THRILLER

Tweet

Michael Jackson's Thriller is a 14-minute feature-length movie and a music video for the song of the same name released on December 2, 1983 and directed by John Landis, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Jackson. It was the most expensive video of its time, costing US$500,000^[1], and Guinness World Records listed it in 2006 as the "most successful music video", selling over 9 million units.^[2]

Often referred to as the greatest music video ever,^[3] Thriller proved to have a profound effect on popular culture,^[4][5] and was named "a watershed moment for the [music] industry"^[6] for its unprecedented merging of filmmaking and music.

BACKGROUND: "Thriller" was the first Michael Jackson music video to feature the logos for Columbia Pictures, Paramount Pictures and Epic Records Productions at the beginning. It was less a conventional music video and more a full-fledged short subject or mini-film: a horror film homage featuring choreographed zombies performing with Jackson. The music was re-edited to match the video, with the verses being sung one after the other followed by the ending rap from Vincent Price, then the main dance sequence (filmed at 3701 Union Pacific Avenue in East Los Angeles^[7]) to an instrumental loop, and a climactic dance segment with Jackson singing the choruses. During the video, Jackson transforms into both a werecat and a zombie; familiar territory for Landis, who had directed An American Werewolf in London two years earlier. The video was also a crossover because MTV at the time did not regularly air black musicians. Jackson became one of the first African American musicians to prominently feature on the station.

Co-starring with Jackson was former Playboy centerfold Ola Ray. The video was choreographed by Michael Peters (who had worked with the singer on his prior hit "Beat It"), with Michael Jackson. The video also contains incidental music by film music composer Elmer Bernstein, who had previously also worked with Landis on An American Werewolf in London. The video (like the song) contains a spoken word performance by horror film veteran Vincent Price. Rick Baker assisted in prosthetics and makeup for the production. The red jacket that Jackson wore was designed by John Landis' wife Deborah Landis to make him appear more "virile".^[8]

Jackson, who at the time was a Jehovah's Witness, added a disclaimer to the start of the video, saying:

“

Due to my strong personal convictions, I wish to stress that this film in no way endorses a belief in the occult.

”

To qualify for an Academy Award, "Thriller" debuted at a special theatrical screening, along with the 1940 animated motion picture Fantasia.

PLOT: It is the late 1950s. A teenaged Michael and his unnamed date (Ola Ray) run out of gas in a dark, wooded area. They walk off into the forest, and Michael asks her if she would like to go steady. She accepts and he gives her a ring. He warns her, however, that he is "different". A full moon appears, and Michael begins convulsing in agony – transforming into a horrifying werewolf. His date shrieks and runs away, but the werewolf catches up, knocking her down and begins lunging at her with his claws.

The scene cuts away to a modern-day movie theater (exteriors filmed at the Palace Theatre in downtown Los Angeles^[9]), where Michael and his date – along with a repulsed audience – are actually watching this scene unfold in a movie called "Thriller" starring Vincent Price. Michael's date is scared, but he is clearly enjoying the horror flick (part of the dialogue of the unseen film contains Landis' signature line "See you next Wednesday" before the audience screams again). Frightened, his date leaves the theatre. Michael hands his popcorn to the stranger next to him, and catches up to her, smiling and saying "It's only a movie!" Some debate follows over whether or not she was scared by the scene; she denies it, but Michael disagrees.

Michael and his date then walk down a foggy street, and he teases her with the opening verses of "Thriller". They pass a graveyard, where corpses begin to rise from their graves as Vincent Price performs his rap. Michael and his date then find themselves surrounded by the zombies, and suddenly, Michael becomes a zombie himself. Michael and the undead perform an elaborate song and dance number together, followed by the chorus of "Thriller" (in which Michael is changed back into human form), frightening his girlfriend to the point where she runs for cover.

The girl is chased into an abandoned house (filmed in the Angeleno Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles at 1345 Carroll Avenue^[10]), where Michael (who reverts back to zombie form) and his fellow zombies back her into a corner. As Michael slowly reaches for her throat, she lets out with a blood-curdling scream, only to awake and realize it was all a dream. As a human Michael calmly asks "What's the problem?", he offers to take her home. As the two depart, Michael glances back at the camera, grinning and reveals his yellow werewolf-like eyes (accompanied by Vincent Price's one last haunting laugh).

After the credits, when they concurrently show the zombies dancing again, the disclaimer humorously states, "Any similarity to actual events or persons living, dead (or undead) is purely coincidental." Landis' An American Werewolf in London likewise offered this disclaimer. After the warning the zombies dance back to the grave then another zombie comes into view and gives a horrifying grimace to the camera that freeze frames before blood runs down the screen and the screen turns to black.

AWARDS

GRAMMY AWARDS:

Year	Category	Result	Notes
1985	Best Video, Long Form	Winner	"Thriller"
1984	Best Video Album	Winner	Making Michael Jackson's Thriller

MTV AWARDS:

Year	Category	Result
1999	100 Greatest Music Videos Ever Made[11]	#1
1984	Best Overall Performance in a Video	Winner
1984	Best Choreography (Michael Peters)	Winner
1984	Viewer's Choice	Winner

¡TREAT! NO TRICK...

Tweet

¡HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

¿BEING SINGLE OR IN A RELATIONSHIP?

Tweet

I know a number of persons who are single OR in relationships, and they and can't seem to cement that personal connection they seek with another OR themselves. Some of them are totally ok with being single and others are depressed by it because they REALLY want to find a partner to share their life with. Thinking about this subject, a few questions come to mind: why is it SO difficult to find persons that make a conscious effort to celebrate being single? Does being single represents loneliness and being in a relationship doesn’t? No matter what answers you come up with, they leave many of us with VERY little room to recognize that if you are single OR partnered, either WON’T work if we don’t learn to LOVE, HONOR N’ CHERISH either situation. I find that many of us are plagued by our horrible views about either choice; and while those feelings are both are valid AND acceptable, I say we short-change ourselves by embracing such thoughts. So if you had your way, would you be single OR in a relationship? 

TRAGEDY OF A MAN'S LIFE...

Tweet

NICE MEN ARE UGLY,
GOOD LOOKING MEN ARE NOT NICE,

GOOD LOOKING NICE MEN ARE MARRIED,

GOOD LOOKING NICE UNMARRIED MEN ARE GAY...

WHAT A TRAGEDY HUH?

H. I. V. & CONDOMS: ¿ARE YOU FIT TO WEAR ONE?

Tweet

Why do we fail to practice sex? Is it because we don't know we are @ risk? Is it because we forgot to buy a condom? Or is it because we don't know how to talk to their partner about safer sex? Are porn films encouraging us to put ourselves and our partners at risk?

From I knew about HIV and sex, the use of a condom was NEVER far from my mind; and HIV prevention workers have conveyed the message that condom use can be sexy and fun. But what is keeping us from exercising this tool in our sexual play time?

¡HAPPY EARTH~DAY ®‡ø!

Tweet

How can I reach out and touch you?
How I can I hold you and tell you that it will be okay?
I want you to know that I will be there when you're in distress
I’ll be that place where you can find sweet rest.

When the world seems like its coming to an end.
I’ll be there holding your hand cause I’m your friend.
When the world strives and all left is small meat
I’ll me there feeding you making sure you eat.

When the gods deny you happiness and love
I’ll I lead an army and wage war in the heavens above.
If they tear the earth and make the land hotter
I’ll be wetting your lips with cold water.

When the sands of time deny us our youth
I’ll lay besides my friend in my last black suit.
So never feel laden, carry that load to the end
I’ll be right besides you helping as your loving friend.

BI THE WAY...

Tweet

¿WHO IS EASIER TO DATE?

A BI-SEXUAL MAN…

¿OR?

A BI-SEXUAL WOMAN…

¡HAPPY 2ND ANNIVERSARY BABY!

Tweet

Everyday in LOVE is written long ago,
LOVE is our story,

We are characters in it,

We living our roles

Facing each with patience and courage

Preparing for a better tomorrow

For it is our shining sun

Everyday in LOVE is…YOU!

LOVIN' YOU

Tweet

"Lovin' You" is a 1975 hit single by Minnie Riperton. The song became a #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 on April 5,1975, #2 in the UK, and #3 on the R&B charts in the US. The song is especially noteworthy due to the unusually high pitches that Riperton reaches during the song. One year after the song's release, Riperton was diagnosed with terminal cancer. She died on July 12, 1979. It was the fourth single from the album Perfect Angel (1974).

The song is notable for Riperton's use of the whistle register. While it is believed that "Lovin' You" was the first song to reach number one without the help of a percussion instrument, "Yesterday" by The Beatles accomplished this feat ten years earlier. According to the liner notes from Riperton's compilation CD Petals, the melody for "Lovin' You" was created as a distraction for her daughter (Maya Rudolph) when she was a baby so that Minnie and her husband Richard could hang out. Maya was in the studio with her mother on the day the song was recorded and Riperton can be heard singing her daughter's name at the end of the song.

When it comes to my relationship with Noel, I am ALWAYS in an affectionate mood; and with this being our anniversary weekend, I find myself swept up by the romantic feelings and fascinations I felt when we connect on this day 2 years ago. Most days I can’t believe that he actually here with me and this song makes me realize that HIS LOVE is deep AND constant.

OLDIE, BUT GOODIE: LIFE COMPELS MY CREATIONS...

Tweet

I AM CONSTANTLY ASKED “HOW DO I COME UP WITH THE ENTRIES FOR MY BLOG;” & MY RESPONSE IS ALWAYS THE SAME…LIFE GIVES ME THE INSPIRATION. SO I HOPE THIS RE-ENTRY GIVES THOSE THAT STOP BY THE ANSWERS THEY SEEK…

My inspirations are intangible yet an inseparable part of my creative process. All of my creations are related to the muse that inspires me and LIFE is my muse. The ancient Greeks believed that goddesses, who served as the literal embodiment of inspiration, whether artistic or scientific in nature, motivated all creation. These were the Muses—the givers of the creative spark. I rely heavily on my muse to drive the creative process as it takes on many diverse forms and shapes. The people I meet, intriguing ideas, movies, books, nature and cultural ideals all have the potential to awaken my imaginative minds. When my muse touches me, I understand that I am capable of producing MY OWN UNIQUE KIND OF GREATNESS.

Many people move through life unaware of the presence of their muse. This lack of awareness can be compounded by the fact that we may have one muse that remains with us throughout our lives, multiple muses that inspire us concurrently, several muses that come and go as necessary, or a single muse that touches us briefly at specific moments. You will know that you have found your muse when you encounter a force that makes you feel courageous enough to broaden the range of your creativity. The presence of this force will erase your self-doubt and motivate you to give your thoughts and feelings form. Should your muse continue to elude you, however, there are steps you can take to increase your chances of falling under its inspired influence.

If you surround yourself with people who support you, keep a pen and paper handy, immerse yourself in culture, and brainstorm frequently, you will soon reconnect with your muse. Once you have identified your muse, embrace it by giving yourself over to the creative inspiration it provides. No matter what you are moved to create, you will find that neither fear nor criticism can penetrate the wonderful bliss that goes hand in hand with the act of taking an idea and turning it into something the whole world can enjoy.

¿CAN WE LIVE WHILE WE ARE ALIVE, OR ARE WE TOO FIT FOR OUR OWN GOOD?

Tweet

Realistically, the future is anything but bright. Today, a small minority of people in the modern world has achieved a kind of paradise; and realizing that NOTHING in our world is perfect while this planet continues to spin in the universe; can someone tell me where does one draw the line between direct adaptation, random drift and serendipity (unintended consequences)? Since so much of our lives is based on OUR need for perfection AND control, can we ever be masters of the world? Whether we realize it or not, we're actually on EQUAL footing with everything else in this universe (i.e., there's no such thing as “inferior” OR “superior”). Human existence has no more cosmic significance than, well, anything else. In that sense, everything's the same, and nothing's really “meant to be”. Therefore, life does NOT require any explanation because we already know why it is, we just have to make PERFECT sense in a perverse sort of way that life will NEVER make PERFECT sense. We don’t have to puzzle ourselves about why a father may kill his wife and his children before killing himself. Nor do we have to devise reasons for or find meaning in a million other oddities that exist on this planet. Why can’t we seem to understand that LIFE AS IT IS, won’t ever give us the answers to the whys as long as we perpetuate the ills of this world?  I know it may seem like a cynical thing to say, but why not ask why NOT instead? Isn’t the joke on us really?  I'm well aware that this is a form of nihilism, but maybe its time has come. Aren’t we really worried MOSTLY about the seven or eight decades of life we have @ most? How many of us REALLY care about what happens to each other when an eternity of oblivion is our one true destiny? Since there’s NO afterlife, and death is followed by eternal oblivion, then what's so bad about the way this world is? We all stand on our soap boxes and judge each other based on what criteria? Spewing shit like ONLY the WEAK commit suicide, but maybe, just maybe the truly smart people are the ones who just kill themselves and get it over with. Why should people struggle and suffer when they can have quiet oblivion instead…it isn’t like we REALLY care to help them…right? I once saw a book in a bookstore that describes life as an entropic (increasingly disordered) process. This made me see the basic fundamental unfairness of life and why there's NO REAL “justice” in the universe. Why no one gets what they “deserve”…things just happen to both good and bad people alike. Yet we can’t seem to shake this belief that life should be fair; or that we have a destiny of some sort or that there should be some guarantees. Who can really embrace the notion that life isn't quite a random accident, but that for all practical purposes, it might as well have been? Who wants to believe that all of us can die @ any time and that anything) can happen? Who wants to believe that @ any time, a new plague or a meteorite from outer space could wipe out humanity; and that it could happen as meaninglessly as an anthill being stepped on by someone walking aimlessly down a road? Is it any wonder that we belief in UFOs, celebrity worship, gambling, alcohol, drugs or all of the other hundred forms of escapism out there? Doesn’t life feel arbitrary and deranged? Doesn’t it feel as if our lives and everything else that goes on in this universe are just the universe's way of killing time? So isn’t time that we realize that the REAL challenge of life won't be in building the infrastructures of the Information Superhighway like SO many of us believe. But it will be in us caring enough to provide food and drinking water for everyone on this planet. When are we REALLY going to deal with environmental ruin, unemployment, AIDS and the like? When are we simply going to deal with life? How about we start by taking the plastic covers off the couch and sit in it for a change? You know break out the china that we’ve been saving for years on end? IT IS TIME THAT WE ASK OURSELVES, DO WE WANT TO LIVE WHILE WE ALIVE OR ARE WE TOO FIT FOR OUR OWN GOOD?  

ALLOWING OTHERS TO WALK THEIR PATHS…

Tweet

Watching people I care about traverse a path littered with stumbling blocks is immensely painful. I instinctively want to guide them toward a safer track and share with them the wisdom I have acquired through experience. But I know that ALL human beings have the right to carve their own paths without being unduly influenced by outside interference. To deny them that right is to deny them enlightenment, as true insight cannot be conveyed in lectures. Rather, they MUST earn independence AND illumination by making decisions and reflecting upon the consequences of each choice. In allowing others to walk their paths freely, I honor their right to express their humanity in whatever way they see fit. Though I may not agree with or identify with their choices, I understand that they MUST learn in their own way and @ their own pace. Though it is VERY difficult and I CANNOT intervene when watching them make their way slowly and painfully down a difficult path, I try to empathize with their need to grow independently and make their own way in the world. The temptation to direct their path is a creature of many origins, and I’ve learned a LONG time ago that the overactive ego that tries to convince me that mine is the one true path is NOT what life is all about. And my light burns a little different from everyone else on this planet…so theirs should as well…

MEN'S UNDERWEAR: ¿ARE THEY ABOUT SEX, FUNCTION OR BOTH?

Tweet

Of course it's one of the last things you take off right before getting down to business but are men's underwear really all about sex? Men's underwear do serve as function to provide support under clothing, they add a sanitary barrier and it protects a very sensitive area of the body.  But, has underwear evolved into being more about the sexual allure?  It wasn't to long ago that men's underwear was nothing but 'function'... PERIOD!  So what do you think? Does today's more sexually fueled underwear still provide function?  Or do you just want your underwear for the sex appeal?

SOURCE: UNDERWEAR FANATIC

HOW TO DO A STRIPTEASE…

Tweet

Performing an erotic dance or a strip tease for your partner can be a great way to spice up your love life. You don’t need to be a talented dancer or install a pole in your house to master the art of the strip tease. All you need is to work up some courage and have some fun. Getting dressed up and showing off your sexiness can be a huge turn on not only for you but also for “your audience”. Here are some simple steps that will help when planning your erotic dance: 

STEP 1: Think it through – A lot of us have body image issues. I can hear you saying “I am not hot enough to do this” or “I’d look like a baby elephant grinding to the music, that wont turn my lover on” Wrong! You are hot and your lover thinks so too. Drop your inhibitions and love your body. Imagine yourself dancing to the music, showing off your assets and how hot that will make your partner. 

STEP 2: The Music – What music do you love? What turns you on? What’s your lover’s favorite music? What moods do what to convey with your dance? These are all questions to keep in mind when choosing the right music to accompany your routine. If you want a fast paced, action packed number pick something up beat and fast or maybe you want to be slow and seductive then find something to go along with that. If you and you partner have a song that represents your relationship you may want to dance to that song and make the song represent even more happy memories for your relationship.

STEP 3: The costume - Start with the bottom layer first and work your way out. The bottom layer is your “show stopper”. What does your partner like? Black lace teddies? Stockings and suspenders? Make this your show stopper. Then start to think of the outer layers, you can pretty much wear anything you like on the outer layer but sometimes a costume is fun. Both also have props which you can use like the tie from the sexy doctor out fit (loop it around your lovers neck and bring him close, then release). Try to find clothing that will be able to be taken off easily. You don’t want anything with to many buttons or hooks. You may also want to add accessories; a long neck lace, a feather boa or a hat can really add to the overall effect and make for perfect teasing items. You can go all out on your costume and have real fun with it.

STEP 4: Practice – You’re not auditing to be Madonna’s next back up dancer or for a role in Grease the musical so no need to whip out some major dance moves. Keep it simple and leave the fancy dance routines to the professions. Just pop on the music you have chosen and get familiar with it. Move to it and see where it takes you. When you have some ideas in place do a trial run with your costume and accessories on. Think about when and what you will take off. This will give you a chance to find out what will come off easily and what wont so you can modify your costume to suit. 

STEP 5: Showtime – You may feel a bit nervous at first this is only natural but remind yourself that you are sexy and try and ooze sexuality. When you feel sexy you look sexy. There’s an old saying “Fake it till you make it” which can be applied here. Dimming the lights or turning them off and lighting candles can create a romantic setting and also help you to feel more comfortable then dancing under stark light. The main point to remember with the strip tease is to have fun. This may well be a high point in your sexual relationship; you may want to do it again and again. You never know until you try it, so what are you waiting for!

¿RELIGION + RECESSION = REVOLUTION?

Tweet

Organized religion was already in trouble before the fall of 2008. Denominations were stagnating or shrinking, and congregations across faith groups were fretting about their finances. The Great Recession made things worse; and with so many of us feeling protective of our resources due to the lack of security about the economy today, religious life WON’T be the same. The financial resources of many congregations, seminaries and religious schools have disappeared. In areas hit hardest by the recession, worshipers have moved away to find jobs, leaving those who remain to minister to communities struggling with rising unemployment AND uncertainty. Religion has a long history of drawing hope out of suffering, but there's little good news emerging from the recession. Long after the economy improves, the changes made today will have a profound effect on how people practice their faith, where they turn for help in times of stress and how they pass their beliefs to their children. The meltdown has destroyed our financial buffer and though we are inclined to hold onto our various religious outlets to gain a greater sense of safety, how can one do that when the church is affected as well? I ALWAYS tell others that in ALL things in life, it is IMPORTANT to remember that the only thing we can be certain of is change. And because of this FACT, shouldn’t the church should serve as a reminder that change will always happen because it is a NATURAL part of life and use this time to revolutionize the world? If the church REALLY believes in their message, wouldn’t/shouldn’t they use this time as a way of starting from the ground up and I don’t know…maybe doing what they preach? Even I believe that @ some point the church will find itself overcome with the desire to become better @ its job…crazy huh? MAYBE NOT! They have all proven their unique capability of navigating this world, so as things get worse, can’t they get better? There is an innate need for evolution but the way forward is NOT clear because we need a REVOLUTION! SO AS WE ENDEAVOR TO CHANGE AS CHANGE TAKES PLACE, WE NEED TO ENSURE THAT PLACES WHERE WE WORSHIP CULTIVATE THE HUMAN CONSCIOUSNESS THAT WILL MAKE THIS WORLD A MUCH BETTER PLACE, SO WE COULD START TO EASE THE FRUSTRATING UNCERTAINTY OF THE WORLD & COME TOGETHER AS ONE…

SAVE THE BEST FOR LAST

Tweet

"Save the Best for Last" is a 1992 song written by Phil Galdston, Wendy Waldman and Jon Lind. It is considered Vanessa Williams' signature song. The lyrics' redemptive themes resonated with Williams' story, as she had put together a successful recording career following her earlier Miss America resignation scandal. The song is about a person who stands by and watches as the object of his/her desires dates all of these different women, and then he finally decides to consummate a relationship with the singer. The single was Williams' third number one on the Soul singles chart and topped the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 for five weeks in 1992. "Save the Best for Last" was ranked fourth in the Billboard Top 100 hits of 1992, becoming the biggest success of Williams' music career. The song also went to #1 on the U.S. adult contemporary and R&B charts; it remained atop these charts for three weeks apiece. Internationally, the single shot to number one in Australia, the Netherlands, and Canada, and to number three in the United Kingdom, number two in Ireland, and number three in Japan. ASCAP named it as its Song of the Year, meaning it was performed more than any other song in 1992, and it was nominated for the Grammy Award for Song of the Year and Record of the Year in 1993.

OLDIE, BUT GOOD: SEX IS WAR...SEX IS A BATTLEFIELD!

Tweet

THIS BLOG ENTRY CAME TO ME WHEN I STARTED MY YEAR LONG EXPERIENCE OF EXPERIMENTING WITH MY SEXUALITY AS I WAS RECENTLY SINGLE. I NEVER LOOKED FOR SEX TO FILL A VOID IN MY SOUL, BUT THE MANY MEN THAT MET COULDN’T SAY THE SAME. I FELT SO SAD THAT I COULDN’T BE WHAT THEY REALLY NEEDED THAT IT WOULD LITERALLY BRING TEARS TO MY EYES. HOW SAD IT IS TO FIND SO MANY GREAT ELIGIBLE GAY MEN THAT ARE LONELY & UNABLE TO FIND COMFORT IN THEMSELVES. THEY FELT THAT THE ONLY WAY TO FEEL ANYTHING, THEY HAD TO GIVE THEMSELVES TO OTHERS IN THE HOPE THAT SOMEONE, ANYONE WOULD SIMPLY GIVE THEM A REASON TO BE ON THIS EARTH…

*************

SEX is for losers,

SEX is ignoring raging hormones and burning drive to…

Fondle, suckle and thrust furiously into some hot ass!

SEX is keeping y’r groinal giblets inside y’r pants

And punch those sweaty bits into submission whenever they drip with desire.

SEX is never spilling y’r sacred "MILK"

SEX is catching a brain-rotting STD…

*************

I am talking to the man that has sex with every man he meets; he shares a bed, kisses, and hugs and reveals his whole life story in a matter of moments. He thinks any man who has sex immediately brings him closer to his destiny however, he doesn’t realize every time he gives away a piece of himself with intimacy he will always feel empty. He feels that he is doing everything right by giving into his desires and investing ALL of his energy in a man he met a few minutes ago. He quickly dives into sexual fantasyland after one kiss…Do you think he sees how his is being played out? Right at the moment of climax, he realizes that this cannot sustain him and he seeks the next person and becomes his own victim reliving the same experience. Simply patching up toxic issues; maybe it has to deal with love he didn't get as a child…maybe a relationship that broke his heart and he never recovered... maybe he doesn't love himself…Captive, his heart cannot grab what his mind won’t allow, but I know what holds him captive does not exist. How can he do battle in a land that will devour him? How can he not see SEX is just an activity that does nothing for the soul if done just for the FUCK of it? It would be nice if he was held captive by his dreams cradled in his heart; the ones that protect him and keep safe. I wish I could help him make positive choices. Show him that his sweet captivity isn’t real and he can overcome it. He can see the ruse, this imaginary story. I wish that every time he went to combat he really knew he had reason to be insecure and that when he believes that SEX is all he would see otherwise. But I guess he thinks that he and his battle will be forever…laughing, loving, talking…dreaming; funny how this can never be true and he will never understand why. But I wonder why he held to what he never wanted, why he told himself things that had no meaning…Guess he figured he had nothing to give but himself, this is his only way to feel something other than the truth staring him in face. He is held captive by a ghostly dream...One that never was, Never will be. Do you think that when his soul catches fire he should try to avoid looking in the mirror because that would throw him into a panic? When his battle is over he will be rusty from tears, cried mostly in vain? He has to shiver and shake when faced with the unknown and look for solutions to his problem and wonder if he lived selfishly not allowing LOVE into his life. At this point I say seek healing and click your heels three times and say ‘there is no place like home’ and find his way out of this battle field and into the light; seek a life that offers more than a quick moment of release but a life that is worth living…

¿ARE YOU IN AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP?

Tweet

I FOUND THIS TEST & THOUGHT THAT IT WAS WORTH SHARING. TOO MANY OF US ARE IN RELATIONSHIPS THAT ABUSE US IN SO MANY WAYS THAT WE SOMETIMES DON’T EVEN REALIZE THAT IT IS TAKING PLACE. SO I WANT YOU TO HONESTLY TRY THIS EXERCISE BY FOLLOWING THESE INSTRUCTIONS:

Enter the number of points next to each question depending on the severity of each item: Never: 0 points/Rarely: 1 point/Sometimes: 2 points/Frequently: 3 points

__ My partner teases me in a hurtful way in private or in public

__ My partner calls me names such as "stupid" or "bitch"

__ My partner acts jealous of my friends, family, or co-workers

__ My partner gets angry about clothes I wear or how I style my hair

__ My partner checks up on me by calling, driving by, or getting someone else to

__ My partner insists on knowing who I talk to on the phone

__ My partner blames me for their problems or bad mood

__ My partner gets angry easily, leaving me walking on eggshells

__ My partner throws or destroys things when angry

__ My partner hits walls, drives dangerously or does other things to scare me

__ My partner drinks or uses drugs

__ My partner insists that I drink or use drugs whenever they do

__ My partner accuses me of being interested in someone else

__ My partner reads my mail, goes thru my personal space/items

__ My partner keeps me from getting a job or cost me my job

__ My partner keeps money from me, keeps me in debt, or has "money secrets"

__ My partner sold my car, made me give up my license, or won't repair my car

__ My partner has threatened to hurt me

__ My partner has threatened to hurt close to me

__ My partner has actually hurt those close to me

__ My partner has threatened to hurt my pets

__ My partner has actually hurt my pets

__ My partner has threatened to commit suicide if I leave

__ My partner has struck me with hands or feet - slapped, punched, kicked

__ My partner has struck me with an object or threatened me with a weapon

__ My partner has given me visible injuries - bruises, welts, cuts

__ I have had to administer first aid to myself due to injuries from my partner

__ My injuries have been serious enough to seek treatment - doctor, hospital, clinic, paramedic

__ My partner forces me to have sex when I don't want to

__ My partner forces me to have sex in ways that I don't want to

__ My partner has been in trouble with the police

__ My partner acts one way in front of others, and another way when we are alone

__ My partner is secretive or lies about past relationships

__ I feel isolated and alone and have no one I can really talk to

__ I have lost friends because of my partner/partner's actions

__ I no longer see some of my family because of my partner

__ I have thought about calling the police because of an incident of violence

__ I have actually called the police on one or more occasions

__ I am afraid to call the police because of threats from my partner

_____ TOTAL POINTS

0-17: Generally Non-abusive: These are likely to be the sorts of strains that are not unusual in relationships. Do NOT, however, make the mistake of brushing off any incident of violence or threat of violence, no matter how isolated!

18-58: Moderately Abusive: This is a home experiencing some violence at least once in a while. It may be that this is a relationship where violence is just beginning. In a new relationship there is good reason to expect it will eventually escalate into more serious forms and may occur more frequently.

59-95: Seriously Abusive: Scores in this range indicate a seriously abusive relationship that can, under outside pressure, or with the sudden strain of a family emergency, move into the dangerously severe range. Serious injury is quite probable if it has not already occurred. Please consider finding counseling, getting help, even leaving.

96 and up: Dangerously Abusive: If your scored in the top range, you need to consider even more seriously the option of leaving, at least temporarily, while you consider your next move. The violence will not take care of itself or miraculously disappear. Over time the chances are very good that your life and/or the lives of your children will be in danger.