Nik Nicholson's Blog, page 21

Hong Kong’s Pro-Democracy Protesters Up Ante on Eve of China’s National Day

Nik Nicholson:

This is a democracy.

Originally posted on TIME:

Tens of thousands of pro-democracy demonstrators continued to clog central Hong Kong on Tuesday, as the movement’s leaders vowed to maintain their campaign of civil disobedience until the city’s Chief Executive (CE) resigns.

In speeches before the teeming crowd in ritzy Admiralty district, leaders of the Hong Kong Students Federation and Occupy Central threatened to expand the protests if Leung Chun-ying, who holds a position similar to mayor, refuses to step down. “[Leung Chun-ying] is not in control anymore,” Alex Chow, the leader of the student federation, told the press.

The groups also raised the possibility of increased labor strikes, in an escalation of their confrontation with the governments of both Beijing and Hong Kong. “The protests are accelerating because the government is doing less and less,” said Chan Kin-man, one of the leaders of Occupy Central, as he addressed the crowd. Behind him lay several umbrellas painted with the…

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40 Inspiring Motivational Quotes About Gratitude

Nik Nicholson:

“In ordinary life, we hardly realize that we receive a great deal more than we give, and that it is only with gratitude that life becomes rich.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Originally posted on TIME:

This post is in partnership with Inc., which offers useful advice, resources and insights to entrepreneurs and business owners. The article below was originally published at Inc.com.

By Jeff Haden

Whatever your definition of success (everyone’s definition of success is and should be different), we all want more. That desire for more can blind us to what we already have–and should be grateful for.

Here are 40 quotes about gratitude that will not only remind you that what you have is pretty awesome, but will also, I hope, spur you to express that gratitude to the people who deserve it most.

“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.”William Arthur Ward

“I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought; and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.” G.K. Chesterton

“‘Enough’ is a feast. Buddhist proverb

“If…

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Listen to Aretha Franklin’s Powerful Cover of Adele’s ‘Rolling in the Deep’

Nik Nicholson:

Ms. Franklin

Originally posted on TIME:

On her upcoming album, Aretha Franklin Sings the Great Diva Classics, the iconic songstress takes on 10 tracks originally written and performed by fellow female powerhouse vocalists. This week, Aretha shared the first single off the album. It’s a big, fiery, loud cover of a big, fiery, loud song: Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep.” (The song also manages to incorporate pieces of “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.”)

This is pretty exciting, yes, but some listeners have raised concerns about a possible use of Auto-Tune in this track. Auto-Tune, of course, is a device used to alter or enhance a singer’s pitch, and it’s understandable why people would be concerned about this, as Aretha Franklin is widely considered one of the greatest singers of all time. Many commenters were quick to point out that even if the track doesn’t include Auto-Tune itself, Aretha’s voice still sounds like it was enhanced…

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This Curry Spice Might Help the Brain Heal Itself

Originally posted on TIME:

A spice commonly used to make curry could help the brain heal itself by encouraging the growth of nerve cells, according to a new study.

Researchers at the Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine in Julich, Germany found that rats injected with aromatic-turmerone, a compound found naturally in turmeric, showed increased activity in parts of the brain associated with nerve cell growth.

The compound could encourage the proliferation of brain cells, researchers said — though it was unclear whether it could be used to help stall or reverse the symptoms of degenerative brain diseases like Alzheimer’s or dementia in human beings.

A separate trial by the same research group found that rodent neural stem cells grew when they were bathed in a solution of aromatic-turmerone. The cells bathed in the turmeric compound also appeared to specialize into certain types of brain cells more rapidly.

Dr Rueger told the BBC: “It…

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9/28/2014

Today I completed four chapters and started two others. I’m writing so much it’s making me a little bit anxious.  I don’t know why I’m feeling so creative… Wait, maybe I’m anxious because of the coffee I drank. Hmmmm…

In any case, I decided to get up once my imagination winded down instead of getting lost in the next chapter until someone came to kick me out of my new writing cafe.

Loving life.

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4 Rough Draft Chapters *Happy Dance*

This isn’t me, but this is how I feel right now. See this grin? YES!!! I’m super excited and grateful.

Today and editor friend and I decided to go research/write/read at this swanky gelateria.  It’s a beautiful old home converted into a cafe type eatery with lowered lights, all dark wood and tons of corners to hide in and get lost in the world you’re creating.  It looks and smells like a coffee shop, maybe because they also sell a good selection of coffee too.  I swear it’s like a romantic get away with your main character, or is it just me crushing on my main character? Don’t judge and you will not be judged. LOL!

There is an upstairs and downstairs.  Initially we walked around around opening all the doors on every floor.  Some of the spaces were too dark to write or occupied with others who looked to be students studying.  So we were super psyched when found a beautifully furnished meeting room with lots of outlets for our gadgets and a large table. It kind of reminded me of the study rooms they have in college libraries, except it had huge picture windows overlooking the busy street.  We were so excited that we started buzzing, setting up and plugging in.

I’d planned to peruse “The Warmth of Other Suns,” and make notes.  I also wanted to finish making notes on a book by bell hooks and another book by Carl VanVechten.  After we settled for about twenty minutes, I had to take out my jacket.  The jacket didn’t help much, so I looked to see if I could find the vent, but it was too high up to close.  I guess this is a great time to mention the top floor had 15 foot ceilings.

I was being very productive. I was also freezing.  My nose was running and I was coughing up a storm.  So I decided to admit to my writer buddy that it was too cold for me to go on. She received the information happily and said she was trying to fight it out because she didn’t won’t to interrupt me when I seemed to be productive.

Then she jumped up to scout out a warmer space, while I packed up.  After she found a suitable space, I walked around until I found this two seater room, that was probably a repurposed closet.  It had a huge picture a window.

I’ve been fighting a cold, so I was grateful to find a cozy space to snuggle myself as I worked.  I was also grateful that my friend didn’t follow me.  I find it difficult being absent in the moment when someone I love is present, even if they are missing in their work.  Not to mention, I was coughing like seals having a conversation which I’m sure was disruptive and probably scary for her.

I digress.  I wanted to read my books, but some how I ended up with a pen and paper in my hand.  I began with a few stream of consciousness notes for a scene, that I was compelled to flesh out.  Before I knew it, three hours had passed, I was in the middle of a fourth chapter, and a female employee was in the doorway alerting me that they’d closed half and hour ago.  She was really sweet, but annoyed, because they’d stopped the music, then made an announcement but because of my headphones and purposely being absent I missed all of their efforts.

When I stopped writing, I my imagination was in overdrive with ideas.  I prayed I could keep the flow open.  I was anxious to get home and finish my thoughts.  I was also really grateful that I’m feeling creative again.  It feels like things are coming together.  All in all I finished four chapters. I have another chapter asking me to at least write down the major points.  Maybe I’ll go do that or maybe I’ll sleep.  I’m so pleased with what I’ve accomplished, sick and exhausted.  I feel like I need to live in the moment by celebrating all the things I’ve finished with some rest.

Anyway, I hope everyone else is finding their flow.

 

Love Love Love

9/24/2014

Getting out of the house and sitting at a desk NOT in my own office was all the motivation I needed to find my writer self.  I finished “The Warmth of Other Suns,” which I felt like I’d been reading forever.   Until this evening, I started to love it more with the change of space and I guess perspective.  I even started rereading it immediately after finishing.  Yesterday, I was sure I’d need a break and celebration once I finished.  I actually am loving the rereading more than the initial read through.  I’ve already started making some notes about things I want to consider while writing.

Then I came home and jumped right into writing.  I feel like a different person.

I’ve been trying to find my stride with this second book.  On the other hand, I’m averaging about a poem a day, but I’m not focused on a poetry book.

Anyway, I’m grateful that I’m writing on the project I’m actually trying to complete.

Sidenote: Alice Coltrane in these headphones is nice insulation.

For dykes with hidden agendas 9/20/2014 5 Minute Free-write

She hides

Behind a mask of transparency

Says what others need

Owns truths relative.

By the time I knew

Who she was we were done.

She was a divine hero goddess

In the story she told

Me being silent and private

Allowed her

To paint me the villain

In her openness.

Hiding me too

Against my will

Behind her mask.

So when I’m moved to speak

On my own behalf

She already has

Littered the path.

I feel her wrath

Every time no one believes

I am who I say I am.

(last edit 9/20/2014)

The U.S. Doesn’t Declare War Anymore

Originally posted on TIME:

When Franklin D. Roosevelt declared war on Japan after the 1941 Pearl Harbor attacks, it signified the last time the U.S. officially declared war.

Korea, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, Iraq: technically, those were not wars. Those conflicts, and other in between, are considered “Extended Military Engagements.” President Obama too has been selective about the way he uses the word “war” in the build-up to today’s situation with the Islamic State in Iraq and Greater Syria (ISIS).

Call it whatever you want: “targeted action,” “a systematic campaign,” or a “sustained counter-terrorism strategy” – but don’t call it war.

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I AM (NOT) MIKE BROWN

Nik Nicholson:

This is a good piece. I also like that there is a link to check your voting status, or to get registered.

Originally posted on The End:

A man at a protest holds a sign expressing his solidarity – and commonality – with Mike Brown.

“I AM MIKE BROWN”

Mike Brown is dead.

Mike Brown was shot to death.

Mike Brown was 18 years old. Black. Unarmed.

Mike Brown was gunned down in the middle of the street, in the middle of the day.

By a cop.

In Ferguson, Missouri.

In the United States of America.

Ferguson, Missouri is a suburb of St Louis. Its population is 70% black.

Its mayor is white. School board is white. City council is white (except for one black member). And the Ferguson Police Department is 94% white, with only 3 black police officers.

Mike Brown was shot six times by Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson. Four times in the arm, twice in the head.

His crime was jaywalking.

Later it was suggested by the Ferguson Police Dept that he may…

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