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text:
The Ministry of Cultures announces the first results of the 2023 funds for culture
A total of 85 projects have been selected in the first tranche of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities' Funds for Culture 2023, announced this Wednesday. Of the awarded initiatives, 55 correspond to the Fondart Regionale and 30 to the Fondo per lo Spettacolo; all have benefited to the tune of more than 2,400 million dollars. These are initiatives that will allow the reactivation of the sector and the development of the territory to continue through the use of public spaces.
"This delivery of the results of the 2023 culture funds corresponds to lines whose main objective is inclusive reactivation and territorial development through the financing of cultural and artistic projects in all regions of the country, which have been evaluated and selected by professionals from outstanding trajectory and sectoral recognition," says the Minister of Cultures, Julieta Brodsky Hernández.
Of the 2,400 million dollars delivered, 25% will be used to pay the salaries of the work teams, of which 54% corresponds to the hiring of women.
Line of Festivals and Meetings of the Entertainment Fund
With an amount exceeding 950 million pesos ($953,755,712), through the call of the National Fund for Performing Arts, 30 performing arts festivals will be financed, in the disciplines of theater, dance, opera, circus, puppets, oral storytelling and interdisciplinary, which considers all possible artistic combinations between these disciplines. 77% of the selected projects belong to regions other than the Metropolitan Region, including programming in the Northern, Central, Southern and Southern macro-zones.
In the category of Regional Festivals and Meetings there are initiatives such as the VII Festival of Contemporary Dance Chiloé Cuerpos en lluvia; 2nd Emerging Theater Festival in Lo Barnechea; 7th Show Carnival, Chiloé and Guaitecas 2023; 2nd International Festival of Performing Arts in Wallmapu – Kurüche; 2nd Performing Arts Festival The Last Frontier; and Escena Ñuble Primavera 2023. In the National Festivals and Meetings category there are CHARIVARI, La Fiesta del Circo 2023; the III Encounter in Valparaíso dance contact improvisation practice and the XIV Biobío Open Theater Festival 2023.
In the Festival and Trajectory Meetings modality, which provides for the financing of initiatives that have at least six previous versions, there are the XII Santiago Off International Festival, LOFT International Festival of Contemporary Dance 2023, the International Congress of Juggling and Circus Arts (CIMAC), FESTILAMBE , 7th International Theater Festival Chile Lambe Lambe – Sharing Humanity.
Organizational Line, Festivals, Fairs and Exhibitions of the Regional Fondart
With a focus on cultural reactivation, the new version of the Festivals, Markets, Fairs and Exhibitions Organization Line is the most relevant in terms of number of subjects and phases of the cultural cycle involved in a project of these categories, and therefore it is the one that considers the highest amount per Fund project.
In this announcement, this line has concentrated the application of this Fund which was previously at the national level. The increase in the amounts per project facilitates the interdisciplinarity of the proposals, which is in direct harmony with the Transition Fondart implemented by the current administration.
55 projects will benefit from the 2023 delivery, which corresponds to 37.5% more than the previous year (40 initiatives); for a total of 1,511,235,135 dollars, an amount in turn increased by 149.3% compared to the 2022 tender (606 million dollars). In relation to territoriality, 41 projects belong to regions other than the Metropolitan, to which over $1,000 million ($1,012,811,539) will be disbursed. This means that regional initiatives represent 74.5% of the total and 67% of the resources to be disbursed through this line.
One of the selected projects is "Carlos Leppe, the most beautiful day", an exhibition at the National Museum of Fine Arts in Santiago curated by Amalia Cross and with the support of D21, which addresses the artist's performative work through a dozen audiovisuals File. The Tongoy Pintando Muralist Meeting in lo Chango (Coquimbo) is added; the second version of EUREKA 2023, International Festival of New Media (Biobío); the III version of the artisan meeting: Fair of Artisans and Artisans of the Llanquihue Basin (Los Lagos) and the continuation of the Creative Tsunami Fair of Local Artists (Tarapacá).
More information and list of winners here.
The festival lines of the Books, Audiovisual and Music funds will be delivered during this month. The rest of the Fund lines will be announced in January 2023.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Severnaya Bunker LeagueLeague
Dalton Pompey TOR (AAA) Util S
Born: 12/11/1992 (Age: 27)
FanGraphs Player Page
Auctions are not allowed at this time
All Leagues $0.00 Last 10 adds $1.70
FanGraphs Points $0.00 Last 10 adds $1.50
Own%
7Day 0%
30Day 0%
2014 TOR 17 43 39 9 1 2 1 4 0 1 0 2.88 49.00
2015 TOR 34 103 94 21 8 0 2 7 2 5 1 2.92 99.30
2016 TOR 8 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 -0.13 -1.00
2018 TOR 5 11 10 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0.84 4.20
Last 10 MLB Games
2018-05-11 TOR BOS 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 -1.00
2018-05-10 TOR SEA 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 -1.00
2018-05-09 TOR SEA 3 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1.00
2018-05-05 TOR @TBR 3 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2.60
Totals 11 10 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4.20
2010 TOR (R) 11 51 47 9 0 0 2 3 1 4 1 3.55 39.00
2011 TOR (R) 42 184 158 41 7 2 4 24 1 19 0 6 252.00
2011 TOR (R) 18 86 68 13 3 0 1 14 3 4 1 4.37 78.70
2012 TOR (R) 4 14 14 5 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 6.13 24.50
2012 TOR (A-) 11 44 34 10 3 1 0 9 0 3 0 6.28 69.10
2012 TOR (A) 5 24 22 5 0 1 0 1 0 1 1 2.76 13.80
2013 TOR (A) 115 511 437 114 22 9 6 63 5 38 10 5.4 621.10
2014 TOR (AAA) 12 56 53 19 5 0 0 3 0 6 0 7.36 88.30
2014 TOR (AA) 31 127 112 33 5 3 3 14 1 8 5 5.77 178.80
2014 TOR (A+) 70 317 276 88 12 6 6 35 2 29 2 7.18 502.70
2015 TOR (AAA) 65 295 253 72 7 4 1 36 1 16 7 4.99 324.50
2016 TOR (AAA) 93 383 337 91 14 1 4 40 2 18 7 4.27 397.10
2017 TOR (AAA) 5 17 17 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 -0.58 -2.90
2017 TOR (A+) 8 32 27 7 1 1 0 5 0 1 0 4.71 37.70
2018 TOR (AAA) 41 168 145 37 8 0 4 14 3 8 2 4.48 183.60
2018 TOR (AA) 4 19 15 3 0 0 0 4 0 1 0 3.93 15.70
2018 TOR (R) 2 8 6 2 1 0 0 2 0 1 0 8 16.00
2018 TOR (A+) 5 20 18 8 3 0 1 2 0 1 0 10.56 52.80
2019 TOR (A+) 5 19 16 2 0 0 0 3 0 0 1 0.28 1.40
2019 TOR (AAA) 8 34 27 7 0 0 0 6 0 0 1 3.43 27.40
Last 10 MILB Games
2019-08-08 AAA BUF @TOL 4 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2019-08-04 AAA BUF SYR 4 2 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2019-07-21 AAA BUF COL 5 3 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2019-07-18 AAA BUF CHA 4 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2019-07-13 A+ DUN STL 3 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Totals 41 33 8 7 0 0 0 1 4 0 1 0 1
February 26, 2015 11:04 PM add Pocketful of Posey $1
May 7, 2015 10:32 PM cut Pocketful of Posey $1
July 6, 2015 9:17 PM add The Murder Boners $2
July 14, 2015 9:42 PM move Alternative Stats (from The Murder Boners) $2
August 9, 2015 6:36 PM move The Murder Boners (from Alternative Stats) $2
August 13, 2015 11:36 AM move Urban Achievers (from The Murder Boners) $2
October 5, 2015 8:19 AM increase Urban Achievers $4
January 22, 2016 9:58 AM cut Urban Achievers $2
Recent Trades for Dalton Pompey in FanGraphs Points
Proposing Team
Proposing Team Gives
Accepting Team
Accepting Team Gives
January 19, 2017 1:21 PM Dansby Swanson Pyramid of Greatness Brandon Crawford SFG SS L $6
Dalton Pompey TOR (AAA) Util S $5
Average MLB Stuff Manuel Margot SDP OF R $5
November 30, 2016 1:04 AM Thor's Hammer Lucas Duda ATL (AAA) 1B L $7
Lance McCullers HOU RP R $12
Oakland Ocelots Jeff Samardzija SFG SP R $14
Anthony Rizzo CHC 1B L $55
Alejandro Ramos FA RP R $7 DTD
March 7, 2016 7:07 AM The Huligans Dalton Pompey TOR (AAA) Util S $3
Francisco Lindor CLE SS S $13
Robert Stephenson CIN RP R $4
Jose Peraza BOS 2B/SS/OF R $4
Dansby Swanson ATL SS R $6
Dansby Swanson Pyramid of Greatness Giancarlo Stanton NYY OF R $62
January 30, 2016 9:32 PM Harrisburg Mayflies Dalton Pompey TOR (AAA) Util S $4
Clint Frazier NYY OF R $2
Bang the Cans Slowly Andrew Benintendi BOS OF L $3
January 28, 2016 7:22 AM Who's on First Dalton Pompey TOR (AAA) Util S $3
WAR Horse Ketel Marte ARI 2B/SS/OF S $6 DTD
November 22, 2015 8:29 PM Shocknawe Martin Prado FA 1B/3B R $15
Matt Wisler MIN SP/RP R $3
Kinda hot in these Rhinos Edinson Volquez TEX SP/RP R $7
Yasmany Tomas ARI (AAA) 1B/OF R $10
November 21, 2015 4:32 PM Lou Redwood Derek Holland FA SP/RP L $6
Arodys Vizcaino FA RP R $8 DTD
Trevor Bauer CIN SP R $7
John Martin Kruk 🏆 Darren O'Day ATL RP R $8
Ian Kinsler FA 2B R $24
Melky Cabrera FA OF S $17
August 21, 2015 10:55 AM The Mancinian Candidate 🛴 Mike Moustakas CIN 2B/3B L $2
The Caimans 🐊
August 11, 2015 11:35 AM Urban Achievers Francisco Cervelli MIA C R $3
Brandon Finnegan CIN (AA) RP L $2
The Murder Boners Pedro Baez LAD RP R $3
Josh Fields TEX (AAA) RP R $2
August 7, 2015 6:35 PM The Murder Boners Adam Jones FA OF R $26
Brian McCann FA C L $16
Alex Rodriguez FA Util R $3
Brendan Rodgers COL 2B/SS R $2
Alternative Stats Jon Lester CHC SP L $26


I have scanned several magazines today, both new and older ones. Included are W (May, 2008), Marie Claire (May, 2005), Vogue (April, 2005) and Marie Claire (April 2002). Reading these articles really makes you realize that Cameron's still that same sweet and goofy girl she was when she started out in the "business". And that is very admirable, if I may say so. Previews of the scans can be seen below.
If you have magazines with Cameron Diaz that you're able to scan, or scanned pages already on your computer, don't hesitate to send them in! Any contributions are always very welcomed. Proper credit will be given, of course. Send them to filip@cameronfan.com!


INDIANAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled yesterday (Wednesday, Nov. 30) in a case involving the integration of seniority lists of former Midwest Airlines flight attendants and those of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT). The IBT represents flight attendants of regional carriers Chautauqua Airlines, Republic Airlines and Shuttle America, all wholly owned subsidiaries of Republic Airways Holdings.
The appeals court overturned a decision by a federal district court, which had agreed that the IBT was not required to integrate the Midwest flight attendants into their seniority list, which contains flight attendants of Republic's regional carriers, when Midwest routes were acquired by Republic Airways Holdings in 2009. Federal law requires airlines to integrate employee seniority lists when two carriers merge. The issue at dispute centered on the fact that Republic did not merge with Midwest and shortly after the transaction Midwest was shut down.
Because there was no merger or consolidation, the IBT took the position that it was not obligated to negotiate on seniority integration. Former Midwest flight attendants filed suit in district court to force integration. The district court ruled in favor of the IBT, after which the case was appealed. The appellate court has reversed that decision. It remains unclear whether the IBT will seek to appeal that decision.
"Republic Airways Holdings is a party to this action only because we are the employer," said Republic Vice President of Labor Relations Ron Henson. "We have always been willing to participate in integration of Midwest and Republic flight attendant seniority. In fact, Republic actively supported and participated in seniority integration with other former Midwest and Republic employee groups – including pilots, customer service agents and mechanics. This was and is a dispute between the two unions as to whether seniority integration, using the statutory standard of 'fair and equitable' integration, was required by law."
Henson also pointed out that since Republic was willing to accept the court's decision deciding the issue, whether it was in favor of IBT or the former Midwest flight attendants, the Company made no arguments to the court supporting either position.
Republic Airways Holdings (NASDAQ:RJET), based in Indianapolis, Indiana, is an airline holding company that owns Chautauqua Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Republic Airlines and Shuttle America. The airlines offer scheduled passenger service on approximately 1,500 flights daily to 129 cities in 41 states, Canada, Costa Rica, and Mexico under branded operations at Frontier, and through fixed-fee airline services agreements with five major U.S. airlines. The fixed-fee flights are operated under an airline partner brand, such as AmericanConnection, Continental Express, Delta Connection, United Express and US Airways Express. The airlines currently employ approximately 11,000 aviation professionals and operate 275 jet aircraft.


text:
AdventHealth Expands Mission Footprint
BURLESON, TEX. – AdventHealth has signed an agreement for the growth of medical work in two major hospitals located in Asunción and Hohenau, Paraguay, establishing these hospitals as the twelfth footprint in AdventHealth's Global Missions program, which focuses on cooperation, training, community care and medical equipment.
Asunción is one of the most densely populated regions of Paraguay with suburban and high-rise buildings along with several higher education institutions. The Asunción Adventist Sanitarium is in the heart of downtown Asunción. Just a five-hour drive from the capital, Hohenau is more rural, surrounded by streams and fields. The sanitarium is at the center of Hohenau, near businesses and residential areas.
Part of the worldwide Seventh-day Adventist health care network, the sanitariums are medical missionary institutions providing services ranging from pediatrics and gynecology-obstetrics to cardiology and neurology. Asunción recently celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2019 with a medical campaign providing free services for its community, aiding 250 people. Hohenau will celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2023.
AdventHealth first connected with the two hospitals when Paraguayan nurses were invited to the Annual Nursing Conference, organized by AdventHealth Global Missions, to connect with nurses from other mission footprints and expand their clinical knowledge. The conference was held virtually because of the pandemic and nurses from both hospitals were able to attend. Focusing on the COVID-19 response, the conference provided an excellent, and safe, opportunity to learn ahead of the anticipated spikes to come.
Communication and joint activities between the two institutions continued sporadically until 2022, when leaders from the AdventHealth Southwest Region and AdventHealth Global Missions visited the two hospitals to launch the conversation that would result in a signed cooperation agreement.
"Though the hospitals themselves are set in vastly different areas of the country, the passion for excellence and quality was evident in the people from each location," said Penny Johnson, president and CEO of AdventHealth in the Southwest Region. "We spoke with some patients in the Hohenau hospital, and they shared that they would drive two hours to the Hohenau facility because they preferred the faith-based care and service received there."
Kevin Roberts, CEO of AdventHealth Central Texas and AdventHealth Rollins Brook, said the Paraguay hospitals are well established and modern with great potential to deepen their impact in the communities they serve. AdventHealth's role will be to help accelerate their mission within their communities through supporting the acquisition of modern equipment, consulting on quality and leadership and providing medical team outreach into rural communities.
"Knowing that the leaders within the organization make personal contributions to support this ministry is also inspiring and vital to success," said Roberts.
"We've always had a heart for mission in this region. We just didn't have a mission footprint until now," said Johnson. "We will be just as blessed by this partnership as the two hospitals in Paraguay will be."
Southwestern Union
Fall Executive Committee Highlights
Bringing Hope and Encouragement to Uvalde
2022 Southwestern Union Leadership Camp Invests in Youth
Texico Conference Holds 42nd Regular Constituency Session
Cumbre Hispana de CRECIENDO JUNTOS: Growing Together


Ian Cherry was a member of the Bluebell United side that reached the third round of the 2010 FAI Cup. The Dublin side lost to Cork City Foras Co-op after a replay. He was still with the Dublin side when they qualified for the 2013 FAI Cup.


text:
Gaza Strip Selfies (Week 0)
Games!
1 Aug 2014 • 4 min read
This is the first post in the devlog for my next short game side project...
GAZA STRIP SELFIES.
How you tell the story changes the story.
I first posted that sketch on Twitter, where it got a fair bit of attention. Incidentally, posting a pencilled sketch to Twitter is how I started Coming Out Simulator 2014 as well. I also met up with fellow indie gamedevs, Squinky and Maya Felix Kramer, and they're really excited for this project.
Everyone I've told about this project is excited for it, but advises a lot of caution on my part. This is a, uh, touchy subject. To say the least.
The Story/Game Mechanics
Ever since playing Papers Please, I've been hunting for a gameplay mechanic that also doubles seamlessly as a narrative mechanic. I think I've found one.
This is the picture that first inspired me. I saw it years ago, and spent the last hour trying to find it again. But even now that I found it, I can't find the original artists. Oh well.
In Gaza Strip Selfies, you control a camera frame. And what you capture in that frame, or leave out of it, affects the course of the story. But there's also the "traditional" gameplay aspect of it, where your goal is to gain as many Twitter followers as you can by taking interesting pictures. (The rules for what are "interesting" are arbitrary, but there are rules.)
Cool Gameplay uses of Mechanic:
Getting closer to danger for cooler shots, but at the risk of being injured.
Timing puzzles with moving soldiers, people, and vehicles. Wait for as many of them to get into a frame as possible. (Or manipulate them into the same shot.)
People act differently if they're being watched. If your camera frame is hovering over them, they act differently.
Cool Narrative uses of Mechanic:
Take pictures of dialogue bubbles to quote people, maybe out of context. Or take just the bubble, without the person, to quote them anonymously.
People act kindly/hostile towards you based on the kinds of photos you take, whether they're pro- or anti- whatever side they're on.
In the later part of the game, the photos you take can be taken out of context, and used as propaganda on both sides.
And of course, these two aren't mutually exclusive. Which is the really exciting thing about this mechanic! I might have figured out a great way to mix gameplay and narrative.
So Which Side Are You On?
If there's any message in the mechanics of this game, it's that there is no objective way to frame such a complex subject. You will also leave something out of the frame. Knowing that, will this game be pro-Palestine or pro-Israel? And the answer is neither, and that kind of binary us vs them framing is exactly the kind of thing I want to dismantle with this game.
This is some random picture I found while searching for Arab/Jew couples. Apparently, there's a whole #JewsAndArabsRefuseToBeEnemies movement going viral right now. That, by the way, is the worst hashtag ever.
This game will revolve around two teenage lovers, one an anti-Zionist Israeli, the other an anti-Hamas Palestinian. Individually, they're reminders that people have complex views beyond us vs. them. Together, they're a reminder that people on both sides can work together.
Given the current escalations, people both inside and outside of the conflict are becoming more polarized, and less open to negotiations. If something isn't done soon, the door to a peaceful solution may close entirely. If anything, I'm against extremism. I don't know what the "solution" to the Gaza conflict is, and I won't dare suggest one in the game, but I do know any negotiations have to start with people on both sides re-remembering this:
We're all people, dammit.
Write What You Don't Know
THIS PHOTO DOESN'T ADD ANYTHING, BUT EVERY BLOG ARTICLE SECTION NEEDS A HEADER IMAGE. DON'T YOU KNOW. From Unsplash.
Coming Out Simulator 2014 came directly from personal experience, but Gaza Strip Selfies would be the completely opposite of that. As someone who's neither Muslim or Jewish, and Canadian, I'm as far removed from the conflict as possible.
I want to handle this subject with the utmost respect.
You know, despite the word "selfie" in the title.
I will be consuming as many books, articles, and documentaries as I can. From authors all over the political belief spectrum: pro-Palestine, pro-Israel, or outside that oversimplistic binary. I also have a few friends and fans I can interview personally. People who are former/current residents of Israel/Palestine or volunteer for the UNRWA.
Should I use semi-fictional countries instead, like 1984 or Papers Please does? If I do, the game could be more sensitive and would give me greater creative freedom... But I'd forfeit the opportunity to educate players and give the game a sharper edge.
This is an important design question to figure out, before the next devlog.
If Games Were Like Game Stories...
...They'd suck. Not for a lack of trying. Game developers often look to other art forms (movies, books, TV) and try to model game stories after them. However, this leads to a disjointed feeling between gameplay and narrative, and why most games stick to
Nicky Case 3 Aug 2014 • 6 min read
This is the (slightly edited version of an) email I sent to Lucy Morris as a response to her open call for people of colour to share their experiences. This is for her upcoming game project, Skin Deep. (Original design document) As a fellow
Nicky Case 30 Jul 2014 • 5 min read


WASHINGTON D.C.—Pope Francis made history Sept. 23 by performing the first-ever Canonization on U.S. soil, of St. Junipero Serra.
St. Serra, a Franciscan missionary from Spain, founded nine Catholic missions in California, most of which would go on to become the centers of major cities in the state. The House of Formation for Seminarians in the Diocese of San Bernardino is named after Serra along with a parish in the High Desert city of Phelan.
The trail-blazing life of this priest, Pope Francis said in his homily at the Mass of Canonization, celebrated at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., should be a call to all Christians to never grow complacent, and to always go out to proclaim the Gospel with joy.
Bishop Gerald Barnes and Auxiliary Bishop Rutilio del Riego attended the Canonization Mass, along with many of the pilgrim Catholics from the Diocese of San Bernardino who had traveled east for the World Meeting of Families.
Among them was Father Earl Henley, M.S.C., Chaplain to the Native American Tribes of the Diocese of San Bernardino and Deacons Manny Robles and Andrew Orosco, who are also involved in ministry to Native Americans in the Diocese.
Fr. Henley said he was about "two football fields" away from Pope Francis but enjoyed the festive atmosphere of the day and ideal weather conditions.
"You're walking with the laity and their enthusiasm for what's happening," he said.
Father Joachim Lechukwu, pastor of the Phelan parish that bears Serra's name, also made the trip east for the Canonization. He was proud to be among the many priests and bishops to concelebrate the Mass. In fact, he says he waited nearly nine hours from his morning vesting to the time that the Mass began.
"Now we need to be on our way to living our lives as a community named after a saint," Fr. Lechukwu said of what St. Serra's canonization means to his parish.
Saint Junipero Serra was born in 1713 on the Spanish island of Majorca in the Mediterranean. He left his position as a university professor to become a missionary to the New World, helping to convert to Christianity many of the indigenous community, and teaching them new technologies.
He died in 1784 at Mission San Carlos Borroméo del Carmelo in what is now the state of California. St. John Paul II beatified Father Serra in 1988.
Junipero Serra is a central figure in California history and is studied as part of many fourth grade history curricula, including all Catholic schools. On the day of the Canonization, Catholic school students watched the Mass in their classrooms or gathered together as a student body to witness the historic moment.
"He did amazing things helping Native Americans learn about God," observed Tyler Suttles, a fifth grader at Resurrection Academy in Fontana, as she watched the Canonization Mass.
In media interviews conducted on his plane ride back to Rome, Pope Francis indicated that the Canonization of St. Junipero Serra was perhaps the high point of his visit to the U.S.
Although some have raised concerns about St. Junipero Serra's work with Native Americans, Pope Francis joined many others who insist that Serra worked tirelessly to protect the rights and dignity of the people whom he served.
"Junípero sought to defend the dignity of the native community, to protect it from those who had mistreated and abused it. Mistreatment and wrongs which today still trouble us, especially because of the hurt which they cause in the lives of many people," Pope Francis said.
Fr. Henley noted that the first reading of the Mass was offered in a Native American language as well as one of the prayers of the faithful. "That was pretty neat," he said.
In response to opposition to Serra's Canonization that had been expressed by some Native American Catholics in the Diocese, Fr. Henley has been working this year with small groups using Native American healing rituals.


Absolute Write Water Cooler > The Break Room > Office Party > Holidays and Special Occasions > Happy Birthday JoeBear!
View Full Version : Happy Birthday JoeBear!
Somehow the mistakes keep piling up so we have to wish JB another (Yawn) happy birthday.
My Dawg, you'd shoot a horse, wouldn't you?
Hope it's a happy one, JBear.
Thank you to one and all. Sixty-eight ain't so bad...yet, but the day's not over...yet.
Since my 2-1/2 yo came along, I've felt like I was in my fifties. 'Course, before that, I felt like I was in my thirties. I guess 2-1/2 adult years is 30 kid years (and puppy years). Now, I know what it feels like to feel old, like Haggis, Porter, and Chase, but not Susie - she's forever young. http://absolutewrite.com/forums/images/icons/icon10.gif...and ssshhhhaaakkkyyy.
Except when he serves that awful, green Jell-O!
I enjoy getting on Auntie Vernie's nerve.
It provides me with vim, vigor, and verve.
She's not one you want on your bad side.
Still, she's always a lady, never cruel or snide.
Although she knows that I'm a real...smart-alec.
Okay, so I need to work on rhyme.
Who said, 'I've got nothing to wear.
See? I knew we were an item once upon a time.


Dear Grryo friends, thanks for being part of this journey, our journey! It's been a year full of wonderful stories, great photos, a lot of sharing and connecting with people all over the world through photography.
During this holiday season, it's time to celebrate with family, friends and all your loved ones, to get that much-needed rest and inspiration and start the New Year full of energy and new projects. Grryo is also getting ready for a new beginning, but there is one thing that will never change: we are what we are thanks to you!
We've been captivated by your way of looking at the life around us behind your camera objective and we are looking forward to seeing what the new year will bring us all! Let's do this together in 2019! Join us, with your camera, your stories, your comments, your visits… let's continue making the Grryo family bigger and bigger!
As much as being finally unconstrained.
Like old petals and leaves.
I have love and I'm grateful.
New beginnings are in the tiniest things.
Across the world are millions of selfless people who give without expectation, extend helping hands to strangers, who are kind and spread good humor.
Thank you to the people who devote their lives to improving the world. Those who use their skills in saving the environment, science, teaching, medicine, humanities, sharing information, speaking out against injustice, being brave, protecting the vulnerable… the list of unsung heroes is endless.
Sometimes too, it's just a little act that has a big impact. The ones people do every day, that make people smile and feel whole.
To all of you wonderful people, a great big Thank You for making the world go around!
As Nagore beautifully expressed "We are what we are thanks to you" indeed we are truly grateful to all of you who have supported us throughout the years to make Grryo what it is today. During this end of year season, we also end our Grryo journey and prepare for a new fresh start to next year.
We turn over a new leaf with new beginnings, and articles for all of you. It has been quite an amazing journey for me after joining Grryo and helping to lead it. Seeing it stabilize and grow with the current team we have, makes me positive once again that we can take steps forward towards a brighter future for Grryo.
Gifting us a brand new day to spend.
I looked at the rays of sun on the walls in my living room. They were beautiful, golden and warm even though it was late September. I ought to go out and make some pictures in the city, I thought, grabbed my phone and jacket, ran down the stairs and started to walk around in the streets.
It was Saturday and Copenhagen was full of people enjoying the sun. The atmosphere was lovely. Because the sun is such a rare guest in Copenhagen, people make sure to appreciate it when it's there. I walked among the pictures of my mind as a double exposure landscape between the houses when I was captured.
Darkness instantly poured over me. I was lifted some inches above the ground.
Eventually everything around me became brighter and glittered strangely with a soft cloudy quality. What was going on? I couldn't touch the ground and at the same time I was in the middle of Copenhagen. People passed by and buildings were clear to me, but it was as if I had become invisible. Was I going to die now?
An explosion? No, no, no, I don't want an explosion. I like peace. I'm not the explosive kind of person.
In the following days I started to doubt my experience. It seemed more and more unreal. At the same time I felt scared of being transformed and sometimes lost as if the world was too big for me. When that happened I walked. Walked and walked for hours, and focused on details so as not to become overwhelmed. Beauty for sure was in the detail: the sound of waves by the sea, the smell of rain, for example, and the way the sunlight changed colors in the late afternoon.
A week after the voice contacted me, a map appeared on the palms of my hands. It was early in the morning and I was in the process of deciding which of my almost identical black skirts to wear when it became visible.
I folded my fingers and saw how a pattern developed. The pattern turned into a picture, and the picture into a movie. I recognised myself walking around unaware in my own hands. I was hypnotized. Looking closely I understood that I was protected and shouldn't fear.
Kind of disappointed, I began vacuuming my apartment.
After that I paid extra attention to my hands, but of course there was nothing to see out of the ordinary.
Was it my imagination? The experiences with the voice and the pictures in my hands were both very surreal, yes, but at the same time persuasive. I was confused and ambivalent. I feared them, and I was attracted. Even though it might seem weird: they had implemented a certain feeling in me. A feeling I couldn't get rid of. I felt sure I was going to be transformed along with my life. It would be a dangerous process, but I would be protected.
I was in a constant nearly-nervous state no matter how much I walked or met with friends or tried to calm myself down. Despite the nervousness, my energy was upbeat. I did a lot of work and that was good. And meeting with friends in the lovely weather was a true joy.
An evening drinking wine and talking with my best friend after a movie I considered telling her. We sat outside on a café by one of the ponds. It was dark and I really felt like sharing my experiences as if I could make them either vanish or become more ordinary by talking about them.
I didn't tell her. I started to, but stopped in the middle of a sentence when I saw the expression on her face. Big mistake, I instantly realized. The whole thing was too mysterious. And moreover, I wasn't able to explain, nor to describe, in a way that was as compelling as I had sensed it.
On my way home later the same evening it started to rain. Wonderful, relieving drops blurred my sight. I ran, jumped, danced.
As if the rain was still there I couldn't see far for many days. That didn't scare me, I was convinced my sight eventually would be back. I knew it was a sign: the day of the explosion was approaching. I tried to be patient, do what was necessary, and what I considered normal.
When the day came I prepared myself: up early, shower, coffee, soft shoes, warm clothes. At six o'clock I walked out. The morning was freezing dark and the city sleeping. The winter arrived early from one day to the next that year. A thin layer of ice covered the big ponds in Copenhagen. The city council kept one end of one pond open for the ducks. They were asleep when I passed them. From time to time a car engine split the silence, then it closed again. Here and there I saw lights in windows, but most of them were covered by darkness.
I walked fast to stay warm and to make any reminiscence of nervousness subside. As usual, it helped to walk fast. At one point I felt totally calm – and overwhelmingly scared.
And then it happened: the explosion.
It's kind of complicated to describe. I was thrown through space and it was beautiful: pure melting light and dancing colors in all directions. Transparent forms changed shapes continuously. I also heard a sharp metallic sound that felt soothing and mild. It stayed with me for a long time. I was flying. I remember smiling, stretching and reaching before I blacked out.
I woke up a second later in a hospital. Or to be exact: seven hours and thirteen minuts later. I was dizzy, but I instantly knew I was blessed: my level of energy and joy was way too high for a smashed person. Of course I was in pain. But what can you expect? It didn't worry me.
The next morning I tried to stand up. After a while I gained balance. As soon as I could walk without holding on to anything, I thanked the doctors and said goodbye. They looked at me with a mixture of concern and amazement… Subsequently, they agreed to send me home.
Strangely transformed but recognizable, the world felt confusing and different. So did my body. I started to navigate. I found the right door, put my hand on the handle and saw how it opened. I stood still for a moment. Then I went through. I had work to do.
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I woke up in a dimly lit room.
M was there. He touched my face and kissed me. "She's awake," a nurse said, and added, "she's too cold." Another nurse placed a pre-heated blanket on my stomach under the quilt. A little later the first nurse took my temperature again. "She is still too cold." The second nurse replaced the first pre-heated blanket with another. I felt uplifted, blessed and surprised.
I was standing in front of the large mirror in my bedroom in Copenhagen. It was winter outside, and freezing. I made an effort to let what had happened to me during the past three weeks sink in: I was with M in the UK where he worked. It had been this lovely long summer, with mesmerizing light every day. I was occupied with plans and pictures and poems, so entirely happy and inspired. I felt healthy and fit. Maybe a bit tired now and then…but who cares? I had been diagnosed with clinical depression and anxiety, and struggled with the condition for the last eight years. That spring this frozen darkness which had taken over my whole existence was melting away. Since I was a child I have suffered from anxiety and depression, but never as massive as in those eight years. In September 2016, I had been well for six months. Then I began to feel sick in a more physical way. It was diffuse, but always in combination with fatigue and stomach pain. I went to the doctors.
Everything happened fast: tests, scans, examinations. For two and a half weeks the diagnosis was uncertain and I was hoping that it might "just" be precursors to cancer, because the doctors couldn't see any tumor on the scans. But late one afternoon a surgeon called with the final results: "You've got cancer, and a rather large tumor." Silence. Then she added: "I checked the results from your four-year-old tests; they showed precursors to cancer. Something should have been done back then. You should file a complaint when all of this is over." And then she told me exactly how much she and her colleague had to remove from my body. I was shocked.
One and a half days later: the surgery.
Standing in front of the large mirror: grief, vulnerability and sadness about what had happened were in a chaotic fight with relief, strength and joy to be alive. I have always had problems accepting my own body, and now I really looked worse than ever, way beyond miserable. My abdomen was swollen, my chest flatter than usual, my arms were skinny and my cheeks hollow. I need to see a psychologist, a psychoanalyst, a healer or maybe a priest? I need help!!! I thought. I can't handle this alone.
Instead of crying, a profound calm and clarity suddenly overwhelmed me.
At that point I made peace with my body.
For the first time in my whole life I didn't criticize it.
I was grateful. My body was working on my survival, to heal, to get back into balance. I accepted it completely. A totally new and surprising experience. I decided to heal myself without help from any therapist. Mixed feelings would wave over me in the times to come. Sometimes I nearly drowned in helplessness, vulnerability, sadness and confusion, but that would subside, and the mood from when I woke up after surgery took over and saved me from sliding into a long-term depressive state. A sense of being uplifted and miraculously protected carried me through the following months.
I hardly felt any pain.
A strange light filled me with joy, energy, gratitude.
A year before I received the cancer diagnosis, I discovered that my hairdresser, D, was a psychic and a healer. Since I was a small child, I have felt a spirit, an angel – or maybe God – was watching over me. In difficult times I would talk and listen to that…energy? Ask it for help or protection, or advice. But during my depression I lost the contact. So when D gave a course in "Connecting with your spirit guide", I attended the course and re-established my connection to this protective, guiding, healing, knowing-it-all energy. It was incredibly easy! As if it had been waiting for me to make contact again. I call this energy: Divine. I had always kept my religious or spiritual life to myself, but I needed someone to talk to about these matters on my way out of the depression and anxiety, and especially during the three weeks from my first test to the diagnosis. D was my constant support and help.
As I said earlier, I have experienced recurrent depression and anxiety since childhood. Even on "good days", I still tend to be a little nervous, often in combination with low self-esteem. I have built up a way of forcing, fighting and pushing myself to do a lot of things, no matter how frightening, exhausting, painful they might be, just to appear normal, or not to disappoint anyone. That underwent a change. A transformation. A greater sense of purpose is permeating my life. And that provides me with the feeling that I – just like anybody else – have my own right to be in this world. I'm still nervous, and tend to sense everything without filter, but at the same time I feel protected and secure.
Every third month I go back to the hospital to be scanned and examined for precursors to cancer. In October 2017, all results had been fine for one year!
To see more pictures by Titika Røtkjær, go to Instagram.
By chance, I always remember my previous lives. It takes a little while to remember, but after few weeks, the knowledge and awareness of past experiences become conscious. Time is needed. I was two months or so when I realized I had become a cat. I felt dizzy at first, but day by day I felt more comfortable and started to explore my new territory, every corner of it.
I am shy, a little frightened of everything. Noises sound different than before and I am so tiny that everything looks gigantic from this perspective. It is so intriguing to step into this world and discover it as if it were a new one. Cat's eyes give me a deep awareness of things, something that wasn't there when I was a human.
I enjoy being a cat and experience new sensations every day. I love jumping like a kangaroo, and moving like a crab with all my hair standing up. Spinning around, playing with my tail, is such fun. Sometimes I stop for a few seconds because I get dizzy, and then I start again until I fall on my back and keep playing, shaking my paws in the air. I value each moment for itself, and it's a great joy to live it so fully.
I love inaccessible places, and I find my ways are becoming more adventurous each day. The stronger I get, the more I experiment. It took me some time to be able to jump on the low table, then on a wooden chair. From the chair I could access the library. I like to walk on it, surfing between books and plants I can play with. Once on the library, I was able to climb on to furniture I couldn't access before. I enjoy this point of view every day now; most of the time I sit there in the morning.
I'm playful and I love to hide in the most unexpected places. Things move and I am always keen to stop them in different ways. I also like to watch the human I live with and surprise him when I think he can't see me. Hide-and-seek is truly my most favorite game.
I love corners and I usually anticipate my human's moves to frighten him when he comes by. At the very beginning I loved the grey armchair, but now I prefer a 70s one because I can watch him more easily from there when I rest. Any noise he makes, I just open my eyes to see what he's doing, in a glimpse.
I love light. At night, I play with my shadow reflected on the wall because of the light. Windows are still my favorite places. I love looking down the street, at people passing by. I hate motorbikes and trucks. They are too noisy for this quiet, peaceful life.
It's true that we have things in common. We both love rain. I remember the first time I saw rain as a cat. Its sound against the window was magical. I am more sensitive to sounds now and I really enjoy hearing them as if they were little songs in my heart.
It's been a few months now. It's just the beginning of this road, but I already enjoy it. I sleep fifteen to sixteen hours a day. I'm peaceful and quiet. My world is a territory I'm never too bored to explore. I eat around twenty times a day in small portions. I have my crazy moments. I can be sweet and ask for attention when I need it, or I can be wild and independent, refusing caresses when I'm not in the mood for it. I'm free. I enjoy any occasion to play. I'm a cat. I live in the moment.
For me, so much about the Christmas season is about the sacredness of time. As soon as December arrives, I am hit with an avalanche of farewell dinners, end-of-year concerts and school functions, all while manically trying to buy gifts for family and friends. Time speeds up, it would seem, and I often feel breathless from the sheer momentum of it all.
As I say goodbye to colleagues, watch my children graduate to a new school year and write cards to loved ones, I subconsciously whisper my thanks and farewell to the year that's passed and to everything that has been.
And then, finally, time slows down again, as the rush draws to a close. I savour the gifts of cooking, chatting and laughing with family and friends before I turn my eyes to the time that lays ahead: a brand new beginning brimming with possibility.
I cherish all the light that Christmas brings to the darkest of the months.
When days are short and nights are long, we fill December with stars and candles. And then darkness no longer feels like an enemy.
Christmas means time spent with the family. We sleep longer, close our laptops and phones, bake gingerbread cookies, play board games and relish traditional Christmas food. My kids, especially the younger one, are looking forward to meeting Father Christmas again on the 24th, Christmas Eve. Father Christmas lives in Northern Finland, in Lapland, in a place called Korvatunturi (Ear Fell in English), where he has his secret toy and gift workshop.
In December my world is dark with city lights and rain. Christmas means too much office coffee and the sound of the city's traffic on wet streets. It's the time of the year when I am all caught up in my job while days are short and daylight is sparse. It produces a feeling of abstraction, like being a detached island in a sea of hectic gift buying, baking, cooking, traveling and doing all things Christmassy. I enjoy watching the circus and love to dip a toe in when I join the merry masses at Christmas markets and dinners with friends and colleagues.
Out there we fight the darkness with lights and sugar. The cities wear their Christmas markets like a scratchy, favorite winter garment. Renditions of jingle bells fill the air and the smell of Glühwein (hot spiced wine), anise, roasted almonds and melted chocolate lingers wherever you go.
It even seeps down into the catacombs of the subway stations where commuters are joined by herds of shoppers and people dragging their live Christmas trees up the escalators.
On Christmas eve, I leave my island and join my family for cooking goose, the big Christmas tree with real wax candles and cozy nights with board games by the fire.
Every Christmas is different. Family changes. People grow older. Children grow up. A wedding takes place as two lives become one. A grandson will experience his first Christmas. My fourth Christmas with Grryo will be my last.
Every Christmas is the same. Family gathers. Friends share the joys of the past year while at the same time we always find something new to celebrate. We all experience some childlike wonder even though our hair starts to gray. And the richness of story, which is the core of Grryo's purpose, stays with us always.
Around the Christmas table, I try to remember what have I lost and what have I gained during the past year. I tend to get extremely bored in family dinners and given the melancholy of the days I'm usually the one searching for excuses in order not to attend -the excuses always fail and I eventually attend the dinner. I avoid shooting photos with a camera or a smartphone and I only take instant photos with a Fuji Instax. The prints find their way straight into a box and I check them again after weeks or even months. There is a certain weight in religious celebrations that I am always unwilling to carry. The only fun thing is setting some goals for the coming year. There is usually an overload of goals and usually around February they vanish into thin air. I can't give you any good advice regarding setting goals, but if I had to, I'd just say set a single goal for 2018 and try to achieve half of it; this seems already enough.
Try to spend some quality time with your beloved ones. Even in the most boring dinners, there might be a sentence that will change you a bit. Use it as a chance to remember a day that for some reason everybody seems to appreciate. And remember your last year's dinner and compare who was around and who might be absent. I am usually more happy about past year's dinners than the coming ones. I remember the faces, the family table, the food. Last year it was the last Christmas dinner with the grandma; she won't attend any of the future ones. Drink some wine, appreciate the presence of people and their presents too. And get slightly bored: this seems to me as the last shelter of creativity.
The word 'Christmas' fills our minds with snow, winter, Christmas decorations, joyful carols and various savored baked goodies. As it isn't very Christmassy spirit on my side of the world, I choose to count my blessings as the festive season approaches and the year ends. Every year brings its challenges but we make the choice of whether we want to complain or appreciate our moments. Gratitude allows us to live in the present moment and continue to see the light by moving forward.
It has been a good year for us at Grryo. We have started to grow slowly but surely with beautiful stories that keep us amazed at the huge talent that exists. As we share our Christmas stories at Grryo, where all of us live in various parts of the world, we celebrate it by making use of the digital world. It is remarkable what technology can do when used productively.
The connections and relationships we have weaved together at Grryo, have made us feel like a family even if we have never met one another. I truly appreciate and value each one of them. It has been a great pleasure building friendships with all of them. Let us cheer for the jolly season and be hopeful for the blessings in the coming year ahead!
The Grryo team would like to sincerely thank you for making 2017 a great year of stories shared! Whether you wrote stories or read them – or both! – a very big thank you for your continuous, amazing support. We wish you safe and happy holidays. Looking forward to more of your wonderful stories in 2018!
My love for photography turned to rust, quite literally, on April 6, 2014.
I remember the moment well. It was mid-morning on a frosty Sunday and I was standing on a muddy driveway that led toward McLean's Auto Wreckers in Rockwood, Ontario, about an hour northwest of Toronto. McLean's has become somewhat of a Mecca for photographers who can't get enough of that perfect blend of light and rust.
This was my first intentional photo shoot – an initial attempt to create a series of images based on a singular subject. It was also the first time I had ventured out with a group of fellow photographers I didn't even know.
Given it was April, the hectares of automotive carcasses I was about to immerse myself in were still knee-deep in snow. The challenges didn't stop there. It was also a brilliant sunny day that made for tough light conditions for even the most experienced shooter.
The group started walking through the fields and I couldn't wait to see what I would find.
I couldn't resist. All of its majestic pipes, rubber tubes, lights and peeling paint made me rise to the challenge. I was rewarded with a comical, quizzical look through its myopic eye. Beauty can be strange, and the strange can be beautiful.
I couldn't walk ten feet without finding another tempting scene. This lengthy old trailer, when framed in this manner, reminded me of a giant caterpillar slinking its way through the frozen fields. Its iridescent yellows and oranges seemed to go on forever in harmony with its prevalent brown rust.
The magic of McLean's was beginning to reveal itself. And I, the naïve, awestruck participant, couldn't wait to discover what other painterly pleasures lay in wait.
And then…a fire truck. Every man-child's dream!
All shiny chrome and faded red with its control levers and hose attachments intact. I must have shot nearly every angle I could of this beauty. Rusty and worn, but sitting there extremely proud of its glory days of fighting fires and saving lives. It knew it was the real hero of the junkyard and I knew I had to preserve, through my lens, its heroic gifts.
I trekked for a while through a small grove of cedar trees. When I emerged out the other side, I came upon a field full of VW carcasses. I found a gutted Beetle that, immediately upon seeing it, took me back to when I was 16 years old and learning to drive in my mother's 1963 VW Beetle. I recalled with fondness the graphic on the slide-out ashtray that helped me immensely as a new driver because it showed you the correct placement of the stick shift for each of the forward gears and reverse.
Junkyards, like photographs, are full of magnificent memories. Seeing, smelling and touching this "old folks' wagon" took me right back to driving up north on the highway on a warm summer's day, listening, for the very first time, to Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon in its entirety on the 8-track player I had installed in our Beetle. And then I shivered as I remembered scraping the layer of wintery frost from the inside of the windshield that would build up while driving home after a day of downhill skiing!
The irony for me in finding this Beetle lay in the fact that the year stamped on the Ontario license plate was 1973, the same year I was 16 years old and experiencing all these distant memories. Coincidence? Perhaps. I like to believe it was fate.
Mother Nature shows herself as a powerful creative force when she sets her mind to working on man-made objects of steel coated in layers of paint. She's a true artist. Her medium is rust. Her palette is the rainbow.
It may take her years to complete, but if you're lucky enough to catch a glimpse of her work along the way, it can have a profound effect on your soul.
Which brings me to my favourite shot of that day in the junkyard. The back left taillight of this utility trailer, surrounded by an irresistible exhibition of colour and corrosion. I like to believe that I came upon this particular work by Mother Nature at its peak; the peeling yellow and blue paint, the streaking orange stains, the all-knowing, all-seeing red lens framed by rusty pockmarked steel. Painterly perfection! Incidentally, this image was the very first photography that I sold in a gallery. It may have had my name on it, but Mother Nature gets all the credit.
Since childhood I have considered myself an observer of everything that surrounds me and excites me. Photography has given me the ability to return to those important moments through images, and I've always found this fascinating. I'm more aware of it now, this possibility to go back and remember. I still recall with emotion when my grandparents gave me their Kodak INSTAMATIC X-15 for taking pictures. From that moment on I was held captive by anything that would appear in the viewfinder. Nowadays, I feel it's essential to take photos daily, as it's a visual and very personal record of everyday life.
This has evolved, in such a way that the traditional consumer of images has now become a "prosumer", generating and offering their perspective on social networks. As a reference, let's consider the scope of mobile photography, which has become a powerful tool for telling stories. Personally, it has allowed me to meet interesting characters on the streets and made it easier for me to approach the issues relevant to my environment.
In my pictures I try to capture the contrasts of light and the details of the characters, silhouettes and objects. I think that the best light to do this in is daylight; I only need to go for a walk with a pair of comfortable shoes and my cell phone fully charged. On the streets, a certain look can be intriguing. You can stop, get closer to your subject, or respect their anonymity and take a picture without them noticing and just thank them afterwards. The streets are pure emotion, that is where the stories are.
Personally, I've never liked to capture misery or the degrading condition of the human being; this has never caught my attention. On the other hand, shadows, contrasts and the characters that emerge from them, spontaneous symmetry and natural gestures, these are more interesting to me for generating my visual discourse.
Chihuahua city is located in the north of Mexico and, being close to the border, we have an interesting cultural mix. This has caught my attention and led me to title one of my projects: Puro Norte. In it I present urban portraits of individuals with expressions and in activities denoting the identity, clothing, instruments and poses of the urban cowboy, in costumes from a western film.
Go out, walk and be alert, but don't stop enjoying the ride and the experience. This is where objects and people have something to say, have made their own history and are waiting to be seen. It's all about going out to look for them in order to find them.
I prefer to document my own environment without expectations and tell the tales of what I see in my own way, though pictures. I don't ask for poses and often I don't ask for permission, but I watch and wait for the moment instead. Photography has given me the opportunity to meet some unique characters; it's just a matter of approaching people with respect and making my intention clear when necessary, as in the case of a portrait.
I am constantly on the hunt, defining my style and reinventing it. This is evolving more and more, allowing me to expand to other networks and find various platforms for experimenting with an image. This is part of the process and the evolution of photography. It changes on a daily basis and requires you to be a curious person.
In my photographs I try to present my vision – what I have to tell – by using certain angles and editing processes. For some time, a quote has accompanied me and it's by one of my favourite photographers of all time, Lola Álvarez Bravo: "I seek the essence of beings and things, their spirit, their reality. Interest, personal experience, ethical and aesthetic commitment form the photographer's third eye". I hope to some day find this, I am still looking for it, but so far I think I'm getting closer.
About the author: Ramón Cruz is a college professor and photographer based in Chihuahua, México. Documentary, portraiture and street photography are his areas of focus. He is currently a member of 1415 Mobile Photographers.
We're rushing through streets nearly every day, trying to get from A to B in the fastest way possible. This is especially the case when you're living in bigger cities like Berlin, for example. Hectic is our constant companion on our day-to-day tours, causing stress, exhaustion and sometimes even anxiety, with no remorse. As we're speeding through urban canyons, desperately trying to avoid any unwanted physical contact with one another, we become increasingly detached from our surroundings, and sometimes even from ourselves. We feel the need to hurry – possibly being late for work or for an appointment is indeed one of many reasons to do so – even though most of the time we don't really need to; we just want to get it over and done with.
When I was a young boy, around 10 or so, my father always suggested we walk slowly in places we visited during our family holidays, reasoning that if I walked in a more moderate speed I would be able to soak up the beauty of the things around me, and thus have a truly enriching experience no matter where we were. Of course, as a 10-year-old boy, I couldn't even imagine what he was talking about let alone comprehend his teachings, so I rejected his advice and kept on rushing. I continued this behavior until a while ago, but my childish reasons from back then – excitingly wanting to see as many things as possible in the least amount of time – weren't really applicable anymore. Instead of curiously soaking up the world around me, I was more and more concerned about being where I wanted to be, as fast as I could, without any distractions whatsoever. In a way, I had shut myself off from the world surrounding me.
Up until one very particular day in my life, I was a dedicated jaywalker, always careful and attentive, and quick to respond to speeding obstacles. That was until I was forced to wait at a seemingly random and dreadfully busy intersection, which I had to cross. Acting out of a strange mixture of boredom and stress, I decided to take a deep breath and feel a bit more comfortable with the situation I was in. Turning my head left and right, I started noticing many different things, the details of my surroundings. For a few seconds I opened up, if you will, guiding my attention towards a beautiful dress worn by a kind-looking elderly woman across the street; the color arrangements of a middle-aged man standing in front of a corner shop (lilac, he was wearing clothes in different shades of lilac, even his tablet was covered in lilac too); the interesting height differences between a man and two Great Danes he'd taken out for a walk; the scent of beer and pizza, and coffee and cigarettes, coming from various sides…transforming this usually uncomfortable moment of forced waiting into something unique and special.
Upon crossing the street and continuing my course – the green light indicated its allowance to do so – a subtle smile appeared on my face: had I just shared an intimate moment of patience with complete strangers at an intersection?
On my way forth towards my destination I felt unusually light and present, noticing all kinds of patterns, shapes, and colors. Rays of light bounced off various surfaces, creating plenty of shadows and generating an overabundance of beautiful light situations in return. All this within only a couple of hundred meters. I suddenly remembered how my father used to tell me to slow down and pay attention to my surroundings. I also remembered that after years of trying, he eventually gave up. Who would have thought that about twenty years later, his teachings would not only come to fruition but also unintentionally lay the groundwork for both a great photographic practice and an exciting way to widen general perception and strengthen the skill of patience?
Historically, the Sunday stroll was always vital to the well-being of the majority of people: the obligatory walk to church on the only labour-free day of the week, used for recreation, quality time with the family, meeting friends and listening to the Word of God – a truly social experience, if you will. Even artists, writers and, later, photographers have devoted their craft to telling the art of strolling – Henri Cartier-Bresson is a perfect example of that. Nowadays, however, it is quite uncommon to just slowly stroll around, observe and pay attention to life happening around you, especially in places usually not frequented by travelers or tourists.
People witnessing me appear to be puzzled by both my slow walking speed and my intense and curious way of looking. Although I agree with Franz Hessel's claim that you, the flaneur, do look somewhat suspicious, I would rather say interesting. Adding the fact that most of the time I don't carry a camera with me and am solely photographing with my smartphone, mostly in unusual places, seems to be sufficient enough to be approached by a few irritated, yet interested people, striking up a conversation in an attempt to find out my intentions. A classic, neck dangling camera, however, appears to be the only visible indicator of intent, allowing the general public to decide whether to dismiss or welcome you upon first sight without the need to interact with you.
Usually, those conversations end in smiles, sometimes spontaneous coffee dates, and on rare occasions even turn into long-term contacts. Anxious at first about being approached by strangers – somehow I always felt the need to explain myself – I quickly adapted and became more confident with time. I now see the good in irritating people – it just means that there is something new happening and they don't know how to properly react to it, which mostly leads to a conversation, and that is always a good thing.
Today, I see the slow stroll not only as a great photographic practice – as it allows you to habituate a certain way of seeing and perceiving things – but also as a way of easing your mind. Having to stop at a red light is no longer only an aspect of obedience, but a welcomed invitation to just pause for a moment and let your eyes and thoughts wander around. If you remove the debatable necessity of speed and are willing to open yourself up emotionally, you will start catching up the vibes around you, thus training your sensitivity towards your surroundings and your empathy towards others, eventually finding yourself calmer, more content, and confident during unforeseen circumstances.
Deference. If asked, "What is your house of worship? Where do you find comfort and solace?", my answer would be, "The forest." I have always felt sheltered and present in the woods. Dysphoria melts into mindfulness. I am happily lost in the presence of such grandeur.
Perennial Questions. The strength of root and branch, the ability to bow and give to nature's force, what is this balance? How does the constant weight of snow, the perpetual force of the wind shape trunk and limb? You are over a century old, will you live another?
Foundation. Root over rock, here my seed alighted and here I must stay. Granite and flora, a stark contrast between the inert and the living – an inspiration to adapt, remain steadfast, to prosper. I am awed by the energy it takes to root oneself.
Collective Ownership. Below the forest canopy, below the forest understory is a vast network of fungal connections known as the mycorrhizal network. These filaments of fungi, growing in amongst the roots, are the interlacing connections that bond each individual tree into an integrated system – transferring information and nutrients back and forth. Point in fact, a dying tree will share its stored supply of food with neighbors. Perhaps a last act of altruism to support the forest community.
Succession. There is something special about winding through a wooded area following the footsteps of strangers. The path becomes a metaphor for a journey, a culmination of all who have passed.
mystic; of or relating to supernatural agencies, affairs, occurrences, etc.
Metamorphosis. The magic of the woods is ever present – forms fading and thrusting forward, some geometric, some anthropomorphic. How can imaginary beings not exist?
I remember as a child, walking home at dusk. As the light faded and the katydids' and peepers' rhythmic drone filled my ears, the scrub pines of Cape Cod would transform into gnarled and wicked shapes. I would try to look straight ahead and tell myself not to run, for evil smells fear. Once I was through the woods, I would bolt for safety and the glowing lights of home.
Fleeting Moments. Left with a nagging sense of responsibility to record the moment, transience has always unnerved me. If not captured, the moment may never have existed. The forest has taught me to slow down and observe. I have learned that the celebration of ephemera is an everlasting practice. And, if you happen to record the moment, that is simply a bonus.
Light. In the woods, I feel transparent.
as if the light could pass through my skin and bones.
likeness between them into balance.
hoping this frame is never altered.
Mortal Wish. When I die, I wish a thousand living things will sprout from my corpse.
Relax, and keep the tension.
That no one should know of.
I still feel the tango.
And how to blind me.
As I reached for the light.
I am a visual artist working with photography, based in Copenhagen DK and Norwich UK.
I was a dedicated dancer of Argentine tango for 13 years, when I was diagnosed with cancer.
In September 2016, I went through some tests at the hospital, just to make sure nothing was wrong. But, something was wrong.
Late one Monday afternoon, a surgeon called me. She explained that I was diagnosed with cancer located in my lower abdomen and that I was scheduled for surgery Wednesday morning 7.30. She gave me one day to get used to the thought. The operation would be performed by two surgeons, and it would take six hours. It was going to be a large operation. She advised me not to postpone the operation.
Or at least be transformed.
I spent Tuesday trying to get used to the thought of leaving this planet.
The good thing was, when I thought of the people I loved – and still love – I had already told them they were in my heart. That was the most important thing for me.
Maybe it was the surprise of surviving the surgery that gave me tremendous energy and will power? Maybe it was just a miracle? Anyway, I tried to get out of bed the day after the surgery. I succeeded and felt that the healing process was in progress, and insisted on going home.
I soon discovered that my life had changed, and my perspectives too.
Not all of the changes were pleasant: four months after the surgery, I started to dance tango again. It was wonderful and easy and a total joy, with all the renewed energy. BUT, after one hour of dancing, my legs and lower abdomen looked like something that legally belonged to an elephant. They were swollen because of damages on my lymph system. It was terrible. I couldn't stand the look of myself.
Even though tango is about heart and soul, it's also an art form that is very much expressed through beauty, grace and elegance. I felt that these important aspects were out of reach.
To express important matters through art. By transforming something private into something generally human, it hopefully becomes meaningful to other people – and it might even make them feel uplifted?
To convince myself that I don't look like an elephant. Anymore.


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Music Scholarships Offered
SIT/MAINZ Pacifika Music Awards Scholarships
 The Music and Audio Institute of New Zealand (MAINZ) is a faculty of the Southern Institute of Technology (SIT). They have built an enviable reputation over the years for their high quality programmes and the calibre of their graduates.
Together SIT and MAINZ are pleased to be offering, as part of their support of the Pacific Music Awards, a new scholarship to Pasifika students interested in studying music, audio production/engineering at either our Auckland (MAINZ) or Invercargill (SIT) campuses within the school of Music and Audio Production.
For students to be eligible to apply for the scholarship, the following criteria will need to be met:
Students must be a minimum of 18 years of age at the time of enrolment,
Must be New Zealand citizens; (by birth or citizenship) OR
Have been granted permanent residency in New Zealand
Must be of Pacific descent
They must meet academic and/or English entry criteria as applicable for the programme of choice.
If successful, the scholarship is for the full qualification, i.e. if studying a 3-year Bachelor degree, then the scholarship will be for the full three years, providing students meet the scholarship conditions.
Contact Dot Bach dot.bach@sit.ac.nz for further details.
Inquiries: Jodi Conway 2112699 ext 8715 or jodi.conway@sit.ac.nz
Pacific Music Awards – Celebrating 15 years
11 March 2019
The Pacific Music Awards celebrates its 15th year, an important milestone for the awards, the Pacific music community and music industry.
The inaugural Pacific Music Awards were held on 11 March 2005, as part of the opening night event for the Pasifika Festival, at Western Springs Stadium. The 2005 awards were programmed for 45 minutes, involving 7 award presentations and three live performances.
Since 2005, the awards have been held at the Vodafone Events Centre, first in the theatre and now in the arena. The awards ceremony has grown over time, with new award categories added, which includes new artist and genre categories, an international category and the newest edition, an award for streaming.
The Pacific Music Awards now involve 18 award presentations, up to 10 live performances and are a full three hour Pacific celebration, that is filmed for television and streamed live. The awards are a significant event for our Pacific community and music industry, and the growth and development of the event is something that the Pacific Music Awards Trust are very proud of.
The 2019 Pacific Music Awards, will be held on Thursday 23 May. The Trust are excited about planning the 2019 awards, celebrating the 2019 finalists and award recipients, while also honouring the 15 year anniversary.
To begin the celebration for the 15th anniversary of the Pacific Music Awards, the Trust have compiled a Spotify playlist to showcase the music that has been celebrated over the last 15 years:
Enjoy listening to the playlist and please save the date of the 2019 Pacific Music Awards - Thursday 23 May 2019!
Issued by the Pacific Music Awards Trust
Trust spokesperson: Rev. Mua Strickson-Pua, P: 021 141 8798 E: stricksonpua@xtra.co.nz
Trust contact and Event Producer: Petrina Togi-Sa'ena, P: 0272451898; E: info@pacificmusicawards.org.nz
New Music Pasifika Fund: winners announced
February 2019: NZ On Air - New Music Pasifika
NZ On Air, announced the New Music Pasifika focus round at the end of 2018. This was the result of research that identified gaps in public media content, the need for more diverse local content and to reach under-served audiences. This was a great opportunity for Pacific artists to secure financial support to record a single, produce a video and also promotion costs.
From the 51 applications received, 14 artists were confirmed to receive funding for their new songs and/or videos. Congratulations to the following artists:
Diggy Dupe, 'CI'
Disciple Pati, 'The Boy Who Cried Woman'
Emily Muli, 'No More'
La Coco, 'Back When'
Lani Alo, 'Alo I ou Faiva'
Mikey Mayz, 'Wild People'
Queen Shirl'e, 'Queens Rise Up'
Raze ft Poetik, 'Another Lover'
Shepherds Reign, 'Legend'
Snare, 'Fuso Gumz'
Swiss ft DJ Noiz & JSQZE, 'Island Kings'
Tazman Jack, 'Eyes Closed'
Tommy Nee, 'Criminal Minds'
Truce, 'Faded'
The NZ On Air funding was supported by the Pacific Music Awards Trust and Pacific Media Network, and they also provided workshops to support the process. We all look forward to seeing the journey of these songs and videos as they are released throughout the year.
All of the current happenings in our pacific music world. Read. Comment. Share
Finalists Night 2019
Pacific Music Awards


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The Queen spends the day in West Sussex
The Queen visits Hull – England's first city of culture
The Queen visits the British Museum
The Queen & The Prince of Wales visit The Household Cavalry in Hyde Park
The Queen visits HMS SUTHERLAND
The Queen reviews The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery in Hyde Park
The Queen and The Princess Royal celebrate the centenary of the Women's Royal Naval Service and the Women's Auxiliary Army Corps
The Royal Family's visits around the Commonwealth
The Queen in Aberdeen
The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2018
Find out more about Royal events at this year's meeting, which is being held in London
A message from The Queen to the President of Mexico following the recent earthquake
The Winners: The Queen's Awards for Enterprise 2016
Find out more about some of the 2016 Queen's Awards for Enterprise winners...
The Queen opens the new Queensferry Crossing
Published 4 September 2017
Celebrating The Queen's Official 90th Birthday
A snapshot of celebrations which happened all over the UK on the weekend of 10-12 June
A message from The Queen following the recent attacks in Barcelona and Cambrils
A message from The Queen following the landslides in Sierra Leone
A Message from The Queen at the opening of the 2017 IAAF World Championships at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium
Our visit will reflect, and I hope reinforce, the strong and wide-ranging ties between Britain and Germany.
A speech by The Duke of Cambridge at The Queen's Birthday Garden Party in Berlin
Prince Harry delivers a message from The Queen at RAF Honnington
The Queen visits Canada House to celebrate 150th Anniversary of Confederation
This State Visit is an expression of the deep respect and friendship that describes relations between Spain and the United Kingdom
The Queen's speech at the Spanish State Banquet
The Queen opens New Scotland Yard
The Spanish State Visit
The Queens Awards for Enterprise 2017
Announcement of next Governor General of Canada
Holyrood Week 2017
The Queen in Windsor: 90th birthday
Find out more about how The Queen will mark her 90th birthday...
The Queen's Young Leaders 2017
The Queen and The Duke of Cambridge visit people affected by the Grenfell Tower fire
A Message from Her Majesty The Queen on the opening of the 2017 Commonwealth Science Conference
The Queen visits Tower Hamlets
The Queen celebrates the 175th Anniversary of the first Royal train journey
The Queen's Official Birthday 2017
A message from The Queen following the fire in Grenfell Tower yesterday.
The role of the Monarchy
Monarchy is the oldest form of government in the United Kingdom
The Queen visits Manchester to meet victims of the Manchester Concert Attack
A message from Her Majesty The Queen to the Lord-Lieutenant of Greater Manchester
The Queen and Members of the Royal Family attend the Chelsea Flower Show
The Queen presents new colours to the Scots Guards


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HEADLINES: Trafficking
Oklahoma has recently been listed by the US Department of State as one of the top trafficking states in the country. This became starkly clear last year, "when the remains of 19-year-old Carina Saunders were found in a duffel bag discarded behind a grocery store." Reports of human trafficking have been on the rise throughout the country, but especially in Oklahoma, where the average age of recruitment is between 12 and 14. In response to the growing issue, the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs has recently created a seven-agent unit dedicated exclusively to working with cases of human trafficking. When asked about the unit, Darrell Weaver, the agency's executive director, said, "Someone told me years ago that human trafficking could be larger than drug trafficking. I did not want to believe them, but the more we look at this, it's surely more troubling because of the victims." Oklahoma legislators are also making trafficking a greater priority, and they hope to take Oklahoma off the list top trafficking states. [Tulsaworld]
It can be easy to dismiss human trafficking as something that only happens in foreign countries or in urban poverty, but trafficking is an issue that affects the entire socio-economic scale. Today, "sex trafficking has spread to wealthy suburbs as well as small rural towns." It is impossible to stereotype either the trafficked victims or the traffickers, and no one's community is immune from this issue. Former representative Linda Smith, the founder of Shared Hope International said, "I was absolutely shocked when we started sending people into states posing as sex tourists, and they would go in, and they would come into the city maybe from another country, maybe another state, and they could buy kids so easily." Many states do not have the protection and services needed to fight against trafficking and provide for survivors. There needs to be a greater emphasis in the government and in law enforcement on addressing human trafficking. [BussInsider]
Late last week, holding company Village Voice Media broke ties with backpage.com, a site known for running ads selling child prostitutes. Backpage.com has come under fire repeatedly for their practices, and have been the subject of multiple lawsuits. Backpage.com is not an illegal service, because under federal law, providing an online forum for illegal activity is not itself illegal. Backpage.com will continue to be operated independently by two major shareholders of VVM. Thus, while VVM"s decision to break ties with backpage.com is a good sign, "it's only a hand slap, because the site hasn't been shut down completely. It is providing a platform; it's creating a demand, and offering up a supply." Activists say that they will continue to fight against backpage.com until it is shut down. [Citizenlink]
This November, California voters will be deciding on proposition 35, which "would more than double sentences for human traffickers and impose life sentences for the sex trafficking of children." The measure has received a great deal of support and publicity, but some who work in the anti-trafficking field worry that it will lead to unintended negative consequences. It might discourage prosecutors from filing cases under the new law, and may also lead to decreased funding for individual survivors. John Vanek, a retired policeman who worked in the San Jose Human Trafficking Task Force, "also opposes setting different penalties for sex and labor trafficking, and argues that a jury – not voters – should decide the severity of a case." Many other activist organizations applaud the proposition, however, and are urging Californians to vote yes on the proposition. [Mercurynews]


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Stan R. Mitchell
Sadly, the battle for Mosul isn't as clear as it seems. Nor is anything else.
10/28/2016 Stan R. Mitchell10 Comments
Hope everyone has had an awesome week! (And if you haven't, just think: We're just 10 days, 11 hours, and 15 minutes until the election is finally here!! After that, we can get back to checking facebook and being united and friendly again!)
Geez… Don't get me started on the election.
But speaking of politics, and trying to be more informed, I wanted to share this recent news account regarding the battle for Mosul.
Like many (all?) Americans, I've been happy to hear that Iraqi forces are now liberating the city from ISIS control. And I've been following it pretty closely.
But this sobering account from a former Marine turned writer, who recently traveled to Mosul to witness the battle, has really dampened my enthusiasm.
Here are just a few of the highlights:
Iraq vs ISIS? Or Sunni versus Shia?
KELLY MCEVERS, HOST: Elliot Ackerman is a decorated Marine who now makes a living as a writer. He fought in Iraq with the Marines and the Special Forces, and he recently went back to Iraq on assignment for Esquire magazine. He spent time with Iraqi counterterrorism forces who are fighting to retake Mosul from ISIS. These troops have been trained by the U.S. They're well-equipped, and they are supposed to represent all of Iraq. But Ackerman says that's not how it looked to him.
ELLIOT ACKERMAN: From the back of their Humvees, you know, they're flying the Shia flags as they go towards Mosul. You know, and these are the supposedly secular forces that are – you're not supposed to be participating in any of the sectarian violence.You know, in the West, when we think of the Islamic State, I think what's first and foremost in our consciousness are these terrorist attacks, whether it's Paris or the Istanbul airport or the cells that have operated in the United States. But when you're on the ground in Iraq, what's really evident is that, you know, this is a Sunni-versus-Shia fight. And the Sunnis are represented by the Islamic State. And brutal as they are, a lot of everyday Sunnis are sort of withholding judgment to see what it's going to be like under the Iraqi security forces.
And when the supposedly nonsectarian security forces come in flying Shiite banners, you know, it certainly sends the wrong message. And it's probably in the long run going to make work more difficult for the Iraqi security forces in securing Mosul and winning over the support of the Sunni population there.
Fallujah, 12 years after its second liberation.
MCEVERS: You also went back to Fallujah. That's a place where you fought in what's called the second battle for Fallujah in late 2004. Fallujah has now gone through its fourth major battle. Iraqi forces have routed ISIS out of that city. What's it like now?
ACKERMAN: Well, progress in Fallujah has been very slow. Only about a quarter of the population has come back to the city, and there's still no water in the city. There's no power. There's no sanitation. So the people who are there basically bring in their own potable water, and they're living off of generators. So if Fallujah is any predictor of what the rebuilding of a Mosul is like, you know, there are significant challenges ahead.
I only share this — I'm sorry, I know it's depressing — because I'm increasingly convinced that things over there, and in Syria, too, are far more complex and difficult to understand than we could ever begin to imagine.
I can still remember before the Iraq War listening to one of President George Bush's advisers saying the Shia and Sunni were like Methodists and Baptists; two religions that mostly got along. Clearly, we've learned that's not the case.
It's also worth noting that Iran and Iraq could become even more significant allies, since Iraq is 60 to 65 percent Shia and only 32 to 37 percent Sunni, according to the CIA.
This matters because before our invasion, Iraq was led by Saddam and the country served as a balance to Iran, which is 90 to 95 percent Shia.
Iraq also served as a buffer between Iran and Saudi Arabia, our long-time ally which is nearly90 percent Sunni.
Clearly, with the wide-spread fighting in Syria, Yemen, and a few other places in the region, we're witnessing a war between the Sunni and Shia religions. Or perhaps you could term it Saudi Arabia versus Iran, with a whole lot of other actors involved such as the United States and Russia.
For me, I can't get over the complexity of the situation. We're essentially helping the Iraqi Army and Shia militias, backed by Iran, take back an Iraqi city from ISIS, who's getting much of its funding from Saudi Arabia.
I know it's so simple to rally around the flag here in the states and think, "ISIS is bad, look at all the terrorist attacks, let's go crush them," but I'm not so sure it's that clear. We've been fooled before (see Iraq invasion: oil will pay for war; we'll be greeted as liberators; etc.) and my radar is increasingly going off that we don't have a clue about what's really going on over there.
I just can't get over the fact that Iraqi Army forces are openly flying Shia flags from their vehicles. This is so much more complex than Iraq versus ISIS.
That's why it's dangerous to want to send lots of ground troops into the region, to help destroy ISIS in Syria. We're in the middle of a very ugly family fight, and I'm not sure either side is real big fans of ours. I'm also not real sure either host nation, Iran or Saudi Arabia, has placed us on their Christmas list, either.
I know we can't completely withdraw, since that would further open the door for the Russians, who have already stepped in too much, but I'm a little tired of the pundits who think crushing ISIS would be easy if we just sent in a bunch of ground troops. I'm not saying we couldn't defeat them (at least initially), but I AM saying I'm not in a hurry to rebuild Syria, as we tried to rebuild Iraq. (See note above about how little Fallujah has improved even after 12 years.)
We spent at least $1.1 trillion on Iraq, according to the most recent figures, and the country isn't exactly a tourist hot spot.
I wish I knew what the answers were, but I don't. And I dare say most of the pundits we listen to, don't as well.
Yet while we don't know the answers, it's important to acknowledge that this is a dense, confusing topic. So the next time your loud-mouthed uncle or neighbor is bellowing about sending in more troops to fight ISIS, just tell them you think it's not quite that simple.
Keep the faith,
Stan R. Mitchell, author and prior Marine, is best known for his Nick Woods Marine Sniper series, which has remained in the Top 100 on Amazon for more than three years. The series has also been picked up by Audible.com for a multi-book audio deal. Additional works include a Western thriller, detective series, and World War II story.
A Monday morning surprise for you…
10/17/2016 10/16/2016 Stan R. Mitchell10 Comments
I know, I know. It's a crappy Monday morning.
You've probably walked into work barely on time, your boss had just dropped a ton of crap on you, and you already need another cup of coffee.
And the last thing you need to see are a series of cheerful exclamation points from me… lol.
But let's face it. You're already checking your email, which is precisely why you're already reading this! (Don't worry. I won't tell the boss.)
Anyway, I've got good news. Nigerian Terror (Nick Woods, No.4) is live and now available for sale. Currently, only the electronic version is up, but we'll be working to get the paperback and audio versions up as quickly as we can. I promise.
So, if you can handle the electronic version, you can be reading the latest Nick Woods book in just a matter or hours when you get off work today, which ought to give you something to look forward to! (Or, you can be reading it in minutes if you're willing to risk a look from your desk; but if you do and get caught, that's on you!)
As a reminder, you can read Kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer — no Kindle device required. Just click here for the Kindle app link.
Hope everyone has a great week! (And for whoever the two people were who bought the book just before midnight when I scheduled this post, before I'd even confirmed the links were all set and the book was fully ready for purchase, wow… You guys are good. You guys are scary good.)
News about my books, Nick Woods
Next Nick Woods book, Nigerian Terror, drops next week
10/13/2016 Stan R. Mitchell4 Comments
Just a reminder that the fourth Nick Woods book, Nigerian Terror, will be dropping in the early part of next week! With any luck, it'll be ready no later than Tuesday or Wednesday.
If you haven't read Sold Out (Nick Woods, No. 1), Mexican Heat (Nick Woods, No. 2), or Afghan Storm (Nick Woods, No. 3), there's still time. : )
Hope everyone has a great remainder of the week, as well as a super awesome weekend!
Nick Woods
Hill 406 gets a new foreword 01/11/2020
Little Man gets a revamp 12/29/2019
Pensacola shooting victim saved countless lives 12/08/2019
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Established in February 2007, Cadeaux & Co opened its doors in the beautiful City of Wells in Somerset.
We specialise in offering gorgeous homewares, furniture, jewellery, design led cards and stationery, perfumery and candles (to name a few of our products!) In addition we have a room devoted to children's gifts, clothes, soft toys and games.
In October 2011, we were thrilled to open a second shop in the Somerset town of Castle Cary. Although a slightly smaller shop than Wells, we carry a very similar range of brands, including its own Children's room.
We always aim to help our customers in any way; if an item is no longer in stock, we will always strive to get it into stock as soon as possible. In Wells you will be welcomed by Hayley and Christine and in Castle Cary, Jane and Sandie will help you in any way they can.
We look forward to seeing you in either (or both) of the shops very soon!


ViewState is ASP.NET's way of simulating state in the otherwise state-less web environment. It is a bag of bytes that is sent back and forth between the client and server. It is then deserialized by the server, which can use it to restore a previous state in its components.
However, ViewState comes with a price (many, in fact), and you need to use the technoology with cautios. For instance, since it is a bag of bytes, everything you store in it adds to the page size.
View state is by default sent topmost in the web page, in a hidden text field in which the encoded data is stored. If the view state grows, this means that other content will be pushed down, which may cause content to load slower since it has to wait for the bytes to be sent. In a project that I'm currently working on, we managed to speed up page rendering a lot by moving view state to the bottom.
This is quite straightforward to do. I followed this tutorial and was good to go in a minute or so.


Rogier needed a new other design and created a contest on 99designs.
Designers! we have the perfect challenge for you! Stripe a internet company in Holland needs a fresh and cool header! Are you up for it?
Stripe - Shares online succes!
Stripe is company that launches new concepts like an innovative date-planner or our concept rent a website (rogier-webdesign.nl). We also train people to manage websites with a CMS like Joomla. Stripe is the website that brings all our online activities together.
We are using a standard template for the site but want a unique header!
- Our slogan needs to be in... Shares online succes!