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In the March 16 issue of the NY Times, Matthew Wald has an article titled, Underwater Cable an Alternative to Electrical Towers. In it, Wald points out that generating a substantial fraction of our electrical power from renewable energy sources is going to require a lot of additional transmission lines. A promising alternative to standard high voltage AC transmission lines and towers is high voltage DC cables underwater. A Toronto company is proposing a 370-mile long underwater cable from Canada to New Your City, along the bottom of Lake Champlain and down the Hudson River, bringing cheap hydroelectric power to the power-hungry city. A similar but longer cable offshore along the East Coast could tie together offshore wind farms from Maine to North Carolina, providing power to highly populated states all along the coast. Such a cable would not only have less environmental impact than a North-South transmission line on land, but by tying together many different wind farms in different areas, would provide nearly constant 24/7 baseload power – making it possible to replace coal and nuclear plants, operating or proposed. At:
On March 16 the Governor's Wind Energy Coalition issued a set of recommendations in a report titled, Great Expectations – U.S. Wind Energy Development. The recommendations call for the following actions at the federal level:
· Adopt a renewable electricity standard.
· Develop new interstate electric transmission system infrastructure as needed to provide access to premier renewable energy resources both on-shore and offshore.
· Fully support coastal, deep water, and offshore wind energy technology and transmission research and development.
· Streamline permitting processes for both offshore and on-shore wind energy development projects.
· Expand the U.S. Department of Energy's work with the states and the wind industry to accelerate innovation.
· Extend the Treasury Department Grant Program in lieu of the Investment Tax Credit, and adopt a long-term renewable energy production tax credit with provisions to broaden the pool of eligible investors.
At: http://www.governorswindenergycoalition.org/assets/files/GWC%202010%20Recommendations%20(FINAL%203-16-10).pdf
John Blackburn, a PhD Professor of Economics Emeritus, Duke University, issued a report in March for the Institute for Energy and Environmental Research (IEER) titled, Matching Utility Loads with Solar and Wind Power in North Carolina - Dealing with Intermittent Electricity Sources. The report concludes that wind and solar power – North Carolina's largest renewable energy sources – together with smart meters and some energy storage can supply most of the state's electrical requirements. Load control, price-induced demand shifts and vehicle batteries "permit the utility systems to operate with a complement of backup generation capacity which is smaller than the backup facilities commonly used in the present systems and their huge centralized coal or nuclear baseload plants." At:
An ABC News report from last November that I had missed earlier said that gravity satellite measurements have now shown that the East Antarctic Ice Sheet – the largest mass of ice on the planet - is now definitely melting and will contribute more to sea level rise (SLR) than scientists had thought. The scientists projected that SLR may be 1 to 1.5 meter (40 to 60 inches) by 2100. At: http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2009/s2751232.htm
For the abstract of the original report, Accelerated Antarctic ice loss from satellite gravity measurements, in the Nov. 22, 2009 issue of Nature Geoscience, by J.L. Chen et al., see: http://www.nature.com/ngeo/journal/v2/n12/abs/ngeo694.html
The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) issued a news release on March 22 titled, Polls and Media Reports Exaggerate Climate Change Backlash, Says Stanford Polling Expert. Jon Kosnick, professor of communication, political science and psychology at Stanford University, told a Capitol Hill briefing that the percentage of Americans who think that global warming is real fell only slightly last year – from 80% to 75% - probably because the global average temperature in 2008 was a little cooler than in previous years. A majority of Americans (70% in 2009) still trust scientists, although only 31% that year thought that most scientists agree that global warming is happening. Part of that may be due to the failure of many scientists to communicate clearly with the public, but a lot can be attributed to the success of climate change skeptics in misleading the public about the extent of agreement among climate scientists. At: http://www.aaas.org/news/releases/2010/0322climate.shtml
BusinessWeek ran an Associated Press story on March 30, reporting that the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission rejected a proposal by Deepwater Wind to sell power from eight turbines. The price was to be more than twice the current price from the National Grid. Though no price was given, the price per kWh can be substantially less for large wind farms than for small ones, because of economies of scale. The Power Purchase Agreement between Bluewater Wind and Delmarva Power, for 200 MW off the Delaware coast, was to begin at 11¢/kWh, increasing gradually for inflation. See:
The U.S. Department of Energy has an Energy Savers Blog with a page dated March 30 titled, Everything You Need to Know about Home Energy Assessments. It even has a video that describes the energy auditing process. At: http://www.eereblogs.energy.gov/energysavers/post/Everything-You-Need-to-Know-about-Home-Energy-Assessments.aspx
Oliver Sefrin in magazin-deutschland.de has an important article titled, The Start of a New Energy Age, announcing that Germany and eight other European countries plan to pursue a major new renewable energy initiative called the North Seas Countries' Offshore Grid Initiative. Thousands of kilometers of high-voltage transmission cables will be laid beneath the North Sea to connect wind farms and other sources of renewable energy, such as hydroelectric plants in Scandinavia, tidal power plants on the Belgian and Danish coasts, and solar and wind plants in continental Europe. While such a large system is expensive (estimated to cost about 30 billion Euros), it can largely eliminate the intermittency problem associated with most isolated renewable energy sources – making it possible to eliminate most fossil fuel power plants and greatly reduce CO2 emissions. At: http://www.magazine-deutschland.de/en/artikel-en/article/article/sprung-in-ein-neues-energiezeitalter.html
The April 5 issue of Wired Science had an article by Janelle Weaver titled, Chain of Offshore Wind Turbines Could Power Atlantic Seaboard. It reported a study by Willett Kempton of the University of Delaware and others, using wind speed data over five years from 11 stations from Maine to North Carolina, showing that tying together wind farms over a long section of coast (over 1500 miles) can largely overcome the intermittency problem associated with wind power. Colored maps show that the wind resource along the coast tends to be best during winter months, suggesting that solar PV could be a nice complementary renewable resource during the summer and that excess winter-generated electricity could be used to heat buildings and power electric vehicles. At: http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2010/04/wind-power-chain/
See also Offshore Wind Farms in U.S. Should Be Linked, Researchers Say, by Jim Efstanthiou of BusinessWeek. At: http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-04-05/offshore-wind-farms-in-u-s-should-be-linked-researchers-say.html
For the original article see: http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2010/03/29/0909075107
In March, Environment America issued a 65-page report titled, Building a Solar Future - Repowering America's Homes, Businesses and Industry with Solar Energy. The technologies addressed include: photovoltaic (PV) power, concentrated solar power (CSP), solar water heating, passive solar heating and lighting, and active solar heating and cooling. The report suggests that the U.S. adopt a target of getting 10% of its total energy from the sun by 2030. At: http://www.environmentamerica.org/uploads/37/06/370684e48c4a60d6c25763175070f0ae/Building-a-Solar-Future.pdf
In March, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar released a report titled, The State of the Birds: 2010 Report on Climate Change. The report was prepared by several federal agencies and NGOs, including: American Bird Conservancy, Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Klamath Bird Observatory, National Audubon Society, The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, The Nature Conservancy. The report finds that "nearly a third of the nation's 800 bird species are endangered, threatened or in significant decline." Oceanic birds are among the most vulnerable to the effects of climate change. At: http://www.stateofthebirds.org/
The Bohr Institute at the University of Copenhagen published a study on April 13 indicating that the rise in sea level during this century is likely to be close to a meter – much more than reported in the IPCC report of 2007. See: http://wattsupwiththat.com/2010/04/13/ipcc-sea-level-prediction-not-scary-enough/
The Department of Energy has reported in a post called, Recycling Energy Yields Super Savings, that in some cases high temperature waste-heat from industrial processes can be used to generate electricity – saving both money and energy. This is related to cogeneration – the idea of using waste heat from electricity generation for heating buildings or industrial processes instead of just wasting it. At: http://www.energyempowers.gov/post/Recycling-energy-yields-super-savings.aspx
I came across an excellent radio interview with Jeff Goodell by Terry Gross of NPR dated June 21, 2007, titled Big Coal's Dirty Secrets. The broadcast lasts just over 37 minutes. At: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=11254947&ps=rs
Goodell has written a book, Big Coal: The Dirty Secret Behind America's Energy Future, now in paperback.
The following items are from the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI), Carol Werner, Executive Director. Past issues of its newsletter are posted on its website under "publications" at http://www.eesi.org/publications/Newsletters/CCNews/ccnews.htm
EESI's newsletter is intended for all interested parties, particularly the policymaker community. For more information regarding either the newsletter or EESI please contact Amy Sauer at email@example.com.
CO2 at New Highs Despite Economic Slowdown
On March 15, atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations at Norway's Zeppelin station on the Arctic Svalbard archipelago rose to a median of 393.71 parts per million (ppm), up from 393.17 ppm the same time last year. Johan Stroem of the Norwegian Polar Institute said, "Looking back at the data we have from Zeppelin since the end of the 1980s, it seems like the increase is accelerating." This year's rise is less than the average yearly rise of 2 ppm, largely due to a reduction in industrial output and fossil fuel combustion. Carbon concentrations at Svalbard typically peak in April due to CO2 released from decomposing plants in the winter, and decline again when plant growth resumes in springtime in the northern hemisphere.
For additional information see: Reuters
Colorado Legislature Backs Bill to Cut Emissions from Coal Plants
On March 16, Colorado Governor Bill Ritter urged state lawmakers to back a framework for retiring or retrofitting coal-fired power plants, arguing it would likely be cheaper in the long run than reacting to a series of expected new emission rules from the federal government. Gov. Ritter said the costs of maintaining existing coal plants, which are at least 40 years old, would also grow if the federal government puts a price on carbon. Changes are coming regardless of whether Colorado decides to act now, he continued, "It's only a question of whether we do it smarter." Members of the House Transportation and Energy Committee voted 10-1 to endorse the bill, the Colorado Clean Air-Clean Jobs Act, sending it on to the Appropriations Committee to review its costs. The legislation would require the state's two investor-owned utilities to cut emissions by at least 70 percent at some of its power plants over the next seven years. The firms would have to give priority to replacing old plants with ones fueled by natural gas, but they would also be able to consider using efficiency improvements and other cleaner energy sources, such as burning beetle-killed trees, or renewable energy. All the plans are subject to approval by the Public Utilities Commission, which will consider how much the transition would increase electric bills, particularly for low-income customers.
For additional information see: Denver Daily News, Daily Sentinel, AP
Open Letter from U.S. Scientists on the IPCC
On March 13, over 250 U.S. scientists issued an open petition to federal agencies stating their views on the overall validity and integrity of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fourth Assessment Report (AR4). The letter reaffirmed the consensus presented in the AR4 that "warming of the climate system is unequivocal" and that "most of the observed increase in global average temperatures since the mid-twentieth century is very likely due to observed increase in anthropogenic greenhouse gas concentrations." The writers addressed recent attacks on the validity of the report and climate science generally. They lamented two papers found to have mistakes regarding Himalayan glacial retreat and flood risk in the Netherlands, qualifying that these two mistakes do not undermine the aforementioned conclusion or broadly implicate the other papers cited as suspect. The letter also explained the careful process for citing non-peer reviewed literature and the fully transparent documented process of crafting each portion of the report. So far the letter has been signed by over 250 leading researchers and scientists from universities and institutions in the United States.
For additional information see: Petition
U.S. Chamber Petitions EPA to Reconsider Greenhouse Gas Endangerment Finding
On March 15, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce (COC) petitioned the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reconsider its endangerment finding for greenhouse gases (GHGs), which legally requires the agency to develop regulations to reduce GHG emissions. The COC chief legal officer Steven Law said, "The Chamber believes that the right way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere is through bipartisan legislation and comprehensive international agreements. The wrong way is through the EPA's endangerment finding, which triggers Clean Air Act regulation." The chamber is currently engaged in one of the 16 different lawsuits against the EPA regarding its endangerment finding. Law also voiced the concern that "[t]he EPA has admitted that such an unprecedented regulatory expansion would 'paralyze' and 'overwhelm' permitting authorities, leaving businesses waiting months or even years to get the permits they need to keep operating."
EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson has repeatedly stated that any regulation to be initiated by the EPA would be gradual to allow firms and regulators to prepare necessary changes and not overwhelm the regulatory capacity of the EPA. Jackson has also made repeated references to the fact that the biggest emitters would be regulated first, with smaller emitters coming under regulation in a minimum of five years later.
For additional information see: New York Times, Environmental Leader, E&E News,
Australia '0.7 Degrees Warmer Over Past 50 Years'
On March 15, Australia's top scientists from the Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) released a report showing Australia's average temperature has risen 0.7°C since 1960. Some areas of the country saw temperature rises of 1.5 to 2°C. The report further revealed that warming occurred most during spring months and least during summer months. Rainfall patterns were seen to change, with rainfall increasing in parts of Northern and Central Australia and decreasing across southern and eastern parts. "We are seeing significant evidence of a changing climate. We are warming in every part of the country during every season and as each decade goes by, the records are being broken," said Megan Clark, head of CSIRO.
For additional information see: AFP, The Australian, India Times, Scientific American
Reduction in Solar Radiation Not Enough to Stop Warming
A study published in the March issue of the journal Geophysical Research Letters concluded that even the most extreme decrease in solar irradiation will at most slow planetary warming by 0.3°C by the end of the century. This news comes from a study headed by Georg Feulner at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Research. The sun is known to go through cycles of stronger and weaker radiation, typically on a period of 11 years. As was the case during a period of time known as the Little Ice Age from 1645-1715, the sun enters an extended period of low output. The authors point out, however, that even the most drastic potential cooling effect the sun could produce in the coming century would at best cool the earth by only 0.3°C. The maximum total change possible in solar energy output is around 0.25 percent. The net planetary warming effect will remain positive due to the much stronger effect of anthropogenic greenhouse gases. "This shows that any changes in the sun, even large changes, will only have a small impact in offsetting that warming," Feulner said.
For additional information see: Reuters, Blooomberg, Discovery News, Europa
EPA Proposes to Add Sources to Greenhouse Gas Reporting System
On March 23, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced new rules that would expand the number and types of industries required to report greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The original rule was issued in October 2009 and required 31 industries covering 85 percent of total U.S. GHG emissions to report their emissions. The modification to the ruling will require reporting from oil and natural gas producers as well as industries that emit fluorinated gases or inject carbon dioxide (CO2) underground. Oil and gas producers emit a large amount of GHGs from the flaring, release, or leakage of methane. Methane is around 20 times more potent than CO2 and fluorinated gases are even stronger GHGs.
"Gathering this information is the first step toward reducing greenhouse emissions and fostering innovative technologies for the clean energy future," said EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson. "It's especially important to track potent gases like methane, which traps more than 20 times as much heat as carbon and accelerates climate change. Once we know where we must act, American innovators and entrepreneurs can develop new technologies to protect our atmosphere and fight climate change."
For additional information see: EPA, Bloomberg,New York Times,Calgary Herald,
NASA Draft Analysis Finds Global Temperatures Rising Steadily in Past Decade
On March 21, draft analysis of temperature data released by NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies found that global warming has neither stopped nor slowed in the past decade. The analysis, led by Dr. Jim Hansen, director of NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies, found that global temperatures over the past decade have "continued to rise rapidly," despite large year-to-year fluctuations associated with the tropical El Niño-La Niña cycles. The analysis also predicted, assuming current El Niño conditions hold, that 2010 will go down in history as the hottest year on record despite an unusually snowy winter in the Northern Hemisphere.
For additional information see: Daily Climate, NASA Press Release
Study: California's Climate Change Plan Will Not Hurt Economy
On March 23, a report released by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) found that California's overall economy will not suffer, and that many parts will in fact prosper, under the state's Global Warming Solutions Act (AB 32). Under the law, the state's emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases (GHGs) would have to decline 15 percent by 2020. The report, which takes into account the current economic downturn, concludes that California's gross state product will grow to $2.5 trillion over the next decade, only 0.2 percent less than it would without the legislation. Jobs will grow to 18.4 million -- 0.1 percent more than without the law, the report also found. "This shows we can implement the law and that growth in the California economy will be large and unabated," said CARB Chairwoman Mary D. Nichols, who acknowledged that "shifting the economy away from fossil fuels and toward more renewable energy means that some businesses, including green technology, will benefit, while others will see their costs go up." Critics of the CARB projections reiterated their skepticism, however, and touted their own commissioned studies that predict more dire effects, particularly for small businesses. A group that includes the California Chamber of Commerce, the California Manufacturers & Technology Assn. and various other companies supported a report released in July 2009 by California State University, Sacramento, which found that implementing the climate law could cost California 485,000 jobs by 2020, a sharp contrast to CARB's finding that the law would yield a net increase of 10,000 jobs.
For additional information see: Reuters, San Francisco Chronicle, LA Times, Bloomberg
Canada Reports Mildest Winter on Record
On March 19, Environment Canada reported that Canada had recorded the mildest and driest winter on record. The agency, which compiled data from 1948, determined the average temperature throughout the country was 4°C above normal. Meteorologist Andre Cantin said the country also saw 20 percent less precipitation than normal, also a record. El Nino, the climate pattern in the Pacific Ocean that influences global weather, was likely responsible for the unusual weather, according to Cantin, who noted that changes in climate may also have played a role. David Phillips, a senior climatologist with Environment Canada, warned that "the winter that wasn't" may have set the stage for potentially "horrific" water shortages, insect infestations and wildfires this summer.
For additional information see: Vancouver Sun, Montreal Gazette
Soils Emitting More Carbon Dioxide
On March 24, an analysis published in Nature found that soils around the globe have increased their emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) over the past few decades. The findings, which are based on an analysis of 439 studies, match predictions that increasing temperatures will cause a net release of CO2 from soils by triggering microbes to speed up their consumption of plant debris and other organic matter. The researchers found that soil respiration had increased by about 0.1 percent per year between 1989 and 2008, the span when soil measurement techniques had become standardized. In 2008, the global total reached roughly 98 billion tons, about 10 times more CO2 than humans are now putting into the atmosphere each year. The change within soils "is a slow increase, but the absolute number is so large, even a small percentage increase is quite a bit," said Ben Bond-Lamberty, a research scientist at the University of Maryland's Joint Global Change Research Institute.
The extra soil emissions could come from two types of sources: microbes and plants. If plant roots are emitting more CO2, the additional flux could be balanced by increasing rates of photosynthesis, resulting in no net increase in atmospheric CO2. In contrast, warming soils could prompt microbes to break down old sources of carbon that have been locked away for a long time. This would cause a net increase in the atmosphere's store of CO2. Although the study shows an increase in respiration, it cannot distinguish between the two potential causes.
For additional information see: Nature, Study Abstract
NOTE: The statement, "the global total reached roughly 98 billion tons, about 10 times more CO2 than humans are now putting into the atmosphere each year." gives the impression that humans are putting about 10 billion tons of CO2 into the atmosphere each year. Actually the report in Nature refers to 98 billion tons of carbon. Carbon dioxide (CO2) weighs 3.67 times as much as carbon (the ratio of molecular weights). Thus human global emissions of CO2 were about 28 billion tons in 2006, not counting deforestation, which produced about 30% as much CO2 as fossil fuel burning. See:
Obama Administration Announces New Fuel Efficiency Rules
On April 1, the Obama administration announced a new set of fuel efficiency standards and tailpipe emission limits for automobiles. The joint ruling from the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will set estimated corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards at 35.1 miles per gallon by the end of 2016 and require tailpipe emissions to be less than 250 grams carbon dioxide (CO2) per mile. The ruling will apply to cars beginning in 2012. The rules are expected to increase the upfront costs of vehicles sold in 2016 by about $985, but will save consumers $3000 over the life of the car due to reduced fuel consumption. In total, the program is expected to eliminate the equivalent emissions of 50 million cars and light trucks while conserving 1.8 billion barrels of oil over the lifetime of the regulated vehicles.
"These are the first national standards ever to address climate change," said EPA Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation Gina McCarthy. "Over the coming years, America will witness an amazing leap forward in vehicle technologies, delivering fuel efficiency that will save us money and protect the environment."
For additional information see: EPA Press Release, Washington Post, AP, Detroit News
Geoengineering Conference Concludes with Call for Commitment to More Research
On March 26, the Asilomar International Conference on Climate Intervention Technologies concluded that the world needs more conversations about research on geoengineering techniques, such as carbon sequestration and solar reflection, to prepare for possible action against rapid global warming. The conference was attended by a group of more than 175 scientists from 15 countries spanning geosciences, ethics, business, and political science. The conference called for deliberations among scientists, governments, and the public to ensure that research on the risks, impacts, and efficacy of climate intervention is conducted responsibly and transparently. A conference press statement stressed, however, that a strong commitment to emissions reduction and development of low-carbon technology is independent of whether geoengineering ultimately proves safe and feasible.
For additional information see: Monterey Herald, American Chemical Society, Science
Among Weathercasters, Doubt on Warming
On March 29, the results of a survey conducted by George Mason University's Center for Climate Change Communication highlighted different perspectives between two groups regarding climate change: climate scientists and meteorologists, especially those who serve as television weather forecasters. Climatologists, who study weather patterns over time, were found to almost universally endorse the view that the earth is warming and that humans have contributed to climate change. There is less of a consensus among meteorologists, who predict short-term weather patterns. The survey, conducted by researchers at George Mason University and the University of Texas at Austin, found that only about half of the 571 television weathercasters surveyed believed that global warming was occurring and fewer than a third believed that climate change was "caused mostly by human activities." More than a quarter of the weathercasters in the survey agreed with the statement "Global warming is a scam," the researchers found. The split between climate scientists and meteorologists has gained attention in political and academic circles as polls show that public skepticism about global warming is increasing, and weather forecasters — especially those on television — dominate communications channels to the public. A study released this year by researchers at Yale and George Mason found that 56 percent of Americans trusted weathercasters to tell them about global warming compared to other news media or public figures.
For additional information see: New York Times, Washington Times, George Mason Press Release
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Coalition for Climate Change Study and Action


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Aunt Passed Away
I have been attending to my Aunt house for at least three days after she passed away last Friday morning. Another sad years losing my beloved auntie but I am alright now. It just I do not have any single mood to write anything now. Not until I was trying yesterday and no one really predict the fucking suddenly the power trip at 7.30PM. I have to put myself on early sleep as there is totally nothing to do at dark hours. Geezz…I totally lost what to write anymore.
Anyhow, I will be hitting up my Gunpla work log soon as I already finished building my Gunpla for submission to Danny Choo AFA contest before the end of October. The remaining works left are applying decals (just arrived today) on it and setup my own budget photo booth for taking photos next month.


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World AIDS Day 2017
What does good health mean in a context where people who use drugs desperately struggle just to survive another day?
The right to Health has been established as a Right since 1948. Governments and policy makers are well aware of the universal declarations yet they consciously decide to condemn people who use drugs to an early death. What part of the words 'Universal' and 'Human Rights' do they not understand? Many might disagree thinking 'something is better than nothing' but we want all of it because it is our right. This is not the future we were promised by our leaders.
HIV among people who inject drugs in Asia and the Pacific
The Asia and the Pacific Region has the second highest number of people living with HIV in the world and one third of world's population of people who inject drugs live here. (1) More than one in eight People Who Inject Drugs (PWID) are living with HIV and one out of ten people living with HIV are PWID. (2) Despite the substantial progress in the HIV response, UNAIDS suggests that there was no decline in the annual number of new HIV infections among people who inject drugs between 2010 and 2014. (3)
Ten countries China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Thailand and Viet Nam—accounted for 96% of the region's new HIV infections in 2015. (1) So what are we doing wrong or are we repeating the same mistakes and expecting different results?
Based on the 2006 Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS, (4) in 2009, the WHO, UNODC and UNAIDS technical guide recommended a comprehensive package of interventions for the prevention, treatment and care of HIV among people who inject drugs. Member states reaffirmed these commitments in the 2011 and 2016 and were also widely endorsed by the Economic and Social Council, the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs, the UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board, the Global Fund and PEPFAR. (5-7)
Asian countries have introduced some combinations of harm reduction interventions including the Needle Syringe Program (NSP) and Opioid Substitution Therapy (OST), however the coverage of these essential services have been very low despite the significant proportion of new HIV infections among people who inject drugs. Countries with a high HIV burden like Pakistan do not implement OST services and the Philippines do not have NSP or OST. (3)
"We always feared that promises are made to be broken and now it looks as if our fear has become a reality", says Anand Chabungbam, the regional coordinator of ANPUD. "A number of countries in the region are left out from accessing optimal regimen recommended by the WHO, not to mention the existing under-resourced infrastructure, lack of service coverage, medicine stock-outs and stigma and discrimination towards PWID fueled by the criminalization of drug use." he further added.
The 2016 UNGASS adopted the agenda for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) target 3.3 on AIDS, Tuberculosis and viral hepatitis among PWID and included the strongest human rights provision ever. (8) In June 2017, United Nations and WHO called for a review and repeal of punitive laws that criminalize drug use and possession of drugs for personal use. (9) Behind these fascinating documents are the realities that the target 3.3 will be impossible to meet without a significant reform of current drug policies. Harm reduction does not have a sustainable future under the current poor level of political will and public receptivity. The criminalization strategy adopted by national drug control systems severely hinders the HIV response, as fear of arrest inhibits PWID from access and uptake of HIV services. Punitive laws have also contributed to police harassment and a variety of human rights abuses, thereby deterring access to HIV services. (10) This is particularly true in the region where countries have consistently opposed human rights and harm reduction approaches for people who use drugs.
"We live in the region where the Philippines war on drugs has resulted in more than 13000 killings and over a million arrests/surrenders of people who use drugs. Similarly the Cambodian war on drugs has resulted in more than 13000 arrests of people who use drugs. Countries like Indonesia, Thailand, Myanmar, Malaysia, Vietnam, Pakistan, India and Nepal are implementing similar forms of strategy, including compulsory detention centres and the death penalty. How can we expect anything more than mere survival with what is going around?", said Rajiv Kaflay the Project Coordinator of ANPUD.
In the context of people who use drugs, the UNAIDS famous rhetoric of 'Ending AIDS' by 2030 has become another fantasy just like the vision of a drug free world. This has somehow failed to consider the fact that drug use is an inevitable and significantly growing reality and availability and access to comprehensive harm reduction services is essential beyond 2030. Additionally , the region is witnessing a transition of donors, shrinking funds and community spaces in the HIV response and everyone seems to naïvely expect that governments in the region are willing to support community participation and health and right-based approaches.
On World AIDS Day 2017, we, the Asian Network of People who Use Drugs (ANPUD) call on Asian governments, UNODC, UNAIDS, WHO, OHCHR and other Bi-lateral and Multi-lateral funding agencies to:
Remove all forms of criminalization, violence and inhumane treatment & detention for drug use and possession of drugs for personal use.
Continue to fully fund and scale up comprehensive HIV prevention and harm reduction interventions for people who use drugs.
Ensure adequate access to viral load testing, drug resistance testing and a robust drug supply chain mechanism.
Recognize community expertise and meaningfully engage networks of people who use drugs at all levels.
Facilitate countries to benefit from TRIPs flexibilities and make optimal HIV medicines available and accessible.
- UNAIDS. Prevention Gap Report. 2016.
- UNAIDS. HIV and AIDS Data Hub for Asia-Pacific: People who inject drugs 2016. Available from: http://www.aidsdatahub.org/people-who-inject-drugs-2016-slides.
- UNAIDS. Do No Harm: Health, Human Rights and People Who Use Drugs. 2016.
- United Nations. Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS 2006.
- WHO, UNODC, UNAIDS. Technical guide for countries to set targets for universal access to HIV prevention, treatment and care for injecting drug users.2009.
- United Nations. Political Declaration on HIV and AIDS: Intensifying Our Efforts to Eliminate HIV and AIDS. 2011.
- United Nations. Political Declaration on HIV and AIDS: On the FastTrack to Accelerating the Fight against HIV and to Ending the AIDS Epidemic by 2030. 2016.
- Harm Reduction International. The Global State of Harm Reduction. 2016.
- WHO, United Nations. Joint United Nations statement on ending discrimination in health care settings 2017. Available from: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/statem ents/2017/discrimination-in-health-care/en/.
- UNAIDS. The Gap Report. 2013.


text: Weedon Weekly: 23rd January 2018 NO SUCH THING AS 'TOO LATE' So often people say to me, with heartfelt regret, "I'd love to take up music [again] but I've left it too late". And I always counter that it's never too late to get pleasure from music in some form or other. Apart from those whose hearing has altered so that sound is distorted, there's always broadcast and recorded music to enjoy. One can learn a phenomenal amount about music history and/or theory by listening to it with some explanation. One of the most popular courses we ran for HF Holidays was 'The Nuts and Bolts of Music' in which Tony and I explained each aspect of music - melody, harmony, rhythm, timbre and expression - and then played glorious works which illustrated each facet. The guests always said they got a whole new level of pleasure from each piece, once they understood... Read more about Weedon Weekly: 23rd January 2018


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Blu-ray Recorders
Is it possible to record directly to a Blu-Ray disc from a live video signal?
No. All recording to either Blu-ray or DVD discs must be done from the internal hard drive on the SR-HD1250US or SR-HD1500US. The good news is that in most cases, once the material is on your hard drive, it can be transferred to BD or DVD discs faster than real time.
Last update: 2010-01-15 17:40
Author: Dave Walton
Revision: 1.0
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Magic Hats: Dancing in the Streets of Soweto
February 3, 2014 -On a visit to the Soweto street that was once home to Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela, filmmaker Jake Sumner recorded a stunning performance by local contortionist dance duo Skeleton Pantsula Crew. More
Vatican Vibes
January 21, 2014 -Musician Fatima Al Qadiri discusses a video she made with digital artist Tabor Robak, "Vatican Vibes," which creates a visual analogy between the Vatican's "centuries-old mechanisms of control over people" and video gamers' "godlike power over populations." More
Andres Serrano's Signs of the Times
December 18, 2013 -After noticing an unprecedented number of people begging on New York City's streets, Andres Serrano embarked on a project to collect some of the signs homeless people use to tell their stories and ask for change. More
20 Years After NAFTA, Many Worlds Are Possible
December 16, 2013 -Caleb Duarte and Mia Eve Rollow from EDELO (En Donde Era La UNO/Where the United Nations Used to Be) explore the effects of the North American Free Trade Agreement in Chiapas, Mexico's poorest state and the site of the Zapatista revolution sparked by the agreement. More
From Santiago Streets to Parliament Seats, Chile's Student Revolution
December 16, 2013 -After years of protests against an education system established by Pinochet's military dictatorship, Chile has elected student activists to Congress and returned Michelle Bachelet to the presidential office. What's next for the nation's student movement? More


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Tagged: feminism
Annie Get Your Gun
I know I probably shouldn't trouble my little head with this stuff, but a little thought has been bubbling away in my little brain and has reached boiling point. So I thought I'd lift the lid and share it with you all. Before I explode.
This thought I'd like to share has to do with films I've seen so far this year. Now, I've seen a lot, so I'm going to confine myself to those I've seen at the cinema, on the big screen, and paid good money for. And I'll narrow the field further to talk only about mainstream, narrative, big new releases. Because, when I think about these films, I see a pattern emerging. Perhaps you'll see it too?
First up was Life of Pi, all earnest and shiny and 3D and jumpy out of the screen. And I guess it was all right. If you like that sort of thing. I don't much. And as it was adapted from a book there were externally imposed limitations, so there's really no need to be irritated by the pretty, dancy girlfriend, or the mother/zebra whatever, or the wife whose role is to wander on set, once, weighed down by children, and do nothing. So I wasn't.
But then I went to see Lincoln. Regular readers of this blog may already have formed a strong opinion of my strong opinion about this film. New readers, if you're still with me by the end of this post, might want to check out Am I missing the point of facebook? or Why Lincoln is crap. Maybe Spielberg was able to resurrect Freud and get him to do a bit of moonlighting as the script advisor. Mrs Lincoln emerges as a textbook hysteric. Thank God Abe is around to help her steer an even course. And then there's the stoic freed slave who pops up from time to time observing the men do their politics, or accompanying the mad Mrs Lincoln somewhere, or whispering with Mr Lincoln, a symbol of just how very wise and decent he is. And reminding us, through her remarkable absence of presence, just how non-threatening good ole black folk can be. Especially black women. And then, as if to drive the point home, there's the housekeeper. The one who mops the furrowed brow of Tommy Lee Jones and so much else besides. Who doesn't get to be at all angry about the state of her world.
And then, the following week, I found myself up close and personal with Django Unchained. Which I loved. Except, it's a bit long and goes a bit off course in the final stretch. But still, I thought it was great. Except, well, there's Broomhilda. Who's lovely 'n' all, and it's great that Django wants to rescue her. But the thing is, she's a runaway slave. A repeat offender runaway slave. And the film makes the barbarous treatment a recaptured runaway slave is likely to receive explicitly and uncomfortably clear. So I think we have to assume that Broomhilda has balls, colloquially speaking. Which makes her quivering lipped, fainting behaviour a little out of character. But, perhaps, defensible. What is not defensible, no really, Quentin, it's not, is her sitting astride a bloody great horse in the final moments of the film, holding a bloody great double barreled shotgun, which we can assume is bloody well loaded, whilst waiting helplessly for Django to do his thing.
Next was Arbitrage. I don't know what to say really. Other than that I'm very glad my local cinema has a bar, so that I had alcohol to help me get through the tedium. And so we have the wife. Who doesn't work, of course. But that's ok because she does lots of charity stuff. And she gets to take a bit of control at the end of the film. And the mistress. Who's a painter. But not very good. But that's ok because he bankrolls her. Thankfully she gets killed off in a car crash fairly early on. She doesn't actually get to drive the car, of course. And the daughter. Who works for him. And works out that he's a fraudulent swindler. Because she's got a brain. But she doesn't get to do anything about it. And then there's the dead driver's son's wife. Who gets to be supportive.
And so to Side Effects. Again, regular readers will be aware of my response to this film. A previous post, Side Effects? Of what? Lesbian sex? pretty much sums it up. But, to give the film its due, at least all the women in it actually do stuff. And at least they can actually claim to be principal characters. And its much more fun watching evil lesbians going about their evil business than virtuous non-entities, well non-entitying. If you know what I mean.
And finally there was Stoker. It's not a great film, but if you like a bit of gothic (which I do), and you find watching Nicole Kidman's face not move strangely fascinating (which I do), and you have have a thing for intense, odd-ball actresses (which I do) then it might be up your street. But really, I liked it for its blackly comic ending. It's a strange old world, though, when you find yourself jumping for joy in a darkened cinema as the eighteen year old protagonist (and there's the key word) offs a cop. Jumping for joy just because she actually GETS TO DO SOMETHING.
Real Vampires Don't Sparkle… but maybe that's the point
Ok, I can't quite believe that I'm going to attempt this. Perhaps I should start with a disclaimer. I love Gothic fiction. I'm a big fan of the horror genre in film. I particularly love vampire flicks, and I like my vampires to have fangs. I'm interested in film. Interesting film. I'm interested in literature. Interesting literature. I consider myself a feminist. I say all this, and I could say so much more, as a kind of begging for forgiveness in advance. Because, what I'm about to do, and I can't quite believe it myself, is offer a kind of apology for The Twilight Saga. No. More than that, offer a reason for its popularity. And more than that, suggest that, despite its deeply suspect ideology, it's not so bad really. Bear with me, readers.
I ought to make it clear, I haven't read a single word of a single one of the Twilight books. I don't intend to. I probably wouldn't like them. Which is fine. I'm fairly certain I'm not the target audience anyway. I have, however, over the past couple of weeks, watched all five of the films. I thought it was about time to have a look at just what it is, precisely, that has been preoccupying the kidz over the past few years. Or at least, that's what I tell myself. My initial reaction was one of horror. The wrong kind of horror. I watched the films in the wrong order, starting with Breaking Dawn: part 1, which with its unflinching pro-life subtext (actually not so much of the 'sub') left me fearing for the ideological hearts, not to mention the psychological, and indeed physical, well-being of our teenagers. And then there's the stalking, controlling, coercive boyfriend. And the mind games. And the 'no sex before marriage' clause. And the heroine seemingly free from any agency at all. And Wolfy (sorry, Jacob) imprinting on a new born babe – I've tried like mad to rationalise this one, but really, whichever way you look at it, it's just creepy. And. And. And…
And what about adding to the body of Vampire mythology? Harmless 'vegetarians'? Repeating high school ad infinitum? Driving around in Volvos and Mercedes? Living in (unaccountably affluent) peace in a Scandinavian style lodge? It's not that this is all a bit off canon, so much as this is all a bit lame. And then there's the sparkling. Sparkling, I tell you. Vampires don't sparkle. They chow down on your neck with bloody great fangs. They exist as a metaphor for sex, repression, fear, desire. They offer a safe space for transgression. They explore the other. They explore the id. They DON'T BLOODY WELL SPARKLE.
But then maybe that's the point. Maybe Edward, in all his toothless, sparkling glory is so non-threatening that the sinister undercurrents of his behaviour are rendered utterly meaningless. Maybe the adolescent and the pre-pubescent fans buy into the unreconstructed gender fantasy because it so clearly is fantasy, and requires so little exertion on their part. Maybe, surrounded as they are by a hyper-sexual, disposable culture, the innate conservatism of The Twilight Saga offers some breathing space. Maybe they just fancy Robert Pattinson. Or Kristen Stewart. Maybe they're frightened of growing up, and they find something reassuring in Bella and Edward achieving a state of stasis while still teenagers. Or maybe they like waiting 'til the final film for Bella to actually get some muscles – a kind of delayed gratification.
Or maybe I should give up the ghost and direct you to this biting Buffy/Twilight mashup instead…
Thanks for the reminder that Real Slayers Stake Vampires. Especially if they sparkle.
Google 'real vampires don't sparkle' and click on images. Go on, it's fun.
Many thanks to Shannon for the lightbulb moment. Cheers.
Side Effects? Of what? Lesbian sex?
Spolier alert. Evil lesbians' evil plan foiled by super sleuth Law. Hetero-hegemony restored and all is well with the world. Phew!
Am I alone in being somewhat thrown by Soderberg's latest? To be honest I thought I was about to see a pharma-thriller of some sort, perhaps an exploration of drug company corruption, or fraught examination of a descent into moral ambiguity, you know, that sort of thing. And to be honest, that's kind of how the film started out. And then it seemed as if, at some point, someone did a nifty script exchange. And didn't tell anyone. And no-one noticed.
Don't get me wrong, I'm a big Soderberg fan. He knows how to entertain. And this schlocky thriller looks great, sounds great and is a tremendous amount of fun. A barrel of laughs you might say. So much so, that we were rolling round in the isles, pretty much paralytic with mirth, by the time the final credits rolled. Casting Channing Tatum was a master-stroke, although I have to confess I didn't know who he was until this evening, and I'm not convinced I'll be able to remember who he is tomorrow morning. And isn't that a girl's name anyway? Never before have I witnessed someone on screen so totally forgettable that Jude Law emerges from the void a charismatic scene-stealing dynamo. Catherine Zeta Jones and Rooney Mara are immensely watchable, and look great too, which evil lesbians really ought to if they possibly can. Amazingly though, given the fine acting capabilities of these two, as well as their unfair share of God-given good looks, their pseudo-sex scene that allows for the denouement of film is spectacularly unconvincing. What a shame.
I really can't object to Catherine Zeta Jones being cast as a femme-fatale. She does the job admirably. And why not write her character as a lesbian? And why not have her character have a relationship with Rooney Mara's character? And why not write these characters as cunning, amoral schemers who ultimately get their comeuppance? Except, well, wouldn't it be nice if, you know, just occasionally, the hero happened to be a lesbian character. And could, just maybe, have sex with another lesbian character, not as part of an evil plan, but just coz they happen to, you know, feel like it. And maybe the sex could go unpunished. You know, just occasionally. Occasionally…
Come on Soderberg, don't bow out of Hollywood just yet. Clearly you have more work to do.
Bad Girl Warning
I was having a drink with a couple of pals the other night. Our train of thought meandered from the policies of the Israeli state to the resignation of Pope Benedict to baptising babies to Methodism to Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit to, yelled out in unified bingo-style abandon, MARMALADE ATKINS! Talk about 6 degrees of separation. Now to those of you who aren't from the UK, this last one might be a bit niche. In fact to those of you who are from the UK, but aren't of an age to have been watching kids TV in the early 80s, or whose parents thought ITV was a bad influence – you know who you are – this will also seem a bit niche. Nonetheless, I was struck by the profoundly powerful memory we all shared of this anarchic character from the dark and distant days of three TV channels. (OK you purists, I know she started out in book form but for a whole generation Marmalade Atkins was that girl from TV). And she was our hero.
That got me thinking about other anarchic characters from my youth. Minnie the Minx. I loved her. She was my alter ego. What am I saying, there was no alter, she was my ego. She has a statue in Dundee, you know. I was an avid '70s Beano reader, a member of the Dennis the Menace and Gnasher fan club, had one of those badges with the wobbly eyes, but Minnie was where it was at.
In the late '80's Darlene, the younger daughter in Roseanne took up the banner for irreverent youth, saving those of us with no interest in Disney Princesses from a fate worse than death. And for those aspiring to more adult themes (alcoholism, sexual violence, bereavement, relationship trouble), hard-talking, gun-toting, gin-swilling Chris Cagney saw us right through the decade.
By the time I left home in the very last year of the 1980's, TV as we had known it – a scheduled event, galvanising a family, a nation, a subculture – had only a few years left to live. There were now four channels, satellites were springing up like extra-terrestrial beings clinging to the sides of grey houses (everything was grey in the 80s). Video recorders were in vogue. Soon there would be a fifth channel. And then cable. And then internet TV.
So let's raise a toast to simpler times and remember when a few tough talking female characters scattered first through our comics, and then across our cathode ray tube TVs, offered a bit of feisty escapism for those of us who'd never much wanted to be one of Charlie's Angels.
Once More with Feeling
Readers of this blog will know that I recently chalked up a sustained absence from facebook, for which I felt duly smug (and, incidentally, to which I may return as my reactivated facebook account is fed on a daily basis with such sheer banality that it is increasingly a relief rather than a struggle to limit my usage). What I didn't 'fess up to was that during that 37 day abstinence, I discovered LOVEFILM Instant. Technology will pull you in one way or another.
Now I have, on occasion, used LOVEFILM Instant in a grown-up, and well-reasoned sort of way. I've caught up on some films that I'd never have bothered to see at the cinema: Source Code, despite its schmaltzy ending, was kind of fabulous. But I have to be honest here: LOVEFILM Instant, for me, is really all about Buffy.
Of course, I loved the show the first time round. Who didn't adore Willow and by extension first Oz, and then Tara? And with looks so utterly preposterous yet inexplicably cool, when Spike rolls into town, mowing down the 'Welcome to Sunnydale' sign on his way, who didn't secretly want to be him? A heady mix of the ridiculous and touchingly human, amoral yet vulnerable, moronic but somehow insightful; this was a Vampire we could all fall for. And how we did.
10 years on from the emotional roller-coaster of that last ever episode, I have lost hours, no days, maybe even weeks, to the void, and LOVEFILM Instant is to blame. Every single episode, right there, ready at a tap of the touchpad. And when you build in all that extra buffering time to the Buffyverse, (my broadband, it would seem, ain't all that broad) well, that's a lot of time. I wonder how it stacks up against my last few years of facebook use? Whatever the maths though, I reckon weeks lost to the Buffyvoid are, when all is said and done, weeks worth losing. Because, this programme stands the test of time. In 2013, Buffy seems better than ever. Quirky. Straight. Tragic. Comic. Light. Dark. It's all there in those 40+minute episodes, across the arcs of each season, all the way from 'Welcome to the Hellmouth' to 'Chosen'. But what really does it for me, is the sheer scale of well drawn, central female characters. How often do we get to see this on screen? Recent British TV pales by contrast: the current season of Being Human is sorely disappointing. Can that ghost actually be said to possess a character? That is not rhetorical – please, somebody, tell me. Nor metaphysical. And what about the last season of The Hour? Is it possible to believe that that ineffectual, quivering-lipped, poor excuse for a boss actually heads up a crack, cutting-edge, current affairs programme? And don't get me started on the wan'n'wistful-pseudo-French-pseudo-marxist-wifey who rocked up out of nowhere – all Jean Seberg crop and no trousers. What the hell were the writers thinking? Were the writers thinking? Here's to Detective Inspector Sarah Lund. And please, please, please can we have some more kick-ass women on screen? Oh, and bringing back Spike wouldn't hurt either.
Update: series 5 of Being Human got better. Not quite series 4 better, but it was a hell of a shame to see it go. The ghost improved. A little. But female characters remain the weakest on the show. Still, bring back Tom and Hal. Please.


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An affiliated group of privately-owned, multi-state real estate investment companies established in 1927.
As a fourth-generation family owned firm, Carnegie has a long history of sustained profitability and positive cash flow. Carnegie currently owns or holds significant financial interests in over 40 properties located in Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, and Texas.
Carnegie's portfolio is principally comprised of multi-tenant retail, but also includes industrial, office, parking garages, and undeveloped land. Carnegie typically manages its properties with a long-term orientation. In fact, the company has owned and operated certain properties in excess of forty years.
Throughout its four-generation history, Carnegie has continuously strived to provide the highest level of integrity and service to our employees, tenants, brokers, investors, lenders, and transactional partners.
Carnegie maintains a moderate investment strategy by purchasing existing value-add opportunities which maximize upside potential while limiting downside risk. The company has a conservative capital structure with a number of its properties owned debt-free while existing debt is typically non-recourse and property-specific. It is the company's philosophy to seek enhanced returns through intensive management with an orientation of long-term ownership.
Since 1927, Carnegie and its coworkers have contributed time and financial resources to improve the communities where we live and work.
Carnegie is an "approved" purchaser and borrower of the F.D.I.C. (and its predecessor, the R.T.C.), H.U.D., and various other major institutional lenders. Carnegie has the in-house capability to complete substantial transactions by using its own cash resources, drawing down existing bank lines of credit, and/or by involving additional equity participation from investors.
Carnegie currently owns or holds significant financial interests, in over 40 properties.
Carnegie Companies Growth Strategy
- Identification of acquisition candidates which provide above-average overall returns (current cash flow and/or capital gain opportunity) with moderate down-side risk.
- Acquisition of properties only after completion of a methodical due diligence process, including: site visits, market studies, environmental investigations and title/survey review.
- Utilization of strict management and accounting controls for each property acquired.
- Provision of all properties with professional and readily accessible on-site management and maintenance personnel.
- Scheduled and on-going tenant dialogue and lease review.
- Annual revenue planning and capital budgeting resulting in implementation of scheduled property improvements and preventative repair/maintenance programs.
Over 45 properties, Read What Others Have To Say…
"Seasoned pros who are very deliberate and close as expected."
"Carnegie has been a great partner over the years for KeyBank Real Estate Capital as long term owners of a conservatively financed real estate portfolio with an enviable capital structure and strong liquidity position."
"They are team players in closing deals and focus on every detail assuring that negotiations run smoothly. Tenants are treated fairly with an extremely responsive management team on their side."
"The office turned out better than we ever imagined… the entire process was such a great experience. Thank you for all your help over the last few months."


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text: To access a PDF version of this newsletter, please click here here If you would like to receive this newsletter via email, please register at: here FACTORS TO WATCH No major events are scheduled for the day. LIVECHAT - COMMODITIES FOCUS Clyde Russell, Reuters Asia commodities and energy columnist, joins us to discuss crude oil and metals markets, and all the cues to watch at 9:30 am IST. To join the conversation, click on the link: refini.tv/2P8N0Wp INDIA TOP NEWS • India to impose retaliatory tariffs on 28 U.S. goods from Sunday India will impose higher retaliatory tariffs on 28 U.S. products including almonds, apples and walnuts from Sunday, following Washington's withdrawal of key trade privileges for New Delhi. • WeWork considers $1.9 bln offer for 70% stake in Indian affiliate -Bloomberg Shared office space manager WeWork is exploring a deal to take majority control of its affiliate WeWork India ahead of the New York-based company's plans to go public, Bloomberg reported on Thursday, citing people familiar with the matter. • Walmart's Flipkart, Indian startup settle dispute over sharp discounting Walmart unit Flipkart has settled a legal dispute with an Indian startup that alleged it suffered losses because its products were sharply discounted on the global retailer's website. • Indian regulator bars news channel NDTV from accessing capital markets India's market regulator barred the founders of news television channel New Delhi Television (NDTV) from the country's capital markets for the next two years. • India's Greaves Cotton to set up charging hubs for electric scooters Engine maker Greaves Cotton, which launched its first heavyweight electric scooter last month, plans to set up at least 100 charging stations for two-wheelers across India in the next three months, as the government pushes for more electric vehicles to combat rising pollution. • India minister says confident airline capacity problems will be solved India's new civil aviation minister said he is confident that airline capacity shortage problems following the grounding of Jet Airways will be solved, in the government's first comments about the issue since it was re-elected last month. GLOBAL TOP NEWS • Pressure builds on Hong Kong leader with democracy activist set to leave jail Hong Kong's political crisis enters its second week as uncertainty grows over the fate of government leader Carrie Lam and the extradition bill she postponed at the weekend. • Taking aim at Johnson, British PM hopefuls make their Brexit case Several hopefuls vying to replace British Prime Minister Theresa May turned their fire on favourite Boris Johnson on Sunday, questioning his pledge to leave the European Union by the end of October no matter what. • Blast-hit tankers to be assessed off UAE coast The two oil tankers crippled in attacks in the Gulf of Oman last week that Washington and Riyadh have blamed on Iran are being assessed off the coast off the United Arab Emirates before their cargos are unloaded, the ships' operators said on Sunday. LOCAL MARKETS OUTLOOK • SGX Nifty nearest-month futures were 0.11% lower at 11,817.50. • The Indian rupee is expected to open lower against the dollar following better-than-expected U.S. retail sales data, which prompted the dollar index's biggest jump in three months. -NewsRise • Indian government bonds are expected to trade lower in early session, amid profit booking after crude oil prices rose for a third session today, while the market awaits the government's biggest debt switch for this year. The yield on the benchmark 7.26% bond maturing in 2029 is likely to trade in a range of 6.90% -6.97% today. -NewsRise GLOBAL MARKETS • U.S. stocks ended lower on Friday as investors were cautious going into next week's Federal Reserve meeting, while a warning from Broadcom of a broad weakening in global demand weighed on chipmakers and added to U.S.-China trade worries. • Asian shares got off to a shaky start as investors were cautious ahead of a closely-watched Federal Reserve meeting, while political tensions in the Middle East and Hong Kong kept risk-appetite in check. • The dollar hovered near a two-week high, as strong U.S. retail sales data tempered some of the fears about a sharp downturn in the world's largest economy. • Short-dated U.S. Treasury yields rose on Friday, flattening the yield curve, after solid data subdued investor fears of rapid economic decline in the second quarter and decreased expectations the Federal Reserve would cut rates at its meeting next week. • Oil prices rose after U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Washington will take all actions necessary to guarantee safe navigation in the Middle East, as tensions mounted following attacks on tankers last week. • Gold prices edged away from a 14-month peak hit in the previous session, with the dollar gaining after encouraging U.S. retail sales data tempered fears about a sharp downturn in the world's largest economy. CLOSE FII INVESTMENTS EQUITIES DEBT PNDF spot 69.70/69.73 June 14 -$34.23 mln -$425. 36 mln 10-yr bond yield 6.92% Month-to-date $74.88 mln $471.57 mln Year-to-date $11.26 bln -$1.66 bln For additional data: India govt bond market volumes Stock market reports Non-deliverable forwards data Corporate debt stories [IN CORPD] Local market closing/intraday levels [IN SNAPSHOT] Monthly inflows [INFLOWS RTRS TABLE IN] ($1 = 69.8132 Indian rupees) (Compiled by Lisa Mattackal in Bengaluru)


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Hi Dolls, A few weeks ago I was contacted by a brand new an emerging brand called Covershoot Cosmetics. As it happens I had seen one of their products in Savers before and thought it looked pretty good, but I didn't proceed to purchase so when Covershoot got in touch and asked if I'd like to try … Continue reading
Monthly Archives: October 2016
Date Night Subscription Box – Wine & Wishes – Inject some Romance Back into your relationship
Hi Dolls, For those of you that follow my instagram account you will know that I kindly got sent a wonderful package from a brand new subscription box called Date Night. So the name really says it all, Date Night is a monthly subscription service aimed at couples with busy lives who do not have time … Continue reading
Little Known Box September Beauty Box Review
Hi Dolls, Another month has gone flying past, and in fact two months since I last reviewed a monthly box from Little Known Box. Happily I was asked if I wanted to review the September Box and as I had thoroughly enjoyed previous boxes from Little Known Box I was thrilled to see what treats … Continue reading
Zaful Clothing Fashion & Jewellery Haul
Hi Dolls, Recently I was contacted by Zaful.com which is a one-stop online shop for today's most daring, exciting and edgy fashion apparels. Zaful.com offer the latest fashion at really affordable prices with a vast selection of fashion and accessories available to choose from. Now I've never done a blog on fashion / clothing before … Continue reading
From Ombre to Auburn – Home Hair Dye Job & Custom Dyed Hair Extensions
Good Evening Dolls, With new seasons brings news fashions and new hair colours. I tend to be quite seasonal with my hair each year and as I have had ombre over the summer I decided it was time to step away from the bleach and although I can't fully step away from hair dye altogether … Continue reading


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This is a hand forged 4 bar viking knife blade.
Constructed from vintage wrought iron at the spine, then a bar of 9 layer twist layer and then anotherlayer of wrought iron. Finally there is a 160 layer folded carbon Damascus steel at the edge.
The blade is 11.5 inches long, 1 3/8″ wide and 4.6mm thick.
The knife weighs 412 g.
The handle is made from walnut antler and brass. It has a handy thong at the back to aid with withdrawing the blade.
The Viking style sheath is made from vegetable tanned leather, copper and brass and has a leather thong to attach it to your belt. Both the handle and sheath have been made by Jacek Robotka in Yorkshire.
Price £850 plus postage
For purchasing and information please contact Owen here.
You must be over 18 years old to purchase an item from this website we will require proof of age before purchase of any knife, axe, sword or seax.


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Welcome to join in Worship - Asia Sunday at Che-Lam (Chinan) Presbyterian Church (濟南教會) in Taipei on 2 June at 14:30 (language: bilingual)
Asia Sunday is observed every year on the Sunday before Pentecost, and it co-incides with the date of the inaugural assembly of the Christian Conference of Asia. The Asia Sunday this year will be observed on 2 June 2019. The member churches and councils of CCA, as well as churches and ecumenical partners around the world, observe Asia Sunday as an occasion to offer special prayers and worship services with focus on a special theme pertinent to the Asian context. The CCA, in this context, has decided to focus the theme of the Asia Sunday-2019 on 'Stateless and Trafficked People in Asia: Our Co-Pilgrims'. It is our prayer and hope that the churches and the ecumenical family will take ini-tiatives to plan and organise the Asia Sunday -2019 in a most befitting manner.
Mathews George Chunakara
General Secretary, CCA


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OKLAHOMA CITY - Oklahoma City is home to many historical neighborhoods, including Mesta Park, Putnam Heights and the Edwards Addition.
While many people may recognize the style of homes in Mesta Park and Putnam Heights, the Edwards Addition is rich in history.
"My grandfather was referred to the junkman and certainly it's a true testament and tribute where he made a lot of money in the junkyard and scrape iron business," said James Johnson, the grandson of Walter Edwards and Francis Edwards.
Walter Edwards and his family moved to Oklahoma in 1907. At just 19-years-old, he got a job at a junkyard earning $9 a week.
Despite that low pay, he saved up enough to start his own businesses.
"Many businesses rise and fall, succeed and fail. My grandfather went broke during the depression. As a result, he had the resiliency and perseverance to continue through," Johnson said.
Edwards returned to the junkyard to work his way out of debt. In fact, he ended up earning enough money to purchase a business.
"He wanted something better for himself and others that were around him. Then came the war and the hot commodity prices for iron and steel and other precious metals," he said.
Family members say his wife was just what he needed to keep his business ventures growing.
"They say behind every great man is a great woman…that is true, that is true," Johnson said. "He was a team and his other team member was his wife, Francis Edwards. Their skills, background, interest complimented each other so well. That she was able to do things he couldn't and he the things she couldn't."
That match brought about their next business venture- the Edwards Addition. It's a neighborhood that now stretches from N.E. 10th St. to N.E. 23rd.
The housing addition was created to combat a critical housing shortage for African Americans in Oklahoma City.
The couple purchased the land from C.T. Hassmen, who agreed to submit the plans to the city council for them.
The Edwards were the first African Americans to secure a Federal Housing Administration loan, which allowed them to set up sewage and water for the neighborhood.
They ended up building more than 700 single family homes in the area.
"The population of folks who bought homes in Edwards Addition were teachers, educators, doctors….let's say middle class citizens who wanted the best for their kids," Johnson said.
In 1945, everything changed.
"My grandmother became sick and became hospitalized in the basement ward of a hospital in OKC. The doctor told my grandfather that if my grandmother was going to get well-- she needs to go to one that will give her first rate care," he said.
The couple had the means to pay for the care, but state laws prevented hospitals from treating any persons of color to the extent that Francis Edwards needed.
"[My grandfather] decided to take my grandmother to the MAYO Clinic in Minnesota. She was admitted, she was treated and got well. While she was there, they decided and committed together that upon their return--they would build a hospital for all people. Not only for African Americans, but for anybody that needed or desired services," he said.
In 1948, they build the Edwards Memorial Hospital on N.E. 16th and I-35.
The hospital was revered as being the largest hospital owned and operated by blacks in the southwest United States. They even received a congratulatory note from President Harry Truman.
"The hospital was in existence from 1948 to 1961 when it closed. By that time, services had been available at other hospital and establishments," he said.
Their rags to riches story became talk of the nation, earning Walter the nickname of "Millionaire Junkman."
"As I have grown up and gotten older, I to myself marvel at what my grandparents have down out here without the kind of trappings and resource and availability services we have today. They were hard scrabbled people. It's just phenomenal to what they were able to do with so little," he said.


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Exhausted from 2017? Start 2018 fresh!
Let's have a moment of silence for all the stresses and chaos of 2017 – let them R.I.P. Time to start the new year by living out loud and focusing on us, especially when it comes to health and sleep.
The ball is almost ready to drop and the kisses ready to be smooched at midnight – the time has come to create your yearly resolutions. Year after year, do you find yourself making the same exhausting resolutions to get fit or stop snacking on junk food? You're not alone. Unfortunately, New Year's resolutions are only successful 39% of the time. What's your score for successful resolutions?
There's a reason – or a few – why your resolutions are not making it past January. Maybe your goal was too complex or unrealistic. Or maybe you've been struggling to adopt healthy habits because you've been ignoring an essential pillar of good health: sleep. Like physical activity and healthy eating, sleep is crucial for optimal health.
More than 40% of us aren't getting enough sleep and it's drastically affecting our daily routine – never mind our ability to successful with our new year's resolutions.
Grab your pen and write in these 5 resolutions for better sleep in 2018
5 resolutions for better sleep
- Stick to your sleep routine, even on the weekend – When you get ready to go to the gym you need the right things. The right running shoes, the right playlist, some protein and a new routine. It's difficult to make it through a workout without these things just like you can't fall asleep without a mattress and favorite blanket. To help you plan a winning sleep routine, check this out. Check this out: Get Your Sleep Routine On
- Ban gadgets from the bedroom – According to the National Sleep Foundation more than 85% of adults have at least one screen in front of them before bedtime, which can wake the brain up instead of preparing it for sleep. Disrupted sleep patterns can have negative implications for overall performance in everyday life and cause long and short term health issues. The simple truth is that our brains, bodies and sleep cycles are all affected when we bring our electronic devices to bed. Check this out: How Electronics in Bed Affect Sleep
- Shut out the light – Too much light immediately before bedtime may prevent you from getting a good night's sleep – falling asleep with lights on may not be the best thing either. Your brain is stimulated by the light, thinking it needs to be awake and functioning on levels similar to daytime. Needless to say, your brain needs downtime (also known as sleep) and an active brain doesn't disengage well. Check this out: Light & Sleep
- Avoid caffeine after 3 pm – Drinking coffee might be a great way to round off your evening meal or perk you up in the late afternoon, but it may disrupt your sleep later when you're set to retire for the night. Consuming caffeine 3 and even 6 hours before bedtime can reduce total sleep time by more than 1 hour each night. Check this out: Caffeine – How Caffeine Affects Your Health & Sleep
- Avoid a nightcap before snoozing – We've all experienced how alcohol can be a trickster, making you believe you have the greatest moves on the dance floor. The same can happen with sleep. Passing out after a night of drinking tricks you into believing you're getting a better, deeper sleep, but you can often find yourself feeling as if you hardly slept at all. Going to sleep after a night of drinking disrupts the normal sleep process and can cause other side effects too. Check this out: Drinking & Sleep
2018 is upon us and you have a fresh chance to start over and maintain your healthy sleep routine or start a new one and get back on track. Beat the odds with our sleep suggestions and enjoy being on the winning side of the new year.
Ready to take back your sleep? Check out Restonic's ComfortCare line for the perfect balance of comfort and support to suit your sleep and support your dreams.
Eager for more sleep info you can really use? Join our community on Facebook and let's continue the conversation. We'd love to hear what you have to say!
This blog was originally published on Restonic.com and does not provide medical advice. It is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and should not be relied on to make decisions about your health. Never ignore professional medical advice in seeking treatment because of something you have read on Restonic.com. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your doctor or dial 911.


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Our Team
The Diocesan Education Team - Supporting the Church Schools Family
The team at the Diocesan Education Centre works with the Diocesan Board of Education to provide support and advice to the family of Church Schools across the Diocese.
Our offices are at: 103 Newport, Lincoln, LN1 3EE
To see the LAAT Central team members, click here.
Jackie Waters-Dewhurst - Director of Education
Jackie Waters-Dewhurst
Director of Education
email: firstname.lastname@example.com
tel: 01522 50 40 10
Jackie leads on strategy development, national partners, new initiatives and has oversight of the Board of Education.
Paul Thompson - Deputy Director of Education
Paul Thompson
Deputy Director of Education
email: email@example.com
tel: 01522 50 40 10
Paul leads on professional development, headteacher appointment and strategic partnerships.
Peter Tomlinson - Finance & Operations Manager
Peter Tomlinson
Finance & Operations Manager
email: email@example.com
tel: 01522 50 40 10
Peter leads on business and financial strategy, and land matters.
Sally Doughty - PA to the Diocesan Director and Deputy Director of Education, and Office Manager
Sally Doughty
PA to the Diocesan Director,
Deputy Director of Education,
Office Manager
email: firstname.lastname@example.com
tel: 01522 50 40 10
Sally leads on diaries and manages the office.
Gillian Georgiou - RE Advisor
Gillian Georgiou
RE Advisor
email: firstname.lastname@example.com
tel: 01522 50 40 10
Gillian leads on Religious Education.
Lynsey Norris - Education Development Officer
Lynsey Norris
Education Development Officer
email: email@example.com
tel: 01522 504010
Lynsey leads on areas such as developing our training programme, working with Local Authorities and providing schools with pastoral support.
Sam Stewart - Senior School Effectiveness Advisor
Sam Stewart
Senior School Effectiveness Advisor
email: firstname.lastname@example.com
tel: 01522 504010
Sam leads on OfSTED and school improvement.
Steve Johnson - School Effectiveness Advisor
Steve Johnson
School Effectiveness Advisor
email: email@example.com
tel: 01522 504010
Steve works with schools in the area of school improvement and teaching and learning.
Yvonne Shaw - School Effectiveness Advisor
Yvonne Shaw
School Effectiveness Advisor
email: firstname.lastname@example.com
tel: 01522 504010
Yvonne works with schools in the area of school improvement and teaching and learning.
Patricia Dixon - DBE Administrator
Patricia Dixon
DBE Administrator
email: firstname.lastname@example.com
tel: 01522 504010
Patricia leads on the coordination of events, courses and conferences.
Tracy Smith - DBE Administrator
Tracy Smith
DBE Administrator
email: firstname.lastname@example.com
tel: 01522 50 40 10
Tracy leads on financial administration, foundation governor appointments and SIAMS inspection administration.
Ellen Cross - DBE Administrator
Ellen Cross
DBE Administrator
email: email@example.com
tel: 01522 50 40 10
Ellen is minutes secretary to the Board, leads on trusts and helps with land matters, and takes care of the website.


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USER EDITORYaspaa
Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley are about to enter their second year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. They find out that the Chamber of Secrets has been opened and that enemies of Slytherin's heir should fear for their lives. The school is thrown into chaos, but no one can figure out exactly where the Chamber of Secrets is or if it even exists, or who Slytherin's heir is. When some classmates are petrified, including Hermione, and Ron's sister, Ginny, is kidnapped, Harry and Ron dicover its location and take it upon themselves to enter the Chamber of Secrets to save the school.
Daniel Radcliffe
Harry Potter
Rupert Grint
Ron Weasley
Emma Watson
Hermione Granger
Kenneth Branagh
Professor Gilderoy Lockhart
John Cleese
Nearly Headless Nick
Vernon: (Vernon puts bars on Harry's bedroom window) You're never going back to that school. You're never going to see those freaky friends of yours again!
Arthur: (Arthur Weasley returns home after a night shift) Morning, Weasleys.
Weasley Family: Morning, Dad.
Arthur: What a night. Nine raids. Nine!
Harry: Raids?
Ron: Dad works in the Ministry of Magic, in the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts office. Dad loves muggles, thinks they're facinating.
Arthur: Well, now. And who are you?
Harry: Oh, sorry, sir. I'm Harry Potter.
Arthur: Good Lord, are you really? Well, Ron's told us all about you, of course. When did he get here?
Ron: This morning.
Molly: Your sons flew that enchanted car of yours to Surrey and back last night.
Arthur: Did you really? How did it go? (Molly hits Arthur on the arm) I mean-- That was very wrong indeed, boys. Very wrong of you.
Arthur: Now, Harry, you must know all about muggles. Tell me, what exactly is the function of a rubber duck?
Hagrid: You're a mess, Harry. Skulking around Knockturn Alley? Dodgy place. Don't want no one to see you there. People will think you're up to no good
Harry: I was lost, I-- Hang on. What were you doing down there then?
Hagrid: Me? Oh, I was, em... I was looking for Flesh-Eating Slug Repellent. They're ruining all the school cabbages.
Lucious: Let me see. Red hair, vacant expressions... tatty, secondhand book. You must be the Weasley's.
Hermione: He called me a mudblood.
Hagrid: He did not.
Harry: What's a mudblood?
Hermione: It means "dirty blood". "Mudblood's a really foul name for someone who's muggle-born. Someone with non-magic parents. Someone like me. It's not a term one usually hears in civilised conversation.
Hagrid: See, the thing is, Harry, there are some wizards, like the Malfoy family, who think they're better than everyone else because they're what people call pure-blood.
Harry: That's horrible.
Ron: It's disgusting.
Hagrid: And it's codswallop to boot. Dirty blood. Why, there isn't a wizard alive today that's not half-blood or less. More to the point, they've yet to think of a spell that our Hermione can't do.
Lockhart: Fame is a fickle thing, Harry. Celebrity is as celebrity does.
Dumbledore: Fawkes is a phoenix, Harry. They burst into flame when it is time for them to die and then are reborn from the ashes. Aah, fascinating creatures, phoenixes. They can carry immensely heavy loads. And their tears have healing powers.
Dumbledore: (Harry and Ron's actions have resulted in the school being saved) You both realise of course that in the past few hours, you have broken perhaps a dozen school rules.
Harry and Ron: Yes, sir.
Dumbledore: And there is sufficient evidence to have you both expelled.
Harry and Ron: Yes, sir.
Dumbledore: Therefore, it is only fitting that you both receive special awards for services to the school.
Ron: Thank, sir.
Lockhart: (Harry and Ron are trying to save Ginny with a captured Lockhart in tow, when Lockhart suddenly grabs Ron's wand) The adventure ends here, boys. But don't fret. The world will know our story. How I was too late to save the girl. How you two tragically lost your minds at the sight of her mangled body.
Harry: (reading from a book's torn out page) "Of the many fearsome beasts that roam our land none is more deadly than the basilisk. Capable of living for hundreds of years, instant death awaits any who meet the giant serpent's eye. Spiders flee before it."
Hagrid: What are you doing here? Get out of my house!
Lucious: Believe me... I take absolutely no pleasure being inside your... You call this a house?
Production Budget - $100,000,000
Domestic Gross - $261,988,482 (4th)
Worldwide Gross - $878,979,634 (2nd)
Domestic Adjusted for 2013 - $367,956,285
Worldwide Adjusted for 2013 - $1,234,504,959
Other Production Companies:
Heyday Films
1492 Pictures
MIRACLE Productions GmbH & Co. KG
An extended version of the movie runs 13 minutes longer.
Filmed with a 2.35:1 aspect ratio.
1. Hogwarts is back in session.
2. The Chamber of Secrets has been opened. Enemies of the heir... beware!
3. Something evil has returned to Hogwarts!
4. The Chamber of Secrets has opened...
5. The second year begins November 15
BAFTA Nominations:
1. Best Film
2. Production Design
3. Sound
4. Visual Effects
Grammy Nominations:
1. Soundtrack
Filming locations include:
Alnwick, Northumberland, England
Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, England
Oxford, Oxfordshire, England
Durham, County Durham, England
Ealing Studios, Ealing, London, England
Glen Coe, Highland, Scotland
Fort William, Highland, Scotland
Glenfinnan, Highland, Scotland
Gloucester, Gloucestershire, England
Goathland, North Yorkshire, England
King's Cross, London, England
Lacock, Wiltshire, England
St. Pancras, London, England
Action & Adventure, Fantasy, Kids, Science Fiction, Suspense
Family Dramas, supernatural forces, rebellious youth, parallel worlds, child hero


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- "People over there are so wrapped up in how you perceive the Lord they forget we're all part of his flock. Stories change, Connor. The way people tell them evolves. It's no different in the Bible and I believe that's the real root of all the strife back home. But nobody wants to listen to me – if you don't see it their way, you're a heathen."
- ―Duncan Little on the conflict in his homeland.[src]
Ireland is an island located northwest of continental Europe, alongside the island of Great Britain. It is divided between the Republic of Ireland, and Northern Ireland, the latter being a part of the United Kingdom.
Historically, Ireland has had many conflicts; including conflicts between Catholics and Protestants, nationalists and unionism, for and against the British Empire.
In regards to religious conflicts, Irish Roman Catholics and non-Conformists suffered under British Imperial rule, while Protestants suffered at the hands of a backlash by Roman Catholic republicans. A notable Irishman, William Johnson, was born to Catholic parents, but converted to Protestantism as he found Catholicism limited his opportunities among the nobility due to state-tolerated discrimination. The persecution and violence prompted Irish people such as Anne Bonny, Duncan Little and John O'Brien to migrate to the Thirteen Colonies or fight the British in uprisings that were usually crushed until 1921 following the Anglo-Irish Treaty.[1][2]
During the Irish War of Independence in the early 20th century, rebels under Michael Collins and Éamon de Valera brought the majority of Ireland independence from the United Kingdom.[2] At least one Assassin was active in the conflict.[3]


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Home > Wire & Stringing > Fairy Silk Cord Rainbow Pride Bundle - Jesse James Beads
Fairy Silk Cord Rainbow Pride Bundle
Celebrate Pride Day with this bundle of rainbow colored Fairy Silk Cord. This hand-dyed silk cord is made in Germany. Soft to the touch, this cord adds a perfect supple texture to any design project. Cord measures 8.1 mm x 1.8 mm. Nine cords total in this bundle. Each cord measures about 1 meter in length.
$47.99 $62.99


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I'm not the first and likely not the last person to write about this. I will likely have to hear it more often before I actually get it more than temporarily.
I'm not beautiful, pretty or cute. I come to terms with this mostly avoiding mirrors and such until I see pictures of me. Being the one behind the camera it's easy to not be in many pictures, that might be one of my favorite parts of being behind the camera. Couple this with the idea that pictures should be very, very close to perfect to be kept from my really into photography days and it's like I have some kind of photogdysmorphic problem. Yes, I made that up. The problem isn't though. I have thousands of pictures of flowers, kids, skyscapes, landscapes, sunsets, textures, motel signs, street signs, etc. I like to document my life as I see it, capture the beauty I am able to see around me from simple footbridges to majestic sunsets.
|footbridge on the way to The Big Tree
My beautiful Mom hates pictures of herself. She is most likely to goof off and pull some of her famous funny faces in front of the camera instead of letting us capture her as she normally is. I'm okay with that, she has an amazing talent of making people laugh and pulling faces. Her face is beautiful though, see. How can you not love her?
|Mom at the cabin for her birthday dinner 2014
Isn't she amazing? She hasn't seen this picture yet but I'm sure she'd pick it apart. She's not happy with her hair right now and, and, and. There is always a list of ands. I'm very well acquainted with them myself. The old photographer me wouldn't have hung onto this picture, or taken it in the first place. Those cars? Too distracting? The focus and framing? Off because the kids took this picture and I had to crop it way down to get it to follow the rule of thirds. Who wants such a flawed picture? Well, I do. It's how Michael sees his Grandma. A wonderful, happy woman with a bright smile and a delicious cake on her lap you can't see. This picture is us, family gathered together to celebrate a wonderful woman that has cheered most of us on to get us to where we are now.
This same trip, with both Charlet and Michael having the camera there are pictures of me. Pictures I don't like and ones I wanted to delete.
|Me, at Grandpa's Cabin for Mom's birthday 2014
My cheeks are chubby, I don't have any make up on and my hair had a mind of it's own including visible fuzziness and I don't like the way the shirt makes me look. and, and, and. I have a hard time seeing anything good in the picture, including flaws and imperfections that aren't visible. I can see the looming to do list that I never seem to finish, the stress, the inability to be enough of anything for anyone on my own. Who needs a visible reminder of that? Not me!
I've read, and agreed with, articles talking about the importance of not waiting until the weight is lost or whatever goal it is that is keeping you from wanting to be in pictures because pictures are important. They show the relationship between a young mother (who may still have some extra weight) and a toddler, the beautiful Grandmother being sung Happy Birthday surrounded by her kids, grandkids, and a great grandbaby who all think she's the greatest ever (of course that's because she really is)
I've adjusted ever so slightly and will consent to pictures like this one because Grant is cute enough to make up for what I'm lacking. Isn't his little mohawk the cutest thing ever? I adore him and so I keep the picture.
|Grant and me at Grandpa's Cabin 2014
|Charlet and Michael weekend of Grandma's birthday party 2014
I'm keeping the soft focus, low light, technically flawed pictures and I'm taking a breath and not deleting the pictures of me where I see nothing but imperfections because 100 years from now I don't want someone to be looking at my pictures and assume my children are motherless because I was too picky over something as silly as a photograph. I may not be beautiful but I hope when my kids see pictures of me that are able to realize how much I love them and that they are the center of my entire world forever and always even with fly away hair, no make up, and unrested eyes.


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