THOTH

ooooh Sip...looks like you got yourself an admirer! LOL Seriously - Extra Hye - I think you've made some good points here. Of course living in the States these factors of where your family was from should be less. There certainly are (cultural) diferences (but really now...your here in the USA...) - and some like challenges anyway and like to take on & learn new things etc. I would say forget this guy - and ask yourself - do you want someone with his close minded attitudes anyway? Sounds to me that you are beyond such and wouldn't be happy with him - particualrly in the long run. So don't settle for such - I'm sure that you can do better...good luck! (Sip lives in Wisconsin BTW...yes its cold and bleak up there...but I'm sure he will warm things up fine for you there...LOL )

Armat - Get yourself a construction engineer (local) for the project....you don't want to be fulling around with 2 sotry structures & such (and your in a freeeze area - so you must consider a proper foundation - otherwise - with ground heave and such - your likely to tip over & such. Pay the money & do it right - you'll have a better structure, you'll (perhaps) aviod lawsuits, and you'll likely just in general save yourself alot of trouble in the long run...and don't you have to get something like this approved and such (local government officialdom...what ever applies...town, country etc))?

Yeah -OK - don't blame you at all (for feeling this way...)...and your right - men being dogs - yeah - many/most(?) [not totally convinced of the latter...but perhaps you have had more of a cross section of experience/contact etc to know]... I really don't think all guys are like that...but who knows...maybe you are just irresistable eh? ...and yeah...often we are led around by our lists...as it were...just the nature of the beast (but we should know better...and particualrly the guy with his wife...sheesh )...but you know - I think some gals would love to get the attention you (aparently) get (not all are so blessed..etc)...(but certainly this incident it was from the wrong quarter...and these guys should know better how to act etc...nothing so new though I imagine...) ...sorry...but hang in there...

agreeed...I like that! So 'bruin ....please enlighten us concerning your plans to fulfill your Christmas wishes... ...were all ears!

Sev...your just to good to be true...LOL...anyway - hope it works out!

hey, i'm sure economically challenged times can "shrink" the amount and of course the "duration"... ..what the heck are we talking about anymore??? Don't really know..but I think we can all just hope for better (economic?) times...LOL...sounds to me that you are in need of/overdue for a "bull" market! ...I mean I can really feel for a gal whose had to put up with all these downturns, shrinkages, premature withdrawls and what not...LOL Yes, all quite taxing I think...that was it - was it not? Something about Poll/Pole (?) taxes?

yes 'Bruin - quite funny...but makes me wonder ...if there are likely severe penalties for "premature payments" ...

GAH - Its all so easy isn't it - and you have all the answer - or the one answer - yours... We are all racists you claim - so lets just look down on others - stay apart from others etc - well yes - make the Turks proud... One cannot be an Armenian unless they think and do exactly as you prescribe - etc - yes.. Well its all not so simple. First of all assimilation is going to happen - you cannot expect all or even most Armenian children to grow up in the US/West and not become assimilated into the culture...thats just not realistic (and who are we - the Amish?) and you also can't dictate to individuals whats they must be like, who they might be attracted too, date and perhaps eventually marry... While I sympathyze with your desire to maintain Armenian culture - I don't think that you are at all realistic. And you must realize that culture is not a static thing - it changes over time - adopts new things and ways - and aspects that do not serve people anymore drop away. If there is value in being Armenian - that which has value will remain - some will continu to practise and identify with this - others will not. In the end - perhaps only i Armenia will you be able to find "true" Armenian culture - and even there I suspect it will not remain free from outside influences and experieince change. As uncomfortable, perhaps, as these thoughts might seem to you - it just is. And I don't think we can afford to be racist in this world anymore - not and expect to survive. Its also just not the way to be - tolarance and acceptance are more the order - as perhaps our grandparents might have wished more exisited in Anatolia in 1915 and before... And no one says that you must like hip hop culture - or what-have-you...doesn't particualrly apeal to me...but I say live and let live...and trust your fellow Armenian to make decisions for themselves - I think that most will grow out of this anyway...the young will be young...and if you really care about preservation/continuation of Armenian culture - and participation of this and future generations in such - you should do what you can to see that it is attractive/meaningful to them - make it worthwhile...and by all means do not be so exclusive about it...that will be the death sentence right there for sure...

Sevmard - More power to you dude...you seem very together and aware..and from how you have presented yourself here i would have no problem (if I had a daughter) with you dating her. So I wish you (two) the very best of luck. Just curious - about how old are you guys and how long have you been dating? I know that interacial/intercultural relationships can be very stressful for a variety of reasons and I really respect those who through will or desire or whatever are able to put up with all the difficulties and see it through. And just for everyones benefit - I just saw - yesterday - a young white guy and black gal walking down the street hand in hand (and looking really in love)...and I thought that this was great...I also used to work with a (white) guy who was married to a black gal - and they had two kids...boy did they ever get harrased & such...big time (call the police for help like...etc) I can understand why Armenians (and other ethnics) might be interested in dating/narrying one of their own and carrying on their cultural traditions and such...but please - do not be so quick to judge others and their choices...life is just to short for one...and don't think that you have all the answers...particualrly in regards to choices and lives of other folks...

you said it...LOL

LOL - of course...if you say so... Remember the film "Wag the Dog"? Many (who know what I do) said/asked me etc if the film was based on me/my work...LOL...well its only a (Hollywood) movie.... And as for Rouben's piece being a "Documentary" - well when has anyone ever seen a 5 minute documentary before? In fact it is a propaganda film (in the best sense of the word)...and nothing wrong with that - its intention is to elicit an emotional response...still I think more context may be required to place the events and their signifigance...

Yes - very good points Stormy...somewhat the ponts I was trying to make as well...we think alike (in this case at least)...perhaps we should do a film together...LOL...

Armat - the "film" I descrbed could be done in 5 minutes (or so)...I know because I make films (as a living...in part...and I get paid [a lot] to communicate such things - visually, etc - in concise form...me concise?...well...OK...but yeah - reallly...it can happen...)...and my concern - as engaging as Ruben's proposal is - is that it is not "unique" to the Armenian experience/Genocide...etc And please excuse me...as I am rather drunk at the moment (medicial...I assure you...LOL)....though its (certainly) good to be drunk...

I think that this could be a compelling little film...however - - it seems to me that this experience of the childs is not something confined to Genocides...there are many historical and modern examples of this sort of suffering occuring all of the time - to me - the "unique" (please don't interpret the use of this word wrong) aspect of a Genocide such as occured to the Armenians was the loss of nation...and the large numbers/percentage of dead - etc - and the lack of closure/acceptance/awareness etc - I think I understand your purpose for this film - and the reason for it being short and calling to the emotion - but this is not a "film on the Armenian Genocide" per se - as you say in your afterword that is needed. In a sense it is a film version of one of your posters. And that is OK/serves a purpose... I think some of Stormy's ideas - with scenes of empty landscapes, abandoned churches etc are good - and should be considered - though at the level (5 minute vid) that you are doing I can't see going into specifics (concerning exact purpetrators, who was invloved, abetted etc) or comparrisons with other Genocides etc - So consider - how about something like this: after brief snapshot scenes of normal happy [historical period] Armenian family, farm & town life etc) follow by a brief (and perhaps blurry/jumpy etc) depictions of people being dragged out of homes and sent marching, being killed/hanged/shot etc, homes/churches burned down (perhaps people being herded in churches prior to setting them on fire) etc (with much sounds of violence and screaming and despair throughout) ...then perhaps with a child all alone in rags (perhaps by a dying mother...) etc crying (and maybe being snatched up by a horseman or such)...followed by the empty landscapes and churchs interspersed with (map?) depitions of Armenain populations centers showing numbers killed and other such - with a voice over speaking to the basic facts - over 1.5 Million Armenians whio lived in this land for centuries etc etc - mercilessly slaughterd - without remourse - still denied to this day...that sort of thing (think about it...). anyway - hope this helps..and best of luck regardless...

OK fine...and I understand you completely...but perhaps you need more exposure to the American (religeous based or at least cowtowing to) conservatives and their utter rediculousness (and dangerousness) about most things - to at least better appreciate the left (as perhaps the lesser of two evils)...

Sorry Armat - count me out - boring... (I'd rather hang with the gals...LOL) - funny comment on earlier post about Anerican-hye though...(dropping the gal for her brother - LOL)...and sure I like hanging with the guys - doing guy things (watching football, playing poker [though we have soem gals in our games....and they can play too - some certainlybetter than I]...but too me all this "man show" stuff is really a bunch of crap...nothing (with the guys) can beat being with a nice gal and doing things for/with her - etc (even applies to the wife...though certainly there are times I think otherwise...and wish i were just out drinking with the buds and such...or just out...away...far away...LOL)

OK Nairi - so you aren't into bi-sexual males...that is apparent...well...perhaps you should move out of Holland... Still (serioulsy)...thinking about your post...well its almost sad...its a real shame you have never met someone who could excite you...again(like I tell Sip) - I think that your really missing out...though I do think/suspect it must be the fault of the guys you date/hang around or such...aggain - a shame...a gal deserves better ('specially a gal as with it as you seem to be...)...really don't know what to say/suggest...

A-H I would have thought by now...at your age - you might be a little less superficial regarding looks and such - though any man who is so taken with his own - as you are...well - perhaps there is no hope for you (OK - being healthy and looking reletively young - OK...but you preen a bit too much IMO....). Anyway - my point is - regarding women (and from the female perspective perhaps regarding men) is that there are all types of combinations of features that can be beautiful. Sure one can have preferences...but to not appreciate (be turned off by)...big noses, breasts etc (latter must be a gay thing - I really don't understand...LOL...[joke]) - well thats really unfortunate. Myself - I'm actually atracted to both (yeah - I like big noses [as in on Armenian women...as they should be/as nature intended...LOL]- what can I say?). And I feel its a shame when gals (& guys?) feel the need to have to artificial; change themselves to look like some ideal (from TV/movies/magazine or what not)...yeah its nice to try to look good, and I can understand some folks doing such to attempt to look younger (even so...ussually not necessary IMO...and yeah - people grow old...its just natural...so live with it...etc)...and yes - some folks may have some real anomoly or what not that - if fixed - could make a great difference...but to advocate nose or breast reduction (or even enlargement? ...though gotta admit - I have less problems with that...for breasts that is...LOL...but still - I ussually feel that it is unecessary...) - unless there is some real medical reason - well I think its rather silly. And for folks (like you A-H...and sorry if I seem to be picking on you...no real animosity intended) - but I think its a shame that we limit ourselves so (in regards to categorizing folks...this one is good for me- this other one - well...no good etc.... All that being said - I'm not (personally) so into bony/super thin types...I like a little curve, some meat as it were (though this is just preferrence...no real issues with thin...). I've always liked more or less petite (not too tall) gals who are somewhat curvaceous...and I have a preference for dark skin/dark hair etc - though again some of my blond g/fs of the past were great turn ons too (I'll avoid getting too graphic hear)...but heh - guess I'm just easy to please...LOL - but wouldn't it be nice if we all were...

What!?!?!?!?! Nairi - say it ain't so...LOL

I really hate when normally very intelligent and understanding folks cling to the most ridiculous of positions based on inability to see beyond a partisan position. Shame on you MJ... Let me just say - that at best this (on your part) is lawyerspeak...focusing on this issue of weather or not what anything has been said is technically a lie...it should be clear to all that fundemental rationals purported for this war, the pursuit of it and the aftermath are frought with errors and misdirection - and a constant shifting of emphasis (away from essentially disproved hypothoses). That one would really have believed them prior is well unfourtunate...that folks continue to cling to this belief in the face of the (non) evidence...well thats either dishonesty or someone who is in on the gag - or both...what can I say... WMD - OK where? Immenent threat to US - still totally unproven Ties with Al Queda - none Necessary to bring peace in the Middle East - now this one is/eas really a joke Will reduce the threat of terrorism/reduce #s of terrorists (etc) - both wrong - the opposite in fact - and this was very predictable Will bring peace & prosperity to the Iraqi people - I'll believe it when I see it...though with $87 billion and counting I would say its the start of a pretty fine welfare system (and I thought Republicans were against that sor tof thing?) - paid for by Americans (in blood & money I might add) Oh yes - Democracy for Iraq - OK ding dong Sadaam is dead (oh - wait a second...not quite yet...but Ok - hes gone at least - perhaps a good thing...arguably)...but can we say Chialbi? What else? (others can be free to add any that I've missed...)

A-H - not to poke fun at the seriousness of this issue - and of your (serious) points - but I have to admit - you really crack me up. I can see it now - a soap opera with a theme of the (rich) Armenian (-American) alternate lifestyle (& such)...based on your life...& I wonder if somehow we can find parts for those Armenian guys from taxicab confessions...? LOL - I think we might have a big hit on our hands...(amd i think we could write a much more entertaaining/engaging story then that which is being jointly composed on the "our story" thread...sorry guys - but its really pretty lame...OK certainly entertaining at a certain level...but still lame...

LOL Sip...your going to have all the gals hot for you...particularly if they like burgers...and just curious - did you beat the rap dude? LOL

No its because they each have 16 wives! LOL I don't know really - but I think these type of survey results or what have you are mostly BS. There are so many cultural differences...I mean what is "happy" - and some folks like to complain/answer in the negative - whjile others might always say "heck yea - I'm happy" no matter what. Not to be dismissing the conditions in Armenia (and folks being depressed concerning such..and feeling that there is little hope....etc I just dn't really put too much stock in these sort of surveys...I mean Nigeria - the happiest nation in the world - come now...just what are they drinking down there?

No - you are very wrong....and we were together for a long time (on and off for a time...but still) - and I loved her very much and we had a great/fun relationship...the "teaching" was all in the sexual arena...how to please and treat a women (and there i did learn well....). The reasons why it ultimatly didn't work - if thats the word - were many. One is that she was not interested (or perhaps even able) to have children...and I was getting to the stage of being interested in such (and perhaps settling down etc)...secondly - our relationship was long lasting - but on and off again...and while we were still seeing each other - after many years - we also were both seeing others - and I eventually met someone that I wanted to be more exclusive with...so I (again) broke it off were her. But we had a great relationship - and in general - I see no problem at all with younger guys and older gals...and though there are always issues when one dates someone with major age differences - I do not think that they are at all insurmountable - and in fact both parties can gain some perspective thropugh such...

LOL....you got that right...though I've always been known as a home run hitter! LOL