Humanity
Dead Leaves. Top Story - October 2023.
It is not autumn itself that's the problem. No, I love autumn, with its energising climate after the alternating fug and disappointment of the English summer, its warm colours glowing in lowering sun, its iconography of harvest bounty and shenanigans in the borderlands between this world and the next. Potion brewing and tree hugging and pulling in to the nest, I have to say, it suits me well. Except. When I go to see the dentist, the smell of the waiting room makes me want to run. The airport feels only marginally less stifling than the plane, and the anticipation of a dreaded meeting is as unsettling as the meeting itself.
By Hannah Moore3 years ago in Confessions
Insecurity, Anxiety, Uncertainty…
Yes, you read that right. Despite the persona I might give off in my writing, I often feel these unpleasant emotions. Right now, it is one of those times. And not just in one aspect of my life. But in several of them. Which sucks and is overwhelming.
By Amethyst Champagne3 years ago in Confessions
Locked Heart
What is this place? Why is it shrouded in darkness? There's no entrance, no way in, yet a flicker of light pierces the gloom of this small, cubical room. It's not big enough for anyone else, just me. But I'm comfortable here. I have no desire to leave, yet the door exists—I can feel it, though I can't see it. I have the key, a golden key adorned with shapes and cryptic symbols. I've spent an eternity trying to solve them, and now I'm certain of their impossibility. What's the use of a key without a door? And this door, a creation of my own imagination, has no proof of existence except this feeling. This feeling deceives me, distancing it when I approach and bringing it near when I retreat. It's an empty loop, suggesting the futility of escape. Is it worth all this effort? Or is it just another illusion? But the real question remains: Is escape even possible?
By Na cer3 years ago in Confessions
The Messenger
The Messenger Isaiah 41:13 We all have those periods in our lives when stress of one kind or another has grown inside us to a point when it becomes an entity unto itself. It threatens to kidnap our self-will and overtake what is left of our ability to function under circumstances we feel are beyond our control or influence.
By Emily Cameron3 years ago in Confessions
"Just Not Good Enough". Top Story - October 2023.
Am I the only one who's tired of losing? Maybe I shouldn't be looking at situations as "loss" or "win", but how do you not? Everyone searches for value and self-worth. A little winning goes a long way to supporting that. Is it so much to ask, to just win once in a while?
By Veronica Coldiron3 years ago in Confessions
Unraveling the threads of the Biggie Smalls death investigation
[30/09, 11:54 AM] Habibullah 🍻: LAS VEGAS -- The first arrest in the 1996 slaying of Tupac Shakur had its roots in the investigation of the killing of Biggie Smalls. The shooting deaths of the two hip-hop luminaries and rivals — Shakur in Las Vegas and Smalls in Los Angeles six months later — have always been culturally inseparable, and one man, Duane Keffe D. Davis, found himself involved in both investigations. On Friday, Davis was arrested and charged with murder, with prosecutors saying he ordered and masterminded the Shakur killing. Now retired Los Angeles police detective Greg Kading was assigned to investigate the slaying of Smalls — whose legal name was Christopher Wallace — and in 2009 interviewed Davis as a person of interest in the case. Davis had had been at the party at the Peterson Automotive Museum that Wallace had just left when he was shot. Kading had helped build a federal drug case against Davis to get leverage to compel him to talk to Los Angeles police, who to date have made no arrests in the Wallace case. [30/09, 11:55 AM] Habibullah 🍻: He confesses to his involvement in the Tupac Shakur case, he gives all the details of how he and his co-conspirators killed Tupac,” Kading recalled in an interview Friday with The Associated Press. Davis, who had immunity for what he said in his police interview but not what he said outside it, went on to divulge many of the same details in documentaries, on podcasts and in a tell-all 2019 memoir that would give new life to the Las Vegas police probe and help lead to his grand jury indictment. "He has essentially talked himself right into jail," Kading said. Davis had long been known to investigators as one of four suspects identified early in the investigation. He isn’t the accused gunman but was described as the group's ringleader by authorities at a news conference and in court. In Nevada a defendant can be charged with a crime, including murder, if you help someone commit the crime. Davis, now 60, said in his memoir, “Compton Street Legend,” that he provided the gun used in the drive-by shooting. [30/09, 11:56 AM] Habibullah 🍻: Arrest in Tupac Shakur killing stemmed from Biggie Smalls death investigation The first arrest in the 1996 killing of Tupac Shakur had its roots in the investigation of the killing of Biggie Smalls. Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson speaks during a news conference on an indictment in the 1996 murder of rapper Tupac Shakur, Friday, Sept. 29, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher) Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson speaks during a news conference o...Show more The Associated Press LAS VEGAS -- The first arrest in the 1996 slaying of Tupac Shakur had its roots in the investigation of the killing of Biggie Smalls. The shooting deaths of the two hip-hop luminaries and rivals — Shakur in Las Vegas and Smalls in Los Angeles six months later — have always been culturally inseparable, and one man, Duane Keffe D. Davis, found himself involved in both investigations. On Friday, Davis was arrested and charged with murder, with prosecutors saying he ordered and masterminded the Shakur killing. Now retired Los Angeles police detective Greg Kading was assigned to investigate the slaying of Smalls — whose legal name was Christopher Wallace — and in 2009 interviewed Davis as a person of interest in the case. Davis had had been at the party at the Peterson Automotive Museum that Wallace had just left when he was shot. Kading had helped build a federal drug case against Davis to get leverage to compel him to talk to Los Angeles police, who to date have made no arrests in the Wallace case. Recent Stories from ABC News “He confesses to his involvement in the Tupac Shakur case, he gives all the details of how he and his co-conspirators killed Tupac,” Kading recalled in an interview Friday with The Associated Press. Davis, who had immunity for what he said in his police interview but not what he said outside it, went on to divulge many of the same details in documentaries, on podcasts and in a tell-all 2019 memoir that would give new life to the Las Vegas police probe and help lead to his grand jury indictment. "He has essentially talked himself right into jail," Kading said. Davis had long been known to investigators as one of four suspects identified early in the investigation. He isn’t the accused gunman but was described as the group's ringleader by authorities at a news conference and in court. In Nevada a defendant can be charged with a crime, including murder, if you help someone commit the crime. Davis, now 60, said in his memoir, “Compton Street Legend,” that he provided the gun used in the drive-by shooting. Davis was arrested early Friday while on a walk near his home on the outskirts of Las Vegas, hours before prosecutors announced in court that a Nevada grand jury had indicted the self-described “gangster” on one count of murder with a deadly weapon. He is due in court next week. The grand jury also voted to add a sentencing enhancement to the murder charge for gang activity that could add up to 20 additional years if he's convicted. Hundreds of pages of transcripts released Friday provide a view into the first month of grand jury proceedings, which began in late July with testimony from former associates of Davis, friends of Shakur and a slate of retired police officers involved in the case early on. Their testimony painted a picture for the jurors of a deep, escalating rift between Shakur’s music label Death Row Records and Bad Boy Records, which had ties to Davis and represented Wallace. “It started the whole West Coast/East Coast” rivalry that primarily defined the hip-hop scene during the mid-1990s, one of Davis' former associates testified. Davis denied an interview request Friday from jail, and court records don’t list an attorney who can comment on his behalf. Phone and text messages to Davis and his wife on Friday and in the months raided their home in the nearby city of Henderson on July 17 were not returned. [30/09, 11:57 AM] Habibullah 🍻: In a statement Friday, Sekyiwa “Set” Shakur, the rapper's sister, described the arrest as a victory, but in a measured tone. "This is no doubt a pivotal moment. The silence of the past 27 years surrounding this case has spoken loudly in our community," she said. “It’s important to me that the world, the country, the justice system, and our people acknowledge the gravity of the passing of this man, my brother, my mother’s son, my father’s son." She gave no praise to the authorities who have worked the case. “I know there's been many people who did not believe that the murder of Tupac Shakur was important to this police department,” Sheriff Kevin McMahill said at a news conference Friday. "I'm here to tell you, that was simply not the case. It was not the case back then, and it is not the case today." He added, "every single victim, every life that is lost is important and remains a priority to this police department. [30/09, 11:58 AM] Habibullah 🍻: On the night of Sept. 7, 1996, Tupac Shakur and Death Row Records founder Marion “Suge” Knight were in Las Vegas to watch a Mike Tyson heavyweight title match. Outside the fight just after it ended, the men were involved in a brawl with Davis and his nephew, Orlando “Baby Lane” Anderson, with whom Shakur had feuded previously. Later that night, Shakur was sitting in a BMW that Knight was driving when a Cadillac pulled up next to them and gunfire erupted. Shakur was shot multiple times and died a week later at the age of 25. Davis, in his memoir, said he was in the front passenger seat of the Cadillac and had slipped a gun into the back seat, from where he said the shots were fired. He implicated Anderson, saying he was one of two people in the backseat. Anderson died two years later. He denied any involvement in Shakur’s death. The rapper’s death came as his fourth solo album, “All Eyez on Me,” remained on the charts, with some 5 million copies sold. Nominated six times for a Grammy Award, Shakur is still largely considered one of the most influential and versatile rappers of all time.
By Habibu Muhammad Babainna3 years ago in Confessions
Michael Gambon, who played Dumbledore in 'Harry Potter,' dies at 82. Content Warning.
A Legendary Career Comes to an End In a somber turn of events, the world mourns the loss of the legendary actor, Sir Michael Gambon, who passed away at the age of 82. Best known for his iconic portrayal of Albus Dumbledore in the beloved Harry Potter film series, Gambon's death leaves a void in the hearts of fans worldwide. In this article, we celebrate the life and career of a versatile actor whose talents transcended both stage and screen. The world mourns the loss of a true legend as Sir Michael Gambon's illustrious career draws to a close. Known for his iconic portrayal of Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter series, Gambon's passing leaves an indelible void in the hearts of fans globally. His dynamic interpretation of the beloved character became an integral part of cinematic history. Gambon's journey, from his early beginnings on the stage to his commanding presence on the silver screen, showcased his exceptional talent. While he will forever be remembered as Dumbledore, his diverse roles and contributions to the arts will be celebrated for generations to come.
By Hyper Anger3 years ago in Confessions
Colours of Love: Unveiling Unconventional Romances
In the quaint town of Willowbrook, nestled between rolling hills and whispering willow trees, there was a love story that defied all expectations. It was a love story that proved, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that love knows no boundaries, no constraints, and no societal norms.
By Francis3 years ago in Confessions
LOST
I had always considered myself a rational and level-headed person, but that all changed one fateful summer. It began innocently enough with a series of stressors that piled up like bricks on my sanity. The first brick was my demanding job. I was a software developer working for a tech startup, and the pressure to meet deadlines and constantly innovate was relentless. I found myself working late into the night, unable to switch off my racing thoughts about code and bugs. The second brick was my deteriorating relationship. My partner and I had been drifting apart for months, and the constant arguing and emotional distance left me feeling isolated and unmoored. We eventually decided to go our separate ways, but the pain of the breakup lingered like a shadow. The third brick was my health. I had always prided myself on my physical fitness, but I neglected self-care in the pursuit of my career. I stopped exercising, ate poorly, and rarely slept more than a few hours a night. My body began to rebel, and I developed chronic headaches and stomach issues that no doctor could diagnose. As the bricks piled higher, I started to lose my grip on reality. I would sit at my desk, staring at lines of code that seemed to swim and dance before my eyes. Thoughts raced through my mind at a dizzying pace, like a carousel spinning out of control. I couldn't concentrate on anything, and even simple tasks became insurmountable challenges. I began to withdraw from friends and family, unable to explain the chaos inside my head. I stopped answering calls and texts, preferring the solace of my dimly lit apartment. The walls closed in on me, and I could hear the whispers of my own mind, taunting me with doubts and insecurities. One night, I had a breakdown. I sat on my bedroom floor, tears streaming down my face, and I felt like I was unraveling. It was as if my mind had turned against me, a treacherous landscape of swirling thoughts and emotions. I couldn't escape the feeling that I was losing myself, that I was slipping into madness. I knew I needed help, so I reached out to a therapist. Opening up about my struggles was like peeling away layers of armor I had built over the years. My therapist helped me confront the source of my anxiety and provided tools to manage it. I started to regain some semblance of control over my life. Rebuilding my mental health was a slow and arduous process. I learned to prioritize self-care, incorporating exercise and healthy eating into my daily routine. I reconnected with friends and family, who provided much-needed support and understanding. As the months passed, the bricks that had weighed down my sanity began to crumble. My work-life balance improved, and I found a new job that allowed me to pursue my passion for coding without sacrificing my well-being. I even started dating again, cautiously opening my heart to the possibility of love. Looking back, I can see that I didn't truly lose my mind; I lost my way. I allowed the pressures of life to overwhelm me, and I neglected the most important thing: my mental health. But in the process of rebuilding, I discovered resilience I never knew I had. I learned that it's okay to ask for help, that vulnerability is a strength, and that the mind, no matter how lost, can find its way back to sanity with the right support and self-care
By Beauty Ufuomaefe3 years ago in Confessions
Unpaid Debts
I have always hated favours.I hate favors because I feel like I am under some debt ,and until I pay it off I am inferior to that person . So I normally don’t accept them or return the favors in one way or the other. What I didn’t understand was that some favors are so selfless and unconditional that they cannot be paid off. You just have to live with the debt of someone’s kindness and be grateful for it. I learned that when I was about to be struck by a car in an unknown city with a blue suitcase in my hand.
By Rimsha Tariq3 years ago in Confessions
Echoes of Love
The first snowflakes of winter fell gently, blanketing the town in a soft, white embrace. Sarah stood by the window, her breath fogging the glass as she watched the world transform. It was a new beginning, a fresh start, and she couldn't help but feel a surge of hope.
By Therealsam3 years ago in Confessions
