The January New Moon actually falls on New Year's Day. How odd is that? When I look at the horoscope for this New Moon, I just want to frown. There is one hard aspect after another in this chart. I hope we know how to get out of a pressure cooker because that is what it looks like. Pressure has been building up ever since Mars stepped into the sign of Libra and that Mars in Libra is activating the Uranus/Pluto big show.
We are rattled, fatigued and overwhelmed by energy that feels relentless with its demands.
The cycle of Uranus and Pluto started in the mid 1960's when the planets made a conjunction in the sign of Virgo. This conjunction initiated a social revolution on our planet. In 2012 Uranus and Pluto reached the first Square Aspect of this cycle. You might say they reached the first serious challenge of all that occurred in the mid 60's. There will be two more serious challenge times before the cycle is complete and a new conjunction of Uranus and Pluto forms. Their current square connection has many exact aspects between 2012 and 2015. Our puny minds can't totally grasp what this revolution is about because it is really beyond our comprehension and most of us will not live to see how it actually unfolds. The next major crisis in the Uranus/Pluto exchange won't occur for almost fifty more years. Most of the time we are just in reactive mode to this event. Other times we speculate on what it all means. One example of the current revolutionary changes would have to be gay rights. There has been a profound change in how the majority of people think about gayness. Even the Pope!! Maybe these current times represent a small step toward becoming citizens of a Universe (not just citizens of a city, state, country, planet). But each of us is in our own revolution. Maybe it's in our psyches, in our bodies, in our relationships with family, or in our careers. We are all Mr. and Ms Uranus and Mr. and Ms Pluto. We are all control freaks. We are all "out of control" freaks. We are trying to shift away from old ways of thinking. We are trying to ascend into different vibrations. Meanwhile, we are rattled, fatigued and overwhelmed by energy that feels relentless.
Have you noticed any change in your sense of time, or is it just that I'm getting older and time flies by? It seems there is not enough time to do everything. Life keeps rushing along. Life keeps asking me to make adjustments. Nothing stays in place. Everything seems messy. Mad drivers fill the freeways. Friends are irritable. I'm behind in everything and frustrated beyond belief.
Uranus (planet of shock, trauma, upheaval, revolution) and Pluto (planet of control, elimination and transformation) are not necessarily causing anything to happen. However, their cycle should be understood this way: As Above, So Below.
Metaphorically, these two planets might be viewed as archetypal deities. They are waging a battle and we are experiencing their battle on earth. Does that sound crazy? Uranus is the sky god. Sky god rules things like wind and thought and lightening bolts and striving for perfection. Pluto is the underworld deity where riches are found. Think diamonds and gold. Who controls the underworld controls life, or so it seems. Pluto doesn't want to give up control of all those pretty things. Think stock market. The movie, "Wolf of Wall Street", has a strong Plutonian theme: being seduced by wealth and the sense of being invincible. The rich Wall Street players seem to get away with living a life out of the days of the Roman emperor Nero. It's just in their nature to use other people and to try to grab more than they really need. They prove their power through having too much and living without scruples. This is how they experience themselves. Uranus is the planet that brings surprise and awakening to this operation. Uranus driving the car off the road or brings a tornado to the neighbor. Or the FBI tracks them down.
We all have some little part of Pluto telling us we must be in control . . . my will, my will, MY WILL. We all have some little part of Uranus, the rebellious impatient awakener ready to bring the fire of innovation to all. Furthermore, as a community on planet earth, maybe we have gone too far in our hubris. We have robbed the underworld of its treasures. We have used more than we needed. Now Uranus and Pluto play out in the heavens and we watch on earth as the environment suffers, animals suffer, people suffer and many people make fools of themselves. Some people turn to religious fervor to justify antiquated behaviors and beliefs. Judgmental religious/spiritual arrogance can only lead us further from the center of the Universe.
Back to January and the New Moon: Imagine that all the planets are living parts of your inner being.
Those of us who lived through the 60's really believed the revolution was a done deal and we were on the way to a more compassionate world. The chart for the New Moon on January 1st tells us we still have a long way to go. The Sun, Moon, Mercury and Pluto (all in Capricorn) are all sitting on a stone bench (it's stone because this is the sign of Capricorn, solid earth). They are bunched together and they don't like it. The happy, warm, vital Sun and the emotional Moon must hold hands with the underworld (Pluto) where confronting secrets and truth must happen before we get the gold. In addition, Pluto is holding hands with Mercury (Hermes), the messenger. We are sure to get some powerful news on January 1. Maybe we could start right now and practice how to talk to each other without damage. Mercury and Pluto together is a sign of truth telling. Pluto gives intensity to our words and also to the Sun's ego identity expression. Venus retrograde is sitting off on the corner of the bench (8 degrees away from Mercury). Maybe Venus is trying to stay balanced while the rest of the crew is arguing. It's possible that the Moon in Capricorn will just shut down and wait for the Sun to come up tomorrow.
Planet Jupiter, the deity of excess and bravado, is opposing all five of these entities from across the playing field in the sign of Cancer. Maybe a Cancerian Jupiter is a little toned down, but still the Sun, Moon, Pluto, Mercury and Venus are all extremely big and in your face due to Jupiter's presence. If planets Mars and Uranus were not involved, we could almost say it's just an optimistic kind of big day. Alas, Mars in Libra and Uranus and Aries are in the big grand square pressure cooker. Imagine a big square, now it becomes a shouting match in a boxing ring.
Venus in Capricorn is retrograde so maybe we are longing for the good ole days. Maybe we call up some old friends to help ease the pressure. Maybe we hear from an old lover. Mars in Libra is full of the fighting spirit, particularly in the relationship arena. Uranus in Aries brings surprises and possibly shock. In fact, Mars connecting with Uranus and all these other planets could mean some surprise announcement in partnerships. The rest of the cast of players in Capricorn wants life to be settled and dependable, but the interaction with Mars, Uranus and Jupiter forces the staid Capricorn energy to squirm and wiggle. Trying to find a comfortable thing to say or a warm & fuzzy place to relax could be hard. I see the New Moon in Capricorn as a time of frozen emotions. The Moon is overwhelmed by all the excitement, agitation and aggression.
If you are into New Year's resolutions, do a ceremony and seal it with your word!
These planets are all in the cardinal/moveable signs: Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn. Remember, the moveable signs literally move us along through the seasons. They get stuff going. New Year's Day is a great one to get stuff going. If we commit to a plan, we will probably carry through. If you are into New Year's resolutions, do a ceremony and seal it with your word!
Here are a few possible remedies that hopefully will keep the day from becoming a boxing match. This new moon energy might be great for a rock concert, any kind of musical performance, theater, creative undertakings, journaling, hiking in nature where weather permits, intuitive readings for the coming year, and finally, deep explorations of our belief systems and our current life situations.
Saturn trines Jupiter: We have hope no matter what!
At least Saturn, our good planet of structure and planning, is making a wonderful connection (trine) with Jupiter. All is not lost. We have hope in this New Year no matter what. We can get serious and thoughtful about our plans and purposes.
On the bigger collective/social stage, one might expect explosive news from anywhere on the planet. Political players will be caught in their shenanigans or they will take up air space trying spread their version of truth. Poor planet Neptune is hardly visible in the planetary arrangement. Neptune, ruler of the victim, will be victimized by harsh words about the new health care agenda. Neptune rules compassion also, but compassion is a dim light on this New Year's Day stage. Maybe we can light a bunch of candles and try to up the level of caring. Speak out for justice (Mars in Libra). Refuse to be seduced by the promises of the corporate rulers (Pluto in Capricorn). Recognize your own genius (Uranus in individual Aries) and make plans to be a pioneer in your special area of expertise. Dream up ways to help others. With Jupiter in Cancer we can feel the need of all sentient beings. Instead of using the Jupiter energy to brag and boast, we can extend to others with enthusiasm and nurturance.
All those planets in Capricorn have a message: be realistic, be pragmatic, and fight all illusion. Have a board meeting with your inner self. What do you want to happen this year? How do you want to live your life? Can you give up being a victim? Can you change how you think about your life? Can you align your beliefs with the present hour? How will you thrive and be prosperous and yet not be seduced by wealth? How can you be a good steward of planet earth? What are your bottom line values? Where is your community? Are your relationships supporting your wholeness?
We are being cooked for some purpose but it feels like we are still raw.
The Big Square in the heavens is a pressure cooker. We are being cooked for some purpose and it feels raw and scary. Life goes on. We will meet the challenge. Perhaps a mantra like, "I eat change and transformation for breakfast" will help us stay in the flow of fast moving energy. Meanwhile, tuning in to dimensions beyond this earthly plane can save your body and soul. Remember Neptune is the silent player on the stage all month. These days are about "what you see is what you get" and it's hard to escape the busy, harsh reality. Seek out Neptune, the silent player. Take time to remember other times of sweet connection with planet earth and with higher dimensions. Remember special, profound, happy experiences. Connect with the heavens and the stars and the moon, and with the angels and all the spiritual beings that dart in and through our existence to help us. There is plenty to look forward to in 2014. We look forward to more fun, more learning, more happiness, deeper connections with others, better health and new ways of expressing ourselves. Keep a light heart and continue to watch the show. Keep an open heart and it will fill with new sources of awakening and love. And remember, the wise ones tell us we signed up be here NOW. Welcome to 2014.
On Christmas Day the Moon is sitting in the sign of Libra. You would think this would give us a light and harmonious tone for the day. Libra is about relationships, balance and fairness. We want to meet and greet family and friends. Alas, I am sorry to report that Christmas Day is anything but light. Our Libra Moon is attached to planet Mars. Moon and Mars don't "sing too good" together. Moon is emotional and needy and Mars is aggressive. The end result is angry or hurt feelings, tears and frustration. This duet also opposes Uranus and squares Pluto, the Sun and Mercury. Control freak Pluto wants to be the commander of everything. Out-of-control-freak Uranus will throw a few curve balls. How to make good eggnog of this planetary arrangement? It's great for theater. Imagine the whole day is a play and you are an actor or actress on the Yule time stage. Play your part and just imagine others are playing their parts. No reason to take it too seriously.
In the midst of stress, we can still aim for love and harmony, and do our best to make it happen. May the Force be with us!! Merry Christmas.
Monday, December 23, 2013. Mercury changes signs today. It leaves Sagittarius today to spend about three weeks in Capricorn, sign of seriousness and practicality. The Moon continues its visit in Virgo. Both Virgo and Capricorn are Earth signs. We can be grounded today and focused on the task in front us. Don't worry about Christmas Eve. It hasn't happened yet! Do what you can to get ready for tomorrow but stay connected to now and enjoy today. Remember Venus is in Capricorn as well. We get a big ball of earthiness all day, along with thoughts about what is really valuable to us. Capricorn values tradition and items of quality (just a hint for last minute holidays gift purchases). Slow down and be like a turtle, moving with purpose, calmness and ease on planet Earth.
Today is Sunday, December 22 and the Moon steps into Virgo this afternoon. From 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM the Moon is "void-of-course" and that means an empty time and a slow start to the day. Sometimes it's a challenge to get new things jump-started when the Moon is "void of course." This empty moon time occurs when the moon is not making any aspects to other planets. It stands alone. Nothing is giving the moon energy. Don't get frustrated. This time of year there is so much to do and Virgo Moon will help you to quick and efficient if you just relax until the Moon is comfortable in Virgo and gets some juice from planet Mercury around 3:30. Tonight the Moon connects with planet Neptune. This is a great time for the spiritual part of the holiday. Go hear some uplifting, heart-moving music!
Another tip about Venus retrograde in Capricorn: connect with people from the deep past. Also, you might hear from someone you never dreamed would get in touch with you after all these years.
Today is December 21, 2013—the event is Winter Solstice. The shortest day of the year with its extra moments of darkness guides us into stillness and darkness. Is such a thing possible in our modern world? Our European ancestors honored this day with pilgrimages to holy sites. They waited for the Sun to come up and give them the promise of new life. We are busy with shopping, driving around in traffic, and with preparations for holiday festivities. Can we take a few moments to feel the stillness? Can we pause and acknowledge our place in the Universe? Maybe all it takes is lighting a candle. Maybe we sit in our car and feel patience and compassion for all the people rushing around. This time of year we are more connected with the center of our Galaxy. Take pause and connect with being a conscious spark of Universal Intelligence.
Meanwhile, back on Earth Plane! Today the planet Venus moves into its retrograde phase until the last day of January. Venus's retrograde phase begins at 29 degrees of Capricorn. Venus in the sign of Capricorn is not so warm and fuzzy. It is material and matter of fact and values love that is durable and secure. These next 6 weeks are perfect for reassessing what and whom we value. We will look at life with more practical eyes. Our attention wanders to budgets, long-range finances and practical purchases. This is a good time to do the research on substantial, big purchases (like homes and cars). It is not considered a great time to make a big purchase unless that operation is already planned and in motion. Since Venus rules relationships, some people will experience the deepening of a relationship. Capricorn is known for durability, so some relationships may move into commitment by the end of this Venus retrograde transit. Other relationships may end during this time. The commitment may come undone. Venus in Capricorn brings up the practicalities of a union. For example, does the relationship support my ambitions and goals? Is it working financially? Is the relationship warm and affectionate or is it chilly and distant?
This day continues with the Moon visiting the sign of Leo. Enjoy the fun but take a moment to light your candle and feel the stillness. Let go of the past and prepare for a new day when the Sun comes up tomorrow. With the Venus energy, try to remember that it takes time to build a loving relationship.
Today is December 20th and the Moon has rolled into the sign of Leo. Leo is an energetic fire sign and today that Moon is making supportive aspects to Mars and Uranus. Maybe we will get some stuff done today or we will enjoy some good heart felt connection with others throughout the day and evening. In spite of wanting to be on stage in a spotlight, the Leo character is full of love and loyalty. Let your heart vibes flow out today—even in the grocery store or at the mall. Put on your happy, happy and smile. Staying centered during the holiday season is challenging, especially with our mythological deities fighting all the time (Uranus & Pluto). Use the upbeat Leo energy to help all of us keep a sense of humor in the midst of a heavy planetary feeling of being weighted down by the ball and chain.
One more tip: If you are a Libra or you are associated closely with a Libra, please be advised that planet Mars is currently visiting this sign. Libra's goal is to be easy going and diplomatic. Today is one of those days for Libra. Tomorrow, however, Libra may erupt with a battle cry. Mars is desire and the fighting spirit. Special message for Mr. and Ms Libra: Mars is squaring off with Pluto (i.e., control freak) and screaming across the room at Uranus (out-of-control freak). These are unsightly, uncivilized energies for a gentle soul like you! Don't hide from your dark side. Ask for what you want before you explode.
With the messenger in the sign of Cancer (mother, nurturance, food, home, family), we might expect to hear from relatives long forgotten. We might take on some home projects that have been on our minds for quite a while. Yesterday I did a closet cleanup. What a great feeling to get some home project checked off the list. On the more serious side, Mercury in the sign of Cancer suggests attention to the mother and to women in general. In Texas, we have the women's reproductive rights on center stage in Austin. The Republicans did not manage to get their law passed regarding abortion clinic regulations last week. Wendy Davis did a filibuster and thousands of protestors demonstrated in the Capitol. The Governor immediately announced there would be a special session so the Republicans could pass their bill. The abortion issue would fall under more than one archetypal heading, but for sure it falls under the sign of Cancer, ruler of the moon, of a woman's menstrual cycle, of pregnancy and the Great Mother (the archetypal symbol of what it means to be a woman). What is interesting is how the Legislature can proclaim they know what the Great Mother wants. A woman lawmaker brought this bill to the legislature and that would require a complicated analysis of the feminine aligning with the patriarchy. Most of the Republican lawmakers are men. Men have no vaginas or uteruses and cannot get pregnant, but these particular men feel compelled to ordain what women should do with their bodies and their reproductive lives. These same individuals believe in liberty; believe the government should not interfere with their precious freedoms. At the same time, they irrationally believe it is okay to deny women their freedom. The bill will probably pass since the Republicans are the majority in the Texas House. However, Mercury, messenger of the Goddess, is retrograde!! The bill will eventually be revised, discarded or found unconstitutional in some way. It is being birthed in dirty water and will not survive. Mercury retrograde brings the abortion issue back to the table and back to the community for consideration. In Ohio and North Carolina restrictive anti-abortion laws were inserted into the budget and passed without discussion in the past few days. Basically it was an ambush. Did I mention that Mercury is also a trickster? With Mercury retrograde in Cancer I am asking what this says about the Republican Party's relationship with the feminine principle. No one is forced to have an abortion so what interest do they have, exactly?
Mercury retrograde in Cancer takes us back to many female issues. On the personal level it could mean a return to the issue of motherhood. Some couples might be trying to decide whether or not to have a child. It could mean a return to a fertility doctor to try one more time to get pregnant. And, as already stated, there is a return to the odd belief that a small group of individuals can dictate what women do with their sexuality and reproductive potentialities.
· Being too much of a mother! Practice the balance of nurturing with proper boundaries. Avoid suffocating other people.
· Too much focus on food and drink and emotional eating. Solution: focus on nutrition and appropriate diet and exercise. Avoid the sofa!
· Stomach upsets and problems. Solution: talk about your troubles or journal about your upsets. Find creative outlets for pent up emotions.
· Being a CRAB. The totem for Cancer is the crab, the critter that sidles away when it feels threatened. It crawls into its shell and stays there. Or maybe that crab grabs on with its pincher and doesn't let go. Ouch! Anytime the sign of Cancer is in the spotlight, we need to practice expressing what we feel rather than repressing what we don't want others to see or hear. Learning how to express without using the pincher is the trick!! You know what I'm talking about, Cancer folks. You can complain and complain and get crochety.
Rather than let Jupiter in Cancer make our crotchety tendency bigger, let's pay attention to our emotional climate and balance.
Jupiter in Cancer: Trust Your Belly!
We have a year to experience the abundant gifts of Jupiter in Cancer. For many people this is a wonderful year to be a parent. For some it's the perfect year to get pregnant. It's a great time to deepen our family connections. The Moon rules Cancer. We want to have a happy home. Jupiter in Cancer can help us align with our feminine aspects and with our psyches. The crab lives in the sea. We have a year to embrace the ocean and to support the protection of our seas. Cancer and the Moon rule the breasts and the stomach. Become more mindful about what you eat, both literally with food and figuratively with energy. What energy are you eating? What gives you a bellyache? What is your abdominal area telling you? If you have an eating disorder, now is the time to address it because Jupiter in Cancer may make it bigger. Get help if you have an eating disorder or get out of control with food or alcohol. If a person or situation in your life is giving you a bellyache, then some correction is necessary.
Last year, with Jupiter in Gemini, we had more Mercury associated disorders. Mercury rules Gemini, so people had to watch their anxiety level. They had to be careful not to get so over-amped by media, the news and excess data. This year the focus is more on the physical body and emotional body rather than the mental/ neurological body.
Saturn leaves retrograde phase, resumes direct movement at 5 degree of Scorpio on July 8th.
After 20 weeks in a retrograde phase, Saturn picks up speed and goes direct. We are invited to take action. What plans have you been making? It's time to get stuff done. Saturn in Scorpio; Sun, Mercury & Jupiter in Cancer; and Neptune in Pisces form a big triangle in the water element. We can float in the whirlpool or we can take advantage of the positive current and swim. It is times like this I wish I still kept an everyday journal. How cool it would be to go back to mid February and see what I was thinking about. What kinds of goals or plans were in my mind? With Saturn transiting Scorpio, the goals are both internal and external. Perhaps we have a project that now can move ahead, but we also have internal issues that are demanding attention. If you prefer to stay on the surface of things, then Saturn in Scorpio might be a confusing and perplexing time, because Scorpio is deep.
Saturn is the teacher in the sky. Remember that long ago people could not see anything beyond Saturn. So Saturn represented the boundary of our solar system. Boundaries are practical. If you get too close to me, I might not be able to breathe. You will rob my oxygen! Saturn is the planet that rocks our world when we forget to be practical and pay attention to reality.
Saturn in Scorpio puts the practical emphasis on relational dynamics. Scorpio is the 8th house of the zodiac. That 8th house represents the results of partnering. These results include intimacy and sexuality, money, shared resources, inheritance and taxes. It also includes the inevitability of change and death. So much of our behavior is unconscious. Scorpio is the detective that shines a light into the unconscious. While Saturn is traveling through Scorpio we are learning about intimacy and sharing. How close do we want to be? What boundaries do we need to establish? Is the communication open? Is it veiled in unconscious innuendos? How far do we want to go with the partner? And what about money? How much to share? Is the relational dynamic working? If a person is not in a relationship, these issues are still very important. If a solo person wants a union and doesn't have one, then Saturn in Scorpio may make that person feel extremely lonely. A person suffering from Scorpio loneliness will hopefully reach out to family and friends for companionship. Also, Saturn in Scorpio is a period of time in which to probe into one's unconscious for information and guidance. Like Persephone and Inanna, we can travel into the dank deep underworld to visit the realm of death and rebirth.
Saturn entered Scorpio in October 2012 and will not complete its work there until December 2014 (and then a brief re-visit to Scorpio from June to September in 2015.) While Saturn visits this sign, we can dive deep and dig deep. We can find some answers to our life long issues and bring reality into the light.
A Grand Trine in water gives us a chance to swim into new territories.
In July we have the help of that big triangle formation in the element of water: Saturn in Scorpio, Neptune in Pisces, the Sun, Mercury and Jupiter in Cancer. A Grand Trine is about flow and relationship. That means relationship between people, between people and animals, or between life events. It's about synchronicity and meaning. We can admire the Grand Trine, we can float in its emotional pulse, we can dive into it, and we can use its energy to swim into new territories.
Full Moon is in Capricorn on June 23. What is a super moon?
You've seen it on Facebook and the news. This full moon in Capricorn on June 23rd is a super moon. That means the Moon will be closer to earth than it normally is. The moon's proximity to Earth will give us the biggest and brightest full moon of the year. We can enjoy the beauty and we can soak up the energy of the full moon. Hopefully it will give us insight into our hearts and minds.
Moon and Pluto are conjunct in Capricorn. Sun and Jupiter are conjunct in Cancer.
The Moon is sharing the stage with Pluto. When these two energies join together we tend to get some intense emotions. Pluto is about death and transformation so maybe some of us will have some cathartic moments during the two and one half days that the Moon transits the sign of Capricorn. The Moon/Pluto duo opposes the Sun and Jupiter. Interesting! Sun and Jupiter get together and create big ego. Moon and Pluto get together and throw a hissy fit. Fortunately this strong opposition is contained in a Grand Trine (in the water element) between the Sun and Jupiter in Caner, Neptune in Pisces and Saturn in Scorpio. The easy flow of these planets in water should help tone down the ego and the intensity of old emotional patterns trying to transform. The whole shebang forms what we call a "kite" formation. If we can get that kite air born, we feel lighter and more optimistic.
The Sun entered Cancer on Friday, June 21, at the summer solstice. We have moved into a new season. Where do we want to put our energy this summer? The sign of Cancer is associated with the home and with security. What do you need in order to feel more secure? The opposite sign, Capricorn, is about achievement and accomplishment. These signs seem very different, but they are actually the parental polarity in the zodiac. The Moon, the emotional barometer, rules Cancer. The Moon is the mother so Cancer is associated with the caregiver and with nurturance and creative activity. Saturn, the taskmaster who tells us what to do and where our shortcomings are, rules Capricorn. Capricorn is the father. Capricorn is associated with practicality, accomplishment, achievement, and with climbing the totem poll in the patriarchy. Both signs have elements of insecurity. We must feel secure in ourselves before we can be creative and achieve something. We all have gifts and talents to share with others. While the Sun is in Cancer we should strive to feel more emotionally secure about our gifts. When the Moon reaches its fullness in the opposite sign of Capricorn, we can envision how to share our talents. Another way to think about the Cancer/Capricorn polarity is this: Capricorn builds a container to hold the creative, nurturing energy of Cancer. In its purest form, the full moon in Capricorn encourages us to build something out of our unique gifts because it is just the right thing to do!
Of the earth in summer.
As a channel for the Light.
There are two ways to think about Gemini. The first is fundamental: Mercury rules Gemini. Therefore, Gemini is associated with the mind, learning, communication, trade and travel. Geminis are known to gather information and to chatter. Gemini can be a teacher and Gemini can be a truck driver using a CB radio. Because of the connection with rapid moving Mercury, Geminis are easily distracted and find it hard to focus on one thing for an extended period of time. They need diversity and they need to be on the go. Gemini is mutable, changeable energy.
The new moon in Gemini on June 8th sits close to transiting Jupiter in Gemini. We will probably get together with friends or family, plan a trip or take a trip, have big conversations with someone, study something new or lay the groundwork for some heady project. How we communicate right now is covered by where Gemini's ruler, Mercury, is located. Mercury (along with Venus) has moved on into the sign of Cancer, a water sign. Our communication will be more emotional than analytical. This new moon energy is good for communicating with family, partners, and loved ones. We can clear out relationship problems if we keep ourselves connected with our hearts as well as our heads.
Castor and Pollux go back to the Greek/Roman times. Zeus seduced a mortal woman named Leda, who conceived twins. Perhaps one offspring was the product of Zeus, the other the product of Leda's mortal husband. The twins were born from two eggs. One was destined to live among the gods; one would live among the dead. In the end Castor is killed and Pollux, the divine one, finds too much suffering in being separated from his twin brother. He asks to share his immortality with Castor. They become united as the Gemini constellation. In antiquity, this constellation was important to travelers and especially to sailors. Gemini, an air sign, is thus associated with the hope for favorable winds and safe journeys.
Think of Gemini as a black and white photograph.
The Gemini twins have one foot in this world and one foot in the other world--the world of the dead. When we contemplate Gemini, we need to think about light and shadow. It is easy to assume that we are all light and airy but in fact we all have our shadow that lives in the other world. It takes little to trip the switch that opens the hatch to the shadow realm—to the dark side. Perhaps Gemini is the best astrological example of Carl Jung's theory of "complex" (unconscious material around a particular life theme or difficulty). While the Sun is visiting the sign of Gemini, we can let the Sun shine on our shadow (our unconscious complexes). There is nothing wrong with having a shadow but the shadow becomes menacing when we fail to become conscious of it and when we neglect it. With big planet Jupiter finishing up its one-year visit in Gemini (Jupiter enters the sign of Cancer on June 25th), we have time to look at our shadow. There is still time to study it, talk about it and heal it. I think of Gemini as a black and white photograph. Without the dark shadows the light would not stand out. Without the dark shadows, there would be no depth or mystery to the image.
The theme of twins is huge. It would be hard to exhaust the subject. Think about the profound connections documented between identical twins that often report knowing what the other is thinking and feeling even when separated by geography. In recent times we have the subject of twin flames or twin souls. Many people want to be reunited with their other half. There is a longing to connect with a missing part of our self. Perhaps we are hoping that finding our twin flame will ensure our soul's immortality, just as Castor and Pollex are united in the heavens. Is that twin flame another person or is it a sacred marriage of wholeness in the self?
Gemini days are deeper this time around due to a grand trine in the water element: Mercury & Venus in Cancer connecting with other water energy…Neptune and Chiron in Pisces and Saturn in Scorpio. I can't help it that I dove deeply into the meaning of Gemini. That's what water energy is for. We can feel the touching love of the Gemini twins because of the water surrounding them! And how difficult it must be to BE a Gemini! A Gemini individual must be looking for his or her twin, looking for someone who will totally understand and bring completion to who he or she is, and looking for that one soul who will never abandon the union.
"A large archaic volume reveals a traditional wisdom." The Gemini steps into another world seeking seed knowledge and growth.
On May 9th there is a New Moon solar eclipse in Taurus. In addition to the Sun and Moon, we have Mars, the South Node, Mercury, asteroid Pallas and dwarf planet Sedna, all clustered in the sign of Taurus. Taurus is a fixed, earth sign. Some astrologers propose that the Earth itself is the ruler of Taurus.
We associate Taurus with the Bull, the male consort of the Great Goddess. In mythology, the Bull is the male principle that supports the cycle of birth and growth to make sure life continues. We think of the Bull as strong, steady, sustaining in its power, slow to act, stubborn, and rooted in one place. Taurus prefers to be secure. The challenge for Taurus is to know or intuit when to let go. Taurus struggles with issues around possessions, like "when to save and when to spend" (for example).
Planet Venus rules Taurus. Images of the bull's horns are connected with the Moon, the feminine principle. Ancient images show a waxing moon with the horns of the bull. The energy of Taurus is linked historically and mythologically with the feminine principle. The mother principle is associated with security and fertility. The mother will not let you down. Contained in Taurus are both the feminine principle of giving birth and the masculine image of sustaining and protecting life.
This eclipse brings up issues pertaining to the integration of the masculine and feminine principles at this time in our lives. It is the old cycle of creation, life and death. This eclipse pattern goes back in recent time to May 1994. Did you give birth to something then? What were you creating? Does it need to be re-created now? Do you need to let it go completely? Eclipses have cycles based on 19 years. For one thing, this eclipse in Taurus is an invitation to upload, re-boot or even finalize your creation. Maybe you need to sustain your life and hold on to what you are doing. On the other hand, you may feel that it is time to let is go and begin a new cycle of creation. The challenge is to be still like the bull, to feel the message of the moon and then to take action. Let go if it is time to let go, or generate new life into the project.
On the collective level this eclipse is another opportunity to look around and examine where the masculine and feminine energies are integrating to produce a more sustainable life. The eclipse will also show us where the masculine and feminine continue to disconnect and be at odds.
The Astroid, Pallas Athene, is exactly conjunct this eclipse. Remember your mythology? Athene was born from the head of Zeus. She is a woman with great intelligence. She comes forth fully developed ready to apply her wisdom and intellect to all of life's great problems. She is feminine with a strong left brain! Athene is the feminine example of how we can integrate the masculine and feminine energies to create a new kind of thinking.
Women appointed to the Supreme Court are good examples of the Athene archetype. Female Justices hopefully bring a more whole brain approach to justice.
Dwarf planet Sedna sits close to the Taurus solar eclipse. Sedna orbites beyond Pluto. She is a portal to outer cosmic places. However, Sedna is also a feminine earth principle. In Inuit mythology, Sedna is betrayed by the masculine. Both her husband and her father let her down. When her father refuses to save her from the icy ocean, she surrenders and becomes the mother of life in the waters and the goddess of all animals. Sedna teaches us to connect with the sacredness of Earth. She reminds us that the value of Earth is not reduced to a monetary sign. Julia Butterfly Hill lived at the top of a 1500-year-old California Redwood tree (for 738 days) to protest logging. She was listening to Sedna. People go to witness the sea turtles laying eggs in the sand; they are listening to Sedna. Whispering with your pet? You are listening to Sedna.
Mercury and the South Node, also involved in the eclipse, help you look back and re-think your life. Some people say we are always in the process of re-writing our personal history. The South Node highlights our past patterns, so they are up for examination with this eclipse. Do we keep doing the same insane thing, or ? This does not just apply to behavior. We can also keep thinking the same insane thing and get nowhere as individuals and as a society.
Astrology is based in part on the principle of polarity. The polar opposite sign of Taurus is Scorpio. Two weeks ago there was an eclipse in Scorpio. The energy of both signs is highlighted for these eclipses. Taurus creates, maintains and holds on. Scorpio has to let go when it is time to let go! However, Scorpio is a fixed sign so it not easy to let go. We all have Taurus and Scorpio somewhere in our horoscopes. During these eclipse days, think about what you have been creating. Are you worn out with some aspects of your life? Maybe Athene can help you fire up your whole brain and bring some good problem solving to your dilemma.
People born under the signs of Taurus and Scorpio are deeply affected by the eclipse on May 9th. Taurus is about the thing and possessing that thing. Scorpio is about the process of life and what we do with the thing. Eventually "the thing" has to change. That could be a life style, a relationship, a career, a belief, a habit, a worn out car, a computer…the list continues. Taurus is about money and possessions. Scorpio is the energy of transformation. What needs to stay? What needs to go? It's time to MOVE ON. It's time to spend some of your savings (physical, emotional, mental, spiritual savings!) in order to create a new life. Don't worry if you cannot change your life tomorrow. Later this year, another eclipse in Scorpio will help move the process along.
The portals are open! Take a look!
For the first few weeks of April we are graced with a trio of energy: The Sun, Mars and Venus are conjunct in the sign of Aries, the first sign and the first fire sign.
What is Sun and Mars in Aries good for?
What are Venus and Mars conjunct in Aries good for?
This is the energy of the New Moon in Aries: Enthusiastic, and without a thought of defeat, we jump ahead with ideas and creative outpourings.
By the day of the New Moon on April 10th, Mercury lags behind at 24 degrees of Pisces. Maybe our minds are still musing about the past or maybe some of us are still in the dreamy Pisces clouds, but the Sun, Moon, Mars and Venus are all connected in Aries and we are running through the gates out onto the track.
Aries is passionate, brave, inventive, impulsive and ready to try anything once. Aries is the unique individual and sometimes Aries is the hero who jumps out of the boat to save someone. We all have independent, "me-first" Aries, somewhere in our horoscopes. This New Moon in Aries allows us to witness ourselves as Aries warriors (handsome, pretty and egotistically bothersome at the same time).
The March Full Moon had Sun, Mars and Uranus conjunct. We felt impatient then and we still feel impatient. Now however, at this New Moon, Mars has moved away from Uranus, hooked up with Sun and Venus to give us energy to move forward. This is great for being impulsive in fun ways….get in the car and go see wildflowers. This is bad energy for getting into arguments. Venus always wants to relate and be cooperative; Mars is competitive so the combo brings cooperation with an attitude!
Moon, Sun, Mars, Venus all together in Aries for the New Moon produces abundant creative juice. Plug it in somewhere and let it create a whole new universe!
Ever notice that there is one day around the Vernal Equinox when you look out and see that the whole world has blossomed again? It's spring. We are alive and passionately ready to plant seeds. We anticipate new challenges. This is the energy of the New Moon in Aries: Enthusiastic and without a thought of defeat, we jump ahead with ideas and creative outpourings. There are certainly other planetary aspects to grab our attention and cause us to be perturbed, but I suggest we simply enjoy the gift of spring renewal and let it dissolve all negativity for the moment.
Finally the planets begin to shift. Sun/Venus/Mars step into Taurus and we connect with Mother Earth.
On April 15th, Venus moves on into Taurus and by April 20th, planet Mars will step into the sign of Taurus and bring calmness. Mars will still be traveling near the Sun (also in Taurus on April 19th). We continue to have strong, intense, willful energy that can accomplish a great deal. Taurus is an earth sign, so the Mars/Sun conversation may slow down. It may get stuck. It may turn stubborn or maybe just careful. Still it's a wonderful trio to have--Sun/Venus/Mars in Taurus—because Taurus is strongly creative. We get triple Taurus creativity. Venus rules Taurus and connects us with Mother Earth. The Sun entering Taurus makes us want to see the results of our planted seeds. We give thanks for bountiful growth.
Full Moon Lunar Eclipse is April 25 at 5 degrees of Scorpio: Taurus is the solid container. Scorpio is the mystery inside. During this Lunar Eclipse, we can expect the mystery and container to know each other.
Then, on April 25th, the Lunar Eclipse happens with the Moon full at 5 degrees of Scorpio. Great things will be happening for some folks. There can be moments of stepping into new life chapters. The planetary combinations during this eclipse—Sun/Venus/Mars in Taurus opposing Moon and Saturn in Scorpio—can bring form and grounding to everything you have been working on. Think about what you have been focusing on since the beginning of the year. This is a time of reaching a new place of comprehension, fulfillment or release. It could be a period of re-construction or re-adjustment. Taurus and Scorpio are the money arenas of the Zodiac. Do you have something for sale? Are you expecting a windfall? Here it comes. Something big may happen with the stock market….let's hope it is good news. If you have been struggling with a relationship, expect enlightenment. Taurus is the container while Scorpio is the mystery inside. We can expect the mystery and the container to connect.
Take a deep breath and exhale.
For years I have been sending out my Astro Tips via email. Now they will be appearing here. Each month you can expect current information about the planetary scene. There may also be an occasional short post to keep you updated on important happenings in the heavens!


text:
Q: mysql2sqlite.sh script is not working as required I am using mysql2sqlite.sh from script Github  to change my mysql database to sqlite. But the problem i am getting is that in my table the data 'E-001' gets changed to 'E?001'.
I have no idea how to modify the script to get the required result. Please help me.
the script is
#!/bin/sh

# Converts a mysqldump file into a Sqlite 3 compatible file. It also extracts the MySQL `KEY xxxxx` from the
# CREATE block and create them in separate commands _after_ all the INSERTs.

# Awk is choosen because it's fast and portable. You can use gawk, original awk or even the lightning fast mawk.
# The mysqldump file is traversed only once.

# Usage: $ ./mysql2sqlite mysqldump-opts db-name | sqlite3 database.sqlite
# Example: $ ./mysql2sqlite --no-data -u root -pMySecretPassWord myDbase | sqlite3 database.sqlite

# Thanks to and @artemyk and @gkuenning for their nice tweaks.

mysqldump --compatible=ansi --skip-extended-insert --compact "$@" | \

awk '

BEGIN {
FS=",$"
print "PRAGMA synchronous = OFF;"
print "PRAGMA journal_mode = MEMORY;"
print "BEGIN TRANSACTION;"
}

# CREATE TRIGGER statements have funny commenting. Remember we are in trigger.
/^\/\*.*CREATE.*TRIGGER/ {
gsub( /^.*TRIGGER/, "CREATE TRIGGER" )
print
inTrigger = 1
next
}

# The end of CREATE TRIGGER has a stray comment terminator
/END \*\/;;/ { gsub( /\*\//, "" ); print; inTrigger = 0; next }

# The rest of triggers just get passed through
inTrigger != 0 { print; next }

# Skip other comments
/^\/\*/ { next }

# Print all `INSERT` lines. The single quotes are protected by another single quote.
/INSERT/ {
gsub( /\\\047/, "\047\047" )
gsub(/\\n/, "\n")
gsub(/\\r/, "\r")
gsub(/\\"/, "\"")
gsub(/\\\\/, "\\")
gsub(/\\\032/, "\032")
print
next
}

# Print the `CREATE` line as is and capture the table name.
/^CREATE/ {
print
if ( match( $0, /\"[^\"]+/ ) ) tableName = substr( $0, RSTART+1, RLENGTH-1 )
}

# Replace `FULLTEXT KEY` or any other `XXXXX KEY` except PRIMARY by `KEY`
/^ [^"]+KEY/ && !/^ PRIMARY KEY/ { gsub( /.+KEY/, " KEY" ) }

# Get rid of field lengths in KEY lines
/ KEY/ { gsub(/\([0-9]+\)/, "") }

# Print all fields definition lines except the `KEY` lines.
/^ / && !/^( KEY|\);)/ {
gsub( /AUTO_INCREMENT|auto_increment/, "" )
gsub( /(CHARACTER SET|character set) [^ ]+ /, "" )
gsub( /DEFAULT CURRENT_TIMESTAMP ON UPDATE CURRENT_TIMESTAMP|default current_timestamp on update current_timestamp/, "" )
gsub( /(COLLATE|collate) [^ ]+ /, "" )
gsub(/(ENUM|enum)[^)]+\)/, "text ")
gsub(/(SET|set)\([^)]+\)/, "text ")
gsub(/UNSIGNED|unsigned/, "")
if (prev) print prev ","
prev = $1
}

# `KEY` lines are extracted from the `CREATE` block and stored in array for later print
# in a separate `CREATE KEY` command. The index name is prefixed by the table name to
# avoid a sqlite error for duplicate index name.
/^( KEY|\);)/ {
if (prev) print prev
prev=""
if ($0 == ");"){
print
} else {
if ( match( $0, /\"[^"]+/ ) ) indexName = substr( $0, RSTART+1, RLENGTH-1 )
if ( match( $0, /\([^()]+/ ) ) indexKey = substr( $0, RSTART+1, RLENGTH-1 )
key[tableName]=key[tableName] "CREATE INDEX \"" tableName "_" indexName "\" ON \"" tableName "\" (" indexKey ");\n"
}
}

# Print all `KEY` creation lines.
END {
for (table in key) printf key[table]
print "END TRANSACTION;"
}
'
exit 0

A: I can't give a guaranteed solution, but here's a simple technique I've been using successfully to handle similar issues (See "Notes", below).  I've been wrestling with this script the last few days, and figure this is worth sharing in case there are others who need to tweak it but are stymied by the awk learning curve.
The basic idea is to have the script output to a text file, edit the file, then import into sqlite (More detailed instructions below).
You might have to experiment a bit, but at least you won't have to learn awk (though I've been trying and it's pretty fun...).
HOW TO

*

*Run the script, exporting to a file (instead of passing directly
to sqlite3):
./mysql2sqlite -u root -pMySecretPassWord myDbase > sqliteimport.sql

*Use your preferred text editing technique to clean up whatever mess
you've run into.  For example, search/replace in sublimetext.  (See the last note, below, for a tip.)

*Import the cleaned up script into sqlite:
sqlite3 database.sqlite < sqliteimport.sql
NOTES:

*

*I suspect what you're dealing with is an encoding problem -- that '-' represents a character that isn't recognized by, or means something different to, either your shell, the script (awk), or your sqlite database. Depending on your situation, you may not be able to finesse the problem (see the next note).

*Be forewarned that this is most likely only going to work if the offending characters are embedded in text data (not just as text, but actual text content stored in a text field).  If they're in a machine name (foreign key field, entity id, e.g.), binary data stored as text, or text data stored in a binary field (blob, eg), be careful.  You could try it, but don't get your hopes up, and even if it seems to work be sure to test the heck out of it.

*If in fact that '-' represents some unusual character, you probably won't be able to just type a hyphen into the 'search' field of your search/replace tool.  Copy it from the source data (eg., open the file, highlight and copy to clipboard) then paste into the tool.
Hope this helps!

A: To convert mysql to sqlite3 you can use Navicom Premium.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
CYNDI LAUPER MAKES A TELEVISION DETOUR
Grammy®, Emmy® and Tony®-winning singer-songwriter Cyndi Lauper is taking a country DETOUR May 6 with her highly-anticipated new album (available for pre-order now) featuring a collection of country covers from the 40's, 50's and 60's. In support of the album and her upcoming tour, Lauper will be making pit stops on television, radio and across digital platforms, including NPR, CMT Online on May 4, "CBS This Morning" May 7, "Late Night with Seth Meyers" May 5, CMT's Hot Twenty Countdown May 7 and 8, and GAC May 10 and 19 with additional features in Associated Press, USA Today, Rolling Stone Country, Maverick Magazine, NASH Country Weekly, Billboard and syndicated radio programs "Big D & Bubba," "Kickin' It with Kix," "America's Morning Show," "Nash Nights Live," CMT Radio and more.
While the 19-city first leg of her "Detour Tour" will kick off May 9 at the "Mother Church of Country Music," Nashville's Ryman Auditorium, the 16-city second leg will return Sept. 10 at Austin's ACL Live and traverse the west coast before wrapping up October 8 at the The Joint in Las Vegas. Click here to purchase tickets.
DETOUR is Lauper's first for Sire Records and executive produced by legendary Sire founder, Seymour Stein. DETOUR will be available May 6 on CD ($18.98), LP ($24.98), and digitally.
For the album, Lauper duets with several special guests, including country music royalty: Emmylou Harris (on the title track), Willie Nelson ("Night Life," a song he wrote over 50 years ago), Vince Gill (Loretta Lynn and Conway Twitty's "You're The Reason Our Kids Are Ugly") and Alison Krauss (Dolly Parton's "Hard Candy Christmas." Jewel also makes an appearance on DETOUR, showcasing her prodigious yodeling skills on "I Want To Be A Cowboy's Sweetheart," which was the first country song by a woman to sell one million copies.
DETOUR Track Listing:
1."Funnel Of Love"
2."Detour" - Featuring Emmylou Harris
3."Misty Blue"
4."Walkin' After Midnight"
5."Heartaches By The Number"
6."The End Of The World"
7."Night Life" - Featuring Willie Nelson
8."Begging To You"
9."You're The Reason Our Kids Are Ugly" - Featuring Vince Gill
10."I Fall To Pieces"
11."I Want To Be A Cowboy's Sweetheart" - Featuring Jewel
12."Hard Candy Christmas" - Featuring Alison Krauss
DETOUR Tour:
*denotes dates with Boy George
May 9 Ryman Auditorium - Nashville, Tenn.
May 11 Palace Theatre - Louisville, Ky.
May 13 Carnegie of Homestead Music Hall - Pittsburgh, Pa.
May 14 Michigan Theater - Ann Arbor, Mich.
May 16 Chicago Theater - Chicago, Ill.
May 17 Hard Rock Live - Cleveland, Ohio
May 20 Mohegan Sun - Uncasville, Conn.*
May 21 Wang Theater - Boston, Mass.*
May 25 Beacon Theater - New York, Ny.*
May 28 Sands Bethlehem Event Center - Bethlehem, Pa.*
May 29 Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa Atlantic City, N.J.*
June 1 Wolf Trap - Vienna, Va.*
June 2 Charleston Music Hall Charleston, S.C.
June 4 Duke Energy Center Raleigh, N.C.
June 5 Symphony Hall - Atlanta, Ga.
June 8 Ruth Eckerd Hall - Clearwater, Fla.
June 9 Dr. Phillips Center - Orlando, Fla.
June 11 Mizner Park Amphitheatre - Boca Raton, Fla.
June 12 St. Augustine Amphitheatre - St. Augustine, Fla.
Sept. 10 ACL Live at Moody Theater - Austin, Texas
Sept. 11 Revention Music Center - Houston, Texas
Sept. 13 Civic Center Music Hall - Oklahoma City, Okla.
Sept. 15 Uptown Theatre - Kansas City, Mo.
Sept. 18 Paramount Theatre - Denver, Colo.
Sept. 20 The Depot - Salt Lake City, Utah
Sept. 21 Outlaw Field at the Idaho Botanical - Boise, Idaho
Sept. 23 Thunder Valley Casino Resort - Lincoln, Calif.
Sept. 24 Agua Caliente Casino - Rancho Mirage, Calif.
Sept. 27 Vina Robles Amphitheatre - Paso Robles, Calif.
Sept. 28 Arlington Theatre - Santa Barbara, Calif.
Sept. 30 The Mountain Winery - Saratoga, Calif.
Oct. 3 Humphrey's Concerts by the Bay - San Diego, Calif.
Oct. 5 Greek Theatre - Los Angeles, Calif.
Oct. 7 Talking Stick Resort Ballroom - Scottsdale, Ariz.
Oct. 8 The Joint - Las Vegas, Nev.
Labels: cyndi lauper, detour, Latest News, Press Releases, television, tv appearances, webster and associates

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


They can't remember who they are?
Have you said so many lines that they've started to tattoo on your life-weathered skin?
Have you stopped eating because the admiration tastes better?
Do you fall in and out of love every night?
Sewn together by the numberless bolded monikers?


A quick little holiday illustration sent out to friends and family. Inspired by aspects of modernism and Bruno's essays, Design as Art.
In4mation has been Hawaii's premier skate and street wear brand for over a decade. The in4mation team has been credited with the growth of various independent brands from Los Angeles to Tokyo.
In4mation HQ is located in chinatown, Honolulu. I drew inspiration from the shops, hand painted signs and businesses that surround this area. It was an honor to create a graphic shirt and store decal for their collaboration with Moon Collective.
Lettuce Shoppe was created in 2013 out of the passion for beauty and care. The original beauty shop needed a modern and fun rebrand, which could attract a more youthful clientele.
The objective was to create an identity that would be used in print, web and the physical space in Los Angeles. The Lettuce Girl icon was created to symbolize the shops mascot.
Oakland Surf Club is a surf lifestyle brand based in Oakland, California. Inspired by the East Bay community and the love of the ocean.
I've worked closely with Max and Ari of OSC to develop seasonal designs used for graphic tees, headwear and soft goods since 2013.
Melanie Tjoeng is a storyteller and photographer from Australia. Her work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, YEN magazine, Hypebeast, Ben Trovato, Contrast Magazine and other publications.
The objective was to help her create a simple identity that was elegant, and simple. The inspiration Melanie included was influenced by images of the Southwest and cotton candy sunsets. We selected a pale coral pantone as the main color to be branded throughout her collateral. The mark consists of an American Native sun symbol as Melanie's photography is very much depicted by the natural light.
Surfboards.com is a surfboard and outdoor lifestyle online retailer. The objective of the assignment was to rebrand the website and identity.
I worked with the art director to create new concepts for the website as well as icon illustrations utilized throughout the site.
FTC, established in 1986, humbly began as a small collection of skate gear buried in the back of a ski and tennis shop. Over the past three decades FTC has earned the reputation as one of the true epicenters of real skate culture.
I worked closely with the art director to design/illustrate graphic tees, patterns for various cut n sew pieces, patches, tag labels and stickers. More importantly, we began to form themes to make each season more cohesive.
Growing up in the Bay Area, it was a exciting to work for the A's. For this project I illustrated hall of fame pitcher Rollie Fingers with his notorious mustache for an Oakland Athlestic's spot. The image below depicts Mr. Fingers gracefully riding a dolphin through a rainbow sky. Click to view below.
Park life is an independent retail store and art gallery based in San Francisco. The shop carries very well curated art books, limited edition prints and branded apparel.
I've been good friends with Park Life for nearly a decade and have designed everything from postcards, art posters and shirts.
Playhaven is the mobile gaming monetization platform with deep user segmentation. Currently, known as Kontagen.
As the visual designer, I was responsible for updating the company branding, leading website redesign, illustration, marketing assets, and working with individual teams to create pitch decks.
Chevys Fresh Mex is an Mexican inspired chain restaurant located through out the country. We worked on a much needed rebrand which included all print material to the website.
I worked on designing the cover menu which composed of neatly placed illustrations of fresh produces, meats and kitchen utensils. for the inside menu panels, I illustrated a model Chevys restaurant besides a small farm town to symbolize their use of fresh ingredients.
Worked on this illustration of slain Notorious Biggie and Tupac Shakur for a graphic tee.
Snake Craft is a San Francisco-based woodworking company founded by Jacob Ward in 2014. SC plans and builds fine carpentry from custom shelving to high quality tables.
I was able to help design a logo for SC as well as consult on future design presentations. We have also collaborated on designing pop up shop exteriors for Moon Collective.
As part of the Windows Phone 7 launch, Microsoft planned to send influencial bloggers a phone to give away to one of their readers. In addition to simply giving these bloggers a free phone, we wanted to show them that we took time to study and enjoy their blogs as well as highlight who they are.
We started by handcrafting wooden shadowboxes designed to bring the unique "Live Tile" interface of the Windows Phone 7 to life. Each shadowbox has four square tiles representing different features of the phone. We customized each box to each blogger, working with countless artists and craftsman to help piece together each component within the squares.
I researched these bloggers endlessly, designed trickets and, along with the team, hand curated these squares. Displayed is our agency shadow box, we kept this as our personal trophy.
Rapper a week is an ongoing project started in 2012. It is an ode to my love for rap and the rappers. I was ambitions attempt to illustration a new rapper a week. Nowadays, I'm happy whenever I can complete a new portrait.
Sweet Sydney's is cookie company based in San Francisco, California. Sydney and her family wanted to create cookies that are not only delicious, but more importantly gluten free. From their humble beginnings crafting the perfect treat, Sweet Sydney's can now be found in most whole foods and cafe's throughout the country.
Most of my meetings with the family took place in their charming SF kitchen. I was lucky enough to test the first few batches of cookies. Overtime, we were able to create a identity system from the logo, packaging and even apparel.
Handsome Oxford is a fine vintage brick and mortar shop located in the Tenderloin of San Francisco. They specialize in reselling menswear's made in the USA. We created a collaboration piece to mark the beginning of our long friendship together.
Currently help HO with their in house line of graphic apparel and collateral pieces.


Our commitment to the environment and sustainability is underlined by the development and maintenance of our Environmental Management System (EMS). Our EMS and approach to environmental issues has been assessed, evaluated and accredited with ISO 14001: 2015.
Throughout projects we are diligent in our selection of materials and consumables to ensure that their use is sustainable and environmentally friendly. All site waste is identified, segregated and appropriately stored for future recycling and disposal.
To further demonstrate our commitment to reducing our impact on climate change and reducing our carbon footprint, we also have a continuous investment in technology to reduce use of energy, water and other natural resources.
You can be confident that the environmental practices and procedures we use on any future project are of the highest standards and are in accordance with ISO 1400.


This was a really fun sewing project that I was so excited to make for my little one. She really needed a raincoat, and I wanted something adorable and different that I wouldn't need to buy everything for.
I've had the Bristol Reversible High Low Jacket pattern from Create Kids Couture for awhile. I used it to make my big girl her pink princess birthday jacket. It's very cute and feminine with a high low circle skirt feature, and it's a very quick sew.
I combined it with the free Molly hood from Violette Field Threads. It's a Molly Jacket add on that includes animal ears, and I was seriously tempted to just buy the Molly Jacket pattern, but I'm so glad I went with the Bristol instead. I combined the Bristol Jacket in size 3 and the Molly hood in a size 2 with the cat ears; I don't think the size 3 hood would've fit the jacket.
I decided to go with orange cotton twill for the jacket, flannel for the lining, and gray faux fur for the hood lining. Cotton twill is water resistant, and it's easier for her to move around in than some of the plastic type or laminated raincoat materials. Plus it's so much easier to sew with. The faux fur's nap was pretty short, so I didn't really have much issue sewing with it, much to my relief.
I followed the instructions for the Bristol jacket, just replacing the collar piece with the previously assembled hood. The instructions for both patterns were very simple to follow.
Since the sleeves are turned up at the bottom, I made sure my llamas were upside down on the sleeve lining pieces since they're a directional print. I'm obviously not making this jacket reversible.
Instead of using the tie to secure the jacket, I used a button, but I might add a second button to keep it a bit more closed up and snug.
Overall I'm very happy with how it turned out, and with our California weather, it's kept her dry. There's enough room inside the jacket to wear over a sweater, and the faux fur lined hood keeps her head warm.
She's thrilled with it too! I really love the pixie hood as well which fits her little personality. I just love when pattern mashups work out.
Have you thought about mushing together any patterns? It's so much fun thinking them up and planning them!


I know things are really overwhelming right now. Just remember that there's a difference in wants and needs for the baby. All she really NEEDs are a carseat and diapers. Everything else will fall into place. If things aren't completely done when she arrives, she'll never know. Take a deep breathe, and enjoy your new computer!
When I was pregnant with Olivia and we went into L&D 3 weeks early because I was about to die from eclampsia they told me we were going to have to deliver her. The only thing I kept freaking out about was how not ready we were yet. The crib was just barely set up, but I hadn't washed and linens or clothes, there were no decorations in her room. No bottles or pacifiers and definitely not clothes for a 5 pound baby! Ray kept telling me it would be okay. That none of that would matter. My sister went to our house and set the basinette up in our room and washed blankets & sheets and after Olivia was here and my mom was with me in the hospital Ray went to Target & Babies R Us and bought a ton of clothes and bottles and pacifiers and you know what happened? Everything was just fine. Sure we made about 100 unnecessary trips to BRU & Target after she was born those first few weeks, but we were okay. And you will be perfect. I just know it. Didn't I tell you after I got pregnant that you were next? Didn't I tell you that this was your year? And haven't I been right? So I'm telling you that you & Jimi and baby girl will be perfect.


text:
Phil Greaves
notthemsmdotcom
Human Rights Watch, Latakia, Middle East, Syria, Turkey
Syria: HRW report on Latakia reflects Washington's shifting policy.
A report from Human Rights Watch, titled "You Can Still See Their Blood", gives a lengthy and detailed account of what amount to crimes against humanity committed by opposition forces in more than 10 majority Alawite villages in the region of Latakia.
Commencing in the early hours of the 4th of August, up to 20 rebels groups, led by the Salafi/Jihadi extremists that dominate the Syrian insurgency, among them: Ahrar al-Sham, Jabhat al-Nusra, the Islamic State of Iraq and Sham, Jaish al-Muhajireen wal-Ansar, and Suqoor al-Izz, commenced a prolonged and brutal sectarian attack upon the majority Alawite civilian population of Latakia. In another blow to the "moderate rebels" media narrative, it becomes clear that the western-friendly groups under "FSA" branding – ie, groups that receive arms and funding through the western-backed "Supreme Military Council" (SMC) – were also involved in the sectarian assault on Latakia. The report states that it is not clear whether SMC affiliated groups were present during the onset of the assault, but that "the participation of Idriss (leader of "SMC") & fighters under his command in "Operation to Liberate the Coast" appears clear". Furthermore, in a video filmed in Latakia countryside from August 11th, Idriss is shown congratulating the rebels for their "successes" in Latakia. And, in another video from August 12th Idriss declares his full support for the assault and appeals for more weapons for the "revolutionaries":
I am here [in Latakia countryside] today to get a picture on the true achievements and the big successes that our fellow revolutionaries have achieved in the coastal campaign and to respond to the charges that claim incorrectly that we will end our operations here on the coastal frontlines. We are here today to assure everyone that our chief of staff is cooperating fully with the coastal military front command regarding their military activities. We are not going to withdraw as was falsely claimed but on the contrary, we are cooperating to a great extent in this operation.
We wish to remind everyone to provide the Syrian revolutionaries (sic) with bullets and weapons and all it needs so we can end the killing and destruction and build a free country.
The report is a damning account of the rebel groups that planned and took part in the unprovoked assault. Arguably for the first time a western "NGO" has reported on "systematic", "premeditated", mass atrocities committed by the rebels in Syria. It provides a stark wake-up call to the morally expedient media organs and western diplomats that have trumpeted the so-called "freedom fighters" for nigh-on two years – but that may be a desired intention, as we will discuss later.
HRW collected the names of 190 civilians that were killed in the attack, including 57 women, at least 18 children, and 14 elderly men, the vast majority of whom HRW claim were killed in the first day alone. Over 200 civilians are still missing. Moreover, 105 civilians – the vast majority women and children – are known to have been taken hostage by the rebels; it is claimed these hostages have been passed from one rebel group to another, with the aim of exchanging them for rebel prisoners, and are now allegedly being held captive by Ahrar al-Sham. A "oppposition activist", present during the onslaught claimed that after the first day of the attack "160-200 Alawite were dead".
The well-regarded analyst of jihadist groups in Syria Aymenn J Al-Tamimi, gave a less-than optimistic estimate of the fate of the captives in September, stating that the more extreme rebel groups consider Alawite women and children "spoils of war", and it was "likely that they had been put to sex and labour trafficking". A video released on YouTube circulating for some weeks shows some of the women and children from Latakia being held by Abu Suhaib, a Libyan leader of the foreign jihadist group Jaish al-muhijireen wal-Ansar. Ominously, HRW claim that "Given that many residents remain missing, and opposition fighters buried many bodies in mass graves, the total number of dead is likely higher."
The report goes into graphic detail of how rebels attacked the town in large numbers, quickly overpowering local government troops. Witnesses described "frantically attempting to flee as opposition fighters stormed the area, opening fire apparently indiscriminately, and in some cases deliberately shooting at them while they tried to flee. Many of those who were unable to flee were killed or taken hostage." Whole families were massacred in their homes. In many cases, male civilians were summarily executed whilst women and children were either killed attempting to flee or taken hostage. Furthermore, the report makes clear that the attack on Latakia was not the work of a "rogue group" and was clearly premeditated and organised in advance. Decapitation, slit-throats, multiple point-blank gunshot wounds, multiple stab wounds, and "complete charring" among the victims. The ruthless barbarity inflicted upon civilians is reminiscent of previous unsolved massacres that received widespread attention earlier on in the conflict.
Although much attention should rightly be focused on the barbaric nature of the attack and identifying its perpetrators, it is also important to consider the timing of the HRW report. The attacks on Latakia were over two months ago; long before the chemical weapons attack on August 21st in Ghouta, which HRW covered extensively – with far less source material at their disposal – only two weeks after the event. Once the Syrian Army (SAA) and National Defense Forces (NDF) had driven out the insurgents and regained control of the villages in Latakia; local Syrian media reported on the mass-graves that were found, and indeed, the many missing people. Moreover, the aforementioned video of captives with the Libyan militant Abu Suhaib also received widespread attention in local and alternative media. Conversely, these events went largely ignored in western media; the focus of western coverage on Syria was immediately flooded by the furore surrounding the attacks in Ghouta on August the 21st, again, in stark contrast to any coverage of the assault on Latakia. It should also be noted that the Syrian government itself had (unsuccessfully) tried to suppress reports of the attack on Latakia in order to preserve morale within its core support-base and avert the possibility of exacerbating sectarian divisions rapidly spreading throughout the country. The rebels had no such intention; the region of Latakia was intentionally targeted for the specific reason that the majority of its civilian inhabitants are Alawite and supporters of the Syrian government.
The question then remains, why have HRW chosen to publish this report now? The fact that the report is being released over two months after the event suggests its release has been suppressed. Working from the "theory" that HRW is in no way "independent" and in reality acts as a propaganda arm to forward the objectives of the United States Government, the answer for the apparent delay may lie in Washington's shifting policy on Syria. Last week John Kerry was berated by hawks in Congress for coming close to praising the Assad government for its efforts with the OPCW, in their attempts to destroy Syria's chemical stockpile; a man three weeks earlier Kerry had equated to Hitler. Another indicator lies in the report itself, in which much attention is paid to third parties responsible for funding and providing logistics for the attack. In short, the report points to three principal parties as guilty in this respect: the Turkish government, Gulf states, and private Gulf donors.
From information gleaned from social media accounts, the report names several key private individual donors who contributed sufficient amounts for the Latakia offensive, going as far as linking to their personal twitter accounts. One such donor is Sheikh Hajjej al-Ajami, a Kuwaiti Salafi preacher and long time patron of Ahrar al-Sham who is reported to have donated 400,000 euros for the offensive. One Shafi al-Ajami, another prominent Kuwaiti Salafi preacher and scholar at the Kuwait University – who was recently suspended for his allegedly divisive sermons – is also named as a key sponsor. Sheihk Saqr, the leader of Suqqor al-Izz, and a deputy Abu Tahal from Ahrar al-Sham are named as key interlocutors running funds from an operations center under their command.
The HRW report calls on Gulf states to "Publicly condemn abuses committed by opposition groups and deny any military support to Ahrar al-Sham, Islamic State of Iraq and Sham, Jabhat al-Nusra, Jaish al-Muhajireen wal-Ansar,and Suquor al-Izz". HRW stress that Gulf states should increase monitoring of transfers from Gulf residents, urging them to use "influence" to pressure individuals and prosecute those found to be supporting war criminals. The report urges Gulf states to "use any influence over armed opposition groups that hold civilian hostages to release those hostages." Again, if one were to judge this from the perspective that HRW is speaking on behalf of the US government – which it often does – these recommendations seem a far-cry from the usual "moderate" rhetoric and could indicate a marked shift by Washington toward curbing Gulf activity and funding of the opposition in general.
The report repeatedly states that "Arms sales & military assistance to groups [responsible for Latakia] make the individuals supplying them complicit in crimes they commit." Moreover, in a clear signal to the Turkish government , the report explicitly requests that the "UN Security Council and Turkey's allies should call on Turkey in particular to do more to verify that no arms are passing through Turkey to these groups". And that through interviews with "Syrian security officials, media reports, western diplomats, and direct observations by journalists and humanitarian workers who visited the area in the past, many foreign fighters operating in northern Syria gain access to Syria via Turkey, from which they also smuggle their weapons, obtain money and other supplies, and sometimes retreat to for medical treatment."
It is has become common knowledge among Syria watchers that Turkey have – at the very least – provided safe-haven for the extremist militants. Consistent reports and allegations from official sources have also pointed to the AKP government providing them logistics and medical assistance since the insurgency took hold in 2011. Saleh Muslim, the Kurdish leader from Northern Syria who has been embroiled in battles with Jabhat al-Nusra and ISIS parallel to the Turkish border, has repeatedly called on Erdogan's government to end its support of the Salafi/Jihadis attacking the Kurdish population.
Relations between Washington and Ankara have turned sour of late on several fronts in the Middle East, primarily in Egypt, alongside increasingly divergent policies in Syria. Erdogan was vocally critical of the Obama administration during the recent military coup in Egypt, which resulted in the overthrow of Brotherhood ally Mohamed Morsi. In turn, the Erdogan government has recently been the target of several critical articles in US media, highlighting Erdogan's "Islamist" ideology and ties to the Muslim Brotherhood. In a further signal to Ankara, the Wall Street Journal ran a critical profile yesterday of the Turkish intelligence chief, and top Erdogan aide, Hakan Fidan. Titled "Turkey's Spymaster Plots Own Course on Syria", the article portrays the Turkish establishment as at odds with the "moderate" approach supposedly favoured by the Obama administration. A Turkish opposition MP, and member of the Foreign Relations Committee, claims to have followed 50 buses filled with radical fighters being taken to the Syrian border with the full cooperation of Turkish authorities. In effect, the Erdogan government, since the onset of the crisis, has played a similar role to that of Pakistan during the US-backed Afghan insurgency; acting as a primary forward operating base and logistics hub for the militants waging war upon the Syrian state.
In what appears to be an attempt to publicly pressure its allies in the region, who may be less-than willing to abandon the insurgency, the Obama administration is using its ever-faithful Public Relations apparatus to convey a clear message to Turkey, and other regional Gulf allies, that now is the time to end – or at least drastically restructure – their support to the now dominant radicals that form the backbone of the insurgency.
Al Qaeda, Middle East, Saudi Arabia, Syria
Syria: The Army of Islam; Saudi Arabia's finest export.
Recent developments regarding "rebel" groups inside Syria have shed further light on the ideologies and political aims of the militants waging war upon the Syrian state.
On the 24th September, under the moniker of the "Islamist Alliance", 11 of the largest and most recognisable rebel brigades – a mix of supposed "moderate Islamists" such as Liwa al-Tawhid, the largest "FSA"-branded brigade in Aleppo, alongside more hardline Salafi/Jihadi brigades such as Ahrar al-Sham, and Al Qaeda ideologues Jahbat al-Nusra – released a joint statement denouncing the western-backed expatriates of the "National Coalition" (NC), along with its equally impotent military arm, the "Supreme Military Council" (SMC). Following this statement of intent, on the 29th of September, up to 50 rebel groups operating primarily in the area of Damascus merged to form Jaish al-Islam (Army of Islam). The Damascus merger also included a wide-ranging demographic of militant groups, from the supposed "moderate", to overt Salafist hardliners. Jaish al-Islam is dominated by Liwa al-Islam, a large rebel group formerly of "FSA" branding, and led by Saudi-backed Zahran Alloush. Liwa al-Islam were also a signatory to the aforementioned statement of denunciation toward the western-backed political opposition.
These announcements have effectively put-to-bed the western propagated myth that was the "Free Syrian Army". Militant groups the west ostensibly touted as "secular moderates" yearning for "freedom and democracy" from a tyrannical regime; have now openly declared their Salafi/Jihadi fundamentalist ideology, with the ultimate aim of creating a Syrian state ruled by Islamic law.
Already, these announcements are being portrayed as an attempt by Saudi Arabia – yes, ever tolerant and inclusive Wahhabi-preaching Saudi Arabia – and other leading Salafi factions supporting the insurgency to steer "vetted, or moderate Salafi" rebels away from the Al Qaeda aligned groups; particularly the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), who are now portrayed as simply "foreign jihadists" and have become the leading fall-guy in Western and Gulf media for every atrocity committed by the rebels. This false perception has been built as a result of a Western and Gulf initiated public relations campaign to "moderate" the image of the Salafi/Jihadi fundamentalists (aswell as those more inclined to basic criminality, killing, and destruction) who may be more willing to meet the requirements of their Gulf donors and the United States. Yet, contrary to this divisive narrative, the same "moderate" Salafi's who are now supposedly being encouraged to disassociate from their Al Qaeda affiliates have happily fought alongside – more often than not as a junior partner – the West's supposed "number one enemy" (AQ) since the insurgency began in 2011.
In further contrast to the aforementioned "Awakening" narrative, Jabhat al-Nusra (JaN) – the Syrian branch of Al Qaeda ideologues – are still very much in the mix. Although various pundits and analysts have made efforts to publicise tensions between ISIS and JaN, the two groups still share a similar Jihadist ideology and cooperate in key areas, particularly on paramilitary operations; as do the hardline Salafi groups such as Ahrar Al-Sham, who in turn fully cooperate with the western friendly "moderates" forming the backbone of Jaish al-Islam. In the recent ISIS takeover of the "FSA" held town of Azaz from the western-friendly Northern Storm brigade (of John McCain fame), Liwa al-Tahwid quickly offered to broker a ceasefire and acted as interlocutor between the two warring factions. ISIS in turn, rejected any "FSA" authority and have since taken control of the town – not that Liwa al-Tahwid could have stopped them anyway. These events directly contradict the notion that the new "Army of Islam" is in any rush to disassociate, let alone be able to wage war upon the ISIS or its extremist affiliates. Moreover, the leader of Jaish al-Islam, Zahran Alloush, publicly disowned his own "captain" after he warned ISIS there would be open conflict if they "continued this chaos". The leader claimed that the comments were "dangerous" and designed to "cause strife between muslims".
Furthermore, in a recent interview with Al Jazeera, Alloush, free of his "moderate" chains, lets loose on his ideals for a future Syria, in which he aspires to resurrect the Umayyad Empire (2nd Islamic Caliphate with Syria at its core and Damascus as its capital), and "cleanse" Damascus of "Majous" (pejorative Arabic term for Iranians) "Rafideh" (Shi'ites) and "Nusayris" (Alawites). Rebel leaders openly espousing sectarian rhetoric has been a running theme throughout the conflict; in line with this trend, Alloush's statement can be taken as a clear indication that his new "Jaish al-Islam" is not in the least bit concerned with abiding by a western-friendly moderate image. Alloush, like the majority of rebel leaders, is a fundamentalist Salafist, who looks on at the minorities of Syria as kafir (unbelievers) who must submit to his interpretation of Salafi Islam or be killed.
The western/Gulf media narrative surrounding this new "Islamist Alliance" is a re-hash of failed PR campaigns of the past, which attempted to mitigate the inherent fundamentalist ideologies of the insurgents waging war upon the Syrian state. In stark contrast to the Caliphate-inspired visions held by the majority of rebel leaders, Syria has been a pluralistic secular society for decades, the majority of its Sunni muslim population are conservative and have coexisted peacefully alongside the many other religions and ethnic minorities that make up Syria's diverse society, history, and culture. The people of Syria do not aspire to a Saudi sponsored Salafi/Wahhabi leadership or doctrine of law. Contrary to the popular narrative emerging in western and Gulf media that this new force will represent an indigenous "moderate Islamist" coalition capable of taking on the foreign elements and Al Qaeda, the majority of Syrians will be repelled by the sectarian language and ideologies of Zohran Alloush; his groups overt affiliations and pandering to Al Qaeda ideologues; and his "Army of Islam".
Considering the above context, the narrative of home-grown Salafis somehow being more amenable to the Syrian population than their ISIS/JaN fundamentalist colleagues becomes even less tenable. Alloush's formation of Jaish al-Islam, alongside the "Islamist Alliance" denunciation of the western-backed political opposition, show a marked shift of the insurgency further toward the Al Qaeda ideologues fighting the Syrian regime, not further away from them.
David Graeber's Homage to Rojava.
Orientalism and the ISIS spectacle.
The western liberal Left and "rationalizing" the genocide in historic Palestine.
Philosophical Idealists as Comrades-In-Arms: A Reply to Sam Kriss.
ISIS: An expression of imperialism in Iraq.
Western left-opportunism, and "denying agency" in Syria.
Ukraine, Imperialism, and the sophism of liberal "left" media.
Israel and Saudi Arabia's priorities in Syria.


Vassal, in feudal society, one invested with a fief in return for services to an overlord. Some vassals did not have fiefs and lived at their lord's court as his household knights. Certain vassals who held their fiefs directly from the crown were tenants in chief and formed the most important feudal group, the barons. A fief held by tenants of these tenants in chief was called an arriere-fief, and, when the king summoned the whole feudal host, he was said to summon the ban et arriere-ban. There were female vassals as well; their husbands fulfilled their wives' services.
Under the feudal contract, the lord had the duty to provide the fief for his vassal, to protect him, and to do him justice in his court. In return, the lord had the right to demand the services attached to the fief (military, judicial, administrative) and a right to various "incomes" known as feudal incidents. Examples of incidents are relief, a tax paid when a fief was transferred to an heir or alienated by the vassal, and scutage, a tax paid in lieu of military service. Arbitrary arrangements were gradually replaced by a system of fixed dues on occasions limited by custom.
The vassal owed fealty to his lord. A breach of this duty was a felony, regarded as so heinous an offense that in England all serious crimes, even those that had nothing to do with feudalism proper, came to be called felonies, since, in a way, they were breaches of the fealty owed to the king as guardian of the public peace and order.
The vassals' rights over the fiefs grew larger and larger in course of time, and soon fiefs became hereditary in the sense that investiture could not be withheld from an heir who was willing to do homage. The rules of inheritance tended to safeguard an undivided fief and preferred the eldest among the sons (primogeniture). This principle was far from absolute; under pressure from younger sons, parts of an inheritance might be set apart for them in compensation (appanage; q.v.). Vassals also acquired the right to alienate their fiefs, with the proviso, first, of the lord's consent and, later, on payment of a certain tax. Similarly, they obtained the right to subinfeudate, that is, to become lords themselves by granting parts of their fiefs to vassals of their own. If a vassal died without heir or committed a felony, his fief went back to the lord (see escheat).


ASHLEY PEARCE has lived in Winston-Salem for 20 years. She is married to Dan and has two sons, Owen and Wyatt. She is so excited to be taking part in her second "Take the Lead" event.
RANKO BOGOSAVAC was born in Bosnia where he started his promising dance career at age 9. He won numerous national championships over the next nine years, and in 2009 moved to the US. Competing professionally in American Style Rhythm division, Ranko placed in the finals of all the major competitions in the US. In 2012 Ranko moved to Charlotte NC to dance and work for Metropolitan Ballroom while continuing to compete successfully in international competitions. He wasted no time getting involved in the American dance community and the community at large.
Ranko has now brought his great talents to Winston-Salem, opening the Best of Ballroom studio with Laura Stainback in 2017! He has contributed his considerable expertise and style to Take the Lead for many years, and we are grateful for Ranko and his devotion to this event and the children it will benefit.


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M25 J13 clockwise exit | Clockwise | Road Works
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Location : The M25 clockwise exit slip at junction J13 . Lane Closures : Lane one will be closed. Reason : Emergency barrier repairs are planned. Status : Pending. Schedule : Expect disruption everyday between 22:00 and 05:00 from 24 July 2019 to 26 July 2019. Lanes Closed : There will be one of four lanes closed.
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We are developing a podcast called Launching Questions with Kid Justin.
We want to discover the stories hiding in our own backyard, our local city and our network of connections throughout the country.
Join us as we explore the world through the eyes of a child.


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NCT DREAM's Jaemin Reveals What Made Him So Energized While Filming Their "Hot Sauce" MV
Jaemin's behind-the-scene story is too funny!
Amelia Love
Everyone loves some good behind-the-scene stories and NCT DREAM shared some intriguing ones from their "Hot Sauce" MV filming.
During their time on 37.5MHz HAECHAN Radio! Jeno brought up was the scene in their MV where they had to dance on the dirt. Although they looked flawless dancing in those scenes, Jeno revealed that it was actually difficult to dance well on the dirt.
Dancing on the dirt floor. Wow, it was a lot harder than I thought. It was difficult to balance myself.
— Jeno
Meanwhile, Jaemin shared he had no trouble dancing on the dirt, and the reason is pretty funny. Jaemin shared that he was able to sleep at an earlier time than usual.
You know on the second day, you film everything and then after we're done, when there's free time in the middle, we usually like sleeping in the car. But I had enough time on my hands. So I definitely at 6 PM, right? But when I woke up in the van, it was 12 o'clock.
— Jaemin
The members were shocked at what they were heard and Chenle commented, "Did you sleep for 6 hours?" Jaemin grinned and confirmed, "I slept 6 hours."
Mark was also surprised Jaemin was able to get so much sleep and stated, "You must have had such a power nap?"
Apparently, Jaemin's power nap was the reason he was able to be so awake and aware during their "Hot Sauce" MV filming.
That's why I was so alert when I was doing the dancing part in the dirt.
Following Jaemin's story, Jeno realized that's why Jaemin, "Wasn't sleeping in the car" on the way back. Since the members run on such a busy schedule, Haechan expressed that any moment they are able to take a nap during filming is really a huge blessing.
You know when we film MVs, since we've all done it, as someone who have experienced this, it's those times when you are able to nap that you're thankful for.
— Haechan
It seems like getting as much as a 6-hour nap is rare as the members claimed it was "Record-breaking." Jisung revealed the most theyusually ever get out of a nap is an hour.
But doing that for 6 hours though, it's never happened before. Normally it's like at most an hour.
— Jisung
Thankfully, Jaemin was able to get a good amount of sleep for their MV shooting. Even without his, now legendary, power nap, NCTzens know he would've killed dancing in the dirt either way.
Check out the video below:


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Basznia Górna is een plaats in het Poolse district  Lubaczowski, woiwodschap Subkarpaten. De plaats maakt deel uit van de gemeente Lubaczów en telt 447 inwoners.

Plaats in Subkarpaten

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


August 3, 2017 – Nurses at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs (CMFH-SS) are being honored with The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses. The award is part of the DAISY Foundation's program to recognize the super-human efforts nurses perform every day.
The first award recipient is Ryan Jones, RN on the Medical/Surgical Floor for his attentiveness to patient needs and always creating a soothing and safe environment.
Nurses may be nominated by patients, families, and colleagues and they are chosen by a committee of nurses at CMFH-SS to receive The DAISY Award. Recipients are chosen twice a year and presentations are given in front of the nurse's colleagues, physicians, patients, and visitors. Each Honoree receives a certificate commending her or him for being an "Extraordinary Nurse." The certificate reads: "In deep appreciation of all you do, who you are, and the incredibly meaningful difference you make in the lives of so many people." The Honoree will also be given a beautiful and meaningful sculpture called A Healer's Touch, hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Africa.
For 68 years, CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs has made a vow to lead the charge to create healthy lives for the people and communities of the Sulphur Springs area and across Northeast Texas by extending the healing ministry of Jesus Christ. Our nurses keep that promise every day by providing the compassionate, sophisticated, award-winning care you have come to expect. Our journey is just beginning, and we invite you to join us. Follow CHRISTUS as We Follow CHRISTUS.


Jimmy Reed at Carnegie Hall was the first blues album to truly cross over and influence a whole generation and continues to spread its influence today. Everyone from Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, The Yardbirds and countless others, were influenced by Jimmy Reed at Carnegie Hall. This album includes all of his greatest hits. Jimmy not only had hits on the R&B charts but also crossed over 11 times on Billboard's Hot 100, unheard of for a blues musician.
Mastered at Acoustech by Kevin Gray and Steve Hoffman.