From the archives:
This is the most popular of all my poems for the past year so here once again About a Friend.

Yes this is personal and yes it is true.
It is my experience that I am sharing with you.

We were so close like sisters people said.
Closer than that we were, it was over your head.

A bond that sparked instantaneously much like new romance.
Of course those that insinuated such did not follow the dance.

Give give, take take, it all seemed so equal at first.
No shadow of doubt, we would never be cursed.

Hours and days were spent sharing the past.
The laughter and tears were flowing and vast.

Each told of old sorrows and pain we had endured.
Consoling each other, we were each others cure.

We had found one another, knew it was different this time.
The ying to her yang, the partner to our crime.

We turned heads and made people wonder.
Quite a few tried to quiet the thunder.

This gave us our strength, like forces of nature together.
She and I against the world, no storm we couldn’t weather.

Life would charge in and test our power.
Tempted and taunted to see who would cower.

We prevailed time after time, year after year.
We drew lines for others that were perfectly clear.

Then one day it happened, the first of the clues.
A weakness exposed and a hint of a ruse.

“Not us I thought, this was not our path.”
Rips in the fabric, hidden agendas, you do the math.

And with just as much power as we united.
Truth had snuck in though reluctant and uninvited.

The face I began to recognize was that of a stranger.
I saw it clearly and knew of the danger.

I had heard the voice before and I remember I had shuddered.
Those combative words thrust at me she had finally uttered.

The loss was tremendous the grief devastating.
I now understood the line between loving and hating.

I missed her so, wishing for a branch or simply a leaf.
Yet not until I let her go was their any relief.

Why today of all days to write this for all to see?
Perhaps, maybe it means I can at last be free.

Copyright ©2007 Veronica Romm

anger and fear, rage, hatred, revolting.
in one second sparks ignite nothing in its trajectory  safe.
words sputter through clenched teeth, raised voices, prickly tongues.
jabs, slices, punches  inflicting maximum pain.
no rational thought, respect, or love.
deeply planted wounds seep with fresh blood.
a storm so out of control demanding attention.
no cure once blinded by the rush.
it spins through each cell and fiber.
hoping, trying to regain control as the venom attacks the soul.
breathing steadies, pulse no longer blaring.
around, tossed in the rubble is the evidence the damage done.
despicable words spoken replay on the tape.
left standing amidst intolerable shame.

Copyright ©2009 Veronica Romm

One year ago today Heath Ledger died of an accidental overdose leaving behind a daughter and throngs of adoring fans. It is hard to believe it has already been a year, probably due to the amount of media coverage his last film role has received. Today the nominations for the Academy Awards were announced and not surprisingly Ledger was nominated for best supporting actor as The Joker in last years smash hit The Dark Night. Last year I wrote a post in memory of Heath and Brad Renfro who had passed right around the same time.  I am re-posting (Jan. 31, 2008 was the original post date)  it because I think it did a good job describing my feelings about the tragic loss of this fine young actor.  May Heath rest in peace knowing he was loved and appreciated for his work as an actor as well as his character as a man.

For me when someone talented, interesting and special dies regardless of whether I knew them on a personal level, or admired their talent from a far, I grieve. The last two weeks have seen the death of two talented young men first Brad Renfro and then Heath Ledger. The minute I learned of each I had the same initial reaction.

1. Utter shock (stomach drops)

2. Disbelief (Heart races)

3. Curiosity (Reading as much as I could on initial reports)

I must digress for one moment. I interviewed both Actors between 1997-1999 when I worked press junkets for major motion pictures. They were both very young, handsome and talented, Renfro who was amazing in The Client and I had interviewed the cast of Apt Pupil.

I became a fan of Ledger’s initially for the obvious reasons, he was great to look at and charming. Through the years his films became better and he would shine in each role. Brokeback Mountain showed a mature actor taking risks and worthy of all the accolades, including an Oscar nomination. I have seen almost all of his films since. Candy was another heart breaking performance, as Ledger and Cornish brought to life the book of the same name.

The media coverage and all of the speculation took the focus off of the actual loss of Heath. Once again I experienced,

1. Anger (too young, too good)

2. Curiosity( continued almost non stop coverage by media)

3. Disbelief (Each time I saw his face, stomach drops)

Now that is has been several days and his memorial in Hollywood took place, his body is in his country and his family must bury their extraordinary son I feel,

1. Profound sadness.

2. Grief

3. And the beginnings of acceptance.

So this morning when I got on the computer I let myself truly experience the emotions by watching tributes to both Heath and Brad. Yes, I cried and smiled as I saw the familiar faces on the screen in roles I loved. I listened to their words in interviews and the songs played on tribute pieces compiled by so many on YouTube. I let myself feel the grief of knowing that these images, still or moving were the only ones left, their legacy. Of course Dark Knight has yet to be released, and this will cause a new wave of sadness and maybe anger.

The stages of grief are fluid. They are repeated and recycled until time allows otherwise. I have friends who think I am foolish, ridiculous and childish for caring at all. They certainly do not take me seriously and I usually try to avoid discussing these people with them because they say things purely out of ignorance and it simply angers me and makes me wonder how people could be so heartless.

I know that I am perhaps extra sensitive and that I cannot judge others for what they feel. However through the use of this tool, my trusty blog I can express my feelings freely and not care if I am judged to be overly sentimental or foolish. I love film and I love actors. So here is my tribute to a young man who shined on screen and whose light dimmed tragically early.

HEATH LEDGER TRIBUTE – IN MEMORY

Led Zeppelin Thank you

Some lovely quotes.

Gratitude is the sign of noble souls. ~ Aesop

Real generosity toward the future lies in giving all to the present. ~ Albert Camus

At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us. ~ Albert Schweitzer

Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see. ~ Mark Twain

The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention. ~ Oscar Wilde

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday, be safe and enjoy all the yummy food.  veronicaromm

If you have been at all keeping up with my posts, you probably know that I am very inquisitive. Here are some interesting and witty quotes about questions, as they are so a part of me.

The most erroneous stories are those we think we know best – and therefore never scrutinize or question.
~ Stephen Jay Gould

The man who reads nothing at all is better educated than the man who reads nothing but newspapers. ~ Thomas Jefferson

A thinker sees his own actions as experiments and questions–as attempts to find out something. Success and failure are for him answers above all. ~ Friedrich Nietzsche

It is better to know some of the questions than all of the answers. ~ James Thurber

Judge of a man by his questions rather than by his answers. ~Voltaire

source

A prudent question is one-half of wisdom. ~Francis Bacon

It is error only, and not truth, that shrinks from inquiry. ~Thomas Paine

To be or not to be that is the question. Whether it is nobler in the mind to suffer the stings and arrows of outrageous fortune, or take up arms against a sea of troubles, and by opposing them, end them. Hamlet~ William Shakespeare

source

In examinations, the foolish ask questions the wise cannot answer. ~Oscar Wilde

Love is the answer, but while you are waiting for the answer sex raises some pretty good questions.

~Woody Allen

Source

I thought it was time to show some love and appreciation to some of the wonderful people (and their blogs) whom I have met this past year on-line. This is a list of diverse sites and authors,  each so unique and creative. I would highly recommend stopping by their sites, I believe there is something for everyone . In no particular order let me acknowledge some fellow bloggers and friends. Thank you all.

Zestycook by Cory

Billy the blogging poet

The year of the chick by Romi

Robert’s Linknotes (rjj on SU)

Midlife Bachelor by Greg

The happiest blog on earth by Terence

May it be a holiday.

New Year’s Eve or your Birthday.

Halloween,  Mother’s Day or graduation.

All of them deserve a celebration.

Dress up in a beaded gown.

A tailored suit won’t let you down.

Wear the colors of the season.

Some days you don’t need a reason.

Any day can be a joyous surprise .

Once you open up your eyes.

Blowing Back Her Kisses
If I could write for her a symphony

would it stand the test of time?

If I wrote for her the perfect poem

would it have the perfect rhyme?

Would I come to miss her tender kiss

if she blew each kiss my way?

And if I were to run to her

would she hope that I would stay?

My Response

If I wrote the perfect words.

And said the perfect things?

Would they make him stop writing these,

and all the joy they bring?

Could I ever speak a thoughtless phrase,

and risk hurting him dear?

Am I worthy of the compliments?

This is my only fear.

Concrete Blonde – Everybody Knows

I named my blog Who Knew? almost exactly one year ago.  I had no idea how aptly I had titled the blog and as a year passes it reinforces within me a certain innate ability to honestly say “I have no idea what the future holds.”

I am someone who lives in the day, which has it’s distinct positives i.e. I am very spontaneous and most of my travels have occurred very spur of the moment, and it’s devastating drawbacks.  It is who I am however and I make no apologies or excuses, it is how I live.

Things tend to come full circle in life so this post features a song called Everybody Knows by a legendary performer Leonard Cohen.

Cohen rose to the opportunity this audience represented by releasing two consecutive albums, I’m Your Man (1988) and The Future (1992), that not only rank among the finest of his career, but that perfectly capture the texture of particularly complicated times. Cohen had long documented the high rate of casualties in the love wars, so the profound anxieties generated by the AIDS crisis were no news to him. Songs like “Ain’t No Cure for Love,” the wryly titled “I’m Your Man” and, most explicitly, “Everybody Knows” (“Everybody knows that the Plague is coming/Everybody knows that it’s moving fast/Everybody knows that the naked man and woman – just a shining artifact of the past”) depict Cohen surveying the contemporary erotic battleground and reporting on it with characteristic perspective, insight and wisdom.

I first heard the song in a movie called “Pump Up The Volume“  in 1990 and it was performed by the band Concrete Blonde.  Later I learned it’s origins and became a Leonard Cohen fan.  It came at a time when everything was changing, I was going off to college and my senior year in high school was marked by a clinical depression which almost prevented me from going off to University.  Thankfully I was able to get through it and I remember listening to this song on repeat in my car almost compulsively.  I think it quite fits the brooding and scared teen I had become for the song is not very hopeful, and in many ways very true.

So here I am 17 years and half a lifetime later posting my first post-hiatus entry into this blog.  Who Knew? the poem I wrote asks many questions.  Everybody Knows offers many answers, some all too true and others can be debated.  I know though that it evokes for me a great deal of truth, some fear and it does so in a very poetic fashion.  Leonard Cohen wrote what he knew.  I say who knows?

Everybody knows that the dice are loaded

Everybody rolls with their fingers crossed

Everybody knows that the war is over

Everybody knows the good guys lost

Everybody knows the fight was fixed

The poor stay poor, the rich get rich

That’s how it goes

Everybody knows

Everybody knows that the boat is leaking

Everybody knows that the captain lied

Everybody got this broken feeling

Like their father or their dog just died

Everybody talking to their pockets

Everybody wants a box of chocolates

And a long stem rose

Everybody knows

Everybody knows that you love me baby

Everybody knows that you really do

Everybody knows that you’ve been faithful

Ah give or take a night or two

Everybody knows you’ve been discreet

But there were so many people you just had to meet

Without your clothes

And everybody knows

Everybody knows, everybody knows

That’s how it goes

Everybody knows

Everybody knows, everybody knows

That’s how it goes

Everybody knows

And everybody knows that it’s now or never

Everybody knows that it’s me or you

And everybody knows that you live forever

Ah when you’ve done a line or two

Everybody knows the deal is rotten

Old Black Joe’s still pickin’ cotton

For your ribbons and bows

And everybody knows

And everybody knows that the Plague is coming

Everybody knows that it’s moving fast

Everybody knows that the naked man and woman

Are just a shining artifact of the past

Everybody knows the scene is dead

But there’s gonna be a meter on your bed

That will disclose

What everybody knows

And everybody knows that you’re in trouble

Everybody knows what you’ve been through

From the bloody cross on top of Calvary

To the beach of Malibu

Everybody knows it’s coming apart

Take one last look at this Sacred Heart

Before it blows

And everybody knows

Everybody knows, everybody knows

That’s how it goes

Everybody knows

Oh everybody knows, everybody knows

That’s how it goes

Everybody knows

Everybody knows

Leonard Cohen

Ever since I first wrote this signature post for my blog I have had the pleasure of learning so much more and meeting so many new people through my blog and social media. So I wanted to repost it for those new and wonderful people that have become so supportive of my writing. Thanks guys, you know who you are.

Who Knew? by Veronica Romm

Who knew knowledge could be sorrow?

Who knew our rights could be stripped away?

Who knew laws could never govern?

Who knew leaders could get lost?

Who knew identities could be stolen?

Who knew faces could be altered?

Who knew science could betray us?

Who knew history could be ignored?

Who knew evil could be taught?

Who knew heroes could be villains?

Who knew our neighbors could be saints?

Who knew sinners could be teachers?

Who knew clothes could make the man?

Who knew possessions could be priceless?

Who knew wealth could be so hungry?

Who knew money could buy power?

Who knew fame could be an illness?

Who knew words could soon be censored?

Who knew hate could turn to love?

Who knew our bodies could betray us?

Who knew hearts could really break?

Who knew laughter could be medicine?

Who knew our children could be cruel?

Who knew man could choose a bomb?

Who knew mothers could kill their babies?

Who knew sisters could be strangers?

Who knew our sons could die at war?

Who knew pain could be a business?

Who knew pleasure could lead to death?

Who knew friends could turn against us?

Who knew memories could fade so quickly?

Who knew lovers could be untrue?

Who knew time could heal all wounds?

Who knew questions could be left unanswered?

Copyright ©2007 Veronica Romm

 

To and fro

Here and there.

You and me,

An unlikely pair.

Borrowing moments

Or minutes or days.

Focused blindly

We live in a haze.

Are we mere mortals

Ready to share?

To expose our hearts

By becoming a pair?

 Copyright ©2008 Veronica Romm

In the spirit of the holiday season…

“What can be worse than the total agony of being in love?”As spoken by an eleven year old from a line in the film, Love Actually. If you pause for one second and think about it, isn’t love the absolute worst thing ever? I mean it is sheer torture yet it is vital and what we all live for ultimately. Some say it’s not Love but Sex that we do all the work for i.e. Sigmund Freud, but I don’t think he had that one quite figured out.

The absence of love can create the most distressing feelings inside. Sadness, loneliness, the shallow feeling of hating the couple walking hand in hand in front of you on the street. What a nightmare. Yet when in love that couple barely exists for the focus is not on them, but on your own hand in that of your loved ones. Total nonsense I think, turns us into absolute jerks doesn’t it?What is it about love that can have you raging in anger and reeling from joy in the matter of minutes? How is it that we, seemingly rational human beings allow ourselves such beastly behavior? I know its chemical and I know we can’t help it, but why do we put ourselves through it time and again?

Why do we let love in, and then let it ravage us so completely often leaving us in tatters and destroyed? Then as time passes we consciously (or not) do it all over again, risking the same awful result? As adults are we not to learn from our mistakes and not repeat them. When we touch the super hot radiator, don’t we actively avoid it so as not to burn again?

What makes love different? I want to know what you think. I am clearly at a loss because I am responsible for the horrid behavior I speak of. Please share your thoughts with me. Maybe together we can solve this Love thing once and for all? Highly unlikely but worth a shot, no?

End Quote

” Gravitation cannot be held responsible for people falling in love. How on earth can you explain in terms of chemistry and physics so important a biological phenomenon as first love? Put your hand on a stove for a minute and it seems like an hour. Sit with that special girl for an hour and it seems like a minute. That’s relativity.”

Albert Einstein

1.

2.   Fierce: savage; wild; indicating cruelty; ravenous; rapacious; as, ferocious look or features.

On so many levels this word grates on my nerves.  From Christian Siriano the odd little elf man who won Project Runway and took the word to  nerve rattling level.  To Tyra Banks who displays her lack of command of adjectives and of the English language all together by using the word in every sentence.

3.  Misspoke: –verb (used with object), verb (used without object), -spoke, -spok·en, -speak·ing.

1. to speak, utter, or pronounce incorrectly.
2. to speak inaccurately, inappropriately, or too hastily.

 Oh this one has been abused like no other word since Hillary Clinton decided to run for G-d, I mean President of the United States. The worst part is that when used it is usually a PC term for “having said something really really inappropriate.”

4.   Schadenfreude: definition; A malicious satisfaction obtained from the misfortunes of others.

All I can say about this word is that it has been used in every article I have read in The New Yorker, Vanity Fair and well, every other magazine I have picked up (and I have a minor magazine obsession).

FYI:  I went to dictionary.com and guess what?  It is today’s word of the day. How appropriate.

5.   Dawg:  I am not going to go to the trouble of giving a definition here.  Anyone who has seen even one     episode of American Idol has heard this word overused and abused by Randy Jackson, though he is among many offenders in the pseudo hip hop world. 

6.  Super-delegate:   A party leader or elected official chosen as an uncommitted delegate to a national political convention. (Origin 1984). 

 So apparently prior to 1984 these people were just plain old folks, and then perhaps due to some genetic X-men type metamorphosis they became super.  Though I am not sure if capes are required attire, but if I was a super delegate I would definitely wear one.  I mean there should be perks right? 

7.  Baby Daddy/Mamma: Are we so lazy that we cant say the entire phrase?  The definition as I understand it applies to an unmarried couple expecting a child.  Personally I think it is offensive and is a rude way to refer to a person. 

8.  _______ilicious: i.e. Fergalicious, Bootilicious and so on.  Please put this one away, for all that is good and holy, let it die soon.

9.  Cougar:     Significant age disparity in sexual relationships has been and remains a feature of couples in many cultures and societies. The most common pattern in heterosexual couples is an older man with a younger woman.

This one infuriates me .  It makes women seem predatory and desperate.  However the women being called this have yet to complain to my knowledge.  I know I would be less than thrilled to be labeled in such a way.  Unless of course I was on a reality show vying for some young hotties attention. (Yeah right).

10. Bromance:  A close and affectionate platonic friendship between two men.  I.e. Brad Pitt and George Clooney. 

I think that this is one word that should never be uttered out loud.

11.  Metrosexual:  I.e. Ryan Seacrest.  This one is just a personal pet peeve. 

New Entries: As of July 5 2008

12.  Man-date:  Similar to bromance but spending time together a lot.

13.  Bump:  This refers to pregnant womens expanding womb, therefore bump diminishes the importance.

14.  Werd/Word:  It’s got to go, if you are over 30, you cant respond with werd, werd?

15.  Brangelina, Johniston, Beniffer, or any other comboname.  This is a serious pet peeve.

So now I invite you to add to this list, for this is by no means exhaustive.  I am sure you can think of a few that are worthy of a place on this list.  Share them, exorcise them from your vocabulary or just commiserate.

Contributed by readers:

1. Pop.” it is used to describe everything from curtains to eye makeup. Thank you Meander for adding this highly overused term by both magazines and tv shows when doing the make-over.  As in “the fake lashes make the models eyes really Pop!  I must assume there is an exclamation point after thats said.

2. Pwn:  am tired of people using “pwn”. It was a slandering of the word “own” in gaming by someone with a lazy pinky-finger. But really it just makes me want to punch my computer.

3. Peace out:

A co-worker constantly hits me with “peace out” as he leaves. I know most would quickly make the assumption of laid back hippie hood but no. This white boy is the product of an elite, upper class family and is firmly entrenched in the corporate world.

Him: “Peace Out, Megellen!”

Me: Bonne Soir, middle aged faux hippie.

Him: Easy on the karma there, M.

Me: Go hug an organic veggie while sucking down your Evian, rich boy.

 ps. I have been known to sign off IM with this.  Will have to rethink that. Veronica

When I was in the 8th grade I had to commit this to memory. When I taught school I made the kids memorize it as well, though that week they hated me outwardly, they all managed to do it. I hope they still recall it as I do, because for me it was the first time I understood what this country stood for. I was so young then and now though I am somewhat jaded, I still feel patriotic reading it. I am an immigrant and I am proud to be an American.

 

           Happy 4th America                 

Who knew knowledge could be sorrow?

Who knew our rights could be stripped away?

Who knew laws could never govern?

Who knew leaders could get lost?

Who knew identities could be stolen?

Who knew faces could be altered?

Who knew science could betray us?

Who knew history could be ignored?

Who knew evil could be taught?

Who knew heroes could be villains?

Who knew our neighbors could be saints?

Who knew sinners could be teachers?

Who knew clothes could make the man?

Who knew possessions could be priceless?

Who knew wealth could be so hungry?

Who knew money could buy power?

Who knew fame could be an illness?

Who knew words could soon be censored?

Who knew hate could turn to love?

Who knew our bodies could betray us?

Who knew hearts could really break?

Who knew laughter could be medicine?

Who knew our children could be cruel?

Who knew man could choose a bomb?

Who knew mothers could kill their babies?

Who knew sisters could be strangers?

Who knew our sons could die at war?

Who knew pain could be a business?

Who knew pleasure could lead to death?

Who knew friends could turn against us?

Who knew memories could fade so quickly?

Who knew lovers could be untrue?

Who knew time could heal all wounds?

Who knew questions could be left unanswered?

Copyright ©2007 Veronica  Romm

It is amazing to see my words out of context as such.  I know which poem each phrase or word comes from, yet like this the meanings get shuffled and become meaningful on their own.  It is also fascinating to read the words that were chosen by another, and created into a piece of art.  I can ponder the reason for each choice, or like with poetry leave the meaning to the interpreter.  Either way, it reminds me of the style used by William S. Burroughs the cut-up technique in his book Naked Lunch and others.

From the Archives.

Remember…
That first kiss when I pulled you away
Closed the door behind us and slammed you
Up against the wall.
That kiss turned knees to jelly, lips to berries
And sealed our fates it seems.
It appears from far away now,
somewhere lost in dreams.
Memories they remain, time has let the bad fade.

Remember…
When we went to Balthazar that first whirlwind night?
How I thought you had tricked me by telling me your birthday
was the same day as mine.
But it was true,
and I knew then, you knew too, and we were happy.
Things were not perfect, please
I am not deluded, but we were happy.

I Remember…
Making love to you, looking you straight in the eye and knowing you.
Your hair long, formed a halo around your head.
I told you I could look at your face forever.
I meant it you know?
I confess, I saw us having a child,
just one and I knew this would be a loved child,
Nurtured and exposed to unique people such as our families were (are).

Remember…
We watched our friends walk down an aisle with hesitation.
Yet, I did not want to be them in the stuffy NYC hotel with the low ceilings.
No, you and I would have done it differently.
It would have been for us, not a sea of faces that judged us
As they smiled.
But rather before only our loved ones and g-d.

Remember…
Pretending that we won the lottery?
Fantasizing about what we would do?
Take care of our folks, see to it they had everything.
You would write, I would write and we would travel,
Volunteer, make a movie and love each other like only you and I could?
I always wanted you near me yet, I let you go.
I knew we loved each other but there were others we
Needed to love too.

Remember…
The Hamptons? Flashes of bodies writhing in pleasure,
Forgetting all, and everyone outside the doors,
enraptured, entwined and happy.
I remember. You do too.
There is a place in my heart that longs for you even now, today, I would
Drop everything for one try. Can you see it?
No, but I remember.

Copyright ©2008 Veronica Romm

The Gambler

Sometimes I get really sentimental, and this is what happens. So here is me, in a mood rarely shared.  I usually escape into my world and listen to whatever makes me feel like this, today I felt like it was time to share it with others.  Maybe we are all gamblers, just trying to make it through the hand we are dealt.  The lyrics in this song apply to so many things (the chorus specifically) in life.  But I would rather be a gambler, then sit by and watch the others play.

I read Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance  by Barack Obama4 years ago.  I have been fascinated with the man since.  He told a story of his life without grandiosity and with questions rather than doctrines.  Now he has come this far.  He is young, vibrant and hard-working.  He deserves this he has overcome a great deal to get here.  I am proud to see this man in the position he is currently in, no matter what comes next.  I do, in fact fear for him.  I am a lover of history and with that know that the good die young and that fanaticism runs rampant.  Yet, I have hope.  I need to believe and he is someone who I believe in . 

Book Review of Dreams from My Father:

Obama argues with himself on almost every page of this lively autobiographical conversation. He gets you to agree with him, and then he brings in a counter-narrative that seems just as convincing. Son of a white American mother and of a black Kenyan father whom he never knew, Obama grew up mainly in Hawaii. After college, he worked for three years as a community organizer on Chicago’s South Side. Then, finally, he went to Kenya, to find the world of his dead father, his “authentic” self. Will the truth set you free, Obama asks? Or will it disappoint? Both, it seems. His search for himself as a black American is rooted in the particulars of his daily life; it also reads like a wry commentary about all of us. He dismisses stereotypes of the “tragic mulatto” and then shows how much we are all caught between messy contradictions and disparate communities. He discovers that Kenya has 400 different tribes, each of them with stereotypes of the others. Obama is candid about racism and poverty and corruption, in Chicago and in Kenya. Yet he does find community and authenticity, not in any romantic cliche{‚}, but with “honest, decent men and women who have attainable ambitions and the determination to see them through.” by Hazel Rochman

Trailer for Lars and the Real Girl click here for review.