Sumpta

Learning German and Latin at the same time shouldn't be any problem whatsoever. Also, Latin's easy :. Especially since you already know about cases from learning German. I hear you. I studied Germanic languages at university, English and Dutch (we had to choose 2 languages) and you know, having a certain aptitude for the Germanic languages, you'd think that learning German would be a breeze for me. Well. It's not! I can make myself understandable in German, but most of the time I'm just speaking Dutch while giving it a German "schwung". The fun thing is that, a lot of the time, it actually works. The shameful thing is that, often, it really doesn't. I can only imagine how terrible it would be to learn both Dutch and German at the same time.

Didn't read the whole of the thread, so sorry if I just come barging in with old or irrelevant information... A Belgian journalist who is in Iran at the moment blogged a story about Iran that really hit a nerve with me, about a young, highly intelligent woman (she was in the top 50 for the entrance test to work at the government... a test taken by thousands) who has been sacked from the Iranian Ministry for wearing nail polish. She invited the journalist in her house and talked to her about the current situation and her life. Only minutes after the journalist had left, the Iranian police raided her house... She still went back to the journalist's hotel to share this information. So brave. I found this concise and moving overview of the situation on Youtube: Interesting website/forum collecting all information: http://iran.whyweprotest.net/

I'll take an oily-skinned, muscled Greek over a geek at any given time of the day though. Especially if he watches Battlestar Galactica.

You've never... met? Does that even qualify as a relationship? I mean, I love Sumpta to death (an obviously mutual feeling), but I don't think you could say there's a relationship there. Oh my... I cannot believe I only see this 2 freaking months after it's posted. So this is why I can't have nice things. Besides the fact that my contrary nature forces me to deny this arrogant presumption of yours, obviously. (Marry me!) Anyway, not that my reaction to the topic is remotely relevant anymore, but a long distance relationship is one thing. Committing to a long distance relationship without even having seen the person in question is quite another. Sure, I won't deny you can hit it off with someone over the internet, but at least meet each other in real life before you turn it into an official relationship. Sheesh. Some people just seem to *want* to have their hearts broken.

Just received from Amazon: DVD * The Big Lebowski * Fargo * Walk the Line * A Woman Under The Influence * Koyaanisqatsi/Powaqqatsi BOOKS * Coraline by Neil Gaiman * Cut: Movies in Fifteen Minutes by Cleolinda Jones * The Half: Photographs of Actors preparing for the Stage This is a gorgeous books of photographs of actors in the half hour before they go on stage: applying the last bit of make-up, having stagefright, the moment of concentration before their performance. About every great British actor is included, and a fair bit of American ones as well (amongst many others Anthony Hopkins, Cate Blanchett, Daniel Day Lewis, Judi Dench, John Gielgud, Vanessa Redgrave, Jim Broadbent, Jeremy Irons, Glenda Jackson, Jude Law, Charlotte Rampling, Michael Gambon, Maggie Smith, Martin Sheen, Felicity Kendal, Kevin Spacey, Ralph Fiennes, Sir Ian McKellen, Alan Rickman etc). Some pictures date back 25 years. Just fantastic. It's a present for a friend (who I hope doesn't frequent these boards :) but it will be hard to part with it. I'm trying not to look into it too much to keep the book fresh, but it's soooo hard. CD * Einstein on the Beach by Philip Glass

Haven't been watching much TV/DVD because of the horror that goes by the name of "moving out/in", but I have managed to finish Battlestar Galactica, series 4, and I feel it deserves a mention. Can't wait to order the DVD box. I'm still mulling over the finale, which somehow moved the series onto an even higher plane than it was on before. The final series was, if possible, a lot harsher, darker and even more unsettling than the previous three, but at the same time it contains some of the most incredibly beautiful, heart-wrenching and warming scenes, as well as a lovestory that I'm sure can hit even the cynical straight in the gut. All BSG's characters are ultimately flawed, but you always *get* these larger-than-life people. There's no good or bad side, you can appreciate all the points of view. I'm not sure if I feel that all the choices made were the right ones, or the ones I would have wanted to see, but I don't believe I've ever been so moved by a television series. I'll miss it. So say we all.

I know what you mean. I used to love this show, but I stranded somewhere in the middle of series 5 and never finished watching it. The characters and story line had veered off way too far and I couldn't bear watching them destroy themselves any further. I just didn't recognize the characters I used to love anymore, it all turned so... soap opera. Ultimately, I think only series 1 kicked major a**, after that the writing went downhill slowly but steadily. Edit: 'pologies for the doublish post.

Donnie Darko - I was packing my DVD's this weekend, since I'm moving to a new house soon, and I stumbled upon the dvd of Donnie Darko. I bought it like years ago and never really got round to watching it. But since How2PK mentioned it on this thread, and since I recently found out that my currently favourite actress (Mary McDonnell) has a role in it (Rose Darko), I decided it was as good a time as any to pop it in. I'm not sure about it. It has lovely scenes, especially the family scenes are spot on, but it didn't really impress me as much as it seems to have impressed people at the time when it became cult. Maybe we've been too flooded with this kind of stories since then: fate, death, surprising time lines, Chosen Ones, 'you didn't see this one coming, eh?'-endings. "I doubt your commitment to Sparkle Motion" might make it in my top ten of favourite film lines ever though. I got totally confirmed in my Mary McDonnell-love as well, she's one fine woman and one fine actress. Got myself a new red-head role model to look up to.

Aww, oh well, I understand. My brother forced his BSG on me, and I had the dvd's lying around for three months before I even considered watching them. Okay, I'll admit, the hot blonde on the cover made me think a bit too much of 7 of 9, you know, the resident hot alien who's only there to dazzle hormone-crazy geeks. I was prejudiced. But apart from that, I always feel it's difficult to begin watching a series because you know it will demand a lot of attention and effort to work yourself into it. But once that happens, I go in full addiction mode and simply have to watch till the very end even if it means short nights and temporary lack of a social life. How you can actually let go of a good series in the middle is beyond me :D. Although, I'd have to say, I used to really love Ally McBeal, but somewhere in the third series I just stopped watching, only to pick it up several years later. Now to get my hands on BSG series 4... And oh yeah, the interview. I almost fell out of my bed laughing at her dissing the carpet.

Oh yeah, I am so ordering that DVD, together with a few Glass CD's. You never stop to amaze me, How2PK, it's just incredible how broad your tastes and knowledge are. As for the BSG, hehe, I haven't really been profiling myself as a sci-fi fan here, I guess. I grew up with Star Trek, I was hung up on The Next Generation as a kid and I've seen quite a few sci-fi series since then. I don't consider myself a sci-fi fan as such, though, the only thing that really interests me in anything I watch is a good story, not whether it's in space with funny guns and funny-coloured aliens. But in sci-fi, it's often possible to explore storylines that might be touchy if they were situated in the here and now. BSG really puts a lot in question when it comes to humanity, power and greed, and in that respect, it is far more daring than other series could be. It's so amazing how well the characters are drawn, the story is compelling, it's not your average black and white, good versus bad war-story in space. And and and it has a female president, who isn't butch, who isn't a man-hating feminist nor a crazy megalomanian. A powerful, strong woman, who remains a woman. I haven't seen strong female characters like her on TV in like ever. Ik kan het echt niet genoeg bewieroken, ik ben zo verslaafd :D. Okay, i'm gonna shut up now :. But Indy's right, series 1 is introductory and great (so dark), but it only gets better as the story progresses. Although I'd have to admit, I'm not a fan of the love stories that are developped throughout the series. Except for one that makes me go *squee*. Ahem, anyway. Shutting.

Been a while since I posted here, simply because I haven't been watching many films lately. Instead, I got totally caught up in the Battlestar Galactica universe, after lending series 1-3 from my brother. And I just have to share my sentiments: LOVE LOVE LOVE. By stating the following, I do not believe that I'm exaggerating: this is simply the best sci-fi series in the everness of sci-fi, and though I'm far from hardcore, I've seen quite a bit in my time :. I cannot believe I waited till now to watch it. Also got to know the minimalist composer Philip Glass thanks to an episode of BSG, and simply for that I would be eternally grateful. Apart from that, I watched the Hepburn-Spencer Desk Set. Didn't like it. Outdated, sexist, moralising. Apart apart from that, I watched the infamous Katharine Hepburn TV interview on youtube. What a woman.

the pretty scenery comment came from the fact that ive asked girl gamers why they play certain games and that is the general response i got. Plus other girls on this thread said that there was some truth in it. I in no ways said thats the only reason a girl would play, but i did say that from the girls ive talked to that that was their general response. i wasnt stereotyping. And the reason why people are coming up with theories in the first place is because there is less girl gamers then boys gamers. And there are more girl gamers in WoW then runescape (at least in my personal experience...) Thats where the discussion came from, not from simple steriotypes. I agree with you though that the technology community is sexist to the extreme. But its stereotyping to say that every male gamer is sexist as you just did. Now you are reading things that aren't there. I didn't say that -.-. I said the community was sexist, not that every male gamer is - I wouldn't play anymore if that were the case. I was making a point: we all have our individual reasons for playing. Of course you'll find girls who say they play games because they're pretty. But your survey seems to be rather too small to make general statements based on it. Besides, rephrase "pretty scenery" into "they have good graphics" and BAM, you've found yourself one of the main reasons why boys like certain games too.

:wall: Why should girls have special reasons for playing RS that are different from the reasons why boys play? And why should girls defend themselves for gaming? What's this about being attracted to "pretty scenery" and "make-up"? STEREOTYPING ALERT. There are a lot of female players, who are all different, and by the way, the higher you go in the highscores, the more equality there seems to be between the number of male/female players. Faitality is right... You need to have some attitude as a girl to be a gamer, especially when you're still a kid/teenager, when it's so important to behave along to the expectations of your gender. There are several stages a female player has to go through: disbelief; mocking; being considered asexual, fat and hopeless or a tomboy; and when they've seen your picture, being considered the ultimate girlfriend. Also, if a girl games, she's supposed to be really bad at it. The gaming (and broader: (computer) technology) community is one of the most sexist and male chauvinist ones I've encountered so far.

I know someone who takes this principle even further. He keeps tabs on every person he knows: he has a box with little cards on which he writes down the good and the bad things he feels every person did to him. He has a "top 5" of people who hurt him... He also keeps track of the random facts you told him and seems to peruse his cards regularly. I met him a few months ago after not having seen him for about 2 years and he still knew everything about my work and my family. It's very spooky, this kind of rancour. He's a very quiet guy, he seems just the type to one day totally lose it and go on a killing spree to take "righteous" revenge on all those who "wronged" him in the past.

No_99_Melee: it's perfectly possible for her to be in love with you and still wish to end the relationship. And quite frankly, that doesn't mean her decision isn't definite, it just makes it more difficult. You're very focused on her, why don't you take this time to figure out your needs/stance/self? Ask yourself this question: do you want to be with someone who may love you, but isn't ready to go for the relationship for a 100%? If you really really want something to work out, stress or moving away wouldn't change that. If they do change it, well, isn't the relationship sort of doomed? I'm sorry for being blunt, but if there's one thing I've learned from my past relationships, it's that it's no use having one if he and I aren't both ready to simply go for it. Love isn't enough.

Well, pedantic as I am, I would like to point out that classes aren't just about having money. There are other factors, such as education, language/culture, status, family background etc to define social classes. It's possible to belong to empoverished royalty and still be considered upper class, just as it's possible to own 10 houses and still be considered a peasant. I'd say I belong to the middle class. Money: my mother raised me and my brother on a single salary (hers), while paying off the mortgage on the house and wishing for us to study, so she was very careful. We never lacked anything though, and she seems to have good savings now that we're all grown up. We all own a house, or are paying it off. Education: we all attended university, even my mother (she was born in the fourties, and the first girl of her village to attend university - she had to work her way through it). Language/culture: our language is different from the language of the working/middle class, and we're regularly seen as upper class (or snobbish, depending on the person identifying us) intellectuals for it. Social status: we're all civil servants or something like that (not much status there), and aren't interested in status symbols such as expensive cars or expensive clothing. We "get" our social status from education/culture and the number of books that we own :D. Family background: thoroughly middle class, my one grandfather was the town's school teacher in a time when status-wise, that was roughly in the same league as the mayor, the doctor and the attorney; and my other grandfather was the richest farmer of the village.

Yes, funnily enough, now that you mention it, it strikes me that it was actually the same director who made both books into a film, and both starred Keira Knightley. The Pride and Prejudice film is big big no-no, though... the BBC series from 1995 is infinitely better. The adaptation of Atonement is a lot more enjoyable, but still, as is usual with book-film adaptations, the books are far superior to the films. Though I'd have to admit that in both cases, I read the book long before seeing the movie, so I might be prejudiced.

Promises, promises. (Whenever someone says they're going to do something nasty/bad to me) Goody. (Mentally add heavy irony in the pronounciation) Embarassingly enough, I also quote a lot from films that, as far as I know, only How2PK ever saw, and maybe some of my friends who I force-fed said films to, but who weren't that involved that they picked up on the quotes. In Dutch, a lot of not very common, literary words come to me naturally. The result of growing up in a house of compulsive readers/linguists. Apart from intellectual words, I often tend to say "smijt u" or "ik ga me smijten" and "toppie" (equivalent of the ironic goody).

Someone seems to have been sent home from class with a reading list :D. Most of these are classics, can't really go very wrong with any of them. (Although, Morrison's Beloved: UGH). Some of the ones I liked: (in bold those I'd happily force-feed on anyone) Flaubert, Madame Bovary Austen, Pride and Prejudice, Emma Emily Bronte, Wuthering Heights McEwan, Atonement Hemingway, The Sun Also Rises Adams, Watership Down Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables Tolkien, Lord of the Ring Series [bleep]ens, Stoker, Hardy and Joyce are also worth your while and quite possibly a bit more manly than the books from the above selection :.

Huh? You want to want a relationship? Why? Wanting something you say you don't want, doesn't that mean that you really do want it but don't want to acknowledge the want? (On a sidenote, the word 'want' is starting to look odd to me now from overusing it. :)

They are hereditary to some extent. Especially schizofrenia has quite a big genetic component. Yeah, I'm aware of that, but schizofrenia usually manifests itself in your early twenties when it's hereditary. Since neither me or my brother have any symptoms, we're assuming the trigger was environmental for our relation. Still, we do have a bigger than average amount of 'nutcases' in the family. Oh well.

Madness. As in insanity. (Manic) depression, schizofrenia, personality disorders. Not sure they're all hereditary though, because in that case some of those should have already manifested themselves in me, my sibling or my nieces/nephews (though one of them seems borderline autistic).

People with a self-deprecating sense of humour and/or people who can relativate themselves are ridiculously charming to me, especially when they combine it with a good-natured sense of irony without being sarcastic or a full-blown cynic.

Haha, that would be awesome if you'd be able to combine it with the pink fluffy dressing gown. I would so buy the leopard panties if it said "baby" on my butt. Just for the complete out-of-characterness of it. Ahh, and now my mind is being invaded by dirty juvenile thoughts. I will never ever ever feel the same way about the title "bringing up baby" again #-o.

This begs further explanation. Does this imply that there's such a thing as Howard Hawks underwear? I'm kind of torn between horrified and "omg awesome, do want" now.