text:
Dr Nicholas Christakis: The Enduring Impact Of COVID-19
Dr. Nicholas Christakis is probably one of the most knowledgeable experts on the ongoing pandemic I've heard so far. I embedded Fresh Air's Dave Davies interview with him below for your listening pleasure. Nicholas Christakis provides a lot of insight into how we got here and where we're heading. Interestingly, like most other experts, Christakis doesn't talk about what we need to do to avoid future pandemics. This despite the fact that he also has a Ph.D. in Sociology. It boggles my mind that not even really well-educated and experienced smart people want to touch the 800lb gorilla in the room. I'm not talking here about wet markets or dangerous, unhygienic storage of carcasses. Instead, I'm referring to why these pathogens keep showing up and the unprecedented changes we need to undertake in order to avoid the current and future variants of pandemics. The image above is from my series "Resurfaced".
https://raboff.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Atomic-Shopper.jpg 1455 2000 admin http://raboff.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Joakim-logo-white-drop-shadow-01.png admin2020-10-31 12:45:222020-11-20 18:43:23Dr Nicholas Christakis: The Enduring Impact Of COVID-19
Punching In
Wake up. It's 05:37. Still dark. Quiet. Slight headache. Not too stiff. I can smell. Feel ok. Have to pee. Put on yesterday's teeshirt. Slip into shoes. Walk down creaky stairs. Unlock front door. Lock front door from outside. Walk to other house. Unlock white door. Pee. Brush teeth. Prepare coffee. Shower. Dry. Dress. Drink coffee. Walk to studio. Unlock door. Turn on light. Wake up Mac. Tune in Drone Zone. Update firmware. Read news. Make more coffee. Start writing.
https://raboff.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Punching-in.jpg 1200 2000 admin http://raboff.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Joakim-logo-white-drop-shadow-01.png admin2020-10-31 07:42:542020-10-31 07:43:39Punching In
Thoughts on the Pandemic
Folks, I really hope COVID-19 turns into a precautionary tale. One where we instead of trying to figure out how best to avoid getting sick – through social distancing, masks, lockdowns, and vaccines – begin to tackle the virus from an existential point of view.
Yes! We need to ask the uncomfortable question: why the hell have there been so many of them in the last 10-15 years? Why all of the sudden are these deadly viruses threatening our way of life? Is it because our way of life is actually inviting these viruses to jump species and spread across the globe like locusts?
What if by encroaching on primal forests in the Amazon, in Africa and in Asia – where deadly viruses are naturally abundant – just so we can grow even more soy and raise even more cows and other factory farm animals – we are in fact fucking with shit that's way beyond our pay grade?
What if the latest virus is a trojan horse that not only brings down the immune system of infected people for a while, killing some, but is also secretly leaving behind a bunch of genetic code so ruinous that we will never, ever fully recover?
What if the virus rewires our genetic code so that humans are eventually, within just a generation or two, essentially wiped off the face of the earth?
On top of the virus and all the devastation it has already caused, we also have plenty of warning signs from increasingly worried climatologists and other scientists.
It seems as if somehow, through the collective consciousness of our planet's own immune system, Darwin's natural selection process has been initiated to slowly but steadfastly weed out humans from Earth's ecosystem.
The fact that Trump denies the climate calamities experienced all over the world, that all he is interested in is promoting and perpetuating a flamboyant, shortsighted, deficit-increasing lifestyle, which, unless you are incredibly naive, is clearly unsustainable, is reason enough to vote the man out of office.
And if that isn't good enough for you, let's add that Trump is a well-documented misogynist, a barely literate, doubt-seeding confrontationist and the worst representative of qualities most sensible Americans embody.
If you can….VOTE!
The above image is titled, "Honey, they've pillaged Kitty" and is part of my ongoing series called "Resurfaced". More of this can be viewed here: www.raboff.com/resurfaced
Check this excellent visualization about how easily the virus spreads indoors.
https://raboff.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Honey-They-Pillaged-Kitty.jpg 1472 2000 admin http://raboff.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Joakim-logo-white-drop-shadow-01.png admin2020-10-30 14:23:342020-10-30 20:42:28Thoughts on the Pandemic
Cocktails vs Abstinence
I saw this "cocktail sextet" of various gin-tonics earlier today as I was submerged deep, deep down in my archives. It's from a rare combo shoot where high res stills and a film were both parts of the F&B gig. I think I captured the essence of a staged bar scene pretty well. In addition, it's one of my more popular photos on Shutterstock.
The film can be viewed here.
Aside from feeling artistically proud about the composition, the shot also reminded me of something I've written about many, many times before here on the blog; my ongoing, complex, love-hate relationship with alcohol.
It's now been almost two weeks since my last drink – which to me sounds like something I would be saying at an AA meeting if I ever went to one. Not that the thought hasn't crossed my mind. Cause it has. Just not that often.
Now, now. Don't misinterpret me.
I do not miss drinking and have no problem with 100% sobriety. Especially here, living on my own for a while in the peaceful, wonderfully lonesome Vejbystrand. But also considering I suffer mentally and physically from a life-long inability to stay within my limit. I never yearn for just one sip, one shot or one beer. My problem is that I want more than just the "Release". And I easily fall into a destructive cycle after being on a binge.
The "Release", as a friend of a friend so appropriately coined the emotion many years ago, is that explicit moment after you've had that very first sip of wine, a swig of beer, shot of bourbon. It's when that familiar, warm, relaxing sensation begins to flow outwards from your belly, throughout your veins and body, finally reaching your head and calming your mind. This is when you begin to think that everything, just everything is fine, all is forgiven and so much is forgotten. This, dear reader, is what I miss.
After living half my life in Sweden, I can say with some authority that the social culture here almost demands that you participate in some of the ancient traditions – reoccurring celebrations where alcohol is at the forefront of the occasion. These include annual holidays, like Midsummer, Easter, and Christmas, but also the infamous corporate Christmas party and the end-of-summer "Crayfish Fest". These events are all there in the social calendar, under the pretenses of helping everyone create and justify socially legit opportunities to ingest inordinate amounts of alcohol.
"Hey Dude! It's a tradition, come on man, have a drink!"
According to WHO, in 2016, on average, Swedish men consumed the equivalent of 17.4 liters of pure alcohol. Comparatively, women are lightweights and drank "only" 6.1 liters of pure alcohol. Oddly, when I look at those numbers, it doesn't really seem like all that much. Then again, it's a naked, unnuanced statistic. A number that hardly describes my experiences where the amount is probably ten times higher.
Jokingly, I often refer to Sweden as being located on the fringe of a virtual "Vodka Belt". We're not exactly as excited about liquor as, say, the Finns are. And Swedes have not nearly the enormous capacity (or appetite) as vodka guzzling Russians, Polacks, and various folks in the Baltic nations. Statistically, Swedes are more famous for their coffee obsession than for alcohol abuse.
I don't know if I've ever consumed as much alcohol since the pandemic was officially declared, back in March. I feel pretty sure a lot of folks can say the same thing. I probably did drink more during the first couple of seasons bartending in Lapland, at the hotel in Riksgränsen. While I don't feel a need to redact this (alcohol-fueled) part of my life, it was a much younger me from more than a quarter of a century ago.
Honestly, there hasn't been that many times in my adult life when I could say that I haven't had anything to drink in two weeks, with the exception of when I've been on a Qigong or Yoga course. The thing is, I don't want to quit. Stubbornly, I still think I can learn how to not be so consistently seduced by the allure of going so far beyond the initial, hypnotic "release".
Anyway, I'll be sure to stay sober until the election. If Trump wins, it's all going to hell anyway. So why not just give in to a major release then? 🙄
https://raboff.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Abstinence-from-alcohol.jpg 1313 2000 admin http://raboff.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Joakim-logo-white-drop-shadow-01.png admin2020-10-29 16:41:162020-10-29 19:05:06Cocktails vs Abstinence
Fall, Fail, Camel Pose
Shot these crispy dry autumn leaves about a year ago somewhere in Da Nang, Vietnam which is right now bracing for yet another typhoon. Hard to believe how mild last year's monsoon season was compared to 2020. Hope our friends there stay safe and ride out the storm without more setbacks than they already have had to endure.
According to the soon-to-be ousted President Trump, his administration has already ended the pandemic. That's good to know, even though there are hundreds of thousands of recently infected Americans that, if they could, would argue nothing is further from the truth than that dumbass, hurtful lie.
The kitchen project is moving along according to plan. It's been 56 years since the last renovation, so there's a great deal of old (and odd) solutions to fix/correct along the way.
We're in the rainy (DDR) season now. And with winter officially here, the short days and enveloping darkness make me want to spend as much time outside as I can – weather permitting. So far, there hasn't been a single day without the sun showing up – even if it's just for a brief shine. Daylight is so precious. Early this morning, I practiced Qigong and Yoga without much light at all in the studio. But I actually enjoyed the extra challenge of keeping my balance whilst in the dark. And as the 90 minute session came to a close with the Camel pose, early daylight arrived.
https://raboff.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Da-Nang-Vietnam.jpg 1333 2000 admin http://raboff.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Joakim-logo-white-drop-shadow-01.png admin2020-10-28 10:31:472020-10-28 10:46:17Fall, Fail, Camel Pose
Trump vs Biden: Bad Lip Reading
Folks, it doesn't get much funnier than this. As a friend and fellow American, photographer and filmmaker, Timmy Skinner pointed out, this is more or less how many of us see and hear these two 70+ white dudes. Thanks pal and GM Lars Olemyr at Nösund Havshotell for the superb tip! What a way to start the week!
Oh, and finally, finally, finally, here's Trump's long-awaited Covid-19 Plan.
http://raboff.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Joakim-logo-white-drop-shadow-01.png 0 0 admin http://raboff.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Joakim-logo-white-drop-shadow-01.png admin2020-10-26 09:30:102020-10-26 12:34:19Trump vs Biden: Bad Lip Reading
Long Walks – Deep Thoughts
This is from yesterday during my 10k walk down to Magnarp Strand. After a while, curiosity overtook fear and I was allowed to get pretty close to the herd's lambs. So cute. Can't wrap my head around that these were all shot on my 2-year-old iPhone. It's really just a matter of time before I can sell, or, at least leave my other, bulky cameras to collect dust on the shelf. The color science Apple has developed for its camera phones is crazy good.
It's taken about a week alone here to get into a routine where long walks and other healthier habits open up for deep thoughts, mindful thinking, and saying no to the kind of impulsive decisions that I know beforehand will end up causing more pain than gain.
On the one hand, I find it strange that at 57, I still haven't settled into a life dictated by routines. On the other hand, I don't really admire or feel envious of people that are entirely engulfed in a rigid, daily modus operandi. Then again, maybe that's just a response, a perspective or an attitude to help me deal with not being able to be more consistent in my life.
2020 has been such a tumultuous year – and there's still 2 months to go before we can put it behind us! Not that I think so much will change just because we begin a new year. Not in the grand scheme of things, anyway.
I'm writing a lot now and enjoying the challenge. Working on a few separate writing projects and trying hard not to let myself be distracted with other creative channels on my big screen. I really hope 2021 will be a year of artistic metamorphoses. I'm already steering my outpour in that direction so that by the time the new year arrives, I'll be well into the groove.
https://raboff.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Magnarp-Strand.jpg 1200 2000 admin http://raboff.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Joakim-logo-white-drop-shadow-01.png admin2020-10-25 05:51:492020-10-25 05:59:06Long Walks – Deep Thoughts
Pence's Secret Corona Strategy
What the heck is Pence's Secret Coronavirus Strategy? There's certainly something to be said about the level of competence vice president Mike Pence has, the man supposedly leading the Coronavirus Task Force, when several of his colleagues have now been infected by the very disease they have the mandate to confine and presumably eradicate. Am I missing something here? Are these folks running the country from the White House really that arrogant and unworried? I mean, sure, for most people, it's non-lethal. But how the fuck do they think they're going to get rid of this plague if they don't help reduce the spread? Herd immunity? Sacrificing a few hundred more American lives? Is that the untold strategy? If not, then what is the secret behind the blatant disregard for the safety measures most of the world has curbed up to?
http://raboff.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Joakim-logo-white-drop-shadow-01.png 0 0 admin http://raboff.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Joakim-logo-white-drop-shadow-01.png admin2020-10-24 13:55:252020-10-25 14:05:25Pence's Secret Corona Strategy
Pandemic Explained
Here's a video by the always smart, courageous, and empathic Nicholas Kristof and his colleagues Johnny Harris and Adam B. Ellick explaining how the pandemic devastated the US. After you watch it, you'll understand why Donald J Trump should stand trial for neglecting his responsibility by refusing to take the situation seriously and not responding acutely – which ultimately ended up causing the untimely and unnecessary death of over 200.000 Americans.
While DJT continues to claim that everything is returning to normal and that country's economy is bouncing back and will be stronger than ever – and that the whole virus thing is the fault of China, the video clearly lays out hard evidence that Trump, Pence and the entire White House staff is incredibly arrogant and, even worse, totally incompetent.
http://raboff.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Joakim-logo-white-drop-shadow-01.png 0 0 admin http://raboff.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Joakim-logo-white-drop-shadow-01.png admin2020-10-24 06:02:432020-10-25 06:27:31Pandemic Explained
Helicopter Perspective & Burglars
Can't get enough of this perspective. Just read that there was a burglary in a house not too far away from here. Over the years, I've heard that thieves often go on a "tour" and break into a series of vacation homes in a limited area, neighborhood or village. Fortunately, aside from an old TV, there's really not much to steal here. That said, if I was a burglar, I'd certainly look for (and do some recon beforehand) isolated homes like where I'm at now. Houses that could, at least potentially, provide a good risk-return tradeoff. I think I'll keep the lights on for a few weeks. And probably do a lot of yelling if and when I hear unusual sounds during the night. Just as a precautionary measure. To scare, you know, the burglars – away. 🙄 Problem is, since the house is way over 100 years old, when the wind blows, which it does a lot of this time of year, there's no shortage of indeterminable noises.
https://raboff.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Ovan-Sjomantorp-Vejbystrand.jpg 1322 2000 admin http://raboff.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Joakim-logo-white-drop-shadow-01.png admin2020-10-22 12:23:222020-10-22 15:59:42Helicopter Perspective & Burglars
Kullaberg & Trump's Deceit
This is a view Kullaberg I shot a few days ago during one of those crisp, clear mornings. Kullaberg is where Charlotte and Elle were baptized and where Charlotte and I were married in 1998.
Today it's DDR weather again. I don't mind, though. I got up early, practiced Qigong and Yoga for 90 minutes, showered, got dressed, made some Vietnamese coffee, and sat down to work on finalizing four short films for a client. In a while, I'll start emptying out the rest of the old kitchen before the demolition team gets here next Monday.
It's so uncompromisingly peaceful here. No distractions, musts-do:s or have-to:s. The only social interaction I have is online with a few old friends and the occasional phone call.
Tomorrow, I'm going to be a guest on a show called The Fatherless to Fatherhood Initiative Podcast created by a fellow fatherless buddy, the fearless Michael G Poe.
Yesterday, an email from Los Angeles confirmed that my vote had been registered and counted. Feels good to know that I, at least symbolically since most Californians historically vote Democratic, pitched in to remove the unbelievalby vulgar, shameful, and incompetent Donald Trump out of the White House.
Here's something to give you an idea of how poorly Trump has run USA Inc. While diehard proponents of his tenure thus far will argue that the president has in fact done a lot for Americans; lowered taxes. removed federal regulations, increased military spending, built portions of the border wall, here's what it's all costing – according to a bipartisan budget group published on Market Watch:
Policies pursued by President Donald Trump in his current term will end up boosting budget deficits by almost $4 trillion, a bipartisan group said Wednesday. These costs do not include the spending on containing the coronavirus pandemic approved by Congress this year.
Effectively, Trump has shown zero fiscal responsibility with no intent on even trying to balance the federal budget. Everything he's done has been short-sighted and always, always, always for personal gain.
I think it's basically the same Ponzi scheme he's always used to finance his empire. Tragically, the collateral he's used to amassing so much debt as president, isn't just shimmering hotels, lavish golf courses, and luxury resorts. It's the American people's future.
I can't wait to see Trump be humiliated in a couple of weeks and if necessary, forcefully escorted out of the White House in January. So the national nightmare can finally be over.
From an opinion piece in conservative The Wall Street Journal by William McRaven, a Navy admiral, and commander of the U.S. Special Operations Command from 2011-14:
– This week I went to the polls in Texas. Truth be told, I am a pro-life, pro-Second Amendment, small-government, strong-defense, and a national-anthem-standing conservative. But, I also believe that black lives matter, that the Dreamers deserve a path to citizenship, that diversity and inclusion are essential to our national success, that education is the great equalizer, that climate change is real, and that the First Amendment is the cornerstone of our democracy. Most importantly, I believe that America must lead in the world with courage, conviction and a sense of honor and humility.
If we remain indifferent to our role in the world if we retreat from our obligation to our citizens and our allies and if we fail to choose the right leader, then we will pay the highest price for our neglect and shortsightedness.
I voted for Joe Biden.
I wonder where all the people that are now loudly disbanding Trump were when he got elected in 2016 and throughout his first term. How could they not have seen/heard/understood that he was a joker/jackass/jerk that would or could do no good? Did they give him the benefit of the doubt? I totally get that most conservative politicians took advantage of his pathological opportunism and sided with him in the hopes that it would benefit their agendas. But what about everyone else?
https://raboff.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Kullaberg.jpg 1428 2000 admin http://raboff.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Joakim-logo-white-drop-shadow-01.png admin2020-10-21 07:55:212020-10-22 12:16:22Kullaberg & Trump's Deceit
Lervik Harbor
Captured this view over the weekend. Today this small harbor is known as Lervik (clay bay), but back in 1562, there apparently was a rather large port and village here called Grytehamn where timber and firewood was shipped from.
https://raboff.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Lervik-Hamn.jpg 963 2000 admin http://raboff.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Joakim-logo-white-drop-shadow-01.png admin2020-10-19 06:43:462020-10-18 10:56:02Lervik Harbor
Where Are The Cows?
Took the drone for a short flight yeasterday in an attempt to caputre the calm. clear and crisp day. Cows are gone. All that is left is their drying dung. I wonder about their fate.
https://raboff.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Sjomantorp-Grinden.jpg 1218 2000 admin http://raboff.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Joakim-logo-white-drop-shadow-01.png admin2020-10-18 09:22:172020-10-19 12:59:17Where Are The Cows?
'Corruption, Anger, Chaos, Incompetence, Lies, Decay'
The New York Times Editorial Board:
Mr. Trump stands without any real rivals as the worst American president in modern history. In 2016, his bitter account of the nation's ailments struck a chord with many voters. But the lesson of the last four years is that he cannot solve the nation's pressing problems because he is the nation's most pressing problem.
He is a racist demagogue presiding over an increasingly diverse country; an isolationist in an interconnected world; a showman forever boasting about things he has never done, and promising to do things he never will.
Vote.
https://raboff.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/US_Flag.jpg 1000 2000 admin http://raboff.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Joakim-logo-white-drop-shadow-01.png admin2020-10-16 19:25:262020-10-16 19:25:26'Corruption, Anger, Chaos, Incompetence, Lies, Decay'
Autumn in Vejbystrand
We're back in "Vejby" again. Feels great. So peaceful. So few people. Beautiful fall hues and light. Instead of rigging all my gear, I raked leaves. Gonna hang around here for a while. Chill. Rise early. Help out with the renovations. Expand my Qigong and Yoga knowledge. Breath. Relax. Create. Think. Sleep.
https://raboff.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Autumn-Vejbystrand.jpg 1431 2000 admin http://raboff.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Joakim-logo-white-drop-shadow-01.png admin2020-10-16 14:41:272020-10-16 14:41:27Autumn in Vejbystrand
Official Ballot – Part Two
Weeks after seeing in my official ballot, downloaded, printed, and signed according to the instructions, a new official ballot arrived. Confused, I felt I needed to reach out to the good folks in charge of the overseas voting process in L.A. to see what's what.
I can't believe it's 2020 and my only two options for the presidential election is two white dudes in their 70s. That's crazy and emblematic of how stale/rigid/reactionary the US political system is. Regardless really of whether you prefer a Donkey or an Elephant.
https://raboff.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/official-ballot-2020.jpg 1333 2000 admin http://raboff.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Joakim-logo-white-drop-shadow-01.png admin2020-10-15 19:17:552020-10-15 19:29:52Official Ballot – Part Two
Here's a film I produced about this time last year. It's a montage/collage dedicated to Västra Hamnen in Malmö. There's no plot or underlying theme other than it being entirely devoted to the sights and scenes in the neighborhood which we've called home since, well, depending on how you count, as far back as 2002.
I spent the better part of 15 years shooting stills and amassing footage from Västra Hamnen until one day, about two years ago, I realized that I couldn't do it anymore. Bluntly put, the magic was gone. And so, a surprisingly long-lasting visual love affair had come to an end.
Several years ago, after completing yet another book (in a series of 10 about the area), I remember contemplating what it would be like if I did tire of documenting Västra Hamnen. I'd enjoyed some success and financial gain with my niche focus on the area. But what would it be like if I rode the wave too far? Would I run the risk of finding myself in such shallow water that I inevitably felt stranded creatively? Could I really get so fed up with my own enthusiasm, even though Västra Hamnen continued to expand and evolve, that I just plain quit?
When I published the film last year, we had just embarked on our odyssey to South East Asia where we ended up spending four months in Hoi An and Da Nang (Vietnam) and then two more in Malaga (Spain).
Neatly tucked away among all my camera equipment, clothes, shoes, toiletries, and containers with homemade ginger snus, was a mental list of important, yet ostensively unanswerable, existential questions:
What was the essential purpose of our trip? Would we find a different kind of happiness along the way now that the family unit was dispersed geographically? Could we redefine ourselves, our relationship, and maybe even our livelihoods at an entirely new place? Could we muster enough entrepreneurial spirit and have enough financial capacity to accomplish a relocation – without having to liquidate our assets or depleting our "rainy day" savings back home?
Today, those six months seem so, so distant. Above all, compounded with all that's happened since the pandemic arrived on the scene, I realize now how carefree, despite the added existential layer, our trip was.
But truth be told, for me anyway, that half-year was also often tumultuous. Like a foreshadowing of things to come, i. e. the tsunami of chaos that began washing over us and the world in the spring of 2020. The irony here is that because of the immediate impact the virus had on our situation in Spain, we never needed to see how things played out or if we had answers to any of the aforementioned existential questions. In this sense, Covid-19 offered us (and many others) a way out of an existential predicament.
So, now we're back where we started from about a year ago. And yeah… I'm having some readjustment issues. Bewilderment seems like an apt description of how I feel right now. Can I once again readjust to a location and a lifestyle that I felt had little more to offer me creatively and that while cushy and comfy, provided only the challenge of surviving everyday mundanities and trivialities? How do I avoid feeling like I'm stuck in the groove of an old scratchy record, doomed to loop eternally but with an increasingly audible, nagging noise?
We'll see. I'm taking it day by day, knowing that from recent experiences, spread over the last few years, that it can take me a while to settle in on a new reality and work my way towards a harmonious existence. A subsistence where I can both appreciate what I have and self-generate enough creative challenges to keep me preoccupied and, ultimately, less focused on stuff that bores the hell out of me.
http://raboff.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Joakim-logo-white-drop-shadow-01.png 0 0 admin http://raboff.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Joakim-logo-white-drop-shadow-01.png admin2020-10-14 10:01:452020-10-14 10:02:46Adjustment Issues
From Malibu to Malmö
Looking forward to enjoying this view again. It's not quite as timeless or soothing as what we have had here in Vejbystrand since early spring. But as long as I have a sea view, I'm a happy camper.
During the first few years of my life, up to about when I was five, my parents rented the bottom half of a beach house in Malibu, California. I suppose being in the water a lot and falling asleep/waking up to the sound of waves from the Pacific Ocean left a lasting impression on me. The fact is, of all my earliest childhood memories, the only real positives ones are from those first few years on the beach. I wish I could say I re member my mother and father being happy there together. I'm sure they were from time to time. I just can't visualize it from any of my earliest memories. What I do recall, even if it's more than 50 years ago, is how wonderful living on the beach in Malibu was. The inserted photo is of my (then apparently happy) mother (on the right) and Stella, the lady she and my father rented the house behind them from. Can't grasp how I can remember Stella's name.
From Malibu to Malmö. Who would have thought?
Charlotte and I will continue with our small and big house projects in Vejbystrand and be back on the weekends throughout the fall. There's so much room for improvement and like all old houses, it both demands and deserves a lot of tender loving care and to be properly updated.
https://raboff.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Sundspromenaden.jpg 1185 2000 admin http://raboff.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Joakim-logo-white-drop-shadow-01.png admin2020-10-10 18:44:592020-10-11 08:20:27From Malibu to Malmö
The Dark Side of Perpetual Limbo
October 9, 2020 /in Blog /by admin
I shot this a couple of weeks ago using a 600mm lens. The visual reference to Pink Floyd's paradigmatic record, "Dark Side of the Moon" is given. At least to me it is. Especially now as we're at the frontend of this weird year's darkest months – figuratively and literally.
Several countries around the world have recently begun imposing new lockdowns and travel restrictions. I presume that the sense of fatigue many of us already feel from the limitations the pandemic has caused will likely increase over the next few months while we hope/pray/beg for those sweet better times to return.
Close friends have recently been infected with the virus, but are, fortunately, at least this far, asymptomatic. Charlotte and I got an antibody test a few weeks ago. Both of our test results were negative which made me wonder if a) we may have been infected but the antibodies had already left our bodies, or, b) the test results were false negative. Either way, like billions of other Earthlings, we are still caught in a perpetual "Covid Limbo".
https://raboff.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Dark-Side-of-the-Moon.jpg 1306 2000 admin http://raboff.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Joakim-logo-white-drop-shadow-01.png admin2020-10-09 04:55:302020-10-09 07:43:29The Dark Side of Perpetual Limbo
Red Sea Diving in Aqaba
I don't remember who shot it, but this group photo was taken with one of my old Canon cameras in an underwater case during a press trip to Aqaba, the sleepy seaside dive resort by the Red Sea. We only had a day and a night in Aqaba before heading to the ancient Jordanian city of Petra, so I can't say much about the city, even if there was much to say about it (which I doubt there is).
While I don't remember the dive location being particularly spectacular, I clearly recall the merry band of journalists from Scandinavia I was there with being extraordinarily fun to travel with. From other photos from this part of the press trip, I know that we did get to see some rather large coral formations and schooling fish.
I can't remember when I last went scuba diving. Might have been when the above photo was taken. Or, maybe it was in Thailand a few years ago or as far back as in the Bay of Pigs, off the coast of Cuba. Hm. If that's the case, it's been way too long, for sure.
I wonder if my old Thai buddy Saran Sudduen still goes diving. When we were both younger men and lived not far from each other on Phuket, he and I would dive for about an hour most Saturday mornings outside of Kata Beach. We'd gear up at a local dive shop on the main road, walk down to the beach, and then head out into the Andaman Sea. Scorpionfish were fairly abundant and once in a while, we'd catch a glimpse of a small reef shark. Once we swam out to Koh Gai (Chicken Island) and dove entirely around it before swimming back with depleted tanks. We'd always return to shore carrying plastic bags and other garbage we'd collected during the dive.
Just like in Aqaba, it must be eerily quiet on Phuket now. Which is both hard to imagine and sad to think about. I hope 2021 will see things turn around. Maybe I'll even be able to go for a dive again. I really miss buoyancy.
https://raboff.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Red-Sea-Scuba-Diving-Jordan.jpg 1431 2000 admin http://raboff.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Joakim-logo-white-drop-shadow-01.png admin2020-10-07 22:55:262020-10-07 23:51:52Red Sea Diving in Aqaba
Eddie van Halen 1955-2020
Eddie van Halen recently passed away. And so, yet another of my former idols bites the dust. Seems like most of my old pop and rock idols have died and those few that are still around are no longer active in any (to me) meaningfully creative way. The eighteen-year-old version of me was a huge fan of Van Halen and while more musically gifted friends of mine successfully reverse-engineered his licks and solos, I spent many, many hours listening and playing air guitar to Eddie van Halen's amazing music.
I think that thanks to being able to play at least a little guitar myself, I always felt that my miserly talent still let me appreciate Eddie van Halen's virtuosity more than if I hadn't played at all. I've had this mindset throughout much of my adult life. Thanks to having dabbled in so many different fields; designing, cooking, coding, painting, teaching, bartending, writing, filming, etc, I can empathize and be cognizant of both the talent and all the tremendous amount of work it takes to excel at anything you set out to do really well.
In 1981, while visiting Los Angeles with friend Jonas Jarhäll, I bought a used, velvet red, Gibson SG Junior, from 1963 or 1965 at an obscure guitar shop somewhere in the San Fernando Valley. I want to remember paying $400 for it. I brought the SG back with me to Sweden and both loved playing on it and having it hang so beautifully on the wall of my first small apartment.
After my only gig as an "axman" at Christmas party for our local scout troupe, my SG was stolen and I never again bought an electric guitar. Perhaps the bereavement initiated my waning interest in Van Halen and the hard rock genre. In any case, after a concert with Eddie van Halen, Alex van Halen, Michael Anthony, and David Lee Roth during the legendary Monsters of Rock in Stockholm in August of 1984, I eventually moved on to other, more challenging and interesting musical genres.
I certainly read about the departure of frontman David Lee Roth and his replacement Sammy Hagar. But I didn't continue to buy the band's records or go to their concerts. As I said, I had moved on. Like in times gone by, much of today's rock music seems so predictable, stale even, and still caught in a web of clichés, myth-building, bad hairdos, and self-destructiveness.
Today, youngsters call groups like Van Halen "Hair Bands" and marvel at how much work went into their hairdos. Quite interesting how a lot of us men of that era, myself included, wanted to be perceived as masculine and bursting with fertility, yet we had no qualms about spending hours effeminately caring for our hair.
Late last night, I wrote the above comment below the New York Times's obituary column about Eddie van Halen and now I'm wondering if I might actually still have that bootleg tape somewhere. That would certainly be a wondrous trip in the time machine.
The above image is a partial photo of Eddie van Halen's most famous guitar, which he called, "Frankenstein". I feel bad about it, but I can't remember where I downloaded it from and so I am subsequently unable to credit the photographer. Sorry 'bout this.
https://raboff.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Eddie-van-Halen-Frankenstein.jpg 1060 2000 admin http://raboff.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Joakim-logo-white-drop-shadow-01.png admin2020-10-07 05:27:532020-10-07 08:51:19Eddie van Halen 1955-2020
I am genuinely proud that I voted in the presidential election of 2020. I sent off my ballot a couple of weeks ago and now I can only hope that more Americans than ever before will be voting so that we collectively can kick scary Donald J Trump out of office.
There are literally thousands of elections across the country on November 3rd. But as a permanent resident (and citizen of Sweden), I don't feel informed or engaged enough to vote in anything other than the presidential election, which I've followed closely.
Like for many, many others, my vote for the Biden-Harris ticket is just as much a vote against the incumbent, incompetent douchebag president – clearly, an unapologetic, narcissistic megalomaniac of which the USA and the world have never before had to endure.
Not even now that he has been infected with the virus is he humbled or cautious about his fate and the millions of others that have succumbed to Covid-19. Worse yet, Trump is through his careless actions and bold but idiotic statements making it perfectly clear that he thinks that those poor souls that have become seriously sick, or even died, are just losers. I obviously don't want anybody to get sick or die, but I have to admit to feeling a little schadenfreude should the virus keep him bedridden for the remainder of the campaigne.
The more I see of Trump and his tail-wagging, ass-kissing entourage, not to mention the flag-waving, gun-totting Fox News-watching degenerate fan base, the more I realize that President Trump is evil personified – a Beelzebub that has cast a powerful spell on his followers. Followers that have either been so hypnotized and dumbed-down by decades of multi-orifice ingested crap culture or, just spinelessly following someone they perceive to be a winner and hope to benefit from. What a bunch of fools.
If you're an American citizen reading this from abroad and still haven't mailed in your ballot, please do it as soon as possible!
https://raboff.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/I-VOTED-2020.jpg 1200 2000 admin http://raboff.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Joakim-logo-white-drop-shadow-01.png admin2020-10-06 05:47:392020-10-06 12:52:00VOTE 2020
Bourgeoisie Toast
Ate lunch at a beautiful old spinning mill yesterday on the way home from Göteborg. The main building that once housed the factory has been repurposed and is today occupied by an assemblage of small creative companies and a handful of interior design shops – none of which I felt offered anything to write about, or, be inspired by. Not that they didn't sell nice and fancy stuff (at premium prices). There was plenty of that.
Before arriving, I read a little about the mill's history, the decades of suffering that both women and children were forced to endure while laboring there. Yeah, I recognize that the mill's horrific history cast an uncomfortable shadow over my ability to find pleasure in the experience. As far as I could see, there wasn't a single square meter of wall space dedicated to the workers that lived out their miserable lives there.
After standing in line for a while at the adjacent café, we ordered our lunch and found comfortable seating in one of the larger rooms where I marveled at the meticulously coordinated furnishings and decor. Nothing was left to chance.
There we sat, eating our yummy avocado sandwiches together with a dozen other plump, middle class, mostly middle-aged, over-dressed guests, chewing, sipping, and chatting away as carefree as can be. No social distancing. No masks. No worries. Some surely awaiting a socially acceptable opportunity to take out their shiny phones and post about their pleasant cultural adventure at the old spinning mill.
Ghosts of women and children hovering silently, a few millimeters below the ceiling. Peering. Wondering.
I don't know. Maybe there's too much shit going on in the world right now. Maybe I've filled my quota of excursions to bourgeois sanctuaries that ultimately leave me feeling emptier than when I arrived. That said, the toast above was an undeniably delightful experience – at least for the palate.
https://raboff.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/bourgoise-toast.jpg 1498 2000 admin http://raboff.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Joakim-logo-white-drop-shadow-01.png admin2020-10-04 14:11:492020-10-04 14:15:13Bourgeoisie Toast
Walking in Gothenburg
Soon time to return to Skåneland after a couple of calming days among friends and family in Gothenburg. where I've been both doing some soul searching and collecting new textures and walls for my "Resurfaced" series.
This is the perfect time of year to visit one of my many old hometowns. The weather has been extraordinarily pleasant. Crisp, clear air, mostly sunny and comfortably warm.
Yesterday, I went for a 5-hour walk from Gothenburg's Opera House, along the harbor to the Älvsborgs Bridge where I ate lunch at Röda Sten Konsthall (an art museum), and then I literally crisscrossed my way back to the hotel through the Majorna and Masthugget districts.
I lived in Majorna for a summer back in the early 1980s. The wooden building I rented a flat in was so old that the two apartments on my floor shared a common bathroom. I thought it was interesting at the time. At least for a while. The guy I rented the place from was the manager for a Swedish fusion jazz band named Hawk on Flight and much of the apartment was filled with stuff somehow related to the band. I think I paid SEK400/USD$40 a month in rent but I can't remember how the heck I got a hold of the pad or why I needed a place to live that summer.
It's a little scary when memories fade or vanish. Then again, it was only two, maybe three months of my life that played out almost 40 years ago.
I love the architecture and the somewhat edgy vibe of Majorna. It's bohemian and authentic and the abundance of mom and pop shops, restaurants and cafés make it seem like a cozy place to live.
For better or worse, of the other areas I've lived at during younger years, including Kålltorp, Vasastan and Johanneberg, today, Majorna feels the least changed and the most genuine "old Göteborg". Much more so than, say, Haga.
I shot the images above with my now 2-year-old iPhone. Apple has yet to announce its new lineup and I have yet to decide if I actually need a new phone. The camera in my phone is still phenomenal and though I carried the Fuji x100v in my pocket during my walk, I mostly used it for capturing surfaces on walls and utility boxes. Still, every time Charlotte whips out her 2019 iPhone with its ultra-wide 13mm lens, I feel I'm missing out a little. Like I'm not getting the big picture.
https://raboff.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/around-gothenburg-collage.jpg 1429 2000 admin http://raboff.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Joakim-logo-white-drop-shadow-01.png admin2020-10-03 07:22:472020-10-03 09:40:29Walking in Gothenburg
Smart Explainer: Climate Change
This is possibly the prettiest, most whimsically pedagogical explainer video I have ever seen. It brings forth and unpacks unskewed and uncontestable arguments in a beautiful way that only flat-earth devotees can deny. Crafted by a Munich based animation studio, the project was funded by the Gates Foundation.
I'm not a huge fan of Bill Gates, on the contrary, I think he's been a terrible actor in the computer space, morally and aesthetically. He's certainly compensated some of his past wrongdoings with admirably charitable activities. But I will never trust the guy to not have hidden motives behind everything he does. One could argue (conspiratorily) that the work of the Gates Foundation is part of Bill's immortalization strategy. But I agree with Gates on one central point: that Trump is bad for the planet. The enemy of my enemy is my friend…
http://raboff.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Joakim-logo-white-drop-shadow-01.png 0 0 admin http://raboff.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Joakim-logo-white-drop-shadow-01.png admin2020-10-01 07:11:502020-10-01 11:54:03Smart Explainer: Climate Change
In and Out of the Fog
September 29, 2020 /in Blog /by admin
Yeah, I know. More cows. But I've always loved cows. Not only do they symbolize a kind of universal motherhood, but cows are also animals that radiate timeless serenity.
After an intense period of work and emotional turmoil, more than ever, I need serenity in my life right now.
I shot this about a week ago when a thick, coastal fog rolled in and settled over Vejbystrand for much of the morning.
I went for a long walk along the meadow with a camera at my side, hoping to capture something uniquely foggy.
The cows instinctively huddled together in an effort to feel safer. Even if it was completely windless and soundless on the meadow, the dense fog visually impaired the herd's ability to see where potential threats would be coming from. They didn't seem particularly nervous, but I did get a sense of heightened awareness as I passed them. While my trajectory was clearly unthreatening, most of the cows followed my every step, making sure I wasn't going to leave my chosen path.
Time for some preaching.
It's been five years since I stopped eating meat and poultry on the advice of our wise daughter Elle, who started the family's boycott. This for three reasons:
1. Ethically
Most animals raised for consumption are bred and treated in a horrific and completely unacceptable way. Millions of animals suffer for most of their short lives just so people can eat cheap, often unhealthy amounts of meat and chicken.
It's utterly unreasonable to clear gigantic areas of primeval forest in the Amazon and elsewhere in the world just in order to acquire land to grow soy and corn on as feed for the animals. If we instead grew vegetables directly for our own consumption, we'd both save the earth's resources and eat healthier!
In a few years, we will be 8 billion people on this blue planet. Since we know that climate change is already causing devastating problems today, it's easy to see that we have enormous challenges ahead of us when additional billions of people in developing countries start demanding the same unsound habits we in the industrial world have had for decades. A simple approach (but of course not a solitary solution alone) is, for example, to stop eating meat and poultry.
Even though we in Sweden eat slightly less meat today than before, it's still far more than what many researchers consider to be healthy. Eating meat and poultry, in whole or processed form, undoubtedly increases the risk of getting cancer.
So if you don't give a hoot about how the animals you eat experience their lives and how the earth feels from raising them, maybe you can start thinking about how your body feels before you eat the next slice of ham, grilled chicken, or steak.
https://raboff.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/foggy-cows.jpg 1170 2000 admin http://raboff.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Joakim-logo-white-drop-shadow-01.png admin2020-09-29 05:27:462020-09-29 17:56:49In and Out of the Fog
Münich. Home of Puma, BMW, and a bunch of other huge German conglomerates. Like in Stuttgart, everyone wears masks here too. At least in public spaces and until it's time to eat. Germans don't hesitate a second to give you a somewhat perturbed, reprimanding look if you don't have a mask strapped on.
Arrived in the Bavarian capital kinda late last night after a full day of meetings in Stuttgart. No doubt that it's "big boy business" down here. The niche, fringe, and edge-case stuff isn't exactly frowned upon, but it's still traditional, old school industry that rules the day here.
Traveling for a couple of hours along the busy Autobahn A8 yesterday evening, frequently passed by a slew of vehicles, most at well above 200km/h, it became perfectly clear why there are so many supercharged cars here. Makes much less sense to own an AMG GLC or a Lamborghini Urus in Sweden with its low-bar speed limitations.
Took an off-the-street taxi to a meeting today, a Mercedes S Class (6 cyl/300hp/2019) which according to the driver cost about €150k – including some extra bells and whistles. I can't wrap my head around how much money that represents and, above all, how many passengers that taxi has to transport before getting some kind of ROI.
https://raboff.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Munich.jpg 1240 2000 admin http://raboff.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Joakim-logo-white-drop-shadow-01.png admin2020-09-17 05:20:202020-09-17 12:03:40Bavaria
Last time this far south in Germany, I was in Eisenach, about 4 hours north of Stuttgart. I was there on a press event together with a few other journalists from Scandinavia to see how beautifully reunited Germany had become 20 years after the wall and fences had come tumbling down.
If memory serves me correctly, Eisenach is famous for two things; an automotive museum located adjacent to what used to be a BMW factory but was renamed EMW (Eisenacher Motorenwerk) as Eisenach was part of East Germany – and Wartburg Castle where Martin Luther (of the Protestant persuasion) was kept under house arrest and also where he translated the bible from Latin to German.
Both Wartburg Castle and the factory were interesting places to visit. But the most memorable takeaway was during the press dinner when our guide, a woman in her 60s, admitted how much she missed East Germany's patriarch, Erich Honecker, and how the state "took care" of everything for its citizens.
I'm going to paraphrase her here, but the gist of this remarkable, wine-fueled confession was this:
"You know, we never had to worry about anything…where to live, where to study, what kind of work we would do, the food we could buy…it was the same for everyone. Now it's chaos…capitalist chaos…"
https://raboff.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/East-Germany.jpg 1175 2000 admin http://raboff.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Joakim-logo-white-drop-shadow-01.png admin2020-09-16 05:48:242020-09-24 09:17:37East Germany
German Breakfast
Currently in Germany for meetings in Stuttgart and Münich. First time I've left Sweden in over 7 months. It's possibly been 25 years since the last time I stayed domestic for that long.
Mandatory mask on from the moment we traversed the Danish side of the Öresund Bridge, throughout the airport, the SAS lounge, on the aircraft, at the airport in Stuttgart and everywhere but my room at the hotel. My N95 mask fits relatively comfortably over my face. Not being able to read facial expressions other than by looking at people's eyes and eyebrows is certainly interesting.
Kastrup was far from empty, but most shops, cafés, and restaurants were closed. It felt like having a middle-of-the-night departure time – but during a sunny afternoon. Weird.
Here in Germany, I'll be staying at an American owned hotel where, unlike most hotels in the US, a spectacular breakfast buffet is included in the room rate (a rate which is roughly half of what it would have been if the hotel was located in the States).
Over the years, I've been spoiled rotten by lavish hotel breakfasts in Asia and, to a slightly lesser degree, here in Europe. But today, for the very first time ever, they offered fresh pretzels over at the bread corner. A pretzel is a pretty good substitute for a bagel. Back to work now.
https://raboff.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/German-Hotel-Breakfast.jpg 1544 2000 admin http://raboff.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Joakim-logo-white-drop-shadow-01.png admin2020-09-15 09:21:012020-09-15 09:40:13German Breakfast
Exhibit at MKK's Gallery Night
For the second consecutive year, I've been invited by MKK to exhibit a tidy collection of artworks during Malmö's annual Gallery Night. As a safety precaution, due to the pandemic, there will be a limited amount of visitors admitted to the hall at any given time throughout the weekend.
https://raboff.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/MKK-Utstallning.jpg 1065 2000 admin http://raboff.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Joakim-logo-white-drop-shadow-01.png admin2020-09-13 22:34:202020-09-13 22:34:20Exhibit at MKK's Gallery Night
Acidic Fishbowl Dip
Above is a piece I've been working on for a while. I've lost count how many different walls it consists of. It may or may not make it to the exhibit I've been invited to in a couple of weeks, but it's definitely a finalist.
I really love being so busy as I am right now and looking forward to a short trip to a not-so-foreign land soon. I feel a little anxious about international travel. I've got a couple of n95 certified masks and as much liquid antiseptic fluid as I'm allowed to carry onboard.
Like the next guy, I can totally dig partaking in a good discussion. Discussions can often be an excellent platform for testing out arguments, venting thoughts, and learning what "the other side" thinks and has opinions about. Recently, I got into an acidic discussion with an old friend. I was fuming about something and needed to get it off my chest when I posted some angry commentary. Unsurprisingly, this pal answered me with a sledgehammer of contrarian views and belittling comments he felt compelled to share. Probably because my views were within his wheelhouse (or fishbowl).
Historically, my rhetorically gifted friend has often allowed his sharp intellect and an other-worldly ability to recall (and tirelessly recite) memories in ludicrous detail, (coupled with relentless, wide-ranging nerdiness) take a front seat socially. For as long as we've been friends, he's been infamous for being a know-it-all, a behavior I feel a lot of common acquaintances would agree, albeit anonymously, can be a bit taxing. In moderation, socializing with him can nonetheless be a pleasant experience. Our discussion turned ridiculously ironic when he claimed that it was me, not him, that had a history of being a wisenheimer. Not that I can't be incredibly stubborn about my opinions. But I never forget that they are just that, opinions.
To some people, being anything but right, regardless really of whether or not they've identified that there might just be different takes, opinions, and perspectives, or, god forbid, that they're just plain wrong, is a seemingly absurd concept. It's as if their lives depended on being right. Or, their fathers. It's a trait of Donald Trump and exactly how he's created the abysmal divide. Put in other words, it's bullying.
One would think that at our ripe old age, despite being a know-it-all, my friend would have had grasped that discussions aren't necessarily clear-cut right or wrong. Regardless of the topic, really, a discussion is a debate, a challenge, a contest of hopefully thoughtful, unemotional arguments – as opposed to thoughtless, unbecoming, belligerent speak.
I realize I really shouldn't be that surprised about how this ended…and I guess I was just plain naive for continuing the discussion when it had gone down such a negative path early on. And I was certainly way too spontaneous and emotional in my opening statements. Live and learn.
https://raboff.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Clues-for-Nappe.jpg 1333 2000 admin http://raboff.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Joakim-logo-white-drop-shadow-01.png admin2020-09-13 15:25:172020-09-13 22:05:09Acidic Fishbowl Dip
Poolside FM
Every once in a while, I cross paths with a website that gets me all fired up – in a good way – and I end up getting totally hooked for a time. This is the case with Poolside FM, a relatively new place on the Internet where great music and 1980s design aesthetics converge in a wonderfully cooky way. So well done. I never ever thought I'd look back at the 80s and feel some kind of weird nostalgia. After all, it was mostly a decade chock full of pastels, mullets, and, rarely memorable music! Poolside FM is available on iOS as well.
I couldn't find any other poolside photo, so my shot of former pro swimmer Rebecca will have to do.
https://raboff.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/PoolsideFM.jpg 1037 2000 admin http://raboff.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Joakim-logo-white-drop-shadow-01.png admin2020-09-12 19:11:072020-09-12 19:11:07Poolside FM
Everyone Knows It's True
September 9, 2020 /in Blog /by admin
I took this photo on the shores of Mono Lake in Central California, as the bird flies, not too far from the Nevada state line. I was there with fellow photographer David Pahmp. We were heading to Bodie and stopped by the lake real quick to take a few early evening shots. As soon as we pulled back on to the highway again, a patrol car pulled us over for speeding. But just when the stocky highway patrolman was about to give us a well-deserved, triple-digit fine, he got a call on the radio and had leave us pronto with only a gentle slap on the wrist. He seemed like a decent fellow and after the verbal reprimand, wished us a safe journey onwards.
America is full of people like that. Decent folks with reasonably sound values and good attitudes. Unlike the president…
From David Frum of The Atlantic:
One of the most striking things about Trump is how seldom, if ever, anybody tells a story of kindness and compassion about him. Not even his own children have much to say. […] Few former employees of the Trump administration praise him as a boss. Few business partners speak of his honesty. Few tenants of Trump buildings have anything good to say about the homes he supposedly built. Few officials of any city have been willing to celebrate any contribution to urban life. Few beneficiaries of any Trump philanthropy.
Imagine a man who has lived in the public eye for half a century, supposedly one of the country's leading business figures, and when in trouble he struggles to summon credible or trustworthy witnesses from outside the Fox Cinematic Universe. There's just a gaping zero where goodness should be.
https://raboff.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Mono-Lake-California.jpg 1177 2000 admin http://raboff.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Joakim-logo-white-drop-shadow-01.png admin2020-09-09 11:26:362020-09-09 11:26:36Everyone Knows It's True
Qigong: MorningFlow
Feeling stiff after a night's sleep? Need to get up to speed physically and mentally? Here's a series of easy Qigong movements that I guarantee will energize without making you break out in a sweat. More information about my Qigong coaching can be found here.
https://raboff.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Qigong-Morning-Flow-English.jpg 1281 2000 admin http://raboff.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Joakim-logo-white-drop-shadow-01.png admin2020-09-08 08:09:522020-09-09 05:45:48Qigong: MorningFlow


The Georgia Straight included Burnkit as one of the 3 must-see stops of Vancouver Design Week(end), so when Burnkit opened it's doors on Saturday, May 13 we had a great turnout of design lovers. Always fun having people in for a look behind the curtain and to share something of our studio's process. Many thanks to those who came down. And thank you VDW!


Aging well has a lot to do with good genes. If you are lacking those genes, here's a places you can go to feel better.
Science Daily did a story about a study out of the UK. The study looked at the link between aging and exercise by comparing two groups of people between the 55 years old and 80 years old.
The ones who stayed active still had the muscle mass, body fat and cholesterol of someone half their age. Plus the men's testosterone levels were still high.
The more surprising part was that their immune system was very strong. They had the immunity of someone in their 20 or 30's.
But the people who did not stay active did't have the same results. They allowed their bodies to age with time.
So the best thing you can do, especially if you are young is stay active and maybe hit the gym as much as possible.
Here a few gyms in our area that you can try.


text:
HRC36 | NGOs call on Council Members to take a stand against intimidation and reprisals
All States should take a strong stand to address reprisals and to support a crucial resolution being negotiated at this session of the Human Rights Council. A weak resolution would seriously undermine the ability of the UN system to address the needs on the ground, said 50 national and international NGOs in a letter to Human Rights Council members.
Click here to read the joint NGO letter.
The resolution on reprisals being negotiated at this Council session provides a timely and much needed opportunity for the Council to take a stand on 'worsening incidences of intimidation and reprisals', as reported in the Secretary-General's most recent report on reprisals. The Secretary General stressed that 'any act of intimidation or reprisal is absolutely unacceptable'.
'The detention of Ibrahim Metwally in Egypt en route to the Working Group on Enforced and Involuntary Disappearances session is a clear example of the dire need to act now and ensure that the right of all people to communicate with the United Nations is protected' says ISHR's Director Phil Lynch.
The resolution tabled by the core group – comprising Ghana, Hungary, Ireland, Fiji and Uruguay – calls on various stakeholders. This call was echoed by the Special Rapporteur on the situation of Human Right Defenders and by Peggy Hicks from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights during a side event on this issue last week as they urged:
Member States, in particular Council Members, to cooperate with the Council and its mechanisms;
States to take measures to prevent the occurrence of intimidation and reprisals;
The Human Rights Council President and Bureau to address and follow up on allegations of acts of intimidation and reprisal; and
All stakeholders to cooperate with the Assistant Secretary General on human rights regarding the mandate assigned to him by the Secretary General.
'It is incredibly concerning that a resolution seeking to assist the Council to take a stand on the abhorrent trend of threats and attacks against those engaging with the UN, is being challenged so strongly. It is imperative that the Council adopt a strong and substantive resolution, following positive developments in the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights', said Lynch.
Beyond the grave impact on the life of persons concerned and their relatives, intimidation and reprisals also constitute an 'attack on human rights, the rule of law, and the international and regional mechanisms themselves'. This was highlighted by ISHR in a statement to the Council earlier this session, when expressing deep regret that 'four years since the detention and subsequent death of Cao Shunli, we continue to call on the President, this Council, the Assistant Secretary General and Chin to take action on her case'.
'Any proposal to weaken the resolution should be seen in the context of ongoing, systematic efforts in a number of States to restrict civil society space, the right to communicate with the United Nations and its effectiveness and legitimacy', said ISHR's Legal Counsel and reprisals focal point Tess McEvoy.
'If this is how defenders engaging at the UN are treated, it incidates a disturbing picture of the situation for defenders nationally. We call on all Member States to take action to address reprisals at the UN level in an effort to protect human rights on the ground', added McEvoy.
Contact: Tess McEvoy, t.mcevoy@ishr.ch.
Photo: U.S. Mission Photo by Eric Bridiers.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Stiller Warehousing and Distribution husband-and-wife employees Julie and Jay Gilpin enjoyed a royal date at Buckingham Palace to represent their Aycliffe employers.
Stiller was invited to the royal garden party earlier this summer to celebrate RoSPA's (the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) Centenary in the capital.
Julie was asked to represent Stiller after her work in helping Stiller to gain one of the highest industry-recognised standard safety accreditations this year.
Office manager Julie and fleet and facilities manager Herbie Blaser worked with quality standards consultant Billy Naisbett, of Newton Aycliffe-based ISO Systems, over a seven-month period to attain ISO 18001 certification.
Stiller drivers have also been awarded gold certificates after taking part in RoSPA's driver assessor courses.
Julie and Jay, who have both worked for Stiller for 16 years, met Prince Andrew, Duke of York, and his daughter, Princess Eugenie of York, during "high tea" in the palace grounds, amid glorious sunshine.
"It was a wonderful day," said Julie. "We shook Princess Eugenie's hand briefly spoke to her, when she was treated to a 30-second blast about Stiller from me!
Stiller employs 140 people across a huge 20-acre site on Aycliffe Business Park, providing cost-effective warehousing and distribution services to businesses in the North-East region as well as commercial property lettings.


These costs are paid by the buyer. In existing homes, they amount to about 7-8% of the purchase price. A smaller portion is the notary fees, the rest are taxes to the municipal, county and state. The exact percentage depends on the selling price and in which county the property is located. Best is to make a rough estimate of 7% on the existing property and 2.5% in the new production.
These fees are embedded in the asking price, and the broker has in other words mission to sell to certain price and certain commission. If the buyer wishes so, he can choose to pay the brokerage. The advantage is that when the buyer will not have to pay notary the actual fee.
The preliminary agreement or a so-called "compromis de vente" is the most important agreement in the whole process because it defines all the conditions of the sale. It can be written by the broker or by the notary. As in any other legal documents, only French is valid.
Now it is the buyer and seller agree on all conditions included in the sale. Some conditions are compulsory and defined by law, other terms are free conditions between the parties. Certain conditions may be such that if they are not met so the deal falls, such as conditions for loans. Signature of the seller is binding. However, the buyer can cancel the contract without cost to him. In connection with this Agreement shall also be paid a deposit, normally 10% of the purchase price. The deposit can be paid into the broker's client funds account, or to the notary.
A mortgage can be acquired with the condition that loans obtained from financial institutions. If this is in the "compromis de vente" has an obligation to request the loan within a certain stipulated time. Remember that it can take a long time to get the loan offer from the French bank. If the buyer does not receive the loan, the purchase back. Examine also the real costs of taking a loan. These may vary among other things depending on the type of bank guarantee requested.
The final agreement, the so-called "acte authentique de vente ', is made only by the notary. It established after the notary gathered all necessary information on urban plans and if there are loans and to the bay sum, on the property. It is checked, for example, if the municipality has plans to build roads or large buildings in the area. The notary will then check the ownership. The notary also draws up loan documents. Between the "compromis de vente" and "acte authentique de vente" it usually takes two to three months.
The balance of the purchase price and transaction costs are preliminarily estimated and paid directly to the notary by bank transfer. The notary receives deferred payment and transfer it to the seller, usually a few days after signing the "acte authentique de vente". It is the notary who solves any assets and arrange new pledges if the buyer takes a loan. The notary also ensures that taxes, land registration fees, costs of raising new loans and brokerage fees paid.
Immediately after the signing of the purchase agreement "autentique acte de vente" so the buyer gets a so-called "attestation de vente". This document describes the dwelling and determine who is the owner. A few months later, the buyer gets a copy of "autentique acte de vente". This is a document of 20 to 40 pages. This statement is only then, and the buyer gets back the sum paid too much to the notary.
Access to the house is almost always the same day as the signing of the final agreement. The notary receives the keys and can immediately go to the residence. As this always bought as is (if the seller is a private person), it is important to have the home inspected prior to entry.
Subscriptions for electricity, gas, water, telephone, internet, etc. Most importantly, home insurance that must apply from the date of possession.
The final reading of the previous subscription is normally handled by the broker, but the buyer can certainly attend. We will help with this!


We had an awesome time Sunday at Brooklyn Commune General Meeting #4 where we joined forces with the PRELUDE FESTIVAL and BROOKLYN COMMUNE for a tour de force afternoon of drinking, mingling, discussion and the launch of the 2013 Performing Arts Census!
And then after an interlude of drinks & mingling, we had a Long Table discussion about the relationship between aesthetics & the economics of cultural production with super special invited guests including Clyde Valentin, Carla Peterson, Gelsey Bell, Annie Dorsen, Shonni Enelow, Arthur Aviles & a whole bunch of other, awesome, super genii.
More to come! Check out our social calendar on this site or on FB and join the fun!


Spain's Costa Blanca is home to "breathtaking" and beautiful beaches according to one commentator.
Those taking flights to Alicante can be met with delightful coastal towns and large sandy beaches, Canada.com reports.
In particular, the huge limestone rock above sea level located between Denia and Xabia is impressive, it is claimed.
The recently settled Open Skies Agreement between the United States and the European Union could mean cheaper flights to Spain.
According to the Air Transport Users Council (AUC), when Europe was liberalised, the e-market allowed low-cost airlines such as easyJet and Ryanair to operate, meaning a drop in airfares.
AUC industry affairs manager James Fremantle added that this liberalising the air transport market is "good" for consumers as it draws down prices and offers more choice.
"I can't think of anything bad that can come of it from a consumer point of view.
For spectacular views and plenty of comfort on a holiday to La Manga Club, why not book into Monte Verde Villas.
Situated at an elevated position the villas offer fantastic views all around down to the south golf course and beyond to the beautiful Mar Menor.
Perfect for those who wish to enjoy tranquillity while on a Spanish holiday, the development benefits from a peaceful setting, idyllic backdrop and quality specifications.
Those taking family holidays in Spain can book into a two, three or four bedroom apartment, complete with open plan living area meaning that travellers have privacy and yet can relax in a sociable atmosphere.
For a luxury holiday in Spain why not travel to La Manga Club where in addition to top sporting facilities and sandy beaches, the accommodation on offer is second to none.
Holidaymakers staying at the Las Higueras Villas will find themselves surrounded by flourishing gardens, offering a feeling of seclusion and tranquillity.
Reminiscent of the Andalucian foothills, the apartments are built on white winding lanes within their own grounds.
Those on holidays in La Manga Club can enjoy barbeques on the property and even a meal by the pool at this centrally-located development.
Britons taking flights to Spain will be able to explore more of the country in a shorter period of time after it was revealed that the country's first high-speed trains linking Madrid and Barcelona made their debut on Wednesday.
National train company Renfe announced that they have now made their first complete journeys following years of construction.
The high-speed bullet rail line will reduce travel time between Madrid and Barcelona by two hours to 2.38 hours.
A new shopping mall is set to open in the popular Spanish holiday resort of the Costa del Sol, it has been reported.
According to the Manchester Evening News, property and investment company Peel Holdings is to develop a Spanish version of the UK's Trafford Centre on the popular Spanish holiday coast.
Following years of negotiations with Spanish authorities, Britons could soon be taking flights to Alicante for a weekend shopping trip.
The centre, to be called Trafford Centre Espana will feature on an 80-acre site in Torremolinos and could become an attraction for Britons enjoying holidays in La Manga.
Parents taking children on family holidays to Spain have been issued with advice on how best to keep their children happy while travelling.
According to Tesco Travel Insurance, researching the flights to Spain before booking could prove useful, as airlines can offer children's meals and arrange for raised seats for babies.
Also, the organisation notes that regional airports can sometimes offer better entertainment facilities for children.
"Ensure you take a bargaining tool for critical situations - a new game, book or snack that will calm them down," the travel insurance provider recommends.
Britons taking flights to Spain this summer need not overly worry about their alcohol consumption affecting their waistlines if they stick to locally produced brews.
According to Typically Spanish, a vineyard in the wine producing region of Jumilla, Murcia has invented "vino light".
The wine - Altos de la Ermita - has an alcohol content of 6.5 degrees - half the normal amount for traditional wine.
Britons taking Spanish holidays may consider reaching their destination by means of ferry travel.
According to the Association of British Travel Agents (Abta), such travel offers a greener method of travel.
"It offers customers and families another choice, really. It's just a different type of holiday that you get - it's a very different experience," Frances Tuke, spokesperson for Abta.
Low-cost flights to Spain make country "accessible"
The expansion of low-cost airlines has made traditionally hard to reach areas in Spain "very accessible", it has been reported.
According to Primelocation.com, these Spanish holiday areas have been "opened up" by low-cost flights to Spain.
The news comes as British Airways prepares to launch its new short-haul routes from Heathrow, Gatwick and London City airports to Malaga and Alicante from March 30th, 2008.


EDU with alphanumeric keyboard and large backlit display (240x128pixels). Stainless steel enclosure for desktop or panel mounting. Optional wall mounting kit available. Multirange. Linearity correction. 32 bits microprocessor with Flash memory for updating of software via serial port. Software selectable applications : weigbridge, industrial, dosing. Two RS-232 bidirectional ports, one RS-485 port, one Ethernet port. Time and date. EN 45501 approved monorange and multirange.
MATRIX II is a modern and powerful indicator for analog and digital load cells.
Alphanumerical display with backlit manually regulated option for a better view of the data.
Possibility of desk or panel mount.
Default with 2 serial interfaces RS-232 and one RS-485. Option of enhnacing with another RS-232 or RS-485.
Selection of working mode as industrial scale, weighbridge or dosing.
Configuration of printed output ticked on the external printer.
PUK code if PIN code forgotten or compromised.
Calibration counting and date available for control.
Numerical calibration (theoretical) or real calibration (with calibrated weights).
DSD (alibi memory) with metrological approval.
Option of adding second weighing interface (scale2). It is possible to combine analog and digital interfaces in one indicator.
While use of dosing mode, use of external input/output for driving oppeners, alarms, etc. Single speed, double speed filling.
Possibility of recording own logo to be displayed at start of unit.
PS2 input for connecting external keyboard. Useful for the weighbridge mode for input of truck plates, drivers names, materials descrition, etc.


So much on my mind, so much to write, talk and pray about, but I will share this question, I was asked by the Holy Spirit after my midnight prayers early this morning 23/5/2014. I had gone back to bed after praying trying to sleep and I heard, are you prepared? Are you prepared for what you are praying about? Are you prepared to receive that which you are asking for? as the conversation continued, I was asked if those I was praying to have babies were prepared, if those believing God for their spouses was prepared, if those looking for jobs were prepared for their positions. The questions kept coming and a picture of Jacob and the animals mating came to heart, that Jacob was so prepared for what he had told Laban about the speckled animals that he took a poplar tree and put before the animals, what they saw was what he got.
Prayer point : God help me to prepare for what you are bringing my way in Jesus name amen.
Note; you can read the whole of Genesis 30. It's worth meditating on. I must mention here that i was too lazy to get up to write down my conversation but I prayed that the Holy Spirit will remind me of our conversation when I wake up, later in the day. He did but this is not the full message, as I would have gotten more if I took my pen to write immediately. Indeed my spirit was willing but my flesh was weak. I pray God will help me to do what is right when other messages come. May God bless these words and use it to prepare someone for the testimonies coming.


Available for new purchases only.
Available at participating dealers only. Contact Dealer for details.
Certain retail programs may apply.
Program period and conditions subject to change.
Disclaimer: *Offer available April 1, 2019 – June 30, 2019. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Rebates and/or financing based on the purchase of eligible equipment defined in promotional program. Pricing and rebates in US dollars. Additional fees including, but not limited to, taxes, freight, setup and delivery charges may apply. Customers must take delivery prior to the end of the program period. Offer available on new equipment only. Prior purchases are not eligible. Offer valid only at participating Dealers. Offer subject to change without notice. See your dealer for details.
*Amounts are reflected in US Dollars (USD). Payment calculator reflects US interest rates. Payment calculator does not reflect insurance, document fees or taxes. Special finance rates are for new KIOTI tractors and attachments purchased together. Finance terms are available up to 84 months on eligible equipment. 0% financing is available on specific models. Down payment may be required. Financing based on the purchase of eligible equipment defined in promotional program. Offers cannot be combined. Financing is subject to credit approval. Some customers will not qualify. Restrictions may apply. Offer available on new equipment only. Prior purchases are not eligible. Offer valid only at participating Dealers. See your dealer for details.


This funny Audi TV advert for the 2019 Superbowl called Cashew showcases their electric car with a man in a dream state. His grandpa shows him an Audi E-tron in his barn. He then suddenly wakes up in his workplace finding himself being given the hymek maneuver while choking on a cashew nut.
The music at the end of the advert is the 1969 hit Spirit In The Sky by American singer-songwriter Norman Greenbaum.


The main character had no luck with the girl, she likes the wealthy guys and finish it as sticky. But he was adamant that he could accumulate as many coins as it needs. What do you think how much time it takes to earn 35,000? Where more money, more problems there. His problem - it's red strange creatures who attack him.


Drug addiction has been a significant challenge for most people nowadays especially the youth. When you have become an addict of a particular substance, you should visit a drug rehabilitation center so that you can quit from consuming it. Some of the drugs that are commonly abused are such as the alcohol, nicotine, the cocaine, marijuana, and others. Its possible to recover from the addiction by considering a drug treatment center. Therefore, you need to determine which drug rehabilitation center that will give you the best. Here are the tips that will help you to identify a reputable drug rehab center.
Ensure to the rehabilitation center you have identified is licensed to carry out the business. The rehab center that has insurance works with experts; thus, you will be assured of getting the right treatment. This will, therefore, make you stress-free as you will be guaranteed of getting the best treatment.
You are supposed to look at the aftercare program provided in the rehab center to the patents which have stopped consuming the drugs. After you have quitted from the drugs, and you can experience the withdrawal symptoms. If there is deterioration, you should look for a drug rehab center that will take care of that. You can consider talking with the employees of the treatment center so that they can explain to you on how they deal with the withdrawal symptoms. Get more facts about rehabs at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rehabilitation_hospital.
You are supposed to look for a drug treatment center that will give you with the treatment which you find best for you. As a result, check if the treatment method used by the drug treatment center pleases you. For instance, for your recovery, you can want to get the treatment while not using the medication; then you should ensure that the rehabilitation center you choose will offer you with the treatment you want. Ensure that the rehab center will provide you with detoxification. The right thing is to do more study of the drug rehab center you want to ensure that you know what they offer. Check this company here!
Choose the drug rehab center that will accept your insurance. With the insurance, you will be saved from the significant burden for the expenses of the treatment. However, you need to ask your insurance provider if you will get the full coverage or the partial coverage for your treatment. This is crucial since, with certain insurance companies, they will offer you with full coverage for the treatment while others will just pay half of the amount for the treatment you receive from the drug rehabilitation center. If you do not have insurance, make sure you know how much you will need for the treatment. Start now!