Victoria

That's nothing! Wait 'til you give him your old victrola, Bob. Unlike these things... This thing ...is still alive, kicking, and being repped like hotcakes.

He would've gotten a much quicker rise out of the old girl, if he had said, "Panerai or Vauxhall Daimler?".

Ahh, gotcha. Maxmilian still has the only real 082 rep, then. I did see your other post about it, where you said you had an HKTAN strap coming in. I'm guessing this is not an OEM black calf, but a DSN strap, then. The more I think about the 082, the more I want it, but perhaps given its limiting strap selections, it doesn't make too much sense. It's not versatile like the 249 is, with similar blue hands.

This is the only post which called me back to reply, snipped because it'll go off topic with Irish-Americans etc. ETA, the IRA, and presumably you mean Baader-Meinhof's heydeys were clearly another. It's not 1978 anymore. Try the Tamil Tigers, and you'll be closer to the mark in 2007. Christian countries have evolved into constitutional monarchies, democracies, disallow slavery, have granted universal sufferage, have taken stands against capital punishment and in one festive snow-driven country in Scandinavia, they even have outlawed halal meat because of its inherent cruelty in slaughter. Execution of women? The Salem Witch Trials? We have to go back to this, to make a point? How about just letting women drive a frikkin car TODAY. Since the 1500s, there has been no contest which culture driven by which religion has been the more, no not humane, but the more progressive. If you don't mind, I'll keep my bikinis, and my driving license. Oh, and I quite like naming my teddy bears after religious leaders. Here's hoping my Church and fellow congregrants won't cut off my head because of it.

It looks to be the eponymously named, Natale. Much better on your Fiddy, Hambone, than in that TC photo. I had thought it would be too masculine for me, but I may be wrong. Thanks.

What a gorgeous paragraph, brimming with illumination. Tangentially, I seem to love the RWG minds that are touched by Buddhism or Zen, in some way. Interesting. I agree. However, I confess it makes it easier to agree and want to side with TeeJay, not just because of the brand (if you will) of Islam he has converted to, namely that of the teachings of the Holy Qu'ran and not the hadith as well, but because of the person he is, irrespective of his religion. If he were a Wahhabist, it would be more difficult. The same is true of anyone who is a fundamentalist, be it Islamic, Christian, Orthodox...but you'll note I can't say Buddhist. Anyway, it's been a great thread overall. Loads of fun. We'll see what tomorrow brings and if I change my mind, but I bid it adieu.

Tech, in fairness Rxus did implore: "(please consider my noobness when reading this)". I agree with the rest of what he wrote. I especially would love to know why Davidsen can't make a CG without that tell-tale lever dimple. I have a cheapo 217 from TWP which doesn't have this problem. It looks gen.

Problematic example of a fringe terror group. Here's a counter one: Fringe groups in Islam have always been the case. If you read the otherwise hilarious Dan Brown books (the best of the lot is Angels & Demons), one touches on one such fringe Islamic group, the Hashshashin. As most people know, the word "assassin" comes from that.: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hashshashin "Most Muslim contemporaries were obviously suspicious of these "Holy Killers"; in fact they were described using the term Batini. The term was sometimes used pejoratively to refer to those, especially Ismaili, who distinguished an inner, esoteric level of meaning (batin) in the Qur'an. This constant religious estrangement would eventually see them go so far as allying with the Occidental Christians against Muslims on a number of occasions. [...] The group transformed the act of murder into a system directed largely against Seljuk Muslim rulers who had been persecuting their sects. They were meticulous in killing the targeted individual, seeking to do so without any additional casualties and innocent loss of life, although they were careful to cultivate their terrifying reputation by slaying their victims in public, often in mosques. Typically, they approached using a disguise. Their weapon of choice being a dagger, they rejected poison, bows and other weapons that allowed the attacker to escape. For unarmed combat, the Hashshashin practiced a fighting style called Janna which incorporates striking techniques, grappling and low kicks. However, under no circumstances did they commit suicide, preferring to be killed by their captors." This could be Al-Qaeda today word for word: "The group inspired terror out of all proportion to their scant numbers and territory. The members were organized into rigid classes, based upon their initiation into the secrets of the order. The devotees constituted a class that sought martyrdom and followed orders with unquestioned devotion, orders which included assassination. Because of the secretive nature of the order, it has often been invoked in conspiracy theories." Proto-anarchists, using their religious background to incite terror amongst both the powers-that-be (whom they considered corrupt and un-Islamic) and the general populace. You never knew who or what they would target. So these kinds of terror tactics can be a part of Islam, and yet not. What is true is that the Hashshashin were only eradicated not by fellow Muslims, but by the Mongol hordes who conquered them. I'm sure you can understand my inference. Atat

This is the one I sleep with. Was thinking of calling him Moe.

Yes, a compliment! Take it, or leave it, bubeleh. See. You have a writer's eye for setting the scene. I can almost see you cupping your hand over the Bvlgari now.

Kenmasters, members here are tired of hearing me say this, but I have 5.7" or 14.47 cm wrists. If I can pull off a 44 PAM, anyone can. I will take some comparison shots for you tomorrow, with a varied selection of watches, including some of my father's. PAMs wear small, especially as pointed out below, the Titaniums.

NO WAY, you got the 082! Maxmilian move over! It's beautiful. Goes equally well with tans and darker straps (OEM black calf?), I see. Oh man, DSN here I come... @UB7: Trade ya! 83F and sunny. P.S.: Nahhh. That fire is unbeatable, great watch too. I'd skip the Bailey's, but double the hot choco. Plus put on some Perry Como.

Don't be silly, Pugwash. Who's ever heard of a Teddy being called Jehovah? I mean, even in Maida Vale.

I think He's just p1ssed off a teddy bear was called Mohammed, when plainly a better name was Trevor.

Mindful of Ken's kindly reproach, we could start another thread, or perhaps I should PM you privately? Just to say that my reply will mention that all of this mindset has to do government thinking it is acting in benefit of its populace, in as humane a way as possible for those who or which cannot think or act for themselves. Your dog's breed is considered vicious and therefore poses a threat not only to itself, but because it cannot control itself, also to others. In short, it's more humane to take away something, than to let violence occur. (This single point, BTW, is the salient difference between modern Europe and modern America, and the root of all its disagreements -- just how much can government meddle in its private citizens' lives to better it, according to its lights) Shall we PM each other further? EDIT: I can understand basic written Bokm

Maybe Islamic countries should give their foreigners a little culture pack of instructions, like what happens with Foreign Service officials. When my parents went to Saudi for a seminar my father was invited to, my mother was going outside wearing a longer than usual skirt. Nope. The hotel manager caught up to her as she strode outside, and said that was impossible -- she might receive abuse of a very severe and even official kind. So, of course, she changed. When in Rome, as TeeJay said. Unfortunately, she was still wearing her gold cross around her neck and when she disrobed at an all-female boutique, the shop clerk refused to serve her. Rome is full of potholes. @Ryyannon below: ...they have sexy lingerie boutiques in Saudi Arabia, you know. Someone must not be upset at seeing half-nekkid wimminz. From Teddy Bears to Teddies. @Ryyannon belower: "Sorry video no longer available". Wow the censors are mighty busy today...

I mentioned it in one of my replies up top. She held a contest to name the Teddy Bear (democracy in action), and when the class chose to honour one of the most popular boys in class, who just happened to be called Mohammed, she went with their decision. She should've asserted her natural superior rights as a teacher and elder, and said, NO. We cannot name this Teddy Bear Mohammed!! That is the Prophet's name! And I, being an unbeliever and a foreigner, will be targetted for abuse with others thinking I had insidiously tried to dishonour the Prophet (PBUH), by likening him to a ferocious, hirsute animal. Democracy failed her bitterly. Lesson learnt. She should've said, "Mohammed, nah. Let's call him George Tony."

Ptolomeo! Another 'Geek here, yay. This shot is fantastic. My fave of all the 4 threads. Something about that ceramic mixing with the exotic transluscence of the marbles which lights both up.

Narikaa. That's his forum ID here. I would PM him if you can.

Paedophilia in the West: If proven, allows the State/Crown to sentence you to a period of incarceration. Blasphemy amongst Muslims: If even hinted at, allows the State/Crown to sentence you to death. There is a big difference between mob rule and rule of law, but when there isn't, it's for the State to intervene. Here the State is part of the mob. Recently, in Peru (I know this because I watch SUR, a round-up cable channel transmitting 24/7 coverage of all the Hispanic South American newscasts) a girl was expelled from San Martin de Porres University in Lima, because her mobile went off during class. One ring. She had forgotten that one time to turn it off. Her prof and Dean objected, and she was summarily sent down. Bureaucratic excess is nothing new under the sun. It happens everywhere, even in my sainted "Western world" examples. What is different is the lack of volubility amongst moderates. The lack of fair coverage towards the other side, by media. And the lack of balanced laws by the State. I'm not saying CNN are suddenly going to present "The North American Man/Boy Love Association (NAMBLA)" in a positive light, but they will invite spokesmen on to support their points (disgusting though they are), and they will certainly refer to potential suicide bombers as freedom fighters.

But you see, Dani, this is the mindset in Norway that allows your beloved breed of dog to be banned. Because they are thinking of the welfare of the dog, and its effect on society...

I have a cousin who was targetted at his University for being a Conservative (capital C) BY HIS PROFS, so let's just leave it at that. Whatever outrage du jour we have in the UK, does not remotely resemble sentencing a woman to 90 lashes, and then deporting her from the country because she dared to name a teddy bear Mohammed, with calls for her death for good measure. Unless you're making the argument that this "outrage" and the "outrage" at penetrating children's orifices is some way morally equivalent?

Emmzy, they would be hunted down and killed. Not because ALL Muslims would be in favour of this. On the contrary. But it's enough that there are a few active zealots who the rest are scared of, to shut the moderates up. Obviously, I'm not speaking of the Sudanese in these crowd shots. They are numerous enough. One thing is to be perceived as an unbeliever. It's quite another thing to be an apostate.

I wish another lady poster posted in these Wristies, Pubus, like one does at Repgeeks (in fact, she's a Mod!). There is one photo she has this week, which is killer. She has her hands folder over paintbrushes, with oil paint smudges on her palm, whilst she's seen wearing her Yachtie over the backside of her wrist. The effect is breathtaking. I'm sure Rembrandt would've worn his watch "reversed" too. Never told you this, but this is surely one of the best photos ever posted in these threads. The colour contrast of the shirt and jeans and especially the framing of the shot, magic.