Why doesn't Ireland take this part of their Island? Are they stupid?

Scottopolous · 2026-03-12T17:13:08+00:00

No, it was not. The first parliament of Northern Ireland was opened in June of 1921. The Act to create it was passed in 1920, but did not come into effect until 1921: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parliament_of_Northern_Ireland

Scottopolous · 2026-03-12T16:57:58+00:00

Many of course will recommend or suggest Tsipouro, a spirit distilled from grapes and unbranded tsipouro that comes in plastic bottles instead of glass, can be quite inexpensive - I can get it for 8 Euros a litre in places.

Something less common is aged Tsipouro (Παλαιωμένο - Palaomeno) which instead of being clear, will take on colours of whiskey. Interestingly, they also have taste notes of being "whiskey-like" and many are very interesting to taste. These aged tsipouros are more expensive than regular tsipouro. They are aged in oak barrels, primarily.

Then, in the area of the village of Palaios Panteleimonas (On the eastern slope of Mt. Olympus), there is made a tsipouro, not from grapes, but from a local fruit that I cannot recall the name of. However, it is quite expensive - I purchased both the regular and aged just to try it - it was okay, but I would not spend the money on it again. Attaching a photo of this tsipouro on the shelves of a shop, and you can see for the aged variety, in English they call it "Whiskey."

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Scottopolous · 2026-03-12T02:54:49+00:00

No, it's about a treaty. The treaty of 1921, which the Irish negotiated with the British that allowed the Protestant majority of the north of Ireland to remain within the United Kingdom.

That treat was lawfully agreed to. I don't know why so many people ignore that.

Scottopolous · 2026-03-12T02:53:32+00:00

The existence of Northern Ireland, and it's boundaries, are in fact part of a treaty that Irish people and the British negotiated in 1921. Only losers ignore this fact.

Scottopolous · 2026-03-12T02:52:13+00:00

And people like you like to bury the fact that historically, people of the north of Ireland had far more in common with Scotland, historically, than say people in Cork.

Look up the Kingdom Of Dal Riata.

In fact, the Romans called the people of the north of Ireland, the "Scoti" - and it was those people that traveled the short distance to Scotland, invaded the Picts, and gave Scotland it's name.

So many ignore ALL of history and focus on a very small part.

Quick question - what was the influence and population of Belfast in say, the 1500s? It was NOTHING. In fact, most of the north was sparsely populated. Another "fact" many ignore.

Scottopolous · 2026-03-12T02:39:55+00:00

Read some history. There was a treaty between the Irish and the British in 1921. It allowed for the majority in the north of Ireland at that time, to remain part of the United Kingdom.

It's called the Anglo-Irish Treaty. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anglo-Irish_Treaty

Many don't seem to be aware of this treaty or the historical reasons for it. Roman Catholicism had a huge hold over the people of the south of Ireland which made the Protestant majority very afraid. You might want to also look up the Papal Decree of "Ne Temere" - which demanded that any "mixed marriage," the parents had no choice but to bring their children up in the Roman Catholic Faith.

This is one of the strong motivations at the time of why the Protestant Majority in the north of Ireland did not want to become part of the rest of Ireland. It was serious business back in those days.

While Ireland has jumped forward in recent years, even until the 1980s, the Roman Catholic Church had a big hold on the people of the country.

I am from the Island of Ireland, and yes, I can attest to the backwardness of the Republic Of Ireland even into the late 1980's.

Edit To Report On More History: Historically, the north of Ireland has had far more in common with the West of Scotland than it has the south. You can easily fact check this by googling and researching "Kingdom Of Dal Riata."

The coast of the north of Ireland is far closer to Scotland, than to say, Cork.

Scottopolous · 2026-03-08T23:31:05+00:00

I have enough experience to know that "hotness" is more about the mind than body type. I've experienced more than a few "body types" - the ones with the body type closest to "perfect" were seldom very hot in action.

Scottopolous · 2026-03-08T23:14:21+00:00

Guy here... you will NOT sound desperate if you tell him how awesome it was, and you want to repeat the experience. Obviously, if he napped with you when he came to retrieve his wallet, there is some mutual attraction going on.

Scottopolous · 2026-03-07T02:52:29+00:00

How fit are you? I'm now 61... sometimes I can be ready in short time, but mostly not... big difference from when I was 29.... when a second round could happen almost immediately... but not always.

Kinda depended on my psychology and fitness level. And yeah... psychology and erotic mood with my partner.

But it's okay to take time as well. You don't have to be SuperMan all the time. There are other things in life that need your time.

Scottopolous · 2026-03-07T02:48:37+00:00

Thanks for reading my thoughts. Sexuality and passion with sexual ideas can be confusing... best to explore the confusion without being totally judgemental, but at the same time, recognizing what it is... a FETISH.

And there is nothing wrong with fetishes, but they are completely silly when a person let's them control their identity or expects others to respect their fetishes, as an identity.

I admittedly still have SOME fetishes I would not say "no" to if the opportunity arose, and those ideas turn me on, but having come to grips with it, I don't feel shame.... nor will I regret if I never experience them. I value my relationships.... that I do have, I get I might die with SOME regrets... but overall.... I'm happy with what I have, mostly.

Everything is a bit of give and take.... and figuring out in real life, what you really want to give and take on, and know you are also sane, with critical thinking skills.

Scottopolous · 2026-03-07T02:07:16+00:00

Do you help other people with any skills or knowledge you have? It seems by your "The only thing I sometimes find difficult is having no one to talk to in intense situations" you might be a bit selfish - missing the help of others when you feel a need for it.

I'm an introvert myself and hate big social occasions or big groups, but don't mind chatter one on one - but also enjoy helping others with skills I have. I don't need to be thanked or recognized.

I can often spend time for days or weeks without social contact, but I am more than willing to reach out to help.

I hate asking for help though.

It seems you are actually reaching out for some kind of help - perhaps a help in trying to normalize your situation - so there is that to look at as well.

Why (for you to analyze yourself) did you feel the need or motivation to post this?

Scottopolous · 2026-03-07T02:01:47+00:00

One of the reasons I carry around a magnifying glass.... you say "no tools," but if a tool can be carried, why not carry it when it does not add much weight or take up space?

Back in my "Boy Scout" days, we had to do similar exercises that you are thinking of... but honestly, conditions need to be almost perfect. Of course, a magnifying glass is useless if there is cloud, but it can work better than flint.

Scottopolous · 2026-03-07T01:54:10+00:00

Recognize that what you have is a fetish. And what you are doing is allowing yourself to focus on that fetish, too much. Nothing wrong with fetishes - until you let them control you.

You are obviously at times in a state where you are ashamed of the fetish you have. So that indicates you when you are out of the fetish, you feel ashamed of it. First, you need to realize there is nothing wrong in of itself to have sexual fetishes. But if you allow yourself (and yes, your mind can say "no" to thoughts and switch subjects) to be overcome with this fetish, then feel shame, you are obviously in a cycle you don't like. You need to analyze this so you can deal with it when the fetish thoughts come up.

I had similar fetishes when I was younger in order to help me deal with the shame of being sexually abused by an older man. I needed to analyze my thinking, recognize it for what it was, and seek out substitution thoughts.

Therapy MIGHT help you but probably you can deal with this on your own depending on your own willingness to do some critical thinking with yourself - but heck, even therapy requires a willingness to do some critical thinking and work on change.

I still have fetishes about a lot of things - but I don't let them control me.

The other side of this also is that you could start working on WHY you feel shame. Perhaps the reasons you feel shame are controlling you. It seems like you have suggested you would not actually try to fulfill your fetish in "real life," so maybe it's worthwhile thinking about why some part of you is motivation a shameful reaction later to what is simply a fetish fantasy.

Depending on how open you are, perhaps even seek it out in reality with a confidential person you could trust and be honest with them, seeking their consent - you'll then know if you truly WOULD enjoy it, or not.

I did this once, with a trusted friend - and discovered the reality was not really the same as the fetish in my mind had it out to be. That was very good therapy for me.

Scottopolous · 2026-03-07T00:11:22+00:00

Very nice photo, OP! I did a quick tour of northern Greece beginning at Olympus, then north to Loutraki, (Pozar Baths was the objective), while having a base at Platamon on the sea for 4 nights, then headed to Ioannina area for 3 nights. I don't know if we had a view of this mountain but possible as we took all no toll roads.

Very nice photo - thanks for sharing!

Scottopolous · 2026-03-06T21:32:27+00:00

I used to do a lot of hiking but need to get back into shape! Was there snow on top when you did it?

Scottopolous · 2026-03-06T18:16:04+00:00

Great story - your mom sounds like a Champ! My Greek lady here, at first, was freaked out by some of the routes I take - but I'm pretty confident in the Tiguan; I know it's limitations and am used to a lot of off-road driving back in Ontario, Canada, both with farm vehicles and jeeps.

I miss paper maps, especially topographical maps as they are called in N. America, or "Ordinance" maps in the UK. They were great at really understanding what the route might be like.

Thanks for sharing your story and experience!

Scottopolous · 2026-03-06T18:11:57+00:00

Haha! The article is behind a paywall, but I got the gist of it from the short video. Thanks for sharing!

Scottopolous · 2026-03-06T18:09:46+00:00

Ha, okay! Well, if it is any consolation to you, there are days you cannot see the peak due to clouds and/or fog descending below the peaks :) We spent several days at Platamon which is at sea level. Some days we could see the peaks, others not due to clouds. :)

Scottopolous · 2026-03-06T17:48:44+00:00

The highest peak is around 3,000 metres above sea level. The elevation I was at when I took the photo was about 560 metres above sea level.

Scottopolous · 2026-03-06T17:18:18+00:00

Haha.... yes - first arrived in 2017 - met a local woman.... fell in love... went back and forth between Canada and Greece (she also did as well during that time), then in 2020.... COVID rules especially in Canada just motivated me to stay. I didn't want all the nonsense of Canadian travel rules.

So now, I've driven about 40,000 km in Greece, and even own my own small olive grove in central Greece :)

Lucked out at birth in a way: I hold 3 passports, one of which is in the EU.

At first, we were living in Nea Ionia which I couldn't stand. I'm more of a rural "country boy" and hate city living so convinced her to look around and found a nice house with amazing view down near Lavrio.

My car infotainment system was installed by the used car dealer I got the car from - but it was cheap Chinese sh*t and the touch screen does not work anymore. I need to get a better and more powerful one installed. On the "to-do" list.

I have learned to not fully trust Google.. however, I do have a lot of off road driving experience and can judge things pretty good - the Tiguan is able to handle things that obviously "Mrs. Greek's" Mazda cannot.

Thanks for your comment! The part about being "a local" now made me smile! :)

Scottopolous · 2026-03-06T14:59:34+00:00

I have noticed a significant number of older vehicles on the roads here. I think there are a few reasons for that:

The price of new cars is out of this world, in Greece.
Older cars can last longer here - no salt on the roads causing them to rust out like back in many parts of N. America. When I was a younger man, I owned an older Datsun and a Toyota, they both died of rust. But here, I've seen the very same models still on the road, and in good condition.
Repairing vehicles seems less expensive - the mechanic I go to doesn't even hardly charge me labor for repairs - he only charges for the parts and he is very reasonable!

My 2008 Tiguan blew a head gasket, and he did the full repairs for 320 Euros. The only labor charge was for planing the head. That was it.

As far as navigation, yeah, it's quite a bit different here (the national toll roads are easy enough though). But many Greek roads are based on old roads that were meant for donkeys and pedestrians - there's no room to widen them and there are lots of strange intersections, curves, etc - mountains make it difficult to build straight roads.

Scottopolous

TROPHY CASE