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Photographer Enrico Ricciardi's Ultima-inspired Calendar using Live Models - Mystik 2010
Milano Italy-based professional photographer, Enrico Ricciardi - who is also a noted computer software collector - has put together a lavish Ultima-inspired calendar that has received the blessing of series creator Richard "Lord British" Garriott himself. While neither Ricciardi or Garriott have the rights to the Ultima license, the end product, named "Mystik 2010", still has a lot of the famous series' spirit. Check it out here and be sure to check out the photographer's other works while there (as well as the behind-the-scenes making of the calendar itself). They all have a very slick and sexy European feel to my American eyes.
Comments
calendar
I think the calendar is cute! A fun bit of fantasy.
Rob, you are always good for an interesting read!
I can completely understand your "geek side" and the problems associated with it. It's more or less the same with me except that I have more peace as I was never attractive enough to attract sober women in the first place ;-)
In my mind there's nothing more annoying than friends and family procuring potential partners for somebody and I very much understand your "flight instinct" (must be similar to women fending off meddlesome guys) although IMHO it's better to face that woman instead of avoiding things, events and perhaps persons you might like.
On the other hand I object to the idea what one should or should not do to appear immature. One isn't any more mature because he has a wife - in fact there are lots of husbands and wifes that behave downright irresponsible. In my opinion it's better not to be married than cheat your partner, for example. People marrying only because it suits their jobs or positions are among the most manipulative I can imagine.
It's also interesting what came out of my admittedly stingy remark about the choice of models...
take care,
Calibrator
Dating, or Killing the topic again....
There are of course many options out there like that, but the point is, don't give up. If you're happy with yourself and true to yourself, there's no doubt a match or two for you out there.
Wow, I wasn't expecting to turn the thread into a "dating advice" thread!
Your story of how you met your wife through AOL is an intriguing one. I had a friend who met several women through online forums on Compuserve, and it was actually somewhat weird. My friend (who shall remain nameless) had some personality issues that made him barely tolerable, and in fact wasn't liked by most people, yet he was very intelligent and able to talk "deeply" in the forums. He started to get into some "deep" conversations with a girl, and they developed an online relationship. He sent the prospective girl a very misleading photo of himself, and she in turn sent some misleading photos of herself. After some phone conversations that deepened the relationship, she actually flew down and moved in with him, never having met him in person before. I stayed away as much as I could, and the relationship lasted a few months before she essentially ran for the hills. The last I knew, though, he did actually meet up with another woman online who seemed compatible with him, then he moved out of town with her, so I don't know what happened after that.
In my case, the trouble is not meeting women, or even attracting women. Women will generally let you know somehow that they're interested, either from the classic subtle clues (playing with their hair, smoothing their clothes, etc.), or in outright aggressiveness. Heck, I'm staying home tonight, rather than attending a "Guy Fawkes" party, partially because a woman who is pursuing me is going to be there, and my friends are trying to force her on me, and I'm not interested, and I've told them so, but.... well, I don't like to crush a woman's ego for the simple crime of being interested in me. I guess this avoidance makes me a "coward." Which is a shame, because I really enjoyed last year's Guy Fawkes party. But it's awkward, since she runs in the same circle of friends that I do.
My problem is that I lose interest fairly quickly, or become annoyed when someone is "in my face" all the time. I like to be alone a lot and do my own thing, and not have to be dragged to the mall, to the movies, to their friends house, to do "their" things, especially when they can't enjoy "my" things, even when they feign interest in my things initially. The problem is that "my things" are usually solo-oriented interests, mostly artistic stuff, reading books, getting on the computer, or whatever. That's the dark, selfish, "jerk" side of me, and when that side starts to arise, it's time for me to bail, at the expense of their crushed souls (and mine). I suppose when it comes to relationships, I'm fairly immature and/or unrealistic, but the "geek" side of me is who I am.
Well, I suppose I'm somewhat the male version of the above. I'm not saying I'm a super-mega-hunk or anything, but women generally seem to like me, except for the ones who are into the "wild" scene. Yes, it sounds egotistic to say, but women generally come to me, not the other way around. It's hard for me to politely disengage without hurting feelings, especially since I've been on the other side of that fence too. I can understand the "harsh rejection" approach, simply because it's easier than the polite approach, where the other party usually doesn't get the hint. It's like a no-win scenario.
If someone comes along, I'll go with it and see what happens, but I'm not going to pursue it, probably because I'm afraid I'm FUBAR when it comes to relationships. One the one hand, I am comfortable being single. On the other hand, I know I shouldn't be, and feel like I'm missing out on something that I'm not supposed to.... And being the only male in this branch of the family tree, if I don't "procreate," I've essentially killed off this branch of the tree.
Well.... so... that calender is pretty interesting, eh? :-)
qoj hpmoj o+ 6uo73q 3Jv 3svq jnoh 77V
For various reasons I'm
For various reasons I'm usually the "go-to" guy among my close friends when it comes to finding dates. I tend to dispense advice whether wanted or not, because usually I feel that it's the lonely person's fault for not being more aggressive or receptive to obvious possibilities. Truth be told, unless you truly live in extreme isolation, there are bound to be single people in your immediate area. Quit thinking in terms of "the perfect scenario" and take advantage of whatever situations you can. For instance, if you attend church, try talking to the single women there. Also, talk to the older women--the "grandma" types--get in good with them and they may be able to hook you up with their available niece, daughter, sister, etc.
Consider a library. Many people see the library as a place that has books. However, it also a place that has ideal women in large quantities (i.e., the intelligent, frugal and often attractive type). And how natural to see such a girl on a bench reading--"Hi, there, what are you reading? Looks interesting!" I can't tell you how often this exact scenario led to great things for me. Indeed, when I was a student, I could find attractive women to talk to all over campus. I remember getting a date with what ended up being a long term relationship--just by noticing a pretty girl walking to her next class. I asked her if she liked live music; she said yes; I invited her to a concert; she said she'd try to show up (it was a free gig from a local band). She did--and things went very well after that, let me assure you.
Of course, this approach can sometimes lead you to unpleasantness. Frankly, a few girls lack any basic tact and may react negatively or even offensively. I've never been slapped or anything, but you might see them ignore you completely, tell you to go away, turn around and walk off, or even try to sick their boyfriends on you. Again, I've never been assaulted or anything remotely like that, but then again there's no reason to be if you're polite and can take a hint. Furthermore, I was actually happy when this happened, because if a girl is really that insecure, paranoid, or just plain nuts, I want to know about it right away--rather than get emotionally or financially invested. Let me stress that these girls are RARE. Typical girls who aren't interested will gently let you know they have a boyfriend, husband, etc., or will politely disengage. Others might suddenly remember they have somewhere to be, have to make a call, etc. That's the typical "rejection," and frankly if it bothers a guy that badly he needs a thicker skin!! :P
So, there I go again, I just can't help but give advice on this damn topic!!!
Enrico's note on the
Enrico's note on the SWCOLLECT mailing list:
I forgot to write the most important thing about MYSTIK.
The money we'll get from it will allow to help VILLAGE FOR ALL, a charity associations
who project holidays villages and campings for people with handicap, allowing them to be normal tourist as they worth to be....
Normally when they try to have a few happyness and relax during their holidays, many things not built thinking at their needs may transform a happy moment in a frustrating one..... again...
tks
enrico
Books!
Bill Loguidice, Managing Director | Armchair Arcade, Inc.
[About Me]
Well, if you are really
Well, if you are really after finding that someone special, I'm sure you will Rob. You seem like a great guy, at least in the little that we know you from Armchair Arcade. In my quest to find the "one", I did the dating service thing (old school dating service) and eventually met my wife through AOL when I took a hiatus from the service. I met some real characters at the dating service - some great women, some not so great - but I learned a lot about what I did and especially DIDN'T want, and of course a lot about myself (prior to that I dated almost exclusively work acquaintances from the time I was 17). As a person who doesn't drink, doesn't frequent bars and is not especially social because of my speech pattern, it was a particular challenge for me, but I never gave up and eventually did find the "one".
My sister, who's 27 now, was getting frustrated herself, but recently gave eHarmony a go and has been very happy with the guy that she's with to the point where this is her first true, long term relationship. There are of course many options out there like that, but the point is, don't give up. If you're happy with yourself and true to yourself, there's no doubt a match or two for you out there.
Books!
Bill Loguidice, Managing Director | Armchair Arcade, Inc.
[About Me]
To summarize: Meh...
Blessing or not, these pictures don't pleasure my European eyes as they look more like US porn VHS covers of the 90'ies.
Meh, I wouldn't go that far! There definitely is an artistic quality to these photographs. However, none of the females, while attractive in the "general" sense, were particularly my taste. The stern looks on their faces, the sort of generic "look" about them (I thought they all were the same girl at first... or maybe they were!), the "fakeness" of their look, etc. Give me Tina Fey over any of these girls!
As for the "Ultima" inspiration, I'm not a big enough Ultima junkie to catch the connection. These photos appear to be of generic fantasy settings, not unlike something you'd see on a fantasy book cover, Boris Vallejo or Brothers Hildebrandt painting, or whatever.
As an "artistic" expression of fantasy, these images are (largely) successful.
Meh, I wouldn't go that far! I see your point, though. For someone to be your "mate," as opposed to being your "fantasy," there has to be a lot of personality compatibility, i.e. someone "real." Women (or men!) who concentrate all on presenting the "fantasy" probably hits you on some psychological level, rendering them unattractive in your mind.
The general scientific consensus, as far as I've read, seems to be that judging a mate's physical attractiveness is a way to instinctually judge the "fitness" of a mate in order to have healthy offspring. A lot of "facial symmetry ratios" and such.
It is also said that we tend to end up with mates that are around the same level of attractiveness as we are.
Agreed, I think. Heck, I don't know, I've been very poor at maintaining relationships. Wow, that's a whole other can of worms, but as "unfair" as it may be, I've learned not to waste my time (or especially theirs) if I am not attracted to them on some initial level. And I'm very wary of women who express interest in me... it may not seem obvious to them at first, but I *AM* a geek, and I like it that way. Personality wise, I'm most likely not compatible with them in the long run. Needless to say, I think I'm screwed in this department. :-)
qoj hpmoj o+ 6uo73q 3Jv 3svq jnoh 77V
I don't think it's just
I don't think it's just Americans in particular, it's humans in particular, if not animals in particular. Beauty rules and probably always will. It doesn't make it right, but there's some instinctual thing probably related to mating that makes us value outer beauty so much.
I'm one of those who believes you have to have some basic level of attraction in order to be with someone. Liking the person's personality and other attributes is what you keeps you together. If you don't have that basic level of attraction first, I think the rest can very easily fall apart.
Books!
Bill Loguidice, Managing Director | Armchair Arcade, Inc.
[About Me]
Thanks for re-posting, Bill
Thanks for re-posting, Bill (I accidentally deleted his post, d'oh!!).
I don't disagree with you, especially in cases where there's something distracting (i.e., a wild hair or two, a big zit, etc.) However, in general I think Americans in particular place too much value on physical appearance, and also tend to define beauty too narrowly (a blonde supermodel). Women who are to my mind already attractive (and uniquely so) degrade themselves by trying to force their bodies into that mold (via surgery, cosmetics, fad diets, over-exercising, etc.) American males also tend to overvalue it, so that conversational skills and actually having a personality are minimized (or ignored completely!).
I am very unusual, I think, in placing a higher value on personality than looks. The problem I have with posters or calendars like this is that personality and charm are nil. 100% of their "value" is expressed here in terms of their bodies.
Compare that to "male hunks" like Arnold, Stallone, Depp, etc. They are generally expected to have lots of charm and personality in addition to (or in spite of, even) their muscular appearance. Thus, even in porn somebody like Ron Jeremy can rise to stardom despite being badly "out of shape," whereas his female equivalent would never stand a chance.
Well, I think as adults - as
Well, I think as adults - as intelligent adults - we can distinguish the difference between "studio beauty" and "real world beauty". "Studio beauty" means make up and hair is done just so, body make up, ideal lighting and anywhere from light to heavy touch up after the photo is processed. I think we SHOULD expect this from professional publications. Then there's "real world beauty", which is a bit rawer, but can be just as, if not more, attractive, with genuine imperfections present. If you can't appreciate the difference, then I think you can't watch or look at ANY form of media, because it's always an idealized form.
Remember when we did the interviews for the documentary, Matt? What did our subjects have to go through? Some powder and lots of lighting set up. It's all them on screen, but they look better on film, right? That's just the way it is and I think we'd be unhappy if it was the other way because it would be so jarring.
Books!
Bill Loguidice, Managing Director | Armchair Arcade, Inc.
[About Me]
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