Going to Odessa to see my SO WOOHOOOOO!!!!!!!

[visaveteran 1]

Some country names are preceded by an article—like “The United States” and “La France”—but most are not. Sometimes it depends on what language you are speaking: in English we call the latter country simply “France” and “La República Argentina” is just “Argentina” although in the nineteenth century the British often referred to it as “The Argentine.”

When the region formerly known as “The Ukraine” split off from the old Soviet Union, it declared its preference for dropping the article, and the country is now properly called simply “Ukraine.” Source: http://www.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/ukraine.html

OK, Gary, from now on it's "Ukraine." But given how cozy Ukraine is with Russia these days, maybe soon it will be The Ukraine again.

I'd be happy to stop asking questions if you'd shut up about Alla, Vermont, Ukraine, etc. If only for a week or two.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Some country names are preceded by an article—like “The United States” and “La France”—but most are not. Sometimes it depends on what language you are speaking: in English we call the latter country simply “France” and “La República Argentina” is just “Argentina” although in the nineteenth century the British often referred to it as “The Argentine.”

When the region formerly known as “The Ukraine” split off from the old Soviet Union, it declared its preference for dropping the article, and the country is now properly called simply “Ukraine.” Source: http://www.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/ukraine.html

OK, Gary, from now on it's "Ukraine." But given how cozy Ukraine is with Russia these days, maybe soon it will be The Ukraine again.

I'd be happy to stop asking questions if you'd shut up about Alla, Vermont, Ukraine, etc. If only for a week or two.

We'll see. Thanks for using the correct name at least. Ukraine has been independent for almost 20 years, I would think it should catch on any day now.

[Terry&Tigger 4]

My opinions, for the record.

Intelligent women are sexy as hell.

Intelligent men are sexy as hell too

[slim 1,525]

BTW Slim...do you know about the "NutNFancy Project" Google NutNFancy Youtube.

I hadn't heard about it so I checked it out. My first question is "where does this guy get all the money to do this stuff?" Then my next question is "why ain't I doin' that stuff?" Then I remembered my first question.

I have a buddy that does stuff kind of like that but he doesn't have a YouTube channel and doesn't post it anywhere. He just buys a fcukload of gear and then whatever he doesn't like or use, he either trades away or stockpiles for a rainy day. He doesn't need to ask that first question.

Personally, I'm a minimalist when it comes to gear. I love my ALICE stuff and I keep my equipment standard GI. While I realize there's something to be said for having the right tool for the right job, too many folks I've met seem to believe dumping thousands of dollars on the newest tacticool gear makes them a better warrior. Not true. See this photo for proof: http://a3.vox.com/6a00d4142121106a47011015f09c5b860b-500pi

It sure is practical, but I am not sure many wifes or gfs will approve of that kind of practicality. We like to think we have you all to ourselves, the idea of sharing space in your fantasies with someone else does not attract us. We can't help it. It's natural.

Therein lies the problem.

Kim Kardashian is horrible. Not even attractive in the least.

Salma has breasts and hips which are too big, but she is a beautiful woman. Kim Kardashian is not a beautiful woman. I do not find large breasts and an @ss you could rent advertising space on to be attractive.

So you're saying you wouldn't?

Intelligent men are sexy as hell too

Naaaaah. They don't do anything for me.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

So you're saying you wouldn't?

Y'all keep asking these questions. Presently, since I met Alla, I haven't seen a woman I "would" and definitely not Kim Kardashian. IMHO what I have at home is 10 clicks higher up the looks scale and probably off the scale for intelligence and personality compared to Kim. But sSlim, if she ever comes knocking on my door, I will give her your VJ name and tell her to contact you...I am not interested.

That said, were I still single...NO. Read what I like and tell me how Kim Kardashian fits into that at all? Maybe the intelligent part? I never needed to deviate from my preferred standard, though there is a blonde or two in there somewhere, and some not intelligent women, but they weren't very sexy and generally not very interesting once the sun came up, which is why I am not married to them. I mean, I could deal with a blonde if she were clever and all the other stuff, hair color is not so important.

I would not with Salma Hayek either, now, but I WOULD when I was single! Can you not look at the two and tell the difference?

[slim 1,525]

But sSlim, if she ever comes knocking on my door, I will give her your VJ name and tell her to contact you...I am not interested.

While I'm not "interested" either,

...oh who am I kidding. Give her my VJ name.

Read what I like and tell me how Kim Kardashian fits into that at all?

I was looking for an example as opposite as possible on your spectrum that would still fall into what some folks would consider attractive.

I would not with Salma Hayek either, now, but I WOULD when I was single! Can you not look at the two and tell the difference?

I see the difference and that's why I chose Kim Kardashian. I wanted to gauge if your issue with Salma was a size issue, and it certainly appears so, or if it was a "looks" issue.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

While I'm not "interested" either,

...oh who am I kidding. Give her my VJ name.

I was looking for an example as opposite as possible on your spectrum that would still fall into what some folks would consider attractive.

I see the difference and that's why I chose Kim Kardashian. I wanted to gauge if your issue with Salma was a size issue, and it certainly appears so, or if it was a "looks" issue.

Next time, choose Danica Patrick

[slim 1,525]

Next time, choose Danica Patrick

So I'm not the only one that watched the 500 today? (I watched the 600 too. 1100 miles of red blooded Yeeee HAAAW!)

Well, that cleared it up.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

So I'm not the only one that watched the 500 today? (I watched the 600 too. 1100 miles of red blooded Yeeee HAAAW!)

Well, that cleared it up.

Slim, we do not have a TV. Don't need one. I went fishing and for a drive in the mountains with Pasha with the top down. Now that is red-blooded, he-man terror for you! Then we finished painting Alla's office. I didn't watch any races, but I saw a blurb that she came in 6th place and when I went to read the article there was lots of photos of her, in really small bikini's posing on...can you imagine...cars! Anyway, so, yeah. I do not care who won (I do not even know) my guess is that they do not look as good in a bikini posed on a car.

http://images.search.yahoo.com/images/view?back=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.search.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%2Fimages%3F_adv_prop%3Dimage%26va%3DDanica%2BPatrick%26fr%3Dfp-tts-701&w=495&h=663&imgurl=www.autopedija.com%2Fslike%2Fautomobili%2Fslike%2Fdanica-patrick-1.jpg&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.autopedija.com%2Findex.php%2F20090316222%2Fdanica-patrick-u-bikiniju.html&size=51k&name=danica+patrick+1...&p=Danica+Patrick&oid=edca4cdeeddf4128&fr2=&no=6&tt=43068&sigr=12eku7bhm&sigi=11u6l0c4h&sigb=12s9931ur

OK...wow...there is the link.

[slim 1,525]

I look at that link and think "yeah, Danica looks allright in a bikini. - But she's no Kim Kardashian!"

What's really nice about all of us liking something just a little different from someone else is God created women with endless variety!

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

I look at that link and think "yeah, Danica looks allright in a bikini. - But she's no Kim Kardashian!"

What's really nice about all of us liking something just a little different from someone else is God created women with endless variety!

We AGREE!!!! Danica Patrick is no Kim Kardashian.

The other nice thing is we won't be fighting over these two women. I'll tell Kim she will have to settle for you.

[Brad and Vika 129]

Hi VJ peeps! I opted out of VJ for a few days, mostly due to high amount of fatigue over the goofy arguments here. I know, I know, that may well cause a flurry of no-we-weren't-arguing-and-you-are-wrong type posts I am especially tired of the let's compare women/brag about so-and-so direction. So when we left town for NYC, I left my laptop home and just took a break.

Maybe this constant grinding each other about wives/SOs makes less sense to me because of how I got here. For the sole purpose of drawing more fire, I will say that in the nine years or so that I was single again, I dated around quite a bit. Younger women, older ones, Americans, and a fair amount of Russian speakers the last half dozen years - here and abroad. Some were short, others tall, and to my recollection I had no set "standard" or look, or preset notion of credentials, but one. My ex-wife and I came from such disparate socio-economic backgrounds that we eventually disagreed on just about everything. I wanted very much to not make that mistake again. Then I dated some women from Eastern Europe, and the paradigm was totally changed because the "socio" and the economic and so wildly different than what we have here. That's what you get for having a notion of what a person "should be" before you meet - you meet some ones that totally blows up your nice, preset picture. Or you reset your ideal so that she is that picture.

And I know some of you still can't belive it, but I met Vika totally by chance at a dinner party. I think our relationship works because we make it work, and most of you are in the same boat. No one is perfect, or necessarily better than any one else, so please stop with that bullsh1t. I am happier than I have ever been, and it is definitely the right place for me. My two cents.

[visaveteran 1]

Brad, I don't think you need to explain a few days away...but you seem to think so. Grandiosity? Anyway, it's nice to have you back with the rest of the inmates.

What strikes me is after your leaving from unhappiness or "fatigue" over a certain subject area, immediately upon your return you jump right into the middle of the same issue that you claimed tired you out or turned you off. Do you think your little talk will change anything?

I have a simple question for people who don't like a certain theme or subject. Why not just don't read them? Once you see where they're going, drop out. Or start a new topic you like. See, here's my issue with people playing forum cop...this is not a controllable entity. We'll never be Mayberry, RFD. It's Mad Max country. It's post civilization. It's the great vast wasteland of the internet. There is no requirement to fit a certain personality or moral type to join in the mayhem.

Another issue I see is some older posters may burn out after awhile...maybe from hearing the same old arguments. That's why posters come and go. Just in the past 2 years many have come and gone. Brad, maybe you need to do a cost/benefit analysis on being here?

Along those same lines, it looks like Mox has taken a hike after he and Slim crossed swords. Maybe that's a good decision. And even though you seem to be unhappy with some of the discussions, I actually think things have been fairly quiet and peaceful. Could there be a correlation?

Finally, I think it does get old hearing the same guys bragging about their wives or whatever they choose to brag about. I see that more a sign of uncertainty and insecurity than boasting. It's kind of like real war heroes...they almost never talk about their heroism. They don't need to keep telling stories and remind everyone about their deeds.

Edited June 1, 2010 by visaveteran

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Hi VJ peeps! I opted out of VJ for a few days, mostly due to high amount of fatigue over the goofy arguments here. I know, I know, that may well cause a flurry of no-we-weren't-arguing-and-you-are-wrong type posts I am especially tired of the let's compare women/brag about so-and-so direction. So when we left town for NYC, I left my laptop home and just took a break.

Maybe this constant grinding each other about wives/SOs makes less sense to me because of how I got here. For the sole purpose of drawing more fire, I will say that in the nine years or so that I was single again, I dated around quite a bit. Younger women, older ones, Americans, and a fair amount of Russian speakers the last half dozen years - here and abroad. Some were short, others tall, and to my recollection I had no set "standard" or look, or preset notion of credentials, but one. My ex-wife and I came from such disparate socio-economic backgrounds that we eventually disagreed on just about everything. I wanted very much to not make that mistake again. Then I dated some women from Eastern Europe, and the paradigm was totally changed because the "socio" and the economic and so wildly different than what we have here. That's what you get for having a notion of what a person "should be" before you meet - you meet some ones that totally blows up your nice, preset picture. Or you reset your ideal so that she is that picture.

And I know some of you still can't belive it, but I met Vika totally by chance at a dinner party. I think our relationship works because we make it work, and most of you are in the same boat. No one is perfect, or necessarily better than any one else, so please stop with that bullsh1t. I am happier than I have ever been, and it is definitely the right place for me. My two cents.

You are wrong. We weren't arguing.

How was NYC?

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Brad, I don't think you need to explain a few days away...but you seem to think so. Grandiosity? Anyway, it's nice to have you back with the rest of the inmates.

What strikes me is after your leaving from unhappiness or "fatigue" over a certain subject area, immediately upon your return you jump right into the middle of the same issue that you claimed tired you out or turned you off. Do you think your little talk will change anything?

I have a simple question for people who don't like a certain theme or subject. Why not just don't read them? Once you see where they're going, drop out. Or start a new topic you like. See, here's my issue with people playing forum cop...this is not a controllable entity. We'll never be Mayberry, RFD. It's Mad Max country. It's post civilization. It's the great vast wasteland of the internet. There is no requirement to fit a certain personality or moral type to join in the mayhem.

Another issue I see is some older posters may burn out after awhile...maybe from hearing the same old arguments. That's why posters come and go. Just in the past 2 years many have come and gone. Brad, maybe you need to do a cost/benefit analysis on being here?

Along those same lines, it looks like Mox has taken a hike after he and Slim crossed swords. Maybe that's a good decision. And even though you seem to be unhappy with some of the discussions, I actually think things have been fairly quiet and peaceful. Could there be a correlation?

Finally, I think it does get old hearing the same guys bragging about their wives or whatever they choose to brag about. I see that more a sign of uncertainty and insecurity than boasting. It's kind of like real war heroes...they almost never talk about their heroism. They don't need to keep telling stories and remind everyone about their deeds.

In following the dignified tradition, I never mention my war heroics. ergo...I am a true war hero. Or at least not a Democratic candidate for political office. Yes?

I think one reason posters come and go is that they finish the process. VJ is a great resource and though many of us are here with our wives, we still have years left in the process and VJ is being a great help to me now that I am at the ROC stage (or will be very soon) and then next year for another member of my family and then citizenship and then citizenship again the next year. Yes, some things get old. I used to contribute heavily to the upper forums, but now I go there and see the same questions that get asked 400 times every day because no one can take the time to READ anything except an answer to their direct question (heaven forbid they may learn some other tidbit of information along the way) and I really have no interest in answering for the 10,000th time how many copies of the G-325a you need, do you REALLY need to meet your fiancee in person, and whether $18,242 is enough to support their fiancee. (NO, though it may get you a visa) And the best...how do I package this petition and make it look pretty to the guy that will tear it apart and put it in their own folder? Now I usually only respond if it interests ME. Or is something I have experience with that isn't so common...children and animals for example.

But it is also just a place to shoot the sh*t in my opinion and for keyboard psychologists to analyze people they don't know and never talked to, which I suppose there is a need for as no one serious would otherwise pay attention to it. I think I enjoy ,most the funny stories we encounter with our differences in culture or about foods, etc. Even a good travelogue is OK. Occasional @food fights@ keep it interesting...like college. Only less mature.

Oh well, it is all good and all fun. I really don't concern myself with other peoples lives so much or try to analyze them. (seems like I have enough to do to keep my own @ss afloat) I hope they are as happy as me and consider this alternative entertainment to mindless TV, as I do. It has about as much affect on my life, after a good laugh as an episode of "Barney Miller" which was on TV last time I watched it. I really never understood the need for an "ignore" feature. I have one built in. While I really do not dwell on anything here, I will give my opinion, because ...why not? Free internet ink. And I really do wake up naked with Alla every morning (except when she is in Ukraine) so how, exactly, am I ever going to have a bad day? No brag, just fact.