THE SHAUN SAYS THIS…

Over 50 years ago, Ray Kroc opened the first McDonald’s restaurant. Yet The Shaun wonders what Mr. Kroc would think and say of the image and preception of his restaurant today…because the McDonald’s of today is no longer your daddy’s Mickey D’s.

McDonald’s for my generation was the spot every kid wanted to go to and spend their stay. Yes…you heard The Shaun. As kids, every kid in the 70s and 80s begged their parents and grandparents to take them to McDonald’s because it was an experience. Every kid in America wanted their birthday party at McDonald’s. Yes kids, McDonald’s used to throw birthday parties…cake and all! The Shaun dares anyone who grew up in the 70s and 80s that doesn’t have a story of a birthday party at McDonald’s.  McDonlad’s also had family nights were there were activities and games. McDonald’s to a kid was the closet thing to Camelot were the image of Ronald McDonald was Kind Arthur. Now Ronald McDonald’s image is generally thought of as a creepy clown.

Now the general preception of McDonald’s as a brand is that of the poster child and symbol of obesity in America. McDonald’s has been sue and faced reticule ( for the most part justifiably so) in relation to its processed food and lack of nutruitional value. No matter what “low-fat” items it attempts to add it’s menu and market. The restaurant may never shake its label as one of the key factors in the obesity of America’s youth.

The Shaun is sure by now everyone has seen or heard of the flick SuperSize Me. If not, it is definetely worth a spot in your Netflix queue. While The Shaun is definetely in spend an hour of your time and a few bytes of internet broadband space harping how McDonald’s menu is making our kids fats, The Shaun slightly thinks differently. The Shaun wants to points your angst in another dirrection with this question…

When is the last time you’ve seen a McDonald’s playland?

I’ll wait.

Now some in rural areas may be able to easily name a location within ‘driving” distance but the fact is, in the day The Shaun was growing up, there was a McDonald’s with a Playland in damn near every neighborhood. As kids when we spent our day at McDonald’s, we spent most of that time playing in the Playland and essentially playing off most of the calories and fat we just ate. Shit half the time, we didn’t even finish our food before we tried to run off to play with the other kids in this thing…

We didn’t know what the damn thing was and nor did it do anything but it just looked fun as hell along with all the other play equipment. Now other Playland were built in the 90s and were very noticeable during that time. Yet with each new renovation our neighborhood McDonald’s that occurs  the Playland is often replaced by a double drive-thru! It almost seems as if McDonald’s doesn’t even want their customer’s to come into the restaurant anymore. There are no more Playlands, no more Family nights and damn sure no more parties! The Shaun dares anyone to ask a cashier at McDonald’s about their birthday party options…they may just laugh at you as they get their manager who in turn probably won’t know what the fuck you are talking about.

Kids have been eating McDonald’s for decades the main difference is now they are eating it in the back seat of a car instead of inside the restaurant where you had to force your kid to sit and eat their food before they run off and play with the other kids there. McDonald’s is no longer the Camelot we knew…it’s an excuse not to cook after a long day at work.Even the marketing from MCDonald’s has changed as it used to be catered to the kids yet now its catered to busy adults who are looking for some quick and cheap to pick up on the go.

Ray Kroc’s vision seemly was to create a family restaurant yet it now seems the family is being phased out of it more and more.

If you don’t believe me…let The Shaun shake your childhood to life with this!

Why is it the lazy mofos who aint done jack get all the credit for stuff?

Why is it we take so much joy in someone else’s misery?

Why is it winters are always colder when you’re single?

Why is it that we appreciate things less even though we have more than our ancestors ever did?

Why is it we call for unity and racial harmony yet insist on living in segregated communities?

Why is it all American action movies have happy endings?

Why is it majority of first person shooters, no matter where they are made, focus on the U.S. Military?

Why is it we insist in receiving so much without putting much effort or money in return?

Why is it people think they can go to a night club and meet Mr/Mrs Right?

Why is it “BEAUTY IS IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER” when we were born with the same eyes God blessed us with?!

Why is it “GOOD” so boring and dull but “BAD” so fun and exciting?!

Why is it people who had a crush on you in school don’t tell you till 5-10 years later?

Why is it so easy to do wrong but a pain in the ass to do right?!

Why is it no one has said anything about the ever-decreasing size of the Big Mac?!

Why is it we never listen the ones with the most sense in our lives but are quick to follow fools?

Why is so easy a caveman can do it?

Why is it none the “music” channels (#MTV, #VH1, #BET) have true music programing?!

QUESTION EVERYTHING

THE SHAUN SAYS THIS…

The video below is truly a sad sight to The Shaun, especially being a father of 3 girls. While The Shaun is not especially a fan or regular watcher of The Tyra Banks Show, this clip was on BOSSIP and it struck a chord immediately. As harsh as it may sound, actively teaching our little girls to be golddiggers is the same as us teaching our sons to be dogs and treat women like shit! This type of shit is how sad ass cases like Natalie Nunn and most “Basketball Wives” created. We are supposed to be teaching our children to look past that type of shit and see people for whom they really are, not for the money in their pockets.

As each day passes, what once was black and white in regards to relationships, love and marriage is now turning into a big shade of grey. What once was right has been turned all around and is now very very wrong. We have quite enough in this world to confuse and manipulate the minds of our young girls. Relationships of a romantic nature are to be partnerships based on love while creating and strengthen a spritual bond that is mutually beneficial to both partners. What we see being displayed today regarding relationships gives the wrong impression to our children especially young woman about the traits they should be working on and looking for in their search for the right mate.

 The Shaun would like everyone to read the following advise column letter and its responding comment made by a reader.

A Desperate Single Woman’s Question (yes that’s the real title of the letter to the advise column):

“What am I doing wrong? I’m tired of beating around the bush. I’m a beautiful (spectacularly beautiful) 25-year-old girl. I’m articulate and classy. I’m not from New York. I’m looking to get married to a guy who makes at least half a million a year. I know how that sounds, but keep in mind that a million a year is middle class in New York City, so I don’t think I’m over-reaching at all. Are there any guys who make 500K or more on this board? Any wives? Could you send me some tips? I dated a businessman who made around 200-250K. But that’s where I seem to hit a roadblock. $250,000 won’t get me to Central Park West. I know a woman in my yoga class who was married to an investment banker, and lives in Tribeca. She’s not as pretty as I am, nor is she a great genius. So what is she doing right? Here are my questions, specifically:

• Where do you single rich men hang out? Give me specifics – bars, restaurants, gyms.
• What are you looking for in a mate?
• Is there an age range I should be targeting?
• Why are some of the women living lavish lifestyles on the Upper East Side so plain? What’s the story there?
• Lawyers, investment bankers, doctors. How much do these guys really make? And where do the hedge fund guys hang out?
• How do you rich guys decide on marriage vs just a girlfriend? I am looking for MARRIAGE ONLY.”

An Investment Banker’s Response:

“I qualify as a guy who fits your bill – I make more than $500K per year. Here’s how I see it: Your office is a plain and simple crappy business deal. What you suggest is a simple trade: you bring your looks to the party and I bring my money. Fine, simple. But here’s the rub, your looks will fade and my money will likely continue into perpetuity – in fact, it is very likely that my income will increase, but it is an absolute certainty that you won’t be getting any more beautiful! So, in economic terms, you are a depreciating asset. In Wall Street terms, we’d call you a trading position – not a buy and hold. It doesn’t make good business sense to ’buy you’ (which is what you’re asking) – so I’d rather lease. The deal that makes sense for me is dating, not marriage.”

Net worth has very little if anything to do with the the size of your bank account or your credit score. The Shaun can guarantee you that women who actively aspire and act as GOLDIGGERS are never truly happy as they rarely ever experience nor can they appreciate true love of a person. This saddens The Shaun deeply and hope that eventually the young girls do not walk down this path.