#i assume the pandemic walloped these places

[regina-bithyniae]

Tempting to say bookstores are on a death spiral - whenever I go to a Chapters there's less and less space actually devoted to books, more towards other products (toys, games, etc). The books are also shifting away from good stuff towards trend-chasing. Half the history section was devoted to Trump-era autobiographies, tell-alls, and culture war.

Viewed from the outside it looks like video game stores follow the same pattern, more weighted towards merchandise.

My father used to take my sister and I to the book store to sit and read for hours when we were younger - now there's just not enough content to make it actually worth spending that much time sampling a few books. The sci-fi/fantasy section at one used to be 3-4 aisles, now that's merchandise and the books are stripped down to 1.5 aisles at the other end of the store.

[letterboxd]

Seeing is Believing.

The relentlessly hellish 1985 war film Come and See has marched to the number two spot on Letterboxd thanks to a stunning restoration, digital availability and pandemic-panic. Aaron Yap surveys the community’s reviews of Elem Klimov’s “mortar-blast of a masterpiece” for insights into its importance—and our psychic states.

War is hell—fundamentally the principle behind every anti-war movie, but there’s arguably never been one that conjures this state of being as convincingly as Elem Klimov’s 1985 Come and See (‘Idi i Smotri’) does. And it’s a hellscape that appears to be wildly resonating with the Letterboxd community—the film has now unseated The Godfather to take second place in our Official Top 250 Narrative Feature Films list, just behind Parasite.

For those yet to surrender to this mortar-blast of a masterpiece, Come and See plunges the viewer into the chaos and devastation of the 1943 Nazi invasion of Soviet Belorussia. Based on Klimov and writer Ales Adamovich’s own experiences during World War II, and the accounts of genocide survivors, it’s almost an anti-anti-war film. There are no professional actors. No battle scenes. No digestible history-pedia plot beats. No heroic feats of courage. Our guide into the harrowing void is a fourteen-year-old partisan adolescent named Florya (Aleksey Kravchenko).

Joining a troop of resistance fighters against his mother’s wishes, he embarks on an unnervingly subjective odyssey that leaves him a shrivelled, visibly aged husk by the end. It’s without question one of cinema’s most heart-breaking, unforgettable transformations.

Come and See is not a standard art picture per se. Klimov’s vision contains traces of Andrei Tarkovsky’s poetic, deep-dream sensibilities—many images assume otherworldly, psychedelic qualities that lodge in our mind and occasionally temper the pools of screaming despair around it. But the film is also as immediate as the lacerating scald of a flamethrower to the face. It possesses the grubby, cult-ish midnight-movie energy of something you should probably not be witnessing.

Awareness of the film’s infamous production lore—the plan to hypnotize Kravchenko, the use of live ammunition and real Nazi uniforms—only adds to the whole unshakeably surreal experience. Perhaps only Threads comes close to its singularly nightmarish, nearly unbearable grip.

While the film’s detractors point to a certain misery-porn obviousness (“a Disneyland dark-ride”, writes Nick), the majority of Letterboxd reviewers are unable to deny the sheer, overwhelming, scorched-earth impact of the film:

“It’s just so utterly fucking relentless.” —Andrew

“I am shaken to the core. Come and See is the only war film anyone needs to watch.” —Matt

“It is—through and through—a physical experience. It can be felt all the way to the bone. At a certain point it just stops being a movie, it leaves the screen and begs to become a part of you.” —Anna

“It’s no joyous or action-oriented trip of entertainment: it is authentic horror, flawlessly filmed. Be prepared.” —Edgar

“The most horrifying non-horror horror film of all time.” —Anton

In a more measured take, Mike D’Angelo questions the value of recreating this savage piece of history: “It’s undeniably powerful—so much so that it’s pretty much the sole memory I retained from my first viewing—but enduring it a second time made me more sympathetic toward the ‘some things are too monstrous to function as art’ camp than I’ve generally been in the past.”

Likewise, Robb struggled, preferring a more nuanced depiction: “I don’t want the easy release of thinking that there are strictly good and evil people. I want to know how all-in-all normal people, not monsters, commit monstrously heinous crimes. The alternatives, of just having throat-stomping scenes one after another, feels to me like an evening at the feelies.”

To be clear, Come and See isn’t some underrated, recently unearthed discovery. It was released in the United States in 1987 and officially submitted as the Soviet entry into the Foreign Language Film category of the 58th Academy Awards. It’s been featured on Roger Ebert’s “Great Movies” series, and best-of lists from Empire and Sight & Sound magazines.

In Hollywood, the likes of Steven Soderbergh and Roger Deakins have been vocal in their praise of Klimov’s film. “What I saw will stay with me forever; it is a masterpiece not only of filmmaking, but of humanity itself,” Sean Penn once said. Films such as The Thin Red Line, Schindler’s List and Saving Private Ryan all owe a little something to Come and See in their respective cinematic representations of WWII.

But as we’ve seen in the recent surge of Studio Ghibli viewing—and with Soderbergh’s Contagion back in March—it’s sensible to hypothesize that the combination of increased media availability and a tumultuous socio-political atmosphere can contribute to the most dramatic of Letterboxd activity spikes.

Our data shows a clear correlation between Come and See diary entries and screenings of the stunning Janus Films 2K restoration that appeared in select theaters earlier this year—a big spike, in particular, after the screening at New York’s Film Forum on February 21. And Criterion Collection’s DVD, Blu-ray and digital release—a true revelation for those who’ve only ever watched the film via the 2003 Kino Lorber DVD—has positively pushed the film into the stratosphere, with a huge jump in numbers in late June, and holding steady ever since.

Given present circumstances—an out-of-control global pandemic with no discernible end in sight; Nazi sentiment and systemic racism still thriving in plain sight—Come and See’s petrifying apocalyptic wallop may not exactly be comfort viewing, but it does serve as a sobering, industrial-strength reminder that this is definitely not The Good Place and we should be concerned. As Lizzy asks in her ominous review, “What urges could turn men into such beasts?”

The film’s original title is the agreeably pointed Kill Hitler (“I think that’s beautiful” —Muriel). But its current beckoning, lifted from the Book of Revelation, is the more provocatively accessible invitation of the two: once you come and see, you can’t unsee Come and See.

Related content

100 Soviet Union Movies You Must See

Letterboxd Showdown: War Films

The films of Larisa Shepitko

You’re not the same person once the film has finished

Josh’s Complete Criterion Collection list

A list of Criterion DVD-only out-of-print films

A list of Criterion films on Blu-Ray

Films currently available on HBO Max from Janus Films

Follow Aaron Yap on Letterboxd

Images courtesy of the Criterion Collection.

[doomedandstoned]

DUNGEON WEED Transmit New Video “Mesmeric Scintillations”

~Doomed & Stoned Debuts~

By Billy Goate

Ah, yeah. This is my jam. I knew it immediately when I heard that ultra-downtuned low-end walloping me in one powerful, sweeping gesture.

Welcome to the realm of DUNGEON WEED, a band we've featured in these pages before. In the pandemic's wake, Skunk's Dmitri Mavra (guitar, bass, synth/fx) teamed up with Chris McGrew (drums) and Thia Moonbrook (vocals) to form a band that's as much a concept as its first album, 'Mind Palace of the Mushroom God' (2020). In other words, it exists in its own world as a kind of mind-fuel for sage and sorcerer alike (if I'm reading the thematic clues correctly).

Assuming you enjoyed that first spin as much as we did, you'll be pleased to know that Dungeon Weed are back with (take a breath, let it out slowly) a freakin' double-album. Yeah, pretty balsy, but after you hear the latest single/music video from the new album, I think you'll find it more that meets expectations.

"Mesmeric Scintillations" is a near-five minute lumbering giant of a track. The A and B section riffs are dank as fuck, and did I mention there's a huge bell or gong or something that clangs menacingly every so often? It too is (and I do repeat myself) dank AF. Full review of 'The Eye Of The Icosahedron' (2022) coming tomorrow, when Doomed & Stoned debuts the album proper!

Dungeon Weed drops the motherlode on March 3rd, with the 2XLP available digitally and on CD direct from the band. Vinyl pre-orders begin that same day, releasing via Forbidden Place Records

Give ear...

WATCH: Dungeon Weed - Mesmeric Scintillations (music video)

SOME BUZZ

Forbidden Place Records announces March 3rd release date for 'The Eye of the Icosahedron' (2022), the new double album by Dungeon Weed!

DUNGEON WEED’s first album, Mind Palace of the Mushroom God, was conjured in the early days of pandemic lockdown as a collaboration between multi-instrumentalist Dmitri Mavra (Skunk, Slow Phase) and Chris McGrew, studio engineer/session drummer at San Francisco’s Wally’s Hyde Out, along with singer Thia Moonbrook.

MIND PALACE OF THE MUSHROOM GOD by DUNGEON WEED

A concept album in which a sorcerer bargains for immortality with Orcus, God of the Underworld, and makes a deal that goes horribly wrong, 'Mind Palace of the Mushroom God' (2020) was an instant hit with its eye-blasting artwork and heavy “wizard sludge” riffs. The band was signed to Forbidden Place Records within days and the first vinyl pressing sold out soon after.

Now, the story comes to an epic conclusion in the new double-album as the sorcerer seeks the mystical gem that will free him from the curse of Orcus.

THE EYE OF THE ICOSAHEDRON by DUNGEON WEED

McGrew, Moonbrook, and Mavra are joined by synth lord Rama to weave this eldritch tale of dark, mind-bending magic. Hypnotic riffs flow seamlessly into dreamlike interludes, transporting the listener through the many shifting moods of this psychedelic doom epic. Dungeon Weed’s “wizard sludge” is unique, a heavy doom sound that touches on stoner rock, black metal, dungeon synth, prog, and more.

Follow The Band

Get Their Music

[supervidyavinay]

By Michelle CortezThe virus is winning. That much is certain more than six months into a shape-shifting pandemic that’s killed 450,000 people worldwide, is gaining ground globally and has disrupted lives from Wuhan to Sao Paulo. While promising, fast-moving vaccine projects are underway in China, Europe and the U.S., only the most optimistic expect an effective shot to be ready for global distribution this year.If, as most experts believe, an effective vaccine won’t be ready until well into 2021, we’ll all be co-existing with the coronavirus for the next year or longer without a magic bullet. And this next phase of the crisis may require us to reset our expectations and awareness and change our behavior, according to public-health professionals.In their view, success isn’t defined as returning to life as it was in 2019. Rather, it’s about buying time and summoning the staying power and policy flexibility to limit the destructive capacity of an expanding pandemic, which may result in global deaths of more than one million according to one estimate, until there are medical tools to effectively treat and immunize against the virus.“People are fatigued. They mistakenly feel that things were going away,” said Cameron Wolfe, an infectious-disease doctor and associate professor of medicine at Duke University. “We’re going to have to figure out a way to live with this.”Pedestrians walk past customers sitting outside at a bar in Tucson, Arizona on May 11, 2020. Photographer: Cheney Orr/BloombergComplicating matters, the perceived threat varies from neighborhood to neighborhood, let alone country to country. Much depends on the severity of local outbreaks and the effectiveness of testing, contact tracing, social distancing, hospital systems and public-health messaging that is free of political shading.Leaders such as U.S. President Donald Trump, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson or Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro have seen their poll numbers crumble at least in part because of high infection rates and deaths from Covid-19, the disease spawned by the virus. In many instances, messages from the top have seemed to conflict with the advice of experts, or drowned out the guidance of government agencies. That has created confusion and mistrust and invited people to view public-health information through a partisan lens.Not all the news is grim. In the first half of the year, governments worldwide resorted to emergency measures like forced business closures, stay-at-home rules and bans on large gatherings. The moves slowed infection, saved lives and gave leaders time to stockpile medical equipment and supplies.Yet that progress came at the cost of economic contraction, soaring unemployment and trillions of dollars in fiscal and monetary stimulus measures. Governments are likely to be reluctant to resort to wholesale lockdowns again in anything short of a catastrophe. A worker gives a customer a manicure at a nail salon in Atlanta, Georgia on April 24, 2020. Photographer: Elijah Nouvelage/BloombergInstead, the biggest economies seem intent on reopening, even if the pace varies. That, in turn, means more social mobility and more opportunities for the virus to spread. Already, scientists who track virus trends are seeing signs that re-opening is leading to a spike in cases.“I understand there is a perception of the need to balance on these economic considerations,” said Ada Adimora, an epidemiologist and professor of medicine in infectious diseases at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine. “But to the extent that we open up society and have people going to restaurants — you can’t wear a mask while you eat — you are not really working to control the threat of the virus.”The ability to co-exist with SARS-CoV-2, as the virus is known, will increasingly ride on how individuals assess risks and make decisions.“No activity will be without the risk of coronavirus,” said Amesh Adalja, a senior scholar at Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security in Baltimore. “It’s just how much risk people think is worth assuming.”Trouble is, the virus is stealthy. Countries like China and South Korea that contained their local outbreaks have seen secondary flare-ups. Beijing this week closed its school system and limited international flights after a new outbreak spread to neighboring provinces. In Germany, which has kept its death toll below that of other large European countries, new clusters of infection emerged in a slaughterhouse and a Berlin apartment block.In the U.S., the pandemic has made inroads into Sun Belt states like Florida, Texas and Arizona after hard-won gains taming it in New York. Latin America, spared early on, is now getting walloped. Brazil, home to densely populated urban centers and rural areas with weak health-care systems, has become a new epicenter.The resurgence in cases in China and the U.S. shows what can happen when regions start to lift restrictions, according to Seth Berkley, chief executive officer of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. The nonprofit is part of a global effort to deploy coronavirus vaccines equitably.“Clearly it isn’t over anywhere,” Berkley said in an interview. “We need to have some humility in how we manage this thing going forward. Obviously if we were to just throw open the gates and try to go completely back to normal, we would see continued spread of the virus.”While the virus ebbs and flows regionally, it’s on the march at the global level, where there are 8.3 million confirmed cases and the pace is accelerating. At the start of May, the daily tally of new confirmed cases was running at about 88,000; now it’s 176,000, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. Some experts say the global death toll will top one million.“We’ll go well over a million,” said Eric Topol, director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute in California. “I wouldn’t be surprised by 2022 if we go into a couple million or more, knowing that there are so many people out there who are vulnerable.”Reopening campaigns in the U.S. have prompted the University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation to increase its U.S. death-toll forecast for the start of October by 18% to 200,000. As of June 16, Covid-19 has resulted in 117,000 lost American lives.“I’m not sure how you prepare for something of this magnitude and severity,” said Carissa Etienne, director of the Pan American Health Organization. “It’s almost difficult to conceptualize.”A reprieve from the pandemic that Trump and other experts had hoped would come with the arrival of warmer weather hasn’t yet materialized and may not ever, according to to Davidson Hamer, a professor of global health and medicine at the Boston University School of Public Health and School of Medicine. If people feel a false sense of security, they’re less likely to wear masks and avoid large gatherings.“The real worrisome time will be this fall, when we are reopening universities and returning to work, with more people inside and cooler temperatures,” Hamer said. “It’s the perfect storm for a resurgence of disease.”The high number of asymptomatic infections is having a huge impact, according to Topol. “This is the worst pandemic in 100 years,'” he said. “1918 didn't have 30% of people who were infected who didn't know it. It’s the stealth infection thing that adds to the mix.''Drug developers are racing to find effective treatments and a vaccine. This week, University of Oxford researchers reported that a low-cost, widely used anti-inflammatory drug called dexamethasone improved survival in Covid-19 patients, the first treatment to show life-saving promise months into the pandemic.U.S. officials and scientists have launched an accelerated program that aims to have a vaccine to prevent Covid-19 by the first half of 2021, but White House health adviser Anthony Fauci has cautioned that it could take longer.Promising candidates include shots being developed by biotechnology company Moderna Inc.; several Chinese programs; and a partnership of the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca Plc projecting a vaccine as early as September.The World Health Organization hopes there will be about 2 billion doses of a handful of effective vaccines available by the end of next year, Chief Scientist Soumya Swaminathan said at a briefing this week. But that’s enough for less than one-third of the world’s population.Future vaccines that do arrive on the scene may not provide long-term immunity. If SARS-CoV-2 is like other coronaviruses, including some that cause the common cold, individuals may need annual booster shots to ward off subtle changes, Fauci said in a recent interview.Without a vaccine in place, countries are doing the best they can to contain the virus with contact tracing and targeted quarantines. Testing is crucial, and many countries still haven’t ramped up their capability sufficiently to identify outbreaks when they’re still small enough to bottle up, said David Heymann, professor at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, who led the WHO’s response to severe acute respiratory syndrome in 2003.“It’s all trial and error but if you know the epidemiology and where transmission is occurring you can do a more tailored response,” he said.As the pandemic rolls into the summer, this much is clear. The virus will not “fade away” even without a vaccine, as Trump predicted this week.“This was never something that would be containable or would disappear,” said Adalja at Johns Hopkins. “It spreads too efficiently between humans. That’s all it needs to do.” from Economic Times https://ift.tt/2YRvUTE

[generalshepherdpersonaranch]

Aligning Within

 Diadel Ortiz talks to Jenny Campbell~May 2020

EDUCATOR. WIFE. MOTHER. YOUTH ADVOCATE.

As a lifelong learner and youth advocate, I use education to empower adults and children in all aspects of their lives. I have dedicated most of my adult life and professional career to education, teaching, mentoring, and sharing good morals. I enjoy spending my time with my family and serving the community. 

Bible quote: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord.” – Jeremiah 29:11

My life goals

DOCTORATE IN HIGHER EDUCATION ADMINISTRATION Completion – 2021. Qualitative research on the topic: “How Does Parental Expectation Affect College Preparedness.”

Educator

Leaders for Life, Inc. I prepare young adults ages 16-24 to complete and pass the TASC (NJ High School Diploma) Exam – using Common Core Curriculum Standards in English, Math, Social Studies, and Science.

Areas of Expertise

Cooking, teaching, counseling,  and administrative operations youth empowerment

Education/Career

“You are never too old to set another goal or dream a new dream” – C.S. Lewis

I have worked in several industries- banking, magazine publishing, non-profit, and higher ed development. I’ve had the privilege of learning from and mentoring great leaders. I am a lifelong learner who prides herself in taking risks and providing exceptional service. Integrity is essential to me – I understand the importance of always being true to yourself and others. I am a leader who inspires others to their greatness.

Note from Diadel:

I started this interview in January 2020, when I briefly heard of the outbreak in China. The pandemic was not visible here in the US. But as the weeks continued, and I kept on drafting and editing this piece, the US got hit with COVID-19. Not knowing what would happen next or how I was going to find time to complete this conversation, I decide to focus on the safety of myself and my family and to follow the state guidelines and put shelter-in-place.  I had to put my own needs and the needs of my family first before I could move forward.

Now, we are in May, five months in, and I have decided to complete this interview.  Interviewing and keeping up with my writing is a method that helps me find inner peace, calming, and inspiration.  As I compose, I find myself immersed in an awareness of my soul and submerged in a warm space, where I can share, receive, and create wondrous stories. I hope you can relate to the conversation in this interview as they happened during a difficult time for the interviewer and me. 

My guest today is an educator, wife, mother of 4, and youth advocate. Jenny Campbell shares her life, her blessing, and her path through the pestilence of the forthwith in life. 

DK– Hello, Jenny, how are you and your family doing? I know this pandemic has hit hard for all of us, but especially in your area in New Jersey, where the COVID-19 outbreak is like a war zone. I know I find myself worrying about my family and friends in the NY and NJ areas. It seems these two states have been walloped. I have been in prayer, kneeling to the Lord for strength, comfort, love, and healing.

JC– It’s good to hear from you, Diadel. I pray you and your family are doing well completely.  The pandemic has blessed us with time and peace to reconnect and build our energies.  We are all together, loving each other while getting through this. We rely on each other’s prayers and compassion each day.

DK- How has this pandemic affected your life?

JC– The most significant issue we are facing during this pandemic is financial in security.  My husband works in retail (he is the breadwinner), and the stores have closed. He was forced to apply for unemployment for the first time in the 20+ years since his migration to the US.  It has been difficult for him, personally.  We are not sure what the future will bring for us financially.  However, we are remaining faithful and prayerful.  We know we are not in control of the now  so we rely on His (The Lord) promise to get us through.

DK- I admire your strength and courage through this difficult time. I know many people who are also struggling financially.  It is hard, and I send you prayers and hope this will settle.

DK- What have you seen that is heartbreaking?

JC– It has been heartbreaking to watch the number of deceased increase every day.  It has hit home for us:, a close friend lost his mother and cousin (our dear friend),and three close friends lost their brothers. This virus is unbiased.  It is also heartbreaking watching the irresponsibility of people still congregating and not respecting the shelter-in-place orders.  I can only imagine how many others they are infecting.

DK-  I am so sorry, Jenny.  This outbreak has become so scary at times, not knowing what will happen next. It mutates continuously without warning. Having the CDC guidelines are there to protect us and help us stay safe and alive. I, too, have seen people not taking it seriously.

DK- How have you managed to remain calm and positive?

JC– It is a blessing to have my family together.  I can see their faces and hear their voices each day.  That alone calms me.  Nonetheless, prayer, laughter, and our intimate conversations have allowed us to stay positive and optimistic.

DK- What are some ways you have helped the community?

JC– I have recently joined the board of a great non-profit called Circles For Healing: www.circles4healing.org;  We put our resources together and started a Flash Food Bank for our community  and surrounding cities. To date, we’ve been able to bless and serve well over 1000 families with food and essential products through our CFH Village Care Box initiative. We have partnered with food trucks to feed essential and healthcare workers. Additionally, we have a wonderful partnership with Green Grocer Food Hub in Bloomfield, NJ; they provide fresh vegetables and fruits to our senior citizens and homeless shelters. Most importantly, we continue to provide support and prayers to each other and our families to keep us grounded in our work and His call.

Circle of Healing

Circle of Healing

Circle of Healing

Circle of Healing

DK- That is wonderful that you can give back to your community during this time of need. I know they are so appreciative of all the hard work you and your team put out daily.

DK- How do you encourage others to help in times of need?

JC– I remind people that it’s more important to do what you can for whomever you can.  Helpingcan be as simple as a telephone call, a text, or a video call.  It is vital to check on your friends and family who you ASSUME are doing well. Check on those that suffer from depression. Be deliberate in the things you say and do. This pandemic is like a war on our mental and emotional stability. There are so many issues surrounding being locked in. We have to check on children and adults who may be in violent situations; ensure their safety. Sharing your resources of food, money, or support can make a huge difference. Reach out to those that you do not hear from often. They need you more than ever before.

DK- It surely is a time of need for all of us. Just a simple check-in with family, friends, and neighbors is a start.

Let’s talk about you.

DK- How do you differentiate yourself?

JC– I believe everyone’s experiences are different. I think how they manage the trauma associated with these experiences are different.  My life’s experiences have raised me; they have made me the woman I am today.  I like to be honest with myself first in every aspect of my life.  This allows me to be authentically me when I interact with others.  It is essential for the love I give to others to be aligned with the love I have for myself.

DK- What do you love most about yourself?

JC- I love my integrity. MOST. I love my ability to love freely. I learned that the greatest love of all is the love of God and, thereby, self.  I had a challenging childhood, like many others. I spent most of my adolescence quietly searching for acceptance. But, I’m grateful for my life’s experiences that brought me closer to understanding and forgiving myself; it taught me to love openly.

DK- Beautiful. It is important to know thyself, accept thyself, and love thyself.

DK- What are the most critical changes you have faced within yourself?

JC- I was raised by a single mother; with two older brothers.  My mother took care of everyone else except herself.  She taught me how to take care of others; I think she did that to a fault.  I had to learn how not to forsake myself for the betterment of others.  I had to learn how not to be codependent.  I had to learn how to say “NO” to others when the things that were requested of me were not beneficial to my well-being.

DK- What do you want your life to be about?

JC- I want my life to be about service. I want to use the gifts that God has provided to improve the lives of others. I have a very intimate relationship with God.  I pray and meditate on His word daily.

DK- We certainly all have beautiful gifts to share with humanity. 

DK- What are your top five values? Are you living those values, and how?

JC– Love– I wake and live with love in my spirit every day; Light- I am committed to illuminating light.  It is essential to living in your authentic self every day.  Learning– I am an eager learner.  I look forward to learning something new every day, no matter the age or status of the ‘teacher.’ Intimacy– I love the intimate relationship I have with my husband. He is my best friend.  And Service– I am committed to providing service to my brothers and sisters.  I wake each day, knowing that I will share my time, wisdom, and/or service to someone.  I am confident I live these values every day.  These values are the epitome of the women I am.

DK- What are some of your personal goals you are working to achieve?

JC– I want to complete my Ph.D. in higher education administration.  I love learning; I’ve always dreamed of achieving the highest degree possible.  I am working on my dissertation now to complete my doctorate.

DK- I love that you are achieving your personal and career goals. I want to hear more of the completion when you relinquish your intention.

DK- What motivates you to do your very best?

JC– My four daughters and husband are my motivators.  I aspire to be my best self for them  I want to always raise my girls by example.

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Jayla

Jazelle

Jendayi

Leandra

DK- Your daughters are amazing. I feel privileged to have seen them as children and grow into beautiful young women. They have achieved greatness.

 Let’s talk about your life.

DK- How different was your life 2 years ago?

JC-  Two years ago, I was not the CEO of my own company, Retention Strategies Unlimited (RS U). RS U was born on December 22, 2018. Having my own company has given me the power to enjoy and mentor, teach, and support our youth. It is a great way to empower students and parents in the college application process, through first-year matriculation.

DK- Amazing where the path of life takes us. It is beautiful that you are helping students and parents during a challenging time to apply and prepare for college. These times can be somewhat intimidating. Excellent to have reliable support.

DK- What in your life brought or has given you the highest satisfaction or fulfillment?

JC– My highest satisfaction was having my family witness me graduate with a bachelor’s degree in 2010. It was the most fulfilling moment of my life, to-date.

DK- What are the challenges of being a woman?

JC–  I think being a woman is a gift.  The gift of giving life. But, more importantly, raising generations of men and women.  The challenges associated with that are (1) knowing how to balance giving too much, or not enough to your children. You want them to be the greatest they can be. It’s difficult learning to give them the tools necessary to be their greatest versions of themselves.  (2) Being a great wife balancing the responsibilities and not losing yourself in the needs of your family.  (3) being a woman not forgetting how to love yourself and focusing on your own personal goals as a woman, as an individual.  (4) Remembering that you are also a person with feelings and needs- that are just as important as your family’s. Recognizing that two drowning people can’t save each other.  Thereby, remembering to always practice self-carein order to take care of those you love.

DK-  Do you have a hard time accepting defeat?

JC– I do not see any experience as defeat.  I see all experiences as lessons.  So, I never lose- I either learn, or I win.

DK- Great way to view defeat. Looking at it through a positive light.

DK-  What is your philosophy of life-based on?

JC– “I can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens me.”

DK- How does love influence your life and affection?

JC– Love is an action word.  It is my responsibility as a child of God to give love as He gives to me.  Affection is physical- humans must be touched.  It is necessary for human development.

DK- Reciprocity of what God has given us to share with others.

Let’s talk about your marriage and parenting.

DK- How long have you been married?

JC– April 2020 is our 22nd wedding anniversary.

DK- Congratulations, that is wonderful. It is beautiful to see love is the center of your marriage.

DK-  What kind of boundaries protect your marriage?

JC–   We are committed to respecting each other.  If you can’t do it or say it in front of one another, we shouldn’t do it.

DK- Absolutely. Respect is the glue to a relationship.

DK-  What are your biggest challenges as a parent? What are your greatest joys?

JC– My most significant challenges as a parent was/is making sure I am not instilling fear in my daughters. My goal is always to support them.  But, I don’t want them to second guess themselves. I want them to be confident in their decisions, as well as, know that if they make a mistake, they can recover.

My greatest joy is watching them navigate through life’s challenges.  And, trust me enough to talk to me about anything.  They are all very comfortable sharing anything with me.

DK- What do you think is the most important thing to remember about parenting?

JC–  Remember, your children are people too.  Be the parent you wish you had.

Let’s talk about your career.

DK- Can you tell me a bit about your career path and what led you to the role you’re in today?

JC– I am an educator- I teach young adults who are preparing to earn their high school diploma. Many of them have been out of school for as little as two years, to as much as ten years. I believe teaching is a gift. Many of my positions have led me to where I am today.

DK- What do you enjoy most about the work you do?

JC–  I enjoy changing the lives of my students.  I enjoy watching them regain confidence in themselves.  I appreciate how I empower them to see that they are capable and worthy of a great future.

DK- What a great feeling it is to support students’ achievement. 

DK- How are you educating your students during this crisis? How are you keeping in touch?

JC-For my business clients: The COVID 19 pandemic has created an excellent opportunity for parents and students to focus on preparing for college. I also meet with my clients via ZOOM – weekly. I provide a viable plan of action for each student – depending on their grade level. Parents participate in workshops, and virtual meetings to ensure the entire family is engaged in the process. For my work: I utilize Google Classroom to offer encouragement, assignments, and support to ensure they are remaining focused on the goal of earning their high school diploma.

DK- I honor you and all teachers for dedicating time, committing to continue to educate and share the love of learning with students. It is needed, especially during this time of crisis.

Let’s just talk.

DK-  Is there something that surprised you about the role when you first started?

JC–  Yes. I was surprised when one of my students (a 22-year-old man) told me, “If I had you as a teacher in high school, I wouldn’t be here right now.”

DK- Teaching is opening the heart to compassion for others. That is beautiful.

DK- What are some of the biggest challenges you face today?

JC-I am my own worst critic. I always want to know I am doing enough for every student, individually..

DK- As a female, what has been the most significant barrier in your life/career?

JC–  I knew what I was getting into. However, I wish our education system was better equipped to ensure ALL students have a positive educational experience.

DK-  What are some strategies that can help women achieve a more prominent role in society?

JC– It is essential to really take stock in what your gifts are- and expound on those gifts. You can build a business in any industry these days. Use your ideas to make money for yourself. Women entrepreneurs are growing exponentially. We have to learn how to be self-sufficient using our own gifts.

DK- Totally, this is the area for all women to rise up and walk their path.

DK- What words of wisdom do you want to share with others?

JC– I have always been at peace in the sea. There’s something about submerging in the sea that gives me rejuvenation, cleansing, and a sense of peace. No matter what challenges life brings, there is joy. Your ability to stand in your stillness long enough to hear your own voice, trust your discernment will be the key to your healing, personal growth, and falling in love with yourself. You have the power to create the life you want. 

DK- What do you think would probably surprise most people about you?

JC– I think people would be surprised that I endured years of moelstation. People don’t equate trauma with a person that has a positive outlook on life and who is always willing to help others.

DK- I agree. Society sometimes has a hard time relating traumatic experiences with a person’s positive outcome.

DK- What have you found to be the best way of absorbing disappointment, rejection, distress, and discouragement?

JC–  I expect life to be unpredictable.  I anticipate that there will be disappointments, rejections, distress, and discouragement.  That is not of God.  I don’t take them personally. I see these things as external circumstances outside of my control.

DK- Anticipation is an essential part of life that comes with expecting the unpredictable. And being guided by God is what makes life living.

DK- If you had one piece of advice to give to a woman, what would it be?

JC– I would advise women to trust themselves. It is ok to love and be loved; you are worthy. Trust that God will never do anything to hurt you. So, live…love…and give love and peace to others. But, most importantly, yourself. Be good to you.

DK- Woman is the light of the world. 

DK- Anything you would like to add?

JC– Yes, as heartwrenching and stressful as this time is, I encourage you to take a look at the things you might have taken for granted.  Are you upset about shelter in place? Remember those that have no place to shelter.

Are you upset you can’t go to work? Remember, those that have no job.  Are you upset you have to pay bill-rent/mortgage and car?  Remember those that don’t have any of those luxuries.

Are you sick of being in the house cooped-up with your spouse?  Remember why you got married. Rediscover each other.

Are you tired of homeschooling your kids?  Remember the teacher(s) you’ve been judging throughout the year to teach your children.  Are you sick of cooking?  Remember those that have no food.

There’s always another perspective. Be blessed; you have a choice. Be grateful for it all.  Find humility in the chaos and be at peace.

DK- Good outlook on the things we all take for granted. May we see with open eyes and warm hearts.

DK– What does it mean to be an Authentic Women?

JC– Being an authentic woman means to be true to yourself.  Understanding that you will never be perfect, but you are God’s perfect imperfection.  His grace and mercy will always be your refuge.  So, don’t be afraid to fall.  But be courageous enough to get up and start  over again.  You are GREATNESS, and no one can take that away from you.

DK- I know these are hard times, and I want to “Thank You” for presenting and showing us that even through a crisis, you can stand up, spread love and support one another. You have shown us that strength in ourselves and faith in God will help us get through any life disaster, being true to ourselves with integrity and facing fear with the willingness to overcome.  Jenny, I send you blessings and prayers to you and your family. And love to the world.

~Diadel Kimberlee

Check out these websites: 

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/index.html

Retentions Strategies Unlimited: http://retentionstrategiesunltd.com/

If you would like to make a donation to Circles For Healing: www.circles4healing.org

  Showcase-Authentic Women~Jenny Campbell Aligning Within  Diadel Ortiz talks to Jenny Campbell~May 2020 As a lifelong learner and youth advocate, I use education to empower adults and children in all aspects of their lives.