new incarnation of Mantis and becomes one of the core members of the World Avengers.

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Doctor Strange adds Ursula the Sea Witch, Malefecent and the Wicked Queen to his rogues gallery. Clea becomes an apprentice to the Blue Fairy...

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Kitty Pryde becomes Disney's first Jewish-American Disney Princess.

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The Beast batles Hulk for the heart of Belle in the 12-part maxi-series It's Not Easy Being Green. Kermit D Frog guest stars.

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Scrooge McDuck becomes Chairman of the Board of Stark Enterprises--and has his own battle suit made. He becomes Iron Duck!

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Wanda Maximoff (the Scarlet Witch) becomes tutor to the kids of the Wizards of Waverly Place in the new comic Witch and the Wizards.

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Sue Storm takes yet another leave of absense from the Fantastic Four and is replaced by Minnie Mouse.

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Marvel/Disney releases their new flagship title, The New Inhumans--Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, Lockjaw and Tinkerbell.

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Hannah Montana fronts a band called The New Mutants--super-powered rock-and-rollers who fight crime while making radio-friendly pop-rock ballads. (Of course, Hannah will be re-cast since Miley Cyrus is too old and too famous to play the part any longer.)

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Captain America (Steve Rogers) becomes on of the instructors at Camp Rock...

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So Marvel/Disney (Msney? Divel?), there are a few suggestions for your characters. Use any or all--but remember where you got them from. I'm available to write or produce the product. Call me!

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'nuff said

An Idea For A New Charity

I chose Garter as the image for today's post. Read on and I think it will become pretty obvious.
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Today's economy has had a devastating effect on all of us. Needs grow as funds shrink and everyone is feeling the pinch. Breast cancer research, ALS, Muscular Dystrophy and a host of other causes all are in dire need. But you know about those: I'm here to tell you about a little-known and less-respected group who have been hit and hit hard by the economic downturn. Sexy people. Yes, sexy people everywhere are silently suffering and need your help.
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For example...
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Tiffini, age 26, of Las Vegas Nevada is reeling under the crushing debt she incurred purchasing her 48 "Double D's". This platinum-Blondie temptress cries herself to sleep night after night in her penthouse overlooking the strip because she lacks the basic necessities to get her through the night. Your contribution could buy her some new pasties and a G-string. Enough money could even get her an in-house stripper pole.
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Solange, age 31, of South Hampton New York is faced with the difficult decision of selling off her jewelery or getting a real job to meet the payments on her trendy beach cottage and her Mercedes. Since the stock market has taken a major hit her "sugar daddy" has been much less generous--depriving this poor beauty of the basic needs. Your dollars could save Solange and countless other golddiggers just like her from the horror of having to buy retail. Won't you help her buy those fierce Jimmy Chou pumps and that too cute Kate Spade bag?
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And it's not just sexy women who are feeling the pinch...
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Giovanni, age unknown, currently residing in Miami is finding it harder and harder to lead the life of a gigolo. Body-waxing, visits to Sunset Tan and the gym don't come cheap and having "fashion-forward" clothing, ride and getting in to the right clubs and restaurants can't be done without greasing a lot of palms. Giovanni is at a critical juncture in his life: your generous contribution can keep him where he belongs--in the beds of wealthy, older businessmen.
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Last, there is the particularly sad case of Chad, Age 32, currently residing in Newport Beach California. Chad clawed his way up through the mean scene that is the Chippendale's empire until he became a lead dancer. But age has taken it's toll" there's a bump in his grind that wasn't there when he was 26--and it's only a matter of time before someone new takes his place. Still, Chad has a lot of years of "sexy" left in him: with your help he can keep "hangin' with his buds" on the beach and not have to face that realities of life.
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And that's where our charity--Sexy People In Need comes in. Wherever there are sexy people in need--we're there! Be it a club in Vegas, the beaches of Miami, "Nude" Juice Bars in Orange County, a peep show in San Francisco or a summer cottage in the Hamptons--S.P.I.N. in there to provide lingerie and luxuries and anything else these poor overlooked people might need.
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Why should I contribute? you may ask. Don't these people simply attract help by the mere fact they ARE sexy? All too often the sexy suffer in silence while those who COULD help leave them alone--thinking somebody else is taking care of the need. Now is your golden opportunity to assist some of the most desperate in our society. Not only would they be forever grateful--they might even give you a lap dance! So give and give generously! Remember--Sexy People In Need--put a new S.P.I.N. on your giving...
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'nuff said.

A Few Comments On National Health Care

Hole In My Heart seemed like a singularly appropriate metaphor for our damaged heath care system so I chose as the image for today's post. There isn't much else which can be said so on with today's rant...
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I don't have the answers to fix the health care situation in the United States but one thing I think we can ALL agree upon--whether we're Democrat or Republican--the system is broken and it needs to be fixed before it drags the entire economy down. Some people lay the blame at the feet of illegal immigrants and that may be a contributing factor but there is a lot more going on. Not so long ago when inflation was at record lows medical costs were going up by over twenty per cent a year. Seems rather odd--doesn't it? At the same time insurance companies raise their premiums, reduce their benefits and pay outs to doctors and hospitals. One company went so far as to structure bonuses for employees in proportion to the number of claims they could deny. (It's all a matter of public record folks if you take the time to look for the facts.)
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Now we have a proposal for universal health care in the United States and, judging by the reaction from a lot of quarters, you'd think that men, women and children were being kidnapped off the streets to be gassed in concentration camps. Is the President's plan a good one? I don't know--I haven't read the 900 PAGE document and I'm not sure I'd understand it if I did. (Frankly, I'm not sure anyone could understand the thing completely.) Here's what I find particularly disturbing though--and that's the number of people who seem to want to stop debate by shouting and causing disturbances. What disturbs me more is people who should know better like Sarah Palin (bless her pointy little head) bringing up things like "death panels" when she knows (or ought to before she opens her mouth) that this simply IS NOT TRUE. A lot of right wing pundits are spreading all sorts of irresponsible stories about the national health care plan but that's a rant for another blog.
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Here is what I DO know for a fact...
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Almost 40% of the population of our country is uninsured or under insured. Because they have no or restricted access to medical care they end up in Emergency Rooms for treatment of every problem large or small. (The results of this are obvious.)
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For those of you who ARE covered you probably don't have as much coverage as you think you do. For those of you who follow this blog you know all too well about the illness of Robyn's father: he worked hard all his life and had a good retirement--until his illness. His coverage ran out early and he ended up paying the bulk of his medical bills himself. Lucky for us he had a goodly amount of savings but he burned through a good portion before he finally died.
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The United States is the only developed nation WITHOUT universal health care coverage. Reports vary on the quality of the health care but virtually all countries offer private-pay options for those who choose to opt out of the government program.
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When you trace back the source of complaints against the current health care proposal it leads directly back to insurance companies and their executives. (If Universal Health Care passes insurance companies--and the folks who run them--won't be making nearly as much money.)
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A lot of the criticism of the Universal Health Care bill is coming from less-than-creditable sources. The famous "line-by-line" critique (which came out mere DAYS after the bill) was created by the Liberty Council--a "think tank" sponsored by Jerry Falwell. (I haven't read their critique either but I consider the source.)
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In the end all I can ask is that everyone look beyond their favorite TV news cast and search out the facts. Maybe this health care bill ISN'T the answer but something has to be done and sooner rather than later.