TheBaronOfFratton
5980 replies · 108068 views
Yes, that is correct. That's my favorite line, and it sums up my views as well. This is just my POV but I find that Audis kind of blend in with the crowd. Like BMW/Mercedes' line, the entire line up looks the same to me. I also have a bias against German manufacturing as I believe that most of their goods are overpriced. I know that paying for a German car is also partially subsidizing high German wages and their union-protected &low-outsourcing lifestyle.
My cars have been these:
- First car: Suburu Legacy, a hand-me down. I traded it in
-Second car: Suburu Forester. I still drive this regularly, and it is my commuting car.
-Third car: BMW Z3. I sold it.
-Fourth Car: Toyota FJ cruiser. I drive this sparingly.
Aesthetically speaking, this is my favorite military vehicle ever. Do you see some similarities?:
I also like Hummers from the 1990s and today due to their boxier designs. But unfortunately they are too wide for practical driving.
In NY/NJ state about 20 years ago you could get away with driving a small car everyday. But these days, the highways are 50% SUVs (most of them large) and it has become a hazard to drive a sports car regularly. In an accident, you are likely to collide with a vehicle 1,000-1,500 pounds heavier than yours. The highways here are very congested, and safety is an issue.
I remember you mentioning Apocalypto before, but I still haven't seen it
I actually really like Payback for some reason, even though there's nothing particularly clever or original about it. It's just got a real no-nonsense story with a rather gritty/noir style about it. It's just always stuck with me - lots of memorable characters and moments. I can't think of a Gibson movie I've liked more - it's been too long since I've seen Braveheart. I think that's the only one I've seen that he's directed.
I actually like the trend of many car frames today - they went from too boxy to too curvy, now a lot of designs have a real sexy mix of sleek curves and sharp lines that cut into them. That's an interesting jump from a Z3 to a FJ Cruiser.. they're not really my type I suppose. Do you take it off-road anywhere? And I love the A4.. it's the first really nice car I've ever had, so I'm trying hard to look after it
I liked Payback too, but I don't remember a thing about it outside of the fact that it was black & white, and there was a scene with handcuffed twins...It also reminded me of a 'live action' version of Sin City as all the characters were rather cartoonish.
As far as cars go, I find them kind of blending in into each other, and most cars are somewhat indistinguishable until you look up lose. This makes the character of the vehicle become too much of a commodity since I can't see a vehicle 50, 100 meters away and identify it reliably.
However, the positive thing is that the quality of vehicles has largely improved a little. Most obviously, interior space has dramatically increased. 'Medium' sized SUVs and cars today would be considered Large cars in the 1990s. Other than that, the auto industry is a very mature one, and relies on nonfunctional complements to differentiate. (security technology, a neat GPS deck, heated seats, etc.)
Seen this video before?
Have to say I don't really like this song 
but the video... from 1:18 to 1:35, I guess I would do the same as this attractive brunette...
Indeed - just need a big ass gun on the front and you're good to goAesthetically speaking, this is my favorite military vehicle ever. Do you see some similarities?:
I also like Hummers from the 1990s and today due to their boxier designs. But unfortunately they are too wide for practical driving.
In NY/NJ state about 20 years ago you could get away with driving a small car everyday. But these days, the highways are 50% SUVs (most of them large) and it has become a hazard to drive a sports car regularly. In an accident, you are likely to collide with a vehicle 1,000-1,500 pounds heavier than yours. The highways here are very congested, and safety is an issue.
The term SUV never really took off here - most people just call them 'four wheel drives'. We've seen their popularity rise significantly here too in recent years, although perhaps not quite to the same extent. It's pretty silly when you see so many around with just a single person inside
I take your point about indistinguishable cars, although I still see much personality in those models. Probably in BMW most of all, of those you mentioned. Like with cartoon characters, a mark of great design is being able to identify it by silhouette alone. There aren't a huge amount of cars that you could say that about, but I reckon a Porsche 911 is one of them - that was always my dream car as a kid.. and still is to a certain extent. I can think of a handful of others, but it's not really a long list, especially if we're talking about modern cars.
Mmm, no.. wrong movieI liked Payback too, but I don't remember a thing about it outside of the fact that it was black & white, and there was a scene with handcuffed twins...It also reminded me of a 'live action' version of Sin City as all the characters were rather cartoonish.
It had quite a dark, gritty noir vibe to it, but it wasn't black and white, nor were there any twins to speak of.
This is a scene from it - William Devane is great in this movie.
The 4 wheel drive comes most handy during poor weather...particularly deep snow (common here) and heavy rain. It keeps the vehicle from slipping, so it's a good safety tool.
I do recommend that you test drive the small SUVs next time you go snooping around for a new car just to see if it's your thing. The small ones (Toyota RAV4 and Suburu Forester) are all good daily vehicles. They are big enough to be safe in, they have 4 wheel drive, and they have better passenger/storage capacity than medium sedans. They also are small enough to drive in congested cities and have mileage (KM) that are that of a large car or close to it.
And they're just more comfortable to drive. There's more space in them compared a sedan. :-) If you want to take a nap in the back row, you actually can!
I've ridden in 911s before. I've also test driven the Porsche Boxster. Overall, the Porsche Boxster...like the BMW Z3/Z4 are roadsters with an engine that isn't very powerful but with an exterior that look like a sports car on the outside. The Z3 is no faster than, for instance, the Toyota Rav4 V6 that I've driven.
The 911's costs six figures, but the interior of the vehicle is no better than the BMW but it does come with a real sports car engine (350-550 HP). But 911's are like accident heaven...just a soft push on acceleration and the car moves forward quite powerfully. The insurance premiums would be high.
I think 'the red Porsche' is now some sort of Uber-cliche for 'mid-life crisis'...haha.
The term SUV never really took off here - most people just call them 'four wheel drives'. We've seen their popularity rise significantly here too in recent years, although perhaps not quite to the same extent. It's pretty silly when you see so many around with just a single person inside
I take your point about indistinguishable cars, although I still see much personality in those models. Probably in BMW most of all, of those you mentioned. Like with cartoon characters, a mark of great design is being able to identify it by silhouette alone. There aren't a huge amount of cars that you could say that about, but I reckon a Porsche 911 is one of them - that was always my dream car as a kid.. and still is to a certain extent. I can think of a handful of others, but it's not really a long list, especially if we're talking about modern cars.
Mmm, no.. wrong movie
It had quite a dark, gritty noir vibe to it, but it wasn't black and white, nor were there any twins to speak of.
This is a scene from it - William Devane is great in this movie.
Yea, actually that's the one. I mis-remembered the tone of the film..it was blue-grey, not black-white. Wasn't there a scene with two men handcuffed to a briefcase, and they were twins? Nevermind then...
Mel Gibson spends the whole film being the 'scary man'...
Yeah, that's the scene. I haven't seen this movie in maybe eight years or so...
What are your other favorite girl artists?
I think Adam Hughes is probably my favorite. There may be someone else, but I don't remember:
^I like Adam Hughes a lot too - he's also got a very distinctive style. I have one of his books 
I'm not really that well versed in comic artists, much less 'girl' artists - JSC is firmly at the top of the list, of the ones I know though.
Stanley Lau is another whose work I am in awe of. Much of his earlier work had more of an anime spin, but he's dabbled in a lot of different styles. Incredible talent.
His artwork looks like a mixture of anime (the face) and western style comic. Like Campbell, all the women have proportions that are nearly impossible in real life: very small faces/heads with ultra delicate features combined with very voluptuous bodies.
Something else he seems to share with Campbell are very tiny waists that stand out even more because of the ample T&A...
His artwork looks like a mixture of anime (the face) and western style comic.
:wub2: :wub2: 
^
Orphie!!! 
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Yeah, I do. Anime style drawings tend to make small heart shaped heads with very narrow and delicate noses and lips. The eyes of his drawings, however, look western.
Baron went on Christmas vacation to Scotland.
You think so? I don't really see any remnants of the anime style in the examples I posted, or the Poison Ivy cover
Where's Baron at by the way?
Baron: Also, something I wanted to ask you once you come back. Among the many things, I have thought about my public speaking ability of late in front of audiences and in meetings. I am experienced in talking to large groups and am lucky enough to have a good speaking voice. Thankfully, I am not plagued by certain flaws in pronunciation and pacing.
But unfortunately, I have a noticeable problem with intonation: My natural tendency during deep thought is to move towards talking in a monotone and truncated/condensed style. I have reason to believe that it softens the impact of my speech or presentation and draws attention away from it as it makes me look confident to the point of being blase'. I want to have a more dynamic impact, so I've been experimenting with video recordings and microphones in my spare time.
In one to one conversations, I am more naturally animated but when talking in large groups- which requires more mental effort (away from accustomed habits) I revert to monotone after a period of time. I also revert to monotone if I'm tired or have to quickly improvise the content of my communication. It is clear to me that I need to practice more in order to improve my speaking Charisma.
To compound this, there is usually no sense of humor in my talks. The light sense of humor- developed from watching TV, special interest, and small talk- just doesn't come natural to me, As you remember my nature sense of humor is more intense, dark, and rare. Speeches and presentations punctuated with brief glimpses of humor is essential for inserting myself into my audiences' memory but I haven't figured out where to start yet.
So I'd like to ask:
How do you develop and maintain your talent for humor and what do you see your inspirations for it? If this is interfering with your trade secrets, then we can talk elsewhere..but in my experience, I've noted how humor tends to transfer externally more than internally for myself and others. So if you parents or the most influential people in one's life have a certain type of humor, then this type of humor tends to 'stick' early on in life and be carried far into adulthood. Of course, people are constantly changing, and what they found funny at one point would be 'lame' at another.
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I hope the link still works but here is something I think you'd like....:
http://avaxnews.net/wow/Asian_Beauty_Hot_Promotional_Models_in_Taipei_Taiwan.html
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Also, I wanted to ask- What is the significance of the Spanish 'Blue Division' of WW2 in Spanish political culture?
And in particular- General and future vice president of Spain..Grandes?
There is something not right about this thread.
Where has our host evaded too? :notsure:
^You're back? It's a Christmas miracle - my wishes came true! 
And Red too? 
Eventually, I'm sure, I'll get around to addressing all this, and contributing in turn... Yes, as Mr. Icon said, I was spending the festive period in Scotland and was accompanied by the current Baroness visiting from Japan. She's been otherwise occupying my time, but has just gone back and I won't see her now until I go there in May - so you have me back you lucky lucky things... 
The Baron has landed! :Dinah:
Nice to have you back sir, if only for a short while 
Welcome back Baron!
I was going to leave this here for the next time you swung by, was wondering if you'd heard it. Given your recent travels, the title seems rather appropriate too! 
Baron!
You were supposed to wait for me, forever!!! 
We used to love, please don’t make me cry
To me, it’s only you
When I close my eyes, I see you
when I block my ears, I hear you
Please don’t leave me
The person who
became a light in my dark life,
such a precious person
A day passes and another
passes and Iong for you more,
even as I sing this song
We used to love, please don’t make me cry
To me, it’s only you
When I close my eyes, I see you
when I block my ears, I hear you
Please don’t leave me
You might come back,
because you might return,
again today, I wait for you
You don’t know,
you don’t know how much I’m hurting,
even as I sing this song
We used to love, please don’t make me cry
To me, it’s only you
When I close my eyes, I see you
when I block my ears, I hear you
Please don’t leave me
If I were to chose between you and the world
Even if everything is taken
away from me, if it’s you, I’m okay
Day or night, I’m thirsty for love
My unseemly promise to forget you
makes me cry again, can you hear me?
The only thing I want from you is you
Without you, I can’t do anything
If you hear this song, please come back, come back
The more I love, the gaunter I get
To me, it’s only you
We use to love,
please don’t make me cry
Please don’t leave me
Yeah uh uh,
in the end, you turn away
and you keep me away
I threw away my pride and
like a crazy person, I followed you
But my heart urged me on and told me
Not to lose you, who is the only one in the world
I pretended to smile, pretended to be fine
This is the last song I am singing to you
Please don’t leave me
Eventually, I'm sure, I'll get around to addressing all this, and contributing in turn... Yes, as Mr. Icon said, I was spending the festive period in Scotland and was accompanied by the current Baroness visiting from Japan. She's been otherwise occupying my time, but has just gone back and I won't see her now until I go there in May - so you have me back you lucky lucky things...
:wub2: good to hear that was the reason!
Welcome back 
Hey Baron nice to see you around...now how about that scotch? 