So I've been lurking lately, and I stole this from evil vish's site.  This is just too freakin' cool to pass up...  I see lots of puzzles in my future.

So it's been a long time, Xangaland.  I have good reason...  busy busy busy!

I do need your help, though.  I'm in the middle of attempting a school project...  subject matter:  violence against women.

A section of the presentation will be devoted to examples within the media (movies is my aspect, music is my partner's aspect)...  but here's the problem...  I'm stuck!  I can't think of any more movies that display violence against women in the way I need.

So here's where I ask you for your input:  Can you help me brainstorm?  There are five categories:  Sexual Violence, Domestic Violence (I've pretty much got that covered, but I'm open to suggestions), Murder/Kidnapping, Stalking, and Child Abuse.  I need four to five seperate movies (I know they're out there) for each category...  any help would be so wonderful! 

I know all you other xangans are busy busy, but maybe you can help me just this once??  Please? 

I know, it's been forever.

I've slowly come to the realization that my love affair with the city-life has come to an end.  I always used to love the busyness of it all...  the people, the diversity, the restaurants, the never-quiet...

But now I hate it.  I hate the traffic, I hate the busyness, I hate the noise, I'm not a huge fan of the people...  I still love the diversity.. I love that whatever kind of food I'm in the mood for, I can go get it...  I love that there are tons of stores open 24/7, that I don't have to travel far to find a specific item...

But I haven't clearly seen the stars in so long...  the lights are too bright. 

I haven't heard a quiet street in forever...  there are always cars driving nearby.

I haven't seen true wildlife in years...  there are too many houses in the way.

I haven't gone to the grocery store to see no lines in months...  there are too many people.

It's sad, to some extent, to think that I won't live near or in the city once I'm able to get out on my own...  but at the same time, it's very exciting to see another kind of world.

Soul-Breathing.

A somewhat new concept for me...  Inhale positive, Exhale negative.

See, I'm a person who is almost defined by emotional baggage.  I haven't had the worst life, but I've been dealt a pretty shitty hand (think 7-2 offsuit)...  and it's really been getting me down.  Today I sat down with a good friend, who also happens to be my boss, and let everything loose. 

He told me that I need to make a list of all the negatives in my life, and a list of all the positives.  He said then to cross off each thing in the negatives list as I elminate it.  What does this mean, you ask?

Basically, my father is a prick.  Yes, I know, many of you have fathers that earn the title of "fuckhead", but I'm a member of that club as well.  For many many years, I questioned myself, wondering what was so wrong with me that my own father didn't want me.  That, my friends, is a negative that desperately needed to be crossed off the list.

So I did what most women do when they're angry, hurting, happy, sad, whatever...  I wrote a letter.  I gave him a piece of my mind...  but I also washed my hands of any responsibility.  And for the first time in 10 years, it doesn't hurt anymore.  My heart finally caught up with my brain in realizing that it's not my fault, it's his.  Breathe Out.

I feel so free, so relaxed.  I just...  I finally can accept myself for who I am, with no issues or problems or reservations...  Because the one person whose acceptance I was waiting on may or may not ever grant it.  But it's his responsibility to grant it, not mine to earn it anymore.  And that is one of the most wonderful feelings in the world.

Breathe In.