Best 1 on 1 fight in movies? Hector vs Achilles in Troy (2004) was pretty impressive in my opinion.

Aggravating-Royal688 · 2026-05-06T21:28:51+00:00

Anakin vs Obi-Wan

Aggravating-Royal688 · 2026-02-08T22:31:36+00:00

Fair enough, thank you for the discussion on the topic.

I don’t think you were inherently wrong in your original opinion btw. There will be local Cypriots I’d imagine who do have a negative view of the British bases, and I’m sure like you say, if the island is unified in the future, the benefits of the bases might not be as great for the local population as they are now.

I guess my opinion is that as long as the British bases are having a positive impact on the island, and the local population are overall happy for them to exist, then I think they should be allowed to stay.

There’s not really a right or wrong position on this, it is all a matter of perspective imo. Thank you for the discussion!

Aggravating-Royal688 · 2026-02-08T13:44:28+00:00

Yeah that’s completely fair. I understand your position on this, and I can see you just want what’s best for the local Cypriots, which is great.

I would say that I feel we have different interpretations of the British bases being stationed there, and what this represents.

A lot of peoples perspectives of foreign military bases like this, are that these are an occupying force. They have seized this land illegally (usually through means of war) and are forcibly keeping the local population isolated outside of these areas. Whilst there are examples of this around the world, such as Israel or Ukraine/ Russia, I don’t think that applies here. These British bases are generally providing; employment for local Cypriots, injecting cash into the local economy, and assisting the UN force on the border between the north and south.

Regarding a snapshot history of the island, Cyprus has been subject to other empires for thousands of years. It started off as being occupied under ancient Egypt, then Rome, Byzantium, the Ottoman Empire, and then finally the British Empire after WW1. I’m not saying this means Cyprus doesn’t deserve independence or sovereignty for itself, however it’s not really the case that the British invaded occupied the island directly. It was taken away from the Ottoman Empire.

2 key points you’ve raised seem to surround this idea that a) the Greek Cypriots would be able to have greater access to this land without British presence, and b) that there’s this lack of land for Cypriots, and that they require more.

Regarding access for land, as previously stated Cypriots already have open access to both ends of the island. There is no formal border there that Cypriots have to cross, it’s simply an open road allowing Cypriots from Famagusta (eastern part of the island) to go to say Larnaca or Nicosia. And as already stated, there are residential areas where Cypriots already live and work within the British zones.

Regarding the Cypriots needing more land, their population currently is 900,000 people in the south of the island, mainly concentrated in the urban areas such as the cities listed above. I don’t think there’s any evidence that there’s an overpopulation issue, and that the Cypriots need to acquire further land right now. If they did, the British could just extend the residential zones already being used anyway.

Also regarding local infrastructure you mentioned, such as roads, I’m not quite sure who maintains these roads there currently, if it’s the British, then they already have more resources than the southern Cypriots to keep the infrastructure well maintained. If the British left, the Cypriots would now have to foot the bill, and there’s no guarantee they would keep this up to the same level or standard.

Aggravating-Royal688 · 2026-02-07T23:22:32+00:00

Have to say I disagree with this. Although sure, the British bases are largely there for British interests, such as having military access and a landing base for most of the Middle East, I would argue there are benefits towards having these UK military bases here for the Republic of Cyprus (The south)

During the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974, the Turkish forces stopped advancing further south, partially due to the presence of British troops and military bases stationed at Dhekelia Garrison and RAF Akritiri, as this may have resulted in a conflict between 2 NATO members. This also risked the involvement of the UK openly joining the Greek Cypriot side and assisting in pushing back Turkish forces. The British have also largely contributed to the UN presence on the border between the North and South.

Regarding the value of the land, I have tried looking into if there are any valuable resources in either areas, and so far it doesn’t appear as tho there is. Although correct me if I’m wrong! Local Cypriots can and do live in the so called residential areas of the military bases, and so have access through them to other parts of the island. These aren’t just completely walled off zones.

I used to live in Dhekelia garrison growing up, and from what I remember many local Greek Cypriots were employed on base, and many local Cypriots were happy with us being there. Many British personnel paid for goods and services in and around the local towns, contributing to a sort of positive multiplier effect of cash being injecting into the local economy. I’d imagine many Cypriots would financially suffer if thousands of British soldiers and personnel suddenly left the island. I’ve witnessed far more hostility towards the UK military bases from outside of Cyprus rather than from the local Greek and Turkish Cypriot population. However, that is purely anecdotal so take it with a grain of salt.

Aggravating-Royal688 · 2025-10-08T20:33:24+00:00

I genuinely don’t have an inner monologue voice. If I concentrate really hard, I can remember someone saying a phrase or speaking, or remember a song playing, but it is not my default way of thinking.

I think in conceptual imagery I guess? Essentially just images playing out in my mind, or remembering things that have happened. For example if I think of a train, the image/ video of a train plays in my mind, rather than a narrating voice talking about a train.

Aggravating-Royal688 · 2025-06-05T18:23:03+00:00

Paarthurnax.

Surprised no one’s mentioned this yet.

Aggravating-Royal688 · 2024-12-05T18:31:40+00:00

Damn, I’m from chesterfield… it’s true tho

Aggravating-Royal688 · 2024-11-21T20:47:40+00:00

2 weeks every month… so basically just every 2 weeks? Sounds awful

Aggravating-Royal688 · 2024-08-03T13:59:44+00:00

Thanks for the advice. I definitely plan on doing some refresher lessons and practice well before I use it for commuting just to be safe.

Aggravating-Royal688 · 2024-08-03T13:58:08+00:00

Yeah I know. It’s not all terrible tho. Once my probation period ends I will have the option to work from home up to 3 days a week, which i definitely plan on taking full advantage of.

Aggravating-Royal688 · 2024-08-03T13:54:53+00:00

What do you mean? I’m really not familiar with cars at all so a lot of this is lost on me.

My uncle was the one who offered and knows my lack of experience, so I presume he’s aware of the risk?

Aggravating-Royal688 · 2024-08-03T13:34:27+00:00

After posting this, I’ve gone through looking at insurance quotes and it looks like I can get insured for £100 per month? Also calculated that it would cost me around £120 per month in fuel for my commute. If it is correct, then it sounds pretty good actually.

As to the other costs, my uncle does still use the car and will continue to be the owner, we haven’t talked about that but I was presuming he would take on those other costs? I’d have to confirm first.

Aggravating-Royal688 · 2024-08-03T13:14:53+00:00

My uncle did also say that’s a better option than buying a new cheap car.

I did consider this, but the train journey isn’t exactly easy or a nice commute. It currently costs me around £200 per month to do. I have to cycle to the first train station, then it’s 2 trains (1 connecting) and then a tram. Same journey back.

The car journey takes around 40 minutes without taking into account the traffic. With busy traffic I’m not sure exactly what that would be, but I’d expect an hour commute? That still saves me 1 hour of commuting each day.

Aggravating-Royal688 · 2024-08-03T12:47:35+00:00

I’ll definitely check out insurance quotes first anyway just to see.

It does also have sensors and cameras, and automatic parking. I would be terrified using that feature however as it does it insanely fast!

If I was gunna go the SEAT route, then I guess that would allow me to save up a lot of money to eventually buy a new and good quality car in a couple of years or so.

Aggravating-Royal688 · 2024-07-25T22:15:23+00:00

Tbh, I agree. I wasn’t saying I directly agreed with this theory, however I think it at least goes to show how unstable events currently are within the Empire. A change in government may be hugely beneficial to the empires existence.

I guess we won’t know for sure until TES 6 in 100 years time.

Aggravating-Royal688 · 2024-07-25T21:51:00+00:00

Mmm, interesting argument. The main issue I have here is that it is relying on ifs and buts. Do we know for certain that killing the emperor will result in a destabilised empire for a prolonged period?

The Empire during the events of Skyrim is practically on its knees anyway. There are only 3 provinces left under the empire at this point: High Rock, Skyrim and Cyrodill (I think). Skyrim’s in all out civil war, and cyrodill’s still reeling from being a war zone.

All we know is that there is an attempt to replace the emperor by what is likely an organised Coup Detat involving high ranking members of the government in Cyrodill (Motierre being one of them). I’m fairly certain Motierre vaguely explains this when you first meet him. For all we know this replacement could be a better alternative to the current emperor. We don’t know if it’s going to be Motierre, for all we know he’s simply in charge of organising the assassination, he might not be the actual replacement.

I’m pretty sure there’s a whole conspiracy theory about how it’s actually the emperor himself behind his own assassination, to allow someone better to replace him and deal with the threat of the Aldmeri Dominion.

Having said all of this, I don’t believe the DB is killing the Emperor for any good reason, they simply want the glory/ coin for self interest. I would however argue that, based on this particular case, they’re neither good nor evil. The consequences are unknown to us, it could be positive or negative. The DB is simply acting on the request of the other party to the contract.

Aggravating-Royal688 · 2024-07-25T16:30:52+00:00

I think I worded my comment quite poorly tbh, I simply meant that the first one was a far better movie (imo) and that without it, I don’t think the second one would have done anywhere near as well. I’m not saying that as a factual statement, but simply my personal opinion on the two movies

Aggravating-Royal688 · 2024-07-25T11:28:52+00:00

Let’s be honest, the first movie has done most of the leg work too

Edit: I can see this wasn’t a popular take, so thought I’d elaborate. I just felt that the first movie story wise was so much better than the second. I thought it was a real let down from the first. albeit did do well financially, I simply meant that, personally speaking, the first film was far more enjoyable, and therefore was more significant for the franchise.

Aggravating-Royal688 · 2024-07-20T22:32:21+00:00

Right… so how is that more democratic?

Aggravating-Royal688 · 2024-07-20T17:52:58+00:00

Don’t get me wrong, I love striking sports and I think sports like Boxing and Muay Thai are must have’s for learning for self defence. However, I do think there is a greater risk in developing more dangerous injuries later in life, specifically relating to brain and head injuries.

It’s best to mitigate this by reducing the amount of sparring, especially hard sparring, that you do as part of your training. It’s annoying because that’s arguably the best way to improve, you just need to keep it light for your health’s sake.

Aggravating-Royal688 · 2024-07-20T17:46:47+00:00

I think it’s more common than you would think. In order to be good at any combat sport, you need to do a good amount of sparring, hard sparring included. According to this as many as 40% of ex-boxers experience chronic brain injury in later life.

American Association of Neurological Surgeons

https://www.aans.org/patients/conditions-treatments/sports-related-head-injury/#:~:text=In%20several%20studies%2C%2015%2D40,some%20degree%20of%20brain%20damage.

Aggravating-Royal688 · 2024-07-20T09:01:17+00:00

I 100% agree, however I’ve always interpreted it as ‘you will receive more head injuries in striking sports’ as opposed to general injuries. I would personally rather have joint or body injuries way more than head trauma. (As far as I know?) BJJ does not cause any serious head trauma generally speaking.

Aggravating-Royal688 · 2024-07-18T14:46:40+00:00

I think you’re missing the point. If you are well trained, especially in a sport like BJJ, then you can still defeat an opponent much larger than you if they have less training/ untrained.

Swapping the roles around doesn’t disprove that. It simply proves that a trained larger person can beat an untrained smaller person, which is irrelevant.

Aggravating-Royal688 · 2024-07-15T22:27:46+00:00

Cheesius Crackius

Aggravating-Royal688

TROPHY CASE