'Catching Up on the News' oil painting London - by @tonykarpinski
Check out his website and art here!!
Check out his website and art here!!
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In a shocking move, The United States House of Representatives voted to restrict the DEA's use of funds to prosecute medicinal marijuana operations that are legal under state laws. Read the story here at Huffington Post.
I applaud this move, but have several questions about the change in tone from the government on this issue. What will it mean going forward for the legalization of medicinal marijuana? Will the federal government change the classification of marijuana? Will this encourage more states to pass pro-medicinal pot laws? We shall see in the coming weeks if the federal government will change it's stance on marijuana in a more meaningful way. Today, I'd like to introduce an author I admire - Eden Baylee. Follow - @edenbaylee on Twitter. Eden writes wonderfully lyrical, almost musical prose that I can't recommend more highly. She is a great advocate of artists of all types and has a special love for music, which influences her fiction. Be sure to check out her website, which today features an interview with author Anthony McManus Read an Exchange with Author Anthony McManus (@Deepcaster)Anthony McManus (Tony, I call him ) is an author who lives in Chiang Mai, a beautiful part of northern Thailand I had the pleasure of visiting years ago. 
Lastly, I can't give a higher recommendation to her fiction. Buy the book pictured above, spring into summer - four intelligent, beautiful, literary novellas with shades of erotica to turn up the heat on your kindle.
I hope you have a great Friday and enjoy your weekend. From Las Vegas, Stephen John Moran TOP 5 MICHAEL JACKSON SONGS - MY LIST 1 - BILLIE JEAN 2 - THRILLER 3 - BEAT IT 4 - SMOOTH CRIMINAL 5 - YOU ARE NOT ALONE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF BERNADETTE CYNTHIA HEALY EPISODE 11 PART 1 The library isn't a place I visit very often, at least it isn't any more, now that I'm not working at the law firm like I used to. I do have a retinue of books in my house that Jonathon and I bought throughout the years that still need reading; however awful it sounds, and I know I've had this same argument with various friends for decades, I don't really see the point in reading that isn't going to educate or inform you in some way. I've heard everything there is to hear about both sides of the debate, and I have just come to the conclusion that I give frivolous reading a lower regard, though I would never force my beliefs on another. But it does mean that the library and I are not friends, only colleagues.
My nearest library is a rather large and ugly thing; it was built in an era where function was more of a priority than form, and though it has been utilised to the extreme, it does not make for a relaxing or aesthetically pleasing visit. Fortunately, it is close enough for me to walk to because I do not relish the thought of having to take public transport midday on a Saturday, when no doubt there will be a football match of some sorts riling up the crowds. The walk is pleasant enough, and I think over the conversation I had with my children. I do still have to admit to myself that I was surprised with their initial reactions; I knew Polly wouldn't understand but I didn't think she'd jump to my defence so easily. Jack, I thought would be more willing to give the unknown a chance, but it seems he's grown away from the more carefree son that I used to know so well. The library isn't busy; why would it be? The weather is glorious and there is more than a hint of spring in the air. I passed so many people talking about spending their Saturday in the park or at friends' houses, why would they want to be cooped up inside with some dusty and irrelevant books? I know my way around well enough not to have to ask where the reference books are. In my hand bag is the list that I made earlier; for some reason I didn't want to risk taking any of the originals with me. I grimace as I remember I have someone from Summerbees Solicitors to get in touch with first thing on Monday morning. I walk up to the second floor rather than catch the lift. They always unnerve me and I try not take them if at all possible. The walk has invigorated me and I relish the few flights of stairs, though I do my best to hide the panting as I reach my destination. I do not enjoy my body deteriorating while my mind is still as active as ever, but I do suppose I don't have the choice when it comes to matters of life and death. The aisles of information and records that no one reads unless they have a reason, call out to me as if I am a long lost friend. I smile as I remember the years I spent doubled over hundreds of law books for various cases, trying to figure something out. It wasn't often I was able to take credit when we won a case however, as I just gave Jonathon all the information and he used it to his own advantage, but it was always pleasurable to be part of the procedure. I look down at my notes and mouth the name of the church, St Mary Magdalene, Bermondsey, to myself, and copy the same movement with the name of the school. I debate how to tackle both subjects, and I decide on a two pronged attack; look for information on both subjects and keep them with you at all times, or for however long it takes to find Albert Healy. I'm closer to the aisle of education, which has an uneasy mismatch of schools in no particular order. Good Morning from #Vegas. The first thing I want to share this morning is a cover song from a one woman band. This artist - Kawehi live plays all the tracks herself for the songs she records. The process and the final result are fascinating. Worth a watch, especially if you are a DIY musician wondering 'how exactly did they record that?' On a separate note- this truly is a difficult song to cover and I commend her for the effort. Many indie punk/rock/alternative bands I've paid to see live have done a far worse job than what I see in this video. Well done. I also included two other samples of her work. Enjoy. From a technical basis, $AAPL broke out of a multi-month coil to the upside on both news and short covering and the stock hasn't stopped since. If the stock can get above and hold 650, a run at the all-time highs will follow. If the price action fails at 650, the stock could consolidate in the low 600's or 'trade side-ways'. The stock will split 7-1 on June 2nd. Will this add to the recent run or provide investors the cover to 'take profits'? We shall see. This is not financial advice. Ask your financial adviser about this or any other investment. 
Reading over the incredible volume of tweets being written by women all over the world for the #YesAllWomen hashtag, I think on how Ella was written in the first place. Writing a novel from the first person of a young woman is not an easy task for a middle-aged man. Much of the research for this novel has been listening to women tell me their stories. Many, many stories. When I talk to women about the novel, some choose to relay their own experiences, especially the ones that are similar to what Ella goes through in the book. What I've found is that nearly every single woman has an almost endless litany of stories of how men have aggressively intruded on them, usually in a sexual manner. The basic truth of it is - women get harassed, assaulted, intimidated etc by men on a near daily basis. The statistics speak for themselves. And where are the men standing up to and against this behavior? How in 2014 do we allow our sisters, mothers, wifes...to receive this treatment? The stats and obviously the women on this hash-tag are saying it- there is a war on women by a certain sect of violent men. What are you going to do about it? What can be done?
We need to elect more women to representative government. Men have ruled for far too long and obviously don't know what it means to shape a world to include safety for our women and children. Laws needs to be changed to reflect a new reality: that women are equal to men. To the men - take a stand against any and all bullying, harassment, and especially violence against women. It's never okay to use force to achieve your goals. That way of thinking is over. Some men have responded on the #notallmen hash-tag. I'll only respond with this: Enough men are violent, psycho rapists that ALL men must take a stand and help make this world safe. Read the #YesAllWomen stories. Learn. Put it into action in your life. The time for society to change its behavior towards women is today. Thank you for reading - From Las Vegas, Stephen John Moran |
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