Got blocked by Simmons Bilt Instagram because my comment

[Fanch]

I thought Chicago got its name "The Windy City" from the stiff wind from Lake Michigan during a cold front but found it got its name from long winded politicians.

 

[Seb Lucas]

I mean... Okay, so TC can pretty much lead any kind of a life he wants, we agree on that. The roles he's choosing and the way he's going about it, he's clearly doing it because it's something he enjoys, not because he has to do it. So why should he stop doing the thing he loves - which ultimately only brings joy to people - just because it doesn't fit with someone's idea of how a human being should age? These roles, his life, who he is, it's all just fun.
On top of that, as PN mentioned, you'd have hard tome finding someone more dedicated and committed toward doing a job they do so how's any part of his life anything but commendable (except the Scientology bit, that's a bit wild but it's his choice - also, so far I haven't heard anything about Scientology Inquisition which already makes it better than some other religions in my book)?

I see where you are coming from. I wouldn't assume for a moment that TC loves what he does. On the evidence he could also be a messed up narsisist workaholic who is desperate for audience love. Wouldn't be the first star to be trapped in an impossible image. But who really knows?

 

[ton312]

Unfortunately, when I was there it was one of the harder winters they'd had in recent years. I remember waiting for their Winterval procession and watching a group of kids entertaining themselves by pouring hot coffee on the floor and timing how long it took to freeze! Very nice place, though, but I would avoid November onward....

I can't wait for that bone cracking cold to come back. At least I won't be sweating ALL day!

 

[Benny Holiday]

Well Tony, I don't know many big cities that don't have some kind of crime problem somewhere in their area. Would love to see Wrigley Field some day, and do a cruise on Lake Michigan, visit the Art Institute . . . yep I think I need to start saving for a holiday!

 

[dudewuttheheck]

Maybe it's mainly here in the states. Sadly portions of the city have an epidemic of gang violence that creates a dark cloud over the city as a whole. These areas are actually quite remote and a tourist would never ever find themselves there (nor would I as a 20 plus year resident) but it is a problem and one that multiple city admins have failed to answer.

pfft. LA has that too (which is why I live in Orange County.) I loved Chicago when I went and can't wait to take my fiance there sometime.

The only huge cities that don't have major crime problems are in Japan... btw Tokyo was AMAZING when I went last month.

 

[ProteinNerd]

.

The only huge cities that don't have major crime problems are in Japan... btw Tokyo was AMAZING when I went last month.

How do they do it then?

Plus I'm very jealous, I'd love to get to Japan one day....

 

[Big J]

Japan has just as much crime as anywhere else- stabbings, people beating strangers and family members to death, people pushing others under trains, robbery, fraud, etc.
If you aren't fluent in Japanese, you won't notice, and you'll be suckered by the straight-faced myth that 'Japan is a very safe country'.
Example; there are around 30,000 'suicides' per year, but only 10% of cases ever get an autopsy.
A couple of years ago an American teacher was caught on CCTV being harassed in his apartment building elevator by a known organized crime syndicate member. The next day he was found dead from multiple blows to the head in his apartment. Police verdict? He fell over. Japan works harder on projecting a crime free image than it does in solving crime.

 

[ButteMT61]

Maybe it's mainly here in the states. Sadly portions of the city have an epidemic of gang violence that creates a dark cloud over the city as a whole. These areas are actually quite remote and a tourist would never ever find themselves there (nor would I as a 20 plus year resident) but it is a problem and one that multiple city admins have failed to answer.

Lived on the South Side when my Pops was as U of C. on Blackstone Ave. Was the only white kid around, but didn't even know it until my Mom showed me pics years later. Loved it there as a kid!

 

[ButteMT61]

I thought Chicago got its name "The Windy City" from the stiff wind from Lake Michigan during a cold front but found it got its name from long winded politicians.

Not even close to the windiest, but I agree with your assessement, @Fanch!
Felt like it do to the lake. It's hella cold there for sure. Dad lost his car for over three weeks in the 60's. Took us everywhere on a sled for those weeks until snow was cleared out. His car was buried in it!

 

[Superfluous]

 

[dudewuttheheck]

How do they do it then?

Plus I'm very jealous, I'd love to get to Japan one day....

It's a damn good time.
I know it's not as crime free as people say, but I definitely never found a bad part of town at least.
The food is incredible and being able to meet the owners of some of my favorite brands was very special.

 

[Monitor]

I see where you are coming from. I wouldn't assume for a moment that TC loves what he does. On the evidence he could also be a messed up narsisist workaholic who is desperate for audience love. Wouldn't be the first star to be trapped in an impossible image. But who really knows?

Well, could be that, too.

 

[Big J]

I was looking forward to John Woo's Flying Tigers film with Tom Cruise. I guess that's never gonna happen now.

 

[Fonzie]

Exactly my thoughts, there's so many conversations going on it's mind boggling , Chicago city, Sydney weather, Athens people, Tom Cruise, Scienthology, Japan's crime scene...
Pretty good though. Keep it up boys!

 

[Fanch]

Exactly my thoughts, there's so many conversations going on it's mind boggling , Chicago city, Sydney weather, Athens people, Tom Cruise, Scienthology, Japan's crime scene...
Pretty good though. Keep it up boys!

Are you guys insinuating we have drifted off topic from "Got blocked by Simmons Bilt Instagram because my comment" thread?

 

[Edward]

Chicago is a great city to visit in the autumn, though I may be a bit biased. I will say, though, that my favorite time of the year for Chicago is during Christmas. The city is a dazzling sparkle of lights up and down the streets. Northern Michigan is very nice in the winter, too. My family used to go skiing up there when I was a child. Used to go way up to Shanty Creek.

Sounds great. I've always wanted to do Christmas in NYC, though - I think it's the influence of Fairytale of New York.... reawakened last year by A very Murray Christmas. The idea of being trapped by weather in a hotel with a view in Manhattan from Christmas Eve for a couple of days.... bliss.

I agree with Edward on this and the sheer banality of those action hero roles. For me there's often a desperate sadness in TC's choice of roles - his palpable anxiety to stay relevant, young and bankable is more notable than any performance he gives. In fact these days, this often is TC's performance. I imagine it must be difficult for him to deal with aging and hope that the latest 25 year old co-star or girlfriend doesn't make him look too silly.

I like aging gracefully - but this doesn't mean giving up or turning into Jack Nicholson (not that it did him any harm) I am near to TC's age and weigh the same as I did when I was 19. A sensible diet and a good walk every day or two is all anyone needs.

I'll never forget openly laughing at Entrapment pairing Zeta Jones with Connery - only for her to turn around and marry another man old enough to be her elderly father in real life! They don't call it Hollyweird for nuttin'.

So basically he shouldn't be enjoying his life?

Somebody who seems to go to the lengths he does to convince us all that he is surely can't be....

 

[ton312]

Exactly my thoughts, there's so many conversations going on it's mind boggling , Chicago city, Sydney weather, Athens people, Tom Cruise, Scienthology, Japan's crime scene...
Pretty good though. Keep it up boys!

DUDE you forgot about skinny jeans!

 

[ButteMT61]

Scratching the surface...and again, I wish to thank the gracious hosts for allowing us this fun and for everyone here for keeping it clean enough as not to draw the ire of said kind hosts

 

[Monitor]

Scratching the surface...and again, I wish to thank the gracious hosts for allowing us this fun and for everyone here for keeping it clean enough as not to draw the ire of said kind hosts

Agreed. And it's especially nice they're allowing it considering there actually is a sub-forum dedicated to this sorta random off-topicness. The Observation Bar I think, right? But not counting Classifieds, I don't think I have ventured outside of Outerwear more than three times in these few years I've been here.

 

[handymike]

Hey guys, what's the weather like?
Actually, it's pretty amazing that this and the ANJ4 threads are the only SB discussions that have survived for more than a week.
Thanks for keeping it clean this time!