Month: November 2005

I had a lot of traffic on my website recently when the movie “The Exorcism of Emily Rose” came out. Exorcism is still a hot topic and yesterday I watch the movie myself in an almost sold out cinema. While the movie was marketed as a typical horror flick, it actually did offer a interesting storyline. The movie starts of where Wilhelm Friedkins “The Exorcist” ends, with the priest walking out of a room after an exorcism. In this case, the “possessed” girl is dead. The priest is arrested and put on trial . A large part of the rest of the movie takes place in the courtroom and the events that led to the death of Emily Rose are shown in flashbacks. At the end of the movie, the priest is found guilty, but leaves the courtroom as a free men. The main story allows to choose which side you are on, science or faith but the movie leans towards an “paranormal” explanation.

The case is based on the real story of German Anneliese Michel. The young woman died in 1976 of malnutrition caused by anorexia. That is the scientific version of the story. I first got to know about the case of Anneliese Michel when my ex-girlfriend included the case in her dissertation about anorexia. Back then I was only offered the medical point of view, which worked very well for me. A catholic priest misinterpreted a psychological problem of a young woman with demonic possession which lead to the her tragic death.

After the movie I did some research about the real case and about the religious point of view. I found that ultimately it is a leap of faith. What do you believe in? The priest and the family of Anneliese Michel thought they would do the right thing. From a medical point of view it was the wrong thing. But a lot of people die after medical treatment as well and doctors are hardly ever put on trial. Our society has learned to believe in science rather then in faith.
Looking at the history of faith, I’m glad our society does. Too many wars where fought, too many people where tortured and killed in the name of God. Because people just “believed” in something, even without the slightest scientific proof. Today, science has become the only solution for every kind of problem. No room for anything not based on “proofed” facts.

But there should be room for faith. Faith can help people go through crisis where pills become useless. Faith is part of human nature and therefore shouldn’t be negated. But what I believe in is my very own thing, and shouldn’t be forced on others. No matter if you believe in science or religion.

Ever joined an online dating network? I think I joined the first one in 2000, hoping to find myself a nice girlfriend to bring an end to my lonely evenings. But you know what? –2005 (!) and I have never dated anyone I met through an online dating network. Ok, I have to admit that I have been in a few relationships in-between where I wasn’t looking. But I did look around once again for a while until very recently.

So if my title has lured you into reading this article, you might better be of somewhere else because I’m no success story when it comes to online dating. I had two relationships with girls I met online (thanks to yahoo ;)), but both where failures, so no off-line happy end (so far)for me when it comes to the world wide web. But I did notice a few things about online dating over the years that I want to share, and that might be worth your valuable time!

First of all: 90 % Men are flat out stupid when it comes to online dating! Being male, that’s a tough thing to say, but I’m not sure this estimation is not even too optimistic. How do I know? Well, join a dating network that offers guestbook service for members and take a closer look at a guestbook for a cute looking girl.

Most of the entries consist of the following: “Hi there, I think your profile is interresting! Please write back!”

Ok, that’s a nice offer, and she might consider writing you back, but only if you are among the first three or four entries. Those guestbook’s are CRAMPED with the exact same lines, written over and over again. How difficult can it be so write something a little bit more original? You get at least a dozen lines you should not consider, as someone else has used them before. Why not write a little bit about yourself, something others don’t write about and that might be interesting?

I complained in guestbook’s about the lack of creativity of the fellow contenders– and the girls wrote back to me! Female users told me that, when joining a network, they usually get around 30 to 50 and up to 100 (!) emails a day. Most of these emails are deleted instantly as they sound just like every other one or are flat out rude or offensive.

Another thing that is very important: “Don’t go like a bull at a gate!“ Asking for intimate details or sex is not a very good way to start a conversation with someone you barely know. Even if you are very very (very) desperate!

Do offer plenty of information about yourself in your profile. Leave out fancy sexual preferences and complaining about your loneliness. You want to sound interesting and don’t want to be pitied.

Take it easy, don’t aim to high and enjoy the fun. Sometimes you end up having one or two nice conversations, sometimes you get a date or two and sometimes, who knows, you might even find someone special.

To sum it up: Be unique, be interesting, but most important of all, be yourself!

Just got back from the midnight preview of Harry Potter and the Goblet of fire. It was an excellent movie, so fare one of the best Hollywood Movies I’ve seen. If you have seen the other three parts, don’t miss this one! My only advice, don’t take kids along ;-)!

A real magical movie!

Good night, have to go to work in four hours!