Strengths Finder 2.0 by Tom Rath

Didn't take the assessment since the code from the book was already used (from that perspective not a very environmentally friendly print book -- the print version cannot be fully used by more than one person), but I was able to somewhat guess what strengths I thought fit me. I guess it's useful in framing/categorizing what your strengths are in a more formal way and separating out similar, but actually disparate strengths. All this in a spirit of know thyself/to thyself be true.

I was at first surprised at the existence of strength categories like: context, input or significance. But these are actually: always seeing things in context, thirst for input (or curiosity), and wanting to be of significance. (My guess was none of these areas are my strengths.)

One insight perhaps of the book is that: people tend to focus on their weaknesses to improve, but then it goes on: why not improve on a strength, build on something you're already good at or have a talent for. (Somehow role playing game specialization and character points jumps to mind.) Being well rounded might just be overrated. Instead team up with someone else with similar or different strengths.

Fantastic Mr Fox (2009)

Liked the unusually drawn characters.

The Hurt Locker (2009)

Crazy wild man takes bomb disarming duty in Iraq. Not bad, but not great.

Two is Enough: A Couple's Guide To Living Childless By Choice by Laura Scott

I think one would only pick up this book if one had a hesitation about the question of whether to have kids. Since I did, and even though I'm not in a couple so the question is largely a theoretical one for me, I thought it might be an interesting read. And in fact it was. First of all, there is some relief in a misery loves company way in its discussion about how every (straight) couple of child-bearing age seems to receive pressure to have kids. I'm not sure it's the case in liberal metropolitan areas, but it appears to be true in 'family oriented' suburbia.

The main focus of the book is a non-statistical interview based survey by the author of childless (or the more positive: childfree) by choice couples. It presents their most common reasons for not having kids. (And no, "We are selfish jerks" is not one of them. In fact, sometimes it's very nearly the reverse, something like: we've thought it through and kids would not benefit having us as parents.) The basic idea being helping couples new to the decision process decide by looking at the satisfaction of other couples who decided one way or another and on what basis.

Red Cliff (2008)

Tells the story of the historically noteworthy battle at the end of the Han dynasty. But not a terribly notable film except for the somewhat good looking actor Takeshi Kaneshiro who is 3/4-Taiwanese, 1/4-Ryukyuan (Japanese) and plays the Shu strategist Zhūgě Liàng.

Departures (2009)

A film dealing with death in Japan, but interspersed with humor. There is a deft touch in the handling of the protagonist's own death in the family.

Sherlock Holmes (2009)

Liked London here. A bit of a buddy pic with the polished Watson looking after the brilliant (but somewhat unhygienic) Holmes and vice versa. Some pretty CGI.

Recent news: Copyright holder hostile to potential future gay portrayals

Up In The Air (2009)

Clooney plays an older single guy. The character is a free loving type, not wanting to be tied down. He's a bit of a misanthrope, seeing people and relationships as a burden, and in a strange way perhaps enjoys his job of firing people, which he rationalizes as a way to free people for a 'better' life. In a turn much like (500) Days of Summer, he falls for a woman who acts much like a man in that she doesn't want or expect exclusivity, just one night stands. At points, Clooney's character extols on the virtues of being single, so much so that we're surprised when he starts to have doubts. At his sister's wedding, he's presented with indirect evidence of the major trade-off of marriage: companionship over loneliness and burden of responsibility for someone else's happiness over free wheeling independence.