Volume 1(2) Oct-Nov 2013
Be positive. Hug often. Lighten up.
r o t i d E ry e r e h t P e m nn o a r z u F S e g a s s ! e e n M i h and S Rise
Hello friends! It’s great to be back ! I had a refreshing week in Los Angeles attending the Braveheart Women Global Conference. In 2014, I will be contributing to their monthly newsletter as a Female Visionary Author. It was a medicinal experience for me at this particular juncture. This month marked the 6th anniversary of my “new life.” The dark, 22 year long abusive chapter finally came to a head. My life had been so pressurized that it shattered into a million chards and dust. It was my ground zero. The shackles came off. I was stuck on how to proceed. I had to learn to survive, how to fend for myself, how to find my way, and face scrutiny as a battered wife, as a sudden single mother, it was painful, shameful and confusing. I felt like a big, ugly ogre, that people were afraid to talk to me, in fear of upsetting me further, or just not knowing what to say. I don’t recall ever feeling so alone in my life. Feeling overwhelmed and bewildered, I felt no sense of grounds, of centrality, of home, of core, I felt no sense of footing. I felt like I was wandering the desert in the midst of a blinding sandstorm; lost, exhausted, and touted by demons (as my ex tried luring me to come back and bury the truth, while his family kept telling me how much he loved me). I was buried deep under layers of insults and injury, of cover ups and scars. Of thinking I was nuts and questioning what this toxic version of love was. Imagine just beginning a real relationship with your children when they were 4, 16 and 18. My kids had no clue who I really was. OUT with the cardboard cutout of me, the doormat, the silent, voiceless passive creature - and IN with the real me, once I found her again. Finding her - me - took a year. I wasn’t able to realize the impact of being mentally conditioned and brutally “disciplined” physically and sexually for 22 years. I was kept in the storm to stay silent, numb, stagnant, dormant. According to him, I could never survive in the world without this “king” to “protect” me. I was trained to find fatal flaws in everybody and that my husband was the only person in all the land who magically, seemingly had it all together and knew the score of every damned thing of matter going on, in the world.
Newly on my own, I caught myself saying that I don’t like women; that voice in my head said they cackled like hens, were deceitful, catty, and conniving. I was taught that I didn’t like men: that every last one was a pig and would never help me or any woman unless they intend on getting sex in return. Wow. I was in deep. Did I have a lot to learn! The past 6 years have introduced me to a few of them cunning, nasty, women, and also to some piggish, egotistical, self-serving men. But, I found that these people were the EXCEPTION and NOT the rule! Over the next few years, I learned to recognize common TRAITS, as either warning beacons or welcome mats to people’s souls. I learned to trust my intuition more and gossipers less. I learned to resist know-it-all types and those who thought II needed their approval how to run my business. I learned that I am in charge of me, and that I will be triumphant, standing up tall and being an example to others of taking my life back, no longer being a victim, but a victor. My own boss. The challenges have been many, but it is now my turn to RISE and SHINE brighter yet! I have now reached the status of UNSTOPPABLE. (Thank you Nancy Rizzo.) Now, my shell is a little tougher, my skin a little thicker, but it’ll never stop me from sharing and giving of myself.
Message From the Editor - Continued The past 5 years have taught me that when sticks and stones try to break my bones, not to sit, cry and take it! I have learned to CATCH them, and place them under my feet as my FOUNDATION on which to stand, and RISE up! Being in a room with over a thousand women from around the world, at different stages of their journeys, inspired me. I felt like I was “home” with people of compassion, like myself. I was at home with people who have been subjected to doubt and rejection from theirselves, their peers, families or whomever, for whatever reasons. There was an activity called a Harmony Circle, in which 2 human circles are formed, one inside the other, and for a couple of minutes, repeat the following verse and chorus to music, and then one circle takes a few steps so that they are facing a different woman.
As I looked at 18 women in the eyes and listened to the words, I was moved to full on tears, chin-trembling and all. I saw their pain. Their pain of having fallen, humility of being tripped, their scars from sticks and stones. We learned not to look to each other as a threat, but bonded, as women, as humans. We were joining and supporting each other’s goals. How beautiful! For 4 days, women of all sizes, colors, ages, marital statuses, and religions from around the planet, numbering about 1150, were dancing and laughing, in unity. Laughing. Dancing. Unity. UNITY. ONE-NESS. Home. It felt good. I could dance here, and nobody was being catty about it. Nobody judged me. And I judged nobody. I was home. It was okay to cry like a baby. My feet were happy and upon my foundation I danced. What were once tears of suffering and pain, of hopelessness, uncertainty and fear were now streaming tears of joy, of love, of global unity and power to get out there and do my thing! I learned a little about meditation. I became more in touch with my deeper self, and my vibrations. My vibrations ripple right around the earth and universe and come back to me. Also known as karma. Here is something I want you to do. Write or print the following on 2 sticky notes: I am capable, I am loveable, I have a lot to share, I have a voice! I matter! I have value! Most importantly, I can make a difference! :) Stick one on your car keys and the other on the back of your phone. Maybe even put one on your computer monitor. SEE it, SAY it, TRAIN your mind to KNOW it, and LIVE it. If you encounter anybody that tries to defy any of those personal affirmations, they are not on your side. It’s that simple! Send out positive vibes without asking for anything in return. It is a never ending life of reward and fulfillment. Happiness is yours if you create it, within yourself, and let it shine! Haters who want anybody to crash and burn, are sending out negative vibes and man does it come back to kick them eventually. The choice is yours and yours alone. Seriously. Train yourself to be a better person, look inside the one you are trying to hurt. Feel their pain and be compassionate. In closing, please live with purpose, hug often, and enjoy a peaceful Thanksgiving.
Suzanne Perry “SuzyP”
From USA to Pakistan to Peru: This is the World, Speaking by
Susan Marie In May of 2013, Erica Eichelkraut Zilbauer, owner of Main Studios in Buffalo, New York, asked me if I wished to hold Creative Writing Workshops at her studio. I have never taught any workshops, hold no degree in writing or education, yet I agreed, hoping there were a way I were able to bring something different to the workshops instead of the typical courses that really do not teach you about what being a writer is like, let alone the creative process as a whole. Most classes based upon writing focus on literary giants throughout history and works of immense international praise, leaving out the various styles of writing, as well as the diverse ways one creates in their everyday lives. Immediately, I started contacting organizations and writers and artists in my city for their experience and assistance and what occurred as a result blew me away. Starting with the support of Poets & Writers.org, Just Buffalo Literary Center, Delizon Publishers, Think Twice Radio, Publish America, and Big Marker, six different entities provided continuous free books, magazines, web space, and audio production. Locally, people began donating supplies, and most importantly, their own experience as writers and educators. The literary community of Western New York is immense and supportive, yet the response I received was something I did not expect.
Through the organizations and people, I were able to provide not only a forum for creativity, but full print journals, personal books, memoirs, supplies, print magazines, and quarterly publications and hand them to the attendees once a month. It felt great to be able to give to those who took the time to be interested in even one workshop.
The ideas overflowed as to what I wished to present that will be interesting, fun and useful to share for all people and ages. I put together a quick syllabus based upon my writing experience and what I have learned through the guidance of those who helped me through the years. It was extremely difficult to bring the most essential information to people in only three workshops, spaced out monthly, so I focused on what is most important in my everyday life as a writer. Three words:
To simply create. Every workshop was an open forum for discussion, there were no rules, everyone had a chance to voice what they learned, accomplished, and to share their work and experience. My only hope was that I were able to guide correctly without being boring. My greatest hope for an end result was that people created something, anything, that they were happy with and to record their work as a publishing credit for spoken word. As I began promotion for the workshops, nationally and globally, people were interested and wished they were able to attend. From that point, I made the workshops virtual. This way anyone in the entire world can attend and be a part of creating something they can be proud of. Once again, the response received from holding a virtual classroom was astonishing. From New York to Peru to Pakistan to Tunisia, people were interested. Before I knew it, these little workshops were turning into much more than creative writing lessons. Instead of having people sit for hours watching video, I audio recorded the workshops, took photos, and created an online virtual network that includes over 70 free books, audio from each workshop, photos, and the same information used in Buffalo. As a radio producer, audio is easier to download, stream, and listen to when ever one had the time. I asked the virtual attendees if that was okay and it was and off we went on a journey where all involved taught me so much more about writing. Each workshop, I invited a guest speaker, everyone of them different. Jim Petretta spoke about storytelling, Kenneth Feltges about poetry and education, and Janna Willoughby-Lohr about speaking your work and finding that creative place inside. Every week I received emails from people telling me how they had never written before until now, have never spoken their work, never recorded their voice, and how they had a piece published. People were actually enjoying the workshops and feeling good about what they were doing! Although this began with Erica and myself, what ensued is due to the people who created and gave to the workshops. Through their continuous emails, support, suggestions, in class insights and online correspondence, I became enlightened and understood that these workshops never belonged to me. We created them together and in turn, created pieces of work that I am proud to display to the world. To those who attended, to those who have written, to those who have recorded their work and to those who have donated their time, guidance and assistance, it is due to all of you that I am able to sit here and know in my heart that there is indeed so much beauty in our world.
To everyone reading, please, create . . .
Susan Marie is a Journalist, Public Relations Executive, Radio Producer, Human Rights Advocate, UNV, IT Tech, Spoken Word Poet and Published Author
Doing it their way Meet Ayana Webb and Chris, creators of NYC-based M*Pire Magazine
Ayana: It was an idea built into a movement and the magazine is just one aspect of the movement.
art, film, comedy, fashion, literature, etc. Our magazine caters to those who are serious about making a career out of their craft, and also to those who provide services to these artists, such as production companies, studios, labels, publishers, designers, performance venues, etc.
We understand that the prices of ad space for mainstream magazines are completely out of budget for upcoming artists, so what we do is we offer ad space at a much more affordable Ayana: One of our co-founders Armend (who price for artists who want to be in our magazine. We don't really "filter" who we we call "Chris") has experience in the media industry and has worked for channels such as want/don't want in the magazine, however MTV and other multimedia outlets. I personally have a degree in Music and was initially building a career as an artist. Eventually I shifted my focus to helping other artists build their career, and it was Chris' idea to do it in the form of a magazine. Thus, M Pire was we do require that the artist have at least a created. basic press kit (bio, website links, and a couple good photos). We also cater to the general public by adding articles that apply to one's every day life, such as articles on business, health, and dating/relationships. Ayana: We are both media people but that's not what drives us. What drives us is our God-given right to put out things our way.
“It was an idea built into a movement.�
Ayana: We are a magazine that covers all aspects of the arts, that includes music, visual
Ayana: At first it was difficult because no one heard of us. But that's pretty much the nature of every new business. What made it easier was we made our issues free to read and easily accessible online, including accessibility via mobile device.
Ayana and Chris build a career as an indie artist, or an artist in general, so we make it our primary mission to provide as many opportunities as possible for you to build your "M Pire", whether it be proAyana: We've had a lot of great guests come motion in the magazine or website, updating through that we've interviewed. My personal you with the hottest events in your area favorite was when Isis and I interviewed a nat- where you can perform or promote your maural hair enthusiast named Elle. As an African terial, keeping you up to speed with other media outlets who help promote artists as American woman who gave up the "relaxer" over seven years ago, I'm a maniac for talking well, or the like. about natural hair, and that was definitely an interview that I could get into. Chris: My favorite interview was the one with Tariq Nasheed. He has a no-nonsense apAyana: Most of our contact information is on proach to the truth. our official website www.m-piremagazine.com or my direct email at awebb@m-piremagazine.com. Ayana: Mine has, and always will be, vanilla. As far as social media networks, we have the following: And my ice cream has to be frozen solid! Chris: Mine is Haagen Das' pineapple coconut -Blog: www.m-piremagazine.blogspot.com ice cream. (which is the best site to stay up on our absolute latest happenings). Our blog can also be found on our official website. -Twitter: @M_Pire_Magazine -Facebook: www.facebook.com/MPireMagazine Ayana: Outside of what we put for question -Instagram: @MPireMagazine (even though 4, the name that we chose for this magazine we're not on instagram that much yet) pretty much summarizes what we stand for. We understand how truly difficult it can be to
PONDEROUSLY
PERCEPTIVE
POINTS PERSPECTIVES
BY
GARY HODGE
And the "wild side" is a deliberate reference to singer Lou Reed's hit song, •"Take A Walk On The Wild Side" of the 1960s or 70s. • (The rock music legend unfortunately passed away on October 27th of this year, at 71 years of age. According to the Associated Press, the cause of death was "a liver related ailment." Earlier this year, Reed received a life-saving liver transplant after experiencing chronic liver failure.)
If you ever take a walk on the wild side on the moon, don't forget the Twinkies.
•I have heard that when the NASA astronauts first landed on the moon, •the amount of computer "brain power" •was less than what the most basic of laptop computers have today. While I don't mean to minimize or criticize such a historic and fantastic achievement as this precursor to Neal Armstrong's first walk on the lunar wild side, •I must confess that this comparison did make me a little nostalgic and genuinely amazed.
When I was studying journalism in college, •a professor gave an assignment to write a comparison piece about two ideas, •concepts or things that, •at first glance or examination, •you feel are not related but would or could make an interesting article when some aspect of them is compared with or to each other. •Although I would not presume to assume you will automatically think what you are about to read is interesting, •I sure hope you do. The comparison between two, •perhaps, on the surface at least, •seemingly unrelated •things, •and still this day, •reminds •me of when I read a newspaper article about twenty years ago about a person who had passed away. What I discovered, •as I read, •was that during their lifetime, •the Wright Brothers had first flown an airplane and then before this person had passed on, •the technology had progressed to creation and use of the Super Sonic Concorde aircraft within earth's atmosphere and finally to the creation of and use, •by NASA, •of the Outer Space or more commonly known Space Shuttle. •Also during this person's lifetime, even the music had changed. •What had begun with the introduction of the acoustic guitar music of Hank Williams Senior and eventually led to Les Paul and Bob Dylan plugging in and rocking out to their renditions of electronic guitar riffs, •which, •also, •fortunately or unfortunately, •depending on your musical tastes, •further led to and ended with the multi-colored rhythmic melodic merriment and mayhem of the style called Disco music. If all of the previously mentioned things were not enough, •this person, •who I shall now call Mike, •had also witnessed the pop culture musical transition that occurred, •according to rock music authorities •like those on MTV back in the day, •when The King of Rock and Roll, •Elvis Presley passed away. •It was the contention of these video disk jockeys, •that this Royal occurrence had signaled a definitive transition away •from Presley's groundbreaking country, •rhythm and blues and rockabilly style to a new one that embraced the •New Wave and Punk Rock musical artistry of performers such as the Sex Pistols, •Elvis Costello, •Blondie and the pulsating fist and chest poundings used by Billy Idol. It had been so interesting to me that Mike had lived through so much that I began to review my own life up to now to see if I too could appreciate how far I had come in terms of my own journey of what I now call my Walk Down Memory Lane On •My Way To The Technological Advancement Wild Side. •Lou Reed had sung in my ear while listening on my portable music player to Take A Walk and I was determined to do exactly what he had lyrically suggested.
Armed with a piece of old-fashioned wide-ruled notebook paper (because I prefer the wider spacing it provides for writing over its narrower college-ruled colleague), •I sat down, •in a very comfortable chair. I•let my mind •become open to •wonder, •if necessary and composed my list.
PONDEROUSLY
PERCEPTIVE
So, here is my walk-inspired list, from earliest to most recent and young to being a seasoned participant on this journey we call Life: black and white televisions, color televisions, transistor radios, small reel to reel recorders and players, hand held mathematical calculators, home stereo record players and recorders, eight track tape music players andBY reorders, cassette audio reorders GARY HODGE and players, still photography cameras from having to have the pictures developed for a financial price when you waited until someone else developed them for you to see on paper or slides that could be projected onto a screen or wall to seeing the results instantly by saving the pictures on a very small computer flash drive or or similar device, Walkman radios and audio recorders, VCRs, consumer color video cameras, police radar, GPS, digital and calculator watches, a Commodore 64 home computer, laptop computer, external computer storage devices, small hand held consumer and slightly lager professional video play back and recording color cameras, iPads, cellular telephones (or known as cell phones), DVD players and recorders, blue ray players and recorders.
POINTS PERSPECTIVES
If you have made it this far, I applaud your effort and thank you very much. I really appreciate your perseverance and promise it will soon be rewarded when I present what I hope will be my very perceptive pondering point. Now that I have made this list, I ask myself one question: What the heck (because I won't ever lower myself to swearing, cussing or cursing in this column) else am I supposed to do with it? Perhaps it could also be referred to or without my realizing it until now since I just thought of it, as my own collection of, as Oprah Winfrey might call it, Favorite Things list of personal technological advancement "products" I have seen. I think it was a great idea for everyone to try to make their own list. However, it makes me arrive, at last, and I hope you are ready for it, at my ponderously perceptive point I want you to think about from your own perspective: Do we have to keep moving forward in our quest to make technological advancements without, in some cases, so it may seem to some people, stopping to slow down a little, relax and enjoy what we and our predecessors have invented or is it better to always try to push forward, as if seeking to be the next reincarnation of the late Apple iPad company founder and inventor Steve Jobs? There is another, perhaps minor, point that I like to bring up and thought it would be fun to know what you, my readers, think about it. How do you feel now about Twinkies, those snack treats that temporarily were taken off of the consumer food shelves nationwide now that they have been brought back by the company that makes them? And if you ate them before, do you still enjoy eating them? Is there something different about them, good or bad, in your opinion, that has influenced your culinary decision? Would you like to see a Twinkie Eating Festival, perhaps called Twinkiefest in your area? They have one in Emporia, Kansas, a suburb of Kansas City, Missouri. At this point, just asking for fun. If you want to correspond with me about anything in this or previous columns, please send an email at the address provided. I look forward to anyone so inclined to write. Until next month, please keep pondering perceptively!
About the Author Gary Hodge is an experienced television, radio, multi-media & journalistic professional with a Masters Degree. He is a Western New York State resident. This media veteran writes about the diverse intellectual cornucopia that is his interests.
Lamplighters An International Movement for Incest and Child Sexual Abuse Recovery “We must all stand together so that no one must stand alone!”
“Punch a hole in the darkness!” Interview with Marjorie McKinnon, Founder of the LamplighterMovement.
Marjorie McKinnon
is an incest survivor who ran away from home at the age of 18 after five years of sexual, physical and emotional abuse at the hands of her father. She spent the next 27 years going from one abuser to another until in her mid 40s she entered a program for recovery of her own devising that she later called REPAIR. During recovery, she found out that her second husband had sexually molested her two older daughters. Her youngest daughter had previously raped at gunpoint by a masked bandit. This accents the reality that child sexual abuse and incest is a multigenerational problem. Children of an untreated incest survivor stand a five times greater chance of being sexually molested themselves.
“The single most important reason why child sexual abuse is epidemic is because survivors don’t want to talk about what happened to them.”
Marjorie McKinnon, Founder of the Lamplighter Movement
“My program, REPAIR, is the result of several years of note-taking, keeping a journal, meditation, and piecing together parts of my own life, as well as conversations with other incest survivors across the country. As I worked my way through recovery, I kept notes in anticipation that someday what I was learning might help others. When I began this book, I re-read my own first-person account, I Never Heard A Robin Sing, to re-walk the path I had taken. I never realized at the time how blessed I was, for that path, although rugged, was straight, and in retrospect provided me with invaluable help to create this program.”
Marjorie McKinnon is a survivor. And she’s doing something to help other survivors.
When I was in recovery I was so lost and frightened. I used to say, please God can you send me a Lamplighter. I need someone to tell me where to go next. After completing recovery I decided to start a movement called The Lamplighter Movement. I had gone to my father’s grave at the end of my recovery and cried and screamed and told him if he wanted to be forgiven, he would have to help me start this movement and help me get my words out to help others. The first people to contact me about wanting to start a chapter was a sexual assault center in International Falls, MN. They had no idea that not only was that the town where I was born (it’s a small town) but my father had delivered me in the middle of a blizzard.
All the information about how to start a chapter is on our website under Start a Group. Pinpoints of Light all around the world is something new. When I was in recovery, feeling lost and alone, I kept saying I wish I could find a Lamplighter, someone to help me along the way, someone who was a beacon of light.
“They want to remain silent and anonymous. Perpetrators know this. The more people who speak out, the less chance they have of abusing a child. It’s not just the survivors that don’t want to talk about it. No one wants to talk about it.”
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When I created the Lamplighters, a few years later, they formed into chapters; but the original concept of pinpoints of light was still my dream. So while some merged into chapters, some, who are singular, still remain my Lamplighter pinpoints of light. I view them as a place to go in the dark, just to know someone is out there and is willing to give them a hand whether by email, by phone number, through a social organization or a chapter. They are all pinpoints of light on a map of the world. What has been your biggest challenge? Looking for people to start chapters and staying on top of each of them.
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Have you been REPAIRed? REPAIR – A Program for Recovery from Incest & Childhood Sexual Abuse by Marjorie McKinnon Read a review of this book See the Table of Contents Read Chapter 2
Do you conduct any fundraising and if so, how can our readers help support your cause? The Guide covers this. I want no money. I just want more Lamplighters and more people to buy REPAIR Your Life, adults, teenagers and children’s version.
If somebody wants to join your roster, how do they do that? Contact me at Margie@thelamplighters.org.
Can you share a success story resulting from Lamplighters? If you check out the reviews on amazon.com you’ll find a lot of them there. My most recent is getting a phone call in the middle of the night from Pastor Ezekiel from Kenya, Africa. His area is having terrible problems with child sexual abuse and he wants to start a chapters.
Since then we have spoken on the phone several times (during the day this time) and I recently mailed him copies of all of the different versions of REPAIR as he mainly has children that need the help. I am also terribly proud of the two women’s prisons, one in CA and one in FL who are not only facilitating a Lamplighter chapter but they are all working the REPAIR program together. One of them said that the warden allows separate privileges to anyone who is a part of the Lamplighter Movement at their facility. I am terribly proud of all these women. Once upon a time when I was married to my third abuser I threatened to kill him with the butcher knife I had in my hand if he didn’t stop his constant rapes and violence. Unfortunately it was still to be a couple more years till I got rid of him. I could have been one of those women in those facilities. No one knows how hard it is to get out of a domestic violence relationship except for those who were there.
Provide a “home away from home” for other survivors, a safe place where they can tell their story.
Where can our readers go for more information to follow along with what Lamplighters is doing?
My website is at www.thelamplighters.org. I am also on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Red Room, Flickr and Pinterest. Keeping silent is our way of helping the perpetrators and we need to speak out.
Th an k you M ar gi e! W e w i sh you c on t i nu ed gr ow t h an d su c c ess i n By putting our names out there we t h i s ver y n eed ed an d are letting the perpetrators know that i m por tan t end eavor! WE WILL BE SILENT NO MORE. By adding your name you are not indicating that you are a survivor, only that you are supportive of those who have been abused and that you want to see child sexual abuse eradicated. We need YOU to add your name. The more names we have the more we are letting perpetrators know that we will not be intimidated or ashamed. CLICK HERE to send your information to be listed. We need at least your first name and the state & zip code where you live. If you would like to list an email address or a website address, please send that info as well. Thank you all so much for having the courage to STAND UP AND BE COUNTED! WE NEED AN ARMY!
How to Start a Chapter of Your Own Whenever one or more is gathered… · Locate a safe place to hold your meetings: hospital conference rooms, churches, recovery centers, etc. · Decide on the meeting format and the frequency that works best for your group · Spread the word in any way you can: Twelve Step meetings, flyers, ask local radio stations and newspapers to advertise · Ask counselors in your area to recommend The Lamplighters to their clients · Commit yourself to following the Code of The Lamplighters It’s so easy! Even if it’s just you and a friend sitting in a coffee shop telling your stories and being supportive of each other, that constitutes a Lamplighter Chapter. The facilitator of a meeting is responsible for finding a place to hold the meetings, deciding on the time, frequency of meetings, etc. and then getting the word out. Once you make a decision to start a chapter, you will also be included on the Lamplighter Roster and the updated Roster will go to all of our Lamplighter Facilitators. That way you can email each other with ideas and support. An announcement will appear on the News From Our Chapter page and your chapter will be listed on our Chapter Locations page.
fashion
Tamora Lee
Meet Tamora Lee, fashion designer and creator of Tamora Lee Jewelry and Rebel Behavior Jewelry.
Her jewelry adorns models from New York City
catwalks to personalities and celebrities on little and big screens.
At what point did you start designing jewelry and where did you draw your inspiration from? Fashion and Music go hand in hand and I always loved styling and designing accessories I started back in 07 when I was working with Sony making pieces for artists and friends. I draw my inspiration from music, travel, culture and art.
What kind of•materials do you use? Have you experimented with other materials? I worked with majority of recycled material I love working with all types of semi- precious stones, leather, metals and this year I will be doing a vegan accessories as well.• I work with any type of recycle materials I think it’s important to be aware of what we consume and how it’s made and the impact on the environment.
How did you know, or when did you realize it was time to• make the jump from idea to business owner? I do a lot of research and collect data it’s great to be full of ideas but when you’re taking them to market its important they are marketable.
Why 'Rebel' - is that reflective of your own inner rebel? Rebel is all about being comfy with your inner being and expressing that in an artistic way without following that herd mentally of what art is. My thought is if you don’t stand for something you fall for anything and it important to follow your dreams and passion regardless of what society or others may think or tell you. Be a Rebel! My point when I first started I wanted make all my line here in the US and from recycled materials I wanted it to be •ecofriendly meets high fashion so many people were like no its impossible. Now look •Eco, going green is pretty being an important topic in fashion and all industries as a whole.
How did you "get noticed?" I got my start working in the Music Industry then moved to fashion over the last 3 years. Basically I started submitted pieces to fashion stylists, styling photo shoots and music videos. I started my accessories Tamora Lee Jewelry back in 2009 our motto is Let us Cater to that accessory lover in you. Tamora Lee is for the ladies and Rebel Behavior is for the guys.
How do you stay on top of the ever-changing fashion scene to stay "in"? By networking, making a lot of good contacts research, lots of travel and attending a lot of trade and fashion shows internationally.
Where can•people•buy your products? Online at http://www.tamoraleejewelry.com
•Tell us about•your recent productions I recently completed an infringe on fashion which I will be turning into a short film for Infringement festival the film will highlight the important of how fashion impact the environment and what we can do the change this, I worked on Music is Art festival fashion installation •and Mercedes Benz of Buffalo Industry Night.
Do you have growth plans for the future,•or are you in a happy•steady right•now? My plans are to build my companies into conglomerates and be one of the leaders in mobile retail sales/innovation. I want to combine the marketing experience of music+art+ fashion+social issues/cause in my work with the use of performance art. I am currently working on Music Industry seminars and Designer Bootcamp series they are both educational seminars that focus on the business of music and fashion.
Where can people find you, your schedule or if they want more information? To follow the Movement join us on facebook www.facebook.com/tamoraleejewelry SHOP Tamora Lee Online www.etsy.com/shop/Tamoraleejewelry#
www.shopbuffalo.com/tamoralee/
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How to be a Money Detective by Tina Dietz
If money were a person, what would your relationship be like? “More money” is one of the first things I hear in my coaching sessions and classes when I ask what “what are your goals?” It almost goes without saying that of course in business we want to bring in more income, and dealing with money also one of the areas that people are so resistant to facing. The majority of the time it’s easier for people to share about their families, their ailments, or even their sex life than it is to have a straightforward conversation about money!
in toxic relationships, putting your dreams on hold, not allowing support, being jealous or resentful of what others have, and self-sabotaging behaviors. Shifting our relationship with money begins with just getting present to “what is so.” These are the clues to unlocking our relationship with money and unraveling what might, up until now, have seemed like a mystery.
Whether we like it or not, we have a long history with money and we also have a relationship with money. No matter the state of that relationship though, you can be a “money detective” and begin to investigate where your relationship with money is strong and where you have challenges. Just like any other relationship, you can nurture and improve how you interact with money no matter where you are right now, and the first step is simply allowing yourself to “go there.” We use money as an excuse to do or not do things all the time. It’s a reason to stop ourselves in our businesses, with our health, our enjoyment of life, and even an excuse to feel certain ways—for example, “if I just was debt-free, I could relax.” But, as you’ve probably heard before…it’s never really about the money. If money were a person, what would your relationship be like? Would money want to hang around with you, or are you always saying nasty things behind money’s back? If you want to start to uncover what your relationship is really like, then write a letter to money and say everything you’ve ever wanted to say and clear the air! There are some very common “red flags” that let you know that your relationship with money is impacting you and could use some attention, and these are great places to look (with compassion please!) at yourself. These can include having chronic debt, staying stuck
Tina Dietz MS, NCC is an international business development maven and the inventor of the Success Funnel System™. With a mission to ignite 10,000 Thriving Businesses, Tina has coached and consulted with clients in more than 20 industries from solo entrepreneurs to the corporate level, and she speaks to groups from 2020,000 on how to break through the barriers that keep you from achieving success, optimal performance, and leadership in business and life. Connect with Tina at http://www.thisistinadietz.com
STICKS & STONES We make jewelry from awesome beach glass we find on the shores of Lake Erie; Also hand- made walking sticks drilled and stained. The glass we find is from many of hundreds of shipwrecks down in Lake Erie. It is not created from beer bottles! * Support Small Business * Made in USA!
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DR. KRISTEN LATONA-BRZEZINSKI My name is Dr. Kristen Latona-Brzezinski. I am a chiropractor and the owner of Natural Pain Management and Wellness. Our multidisciplinary wellness clinic, located in Clarence, specializes in chiropractic, nutrition, massage, yoga, meditation, and weight loss. In our office, we treat patients with a plethora of conditions, and each of our providers has a further area of specialty and expertise. Personally, I have advanced training in treating pregnancy pain and pediatrics. I am a graduate of both the University at Buffalo and New York Chiropractic College. I have been practicing in the Buffalo area for 4 years. My monthly column will feature articles on medicine, wellness, alternative health practices, recipes and general practices for leading a healthy lifestyle. In my personal life I try to live all of the things I teach to my patients, including family time yoga with my little boy Braeden! We would love to meet you and your family at the office. Check out our website for classes and services that you may enjoy. If you have any questions or would like to see something specific featured in this monthly column, email us at npmaw@yahoo.com or send us a message on our website, www.npmaw.com. We would love to hear from you! r
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HELLO EVERYONE!
Photo Ops Studio 112
We featured Studio 112 in our debut edition of Hot Jam Media Mag; and just last night finalized the incorporation of Mike to our photo-ops team, to help capture special events across western New York and extending outward!
Here is a cross section of the concerts and events Mike was covered in just 2013 alone! 3 Dog Night * 38 Special * 97 Rock Events * Alice Cooper * Alison Pipitone * Allman Brothers Band *Ben Folds Five * Billy Sheehan * Blue Oyster Cult * Buffalo Philharmonic * Orchestra Clocktower * Dave Constantino * Dokken * Dropkick Murphys * Goo Goo Dolls * Grace Stumberg * Niagara Falls Hard Rock CafĂŠ * Hotel Bravo * Jackyl * Kansas * Kate MillerHeidke * Lance Diamond * Live Nation Events * Marcangelo Perricelli * Marilyn Manson * Matt Nathanson * More Than Me * Music Is Art * RiShon Odel Northington * Robbie Takac * Roger Hodgson * Seneca Nation of Indians Seneca Niagara Casino * Sloan * Steve Winwood * Terror Technologies * The Flaunt Girls * Tea Party * The Wailers * Yvonne Schmidt Band
Welcome aboard, Mike!
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“Rock Concert”
Hot Jam Media Mag Volume 1(2) Fall, 2013 No part of this website may be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission of the publisher. The information on this site is for information purposes only. Hot Jam Media assumes no liability or responsibility for any inaccurate, delayed or incomplete information, nor for any actions taken in reliance thereon. The information contained about each individual, event or organization has been provided by such individual, event organizers or organization without verification by us. The opinion expressed in each article is the opinion of its author and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Hot Jam Media Mag. Therefore, Hot Jam Media Mag carries no responsibility for the opinion expressed thereon. Comments on our social media sites are welcome, but they should be on-topic and well-expressed. Abusive, antisocial or off-topic comments will be deleted.
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Love Shouldn’t Hurt. Domestic violence hotline Anonymous and Confidential Help 24/7: 1.800.799.SAFE (7233) 1.800.787.3224 (TTY)
Hot Jam Media Twitter: @HotJamMedia Facebook: Hot.Jam.Media Reverbnation: HotJamMedia Email: info@hotjammedia.com The photo on the cover features the “Rock Concert” as sold in Spencer’s Gifts back in the early 1980s which I bought for around $6. The mall I bought it at (Seneca Mall in West Seneca, New York) has since been torn down but the memories are near and dear. I remember reading through the Doors, Beatles, Joplin and psychedelic rock books at Waldenbooks, buying cool band pins for my hat and the latest 45s and albums at Cavages, visiting the pets at Sattler’s, and sitting at the fireplace in the center of the mall, boy-watching with my best Friend., Sue.
Love Shouldn’t Hurt. Domestic violence hotline Anonymous and Confidential Help 24/7: 1.800.799.SAFE (7233) 1.800.787.3224 (TTY)