Eric Bana (Clare) and Rachel McAdams (Henry) star in this dramatic fantasy, which is directed by Robert Schwentke. This is a must see movie. There is a phrase in the Bible “Ecclesiastes 1:18″, loosely translated “Increased knowledge increases sorrow” and that is what this movie shows. The movie is so wonderful it hooks you with an idea; a concept. A concept that is totally “out there”.

 

Thank you.

 

 

 

John drew 

 

I must put this warning up front “BRING TWO HANKIES”. I am a little over sensitive and have a tendency to cry during sad movies. This movie helped me find a new depth of awareness and feeling. Please take a chance and see this movie and let me know if you agree.

I give this movie 5 hankies one for each star. I am so happy that I was able to review this movie and bring the information to you.

This love story scares me and thrills me all at once
It began in the most complicated of circumstances
Love is the glue that binds two
To hold on tight
To the one that you feel the most some lonely nights
It is the emotion which can set free or put over edge
Thrust into a wild ride - fighting not to lose ones head
But it was lost at  first touch which brings me back to us
The beginnings and newness of our intense relations
Surrounding passions that were potent and fierce from day one
We exchanged notes back and forth until we rope tied each others tongues
Together we worked our way toward a deep seated - heavy lust
Coupled with a longing that with time eventually would grow to love
What brings about this sensually arousing craving
Moist at the thought of roughing you up in the softest places
My fingers gently caressing and map questing their way to waist lines
Refined grooves that bare the pathway to the grand prize
Flowing silky wrapped into a suckable button of ecstasy
We part ways and legs while listening to Lady Gaga’s Poker Face
Taste my tongue water
At the thought of pleasing you
I look into eyes
That reflect a soul so beautiful
I am overwhelmed and captivated all at once
The way you grin that lip biting smile of yours
When I glance at you knowingly
It feels like love
The way your hands roam my body
Had me at first touch
Remember that night
God, do I remember that night
I saw you standing there out of the corner of my eye
No, you were walking toward me looking rather pleasing
Seeking me just the same as I sought you; with meaning
I found you first and waited for our eyes to connect
For recognition to set in for those first few minutes
Before pouncing on you as faces expressed our minds
Then holding you in my arms for the first time
I will never forget that night baby-girl
As I am 100% certain of what my future holds
Temper your fears, don’t allow restlessness to unfold
You listened intently and revelead passions I’d never known
You opened your heart
Let me inside, then it hit me
This ride I resigned to take you on isn’t a novelty
Before you there wasn’t another that could fulfill my needs
Or bring to my life any real purpose that I could see
You were more than I could have ever imagined in my wildest dreams
You melted my heart and ever since then, for you it fiends
We go deeper than deep – full circle – L-O-V-E  

AP Photo/David J. Phillip

It’s been leaked that world champion athlete, Semenya Caster, has returned abnormaly high levels of testosterone. Three times the “normal” level of a woman. While this is not  indicative of any abuse of performance enhancing drugs, it does prompt further testing.

Initially, I felt race played absolutely no role in the request for testing as there are plenty of documented examples of white female and male athletes suspected of and subsequently testing positive for performance enhancing drugs. Of all steroids, testosterone is the grand daddy and it’s easier to mask detection because the hormone is naturally produced in the male and female body.

Interestingly enough, Semenya’s current track coach Ekkart Arbeit, has intimate knowledge of the effects of testosterone. He faced scrutiny and disgrace as a former East German track coach who was deeply involved in a elaborate, state sponsored, doping program that was revealed many years later. It resulted in world championships and olympic medal wins all throughout the 70s and 80 for the the Eastern Europeans. 

Almost overnight they were able to compete with the US and Russia on a level never before seen. In the process, many of the athletes lives were drastically and negatively effected by drug use and in some cases, lives were altogether ruined. Some of the more drastic side effects of  anabolic steroid use do not simply go away. They can lead to body changes that include the formation of male characteristics; deepending voice, facial hair, physique are all natural side effects of testosterone and anabolic steroid use.

The most widely known athlete from his former team is Heidi Krieger, now known as Andreas after under going a sex change. He trained under Coach Arbeit and was given large amounts of anabolic steriods from the age of 16.  He developed an adams apple, a deep voice and facial hair. He also began feeling like a man both mentally and physically. Coach Arbeit has worked his way to a respectful position within the South African Athletics Association, but his presense casts a dark shadow of doubt over an already sensitive situation wrought with insensitivity.

There has been NO reported evidence of any test result indicating that Semenya has used performance enhancing drugs. The results of her comprehensive gender test have not been officially released.

In fact, according to NY Daily News,  tests results aren’t supposed to be released unless a violation has occured or been announced by the International Association of Athletics Federations. Since they have provided no official release, someone on the inside has been leaking confidential information to the media. Where is the ethics, the morality in all of this?

I’m still not convinced that race is in play, but what I do know is that many people beleive it to be so. I understand their reasons, as two-fold as they may be, but I’m going to tackle the gender handle for now. The fact that the situation should have been handled 360 degrees differently is evident.  The IAAF admitted as much. Secondly, Semenya should have been presumed innocent until proven otherwise, which begs the question of why all the damn leaks. The lack of privacy, respect and dignity displayed from jump has made non-bias nearly impossible.

Thank God she has the support of her family and hometown, friends and former teammates. That says something about their view and possible acceptance of her sex and gender. I read a report that stated ”she didn’t like boys growing up and never has.” I’m staying tuned for the official test results and what they will mean for Semenya’s bright future. Updates will follow.

Before I go, get this:

The IAAF was obliged to admit it was investigating the issue after Italian 800m finalist Cusma Piccione complained in Berlin that she had been “beaten by a man”.

I think the IAAF should order drug and testosterone testing on all of the amazon women out on the track field in that case. Even Michael Johnson will tell you, these cases are extreme, sensitive and unfortunately they are nothing new. Despite that, it’s my absolute hope that Semenya’s tests come back confirming what most who know her already believe to be true. She is a woman.

• Blogging:

When commenting on a post it’s always a good idea to include a link back to your web page in the URL section. I’ve noticed that people often don’t check their URL for accuracy after typing it into the text box and guess what? The address you’re pointing people to could be misspelled so you’re essentially sending interested individuals to a broken link i.e. they will not be able to access your page because the address was typed incorrectly. Be sure to double-check your web address for accuracy before posting your comment to ensure proper linkage.

• Twitter:

For the benefit of some of my friends who happen to be utterly inept when it comes to some of the more useful twitter tidbits, heed my words, damnit. On the left side of your twitter homepage, under the “Home” section is a name that highlights and looks something like this: ex. @studwithswag. Normally you’ll see the @ sign followed by whatever name you signed up with on twitter. If you click that link you will be shown a scrolling list of every single message someone has sent to you using the reply feature. This list includes messages dating back to your initial join date to the most recent, up to the second. When you see the section titled “Tweets mentioning @yourtwittername” you can scroll down the list and either save the tweet as a favorite by clicking on the star inside the message, or you can reply to the person by clicking the arrow pointing left. Remember that if you choose to reply to the message it will be publicly visible. To send private messages that will not display on your public twitter wall, click “Direct Messages” and you can send a message to a friend that will be for “their eyes-only.”

• Politics:

I was initially disappointed with Scotland’s brand of “compassionate” justice, which granted the release of Al-Maegrahi, the only terrorist found guilty in the Pan Am flight 103 bombing where 259 people on board and 11 on the ground were killed. Oddly enough, his release is in stark contrast to the policies of the Bush administration with their indefinite detention without due process, aka Gitmo and Co. disaster. What does all this really mean? For starters, compassion is not a gift only bestowed upon the most deserving. This begs the question of whether this convicted terrorist’s release is a result of capitulation by a weak and pandering nation or is it a courageous move in the face of hostility and international outrage from people who seemingly not only want justice enforced, but vengeance as well? Al-Maegrahi’s conviction has been rumored for years to be a smoke screen with the real terrorists still on the loose. It’s been said that he was convicted based on flimsy evidence, less all the facts, and a verdict of guilt that’s been in doubt since its initial handing down. It’s a wonder if we will ever learn the truth with all the finger pointing in full effect. Four countries are at the core of the debate; UK, Scotland, Libya and the US. What we know at this point is that his release means an appeal will never be granted, heard or taken to trail. He will die as he was charged: a guilty man. I have heard talk of a tell-all book he’s planning or has already written. He will use it as a platform to proclaim and perhaps highlight his innocence. Scotland has a legal system that is wholly independent and one that allows for compassionate release. Al-Maegrahi qualified and thus was released. In my opinion, his release on any grounds says more about the quality or lack of evidence used against him. We Americans are an interesting lot. Either a country doesn’t administer enough justice, administers it too harshly or isn’t administering it against the right people nearly enough. What we need to do is take a step back, reflect on the holes and cracks that have plagued our very own justice system. Consider the fact that the United States has the harshest justice system of any advanced country in the Democratic free world.

• When Pigs Fly:

The second wave of swine flu is expected to hit soon. That’s on top of the regular wave of flu that hits every year around the same time. My advice: Use hand sanitizers and wash your hands like you’ve got a bad case of OCD during the winter months. Keep in mind that antibiotics can’t do anything to combat a virus. Antibiotics are potent against bacterial infections, but not against the flu of any kind. Stay healthy.

• Gaming:

Three words: World Of Warcraft. I took an over-extended hiatus from the game I love and now I’m finally looking forward to playing again after the expansion is released. What expansion is that you ask? Why, it’s Cataclysm and I’m very excited with what I’ve read and seen so far. Addictions I’m looking forward to the most:

Two new races: Goblins (Horde) and Worgen (Alliance)

Level cap rose from 80 to 85

Classic Zones Being Revamped

New race and class combos. I’ve got dibs on a Tauren Rogue.

Flying mounts in Azeroth – Awesome.

• WTF:

What the fuck is up with the “shaken baby” game app designed for the iPhone? Seriously, what the fuck? Not only is this a rhetorical “what were you thinking,” but what were the people at Apple thinking when they approved the baby shaking game? Eeesh.

• Health Care:

I bet insurance companies never imagined even in their wildest dreams the sheer number of people they’d have lobbying for them in the health care debate against the evil almighty US government. In fact, these unpaid lobbyists have been gouged by their insurance companies for years, yet they remain loyal despite the fact that the insurances and drug companies at at the heart of the debate. The chants of “we want choice” are getting old. It’s should be obvious to anyone with a brain that the choice insurance companies speak of isn’t really choice at all. You get to choose between two crappy providers, but are they in network or out of network, non-covered or covered, and then you have to worry about the deductible. Let’s not talk about prescription medicine. Actually, let’s briefly discuss. How is it choice when your doctor chooses to offer you affordable, generic medication, but your insurance company will not approve it because they have a substantial contract with the brand name drug manufacturer, so not only are you paying more for your prescription, you didn’t have a choice in the matter to begin with. Neither did your doctor. This is not choice people, it’s private health care doing what it does best, over-charging and under-lying. This is not resigned to one particular private health care provider, it’s pretty much all of them.

• Speaking of which

The United States is the only wealthy industrial nation that doesn’t have universal health-care and the only one that wasn’t working toward it before President Obama was elected. To add, socialism’s primary ideology is to provide “free and equal access to resources for all individuals” – Socialism, Wikipedia

People should be willing to sacrifice and pay to aid in the elimination of poverty and inequality. Christians lacking compassion. Fancy that.

• Vacation:

“Oh noes, President Obama and family are traveling to Martha’s Vineyard for a week long vacation. The horror, I mean the nerve, I mean “oh no he di’int”! He could have just as easily vacationed at his faux ranch in Texas while spending the better part of the fictional nearly month long vacation clearing brush as hurricanes ravage the Gulf of Caprini Green.” Or something ridiculous like that.

Seriously, when the president is criticized for going on a week long vacation at summer’s end with his beautiful wife and two young daughters, you know there’s nothing but haterade in the whine.

• Idiocy

Shouldn’t these idjits be complaining about poor, uninsured people stealing their health insurance money or something.

Hiroko_Phobia

My personal thoughts after reading this story revolve around the fact that many top female athletes have body frames and muscular physiques that are far more defined than that of the average woman. While I understand the curiosity surrounding South African distance runner Semenya Caster’s physique and male characteristics, I mainly question the audacity and timing of it all. She’s fairly new on the world stage in athletics, but this kind of subjugation is shocking to say the very least. I’m trying to understand the official reasoning for ordering the test, other than her blowing all the other ladies out of the water with her official times, but more than anything it’s my hope that during the gender testing process that’s been ordered by the IAAF, she is treated with the utmost respect. This situation appears to be somewhat humiliating  beneath the surface, but her family, coach and teammates seem to be sticking by her side thus far. It’s sad to see such a young persons life played out in the media so heavily while dealing with a personal and very private matter; the question of ones sex. In any case, she won the gold so major congratulations to her and I’m hoping for a positive outcome.

According to The Daily Mail, Semenya’s mother; Mrs Sekgala, 80, said: ‘I know she’s a woman. I raised her myself.’

I’m very curious to see how all this pans out. If this claim is proved groundless, then apologies are due. She performed well under intense scrutiny and pressure. I’ll be following this story in the coming weeks when the test results are expected to be complete. Read the update on Semenya’s status here.

Semenya left stranded by storm

Tom Fordyce | 23:07 UK time, Wednesday, 19 August 2009

When Usain Bolt is no longer the main topic of conversation at the World Championships, you know something dramatic must have happened.

There had been whispers circulating about South African 800m prodigy Caster Semenya ever since she ran a spectacular 1 minute 56.72 seconds in a low-key meet on 26 July.

Not only was it the fastest time in the world this year by more than a second, it meant she had improved her personal best by seven seconds in less than nine months. And, she said afterwards, she could have run even quicker had it not been for a strong wind on the back straight.

For once, the tittle-tattle was not the usual sort about performance-enhancing substances. This was more basic and a whole lot nastier: was the ’she’ actually a ‘he’? 

It wasn’t just the rapid time. Semenya has a well-muscled physique. She also has a dusting of facial hair. Mix those three things together and ugly rumours spread like wildfire.

What no-one quite expected was the way the story would suddenly develop with the 800m final just hours away.

Earlier in the week, it had been the stuff of bar-room banter. The favourite quote was from Semenya’s coach Michael Seme, who had told reporters: “I can give you the telephone numbers of her room-mates in Berlin. They have already seen her naked in the showers and she has nothing to hide.”

I can’t believe this woman had the nerve to get an attitude

As if this understanding we’ve reached is giving her some extra latitude

Well it ain’t

The situation is simply propagated by emotion filled rage over issues we’ve recently engaged

I had no idea the very prospect of my realizations came through “weary hatin’ eyes”

Hear you tell it

As if I’ve ever felt like the rapport we shared would dare not fare just as nicely with another as it has with me

Naw, but I’m hatin’ though ~ All up in your business ~ Well excuse the expletive out of me

These simplicities don’t strike upon me as ones worth even debating about with thee

That means you

I am certainly not with it nor your contradictions regarding questions and reflections

Shined a light on my past and again I’m on blast

But, I’m okay with that

Because you have done the same fucking thing

Don’t lack understanding

For it is that which you can offer me the most despite our pandering

I never understood or asked for this strife

After all, it’s my mother fuckin’ love life

Brought on by some bitch who was somebody else’s wife

I live in utter disbelief that of every insecurity bestowed upon me

I am stuck in the stench of my own defeat

And this feeling from the inside is stripping me

Of my pride and especially my dignity

I Am A Strong Stud

But what does that matter when in the end all we have is our own complicated beings with which to ascribe

Unpredictable qualms about what’s going on inside

I feel it; that beat, thumping furiously

My heart; aka the beast within me

Hanging on to shoestrings sewn together too thin

That’s how they loved me back then

But now, my story; somewhat different

My love and trust; somehow unconvincing?

Why does the blunt end of your unsubscription accompany this love that I’m defending

Onto my heart ~ thoughts – a constant scramble

A tug of war with emotions

A constant battle for the win

No longer masking back breaking bends for or against

Well, which is it?

Do you want me or just enjoy the idea of us

And what we could be

Loves enticing intricacies laid bare for all to see

I’ve been an INTP with INFP tendencies for as long as I’ve been taking the Myers Briggs Type Indicator; a psychological assessment used to measure personality preferences based on a series of 2 answer questions. The times I’ve taken the test have been mostly out of curiosity and as a undergrad student taking a few low level Psych classes. This test determines personality traits based on 4 primary dichotomies:

How they focus their attention or get their energy (Extraversion or Introversion)
How they perceive or take in information (Sensing or iNtuition)
How they prefer to make decisions (Thinking or Feeling)
How they orient themselves to the external world (Judgment or Perception)

Both of the personality types I’ve tested at are considered rare, with less than 1-3% of the population testing similarly. Those numbers drop even further when men and women are compared separately. As far as I’ve researched, INTP is the 2nd rarest out of all 16 types for women. Although the results are subjective they do serve an objective means to an end as long as the answers are given truthfully or to the very best of our internal and external knowledge. They’re also lots of fun for an analytical freak like me.

INTPs are called the Architects. While there are plenty of people who do not find any validity or accuracy  in personalit tests of this nature, I’m not one of them.  I have a solid background in Psychology so I know there is truth to be found in the search for ourselves, inner and outter workings. I encourage anyone who happens upon this post to take the Jung Typology|Personality Test by clicking the previous link. Remember, even if you don’t agree with the premise, you can still take the test just for fun and post your results here!This is what is said about INTP’s:

Architects need not be thought of as only interested in drawing blueprints for buildings or roads or bridges. They are the master designers of all kinds of theoretical systems, including school curricula, corporate strategies, and new technologies. For Architects, the world exists primarily to be analyzed, understood, explained – and re-designed. External reality in itself is unimportant, little more than raw material to be organized into structural models. What is important for Architects is that they grasp fundamental principles and natural laws, and that their designs are elegant, that is, efficient and coherent.

Architects are rare – maybe one percent of the population – and show the greatest precision in thought and speech of all the types. They tend to see distinctions and inconsistencies instantaneously, and can detect contradictions no matter when or where they were made. It is difficult for an Architect to listen to nonsense, even in a casual conversation, without pointing out the speaker’s error. And in any serious discussion or debate Architects are devastating, their skill in framing arguments giving them an enormous advantage. Architects regard all discussions as a search for understanding, and believe their function is to eliminate inconsistencies, which can make communication with them an uncomfortable experience for many.

Ruthless pragmatists about ideas, and insatiably curious, Architects are driven to find the most efficient means to their ends, and they will learn in any manner and degree they can. They will listen to amateurs if their ideas are useful, and will ignore the experts if theirs are not. Authority derived from office, credential, or celebrity does not impress them. Architects are interested only in what make sense, and thus only statements that are consistent and coherent carry any weight with them.

Architects often seem difficult to know. They are inclined to be shy except with close friends, and their reserve is difficult to penetrate. Able to concentrate better than any other type, they prefer to work quietly at their computers or drafting tables, and often alone. Architects also become obsessed with analysis, and this can seem to shut others out. Once caught up in a thought process, Architects close off and persevere until they comprehend the issue in all its complexity. Architects prize intelligence, and with their grand desire to grasp the structure of the universe, they can seem arrogant and may show impatience with others who have less ability, or who are less driven.

In retrospect, I’m an INTP woman – a rare type, second only to INTJ women according to the website here. They make it known that the figures are only estimates so they’re open to interpretation. Although there have been some unique challenges presented to me in life as a result of the way I think and process those thoughts, I have always been fortunate enough to have supportive people (mom, et al.,) who’ve placed great value on developing and further expanding my attributes andcharacteristics. Through it, I fostered a fond love of knowledge and learning, internal analysis, research and debate and not to mention the all out love affair I have with wordplay and language, especially love. I was encouraged more than I was discouraged, although that didn’t stop me from at times turning away from my goals for fear of failure. Thankfully, that roadblock has diminished and been substantially rebuilt over the years.

I used to be very introverted, shy and hesitant to speak up. I wasn’t naturally gifted in the art of small talk, but I was and continue to be the person my friends  come to seeking advice, inspiration, or understanding on just about any and every topic. I’m much better at writing on my feet than thinking on them and considering how most of my thoughts are focused internally, even the formation of my words must be evenly thought out before I consider sharing them with anyone. I always hated playing “the dozens” because by the time I’d come up with a great comeback the subject had already progressed onward. Somewhat of a lazy quasi perfectionist I am. The truth is, I could go on and on all day long talking in complicated rhyme schemes, but I’ll save all of that for my poetry and leave you with this instead. Thanks for reading all the way to the end and be sure to take the test and post your results. It’ll only take 10 minutes or so to finish. Get a little enlightened today.

If she could reside in the same space as I,
She would understand.
Warm nights all snuggled up tight.
Down in the dumps?
Baby girl will make it right.
Stress on the job and the damn economy.
Don’t worry about a thing.
I got your back.
- Papi
She tried to turn you into me.
From the red line stop down on 46th Street.
To the L train depot just a block from Diversy.
You’d be near me, as close as you desire.
Not quite as close as when I was playing with fire.
From a distance, I feel your heart longing to be rescued.
Eyes as narrow as a half-moon lighting an entire vestibule.
The complexion of a mirrored reflection, and moles resembling freckles.
Hair curly when she wants, silkier than a mid-August sun.
And a laugh so damn infectious, you can hear it whenever you want.
That’s all that it was.
I see your heart even though you try to hide it from me.
Listen closely, two bad relationships will never equal a good one.
As far as the insecurity goes; not a good look.
I stare at the sunset from the roof of my condo building.
Not longing to hold her and hoping her thoughts reflect my feeling. 
I just want understanding on a couple of things really. 
Why must you be her superwoman, always trying to save a hoe.
Although superwoman saves the day, you’re crafted from a different mold.
Those powers stopped working for you just over a year ago.
When her empty sentiments about my past disappointments, and every update she’d give you could barely set your heart afloat.
You can’t always save the day or penetrate force fields by knocking game.
Cherish and fight for your love babe.
Cause I like the fight in you.
I would just appreciate if you wouldn’t bring it outside my open window.
Take uncertain defeat and fly it far away from me.
Persevere as best you can through any technical difficulties.

Scr-scratch turned the table as I scribbled down uncertainties
Caused my pen discontent cause writers contemplate everything
Like the what’s when’s and why’s comprised in literature and poetry
Yet contrast was stark when eyes were especially glued onto me
Didn’t lay claim to any heartbeats as they fluttered about openly
Writing of repaired broken hearts sans suicide tendencies
I manipulated words while you tweaked and twirked music sheets
Even whole truths I’d tell when the deck was stacked against me
Caused blood and guts to pour out as fragmented sentiments cut deep
Stubborn brown skin woman, our characteristics were in sync
We juggled hearts and gave cause to polyrhythmic uprisings
You
Beautiful
Thing
You spun historical records intensely
Summarized shattered dreams where tucked beneath seams intently
Veins quickly depleted while blood flowed fast and ran freely
Watched crimson tides muddied march while music cascaded serenely
Listen closely as I acknowledge all of my insecurities
My ability to write wrongs about things you don’t think are dear to me
Still
Your
Rhythm
And compose in persistent, disassociated synthesis
You crossed base lines and we parried with scratch pads and polished sentences
How did my crazy love become your favorite band of cynicism?
Watched you force feed from dusty crates with an admiration undisciplined
I dug your spectrum and the way your sounds waved in continuity
I liked the way you’d break, build and loop tracks in between battling
Slanted in best penmanship we chicken scratched words genuinely
And I realize there is poetry that will take you higher than me
Dope lines laced by heroines who slam harder 
That
I
Concede
There is no trickery worse than a friend striking after defeat
It was insane the way it ended; no conversation or arguing
I won’t hide behind imagery and wordplay to defuse the parting
I won’t deceive and disguise myself in tough girl clothes for anybody
There’s no shattered pride or broken hearts when you close the door on a poet
‘Cause potent opinions, like assholes blow up in smoke any way you roll it
To put it blunt-ly I wrote one last letter heading titled “Truth Be Told” 
Whether or not you bind the spell my tongue game’s proven solid gold
Did I take the tip and smother you with a serum that powerful?
Whatever your reason - I’ll see you again - across another horizon: parallel