Monday, August 23, 2010

Mr Regalos


People of Australia: Santa is dead.

His body was found half eaten by his own reindeer in his north pole workshop and so utterly destroyed that discovering exactly HOW he died will be nigh on impossible. Some say his own servants—midget slaves and malnourished beasts of burden—where the culprits. Others say it was AIDS. Personally, I don't give a shit.


But never fear, you wretched, hidebound plebs. You can continue to abstractly celebrate the birth of some long-dead-redundant-public-speaker through the medium of Present Giving For The Aim Of Present Receiving. Here he is, the New Face of Seasonal Holidays, the replacement (and possible dispatcher) of that Man Beast himself; Jolly Old Saint Nicholas — the mighty Mr Regalos.

He has no workshop with midgets, starving animals or a haggard, toothless old crone for a consort. He hates cold weather, can't get fat due to a metabolic condition and has a fear of heights. He will not appear, simultaneously, in shopping malls all around the world listening to snot-nosed punks ask for Shit-They-Don't-Need or a newer version of Shit-They-Already-Have. He has a strict Get-What-You're-Fucking-Given-Policy.

He buys his mainly hand-made presents at low prices in povo countries (using superior foreign currencies) and gives them out in richer countries (or sells them on at a price that is practically giving them away).


His origins are somewhat enigmatic-ish. Some say he was born many, many years ago in an outer suburban car park to a couple of 8th Generation Illuminated Plate-Hat Wearing Dutch Immigrants. And in place of a gooey, rancid placenta, he was squeezed out divinely wrapped in the most pure, crease-less and awe-inspiring heavenly fabrics. Peasants travelled from all around to witness this angelic child, enveloped in superb sacrosanct fibres.


During his Pubertyzing Years it is said Mr Regalos travelled the world preaching the benefits of Natural Filament-al Perfection to the masses, cradling lambs, slagging off fat people and doctrines stating that Consciousness and Will are wholly due to material agency — paying his way via competing in illegal underground Man Vs Animal Fighting.

A man of Otherwordly Vision, he plays by rules set by no man except the one man who sets his rules; him. He won't come down your chimney as he says "that's retarded and my cape will get dirty", but rather break into your house at whatever time he feels like. But be warned, he hates animals and especially children and if confronted and SEEN (equaling provocation to him) he will attack, by any means necessary, to any end. He is also, somehow, protected by law so perhaps best that you lock your extended family in a Panic Room or Undergound Bunker or, better yet, leave town on your suspected Delivery/Break In Night.


He has developed his own private army of 'aggressive gift givers' called the Regalos Rangers to help with deliveries when his gout flares up and has to slow down on his Break & Enters. These Regalos Rangers are also to be avoided at all costs. Sure, they look pretty with all those colours but they WILL karate chop your pet or child into a raggard sack of shattered Weet Bix if hindered.


However, plans are afoot to render his inherent lack of will and other gouty afflictions redundant with a new robotic 18 foot high powersuit—dubbed Regalatron—that shoots presents at high velocity up to 5 kilometres. Meaning in high density apartment living areas he can simply perch himself at distant vantage points and shoot Projectile Gifts through windows for ultimate efficiency.

And if you insist on leaving something for Mr Regalos to snack on, don't you dare put out milk and biscuits as you and your extended family will regret it, forever. He is partial to oven warmed empanadas (meat, ham and cheese or even, at a pinch, chicken) — DO NOT microwave them, whatever you fucking do. Lay this out with at least one long neck of your local working class beer and you should avoid controversy.


A wholesome Man Of Nature, he sees no need in senseless production-for-productions-sake. Looking at the North Pole Stocks, he saw that Planet Earth, even taking into account approximated human population expansion, has in the vicinity of 73 years of pre-printed Christmas cards in storage. That fat old bearded bastard sure had fucking tickets on himself. So what did this mysterious Man of Outstandingness do? He went ahead and overprinted every single one of the 73 years worth of cards with ecologically sound inks made from crushed insects and whale tears.

And word has it that unlike his deceased, obese predecessor, Mr Regalos ain't into whoring himself Corporate Style as he has "other fruitful investments" releasing him of need for those vile acts. He has also publicly commented that "he fucking hates Coca Cola" and would rather drink "carbonated bin juice out of a used douche bag", describing Santa Claus as The Poster Boy for Diabetes.

In the Spirit of Festiveness, Mr Regalos as also turned his musical talents to a new and catchy Festive Song:

Regalatron is Coming to Town

Oh! You better watch out
You better not cry
You better not bag gout
I'm fucking tell you why
Regalatron is coming to town

He's making his hit list
And spell checking it twice
Gonna find out how your organs will price
Regalatron is coming to town

He CCTV's you when you're sleeping
He knows when you're choking snake
He knows if you've been badass or good
So be good or bones will break

Oh! You better watch out
You better not cry
You better not be a boy scout
I'm fucking tell you why
Regalatron is coming to town

Mr Regalos — Bringing Fear And Fair Trade Back Into Seasonal Holidays.

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Man Abroad’s Badarse Illustrated Easy-As-Shit Guide to Speaking Street Savvy & Seriously Man-Tough Spanish Easily


In the interests of Furthering Cross-Cultural Education, I have endeavoured, and succeeded, to create a Visual System of Learning to help foreigners integrate themselves into Spanish speaking cultures. This series called Man Abroad’s Badarse Illustrated Easy-As-Shit Guide to Speaking Street Savvy & Seriously Man-Tough Spanish Easily (MABIEASGSSS&SMTSE) focuses on essential "day-to-day" phrases to help give you speaking Power and Credibility. For a modest price—and a modest effort—you can feel the power and reap the satisfying rewards of smiting someone viciously in their own language. Without exception, 100% of all the proceeds of the sale of this Important Educational Tool go directly to Man Abroad to alleviate his debt and feed his various addictions.







Saturday, July 24, 2010

Man Ballads of Loveness — poems from The Man Abroad Book Of Poems 'N Other Stuff Of A Sexy Nature

Having well and truly kicked blogging's arse I thought, Why not have a stab at poetry? Can't be that fucking hard. And you know what? It wasn't that hard, as I think you'll agree. My only regret is I won't have enough time to translate it into Spanish and reap the sweet Latin rewards here in Argentina. Go grab a large box of triple-ply Kleenex, motherfuckers, cos you're gonna need 'em.

........................................................
If you were...
By Man Abroad

If you were a bin, I'd be the rubbish, filling you completely
If you were a tropical rash, I'd be the ointment, laying tenderly on top of you
If you were a shashlik, I'd be the skewer, holding you together

If you were a toilet, I'd be the bidet, remaining always at your side
If you were up Shit Creek, I'd be the paddle, giving you direction and hope
If you were a wilderbeest, I'd be the oxpecker, grooming your back for parasites

If you were a gun wound, I'd be the bullet, resting gently inside you
If you were a drunken school girl, I'd be the headband, keeping puke out of your hair
If you were a monkey wearing a hat, I'd be the cigarette in your mouth, increasing your credibility

If you were a crime scene, I'd be the yellow tape, keeping you secure
If you were a sauna, I'd be the unemployed, undies-clad Gringo relaxing inside you
If you were road kill, I'd be the dude that gets out of his car and kicks you to the side, so the birds can eat you as nature intended it

If you were a urinal, I'd be the little yellow cakes, retaining your cleanliness and purity
If you were a Fundamentalist Christian, I'd be your esoteric dogma, keeping your bullshit afloat
If you were a magazine rack, I'd be the ONLY magazine, Men's Health, draped lovingly upon you

If you were here, I'd be there too, just being awesome


........................................................
Dangerous Latin Lady
By Man Abroad

Cheap booze and second hand smoke
Leather-clad, lone wolf Gringo strikes as shady
Just a badarse, tight pants donned bloke
Looking for a dangerous Latin lady

Broken speech and phrases crude
Don't want no fucking Latin Marcia Brady
Witness the dicey ruse unfurl from a dude
Looking for a dangerous Latin lady

Liquor and bar room clouds conceal
Whether that bird's mug is somewhat spady
Perhaps an internet search has more appeal
Looking for a dangerous Latin lady


........................................................
Rivers of Empanadas
By Man Abroad

Pungent tangs smack the chops
Like yellow, triangulated jabs
Onwards flow the toothsome
Rivers of empanadas

Gather the creatures of Eden
Wed in petite golden Arks
Dock the Crafts of Savor on the
Rivers of empanadas

When overwhelmed by the evil
Spirits in the Moonshine
I disrobe as for a healing dip amongst
Rivers of empanadas

Emerge like a freshly squeezed out newborn
Breadbasket swarming with sexy flaxen angels
Breakdancing in league downstream as
Rivers of empanadas

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Man Abroad Sketchbook Release 2: The Second Release


The mighty 50th ground breaking post of Man Abroad. To highlight this impressive milestone, once more, we at Man Abroad have spent many hundreds of hours painfully, and unnecessarily airbrushing more genius up from the Mystical Opus known only as the Man Abroad Sketchbook. Please feel free to improve your lives by taking in some of the most profoundly awesome statements on existentialismness-ness ever put forward, by anyone, ever, in time and/or space, ever.








Friday, July 9, 2010

Man Abroad Accepted into the Brother Wizard Society Chamber of Marvel for Extreme Awesomeness in the Field of Montage Wizardry


It's finally happened people. My Digital Necromancing Genius has opened the most important door there is: The Wizard Society Portal. Being the ignorant bunch of pettifogging fools that you are, I wouldn't not be surprised if you've not even heard of The Wizard Society. So let me get you up to speed. They are the most important human beings currently on the planet, a collection of Bearded Masterminds using their significant intellects to advance the human race and fund themselves through intricate internet scams (castles aren't cheap you know). The headquarters are in a secret mountain location guarded by genetically mutated Dobermans. These Dober Men are bigger than Arabian horses, can drive motorbikes and have the dexterity to shoot steel capped rubber bullets at full speed to ensure no unwelcome "tourists" bother the Brother Wizards whilst they go about their important work. And in a Twist Of Awesome, not only am I the youngest and best looking Brother Wizard but am the first to be accepted Without Application. That's right, I was headhunted by Brother Headhunter himself.

Here you can see me and some fellow Brothers one night went we into the forest the Conduct Magic (Wednesday night is Forest Night). I won't elaborate, you wouldn't get it. But most of the cool gang are shown here in Wizardic Order (probably a bit beyond your comprehension as it is highly complex and has no earthly points of reference): Warbutt The Nerf Herder, Bidet The Immaculate B Hind, Raven The Clean Shaven Maven, Gunther The Romantic Necrophile, Steven The Little Man, Peter The Brother Brother Of Steven The Little Man, Mal E Factor The Wrongdoerer, Manhug The Macerator, Pinworm The Intruder Duder and John Smith The Homogenist.


Here is my official Certificate of Brotherness. It's the size of a double bed and it was intricately face gnawed (or Chopper Chiseled) out of dragon ivory by three Virgin Maidens of the CC Art in the mountains surrounding the Brother Wizard Headquarters. More of a monument really, it recalls all the Trials And Tribulations of my ascendancy to Brotherhood. It lights up at night and plays Van Halen automatically whenever I am within 5 metres of it. The central panel also beds a Plasma Screen so I can watch cartoons and cage fighting whilst conducting magic in the comfort of my own Magical Nightgown.


Of course Photoshop creamed their jeans and insisted on a Special Issue to commemorate the occasion. Inside I discuss the Power Of Montage from my perspective as a Sorcerer of Magnitude. There is also a 3/4 life size pull out poster of yours truly mounted on a horse, staff in hand; one for the kitchen wall I say (or bedroom for all you single ladies). And the tightwads gave me nuthin for it, not even a fucking mouse pad. There will be Necromantic Retribution of the Highest Order, don't you worry about that.


Here is a power shot of the Brother Wizard Society Chamber of Marvel Headquarters. That's me riding with one of the Lady Wizards, and sister of Raven The Clean Shaven Maven; Haven The Clean Shaven Maven (she prefers to ride naked — and who am I, or her stallion, to argue?). An impressive looking construction wouldn't you say? I do believe they call it a Castle. But in a delicious twist, the original Grandmaster Brother that commissioned it as the Official Headquarters many hundreds of years ago, also strangely insisted it be made entirely from Ginger Bread with Confection Detailing. An interesting and truly Wizard idea, I'll confess, but the day-to-day practical issues of an entire, functioning castle made from ginger bread is quite shocking. We have diabetic rat plagues of unimaginable proportions and the fucking pigeons eat all the frosted barbed wire. That being said it does smell nice, especially on a hot summers day.


I was assigned a Brother Sidekick whom is supposed to undertake all my bidding, an underling as it were. His name is Bullwad the Adept Transmuter. He's a Gay Minotaur and I hate him. He's got identity issues of the likes I've never seen before and cries all the time, dribbling bull snot all over the place. I'm not sure what an Adept Transmuter is supposed to do, but unless it's crying, he doesn't fucking do it. I asked him to make me a Dulce de Leche Frappachino and fetch some Scotch Fingers the other day while I was balls deep in a session of Wizardry. And you wanna know what the half-caste fucker brought me (45 minutes later)? He stumbles in with an over-frothed Cafe Fucking Vienna and Dick Smith Imitation "Dick" Fingers! So I threw them at him, kicked him in the man udder and stormed out, Wizard Style.


And I'm seriously doubting what constitutes "Gayness" to a Minotaur, as one afternoon after doing Wizard Stuff I came back to my bungalo to find Bullwad naked with Wanda The Wonder (that's the Grandmaster Brother Wizard's daughter) apparently conducting a Bull & Horn Massage that requires EVERYONE to be naked. Either I need to get my head around Wizard Ethics or he's not Gay and she's a Wizard Slut.

And as you know, a Wizard ain't nuthin without a Staff in his man-ish grip. After Brother Acceptance, but before Brother Initiation, a Wizard develops his own Private Staff with the The Wizard Society's Brother Staff Master; Brother Staff Master. I sent him an email outlining my requests for what I would consider the Perfect Staff:



And THIS is the Pants Shitting Genius Level result. The Staff of Brother Man Abroad himself. Exquisite in it's detailing — the bear fur is as soft as butter (and for Wizard Level Impressions, those teeth open bottles), those tits feel real man, and at a pinch, those pirate guns are loaded and functioning. As to the other things the Staff does and can do, well, that would be very un-wizard like of me to disclose.

As per the norm in most Orders, there were a series of brutal Initiation Tests that I had to pass to rightly call myself a Brother Wizard; 1: seduce a Lady Wizard with a hand held Staff Performance, 2: subdue the Great Flaming Vagina in the Sky and, of course, 3: a good ol' fashioned Dragon Fight. I passed with flying colours, the best scores ever recorded. So good in fact, I was asked to put together a Powerpoint Presentation on the Trials that led to a Trilogy Of Books, to help fellow Brothers understand and prepare for their trials.




Available in a killer box set and with optional crooned audio tapes. It's a Must Have for any wannabe Wizard Kid.


And recently, Brother A Roma Of The Odor has developed the pinnacle in Cologne: Wizard for Calvin Klein. Guaranteed to force Lady Wizards into a competitive cesspool of violence just to get closer to your Divine Pheromones. Being the only non-deformed Brother and hence the most photogenic, I was the obvious choice as the Poster Boy of Wizard.

So there you have it people. You can now say you know a real Wizard. And no, you can't have a go on my staff. There have been known to be exceptionally exceptional exceptions to that rule however, if you know what I mean.

Now go away, I have some more Magic to do.