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I'm vacationing in vermont currently!

On 5/27/2016 at 1:33 PM, Cult Icon said:It doesn't even seem like a real presidential election, more like a entertainment show. lol
There are way too many primary debates before they even get presidential election debates. I'm sure a lot of people are mentally taxed especially after this year's primary elections to really give a shit about the presidential election. This country is fucked if these are the best politicians we can come up with and lead this country. This country is going to need a great leader because another big scale/world war is coming in the near future. It's seems to me countries with hostile intentions have been amassing & readying weapons, military equipment. and armies just waiting for the powder keg to start this war. There has been 70 years of relative world peace, but I just don't see that lasting much longer. It's going to be like WW1 where alliances will lead to war on a global scale.
I sound like a nut! ![]()

On 12/21/2015 at 3:13 PM, Cult Icon said:My thoughts on Star Wars: I'd give it a 4 out of 5.
It's a good entertainment (flows (often rushes, in fact) smoothly from scene to scene). I think its directorial style is very modernist/safe (this movie could have been made by those inter-changable superhero directors)- takes few risks (hence its allegiance to the basic and proven frame of ANH) which causes it appear kind of derivative but at the same time no serious problems. JJ Abrams has always been a TV series style director to me. This style is generally weaker on world crafting (compared to say, Ridley Scott or Spielburg films) and focuses on giving the characters more face-time. A major drawback was how the contrivances and homages were non-stop and far fetched & dictated the course of events. Yes, fate is guiding but there are limits to this (Indiana Jones trilogy did well in managing boundaries) but this movie crosses the line quite frequently.
-The plot is a series of contrivances which conflict regularly with the laws of probability. Does History really repeat itself, and if it does, will it do so in this fashion?
- Overall I find the new cast serviceable but not memorable. I'm indifferent. A consequence of this is that I can't think of a single scene that was particularly memorable or excellently acted. This is very much Rey's story (the change to a female lead is new and welcome). The actress that carried her has skill but her writing was not particularly interesting.
-the stormtroopers/first order are less intimidating than in the originals because the menacing presence of Darth Vader no-longer overshadows them. Now they remind me of Monty Python Nazi skits. The institution of the "First Order" could have used more development/exploration.
-Instead of "perfect ultimate badass" we have Kim Jung-un. The risky- and novel- thing was to use a petulant young man (who looks like a 1990s Goth- Marylin Manson) with serious mental issues as the leader. While this is novel (good for generating smirks), it is underwhelming and detracts from the seriousness of the "First Order" and moves it closer to Monty Python Nazi camp. He does not-ever- appear like a competent leader, remotely plausible to hold his role nor is the charisma anywhere near Darth Vader.
- I did not like the use of the throwback actors. The throwback actors could been made a lot more legendary, and kept at arms distance (the reality was far more mundane than the mythos). Too much Han Solo/Chewie and other oldies that are way past their prime. Eg. Hamil is a good example of what worked, although his part should been extended.
Further, I grew up seeing the star wars trilogy many times and am pretty familiar with sci-fi comic book tropes so considerable magic probably went over my head. I am slanted towards the new and the innovative, or improved iterations. So a bit more cynically I can see Disney's consulting hand potentially over this in shaping the construction of the film. They have the knack for merchandising and marketing to the broadest audience possible, which influenced creative choices. This movie is doing very well, and has served its purpose.
other thoughts:
-The boring and irrelevant sci-fi political babble in the prequels has been removed in favor of a brisk, pace of action.
-The character of Finn appears to be a disguised "Star Wars Fanboy" who fortuitously drops into events. rather than an actual essential person in the narrative. He functions as comic relief, stimulates energy, and acts as a human relation/reflection of the audience. Is it not every Star Wars Fanboy/girl's dream to be dropped into space opera events themselves and accompany a pretty/handsome interest?
-My guess is that the relentless homaging to the past is likely to be tuned down in later installments now that it's served its purpose.
My take on TFA is that the film was made for the fans and to get back to it's roots. They made a very safe film.
I think Episode 8 could potentially be the best of the Star Wars Ennealogy with Rian at the helm. I just hope he has some creative control even though he wrote the script.

On 11/1/2015 at 0:32 PM, Cult Icon said:^
Speaking of small faces, someone on BZ posted about Tabitha klausen (female bodybuilder). I actually find her pretty hot - a departure for me.
I think it's because she's almost 6' ft and she has model bone structure.
I think I'll make a gallery of her less muscular/oiled up looks..
What do you guys think about female bodybuilders? I find it pretty weird and don't get it. But the muscular look without sacrificing femininity isn't half bad.
On 11/1/2015 at 2:51 PM, Myfashexp said::yuckky: :yuckky: :yuckky:
On 11/1/2015 at 3:09 PM, Cult Icon said:Hah, I agree but a small portion- who don't overdo it- not only stay feminine but become more feminine in a way (like the above). Sometimes I wonder if it's an exercise addiction gone wild. Many men/women who compete are personal trainers as their occupation.
Tabitha Klausen is not a FBB, she's fitness (IFBB Pro/Fitness).
Trust me you don't want to search what real FBBs look like, especially in contest & prep mode.
They lean out and have very low body fat percentages, even the fitness girls don't look good when they do this.
All of them are more feminine looking in the offseason when they're bulking.
I can post the difference if you'd like me to.

21 hours ago, Stromboli1 said:
There are way too many primary debates before they even get presidential election debates. I'm sure a lot of people are mentally taxed especially after this year's primary elections to really give a shit about the presidential election. This country is fucked if these are the best politicians we can come up with and lead this country. This country is going to need a great leader because another big scale/world war is coming in the near future. It's seems to me countries with hostile intentions have been amassing & readying weapons, military equipment. and armies just waiting for the powder keg to start this war. There has been 70 years of relative world peace, but I just don't see that lasting much longer. It's going to be like WW1 where alliances will lead to war on a global scale.
I sound like a nut!
You sound scared man! ![]()
I think there has never been a serious american war since WW2 and there is no chance of another one in the horizon because globally armed forces are so weak (including Russia, PRC and the USA). The German and British army are jokes right now. This is not 1939!
Global trade has replaced wars of conquest in western civilization (at least).
Regardless, the US would fail because the military has been too small and too weak to win wars for decades.

7 minutes ago, Cult Icon said:You sound scared man!
I think there has never been a serious american war since WW2 and there is no chance of another one in the horizon because globally armed forces are so weak (including Russia, PRC and the USA). The German and British army are jokes right now.
Global trade has replaced wars of conquest in western civilization (at least).
Regardless, the US would fail because the military has been too small and too weak to win wars for decades.
I am scared! ![]()
The two countries I'm worried about are Israel & North Korea.

57 minutes ago, Stromboli1 said:
I am scared!
The two countries I'm worried about are Israel & North Korea.
Things will get serious if either US, China, and/or Russia raise 50 plus armored divisions each, enact universal conscription, raise 20 million man plus armies (because that's what it would take), and sports gets replaced with the one "full contact sport"...War ... as the national obsession.
Until then, the wars will be peanuts![]()

21 hours ago, Stromboli1 said:
Tabitha Klausen is not a FBB, she's fitness (IFBB Pro/Fitness).
I like Tabitha because she's has the typical body type I like (6 footer, delicate and slender bone structure) and looks like an 80s marvel superhero. Most fitness girls are short or average height I find.

On 5/29/2016 at 6:40 PM, Cult Icon said:Things will get serious if either US, China, and/or Russia raise 50 plus armored divisions each, enact universal conscription, raise 20 million man plus armies (because that's what it would take), and sports gets replaced with the one "full contact sport"...War ... as the national obsession.
Until then, the wars will be peanuts
All it takes is for Israel to be attacked, then alliances with others like WW1 or something the delusional Kim Jong Un does.
On 5/29/2016 at 6:47 PM, Cult Icon said:I like Tabitha because she's has the typical body type I like (6 footer, delicate and slender bone structure) and looks like an 80s marvel superhero. Most fitness girls are short or average height I find.
Yeah most of the fitness girls are on the short & average height.

On 5/30/2016 at 0:54 AM, Stromboli1 said:
All it takes is for Israel to be attacked then alliances will others in like WW1 or something the delusional Kim Jong Un does.
They would be small wars. In WW1/2 you saw economies that were up to 60% military. Now it's like 1-5% in most 1st world nations.
My father is considering on voting for Trump, just because he wants a catalyst to stimulate political forces. He doesn't like either party (like me).
Do you know of other tall fitness models?

wow, "Blood and Wine" is amazing.
I went to Vermont, last weekend, it was so gorgeous.
the state is known for its skiing, hiking, and fishing/canoeing and it's so untouched by mankind.
most of the state is a giant forest it seems, will rolling hills and plateaus. I saw many incredible views.
There are a lot of farms and the state is very 'middle class'. most of the people are white and look like they are the type to go to churches. The men are fit but the women are either decent looking or a lot fatter than those in nyc/bergen county nj. Burlington people are better, but a town center I stopped by had some real obese women! The men looked more 'hardy' than those in the city and suburbs.
The towns are very well taken of, and there are american flags everrywhere. (memorial day weekend) They look picturesque and a lot of the people look like they are from normal rockwell paintings.
Sometimes I wondered if I was in the 1960s. Burlington is more a town than a city but it, like most of vermont I've seen, quite clean , middle class, and dignified. Homes are well taken care of, and there is no pollution or garbage on the ground.
Family farms are priced in the 1 Million -1.5 M USD range. I have to admit that this attracts me. It is a good place to farm, and become a writer/scholar of some sort. While doing a lot of outdoors sports and exploration. I'm liking it. Definitely need to get a wife or partner, though due to the low population density of the region. Become an artist, musician , etc.

On 5/28/2016 at 9:45 PM, Stromboli1 said:
My take on TFA is that the film was made for the fans and to get back to it's roots. They made a very safe film.
I think Episode 8 could potentially be the best of the Star Wars Ennealogy with Rian at the helm. I just hope he has some creative control even though he wrote the script.
I think star wars needs to get 'Nolan' type of treatment- more adult, more philosophical, darker. The comic books are definitely this way (probably the novels) It probably won't happen with disney at the helm, though.
I would like to see Star wars from the 'empire' point of view.
+1 love the writing in 'Blood and Wine'. quite philosophical.
Just watched this, so funny:




HQ gallery: http://imgur.com/a/wQ7DS
Beautiful!
Elyse Taylor, so beautiful and her physical structure looks particularly outstanding next to a 'normal' person.
On set of Marie Claire Photoshoot in Sydney. - June 30th








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Some artworks that I like!

This is humanity's future (2200). Living in storage containers lol. Rooftop greenhouses



Moving letter from a military memoir, "black edelweiss":
I believe that the bolded applies to all sorts of human experience. Once does not need to physically die. They only need to leave the stage somehow.
Since that time I have enjoyed a rich professional life as a corporate lawyer
with various international ties. My desire to understand the historical, political,
and moral aspects of World War II has always been there, however, resulting
in my reading of a wealth of material and then grappling with its inherent
drawbacks and inconsistencies. I chose not to follow the advice of some, to
rewrite the prisoner's manuscript from the perspective of a man of my age.
Such a balanced view of the past, based on so many decades of experience,
traveling, and reading, in particular about the crimes committed behind the
frontlines in the East, seemed inappropriate for the voices of those combat
soldiers who did not live to mature and grow, but instead had to die young in
their limited perception of the world. The same notion applies to those who
survived and found themselves, at that age, indicted and convicted as members
of a criminal organization.
My generation's task was to clear away the ruins of the war and to rebuild
our country. As I said before, however, there is still much rubble left. If this
book would uncover a small part of that long-hidden ground, I would have
done my part for my comrades.
-Johann Voss