TheBaronOfFratton

Joe, meat and I are meant to be too

Baron you were a chef? What was/is your specialty?

PhD General? What is that? My father is a police general - here we have army generals and police generals, if that does make some sense... he was the police president, now is retired and besides that, a lawyer.

Oh, I have the same relationship with fashion I know more about it actually than girls who fancy dresses and shopping... which is funny. I don´t fancy it at all

What is Brest Fortress about?

oh, I see. Generals in the US are usually in the military, - Police leaders here are called 'Chiefs'. As for PhD General, I meant the type of 'Intellectual' Strategy-session type of General with a suit full of advanced degrees. You mentioned that your Father had a doctorate in the past, so I just made that connection

My lil' hobby had minimal routes in 'love' of country or anything of that sort. It came about as an early interest- since I was 10 or so- in how the societies and the environments they're in work. So naturally, I was drawn very early on towards the Eastern Front 1941-1945 and the Organizations that dominated them. WW2 supplies tremendously rich case studies in this context- there exists how-to manuals, memoirs of every sort, and an enormous array of scholarly research. From there, my interest with Organizations in war and its logical chain (military industrial complex) - effectively Complex bureaucracies grew until I was able to- albeit crudely- 'mental model' the organization as a mechanical organism.

I apply some of this type of thinking when thinking about financial markets or the evolution and growth of corporations & other substantial enterprises. I credit this interest with helping me land my first research position at an investment firm- in combination with my schooling I was able to noticeably impress my employers with my 'Strategic' mindset.

Brest fortress was a Russian Strong point during the first month of the German invasion of Russia. Soviet Propaganda made it into a 'symbol' of the Soviet Army's will to resist. It was surrounded and eventually consumed by vastly greater enemy forces. The Film is about the siege and the struggle of the civilians & soldiers trapped in there.

Today, Brest Fortress is the site of monuments and a war museum:

^Well, obviously only being there that (relatively) short amount of time I never became resident - and wasn't privy to the finer details of the Swedish social system (in fact I think was 10 years ago I was there, now you mention it - that was a fine guess if ever there was one!). I do know though that what Swedes lose out on in terms of the cost of food/drink and leisure they make up for in the cost of housing and public services. I guess you get out what you pay in though, they do have high taxes - but then you get 2 years maternity leave as a mother, and 6 months as a father?!

I've heard of stuff like that in Denmark. I am rather jealous of the labor regulations in Germany and the Nordic countries. My girlfriend had her labor hours capped at 50 hours a week and labor was regulated to not exceed that amount (at an insurance company). Ours is getting rather perversely market oriented in the private sector: working hours in certain white collar jobs in US can go up to 90 a week. Working more than 60 hours a week over prolonged periods just wrecks families, social lives, outside learning, and mental or physical health in the long run.

Yes, I'd like to think that what I was preparing in the Kungliga kitchen was a step above the IKEA cafeteria! But meatballs and lingonberries did turn up on our menus a lot... With their harsh, long winters food traditionally tended to be about preserving - hence the preponderance of curing with herbs and spices - so if you like that sort of thing then that'll be the sort of thing you'll like! The breads are thin, hard and spiced too for the same reasons, and salads tend to be pickled. Only potatoes seemed to be able to be grown all year - so they form the major carbs. Oh, and Thursday is soup-day for some reason!

There's also a hell of a lot of liquorice. And they eat these salty liquorice candies, and drink liquorice schnapps.

I'd say Ms. Winberg fits the bill as much as anybody else that would spring to mind. She's certainly 'fresh of face' and has that healthy vibe they all seemed to have. As for personality - they did tend to be reserved, but not dour. And were very keen (at least amongst my age group) on fashion and interior design - and their vinyl collections!?!? They weren't obnoxious drunks, they tended to get maudlin if anything. The Finns all carried knives and wanted to play stabbing games - not aggressively, but my Swedish friends were very dismissive of them!

wow, Knives, Baron?! I'm eaten a lot of packaged Swedish food and I find it just so-so..I mean, it's just my limited experience talking but I haven't gotten around to eat anything that's truly amazing yet. But the fat and fried content does seem to be much lower in general. I also like the higher Nordic/German standards for Chocolate

This is Germany's 'Hersey' bar- available everywhere and it blows all the chocolates made in the US away:

What are the best Swedish foods that you've had or prepared?

^Weirdly, when I was a young buck in London some ten years ago, I was approached to be a male-escort!!! I guess at first I was flattered, and went to their offices and even had a "date" set up. But I couldn't go through with it: nerves got the better of me and I figured this was but a small step into a lifestyle that would end up with me hustling at glory-holes off of the motorway! :yuckky:

Ever accidently wander to the 'Gay' part of the club and get a tap on the shoulder?

(turn around, smile uneasily, disengage smoothly & walk slowly backward,........ then move away briskly..)

oh, I see. Generals in the US are usually in the military, - Police leaders here are called 'Chiefs'. As for PhD General, I meant the type of 'Intellectual' Strategy-session type of General with a suit full of advanced degrees. You mentioned that your Father had a doctorate in the past, so I just made that connection

My lil' hobby had minimal routes in 'love' of country or anything of that sort. It came about as an early interest- since I was 10 or so- in how the societies and the environments they're in work. So naturally, I was drawn very early on towards the Eastern Front 1941-1945 and the Organizations that dominated them. WW2 supplies tremendously rich case studies in this context- there exists how-to manuals, memoirs of every sort, and an enormous array of scholarly research. From there, my interest with Organizations in war and its logical chain (military industrial complex) - effectively Complex bureaucracies grew until I was able to- albeit crudely- 'mental model' the organization as a mechanical organism.

I apply some of this type of thinking when thinking about financial markets or the evolution and growth of corporations & other substantial enterprises. I credit this interest with helping me land my first research position at an investment firm- in combination with my schooling I was able to noticeably impress my employers with my 'Strategic' mindset.

Brest fortress was a Russian Strong point during the first month of the German invasion of Russia. Soviet Propaganda made it into a 'symbol' of the Soviet Army's will to resist. It was surrounded and eventually consumed by vastly greater enemy forces. The Film is about the siege and the struggle of the civilians & soldiers trapped in there.

Today, Brest Fortress is the site of monuments and a war museum:

Oh, it really seems like it could be a good film. I would like to see it

As for the generals, yes, my father is a lawyer (Judr in my country - doctor in laws or something like that), but here we have both titles for army service and police service. So you can be general in police service, and you can be a general in the army service, but in the army service, the highest title is major general or something like that... but the police general´s word has more worth than an army general´s word. He was the chief of the state´s police, the second man after ministrer of internal affairs.

Oh, yeah, Baron I forgot to say I never heard of those books .

Oh, it really seems like it could be a good film. I would like to see it

As for the generals, yes, my father is a lawyer (Judr in my country - doctor in laws or something like that), but here we have both titles for army service and police service. So you can be general in police service, and you can be a general in the army service, but in the army service, the highest title is major general or something like that... but the police general´s word has more worth than an army general´s word. He was the chief of the state´s police, the second man after ministrer of internal affairs.

Is your father very 'conservative' in attitude and strict in temperament?

^One of those kind of days for me. I just got in contact with a friend who I haven't spoken to in 10 years. Warm fuzzy feelings ensued Mr. Barron We've known each other for almost 20 years and even though 10 years have passed with zero contact we were perfect from the moment I answered my phone. Funny how things work out like that right?

Anna's Abs:

!!!

Quite large and unusually well defined for such a thin woman!

Oh, it really seems like it could be a good film. I would like to see it

As for the generals, yes, my father is a lawyer (Judr in my country - doctor in laws or something like that), but here we have both titles for army service and police service. So you can be general in police service, and you can be a general in the army service, but in the army service, the highest title is major general or something like that... but the police general´s word has more worth than an army general´s word. He was the chief of the state´s police, the second man after ministrer of internal affairs.

Is your father very 'conservative' in attitude and strict in temperament?

Not really... my father is everything. You can´t put him in a box and no one, even his own family, really knows him. When you´re with him, you have to listen to what he´s not saying rather than what he IS saying... he´s so complicated. He´s more like Russians are... when they´re generous, they would give you anything. When they´re cruel, you rather run. I would not want to have my father as my enemy.

I can´t really say how he is. As much conservative as liberal, as much strict as cheerfull and kind. But I can say one thing - he´s a really tough kind of person. Hard as steel. His mind is cutting. He can make anyone the size of a fly on his shoe

Anna's Abs:

!!!

Quite large and unusually well defined for such a thin woman!

this is rather scary

Okay, glad its photoshop then . *gross baby delivery joke edited* Since I saw that, it seems I've seen pics of familiar women with absurdly disproportioned, much wider than the shoulders hips so I guess there's some group of guys on a mission to give as many women giant hips as possible.

*edit* LOL, what a coincidence, I found these . The last one was on Poland's Dancing With the Stars, so I know her's aren't that big and we all know the other two of course .

*edit again* I'll spare you the Rosie one...

Well, I suppose mucking about with ladies hips in pictures off the internet means these people aren't out on the streets! And, as ever, there's a fetish for everything - isn't there?

Oh, yeah, Baron I forgot to say I never heard of those books .

Baron you were a chef? What was/is your specialty?

wow, Knives, Baron?! I'm eaten a lot of packaged Swedish food and I find it just so-so..I mean, it's just my limited experience talking but I haven't gotten around to eat anything that's truly amazing yet. But the fat and fried content does seem to be much lower in general. I also like the higher Nordic/German standards for Chocolate

This is Germany's 'Hersey' bar- available everywhere and it blows all the chocolates made in the US away:

What are the best Swedish foods that you've had or prepared?

Herrings, just in vinegar and dill are lovely - and palette refreshing too. They also have the best strawberries I've ever eaten - wild strawberries called smultron which grow everywhere in Spring. (Y)

Ever accidently wander to the 'Gay' part of the club and get a tap on the shoulder?

(turn around, smile uneasily, disengage smoothly & walk slowly backward,........ then move away briskly..)

I used to have this housemate who my gay friends went crazy for! They were always asking me for photos of him in the gym (as if I had them anyway! ) or to steal his underwear!!!

Anna's Abs:

!!!

Quite large and unusually well defined for such a thin woman!

this is rather scary

^One of those kind of days for me. I just got in contact with a friend who I haven't spoken to in 10 years. Warm fuzzy feelings ensued Mr. Barron We've known each other for almost 20 years and even though 10 years have passed with zero contact we were perfect from the moment I answered my phone. Funny how things work out like that right?

I love that song, by the way. Transformer is one of my favourite albums. Uplifting as it is though, it's about Lou hanging out with heroin for the day!!!

^My thanks for that!

Well, I suppose mucking about with ladies hips in pictures off the internet means these people aren't out on the streets! And, as ever, there's a fetish for everything - isn't there?

Well, yeah, them not being on the streets is a good way to look at it I guess .

^I had to go back because I forgot what books I was asking you about! Yes, Asterix, guess he wasn't a big deal in the States(?), but in Argentina "comics" are massive. I had toys of the characters too...

I wouldn't judge the popularity based on me. I'm sure I'm a surveyer's nightmare in most aspects . I'm pretty fond of comics myself though I'm relatively new to the genre. There's a comic quote in my sig ironically . My main problem with a lot of the fans is they seem to treat spoilers as a very casual thing. I guess they like to impress you that they know what issue so and so's dog died in, but even when I say I'm reading it they seem to have no problem spoiling the end in casual conversation . Anyway, I have a list of books in different genres that I plan on reading so if you have any to recommend in that area, fell free. I haven't read much myster, so I'll probably add a mystery to do list to that. I might just start with Sherlock Holmes since I saw a made for TV movie that was pretty good the other day. On the comic list I had Walking Dead, but found out it was over a thousand pages and on the general list, Count of Monte Cristo was over a thousand pages too, yikes. I've read a lot of five hundred plus though, but maybe the number just sounds intimidating I guess.

I wouldn't judge the popularity based on me. I'm sure I'm a surveyer's nightmare in most aspects . I'm pretty fond of comics myself though I'm relatively new to the genre. There's a comic quote in my sig ironically . My main problem with a lot of the fans is they seem to treat spoilers as a very casual thing. I guess they like to impress you that they know what issue so and so's dog died in, but even when I say I'm reading it they seem to have no problem spoiling the end in casual conversation . Anyway, I have a list of books in different genres that I plan on reading so if you have any to recommend in that area, fell free. I haven't read much myster, so I'll probably add a mystery to do list to that. I might just start with Sherlock Holmes since I saw a made for TV movie that was pretty good the other day. On the comic list I had Walking Dead, but found out it was over a thousand pages and on the general list, Count of Monte Cristo was over a thousand pages too, yikes. I've read a lot of five hundred plus though, but maybe the number just sounds intimidating I guess.

Besides, you know the arbiters of popularity on here are Lost_Soul for VS matters and Theron for "what all men want"!

But when I was living in the States I didn't meet many people who knew Asterix either - not that I was going around asking everyone! They are a different kind of 'comic' compared to Marvel/DC - being more akin to a graphic novel, and are comedic stories set during the Roman occupation of Gaul (now France).

As to books, you shouldn't be afraid of the amount of pages involved! If you like a book then it won't matter as you'll sail through, if not - just give it up, as it obviously isn't your thing. No point carrying on with a book you don't enjoy...

That said, why don't you try The Adventures/Memoirs/Return/Casebook Of Sherlock Holmes - all four of which are collections of short stories, rather than going straight into one of the novels. Holmes is good fun, but I'm surprised you would come to that conclusion via a made-for-TV movie - as those things are normally turgid shit (Ugh, all rolling pea-soup fog and sub-Dick Van Dyke cockernee accents) <_< You should maybe seek out the British ITV series from the 80s/90's - as they were very faithful to the source material, or the modern-day BBC version from last year which was great.

Baron you were a chef? What was/is your specialty?

^If it's not too much of an oxymoron - I was the 'salad' sous-chef! I was in charge of all cold foods, prepping the different types of salad, plus cheeseboards, deli-meats, and fruits. I had previously done my training in the UK and Australia, and I actually wanted to learn ot be a pastry-chef in Sweden - but the women in charge of the exchange-program I was on was hospitalised, and the guy who took over wasn't listening to my requests otherwise I'd have stayed longer. It's all well and good being a kick-ass salad-maker ( !!!), but one has to spread their chef wings... As is I'm still an enthusiastic (if amateur) pastry maker. You should taste my empanadas!

I'd love those empanadas

Baron, Asterix was quite massive here too I loved him as a kid, and still do now

The movie I saw was a BBC version from last year I think. I may have just thought it was made for TV. I have a love hate relationship with the one made the year before that one though. On one hand, I found it kindof entertaining and its where Rachel McAdams won me over and on the other hand, Downey's bad accent combined with him trying to talk fast and his weird rapid blinking were really annoying to me . I would have thought that Brosnom guy more suited unless he's too good looking for the part or something or unless there's an unwritten rule you can't be Bond and Holmes in the same lifetime. I didn't really see why he needed to be a martial arts master either . It also seems to me they put more emphasis on scientific knowledge and him knowing random, obscure facts than really evaluating clues.

Good point about the pages I guess and I'll check out the Holmes and Asterix too .

I'd love those empanadas

If it's any consolation, it was delicious!

Baron, Asterix was quite massive here too I loved him as a kid, and still do now

I would have thought that Brosnom guy more suited unless he's too good looking for the part or something or unless there's an unwritten rule you can't be Bond and Holmes in the same lifetime.