Ethics... of not only people but companies

              "I , _____, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God."

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                                                                                     FIRST RANT

     I took this oath shortly, on, or around December 17, 2001. That was the day that I embarked to try and do my part post 9/11 to be patriotic. I possibly could have done more, but Uncle Sam has this thing against morbidly obese people who love their country. I was fat, I was overweight, however, I was as patriotic back then as I am today. I still believe in this oath. I live by it. I have yet to be released from it. 

     Having said that, allow me to be explicit in saying, that I want you, the reader to understand; that I am NOT ENLISTED. I am a civil service employee. I am not enlisted, I have never given the impression that I am. If anyone that knows me has thought I was enlisted, then I apologize for giving off that impression.

     So what the hell does this have to do with anything? Well, just here recently, my family and I had to embark upon a journey down to southern California to get to see my grandmother for the final time. Fortunately, we were blessed to see her, spend time with her, laugh with her, and joke with her for 2 days before she passed.

       On our journies, both to and from So Cal back to Utah, we got to stay in a decent hotel in Nevada. For sakes of Libel or slander, I will not name them. We also stayed in another hotel, aside from the one in Nevada near my grandmother's final resting place. BOTH, I REPEAT, BOTH of these two hotels ( 2 different chains ) offered me a better price because of my CDL ( commercial driver's license ) over my military I.D.   I'm sorry... but WHAT THE FUCK!!!!????? Really? Honestly??? Hotels are giving better rates to stay at their places to truck drivers over military members? 

       Now.... I understand that most hotels / motels have a higher chance of guests being truck drivers over military members/civil employees, I understand that.. But why can't they at least make the savings rate equal to, or at least a little bit better than truck drivers? Should we not, as a country, try and show appreciation to those men and women who have written the check, payable with their life, to all of us who sleep under the blanket of freedom? Yet, they are less than a mere truck driver who delivers goods from one state to another, spending hours and hours away from home and their families, and for some, they never leave their state that they currently reside in ?

       I was upset, and it truly hurt my soul gang. I was shocked, hurt, and I felt to some degree, embarrassment that I was receiving a better rate because I can drive big ass vehicles rather over the fact that I am willing to defend my country with my life. 

    

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                                                                                         SECOND RANT

       It appears that I have recently caused unrest and anger in a business, and a few of those involved with them. Why? Because I spoke my mind about something. Out of professionalism, I will not post this companies name. However, apparently, I pissed them off sooo good, that they have decided to go back on their word towards me specifically. That's all fine and dandy. Their business, their rules and policies. Fuckers.... 
        However I wonder, if I had actually spoke ill of their products ( oh god forbid right? ), would the people invested in this business take it personal and get all butt hurt and bent out of shape because I didn't like their product? Sounds like it to me. 
        I'm sorry, but if a business can't take some criticism, to any degree, then why the fuck are they in business? Consumers, at least the decent ones, would not be concerned with buffering a companies feel goods with lies. If you buy a product, try a product, and it does not work for you, why in god's name would you stroke a companies feelings with lies? Especially if you have no intention of ever using this companies products again in the future. 
       You don't like my responses that your products don't work for me? Go fuck yourself. You don't like that I'm honest and upfront? Use a tampon and deal with your bullshit feelings outside of a social media. I have an idea... how about looking at yourself in the mirror and realizing that you aren't the fucking best thing since sliced bread... DEAL WITH IT!!!   Perhaps instead of having your head so far up your fucking ass, maybe you should bring yourself down to a level to realize that your products may not work for everyone, and even take a few moments to sit back and take a glimpse that you in the end, ultimately fucked yourself because your feelings got hurt.  Wait... no that can't be it right? Everyone who doesn't get on your dick and suck it because they want free products is obviously the problem, not yourself or the way your company is ran right? Whatever. 
        What I am getting at here folks is don't be afraid of negativity because of your honesty. If you are willing to forego your honesty, whether it be to a business/company or a person... then what do you have? Absolutely nothing. You've sold yourself out for whatever reason.  People and companies deserve honesty. If they don't like it or can't handle it... fuck them. Be true to you and forget their feelings. 
       I'd love for ANYONE who reads this to tell me of a company that is majorly successful today, that has never received an ounce of negativity regarding themselves or any of that said companies products. Just 1... thats all I'm asking for. Can't do it? I didn't think so. 
       My point is thus: I WILL NOT SELL MYSELF OUT... I WILL NOT LIE JUST TO GET FREE SHIT IN LIFE. I HAVE NO QUARRELS WITH BEING HONEST. 
       Anything that I have ever taken, tried, tested, used, or continue to use now.... I have been honest about. I don't see the need in giving false hopes and aspirations to people or companies just to benefit myself. I would much rather give of myself and gain NOTHING to benefit the masses than to lie and lead people astray.
        Maybe I'm too harsh right now, but honestly, I don't care. The people need to be informed, and if you don't like it...  deal with me on a personal level, don't embarrass yourself and make stupid comments.... come to me, and we can talk about it like adults. 
         In closing, I love each of you for you. I don't have hopes or dreams for what you may or could be... fuck that... be yourself, and if people can't handle that... fuck them.!

Ramblings of a skinny fat guy

....." Many of you are going to have very difficult experiences: disappointment, heartbreak, bereavement, defeat. You are going to be tested and tried. I just want you to know that if you don't get what, remember, God is the gardener here. He knows what He wants you to be... "

                                                                                                               - Hugh B. Brown 

                                                           **** EDITOR'S NOTE*****


For sake of argument, or being accused of slander or libel, I am publicly declaring at this moment that I am speaking of no company directly in this blog. All posts in this blog are to be considered as me speaking generally in terms of companies. 

The whole story and the meaning behind the quote has been reeling over and over in my head a lot lately.  The past couple of weeks honestly.

These past few weeks have been by far the hardest for me to have to deal with, cope with, and quite honestly having to face. In spite of all the negative turmoil that myself and my family have had to go through, we seem to keep weathering through it. Through out these storms, I have been trying to get into the gym more and more, and to keep going harder and harder, to push myself to a limit that I never would have thought possible.

However, due to some recent illnesses, my gym time has been suffering. Mostly due to the pain that my body is currently physically having to undergo. Because of this down time from the gym, I have had an opportunity to think things through and I'm still not certain what the bottom line is, but none the less, I still have some ramblings to put down.

Why is it that the normal physique'd individual can not represent a supplemental company just as good as a semi pro or pro body builder? Why can't a normal physique'd stay at home mom represent a make up company or clothing line? Yet, there are certain companies that use your every day people to model their products that appeal to the normal everyday people. Why the two sides of the spectrum?

Lets think about this though. Most supplement companies want to have a body builder as their model, or spokesperson to represent them right? It is used as nothing more than as a marketing tool to try and get the masses ( both normal and unhealthy people ) to take their product and to subconciously think that by using their product, they too will get the body of a roman God. I used to feel that way about those companies, and in part, I still do. However, I would say that 90% of the people who take it will never achieve that level. Most runway models are like what, a size 0 to maybe a 2? Women adore these dresses, they have high hopes of being able to not only wear, but to afford these dresses one day. Yet, how many women are actually a size 0 or 2?

Allow me to go further... I was doing my domesticated husband duties one day and went clothes shopping with my wife in a particular retail store that attends the needs of your plus size people. All of the mannequins, and all of the posters of their models that they had displayed were women models / mannequins of a not so plus sized individual. Umm, excuse me? How in the hell, or rather why in the hell would you want to do that? It's not smart advertising. I used to be fat, I used to be large, I used to have my own damn zip code. I know what it is like to be so big, that when you walked up to a buffet, people moved out of my way because they didn't want to the fat guy to go hungry! Why would I want to shop in a store where their models / mannequins are of a skinny guy wearing a skinny version of the jeans I wanted to buy in size TENT? I wouldnt. I hated it, and quite frankly it pissed me off. It still pisses me off now.

The point I'm trying to make here is that plus sized people should not have to feel inferior at something as little as shopping for clothes, let alone with every other day to day products. It is my contention that a normal physique'd, in shape person can represent a supplemental company just as easily as a pro level type of body builder. Why? Have you ever looked at pictures taken from a body building show. The majority of the masses ( customers ) are people either in normal great shape, or leaning towards the heavier side of the scale. Granted, there are some people who go to these shows who have been putting in years and time in the gym, and for them I am happy. But why not have models, spokesman/women who are your typical, in shape, but not excessively cut and ripped or excessively obese to be a part of your company as a representative. That will appeal to the masses more. Why, because it is too realistic? People today want goals that are realistic and they want to know that they can achieve something, something that is is tangible.

You wouldn't ask a paraplegic what it feels to run would you? You wouldn't ask a blind person to describe to you the colors of the cloud filled sky either. What I am trying to say is I believe that people who are of normal size should be afforded the opportunity to represent companies for products that people want to use.


Now, I'm not saying to get rid of the bodybuilders; building and sculpting their body is more or less their job. That would be like asking a cop to go to work without a knowledge of the laws, or their gun. Nor would I ask a firefighter to do their job without a fire truck, or a source of water to douse the fire out. But my question, though rhetorical at best possibly, is why not have a regular physique'd person as part of the team for these many different supplement companies. I honestly believe that having a person who is of a normal physique along side a body builder would help sell products more than just a body building representative. 

Most consumers are skeptical, if not cynical of any product, regardless of the market that the product is aimed towards if all they see is beauty and perfection. We each see imperfections within ourselves. We see shortcomings, and trouble spots.

So then, do we like supplement companies because of their models ( male and female ), or do we pick and choose the supplements because their products work for us? Do we pick a sports team because of who is on the team ( the players ) or do we pick the team because we appreciate the clubs reputation? Do women pick a make up line because of their spokesperson ( ie super model ) in hopes that they will look as good as that woman does, or do they pick their make up choices based on several factors ( ie color options, whether or not they have allergic reactions to the chemical composition of the make up blend, etc etc ). I would dare say that we each pick different companies ( albeit supplements, clothing, make up, cars, etc etc ) based on several influences. Whether consciously or subconsciously, we all still do it. Speaking for myself, I would much rather pick a product that is used by everyday realistic people than products that use something or someone that is at a level of not being obtained by myself. That is just my opinion.

I wish to express how I do not pick a supplemental company because of their models. I pick them by trial and error based on whether or not they work for me. I do not pick my clothing based on the influence of any one person. I pick them because they fit me. However, last time I checked, Wal-Mart does not have any super popular model endorsing the Sam Walton Corporation. I do not choose my food based on any famous Chef or food critic. I pick my food based on what I like to eat.

One last thing before I close out my rant or rambling is how much I truly despise companies that lure people in with false hopes and advertising. Don't claim to be willing to do something for people if they do you a favor, then turn around and not fulfill your end of the bargain/agreement. I would much rather have never even seen what it was that company was advertising and go on my merry way, than to stop for a moment in hopes that the reward would be delivered for helping them out.

 If you found a stranded person on the side of the road, and they told you that if you gave them a ride to a specific destination and promised you a reward of $500 once you got there, you may be inclined to help them out. But you would be more inclined to help them out in the future again if they in fact gave you the $500 once you delivered them to their destination. However, if they didn't, you would go away pissed, frustrated, and most likely not be willing to help them out in the future, should you come across them again when they are stranded.

In closing, I wish to state that there is no underlying purpose or reason behind me writing this particular blog. It is derived from my own thoughts and inner demons. There is no expectations to come from me writing this. I have my own dreams and hopes, but those stay locked away in a deep cellar, free from the world and it's cruelness. Those dreams and hopes are part of the equation that keep my fire fueled to be who I am today, who I look forward to be tomorrow, and who I run away from yesterday. I may have struck a nerve with some of you readers, and if that happened, I can't say I'm sorry only because I am speaking what is on my mind and how I feel about the whole discussion. Just remember, we all have the means to get what we wish for... you just have to have the motivation and the desire to accomplish it.