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I love her personality, she seems like a quirky and fun girl.

Happy New Year!

Current uploads:

200 photos Martha Hunt Full Career Review

357 photos Sammy Full Career Review

91 photos Nimue 3 out of 3

620 photos Flavia full career Review

Tori Praver 1 out of 2

Hana S. 1 out of 8

http://www.bellazon.com/main/topic/44606-cult-icons-junkyard/page-21#entry3331508

Favorite editorial of the week:

She seems to be saying: 'I Love this!' if it is in english.

Sara Sampio looks like she'll be doing PINK for a long time.  She has a very girly appearance.  Interesting about Bridget.  She and Nadine Leopold seem to have done some stuff for VS recently.  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Happy new year Monsieur!

let's talk about... French!

I found this and thought i would share.

Pissed off about French stereotypes by LaRousse
 




 Here's a little list of some common French stereotypes:
 
1) They are short
Much of this goofy stereotype is based on Napoleon whose "complex" has been blamed for why he conquered half of Europe. However, in Napoleon's time, a French inch was actually a slightly longer unit of measure than an English inch, so his real complex was not understanding unit conversions.
 
2) They smell bad
The truth is French people don't smell any worse than anyone else. The last American homeless guy you walked past certainly didn't smell like roses. So you think maybe it's because French people don't use deodorant? Well, try giving yourself a quick armpit check before you criticize.
 
3) They eat frogs
Yes, French people do eat frog legs, but they are hardly alone. Frog legs are widely consumed in China, Indonesia, Belgium, Slovenia, Croatia, Spain, Greece, the Caribbean, India, and yes, the United States.
 
4) They surrender all the time
The French let the Nazis stroll in one time during WWII and they can't live it down. Did you know they were still devastated from WWI? And unlike Great Britain, they didn't have the benefit of being on an island?? I'm sure they have other semi-valid excuses too!
 
5) French women don't shave
This stereotype likely got its start from American GIs during World War II, a period where the country was so devastated by occupation and bombing that shaving was certainly not a priority. Remember that next time your 24-hour Rite Aid closes during a snowstorm.
 
6) They are rude
You think the French are rude? Ever been to New York City? How about McDonald's?? People are rude everywhere. You know what's really rude? Painting an entire country with a broad brush. That's rude.
 
7) They are lazy
Workers in France are among the world leaders in vacation days taken with over thirty per year, compared to America's ten. Yet it's been shown that their paid vacation has a minimal effect on the economy. Maybe this is why Americans are stereotyped as being dumb?
 
8) They're skinny
In comparison to Americans, yes, the French are skinny. But in comparison to Americans, almost every country is skinny. Oh man. Being skinny. That must suck for those French!
 
9) They love Jerry Lewis
I've never been sure whether this one was more an attack on the French or Jerry Lewis, but the idea that Jerry Lewis wasn't also wildly popular in the United States is ridiculous. Regardless, no one who was born after 1980 has any clue who Jerry Lewis is in any country.
 
10) They hate Americans
After 9/11, the French newspaper Le Monde ran the headline "We Are All Americans." After the French refused to participate in America's rush to invade a country that had nothing to do with that attack, Congress changed the name of French fries to "Freedom fries." Maybe we're just not good at making friends...
 
11) All the women go topless at beaches
While historically, beaches on the south of France have been top-optional, fewer and fewer young French women are taking advantage of the policy. According to The Guardian, going topless, while still permitted, is becoming less popular.
 
12) They invented French Fries
Nope. Invented in Belgium. At the very least, blame them for taking credit for someone else's brilliant idea.

What are your stereotype about my people if you have any of course?

I have a long long list of stereotype about Americans! :neo2:

Are you American by the way? I do not remember if I asked you?

Christine  :wub2:  Happy new year to you too!   How are you? 

I think of French towns as of late.  This type of close-knit landscape with all the alleyways is foreign to me.  Even the denser areas of the US do not have such an effect. Stereotypes? I think I wrote about them in one of your threads many months ago.  Do you remember what your thread was called?  If we can dig it up, we can take a look...

Why are you unsure that I am an American?  I think Jennka did the same too about three years ago.

Out of your article, I have heard somebody say the bolded:

It looks to me that you really like the positive ones, though?? 

1) They are short

 
2) They smell bad
 
3) They eat frogs
 
4) They surrender all the time
 
5) French women don't shave

6) They are rude
 
7) They are lazy
 
8) They're skinny

9) They love Jerry Lewis
 
10) They hate Americans

11) All the women go topless at beaches
 
12) They invented French Fries

 

 

What are your stereotype about my people if you have any of course?

I have a long long list of stereotype about Americans! :neo2:

Are you American by the way? I do not remember if I asked you?

 

Oh I completely forgot this thread!

http://www.bellazon.com/main/topic/46688-oh-thats-cliche/page-3

Medieval French cities are amazing.

And sometimes I feel you are European because you seem more "open minded" and you also seem to have a great culture/knowledge about what's going on outside the US.

Thank you for the kind words, Christine.   I think you are a complete delight!

With French cliches in the US, I have long noticed a very considerable one with some trendy, counter-cultural women.  In conversations they tend to have a staary-eyed impression of everything French that would probably be considered unrealistic to you.  I don't know enough to comment on the particulars.  But I think it's a small 'lifestyle industry' of sorts, and is probably born out of some women being kind of tired of american norms, and wanting to try something new.

Here are a few samples of the cliches' (I googled for book names) which really say quite a lot:

http://minus.com/mbywrzj8TEQqC0

Andy, have I not said hello to you since my return? if thats the case I do apologise

How are you doing anyway? had a good start to the year I hope. I was just curious what is it exactly you do in finances? Depending on your answer I might need some advice with something. If you would be so kind to give your two cents that is

Hi NL, I'm fine.  Just freezing here in this weather, and having too much work to do.  How are you?  

I perform research and management activities for institutional investors, and not retail clients.  I'm not a retail financial adviser and in any event, it would be inappropriate to give advice like this. (Just saying- so be careful about asking people who are registered FAs for free instant advice, as they can just shoot from the hip without a full run-through of your circumstances.)

But nevertheless, what's your question?  I may be able to guide you somewhere.

Yeah I am fine thanks! Counting down the days for my next adventure which will start in two weeks time. I'll be off to Thailand for 3 weeks. Will start off by joining a few friends and celebrating a 30th. Decided to rent a villa for 6 nights. Then for the other  2weeks i'll be off on my own doing a bit of Island hoping. Something I failed to do last time around. I guess you could call this my sign off tour of Asia.

Well I just recently endured a family bereavement. Spent most of christmas in a hospital. Which I must say was an interesting experience on all accounts. Sadly my granddad succumbed to his illness and died early this year. I seem to be coping ok...despite suffering from a few moments of emotional displacement. For example, I just read the hunger games trilogy and can honestly say Ive never been so emotionally invested and wrapped up in the main character's story. (is this because its wonderfully written or because I am trying to escape the harshness of reality  ...I will never know. Bit of both I hope) Whenever there was an emotionally charged scene, I found myself getting a little teary-eyed. Personally I found it fascinating. No need for emotional comfort here. Just sharing a thought or two. 

Anyway, the one dare I say positive I got from my granddad's death was an inheritance. Now, I won't beat around the bush its a substantial amount. The actually amount has yet to be calculated but I've been told its over a certain figure. I really don't quite know what to do with it. I did a bit of research on my own without asking any expert advice and It appears I got three options.... 

1, Invest it into company shares -  Alien environment to me. From what I gather there is a certain level of risk involved in this option. As you could end up losing out if isn't invested wisely. Although the rewards can be big if done right. I also gather in order to gain any profits it will have to be a long term investment? As the shares can fluctuate dramatically.  So if I decide to do this I'll have to come to terms that I won't see any of that money for a long time? Should I be choosing this if I know I'll need it for high purchases in the near future? My own evaluation on this option is great the rewards can be good but who wants a load of money when they are too old to spend it on great experiences. We live in a world were almost everything is in favour for the younger generation. So having this money I could exploit that lifestyle. (A slight irresponsible and immature approach one might argue)  

2, Government based shares - Sounds similar to the above although a lot less risk involved but are not nearly as big. My own evaluation of this is that its very safe and nice to know I would have a gradual climb without the worry of my shares plummeting to the ground. 

3, Become a weekend millionaire. Enjoy life. Travel more and have great stories to tell the grand kids...

Note, I have just recently watched "`the wolf of wall street" so the latter seems very appealing right now   No, in all seriousness, I am very awere of what a privileged position I have found myself in. Certainly don't want to be stupid with it. (well not totally at least ) I just wondered what you thoughts were on my circumstances. Correct me I have understood things incorrectly and please don't hesitate to add any suggestions in regards to what can be done with it. Appreciate both views from financial man and just you as a person 

Burial at Sea: Episode Two teaser!

Warning: a little spoilery

This looks good.  So it's coming out soon.  And wow, booker has head full of short white hair.. So do you think they'll do a 'back to the future' schick and change the future or do you think that they will just roll with the conclusion (Atlas and his gang members get back to Rapture and Elizabeth/Booker were the missing link that made it possible)////?  And Booker now has Elizabeth powers, the luteces probably helped him,.....hmmph.  All unpredictable...

Burial at Sea: Episode Two teaser!
Warning: a little spoilery

I have a question about your Asia travels.  Why sign off now?  It looks like you're always had a good time.

===============================

Tens of millions of overnight 'stock market geniuses', mostly middle aged middle class individuals playing with their 401Ks like they're in the gambling den burn themselves on the stock market...even in a BULL market, at that! 

My advice to you is that you should spend your time studying financial advisers (you live in the City so...) first and find a good, experienced adviser with a strong reputation for integrity and results.  They have resources that individuals cannot possibly have, and if you manage to find good help it will be worth it.  I don't think that you are the type of person who wants to monitor tickers and the markets everyday for the rest of your life...

My other advice to you is now that you have an inheritance..you yourself should get up to date on financial matters.  Study, study, study...it won't be your life but over the course of years, you'll accumulate enough to not make basic errors that would cost you.  

About your queries, there is one simple principle that all must understand and everyone forgets from time to time.  It is 'caveat emptor'.  Nothing in the markets or in life for that matter is completely risk-free- even those that are stamped with emblems of the British government or other guarantors & regulatory bodies.   Over the course of years new developments in the markets occur and the hand of politics & government intervene.  The methods, techniques, and technologies used the exchanges shift dynamically and there is no such thing as a Market Wizard.  The financial markets of 2014 are different from those of 2010, and those of 2020 will be different still.  The only thing that has not changed is the increasing breadth, size and complexity of both domestic and global markets.  We are speculating on the future.

So the second principle is: There is no absolutely sure thing.  There is risk in all things. Changing tax policies.  Inflation can eat away the buying power of your savings and even 'inflation protected' or contracted securities can fail when industry developments occur.  In most stocks, the bulk of the security owners are institutions, and not retail investors (average person).  The big dogs will have undiluted influence in the direction of future corporate financial policies and the manner in which the prices will change.  The longer one waits, even 'sure things' can become mistakes.

 Another principle you must hold onto yourself at all times is the fact that the stock market is not, in the long run, a game where one can make money by shifting securities from one position to the next and become a billionaire without working.  The stock price that you see on the ticker at any moment at time is a convergence of opinions of the crowd of stockholders. Pure opinion.  There are fluctuations in the short term nature (day traders, etc.) where securities move via rumor but over the long run....the price action will move back to its realistic value.   This is called 'intrinsic value' and it is what I focus much of my efforts on.   It's not just what you see in the ticker- there is a dense, fiendishly complex web of competition and activity behind every price.  And we're just talking about investors and traders, and not the mass of activities that are required to carefully lead the future of corporations or commodities in the real world of business...

The final basic principle for now is diversify.  Do not sink everything into one basket.  Spread your risks, but don't spread them too much.  That's the art of asset allocation.

================================

Now, and as to how to spend it?  

It depends, completely, on your values in this life and whether you believe that they will change now or in the future.   That's how I've always seen it, at least.

I also have a sizable inheritance that is likely to be mine someday and will increase my wealth.  I am conservative with money and non materialistic to a fault.  I have difficulty spending money.  Books are cheap.  It's in my nature; I tend to prefer practical uses over style & fashion.  And when I use style, I use style to satisfy the practical.  Behind this lies a dynamic code of values that I have developed for myself.

Out of curiosity, what have are the key insights that you've developed from you travels?

This looks good.  So it's coming out soon.  And wow, booker has head full of short white hair.. So do you think they'll do a 'back to the future' schick and change the future or do you think that they will just roll with the conclusion (Atlas and his gang members get back to Rapture and Elizabeth/Booker were the missing link that made it possible)////?  And Booker now has Elizabeth powers, the luteces probably helped him,.....hmmph.  All unpredictable...

Yea, in the beginning- you see 'investigator booker' on the floor

I think Booker is there, and sent himself to save her  with the help of the luteces.  You're right though- with time travel, dimensions, etc. ...they can make the story into anything they want.

^Oh wow, I didn't even notice that.. so this seems to take place directly after the ending of episode one. The same drill hole is in the wall too. Interesting

Did you like Anne's SI cover by the way?

^

What's that bit with the communications device?  I assume that she will return to rapture.   I suspect that they will reuse the art assets from episode 1 and turn into a warzone later on.  I won't speculate more because there's not enough clues. Since all she did was to use a bath-o-sphere to get down there...she could easily get back.

-----------

haha.  I thought the cover was fine (I like the pose/swimsuit, anne looked hot), and better than the last few since Brooklyn.  But when it does come out, I'd prefer that Anne would get the cover.   Where did you find it?  I'm surprised that people went into the trouble of making one......

^I made it

I was interested to see what the reaction would be.

I'm assuming that clip leads right up to a part where player takes control, so him throwing you the comms device is to justify how Atlas will magically be in your ear throughout later parts. They had the same radios in the first game. It will be interesting to see how they do the combat sections. It's always been a big part of the previous games, so I imagine it's still there in some capacity, but it would be stupid if they put a gun/plasmids in Elizabeth's hands.

Good job.  Out of curiosity, how long did it take you to make it?

You know, the promo picture of 'burial' shows Elizabeth with a gun.  I think she will have a gun- even though it was uncharacteristic of her to have one in 'Infinite'.  Otherwise, they would really have to make a drastically different mechanic.

Come to think of it,  the spirit of bioshock's cult icons are similar to the one in 'the Master'. (1950s new age cult)

Three interesting photos I found:  Hilary Rhoda, candid circa 2007 and Daniella S.  

i would love to do a full review of Daniella S. (I love her athletic build) but many of her links on the forums are dead.  

=============================

And now....another reason I like 'The Master..'  

WEDDING ON A YACHT!!!

Spoilerish, but I've always loved this idea and I love being part of a party at sea for a day or a few hours.  It brings back old memories of having a meal with friends and family at sea.  The wind blowing on everybody's faces and the view outside.  Such nostalgia, I miss it.

In this they do it for more than a day, and I believe that the 'togetherness' of this journey would make the event more special than a conventional celebration.  I would hope that my wedding would be this way.

^Dunno, maybe a couple of hours. Probably more time than it took to get deleted from the thread

I think most people are actually expecting different mechanics - I think it will be a cop out if it's exactly the same.. it just doesn't fit the character. It's interesting if Booker is along for the ride - I wonder if he'll be actually there taking part in the combat and you'll be there as a support role. Like in Infinite, but obviously something more engaging than just tossing him ammo and salts. The tear mechanic definitely has potential at bringing something interesting to the table if they choose to do something creative with it (you'd think so..)

Here's the collection of Daniella pics I have (warning: a mixed bag of quality and there's almost certainly some duplicates in there). There's not a huge variety (mostly SI), but you might find it interesting.

http://postimg.org/gallery/a3t1z0hm/f9ebea4e/