#Age-defying

[jonfarreporter]

‘Seize the Gaze’ exhibit and the curator, Susan Almazol - truly “Age Defying!”

For artist Susan Almazol, the phrase “age defying” isn’t about a beauty product it’s about energy. And it’s energy or as she calls it “life-force” that she wants to highlight and celebrate in an upcoming exhibit entitled, "Seize the Gaze" opening on May 3.

The exhibition at Joyce Gordon Gallery in Oakland is a captivating immersion curated by Almazol, into the buoyant presence of women of color across generations made possible when women of color themselves determine the gaze -- that lens through which they are seen.

Through bold portraiture, Almazol not only curates the exhibit but is also among the six Asian American, Black, Indigenous, and Latina artists featured. All together, they evoke the profound feminine energies of the sacred, the sensual, and the spirited.

Through their unique perspective of paintings, photographs, digital art, mixed media, and sculpture, the six women invite viewers into an intense and powerful exploration of the limitless spirit of women of color when free of societal constraints.

The "Seize the Gaze" exhibition celebrates the rich tapestry of empowerment and beauty woven by these artists of color.

Almazol took a few moments to speak about her work and a bit about her life.

“I don’t think of myself as ‘all set.’ Life is really an amazing stew of experiences,” she said. And, from her perspective, “old age or rather aging itself can be a continuing evolution of identity."

Almazol has experienced health crises, like others her age, but she's determined to live life to the fullest. “I don’t move as I used to," she said. "But I still want to move and be active.” She added, “All of us are affected by social norms. People have lots expectations and assumptions on how people are supposed to act.”

Yet despite all the norms and expectations, “people are still just people; even if others in general don’t see old people with much identity other than being old,” said Almazol. “Everyone has lots of roles, duties and jobs in their lifetime. They are teachers, parents, managers, director and leaders,” she said. “But when a person gets old, that person in the eyes of the general public is seen and considered as simply old.”

“But, in the circle of friends that I have, no one really ‘acts their age’ as they get older,” said Almazol. “They, like me, are too busy living and wanting to make the most out of life.”

As a visual artist, curator, dancer, and writer based in Oakland, Almazol has always had “a life force” of energy with her. She was uprooted from the Philippines at age 3 because of WWII. After living in Japan, her parents and family immigrated to the United States when she was 5.

These journeys embedded within her an affinity for bold transformation. Not one to question too much why something like a career change or a vocation happens, “I became a ceramics sculptor at 54,” she noted. “And, I danced for the first time on stage at 66.”

But it was in 2017 when she began creating nude self-portraits at age 71 that “I got strong opinions,” she said. “And, some of the opinions were extreme, ranging from support to rejection.”

“What’s interesting," said Almazol "is that up to that point I didn’t get any negative reactions. But it was when I ventured into self-portraits that I realized this form of art provokes strong responses."

Despite the vulnerability in doing art, Almazol continues. Art in any form can be a cathartic experience she said, “In sculpting, for example, when I start I have only a vague idea, and then my hands take over.”

In speaking about her work, fellow artist and colleague Cynthia Tom noted. “Susan and I have known each other for 20 years through the Asian American Women Artists Association.”

As Tom explains. “We were in many exhibits together, but for some reason this last 18 months, we started talking to each other almost daily. We were both sounding boards for each other for different things."

Surprised at first and then impressed by Almazol’s self-portraits, Tom recognized not only the artistic quality of the work but also the “fun, joy, spirit and power” in the work. "I feel like Susan has stepped into her superpower,” she said.

Almazol’s daughter, Octavia Baker, would agree as she said, “My mom is an explorer, a risk taker, and a doer.”

“I nicknamed her ‘can't stop, won't stop,’" said Baker, "for her endless curiosity about the world around her and her prolific ability to create in many art forms.”

Very proud of her mother and the tremendous strength and vitality she radiates, Baker said. “I'm always inspired by her courage to be (more than ‘age-defying’); she’s 'expansive and uncontainable.’ Those are words from her favorite author, Chitra Banerjee Divakaruna.”

‘Seize the Gaze’ opens May 3 and continues for eight weeks through June 29 at Joyce Gordon Gallery located at 406 - 14th St. (between Broadway & Franklin) in downtown Oakland. For more information, visit the Joyce Gordon Gallery website. (Photos: Chris Matos)

[livingwellnessblog]

The Art of Facial Acupuncture: Rejuvenating Your Skin Naturally

Facial acupuncture is a non-invasive treatment with rejuvenating benefits for skin and overall well-being. It stimulates blood circulation, promoting collagen and elastin production for a radiant glow. Additionally, it reduces fine lines, wrinkles, and bo

The Art of Facial Acupuncture: Rejuvenating Your Skin Naturally Facial acupuncture is a non-invasive and rejuvenating treatment that offers numerous benefits for your skin and overall well-being. Unlike many anti-aging facial treatments, facial acupuncture has incredible benefits on overall health, in addition to its effects on youthful appearance and facial fascia. Rejuvenated and Glowing…

[pure-bubbles-skincare]

Niacinamide, often recognized as the biologically active form of niacin (Vitamin B3), is gaining prominence in the world of skincare and health. This versatile compound is not just abundant in numerous plants and animals but is a cornerstone for many biochemical reactions. Let's dive deep into the world of Niacinamide and its many benefits.

[hello-eden]

dcxdp #33

I am back to continue the de Aged Ellie and Dan, a child of Danny and a bat boy agenda. this time with dick Grayson.

Ellie and Dan de-stabilized to a core form. Danny is of course panicking trying to figure out how to bring them back but they're safe for now. Clockwork tells him that he needs to incubate the cores himself but that it's going to take a lot of energy and that it's probably not safe for him at this moment. Clockwork sends Danny to the DC dimension to have a calmer time away from all the fighting and to make sure he can recover mentally and physically from everything that's happening in Amity. It basically turns into a summer holiday away from home/ vacation.  

Dan needed more than just Danny's DNA to stabilize Due to Dan being a hybrid of Danny and Vlad originally, so Clockwork sent Danny to the dimension to pick a donor not that Danny knew that. Danny decided to incubate both cores at the same time so that biological change also happened to Ellie. 

Danny meets dick while he is there and has a cute Summer Fling with him while he's in that dimension. In dicks timeline he's in the range of still being Robin or just going out to bludhaven. Danny starts incubating the cores while in the DC dimension around dick mostly because he knows it's safe for him there. 

He has one human doctor's appointment there and then goes back to his dimension for the rest of the technical pregnancy. Dick has no idea about Ellie or Dan as well as no idea about Danny being from another dimension. The two of them had a civilian Romance.

Danny later returns to the DC Dimension with Ellie and Dan years later after having a very bad run in with the GIW. All of them are recovering and Danny accidentally runs into dick. Danny doesn't know that due to being around dick in the start of the pregnancy caused a lot of changes in Elie and Dan's biology.

Danny and dick See each other a couple of times like going for a coffee before dick finds out that Danny has kids. Danny not knowing the kids are dick’s doesn't feel like it's relevant to tell him especially after the very bad run in with GIW which makes him overprotective.

The kids would be about 6 or 7. 

Dick meets the kids and does a little bit of mental math realizing that there is a possibility the kids are his. He is in denial for a moment thinking that Danny would tell him if they were his especially now that they've talked again but then he does research. He doesn't find anything on Danny except for the one doctor's appointment from when he was still in the dimension last for pregnancy. The doctor was heavily liminal so they understood what they needed to for pregnancies but they also did it in human terms to stop anyone from realizing the pregnancy is different on file. this definitely freaks out dick because they were still seeing each other when they went to the doctor.

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[stars-obsession-pit]

The Flying Graysons generally stuck to simpler tricks in the smaller towns. Less people to impress, so they didn’t need to go as far. But for some reason, when they went to the town of Amity Park, Dick felt an urge to show off.

Well, not for just any reason. For one very specific reason; a certain cute boy in the crowd.

But then the troupe moved on, as it always did. Outside of his daydreams, he didn’t really dare to hope he’d get to see the boy again. Especially once his parents died, circumstances nearly pushed it from his mind.

But then, during his detective training, an idea struck him. Even if he couldn’t see the boy in person, he could still keep track of him remotely.

It turner out to be remarkably easy, especially once he learned Danny’s name. So he kept it up. Watching him, taking notes on everything about him, fantasizing about actually being together for real. He never told anyone else. They wouldn’t understand. Checking in on Danny was always a highlight of his days. His own little reward. He wouldn’t let anyone take his Danny away from him.

Though there were some stumbles along the way. Times he’d almost been caught. And when some sort of lab accident had hospitalized Danny, he’d nearly ran off to Amity on his own to comfort him (never mind that he’d have to explain who he even was and how he’d known about it). But he persisted. And as time passed, he only became more and more infatuated with the other boy. Oh how he wished they could be together.

And then Danny showed up in Gotham. Dick couldn’t find anything definitively explaining why, but he wasn’t going to look a gift horse in the mouth. Finally, he could put all his copious notes to use and sweep his love off his feet.

[nelkcats]

Dad War

Danny Fenton became a father and he's not panicking at all (this is a lie)

Danny should have known that asking for an uneventful week was an exaggeration. He tempted fate by saying that "nothing bad could happen now that ghosts and humans lived in peace with each other"

Of course, it was right after saying that sentence that his daughter cousin appeared in front of him with her arm melted. Having gotten used to that particular scenario he steered her into his ecto-dejecto reserves, both of them panicked when this didn't solve anything.

With no more options, Danny took her to Far Frozen, surely the Yeti would have a better idea of what was happening to the girl.

Frostbite examined Ellie just like the first time but instead of scowling like Danny had expected he looked extremely pleased, almost satisfied.

"The time has finally come" Frostbite told him happily "you must let it happen, Great One"

"Do I have to let Ellie melt down!?" Danny yelled in concern, he never thought the Yeti had a sadistic streak in him. Ellie looked just as shaken by the information.

"Not like you're thinking" The Yeti noticed his mistake and decided to explain himself "she's not melting, she's stabilizing"

"If I'm stabilizing, why is my arm goo?" Ellie groaned, the sensation of melting never failed to be strange.

"That explanation is much simpler" Frostbite smiled "how old are you, little Phantom?"

"Uh" Ellie tried to assign herself an age, she aged much slower than the other halfas "16?"

"You didn't understand the question, I didn't mean how you look" Frostbite denied affectionately "how old do you consider yourself?"

“…5” Ellie muttered in embarrassment, even if her age was a bit older than that number, she felt much younger, like a child. She didn't count her early years, between Vlad and traveling the world she hadn't begun to think about it.

Even with all the knowledge stored in her head, she wanted to experience a childhood like other children, to make friends. Something that her adolescent appearance did not allow. As much as Ellie loved talking to Val, she was one of her only friends and unlike her, Val had a whole life to live.

"There is your explanation" The yeti pointed out "ghosts take the appearance of how they see themselves, your core takes into account your wishes and therefore you are reforming into a child"

Danny remembered when he first shifted into his ghost form and Frostbite explanation made sense, but his head reminded him of a very important detail.

"Wouldn't that be troublesome? A lot of people in Amity know you as my cousin” Danny pointed out worriedly. The secret of the halfas was still closely guarded.

"Well, there is a way to leave her appearance the same as it currently is, but that's up to her" Frostbite looked at the girl waiting for an answer.

"No" Ellie denied "I want it to happen, I also...I also want to have a childhood, like the others"

Ellie had always felt bitter about being the only halfa exploring the concept of death more than life; unlike Vlad and Danny who had lived fairly normal lives before their respective accidents, she had been robbed of the possibility.

She wanted to live too.

"It's settled then," Frostbite nodded "Now, this is just getting started and someone has to look after your core while you reform. Do you have any candidates in mind?"

"Danny, can you?" Ellie asked, taking the sleeve of his suit, she wouldn't have considered asking anyone else. Even if she didn't admit it, Ellie always saw him as her father.

"You don't even have to ask, I'll be here when you get back" Danny ruffled her hair with a smile.

"Thank you, dad" Ellie closed her eyes as she let herself be carried away by the sensation of her core. It was a little strange that what she thought would kill her was fulfilling her dreams.

Before the halfa could reply to the comment, Ellie melted, and the ectoplasm was quickly absorbed into her core.

Danny looked at the green stone in his hands with concern.

"How long do you think it will take her?" he asked the Yeti.

"A couple of hours" Frostbite sat down next to him "it's hard being a new parent isn't it? I still remember when my children were born"

Danny avoided mentioning that he had no idea about his children. He wondered if he had them in life or death.

"I- Ellie is my cousin," Danny tried to tell him, but his argument sounded weak.

"She doesn't seem to see you as such" The Yeti shrugged as he handed the boy a cup of tea, but the halfa refused to take it as long as he held the stone in his hands.

Frostbite snorted while setting the mug aside, a new parent, in fact.

"Uh, looks like it's time for me to leave my parents house, don't you think?" Danny tried to joke, even Jazz had her own house in another place.

He had temporarily tried it when he was balancing his college life with his spooky duties, living with Sam and Tucker was fun but in the end he came home.

"It seems so" The Yeti shrugged "congratulations, it's a girl"

Danny laughed as he held the stone closer to his chest. He had really become a father, hadn't he?

His core purred at the thought, while an invisible thread connected the two half-ghosts.

Being a parent didn't sound bad. Maybe it wasn't even as hard as people made it out to be.

───────────────

Danny regrets that last thought, he regrets it so much.

He just had to think that, didn't he?

As usual, he called Jazz to inform her of the day's events as he held the stone to his chest (Frostbite had told him it was safe to do so).

Jazz didn't seem too surprised by the news, on the contrary, she started recommending him books on parenting, so many books.

Danny tried to tell her that Ellie probably wouldn't be a difficult child, he got a 30-minute lecture on how she'd probably regress to the mental age of 5 or 6, and therefore he had to be prepared for it.

Deciding to listen to his older sister, Danny googled for advice.

Checking on wikihow how to take care of a child didn't work, Danny could attest to that.

The halfa sighed as he looked at the "I'll bring you some books tomorrow" message that Jazz had send him. Did he really have to read?

It couldn't be that hard, right? His parents took care of Jazz and she ended well!

Danny was ignoring Sam's voice in his head saying that "Jazz is the spiders georg of children and should not be counted"

Of course, Danny was also avoiding to look at the fact that his parents also took care of him and he kinda died. Ellie was already half dead so he couldn't fucked up that part.

He put his phone aside as he stared at the stone on his chest. It had been hours, was Ellie okay? Perhaps something had gone wrong?

He frowned wondering if he should call Frostbite when he noticed the glowing core. Before he knew it he had a 5-year-old girl crushing his stomach.

"Ouch," Danny groaned in pain "fatherhood hurts"

"Daddy! Daddy!" Ellie jumped on his stomach, she didn't seem to notice the change in title "Look! Look! Do you like my new look?"

Realizing that Jazz was right, Danny pretended to think for a few minutes, Ellie looked bummed out at his lack of response.

"Of course I love it!" Danny scooped her up into his arms as she giggled "you look perfect!"

Ellie chuckled as she ran off to Danny's room where she had kept his phone before the whole mess.

"I'll be back soon! I have to tell Val!" The girl ran off, probably forgetting that she could go through the ceiling and get to the room faster.

Danny gave her a thumbs up, as soon as Ellie disappeared down the stairs he lay back on the couch rubbing his stomach. His daughter had strength.

"We're definitely moving" he muttered, closing his eyes. Not in a million years would a girl with that much energy go unnoticed.

Danny checked his phone again and saw messages from Sam and Tucker. The halfa pouted, Jazz was a gossip.

───────────────

"Are you sure you have everything?" Tucker asked, checking a list on his PDA. No matter how many years passed, he still loved his technology and refused to throw it away.

"Definitely sure" Danny yawned as he loaded the boxes onto the GAV. Ellie was asleep in the passenger seat.

"Papers?" Tucker checked the list.

"Legal and illegal" Danny held up a folder "Thanks for that, by the way"

"You're welcome man" Tucker shrugged. He had created Ellie's papers a while back, but they had never been needed. Adapting the age was a surprise.

"Food? Money? Clothes?" Tucker recited the list, to Danny's nod he continued, "materials to put together the new portal?"

"Ready" Danny pointed to the box that said "danger", there were also the ectoplasm samples.

"I still think that's a stupid idea" Sam rolled her eyes "that thing killed you"

"Yes, but we need ectoplasm on a regular basis and well, building one was the easiest way to get it" the halfa shrugged. It still made him shudder to think about the accident but the portal was necessary "Besides, portals don't measure distance in the Realms, I can build one that's only a few feet from home"

Also, having Far Frozen close to them was always an advantage and the ghosts had promised not to invade the new town without his permission. He still couldn't believe he was moving to New Jersey.

"That's the only reason I'm letting you get away with it," Jazz snorted as she bent down to kiss her brother's forehead "Remember, we're just a phone call away"

"I know, I know, you don't need to move out as well" Danny shook his head amused, he felt that if he didn't stop them they would really try to " I never thought I would have to move"

"It's been so long since the accident" Sam remembered as she placed a hand on her hip "even though it seems like yesterday"

"It feels like it happened yesterday" Danny admitted while touching the scar on his hand. The memories of the electrocution were still fresh in his mind.

"By the way dude, are you sure to leave Vlad as her biological father?" Tucker winced at the document, he could see the reason but he didn't like it.

"Of course, that idiot must pay me child support" Danny smiled "eat the rich and all that"

Having an excuse to spend Vlad's money was always fun. And if his stupid biological sex could help that, he would use it. Danny was honestly relieved that his legal documents had been changed. He wondered if Vlad knew the real reason why he was never able to create a male clone.

"You could just ask us for money" Sam patted his shoulder "Tucker and I could support your poor ass"

Both had been very successful in their respective fields. Sam had graduated in law and was getting another degree as an Environment Protection Technician, she had changed a lot in a short time. On the other side, Tucker had created his own Technology & Security company, he was currently negotiating a deal with Wayne Enterprises.

Danny had a feeling that his friend wanted to use him to close a deal and had suggested the city as an option for that reason. Bludhaven wasn't far from Gotham after all.

"Just because I'm unemployed doesn't mean I'm poor" Danny pouted "I'll get a job in the new town before you know it"

"I hope so, your savings aren't going to stretch that long" Jazz sighed. Her brother's lack of planning never ceased to be worrisome "Oh, and don't forget to take off your blinder, you need to breathe"

Danny frowned at the comment but nodded. His ghost form was more comfortable because it suited his chosen gender, he wondered if he could change the human as well.

"Okay, I guess that's it" Tucker put the PDA away  "remember not to drive like either of your parents, we don't want you to get a ticket so quickly"

"Nor that the weather news announces when you're going out" Sam smirked, she remembered when Lance Thunder started announcing when Jazz and Danny were learning to drive.

"That's impossible, you know I'm an excellent driver and therefore I'm not going to get a ticker" Danny stuck out his tongue at his best friend.

"Whatever you say Danny" Sam snorted "call us when you get there, and have a safe trip!"

His friends and sister said goodbye to him as he got on the GAV. He started driving away from home. It wasn't long before he passed the "Welcome to Amity Park" sign. The little ghost drawings around it made him smile.

Still, Danny was offended by the skepticism of his friends, he was sure that he was not going to get a ticket anytime soon.

───────────────

An officer was giving him a ticket.

Danny banged his head against the steering wheel of the vehicle as the police officer asked him the routine questions.

"Does this vehicle have a license?" The officer raised an eyebrow. Danny sighed as he handed over the GAV papers, he had licensed all of his parents' inventions long ago "Okay- wait, is this a SUV?"

"No, it's a GAV" Danny growled without further explanation, he was still annoyed by the situation. Clockwork was laughing at him from his damned tower, he was sure "Do you need anything else, officer...Grayson?"

Officer Grayson looked at the vehicle with doubt, the damn thing had more modifications than the Batmobile, he really hoped the boy wasn't some future villain.

He had so many questions to ask.

Before Dick could question him further or Danny risked murder on his first day in town, Ellie woke up from her nap.

"Daddy?" Ellie yawned looking at the driver's seat curiously "Are we there yet?"

All the halfa's anger melted away and his attitude took a complete turn.

"No honey, we got pulled over for speeding but we're in town now" Danny leaned down to brush her hair out of her face "you can go back to sleep"

"You're a bad driver" his daughter smirked, she wondered if driving skills were hereditary.

"Are you new in town?" Dick leaned in curiously, the girl reminded him of his own daughter.

Danny was about to tell him it was none of his business but Ellie answered first.

"¡Yes! We're moving" Ellie smiled "That's why we brought all the boxes, I'm going to enroll in a new school and dad is going to get a job"

"That sounds wonderful" Dick smiled softly as he handed Danny the ticket along with the GAV's papers "You should be more careful on the streets, I don't think there is anywhere that accepts 120 km/hr as a normal speed"

The halfa frowned, didn't the officer have a heart!? At least he could forgive a new neighbor for a silly mistake!

"Yeah, yeah, thanks" he murmured as he put the ticket in the glove compartment.

"Well, all seems to be in order" Dick straightened up "you can follow your way, enjoy Bludhaven!"

Danny hoped that he would never see him again.

When he arrived at his new house, the halfa carried Ellie to the couch and let her sleep, after which he began to unload the things from the GAV.

He wondered if he should start unpacking everything or just sleep. He felt tired at the thought of opening all those boxes and fell asleep on the couch with his daughter.

When he woke up it was night, Danny peeked out of the window as he heard a motorcycle park next door. Perhaps he could see his neighbors?

He gaped at the sight of fucking Officer Grayson reaching down to grab a little girl and carry her into his arms.

Wasn't it enough to be physically perfect and heartless, but he also had to be a good father? Damn everything!

It had to be a fucking joke

X

[becabeale143]

@elizabethhurley1 on IG

[kirkwall-idiot]

One thing I love about dragon age games is that every single game specify that dawrfs aren't connected to the Fade and can't access it only to then craft a situation in which a dwarf can get into the Fade.

In origins your dwarf warden, Oghren (if you do Orzammar early) and Shale can get in during the Circle quest. In 2 you can take Varric with you when you go into Feynriel's dream. In Inquisition the anchor makes you the "first dwarf" who is able to dream and the you can phisically bring Varric in it again at Adamant Fortress. And now in Veilguard you can have up to three dawrfs just living in there

[real-odark]

holding space for the lyrics of space age bachelor man rn.....💜

[livingwellnessblog]

The Art of Facial Acupuncture: Rejuvenating Your Skin Naturally

Facial acupuncture is a non-invasive treatment with rejuvenating benefits for skin and overall well-being. It stimulates blood circulation, promoting collagen and elastin production for a radiant glow. Additionally, it reduces fine lines, wrinkles, and bo

The Art of Facial Acupuncture: Rejuvenating Your Skin Naturally Facial acupuncture is a non-invasive and rejuvenating treatment that offers numerous benefits for your skin and overall well-being. Unlike many anti-aging facial treatments, facial acupuncture has incredible benefits on overall health, in addition to its effects on youthful appearance and facial fascia. Rejuvenated and Glowing…

[aethersea]

I don't think the Wicked movie will be good. I don't think they'll do it right. I worry it will be, on the level of story, character, and theme, the equivalent of those pop covers of disney songs they used to play at the end of the movie: flattened and made palatable to a presumed "average" audience, stripped of all the emotion and context of the original.

I would love to be wrong. I hope I'm wrong.

but I listened to the original soundtrack yesterday and it made me realize one very important thing: even if the movies are exactly as bland as I fear, I'm still going to cry like a baby at the end.

[some-pers0n]

Every once in a while I think about the ship I've been obsessed over for close to two years now and feel like I'm ascending to another plane of reality. Like sometimes you just encounter a ship that hits every single mark and is perfect in every regard and you're left stunned how something like that can even exist

[unnamednarrator]

modern day katniss would’ve been a theatre kid but that’s not a conversation many are brave enough to have

[christinabindon]