I'm finding the my birthday is becoming less significant for me with each new year. The sad truth is I don't have many friends any more and the few that I do have or spread across the country and I'm not really close to my family, though they are trying (long story). My friend Tim and his partner are in Austin, My friend John is in San Jose, Honey is in Boston still I think (I can never keep track), and my friends here in Houston (Eric, the two Michaels, and Albert) are kind of busy doing there own thing so we often talk on the phone more than we see each other in person. So for me my B-Day is kind of Just another Day. So my friend Eric tries to take me out to eat to celebrate the day whenever we can arrange it. This year was the first time in a while that we were able to do it on the actual day, for the past few years it has been falling on days that I work. So we went to an Indian Restaurant that I had never been to before, Shiva, and just hung out. I really had a good time. There hasn't been too much of that lately.

Actually I am feeling a bit overwhealmed and the only way that I think I'm making it through it is by not thinking about it at all and just doing what I need to do to keep everything from falling apart. The say the past year has been rough is an understatement. The main theme for the past year was dealing with health issues. For the first part of the year I had foot problems which culminated with having to have a growth removed from the sole of my right foot. Thankfully it came out benign but I'm still in the healing process and am not quite back to 100%. They told me it could take at least a year before all the nerves grow back and that it would hurt periodically throughout that time. All I'll say is that they didn't lie. Having to stay off my feet brought other issues but I won't go into that. Needless to say I've pretty much gained back whatever weight I lost and have been dealing with unnecessary pain because my insurance refused to pay for something that my Doctor's requested. That was going to be another running theme for the year. But I guess it is what it is. But I was kind of bummed about not being able to get out and take pictures and such.

My real running problem is my mom. I think I've alluded to the fact that she can't really live by herself. Her health has been slowly deteriorating over the last 12 years or so and it seems lately that process has been speeding up a bit. I've been noticing that she is fogetting things more and more. And she fell twice while I was at home. One of the times I couldn't get her up by myself and had to try and talk her through doing it herself. I'm a little out of my element trying to help people when they are in that much pain. There were several times over the past year where I've had to deal with situations that were clearly beyond my scope. She has good days and bad days but I can kind of see where things are going to be five to ten years down the road if things continue along the route they're going. She can still do most things for herself but there are times I have to push her to at least try. That has been a challenge in itself. I'm learning new levels of patience and new levels of failure. He,he,he Being an only child a lot of the responsibilty falls on me. Truth is I probably take on more than I should. I have been in the parent role for a really long time and have missed out on a lot of things that many of the people I know have gotten to experience. I kind of feel bad for her though. She went in for rotator cuff surgery and wound up in the hospital for six weeks from complications. That situation was bad enough that she doesn't want them to do her other arm even though she needs it. So between all of the physical therapy and the other health complications she had a really rough year. I think after her third time in the hospital last year I was starting to think maybe I'm in a little over my head.

I have been working nights to help accomodate all of the stuff that I do for her. I have been working that schedule for thirteen years. My job decided that I didn't need to work that schedule anymore. Without asking me they put me on a 5 AM to 4 PM schedule pretty much ruining everything I used to be able to do. In fact I'm finding I have even less time to take care of myself because I'm having to squeeze everything I used to do in two of my days off. I guess the only good thing is I'm sleeping a little more as opposed to the 3 or 4 hours I used to get on the old schedule. When someone mentioned that I take care of my mom to management they informed them that schedule was changed for business needs and if I or anyone else had any problems with that then we could seek employment elsewhere. The funny thing is they never said it to my face. My mom was a little upset by the changes but I told her not to worry about it. If I needed to take her somewher she needed to go to that she couldn't get to her by herself then I wouldn't be into work that day. At this point I don't care if I get paid for missing that day or not. You can replace a job, you can't replace a person. Unfortunately what all the changes mean is I can't do most of the stuff I used to and it means putting her in a situation where she was at home by herself after having cataract surgery to put all of her drops in her eyes and do simple things around the house when she was not supposed to be lifting or doing anything strenuous. She's hard headed so i know she did things she wasn't supposed to. My fear is she's going to fall and have to lay there for eleven hours until I get back home.

So to say that I've had more on my mind lately is a bit of an understatement. I'm not usually this gloomy but Winter is always hard for me. We've had stretches of uncharacteristic cold a quite a bit of rainy, gloomy days that were starting to get to me as well as my mom's upcoming surgery. Like I said I have a bit on my mind. I'm sure everything will work itself out. I just needed to get this somewhere besides stuck in my head. Sorry I got a bit long winded.

Anyway, Dinner at Shiva's was excellent. Indian is the only vegetarian food that I really, really enjoy. My mom is treating me to lunch or something today so I have to figure out where I want to go. Yay, for free food two days in a row!!!

Her bandage.

Gisimba Memorial Center.

Kigali, Rwanda. Afrika.

June, 2005.

If you are interested in sponsoring an orphan at Gisimba Memorial Center, direct contact information is listed below.

Ildephonse Niyongana - Director

Damas Gisimba - Founder

gisimbacmg@yahoo.com

Gisimba Orphanage

B.P. 1433 Kigali Rwanda

Ave de la Nyarugenge

Nyamirambo

District of Nyarugenge

tel +250 08524515 or +250 08532596

Bank of Kigali 040-0013914-76

swift BK IG RWRW

Additional information can also be found on www.orphansofrwanda.org

The text below is from www.orphansofrwanda.org

"Centre Memorial de Gisimba (Gisimba Memorial Center)

The Gisimba orphanage, located in the Nyamirambo quarter of Kigali, is led by Damas Mutezintare Gisimba. Damas's father founded the orphanage in 1980 with 18 children living in one house. Damas took over in 1986 after the death of his father. During the genocide Damas sheltered over 400 children and adults in the small orphanage compound from the predations of the interahamwe [the Hutu paramilitary squads that carried out much of the genocide]. Though the orphanage was repeatedly menaced, Damas and his colleagues held their ground and did not give in to the genocidaires. He has been honored for his heroism by the Rwandan government and many other organizations.

The orphanage currently houses over 150 children. Ten years ago almost all were genocide victims, but many of the newer arrivals have been orphaned by AIDS. Because their parents were HIV+, a number of them are also infected."

PLEASE DONATE TO GISIMBA MEMORIAL CENTER VIA ORPHANS OF RWANDA: www.orphansofrwanda.org/getinvolved.php#donate

For statistics on Rwanda: www.unicef.org/infobycountry/rwanda_statistics.html

23 May 2012 - Mohamed El Sawy, Head Corporate Social Responsibilty Committee, Egyptian Junior Business Association.

OECD, Paris, France.

Photo: OECD/Hervé Cortinat

U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILTY (Feb. 20, 2013) - The amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu (LHA 5) conducts a vertical replenishment with the Military Sealift Command replenishment oiler USNS Patuxent (T-AO-201). Peleliu is the flagship for the Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group and, with the embarked 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S.

Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Shawnte

Bryan/Released)

130220-N-YQ852-178

U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILTY (Feb. 20, 2013) – The amphibious dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47) approaches the Military Sealift Command replenishment oiler USNS Patuxent (T-AO-201) and the amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu (LHA 5) for a replenishment at-sea. Rushmore is a part of the Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group and, with the embarked 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Shawnte Bryan/Released)

My friend Egide, 16.

I'm looking for sponsors for the children of Gisimba Memorial Center. Please email me at camera_rwanda@yahoo.com if you are interested. You can also contact www.orphansofrwanda.org

Gisimba Memorial Center.

The water tank.

An orphanage on the outskirts of Kigali, in Nyamirambo.

Rwanda. Afrika.

July 31, 2006.

Futbol!

Gisimba Memorial Center

An orphanage on the outskirts of Kigali in Nyamirambo.

Rwanda. Afrika.

July, 4. 2006.

New tram deliveries tend to be of highly standardised designs, such as the Siemens Combino. Helsinki was an early customer for the Variotram, as designed by ABB (which became Adtranz in 1995) and took 40 between 1998 and 2003. HKL (Helsinki City Transport) has been far from satisfied with their performance and had threatened to send them back. As successors to Adtranz, Bombardier agreed a compromise with HKL, undertaking the responsibilty for the trams' maintenance.

Gisimba Memorial Center.

Kigali, Rwanda. Afrika.

July, 2005.

(TMAX film.)

If you are interested in sponsoring an orphan at Gisimba Memorial Center, direct contact information is listed below.

Ildephonse Niyongana - Director

Damas Gisimba - Founder

gisimbacmg@yahoo.com

Gisimba Orphanage

B.P. 1433 Kigali Rwanda

Ave de la Nyarugenge

Nyamirambo

District of Nyarugenge

tel +250 08524515 or +250 08532596

Bank of Kigali 040-0013914-76

swift BK IG RWRW

Additional information can also be found on www.orphansofrwanda.org

About GerryPADI Open Water Scuba Instructor

Pareja Subdivision is located on a 10 hectares area. We lived at the end of the First Street of about 1,000 meters distance away from JCAquino Avenue leading to the commercial district of Butuan City. There were then only few houses built on a 300 sq.m lots where Gerry Beltran lives with his siblings and Parents. He grew up with my children Antonio and Wilfredo, Jr. when they were yet below the required age for admission in Grade One.

The following photos were shared via Facebook; part of images gathered by his Scuba Diving Team at selected diving spots around Mactan Island, Cebu, Philippines

130205-N-YQ852-008

U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILTY (Feb. 05, 2013) – Culinary Specialist 3rd Class Beck transfers a tray of desserts through the bakery of the amphibious dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47). Rushmore is a part of the Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group and, with the embarked 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Shawnte Bryan/Released)

www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/2010/07/18/shame...

Shamed lawyer stays out of court despite admitting £221k of bogus claims

Jul 18 2010 Exclusive by Derek Alexander, Sunday Mail

A LAWYER has escaped the dock - after handing back more than £200,000 of bogus legal aid claims.

A criminal probe into Iain Robertson has been dropped after he returned £221,847 to the Scottish Legal Aid Board.

Amazingly, Robertson is even allowed to continue claiming legal aid for civil cases while waiting to discover if he will be struck off.

The scandal centred on the 57-year-old shamed solicitor and his firm Robertson & Ross in Paisley.

Another lawyer - Aberdeen-based Alastair Gibb - was also investigated.

Scots Lib Dem justice spokesman Robert Brown demanded to know why Robertson is not being taken to court.

He said: "It seems that the Crown Office have some questions to answer as to why they didn't prosecute what appears to be a straightforward fraud involving a significant amount of money."

Labour justice spokesman Richard Baker added: "This is a very serious issue and we should have clarity on why the Crown Office decided not to proceed.

"The sum of cash is huge and I'll be interested to know why the lawyers involved haven't faced criminal charges."

Robertson was accused of submitting £223,000 worth of false claims for taxpayers' cash from SLAB over an 18-month period.

The claims were based on Gibb travelling thousands of miles from Paisley to see clients in Aberdeen and Peterhead prisons. In reality, Gibb was living in Kingswells, near Aberdeen.

Earlier this month, Robertson agreed to pay have back £221,847 to SLAB and was banned from claiming criminal legal aid cash in the future. But he's still allowed to claim legal aid for any civil cases he undertakes.

Gibb, 60, did not renew his certificate to practise as a solicitor with the Law Society of Scotland after SLAB called in police two years ago.

Fraud squad detectives submitted a detailed report about the case to Crown prosecutors in April, 2008.

But officials marked the case "no proceedings" and stubbornly refuse to explain their decision.

Last year Robertson & Ross received £367,600 in legal aid compared to £832,000 between 2007 and 2008.

Legal aid exists to pay fees for those who can't afford to hire a solicitor.

Gibb claimed he was sacked by Robertson & Ross but was awarded a cash settlement by the f irm before an unfair dismissal tribunal.

He said: "What went on between SLAB and Robertson & Ross is totally outwith my knowledge, other than that I assisted SLAB once. I'm now 60 and don't have a hope in hell of getting a job now. I've been wiped out."

In December, 2008, Robertson was censured by the Scottish Solicitors' Discipline Tribunal for ripping off a client for £21,308. He took cash payments from the woman whi le claiming legal aid for the work.He was fined £5000 and found guilty of professional misconduct.

A SLAB spokesman said: "Iain Robertson and Alastair Gibb have been investigated. The sum of £221,847 has been paid back."

Robertson said: "It was accepted that payments had been wrongly claimed and as the supervising partner I had to accept responsibilty.

"We dealt with the matter and agreed the figures. I'm disappointed that SLAB have taken the decision they have."

A Crown Office spokeswoman said: "We received a report in relation to two men aged, 60 and 57, in relation to an alleged incident in Paisley in 2008. After full and careful consideration of the facts and circumstances, Crown Counsel instructed there should be no proceedings in relation to this matter."

"Ours is, appallingly, an age of genocide...

Our obligation, and it is an obligation, is to take in what human beings are capable of doing to one another, not spontaneously (crimes of this order are never spontaneous) but when mobilized to think of other human beings--people who were their school friends, neighbors, co-workers, and fellow parishioners--as not human beings at all, and when organized for and directed to the task of slaughter. For the issue, finally, is not judgment. It is understanding. To make the effort to understand what happened in Rwanda is a painful task that we have no right to shirk--it is part of being a moral adult."

Susan Sontag, from her preface to _Machete Season:

The Killers in Rwanda Speak_ by Jean Hatzfeld(2003).

This plaque is located on a wall of names memorializing the victims of the 1994 Rwanda Genocide.

Kigali, Rwanda. Afrika.

June, 2005.

WELCOME to ADDA's MUSEUM of BAD THRIFT SHOP ART...(AMBTSA)

of course, now that you are a roving art critic, you will have to wear a beret & smoke hand-rolled cigs while you extenuate thru "ADDA'S MUSEUM OF THRIFT SHOP ART, the palladium of bad art"

Please do not touch the paintings for the paint is probally radoactive and your fingers will melt.

The MUSEUM takes no responsiblity of the extreme brain pain caused by viewing these paintings.

The management takes no responsibilty for the loss of eyesight caused by viewing these THRIFT STORE horrors.

you're on your own kid...burn & learn

CAUTION: Attending the MUSEUM may cause severe cases of disbelief!

U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY (Sept. 11, 2013) Interior Communications Electrician Fireman Apprentice Bryan Mcgrath, forward, participates in a working party in the hangar bay during a replenishment-at-sea aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3). Kearsarge is the flagship for the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and, with the embarked 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Corbin J. Shea/Released)

For Gray.

Tucson, Arizona. USA.

She's holding a ball fashioned from plastic bags and string--

a homemade toy typical of Afrika.

Gisimba Memorial Center.

Nyamirambo, Kigali. Rwanda. Afrika.

June 27, 2006.

I know this is not really a "Memory" of... but i think it does pertain.... especially if you've ever had. one of...

Those phone calls….

You know the kind I mean….the ones that ring a certain way…that sound a certain way so that the second you pick up the receiver, you just know.

There’s that infinitesimal pause before the storm, an almost breathless fraction of a moment, and suddenly, in the most basic framework of your being, suddenly you know. You know that this is a bad call. Someone is hurt. Someone has died. Someone you love.

In that brief pause, the caller on the other end is preparing to make an announcement that will knock you down, take your breath away and stop your heart. Change your life.

I’ve received a couple of those calls in my life. And I picked up another one this past Sunday night….. home, relaxing on the couch….watching a little tube….and BAM! The phone started ringing. It was my brother.

Tanner had had an accident on his way home. He’s okay, my brother assured me… he’s rolled his truck, and it’s totaled, but he’s okay.

Breathless ….. I was stricken with a heart pain so acute I thought I would die right there. Holding onto the phone with a white-knuckled, finger-aching grip I tried to make sense of what he was saying, but all I could think was that my son was hurt. It’s happened again. Oh God Oh God Oh God. And I was hours away.

Tell me he’s okay. Is he okay? Where is he? How badly is he hurt? The questions came shooting out of my mouth at lightning speed, and I was having problems hearing the story… I was horrified to think that any second I would hear those words. Those terrible, horrible words…..he’s hurt. He’s hurt badly. You have to get here right away. Oh God.

I’m thankful to be able to say that this time, he wasn’t hurt badly, and he is okay. Scratches, cuts, bruises and contusions, but he’s okay.

He’d just made some bad judgment calls and he’d had an accident, and his truck was trashed, but he was truly okay. Oh thank You oh thank You oh thank You!

So then, when I’d figured that out, and learned the whole story…..well, then I became mad….angry…disappointed… but mostly angry.

I love this boy with all my heart. He’s a really good kid. Honest, straightforward, hard-working. I can pretty much count on the fingers of one hand the times that I’ve truly, truly been angry with him, and not one of those times can compare to the anger I felt towards him last Sunday night. Not one.

Don’t get me wrong…. Accidents happen. I’ve had accidents, I’ve made bad judgment calls, and I’ve done things that I’m not real proud to admit that I did. But the fact is…. He knows better than to do what he did. And now there are consequences that he’ll have to face up to, and those consequences are not very pleasant. But he’ll get through it. He’s got a good character, and he knows right from wrong. He’s strong, and upright.

I honestly believe he’s learned a valuable lesson and thankfully not at the cost of his or anyone else’s life. Trucks can be replaced, money can be replenished, and laws can be abided and enforced.

But a once it’s taken, someone’s life can never, ever be returned.

And that is the crux of the whole thing.

it is indeed ironic that I drove the four blocks home from our local tavern on the Friday night before Tanner's accident. Having a few beers socially is not a common habit of mine, but I do enjoy it once in a while. I have a whole different outlook now.

Tanner only consumed three beers in an hour and a half. and it completely threw his reflexes off. He says he feels the alcohol had a direct affect on his reflexes, and that he most likley would not have had this accident if he hadn't drank the beer.

what a sobering reflection.

130303-N-YQ852-014

U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILTY (Mar. 03, 2013) –The amphibious dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47) transits through the Red Sea. Rushmore is a part of the Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group and, with the embarked 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Shawnte Bryan/Released)

Life's a little bit stressful, just responsibilties... Bah reality. My goal for 2010 though, is to become much more organized. yes! FOCUS! We Montpetit folks tend to be big dreamers, starting lots of things but having difficulties seeing them through, that is unless you're my sister. I swear I have no idea where she got her super ability to focus on one specific goal and totally succeed the fuck out of it. Well I guess grandpa was like that too... Me on the other hand, I'm all over the fucking map.

Geez. Ok where was I, oh yeah, focus... Yes, 2010. It'll be a grand year!

This is my classroom behavior monitor. It's kind of hard to see but hanging on the left-hand side of the bulletin board (which is actually one of my closet doors) is a yardstick that I've painted green on the top 2/3, yellow in the middle lower-half and red at the very bottom. Colored sections are separated by a black line of electrical tape.

I have each student's name on a clothespin, which starts out fresh, each morning in the green zone. Green, of course means GO. In the event of some "detour behaviour" I say these five words: "This is your last reminder." That's my signal to them that they're just about ready to enter the yellow zone. After their last reminder (I don't really believe in the 3 strikes and you're out rule) then they physically move their clothespin to the yellow zone. This is their way of mentally preparing to deal with whatever consequences that may result from their unwillingness to control their inappropriate behavior.

If, after going to the yellow zone, the student is unable to fix their attitude or behavior, the I have them move their stick to the red zone~ which is OFF TO THE PITTS.

The PITTS is a single empty desk, sitting all by itself at the back of the room. When they get "in the Pitts" their responsiblity is to open the "hood" of the desk and take out the discipline book that's inside. This is a 3-ring binder with individual pages inside.

When a student has to go "to the PITTS" they have the responsibilty to THINK about what they did to get themself into the pits, PLAN what they'll do to prevent this from happening again, and then DOCUMENT/WRITE what they've decided to do on a repair order form.

This form has a place for the student to write their name, date, time, which one of the RACE Words did they choose not to honor, list who else was involved, and then write their response to what they'll next time to prevent this sort of thing from happening again. The form has a place at the bottom for the student to sign, for me to sign and for their parents to sign and return to school.

This approach works out so well~ because kids are held accountable for their own actions. So far... we're entering week #3 of our school year and nobody has had to "go to the Pitts" as of yet. We've had several "this is your last reminders" and pins in the yellow zone but that's as far as they usually push it.

Most importantly... at the end of each day, everyone gets a fresh start and they get to start fresh by beginning back in the green zone.

I used green gingham checkered fabric for the back of the bulletin board.

If you'd like copies of any of these things, I'd be glad to share.

Gisimba Memorial Center.

The girls' dormitory.

An orphanage on the outskirts of Kigali, in Nyamirambo.

Rwanda. Afrika.

When I was at school, I was never a prefect but all my friends were. I never wanted the responsibilty of turning up at parents evenings etc. However, because I hung around with these people all the time, the teachers assumed I was a prefect too. Which meant I got to stay inside on lunch breaks but never got called up for after school events. It was great! I always said I wanted to get a badge that said Perfect instead of Prefect. And now I have :)

(part of my 2009 archives)

An Aviation Boatswain's Mate guides an E-2C "Hawkeye" assigned to Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron One One Three (VAW 113) onto catapult number three during flight operations. VAW-113 is embarked with Carrier Air Wing FOURTEEN aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln. USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) and Carrier Air Wing FOURTEEN (CVW 14) are currently conducting flight operations and carrier qualifications in the Seventh Fleet area of responsibilty (AOR)-un-edited-Not part of my personal collection

Running uphill with sunlit water jugs.

Gisimba Memorial Center.

Kigali, Rwanda. Afrika.

July, 2005.

If you are interested in sponsoring an orphan at Gisimba Memorial Center, direct contact information is listed below.

Ildephonse Niyongana - Director

Damas Gisimba - Founder

gisimbacmg@yahoo.com

Gisimba Orphanage

B.P. 1433 Kigali Rwanda

Ave de la Nyarugenge

Nyamirambo

District of Nyarugenge

tel +250 08524515 or +250 08532596

Bank of Kigali 040-0013914-76

swift BK IG RWRW

Additional information can also be found on www.orphansofrwanda.org

The text below is from www.orphansofrwanda.org

"Centre Memorial de Gisimba (Gisimba Memorial Center)

The Gisimba orphanage, located in the Nyamirambo quarter of Kigali, is led by Damas Mutezintare Gisimba. Damas's father founded the orphanage in 1980 with 18 children living in one house. Damas took over in 1986 after the death of his father. During the genocide Damas sheltered over 400 children and adults in the small orphanage compound from the predations of the interahamwe [the Hutu paramilitary squads that carried out much of the genocide]. Though the orphanage was repeatedly menaced, Damas and his colleagues held their ground and did not give in to the genocidaires. He has been honored for his heroism by the Rwandan government and many other organizations.

The orphanage currently houses over 150 children. Ten years ago almost all were genocide victims, but many of the newer arrivals have been orphaned by AIDS. Because their parents were HIV+, a number of them are also infected."

PLEASE DONATE TO GISIMBA MEMORIAL CENTER VIA ORPHANS OF RWANDA: www.orphansofrwanda.org/getinvolved.php#donate

For statistics on Rwanda: www.unicef.org/infobycountry/rwanda_statistics.html

A Canadian Law professor gave me stickers and toys to bring to the orphanage. Here's one young child wearing his gift.

To this boy, a set of stickers meant so much, and he wore his with such pride.

Gisimba Memorial Center.

Kigali, Rwanda. Afrika.

June, 2005.

If you are interested in sponsoring an orphan at Gisimba Memorial Center, direct contact information is listed below.

Ildephonse Niyongana - Director

Damas Gisimba - Founder

gisimbacmg@yahoo.com

Gisimba Orphanage

B.P. 1433 Kigali Rwanda

Ave de la Nyarugenge

Nyamirambo

District of Nyarugenge

tel +250 08524515 or +250 08532596

Bank of Kigali 040-0013914-76

swift BK IG RWRW

Additional information can also be found on www.orphansofrwanda.org

The text below is from www.orphansofrwanda.org

"Centre Memorial de Gisimba (Gisimba Memorial Center)

The Gisimba orphanage, located in the Nyamirambo quarter of Kigali, is led by Damas Mutezintare Gisimba. Damas's father founded the orphanage in 1980 with 18 children living in one house. Damas took over in 1986 after the death of his father. During the genocide Damas sheltered over 400 children and adults in the small orphanage compound from the predations of the interahamwe [the Hutu paramilitary squads that carried out much of the genocide]. Though the orphanage was repeatedly menaced, Damas and his colleagues held their ground and did not give in to the genocidaires. He has been honored for his heroism by the Rwandan government and many other organizations.

The orphanage currently houses over 150 children. Ten years ago almost all were genocide victims, but many of the newer arrivals have been orphaned by AIDS. Because their parents were HIV+, a number of them are also infected."

PLEASE DONATE TO GISIMBA MEMORIAL CENTER VIA ORPHANS OF RWANDA.

This reminds me of me, when I was a young girl, and my dad would

encircle me with his arm, so large against my slight shoulders and neck.

We'd walk like this, small child secure by the side of her elder.

For my dad.

KwaZululand, South Africa.

July, 2005.

(scanned. fiesty/dusty negative. will be uploaded again in due course.)

This is such a dear, common sight: a boy and a girl hanging out,

often oblivious of each other...or totally in rapture. Little vignettes

of love and life here at Dumas' orphanage--his sanctuary for the children

of Kigali.

Gisimba Memorial Center.

Kigali, Rwanda.

June, 2005.

If you are interested in sponsoring an orphan at Gisimba Memorial Center, direct contact information is listed below.

Ildephonse Niyongana - Director

Damas Gisimba - Founder

gisimbacmg@yahoo.com

Gisimba Orphanage

B.P. 1433 Kigali Rwanda

Ave de la Nyarugenge

Nyamirambo

District of Nyarugenge

tel +250 08524515 or +250 08532596

Bank of Kigali 040-0013914-76

swift BK IG RWRW

Additional information can also be found on www.orphansofrwanda.org

The text below is from www.orphansofrwanda.org

"Centre Memorial de Gisimba (Gisimba Memorial Center)

The Gisimba orphanage, located in the Nyamirambo quarter of Kigali, is led by Damas Mutezintare Gisimba. Damas's father founded the orphanage in 1980 with 18 children living in one house. Damas took over in 1986 after the death of his father. During the genocide Damas sheltered over 400 children and adults in the small orphanage compound from the predations of the interahamwe [the Hutu paramilitary squads that carried out much of the genocide]. Though the orphanage was repeatedly menaced, Damas and his colleagues held their ground and did not give in to the genocidaires. He has been honored for his heroism by the Rwandan government and many other organizations.

The orphanage currently houses over 150 children. Ten years ago almost all were genocide victims, but many of the newer arrivals have been orphaned by AIDS. Because their parents were HIV+, a number of them are also infected."

PLEASE DONATE TO GISIMBA MEMORIAL CENTER VIA ORPHANS OF RWANDA: www.orphansofrwanda.org/getinvolved.php#donate

For statistics on Rwanda: www.unicef.org/infobycountry/rwanda_statistics.html

Jonathan Hoffman, a Northfield, Vt., teacher and humanitarian, accepts a commanders coin from U.S. Army Col. Will Roy, Task Force Wolverine, 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain) commander. Hoffman, who helped Afghans finance and build more than 11 schools during the past nine summers in poor, rural Afghanistan communities, is building his latest school in Bamyan province, which is in TF Wolverine’s area of responsibilty. Hoffman is visiting the Vermont-based 86th IBCT because he has built a few schools in memory of Master Sgt. Tom Stone, a Vermont National Guardsman who was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2006. (Photo by Spc. Charles P. Espie)

OK, as of this picture this spot had two shitty tags. And I felt bad for a second for this "old black man', but then I realized that this building has been vacant and shitty looking for a coupla years now. And prior to that, when people lived in it, it just looked shitty and run down. Five'll get you ten that if a fire marshal did a walk through he'd order this place razed. So, while I understand your plight, sir, I feel the real reason that you'll lose this property is because you neglected it. Whether out of sloth or not enough money, the responsibility falls on your shoulders. Yeah, the graffiti isn't helping, but laying all the blame on taggers and accepting none for yourself is just plain absurd. Get your shit straight, clean out those malt liquor cans that are littering the stairs, fix that rain gutter that is hanging like a vine, renovate, move some folks in, and the vandals will leave.

That's tough love. Stop pointing fingers. And good luck, sir.

Denise Kiyetesi (foreground) at school. Finals week.

Secondaire, Kigali.

Rwanda, Afrika.

July, 2005.

(TMAX film.)

If you are interested in sponsoring an orphan at Gisimba Memorial Center, direct contact information is listed below.

Ildephonse Niyongana - Director

Damas Gisimba - Founder

gisimbacmg@yahoo.com

Gisimba Orphanage

B.P. 1433 Kigali Rwanda

Ave de la Nyarugenge

Nyamirambo

District of Nyarugenge

tel +250 08524515 or +250 08532596

Bank of Kigali 040-0013914-76

swift BK IG RWRW

Additional information can also be found on www.orphansofrwanda.org

U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY (Sept. 11, 2013) Sailors secure cargo to a gullwing during a replenishment-at-sea between the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) and the fleet replenishment oiler USNS Patuxent (T-AO 201). Kearsarge is the flagship for the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and, with the embarked 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Corbin J. Shea/Released)

When London Transport was split into the various bus operating companies, the coaches were set up at London Coaches. They also assumed responsibilty for the sightseeing tour. The availabilty of a quantity of MCW Metroliners, redundant after being displaced from National Express work, saw these coaches being decapitated for sightseeing work.

The girl's hand on her older sister's knee is yet another subtle sign of love here at the orphanage.

Gisimba Memorial Center .

Kigali, Rwanda. Afrika.

July, 2005.

If you are interested in sponsoring an orphan at Gisimba Memorial Center, direct contact information is listed below.

Ildephonse Niyongana - Director

Damas Gisimba - Founder

gisimbacmg@yahoo.com

Gisimba Orphanage

B.P. 1433 Kigali Rwanda

Ave de la Nyarugenge

Nyamirambo

District of Nyarugenge

tel +250 08524515 or +250 08532596

Bank of Kigali 040-0013914-76

swift BK IG RWRW

Additional information can also be found on www.orphansofrwanda.org

Goma, The Democratic Republic of Congo.

July, 2005.

Denise Kiyetesi, front row, far left.

Denise is 16 years old. One day she'd like to be a doctor and help orphans like herself.

If you are interested in sponsoring an orphan at Gisimba Memorial Center, direct contact information is listed below.

Ildephonse Niyongana - Director

Damas Gisimba - Founder

gisimbacmg@yahoo.com

Gisimba Orphanage

B.P. 1433 Kigali Rwanda

Ave de la Nyarugenge

Nyamirambo

District of Nyarugenge

tel +250 08524515 or +250 08532596

Bank of Kigali 040-0013914-76

swift BK IG RWRW

Additional information can also be found on www.orphansofrwanda.org

It takes a world to raise an orphan.

Lycee Republique Francaise, Kigali.

Rwanda, Afrika.

Finals week.

July, 2005.

(TMAX film.)

Gisimba Memorial Center.

The girls' dormitory.

An orphanage on the outskirts of Kigali, in Nyamirambo.

Rwanda. Afrika.

Diana is HIV positive and was brought to Gisimba Memorial Center when she was a one year old. Diana is usually exuberant, happy, and friendly. When you don't find her outside playing, you'll find her resting on a bunk bed in the darkness of the girls' cool dorm room. Here she watches Peace sing gospel songs.

Gisimba Memorial Center

An orphanage on the outskirts of Kigali in Nyamirambo.

Kigali, Rwanda. Afrika.

July 15, 2006.

1. Traffic Shot., 2. Green Streets, 3. Multi-color Cross, 4. Red Wings, 5. Hulk Crystal, 6. Backwards initials, 7. I am out of here, 8. Purple Twist,

9. Light topping, 10. Light play in Bowl, 11. Green Squiggles, 12. Light Whipped Cream, 13. Light spill, 14. How Do you Moo------- (said the same as "How Do You Do"), 15. Many of Me, 16. Hannah's smile,

17. Love ya sis!, 18. Sometimes when I am trying to catch a ride on the handlebars of your bike your front tire makes me feel all funny like the rope in Gym class, 19. responsibilty, 20. Starting to fill up enough for a poster. Yeah!, 21. DCAM0018, 22. Life goes fast, 23. R, 24. Turtle Surfer,

25. Olivia and Dad, 26. Red Alert, 27. Pick a house, Any house, 28. Stout, 29. Radial Pattern of Nature, 30. Underwater patrol, 31. abstract light, 32. Determination,

33. What are You lookin' at?, 34. The True Reflection of Fast Food., 35. Boys of Summer, 36. Hannah and Shawna, 37. Vortex Explosion, 38. newbub, 39. Traffic at Night, 40. Down By the Station,

41. Naps for everyone, 42. Drink Water 2, 43. Future Tree, 44. Flexiable Strength, 45. , 46. circlefountain, 47. Power of the cross, 48. Signal and Exhaust,

49. Tree Hugger, 50. posterize fight, 51. Fire Turn, 52. quarter turn swirl, 53. PSP Fun, 54. Happy Valentines Heather, 55. Crystal and Flowers, 56. Love in Bloom,

57. Little Tin Man, 58. In front the express, 59. Tag Bomber, 60. My face squished up and missing two front Teef, 61. Blue Wall Project 1, 62. Peachy Leaf, 63. Let it out, 64. I Can't Believe I rolled that thing!,

65. Oh the Life!, 66. Rolling Condos, 67. No More Photos, 68. Cool Bird Houses, 69. More of the Beast, 70. Playhouse night shot, 71. That Cracks Me Up Darling... Really, 72. Dress up Days

Created with fd's Flickr Toys.

Kevin, me, and Peace. Peace takes my hat just before

Charles takes our photograph. She wants me to have hat head!

Gisimba Memorial Center

July 15, 2006.

Kigali, Rwanda. Africa.

My name is Yuki (said You-key). It means Snow. Mr. Cranky when he heard about Anniversary girls thought Lindamom should have one. She entered the lottery but did not win. She did not know he entered also and did win! Now I am also a part of this family and love my sisters. Lindamom said thank you very much to Mr. Cranky and said "you are very kind but lets stop here ok"! She says he does not understand the responsibilty of taking care of so many girls. Nice to meet all of you!

The girls bath.

Gisimba Memorial Center

An orphanage on the outskirts of Kigali in Nyamirambo.

Kigali, Rwanda. Afrika.

July 15, 2006.

U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY (Sept. 12, 2013) Airman Betsy Egbert (right) and Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) Airman Recruit prepare to chain down an AH-1W Super Cobra from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 266 (Rein) on the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3). Kearsarge is the flagship for the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and, with the embarked 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Derek Paumen/Released)

On their way to school. Every weekday morning, I'd awake early, slip on my sneakers and before breakfast, take a walk on the steep and winding backroads of Rumera, one of many neighborhoods in the "suburbs" of Kigali.

I loved the views this time of day, the city sprawled out over seven hills beneath fading stars in the crisp morning chill. The sight of little uniform-clad boys and girls making their way to elementary school, swinging over-sized water jugs, sometimes half their height. I liked how people of all ages emerged from around corners, walked alongside me for a block or two, then disappeared, heading for their daily destiny.

Of? I could only wonder.

I passed these two boys and their friends often; at first I was a spectacle to them, but as the weeks unfolded they got used to seeing me, delighted in my pathetic efforts to greet them in Kinyarwanda. (Bite! [Pronounced Bitah] Hello!) I loved these sunrise walks, greeting the locals, witnessing the city wake, stars dimming. Sometimes, when I'm driving to work, I think about those walks and really miss them--and these two boys.

Kigali, Rwanda.

6:30 a.m.

June 7, 2005.

130503-N-OC961-125 U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILTY (May 3, 2013) Seaman Eric Stokes, assigned to guided-missile cruiser USS Hue City (CG 66), conducts anti-corrosive preservation on a bulkhead. Hue City is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility promoting maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts and support missions as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Luis Fiallos/Released)

Gloster/Armstrong Whitworth Meteor NF14 at the RAF Museum, Cosford, 8 July 2020. The aircraft was hung from the cieling and the presence of three huge V-bombers beneath it meant that a even half-decent photograph was not easy.

Even though the Luftwaffe had first deployed jet night fighters in the closing stages of WWII (a small number of Messerschmitt Me262B-1a/U1 and Arado Ar234B-2/N), the RAF had no jet night fighters until 1951 when the Meteor NF11 entered service.

Responsibilty for the development and production of the night fighter variant of the Meteor, already an aging design, was handed over by Gloster to Armstrong Whitworth (an associated company) and several marks were built culminating in the impressive-looking, long-nosed NF14 of 1953; it lasted in service until 1961 (1965 as night fighter trainers whilst NF11's converted to target tugs served until 1968).

The Meteor night fighters, together with the de Havilland Vampire and Venom night fighters, were really no more than an interim solution to the need for a modern night fighter until the Gloster Javelin was brought into service, an advanced design which was taking longer to develop than anticipated.

The Meteor NF11, 12, 13 & 14 had a good radar, but only a cannon armament so were not in the same class as the American night fighters of the period such as the missile-armed versions of the Lockheed F-94 Starfire, Northrop F-89 Scorpion and the all-weather versions of the North American F-86 Sabre, all of which had very impressive avionics/radar suites for the era.

Gihembe Refugee Camp

Gihembe, Rwanda. Afrika.

July, 14. 2006.

Gisimba Memorial Center.

Kigali, Rwanda. Afrika.

June, 2005.

If you are interested in sponsoring an orphan at Gisimba Memorial Center, direct contact information is listed below.

Ildephonse Niyongana - Director

Damas Gisimba - Founder

gisimbacmg@yahoo.com

Gisimba Orphanage

B.P. 1433 Kigali Rwanda

Ave de la Nyarugenge

Nyamirambo

District of Nyarugenge

tel +250 08524515 or +250 08532596

Bank of Kigali 040-0013914-76

swift BK IG RWRW

Additional information can also be found on www.orphansofrwanda.org

The text below is from www.orphansofrwanda.org

"Centre Memorial de Gisimba (Gisimba Memorial Center)

The Gisimba orphanage, located in the Nyamirambo quarter of Kigali, is led by Damas Mutezintare Gisimba. Damas's father founded the orphanage in 1980 with 18 children living in one house. Damas took over in 1986 after the death of his father. During the genocide Damas sheltered over 400 children and adults in the small orphanage compound from the predations of the interahamwe [the Hutu paramilitary squads that carried out much of the genocide]. Though the orphanage was repeatedly menaced, Damas and his colleagues held their ground and did not give in to the genocidaires. He has been honored for his heroism by the Rwandan government and many other organizations.

The orphanage currently houses over 150 children. Ten years ago almost all were genocide victims, but many of the newer arrivals have been orphaned by AIDS. Because their parents were HIV+, a number of them are also infected."

PLEASE DONATE TO ORPHANS OF RWANDA.

This is the memorial on Cannock Chase to the 22,000 Polish nationals executed in the Katyn forest during the Second World War by the infamous NKVD (People's Commissariat for Internal Affairs), the Soviet secret police organisation.

The Soviet Union continued to deny responsibilty for the massacre until 1990.

Buried in the soil beneath the memorial are phials of soil transported from Warsaw and the Katyn forest itself.

7:30 am - just finished work (night duty) and i found this at the hospital's parking lot

wtf!!

its my car!!!!!

i went to asked the security guards what happened and they said thats its out of the responsibilty and i had to go to the guy managing the parking lot. as i arrived there they said that he will be arriving around 9. ok, THATS JUST GREAT!

8:00 am - called carglass to have an appointment

8:30 am - just arrived at the nearest police station (via feltre) and the woman at carglass called and fixed my appointment around 9:30, saying they will fixed the broken window in an hour. i said to myself "that was fast" but when she said which store, i just when crazy. its on the other side of town (via mecenate). so i just get out of the station and lost my turn on the line.

9:00 am - stuck in milan's traffic called again carglass asking if the they can change my appointment. they gave me 11:00 and i accepted it

9:15 am - called my insurance company

9:50 am - arrived at carglass, they said it will be ready around 11:30 and the people there are just so nice and show me the nearest police station.

11:00 am - after an hour of waiting at the station, it was my turn. the police said that for accepting my "denuncia" they would be requiring my original copy of my "permesso di soggiorno" which i usually left it home and have my a fotocopy with me always. (here in italy it takes forever to have one if you lost it). so i just went back to get the car

11:10 am - "i need sleep"

11:30 am - my car is fixed

12:00 noon - arrived home, stopped at a bakeshop. grabbed something to eat. people inside just noticed that i got my camera with me and asked if i can take photos of them.

1:00 pm - arrived at the police station, again for the third time and have with me all my documents

2:30 pm - got my verbal report

4:00 pm - "i can't sleep" posting this picture on flickr

I NEED SOME SLEEP!!!! four hours from now i need to go to work

and by the way they took my manfrotto carbon fiber tripod and head!!!

CHE SFIGAA!!!!

italian translation coming up!