Long Vacation
 

Last year I took decision to delete ‘Tokyo Love Story’, one of my favorite Japanese dramas, from my computer and I think it a wise decision now since I no longer cried during Valentine’s Day while watching it alone at home. And instead, my desire to watch again ‘Long vacation’ increases, especially listening to the super nice ‘La la la love song’. Well, happy feeling with happy ending drama, I guess my days are shining now very often.

Title: ロングバケーション

Title (English): Long Vacation

Genre: Romance

Episodes: 11

Broadcast network: Fuji TV

Theme song: La La La Love Song by Toshinobu Kubota with Naomi Campbell

Synopsis

Senna is a college graduate who dreams of becoming a world class pianist. He teaches piano at a local piano school. Minami is an out of work model. On her wedding day, she gets dumped by her fiance and loses all of her savings, which she gave to her fiance. Her fiance turns out to be Senna's former roommate. She rushes to Senna's apartment and finds out that her fiance has skipped town. With no money and no where to go, she moves in with Senna.

Senna likes Ryoko, a college sophomore. He likes her a lot, but just doesn't have the courage to ask her out. Koishikawa is Minami's best friend and is also a model. She provides much of the comedic relief in this show. Shinji is Minami's younger brother who just happens to be better than Senna at piano. He opens a bar/nite club. Rumiko is Shinji's girlfriend. Sasaki is Senna's professor at college and is always encouraging Senna to perform at the next piano competition.

Awards

9th Television Drama Academy Awards: Best Drama

9th Television Drama Academy Awards: Best Actor (Kimura Takuya)

9th Television Drama Academy Awards: Best Actress (Yamaguchi Tomoko)

9th Television Drama Academy Awards: Best Supporting Actor (Takenouchi Yutaka)

9th Television Drama Academy Awards: Best Supporting Actress (Inamori Izumi)

9th Television Drama Academy Awards: Best Newcomer (Matsu Takako)

9th Television Drama Academy Awards: Best Outfit (Yamaguchi Tomoko)

9th Television Drama Academy Awards: Best Screenwriter (Kitagawa Eriko)

9th Television Drama Academy Awards: Best Cast

9th Television Drama Academy Awards: Best Opening

MidNight Poison by Dior

                                                   Director: Wong Kar-Wai

                                                                            Actress: Eva Green

The Executive

"I'm really sorry you have to die."

"I don't care to sit by the window on an airplane. If I can't control it, why look?"

As an ENTJ, your primary mode of living is focused externally, where you deal with things rationally and logically. Your secondary mode is internal, where you take things in primarily via your intuition.

ENTJs are natural born leaders. They live in a world of possibilities where they see all sorts challenges to be surmounted, and they want to be the ones responsible for surmounting them. They have a drive for leadership, which is well-served by their quickness to grasp complexities, their ability to absorb a large amount of impersonal information, and their quick and decisive judgments. They are "take charge" people.

ENTJs are very career-focused, and fit into the corporate world quite naturally. They are constantly scanning their environment for potential problems which they can turn into solutions. They generally see things from a long-range perspective, and are usually successful at identifying plans to turn problems around - especially problems of a corporate nature. ENTJs are usually successful in the business world, because they are so driven to leadership. They're tireless in their efforts on the job, and driven to visualize where an organization is headed. For these reasons, they are natural corporate leaders.

There is not much room for error in the world of the ENTJ. They dislike to see mistakes repeated, and have no patience with inefficiency. They may become quite harsh when their patience is tried in these respects, because they are not naturally tuned in to people's feelings, and more than likely don't believe that they should tailor their judgments in consideration for people's feelings. ENTJs, like many types, have difficulty seeing things from outside their own perspective. Unlike other types, ENTJs naturally have little patience with people who do not see things the same way as the ENTJ. The ENTJ needs to consciously work on recognizing the value of other people's opinions, as well as the value of being sensitive towards people's feelings. In the absence of this awareness, the ENTJ will be a forceful, intimidating and overbearing individual. This may be a real problem for the ENTJ, who may be deprived of important information and collaboration from others. In their personal world, it can make some ENTJs overbearing as spouses or parents.

The ENTJ has a tremendous amount of personal power and presence which will work for them as a force towards achieving their goals. However, this personal power is also an agent of alienation and self-aggrandizement, which the ENTJ would do well to avoid.

ENTJs are very forceful, decisive individuals. They make decisions quickly, and are quick to verbalize their opinions and decisions to the rest of the world. The ENTJ who has not developed their Intuition will make decisions too hastily, without understanding all of the issues and possible solutions. On the other hand, an ENTJ who has not developed their Thinking side will have difficulty applying logic to their insights, and will often make poor decisions. In that case, they may have brilliant ideas and insight into situations, but they may have little skill at determining how to act upon their understanding, or their actions may be inconsistent. An ENTJ who has developed in a generally less than ideal way may become dictatorial and abrasive - intrusively giving orders and direction without a sound reason for doing so, and without consideration for the people involved.

Although ENTJs are not naturally tuned into other people's feelings, these individuals frequently have very strong sentimental streaks. Often these sentiments are very powerful to the ENTJ, although they will likely hide it from general knowledge, believing the feelings to be a weakness. Because the world of feelings and values is not where the ENTJ naturally functions, they may sometimes make value judgments and hold onto submerged emotions which are ill-founded and inappropriate, and will cause them problems - sometimes rather serious problems.

ENTJs love to interact with people. As Extroverts, they're energized and stimulated primarily externally. There's nothing more enjoyable and satisfying to the ENTJ than having a lively, challenging conversation. They especially respect people who are able to stand up to the ENTJ, and argue persuasively for their point of view. There aren't too many people who will do so, however, because the ENTJ is a very forceful and dynamic presence who has a tremendous amount of self-confidence and excellent verbal communication skills. Even the most confident individuals may experience moments of self-doubt when debating a point with an ENTJ.

ENTJs want their home to be beautiful, well-furnished, and efficiently run. They're likely to place much emphasis on their children being well-educated and structured, to desire a congenial and devoted relationship with their spouse. At home, the ENTJ needs to be in charge as much as he or she does in their career. The ENTJ is likely best paired with someone who has a strong self-image, who is also a Thinking type. Because the ENTJ is primarily focused on their careers, some ENTJs have a problem with being constantly absent from home, physically or mentally.

The ENTJ has many gifts which make it possible for them to have a great deal of personal power, if they don't forget to remain balanced in their lives. The are assertive, innovative, long-range thinkers with an excellent ability to translate theories and possibilities into solid plans of action. They are usually tremendously forceful personalities, and have the tools to accomplish whatever goals they set out for.

Extraverted Thinking

"Unequivocating" expresses the resoluteness of the ENTJ's dominant function. Clarity of convictions endows these Thinkers with a knack for debate, or wanting knack, a penchant for argument. The light and heat generated by Thinking at the helm can be impressive; perhaps even overwhelming. Experience teaches many ENTJs that restraint may often be the better part of valor, lest one find oneself victorious but alone.

Introverted iNtuition

The auxiliary function explores the blueprints of archetypal patterns and equips Thinking with a fresh, dynamic sense of how things work. Improvising on the fly is something many ENTJs do very well. As Thinking's subordinate, insights are of value only insofar as they further the Right, True Cause celebre. [n.b.: ENTJs are capable of living on a higher plane, if you will, and learning to value individuals even above their principles. The above dynamic suggests less individuation.]

Extraverted Sensing

Sensing reaches out to embrace that which physically touches it. ENTJs have an awareness of the real; of that which exists. By stilling the engines of Thinking and iNtuition, this type may experience the Here and Now, and know things not dreamt of nor even postulated in iNtuition's philosophy. Sensing's minor role, however, puts it at risk for distortion or extreme weakness beneath the hustle and bustle of the giants N and T.

Introverted Feeling

Feeling is romantic, as the ethereal as the inner world from whence it doth emerge. When it be awake, feeling evokes great passion that knows not nuance of proportion nor context. Perhaps these lesser functions inspire glorious recreational quests in worlds that never were, or may only ever be in fantasy. When overdone or taken too seriously, Fi turned outward often becomes maudlin or melodramatic. Feeling in this type appears most authentic when implied or expressed covertly in a firm handshake, accepting demeanor, or act of sacrifice thinly covered by excuses of lack of any personal interest in the relinquished item.

What does Success mean to an ENTJ?

ENTJ people are realists, in the most basic sense of the word. Not only because their thinking is based upon a clear view of how things actually are in the world around them, but also because their ideas and strategies are structured around those unambiguous, “down to earth”, commonsense beliefs which sum up the obvious and undeniable in life. But while ENTJ’s might be pragmatic about the immediate situation before them, they are scarcely satisfied with it until it can be made more productive, useful or valuable. The ENTJ’s reasoning on such matters is always clear and generally unemotional. If action can improve an item or a situation then it ought to be taken, and the ENTJ will always be found in the midst of such action, organizing, planning and leading the way forward until the best result possible has been realized. This makes success for an ENTJ something that can be clearly seen, a real world result which can be measured. And whether measured in dollars, bricks, bread or just happy people, the successful ENTJ knows the result is due to their belief that it is just plain commonsense to try and make the best of every situation and get the most out if it for the most people. 

Allowing Your ENTJ Strengths to Flourish

As an ENTJ, you have gifts that are specific to your personality type that aren't natural strengths for other types. By recognizing your special gifts and encouraging their growth and development, you will more readily see your place in the world, and be more content with your role. Nearly all ENTJs will recognize the following characteristics in themselves. They should embrace and nourish these strengths:

·        Able to cut straight to the chase in any situation and not be sidetracked by non-essential issues.

·        A propensity for leadership which follows naturally from their ability to control and manage real time/real world situations.

·        A talent for factual analysis unbiased by prejudice or emotion.

·        A “can do” approach to life which makes the working environment a positive place for them.

·        A strong regard for positive social and economic institutions, structure and government.

·        Second to none time and space management skills, everything organized and in its place.

·        Able to constantly synthesize and adapt new ideas and concepts into strategies for business, social, financial or environmental development.

ENTJ’s who have a well-developed Introverted Intuitive function to complement their dominant Extraverted Thinking will enjoy these very special gifts:

·        A talent for creating great benefits through the addressing of social justice issues.

·        The ability to recognize and mediate their potentials in accord with the expectations of others.

·        An approach to life which includes an awareness of the differences between their needs and those of others.

·        Able to know when to stop and take stock of life and recognize the qualities of the moment.

·        A talent for showing others the way to get past difficulties in their outer life

·        A broadening of their own ambitions which includes rather than excludes others from the decision making and the benefits which flow from their achievement.

Potential Problem Areas

With any gift of strength, there is an associated weakness. Without "bad", there would be no "good". Without "difficult", there would be no "easy". We value our strengths, but we often curse and ignore our weaknesses. To grow as a person and get what we want out of life, we must not only capitalize upon our strengths, but also face our weaknesses and deal with them. That means taking a hard look at our personality type's potential problem areas.

ENTJ’s are strong, right minded and rational people. This should be kept in mind as you read some of the more negative material about ENTJ weaknesses. These weaknesses are natural. We offer this information to enact positive change, rather than as blatant criticism.

Most of the weaker characteristics in the ENTJ stem from their dominant Extraverted Thinking function overtaking their personality, stifling the natural expression and balancing value of the other personality functions. In such cases, an ENTJ may show some or all of the following weaknesses in varying degrees:

·        May be unable to understand other people’s needs where these differ from their own.

·        May unwisely assume their ideas are the only right ones and are therefore being fully implemented by others.

·        May become childishly petulant or angered when confronted by situations which require feeling judgments.

·        May become so engrossed in a plan or ambition that personal needs and the needs of others are forgotten.

·        May take every decision not made in agreement with their rational beliefs as a personal rejection.

·        May be easily taken in or manipulated by others via agreement with their rational attitudes.

·        May become obsessed with small obstructions and difficulties to the point where the overall plan is forgotten

·        May believe natural limitations are actually ailments which ought to be eradicated

·        May assume others are ever plotting against them.

·        May  believe only their own view of the world or a situation is correct, even to the point that they make it into a kind of dogma which must be followed by those around them.

Explanation of Problems

Most of the problems described above can be seen as a direct result of a too dominant Extraverted Thinking function ruling the personality. In most cases this is exactly what is happening, but it is also worth recognizing that some of the weaknesses in the ENTJ’s personality that are more apparent to other Types, flow not so much from the excesses of the ENTJ’s dominant function, but from the natural inferiority of their feeling function and its lack of adaptation. We must also recognize that the level of expression of all functions in all people is variable and that some of the problems discussed here apply only to strongly expressing ENTJ’s, where the attitude which flows from using Extraverted Thinking exclusively to guide them through life creates its own particular problems.

The over dominance of Extraverted Thinking leads to an intensely intellectual way of seeing the world, where values such as right and wrong, good and bad, useful and useless are judged only by their applicability to an almost mathematically exact - and to the ENTJ - always rational, attitude to life. Without the balance provided by other ways of seeing or judging, the ENTJ is unable to account for actions based upon the inner views or feeling behavior of others, hence such things are always judged negatively, either as irrelevant - or at best - as being of small consequence. Additionally, with their thinking attitude always turned outward and totally subject to the world beyond their senses, without the balance of some internally felt objectivity the ENTJ will often follow their ideas and ambitions without consideration for their own physical and emotional needs. Indeed, the ENTJ often feels that if only his project, his work, his outer reality would just fall into line with his own rational views then all would be well within his world and all his needs would be met. Unfortunately such an attitude can never be satisfied, for the world is not only rational, but also full of situations and human behavior which must be appreciated and understood by quite different, and again - to the ENTJ – often seemingly absurd criteria.  

A healthy personality needs to have a good balance between its dominant and auxiliary functions. For an ENTJ, dominant Extraverted Thinking needs to be well-supported by their auxiliary Introverted Intuitive function. If Introverted Intuition exists only to support the intellectual rationale created by Extraverted Thinking, then neither function is being used to its full potential.

Introverted Intuition is the ENTJ’s access to their inner world, to the information that could tell them how the world is affecting them. Because it is introverted, its images arise from the subjective depths of the mind, and contain all that the ENTJ has not considered within their strictly rational and object oriented view of the world. Introverted Intuition provides the personally biased information the ENTJ needs to balance this world view and protect the ENTJ from being totally swallowed up by their selfless and yet single minded attachment to facts, figures and a rationale they accept only from the world outside themselves. Because this inner information is often opposed to the ENTJ’s strongly held ideas it is often rejected, or if accepted, turned outward to make negative judgments about external situations or the behavior of others, rather than seen as a corrective balance to the ENTJ’s own attitudes and behavior.

Solutions

To grow as an individual, the ENTJ needs to recognize the role Intuition plays in their life, and learn to understand its language. In particular the ENTJ needs to realize that their intuitive function is not directed outward to the world, that its images are personal, subjective and relate directly to the way the ENTJ’s inner self is being affected by both the outside world and their own behavior.

Introverted Intuition is not an obvious process to understand, and quite unlike the rational, straightforward thinking the ENTJ is used to. Nevertheless, if understood and fully utilized to support thinking, it can make the ENTJ the most outwardly effective and productive of all the personality types. For this reason it is essential to allow this gift to become what it can be, rather than limiting its talents and allowing it only to speak when it seems to agree with the ENTJ’s outwardly focused thinking. Below are a few specific suggestions to help you apply Introverted Intuition.

·        When confronted by a situation which requires an important decision, try to put it off for long enough to be able to sit quietly with it. In doing so allow yourself to feel and see the images which arise in your mind regarding this situation. Try to set aside those which appear immediately as the products of your own beliefs and thinking, and regard the others closely. If these images and ideas were the opinions of people whose judgment you trusted implicitly, try to question them in your mind and find the reasons why they consider things in such a way.

·        There are some people around you who always seem to know just which way to go or how things work or what the outcome of a certain situation will be without them seeming to have sufficient information to be able to do so. These people are intuitive types and their world is full of possibilities which they can immediately recognize as apt to certain situations. You also have this talent, but you have a habit of not following it, rather you prefer to think it out and find the options which “ought” to be correct. I placed ought in quotes for a very good reason here, for you know yourself how often things have developed in the direction you had an inkling of, but refused to accept without thinking. Try to let these immediate impressions have their moment and recognize them as true possibilities which ought to be examined more closely. Understand that they are not baseless images and ideas but rely upon valid sources of information which you simply screen out of your life by habit. 

Living Happily in our World as an ENTJ

Some ENTJs have difficulty fitting into our society. Their problems are generally associated with a strongly dogmatic and overly rational approach to life, coupled with an almost total lack of ability to understand the needs of others. Where such a strongly expressing difficulty arises, the ENTJ finds themselves constantly embattled by a world which refuses to conform to their ideals and creates situations in which the ENTJ is out of their depth. Such situations are often met by the ENTJ with such a childish emotionality that others are put off and isolate the ENTJ emotionally. Such ENTJ’s often find themselves without friends, and with business partners or employees who are unwilling to engage the ENTJ upon any matter other than strictly task related questions. Such behavior in others only serves to bring out underlying sentiments in the ENTJ which, via their badly adapted intuitive function, speak to them of plots, nastiness and covert obstructive behavior on the part of others. Suffice to say, such suspicions and childish sentiments coupled with dogmatic demands to conform to the ENTJ’s own way of seeing the world can soon destroy families and close relationships.

It is incumbent upon the ENTJ to break the circle of such behavior by allowing their Introverted Intuition a place in their life. Through attention to this function the ENTJ can discover a path to understanding and recognizing the effects not only their own behavior has upon others, but also the greater possibilities which lie within themselves for not only a harmonious relationship with others, but also a greater sense of what might be best for themselves.

Understanding the feeling needs and judgments of others is not an easy task for the ENTJ, but through their Intuitive function they can find images and ideas which - whilst not speaking directly to the feeling judgments of others – might allow them to see outside the strictly rational circle of their world view in such a way as to recognize that there is indeed a different perspective which must be taken account of.

Ten Rules to Live By to Achieve ENTJ Success

1.     Feed Your Strengths! Give yourself every opportunity to show others your appreciation of a situation and how you could see it through to a good outcome. Take charge where you can make it count.

2.     Face Your Weaknesses! Understand you have limits too. Your careful world view is not the whole deal. How things look and feel may not concern you, but they concern many others. Try and allow such things to be and learn from them.

3.     Talk Time to Find Out How Others Really Think. You need to drive past your thoughts with others and let their appreciations of a situation reach you at a deeper level. It will then be possible for you to take account of their needs as real world objectives which if included in your ideas will bring greater harmony and quality to life and relationships.

4.      Take Time Out To Let The Whole Situation Speak To You. Don't dismiss those abstract and seemingly hard to understand or bothersome aesthetic and feeling judgments coming from others or from inside yourself. Drop everything for a while, stop thinking and worrying and just relax into those ideas and let them speak to you. Perhaps they can be accommodated, perhaps something is hiding in there which offers a new way

5.     When You Get Upset, You Lose. Your energy and rational understandings are strong assets, but can be very harmful if they turn against you and leave you with nothing but emotions you cannot deal with. Remember that others cannot always be expected to fall into your ways of seeing, and when your drive to make them do so fails you will suffer feelings of resentment and even abandonment. You cannot deal with the world like this. Moderate your ideas, allow others their spaces, and you will grow.

6.      Respect your Need for Intellectual Compatibility Don't expect yourself to be a "touchy-feely" or "warm-fuzzy" person. Realize that your most ardent bonds with others will start with the head, rather than the heart. Be aware of other's emotional needs, and express your genuine love and respect for them in terms that are real to YOU. Be yourself.

7.     Be Accountable for Yourself. Don't blame the problems in your life on other people. Look inwardly for solutions. No one has more control over your life than you have.

8.     Be Humble. Judge yourself at least as harshly as you judge others.

9.     Take a Positive Approach to Differences in People. Don't distress yourself and others by dwelling on what seem to be their limitations. They need you to guide them and you need them to see things through. Try and recognize who can perform the most ably within certain fields outside your own competence. Let the feelings of others become a strength rather than a hindrance to you.

10. Don't Get Obsessed! Recognize the value that personal world has to you, your friends, your family, your own inner selnse of self worth and life. Take pride in just being a good person and don’t allow external situations to control you. Try to relax and let the moment belong to the best things you can find in others and yourself. Nothing out there is more important than your own happiness.

ENTJs put a lot of effort and enthusiasm into their relationships. Since their major quest in life is to constantly take in knowledge and turn that into something useful, the ENTJ will try to turn everything into a learning experience. Within the context of relationships, that means they will constantly seek knowledge and revise the rules and definitions of their relationships. They value their relationships highly, especially those relationships which present them with new challenges and stimulate their learning. Such exchanges promote genuine affection and satisfaction for the ENTJ. Relationships which do not offer any chances for growth or learning hold no interest to the ENTJ. As in other areas of life, the ENTJ likes to be in charge of their relationships. In conversation, they are very direct and confrontational, and can be highly critical and challenging towards others. People involved in close relationships with the ENTJ need to have a good amount of personal strength. For those who do, the ENTJ has a tremendous amount to offer.

ENTJ Strengths

Genuinely interested in people's ideas and thoughts

Enthusiastic and energetic

Take their commitments very seriously

Fair-minded and interested in doing the Right Thing

Very good with money

Extremely direct and straightforward

Verbally fluent

Enhance and encourage knowledge and self-growth in all aspects of life

Able to leave relationships without looking back

Able to turn conflict situations into positive lessons

Able to take constructive criticism well

Extremely high standards and expectations (both a strength and a weakness)

Usually have strong affections and sentimental streaks

Able to dole out discipline

ENTJ Weaknesses

Their enthusiasm for verbal debates can make them appear argumentative

Tendency to be challenging and confrontational

Tend to get involved in "win-lose" conversations

Tendency to have difficulty listening to others

Tendency to be critical of opinions and attitudes which don't match their own

Extremely high standards and expectations (both a strength and a weakness)

Not naturally in tune with people's feelings and reactions

May have difficulty expressing love and affection, sometimes seeming awkward or inappropriate

Can be overpowering and intimidating to others

Tendency to want to always be in charge, rather than sharing responsibilities

Can be very harsh and intolerant about messiness or inefficiency

Tendency to be controlling

May be slow to give praise or to realize another's need for praise

If unhappy or underdeveloped, they may be very impersonal, dictatorial, or abrasive

Tendency to make hasty decisions

Make explode with terrible tempers when under extreme stress

ENTJs as Lovers

"To love means to open ourselves to the negative as well as the positive - to grief, sorrow, and disappointment as well as to joy, fulfillment, and an intensity of consciousness we did not know was possible before." -- Rollo May

ENTJs make aggressive, enthusiastic partners who take their commitments very seriously. As in other aspects of their life, they want to be the leader in the relationship, and take on responsibility for making things work. The are creative leaders, and are likely to have relationships which promote constant growth and learning. Since they are constantly scanning the environment for new ideas and things worth learning, the ENTJ may frequently re-define the "rules" of the relationship, although their commitment remains constant. If it becomes very clear to them that the relationship no longer offers any chance of growth or learning, the ENTJ will leave the situation, and not look back.

ENTJs are usually very successful in their careers, and usually very good with money. This is helpful in that it may remove a lot of the conflict which couples generate over money matters, but it may become a problem if the ENTJ is too much of a workaholic to spend time on the growth and development of the relationship.

The ENTJ is not naturally in-tune with the feelings and emotions of their partners. ENTJs who allow themselves time to be alone, and develop the introspective "feeling" side of their natures, will be generally "softer" individuals, who are more aware of their partners' emotional needs. However, this awareness is almost always a conscious attempt on the part of the ENTJ, rather than a naturally occuring characteristic. ENTJs who do not make the attempt to be aware of others, and to value their feelings and opinions, may find themselves in unbalanced relationships, where real communication does not take place. These kinds of situations present a two-edged sword to the ENTJ. They want to be in charge, but if they become so much in charge as to stifle their partners, they will eventually become bored with the relationship.

Sexually, the ENTJ is robust, imaginative and enthusiastic. Their natural instinct to lead will be apparent in this arena as well as other areas of life, and they will lead their partner on creative lovemaking adventures, where the focus is on mutual learning and affection sharing. They're likely to expect sex on a relatively scheduled basis.

The ENTJ does not usually have a problem with self-confidence and is not especially emotionally needy. Although they enjoy being told that they are loved and appreciated, they don't need to hear these types of avowals as often as most other types. If they are partnered with a Feeling type, they are probably not likely to fulfill their partner's needs for intimate words without conscious effort. Even with effort, the ENTJ may have problems being aware of other's emotional needs, and they most likely won't understand those needs even if they are aware of them.

ENTJs approach conflict as an opportunity for growth and learning. This is a very healthy outlook in general, but may be a problem in a close relationship with a Feeling type. Individuals with the Feeling preference generally detest conflict and criticism, and avoid it as one would avoid a deadly snake. The ENTJs tendency to be confrontational may be very threatening to a person with a Feeling preference - especially so if they are an intimate partner of the ENTJ. An ENTJ who has a well-developed Feeling side may work well with a partner with a Feeling preference. Otherwise, ENTJs will probably have the most successful intimate relationships with types which prefer the Thinking process naturally, or who are not extremely strong on the Feeling preference.

In general, the ENTJ has a lot to offer to their intimate relationships. They're dedicated and enthusiastic, and willing to put forth a lot of effort to make things work out. They take on responsibility and accountability, and expect to be in charge. Their relationship will be one based on mutual respect, constant growth and development.

Although two well-developed individuals of any type can enjoy a healthy relationship, ENTJ's natural partner is the INTP, or the ISTP. AN ENTJ's dominant function of Extraverted Thinking is best-matched with a personality type that is dominanted by Introverted Thinking. The ENTJ/INTP match is ideal, because it also shares the common Intuitive way of looking at the world, but the ENTJ/ISTP match is also very good. How did we arrive at this?

ENTJs as Friends

ENTJs are bright, energetic, sociable individuals who are keenly interested in other people's ideas, theories and perspectives. They love nothing better than to participate in quality conversation with other people who share similar views to their own, or who have something new to teach the ENTJ. They make stimulating, interesting, and dynamic friends and peers.

The ENTJ thoroughly enjoys lively, intellectual conversations - welcoming such interaction as a learning opportunity for all parties involved. They have a tendency to be direct and challenging when interacting with others, which tends to put people on the defensive. This is in fact exactly what they're after - the ENTJ wants to learn what you know, and understand as many of the nuances of your knowledge as the context of the conversation will allow. They go after this knowledge in a very direct, confrontational manner. With this approach, they will learn not only the facts of the knowledge, but also the background of the individual's stance on that piece of knowledge. How well does the individual understand the topic? How invested is the individual in their stance? This method of "unsettling" people has the effect of livening up conversations and stimulating learning, when the other conversationalists are able to easily withstand the interrogations of the ENTJ. People who are uncomfortable with being challenged, or who are less than confident in the topic being discussed, are likely to be subdued into not expressing themselves with the ENTJ. This is a bit of a shame, since many people have valuable things to offer, but are not always willing to stand on top of a mountain and strongly shout their views to the world.

The ENTJ is likely to seek the company of people who have similar views and interests to their own. They have no patience with people who have very different lifestyles and perspectives from their own. However, as individuals with a great deal of personal power, ENTJs are highly attracted to interacting with other individuals with a powerful presence. They admire such people, although they may not agree with them. ENTJs are likely to form their closer friendships with other iNtuitives - especially Extraverted iNtuitives, such as ENTJs, ENTPs, ENFJs, and ENFPs. The ENTJ will enjoy the other iNtuitives' stimulating company, who share their enthusiasm for ideas and learning.

The Departed
-- A copy paste value movie from Infernal Affairs 

Infernal Affairs, my favourite movie from HongKong, too classic to be copied: the story, the details, the characters of the people, background music, cultural reflection, everything… so touching and unforgettable that I could not help watching it again and again. It is a movie you have to pay attention to every detail, every dialogue of the people in order to really understand the consequence, the result and the meaning of the movie. Some people did not understand this movie at the beginning and they kept watching it till they got the significance. I personally watched it more than 20 times, and I still enjoyed so much though I thoroughly understand it. 

4 years ago I heard that Hollywood was going to make the same movie. Like other Internal Affairs fans, I was curious to see how the American version would be. They said it was a successful movie. But after watching it, on Thanksgiving, I would really like to say: Thank you Hollywood, for the shit that you gave to all Infernal Affairs fans. 2 years ago I brought my Italian friends to watch Internal Affairs in Brussels. In their eyes, this movie is really unlike Hollywood movie. And I am sure for those who have ever watched Infernal Affairs, will agree with me. 

The Departed is simply a copy paste value movie from Internal Affairs. Why do I say copy paste value? They copy the story, they copy the dialogues, they copy the people… But the formula and format are something they are unable to copy.

The Departed                                                                                 Infernal Affairs

by

Martin Scorsese                                                                  Andrew Lau/Mak Siu Fai

with

Leonardo DiCaprio                                                                                Tony Leung

Matt Damon                                                                                           Andy Lau

Jack Nicholson                                                                                       Eric Tsang

Martin Sheen                                                                                   Anthony Wong

The original story: the value 

Infernal Affairs is about a cop named Yan (played by Tony Leung) who goes deep undercover into the Triads, and Triad member Ming (Andy Lau), who infiltrates the police department. Each mole was planted by the rival organization to gain an advantage in intelligence over the other side. The more the moles become involved in their undercover lives, the more issues they have to cope with. 

The film begins with a deal between Sam (Eric Tsang) and a Thai cocaine dealer that is interrupted by Police Superintendent Wong (Anthony Wong) and his team because Yan passed on important information to Wong. Ming alerted Sam of the bust with enough time for Sam to order his minions to dispose of the cocaine so the police would not have any real evidence on their hands. Now Wong and Sam realize that they each have moles within their respective organizations, putting them in a race against time to root out the other mole. 

The screenwriters use the word Infernal Affairs to describe not only the dangerous and miserable daily lives of the undercover agents who have to live in lies and suspicions all day, but also the internal struggle between their consciences and the dark sides of their hearts. Both moles have multiple faces, leading them to doubt their true identities. The cop is bewildered at his tendency for violence and the gangster would prefer to wash clean his past and become a respectable cop. They need to make choices whether to be virtuous or villainous, but in this cat-and-mouse game, there are too many factors beyond their control. 

No need to describe the one in The Departed, ‘cause all the plots happened the same one after another, even the dead body of the cop was nipped in between the lift door. I sighed… 

Infernal Affairs is an unsurpassable classic. The scenario is so excellent, the story is so impressed, and the directors are so creative. There are lots of unforgettable plots. One of them is Anthony Wong dropped from the building, all in a sudden, in front of Tony Leung – unable to breathe, both for Tony himself and for the viewers themselves. While in the American version, Queenan dropped and his blood spattered on Costigan – bloody hell sometimes doesn’t have to be expressed by blood – not as shocked and convulsing as the original. As to the death of Tony, the lift door kept open and close, which romanced the tragedy. While in the American one, Costigan also was shot in the lift, but that’s all, no added value for any breakthrough and sublimation.      

Formula: Something that creates the value 

-- Culture, Society and Significance

無間道, the Chinese title refers to Avici. The Avici (sometimes Avichi) Hell is considered to be among the lowest realms of Hell within Buddhism. People reborn into this Hell have generally committed one or more of the Five Grave Offenses:

l        Intentionally murdering one's father

l        Intentionally murdering one's mother

l        Killing an arhant, or Enlightened being

l        Shedding the blood of a Buddha

l        Creating discord within the Sangha, or Buddhist community.

Buddhism teaches that rebirth into Hell is temporary, while the offending being works off the karma they performed. Similarly, rebirth into Avici hell is not eternal. However, suffering in Avici is far longer then all other levels of hell. The sutras stated that rebirth in Avici will be for innumerable kalpas (time unit). When the offending being passes away after 1 kalpa (time unit), he again gets reborn in the same place, undergoing suffering for another kalpa, and on and on until he has exhausted his bad karma. For this reason, Avici hell is also known as the "non-stop way".

The English title, while similarly having connotations of Dante's Inferno, is a play on words on infernal affairs. 

The original story is a tragedy, while I can’t find any tragic atmosphere in the copied one. No interior monologue, no deep character description, only cops full of fucking bad words and bloody scenes. We don’t have to hear bad words in order to understand the anger of the people, just like we don’t have to see the violence and blood to understand who is the Mafia. Indeed, the original is a more ‘polite’ movie; its indirectness and connotation pass through your bones and touch your heart. At the end, what the story is becomes less important, what remains in our minds is how those people are. They believe destiny, they are in the dark side of the society, and all are beyond their control. The Americans are attracted by the complicated and ingenious plots however they can not understand the cultural concept behind the story.  

End of the story: Mark Wahlberg dressed like a madman, Matt Damon bloodily died, and the sun rise with the rat running out of the window, no space for further imagination at all. They are just making a story about the rat; they have to kill the bad guys because they can’t let the good guys die for nothing in order to achieve the so-called justice and to reflect their significance of the story: When I was your age, they used to say you could become cops or criminals, what I am saying is this: When you are facing a loaded gun, what's the difference? 

Yes, they just copy our story to reflect their culture and history of Boston, which we do not have a deep understanding to comment so much, just like they do not understand what the original scenario wants to express: it is a grey zone where you can’t just tell what is black and what is white. It lets the cop die and the Triad alive with pain in all his life, which differs from our common view of value and grants more heart quake and space for reflection. Without these elements, I am not moved by the American one but only sighing and annoying end of the movie.

The Format: Something that vivifies the value

-- Background music, Figural characters and Psychological analysis

The song from Cai Qing playing to tell the days that have been forgotten: 

Anthony Wong dropping from the building…

Andy Lau struggling behind his face…

Tony Leung smiling to the psy and telling her ‘I am a cop’…

Eric Tsang trading in danger… 

We just can not forget all those figural characters and psychological changes. They have excellent actors in the American version, but they just miss the mopish and intricate expression in Tony’s eyes, miss the contrast behind Andy’s justicial face, and miss the tit for tat between Anthony and Eric. Might it be the cultural difference, I can’t tell if the Americans will have the resonance like us. 

We were touched deeply by the despairing eyes of Tony. He sat in Kelly’s office (the psy), trying to say something but just hesitating to tell. He told her: I tell you a secret: I am a cop. Kelly smiled and said: Me too. Well, he laughed, just laughed, without saying anything more, but his laughter just made you want to cry. His eyes are full of contents. Leonardo apparently has less tragic elements. He did make good performance to this role however lack of individual charm. To tell the story by the eyes, it is something typically essential from Tony’s style, no one else (at least Leonardo) can ever copy. 

As to Anthony, the American one has nothing to compare with. Queenan’s role is too weak. We don’t feel pitiful at all when he died. 

Matt Damon, just plays a role who believes that there is no difference when facing the loaded gun. Compared to Andy, who is eager to become a good cop by struggling in between black and white, Matt’s role doesn’t have much necessity for psychological analysis. Nothing comes out from behind the face. 

The only one role that I appreciate is Jack Nicholoson. Outstanding acting gives characteristic on the role of Mafia. Very clear figures, humorous and intelligent. If I were the director, I would try to arrange Eric in this movie as the Chinese Mafia just to see how difference these two heads of Mafia in the same story. 

Well, at the end, for some other details I have to mention, the music. In Infernal Affairs, we were brought into the plots by the music and our hearts beat when they were in danger. But the American always likes to use violence + opera. And I don’t really hear any background music. And the details of the American version are too coarse, they even use mobile messages to exchange information. I faint! 

Anyway, it is a kind of good movie, but only to those who haven’t watched Infernal Affairs. 

Btw, we all thought Brad Pitt would played in the movie, fortunately he didn’t.

Appendix:

Awards

Infernal Affairs did very well at the 2002 Hong Kong Film Awards, beating the blockbuster Hero for the Best Film award, and also winning the following:

Best Director - Andrew Lau and Alan Mak

Best Screenplay - Alan Mak and Felix Chong

Best Actor - Tony Leung

Best Supporting Actor - Anthony Wong

Best Editing - Danny Pang and Pang Ching Hei

Best Original Film Song - "Infernal Affairs," sung by Tony Leung and Andy Lau

Official website:

www.infernalaffairs.com

The legendary fashion designers of the world posses very little similarity to their patrons; typically a young, urban culture hungry to devour the latest pieces defined as trend by the runways of the world. One particular designer, Italian designer Roberto Cavalli, relies on his mature fashion experience to guide his eye in creating his collections of fashion couture. Despite his more recent success throughout the world, Roberto Cavalli has long been a pioneer of taste and fashion.

Born in Florence, Italy on November 15, 1940, Roberto Cavalli was very much destined for an artistic career. As the son of a tailor, he was exposed to the elementary fundamentals of design and sewing; skills he would carry from childhood to the title of coveted designer. Cavalli's grandfather, Giuseppe Rossi, was an impressionist painter with pristine works that remain in the halls of the Uffizi Gallery in Florence. (The Uffizi Gallery, with a renowned collection of renaissance paintings from the likes of Michelangelo and Leonardo Da Vinci, is one of the world's most famous museums of sculpture and paintings.) These traits contributed to gifted inspiration.

Acquiring a significant creative sense from his family fueled an already existent artistic ability. While attending the Academy of Art, he realized a unique, gifted ability as a painter, eventually uniting his painting talent and fabric sense, resulting in fashion extraordinaire. He was so enamored with the connection between fabrics, painting and art that Cavalli began to experiment with unusual fabrics and designs while continuing his studies at the Academy. Through detailed and thorough research coupled with modern technology, Cavalli invented the process of printing onto lightweight leather; a process he would later patent.

Appropriately so, Cavalli is most widely known throughout the art and fashion worlds as a gifted leather designer. Through the combination of lightweight leather and paints, Cavalli created a new frontier of fashion. Known at patchworks, Cavalli created pieces that would later become revered as pure classics. The pieces and works of Cavalli would soon realize more international fame and success when Brigitte Bardot gave the world a captivating glance of his talent in St. Tropez on the Cote d'Azur, about 3 hours from the Italian border.

Fast forward to 1972 when Roberto Cavalli would unveil his first fashion line in his hometown of Florence at the Palazzo Pitti; a historic architectural gem commissioned by banker Luca Pitti. Unfortunately for Cavalli, his first public presentation would not be received with the bliss and glamour as other renowned designers. Florentine's considered his use of denim less than fashionable since the fabric had not been previously displayed by the likes of such beauty and style-conscious figures. However, Cavalli believed his fashions were notable contributions to the world of fashion and continued his perseverance to become one of fashion's elite and prominent designers. 

A crowning achievement, so to speak, was incorporating the support and assistance of his wife, Eva Duringer, a former Miss Universe, to catapult his work onto the world stage. Through her encouragement, he maintained his unconventional style to create some of fashion's most coveted designs using the same fabrics, animal prints and designs as he did in his earlier days. Staying true to his artisan roots propelled Cavalli's career.

Cavalli's expansive fashion house includes men's and womenswear, children's, underwear and casual lines, as well as eyewear and timepieces. He has also introduced Roberto Cavalli casa, a line of fashion for the home. Today, Cavalli's unique creations adorn the likes of Anthony Hopkins, Sting, Alicia Keys and many other style-conscious celebrities and couture aficionados.

ITALIA, MY REASON TO BE STRONG

Impresa Mondiale, l'Italia è in finale

Stunning late extra-time strikes from Fabio Grosso and Alessandro del Piero took Italy into the World Cup final at Germany's expense with a 2-0 win.

How exciting, and how cruel!

While celebrating the victory of Italy,

I was sighing that I could only enjoy such classic game in the hotel at 5am.

Less exciting, with more cruelty!

My cousin often joked that I was sent back by FIFA as football blackguard.

I took it as a way of self-amusement and self-comfort.

However, at this very moment,

I realized clearly that I did miss the chance to be in Germany for the World Cup.

I laughed at myself:

This is another kind of chill in the World Cup.

May, a season of changing.

The Frenchmen’s insistence made me eventually leave SONY.

PHILIPS’ enthusiasm resulted in my determination to move to the Netherlands.

But my Chinese passport forced me to return to China for my Dutch Visa while I was in Belgium.

And unfortunately I encountered again the numerous requirements of the Chinese documents.

June, a season when I should not have been in China.

I was supposed to be in Germany to watch the games;

Or at least I could have stayed in the Netherlands with beers + funky fans + streaking.

Into the bargain I could have also chosen to go to Belgium or to Italy to meet up my Italian friends for quaff and parties.

But I am unluckily in China:

Because of work, I never watched the games on 3am until the semi-finals;

Because of my dear parents, I even remained in the hotel to watch the games;

Because of the expensive mobile fees, I could only cheered to my father when I was happy for the games.

July, a season when I should have returned to Europe.

I should have really been back.

I favor Italy, but their performance at the very beginning made me kick them out of semi-finalists.

Nevertheless, Italy revives.

‘The great Italian left-back! He succeeded in the glorious traditions of Italy! Fachetti! Cabrini! Maldini! - Their souls are infused in him. Grosso, he on his own represents the long and great Italian football tradition. This is not an individual's fight. He is not on his own.

The great Italian left-back! Maldini, HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Viva Italia! Italy the Great!

Victory belongs to Italy, belongs to Grosso, to Cannavaro, to Buffon, to Zambrotta, to Maldini, TO ALL LOVERS OF ITALIAN FOOTBALL.’

The disputed comments from Huang Jianxiang, our CCTV commentator, made all the people understand well ‘the football is round’.

It makes us so excited.

I have reasons to go back, I have reasons to be crazy,

However,

I just remain here, quietly, watching Italy and their left-back entering the final.

Looking forward to the great victory of Italy!

Looking forward to my great return!

意大利在加时赛最后时刻绝杀东道主，

是那样的刺激，是那样的残酷，

而我，

为意大利狂呼的同时，也感叹自己只能在凌晨5点的酒店里品味这份经典，

少了分刺激，多了分残酷。

表哥经常四处宣扬我是被国际足联送回国的足球流氓。

我也把他这个玩笑当成了自娱自乐自我安慰的方式。

只可惜，此时,

当我清楚意识到我的确错过了亲临德国享受世界杯的机会时，

我只能嘲笑自己：

这是一种世界杯另类的失意。

5月，一个变换的季节。

法国人的坚决让我离开了索尼；

飞利浦的热情让我决定移师荷兰；

而我的中国护照却让我不得不从距荷兰仅一步之遥的比利时返回中国签证，

也让我再次领教中国办证的繁缛。

6月，一个我不应该在中国的季节。

约好了要一起去德国看球的；

要么留在荷兰起码也有啤酒+狂热球迷+裸奔吧？！

再者我还可以选择回比利时或去意大利，和我那群意大利朋友痛饮狂欢啊！

而我却偏偏在中国：

为了工作，3点的球四分之一决赛前是没法看的；

为了亲爱的爸妈，只能乖乖地待在酒店看；

为了手机费，高兴也只是冲老爸吼几声。。。

7月，一个我应该回欧洲的季节。

我真的应该回去的。

虽然喜欢意大利队，但他们最初的表现让我不得不把他们开除出我的四强名单。

可意大利复活了。。。

‘伟大的意大利的左后卫！他继承了意大利的光荣的传统。法切蒂、卡布里尼、马尔蒂尼在这一刻灵魂附体，格罗索一个人他代表了意大利足球悠久的历史和传统，这一刻他不是一个人在战斗，他不是一个人！

伟大的意大利的左后卫！马尔蒂尼今天生日快乐！意大利万岁！

这个胜利属于意大利，属于卡纳瓦罗，属于布冯，属于马尔蒂尼，属于所有热爱意大利足球的人！’

黄健翔有争议的解说，让所有人都彻底明白足球是圆的，它，令人刺激。

我有回去的理由，我有疯狂的理由，

可我，

却只有在这里，静静地，看着意大利和他们的左后卫们进入决赛。

期待，意大利夺冠！