Author: Donald Goines
Title: Dopefiend
Genre: African American Literature
Publication Date: 2004 (orig. 1971)
Number of Pages: 319
Geographical Setting: Detroit, Michigan
Time Period: Present Day (at the time that it was published – 1970s)
Series: No
Plot Summary: Goines shows us what desperation truly is when addicted to dope and living on the mean streets of Detroit. We first meet a young couple, Teddy and Terry. Teddy is already bordering on addiction in the beginning of the story, while Terry is an occasional user who comes from a good family holds a good job, and maintains her own car. We also meet Porky, who runs the dope house located in the slums. This character makes it his mission to  hook people into “the lifestyle” using his drugs to wield control over them– especially women. We watch as Teddy and Terry fall deeper into their habits, doing things they never thought that they would do and losing so much in order to feed their addictions.

Subject headings: Drug addicts – Fiction. | Drug abuse – Fiction. | African Americans – Drug use – Fiction.
Appeal: Bleak, dark, dramatic, hard-edged, conversational, direct, unembellished, vivid, fast-paced, engaging, explicitly violent, issue-oriented, linear, plot-centered, sexually explicit, strong language, tragic, urban.

Three terms that best describe this book:  poignant, coarse, graphic.

Relevant Fiction Works and Authors:
Pimp: The Story of my Life by Robert Beck (AKA Iceberg Slim) (Like Goines’, Beck also writes about street life (Chicago), urban problems, and falls under the subgenre of African American literature. This is a story based on the real life of the former pimp, Iceberg Slim).

The End of a Primitive (or If He Hollers, Let him go?) by Chester Himes (Similar to Dopefiend because of its theme of addiction and illustration of how it affects the love relationship of the interracial couple in this story. Set in 1950s New York.).

The Scene by Clarence Cooper Jr. (This book contains themes of street life, drug abuse, prostitutes and pimps. A specific city is not mentioned).

Relevant Non-Fiction Works and Authors:
Out of the Madness: From the Projects to a Life of Hope by Jerrold Ladd (A real-life story about one African American man’s life experiences in the projects with a heroin-addicted mother. The author ultimately beats the odds and reaches his goals of escaping and creating a new life for himself).
Parallel time: Growing up in Black and White by Brent Staples (Staples, a black journalist, writes about growing up in Chester, Pennsylvania. He highlights his father’s drinking problem, the family’s financial problems, constant moves, his drug dealer brother and his murder, and shoddy education. Staples beats the odds by going on to college and landing a professional job. After he leaves, his family life becomes even grimmer.).
Low Road: The Life and Legacy of Donald Goines by Eddie B. Allen Jr. (Allen writes Donald Goines’ biography. He details his life of hustling, pimping, felony, incarceration, and drug addiction. In the end, (which is placed at the beginning of this book) Goines’ fast life catches up with him when he is murdered in his Highland Park apartment in 1974.).

Name: Susan

An art installation located in Cologne, Germany by Marco Hemmerling.

In it we see reflecting fragments of surrounding buildings. While you move around the sculpture, the reflections on the glass constantly change and you become part of the installation with the buildings reflecting in the background. At night the installation is lit from within with colors and distorting film.

-  Artistic Things

Photos taken from Designboom:

Considering it’s Monday and back to work I thought a photo of a barred window might be appropriate. Maybe your work is like a gulag or maybe a sanitarium, I don’t know (I hope not), but not to worry it’ll all be over soon and in mere hours you’ll be resting in front of the TV again with Tuesday looming. This photo is another from the Distillery District. Enjoy.

It the most recent twist, according to AHH’s Illseed, it turns out the reason Beyonce caused Jay-Z to cancel some of his tour dates to fly out to her were not due to alleged cheaeting but rather due to her new pregnant status.  Apparently someone has missed their monthly friend plus some other news that may result in an extension of the Carter family.

Been knocking the this song and the remix with Lloyd banks like crazy in the whip.  Diddy gets an official cosign with this one.  And the video makes me feel like the BadBoy days when he and Mase were killing it and Biggie was the undisputed king.

Its official, Diddy is dancing again; the recession is over LOL

Toronto’s newest singing sensation gone South of the border, Melanie Fiona has dropped her hot new video “Bang Bang”.  Toronto stand up and be proud.

It seems Clipse are following the Rick Ross blueprint and releasing a new video every week.  Here is another single accomanied by another quality video, Clipse – Doorman.

OK, yesterday Tia Kemp (Rick Ross’ child’s mother and an author signed to 50) was seen in pictures with her 3 children (1 of which is Rick Ross’ son) hanging out with Rick Ross’ enemies Floyd Mayweather & 50 Cent at Floyd’s mansion in L.A.  Not that I condone violence or want to see anything from this war of words and video turn physical but 50 is going so hard and personal at Rick Ross that I would not be surprised if somebody got hurt.  Sure 50 is well protected but is Tia?  If she isn’t I fear for her safety.  I know people who have and would kill for less than this.  It is one thing to hate your child’s father but to disgrace him by having his children pose in pictures and play with his sworn enemies is another thing all together.  This is getting real ugly, real quick.

I don’t know about you, but are there times you leave a shoot overly excited to get home and edit your pics because you know the finished result is going to stellar?! Well, thats how I felt once I was done with this session.
It’s crazy to think 2 years ago I took this sweet couples engagement pictures. When I look back at how far I have come as a photographer, it is kinda scary…scary in a good way. Last year they asked me to take their Christmas pictures, but our schedules just did not work out. But, this year we made it happen and oh did we make some memories!
You know when your gifted with something once you get to your location and so many more opportunities arise! I had a spot in mind, but every way I turned I saw more images coming to mind!
We came to the conclusion that we messed up someones drug deal. Two guys were slowly walking toward one another in the street, then noticed us. One of the men even asked if I was photographing this couple for a magazine. I joked back….he lingered around for awhile and watched….kinda scary and weird. The two men eventually parted ways. As we were leaving we passed one of the men, he turned and gave us a nice smile. I have no idea where he was walking…there really was no where to go. Well, come to find out as we turned the street there was the other man making a loop back around….uh-huh–BUSTED! Haha…no, who knows what they were doing. But, that was our conclusion.

As you will see I tried a lot of new things with finishes and ways I posed this couple. I am looking for SOME MAJOR FEEDBACK!!!

Just as sidenote–every photographer LOVES comments! So, make a photographers day–comment! Why not start here?

Oh, and another sidenote–not sure why my horizontal pics look blurry.

I thought I’d do one last post before the week ends, because..until then I have a lot to do irl. A lot I need to focus, no sl for me. Ehe, So I leave you with this last look and THIS SONG ! <3 Uma

All of my words for sadness
Like eskimo snow on unmanned crosses all
Planted in threes in a field for living trees
Are hummed as prayers in secret
and sung  through speakers in rooms for people to hear it
Even when I’m wasted and numb
With the words for good wine on a philistine’s tongue

And I’m under something black
and thicker than a sheet for ghosts
of the first feet of snow that old,

that old clouds yield
On the crosses on the chests of dead soldiers in a field
and I’m still here
Bearing my watery fruits if fruits at all
And I’m still here
Barely understanding what truth that rarely calls

Worn :

Hair – ‘Dio – white’ by {Fascino}

Skin – ‘Devon – Nude pink’ by JM:Mai

Fur – ‘Fur Gilet – beige’ by (Madsy)

Jacket – ‘Denim jacket vintage’ by BP*

Shirt – ‘Bottan shirt black’ by BP*

Pants – ‘Rockin’pants – black’ by [LeLutka]

Shoes – ‘Knee High Boots – beige’ by LAQ

Gloves – ‘Ushuaia gloves – grey’ by FTV

Bag – ‘Cala Saona – desert’ by *YS&YS*

At CosaVerde Randi Tannebaum’s work  consists of mostly License plates and leather. Cutting, folding, compressing and Welding(?) them into wearable urban art. Or  just cool accessories.

She describes her work as urban graffiti. well the actual phrase is ” The pieces are more like urban grafitti – suggesting a private meaning while radiating an unmistakable movement and energy.”

It made my smile. Simply. It’s handmade, bold and has style. Although I think her belt buckles and buttons are her most unique items, each one is different, that is not all she makes.

Over at her etsy shop. She has a selection sterling and beaded jewelry. It is an eclectic collection that seems to incorporate different styles.

]]> http://shesoghetto.wordpress.com/2009/11/17/is-she-still-so-ghetto-what-author-seriously-mcmillans-new-podcast-chat-is-about/ Tue, 17 Nov 2009 01:29:32 +0000 seriouslymcmillan http://shesoghetto.wordpress.com/2009/11/17/is-she-still-so-ghetto-what-author-seriously-mcmillans-new-podcast-chat-is-about/

You'll love The Seriously McMillan Show on BlogTalk Radio!

Now, she’s talking!

Yes, Seriously McMillan has written the books and those mannerly looks, but what the heck is she saying in the new Seriously McMillan Show?

I just love doing radio and podcasts, goodness forbid that I have to do a video and I am not wearing the right makeup…Oh no!

It’s not vanity for Author Seriously McMillan, it’s about practicing what she preaches about using good taste in all aspect of your life, including public appearance.

I am aware of my image and sometimes I just can’t get all the bells and whistles in the right places, but, I will not let that take away from the message.  You don’t need to see my face to hear what I am saying.

So, has Seriously retired from doing videos?

“No”, she says, “But podcasts about manners, etiquette and good taste are better because if I become inspired to do a podcast in the middle of the night, I can…Without worrying about hair and makeup.”

What is Seriously talking about in her new show called About A Few Things: The Seriously McMillan Show?

She talking about a few things that are timely and savvy.  Current events and private ones.  How to live your best life while learning and applying respect, manners, etiquette, courtesy and civility.

Seriously bite-sized podcasts are the perfect inspiration to wake up to, so catch her show LIVE in the mornings or finish your evening downloading and listening to a “Seriously inspired” podcast to make the next day a great.

I am working on keeping my podcasts under 15 minutes, some special topics I will chat about for half hour.  The messages in my podcasts are food for though.  They come quick, simple and easy to apply to life.

So take a look…rather a listen to Seriously McMillan’s blog talk radio show and enjoy.

Taken in November 2009 by Whitney. Montreal, Quebec.

Okay, so not quite yet. Here in Toronto it’s been so dry lately I’ve been thinking about getting out and watering the lawn and gardens. I even cut the grass today, believe it or not. After the ugly short falls we’ve had the past two years this one is a welcome reprieve. Of course, there’s no getting around what’s on its way, but let’s now talk about that quite yet. Here’s a photo from my October outing to Taylor creek. Maybe I’ll try to get back there once snow’s on the ground. I’ve never taken winter photos before.

What if Can Do, Can’t? The Vulnerabilty and Resilience of Cities ( 37 slides with sound, 60 min slideshow)

The co-father of the ecological footprint, Dr Bill Rees,  gives the keynote speech at the “Gaining Ground- Resilient Cities” Conference at Vancouver on Oct20,  2009  discussing climate change, peak oil and the vulnerability of cities despite the promise of new technology.

Transcript below

Bill Rees: The Vulnerability and Resilience of Cities – Presentation Transcript
What if ‘Can Do’ Can’t? The Vulnerability and Resilience of Cities William E. Rees, PhD, FRSC UBC School of Community and Regional Planning Gaining Ground – Resilient Cities Vancouver, BC, 20 – 22 October 2009
Main ‘Takeaways’
Perception is everything . Our mental models determine how we ‘act out’ in the world.

Cities are ‘emergent’ phenomena. Their structure and function reflects the mental models—the beliefs, values and assumptions—of the society that creates them. If a society is unsustainable its cities will be unsustainable.

Techno-industrial society is a ‘dualistic reductionist’ society. Modern cities have therefore ‘emerged’ as fractured, incomplete ecosystems that parasitize the ecosphere.

For sustainability, cities must become self-reliant, self-producing, complete, regenerative ecosystems—e.g., urban centred eco-regional city states.

Context 1: The Anomalous, Unsustainable Oil-Based Expansion of Urban Civilization Continuous growth—population and economic—is an anomaly. The growth spurt that recent generations take to be normal is the single most abnormal period of human history. 2009 Population: 6.8 billion The use of fossil fuel beginning in the 19 th Century allowed the explosive growth of the human enterprise

Context 2: H. sapiens is a deeply conflicted species
Some Evidence: The ‘Can Do’ Vision
Yes, there’s a problem, but our response springs from our belief in the human mastery of nature, our ebullient unreserved confidence in human techno-ingenuity.

“ Technology exists now to produce in virtually inexhaustible quantities just about all the products made by nature…”, and: “We have… the technology to feed, clothe, and supply energy to an ever-growing population for the next seven billion years…” (J. Simon 1995).

Comforting Illusions: AKA Technological (non-)Fixes
Most approaches to global change and sustainability today—renewable energy, hybrid cars, green buildings, smart growth, the new urbanism, green consumerism, etc.,—are delusional.

They assume we can maintain growth through greater material and economic efficiency.

If we need an 80% reduction in energy/material throughput by 2050, growing more efficiently does not address the problem. It merely makes us more efficiently unsustainable.

Corollary: If your ‘solution’ does not result in an absolute reduction in energy and material consumption and waste production, then it is part of the problem.

Examples of Self-Delusion What have we been sniffing?
Gasoline is a powerful hallucinatory drug.
It’s habitual users will believe anything to avoid facing reality.

Since when is a paltry 36 mpg ‘green’ or remotely sustainable?
And the delusions only get worse….

National Geographic, May 2008
North American ‘Starter Castles’: (or ‘Super-size My Eco-Footprint’)
Between 1950 and 2004, the average new American house expanded by 135%, from 1000 square feet (93 sq m) to 2,349 square feet (218 sq m).

Everything about new houses is bigger, from their multi-car garages to their industrial-scale appliances.

Meanwhile:
Average household size fell from 3.7 to 2.6 people.
Thus, floor space increased by 236% per capita from 270 square feet (25 sq m) to over 903 square feet (84 m2).
Despite efficiency gains, material and energy use per dwelling and per capita continue to increase.

Point: Large new houses and upscale subdivisions are marketed as ‘green’ or ‘sustainable’ because they feature thermal windows, superior insulation and geothermal heating/cooling. However, today’s ‘green-built’ 2300 sq ft house is actually considerably less ‘sustainable’ than a standard 1000 sq ft 1950s house .

In the context of global change: ‘Today’s city is the most vulnerable social structure ever conceived by man’ (Martin Oppenheimer).

Cities are threatened by:
Peak oil
Soil losses and related resources shortages (e.g., peak phosphorus)
Climate change (e.g., rising sea levels)
Resultant geopolitical instability

A Major Reason: Cities as presently conceived are incomplete (human) ecosystems (Enclosed in a bell-jar, modern cities would simultaneously starve and suffocate )

In ecological terms, modern cities are parasites on the global hinterland
“ Great cities are planned and grow without any regard for the fact that they are parasites on the countryside which must somehow supply food, water, air, and degrade huge quantities of wastes.” (Odum 1971)

All human economic ‘production’ is actually mostly consumption.

Cities produce the ‘wealth of nations’ only by first consuming and degrading the products and services of nature.
Edward Burtynsky— Oil

Economic ‘production’ consumes and dissipates nature

Think of natural forests, grasslands, marine estuaries, and coral reefs.

Now contemplate forest clear-cuts, eroding farmlands, depleted fisheries, marine ‘dead zones.’

The main thing connecting these two states of nature is human economic activity.

An archetype: Alberta’s oil sands—this used to be boreal forest Note the large warehouse or garage Edward Burtynsky— Oil

How much of nature do we use? Our ‘Ecological Footprint’
The ‘ecological footprint’ of a specified population is the area of land and water ecosystems required to produce the resources that the population consumes, and to assimilate the wastes that the population produces, wherever on Earth the relevant land/water may be located .

Eco-footprints are exclusive areas— people compete with each other for Earth’s limited biocapacity .

Eco-Footprints Vary with Income
Average EFs/capita in high-income countries range between four and ten global average hectares (10 to 25 acres).
The poorest people live on a third of a hectare (.74 ac).

There are only about two global average hectares per person on earth.
Canadians use 3-4 times their equitable share.

Ecological Deficits: Living Beyond our Means
Many countries ecologically ‘occupy’ a land-base scattered all over the planet that is much larger than their domestic territories.
Such countries are running ‘ecological deficits’ with other countries and the global commons.

The human enterprise has already ‘overshot’ global biocapacity by 30%.
The world is in overshoot depleting future carrying capacity To bring just the present world population up to North American material standards would require 3-4 additional Earth-like planets. One Planet Living Overshoot represents humanity’s ‘ecological deficit’

‘ Modern’ cities are all eco-deficit The twenty-nine largest cities of the Baltic states of Europe have an eco-footprint 565-1130 times larger as the cities themselves

Blocks on the left represent appropriated productive areas (biocapacity).
Blocks on the right represent ecosystem area appropriated exclusively for waste assimilation (under two sets of assumptions ) .

The Ominous (but all too typical) Case of Tokyo
Population: 33 Million (approx. 26% of Japanese pop)
Total eco-footprint at 4.9 global ha/capita: 161,700,000 ha
Tokyo’s eco-footprint is about 344 times larger than the metro-region, 4.3 times the area of Japan and represents 2.1 times the nation’s domestic biocapacity.
What would Tokyo (or Japan) do if cut off from its global supportive hinterland?

Urban Vulnerability 1: Soil and Landscape degradation
Globally, topsoil is being “dissipated” 16 to 300 times as fast as it regenerates.

We don’t notice because fossil energy is a soil substitute.
Since 1967, irrigation, mechanization and chemicals have accounted for 79-96% of the increased yields of wheat, rice and maize production.

Vulnerability 2: The Growing Discovery-Extraction Gap Source: ASPO, Sept 2008

Vulnerability 3: Climate Change
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are now growing more rapidly than “business-as-usual”, the most pessimistic of the IPCC scenarios.
Increases are 35% higher than expected since 2000.

Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide: A 38% anthropogenic increase since the 19 th Century Rate of increase (ppm/year) 1970-79: 1.3 1990-99: 1.5 2000-07: 2.3 (This exceeds the IPCC worst case scenario and is accelerating!) ‘ Safe’ is less than 350 ppm CO 2 e
Upward trend continues; 2005 was a new record; we’re at 0.8°C above 1880-1900 average; 0.5°C since 1970. J. Hansen et al., PNAS 103 : 14288-293 (26 Sept 2006) Green bars show 95% confidence intervals Global T has risen 0.8°C in 125 yrs °C

Recent findings turn the screws “Reframing the climate change challenge in light of post-2000 emission trends”

To stabilize GHGs at even 650 ppmv CO 2 e, the majority of OECD nations must begin to make draconian emission reductions soon (within a decade) .

Unless we can reconcile economic growth with unprecedented rates of decarbonization (in excess of 6% per year), this will require a planned economic recession .

650 ppmv CO 2 e implies a catastrophic 4 degree C mean global temperature increase.
(Anderson and Bows. 2008. Phil. Trans. R. Soc. A d oi:10.1098/rsta.2008.0138)

Socio-Political Implications
The Age of Consequences (November 2007). Washington, Center for Strategic and International Studies
“ We predict an [inevitable] scenario in which people and nations are threatened by massive food and water shortages, devastating natural disasters and deadly disease outbreaks” (John Podesta, contributing author).

Global Trends 2025 – A TransformedWorld. Washington, US National Intelligence Council
Global demand for energy, food and water could easily outstrip available supplies over the next decade or so, thus triggering trade-disrupting international conflicts.
The really ‘inconvenient truth’: Sustainability means giving up material growth in rich countries

“ Industrialized world reductions in material consumption, energy use, and environmental degradation of over 90% will be required by 2040 to meet the needs of a growing world population fairly within the planet’s ecological means.” (BCSD 1993; ‘Getting Eco-Efficient’)

North Americans should be taking steps to reduce their ecological footprints by at least 80% from about 9 global average ha to an equitable Earth-share (1.8 gha) (Rees 2006).

There will be life-style changes. Get used to it!

The Urban Sustainability Multiplier Cities have an advantage – gains from densification

A high proportion of multiple-family dwelling units which reduces per capita consumption of building materials, operational inputs and service infrastructure.

A greater range of options for recycling, reuse and re-manufacturing, and a concentration of the skills needed to make these things happen.

Greater possibilities for electricity co-generation and the use of waste process heat from industry or power plants to reduce the per capita use of fossil fuels.

Great potential for reducing (mostly fossil) energy consumption by motor vehicles through walking, cycling, and public transit— car-free cities are possible .

Efficiency is not enough: The resilient city is a more self-reliant eco-regional city state (whither provinces?)

Cities must be reconceived and redesigned to incorporate as much of their supportive ecosystems within their own political jurisdictions as possible (trade as necessary but not necessarily trade).

Bioregionalism and permaculture provide pre-formed philosophical and conceptual models for reintegrating heartland and hinterland.

The Bioregional City State: Ultimate Design Goals

Achieve ‘quasi-sustainability’ by facilitating the reduction of residents’ ecological footprints to a globally equitable two hectares per capita.

Reintegrate living-space with economy, re-balance production and consumption, and erase the distinction between city and hinterland.

Transform the city-nature relationship from parasite-host to symbiotic partnership by:
Re-conceiving ‘the city system’ as complete human ecosystem (this is the ultimate in bio-mimicry). In particular:

Re-configure the city from a resource-depleting throughput system to a self-sustaining circular-flows system.

Not a new idea—the regional eco-city, “… rather than being merely the site of consumption, might, through its very design, produce some of its own food and energy, as well as become the locus of work for its residents” (Van der Ryn and Calthorpe 1986).(With a tip of the hat to P. Geddes, L. Mumford and E. Howard)

If the global change science is right, which vision is ‘gloom and doom’?

Staying the course (BAU)
Resource depletion and accelerating global change. (e.g., climate chaos)
Greater systemic pollution
Economic uncertainty
Widening income gap
Increasing civil unrest
Potential geopolitical chaos
Possible cultural collapse
Eco-transformation
Conservation and restoration of essential natural capital
Cleaner air, soil and water
Economic security
Narrowing income gap
Greater social capital and sense of community
Greater geopolitical stability
Possibility for personal and cultural development

Urban-Centered Bioregionalism: ltimate Design and Life-Style Goals
Achieve ‘quasi-sustainability’—an equitable eco-footprint of two hectares per capita.
Spatially reintegrate ecology and economy, production and consumption, living and working, of city and hinterland.

Stop being a parasite on, and become a contributor to, the life-support functions of the ecosphere.

It’s an old idea echoing Geddes, Mumford and The regional eco-city, ‘… rather than being merely the site of consumption, might, through its very design, produce some of its own food and energy, as well as become the locus of work for its residents’
‘ The ecologically necessary is politically unfeasible but the politically feasible is ecologically irrelevant.’ (Van der Ryn and Calthorpe 1986). Our Contemporary

Conundrum: Is Eco- Transformation Possible?
Be the change! Thank You (and good luck!)

…nu stiu daca mai e ceva de lasat in urma… nu stiu daca se mai cere ceva de analizat, nu stiu daca mai poate cineva pleda pentru acuzat sau poate propune vreo pedeapsa capitala pentru acuzator.nu stiu daca isi mai are locul vreo marturie financiara a timpului scurs, sau a emotiilor convertite intre timp la incorigibil. sa spunem, evident, ca de tot ce avem nevoie in momentul asta e o groapa de nisip in care sa ne afundam pana la brau si nu cu picioarele inainte!.. si in acelasi timp, in mod inevitabil romantic, poate si de o cutie de picnic cu capac de fier incins si lacat elastic in care sa ascundem tot ceea ce ne doare astazi si ne facem sa cautam printre chipuri straine, chipurile celor cunoscuti, iubiti sau urati, celor doriti si adorati de altadata…; sa ascundem cutia asta in cel mai intunecat si rapciugos colt al dulapului si sa uitam de ea pana la o eventuala viitoare drama. Sa o deschidem doar atunci cand simtim ca nu ne mai putem hrani decat cu aversiunea adunata de-alungul drumului spre ipocrita uitare si mai ales spre inlocuirea inversunata a clipelor frumoase cu altele pline de ploaie si frunze reci si noroi pana la glezne. Ploua de tare mult timp. imi urasc de fiecare data bocancii si nu vreau decat sa imi adancesc talpile goale in patratele urate si negre de pavaj scurt si cariat de calcaiele oamenilor plini de resentimente si de furie indreptata impotriva celor fata de care candva, se simteau indragostiti si dependenti si de care abuzau prin respiratii lungi ca de gura larga a unui bol imens de aer. sa stii ca oamenii mint! mint cand spun ca uita! si mai ales mint cu nerusinare atunci cand spun ca iarta! si mai mint cand dupa indelungi despartiri apar la usa noastra cu trandafiri in brate si cu pelerina scursa de picurii lacomi de ploaie.. mint si sunt rai.. nu-si vor decat partea lor de razbunare.. partea lor din afacerea asta deloc profitabila numita relatie, vor partea asta ingrata care contine genunchi rosi si lacrimi murdare si promisiuni de mai bine sau priviri superioare si cinice care ingaduie umilinta dar nu fagaduiesc iertarea…..

ma trezesc din patul tau ca dintr-un cazan cu smoala, pe care diavolul a uitat sa o mai incalzeasca azi-noapte. respir aerul inghetat de noiembrie cu suflul plin de remuscari al sufletelor cauterizate. ma gandesc sa scap cat mai repede de pe traiectoria asta semanata cu plug de pedepse si cu ogor de spini ticalosi pentru trupurile ingemanate de esecul castitatii… ma gandesc sa nu ajung sa-ti cersesc in genunchi iertarea de teama sa nu mi-o acorzi fara nicio pretentie. mi-e teama ca ai sa fii bun.. si atunci.. ce-am sa ma fac cu sentimentul de mila??

Oamenii se despart si pasarilor le cad aripile… mi-e teama ca nu am cu ce sa ma incalt. E frig afara….

I have managed to sell a few pictures over the last year which is quite nice and some of my images have ended up in L.A., San Francisco, London, Chicago and I even have one in Canada although that was a gift.

The Wrigley Building in Chicago Reflected

This is the piece that seems to have sold the most as a limited edition of 50. I even have the first one of this image hanging up in my own house. I love this picture of the Wrigley building clock tower and the high contrast treatment which gives it a very cool look. When printing this image I generally print it on fine art luster paper and give it a museum quality quite thick white mat. The thick mat really helps bring the piece out far better than a thin mat which I really detest. I mean if you are going to have a mat, have a mat and make it a good quality one otherwise don’t bother. Yes it costs more but why buy a picture if you are not going to frame it properly. I also, generally, include a white border around the image so it can often be signed too when it is being custom framed.

The question then remains, do you sign a picture or not. I have done a lot of research into this and I think in some cases it can detract form the piece being framed and in others enhance it, especially a limited edition. Of course for my regular framing I do this over the internet along with the fine art printing so it is impossible for me to sign the picture. I am only able to sign the back of the print as it is completely sealed during the framing process and I wouldn’t want to rip it open again. Unless I custom frame it in a local shop it is not signable; custom framing locally also adds 40% to the final price of the picture so internet framing is a fabulous alternative.

Check out some of my pictures on my photography web site here: anthonyjstewart.com.

Donna Hay

I have been a big fan of this magazine for years, and whenever I get the chance I try to pick up a copy of this.  To me Donna Hay is the female version of Jamie Oliver, both can turn anyone  into great Chefs.

One of the main things I love about this magazine if the tips on serving food. Over the coming weeks I will be presenting some of my food the “Donna Hay way” lets see if you pick them up.

Twee beelden om jullie al wat nieuwsgierig te maken…

De andere beelden laat ik nog even ‘rusten’ (zoals wijn, dan kunnen ze rijpen in mijn kopke)

There’s nothing like staying home in a rainy cold winter’s day…or even better, having a hot chocolate and some sweets to brighten up a day like this. That’s pretty much the feel I wanted to portray with these pictures. I found the cutest candy shop in a sim a friend’s building and that (plus the fact I don’t have to go out in rl) just made my day. Warm turtleneck dress from Elate, amazing knit cardigan from Kiitos, the cozy-est tights (latest release) from Twosome and the kick ass buckle boots from ANEXX felt like the perfect look to go grab some doughnuts and run home to prepare me some hot choco! Fun, warm and casual with a bit of sweet cuteness. Good days…

<3 Uma

Worn :

Hair – ‘Kia , cinnamon’ by Analog Dog

Skin – ‘Imani [Nougat] glow skin’ by LAQ

Headband – ‘AM tulip headband licorice’ by MIEL

Bag – ‘Messenger Bag – light brown’ by *Muism*

Knit cardigan – ‘Long Knit Gown burlywood’ by +KiiToS!!

Dress – ‘Tuli (Ice)’ by (Elate!)

Tights – ‘Cozy tights – light grey’ by TWOSOME

Shoes – ‘five belts boots brown’ by ANEXX

Doughtnuts bag by =LION=

Particularly if you own a property in an urban area or near a university or center of business, many specialized tenant markets are just waiting to be captured. Specialized property management may be just the solution you’ve been looking for to decrease vacancies and guarantee steady rental income. When considering just a few of your options below, be sure that you take your property, location, property management style, and goals into consideration.

Section 8 and low-income housing
Essentially, the Section 8 program provides low-income individuals with government-assisted rent. Generally, tenants pay approximately 30 percent of a unit’s rent and the government pays the remaining balance directly to the tenant’s landlord. In such a scenario, the Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) will determine the unit’s fair market rate (FMR) and the landlord is not allowed to charge the tenant anything over this amount.  While it is up to you to choose whether or not to participate in Section 8, keep the following points in mind:

• You will be subject to property inspection to ensure you meet HUD’s Housing Quality Standards.
• You will not be able to charge a Section 8 tenant more than FMR.
• Regardless of your state’s laws, you cannot evict a Section 8 tenant without judicial action for eviction.

While there may be some similarities, low-income housing is not the same as Section 8. Rather than receiving rental income from the government, property owners who run low-income properties are eligible for the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC). But it’s important to bear in mind that these tax credits apply only if you adhere to the rules and regulations that determine who can live in your building and how much they can be charged. Not abiding by the rules that are set forth can result in a whole lot of headaches, not to mention economic loss. Despite the red tape that can come with low-income housing property management, there is a large pool of renters in need of low-income housing. If your property is in an appropriate situation, low-income property management may be a good solution for you.

Student housing
College students can be a landlord’s best friend or worst enemy. The problems with renting to students are fairly straightforward. Generally speaking, you’re dealing with younger renters (many of whom may be living on their own for the first time). With this in mind, you may be more likely to experience noise and upkeep issues. Because of the school schedule, you may also find yourself turning apartments over annually or having to deal with sub-lets during the summer months.

But there are some very real positives when it comes to renting to students as well, most of which are financial. If you are living in an area that houses a college or university, chances are you will have a more dense renting population than you would otherwise. This means that—for at least nine months out of the year—students offer a very real way to keep your vacancy levels low. Also, while students may not inherently have a lot of income (or any at all), when a parent or guardian co-signs the lease, in most cases that monthly check is just as reliable as it would be under any other circumstances.

Sure, you may have to be a bit more hands-on than you would otherwise be when it comes to running student housing. But the bottom line is, they offer a nice steady flow of income.

Corporate housing
More likely than not, managing corporate housing is fairly different from any other kind of property management you’ve done to date. First of all, you’ll be dealing with a company rather than an individual tenant. In most corporate housing situations, a company will rent out one or more rooms in a property, with the understanding that one or more of their employees or clients will occupy this space over the duration of the rental term. The way this actually works out may vary from having one stable tenant for a year at a time to having a cast of different tenants in and out on as little as a daily or weekly basis.

The good news here is that signing a lease with a corporate entity allows property managers to feel relatively secure that payment issues will be avoided. There are not necessarily downsides to this scenario, just things to consider that make this situation different from renting to an individual such as: assuming the responsibility for furnishing the unit; the potential inability to build a relationship with the tenant or screen for undesirable tenant behavior; and, in some cases, the knowledge that you will not necessarily have a tenant occupying the unit at all times to immediately alert you when repair and upkeep issues crop up.

If you are looking for ways to decrease vacancy rates and generate more income, remember: There are always ways to think outside of the box when it comes to property management. Before you undertake one of these (or any other) specialized property management endeavors, just make sure you have carefully thought out the pros and cons and are well versed on any specific tax considerations or rules and  regulations that may apply.

Comments »