Commlink #43
Weekly Review
The Battle of the Blockchains for the New Economy is on and building momentum for a series of showdowns in 2023!
ETH is still holding the biggest market value next to BTC. However, there are many reasons why that reign may falter and be vulnerable to challenge in the coming months, as flaws in its scope and a mistaken move to Proof-of-Stake will show.
Numerous internal developers at Ravencoin continue to make their voices heard through phenomenally intricate projects to the point that mention must be made that RVN could be the next hotbed of innovation and incubation, or as the prescient have been saying for a while now, that Ravencoin is slated to become Bitcoin 3.0:
But we need help in building the consensus of the general society. There are about 460 nodes driving this blockchain and that needs to grow for RVN to develop more influence: https://www.ravennodes.com/
Here at C0MM/DAO we are actively building on what would be called βLayer 3,β the layer of Community, Philosophy, and informed Governance. Help us build and rise with the tide by becoming an active contributor with us!
On other fronts, we hosted a Holiday Giveaway this past week as a part of a coordinated effort with the Alterverse 12 Days of Christmas and the Ravencoin 12 Days of Ravenmas:
We received 2 new entrants qualifying for this giveaway.Β
Especially of note, we want to introduce Evilra who has not only made it into the C0MMtower but has joined C0MM/DAO as an active curator. Check out Evilraβs formatting for the next Contest Design Doc, which promises to surpass last weekβs reception of 247 design submissions!!!:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1K8-euwelnlH_z-ZQnK6BLT6Ljse3Ibbsv8DVXx8KGsI/edit?usp=sharingΒ
Follow our progress as we begin to stack this one with new winners and incredibly beautiful and original works from our Protocol Generator team.
We also scored more sales in the C0MM/DAO Corral, with two artists, Pablojay and Enangcowboy scoring Soccer NFT sales on the day of the World Cup Championship where Argentina emerged as World Champion:
In addition to that, we are also seeing more unique projects popping up in the Corral, including mini-paintings by Charleston native, Kitsy Stratton:
And another CANNONBALL BABE sold at auction in the Raven Angels Auction House, making our brand a recurrent favorite, supported by key players on the Ravencoin scene!
Next week, expect new additions from all sources and possibly some antiques emerging from special holders in the deep Southeast of the US.
We have so much more to share but that is enough for now. Let me step back and letβs hear from the rest of the Community. Our dear Editor, Alina Okun, has again captured some beautiful reminiscences and reports from our international team in Africa. Enjoy the show!!!!
Have a wonderful holiday, everyone, and keep striving for excellence!
Best,
DowΒ
Stats
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Discord Members: 482
Effect of my Xmas
Christmas is one of the most valuable and interesting times in the life of Christians. On this note, I want to point out the memories I have about this festive period.
Christmas is not just a time when Christians celebrate by eating rice and chicken, enjoying themselves, and making merriment. It's a time when one accesses his or her walk with God from January to December and tries to make corrections ahead of next year.
Another thing about Christmas is that if I don't travel, I'll be alone for the holidays. The reason for this is not farfetchedβmy friends and neighbors who aren't from around here will all travel, and I'll have no one to talk to except on the phone.
My Life Project: EMECATION
In 20 of the 28 years of my life, I have heard people discuss the value of having a life project. My top priorities have always been having specific goals and making decisions that will help me achieve those goals. My mother has always encouraged me to set high goals and put my all into achieving them since I was a little child. Later, numerous of my elementary and high school classes discussed life projects. In fact, I will always remember finishing a short book called EMECATION as one of my most satisfying academic projects.
EMECATION aims to promote inclusion while giving people working in the field of education a tool to make their jobs easier. EMECATION was long in the making and came to fruition in 2022 when we saw the need for a practical tool to educate many educational and training topics that everyone has to understand from their early years of life. It is the outcome of a dream in which I worked on, investigated, and received advice from professionals from various fields, including instructors, psychologists, psychoanalysts, and therapists, to complete this fantastic endeavor.Β
This book has a lovely narrative for teaching how to build the Life Project, as well as humor, vibrant colors, more illustrations than text, and kid-friendly language. With ludicrous, entertaining, and active exercises that promote creativity and are centered on the motor, sensory, and cognitive development.
Holiday Wedding
Young people are increasingly attracted to jobs that allow them to work remotely. I am one of the people who has to be present in person at my job as a medical lab assistant. It is frustrating because the pay isnβt much, but I need the money, so I keep at it.
Itβs been difficult for me to attend family and friends' events because of my work schedule, so I missed many gatherings and had to explain the situation. The most frustrating part has been the process of obtaining permission for staff leave, which is almost never approved. This was one of the reasons that made me consider becoming my own boss and having an online job. I've been able to develop skills and grow on the Community DAO platform, which has helped me in all areas of my life.
My ex-roommate Beauty had her wedding and I was able to be a part of her wedding party. I was glad I didn't have to miss this event, which fell on holiday, but I knew I'd have to ask for an extra day off, so I quickly submitted a permission letter for an extra day, and it was granted. I was so happy and excited not just for the permission but for the fact that I would be serving as a bridesmaid. I got a chance to catch up with some of my friends from school whom I hadn't seen in a while because of the long COVID break and the strike by staff of the Federal Universities in Nigeria. I also got to meet new people and beautiful ladies who were equally excited about the event, its success, our cooperation, and the turnout.
My memories of technology
Errand of 'computer memories'
As a kid, I was extremely interested in technologies like computers, smartphones, the Internet, etc. I remember when I was seven years old, my mum often took me to a computer school (Sky Computers Training School) Mile I, Diobu, Portharcourt - Rivers State. During holidays my little niece (Steve) and I would be taken to one of the sophisticated computer schools on mid-term break. Steve often came to visit during holidays.
It was two miles away from our street, where my console landmark love for technology began. I started gaining interest in how it all works. As I began my high school years, I used my free time to gain random knowledge about computers, which included programming, Excel, PowerPoint, and CorelDraw. When I was in high school, my teacher wasn't consistent and patient in teaching, which caused me to fall asleep in class. I've often skipped computer classes because the teacher was so dull and timid. It's really frustrating, and I had to ask myself what will really be the usefulness of this skill since I'm not going to study computer science at university.
Sometimes, though, our efforts turn out to be different than what we had planned. After high school, I gained admission into the University of Uyo, Uyo - Akwa Ibom. I had to move down to my home town Akwa Ibom for further studies, where I now study computer science. You see, computer skills meet again.
After five years, when I am done with school, I will start a new phase of life by moving to a new place and finding a job to support my poor and tired parents who have sacrificed so much for me during my university days. I have always dreamed of graduating from school and working to provide for my family, especially my mum, because she has always been there for me.
After moving from state to state, the strength and abilities of having my dream job keep fading away every day. I didn't have a choice but to go back to computer skills and start from where I stopped. Now I'm throwing more light on packages like blogging, CorelDraw, Excel, and PowerPointβand even coding.
Now I am able to say that I'm glad to be doing well in all the packages listed above from where I operate in my small business Centre/Press around plaza, Ibiam Street, Uyo. Today I can proudly attest to an amazing creative design, blogging, web designing, type-setting of projects, thesis, and assignments. These projects have added a great advantage to me as I enter the field of pursuing my dream life and achieving three square meals for myself and my family in which they are all living happily in an apartment provided by me before dad decides to relocate to the village.
I feel that computer skills are one of the best and greatest things that have ever happened to my life. I never regret nor hesitate choosing computer technology over and over again.
Errand of 'social media memories'
Social media have been a very useful tool in this modern time. It has made our life easy and effortless. If you ask me, I would say that the internet has brought a huge change in my life. I remember the day I opened an account with Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter, and Instagram on the internet, It provides effective communication using emailing and instant messaging services to any part of the world, which improves my business interactions with customers. It saves vital time and makes business transactions more efficient. Another great thing about the internet is online banking and shopping. They have made my life less complicated.
Social media is useful to me in a variety of ways, whether it's helping me do my work, study for class, complete homework assignments, watch movies, play games, or stay in touch with friends and relatives who live far away. The Internet has added so many fantastic things to my life, especially connecting me to a lot of people that I never would have met had it not been for the Internet. For example, my amazing online friends who are constantly chatting and checking up on me. They also comment and like every post I make. The feeling is quite fascinating because many of them have commented on each post of mine with different wording, teasing me in a friendly way which has helped me gain popularity online.
Many times I have assumed that my friends on social media are good people, and I have remembered them as being distinct and unique. They help me to not feel that I am withholding anything by checking on them frequently. To me, the love is too massive that I can't just trade them for anything "online friends."
Some time ago, I remember chatting with one of my friends, and I told him that I wasn't feeling well. To my surprise, he asked for my account details and transferred some money to me instantly so that I could get treatment faster. Also, earlier this year, on my birthday in March, one of my online friends, Chris, traveled all the way from the city of Port Harcourt just to visit me. He bought me a brand new camon 12 tecno phone for my birthday.
My joy is seeing the need and usefulness of God's creation in making me suitable for modern days facilities. He is a wonderful creator, and I will forever remain grateful to him. As for me, I prefer modern times over those of our fathers' time due to technological advances. Β Β
Β The Child of My People
Eket is a large town located in the Southern part of Nigeria in Akwa Ibim State - The Land of promise, popularly known as βIdong Afianweβ (Land of the white). My father told me that the reason for the nickname was because there is a town in Switzerland called Eket. It is the 2nd largest city in the state.
The People
The indigenous people of Eket are commonly called "ndito afianwe" (children of white). This gives them pride and prestige deserving of them. The people of Eket are believed to have migrated from Cameroon during the great movement of the Bantu stock in Africa. The migration brought the people to the location around the mouth of Cross River, which they claim as their first settlement with Oron people along the estuary of Cross River. The movement continued along the coast into the Qua Iboe River territory, which is its present location. We are known for our great hospitality, especially to foreigners, which has allowed business outsiders to thrive in our land. The Eket people are led by the local government chairman while each village has village heads, clans, and family heads.
Their Culture
The Eket people are known for their rich and enviable cultural heritage. The native dialect spoken amongst indigines is known as 'Ekid'. Speaking of culture, the community hosts a variety of masquerades, although, they are most commonly seen during festivals. Some of the masquerades are: Ekong, Mbok, Obon, Ekeng, Ibang-Isong, Akata, Nnabo, Ibem, Ekpe Obon, Nkuho, Ekpe, and Ntak unaidi.
Although most of them look scary like ekong, there are those which are very beautiful and colorful. These are age-old traditions passed on by our forefathers to maintain our cultural heritage. I remember one time, I was returning from work and I boarded on okada. We ran into a masquerade who demanded cash from the okada man. The okada man pointed to me. I got so scared because I had heard that masquerades sometimes beat people with their canes, which can cause a disease we commonly called craw craw. I thought if they could develop that from a cane, imagine what would happen if masquerades touched my hands.
I reacted instinctively, screamed, and slapped the okada man so hard on his back, which I don't regret to this day. As a child, I had a close encounter with a masquerade when we stopped to sing about how ugly it looked. It chased us aggressively, but I don't know when it stopped. I just kept running until I was safely inside my house. I was made to give a brief account of my adventure, which earned me 12 strokes of the cane and a warning never to dance with masquerades as they are believed to possess dark powers.
The masquerades are known for their beautiful dance steps, which they display during their parades. Sometimes on December 29th, my siblings and I would sneak out of our house to watch Eket Day at the stadium. This is the town's biggest carnival, and we get to see all of the different displays, including dancing, jumping, rolling and somersaults. The scariest stunt is usually performed by the masquerade wearing bamboo as feet.
The people of Eket are blessed to have beautiful dancers who can move their bodies in flexible ways while they dance to the rhythmic sounds of drums played mostly by males. The men show a lot of creativity and energy as they produce danceable music. Some of these dance steps are ekombi and unek itak nsin.
I'm one of the great dancers, and I formed a team of other great dancers called the Star Girls. The dream was to be one of the best cultural dance crews in the town, but we lacked an instructor to take us to such heights. However, we still tried hard to grow and were featured at several shows and churches. Dancing is one of my hobbies that brings me delight and happiness.
My parents were against my dancing and tried to stop me by telling me storiesΒ about dancers being possessed by marine spirits, especially those who perform the rkombi dance, which has them dance in a half circle while rolling and twisting the body like a snake. My mother once told me that she was possessed and danced to beats and songs only she could hear, but I knew she was lying because she knew nothing about dancing. She was so awful at dancing that I could easily tell she was lying in a bid to stop me and my friends from dancing.
Eventually, my mother came to accept that dancing was something I wanted and truly loved. Not long after she gave in, she began to advise, encourage, and give her blessings. We were invited to dance at a wedding when we had many rehearsals and lots of practice. The bride agreed to give us a part payment to serve as our transportation fare, and the rest would be given at the venue. Unfortunately, we couldn't find her at the venue.
The Master of Ceremonies kept calling on us, but we adamantly refused as we had a strict policy of no balance, no entertainment. The argument between us grew more heated, but we wouldn't give in until we got our way. We were tired from the argument and only hoped that we could do our best. The music was great, and the cheering from the crowd boosted our morale as we entertained the guests.
Their Dishes
Such cultural displays wouldn't be complete without beautiful dishes, which are the pride of the people. Eket, being a part of the tropical rain forest, is blessed with a variety of natural foods such as plantain, banana, fish, periwinkle, crayfish, cassava, water leaf etc. Dynamic meals of the Ekid people include mmanayong ekid, afere afang, ato mburo, and afia efere.
My happiest memories are from my hometown as I lived there for 16 years and I still visit during the holidays.
'PROUDLY AJU AFIANWE'
Ambassador Report
Creativity is not just a word to be mentioned among the Marketing Team, but the people's way of life. As we continue to develop graphic designs for our dear CommDAO corral, we produced over 240 unique designs for week 42. Some of them have been lined up for minting as NFTs.
Currently, there is a great number of quality designs circulating on Twitter, same as on Instagram and YouTube.
Below is the leaderboard containing the summary of activities carried out by the team members.
Lastly, everyone is welcome to join us.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family!