1. A method for initiating a function on a computing device, comprising: detecting a path event on a touch sensitive input device; determining whether the path event traces an ellipsoidal shape; determining a measure of the path event when the path event traces an ellipsoidal shape, wherein the measure of the path is a rotational angle based upon a length of the path; determining a rotational direction of the path event; initiating an operation corresponding to the ellipsoid path event when the determined measure of the path exceeds a first threshold value; displaying a contorted image as part the initiated operation by generating a display of the present application display that is contorted in the form of a swirl, wherein the degree of swirl depends upon the measure of the path; and completing the operation when the determined measure of the path exceeds a second threshold value, wherein completing the operation further comprises: terminating an application and returning to home display when the rotational direction of the path event is determined to be in a first direction; and minimizing the application and returning to a home display when the rotational direction of the path event is determined to be in a second direction.