I've adapted my conscience to co-exist with the moral questions involved. There are many advantages to buying black market DVD's, especially (besides just the price). They're available everywhere. They aren't edited by the Thai government censors. And they work on any player format. Two weeks ago I paid full price for a legitimate copy of the Thai movie Naresuan at 7-11, only to find it I couldn't watch it because our laptops and DVD players are set for American format while the DVD only works on machines set for Asia's format.
I did not realize the impact that this counterfeit industry was having on real people. Not until we were doing some shopping for gifts a Chatuchak weekend market and saw this:
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After purchasing so many counterfeit products, I am now a victim.
I'm really not sure how to feel about it. It's quite flattering to be such a hot item in the Thai t-shirt market, selling for two hundred baht (twice as much as an average t-shirt). It's amusing to me that they spelled my name wrong, in typical Thai fashion. On the other hand, I don't like the idea of being left out of the royalty revenues I should be receiving from Mack Strate's popularity in Asia.
Right now my attorney in Chicago is trying to help figure out how this happened. We think the t-shirt manufacturer in Madison who produced the orginal shirts has been working with Asian whoelsalers and pocketing the royalities. But as we get more information we'll pass it along to you.
(Celebrity can be such a burden).
11 comments:
"That's so cute, Mom. Can we go to the store?"
Katelyn's reply to the photo on the post. Verbatim.
p.s. I can't believe that in all the limited luggage space that you must have had packing for Thailand, that the (thee) MacStrate made it in.
Apparently someone else is equally skilled in photoshop. The detail I like, intended or not, is the fact the T-shirt compartment below the mannequin is actually empty - as in 'sold out'.
P.S. If you are indeed the 'MACK', then you will know your competition (or will at least be able to word search this on the net). Who wrote the beginning of this rhyme (it is a dead giveaway)?
'Once upon a time not long ago, when people wore pajamas and lived life slow...'
Slick Rick (but I had to look it up).
How about this one:
....walk through concert doors, and step all over coliseum floors.
I stepped on stage at Live Aid,
All the people gave
and the poor got paid.
A little Run-DMC never hurt anybody...
Gotta try harder than that though...let's delve a little further from radio played hip-hop.
Speed o' light, fast, its like walking bare foot over broken glass...jump rope on a razor blade, all lightnin' quick decisions are made...
Hmm...still waiting...any guess?
Hmmm...al this hot weather makes me thirsty for ICE-T.
(High Rollers)
Back atcha...
"I was sittin' on the corner
just wastin' my time
When I realised I was the king of the rhyme."
I was amazed to see that not only did they counterfeit the t-shirt; they used my signature as a selling point. I am sure that that is the reason for the increased price. They capitalized on a rare collaboration between two international stars. Interesting how they did not misspell my name. If I remember correctly, your name was misspelled on the original product(Mac Strato).
Step Off by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five
Now we're going old school.
It's like a jungle some times it makes wonder how I keep from going under....huh hu hu...
Okay, we're gonna really test you (I will skip the Biz Markie, Marley Marl, D Nice, BDP, 3rd Bass, Kwame, Doug E Fresh, Master Ace, Cool G Rap, PE, NWA, Paris, The Doc, Heavy D, Digital Underground, Beastie Boys, Ice Cube, Kid n Play, Curtis Blow, LL Cool J, UTFO, Chubb Rock, Cool Herc, Sir Mix-a-lot and anything else that dropped on the scene after 1992) - those exclusions should help you here, and if you can answer any one of the next three you will qualify as 'le big mac' in my book:
1. 'Cruisin' down the street and I had to stop, turn up the radio and drop the top...'
2. 'Cold like an iceberg hot like fire, rappin on stage is my desire...you a bad little sucka that cause a lotta pain now I'm comin' down hard like thunder an' rain...'
3. 'As I shoot the gift, mcs stand stiff, While my rhymes stick to you like skippy and jif. Feel my blunt fist, or my death kiss, The rap soloist - you dont want none of this'
The first two are easier than the last.
Hmmm...the second one I do not know.
The first is definitely 2$hort...Don't fight the feeling.
The third is Big Daddy Kane....I want to say RAW '91?
Some impressive work here. I didn't know there was another gangly white Southern Alberta who went through a rap phase in high school.
You aren't just another one o' them sucka MC's.
Very well done indeed.
Number two is a little schooly d, known for 'gucci time', 'signifyin' rapper' and others...but a bit hard core and political at the time.
Fight the Power!
-Gasface-
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