Weekly Review
This week’s review can only be about NFTs! Community DAO is making and selling NFTs. We’re there! Almost all of our designers who have gotten pieces into the C0MM/DAO Corral have made at least 1 sale. At the time of this writing, we have 37 NFT assets from a half dozen designers and lots more to come. Check here to keep up with our progress: https://www.ravenist.com/collections/c0mm-dao-corral
This is what we are doing full-time now. I foresee that much of our future development will revolve around translating this from art and design to a variety of other asset structures, like real estate or antiques or iodine or cheese straws or gold, as Ravencoin is uniquely structured to handle “tokenizing the world.”
NFTs are not just images minted to a blockchain. They are a window into a completely different type of shop or economy altogether. Everything will have an NFT aspect one day, a structured way of verifying reality through the power of decentralized blockchains. I have been studying the phenomenon for over a year now, and many things have become more clear over time. At first, you just see these images that are popular for some reason. But the art aspect is just the cutting edge of the technology being showcased. NFTs represent a total reorientation of the way we do business and interact because the emerging paradigm will replace the stock market, centralized regulatory bodies, and even the State itself. We are in the midst of a revolution. You are not allowed to be bored!
One of the main challenges, however, is to attract a larger base from the mainstream. And a good way that I have come to look at this in my various circles is that Facebook and Instagram seem to represent this mainstream, on a bit of a lag, while Twitter and Discord represent newer formats of discourse, especially surrounding blockchain tech, cryptocurrency, and NFTs.
So, outreach efforts on these fronts strike me as a type of front-line. Large masses of people tend to develop herd mentalities, and when these are oriented towards ends or goals that are obsolete or perhaps not wholesome or truly benign, human progress, innovation, and evolution can really get set back, even irreparably. Here is a key article that helped me gain clarity about the stakes involved, going forward on the new “web3” path from late last year: https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaeldelcastillo/2021/11/18/gemini-raises-400-million-to-protect-the-metaverse-from-meta-facebook/?sh=113ac82a5f57
Since then, of course, we have seen the bottom fall out of the crypto market, seriously threatening the future of the blockchain as a free, open source, and decentralized worldview. What is the alternative? Well, none can see the future with perfect prescience, but looking in the direction of Centralized Bank Digital Currencies or CBDCs is probably not too far off the mark. That is unless we galvanize efforts and hold the ground that Bitcoin first trailblazed in the wake of the mortgage crisis and banker bailouts of ‘08 and ‘09. The stakes are high.
Our organization Community DAO fits right into the contemporary “Battle of the Blockchains” by maintaining the decentralized Community ethos upon which we were originally founded, as a banner organization, and still the only DAO actively forming on Ravencoin.
All roads lead back to the importance of the “Community” as a starting block. And so, we will continue to promote that concept by sponsoring voices in our organization to operate in a friendly, civilized, communal manner, reflecting the positive philosophy underlying the core Decentralization movement. That is why every week, we solicit reports or updates on the personal lives of our members, encouraging them to tell their stories and work on projects that enable them to realize their creative goals and various skill sets.
The Alterverse Sky City Commtower project continues to evolve as a future receptacle and amplifier for our latent “NFT Agency'' development in Discord and Twitter and irl. And to that end, this holiday season, we are providing access to this incredible Metaverse interface.
We are including access privileges to the world through 12/23/22…
NOW OPEN: SKY CITY ALPHA!! Closed Alpha Testing starts now and runs through Dec. 23rd. Featuring "12 Days of XMAS" from Sky City... daily promos to earn rewards, prizes, holiday gifts & more!
Video Preview:
JOIN THE ALPHA:
1- Download the Game Installer: https://alterverse-alpha.s3.amazonaws.com/install/AlterVerseInstall.exe
2- Minimum System Requirements: Windows 10 Home - 64 Bit 16 GB RAM CPU: i5 6400 CPU @ 2.7 GHz or equivalent GPU: Nvidia GTX 970 - 4 GB RAM or equivalent DirectX 12 with the latest video drivers.
We encourage all members who have the computer specs to get inside the world and go visit the Commtower!!! There is a fishing tournament going on as well as other quests and opportunities. Building momentum through a Metaverse presence will continue to be a staple of our pipeline, as this will enable us to sell NFTs of every variety in a cross-chain world and to grow our organization by being an active player here, competing with other chains in games or socializing as well as attracting others using the space for their organizations. Those who get into the world and are able to take a screenshot of their avatar in front of the lobby counter of the Commtower will receive a complimentary Whiteball up through December 23, 2022. Just DM me or post your screenshot where we can see it in one of our forums like Twitter or Discord.
Okay, that is enough from me. Now back to minting NFTs…
Let’s hear from the rest of the Community.
Best,
Dow —PS - Don’t forget to also check out the 12 days of Ravenmas! Listen to the spaces!:
Stats
Twitter Followers: 1,359
Discord Members: 484
My Christmas Holiday
As a child growing up in Nigeria, my Christmas holidays were always filled with joy and happiness. Every year, my family would gather together to celebrate the holiday season. We would exchange gifts, enjoy traditional Nigerian foods, and dance to festive music.
One of my favorite memories is when I was seven years old, and my cousins came to visit from The Eastern part (Igbo). It was so much fun spending time with them and learning about their culture. We would stay up late talking, laughing, and sharing stories. I will never forget that special Christmas holiday.
Another memorable aspect of Christmas in Akwa Ibom State is the music. On Christmas Eve, churches all over the local area hold Midnight Masses. These services are usually filled with beautiful hymns and gospel songs. After Midnight Mass, people often stay up all night talking and laughing with friends and family members.
I have so many wonderful memories of Christmases past at home. I am truly blessed to have been born and raised in such a vibrant and loving culture.
My Holiday
I had applied for a month's leave at my workplace, and to my surprise, it was approved. I packed a few clothes together with my personal items into my medium-sized bag. Now I am going to spend my holiday at my native home.
I boarded a cab. I was the only passenger on it, and yes, I paid for all the seats. And as we entered the environs, I could see some old women and youngsters with bunches of firewood on their heads, a thatched hut that had been turned into a bar for locally made drinks like palm wine.
We got to the compound. Flowers were planted at the side of every building. Grandma was cooking in her kitchen hut. I could see her bending down to blow on the fire.
She finally got up after hearing the sound of the car engine.
I rushed to hug her. My eyes were already teary due to the smoke. She hugged me tightly, still shouting joyfully. I took my bags as I trailed behind her.
Grandpa was probably in the forest hunting; he is one of the best hunters the village has.
I changed to something casual, then joined Grandma in the kitchen hut not too long. Grandpa came back with an old-looking sac and his locally-made gun. I hugged him and collected the bag from him. He responded with a smile and asked how my journey was.
I didn't want to stay in the compound throughout the holiday. I thought of taking a stroll, not like I knew where I was going. I saw some kids with buckets, and I followed them until we got to the stream.
"What a beaut," I said to myself.
They fetched water into their buckets from a particular side of the stream.
The water further out looked cleaner, and I wondered why they took it from the shallow side.
I took my slippers off and stepped into the water. It felt nice on my feet. I kept walking further and stopped to look around the growing trees, especially the one that stood a few meters away from me, really big.
I looked into the water and noticed something big, maybe a rock, but it had patches. I traced where it was headed, and my heart skipped. It was a big snake. I was in the middle of it. My heart pounded without mercy.
I stood there, frozen, not until an old lady that came to fetch water saw me and gestured with her hand to come. I shook my head, but she still gestured. I took a step and another until I was out, and the snake still lay there.
She told me the snake doesn't harm anyone. It guards the stream, but I'll have to appease it. I got home and explained everything to my grandparents. We didn't hesitate to buy two goats, and with the help of the chief, all was done.
This was one memorable moment in my life. I swore never to leave the compound until I traveled back.
How I Spent My Christmas Holiday in 2020
This Christmas season will always be a special memory. It was initially pretty dull, but as soon as I left for home, I began to imagine a beautiful and enjoyable vacation.
The good times began as soon as I left for my village. I got on an Akwa Ibom State Transport Corporation (AKTC) bus and made four amazing friends there that I would never forget. They are what I would term "the wonderful four," consisting of three handsome men and a stunning woman.
We had a great time on the trip to Akwa Ibom, bonding with each other like we had known each other for a long time. The lady looked very wonderful and had a lovely smile on her face all the time. She could sing any song for you till you fell asleep, and because I adore music so much, I didn't want to take my eyes off her. She was also a really talented vocalist. She sat next to me and was bursting with lovely tales. Regarding the three men, I might state that they are unquestionably comedians. I could recall one of their stories about a corporate Berger they saw in a Lagos street, which made me laugh so hard that the driver had to join in. Excellent pals.
Due to the driver's excessive slowness and the traffic in several places, we arrived in Benin City at midnight. As a result, we checked into a specific hotel in Benin City and spent the night there. We didn't get any sleep the entire night since we were chatting and sharing various anecdotes about the country's Endsars matter and the Corona pandemic while outside by the pool. It was a great evening. Thanks to these pals, I was already in the holiday spirit, and I'm happy we've remained friends to this day. I'm glad I met them. The next morning, we carried on till I arrived at my town. That Christmas was the finest ever for me because all of my family members, including my unexpectedly-arrival-at-Christmas uncle Joseph, came over. We took a moment to give thanks to God for life, protection, and provision throughout the pandemic year. And this Christmas holiday has been the one I remember the most.
Holiday memories from my culture and home country at the end of the year
Magnificent time of year! No, not due to Christmas songs or gift-giving. The reason behind this is that the end of the year is a time for family, friends, and cultural traditions.
December is a time for many of us to reflect on our blessings and recall beloved memories from previous years.
Enchanting Decorations:
When you enter a home that has been decorated for the holidays, it is like entering a winter wonderland. The decorations are so enchanted that they steal your breath.
My family goes all out with our holiday decorations every year. We have a large Christmas tree in the living room and decorate the entire house with garlands, wreaths, and lights. We have even set up a Nativity scene in our front yard.
It brings me great joy to see my home decorated for the holidays.
Every time I enter, I feel as if I've taken a step back in time to my childhood. It's as if I've been transported back to my childhood home, and I am able to relive those precious memories.
My Hometown Memories
There is often a specific form of nostalgia that perturbs most of us humans once we undertake prolonged periods of schism from our native or sometimes childhood domain.
This nostalgic factor is more often than otherwise further fueled by such elements as memories and, at times, childhood fantasies that are consumed by the dawn of adulthood or reality to a particular extent. Put differently, we all have places we grew up as children. For some of us, this place was what could be referred to as a hometown, while for others, it was just a place of inhabitance at that point in time. The somewhat nostalgic elements that enforced the continued awe of our childhood environment or hometown for some are also set on their way by the fact that these memories help take us back in time to an era of relative innocence and simplicity, thus providing an escape from harsh realities of adult life. In the light of my personal experience and life trajectory from the moment of unentanglement from roots, these nostalgic memories are what have helped preserve that taint of innocence and childlike aura that we all need in sufficient quantity in order to be able to undertake novel tasks and learn new things the way children do.
Having offered a look into the concept of hometown ties and the bulk of things that come with it, it is also pertinent to note that one's hometown experiences are often influenced by factors such as childhood friendship, school, and the parental coterie around the family. These factors help pass judgment on one's childhood experiences as well as the whole experience of the hometown. Put differently, the mentioned factors help to allay any fears in the minds of the readers and persona alike that such constructs may form formidable obstructions on the path of anybody. From a much more personal standpoint, the experiences of my hometown are closely knit or intertwined with that of childhood. The reason for this is not far-fetched but takes directly from the fact that my hometown experience coincided with the bulk of my childhood days. Below are three memories of my hometown.
1. Hometown Family Compound
In African culture in general and Nigerian culture in particular, it is seldom you find a family that doesn't have at least one ancestral family compound built by a member of the generation far-off or a building that is relatively much more recent. So many people around Nigeria usually stay at such family compounds when they travel to their hometown, mainly during festive periods like Christmas and New Year for the Christian population of the country. My experience does not offer much of a difference from this general rule. This is because even as an adult, some of the most vivid memories I have of my hometown family compound are during festive periods, which usually coincide with the new year festivities.
The compound was so large that it had numerous compartments and also rooms for each adult member of the extended family. The children, like myself at this point, had to make do with shared apartments. More often than not, I would share a room with my brothers and sisters while my parents had a larger room reserved for them in the inner chamber of the building. Even as a grown adult, I still have fond memories of this incredible family compound such that I live in nostalgic reference to its fantastic awe. The most profound memories I have of this compound are the nights we would gather around a big fire, and the elderly members of the extended family would tell stories of their childhood or just tell us tales of the tortoise and its legendary cunning nature.
2. My Stream Swimming memories
Another upside to life in my hometown is the fact that we would bask in the innocence and glory of a somewhat nomadic kind of life. The bathrooms in the compound were used mainly by the adult members of the family and by the younger ones only on days we had to dress early for occasions such as church service or school. For most of my stay in my hometown, I made use of the village stream to have my morning bath. These moments served a pragmatic and human purpose. Not only did this stream afford me the opportunity to have my baths daily, but it also gave me a chance to learn from friends how to swim. We would troop out of the family compound, and en route to the stream, we would be joined by other boys who tagged along till we got to our destination, which was obviously the male stream. It should be said that mid-way through our journey, the girls would take a turn on the left which led to the main female stream of the village. I remember it was taboo for a boy to even catch a glimpse of the female stream. However, the fun fact was that I discovered years later that the female stream actually flowed through the male stream before emptying into a larger body of water, a river of some sort.
These trips to the stream afforded us ample time to make new friends and also enjoy our time away from house chores which were always available back home. One particular day is sure to live long in the memory. On this beautiful but rainy Saturday morning, we have yet again gone to the stream to have our morning bath. I tagged along with some boys in order to learn how to do certain moves underneath the water. However, it wasn't long before I started practicing this jump there was a huge wave of water from South to North of the stream. This massive wave took me in its wake, and it required the effort of the older men at the stream to rescue me from moving to the area of water that would be too high for my diminutive size as a kid. Sometimes I think of what would have been of me had we not had so many men around that day.
3. Hometown Food
If anything is true about my time in my hometown, it is the fact that food is available in abundance. And not only the quantity of the food we had around in those days but also the quality of the food we had. It seemed to me as though meals in the village were prepared in a different way from those I had gotten used to in the urban areas of the state. Not only was this village food more delicious, but it also had a way of making me hungry even when I was not really hungry. Put differently, the local delicacies we ate in the evenings were one of the major reasons why I always looked forward to the festive period.
My favorite meal in those moments in my hometown was dishes such as white soup and the very popular Melon Soup. These local dishes replaced the city equivalents like rice and stew as my favorite meals.
Feel the Music
Music is spiritual. There is a whole lot about the subject of "Music" that every individual irrespective of religion, tribe, and race, relates to it, one way or the other.
From time immemorial, we have had people compose songs, and those songs became choruses on the lips of many. From composers like Jim Reeves to our local music creators here in Africa like the renowned Juju maestro King Sunny Ade, Majek Fashek, and Raskimono.
Growing up as a child, I was exposed to so many sounds from the Boney. Many Christmas songs to the Igbo highlife songs made men gyrate till late in the night, but I was oblivious to the whole energy and the concept surrounding it.
These sounds were kind of distant as they did not make lots of meaning to me, not until I became a teenager and my whole perspective about music changed. I think it's fair to say peer pressure pushed me into the music jive.
My teenage friends Acholisa and Meshack were big fans of an American rap group, "YMCMB." They would rap favorite lines from the group's songs, the standout star in the rap group was Lil Wayne.
It was only a matter of time before I followed their kind of music, and I began to follow Lil Wayne's album and singles release dates.
Many people in my neighborhood felt his lyrics were not acceptable, and a no-no, of course, except my few friends who were his real fans. I looked beyond the curse words in the lyrics to the poetry in his music. His talent was rare, and so were his punchlines. Acholisa even tried to mimic the American accent of Lil Wayne one time, dressing dapper like him with lots of substandard chains on his neck. Lol
Out of all of Lil Wayne's songs, the song that I love the most is a song he titled "Mirror on the wall" featuring Bruno Mars. Everything about that song was sublime, from Bruno's chorus to Lil Wayne's rap on the track. The song had to do with the perspective of having to meet one's real self again. We also listened to Akon of Convict music, Rick Ross of Maybach Music, Eminem, Old school gangster rap of Tupac Shakur also known as the makaveli.
When I began to listen to more rap songs, I became immersed in the whole rap vibe. Then, I noticed at some point almost every rapper made references to Tupac Shakur, so I decided to look him up, and in that instant, I loved him and his craft. It was sad when in 2018, he was killed at the prime age of 25.
I began some rap stunts and battles with some friends in my neighborhood. We got cheers and respect from a lot of dudes, but many times I was criticized for going off beats. After a while, I decided to turn into a spoken word artist since I was more of a poet than a rapper, as some people will say, coupled with the fact that my rap was still slightly off Choir.
Joining the Choir
I joined the church choir after being coerced by my mom to be useful in the church. When I saw my friends already joining the Choir for me, it was a no-brainer. On my first day in the Choir, I introduced myself, subsequent meetings always met me punctually.
A month into being in the choir and serving as a backup many times, I was given the role of the lead chorister for a weekly activity in the church. Alas, I flunked it. I was so nervous that I could not concentrate on my vocal cords and the beats from the instrumentalist.
A choir member motioned and got the microphone from me. This left me so heartbroken that I flopped my lines on a day I was meant to impress.
News about this spread like wildfire. It got to the pastor’s ears, and he sent for me. He immediately advised me not to give up, saying I should still sing as I was doing it for God. That encouragement spurred me, and I joined the Choir again, to the surprise of everyone who thought I quit already.
After a while, I was given the opportunity again to go back on stage. Prior to my featuring on stage again, I had to go through constant personal and group rehearsals. This time it was far better than the last time. I won't say it was perfect, but it was better than the previous time.
Me and Music
When I say feel the music, I mean music means rivers of emotions that cannot be explained. I have found myself in time past keeping different music folders for different moods and different activities. From sad songs to songs of celebration.
To reiterate, my favorite genre of music is UK grime rap. I only got to know of this music type in early 2018 when Nigerian Musical artist Wizkid Featured UK rapper Skepta in his song titled "Bad energy stay far away."
I wasn't satisfied with just listening to one great rap from Skepta. I had to research what he did that was so unique, and I got different songs from him on my playlist. This whole grime music scene saw me following rappers like Stormzy, Aitch, Jhus and Arrdee, A1 and J1.
One unique thing music does is that it restores peace to the soul, relates with your struggles, gives sanity to your mind, and makes you connected to everyone and connected to yourself the most. Yeah, so over the years, music has been my backbone in moments when all the cards fell apart. I had to go back to music to be charged up.
I still have dreams of rapping one day, featuring in big shows, and, of course, singing on beats. Lol
Ambassador Report
Creative, committed, and with a variety of proficiencies. That is CommDAO marketing team for you. In a bid to serve you better, we upped the games of everyone on the marketing team. Yes, we've increased the weekly earnings, the same as the requirements. The 15-Friday contest evolved from a prize pool of 500 RVN to 1k RVN. This has really boosted the production of quality graphical designs and made enough sounds for The Community DAO. Below is the Leaderboard for week 42.
Commlink #42
I hope you don't mind my quoting you. When I read that line, the connections all came fluttering down like shuffled tarot cards. I had no choice. I hope you're not upset. Merry Christmas if I don't hear from you. :-)