Commlink #49
Weekly Review
The Wheel is all about motion.
Whenever we undertake to move in life, there is disruption. Wheels begin turning on multiple levels. Cars and trucks have wheels which take us physically to new locations. There are wheels inside of us, in our minds, that begin turning about different goals and destinations ahead. Wheels roll things that were sitting static, in fresh directions, whether on the mental or physical plane. In ancient Indian lore the chakra energy centers spin within every human being. “Chakra” is a word from Sanskrit that means “Wheel.” The “Wheel of Fortune” is always spinning for each of us every day of our lives. The Stoics and Zen masters teach us to be calm and immoveable, yet moving things around us, like the “Hub of the Wheel,” the ultimate “Unmoved Mover.” And so on. Wheels permeate our lives in countless ways.
In the course of a move, normal arrangements of possessions must be broken down, categorized, packed, dispensed with, mulled over, and so on. Often I have found that these times also involve much reflection and the examination of personal memories. Revisiting old objects tucked away for a time, or boxing up photo albums with pictures from the past falling out, takes us on a different type of journey, through the mind, as we prepare for an imminent journey on the ground.
Though moving can be uncomfortable, I find it to be a healthy process. Much that is unnecessary is discarded, ingrained habits are challenged, and a lot of “chaff” falls through the cracks or sieve of our living experience. We emerge lighter, more focused on essentials and able to mobilize.
In my lifetime of travels and living briefly at various weigh stations across the continental US and throughout Central America over the past 15 years, since leaving school environments, I have learned to travel light and found that in a pinch, I tended to want to hold on to books and musical media or instruments, with the utmost tenacity, of all possessions then considered. The extra weight I was willing to carry was usually some big book or two or a few, or an accordion or fiddle or some way to make or listen to a melodious sound, as that seemed most important to me in those years.
One time I left a van full of belongings from college and graduate school days in a mound in a parking lot of Brownsville, Texas, on the border of Mexico. From that, I only took what I could carry in a backpack and in hand, along with my dog, Bear. Then I hiked into Mexico and visited every country in Central America over the next 2 years. They did not even check my passport…A story for another time but useful to consider as our entire civilization is in motion, now possibly more than ever.
These processes have digital equivalents as we work to move to a new location for doing business, circulating money, trading stocks/equities/securities/assets/things of value that we can represent in new guises through the available formats emerging with web3 blockchain technology since the inception of Bitcoin in 2009, building on earlier decades of development enabling the Worldwide Web to evolve. How is your moving going? Even if you have lived in the same place for countless years, you probably have experienced a type of moving into new fields as society shifts to accommodate all the new information variables inundating our senses non-stop. Can you be the hub of such a wheel where we find ourselves?
Community DAO continues to be one of the most active asset distributing projects on Ravencoin currently, as of this writing on Sunday morning of the 5th of February, only behind Synth Coin (https://www.ravenist.com/synth-bank/4597 )
Stats constantly fluctuate here at RVN Dashboard: https://www.rvn-dashboard.com:3000/d/RFxvsAvnk/rvn-hd-dashboard?orgId=1
Other than that, I encourage all readers to explore our project further here: https://commdao.org/ and to join us! Ok. Let’s turn it over to the rest of the community. Last week we received 15 reports from members of Community DAO, telling us about their lives and updating us on current projects. This is what Community is about, sharing our experiences and thoughts in a forum together with others. Have a great week!
Best,
Dow Harris
Stats
Twitter Followers: 1,382
Discord Members: 496
Multiverse Rebels Project
I'm excited to announce my new punk virtual band project. It is a DIY NFT, music, and games. This band was created based on my memory of my first band in junior high and I try to recreate it again using my current skills (animation, game development, and video editing), recording all the songs that we didn't manage to record back then as a new virtual band.
For me, this project is about more than just making music. It's about taking control of our creative output and freeing ourselves from the constraints of the traditional music industry. We don't need to be limited by any traditional definition of art and music. Also, definitely not any bond between record labels or big corporations. Instead, we can work together as a community to create something truly revolutionary and reclaim the power that's rightfully ours.
I grew up listening to many punk bands since I was a kid. I see decentralization as another form of anarchy, where power is taken away from centralized authority and placed in the hands of the people. With RVN decentralized platforms and blockchain technology, we have the ability to create a fairer and more equitable world.
So let's get ready to make some noise and break down the walls of the establishment once and for all! DYORORDIE
The Farmer’s Story
The farm welcomed us with the sounds of chirping birds, a cool atmosphere, and a quiet environment. It's interesting how I failed to mention the adventure we had to go through because of some spiky leaves that pierced the skin. We employed different postures of movement to avoid being pierced. The experience was quite beautiful.
Farming in Western Africa is something never to be taken for granted since most people live from it. Agriculture is one of Nigeria's main sources of revenue, and it is still the basis of the country's economy, even though the country as a whole has turned its focus to the crude oil sector. More than 90% of the country's income comes from crude oil right now, but agriculture is still the main way for most people, especially those who live in rural areas, to make a living.
I have grown up to have a lot of interest in agriculture, which has, in a sense, exposed me to the vast knowledge of agriculture. Going to the farm is what I love and enjoy doing because one will definitely have a first-hand experience of seeing what they planted grow. This alone is a huge accomplishment for me.
How I spend my December holiday
The experience will always stick with me. In PH, we were on vacation for three days.
My brother and one of my cousins had left with my parents. December was winter, and as we traveled north, the weather got colder.
In the toy train, it was quite exciting and entertaining. The motor moved so fast, and the roadways were clear. The hills were lovely. We went to the Himalayas. It was lush and green below, with some terrace farming and woodlands, while the steep Himalayas, which had snow-capped peaks, were above.
We traveled from PH for about 8 hours. I napped because I was sleepy. My cousin James woke me up. It was night.
We awoke around 7 a.m. We had to continue our job with minimal water since the water pipes were frozen and clogged due to the extreme weather. Breakfast was great, with buttered bread. The early sun was relaxing. To get to John, we reserved a cab. John was stunning to watch last night as snow fell there.
We traveled to John for an hour. I was overjoyed when I suddenly felt cold on my face and saw ice flakes for the first time—something I had only ever seen on television. To navigate the snow, we rented gumboots. The snow grew heavier as we rose. Never before had there been so much snow, and it was exhilarating.
My appointment as a senior prefect in my secondary school
I was filled with emotions when I learned that I had been appointed as a senior prefect in our secondary school. After years of hard work, my efforts finally paid off, and I couldn't wait to start a new chapter in my life.
Before I started my new role, my teachers gave me thorough training and guidance so that I could establish myself as an effective leader who could think independently while still following the school's rules.
On the first day of my duty as prefect, I had to supervise a morning assembly, register attendance, and distribute notices accordingly. During the assembly session, there was an incident between two students who were about to get into a fight for some silly reason. Instead of yelling or inflicting physical punishment on them, I applied what I had learned in training and laid out all of the facts about both of them.
I then explained how their behavior affected them and the others around them, along with other alternatives they could try.
As a senior prefect (SP), I was to implement changes that would help bring order and discipline to my peers while they diligently completed their school curriculum. Right from the start, there were so many problems that had been ignored due to a lack of resources and accountability among the student body.
I took steps to ensure that basic needs such as improved recreational facilities, dedicated health clinics, and enhanced sports infrastructure were provided for. I met once a week with teachers, assistant school heads, the headmaster, and council members to talk about ways to improve the lives of students at our school.
The New Naira Notes and All That Comes With it
Mr. Godwin Emiefele, Governor of the CBN (Central Bank of Nigeria), which is responsible for the printing and circulation of naira notes, Nigeria's legal tender, announced a change in the design of some of the naira notes, including the #200, #500, and #1000. According to him, the above notes were mass-produced but never circulated among the public, causing them to lose so much value.
As a civilian, I believe the sector responsible for this is the top caucus politicians, who have these notes delivered to them and stored in a place where they cannot be traced or seen by the press or the public. The new naira became legal tender on December 15, 2022, following its introduction. With this, all old notes of the same category were to cease to be legal tender on January 31, 2023. All banks in the country were told to stay open over the weekend so that everyone could deposit their old cash. The large turnout of fellow Nigerians made me understand the governor's point of view. "An economy without the circulation of its legal tender makes its citizens poor."
The End Date
The CBN announced on January 30th that the use of old naira notes would be extended until February 10th. This was a great idea until all banks were told to stop making over-the-counter withdrawals and to stop dispensing old notes. This is an example of depositing money into a bank and then being unable to withdraw it. The use of mobile wallets, banking apps, and mobile banks was strongly encouraged in order to complete transactions.
Since this week, the circulation of these new notes has been extremely poor, owing to the government first limiting citizens' cards to #20,000, which was recently reduced to #10,000, and most withdrawal machines releasing notes in small increments. This has caused massive lines at ATMs all over the world. Cash dispensing has become so low that banks claim they do not have enough cash to go around to their customers.
People have fought, dragged, and pushed each other at the bank ATM to get the cash they need for their daily meals. Some families are stuck and frustrated because they can't feed themselves because they don't have enough money. This has also led to a lot of crazy things that people have done, like stripping at the bank or climbing bank counters and crying everywhere.
Citizens have vandalized most banks' properties in order to gain access to cash. Most citizens believe that the shortage is due to banks paying politicians first as the 2023 elections approach, especially those who must pay for a large crowd turnout, and their suspicions may not be far from the truth.
Agents at point-of-sale (POS) have taken advantage of the situation to raise the prices of their services, especially withdrawals, by a huge amount, which has turned off a lot of customers. In their opinion, getting cash from banks is as difficult for us as it is for them. This is made more difficult by the fact that mobile banking is not widely accepted by citizens. The banking network has been so bad that it has disabled transactions and made citizens even more frustrated in cases where they have been debited but the transaction has yet to be credited, which can take days.
Also, most of the elderly people in the market do not understand how online transactions work, and no one is willing to educate them. Payment by card should be permitted or mandated in all business organizations, large or small. Speaking on the issue, President Mohammadu Buhari stated that things would be back to normal in about a week, and we sincerely hope he is right.
We can't have money and not be able to access it.
Sit out with colleagues
Hanging out with friends hasn't always been my strong suit. Since my brief stint at the College of Education in 2015, I haven't been able to catch up with most of my colleagues in the biology and chemistry departments of the institution who made my first tertiary institution experience memorable.
During the week, I had to step out and meet three colleagues of mine: Victor, Nelson, and Ntekop. Ntekop, the only colleague with whom I've communicated in recent years, is now a driver in town. Nelson fulfilled his dream as a biology teacher in a secondary school, and surprisingly, Victor is a pastor. He wasn't that religious in our school days.
We shared some drinks together and talked about our successes and failures over the years and our plans for the future. Victor is getting married next month, and Nelson is going back to school. I am happy for them. We are grateful for life as we chase our dreams and aspirations in life. We left happy and promised to make time out of our busy schedules and sit down soon to discuss and plan Victor's upcoming marriage.
A Grateful Heart ♥
Kind Father, I am grateful for the chance to work for you in your Kingdom. In the name of Jesus, I entirely submit to the influence and direction of the Holy Spirit at all times for the sanctification and setting apart of whatever I do in service to you. Amen.
I declare that God's wisdom and His glory are clearly seen in my life and in all I do as I talk in tongues at this time. Through the truth of the Gospel, salvation, healing and health, prosperity and success, deliverance, wholeness, preservation, peace and joy spread in the nations of the earth, in Jesus' name. His righteousness is established in the hearts of men throughout the world.
I am more than a victor! I've triumphed over Satan and the world's system. I'm walking in the light of my divine rights and inheritance in Christ, and I'm ruling in life through Him. I am protected from Satan's scheming because I am wearing all of God's armor. Whatever happens, I remain unfazed and keep my winning attitude. I don't give in to peer pressure because I know that God's unfailing Word and transforming power will always prevail.
Ibom Tropicana
My first day at the Ibom Tropicana Experience was truly unforgettable. The park, which is located in Uyo, Nigeria, is a sprawling complex that provides visitors with a variety of activities and attractions.
The sheer size of the park, as well as the beautiful landscapes and gardens that surrounded it, struck me as soon as I arrived. I quickly went to the amusement park section, where I discovered a variety of exciting rides and games to try out. There was something for everyone, from fast and thrilling roller coasters to more relaxed carousels.
In the evening, I decided to unwind by going to the movies. The theater was spacious, comfortable, and outfitted with cutting-edge technology.
The movie was an excellent way to unwind after a long day of exploring the park.
Overall, my first day at the Ibom Tropicana Experience was fantastic. There was something for everyone, with so many different attractions to choose from. This park is highly recommended for anyone looking for a fun and exciting day out.
My Favorite High School Reunion Memory
When I think back on my high school years, I always think of our last year's reunion party. Our gathering party was such a wonderful event. We hadn't been able to be in the same room for a year, so it was wonderful to catch up with everyone. Every second of the day was wonderful, so it's difficult for me to choose just one as my favorite, but I'd have to say that our group's trip to Elegushi Beach and the surprise dance performance we gave everyone there were my favorite moments. Everyone laughed and cheered since it was so unexpected and enjoyable! Afterward, we were all so motivated, and it was a terrific way to start the day. That day will always be etched in my memory; it was a genuinely remarkable event.
Our get-together party was made unique by the minor details. The amazing food that was shared, the way everyone chipped in to help decorate, and the lively conversation. Everyone seemed to be having a fantastic time, and it was a memory that we will all cherish. I'm very grateful that I was able to enjoy this important event with such lovely individuals, and I hope to have many more priceless occasions like this one in the future.
Traveling for Youth Camp
My denomination holds camping exercises for youths every year, and attending this program has always been on my mind. This simply made me plunge into action. The program comes up every August, so I began preparing to join the next batch as the location was often rotated.
In 2021, I attended the program for the first time and enjoyed every bit of it. The location was interior. We saw many new things we hadn't seen before and had access to fruits that are scarce and expensive to buy in town. We could just pluck them and eat them free of charge.
One important thing was the peace I had during sleeping hours, no mosquito infestation, and enough food and water to drink. I thought the program would continue every year, but I was wrong. The program ended, and we returned home anticipating another year, but then the surprise emerged.
Last year, the program was to be hosted by another local government area, but when the time almost came, they complained of being notified late, no funds to put things in place for the program, but it still held anyway and I attended.
The first shock I had on arrival at the campground was the number of people who turned up for the camp. Very unusual, the first set of camp participants I met were not up to a hundred people. Maybe some people knew about the poor planning so they decided to skip that year.
There was no provision of social amenities that would keep the camp going, such as water, constant light, bunks and mattresses, and worst of it all, no food. I mean, how are we expected to survive without food? The last straw which broke the camel's back was MOSQUITO Infestation. I could not sleep throughout the first night, no mosquito nets for use. After the first day, I wondered how I would survive in that environment for four whole days as I didn't make any contingency plan for transportation, knowing that the distance was very far and I never thought there would be any reason for me to leave before the end of the camp. Thankfully, my uncle rescued me.
My uncle had a slot to minister during the camp on the second day, and when he came, I did not have to think twice. I went back home with him. When they asked me why I left the camp, I told them I could not kill myself. Camp continues.
My Right to Write
There are a lot of book writers on the planet today, and there are a series of collections of diverse fields or endeavors, as the case may be. Some writings are motivational, some are inspirational, and some are about self-development.
Again, there are people who choose to write inspirational biblical books to help resuscitate the lives of believers who are lost or confused due to the situation of life.
Seeing the way thing goes in society, I know I'm a good writer by God's grace, considering my knowledge of opera and copywriting, I decided to channel my writing into God's line of enlightenment in order to help men discover who they really are and what the reality is. I also help them wake up from the world of perpetual fantasy.
By God's grace, my first book collection is "Grace over death." This book helps men discover every area of life that was in stagnation and dead, then resuscitate them back to life.
My Weekly Update (Week 49)
It is no longer new news in Nigeria that the old designs of the Naira currency are being replaced by new designs, which has many people stranded, disappointed, and maybe thinking of how to get all their money out of the banking system.
Earlier this week, I was forced to get to the bank to replace my old Naira designs. On getting there, the queue inside the bank was much longer than I expected, even though I was there by 7:40 a.m.
I wondered why everything was so and why banks were not even competent enough to carry out the tasks given to them by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Of course, the banks were tasked to get the old designs and replace them with new designs. This is very problematic as most people tend to restock their laundered money, thereby increasing the scarcity of new designs.
On getting to the counter to make an over-the-counter withdrawal, I was restricted from withdrawing above 2,000 Naira (less than $8), which is no money for me or most people that do business or pay for the transport fare or food with cash.
I angrily left the counter to make a withdrawal using my card through the ATM. As I got outside to proceed with my plan, the reverse was the case. The queue outside in front of the ATM was longer than it had been over the years.
I struggled to join the queue in order to make my withdrawal. On getting my turn, the ATM got out of service and was unable to dispense cash.
This got me so vexed and annoyed, but I had to make a decision to operate strictly with the old currency until the deadline scheduled by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
It's going to be okay soon, maybe after the general election on the 25th of February.
Beach Vacation
My beach vacation last weekend.
I was beach chilling with my friends at work, and we went to a bar beach in Lagos where we had fun and played games; it was worth the experience.
The beach is a popular place to visit during the summer because it offers warmth, relaxation, and enjoyable pursuits like swimming, sunbathing, and beach games. Miami Beach, the Bahamas, and the Maldives are a few popular beach locations. Many people visit the beach to cool off from the heat and take advantage of the pleasant climate, pristine waters, and picturesque surroundings.
It might be nice and fun to hang out with friends at the beach. Playing beach games, swimming, tanning, and engaging in water sports are all options. The chance to unwind and strengthen relationships can also be found when spending time at the beach with friends. A day at the beach with friends can result in lifelong memories, whether you're having a picnic, making sandcastles, or simply relaxing in the sun.
Do have a wonderful day.
Smart View Photography
I own a studio called Smart View Studio. I am a professional photographer and picture designer. I have been a photographer for 8 years and counting, and it gives me joy when I do photo shoots. I will give you insight into photography.
The practice of creating still or moving images using light or other electromagnetic radiation is known as photography. This can be done either chemically using a material that is light sensitive, like photographic film, or electronically using an image sensor.
Photographers combine composition, lighting, and exposure to create photos that can be artistic, educational, or beautiful.
There are numerous varieties of photography, such as photography of people, photography of the outdoors, wildlife, street photography, and close-up photography of sporting events.
In my next write-up, I will be talking about photography of people.
Ambassador Report
Making great designs has become one of the key features of the Community DAO marketing team. We have made significant contributions to the graphics design hub, and Twitter appears to have been the most effective way for us to gain such a large following for several months. In the end, we accepted more than 400 different designs made by team members using their favorite image editor or AI. We're open to accepting your designs. We'd love to have you as a member of the marketing team on our Discord server. Below is the Leaderboard for week 49.