disturbing mascots
Happy Birthday from Your Evil Skeleton Pals
29/01/12 18:58 Filed in: Super English
Force |
Disturbing
Mascots
Another freakish card from Xue Hwa. One of those
instances where the Mainland manufacturer must have
slapped whatever image they had handy behind the text
and said “Run that mother! We’ve got a quota to hit!”
Can’t imagine who would want and/or appreciate a
gaggle of evil glowing-eyed skeletons wishing them a
happy b-day. Still the grim reaper guy is
waving at least, and the bats are flying in a loose
‘happy birthday-ish’ formation...
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Cactus-suited Hello Kitty Joins Death in a Snowglobe
From a 7-11 store window in Central. Seems Hell
O’Kitty has landed another sponsorship coup, this
time partnering with Death itself. Not sure what they
are selling exactly, but it apparently involves a
Cactus suit for Kitty, a rather depressed looking
Death - ‘can’t believe my agent talked me into this’
- and a snowglobe. For what its worth said snowglobe
was not for sale inside the 7-11 (yes I looked).
Would that the ‘real’ Hello Kitty was doomed to such an eternal fate - trapped with Death incarnate within a hermetically sealed prison, while forced to wear a ridiculous (even for her) outfit. Though I’d honestly feel sorry for Death...
Would that the ‘real’ Hello Kitty was doomed to such an eternal fate - trapped with Death incarnate within a hermetically sealed prison, while forced to wear a ridiculous (even for her) outfit. Though I’d honestly feel sorry for Death...
De Showy Masquerade w/ Bubblegum Crown & Gold Foil Hair
01/01/12 07:05 Filed in: Cantopop Level
of Hell | Disturbing
Mascots
Über star Aaron Kwok is at it again with a new
concert/album/monstrosity. I can’t look at his
‘crown’ without being reminded me of a monstrous
smear of freshly chewed bubblegum. Why anyone thought
that pairing a pearlescent pink blob with gold
foil-encrusted hair would look good is beyond me.
It’s certainly ‘de showy’ I suppose. What’s scary is
that by HK costume standards, this is rather
understated...
...Like I Need a Knife Below my Ribcage
04/11/11 08:20 Filed in: Disturbing
Mascots
The tag for a cheaply made ‘life-size’ skeleton
decoration from a toy store in a street market in
Wanchai. Not much here - I was just taken aback by
the almost nonchalant knife sticking out of just
below the skeleton/ghost’s ribcage (which I’m told is
a very effective place to stab someone). He looks
more annoyed than scary though, like the addition of
the knife is really just shit he doesn’t
need...
1 Clip Attack # - No Pain No Game?!
21/10/11 07:11 Filed in: Super English
Force |
Disturbing
Mascots
A truly freakish ad for a jeans/fashion company.
Unless they extensively photoshopped this shot, those
really are clips all over his face. Which
leaves one to wonder: what the hell are they
thinking?! What has this got to do even remotely with
pants? Why would I want to buy jeans that remind me
of this? Is this what their jeans do to one’s
genitalia? I can categorically state this a game
nobody wants to play...
The Old Banana Eating, Bible Thumping Screaming Eagle Motif
21/09/11 07:23 Filed in: Disturbing
Mascots
Truly bizarre marketing. Security software(?)
packaging that features the now ubiquitous
‘anthropomorphic banana eating, bible thumping
screaming eagle’ motif. How many times are marketing
gurus going to trot this old cliche’ out? Seriously,
you can’t use it for just anything.
Hackneyed imagery doesn’t sell product gentlemen,
quality does...
We Promise! We Will Take Care of Your Stomach!
16/09/11 15:03 Filed in: Super English
Force |
Disturbing
Mascots
A bizarre ad for the ‘Food Forum’ restaurants on the
top floors of Times Square in Causeway Bay. It seems
a slate of chefs is reassuring their throng of
devoted fans that they’ve got their backs, or rather
stomachs. Odd that the stadium is filled almost
entirely with Americans, but who knows, maybe this is
from the ‘Food Forum Chefs’ recent world tour. Of
course, we’ve heard such statements from the chefs
before, like when they promised to protect social
security and stop bank foreclosures. At least this in
one area they can claim expertise. Still, four master
chefs for a million people seems a stretch; one can
only hope that they’re adept at doubling, or rather
millioning their recipes...
Meeoowwch!
19/08/11 07:27 Filed in: Super English
Force |
Disturbing
Mascots
A get well card from a gift/scrapbooking/yarn shop in
Maine, which appears to have carried the same stock
since 1972. I was stopped dead in my tracks by the
plight of Mr. Fluffington however. Shouldn’t puns
this bad be illegal?
Regardless, it seems he’s had a bit of an run in with a car tire, though I’m sure with enough overindulgence and expensive medical care (no driving over the border to Canada for him - only the highest jacked-up US medical fees will do!) he’ll be purrfectly fine. Or is that pawfectly?
Which reminds me, why aren’t there cards like this that say meowtherf***er? Now that’s a card I would buy without hesitation. And my respect for the store that carried it would rise exponentially too.
I actually thought about buying this and sending it as a joke, but the thought of keeping a card around in case one of your friends gets sick was, well, sick. Also I don’t know that many people who could absorb such toxic levels of snark while still recuperating...
Regardless, it seems he’s had a bit of an run in with a car tire, though I’m sure with enough overindulgence and expensive medical care (no driving over the border to Canada for him - only the highest jacked-up US medical fees will do!) he’ll be purrfectly fine. Or is that pawfectly?
Which reminds me, why aren’t there cards like this that say meowtherf***er? Now that’s a card I would buy without hesitation. And my respect for the store that carried it would rise exponentially too.
I actually thought about buying this and sending it as a joke, but the thought of keeping a card around in case one of your friends gets sick was, well, sick. Also I don’t know that many people who could absorb such toxic levels of snark while still recuperating...
Snappy Joe the Jeepster
26/06/11 18:02 Filed in: Super English
Force |
Disturbing
Mascots
I recently found this shot from the Heritage Museum,
home of other toy legends like Mr Smash, the
Clockwork Walking Smash Martian and Col. ‘Hap’
Hazard.
Behold the infamous ‘Snappy Joe’ the Jeepster, who had his teeth replaced with a jagged set of steel fangs. Even added teeth to his jeep. Apparently he didn’t think his psychotic eyes were intimidating enough; perhaps he felt insecure being a jeepster around all those tanks. Of course Joe’s fellow troops gave him a wide berth regardless, especially when he went on wild joyrides around the base. He would often blow through intersections while waving a live grenade around (at least I think thats a grenade, or maybe its a pumpkin?). Somehow I don’t think Snappy adapted well to civilian life...
Behold the infamous ‘Snappy Joe’ the Jeepster, who had his teeth replaced with a jagged set of steel fangs. Even added teeth to his jeep. Apparently he didn’t think his psychotic eyes were intimidating enough; perhaps he felt insecure being a jeepster around all those tanks. Of course Joe’s fellow troops gave him a wide berth regardless, especially when he went on wild joyrides around the base. He would often blow through intersections while waving a live grenade around (at least I think thats a grenade, or maybe its a pumpkin?). Somehow I don’t think Snappy adapted well to civilian life...
Bobo Fan Club Vs. Bonobo Fan Club
18/04/11 06:26 Filed in: Disturbing
Mascots
A ‘recommendation’ sticker at a nearby restaurant. I
found the name ‘bobo fan club’ odd enough to include
here. Later out of curiosity typed in the site
address. Apparently Bobo is some local celebrity chef
(or maybe just a ‘professional celebrity’, one of
many ‘outdated’ stars in HK with enough name
recognition that people will still pay them to come
to parties and be seen with them). I assume he
doesn’t know-or care-that ‘Bobo’ sounds like the name
of a clown or circus chimp to American ears...
I recognized him later on a wall in Happy Valley. This is his ‘look’ apparently - silver hair, goatee, and pristine white shirt. At least his name must carry enough culinary cache that he gets some foodie endorsements, like for this wine fridge outfit.
Anyway it occurred to me that it would be much more fun to have a ‘bonobo fan club’, restaurants that have earned recommendations from our nearest genetic cousins, the infamously promiscuous bonobos. A restaurant sporting a bonobofanclub.com sticker would guarantee scandalous entertainment if nothing else, provided free of charge by the swinging clientele, at least until the cops showed up. Wouldn’t do much for the appetite, however...
I recognized him later on a wall in Happy Valley. This is his ‘look’ apparently - silver hair, goatee, and pristine white shirt. At least his name must carry enough culinary cache that he gets some foodie endorsements, like for this wine fridge outfit.
Anyway it occurred to me that it would be much more fun to have a ‘bonobo fan club’, restaurants that have earned recommendations from our nearest genetic cousins, the infamously promiscuous bonobos. A restaurant sporting a bonobofanclub.com sticker would guarantee scandalous entertainment if nothing else, provided free of charge by the swinging clientele, at least until the cops showed up. Wouldn’t do much for the appetite, however...
Drinking Secret Captain Bond XX7
13/04/11 07:42 Filed in: Disturbing
Mascots
Two more toys from the priceless HK Heritage Museum
collection. The “James Bond 007 Secret Service Game”
is rather forgettable (save for the vaguely Sean
Connery-esque illustration), but it makes a fine
counterpoint to “The Drinking Captain”, who comes
complete with bottle o’ rum and drinking lamp(?). It
reminds one of those big outdoor heaters at ‘al
fresco’ restaurants, though I assume the lamp lights
up whenever he takes a swig. I love how he has a hand
on the lamp to steady himself too. Aye steady as she
goes, Cap’n...
If only there were a way to combine the two into one über toy, say “The Drinking Secret Captain Bond XX7”, complete with signature Baretta pistol, but with a travel case martini (shaken by the sea, don’t ya know) rather than the bottle of XX rotgut. I’d keep the striped sailor shirt, worn under the tux jacket for a nice iconoclastic touch. I’m sure Q would have some ingenius weapon hidden in the lamp, or maybe in the life preserver...
If only there were a way to combine the two into one über toy, say “The Drinking Secret Captain Bond XX7”, complete with signature Baretta pistol, but with a travel case martini (shaken by the sea, don’t ya know) rather than the bottle of XX rotgut. I’d keep the striped sailor shirt, worn under the tux jacket for a nice iconoclastic touch. I’m sure Q would have some ingenius weapon hidden in the lamp, or maybe in the life preserver...
Waste of Fire-Wielding Talent?
08/04/11 08:20 Filed in: Food &
Bleverages | Disturbing
Mascots
A billboard ad for a local duck specialty restaurant.
Seems like a waste of the man’s impressive mutant
fire-wielding powers, but then again that looks like
one perfectly roasted duck...
Ice Palace Fishbowl - with 'Authentic' Goldfish
05/04/11 08:32 Filed in: Disturbing
Mascots
No, this is not a belated April Fools image - those
really are actual goldfish ‘swimming’ in a
solid ice fishbowl (along with a few tufts of seaweed
to add to the oh so subtle illusion). Apparently the
folks at the Ice Palace decided to go for
authenticity. The creepiness is further enhanced by
the unearthly green glow permeating the ice around
it. Have to wonder what the guy who did this was
thinking as he poured water into the mold and over
the strategically placed carcasses - ‘Man this will
look great! And so realistic, just like our
neon-embedded ice sculptures!”
Mr Smash, the Clockwork Walking Smash Martian
02/04/11 08:00 Filed in: Disturbing
Mascots
Another toy from the Heritage Museum. No need to
embellish such naming genius - this is easily one of
best names for a toy (or any product really) EVER.
What overly rambunctious little boy could resist a
Mr. Smash? Note the tool of his trade, a
subtle but devastating orange plasma hammer, which
offsets the rather odd clamshell mouth and unsettling
dead black eyes...
Of course the fact that he’s a ‘clockwork walking smash martian’ assures him a place in the HKB Hall of Champions (or at least head of the ‘automatronic ambulatory demolition alien’ contingent, an admittedly small but vital component)...
Of course the fact that he’s a ‘clockwork walking smash martian’ assures him a place in the HKB Hall of Champions (or at least head of the ‘automatronic ambulatory demolition alien’ contingent, an admittedly small but vital component)...
Colonel 'Hap' Hazard's Helicopter Suit Misadventure
25/03/11 06:27 Filed in: Disturbing
Mascots
From the Hong Kong Heritage Museum. One of many gems
I stumbled on during a fieldtrip there. Like most
museums here in HK, the museum is refreshingly
well-funded (compared to many in the US), though
there is a limited amount of content. They do well
with what they’ve got though. And the toy section has
an amazing array of period toys made during HK’s
‘golden’ manufacturing age.
Here we have the toy based on the infamous Col. Harlan ‘Hap’ Hazard, a well meaning but hopelessly unlucky astronaut. Seems every project Col. Hazard was assigned to experienced random, chaotic events. This toy chronicles his most famous Moon mission, during which he successfully landed only to realize that the boys at Cape Canaveral had outfitted him with a helicopter blade, instead of the intended rocket pack. Of course the helicopter idea didn’t work too well on the Moon, seeing as there’s no air...
Here we have the toy based on the infamous Col. Harlan ‘Hap’ Hazard, a well meaning but hopelessly unlucky astronaut. Seems every project Col. Hazard was assigned to experienced random, chaotic events. This toy chronicles his most famous Moon mission, during which he successfully landed only to realize that the boys at Cape Canaveral had outfitted him with a helicopter blade, instead of the intended rocket pack. Of course the helicopter idea didn’t work too well on the Moon, seeing as there’s no air...
Nothing Like Museum Quality Paintings of Blue Frog Mutants to Whet the Appetite
18/03/11 06:43 Filed in: Disturbing
Mascots
From the ‘Blue Frog’ a US style bar & grill in
Beijing we hit the break up our run of exclusively
local fare. Seems the proprietors have either: a)
contacted an advanced civilization in an alternate
universe where blue frogs (and not monkeys) evolved
into the dominant species, with uncanny cultural
similarities to our own, or: b) they hired a very
good local hungry painter to render (and render well
- these are quality oil paintings) their namesake in
a bizarre branding/name tie-in. Unfortunately for
them, the paintings: a) it definitely help me
remember them, but not in a remotely good way and: b)
it didn’t make me hungry (quite the opposite
in fact). These are even more unsettling in real
life, ‘scare the children’ life-like, especially the
‘greek’ frog god in the toga, and the Renaissance
woman holding a mutant pet that resembled ‘Woodstock’
from Charlie Brown...
Cringe-Inducing Cardoor Kitsche on a Hover Car
12/03/11 07:48 Filed in: Disturbing
Mascots
A cardoor decoration from Beijing. I initially
stopped to get a picture of the car’s name, the
‘Hover’, which is apparently a new SUV from a Chinese
car company called Great Wall - no really. I hope
they weren’t trying to rhyme with ‘Rover’. If so,
someone in their international marketing dept. needs
to brush up on their English. Also they might want to
know that ‘hover car’ has obvious futuristic
connotations; I assume people arent’ buying this
vehicle with the expectation that it will in fact
well, hover. By the way what ever happened
to the flying cars we were all supposed to have by
now? Maybe Great Wall has something up their sleeves,
hopefully more practical than their namesake
landmark...
But I digress. as I stopped to shoot the aforementioned quirky name I saw what I thought was an oddly colored door pad, only to realize that this was a novelty item the owner had no doubt purchased while very, very drunk. Having a set of fingers trapped in a cardoor is the most unsettling car decoration i’ve ever seen, far more than the old ‘cabbage patch baby hanging by its fingers in the car window’ that thankfully fell out of favor years ago. This is cringe, even nightmare-inducing stuff for anyone who’s ever actually done this, ie slammed their fingers in a car door. I literally pulled my hand back in reflexive horror when I saw it. Suffice it to say it doesn’t make the car hover any better either...
But I digress. as I stopped to shoot the aforementioned quirky name I saw what I thought was an oddly colored door pad, only to realize that this was a novelty item the owner had no doubt purchased while very, very drunk. Having a set of fingers trapped in a cardoor is the most unsettling car decoration i’ve ever seen, far more than the old ‘cabbage patch baby hanging by its fingers in the car window’ that thankfully fell out of favor years ago. This is cringe, even nightmare-inducing stuff for anyone who’s ever actually done this, ie slammed their fingers in a car door. I literally pulled my hand back in reflexive horror when I saw it. Suffice it to say it doesn’t make the car hover any better either...
Gripe Water - Rapid Relief of Wind and Gripe
25/02/11 12:59 Filed in: Disturbing
Mascots | Super English
Force
A quick post about gripe water. Initially I found the
term ‘gripe water’ amusing; I’ve since been told that
‘gripe’ is a Brit term for colic. Still to Americans
to ‘gripe’ means to bitch or complain, and ‘wind’ is
an archaic term used ironically (think Break Like
the Wind, the estimable sequel to
Spinal Tap). A more useful US
version would be targeted not at colicky babies and
their sleepless parents, but rather for those
unfortunates exposed to rightwing talk radio and fox
news (such as workers forced to listen to rush
limbaugh or sean hannity by their petty tyrant
bosses). It would provide rapid relief from ignorant
whining, race-baiting, spittle-flecked griping
and toxic levels of foul smelling hot air...
Hello Kitty Swiss Formula Strawberry Cyber Clean
19/02/11 08:18 Filed in: Hell
O'Kitty | Disturbing
Mascots
Yet another nonsensical Hello Kitty item. For the
record Cyber Clean is a keyboard cleaning product,
which looks and feels like clammy, oddly firm
pudding. I confess I once bought some of the ‘normal’
lemon scented stuff, and have to admit that it does
clean out the crumbs etc fairly well. Still, why
would you buy this particular wad of Cyber
Clean?Because its from Switzerland - or at least
formulated by Swiss cyber-engineers? No!
Because it has Hello Kitty on it of course! And it
smells like strawberries, just like Hello Kitty...
Understand Classical: Witch-hatted Garlic Cloves Signify Roast Pig's Knuckles
13/02/11 17:20 Filed in: Super English
Force |
Disturbing
Mascots
Another selection from the previously mentioned menu.
Nothing says classic Beijing cuisine like roast pig’s
knuckles, and nothing signifies classic pig’s
knuckles quite like a pair of witch-hatted cloves of
garlic. Obvious really...
A Bucket of 12 Inch Gummi Nightcrawler Bait - Yummi!
09/02/11 20:38 Filed in: Food &
Bleverages | Disturbing
Mascots
From the quickie mart store in Beijing. As someone
who hates Gummi bears and other similar candy, I
can’t speak to how long these things have been
around, but I can speak to the uniquely unappetizing
thought of eating a 12 inch long Gummi nightcrawler
worm from a bucket. I didn’t check to see if they
were packed in moist dirt like real nightcrawlers,
though that would add undeniable authenticity...
Perhaps I’m not alone in my disgust, seeing as they had a veritable tower of the stuff sitting untouched for a week (on sale for 1/2 off to boot). The mind boggles at what the good folks at Gummi Works will think of next: how about a bucket of Gummi Small Intestines? 36 feet of chewilicious gummy joy! Or maybe a bucket of Gummi Meal Worms or Gummi Chum, to expand on their bait-as-candy motif...
Perhaps I’m not alone in my disgust, seeing as they had a veritable tower of the stuff sitting untouched for a week (on sale for 1/2 off to boot). The mind boggles at what the good folks at Gummi Works will think of next: how about a bucket of Gummi Small Intestines? 36 feet of chewilicious gummy joy! Or maybe a bucket of Gummi Meal Worms or Gummi Chum, to expand on their bait-as-candy motif...
This Was For Sale. For Money.
07/02/11 07:20 Filed in: Disturbing
Mascots
A painting for sale at a mall in Beijing. Thats
right, this abomination was being sold for
money. Suffice it to say I don’t think they’ll
have any takers, save for the infamous ‘Museum of Bad
Art’ in Boston. The puzzling thing about this
atrocity is that who or whatever painted it can
actually paint, at least in the sense that
they know how to blend colors etc. I hope they didn’t
actually experience the acid trip it seems based on.
Some interesting mutant animals must be scurrying
around their subconscious: we have a four-eyed snail,
a coatrack-like truffula tree, a magenta parasite(?),
a razor-toothed robotic toucan, a leaf-crested worm
dragon, and my personal favorite in the menagerie, a
gecko with a French Tricolore sawtoothed tongue...
Crazy! X'Mas! Crazymichael!
18/12/10 08:22 Filed in: Disturbing
Mascots | Hong Kong
Wrong
The holiday installation at Times Square. I’d never
heard of ‘crazymichael’ is and don’t much care about
it to be honest. A cursory internets search revealed
this:
Hong Kong vinyl pioneer Michael Lau returns with... Crazymichael, a character born out of Lau’s collaboration with Nike for the Air Force 1’s 25th anniversary back in 2008... 12” figures are priced at $1,999 HKD, with only 499 units being made available.
Yes that about $260 US for a toy. Nice work if you can get it. By the way the thirty foot tall crazymichael in the lobby has a rotating head, no doubt to further cement his crazy status (that’s supposed to be a straightjacket he’s wearing). There are a number of these figures festooning the lobby around the blue carpet, as well as more human size toys that look like mutant ‘70s NBA players, ’80s break dancers, and various other ‘kindergardners’(?)
Again what is impressive or disconcerting depending on your viewpoint is the absurd scale of all of this. The giant michael is complimented by 20 foot wide floating ‘thought bubbles’ rigged from the ceiling; the exterior installation has seven foot spray cans and two story assemblages of ‘hi my name is’ stickers. I included the one ‘subversive’ addition. Seems Michael Lau (or one of his devoted coterie of proteges’) included bullshit as a name. How naughty! How subversive! How crazy! Personally I like the mysterious ‘german f’ one myself...
Hong Kong vinyl pioneer Michael Lau returns with... Crazymichael, a character born out of Lau’s collaboration with Nike for the Air Force 1’s 25th anniversary back in 2008... 12” figures are priced at $1,999 HKD, with only 499 units being made available.
Yes that about $260 US for a toy. Nice work if you can get it. By the way the thirty foot tall crazymichael in the lobby has a rotating head, no doubt to further cement his crazy status (that’s supposed to be a straightjacket he’s wearing). There are a number of these figures festooning the lobby around the blue carpet, as well as more human size toys that look like mutant ‘70s NBA players, ’80s break dancers, and various other ‘kindergardners’(?)
Again what is impressive or disconcerting depending on your viewpoint is the absurd scale of all of this. The giant michael is complimented by 20 foot wide floating ‘thought bubbles’ rigged from the ceiling; the exterior installation has seven foot spray cans and two story assemblages of ‘hi my name is’ stickers. I included the one ‘subversive’ addition. Seems Michael Lau (or one of his devoted coterie of proteges’) included bullshit as a name. How naughty! How subversive! How crazy! Personally I like the mysterious ‘german f’ one myself...
A King's Foursome with Mr. Bacon, Mr. Cheese, and Mr. Pineapple
10/12/10 19:45 Filed in: Food &
Bleverages | Disturbing
Mascots
Seems Burger King is now promoting outright adultery,
tempting the ladies with the foul triumvirate of
Misters Bacon, Cheese, and Pineapple(?). What woman
can resist a foursome with these formidable
paramours? What woman wouldn’t want three snazzy new
tattoos declaring her rather crowded dalliance to the
world? Have to say though that the tattoos should at
least have a passing reference to well, bacon, cheese
and pineapple, no? And don’t know what flowers and
hearts have to do with any of them. But I guess in
the grip of a four time cheatin’ heart, an already
vulnerable gal may agree to anything. I just hope
they don’t make her choose one over the other. My
money’s on Mr. Bacon...
Unintentionally Hitlerseque
09/12/10 11:52 Filed in: Disturbing
Mascots
A bus-stop poster near our apt. Its great to see the
Red Cross and ‘Twin Bears’ team up for charity, but I
the think ad campaign may have birthed an unfortunate
(and no doubt unintentional) cross-reference. It
seems each time I see the half bear/half pop idol
face on the left, I’m reminded of Hitler. The teddy’s
nose is the signature mustache, and the severely
parted hair completes it. I though I was overreacting
so to speak, but I’ve pointed this out to a few
people and either they see it themselves right away
or get it as soon as I mention it. I hope the image
doesn’t subconsciously cause anyone to forgo
donating. Then again it may cause a wholly unexpected
spike in donations from nazis...
Hello Kitty Takes British Throne
06/12/10 08:20 Filed in: Hell
O'Kitty | Disturbing
Mascots
A Hell O’Kitty installation here in HK. This one at
Langham Place. Seems hello kitty has taken Britain by
storm, not only assuming the throne, but taking over
Parliament as well. Note how she’s replaced the
beefeaters (under Big Ben) with her dead eyed
minions. Even the tourists and jingoistic spice girl
wannabes have fallen under her power. Have to say she
looks pretty grand up there on the bridge though. Of
course we’ll have to forego the ‘Hell O’Kitty’ tags
now - can’t have an Irish name associated with the
throne, not even as a joke. Oh well, the Windsors are
actually German anyway, though having a Japanese
monarch may taking some getting used to. And her
latest proclamation - that all citizens must wear a
red bow on the left side of their head and have
whiskers tattooed on their cheeks - is already
running into politely murmured opposition in the
House of Lords...
Tricky Trunks!
22/11/10 08:17 Filed in: Disturbing
Mascots
A zany calendar at a bookstore here in HK. Tricky
trunks indeed. Good to see that even rollerskating
elephants take safety seriously - note the ‘elbow’
pads and helmet - both in adorable pink! Somehow I
don’t see this working out so peachy in real life.
Though I could see Tricky here turning on her
tormentors and planting a well aimed 300 pound roller
skate onto their chests as she tramples them on her
way to that distant treeline...
The Legends of McRib
18/11/10 11:11 Filed in: Disturbing
Mascots
A screenshot from a sports website(?). Seems the
infamous McRib sandwich is making a comeback, and
false tales of it’s lightning inducing (as opposed to
its actual vomit-inducing) prowess are
hittin’ the airwaves. I have to admit to trying one
of these years (decades?) ago when it first came out,
and it was one of the most disgusting, disquieting
things i’ve ever eaten - which is saying something.
It was a vaguely meatish lump stamped into a vaguely
rib-rack shape - sans bones of course, slathered with
‘bbq’ sauce and onion bits. If ever there was a
soylent green product on the market, this is it. For
those of you who don’t know what soylent green is...
its’ people! soylent green is people!
Elf Ear
06/11/10 16:38 Filed in: Disturbing
Mascots
A quick post from our Halloween shopping excursion. I
couldn’t get many pictures - the staff get very upset
if you take photos, what with all the illegal
knockoff toys etc, so apologies for the blur. Seems
you can get your daughter that ‘elf ear’ she
desperately needs to complete her freakish
nun/maid/ninja/fox/elf combo anime’ costume. Silver
just-so japanime’ wig not included, nor is the badass
coquette anime’ attitude, or the age inappropriate
latex jacket (unfortunately cut off here). Thankfully
they do throw in two ears despite the tag. I
have to say the expression on the model’s face is a
bit much, especially considering she’s all or 4-5
years old. Hope she doesn’t get too attached to this
look, and opt for surgery later...
Double the Flavour Twistin' FUN with Extra Cheddar Dipping Sauce
01/11/10 17:44 Filed in: Food &
Bleverages
Yet another mutant Pizza Hut creation. I assume they
have these in the US, though the ‘Thousand Island
Dressing’ option isn’t available. Yes, there is a
Japanese pizza variant that substitutes thousand
island for tomato sauce. Tastes worse than it sounds,
if that’s possible. Anyway this it the latest in the
amoebic budding crust motif, where you get a wheel of
extra nuggets to pull from the mothership. And if
having cheddar cheese (or pig in a blanket/mini dog)
stuffing isn’t enough, there’s a handy cheddar
dipping sauce to drive the point home. Apparently you
can never have too much cheese, or too many
calories...
Beard Papa's - World's Best Cream Puffs?
03/10/10 15:37 Filed in: Disturbing
Mascots | Food &
Bleverages
A cream puff outfit originating in Japan. Honestly
who else would name a cream puff franchise - or
anything for that matter - ‘beard papas?. Anyway
they’ve been doing well for themselves, with a few
branches here in HK; in fact I saw a branch in San
Francisco last time we visited. I had seen their
signs here but wanted to actually try one before I
laid into them over the preposterous name. And I have
to give them credit; yes it is a very silly name, and
yes they have world class cream puffs. We went
conservative and tried the original with chocolate.
Far better than I expected, in fact the best cream
puff/profiterole I’ve had here, or anywhere outside
of Italy really. So they can keep the slightly creepy
mascot and the odd name; just as long as they don’t
change the recipe...
Nothing Says Hipster Fashion Like a Three Eyed Lying Pinocchio
17/08/10 05:44 Filed in: Disturbing
Mascots
A window display for Chocoolate, a hipster brand here
in HK. They usually have pretty eclectic advertising,
and I’ll admit it got my attention, but in a what
the hell is that supposed to mean? sense. The
three eyes on Pinocchio are a bit disconcerting–and
why use Pinocchio in the first place? Also the leaf
growing from his nose doesn’t help clear up matters.
Does that mean he’s lying, but in an environmentally
responsible way?
Lamb Shank & Pizza Combo
24/06/10 16:27 Filed in: Disturbing
Mascots
A combo special from our friends at Pepperoni's, the
recently defunct(?) pizza place here in Happy Valley.
Not a combination you'd find in the US (of anywhere
else I can think of, save New Zealand). Still the
shank certainly looks appetizing, and at $150 HKD (20
US) its quite a bargain - assuming we're talking a
decent sized shank here - we are?- well alright then.
Perhaps in the future they'll just drop the shank on
top of the pizza. Hard to fit in a pizza box
though...
The Cyber King of Keys
08/05/10 09:57 Filed in: Disturbing
Mascots
A poster for the much anticipated return of 'the King
of Keys'. Seems he's had extensive cyborg
augmentation done since his last tour; now only his
head (and of course his heart, so he can still feel
the pain, channel the love) are still organic. The
new royal suit comes complete with a thruster pack
for navigating his zero-G orbital concert hall, and
allows access to the 88 semi-autonomous piano keys.
One can only imagine if such technology fell into the
wrong hands... better not to think about it. Better
to bow down before the rightful king and marvel at
his hypervelocity arpeggios and exponentially
advanced smarm quotient.
They Meant Well...
20/04/10 06:28 Filed in: Disturbing
Mascots
This from the Nature Garden complex on Ma Wan Island,
next to the more famous Noah's Ark attraction (who
knew the ark was here under a bridge this whole time,
and not on the slopes of Mt. Arrarat?). Anyway this
is part of a well-intentioned green energy section of
the park, complete with windmills and solar panels.
Seems they decided to include methane production as
well. So we have happy eco-critters(?) in hard hats,
a hazard-taped cutaway container, whorls of feces,
and some bewildered amoebic figures representing the
methane producing bacteria. They look surprised to be
there, perhaps wondering what evil they perpetrated
to deserve this karmic fate. Note the pyro critter on
top with the match, and the one holding his nose and
tearing up from the stench below. I'm all for
educating the kinder about green energy, but I'm
afraid this one needs some work. Granted its a tall
order to make methane production interesting to
children (or anyone really), but a cutaway jar full
of plastic manure and fart gas isn't going to cut it.
No pun intended...
Originated from China Ecological Grassland, with Bovine Guardians
05/04/10 07:20 Filed in: Super English
Force |
Disturbing
Mascots
A billboard advertising milk from the mainland. Of
course its highly unlikely that such verdant pastures
exist anywhere in China; and while
'ecological grassland' sounds vaguely
positive, it doesn't actually mean anything.
Also considering China's infamous plastic additive
(melamine) scandal, when the Chinese throw words like
ecological around, one should be very wary. Still I
have to give credit to the poor sods who had to
photoshop the 'dairy cow' clouds (having done this
once myself with the old AOL logo, i can attest that
its a real pain in the ass to make clouds
look both 'realistic' and recognizable as something
else). But perhaps the bovine guardian spirits really
are watching over this precious patch of
idyllic green, and the photographer just got lucky...
You & Me Ghost Wedding
05/03/10 06:45 Filed in: Disturbing
Mascots
You may have seen these insufferable (and insanely
expensive) porcelain figures. Apparently they are a
US franchise, though I've only seen them in asia.
Anyway the basic premise is sad-puppy eyed toddler
combined with hallmark card schlock (note the heart
carved into the tree stump - which can be customized
I'm told). They have several outlets in high-end
malls here, allowing older customers an option beyond
anime, hello kitty and pokemon merchandise.
Anyway I stumbled upon this rather disturbing pair while looking for shoes for my daughters - two 'life sized' wedding dolls, which (I'm guessing) are intended to look like old photographs. Unfortunately they look far more like zombies or ghosts, emanating crushing despair and colorless melancholy; the effect is even further magnified by the groom's sad hand wave and bride's faded bouquet. Not exactly the vibe you want establish for your marriage - trapped in an eternity of bottomless despair, mournfully gazing out of your glass prison at all those happy technicolor lives...
Anyway I stumbled upon this rather disturbing pair while looking for shoes for my daughters - two 'life sized' wedding dolls, which (I'm guessing) are intended to look like old photographs. Unfortunately they look far more like zombies or ghosts, emanating crushing despair and colorless melancholy; the effect is even further magnified by the groom's sad hand wave and bride's faded bouquet. Not exactly the vibe you want establish for your marriage - trapped in an eternity of bottomless despair, mournfully gazing out of your glass prison at all those happy technicolor lives...
Satan Claus
09/01/10 08:52 Filed in: Super English
Force |
Disturbing
Mascots
Thanks to my friend Mark for sending this one over.
Seems Satan was busy during xmas as well, assuming a
passable 'saint nick' disguise and hiring himself out
for the holiday kiddy circuit (no doubt trying to
snag a few children's souls with his 'gift' of
eternal toys - in hell!) Looks like he's shaking a
bit - perhaps he's struggling to keep his devil body
from bursting through. More likely he's been hitting
the spiked eggnog a little too hard (he is
making that universal 'drinking' motion), getting
some 'liquid courage' under his belt before the
'sitting on santa's lap' portion of the party starts.
Seems even he gets nervous about dealing
with droves of demanding, bratty kids...