text:
Kevin is an Alabama native who graduated with a B.S. degree in business administration with a major in finance from Auburn University. He began his career in banking with First Union National Bank (now Wachovia Bank ) in Charlotte, North Carolina where he held several positions in business development and management throughout the Southeast. He was directly responsible for operations management, forging strategic relationships, and dramatically expanding revenue.
After coaching several businesses and assisting them with their financial needs, Kevin attended The A.B. Freeman School of Business at Tulane University where he received his MBA with a concentration in Information Systems and Entrepreneurship. Since then, Kevin has gained extensive experience in planning, launching, and executing new ventures. As the founder and president of Advanced Skin Technology, a cosmeceutical product development, manufacturing, and marketing firm, he was instrumental in all aspects of business planning including product development, strategy formulation, marketing, distribution, and execution.
Kevin's first entrepreneurial venture was as CFO and co-founder of Infusion Technology Group which successfully raised venture funds to create supply chain management software and services for the textile industry. In 2002, he started Net Leverage an Internet software development company that created a web site automation suite of tools that allowed website owners administer their own Internet presence.
Kevin has served on the boards Alabama Information Technology Association and TechBirmingham. He is also active in the Birmingham Area Chamber of Commerce in several capacities.
Kevin resides in Highland Park, a historical community in Birmingham, Alabama with his wife, Carolyn Pope Katechis, and their two children. The family is deeply dedicated to restoring older homes and revitalizing and maintaining historical districts.
guitar, running, building things, renovation, web, live music


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As stated in an earlier post, my pc has been infected with a virus which causes popups (with random scam sites) to open in my browser as new tabs. These are incessant and very hard to close once opened.
Now, malwarebytes turns up nothing. Since the virus infected my pc, there are certain sites that my browser can't access (one of them being a site which can analyze the results of a hijackthis scan). So if there is someone here who doesn't mind having a look at my hijackthis log (or helping me in some other way), I would be very appreciative. Thanks!
Download Process explorer <> http://www.filehippo.com/download_p...
and autoruns <> http://www.filehippo.com/download_a...
1. Run the process explorer
2.Check for any wierd process,it should be highlighted,check for the publisher
3.If found,right click on select properties,goto the location.
4.Before deleting the file,kill the process from process explorer
5.Try to google and find about the process in threat expert
Do the same with autoruns.
you are still running XP so I would suggest combofix....that should nip it in the bud...HJT is real old hat anymore
Also try different browsers
Some HELP in posting on Computing.net plus free progs and instructions 7 Medals

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Aktu एडमिट कार्ड 2017-18 यह से डाउनलोड करे !
Download AKTU Admit Card 2017-18, AKTU Odd Sem (1st 3rd 5th 7th) Exam Center list 2018
AKTU Odd Sem Admit Card 2017-18– The students can download the B.Tech Admit Card of the respective semester Regular & Carry Over examination from the direct links provided at the Main AKTU website or could also follow the procedures given below.
- First go to the AKTU Main website .
- Then find the direct link of the AKTU Admit Card 2017-2018.
- Now Provide the Roll Number, Date of Birth and Captcha code
- After this the students have to click on the submit button.
- Now the Admit Card will be displayed on the screen
- Download & print the admit card to appear in the Examination centers.
AKTU B.Tech Admit Card 2017-2018 – UPTU B.Tech 1st 3rd 5th 7th Sem Hall Ticket 2017-18 is issued on AKTU Website aktu.ac.in . Those Candidates who want to attend Odd semester Exam 2017-18 , can download AKTU B.Tech Admit Card 2017 online from here . The AKTU Odd sem Regular & Carry Over Examination will be commenced from 14th December 2017Onwards . The AKTU B.tech Admit Card 2017-2018 consist the students Name , Father's name , Date of Birth , Examination Centers and Semester Examination Schedule along with Timing .
Latest News – The AKTU Odd Sem Admit Card 2017-18 will be released soon stay tuned with www.grobots.club . All the B.Tech 1st 3rd 5th 7th Sem Admit Card link will be updated soon.


text:
I'm in Uganda just now, doing some nothing-to-do-with-Venezuela research. I suppose travelogues can be terribly tiresome, but who knows, maybe some of you are interested in reading what staying in a barrio in Kampala feels like to an east-side caraqueño.Caracas Chronicles is 100% reader-supported. Support independent Venezuelan journalism by making a donation.
Great piece by Francisco . teaches us that Poverty is not everywhere the same , that culture or national ethos can make a big difference in how its experienced , in how its manifested . Its what Poverty does to peoples INSIDE that maybe counts for most. This is one read that will stay in my memory.
I enjoyed this piece Francisco, but I could not stop thinking : who are you writing it for? English speaking-Caraqueños that can tell the diference between La Castelana y La Lagunita?
Isn´t this too small of a set of readers?
hey, I found two already! 😉
I usually end up going to Medium.com when I have something I feel I need to write even though it probably has no audience. It's probably a bit narcissistic, but hey…a few people will like it.
Francisco, I just feel it your article is too good, it needs a bigger audience !
It is a good article and such kind of things can be enjoyed by many readers, not just a few. I have never been to Caracas or Uganda but he describes precisely the differences between those two places and "teaches us that Poverty is not everywhere the same" Besides, it is free. Most of the information is free online and people tend to take this for granted. I don't do it and I still think that we should remember every so often the fact that such a wide variety of information sources are available for all of us without paying for them
The best I´ve ever read about a subject that is very difficult to understand and explain without first-hand experience and an open mind.
I experienced the same in Luanda in 1995.
Mate, I have to say, it felt like a New Yorker piece, only better.
Keep at it.
Wow, although I enjoyed reading this piece there are big dollop of "grass is greener on the other side" and "mixing apples and oranges". It is well written but borders on poetry. I see you aiming to find that one underlying thing that distinguishes Caracas and Kampala, the furnace underneath fueling the differences. This is obviously hard, somehow one needs to separate cause and effect. Naturally when it involves the nonlinear entanglements of society these things are not easily separated. Is it "resentment, due to income disparity, in the knowledge that there is great wealth sloshing around to which only a select few have access"? Is it "the perversion of market forces due to government intervention?"
Other points:
How well do you really know Uganda? Have you followed it over time?
Margins – is that a solid concept or just a biased perception?
There are no guns – but guns are expensive? Are there knives ?
How does it compare with other African countries ? Are Africans universally soft-spoken and friendly?
Here's a more concrete question: how does medical treatment (accessibility and quality) differ between Caracas and Kampala? If you get sick, where would you rather be?
Last but not least: last time you posted you sounded like David Brooks, now you start to sound like a Chavista, dear lord, what next, Pol Pot had great foresight in forcefully relocating people to the fields? The Cultural Revolution was sheer genius? Do you seriously think that friendly people translates into "developed"? Are you questioning what the goals of development should be? Are you becoming a conformist?
Look, the best is to set up good governance, ideally democratic, educate people, and let them decide how to run their own affairs.
Wait wait, I'm definitely not saying anything about "Africa". I'm not even saying anything about Kampala. I'm saying something about the slum just outside my front gate. It's a travelogue, not a dissertation!
Well, then that was indeed a great post :>)
Funny how being a foreigner makes you into a novelty – you may be a nice guy, but perhaps you get more smiles because you stand out – a case of the social Heisenberg effect. And soft-spoken and friendly is probably a good reason some people prefer to vacation in say Africa than in France, or Venezuela.
BTW, I had to look up that biz on the "Heisenberg effect". I meant something more like this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawthorne_effect
Heh. Well, a mzungu in a slum here does stick out more or less like a sore thumb. The kids stare openly – sometimes they run up to me to hold my hand!. The adults are circumspect. But everybody is aware.
I don't want to exagerate: this isn't some lost village in a remote corner of Uganda. It's the capital, it's a big city, there are thousands of diplomats and expat businesspeople and NGO types about town. I'm not the first white guy they've ever seen. But I'm probably the first white guy they've seen that day.
I don't have any doubt that people defer to me because I'm white. It's really really obvious that they speak more softly in English to me than they do in Luganda to each other – though even in Luganda, nobody ever seems to shout. All that is pretty visible, and pretty clear.
Maybe I'm catastrophically misreading it, though I don't think so. Talking to people in the NGO world, my experience seems pretty typical. You just don't hear stories about violent crime. And that thing Venezuelans do of automatically warning any foreigner they meet to be on your guard…well nobody's spoken to me like that even once here.
My gut-feeling is that a major reason behind all this is cocaine, and the fact that there isn't any here. *That* makes a difference.
when you say cocaine, do you mean there is no drug trade, therefore no turf wars? or do you mean there's no cocaine that messes up with people's minds?
Either. Both!
I knew people will generally not understand what you are trying to explain. Only experiencing it personally brings the point home – to an open mind.
All I was warned about in Luanda when I arrived there in 1994 was the fact that my wallet would most probably be stolen on the beach and that I would end up buying it back two hours later with only the cash remove. It happened exactly like that.
I have lived in Honduras for over 30 years and have watched the country degenerate from a very peaceful place into something that resembles the Pol Pot killing fields. The gangs that are moving the drugs definitely are responsible for a lot of the violence but it is not the consumption of cocaine that is fueling the crime here. I think you have to look at the gang mentality that has spread out of El Salvador as one of the main reasons for these criminals that terrorize their own neighborhoods. The influence of the Mara 18 and Mara Salvatrucha on the young people here is undeniable. These groups send in their lieutenants and organize and arm these neighborhood gangs to rob and steal anything they can get their hands on. If you oppose them you are either forced to vacate your home or killed. A lot of the killers are teenagers.
It is easier and more profitable for the police to look the other way or work along with them all the while the politicians in Tegucigalpa declare war on crime and continue stealing every tax dollar ( lempira) they can get their hands on.
I know people in Nicaragua and they aren't experiencing the problems we have here in Honduras and also Guatemala and El Salvador because the government isn't allowing the gangs to move in there.
With all respect, Honduras at its worst has never been anything like Khmer Rouge Cambodia. Imagine dead bodies stacked like lumber. Everywhere. Imagine the entire population helpless under a clique of demented fanatics determined to annihilate existing society by killing everyone representative of it.
In the 1800s, the Russian radicals Tkachev and Nechayev debated how many people would have to be killed to carry out the Revolution.They concluded that it was more correct to discuss how many should be left alive. There was a direct philosophical trail from their circle, through the Bolsheviks, to the Khmer Rouge ("Red Cambodians").
We have many slums like this barrio here in Brazil, they tend to be located away from the big metropolitan areas, being older and more stable settlements, with less young people wandering around because families are solid and have fewer kids. I believe they exist in Venezuela too.
Anyway, the best aspect of the text for me is that FT still sees himself as a Venezuelan (not a Canadian), that was a good surprise.
I always find that breaking your routine is the best way to stir up good writing. Thanks for the piece Quico.
In the end, it's all about the difference between poverty (as measured in income terms) and the provision of public goods (as measured in terms of cleanliness, safety, etc.). Venezuela? We have income, but we don't have a functioning state, so our public goods provisions are the pits.
But in the US you have a functioning state, and income, and still have no-go zones far more dangerous than this slum in Uganda. I believe the root of the problem lies in dysfunctional familes bringing to the world kids they don't want to raise. It would be interesting to check the average number of children per woman at this slum Toro had visited, I bet it's not very big.
It would be interesting to check the average number of children per woman at this slum Toro had visited, I bet it's not very big.
Not likely, given that the fertility rate/average # of children born per woman in Uganda is 5.97, 5th highest in the world.
By comparison: Venezuela: 90th in world, at 2.35
Not really wanting to compare Uganda to Venezuela, but this particular Kampalese slum to Caracas' slums. As I believe it's clear to everyone that this slum within a 10 minute drive to Parliament does not reflect the entire reality of Uganda, in the same way as one civilised slum here in Rio called Dona Marta (for more: http://dialogo-americas.com/en_GB/articles/saii/features/main/2010/09/23/feature-01) does not reflect the reality of slums in the city either.
In passages like this: "I stop at one of the vegetable stalls and the lady is slightly thrown. I guess mzungus aren't her core demographic. The kids stare, amazed, but one stern look from her and everyong goes into hyper-polite mode: speaking softly and doing their best to serve.", it's clear for me why this is slum is the way it is. The youngsters respect a maternal figure, what means that they have present mothers telling them what is right or wrong. When a mother has 6 children, this kind of close parenting is nonexistent, and the children grow up respecting no one.
Mark is on to something , there are studies of ghetto families in the US and how despite the many programs advanced to help their lot they are held back by family circumstances which lead to abandoned and neglected children growing into socially handicapped adults. Same result as studies advanced by Alejandro Moreno in Venezuelan slums . Cocaine may add fire to the bonfire but the root problem is already there. !!
Exactly… If you want to really tackle the problem, focus on parents/parenting/family planning. All the rest won't touch the root of the problem. The "cocaine problem" is the expected consequence of a deeper problem, not the cause.
Excellent comparison of two different cultures. The same Ugandan experience can be seen in many parts of the World and which I also encountered in Asia. The Asians have learned to live in harmony with one another as have other cultures in the World. The reality is that Central and South America simply have violent cultures and an entitlement mentality.
Interesting. As Paul said, it's cultural.
A great read, Toro, beautiful flow, a lesson from a comparison of two types of communities thousands of miles away.
The only jarring note was the Spanish title and the English text. Using the same language for both would likely increase readership, outside this blog's comfort level with both languages. Otherwise I would point out a teensy-weensy typo: "Number thre" starts a paragraph, oh about half-way down.
Thanks for the article, FT.
Some responses ask FT for more details (guns versus knives), while others ask for reasons behind the data (Do you know Uganda well?). And almost of the comments praise the quality of the writing.
I read the article as data, observational data. There is enough in it to debunk the theory that violence is a result of poverty. The equation V = f(P) does not fit the data. So, what are the independent variables of a proper model of violence in the Venezuelan slums?
The article, as Mercedes points out, is not written for a large audience, nor does it need be–I would add. The article is written for the likes of UCAB's Luis Pedro España who has dedicated time and good effort to the understanding of poverty in Venezuela. I see the article as valuable content for a complex system dedicated to the understanding of poverty in general. There are layers in all complex systems and each layer needs the proper instruction set for the whole thing to function well. FT has contributed his part–of course he may contribute more at the level where he works best. The other layers exist but they have not recognized themselves.
The long term solutions to the cardinal problems of Venezuelan society requires understanding poverty in its social context, because only a true understanding will guide effective solutions. Any other approach requires only stage-craft, and we have had enough of that in the Galactic Pain-In-The-Ass.
In summary:
1. poverty is widespread in Venezuela.
2. Poverty has serious manifestations–violence and magical reasoning among them–that corrode Venezuelan society.
3. We need to understand the phenomenon of poverty in context.
4, Only a complex system will be capable of such an understanding.
5. The complex system does not exist but all the elements and the infrastructure exists today.
If that complex system could get a voice, it would quote Corintians: "Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known."
Building that complex system requires humility and service vocation. This calling also has a New Testament rendition in the letter to the Ephesians 4: "11. So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
It is an irony that an atheist like myself quotes the New Testament to
a. value FT contributions, and
b. invite the readers of this post to find for themselves how to contribute to reach unity in the body of a country we call all be proud of.
"The long term solutions to the cardinal problems of Venezuelan society requires:" Extirpate the "vivo" mentality, and exile it to the 9th sphere of Phyrexia.
The first thing that needs to be done is to stop praising and celebrating being an opportunist douchebag, the main source of all our woes.
Decades of not teaching people proper values left a lot of venezuelans with no model to follow or praise, so they ended falling to revere the most stupid behavior, it goes by a modification in the educative system, to teach kids that "nobody likes a vivo", and then explain what a vivo is, Two-Poled Capybara aka El Chigüire Bipolar, gives a brief, consice explanation about it:
I'll never tire to quote that article, because it's so damn right about that sort of people, and the damage they've caused to this country, leading to our current situation.
Yes yes yes.
But saying that "nobody likes a vivo" doesn't make it so. Alas, a lot of people are or like and wish they were vivos.
Because the vivo mentality is still considered "cool", while being a working, honest person, is associated with being a "pendejo estúpido", and that's because that was the message engraved by years on the venezuelan minds.
This time the opposite should be done, fill the people's head with the idea that a vivo is a stupid shiteater, while being a honest worker gives you greater and better benefits.
It sounds silly, but that's because it's how it works from early age, kids being cherished and praised by being assholes, when they should be punished for it instead.
I am left wondering what's up with our–Venezuelan sort of middle class–longing for a 'soft voice' and 'an effort to serve' coming from the poorer sectors of our society. At times it seems that these very subtle, yet powerful ideas are what chavismo has used favorably to spark a sense of emancipation that the opposition is yet to fully grasp in the same way.
That's pretty silly. If there's *one* cultural trait that binds Venezuelans from different classes together is that EVERYBODY is loud ALL the time!
The soft-speaking seems similarly universal here: it's not as though ministers speak any louder than the lady selling me vegetables. A couple of the guys I met here work in radio and they told me it drives them *crazy*: they can't get interviewees to speak into a microphone at anything above a whisper.
Really I write about speaking tones mostly because my wife is from Japan, the only other culture I can think of where speaking softly is as culturally important. There it *is* a class thing, though: working class Japanese people are expected to be loud, and looked down upon for it. Speaking softly – or not speaking at all – are signs of refinement and cultural capital. It would blow Kanako's mind how softly *everyone* speaks here. It's…not something you can miss.
Absolutely, it is actually pretty nerve racking that Venezuelans are very very loud, especially if you go out to live in places like Canada where not even babies cry out loud. Maybe I was sensitive to your analysis particularly comparing the slum environment.
Why are the inhabitants of Venezuela's poorer zones so violent?
I have wondered about this for years. Why are Venezuelans so cruel towards each other?
This cruelty, this kind of collective psychopathy is, I think, the deep and true driver of the massive emigration of Venezuelan professionals (and the destruction of the productive economy in the country).
Every time I visit Caracas I see how people hit, shoot, attack and insult each other for the most trivial of reasons.
And we, the so called enlightened middle classes, haven't we been insensitive towards the needs of the homeless orphans, the poor and sick, the destitute? Isn't this callousness a form of psychopathy as well?
The regime is well aware of the political usefulness of criminal violence, hence the emergence of "Colectivos" and the employment of gangsters as bodyguards.
The opposition is just keen to seduce the poor.
No one is wondering why, or how, has this state of affairs, this culturally entrenched violence become normal.
I've been back in Venezuela for four years after almost 30 years living abroad. I find that people here can't stop talking about how much they love the country, but 5 seconds outdoors and you'll see people littering, spitting (men, women and children …… why?), yelling, insulting, and along etc. This is on the east side of the city and assume it's the same anywhere else in Caracas regardless of social status, etc. This is why sometimes I feel that no matter who runs the country, things are going to be very similar. Maybe the country's economy will improve, but society as such, will remain the same. So, how does one change this "culturally entrenched" behavior? Because until we do, things will not improve that much.
"So, how does one change this "culturally entrenched" behavior? "
Education, dude, education, use the very hatred and assholeness against it, teach people to marginalize and treat the assholes like turds because they're, well, assholes.
Assholes respond to consequences, threatening consequences that are sure to happen lest they behave, give an asshole impunity, and they'll burn the world. Take their superiority complex away, and they'll stop being assholes.
Resentful people don't respond to reason or logic, that's why is so hard to convince chavistas that their so called leaders are screwing them while they destroy the country, the resentful only respond and follow their hatred, and chavismo is an ideology based on artificial, carefully distilled and injected hatred, because hateful people are very easy to manipulate, they'll do anything in order to satisfy their hate, and guess what, chavistas were taught to hate venezuelans with a passion.
Like assholes, hateful people don't respond to logic, they'll only stay when there's a risk big enough to overcome their hatred.
"Why are the inhabitants of Venezuela's poorer zones so violent?" They're resented, envious, working your ass off 8-10 hours a day just to pay your bills and buy 3/4s of the food your family needs with NO chances to climb out is a soul crushing ordeal, which leaves people bitter and resentful. It's just a matter of time before somebody comes and stokes their hatred so they can be easily manipulated.
"I have wondered about this for years. Why are Venezuelans so cruel towards each other?"
Chavistas have been taught to hate the rest of venezuelans.
The other venezuelans have been treated like shit and harrassed to no end for almost two solid decades.
"This cruelty, this kind of collective psychopathy is, I think, the deep and true driver of the massive emigration of Venezuelan professionals (and the destruction of the productive economy in the country)."
Teachings of chavismo, you stoke the hate, then point the hatred towards a target that's "acceptable", for chavistas "de base", the ones that come from the poorer sectors, it's really easy to hate someone that's got a house and a car and three foods a day.
"Every time I visit Caracas I see how people hit, shoot, attack and insult each other for the most trivial of reasons."
Chavismo taught their base that those are acceptable ways of social interaction, the other two thirds of the country hit, attack and insult because they were aggraviated and assaulted first.
"And we, the so called enlightened middle classes, haven't we been insensitive towards the needs of the homeless orphans, the poor and sick, the destitute? Isn't this callousness a form of psychopathy as well?"
Middle-class blaming, the magic wand of dishing guilt…
Dude, how could a married couple, with some kids, working their asses off to have a decent lifestyle (3 foods/day, car, house, some bit more than those basic needs like enterntainment) could be blamed about "not caring about the poor"? Man, they were working to sustain their freaking families first, why is so hard to understand that? What, were middle class supossed to spoon-feed or give houses to the less fortunate?
"The regime is well aware of the political usefulness of criminal violence, hence the emergence of "Colectivos" and the employment of gangsters as bodyguards."
Murderous crime spree is one of the most powerful tools of social domination of chavismo.
It's really simple, you keep the helpless population harrassed so they can't do anything else, and keep criminals happy on your side giving them what they crave the most: Total impunity.
"No one is wondering why, or how, has this state of affairs, this culturally entrenched violence become normal."
15 years (And a lot more) of filling people's minds with mindless hatred, and 15 years of harrassing the other part of the country nonstop.
Besides, hatred is so useful for chavismo because it diverts their base from blaming the bosses from every screwup they do while plundering the country.
We had poverty for decades before Chavez rose to Power and the violence was nothing like what we have now , there is an added element thats missing in the analyisis of Venezuelan violence and thats the fact that the face of poverty in Venezuela has changed throughout the years as the social fabric of the urban poor frayedand population grew exponentially . Ours once probably was a poverty closer to that found in Uganda and it became more socially destructive as time passed. Once again Alejandro Morenos studies bear this out. !!
I never said there was no poverty before the corpse.
I said that poor people were festering in rancor and envy, but they didn't directly blamed somebody who had a car, for example, they were just bitter and angry.
Then the lefturds came, and whispered to their ears that their shitty lives were caused because the middle class pushed them in that shitter, it's well known that castro infiltrated agents in Venezuela right after Betancourt almost sent him "a lavarse el paltó", in order corrupt and destroy Venezuela from within, from their very slums, feeding them with hate and anger, all the way up to the government, in order to erase the part of Venezuelan history of the several armed invasions from cuba to Venezuela, a part of the history that would have been enough to leave this country hating communism forever.
When you find a hateful person, you can control it as a puppet, just point their hate in the direction you want them to go, and they'll charge blindly like a freaking juggernaut.
Ralph, you are very correct in characterizing them as assholes. That is what they appear like. Assholes and jerks but it's a lot deeper than that and there is no cure. Highy functional ones can chill and mellow so far their needs are being met. In Venezuela, few have their needs met.
Ralph is also correct in how to deal them: brute force. You need serious leverage over them and you don't have it.
it's pathological. It does run in familites and is hereditary but it is also a learned behavior and it starts from very early in life. I do think the seeds are planted by the time most reach adulthood. There is no cure for it. Some are aware, others are not. Some are highly functional and successful. You cannot tell a sociopath that they are sociapathic. It's better left alone unless you want to become the target. There are no programs for sociopathic rehabilitation. The US federal prison system does have some programs but you have to land there to receive them. The leadership cultivates this at many levels. From stupid street thugs to sophisticated agents a la EvaGolinger.
As one who goes regularly to Kampala and other cities and villages around Lake Victoria, I find this picture accurate. In particular I am always amazed at the level of small commerce going on in all parts. Unlike in the 1980s and 1990s, I think there is definitely hope for Africa, unfortunately cannot say the same around here, it keeps going down and down with no end in sight.
Finally, there is a real danger in Kampala; marabout stork droppings, they can bury you.
It is a "marabou" stork. And the smell can kill you before they bury you. They are carrion eaters:
Whoops, right you are, "marabout" is the French version.
Nicely written piece. I've spent some time in the poorest parts of East Africa, and from my perspective, the Venezuelan countryside reminds me of scenes from there, particularly around Barinas and Apure, which I am most familiar with, and particularly in the morning, with those spectacular sunrises (which must have something to do with trash-burning too). How places can be incredibly poor, and not dangerous, is a mystery to me. That Venezuela is dangerous and has huge amounts of poverty actually makes more sense, in some ways. The fact that poor people can be generous to rich people and expect nothing in return, is also something that strikes me, and this I have seen in both Africa, and in Venezuela.
excellent piece of writing.
Sound like nice people. My African experience is limited to Nigeria and Argelia and I would not like to go back to Nigeria.
What a great piece. Maybe we should just have you travel around the world and gives us your POV vis-a-vis our Venezuelan common places Quico, that would be something. :o)
On a separate note, so we are a gregarious people with a heavy bias towards loudness and deadly violence to each other regardless of socio-economic status. Yup, that sounds about right.
Terrific piece. Hope we'll get to see see more of these!
I liked the article very much, it is a fresh perspective of a reality that is completely foreign to me. I've never been to sub-saharan Africa, therefore have very little personal experience to draw from. Nonetheless, I think that what FT describes in Kampala's slums is not that much different to many Venezuelan slums, particularly in rural Venezuela. City slums have evolved into something more violent; however, I do feel some of that same core remains.
Our slums are not only malandros, they are actually a minority. I worked in Jose Felix Ribas Zona 7 (one of the largest slums in Petare) for months as a physician not too long ago, and felt somewhat safer than what I thought I would once I met the community. It is filled with hardworking people that wake up at 4am to go to work, but also come out to the streets at night to watch their kids play. Slums where there are "bodegas" all over and you can enjoy an "empanada" or a home made "teta" while kids play "baseball" with a broom stick and a bottle cap; getting off the street when a car comes by, just like the kids playing street hockey in Canada would.
How the malandro minority can promptly disrupt "communal moments" and get away with it I can't fathom. But it happens over and over, people get killed or injured and the community pulls through, everyone goes out to the streets again and shares with their neighbors.
Now that I come to think about it, this is what chavismo may have exploited for the longest time… the real community inside the slum, the heart, the people that fuel "los consejos comunales". People that are resilient not only to the malandro, crime, shortages, and many personal losses, but to a middle class that is foreign and estranged to it.
Your depiction of a Caracas slum albeit real and tangible, come off as many of my east Caracas friends who never went to get "Guarapita de Guanabana en el 23" because it was the only thing I knew was open. Crime is there, is rampant… but our slums are so much more. And until our slums stop seeing us as Mzungus, and we stop treating them like we were white foreign aid workers, until we educate those kids (that live on the streets from the charity scraps given by a community that does not have the resources to deal wit them), we will not gain ground and improve Venezuela.
I can tell you: I was immediately labeled as one rich kid doctor who will be here for a few months and gives a shit about them. "He's only here because he has to, in order to be able to work in a private clinic and get richer" is something I heard more often than I would have liked.
This came from both chavistas and opposition people that I met in the slums, many begged me not to become a estranged doctor who didn't care for any of them once I was gone. Come to think of it, I did forget about them… and have given very little in return.
Loved the piece, Quico. It reminded me of the feeling I had when I visited Rio de Janeiro in the 1990's, during their hyper-inflation time.
At the time, I had stopped in Caracas and then went down to Rio, for the first time.The internal city reminded of an old Caracas, but in a lower note. I found that poverty was real poverty there, much more than in Caracas and that the rich were not as rich and "refined" as in Caracas. I found the food similar to my 1960's venezuelan food. I found Copacabana's streets very similar to Chacao's old internal streets, before the yuppies took over. And I felt amazingly safe, much safer than in Caracas, I would say a 1960's caraqueña safe. I was walking in a small group at 3 o'clock in the morning and the only soul that could give us instructions on how to get back to the hotel was a poor homeless guy that was searching the trash. He gave us the instructions and told us to be very careful with "bandits" that could rob us at that hour.
I smiled, thinking that in Caracas the guy would have been himself the robber….and that was a comparison with a Caracas of …1991 or 1993 (I don't recall wether it was one year before or after Rio's summit)…
Thanks for the memories.
"I found that poverty was real poverty there, much more than in Caracas and that the rich were not as rich and "refined" as in Caracas."
I'm 100% certain about that.
Brazil in that time was coming out of a 25-year-long far-right dictatorship, the country was grasping for air after being economically and culturally isolated from the rest of the world; even imports were forbidden by the military rule. People were just starting to travel abroad, buying better (imported) things, trying to catch-up with the rest of the Western world. You visited Brazil in a transitional period – from dictatorship to democracy. It must have been interesting. As a resident of the city, I would have liked to see what you saw. 🙂
The problem is that together with the demise of the dictatorship, crime increased to unprecedented levels in the following years.
Marc, I have pretty funny stories about my stay in Rio. I can pass easily for a brazilian and was often adressed in portuguese. The Cariocas understood my Spanish but I could not understand a single word (still don't). I used to take cabs from the hotel to the conference site and found taxis very reasonable priced. My american and canadian collegues took the same type of cabs, that would take exactly the same route and paid twice or three times what I paid. They were fabbergasted because taxis always used the taxi meter, that just seemed to run faster where I was not with them. It became a joke to ask me to share a cab, because it would be less expensive.
The hotel was strange. It was a real hotel, with a lobby and room service, but the rooms were really appartments that were rented by private citizens that wanted to be paid upfront because in a single week, money changed value too quickly. Store prices were amazing, you would have no ticketed price, you had to ask for the item price.
My american and canadian collegues were impressed by the coffee and the tropical juice bars that one could find in every corner. To me the coffee was so-so, compared with Venezuelan coffee, and the juice bars were so familiar, just like in the center of Caracas. It was the first time I could have a "colita" outside Venezuela, that was not pink, and was called "guaraná", I guess, but the flavor was like a frescolita. The city just looked like the center of Caracas…and I am not sure, but I think that they even had corner names, but the names were composed personal names, probably from local heroes.
I was very well treated in Rio, despite not understanding a single word, but some of my colleagues had bad experiences (pickpockets).
I loved it Quico!
But I bet what you missed the most was that the lady didn't call you "mi amor" when giving you the tomatoes 🙂
This is exceptional work. Probably the best article I've read authored by/related to CC.
Comment from Quico:
Wait wait, I'm definitely not saying anything about "Africa". I'm not even saying anything about Kampala. I'm saying something about the slum just outside my front gate. It's a travelogue, not a dissertation!
Well put. This snapshot of a Kampala slum in 2014 is accurate for 2014 but , as Quico would point out, is not necessarily an accurate snapshot of previous years. From Dan Morrison's The Black Nile: One Man's Amazing Journey Through Peace and War on the World's Longest River [2010]:
Claire was recalling the early 1990s, when armed robberies were common in Kampala. "A bullet hit just under my bedroom window and broke a clay pot," she said. "It was an enormous explosion."
"A stray bullet?" I asked.
"No, he was shooting at the house. He was down there in the garden with an AK-47. We slept under the bed in those days, but you didn't sleep. Men would come to the windows." Her voice quieted at the memory of those fearful times. "There was a mother with a little baby in her arms, my Ugandan friend Martha and her child, Jean. The baby was crying with malaria, and we didn't want the baby to cry, because people would know there was someone in the house." By the time Olivia was born, a growing economy had calmed the air of desperate menace that once ruled the streets of Kampala. …
"Once a man was right there at the window trying to get in," Claire said. "I screamed at him and he ran away. He had a big wrench, like this," she held her hands about a foot and a half apart, "and he just dropped it and ran away. He wanted to pry the bars open. Of course most of them use a car jack. They put it under the one bar and just lift the whole thing off."
There was a time when Kampala's level of violence was comparable to the current level of violence in Caracas. If it can change in Kampala, it can change in Caracas.
Also note that Claire is an expat who has lived a long time in Kampala. Olivia is her 11 year old daughter.


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text:
Registration: Discovering Pathways to Recovery (CC) - Online Video
1 CEHs
Location: Online
Presenter: Daniel Fred M.S. and Robert D. Ashford, PRC,PRS
The addiction recovery climate is changing quickly. Over the last few years, the Office of National Drug Control Policy, which has helped bring recovery support to the front lines has recognized the need and focus of recovery. In this webinar we will discuss the changes that have been made, the current recovery climate, and the direction it is headed.


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A Good Samaritan has been stabbed after he stepped in to stop an armed robbery at a southwest Sydney convenience store.
Police say the man went into the shop on Railway Parade in Glenfield just after 10am Monday after hearing raised voices and confronted an armed man, who stabbed him once in the lower back before fleeing on foot.
He was treated by paramedics at the scene and transferred to hospital in a stable condition, while police hunt for the attacker.


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I originally made this card for Challenge # 16 on the Stamp with Fun Challenge Blog, which was a sketch challenge. I always forget that they are not from the US, and their time is different, so I didn't get this in on time for that sketch challenge. However, the current challenge (#17) is using pearls on your card. Since my card had lots of pearls, it still fits their challenge, so I am using it for this week! Yay! Their is a really nice prize this week, with a Stampavie Stamp given by Paper Basics. We all know that I love Stampavie! Needless to say, I would love to win this!
I am also using this card for the Stamp Something Challenge Blog. Their challenge this week is "Winged Things", so the stamp that I used by "Stamps Happen" fits that (along with my butterfly). The fairy is colored in with Copics, and the flowers she is in were colored with Perfect Pearls Metallics in the "Perfect Pearl" color mixed with a little water. You can't really see all the shimmer in the pic. It is so shiny!
Last, but not least, of course, is Jeanette's Wings Card Challenge for July at My Sketch World. I actually have another card I want to make for that, but I am going to turn this one in and see if I can do two!
Btw, the pp is by Prima. It is already stitched. I wish I could say that I did that! The circle paper is Heidi Swapp. The butterfly and pearls are by K & Co.
Thanks for looking and have a blessed day!


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Hey Y'all,
I wanted to share with you my gift in a card so to speak. I liked the Blossom Tag that was the freebie on 3dsvg.com (Dreaming Tree) but decided it needed to be a card and gift as well. I made the front edge of the card to tear off to be used as a bookmark for future use. This way the person will have this keepsake for a long time.
Order and download the free tag on Blossom Tag (Free SVG). Bring the tag onto your virtual mat and ungroup and release compound path. Group the center cut pieces together so you don't loose any when you are moving it to the larger tag shape. Holding down the shift key choose the cut out for the ribbon and the body of the tag, group those together or make a compound path. Duplicate the tag shape and make one larger. All cut sizes will be listed at the bottom of this post. Move the larger one off the side.
Using the other tag move the grouped cut pieces back over it and size the cut pieces to fit into the new sized tag. Select the tag and the cut pieces and make a compound path. This is your new bookmark. Bring the larger tag over to the one and slightly overlap the side pieces just so they can be welded together. Draw a perforated line down the center of the now tag card and group.
I cut a slightly smaller piece of card stock vellum to glue to the back of the bookmark then backed that with another piece of patterned card stock. You could omit the vellum and just use the patterned cardstock if you would like.
The flowers were cut first at the larger size then another smaller size to glue one onto the other. This gives the flowers and front of your card a little more depth. Once it becomes a bookmark the flowers will flatten with time. I added enamel dots to the center of the flowers after the edges were inked with Tim Holtz stormy sky distress ink. The bird was given a little color as well using the same distress ink. I used stamp n' write makers, Soft Suede, Sahara Sand, and Lucky Limeade from Stampin Up to add some lines and color to the leaves, branch and bird. My bird then received a eye using Ranger Enamel Accents Black.
A handwritten message was added to the bottom of the bookmark, then a stamped greeting was added to the inside of the card. Let your recipient know they can tear the edge of the card to allow it to become a bookmark.
Just a small project but one with a lot of thought and I hope you agree, heart. Thank you so much for stopping by and reading my blog. Your thoughts and comments are much appreciated. I hope you like it and if you do decide to make one I would love to see your version of my little card/bookmark. Have a lovely Sunday and Happy Craftin' Y'all!
Blessings, Sharalyn
3dSVG Used:
Blossom Tag (Free SVG)
Supplies Used:
K& Company: Merriweather Pad
American Craft Card Stock: Vanilla
Tim Holtz Distress Ink: Stormy Sky
Ranger Enamel Accents : Black
Echo Park Enamel Dots: Hello Winter Collection
Stampin Up: Card Stock Vellum
Stamp n'Write: Sahara Sand, Soft Suede, Lucky Limeade
Copic Marker: Multiliner Marker Blue
Ribbon from Stash
Scotch Quick Dry Adhesive
Silhouette Designer Addition
Silhouette Cameo
Cut Sizes
Tag_ W 2.392 x 4.890 H cut one
Tag_ W 2.331x 4.890 H cut one
Large Flower W 1.650 x 1.654 H cut one
Large Flower W 1.362 x 1.366 H cut one
Small Flower W 0.812 x 0.813 H cut one
Small Flower W 0.672 x 0.663 H cut one


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Chapter 15
I'm holding onto Nero. Justice stares blankly having just stabbed his father. The sky is blackened. The sky has gone black. It's almost as though Eden was dying with Nero. I look down at the man I love and I have a feeling there is nothing I can do to save him. I can't stop the blood. I can't keep him alive. I'm hopeless.
He's bleeding below me. He's coughing up blood. I attempt to put pressure on Nero's wound. He looks up at me silently. He wants to speak but he's struggling.
Panic takes over the room. The nobles are running out of the hall. There are screams coming from everywhere. I can feel my heart racing.
"What have you done?" Lucca asks Coco.
"I panicked. I…I wasn't thinking," Coco responds.
The men have grabbed Justice. They don't know what to do. I stare in the corner and see Justice and Milan being restrained. No one notices my father though. Armando's eyes look at mine. He walks over to me. His steps are cold and heavy.
"No point. Let him die," Armando tells me, "It's over. You can feel it. Come with me."
Armando offers me his hand.
He outstretches his hand. The look on his face almost seems like he thinks he's taken anything from me.
"Fuck you," I tell him.
"Don't be stupid. He's bleed out," Armando says.
"Fuck you!"
Armando attempts to reach out and grab me away from Nero. It doesn't end well. I twist his hand as hard as I can. I hear it snap out of place. I toss him across the room so hard that he dents the nearby wall. Armando collapses to the ground unable to get back up. He does manage to lift his head at that moment and give me this stare as though he's disappointed. As if I'm the one who is betraying him.
"She's coming," Camilla notices.
"I didn't mean to break it," Coco explains.
"It's too late," Lucca continues.
I ignore them. They aren't the only ones panicking. Some people have decided to make a run for it. Others are waiting in the room hiding out behind the King's Guard who have formed at the front of the room.
"Sir…what should we do?" Roxanne asks.
Nero says something. I don't hear what he's saying. Everyone in the room is looking at the king wondering what he was going to say and what he was going to do. I'm looking at the man I love dying in my arms and there's nothing that I can do.
"What's he saying?" Countess Livia asks.
I lean into Nero. I hear him whisper something in my ear.
I look up at the others, "He's saying to finish."
"You're lying," Countess Livia tells me.
Sinclair looks over at Roxanne, "Ma'am…it is your call. The king can't give orders."
"He said to finish. He said to finish the wedding," I state, "FINISH!"
"Look at his eyes…" Countess Livia states.
A few of them take steps away from me. My eyes were black. I was sure they were. My emotion was causing this to happen. I'm sitting here holding the man that I wanted to marry and they are all just letting him die. No one is helping. Everyone is so afraid of Lilith. A part of me wants to say fuck Eden. It would be so easy to say fuck Eden.
Except for Nero. I can't forsake him.
"Arrest Coco," Roxanne states, "Arrest Santos."
They send the guards for me. Idiots.
They take Coco first. I can't get up to help her. They grab her, kicking and screaming. They could care less that she is pregnant. It takes almost 6 of them to hold her down. As the guards approach me the stained glass in the cathedral fracture and break. There is a sound of shattering glass and a large gust of wind that enters the room. Thirsts have come into the room. There are three of them. The thirsts surround me.
At first I think Armando is doing this. Armando is controlling the Thirsts…but that isn't the case.
I'm the one controlling them.
The Thirsts surround Nero and I. The guards surround Nero and I. They make steps towards the guards. Anything I think they can do. With a glance I can have the monsters rip these people to shreds if I want to. I can if I'd like and a part of me is so upset that I'm willing to do that.
Fuck Eden.
Fuck Eden…
I look down at Nero. Tears are in his eyes and his blood is still gushing. I hear him mouth the words one more time, "Finish."
"You will finish our marriage," I tell Roxanne.
Mentally I make the thirsts move forward. There are screams in the room. People have gone to the walls behind King's guard. There are so many soldiers in the cathedral and more pouring in. The only thing between me and an army of vampires is three Thirsts.
Roxanne has a knife at Coco's throat, "Send them back demon or I'll slit her throat…"
I look over at Coco. Regardless of how stupid she was for breaking the Lucky One, Coco is still carrying my unborn child. I'm struggling at that moment. Roxanne seems like she actually may go ahead and do this. She is blaming Coco and me for letting Lilith in Eden.
"Roxanne this is enough," a void says.
We turn and notice the person who is talking is Aiden. Aiden walks over to me. It's strange seeing Aiden coming to my defense. Aiden crosses his arms and looks over at Roxanne.
"We all know Nero wants him to finish," Aiden explains, "Regardless of what we think Santos was meant to be king. If Nero is going to die...if we are all going to die then the least we can do is give them that. At least give them that. After 100 years and after trying to avoid this shit for so long it happened regardless. Lilith is in Eden. She's coming for all of us and we're all dead. And you know what. It's not because of Santos."
Roxanne is thinking about it.
I look at the door.
"She's coming…"
"Block the door," Roxanne orders Sinclair.
Dozens of guard run to the front door and abandon me and the thirsts. The Thirsts remain still almost like statues waiting for my command. Roxanne releases Coco at that moment. Somehow Aiden has influenced her.
She brings over the Alphabet of Ben Sira to me.
"I'll skip to the end," Roxanne explains.
"Please do."
"Do you, Santos take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and in heath, in good times and woe, for richer or poorer, keeping yourself solely unto him for as long as you both shall live? If so, answer. I DO."
"I do."
"Do you, Nero take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and in heath, in good times and woe, for richer or poorer, keeping yourself solely unto him for as long as you both shall live? If so, answer. I DO."
Everyone looks at Nero.
She's coming. We can all feel it. The door in the front of the cathedral is breaking up! It continues to fall down. I turn to Armando. Armando is laughing. He's enjoying every moment of this.
"You fools. You fucking fools. You're all dead. You're all dead…" Armando is laughing.
He may be right.
Guards are pouring in the room from the upper levels. They whisper something to Sinclair.
Sinclair looks over at Roxanne, "Countess…the streets of Eden are bleeding."
I don't know what he means by that but I could only imagine he's saying it in the most literal way possible. The streets were literally BLEEDING with dead vampires. Lilith was coming.
"How many?"
"Hundreds…" he says.
The door at the front of the cathedral being to break open. The guards abandon the door and get to the other side of the room. The locks break off the door. The doors are starting to slowly part. There is this force coming for us. We all know this.
"Finish," I tell Roxanne.
Roxanne looks over at me.
Nothing is going to stop this. 100 years couldn't keep me away from Nero and not even Lilith would keep me away from Nero. I didn't care at this point. I'd be married to this man regardless.
Roxanne looks over at Nero, "I'm waiting for the King to answer."
Nero is weak.
He is struggling to open up his mouth.
The heavy Cathedral door opens a little more. The building is shaking. It feels like an earthquake or something. Is this the power of Lilith? Is this what she brought with her. Even the bravest soldiers look like they are about to piss their entire pants. Sweat beads are forming at Roxanne's forehead. Lucca and Camilla are too weak to even stand at this point.
"I do…" Nero manages to say.
"By the authority vested in me by the State of Eden. I now pronounce you man and wife and what God hath joined together, let no man nor woman put asunder."
"Pointless," Armando says.
No one argues the point with him.
"Sir you are the King of Eden," Roxanne tells me.
She's looking down at me. That's when I see it. I see the real reason she finished. Aiden may have convinced her but it was deeper than that. They were all scared. All of them. They needed me. So I watch all these people who tried so hard to keep Nero away from me.
"What should we do?" Aiden asks me.
Funny how the people who were so against me needed my help.
"King Santos…what should we do?" Roxanne asks, "What should we do."
I look at them. The room of royals looking down at me.
"Shut the fuck up," I tell her.
Nero isn't moving. He's just laying there. He's the only thing in this fucking room I give a fuck about at that moment. At that moment all my focus is on him.
Nero's eyes close. He just lays there.
"He losing too much blood," Roxanne tells me, "You're our king now."
"I'll give him my blood."
"It won't do any good," Aiden explains, "You have different blood types. It's not a match. Even if you did give him a blood transfer…it wouldn't matter…"
Nero is dying.
He just lays there. The silence in the room is deafening.
It's Coco that runs over to me. She puts a hand on my shoulder, "I'm sorry. Santos. I'm sorry."
"He's not dead yet," I tell Coco.
He's breathing just barely…but he's breathing.
"You're our king now," Roxanne explains again, "What should we do about…the Darkest…"
"Please Santos," I hear Lucca say.
"Save us Santos…" Aiden adds in.
They were dead serious. They were fucking dead serious.
And then I laugh.
"You think I married Nero to save all of you?" I ask at that moment, "You think I did this to be king after all the shit you people took me through. Save you? Is that what you're asking me? For mercy. Would you like me to talk to my mother. Beg for your lives. No it's begun. You heard. The streets are running with blood. She's coming. You feel it. She's close."
And they can all die for all I cared.
It's Armando who is standing next to me, "You've done well son. He's gone. Let him go. It's over…"
And at that moment I'm done.
Armando offers me his hand and I take it.
Nero is dead. He isn't breathing any longer.
"You can't just leave us. You can't just leave us…" Aiden says.
"I told you. I told you he'd do this," Roxanne tells Aiden.
"Countess…your eyes…"
We all look at Roxanne. Her eyes are bleeding. I look around the room. All of their eyes are bleeding. Even Armando's eyes. Everyone's eyes but mine.
"Justice can have the throne. Since he wanted it so bad," I state.
"I wanted it with you," Justice tells me, "We can do this…together."
"No. It'll be a lonely throne. You and your dead bodies," I reply.
I start walking to the door.
The doors open at that moment and the room gets completely quiet. Lilith walks into the room at that moment.
The woman is beautiful. She is bald. Her eyes are piercing cold color. She is completely naked and her body is that of perfection. The vampires stare at her and this wailing spreads throughout the room. They've met their maker…literally.
I walk up to my mother at that moment.
"Santos…come," Armando states, "Let's leave them. You don't want to see what is about to happen here…"
"What about me?" Coco asks, "I'm carrying your baby…"
"She is impure…" Armando says about Coco.
I look at Coco. All I see is darkness though. Nero is dead. Why have Nero's child? What would be the point. What would be the point of trying to save them? Coco wanted this child for her own needs. She was just like the rest of them. None of these creatures were better than the other.
I walk over to Lilith. Our eyes connect. She doesn't speak. She is less of a presence and more like some sort of godly figure. Her mouth doesn't open. It's almost like I know what she is thinking without her even speaking. She wants me to leave this room.
They are crying. Coco is calling out to me. I don't see her. I see darkness. This is what it must feel to be Lilith. I feel nothing but emptiness as the trail of my wedding outfit follows behind me.
Some of the guards are already falling over. As they look at the glory of Lilith they fall over and perish. I make my way past Lilith to the door.
I walk to the front and turn to close the door on these vampires and this life forever…
"Santos…" I hear a voice say.
It's Justice.
For a minute the darkness flickers for a little bit when I hear Justice speak out of all of them. He was the only other person that I truly cared for here. No. He was the one who had taken my Nero from me. He was the one who had taken my Nero from me.
Fuck him. He can die too.
"Don't bother with them," I hear Armando say at my side.
Armando is already outside of the cathedral and he's waiting for me. I am about to slam the door shut at that moment completely and leave the vampires there. All of them are stunned. Maybe they are too afraid to move or maybe Lilith has some control of the vampires. They don't move. They just stand still at that moment.
"Santos!" Justice screams out again, "He's alive! Don't leave SANTOS! He's ALIVE!"
I stop in my tracks before slamming the door shut.
I open the door up completely again and see Justice there. He's over Nero. Nero is alive. Nero is sucking from Justice's blood. Acceptable blood that can restore him. Justice is giving his blood to Nero and Nero is drinking it. He's surviving off of Justice for some reason and I watch at that moment and all of a sudden I feel this happiness.
"Santos don't…" Armando states.
Armando looks desperate. He watch as my father makes a dash for Nero. He launches himself across the room and kicks Justice off of Nero.
Justice flies to the other side of the wall.
Armando bends down to kill Nero but somehow I'm there before he can lay a finger on Nero. My hand goes through Armando.
It goes clear through his chest to his heart and I rip it completely out of his chest.
I look at my father. This hatred that destroyed him for just a quick second seems to disappear and he says something to me. He says, "There it is."
I don't know what my father means by it. There it is. He falls over and disintegrates to dust before I can stop him.
I look down at Nero.
"Don't give up on us," Nero tells me.
He is still weak but he's alive.
For some reason whatever spell Lilith had on the vampires of Eden seems to break. I'm not sure if I had something to do with it or if Lilith was just distracted by me killing Armando. The vampires are able to move now. Their bleeding eyes have seemed to stop.
They aren't spellbound anymore.
And neither am I.
All that anger…all that darkness that was in me just a minute ago is gone now.
"ATTACK HER!" Roxanne screams out.
A wave of guards are running at Lilith at that moment. I want to stop them but before I can open my mouth Lilith swipes the air and dozens of heads are beheaded almost instantly without her even moving a foot or physically touching them.
The Darkest stares at that moment at the ashes that were once Armando. There isn't emotion there but there is some sort of acknowledgement. If the woman who calls herself the Darkest does get upset this may be the closest that she is to it.
"Leave here," I tell Roxanne.
"And go where?"
"You're no match for her. None of you are. No matter how powerful you think you are…you won't last. So leave. I don't know where. Hide. FIGURE IT OUT."
Roxanne hesitates.
"Do it," Nero says.
Roxanne calls out to the Nobles, "In the back…everyone…"
-You plan on saving them. These useless creatures. How do you plan on doing that exactly?-
The vampires are attempting to run. Not all of them are making it. Some manage to make the way across the room others fall to the ground and just die. No explanation. No attack. They just die. I know Lilith is behind it somehow. I know she is somehow getting into my brain.
"Get out of my head," I tell her.
"What?" Aiden says.
"Why the fuck are you still here?" I ask him.
"I'm not leaving you," Aiden explains.
"Neither am I," Justice says.
Justice is to my right and Aiden is to my left. There was a point in my life that I loved both of them. The only person I loved more than the two was Nero and he was still laying in the floor.
I look over at Justice, "Get your father out of here…"
"I can fight," Nero states.
I don't know Nero manages to stand at that moment but Justice's blood must have definitely helped give him some sort of strength because he joins Aiden and Justice.
They love you. All three of them…in their own way. Do you understand what love does to you. It makes you weak.
"You loved Armando," I state.
-Armando gave me you and for that I appreciated him. Because you are more than my son. You are my weapon and you got me in here to destroy this place that I hated so much. But do I love Armando. No. Not love. I learned not to love a long time ago. Adam showed me how to hate. And I realized love was weakness. This is the best lesson I can give you, my Santos. Destroy your love until there is nothing but anger left. There is strength in anger.-
"I'm not yours. And I'm nothing like you," I state, "I refuse to be defined by my bitterness."
Lilith doesn't like that. Her eyes pierce ever so slightly at me in an angry way.
"Santos…you're bleeding," Justice tells me.
I wipe my eyes. He's right.
"Is she in your head?" Nero asks me, "What's she saying?"
"She's wants me to be like her," I tell Nero.
"GET OUT OF HIS HEAD BITCH!" Nero says.
Nero runs forward. He damn near throws himself across the room. He doesn't make it far though. For whatever reason Nero falls to the ground as though consumed by some invisible pain. It pierces through his stomach and I watch him clutch it and fall to the ground rolling around.
"STOP!" I scream at Lilith.
I'm watching Nero in pain. Justice and Aiden run to Nero's side to help him. I feel so helpless. It's as though there is nothing I can do.
-He loves you the most out of them. I've never seen anything like it. Not even Adam. It's a strange thing to see that kind of love. It'll hurt more when he rips your heart out. Trust me. I am saving you the heartache that comes with being betrayed. So let me know, my Santos. -
-Should I kill him first? Or would you prefer me to hold him to last.-
I raise my hand at that moment.
The thirsts that were frozen in the room are reanimated when I raise my hand. The three Thirsts turn to my mother and attack. They get further than the other vampires did. One of them almost even lays a hand on my mother but just barely. They fall to the ground at that moment and die unexpectedly by Lilith's power.
-How can you do that?-
Lilith seems as surprised as I am that I am able to turn her own monsters against her. There are no monsters between me and her now though. Lilith seems to be annoyed more than anything by this attack.
Nero is screaming in pain more. Justice and Aiden were helping him but all of a sudden the two of them fall to the ground in agony.
Nero looks like he can't hold on much longer.
I'm by his side before I know it.
"Don't let her steal your love, Santos," Nero explains, "Promise me…"
He grabs my hand.
"I promise. You don't give up," I tell him.
That's when I feel it. Nero hands me something. I don't know what it is at first. I wrap my fingers around the object he gives me though.
"Don't let her steal our love," he says and then screams out in a wincing pain.
I can't take it anymore. I can't see Nero in pain any longer.
-What did he give you?-
Lilith is in my head. She is attempting to read my mind but the thing is that I don't know what Nero gave me so she can't read my mind to tell. Nero is in too much pain for her to get the information from him. Whatever he gave me is completely confidential.
But I know that Nero must be giving me something to stop her.
So I get up and I walk over to her, clutching this object in my hand.
-Don't be stupid.-
I can feel my stomach turn in pain. My eyes turn red.
I don't stop.
Lilith laughs at that moment.
-Do you think you can really resist me forever?-
I keep moving. I can't let her take my love. At the beginning of time Lilith was betrayed. She was the first woman and she was the first person who felt the heartache of love. Her love destroyed her and she was banished from Eden. She was replaced by Eve. When my mother was replaced she went to the Sea and mated with the demons there. She created the first vampires.
My mother swore to get her revenge but when her descendents decided not to let their bitterness overtake them they came to Eden to live in peace.
My mother couldn't have peace. She would destroy Eden. She would destroy the vampires. She would destroy Eden. She would have her revenge.
At least that's what she thought.
What she didn't count on was the fact that there was someone here whose love was stronger than her hate.
And right now I'm standing right in front of my mom.
I open my hand.
It's a Lucky one. The Lucky one that Nero kept in the chain around his chest. The one that he kept close to his heart.
That's when I hear my mother.
She realizes what I have in my hand. I pull at the cross that is on the pendant and realize that there is a stake underneath the tip of the cross.
With all my power I strike forward. I strike forward right through Lilith's heart.
"My father once told me my power came from hate," I tell her, "He was wrong…"
My power came from love.
And with there was no more darkness.
The sky is a golden color. It's been some months since the darkness is gone. The eternal city had finally changed and it's for the better.
"How is Coco?"
"She's awake…" Justice tells me, "She is asleep."
I'm finally arrived at the room. My nerves had gotten the better of me. I could take on the most fearsome vampire and save Eden from destruction but I couldn't deal with the birth of my first child.
"The baby…" I ask.
Justice smiles at me, "He's waiting for you. With his other father…"
"I should go…"
"Wait King Santos."
I stop at that moment and turn to Justice.
"Justice, you don't have to call me that."
Justice laughs, "Actually I kind of do. Listen. These last months you've given Eden peace. Hell even Lucca and Camilla are done with all their shady actions. You've brought happiness and I don't think I ever got the chance to truly thank you and apologize for…"
I stop.
"If your father forgives you then I forgive you. And I want to thank you for helping Nero and supporting us…"
Justice smiles, "I wanted to give you this."
He hands me a black rose, freshly picked.
"This again."
"You need to watch it die. You never got the chance to before," He explains, "I don't think you need it however. Not anymore. You've already found your peace. And honestly I'm happy. I'm happy that Nero has someone like you Santos. I couldn't see it any other way."
He smiles at me.
"You should come in to," I state, "You should come be with your new brother and your father. As a family…"
He laughs.
"I can get used to that idea regardless of how weird it is," he explains, "But I think I should give you guys your time alone. I'll have enough time with him later, I'm not going anywhere. Besides Aiden is waiting…"
I smile, "Tell Aiden I said hey…"
Aiden and Justice have been a couple for quite some time now. Milan of course was put in jail after attempting several more times to kill me. I guess you couldn't really please everyone. The peace they've found with each other was interesting and I was sure one of these days they'd be getting engaged. I had no doubt that Lucca and Camilla would plan that wedding. They were literally just standing on the sidelines waiting for it. Luckily a time of peace had come and the nobles didn't hate me as much so I assumed people would be looking for me to support their wedding. I had all plans to do that.
It was interesting and curious to think of my ex-boyfriend with my stepson. I guess that's what happens when everyone stays young forever.
"He looks just like you," Nero states.
He's shows me my son. A beautiful baby boy. I stand there and I am just staring at him.
Nero leans over and gives me a kiss.
"He looks so scary…" I say.
"You need to hold him baby," Nero explains, "He's our son."
"I know it's just…you've done this before. I don't know what I'm doing," I admit.
"That's why I'm here," Nero explains, "Coco already signed the adoption papers. He's going to be the first human baby to be raised in Eden completely. I'll make sure that I have that connection with him that I didn't have with Justice. And I think it's important that you do too."
Nero offers me the baby.
I'm so nervous.
I'm sweating.
I finally take a deep breath and grab the baby from Nero. Nero gives me a soft kiss on the lips and holds me from the back. It feels good having my husband with me. I have a feeling that Nero won't ever let go of me again. I know that no matter how scared I am I have Nero with me to help me raise this child. He's going to make sure that I'm secure. He's going to make sure that we do this the right way.
And for the moment I've never felt so much love as I look down at our child.
And I've never felt so powerful.
"He still needs a name," Nero states, "A powerful name. The darkness is gone for now but nothing lasts forever. Forever is a long time, remember Santos? Forever is a long time. He's going to need to know that we have his back forever."
"You promise. To stay with me. To love this child like he was made from you."
"I promise," Nero hugs me tighter, "As far as I know we had this child together."
"Then that is what his name is going to be."
"The vampire, Promise."
Please remember to donate to nifty and also please read the next story on Nifty by this author titled "Mafia"


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Here is a small fact. Whether it is a Wedding, Mehendi or Sangeet, your decor can make it or break it. For the very same reason , people are paying special attention to the event decor more than anything else.Few couples are even going that extra mile, for having a wedding decor to match their outfits.
While all these things are now a integral part of a Indian wedding, it is not always feasible to have a grand decor for every event, especially when you are planning it within a budget.But here comes your saviour ,Do It Yourself.
This article is especially for all of those, who would want a colourful decor for their pre-wedding parties which is easy on pocket and we bet they are as Unique as you are.
Gende ka phool or Mari gold flowers are locally available through out India and a string of these flowers is enough to bring the festive look to your venue.Adddouble strings of Mari gold flowers and attach few large sized photographs of the bride and groom through out the decor.This easy and vibrant decor is the top on our list.
Haldi and mehendi ceremony are incomeplete with out the music from ghungroo and Bangles, so why not include them too in the decor. All you need is bunch of colourful bangles and you get creative with them as shown in the picture below.
If you are a fan of pastels and would love some English colours in your wedding decor check out this hanging wall of carnations tied in a mono filament thread. It almost looks as if the flowers are floating and would just be amazing for your photographs.
Paper Pom Pom decors are beautiful , economic and this made them turn out to be my favourite. This is an inspiration from Rayane's bridal shower party , which was organised by one of her friend.The decor was chic yet classy and is just perfect for a backyard party.
While you already loved the Gaadi -waali photo shoot, here is one more idea for you featuring wheels.Get an old bicycle, colour it in some peppy colours and add a bunch of flowers. Now you are all set for a quicky photo booth decor for your pre-wedding ceremonies.
Decor with Lighting
So, now that you have chosen what to try , you can take the help of your cousins or family to do the decor and I am sure it would be a great fun time to experiment .Cheers!!


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Here is a common problem. An owner tells a business broker: "I am ready to sell." Maybe they have been talking off and on for six months and the owner has made the decision—or so it sounds. The broker moves forward and creates marketing materials, lets some buyers know and within 48 hours several buyers have expressed interest. It's important to note here that 90% of the time, those buyers, who showed interest were already out there shopping. That's why they responded so quickly.
Continuing with the scenario, the broker has everyone sign confidential agreements. This is the norm. Once confidentiality agreements are in place, those buyers will want a little more specific information. Each of them will have their own small details to ask about. One may want to know the square footage of the buildings, another may want to know a sales ratio that the seller does not normally calculate. The third buyer may want to stop by for a quick on-site visit.
The ball is now in the court of the owner. The owner must be ready to respond. It doesn't matter that he had a vacation planned for the next two weeks. Those buyers will need and more importantly, expect their answers within hours or overnight. Why? Because they are shopping!
Buyers are always on the hunt. When you market your business for sale, if it is what they are looking for, they are already prepared to move quickly to a due diligence phase of the sale. They want information and they want it fast. If you (the owner/seller) are now having some reservations, second thoughts or simply getting cold feet and slow to respond, the result is simple. Buyers don't wait for you, they move on. Why? Again, they are shopping and the message you are sending through non-responsiveness is: "I'm not serious."
This may surprise you. You may think that your business is the greatest enterprise ever created and that people will be lined up to buy it once you put it out there. And you may feel pretty good when those first few buyers come around. It is a great feeling. The reality is they will leave just as fast as they came around if you do not respond quickly to their requests for more information.
Further, if you make a habit of this, it will be difficult to sell your business. Your broker will become frustrated and will be reluctant to bring you qualified buyers, knowing that you are not responding in a timely fashion. At the same time, you will become frustrated with your broker, thinking that he is not helping you, when the reality is that you are at the root of the problem. So be ready to respond fast!


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Why I read now:
I've wanted to read it ever since Heather recommended it. And she did put it on my happiness project list. :) And it works perfectly for glbt theme month.
Where I got it:
Bought it new. In fact, I wanted it so badly after Heather read it that I couldn't even wait for it to come out in paperback. But yeah, then didn't get around to reading it until now.
Random thoughts:
*Love the cover.
*It begins with a newspaper article that was so horrifying that it made me sick. Literally. Because while fiction, the hate crime described is all too real. A teenage boy, Patrick, is brutally attacked because he is gay. He's now in a coma.
*The sense of place in this book is so amazing, and it feels flawlessly authentic. When an author pulls this off with this much skill, it's impossible not to place myself right into the setting and feel as if I'm somehow part of the story.
*Cat. The story is told from her point of view. And Cat--she feels authentic too. Cat--I understand her all too well. I get the shutting down and withdrawing and keeping it all inside thing that can happen when something horrible happens to you. But poor Cat--now she's blaming herself for what happened to Patrick, telling herself that if she hadn't shut down a couple years ago then she somehow could have prevented what happened to her childhood best friend.
*Just finished. Read the last 200+ pages non-stop. I rarely do that anymore. (Mostly because I rarely have a chunk of free time that long, but also because I've become so distractible in the last couple years.) But this book, I. could. not. put. it. down. And it was more than just a page turner. It was just soooooooo good. Hard though. Really hard. A lot of things in this book hurt.
*I love YA. But I must admit that the stories, or rather the overall setting and feel of the stories, seldom hold a lot of resemblance to my teenage years. (And yes, so of that is undoubtedly just because my teenage years were so long ago. Not that I don't vividly remember them, just that the world changes.) Anyway, The Body of Christopher Creed (another book I loved!) and this book are really the only two I can think of that just completely took me back to my high school days.
*Whew--talk about a cast of flawed characters! Yet again, the word that comes to mind is authentic. And for the most part, that only made me want to comfort, made me root for them all the more.
Bottom line:
I LOVED THIS BOOK. (Thank you, Heather!!!)
I knew there were certain sadnesses a person had no choice but to live through, but I put my arm around her anyway. I decided a hug did make a difference, and even if it was the tiniest difference ever, it was better than nothing. (p. 343-344)
Postcard quotes sent:
Chris--2 melancholy
Just wanted to mention that I may be largely absent from the blogging world for a few weeks. Annie might guest post a few more times, as she's reading some interesting books. But I likely won't be posting or even reading blogs much. Nothing wrong, it's just that super busy time of the homeschool year where final quarterly reports are due and the huge task of writing up next year's plans must be done. (Technically next year's plans are not due until the end of the summer, but getting them done right away allows me to start prepping everything now.) Anyway, I know it totally doesn't need said, as we all understand because we all have our busier spurts where we just can't keep up with blog reading, but I wanted to say it anyway--I'll miss you.


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Our Clinicians are able to help with urological problems in men and women, but have specialist expertise in mens health problems. Our work requires close collaboration with many other specialties to ensure a multidisciplinary approach to your health and needs. However, for your well being, our Clinicians work as independent experts when managing your care; seeking advice and help when needed.
We work with the following specialities:
Medical Oncology
Clinical Oncology
Psychosexual Therapy/Counselling
Reproductive Medicine
Colorectal Surgery
General Medicine
Plastic Surgery
The world of medicine is in a state of constant flux. This is where we will provide you with a selection of interesting news about the medical world and our practice.
The world renowed STAMPEDE trial reports Abiraterone aids survival when given at the time of diagnosis of advanced prostate cancer (ASCO 2017)
Urology Clinics is now open in Manchesters Premier new Private Hospital, Spire Manchester, just off Priness Parkway. Ideal for Patients in South Manchester and those arriving from abroad at Manchester Airport.
Peyronies disease can now be treated with collagenase injections (XIAPEX).
Multi-parametric MR scanning of the prostate can help in diagnosing prostate cancer. Available at Spire Manchester and The Chrsitie Clinic.
ED1000 therapy for erectile dysfunction has been shown to have success rates of up to 70%.
Docetaxol Chemotherapy given at the time of diagnosis has shown significant improvements in survival for men with advanced prostate cancer.


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As we near the end of the month, consumers are being urged to avoid defaulting on mandatory debit order payments.
The number of customers who do this often spikes between December and January, noted Ryan Prozesky, the CEO of FNB's consumer core banking.
"Although consumers do deserve to celebrate at the end of the year and spend quality time with friends and family, they should be careful not to spend haphazardly at the expense of important financial obligations," said Prozesky.
Here are five risks of skipping debit order payments:
1. Unnecessary debt
The last thing you want at the beginning of the year is to be indebted due to poor planning. Consumers often find themselves having to take out loans or borrow from friends and family to meet financial obligations in January.
READ: Already Overspent? Pause And Ask Yourself These 3 Questions
2. Double debit orders
Service providers will often attempt to debit double the amount due if you skip a payment due to insufficient funds in your account. For example, if a debit order for R2,000 fails during December, you could pay R4,000 in January.
3. Policies lapsing
If your insurance policy debit order fails for two consecutive months, between December and January, you face the risk of your policy lapsing. This can place you at risk should an unfortunate event occur while you are not insured.
4. Bad credit record
Consecutive debt order bounces, as well as lapsed policies as a result of nonpayment, could impact your credit record. This can work against you when applying for credit from financial services providers.
READ: Why It's Important To Know Your Credit Score And Where To Get It
5. Catching up may take time
Where home loan payments are concerned, for example, it can take up to four months to catch up on one missed payment. This may delay other financial goals one has. There are also interest rates to consider, which might impact further on the delay.
"Making debit order payments a priority when planning your budget for the festive season can go a long way to ensuring that you start the New Year stress free," said Prozesky.
This is because there are also a number of things you have to buy in January that can set you back financially, such as transport costs, back-to school-expenses and food.


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Redman: The Kaiju Hunter Volume 1 Graphic Novel.
This 128 page full color story spotlight the adventure of Redman and his quest to rid the world of any and all Kaiju. This is not the hero you will be expecting but its the hero you will want!
Be one of the first 100 to purchase this directly from Night Shining, Inc and you will receive an exclusive Redman foil trading card. These are limited to only 150 in the U.S. Pre-order your copy today here.
This item is expected to ship June 2018.
Also coming:
Redman: The Kaiju Hunter Collectible Pin Set
Officially licensed Redman: The Kaiju Hunter limited edition collectible pin set. This 1st edition set consists of Redman: The Kaiju Hunter and Astron (Earthtron). These 1 3/4" pins are cast in hard enamel and will be limited to only 250 sets. Be sure to pre-order yours today.
This item is expected to ship June 2018.
Redman: The Kaiju Hunter Volume 1 & Pin Set
Order both and save!


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Name: Isaac Viñales
Year of birth: 1993-11-06 Espana # 32
Place of birth: Llançà
Motorcycle: Husqvarna
Best Matches Career: 7th Moto3 World Championship (2014)
Category: Moto 3
Team: Husqvarna Factory Laglisse
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Quality Control
Officers / Sr.Officers – (Location – Baddi/ Daman & Sikkim)
Qualification: B.Sc / M.Sc / B.Pharm / M.Pharm
Experience : 2-6 years in Raw Material, Finished Product & Stability, with experience on Analytical Instrumentation – HPLC, GC, and UVIR.
Officers / Sr.Officers • Production: (Location – Daman/Sikkim)
Qualification: B.Pharm /M.Pharm
Experience: 02-06 years of relevant experience in formulation manufacturing.
Officers /Sr.Officers – Packing(Production):(Location:-Baddi, Sikkim &Daman)
Qualification: B.Pharm / M.Pharm
Experience: 02-06 years – Bulk Line packing, Strip & blister packing Technical
Associate (Operators)- Production /Packing: (Location: – Baddi/Sikkim)
Qualification: ITI/ Diploma/B.Sc
Experience: 02-8 years – Granulation /compression /coating / Bulk packing machine.
Qualification: M.Sc / M.Pharm
Experience: 2-8 years relevant experience in GC. Candidate with relevant experience in handling GC from QC background will be consider.
Fresher's M.Sc (Chemistry) – For Quality Control Dept.
Fresher's Diploma (Engineering/Pharmacy-ITI/B.Sc – for TTA Production Sikkim/Baddi Location.
Walk-In Interview 9.30 -18.00 Hrs with CV and Salary proof 5th & 6th November, 2016
Venue: Hotel Ginger, Plot No P 20 (Part), Midc, Near Satpur Midc Police Station, Trimbakeshwar Road, Nashik, Maharashtra 422007


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Entry Furniture
Entry Furniture Entry Furniture has been viewed by 458 users have some pictures that related each other. Find out the most recent pictures of Entry Furniture here, and also you can get the picture here simply picture posted uploaded by Admin that saved in our collection.
The first picture is a picture Entry Furniture, the image has been in name Entry Furniture 200227, This image was posted on category : Tables , have a resolution : 600x488 Pixel. The posting entitled Entry Furniture tips and photos, and has seen as many as 458 view by user who is looking for about Entry Furniture from seacrh engine.
Category : Tables


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Mineral Collection
09-00443 Clear and Amethyst Herkimer Shape
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Clear and Amethyst Herkimer Shape Crystals. Origin: Mexico. Sizes: 1/4" to 1/2" Total wt: 14.11 grams.
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Aron Paul Wilson
1982 - 2017
Funeral Service
Interment at: Park Cemetery
We are thinking of you and family, Marty with our deepest sympathy.
And Now We Say Goodbye
Great sadness fills our hearts today
as pipes and drums, in slow march play.
A comrade's fallen by the way,
And now we say goodbye.
This hero to the very end
Was more than just a casual friend,
Who would a stranger's life defend,
And now we say goodbye
But we shall cherish, all our days,
The character this life portrayed
With sacrifice so freely made,
And now we say goodbye.
The hand salute, o'er Stars and Stripes,
And distant skirl of highland pipes,
Give last farewell with hero's rights,
And now we say goodbye.
While here on Earth, you gave your best.
Now in the Master's arms you rest.
T'is by your memory we are blessed.
And now we say goodbye.
Howard Garrison Yates
@ July 2006
So sorry for your loss Mary, Don, Sherry, Marty.
To Brandon Jones and Mr. WIlson's family and friends, My son Brandon is a good friend of Aron's and I know this is difficult for him as well as his family and other friends.There is never anything that is easy to say at times like this. Just know that you can treasure all of the good times and memories forever. Cherish the time spent, share the positives with his children as they grow older. Know that he served this country on multiple occasions so that we can all live free. Our God is awesome and know that God loves each and everyone of you. Much Love, thoughts and prayers to all.Love in Christ, Scott & Kim Jones
Fly high,rest easy Aron Doodle. I Love you, Aunt Rhonda
I'm so sorry to hear the tragic news of Aron. I very much enjoyed the time he spent with us here in Germany and am sorry for the loss of your husband. I don't know why these things happen, but I pray for eventual peace and understanding for you and your family. May God carry you through this difficult time. Lt Col Bryan Eckart
My heart is hurting for the loss of this fine man. He was kind, and strong. He will be missed!
Dear Mary,I am so sorry for your loss. I keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Aron's Family, he will certainly be missed.
Although I never had the honor of meeting or serving with Aron, as a fellow Air Force Security Police Officer and our bonds we send our heartfelt sympathies to the family and friends
My heart is truly broken for Tara and the boys. I'm am so deeply sorry for what they are experiencing and the heartache that consumes them. My thoughts and prayers are with you and all of the family. I love you!
My heart breaks for his wife,kids and family. May GOD wrap his arms around you all at your time of need.
Aron was an amazing person and great Airman. I had the pleasure of being his supervisor, but also his friend. He will be missed.
I am saddened to learn about the passing of my fellow Mississinewa High School Class of 2001 alumnus, Sergeant Aron Wilson.
Aron brought Mississinewa High School Sports into the lives of my daughters (Samantha, Tiffani, and Tabitha) and my family's lives, especially with my memory of Aron on the basketball and football teams. I still remember during the senior year with Aron that Mississinewa won its homecoming game for the first time in six years at the time.
My thoughts and prayers are with Tara and Aron's children. Although I will not be able to attend Aron's visitation or funeral due to a previous commitment, posting my condolences is the best option.
What a blessing to have known Aron. He is sitting on the right hand of God today and this world will miss his presence as we go on without him. His love for his mother Mary, his wife Tara and his beautiful boy's Keian and Declan is a true testimony of his character. May God comfort his family and friends and may we remember him only with Love and a smile....until we meet again ❣
I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to Aron's wife and children....his cousin Tracy and I have been long time friends, and we spent a lot of time with Aron when he was a child and we were teens, we took him everywhere with us. I have so many sweet memories of him as a little boy. I am devastated for his mother Mary as I know the pain of child loss. Praying for the whole family during this difficult time, and for the months ahead.
We are so sorry for the loss of your son. He was a wonderful man.
Allen & Becky Collins
What a blessing to have known Aron. He is sitting on the right hand of God today! This world will miss his presence as we go on without him on earth. His love for his mother Mary, his wife Tara and his beautiful boy's Keian and Declan is a true testimony of his character. May God comfort his family and friends and may we remember him with Love and a Smile.....until we meet again❣
To the Wilson family,
I send my deepest condolences! I had the privilege of serving with Aron this past summer while stationed at HQ USAFE-AFAFRICA, A4S, Ramstein ABS, Germany. It was my pleasure to serve our great nation along side him.
I'll always remember Aron as a loving husband, father, poker player, Miami Dolphin fan and Security Forces Defender!!
May the Lord give you comfort in your time of sorrow.
SMSgt Kevin L. Whitt
Hamilton, MO
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I spent a little time yesterday at the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall and at the "Through our eyes" exhibition tent. Though I was very young at the time of the Vietnam war I do remember the body counts that were displayed on TV. I also remember the horrendous way the media and the public treated these young men on their return. Since then we have as a society learned to be more respectful of those who serve and have served us. The following set of pictures are pictures of pictures. The caption that goes with the photo corresponding photo is displayed first. I hope to show a little of the life in Nam "through our eyes" of the soldiers that were there.
"Through Our Eyes"
Published by The Jagged Man
I am a 55 year old guy who is asking questions about life like "what does it all mean?" and " how come hair will not grow on my head but grows real fast on my ears and back?" you know the deep stuff. I am married and have been for 24 years to the same wonderful woman( read into that: she puts up with me and I married up). I believe in Jesus Christ and that He died for all. The rest I am still working on. View all posts by The Jagged Man


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Read Recent Sermons
Greater: A Series on Hebrews.Week 3
Greater: A Series on the Letter of Hebrews
Week 3: Greater than Moses
We're in week three and, ironically, chapter 3, of the book of Hebrews. From...Read More
Greater: A Series on Hebrews.Week 2
Greater: A Series on the Letter of Hebrews
Week 2: Greater, but Human
Carolyn reads Hebrews 2:5-18.
We are in our second week of a series on the NT book of Hebrews called,...Read More
Greater: A Series on Hebrews. Week 1
Greater: A Series on the Letter of Hebrews
Week 1: Greater
Read Hebrews 1:1-4.
If you've been a part of Byhalia UMC for any length of time, you will notice that we...Read More
2 Peter 2-3:"Truth, Justice, and The Way"
2 Peter:1-21
"Truth, Justice, and the Way"
Today we are going to round out the second letter of Peter. Remember that Peter was not only one of the first called...Read More
Knowing and Growing: 2 Peter 1:1-21
2 Peter:1-21
"Growing in Knowing"
If you knew you were soon to die, what would you want to tell other people before you went to be with the Lord? Would you want them to know how...Read More