#strictly business 1991

[cyarsk5230]

HALLE BERRY & JOSEPH C. PHILLIPS Strictly Business (1991), dir. Rolando Hudson & Kevin Hooks

[tvdramas]

✽  —  [  he/him, trans man, 32  ]  —  this season on barbosa rules, the crew will be following [ castle veteran ], the wonderful [ keiji furukawa ] ! they are working as a [ bartender at nymphas club ] this summer, and have travelled all the way from [ osaka, japan ] to do so! rumor has it, they [ participate in a not-so-legal fighting ring ] . silvia barbosa knows them to be [ impatient & disorganized ] , but they make up for it by being [ confident & loyal ] .

001. STATISTICS …

GENERAL DETAILS.

FULL NAME: keiji furukawa. NICKNAME(S): kei. AGE:   thirty2. DATE OF BIRTH:   october 21st, 1991. PLACE OF BIRTH:  osaka, japan. CURRENT LOCATION:  persephonē fortress. GENDER:  trans man. PRONOUNS:  he/him. ORIENTATION:  bisexual. OCCUPATION:  bartender @ nymphas club.

PHYSICAL APPEARANCE, ETC.

HEIGHT:  5'8. TATTOOS:   wouldn't you like to know? PIERCINGS: none. CLOTHING STYLE:  good question! whatever is clean at the moment.

HEALTH.

ALLERGIES:   none. SLEEPING HABITS:   terrible. non-existent sleep schedule. SOCIABILITY:  8/10. extroverted. DRINKING / SMOKING / DRUGS: socially / yes / socially. MISC:  hard of hearing and does not use hearing instruments. uses sign language when possible and reads lips. 

PERSONALITY.

TRAITS:  aggressive, nosy, ruthless, unorganized, confident, abrasive, hard mouthed, impatient, insincere, loyal. LIKES:  fights, making fun lil drinks, classic literature. DISLIKES:  being told what to do, thinking of home, losing. FEARS:  none that he (i) can think of. HABITS:  smoking, lying. HOBBIES:  video games.  

FAMILY, RELATIONSHIPS, ETC.

BIOLOGICAL PARENTS:  dead. ADOPTIVE PARENTS:  estranged. SIGNIFICANT OTHER:  none. BEST FRIEND:  tba. EXES:  tba. SIBLING(S):  yuji & renji, estranged. CHILDREN:  none. PET(S):  a goldfish named hammerhead.

002. BIOGRAPHY / HEADCANONS (very quick and very messy)…

[  trigger warnings:  parental death, violence.  ]

middle child... parents died when he was 7 in a disastrous house fire. older brother yuji got him and their younger brother, renji, out before it was impossible to go back in and get their parents. 

they were sent to live with their maternal grandparents who outright didn't like their daughter's choices (ie... marrying the man that she did) so they were a little wary of taking in her children. in the end, they decided they were only capable of properly raising yuji since he was the oldest and could take care of himself to some degree. in frustration, the night that decision was made, yuji and keiji got into a physical fight. 

after some time in temporary homes, renji was adopted by a foreign family and moved out of the country with them, while kei was taken in by a rich family in the pharmaceutical business

his adoptive parents wanted him to follow strictly in their footsteps, but kei was never one who really enjoyed doing so. he always acted out to the point that his parents gave up on him and had him sent to various boarding schools. 

etc etc etc at some point in his teen years he became close with someone who taught him how to fight properly, and he really, truly enjoyed getting into fights. why? idk don't look too deep into it he's sooo normal.

blah blah blah . he ends up travelling with some (much richer) friends as a new adult. does not go to college because fuck that noise... ends up settling in greece and hopping between bartending stints for a while

very much enjoys his lil job here. it's fun! he meets new people all the time and gets to fool around with people and make his silly lil drinks and if he clocks in with a black eye or fresh stitches, please mind your business. he does not participate in a fight club what gave you that idea. leave him alone. 

003. CONNECTION GUIDE …

PLATONIC unfortunately for everyone else, keiji is a very all or nothing type of person. it's either he likes you enough to get into bed with you or he hates you (likes you?) enough to punch your lights out. very few people fall into this middle category, but rest assured that he will literally kill for you if needed. fiercely protective over the few friends he does have. attack dog vibes you know? ROMANTIC keiji will sleep with people and pretend like he doesn't know them the next day. bad news: if you show keiji one ounce of affection even if it is a normal interaction misinterpreted as such, he will be at your door every day like a lost dog. if you somehow manage to figure him out, anyone that he sees as a threat against you (physically, metaphorically, whatever) … they're so done... he's got that attachment + abandonment issues combo, do with that what you will.  ANTAGONISTIC he's will seek out 'enemies' if only for attention and to instigate a fight (physical, verbal, whatever...). will punch first! but mostly he wants to goad others into hitting him so he can hit back. if you are his friend, your enemies are now his enemies. 

[seroothincs]

Part 6.

1989 - 1991

Aight, so you know shit is gonna go down in this because Tony and Legs are only now coming back to Springfield where many gangs and rivals have already claimed their territory over the city.

They had known they would be met with this issue, seeing as they once were the most feared in Springfield besides the DiMaggios and with them gone a lot of power and the empty chair at the top would be up for grabs.

Now they had to re-earn all their respect on the streets, but they couldn’t do it alone as a duo.

They had to find Louie, but it was more of a hunt for him this time, he wasn’t at the college he said he’d be continuing to attend and he hasn’t been seen in Little Italy or the east end at all. Tony eventually found him one day at the Glen Country club and Louie was not rather fond of seeing him again. Long story short, and after a heated argument. Tony came clean over what really happened and that sort of regained Louie’s trust? Eh- Louie was still not happy. It took some convincing to do once he got him to join the mafia again.

Anyways. Word on the streets were that the D'amico's were back, baby. And stronger than ever.

Now stronger than ever is an understatement, it was just the three of them currently.

Legs knew they needed to recruit new members to help them take back their territory. They began scouting for potential members and found some young, tough-looking guys who were eager to join their gang.

Some notable names who were a part of these new kids were Joey “The scar”, Joey “The Arsonist”, Ronnie “The Rifle” and of course, one man called Johnny Tightlips.

Now this fella was an eccentric one, he wore a purple suit with a fitting long coat and a hat. He once approached Tony in a bar, said he worked for Vittorio and warned him to not expand his business.

After having questioned his status, Johnny simply talked his way out of his question and left the bar with a warning. Tony was seriously not impressed with that man.

Back to the plot, they started small, taking over small businesses and extending their reach into the city. Smuggling and fraud were their special tactics, at times they even worked with the current Mayor Quimby together, one such thing no other gang had even thought about doing.

This continued to anger the rivals, even the DiMaggios. A final time Tony met Johnny, but he strictly stated that he did not come on the words of his boss, he came on his personal views.

Johnny talked about how he admired Tony’s courage to keep up with an old pain in the ass like Vittorio, Tony stated that Johnny could join them if he’d like.

Johnny replied he couldn’t, not while he worked for Vittorio. They left it at that and Johnny once again left.

That purple guy was really eccentric.

His words made no sense and Tony even detected a slight german accent behind him.

And time-skipped to some weeks having passed and the D'amico's were knee-deep into a feud with the DiMaggios.

This didn’t hold up for long as a second gang stepped into the spotlight, the two families had a shared enemy who was threatening both of their territories and operations, so they decided to set aside their differences and work together to take down this mutual threat.

And this threat were the Castellanetas, the don off the gang was a hated nemesis for Vittorio.

They planned together an attack that could scare the Castellanetas back into the corner they came from, and a side ambush to kill the don.

This was also the time where Tony met Johnny again, Vittorio introduced him formally to Tony and Vittorio was actually thinking about giving Johnny over to Tony.

He dealt with Vittorio for a long time and swore him his loyalty but he felt as if the young man didn’t get enough experience under Vittorio’s position.

He was old and Johnny was so young, he still had a lot to learn about the mob business and so he wanted him to join Tony.

Johnny didn’t give much of a reaction to this news but he was satisfied with that decision.

Several weeks into the preparations, someone came knocking on the door.

And here comes Jimmy “The axe”.

The three wiseguys were wondering what he was even doing here and he explained his situation.

Jimmy had previously overheard back in Italy how the DiMaggios and the infamous D'amico's were starting to work together to take down the Castellanas for good, everyone back home knew who Tony was and who Vittorio was.

Naturally Jimmy was deeply concerned for his nephew. He flew all the way back to the U.S.A to take Louie with him.

He wanted his only relative to be protected by him and he no longer wished for Louie to be affiliated with both Tony and Legs. Something the two found greatly anger over.

Louie did absolutely not let that slide and an argument soon broke out, in just one brief second Jimmy slapped Louie.

Causing Legs and Tony to intervene.

They continued to argue with Jimmy until the axe made it clear his request was now an order, demanding Louie to have his bags packed for tonight.

Legs was totally outraged by all this, thinking Jimmy can just walk in here and pull Louie with him back to Italy without his consent.

Tony was pissed off just as much as Legs was but he was also confused because Louie never mentioned that his uncle was Jimmy the motherfucking axe. He was a well-known mobster in the business and a respected made man.

Louie could not let Jimmy take him, he hated his uncle ever since he was 8 but now he really was upset with him.

His minor anger towards him was only caused by Jimmy who always had a say in what 9 year old Louie was supposed to do each day, turning into now a deep anger that Jimmy wanted to drag him away from his friends and his actual family.

They went ahead with their plan on the take-down on the Castellanetas for tonight.

It was all going so well until they had the whole gang cornered, when Legs wasn’t looking, they ambushed him and he was stuck with a gun pointed to his head by the direct capo off the Castellanetas.

In a brief second, Louie managed to save his friend from the enemy but without its own damage as Louie was struck with a knife in the back.

He was down and the Castellanetas fled the scene. They had to immediately get Louie out of there before the police arrived, what they didn’t know is that Jimmy “The axe” was right with the gangs as the whole thing went down.

Working under Vittorio for the remainder of the battle.

And he had seen everything of how Louie risked his own life for just one person, a person that his nephew seemed to really like.

Once at the hospital, Jimmy had arrived with some flowers and met Legs in the hall.

He asked if Louie was alright, Legs responded he was still under-going surgery, it could take a while until he would be open for visitors.

Jimmy simply replied that the flowers were a waste for it all and attempted to throw them away until Legs stopped him.

The two talked for a while, Jimmy mentioned how Louie seemed to be so selfless in rescuing Legs. Furthermore it became clear to Jimmy just how precious Louie is to both Tony and Legs.

That was the moment where Jimmy broke down, he came clean to Legs and talked about all the wrong-doings he put Louie through.

Legs listened to Jimmy's confession and could sense the sincerity in his words. He knew that Jimmy had always cared deeply for Louie, despite his past mistakes.

But he still was a bad man for treating Louie this way.

Not until Jimmy mentioned the part where he promised Louie’s father that he would take care of Louie, but he broke his promise and Louie hated the man Jimmy has become.

He could never forgive him even if they tried to fix it up. Legs comforted him and told Jimmy that Louie was a tough yet kind-hearted kid, if Jimmy were to explain everything to him then surely Louie would forgive him.

And that’s just what Jimmy did.

He went back to the old house of Louie’s parents and found just exactly what he needed.

After the Surgery and after Louie was met with Tony and Legs, it was finally Jimmy’s turn to visit him. Louie did not take his visit lightly and only replied with what he wanted.

Jimmy knew his nephew wasn’t fond of seeing him right about now, he only put down a box and said that hopefully this would clear their relationship up and said his goodbyes.

Jimmy even admitted that Louie would be happy to hear that Jimmy was going back to Italy, alone. Louie opened the box in curiosity. He could see multiple things laying in it.

One most crucial thing was a picture of himself when he was 3 with his parents, and one with his father and Jimmy on it.

There were two letters.

One had the name of Louie's father on it, while the other one had Jimmy's on it.

The Letter that was from Louie's father described how he was in deep trouble and he and his wife would soon pass away under mysterious circumstances, he wanted Jimmy to act as Louie's legal guardian, he also wrote that this would be the last time he would ever talk with Jimmy. So he said his final goodbyes.

In response Jimmy wrote that he will take care of his nephew, which he stuck to his promise of raising Louie, Jimmy also wrote that he will forever cherish and protect Louie since he was the last thing Jimmy had in his brother's memory and as a family member.

It was clear to Louie now that everything Jimmy did was only to protect him since both of them were the last they had on family.

Jimmy cherished this little kid who he raised like his own son. It was a bitter but needed realisation for Louie, that no matter how much he hated his Uncle, his Uncle only had good intentions for him. And Louie used those against him.

Saying his uncle only wanted to manipulate him all while Jimmy only wanted to protect him because they were on their own, the last ones of their families.

Once Louie finished reading both letters, he slowly sat laid back down on the bed. He was overwhelmed with tears, and his lips and face were twisted up as he let out a quiet sob. His whole body started trembling and his face scrunched up, his eyes turning red as the tears fell and rolled down his face, dripping onto his hospital gown.

It was maybe too late to change anything but Louie knew Jimmy wasn't that far away yet, he could still apologise to him.

Though as Louie was about to get up, his legs went out beneath him causing him to fall down, he was still weak after the operation but he didn't let that obstacle get in his way.

He just ran down the halls, feeling like he could run forever.

He even passed Tony and Legs in the halls as Legs had forgotten his jacket in Louie’s room. The two were deeply concerned about seeing him out of bed and ran after him.

Once Louie stood at the entrance to the Hospital, he noticed his uncle was about to step into a vehicle.

He yelled out to him and ran towards him, all while he was only dressed in nothing more but his hospital gown in the pouring rain.

Louie wanted to hug Jimmy so bad but he couldn’t, he stopped right in his tracks as he hesitated to.

This was his last chance to apologise, and he was determined to get this right.

Louie broke down in front of Jimmy and just admitted to him that was sorry.

His short confession didn’t hold on as Jimmy immediately hugged him, he dropped his umbrella in the process but didn’t care.

He just wanted to hug his nephew, and the two eventually broke down in tears.

Slumping to the floor as they hugged each other.

Legs and Tony watched on from the entrance and after a couple minutes, started nearing the two.

Legs was glad they finally got their apologies out.

Jimmy truly regretted that he couldn’t stay but he needed to go because of his business, though he promised Louie he would write every day.

With that they finally got their hatred out of their ways and Louie was on the path of recovery.

Over the past weeks, they succeeded in several more ambushes on the Castellanetas.

Sadly a few men of both the DiMaggios and the D'amico's lost their lives in the fight but they kept going strong and didn’t back down.

Their time finally came as they managed to reduce the territory of their rival, allowing the winners to come out on top. They didn’t defeat the don but at least they delivered a heavy blow on the Castellanetas resources and men.

After such a long feud, the two rival families settled it by becoming one big family.

Vittorio would still remain as the big boss while Tony would play as the underboss and soon would take Vittorio’s place as the head of the organisation.

Life was beginning to get better.

And now with Johnny Tightlips on their sides, he made him a caporegime, seeing as he earned that title after his many strategic in-puts during the gang war.

Legs and Louie stepped down from their positions to make way for Lefty and Righty, both very professional caporegimes who deserved this spot on the team.

[jodilinbio]

One night in 1991, bored out of my mind, I stumbled upon a fascinating service where I could leave voicemails. I started having fun, leaving edited messages from one machine on others, sharing outgoing messages, and generally getting creative with the system. It was part of a large magazine business.

On another evening, I was reorganizing my collection of tapes—conversations, pranks, and edits. Suddenly, I got a bad feeling. Something was telling me to call Andy and have him make backup copies through the speakerphone. I thought that maybe I should hide the tapes with Kim or disguise them by recording over store-bought ones. I knew that taping over the tabs of unwanted tapes could turn them into blanks, but I didn’t have enough of those to spare. Foolishly, I ignored my gut feeling, convincing myself I was being paranoid. After all, Andy had some copies.

The next morning at 10:30, I was startled awake by a knock on the door. I assumed it was Kim or Peter.

I was wrong. It was Chief B of the local police department, and with him were a detective named Carol and a couple of male officers. They had a search warrant.

“Don’t worry,” Carol reassured me as we sat in the kitchen while Chief B complimented my looks. “It’s not like on TV. They won’t ransack the place.”

That did little to comfort me.

I felt like a child again, watching helplessly as they went through my belongings, just like when my mom would clean out my room, tossing whatever she deemed unworthy, no matter how much I treasured it. I had the same problem with the staff in Brattleboro and Valleyhead.

The officers went straight for my tapes, taking every blank they could find. They even took my journal, which was on the kitchen table, though I got it back the next day.

In the South Deerfield/Greenfield/Northampton area, prank calls were treated like serious crimes, unlike in Springfield, where they were just seen as harmless petty pranks. Still, this was Massachusetts, and it was only a misdemeanor. Jail wasn’t a risk. Instead, I got a year of probation, which included a monthly $10 fee and mandatory counseling.

I connected with a woman named Cassandra from the only agency that made home visits, crucial since I didn’t drive or have access to public transportation. Cassandra was wonderful, and we were mutually attracted to each other, though she remained strictly professional. At 46, she was 20 years older than me at the time.

By late 1991, I was more miserable than when I first moved to South Deerfield nearly a year earlier. Tammy told me that she and Mom were considering moving me to Connecticut, closer to her, which stirred mixed emotions. While Tammy and I were getting along better, our lifestyles and interests were still worlds apart.

Back in the late ’80s, Mom and Tammy had suggested the Norwich Housing Authority, where I could live near Tammy with subsidized rent since I was low income, but I’d refused because I didn’t want to leave Andy. I wouldn’t realize until later, when I finally moved there in early 1992, that it wasn’t the right time back then. Everything has its time, I suppose.

Once I knew I was moving, I ran up a $1,400 phone bill under a fictitious name, and things went from bad to worse.

Much, much worse.

Before the move to Norwich, I had the same bad feeling I’d had when the idea was first proposed years earlier. I couldn’t pinpoint it, but every instinct told me something was wrong—something bad was going to happen.

But what choice did I have? I felt trapped, with no way out. I could stay in South Deerfield, feeling isolated, miserable, and alone, or I could take a chance in Norwich. At least in Norwich, I’d have my nieces nearby, even if Tammy and I didn’t share much in common.

So, I packed my things, and in early February 1992, Bill came to pick up Shadow and me.

Norwich was smaller than Springfield but bigger than the small town of Salem, where Tammy lived. Tammy’s house, a three-bedroom in a beautiful wooded area about 20 minutes from the coast, was a bit cramped for five people, but it was lovely.

The projects where I was moving to were located at the end of a long road on top of a hill. Bill and I met Tammy at the start of the road. We got out of our cars to chat briefly. While they talked, acting as if I wasn’t there, I glanced at the street sign. Beneath the street name, it said “Dead End.” I stared at those words—Dead End. Was it trying to tell me something? Maybe, because the next four months would be a complete nightmare.

“I don’t know how I know this,” I told Tammy, “but we’re making a mistake. Something’s wrong—like really wrong.”

“What’s wrong is that you’re being selfish, spoiled, and negative,” she snapped. “Where else would you go anyway? Back to South Deerfield? Back to Springfield?”

Why did people always confuse realism with honesty with negativity and rudeness?

“Give me enough money to get to Arizona, and I swear I’ll pay you back, no matter how long it takes,” I begged.

But Tammy and Bill ignored me, got back in their cars, and took me down that dead-end road.

I knew deep down that Arizona was the answer to my problems. Most of them anyway. Somehow, I just knew I was meant to be there. Life wouldn’t be perfect there—no place on earth is—but New England had nothing for me. If I’d known at the time what lay ahead, I could have told myself, “Just hang on for 102 days and you’ll be free.”

But I didn’t know, and the feelings of depression, anxiety, and hopelessness only grew stronger as I hit rock bottom.

[lboogie1906]

Ellis E. Williams (born June 28, 1951) is a film and television actor/comedian who is known for playing “Henry Hughley” (father of Darryl Hughley) on The Hughleys.

He was born and raised in Brunswick, Georgia.

He made his television debut in 1980 on Saturday Night Live, appearing in the chorus of The Pirates of Penzance when the cast of that Broadway show was the episode’s musical guest. He appeared in The Brother From Another Planet, as well as appearing in Code Name: Foxfire as a street singer. He appeared in Eddie Murphy Raw, as Eddie’s uncle.

He appeared in films such as Second Sight, Def by Temptation, and Basketball Dreams. In 1991, he made his first television appearance (since SNL in 1980), on an episode of Law & Order, as Ray Bell, then he appeared in numerous films: Hangin’ with the Homeboys and Strictly Business, opposite Halle Berry, Anne-Marie Johnson, Tommy Davidson, and Samuel L. Jackson. Other films include Me and Veronica, The Saint of Fort Washington, The Little Death, A River Made to Drown In, 8 Heads in a Duffel Bag, The Glimmer Man, and Eye for an Eye, among others.

He appeared in numerous sitcoms including Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper, Step by Step, Martin, The Jamie Foxx Show, Seinfeld, The Wayans Bros., Any Day Now, and Malcolm in the Middle. #africanhistory365 #africanexcellence

[theghostpinesmusic]

Sabbatical Project Preface Draft (4/4)

And the final part! Once I read over it a few more times, I'll also share the first full chapter, which is almost done (at least for the time being).

In his seminal book The Idea of Wilderness, Max Oelschlager writes that:

Archaic culture existed in some form for at least 200,000 years, and obviously a small human population distributed sparsely across the prehistoric world caused minimal environmental damage. Pollution, extinction of species, uncontrolled population growth, the diseases of civilization, war, and the threat of nuclear Armageddon did not exist. Clearly, the relevant data are often difficult to assess, but to suggest that the run of Western civilization, and industrial culture, may be relatively short term is not far off the mark. (17)

The wording here makes sense for a book first published in 1991; however, these days the suggestion that “industrial culture may be relatively short term” reads as quaint and perhaps even euphemistic: note the complete lack of mention of “global warming” or “climate change” in Oelschlager’s laundry list of civilizational threats. Thirty-three years later, in 2024, we are rocketing toward what future historians – if there are indeed any historians left in, say, 2200 – will undoubtedly characterize as a climate apocalypse.

David Wallace-Wells establishes the stakes at the beginning of his book The Uninhabitable Earth: Life After Warming when he writes:

It is worse, much worse, than you think. The slowness of climate change is a fairy tale, perhaps as pernicious as the one that says it isn’t happening at all, and comes to us bundled with several others in an anthology of comforting delusions: that global warming is an Arctic saga, unfolding remotely; that it is strictly a matter of sea level and coastlines, not an enveloping crisis sparing no place and leaving no life undeformed; that it is a crisis of the “natural” world, not the human one; that those two are distinct, and that we live today somehow outside or beyond or at the very least defended against nature, not inescapably within and literally overwhelmed by it; that wealth can be a reliable shield against the ravages of warming; that the burning of fossil fuels is the price of continued economic growth; that growth, and the technology it produces, will inevitably engineer a way out of environmental disaster; that there is any analogue to the scale or scope of this threat, in the long span of human history, that might give us confidence in staring it down. None of this is true. (3)

To call Wallace-Wells’ book a harrowing read is vastly understating the case. Add to the above litany the scores of scientific studies that suggest that, at this point, a significant amount of planetary warming is guaranteed: even if we were to all wave a collective magic wand and defray every one of Wallace-Wells’ warnings today, the planetary climate of the year 2100 would still be much more hostile to life – human and otherwise – than it is today.

According to the research summarized by Joel Wainwright and Geoff Mann in Climate Leviathan: A Political Theory of Our Planetary Future, one such study, conducted in 2012 by the International Energy Agency, “warned that without a change of direction, by 2017 the world would have energy infrastructure that ‘locked in’ emissions at a scale that closed ‘the door’ on the possibility of limiting global warming to non-disastrous levels.” (6-7) That was twelve years ago, and global carbon emissions have actually risen every year since, save for a slight dip in 2020 and an even slighter one in 2021 (both likely due in large part to the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily restricting the normal rhythms of modernity and leading to millions of deaths). Since 2021, we are back to business as “usual,” emitting carbon at unprecedented levels each year.

Of course, while global warming is undoubtedly our most existential threat, for most individuals it is at most the background against which other, more local and more immediate struggles take place: financial uncertainty, work-related burnout, physical and mental health problems, social rifts within families and between friends, lack of shelter, food, and/or water. Some of these struggles are endemic to modernity while others have been around longer than stone tools, but they are all reasons why, despite the vast acreage of scientific studies published on the matter, climate change gets mentally shifted onto the metaphorical back burner by most of us. Fundamentally, we are individuals who have evolved to operate within small social groups in spite of the vast panoply of humanity modernity paints into the background of our lives. Climate change feels – and maybe is – too big for us. But it is happening regardless.

For me, burgeoning awareness of the overwhelming scale of the climate crisis drove the ultimate disillusionment that came from COVID-19. We are enculturated into modernity at birth, told that we have inherited roles in a play called “Progress,” and that all of human history, everything that has come before us, has been leading to this moment – our moment – and that our purpose is to take the next step. This is the story of an unbroken line leading from a primeval past to a nearly unimaginably glorious future, and it is the story that religion tells (the Christian religion, among others) as well as the story science tells, because both operate side-by-side in the service of modernity.

Alongside this story, though, we are also increasingly convinced – especially since 2020 – that our society is falling apart. The economy is nosediving. Our politicians are ruled by greed and self-interest. The internet and social media are making us dumber (but we can’t look away!). There’s no money for repairing failing bridges or providing healthcare to those who need it, but there’s always money for bailing out failing corporations (in the name of “the free market”!). We’re becoming more diverse, but we’re increasingly afraid of diversity. Everyone can contribute to The Discourse now (but don’t click on the comments!). The world is on fire – metaphorically, but also literally if you live in Oregon during the summer.

So, what gives? Which one is it: are we speeding toward a glorious future, or are we doomed unless we find a way to return to “the good old days” that populists on both sides of the political aisle evoke in utopian terms to get votes from those of their constituents who have already given up on the story of Progress?

One thing is becoming increasingly clear, at least: though the end goal of modernity has always been that glorious future, en route to it we’ve managed to destroy the ecosystem of the entire planet that gave birth to us, the entire planet that is – as far as we know – the only place in the entire universe capable of evolving and supporting intelligent life. And as much as I’m a product of modernity myself, I can’t imagine a more damning indictment of “civilization” as we broadly understand the term than that.

As this is not a book about COVID-19, it is also not a book, strictly speaking, about climate change. If you want to learn more about climate change specifically, there are many authors who have already written at great length and with more eloquence about it than I ever could: I’ve mentioned a few of them above. Instead, I evoke climate change here as the clearest of many signs that we are deeply, apocalyptically out of touch with the Earth, our first mother. And that brings me back to the spring return of birds, the afternoon return of sunlight, Braiding Sweetgrass, love and dirt. To the deepest of connections, and the deepest of estrangements. To the question of why we struggle so mightily, in spite of all the signs, to locate our place with Earth’s community of life, even to the point of singlehandedly destroying it.

What this book is about, then, is my own journey toward finding an answer to this question by using this circle around the sun – this sabbath – to develop a better understanding of where we as a species have come from, and how we’ve ended up where we are now. In the end, I hope – both as a professional and as a person – that this knowledge of our past and our present can help me, in some small way, to contribute positively to our future.

If I learned one good thing from 2020, while COVID-19 was turning everything else I thought I knew upside down, it was the value of seeking out and listening to new voices. As I see it, when the ways you’re used to doing things have clearly failed you, you have two choices: either you stick your head in the sand, or you develop new ways gleaned from others who were better prepared to weather the storm. In my case, those new voices were other people, sure, but they were also animals, plants, the sun, the ocean, lakes and rivers, the wind, the mountains, the valleys, the moon and the stars. What I learned most immediately from being reduced to listening by my – our – apocalyptic circumstances is that I was not, in fact, being reduced at all. All of those things that modernity tells us exist only for our use truly come into their own when we begin, instead, to treat them as coevals. What’s more, we come into our own when we begin to treat them as coevals: we are not reduced, we expand.

Barry Lopez, whose voice has been one of my most valuable discoveries in the process of developing this book, writes in Embrace Fearlessly The Burning World that “Perhaps the first rule of everything we endeavor to do is to pay attention.” (xxi)

This book is the result of an earnest attempt to pay attention.

[dankusner]

Charlie Colella RODEO 2005

RIDE 'EM, COWBOY:

11.04.05

On his ranch in Pilot Point, Texas, Charlie Colella wrangles his quarter horses, Bailey, left, and Jet.

By Daniel Kusner

Good little Catholic boys from Polish-Italian households in Calumet City, are expected to play football and baseball.

And that’s what Charlie Colella did.

“But I never was any good,” he says. “My brother was the athlete in the family. And growing up, my dad was a coach, referee and umpire.”

Calumet City, a gritty south suburb of Chicago, is the town where the fabled St. Helen of the Blessed Shroud Orphanage is located — where The Blues Brothers got their orders to go on a “mission from God.”

“When I was 16, I looked around and I thought, ‘What’s my life going to be like when I’m in my 40s?”’ he remembers. “I couldn’t wait to get out of there.”

A change of scenery was definitely in order.

After a year of community college, Colella landed a job in Houston as a computer technician for Shell Oil.

He eventually migrated to Los Angeles to work for Xerox, “where I was a typical gay boy in the city. But something was missing in life. I just couldn’t find if” he says.

Through a new group of buddies, he attended his first gay rodeo in 1991.

And at that rodeo — without even practicing beforehand — Colella competed in a steer riding event.

“I just showed up. They told me what to do and how to do it. So I did,” he says. “It was the biggest adrenaline rush of my life. And whatever I was looking for, I knew right then and there that I found it.”

From steers, Colella hopped onto bulls.

But in 1992, a pelvis-crushing accident ended his days riding rough stock.

He never gave up on rodeo, however.

Now Colella’s strictly a horseman.

Two years ago, he moved back to the Lone Star State — bringing three quarter horses with him — and bought a three-acre ranch in Pilot Point, Texas, in northeast Denton County.

Pilot Point is apparently the heart of North Texas horse country, and Colella’s ranch is an idyllic portrait of the modem Wild West.

As I walk up to his fence, Colella’s excited 2-year-old filly, Jet, runs over to sniff me down.

“Put your mouth right up to her nostrils and exhale,” Colella says.

“Then she’ll be familiar with your scent.”

After trading breaths with Jet, she dashes off to the bam and bucks about, kicking sandy, soil high into the air.

The gay rodeo circuit keeps Colella busy.

Over the past year, he competed in eight out-of- town rodeos — traveling with his 10-year-old mare, Bailey, to Chicago, Oklahoma City, Kansas City, Little Rock, Wichita and other cities.

Next weekend, he doesn’t have to travel too far.

That’s when the 19th annual International Gay Rodeo Finals comes to Dallas.

The top 20 cowboys and cowgirls for each rodeo event have to qualify to be invited to finals.

During the two-day IGRA rodeo, Colella will compete in five events: pole bending, flag race, team roping, break away roping and calf roping on foot.

Colella is considered one of the stars of the Texas Gay Rodeo Association.

But he doesn’t measures his success in trophies (although he has nine sparkling belt buckles in his living room).

“I’m a city boy who’s now training my own horses,” he says. “I learned on my mare, and I’m the one riding her. That’s pretty' cool.”

A while back, his family came to see him compete at a gay rodeo in Las Vegas.

As he was getting ready for break away calf roping, a ladybug landed on his rope, a sign of good luck.

He caught the calf in five seconds.

“And right where I caught the calf was where my dad was sitting,” Colella remembers. “He was very impressed.”

[djevilninja]

Mary J. Blige - You Remind Me (Original)

*the original version off the Strictly Business soundtrack from 1991, with 50 more seconds of Mary riffing

[afrotumble]

George attended St. John's University and interned at the New York Amsterdam News. He was hired as black music editor for Record World and then as music editor for Billboard magazine(82 to 89). While there, George published two books: Where Did Our Love Go: The Rise and Fall of the Motown Sound in 1986, and The Death of Rhythm & Blues in 1988. He also wrote a column, entitled "Native Son", for the Village Voice (88-92). He first got involved in film when, in 1986, he helped to finance director Spike Lee's debut feature She's Gotta Have It.[6]

Literary work

George has authored 15 non-fiction books, including the bestseller The Michael Jackson Story in 1984, Blackface: Reflections on African-Americans and the Movies in 1994, Elevating the Game: Black Men and basketball in 1992, and Hip Hop America in 1998. In 2005, he published Post-Soul Nation, which further developed his concept of "post-soul" black culture. With Alan Leeds, he co-authored The James Brown Reader, a collection of articles about the "Godfather of Soul," in 2008. George's The Death of Rhythm and Blues chronicles and critiques the path that R&B has taken.

George has written three detective novels featuring bodyguard-turned-private investigator D Hunter. All three novels—The Accidental Hunter, The Plot Against Hip-Hop: A Novel, and The Lost Treasures of R&B—have been optioned by rapper/actor Common.[9]

Film and television work

In 1991, George co-wrote the Halle Berry vehicle Strictly Business and in 1993 he was co-creator of the movie CB4 starring comedian Chris Rock.

In 2004, George made a short film called To Be a Black Man, starring Samuel L. Jackson, and a documentary called A Great Day in Hip-Hop. Both titles appeared in festivals in New York, London, and Amsterdam. He executive-produced the HBO film Everyday People which also debuted in 2004 at the Sundance Film Festival.

Currently he is serving as co-executive producer of VH1's Hip Hop Honors television show and executive producer of Black Entertainment Television's American Gangster series, which was the highest rated series in the history of BET in 2006. His directorial debut, Life Support, starring Queen Latifah, aired on HBO on March 10, 2007. Latifah won several awards for her performance as Ana Wallace, including a Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild award, and the NAACP Image Award. The show itself won best TV film of the year by the NAACP.  

A resident of Fort Greene, Brooklyn, for more than 25 years, George wrote, narrated, and co-directed with Diane Paragas the 2012 feature documentary Brooklyn Boheme, portraying the uniquely vibrant and diverse African-American artistic community of Fort Greene and Clinton Hill during the 1980s and '90's that included Spike Lee, Chris Rock, Branford Marsalis, Rosie Perez, Saul Williams, Lorna Simpson, Toshi Reagon, writer Touré, writer Adario Strange, Guru of Gang Starr, Erykah Badu, and Talib Kweli, among many others. In 2015, George released A Ballerina's Tale, a documentary on Misty Copeland, a principal ballet dancer for ABT (American Ballet Theatre).

[sbrown82]

Halle Berry as “Natalie” in Strictly Business (1991).

[itsmyfriendisaac]

Antwone Fisher   (2002)

Baby Boy   (2001)

Bird   (1988)

Bring It On   (2000)

Candyman   (1992)

City Of God   (2002)

Claudine    (1974)

The Color Purple   (1985)

Coming To America   (1988)

Crooklyn   (1994)

Death Proof   (2007)

Die Another Day   (2002)

Django Unchained   (2012)

Eve’s Bayou   (1997)

Fame   (1980)

The Fruit Machine   (1988)

Good Burger   (1997)

Gothika   (2003)

Holiday Heart   (2000)

House Party   (1990)

The Inevitable Defeat Of Mister & Pete   (2013)

The Inkwell    (1994)

Inside Man   (2006)

Jackie Brown   (1997)

Juice   (1992)

Kinky Boots   (2005)

The Last Dragon   (1985)

Lean On Me   (1989)

Menace II Society   (1993)

Moonlight   (2016)

Pariah   (2011)

Paris Is Burning   (1990)

Philadelphia   (1993)

Polly   (1989)

Predator 2   (1990)

Purple Rain   (1984)

Queen Of The Damned   (2002)

Resurrecting The Champ   (2007)

Romeo Must Die   (2000)

Sarafina!   (1992)

Scream Blacula Scream   (1973)

Strictly Business   (1991)

What's Love Got To Do With It?   (1993)

The Wiz   (1978)

To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything, Julie Newmar   (1995)

Trash   (2014)

VAMP   (1986)

A View To A Kill   (1985)

X   (1992)

28 Days Later   (2002)

[nutty1005]

Xiao Zhan: Learning to Live with Different Opinions

Original Article: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/kFwWw70e6UvJ75egnRe7BA This article is published by Blogger World 博客天下 Weixin. This is also part of the article published in Blogger World 《博客天下》2020 8th Issue.

Giving others the space and freedom to voice different opinions is also a form of respect. Accepting criticisms during growth, displaying kindness in adversity.

Eye of the Storm

Acting is a profession, once you become famous, you will be labelled as “a celebrity” and you become a public figure, but in essence, you are still an average person. Just like everyone else during the pandemic period, they still need to stay quarantined at home and consider their daily meals.

“Celebrity” Xiao Zhan, who has a huge fan following, was also at home catching up on the movies on his to-watch list, watching dramas, reading, practicing his culinary skills – his work was no longer as tightly scheduled as before. This was supposed to be a rare relaxation period, but because of the sudden internet controversy, he found himself landed in the midst of public outcry, and this shattered his initial peace.

At first, he was quite confused, although he understood that any public figure would come with some sense of controversy, but when some of the controversy affected his friends and family, he felt that these were unfair to them. This point was something he could not quite understand.

After the passage of time, he slowly calmed down, and he attempted to learn to live with these different opinions. He feels that giving others the space and freedom to voice different opinions is also a form of respect, and he will accept criticisms during growth, and display kindness in adversity.

After a problem appears, the best method is to resolve the problem, and not to create another problem. This problem will obviously inspire fans (of any idol) to reflect on their actions, and consider how to reasonably handle themselves as a fan. At the same time, artists will also consider how to handle their relationships with their fans, and their teams will need to be more precise in their work. Whereas to the general public, when viewing the whole incident rationally, this can be also considered to be a part of creating a healthy internet environment.

Chance

When some people consider Xiao Zhan as one of the core members of the controversial “traffic” celebrities (TN: Traffic is a term that is used in China to describe idols with a lot of fan following), and lambast him for it, it is necessary to view his journey rationally – understand his chance entry into the entertainment business, and his unique qualities that set him apart from the rest.

Born in 1991, Xiao Zhan is almost 30, but he actually had not been famous for more than a year. Before this, like many other youngsters, he went through high school, university and work life, and never thought that he would become an artist. His university was Chongqing Technology and Business University; he majored in graphic design; while schooling he had received titles such was “Advanced Literary Individual” and “Excellent Team Member”, and also participated in the charity poster design competition organized by his university, winning awards “First Standard Award” and “Most Popular Award”; he even started his own studio with his friends. As such, it can be said that he went through a complete university education, and hence he has a certain amount of knowledge literacy.

After graduating in 2014, he worked for almost a year in a design firm. In June of the second year, because he loved singing, he joined a variety show “X-Fire”《燃烧吧少年》, in hopes of being seen by more people. This was not an easy part of his life – he had to learn dancing with zero foundation, stretching, memorizing movements, with great difficulty. Finally, he debuted as a member of the X-NINE X玖少年团 boyband.

That year, he was 25, and this fulfilled the lyrics of a song by Stefanie Sun – “The 25 year old me, there are differences now.” Then, he thought 25 years old was far away, but in the end it was really different.

However, at that point in time, China talent search variety shows did not have the popularity it would have later on, hence he was not popular upon debut – there was a period of dormancy. In the years following that, he switched paths to become an actor, and participated in web dramas, television dramas, as well as a minor role in the movie “Monster Hunt” 《捉妖记》, totaling a number of 7 to 8 shows. Because he did not come from an acting background, he felt inferior to his partners, who graduated from acting schools, during the shoots. During this period of time, he also doubted his decisions, and wondered if he had a future.

Later on, in the interview with Ren Min Wang 人民网 “Friendly Chat” 《友聊》 he said, “If initially I knew that I would later on go through so much things, I might retreat.” This is actually very similar with the encounters of many other actors, from low to high, from silent to outstanding, experience, works and reputation all have to go through an accumulation process.

At that time, he already had fans, although not too many. In his Weibo, he once had a post that was meant to communicate with his fans, named “Secret Garden”, to tell one another stories, encourage and comfort one another – it was a type of positive interaction.

Fame

The true fame came on the June of 2019. The web drama “The Untamed”, where he starred as the leading actor, aired. This drama came with a fan following from the novel it was based on, and with exquisite production quality, good acting portrayal and performance, this drama became the hottest drama of that year. It scored 7.7 in Douban (TN: Somewhat like China IMDB), which was considered above average in China, and it is worthy as a piece of “work” – although Xiao Zhan said in this interview, “Currently, I don’t think I have any piece of noteworthy work, hence I cherish every opportunity to participate in creative work.”

From this, he obtained a huge reputation, his fan size grew multi-fold, and this objectively created more difficulties for his team working behind him. From a commoner to an artist, and then to a celebrity, based on Xiao Zhan’s behavior, he is careful and cautious. When interviewed by China Youth Papers 《中国青年报》, he said “When I encounter difficulties, I will not give up easily, I will think of ways to resolve it”; “Respect everyone around me, I have to uphold the heart to honor and respect everyone around me.” When interviewed by Guang Ming Times《光明日报》, he hoped “the works that he participated in could transmit some positive values.”

At the end of last year, in CCTV Movie Channel, he also reviewed his legendary experience of 2019, “There are no adjectives to describe my 2019, hence I will say thank you, thank you to all the experiences, to all that I have.” He never talks about what role he is most satisfied with, but only that he could do better, “maybe it could be the next one”. At the same time, he expressed that he will put the focus of his career in 2020 on acting, “to an actor, works are my foundation.” This clearly shows that he is clear about his own acting career.

But evidently, the start of this year was not smooth sailing for him. This internet controversy, as a related party, he received numerous criticisms, whether with good or bad intentions, and how he viewed this whole incident, what psychological process he went through, how a public figure should bear the social responsibility, and what his next steps are…

For this, the aim of this Blogger World interview with Xiao Zhan is to “understand the problem, obtain a common understanding”.

Understood Some Things

(TN: R = Reporter, XZ = Xiao Zhan)

R: Earlier when the pandemic was at its peak, what were you busy with?

XZ: Quarantine, just like everyone else during the pandemic period. I remember it was during Chinese New Year period, following the news, seeing the medical personnel fighting at the forefront. It was especially touching when you see that they were relentlessly fighting even though they were facing a lack of medical supplies. At that time, I spoke with my staff, thought about wanting to do something, and do what I can. After the discussion to decide what to donate, we started contacting the relevant suitable organizations, communicate on what was needed, etc.

Besides this, I also received invitations to record ID videos to cheer on Wuhan and songs to beat back the pandemic. Because the songs required more professional equipment, hence I remember around the end of January, we went to the recording studio. At that time, the pandemic was at its critical period, to ensure safety, there were very limited staff on site, everyone were wearing masks, everything was strictly disinfected, every staff had to perform multiple roles, but we finished the recording with high efficiency. To me, this was a very special experience. Other then that, I was quarantined at home.

R: When you were at home, how was your daily life? How did you spend the time?

XZ: Actually just like everyone else, watch the news, watch dramas, watch movies, read books and rest. It is also quite inconvenient to order takeouts during quarantine period, hence I also trained my culinary skills. Just right at the time there were charity events to aid the farmers, hence I bought some fruits and farm products.

R: Were you concerned with the daily changes of the pandemic, what did you feel and think about?

XZ: Of course I did, I was following up on the pandemic news everyday, there were many moments that touched me. Previously there was this piece of news, a pair of husband and wife, there were both medical staff at the forefront, recognized each other despite wearing isolation robes and hugged together, that scene of reunion touched me very much. But at the same time, I saw that there were a lot more people who needed assistance, and I also felt personally that what one person can do is very limited, and I did too little.

R: When the internet controversy happened, what were you doing, what was your initial reaction, and what happened after?

XZ: I was quarantined at home at that time, when I first saw it I was extremely surprised, why there were suddenly so much topics, felt a bit confused, and understood it later like everyone else. Actually with regards to controversy, as a public figure, I was willing to bear these controversy, but some of them affected my friends and family, I felt that these were unfair to them. I could not quite understand (why they did this). And that point in time was the most critical period of the pandemic, I did not want my issues to take away too much attention, and bother everyone, hence I did not make much responses. Later on, my friends also gave me advice, and this period gave me more time to ponder over it, I also went out to do voice overs, in preparation for my future jobs, slowly I understood some things, so after a while, I started to slowly calm down.

R: You once said that in order to survive in society, one needs to learn to be complex, do you realize the complexity even more so now? Where there any changes to your life views?

XZ: There is definitely complexity, I do not think this is anything bad. Facing complex situations, we do not have the ability to force any changes, but I feel, as long as we maintain the most initial kindness and purity, work hard to do the best for the things we have decided. I have always upheld these principles, and these are also what I want to do.

R: Do you feel misunderstood? How do you adjust yourself?

XZ: It is still the same phrase from the previous interview, “When serious – work, when confused – read, when alone – think, when upset – sleep.” Actually I think this phrase can be used to aptly describe my condition for the past few months.

R: After a period of time, how do you feel about the controversy now?

XZ: We need to learn to live with different opinions, and also respect everyone’s rights to voice theirs. But this world is like this, there is a balance of energy, there are those who love you, who like you, at the the same time there will be people who hates you, who dislikes you. Giving others the space and freedom to voice different opinions is also a form of respect. Accepting criticisms during growth, displaying kindness in adversity.

No one likes you for no reason

R: We will talk about your experiences as an artist, when did you realize that you are famous? How did you feel?

XZ: Last summer, after seeing that there were more people who supported and liked me, very thankful and grateful. My father told me since young “no one likes you for no reason”, hence I hope I can live up to everyone’s like.

R: When you first entered the entertainment business, what goal did you hope to attain?

XZ: Actually my thoughts were very simple then, that is work hard to do the best in the competition, and hope to receive more recognition.

R: In being an artist, what did you feel is the most toilsome?

XZ: Every profession has its own toils, I treat my work very seriously, hardship is actually something you cannot avoid. If I really have to say something as toilsome, then it will be how I face the complex environment.

R: Many felt that you became famous overnight, but actually you already participated in several different dramas, how was your condition like then? What desires did you have for the future?

XZ: Actually there were not much difference, previously I just hoped that I always have jobs, have the opportunity to contact better roles, now is just work seriously, act properly, live everyday to the fullest. Continue on the path of an actor.

R: How did you learn performance? Where there any experience that was especially memorable?

XZ: At the start, I had no concept with regards to performance, later on I also took performance classes, with directions from performance teachers. The experience that was especially memorable was during the shooting of “The Wolf”, there was a crying scene on the highlands, a night scene, and it needed to rain, but that time, no matter what I did, I could not cry.

R: What do you think the relationship of front stage and back stage is?

XZ: I feel that front stage and back stage is not a type of relationship, but is the same job. Without the serious work and support of the backstage, the front stage will not be able to become better.

R: The character Wei Wuxian gave you a lot of glory as well as some controversy, how did you view the role?

XZ: I treat every role I have acted in seriously and with deep respect, because their story are all alternate lives that I would never experience. And portraying these characters, I really hoped that we can achieve success mutually, and win the recognition and love from the audience. I am lucky and thankful to have participated in a part of Wei Wuxian’s life, and this role also became an important part of my acting career. Also I am very grateful to the hard work from all the staff as part of this creative work, and gifted this character vitality. All these creative artists gave me the chance, and allowed me as an actor, using my own thoughts and performances, to bring forth the character Wei Wuxian, even more vividly in front of the general audiences.

R: With regards to “work”, how do you define it?

XZ: I feel that a piece of work is not just the result of a person’s hard work, behind it are also everyone’s sacrifices and creation. Currently, I don’t think I have any piece of noteworthy work, hence I cherish every opportunity to participate in creative work, and also treat every job seriously, in the future I will do my best in singing and acting.

R: The journey of fame, how did you establish your confidence, from inexperience to mature?

XZ: It is definitely a slow process. Actually it is just like that lyric in my new song “All traces passed by turned into light spots.” That is when you encounter difficulties, from it you learn and grow, the accumulation of every step, you are always on the path of growing.

R: In facing the exhaustion from work, the disturbances from the outside world, do you feel that fame is a double edged sword? How do you hope to be viewed by the outside world?

XZ: I feel that anything has its pros and cons, I have already learnt to handle it with common sense, I hope that I am still the same initial me, to be able to maintain humility and politeness.

R: Are you afraid of the uncertainty of life? Do you have insecurities?

XZ: Of course I am. Life is made up of a lot of uncertainties, many times I would also feel insecure, but isn’t the unknown life’s greatest challenge? The feeling of “singing as you walk” is great.

Be yourself, actions speak louder than words

R: You once said in an interview that you do not want to be a perfect person, can you explain what you meant?

XZ: I feel that no one can be perfect, neither can I.

R: Actor, artist and traffic celebrity, what do you think the difference are in these terms?

XZ: Actor is my career, artist and traffic celebrity, to me, are just a label, that is on every public figure. I will do the best for my job, in the future I will be even more serious in my singing, acting, and continue to bear whatever social responsibility I should bear.

R: You once said that communication is very important, now that you are too famous, will this bring about difficulties in communication?

XZ: The changes in my identity definitely brought along some inconveniences, but to my friends, my family and me, the communication has always remained the same. In facing those who like me and support me, I feel that I am communicating with them via my works, hence I will humbly accept all good intent criticisms and corrections on my profession.

R: You did not change your Weibo account after your debut, and also said that that you are very real, and you want to show everyone the real you. To the public who do not understand you, what do you have to say?

XZ: I always said, I am not a perfect person, but that does not prevent me from working hard towards becoming a better person. I am a more direct person, I also wanted to present the real me to everyone, hence I never considered changing my Weibo account, those were all my experiences and memories, the testament to my growth. I will not use youth or commoner as an excuse.

I started using Weibo when I was 19 or 20 years old, when I was still young and a commoner, and I said some very inappropriate words or opinions that are unacceptable now, and it probably did cause trouble or hurt to others. Hence I also wanted to say, after reflecting, to those who were hurt by these opinions, I express my most sincere apologies. If I could use my current experience and sensibleness back then, I would definitely respect everyone’s effort in their work, and will not comment rashly.

R: Your Weibo used to be very lively, full of witty words, you also liked to snatch the top comment on your own posts, and interacted with your fans, but later on, these posts were generally non existent, almost as if your image became flat, how do you feel?

XZ: Just representing myself only, I feel that the image on social media cannot encompass an entire person, that is only an outlet. I am always willing to communicate with everyone, but I am also afraid to bother others, if the effect of bother becomes greater than sharing, that would be something that I very much would not want to see.

[papermoonloveslucy]

LUCY SHUNS AUDITIONS

July 21, 1950

[In the below article, reprinted verbatim, Johnson writes using a lot of imagery and insider jargon.  This sort of article was common in trade papers like Variety, but seems odd in a daily newspaper.]

Hollywood—(NEA) Lucille Ball slipped me the lowdown on her failure to pin to the canvas the dumb chick role in “Born Yesterday” and make it holler uncle. (1)

She’s got a touch of Francis the mule in her when it comes to auditions. (2)

Instead of scrimmaging for the role with Evelyn Keyes, Judy Holliday, Marie Wilson, Shelly Winters and Jan Sterling, (3) Lucille went bolting the other way. 

The “let’s-see-if-you’re-it” boys pleaded and cajoled. 

But Miss Anti-Auditions wasn’t having any of the competition, thank you. 

“I figure if they want you, they want you,” Lucille plainspoke it. If you’ve got to read and test for it, to heck with it.’

She isn’t chronicled in Hollywood history, but once, badgered by her RKO bosses, Lucille went tripping over to David O. Selznick’s office for a whack at the Scarlett O’Hara role in “Gone With the Wind.” 

That’s what curdled her in the first place. 

“It was awful,’’ Lucille shudders. I was shaking all over when I hit Selznick’s office. My knees gave way. I did the whole audition in scrubwoman position. Selznick laughs and says thanks a lot. (4)

Judy Holliday landed the junkman’s doll role and Lucille grabbed a railroad ticket for a personal appearance tour with hubby Desi Arnaz. She strutted to Latin rhythms, swung a glittering purse in a manner dear to runaway girls and wisecracked for the customers. (5)

MIMICS OSCAR WINNER 

At the last moment she nixed a dancing and singing routine. The star with the forest-fire hair shrugged: 

“I decided it would be silly to compete with Grable.” (6)

A lot of movie queens laid in fresh supplies of smelling salts, ice beanies and copies of “Release From Nervous Tension” when word got around that Lucille was about to whoop it up on the six-a-day circuit. (7)

She’s a blister-raiser from way back and the air was shrill with ouches about a year ago when she whipped up an impression of an Academy Award winner. 

But the girls can go back to worrying about other things—like shrinking from larger-than-life to television screen size. 

Lucille didn’t let any “furriners” see the routine. 

“It's for Hollywood only," she said. “I should take radio-active material on the road?” 

Her Oscar-grabber routine is strictly for unreal anyhow, she says. and no blood relation to Bette Davis, Olivia de Havilland, Ingrid Bergman or any other Screen Duse. (8) She insisted:

“She's any movie star, even me. This character has to go up on that stage and act surprised. She’s only been rehearsing what she's going say flor eight weeks. So she says, ‘Ye gads, me?  But I’m so unprepared. Really, I didn’t dream...” Lucille is generally is as unflinching about the movie queen business as Pearl White was about onrushing trains. (9)

But her knees executed some wobbles that aren’t in Arthur Murray’s rhumba dance book when she checked into her first vaudeville dressing room. (10)

“Those stages—they’re so big.” she gasped. “Hey, I’d hate to get caught in the middle of one of those stages without bread and water.” 

Lucille didn’t take any chances with out-of-town press interviews, either. “I once did a personal appearance tour with Maureen O'Hara and had to show up at a press party,” she grinned. (11)

My sinus - I just die from it - was acting up. The reporter next to me didn’t understand my puffed eyes and cold sores. He called Maureen a lady in his story. But he referred to me as a whisky tenor with red-runny eyes.” 

Lucille’s brain cells work on direct current and she’s not one to make with the figure eights when a straight glide to home base would get her there quicker. 

They still laugh about her exit line to Louis B. Mayer. (12) Mayer always referred to her as a thoroughbred and sometimes compared her to his famous horses. "Yes, and like your other nags, I'm leaving your stable," Lucille said when she decided to bow out of her contract. 

She has high hopes for her new picture “The Fuller Brush Man.” Not that she enjoyed it: (13)

“Honey, this ones that I don t enjoy turn out be the best ones.  This one put me in the hospital. My feet are still bandaged up. I’m a mess. No more physical-type pictures for me.”

#   #   #    FOOTNOTES FROM THE FUTURE

(1) The 1946 Broadway hit comedy Born Yesterday by Garsin Kanin was bought by Columbia Pictures. Things got complicated when its stage star, Judy Holliday, swore she would not do the film version. Columbia used this as fuel for publicity about who would win the role.  Naturally, Lucille Ball was considered a top contender.  As the article states, she was not eager, however, to prove her worth to the ‘let’s-see-if-you’re-it’ boys (aka producers).  There was talk of Lucille performing the play in London, or summer stock, but her film contracts would not allow her time off for a stage run. 

(2) Mules are supposedly notoriously stubborn animals - just like Lucy. Francis the Talking Mule was the star of seven popular Universal-International film comedies. The character originated in the 1946 novel Francis by David Stern III, adapting his own script for the first entry, simply titled Francis.  On “I Love Lucy” Fred Mertz sometimes called Ethel “Francis” to indicate she was being stubborn about something. 

(3) These were some of the Hollywood stars looking to play the part of Billie Dawn in the film Born Yesterday. Evelyn Keyes (1916 – 2008) was best known for playing Sue Ellen, Scarlett O’Hara’s kid sister, in Gone With The Wind (1939).  Judy Holliday (1921-65), changed her mind about playing the role she originated on Broadway, but by then the casting net was cast, and she was just another performer on the short list. She eventually got the role, which defined her career. Marie Wilson (1916-72) was a zany comedic actress in the style of Gracie Burns. She was widely known as the star of radio and TV’s “My Friend Irma”. Shelley Winters (1920-2006) would be nominated for an Oscar the year after this article. She was adept at playing drama and comedy, and had a long-lasting career in Hollywood.  She appeared on “Here’s Lucy” in 1968; Critics raved about her Jan Sterling’s portrayal of Billie Dawn in the Chicago touring company of Born Yesterday and Columbia brought her out to the West Coast to test for the film. At one point, she was actually announced to play the part but the role ultimately went to Holliday.

(4) Lucille Ball did indeed read (not screen test) for the role of Scarlet O’Hara, just like nearly all of the women in Hollywood in 1938. Ball told the story several times on television, each time with varying details, but probably most completely on “Bob Hope’s Unrehearsed Antics of The Stars” (1984).

(5) This is a vivid description of the “Cuban Pete / Sally Sweet” portion of Lucy and Desi’s nightclub act to convince sponsors to buy them as a couple. 

(6) Betty Grable (1916-73) was considered one of the most famous pin-up girls in history. In addition to her million dollar gams (legs), she could sing, dance, and act, too. She guest starred with her then-husband Harry James on “Lucy Wins A Racehorse”, an installment of “The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour” aired on February 3, 1958.

(7) “Release from Nervous Tension” was an actual best-selling book by Dr. David Harold Fink, published in 1950. Vaudeville and Burlesque shows were often known as the ‘six-a-day circuit’ because sometimes there would be as many as six performances of the same act in a day.  Naturally, this did not apply to Lucy and Desi, who were big film and radio stars at the time. 

(8)  These were some of Hollywood’s top-line dramatic actors. Bette Davis (1908-89) had won two Oscars, and was nominated for several others during her long career. She was supposed to guest-star on “The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour” in “The Celebrity Next Door” in 1957 but dropped out after a horse-riding accident, leaving the role to Tallulah Bankhead; Olivia de Havilland (1916-2020) had also won two Oscars, the second the year this article was published. She was best remembered for playing Melanie Wilkes in Gone With The Wind (1939); Ingrid Bergman (1915-82) was a Swedish-born actress, who, by career’s end, had scored three Academy Awards.  When Johnson talks about “any other screen Duse” he is referring to Eleonor Duse (1858-1924), an Italian-born stage actress known for her grand, dramatic style.  

(9) Pearl White (1889-1938) was best known as the silent film actress who was tied to the railroad tracks in “The Perils of Pauline” (1914).  

(10) Arthur Murray (1895-1991) was a ballroom dancer and businessman best known for the chain of dancing schools that bear his name. Murray was often a punchline on “I Love Lucy,” especially when the subject of dancing came up. The Rhumba was a Latin dance that took America by storm in the late 1940s and 1950. Desi Arnaz often called his orchestra a ‘rhumba band.’ 

(11) Maureen O’Hara (1920-2015) and Lucille Ball had starred in Dance, Girl, Dance in 1940. As a result, the two went on a promotional tour that took them to several US cities, including the nation’s capitol. 

(12) Louis B. Meyer (1884-1957), along with Samuel Goldwyn and Marcus Loew of Metro Pictures, had formed a new motion picture company called Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) in 1918. Over the next 25 years, MGM was "the Tiffany of the studios," producing more films and movie stars than any other studio in the world. Mayer became the highest-paid man in America, and one of the country's most successful horse breeders. Both he and MGM reached their peaks at the end of World War II, and Mayer was forced out in 1951, just a year after this article was written. 

(13) Erskine Johnson gets the title wrong. Lucille had madeThe Fuller Brush Girl, a sequel to The Fuller Brush Man (1948).  The film was released in mid-September 1950. 

[babymilkaction]

GLOBAL TRADE: Safer labelling on baby foods and drinks urgently needed

  IBFAN FUF comment

IBFAN RUTF comment

IBFAN COMMENT FOPN

IBFAN ENCA CRD 46th CCFL 3

  Governments must take the lead on public health policies:  Safer labelling for baby drinks and foods urgently needed.

46th Codex Committee on Food Labelling

IBFAN will be attending  the Codex meeting on labelling  – Monday 27th September- 7th October (and the webinar on Front of Pack Labelling 21-22 September).

Agenda Item 4 includes two important labelling decisions carried over from the Nutrition meeting (CCNFSDU) Proposed Draft revised standard for Follow-up Formula   (see FUF comments) and the Guidelines on Ready to Use Therapeutic Foods  (see RUTF comments)  

IBFAN PROPOSAL

Follow-up formulas and Drinks for Young Children are used and regulated as breastmilk substitutes in many countries so the standard should be aligned as far as possible with the WHO policy,  including the ban on cross promotion,  a deceptive tactic that misleads parents and carers.  The term ‘refer to’ is not enough to stop products appearing similar.

9.6.5 The labelling of the product as defined in Section 2.1 shall not  refer to OR RESEMBLE  infant formula, follow-up formula for older infants, or formula  for special medical purposes intended for infants, including numbers,  text, statements, or images of these products. 

Alternatively:

 The labelling of the product as defined in Section 2.1 shall not CROSS PROMOTE  infant formula, follow-up formula for older infants, or formula  for special medical purposes intended for infants, including numbers,  text, statements, or images of these products. 

__________________________________________________________________

PROPOSED DRAFT GUIDELINES FOR READY TO USE THERAPEUTIC FOODS (RUTF)

The current draft guidelines refer only to the weak labelling safeguards for Foods for Special Medical Purposes (FSMPs) –  products that are on general sale.   Claims are MARKETING TOOLS that are not appropriate for therapeutic foods. WHA Resolution 63.23 forbids health or nutrition claims on foods for infants and young children.

IBFAN PROPOSAL for RUTF label:  

Section 12 must include the following text:

It is recommended that the labelling of RUTF for children from 6 to 59 months with SAM be in accordance with the Standard for the Labelling of and Claims for Foods for Special Medical Purposes (CXS 180-1991), the General Standard for the Labelling of and Claims for Pre-packaged Foods for Special Dietary Uses (CXS 146-1985), and Guidelines on Nutrition Labelling (CXG 2-1985)..and the  Guidelines for Use of Nutrition and Health Claims (CXG 23-1997) that include a prohibition  on the use of nutrition and health claims for foods for infants and young children.

There should be the following prominent��WARNINGS:

This product must only be used for the therapeutic treatment of Severe Acute Malnutrition,  strictly under medical supervision

Potable  drinking water must be available for children receiving RUTF treatment.

Not for general sale

  Useful links:

  Exporting countries put trade before the health of the planet and children. IBFAN Press release,  Nov 2019 

WHO/UNICEF INFORMATION NOTE – Cross–promotion of infant formula and toddler milks, WHO, 2018).

Worldwide Baby Food Drink Market In-depth Research Report 2021, Forecast to 2026, expects 7.7% growth from $68bn in 2020 to 91bn by 2026 – more than 30% in 5 years!

_________________________________________

IBFAN ENCA CRD CCFL

IBFAN Brief in spanish

_________________________________________________________________________________

CODEX COMMITTEE ON FOOD LABELLING (CCFL)

PROPOSED DRAFT GUIDELINES ON FRONT–OF–PACK NUTRITION LABELLING   (CX/FL 21/46/6 June 21)

(Prepared by the Electronic Working Group Chaired by Costa Rica and Co–chaired by New Zealand

IBFAN is advocating that FOPNL should NOT appear  on products 0-36 months.   WHO guiding principles and framework manual for front-of- pack labelling for promoting healthy diets recommend excluding baby foods on the basis that since FOPL schemes – unless restricted to warnings – are promotional and this would be against WHO policy that forbids promotion and any health and nutrition claims for such products. Concerns about high levels of problematic ingredients (sugar, salt fat etc) are better handled through limits set by Codex or national legislation. FOPL is designed for the general population , not for  specific categories of foods.

The proposals should be government-led with adequate COI  and transparency safeguards. There should be no reference to ‘collaboration with the Private sector’  since this could imply inappropriiate influence of the policy setting process.   

  It is not MANDATORY for any country to adopt a Codex text – countries are, however, expected to use them as a basis for legislation and not be more trade restrictive than necessary.  If a Codex standard does not allow a country  to achieve its public health objective effectively the government can go further.

IBFAN COMMENT FOPN

Posición-IBFAN Spanish

46th Codex Committee on Food Labelling cl21_19e.  CLICK HERE for report CX/FL 21/46/627 September–1 October and 7 October 2021

Please share IBFAN’s comments on both these items  your government delegations in the hopes that they can take our concerns into account.

WHO guiding principles and framework manual for front-of- pack labelling for promoting healthy diets

_______________________________________________________

CODEX COMMITTEE ON NUTRITION (CCNFSDU)

PROPOSED DRAFT GUIDELINES FOR READY TO USE THERAPEUTIC FOODS (RUTF)

IBFAN comment RUTF

_________________________________________________________________-

DRAFT REVISED STANDARD FOR FOLLOW-UP FORMULA (CXS 156-1987) SECTION B: DRINK/PRODUCT FOR YOUNG CHILDREN WITH ADDED NUTRIENTS OR DRINK FOR YOUNG CHILDREN

IBFAN Step 7 FUF

ENCA- Codex FUM section B

Here in Spanish: Posición IBFAN en Codex 2021

____________________________________________________________________

IBFAN COMMENT PROPOSED DRAFT GUIDELINES ON FRONT-OF-PACK NUTRITION LABELLING at Step 3 – submitted 1st September 2021

General Comments

Front of Pack Nutrition Labeling (FOPNL) can be a means to provide additional information to those who purchase pre-packaged foods and provide a system for making decisions about food products available in the market-place. Moreover it has the potential of reducing consumption of food ingredients and products that contribute to unhealthy diets.

A number of underlying principles are essential for the effective implementation of FOPNL policies.

For FOPNL to be effective IBFAN considers a mandatory system of WARNINGS to be much preferred. Research of countries where FOPNL has been voluntary shows limited uptake by the food products industries and hence the ability for product comparisons is compromised and the expected health benefits are under realized.

Processed complementary food products and formulas for infants and young children should not have FOPNL as this will be promotional of certain products over other products and contrary to the provisions of the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes and subsequent WHA resolutions. To effectively safeguard infant and young child health, it is preferable to have warnings on these products.

Codex must address the environmental impact of the global trade in unnecessary food products. The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) estimates that 21–37% of total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are attributable to the food system and that climate change will have important negative impacts on food security. Green lighting the ultra-processed, excessively packaged with plastic/styrofoam products may reduce the consumption of a few harmful food ingredients yet will continue contributing to increasingly alarming levels of environmental degradation.

In view of the need to safeguard policy setting from commercial influence, IBFAN believes that the business term ‘stakeholder’ is removed from all Codex texts.  Advocating for public health goals/objectives is very different from seeking commercial/profit ones. It is misleading to group all constituents under this term.

Specific Comments

It is critical that the implementation and policy setting for FOPNL be led by national governments who are accountable and responsible for the overall health and nutrition of their citizens. To fulfill their obligations governments must ensure that policy development is free of commercial influence while ensuring adequate participation from civil society, independent academics, health associations, and other relevant constituencies.’

 We see no need for a Codex text to list collaboration or consultation with specific interested parties since this is likely to open the door to abuse and legitimise corporate lobbying – placing the businesses on the same level as all other actors.  Governments have a duty to protect citizens and ensure appropriate consultations.

Principle 4.3.1 The text should. read:

FOPNL should be government led and developed in collaboration with all interested parties including  government, consumers, academia, public health associations, private sector among others, by ensuring robust safeguards against conflict of interest.

Section 2.2 Exclusion for foods and products intended for infants and / or young children

Commercial foods and products intended for infants and young children should not be included in the guidelines for FOPNL. The International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes and subsequent resolutions of the World Health Assembly govern the labeling and marketing of a number of these products. These include infant formulas, formulas for special medical purposes, follow-up formulas and drinks for young children. A number of Code provisions also cover complementary foods for older infants and young children. Claims are not permitted by Codex Guidelines on Nutrition and Health Claims or WHA Resolution 63.23 that urges Member States “To end inappropriate promotion of foods for infants and young children and to ensure that claims not be permitted for foods for infants and young children”  

The FOPNL would be contrary to provisions in the International Code as they are promotional in essence by preferring one product to another.  This may lead parents and care givers to perceive these products as being endorsed by government authorities and thus have a negative impact on breastfeeding decision-making. In effect FOPNL on formulas for infants and children will have a negative impact on infant and young child health.

Similarly complementary food products should not be included. These products are highly processed and their consumption should be discouraged. Older infants and young children fed processed complementary foods risk dental caries, obesity and develop preferences for bland “white” foods. Ultra-processed products invariably contain chemical additives to stabilize, emulsify, thicken, regulate acidity, and act as anti-oxidants etc.  Many ingredients are  “permitted” by Codex Alimentarius standards, some at regulated levels and others according to “good manufacturing practices”, with their safety declared not by independent and convincing science but on the basis of political consensus and claims of “history of safe use”.

Public health nutrition policy promotes the consumption of healthy nutritious foods for optimal health and development as well as the development of life long preferences for healthy foods.  FOPNL in these situations can act as a marketing tool for the consumption of inappropriate ultra-processed food products at a vulnerable stage of growth and development.

  IBFAN COMMENT ON FOPL IN SPANISH

  POSICIÓN DE IBFAN

BORRADOR DE PROPUESTA SOBRE ETIQUETADO DE NUTRICIÓN EN EL FRENTE DEL ENVASE (ETIQUETADO FRONTAL)

Paso 3

    Observaciones generales

(1 de set. 2021 – Equipo de trabajo IBFAN sobre Codex Alimentarius, Adaptada al español por la Coordinación IBFAN LAC)

  El etiquetado frontal (FOPNL por sus siglas en inglés) puede ser un medio para proporcionar información adicional a quienes compran alimentos pre-envasados ofreciendo así, un sistema para tomar decisiones sobre los productos alimenticios disponibles en el mercado. Además, este etiquetado tiene el potencial de reducir el consumo de ingredientes alimenticios y productos que contribuyen a dietas poco saludables.

  Una serie de principios subyacentes son esenciales para la implementación efectiva de las políticas de FOPNL. Para que el FOPNL sea efectivo, IBFAN propone un sistema OBLIGATORIO de ADVERTENCIAS. La investigación muestra que en los países donde el FOPNL ha sido voluntario, las industrias de productos alimenticios han aceptado el etiquetado de manera limitada, y por lo tanto, la capacidad de comparación entre productos se ha visto comprometida y no se dan los beneficios esperados para la salud.

  Los productos infantiles complementarios procesados y las fórmulas para lactantes y niños de corta edad no deben tener FOPNL, ya que esto sería promocionar ciertos productos sobre otros, y sería contrario a las disposiciones del Código Internacional de Comercialización de los Sucedáneos de la Leche Materna y las Resoluciones posteriores de la AMS. Para salvaguardar eficazmente la salud de lactantes y niños pequeños, es preferible tener ADVERTENCIAS sobre estos productos.

  Por otro lado, el Codex debe abordar el impacto ambiental del comercio mundial de los productos alimenticios innecesarios. El Grupo Intergubernamental de Expertos sobre el Cambio Climático (IPCC) de las Naciones Unidas estima que entre el 21% y el 37% de las emisiones totales de gases de efecto invernadero (GEI) son atribuibles al sistema alimentario y que el cambio climático tendrá importantes impactos negativos sobre la seguridad alimentaria. Iluminar con color verde los productos ultraprocesados – de todas maneras, envasados excesivamente con plástico / espumas de poliestireno, etc – podrá reducir el consumo de algunos ingredientes alimentarios dañinos, pero no hará que estos productos dejen de ser contribuyentes a los niveles cada vez más alarmantes de degradación ambiental.

  En vista de la necesidad que tenemos de proteger que las políticas se definan sin influencia comercial, IBFAN cree que el término “partes interesadas o asociadas” es de corte comercial y por lo tanto, debe eliminarse de todos los textos del Codex. Abogar por metas/objetivos de salud pública es muy diferente a buscar metas comerciales o lucrativas. Es entonces engañoso agrupar a todos los constituyentes bajo el mismo término de “partes interesadas o asociadas

  Comentarios específicos

Es fundamental que la implementación y el establecimiento de políticas de FOPNL sea un proceso liderado por los gobiernos nacionales ya que éstos son los responsables de la salud y de la nutrición general de su ciudadanía. Para cumplir con sus obligaciones, los gobiernos deben garantizar que el desarrollo de las políticas públicas esté libre de influencia comercial, al tiempo que deben garantizar la participación adecuada de la sociedad civil, la academia independiente, las asociaciones de salud y otros grupos relevantes.

    Por lo anterior, no vemos la necesidad de un texto del Codex que enumere la colaboración o la consulta con partes interesadas específicas, ya que esto muy probablemente abriría un portillo al abuso y legitimación del cabildeo que realizan las corporaciones y colocaría a las empresas al mismo nivel que los demás actores que velan por la salud pública. Los gobiernos tienen el DEBER de proteger a su ciudadanía y de garantizar las consultas apropiadas.

  Principio 4. 3. 1 Por lo anterior, el texto debe decir:

El FOPNL debe ser dirigido y desarrollado por el gobierno en colaboración con todas las partes interesadas, incluidos el gobierno, los consumidores, la academia, las asociaciones de salud pública, el sector privado, entre otros, asegurando salvaguardias sólidas contra los conflictos de interés.

  Sección 2.2 Exclusión de los alimentos y productos destinados a lactantes y/o niños de corta edad

Los alimentos y productos comerciales destinados a bebés y niños pequeños no deben incluirse en las directrices de FOPNL.

  El Código Internacional de Comercialización de Sucedáneos de la Leche Materna y las Resoluciones posteriores de la Asamblea Mundial de la Salud rigen el etiquetado y la comercialización de muchos de estos productos. Están incluidas las fórmulas infantiles, fórmulas con fines médicos especiales, fórmulas de seguimiento y bebidas para niños pequeños. Varias disposiciones del Código también abarcan los alimentos complementarios para lactantes mayores y niños de corta edad.

  Las declaraciones de propiedades saludables y nutricionales no están permitidas por las Directrices del Codex sobre Nutrición y Salud y por la Resolución 63.23 de la Asamblea Mundial de la Salud, que insta a los Estados Miembros a poner fin a la promoción inadecuada de alimentos para lactantes y niños de corta edad y a garantizar que no se permitan las declaraciones de propiedades saludables en los alimentos para lactantes y niños de corta edad. Por lo anterior, el FOPNL sería contrario a las disposiciones del Código Internacional, ya que en esencial, es un etiquetado promocional que preferiría un producto sobre otro producto. Esto puede llevar a las madres, padres y cuidadores a la percepción de que estos productos están respaldados por las autoridades gubernamentales y, por lo tanto, tendrían un impacto negativo en la toma de decisiones sobre la lactancia materna. En efecto, el FOPNL en las fórmulas infantiles tendría un impacto negativo en la salud de los bebé y niños pequeños.

  Del mismo modo, el FOPNL no debe incluirse en los productos infantiles alimenticios complementarios. Estos productos son altamente procesados, innecesarios y su consumo debe ser desalentado. Bebés mayores y niños pequeños alimentados con alimentos complementarios procesados corren el riesgo de caries dental, obesidad y desarrollan preferencias por alimentos “blancos” suaves. Los productos ultraprocesados invariablemente contienen aditivos químicos para estabilizar, emulsionar, espesar, regular la acidez y actuar como antioxidantes, etc. Muchos de estos ingredientes están “permitidos” por las normas del Codex Alimentarius, algunos están en algún nivel regulados y otros dejados a en las manos de las “buenas prácticas de fabricación”, con una declaración de seguridad – no basada en la ciencia independiente y basada en evidencia- sino en un consenso político y de “historia de uso seguro”.

  La política de nutrición de salud pública promueve el consumo de alimentos nutritivos saludables para la salud y desarrollo óptimo, así como el desarrollo de preferencias de alimentos saludables, de por vida. Dadas las circunstancias, el FOPNL podría convertirse en una herramienta de marketing que incentiva el consumo de productos infantiles ultraprocedados e inapropiados, en una etapa vulnerable de crecimiento y desarrollo infantil.

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  GLOBAL TRADE: Safer labelling on baby foods and drinks urgently needed was originally published on Baby Milk Action

[thedistrictroleplay]

ID:

Name | Nickname | Age:  Alycia Camila Acosta | Aly | 29 Birthday | Astrology:  August 2, 1991 | Leo  Pronouns | Sexual identity:  She/her | Bisexual  Birthplace | Raised:  Miami, FL Residence:  Upper Northwest Occupation:  Regional Director, Acosta Group Faceclaim: Victoria Justice 

TRIGGER WARNINGS: none? 

TIMELINE: 

1950s- The Acosta family migrates from Puerto Rico to Miami.

1970s- The Acosta family forms the Acosta Group, a realty firm with holdings all across the Americas.

1989- Michael Acosta (Aly’s older brother) is born.

1991- Alycia Acosta “Aly” is born to Manny and Amy Acosta in Miami Florida.

2007- Aly wins her first Women's WSL World Tour at only 15.

2008- Aly and Nick’s relationship begins at Camp Walt Whitman (summer), Aly and Nick visit D.C. for Nick’s mock UN event (October), Aly visits Nick in NY for Christmas / NYE.

2009- Nick visits Aly in Miami for prom, Aly visits Nick in NY for prom, Nick and Aly break up at the end of their senior year. Aly starts college at The University of Miami. Aly meets Ben in English class and they begin dating.

2011- Aly and Ben break up because Aly finds out Ben is married with a baby. She probably tries to murder his lying, cheating ass.

2014- Aly moves to NY to attend Columbia.

2015- Aly and Nick blackout and wake up married.

2016- Aly graduates from Columbia and begins working for the Acosta Group. Her work takes her all over the Americas as she opens regional offices for the firm. When she isn’t obligated to travel for work she splits her time between Miami and wherever Nick is.

2020- Aly’s abuela dies. There is a power shift within the Acosta Group. Her brother Michael assumes more responsibility and influence. Aly collects a lofty inheritance.

2021- Aly opens the Acosta Group’s office in D.C. and decides to stay as the regional director for the North Eastern United States.

BIOGRAPHY:  

During the Great Migration of the 1950′s, the Acosta family moved from San Juan, Puerto Rico to Miami, Florida where they started their real estate business; The Acosta Group. They dominated the Miami market of luxury residential and commercial property, all while raising six children. Once their children were grown, each one assumed an integral role in the company that allowed the business to expand up the East Coast. The eldest, Manny, assumed the role of C.E.O in the 1980′s and fostered the company into the real estate empire that it is today.

Only one thing superseded Manny’s ambition, and that was his faith. The Acosta family were devote Catholics, which is what prompted Manny to marry Amy Wilson just a few months before the couple welcomed their first child into the world. A son they named Michael, after Manny’s father. It was a loveless marriage, but Manny didn’t believe in divorce and Amy had much to gain financially from the arrangement.  Their second child was just as much of a surprise as the first, however quickly became her father’s favorite.

Alycia Camila Acosta was born August 2nd, 1991 on the hottest day Miami had seen in a decade. Nicknamed Aly by her brother. No one loved her more. Michael took his role as a big brother seriously. Before Aly could walk he taught her to swim, and she quickly began following in his every foot step. He protected her from feeling unloved in a household where their father always worked, and their mother preferred social clubs to raising children. They took care of one another, and it was obvious that there was no one else more important to either than each other.

While Amy exhausted every effort to live the life she had always dreamed of through her daughter, Aly resisted at every turn. She purposely preformed poorly in pageants, and sang off key in choir. The only thing she indulged Amy on was camp Walt Whitman, an illustrious summer camp in New England, and only because her brother went along too. It was a place she should’ve been grateful to attend, but by eleven Aly only wanted to spend summers in the ocean. She’d learned to surf alongside Michael, and possessed a natural talent and great skill on the board. Even before high school she began competing, and at only sixteen Aly won her first Women's WSL World Tour.

It wasn’t the kind of accolade Amy had in mind for her daughter, but as long as she kept her grades up the Acostas allowed it. Academia was easy for the brunette, even as she attended Miami’s most prestige Catholic schools. She excelled from the start, especially in math, and skipped a grade in middle school. With extra curricular activities and academics Aly kept busy, but it wasn’t her schedule that kept her from dating. Rather, the obscenely strict rules her parents enforced, and while Michael was usually always Aly’s advocate, on this he seemed to agree with them.

The summer before her senior year Aly fell unexpectedly for her long time camp Walt Whitman friend, Nicholas Vanderbilt. His family’s notoriety made him an acceptable candidate for her parent’s exceedingly high expectations, and the twelve hundred miles of distance between Miami and New York City eased their worries about any inappropriate conduct. While Aly truly did love Nick it was incredibly difficult for her to imagine an immediate future with someone so far a way. After making a pact to get married at 40 if they were both still single the pair parted ways before college.

At The University of Miami Aly studied business. It was a well established precedent amongst the Acosta that every member of the family contributed to The Acosta Group, even though for her that just meant a figurehead role. Michael bore the brunt of their parent’s business expectations, and therefor all the responsibility. For which Aly was extremely grateful because her interests were strictly surfing and social. During undergrad Aly won two more Women's WSL World Tours, and was a frequent but casual dater. She struggled to find someone with whom she shared real passion and was starting to wonder if she’d already had her one, epic love until she met him. Bennett Ryan Brody. Aly was falling in love before she even realized what was happening. Head over heels, stupid in love with every six foot and five inches of him. If it wasn’t enough to look and fuck like an actual god he strung words together more brilliant than any symphony she’d ever heard. Maybe it was kismet that, for as hot as their love burned, it all ended in flames.

Eager to put some distance between herself all the heart break that had happened in Miami, Aly accepted Columbia’s invitation to attend grad school in New York. Her MBA was really just a formality, but she loved life in the city. It was strange place, but familiar enough with her long time friend and ex, Nick, also living there. The lines of friendship had always been blurry for them, and their relationship grew even more complicated when Aly and Nick blackout exchanged vows. A divorce was messier than either family wanted, especially with Nick’s budding legal career. So, they agreed to stay married and try to make things work. Which they did, for a little while, but then they both graduated and work got in the way.

Long distance wasn’t unfamiliar to either party, but it certainly wasn’t desired. Aly spent years after grad school opening offices for the Acosta group up and down The Americas, which left them with no other options. She would visit whenever she was close to wherever Nick was working, but it was inevitable that they both began to see other people. Unsurprisingly, Aly couldn’t commit to anything serious. Her list of one night stands longer than she cared to admit because a part of her would always feel guilty. A part of her would always feel like Nick’s.

In the Spring of 2020 Aly’s abuela, the largest shareholder of the Acosta group, passed away. The disbursement of shares and funds created a power shift within the company. Aly inherited a lofty sum that came with a legal reminder of her marriage to Nick and their lack of a prenup.  Her older brother Michael assumed more responsibility and influence, which later resulted in his promotion to the Acosta Group’s CEO. With her brother calling all the shots Aly had more control over her life. After opening the D.C. branch of The Acosta Group she requested a permanent position in its office as the regional director for the company’s North Eastern division. The stability comes with proximity to friends and a relationship she’s hoping to figure alongside questions Aly has about herself. Her travels changed her, even if she’s not quite sure how yet.

Aly is written by Ash.

[onyxinc]

          𝙰𝙲𝙲𝙴𝚂𝚂𝙸𝙽𝙶   𝙾𝙿𝙰𝙻  𝚂𝙾𝙲𝙸𝙴𝚃𝚈  𝙰𝚁𝙲𝙷𝙸𝚅𝙴𝚂  .  .  .

                                          𝙲𝙾𝙽𝚃𝙸𝙽𝚄𝙴  ?                                                  𝚈  /  𝙽

ACCESSING  FILE   .   .   .   OPAL STATS

name  :  ingrid  wén

gender  /  pronouns   :   cis  woman   /   she&her

age   :   fifty -  one  year  old

hometown   :   barnet,   london,   england

current  whereabouts   :   unknown

year  of  graduation  :  1991

major  :  neuroscience  and  global  studies

lineage  :  onyx

marital  status  :  single

orientation   :   homosexual,   homoromantic.

occupation  :  field  agent,   secret  intelligence  service   (   mi6   )

face  claim   :   lucy  liu

ACCESSING  FILE   .   .   .   BIOGRAPHY

          long  before  her  time  in  the  secret  intelligence  service,   ingrid  considered  her  background  classified.   it’s  not  as  though  she’s  ashamed  of  her  past  or  suffered  some  sort  of  unspeakable  tragedy  one  might  refuse  to  talk  about.   she  simply  prefers  to  keep  the  important  things  private,   and  her  family  is  no  expection.   the  daughter  of  two  first - generation  chinese  immigrants,   ingrid  grew  up  in  northern  london  in  a  loving,   working - class  household.   her  parents  were  older  than  most  of  her  peers’,   having  had  her  later  in  life,   but  other  than  that,   her  childhood  was  relatively  ordinary    —   if  not  a  little  boring.

          from  the  very  start,   ingrid  was  the  type  to  reach  for  the  highest  rung.   if  she  wanted  gymnastics  lessons,   she  would  spend  her  evenings  scrubbing  floor  mats  to  afford  them.   if  she  wanted  a  brand - new  bicycle,   she’d  sit  her  parents  down  and  deliver  a  well - mannered  presentation  as  to  its  mutual  usefulness.   and  when  she  set  her  sights  on  a  university  far  outside  their  financial  means   —   she  made  it  happen.   her  first  year  at  strathmore  was  strictly  business,   what  with  the  ambitious  double  major  she’d  declared   (   what  ingrid  desires,   ingrid  achieves   ),   and  her  academic  prowess  and  tight - lipped  demeanor  caught  the  eye  of  her  predecessor.   the  opal  society  wasn’t  something  she  even  knew  she  wanted  until  it  was  dangled  like  a  carrot  before  her  eyes     —   perhaps  that  was  the  appeal.

          circlet  bonding  didn't  exactly  come  easy  to  ingrid.   her  fellow  prodigies  came  from  such  starkly  different  backgrounds  to  her  own.   they  were  rambunctious,   entitled  from  years  of  pampering  and  silver  spoons   —   known  to  speak  ten  words  when  a  meager  two  would  suffice.   in  her  most  jaded  moments,   she  thought  it  might  be  the  onyx  curse  to  always  be  on  the  outside  looking  in,   an  eagle - eyed  observer  perched  high  among  the  flock.   that’s  not  to  say  it  was  all  bad.   it  was  during  the  instruction  period  that  ingrid  felt  the  most  challenged,   expertly  conquering  each  insurmountable  task  thrown  her  way.   in  the  meantime,   she  began  to  collect,   learning  to  wield  the  power  of  deduction  to  her  advantage.   she  absorbed  secrets  like  a  sponge  and  stored  her  rolodex  of  findings  in  the  safest  place  she  knew   —   her  mind.

          soon  enough,   the  previous  circlet  had  graduated  and  she  was  moving  her  designer  luggage   (   a  hush - gift  from  a  certain  professor  she  happened  to  have  dirt  on   )   into  the  manor,   occupying  the  bedroom  she’d  rightfully  earned  the  year  before.   her  circlet  became  her  surrogate  family,   though  you’d  have  to  pin  her  down  and  torture  the  words  out  of  her  before  she’d  readily  admit  it.   despite  the  tenderness  she’d  developed  for  them  during  instruction,   she  continued  to  keep  them  at  an  arm’s  length,   but  she  was  always  watching   —   a  silent  protector,   ready  to  leap  into  action  at  a  moment’s  notice.   instead  of  feeling  morose  over  the  distance  she’d  placed  between  herself  and  the  rest  of  the  world,   it  made  her  feel  powerful.   omnipotence  fit  ingrid  like  a  glove,   and  she  took  pride  in  confidently  knowing  that  whatever  mess  her  circlet  had  gotten  themselves  into,   she’d  be  able  to  get  them  out.

          fresh  out  of  university,   ingrid  already  had  a  job  lined  up  at  a  premiere  research  hospital  in  zurich,   but  all  that  changed  when  she  was  approached  at  graduation  by  a  recruiter  for  mi6.   the  secret  intelligence  service  had  been  scouting  her  for  a  while  now  and  extended  an  invitation  to  join  their  ranks,   but  ingrid  had  had  her  fill  of  top - secret  organizations for  a  while.   she  politely  turned  them  down  and  went  on  her  way,   but  it  didn’t  last  long.   she’s  always  felt  most  at  home  in  the  shadows  and  the  harsh  fluorescents  of  the  lab  made  her  feel  all  too  exposed,   so  the  next  time  SIS  sent  a  recruiter  her  way,   she  up  and  joined  their  ranks.

          nearly  thirty  years  later,    ingrid  continues  to  live  and  breathe  secret - keeping.   she’s  made  herself  indispensable  to  the  service  and  is  one  of  their  most  reputable  agents,   well - known  for  her  quiet  intensity  and  ability  to  get  the  job  done,   no  questions  asked.   with  a  wealth  of  resources  and  connections  at  her  fingertips  from  her  employ  and  time  in  the  society,   she’s  not  above  playing  dirty  and  using  leverage  to  optimize  her  chances  of  success.   when  it  comes  to  her  personal  life,   ingrid  is  fifty - one  years  old  and  happily  single,   most  at  ease  with  the  company  of  herself,   her  work,   and  her  russian  blue  cat,   mikhail.   while  she  doesn’t  keep  in  touch  with  her  circlet  in  the  traditional  sense   (   the  discreet  nature  of  her  career  path  doesn’t  allow  for  social  media,   not  that  she  ever  saw  the  appeal   ),   they  know  that  if  they  ever  truly  need  her,   she’ll  be  there.