The Argan Oil Chronicles
Part IV - The Wonder Years
Carpo States on the Rise as Argan Oil Profits Fueling Conflicts Around the Globe - Many Were Former Narco States but Now See Tree Nut Fruit Oil as a Safer and More Profitable Investment
Author’s note: The material writes itself. I’ve got at least ten more of these sitting in my drafts just waiting to be unleashed. The comedic wellspring that is argan oil continues to gush its precious oil. Wait? What? How can an oil gush an oil? Btw “carpo” is a common prefix used to indicate fruit.
Attempt to Create Argan Oil Powered Internal Combustion Engine Ends in Tragedy - Six Moroccan Engineers and Scientists Killed When Prototype Engine Explodes Without Warning
Six Moroccan researchers will killed today when a prototype internal combustion engine powered with refined argan oil suddenly exploded into flames. Parts of the engine were found miles away and recovery of the bodies is said to an ongoing and grim task. The six men were part of a special task force assembled by the Moroccan government to find alternative uses for the lifeblood of the small country’s economy, argan oil. The government has seen worrisome signs of a peak in demand as the personal care and beauty industry markets have become saturated with argan oil containing products in every category from nail to skin to hair care and more. Argan oil minister Nizar Samid had this to say at a hastily called press conference attended by other ministers from all levels of government “The nation of Morocco today mourns the death of six heroes who gave their lives in service to their country. They died too young and will be sorely missed but we can take some comfort in the fact that their remains will leave no oily/greasy residue as would be the case if they had been working with some other less amazing all natural hair and skin care oil like almond or Jojoba.”
Author’s note: I am still only just getting warmed up. If you thought I had quit or run out of ideas or came to some sort of realization about how insane it must seem to others for me to be writing stories featuring argan oil over and over and over again, you are dead wrong, at least about the first two things. I already have three more in draft and at least that many in idea form already.
Moroccan Hollywood Awaits Biggest Production Yet with Filming of the Musical Jason and the Arganauts Set to Begin Soon - Native Moroccan Anouar Hajoui aka DJ Cut Killer Will Write and Score the Film’s Musical Numbers
The city of Ouarzazate or Warzazat, nicknamed The door of the desert, is abuzz with activity as filming of the Moroccan movie musical Jason and the Arganauts will begin any day now. Warzazat is no stranger to Hollywoood style productions as the Ouarzazate area is a noted film-making location with Morocco’s biggest studios inviting many international companies to work here. Films such as Lawrence of Arabia (1962), The Man Who Would Be King (1975), The Last Temptation of Christ (1988), The Mummy (1999), Gladiator (2000), Kingdom of Heaven (2005), Hanna (2011), were all shot on location in Warzazat, as was part of the TV series Game of Thrones.
The modern musical is based on the 1963 cult classic Jason and Argonauts, the 1963 Anglo-American fantasy film distributed by Columbia Pictures based on Greek mythology, produced by Charles H. Schneer, and directed by Don Chaffey. While the 1963 film starred Todd Armstrong, Nancy Kovack, Honor Blackman, and Gary Raymond the 2018 Morrocan remake will feature contemperary Morrocan superstars Morjana Alaoui, Samira Said, and Omar Berdouni. In a nod to the 1963 film which was made in collaboration with stop motion animation master Ray Harryhausen and was known for its various fantasy creatures, notably the iconic fight scene featuring multiple skeleton warriors, the modern musical remake will also feature stop motion animation in addition to cutting edge CGI effects.
Producer Jamel Debbouze had this to say about the film at a star studded gala this past weekend “Indeed the film is a tribute to Jason and Argonauts and the plot is loosely based on the original, however their are several key differences. For example, in the original the ship is called the Argo in honor of its builder Argus and thus its crew referred to as Argonauts, in the remake the ship is called the Arga in honor of the argan oil fruit tree whose wood was used to build the mighty ship. The crew are called Arganauts because of this and because of their heavy and frequent use of argan oil for beauty and personal care. In fact the Arganauts are well known throughout the ancient world (of the film) for their flowing, voluptuous, shiny, and non-greasy hair. To take just one other example, in the original Jason and the crew of the Argo sail off in search of the golden fleece which is the fleece of the gold-haired winged ram, which was held in Colchis, in the remake Jason and the crew of the Arga sail off in search of the silver fleece which is the fleece of the Morrocan tree goat which is held in (Morrocon city of) Marrakesh.”
The music for the movie musical is set to be produced by the French DJ of Morrocan origin, veteran hip hop/rap DJ Anouar Hajou, better known as DJ Cut Killer or simply Cut Killer. He brings a versatile repertoire of hip hop and rap styles and enjoys international fame having mixed in United States of America through invitations by DJ Big Dawg Pitbulls of Funkmaster Flex and Shadyville DJ’s of rapper 50 Cent. For more than fifteen years, he has been one of the most emblematic DJs in French hip hop. Mr. Hajoui said the following about his role in the production of the movie “Of course I am honored to be able to participate in this historic moment for the Moroccan people and I am a huge fan of Bernard Hermann the producer of the original score for (Jason and the) Argonauts, so when Jamel told me about the project and asked if I would participate of course I said yes. The score will be essentially a modern hip hop/drum & bass style remix of the original Hermann score and I was able to recruit some of the biggest names in French DJing and drum and bass to lend a hand and contribute some original mixes including my good friend Josh Davis (aka DJ Shadow) and young D&B up and comers Klax.”
The musical remake is said to feature the argan oil fruit tree and argan oil throughout. It is the focus of both the plot and all of the reportedly 22 musical numbers that are said to be a part of the close to 4 hour film. Whether or not the moviegoing public has this big of an appetite for argan oil remains to be seen but for Morroco and the international community it is yet another indication of the importance of the beauty and personal care oil to its economy and culture.
Author’s note: 2.5 hours of research was spent on this article. If that doesn’t convince you of the seriousness of my dedication to argan oil I ‘m not sure what will. And still I have only scratched the surface…..
About the Creator
Everyday Junglist
About me. You know how everyone says to be a successful writer you should focus in one or two areas. I continue to prove them correct.
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The Microbes are In Control
“Let me make sure I understand you clearly Professor Jones, you believe your microflora told you to kill Dr. Doyle?” The prosecutor leaned in close as he spoke, then turned toward the jury and raised a skeptical eyebrow. The gesture was intended to convey a message of incredulity to the nine jurors who listened in disbelief. “Yes. Not told me but made me”, replied the distinguished looking gentlemen seated on the witness stand. He wore a simple black suit and had a shock of grey hair that sprouted wildly from his round wrinkled forehead. Many had commented that he looked a bit like Albert Einstein in his later years. In truth the comparison flattered him though his interest in physics had only been at the level of laymen. Microbiology was his passion and had been for the past 30 years. The prosecutor continued. “So the bacteria in your body forced you to commit cold-blooded murder?” Dr. Jones replied quickly, speaking in a soft southern drawl, clearly an erudite, and with the authority of a man used to having his opinions respected. “It may not have been just the bacteria. The viruses and bacteriophage may have also been involved but I do think yes, it was primarily the bacteria in control.” “Sorry professor can you please clarify for the jury, what exactly are bacteriophage?” The professor responded with some measure of arrogance in his voice, “to put it simply for you and the jury they are viruses that infect bacteria instead of higher life forms like plants or animals or humans.” “Thank you professor. Can you please explain to the jury how exactly these evil germs were able to do this.” “I am not entirely certain” Dr. Jones replied quickly, the irritation plainly evident in his voice. “I would ask that you please kindly refrain from using the terminology, germs, I and my microbes find it highly insulting. I greatly prefer microbe or microorganism. Animalcule was also once a favored term though it is much out of style in this day and age. That would be acceptable as well.” The professor continued, his volume slowly rising as he gained confidence. This was clearly an issue to which he had given much thought. “You need to understand that the microbes in and on all of our bodies are numerically superior to the total number of cells that make up our bodies. It is estimated they may outnumber us by as much as an order of magnitude. One order of magnitude means they are present at ten times the number of human cells. We are in fact more microbe than man. To me it is not surprising that given this advantage in numbers they might not at some point attempt to take control. “ The prosecutor cut him off before he could continue. “And what was the motive for these animalcules to make you kill Dr. Doyle?” “I believe it was self-preservation. You see my colleague was on the verge of a great discovery, an entirely new class of antibiotics. If he had succeeded it could have revolutionized the control of many diseases and theoretically eliminated the issue of antibiotic resistance forever. Obviously they were concerned for their continued existence.” Professor Jones smiled smugly and became silent. The prosecutor stared for a moment at the witness, unable to speak. He was obviously stunned by the straightforward and almost scholarly tone of the answer. The insane words coming out of the professor’s mouth just did not match with the way those words were delivered. The jury seemed shaken as well. Mouths hung slightly agape and fear was evident in many of the juror’s eyes. The courtroom was deathly silent. The prosecutor slowly gathered himself and pressed on. “I am a bit confused Dr. Jones, why would not Dr. Doyle’s microbes, or his graduate students’ microbes, have acted before yours? They surely were every bit as aware of his research program.” “A question I have considered myself. I don’t have the answer. Perhaps much like people there are different personalities among our microbes. Some are simply not capable of committing an evil act such as murder where others are. Certainly all the data suggests large variations in the makeup of any one individual’s microflora. Given the variety between people, and also the diversity of the microbial population within each it might not be unexpected that they act and react with their host in many different ways. It is no doubt difficult to achieve any sort of consensus on action among the various genera and species on any given person at any one time. That might also explain the rarity if this type of event. It just is almost never possible to reach agreement on anything and therefore nothing of any consequence is done.” The professor looked genuinely pleased with himself as he considered this possibility, than continued on. “I would very much like to study this in some detail when this is over and I get back to university.” The prosecutor looked shocked. “Im afraid you wont be returning to University anytime soon Dr. Jones. You have essentially admitted to murder and given the jury no choice but to convict you. Your so-called explanation is clearly insane. No further questions.” The prosecutor returned to his seat with one last glance at the jury. He could see in their eyes they would convict. The good professor could quite possibly face the electric chair. He looked briefly at the professor as he was escorted from the witness stand. Disturbingly he thought he saw the traces of a smile on his lips. After a brief recess to consider its verdict, the jury returned. The prosecutor projected an air of supreme confidence as the jury seated itself. He followed the progress of the foremen most closely as he returned to his seat. Often, he had found, he could predict the outcome in any given case by close inspection of how the foremen behaved as he returned to the box. A quick moving foremen who sat down before the rest of the jurors meant conviction 95% of the time. When the foremen moved more slowly and allowed the rest of the jury or most of the rest of the jury to sit before he did this often suggested acquittal, though the percentages were less certain. Therefore, he was only slightly concerned when the foreman stood until the entire rest of the jury had taken their seats. He grew a bit more concerned as he closely inspected the faces of each of the jurors. They had taken on a strangely blank look. Their eyes looked almost lifeless. No trace of emotion was visible. “We the jury find the defendant..” The foremen paused for a moment before proceeding. He seemed to be struggling against himself. When he continued it looked as if the words were forced, maybe not even his own, “not guilty.” There was an audible gasp in the courtroom as the shock of the verdict reverberated among those in attendance. Dr. Jones was not surprised in the least. He had been told about this outcome by his friends. They had made a deal with some of their friends. It was the least they could do for what he had done for them.
By Everyday Junglist3 years ago in Fiction
Echoes of Andromeda
Part I: The Arrival In the year 2157, humanity had reached new heights of technological advancement, exploring distant star systems and establishing colonies on far-off worlds. The Nexus Station, a bustling hub of interstellar travel and commerce, orbited the gas giant of the Andromeda system, serving as a gateway to the galaxy's edge.
By Mohammedseid Ahmedina day ago in Fiction
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