TheBaronOfFratton

As for January Jones, I think she played the character okay, but I think it was a really horrid piece of casting. I know there's a fair degree of difference between what's on the page and what's on the screen, but Emma Frost is a total sex bomb in the comics.. and JJ just had nothing. Way-too-skinny, and didn't fill out the costumes at all, and well she's a bit of a plain Jane

I may be crediting the writers with more than they intended, but she did fit the very early loyal-and-subservient-to-Shaw Emma Frost template (rather than the latterly more seductive and outwardly sexual, even 'kinky', interpretation of recent years)?

I was going to ask you before, but is FL your "first love?"

What´s the definition of the "first love"? He is not the first guy I had fallen in love with, nor is he the first I dated. But he´s the first in the very special meaning and also the first to live with - the first serious relationship and the first that made it so close to me. And the first I was willing to make compromises for and first in many other terms. Something that started unexpectedly, when I absolutely didn´t search for it and did not even think about it. Long, complicated story

Yeah, that's what I meant Jennka about first love

I am fairly disillusioned & cautious about relationships in general- I see it as a mutually beneficial association- an optional secondary choice rather than anything mystical, magical, or even necessary now. And relationships also have a lot of operational costs that one needs to be constantly be wary about. I always felt a distinct loss of some of my freedom from it. "relationship maintenance" And l think that in the 21st century..it is only the minority of people that are not consistently changing. For these reasons, I would loathe to have to fall back on a relationship as the primary driver & meaning of my life. That's just me though, others may get more out of it.

My attitude is nontraditional and detrimental to fertility rates..

^I did enjoy it - but then, when it comes to such things, I suppose I'm easily pleased! The sheer geek-joy of seeing certain characters or episodes of "history" overrides any cynicism!

Mainly, I hope that the mooted "The Wolverine" will get made. It's supposed to deal with Logan's time in Japan and (the fictional island) Madripoor - where he learns his Samurai code and falls in love with a local lady...

As for the costumes - yes, I agree. I can see why they were appropriate for this last movie though, the 'first class' of X-Men sported this similar 'blue and yellow' look (latterly used by the New Mutants - for that team of X-Men-in-training; changed to a 'crimson and yellow' generic costume for Generation X - a third team of youngsters). Around the time the first movie came out - during the writer Grant Morrison's run on the comic - this 'all black' look was being used in print too. It didn't last long as the fans didn't really like it - and actually I don't know what came first in that chicken and egg way!

Wow - that does all sound like I know my 'stuff' as you put it Mr. Icon! I'd like to point out that I do read more than just comic books(!), but I'm also not dismissive of them. In fact, I think they're the third "Great American Art Form" - up there with Jazz and Baseball...

I like comic books too- I like graphic art.

My X-men knowledge is minimal...but I did like this spin off (they did acceptable historical research on it too):

I also liked this: (unusually striking art)

^I suppose I ally myself, somewhat, with Emerson and the Transcendentalists (who themselves were influenced by Kant) in that I try to live in the "now" as much as possible (they also were about being non-conformist - but that's a whole other argument!): 'But man postpones or remembers; he does not live in the present, but with reverted eye laments the past, or, heedless of the riches that surround him, stands on tiptoe to foresee the future...'

I'm not saying I've achieved this in any great way yet, but it took me and age to throw off the shackles of coincidence and meanings and the 'cosmic plan'. I could just as easily jump in front of a bus!

I've been described by a person more expert than I as having personal attitudes that lean towards marcus aurelius and nietzsche. This is amusing to me, as I have never studied them particularly much (or philosophy or literature (I never read fiction)) or much of the humanities outside of business law. I know that Nietzche liked to write diatribes against God & Christianity, yet I am an agnostic person who finds protestant Christianity more useful than not. And a lot of Nietzsche's general conclusions are those that many individuals and I have figured out on their own. I am not awed with what Bertrand Russell, Howard Zinn, or many of the other liberal popular writers, either (though I may have taken what I've seen for granted, in retrospect). They rely too much on straw mans and too often analyze & pass hard judgement on topics in which they blatantly lack specialized knowledge & experience.

There is one concept that I really like though: Popper's "poverty of historicism"- a simple concept- once combined with basic grasp of statistics & probability simply negates a lot of arrogant God-like pronouncements by many philosophers.

From what I have observed, philosophy, religion, & certain literature- with their dogmas- do, in places, succeed in provide tools or methods for aid one's development of a useful conception of reality but the utility is highly uneven, situation specific, and sparse. I've yet to find a philosopher that can provide substantial useful material.

My X-men knowledge is minimal...but I did like this spin off (they did acceptable historical research on it too):

As it is, I have a standing-order with a shop, that sends me the core monthly editions (X-Men, Uncanny, Astonishing, Legacy, and New Mutants) and then if something is important or interests me further then I'll seek it out elsewhere. Also it's useful because although I love these comics, I don't love comic-book people in general ( )! I find I can enjoy comics without them consuming my life and being central to my universe - a trick they have yet to learn in the main...

I've been described by a person more expert than I as having personal attitudes that lean towards marcus aurelius and nietzsche. This is amusing to me, as I have never studied them particularly much (or philosophy or literature (I never read fiction)) or much of the humanities outside of business law. I know that Nietzche liked to write diatribes against God & Christianity, yet I am an agnostic person who finds protestant Christianity more useful than not. And a lot of Nietzsche's general conclusions are those that many individuals and I have figured out on their own.

Interesting though, Nietzsche was another one who extolled 'living in the now' too - it was one of his tenets for being an Übermensch.

And you never read fiction? Do you enjoy cinema or music?

Psylocke is pretty hot though?! I just d/l comics from a site that uploads them constantly..antisocial behavior for sure. I am more interested in the graphic art than anything else

^Well yes, if you have a philosophical bent as a youngster I think you tend to then find philosophers who 'speak to you' in adolescence... Much of it is stating all kinds of obvious, much like sociology. But I read humanities at University, so I don't want to be completely dismissive of it.

And you never read fiction? Do you enjoy cinema or music?

I see things more as shades of grey than this or that, Baron. Ignorance, to me is no vice and can be easily remedied- all people are mostly ignorant, anyway. I like the humanities but do not know much of it (I did business, accounting, financial mathematics). I've had many difficulties because of it- (to varying degrees all my friendships and relationships, in fact) a while ago I dated a theater girl for a few months- we got along very well in many substantial ways but we couldn't really mesh- particularly in terms of habits, perspectives & hobbies. I enjoyed being with her more than she was with me.

My sense and liking of music was largely destroyed by many years of intensive & bitter tutor training/orchestral experience in the violin during adolescence. I don't listen to music for the most part and carry earplugs wherever I go. I like film and have viewed many- but only to the extent (like I described with the humanities) where I can extract useful, knowledge expanding material out of it so I can visualize certain realities better.

Interesting though, Nietzsche was another one who extolled 'living in the now' too - it was one of his tenets for being an

^As a 'concept' it seems perfectly fine, ideal even. But, yes, in practice a very different beast... Communism looks serviceable on paper too though.

I tried The Fountainhead in my time in the States, it proved more difficult than Joyce's Ulysses.

Music was always a hobby for me, and it was never a chore to learn an instrument. I'm quite the opposite, in that I make sure to take my iPod wherever I go - so that I can drown out the incessant drone and banality of the empty conversations of any fellow travellers! Music allows me to dream and create far more glamorous surroundings than the hum of the commute...

Psylocke is pretty hot though?!

^As a 'concept' it seems perfectly fine, ideal even. But, yes, in practice a very different beast... Communism looks serviceable on paper too though.

I tried The Fountainhead in my time in the States, it proved more difficult than Joyce's Ulysses.

Music was always a hobby for me, and it was never a chore to learn an instrument. I'm quite the opposite, in that I make sure to take my iPod wherever I go - so that I can drown out the incessant drone and banality of the empty conversations of any fellow travellers! Music allows me to dream and create far more glamorous surroundings than the hum of the commute...

In business or financial speculation or public administration, you work with what you know and what tools you have available to you. Marxists, liberal conspiracy theorists, partisans, and libertarians take themselves and their books/doctrines too seriously..

Well, for me, I was basically a trained monkey and forced through it every step of the way. Had to compete, play in orchestras,... this method sapped any form of joy. If I have kids someday..well, I'd never do that to them.

Yeah, that's what I meant Jennka about first love

I am fairly disillusioned & cautious about relationships in general- I see it as a mutually beneficial association- an optional secondary choice rather than anything mystical, magical, or even necessary now. And relationships also have a lot of operational costs that one needs to be constantly be wary about. I always felt a distinct loss of some of my freedom from it. "relationship maintenance" And l think that in the 21st century..it is only the minority of people that are not consistently changing. For these reasons, I would loathe to have to fall back on a relationship as the primary driver & meaning of my life. That's just me though, others may get more out of it.

My attitude is nontraditional and detrimental to fertility rates..

I don´t like giving love any names, like "the first" "the last" "the one" and especially not "the true or real love". It´s just love. It´s that simple and need no more words, if you ask me.

Before I was afraid of losing freedom too... I was like, what the hell I´m gonna do with a man, what to talk about, I wanna live my life with no restrictions... it´s ironic that I have never felt such a freedom as I do now. Absolutely no jealousy, absolutely no "you must do this and can´t do this". I have no reason to change (not saing "I will love him forever" - no one knows what future brings, I just focus on what is NOW and TODAY), or find someone else it´s been 3,5 years, not much, I know, but still a nice number, if you ask me

For me, my life got another meaning with this love thing. My depressions dissapeared (I stopped painting too ), my self-assurance got much higher, my whole mind and body calmed down and I found myself in a weird happy state that suddenly... I would not want to change my place with anyone in the whole world. For the first time I was able to say, that I love my life and really enjoy it, every freakin´day of it. Oh hell, I wish it would be like this forever

I have found something... meaningfull. I feel like a whole person now Wish it to last as long as it can. If you asked me what I find the most beautiful thing in life, I would say it is waking up next to the fl. I guess I´m THAT romantic, shit. That feeling is just crazy... amazing.

BUT this is just me people are different. With different things with different meanings to them.

Baron, have you ever read Kenshin? Amazing manga indeed

http://www.anymanga.com/rurouni-kenshin/001/001/

have a LOVELY VACA B, see ya when you get back

What do you think, Baron? Should I make a bid or 'buy it now'?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=220800492577

Bringing it back old school.

1993 - DV8 in San Fran (The ONLY song of it's kind that got Goths to dance So many good memories!)

chick: You brought a condom, right?

dude: Huh?

chick: I'm unprotected.

dude: Ain't you on the pill?

chick: Oh, that was great and everything, but you know,

I think it's your turn to go down on me.

dude: Oh, I'm tired, I'm tired..

chick: What do you mean you're tired?

dude: C'mon..

chick: Come on, baby, come on!..

dude: No, no, that's awful...that tastes terrible!

chick: You asshole! You shit!

^ PURE WIN!

Memories and damn fine black outs at that.

And now I'm going to pass out, night babe.

Brandon *tats* (the ex piece of shit I almost married) and Pevs

Baron!

I've been so naughty...ignoring you like this!

I miss you

So Chris is leaving at 1:00 or 1:30am (6 hours away) for five weeks. Kinda scared to be without him!! 10+ years we've been attached at the hip and being away from him that long is gonna kill me I'm sure everything will be fine once both of us adjust to the change, but for now my freak out will commence.

Last hurdle is the behind the wheel driving test. If he passes that he's golden. (Keep your fingers crossed)

FREAKING OUT . . . now!

He's gone :shock: and.... panic attack! no seriously

Ya always got me to PM if you wanna talk Pretty ^^

Hi Baron

Behottie for you

Baron, have you ever read Kenshin? Amazing manga indeed

http://www.anymanga.com/rurouni-kenshin/001/001/

Have you heard of "Vagabond"?

The story is a fictionalized life of the swordsman "Miyamoto Musashi". This might be your thing. I haven't read it, but have flipped through the volumes. The art is, in my view, much, much better than standard Japanese fare. Of course, they couldn't resist making the Japanese people look like white people

Musashi wrote "Book of Five Rings", which is the focused on mental tactics in single combat. I read several passages a long time ago- it seems to be useful in sports and martial arts.