15 THINGS I DID

TO SAVE FOR

LONG-TERM TRAVEL

By Lebawit Lily Girma

June 3, 2012

When people find out or know you’re an attorney, they assume that you already have the means to travel. You’re made, for sure. That’s how you get to “jet set” around. It has to be.

Well, actually – it’s not true. In my case, the last time I saw a six-figure, recurring monthly salary for every month of the year was 2008. It was sweet while it lasted, but you know what’s funny? I don’t remember what I used to do with ALL that money. It seems like a fortune now.

I live a simpler life since leaving my cushy benefits and salaried job in Washington DC and I’m way happier. Less bills, less stress. Less STUFF. More funds and time to pursue my real passions.

How did I afford all those winters away for the past three and half years, three to five months at a time, and all those weekend hops here and there? Here’s the truth of how I did it.

 1. I cut the cable TV

Honestly, I was never a television person in the US. I find it numbing. The drama, the bad news, the politics, the pop culture obsession – no thanks. I prefer to read the paper, books or watch documentaries and occasionally of course, movies. I could even save more if I switched to a go phone from my AT&T plan – which is ridiculously overpriced.

2. I rented my house

The house was a major headache – with the housing market in poor shape I somehow managed to rent it out, at a small loss. After a couple of years though, it became a nuisance to stock money into an asset that was devaluating. So I placed it on the market, and said prayers. In the end it all worked out and as of December 2011, I no longer have that burden.

3. I saved like mad

It was easy to do when I had the full-time job. But even afterwards, anytime I had income I would schedule automatic deductions into my >> money market account. I wouldn’t even feel the money go. The more driven I was to achieve my dream, the easier it was to do.  Even $50 makes a difference over time. 

4. I paid off my car and then sold it

Paying off my car was something I did from the beginning. But after I started traveling and living in the city when home, it made no sense to keep my car (and trust me, I loved that thing). I was paying for parking even though I drove it only on the weekends. One less thing to worry about while I plan my move abroad.

5. I cooked and took lunch to work

It’s incredible how much you can save from not buying lunch outside every day. Those $7-$10 daily can add up. Why give my hard-earned money away when I’m making less already and it could help me travel? No way. The same goes for eating dinners out too often – once in a while is all right.

6. I subscribed to Netflix instead of going to the movies

If I ever get the urge for movies, there’s Netflix and online streaming for just what, $8 a month. Sure it’s nice to go to the movies sometimes – like the recent Marley documentary I caught on screen – but going to the movies isn’t really in my “must-do” list when living in the US.

7. Um… I stopped buying Louboutins, Gucci’s and clothes

It blows my mind when I think about it. I blame my lovely mother for this (although I’m thankful she gave me fashion sense). I saw her wearing Charles Jourdan and Dior shoes from when I was ten. Different pair every day. She was a ridiculously fabulous fashionista. Guess what? I followed in her footsteps and so did my sister (who is an accomplished fashion designer). I have about 50 pairs of high-end designer stilettos sitting in my closet, collecting dust since 2008, at $500 each (that was a drop in the bucket back then). Oops maybe I shouldn’t say this online. Anyone want to buy at least half of them?! Size 8, FYI.

8.  I contracted out my services

I became a consultant – whether working part-time with law firms, selling my images or taking on photography gigs when possible. Multiple hats means multiple streams of income (I make myself sound rich but I’m so not…yet.)

I took a big pay cut from my full time job, but with less bills and less debt, it was easier to survive and I had more energy to focus on the things I love. And more control over my time.

9. I rented a studio in town

Moving from the suburbs to the city changed my life and my bank account. Even if I’ve only spent half the year here, my rent is less than a mortgage – allowing me to save more for those trips and giving me more time in the day. Since I know I’m not staying long-term, renting makes sense for now.

10. I saved on my airline miles. Yes, it does work.

Oh my, if I could count how many folks have told me they never bothered to register their trips. It’s like throwing away money, seriously. Signing up with airline miles accounts is FREE folks, free. And before you know it, it all adds up. All you have to do is insert that mileage account number when you book a flight online or when you are checking in at the counter. Just like that. You can even register after a trip, if you do it soon enough.

Proof that it works? In three years I booked the following FREE plane tickets from my accumulated miles (and maybe just $10 to $50 dollars in taxes per ticket): London roundtrip in the summer, Jamaica roundtrip twice and one-way once (high season too), Belize roundtrip once (first time in July 2010). And a couple of domestic flights too.

I also use airline credit cards that allow for the collection of miles per purchase (warning – easy on those cards, they add up very quickly).

11. My travel blogging brought in rewards

It wasn’t happening for the first two years while I built it up, but after my blog picked up traction – since 2011 – I have gained sponsorships as a travel blogger and photographer. I’ve been on a few of press trips – from the three-month fully paid gig in Belize to a week in Taiwan. There’s no way I could have afforded traveling to Asia at that time otherwise, and it was an excellent experience. I was also scheduled for Puerto Rico but unfortunately caught the flu and never made it.

I also get sponsored hotel stays from a wide range, luxury to budget – it’s all part of the job. And expense paid trips are not a guarantee of positive review, they just help us get there.

11. I gave back

Giving feeds receiving. I also believe it’s what the more fortunate of us should do – send blessings around to those who need it.

I gave away my old clothes and will continue to downsize every year with used apparel I no longer need.

I  donate money even when I have nothing coming in. For instance, for the past seven years I’ve been sponsoring the cutest girl in Ethiopia. I’m not related to her in any way. I just wanted to make a difference in a child’s life and give her access to education. I kept it up even when after I quit my job and long after when I had a couple of months with no income. Nothing gives me more joy than receiving her handwritten letters from Ethiopia in the mail and seeing how much she’s grown (since she was seven) and how she’s doing in school. Today, she’s fourteen years old. Probably the best thing I’ve done in my life so far, no kidding.

12. I sold unused items

I sold some of my household goods and other electronics I no longer used. Like the extra Nikon D90 body I no longer needed when I upgraded.

This section is a work in progress – I plan to sell all the things I have no need for before I hit the road again. That 30 inch (or is it 40?) plasma Sony HDTV that still sits in my apartment as if I watch it? That’s next on the list. What I can’t part with though is my collection of African paintings from Congo.

13. I learned to ask questions and find solutions

Basically, I learned to hustle. That insurance bill that comes every month or the internet service? Those things we subscribe to at home? They almost always have a suspend option -a temporary hold while you’re away abroad. That often means only 10% of your bill has to be paid, or you can have it put on hold until you return in some cases.

It pays to call and ask, knowledge is power.

14. I worked my behind off

Yep, it’s the old-fashioned work-hard and play hard formula. When I was home I worked as much as I could so I can save as much as I can – within reason of course, because making time for friends and family is important. But that meant long hours and sacrificing weekends for weeks on end.

15. I cut down on salon visits

Seriously, when you have as much hair as I do it’s tough to maintain on your own. But I stopped going to the salon every single week (yes I used to do that). Instead staggered it to twice a month, learning how to do it myself the rest of the time.

***

In a nutshell, if it’s what you really want – to travel or pursue what you love, whether it’s a class or living abroad – it’s possible. It just takes diligence, sacrifice and gratitude for the tools you already have.

Are there any other ways you’ve saved for long-term travel if you’ve done it before? Feel free to share below.

***

Note: I just realized since publishing this that I have two number 11′s – ah well, bonus tip, I’ll leave it as is.

++++++++++++++++++++

 Lebawit “Lily” Girma is a lawyer turned published travel writer, photographer and blogger. With four languages under her belt and three continents on her “lived in” list (Africa, Europe and the Americas), she calls herself a “culture-holic” with a passion for sharing and inspiring travel, through both word and images.

Lily’s photography and writing have been published by the New York Times Magazine, Lonely Planet Travel Magazine, International Living Magazine, The Grenada Board of Tourism, Belize Tourism Board, Taiwan Tourism Board, UK Guardian, The Matador Travel Network, and travel guides including Schmapp! and Lonely Planet. She has also been commissioned for shoots by tourism boards, resorts and attractions in the Caribbean for commercial, website and editorial uses.

Her work has focused on all aspects of culture – from people to landscape, festivals and cuisine. As a result of long-term travel and work in the Caribbean, she has a keen sense of lighting issues, as well as other environmental factors that make shooting in the Caribbean both challenging and fun.

In 2010, Lily signed up and completed a 12-week Travel Photography course with MatadorU, where she improved her photography skills by learning from award-winning published photographers. The course not only further enhanced her technical skills but also increased her knowledge of social media, SEO writing and travel blogging skills.

A year later, Lily was selected as the exclusive in-house writer and photographer for the Belize Tourism Board for three months – through a partnership with online and US-based Matador Travel Network Magazine. She blogged and photographed her way all across Belize, building a strong following and producing over 100 blog posts and articles, as well as photo essays and a gallery of images – some of which were syndicated on CNN Travel and National Geographic’s Intelligent Travel.

Her travels have also given her experience photographing public officials – including conducting exclusive photo shoots of the Prime Minister of Belize and his family – and recording artists, thanks to a solid background in concert photography.

Whether capturing images or writing about places, Lily’s goal is to showcase culture and adventure – through people, landscape, food and music – in the most vibrant and authentic way possible.

Prints from her travel portfolio can be viewed or purchased here.

Lily is available for assignments around the world. For inquiries – whether writing, photography, sponsored press trips or other partnerships – please use the Contact page or email Lily directly at Lily_Girma@yahoo.com. 

For updates on Lily’s current travels and photography/writing projects, please visit her blog, Sunshine and Stilettos.

 

 

Say it loud:

I'm black and blue

and I'm proud

 

How would you like to be one of those Melungeons today? For generations you did everything to claim you were not black (despite a skin tone that said otherwise) and now you find out that you actually came from those Negroes after all, due to a little "Jungle Fever" type freakiness that went on back in the day.

You even tried to say that you wee Portuguese for crying out loud! (BTW, the Portuguese can't escape their black roots, either) I suspect that there are clans all over America with similar stories, but they dare not tell it for fear of losing their white card. The poor Melungeons, unlike the rest of you, have been exposed. And, from the looks of things, they are not too pleased about it.

 “There were a whole lot of people upset by this study,” lead researcher Roberta Estes said. “They just knew they were Portuguese or Native American.”

Yes, this black thing is not a good look if after living a certain Deliverance type existence all of your life your whiteness is all you have to hold on to. I suspect that many Americans read this story and were digging up the old family albums. "Is this Grandpa Joe? Dad,why did you tell me that he got that tan from spending a lot of time at the beach when he never left Nashville?" America, it might be time to have that conversation, or at least Google Ancestory.com.

Anyway, as bad as these Melungeons are feeling today, they can't feel as bad as the blue people from Kentucky. (No Smurf jokes, please!) How do they explain their background? The Melungeons hid behind the Portuguese and Native American card. What can the blue people claim? I mean, they are blue.

Although it seems that there might be a legitimate explanation for the blue people: They were unfortunate victims of a medical disorder. (Not to mention a little inbreeding) A disorder which left their skins blue. The Melungeons cannot claim such a medical background. There are no genetic disorders to fall back on. Physically they are just fine. Now mentally, on the other hand.....

 

__________________________

Why Were The Melungeons

Surprised By

Their African Roots?

 

 

__________________________

Artist Interview:

Robert Glasper

By Matt Fleeger on March 19, 2012

Robert Glasper’s new album “Black Radio” was released to critical acclaim, and not just in the Jazz world.  The record debuted at #1 on the Jazz charts, and at #4 on the Hip-Hop/R&B charts.  We caught up with Glasper while on tour to talk about this new album, his opinions on the state of Jazz today and his approach to making music.  You can listen to the whole interview below, and catch him at the Star Theater this Saturday at 9 PM in Portland!

__________________________

Will the

Robert Glasper Experiment

Work?

Whenever given the opportunity, I snidely inform you all of how much I detest much of the new music out now. It is why I created Throwback Tuesdays! It why I love TV One's UnSung. On Saturday mornings, I make an effort to get up before noon and tune to the classic soul that will be heard on Felix Hernandez's Rhythm Review because I prefer it to the junk that is out right now.

So when I do come across an artist with a style as fresh as Robert Glasper's, I breathe a sigh of relief. His new LP, appropriately entitled Black Radio, has been rippling through online sound waves since its debut two weeks ago. With successful performances on Letterman's Late Show and New York City's Highline Ballroom, and the number 5 album on iTunes, the Robert Glasper Experiment sent a strong message to the music community. It demonstrated how eager people were for creative, soulful, feel good black music. The former jazz pianist collaborates with a collection of underrated jazz, r&b and hip hop artists including Chrisette Michelle, Ledisi,  Lalah Hathaway and Yasiin Bey (the artist formerly known as Mos Def). Here is Bilal and Lupe Fiasco performing the track, "Always Shine":

My two favorite songs on the album is Ledisi's "Gonna Be Alright" and Erykah Badu's cover of "Afro Blue." Robert Glasper composes songs that weave together complex rhythms and melodies, showcasing each of the musicians' unique talents. While celebrating the diversity of incredible black music, we must ask ourselves why none of the music from our radios sound like anything from this album. 

One of the few conceptual albums to come out in a long time, Robert Glasper certainly sends a strong message with Black Radio. Black musicians from earlier generations articulated black thought and emotion in their music. This is what black music needs to return to. We aren't singing/ rapping about how we feel or about what we think. It's solely what we do. Absent is the soul that used to define black music. For the experiment to work, we need to not have people just enjoy Robert Glasper, we need them to follow his lead.

Grace Jones hula-hoops

through

Queen Jubilee performance

by Marquise Francis | June 5, 2012

Singer Grace Jones performs on stage during the Diamond Jubilee concert at Buckingham Palace on June 4, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

Grace Jones, 64, has been performing and acting for decades. Last night the iconic songstress performed at the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee concert in London. Jones sang while hula-hooping for four minutes straight. The ageless Jones came on stage in a black and red leotard and a huge red piece adorned her head.

Follow Marquise Francis @mKfly

Contest Guidelines

Marica and Jan Vilcek Prize for Poetry ~ Judged by Mark Doty

Goldenberg Prize for Fiction ~ Judged by Jane Smiley

Burns Archive Prize for Nonfiction ~ Judged by Mary Roach

 

Biographies of the 2013 Judges ~~ Past BLR contest winners

Deadline: 7/1/12

 

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BLR Prize Guidelines:  

1. The BLR Prizes award outstanding writing related to themes of health, healing, illness, the mind, and the body.
   First prize is $1000 (in each genre) and publication in the Spring 2013 issue of BLR. 
   Honorable mention winners will receive $250 and publication in the Spring 2013 issue of BLR.

 

Prose should be limited to 5000 words.
Poetry submissions should have no more than 3 poems. Please include all poems in one document.
Submissions that exceed these limits will be disqualified.

 

Deadline July 1, 2012.   Winners will be announced by December 31, 2012.

 

Entry fee is $15 per submission. For an additional $5, you will receive a one-year subscription to the BLR. (Maximum: four submissions per person).

 

Manuscripts should be submitted electronically as a Microsoft Word document or PDF.  Please combine all poems into one document and use first poem as title.

 

Do not put your name on the manuscript document. (This will be entered separately on our website.) A cover letter is not required.

 

Work previously published in print or electronically will not be considered. (Please see footnote below for specific definition of “published.”)

 

Simultaneous submissions are permitted, but we ask that you notify us immediately if your work is accepted elsewhere.  We regret that there can be no refunds or substitutions for withdrawn work.

 

All entries will also be considered for regular publication.

 

Students/friends/colleagues/relations of a judge are not permitted to enter submissions to that judge's genre.

 

BLR acquires first-time North American rights. After publication, all rights revert to the author and the work may be reprinted as long as appropriate acknowledgement to BLR is made.

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PLEASE NOTE:  There are separate systems for submission and payment. The account/login information that you set up in one does not automatically transfer to the other system. You will need to register in both. We apologize for the inconvenience.

 

SUBMITTING YOUR MANUSCRIPT Submit your manuscript online. If you have never submitted to BLR before, you will need to create an author account first.

PAYING THE ENTRY FEE Entry fee may be paid online, by check, or by phone. Pay online. Call us at 212-263-3973 to pay over the phone. Mail a check (made out to Bellevue Literary Review), along with a copy of the confirmation email you will receive after submitting, to: Bellevue Literary Review NYU Department of Medicine 550 First Avenue, OBV-A612 New York, NY 10016

 

Please feel free to contact us with any questions: info@BLReview.org or 212-263-3973

 

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Some troubleshooting tips:

If you can't upload, please try logging out and back in. If you continue to have trouble, please let us know.

Keep file name short and simple (one word, no spaces/symbols). A long file name is what usually causes upload problems. (This is just referring to how the file is saved on your computer. You'll be able to type your full title on the submission page.)

*For the BLR, “published work” means published in print in North America, or published on the Internet in electronic journals, e-zines, academic websites, and other “public” or “official” websites. Works posted on personal blogs or websites will be considered on a case-by-case basis. We ask that authors be honest about web postings. (If a work is discovered to have been posted or published elsewhere—and not openly acknowledged by the author in advance—we will remove it from consideration.)

 

 

Ugreen Foundation's

Creative Wings

Short Story Prize 2012

(Nigera/ Africa-wide)

Deadline: 31 July 2012

The window is open for entries! Ugreen Foundation is glad to announce the second edition of the Creative Wings Short Story contest, titled the Creative Wings Short Story Prize 2012.

The ‘Creative Wings Short Story Prize’ was endowed in 2011, by the Executive Director of Ugreen Foundation, Obinna Udenwe, as his contribution towards encouraging young African writers, in line with one of the visions of Ugreen Foundation which is to encourage citizens participation in knowledge building.

In 2012, the Prize will accept entries from all African writers residing anywhere in the world and will annually give books as Prizes. Writers between the ages of 0 – 40 years old and of African origin and writers whose one parent is from Africa are encouraged to apply.

In the words of Obinna Udenwe as regards the 2012 edition of the contest, he said: ‘My dream is to continuously encourage the growth of literature and arts in Africa. I have continued as a writer and an activist to engage in intellectual pursuit and to work with young people like myself. I have discovered that in this world of ever increasing phobia for uncertainties, increase in vices and delinquencies, unprecedented rise to its peak the level of crimes, terrorism, inhumanity and gross devaluation of traditions and societal negligence, we must continue, as lovers of arts and literature to use our talents, gifts and resources as means of entrenching an overhaul change in our society. There is no better way of doing this than through arts and literature. Our Creativity Class program that annually trains twenty young people on writing and oratory has proved to me that we have talents in Africa and that a lot needs to be done to encourage them – but only few people are ready to contribute… One of the winners of the first edition of this Prize, Mr. Vincent Bura-Bari Nwilo attended our Creativity Class training as a facilitator. It was wonderful meeting someone that this Prize has given publicity, encouragement and voice. His presence in the training encouraged the twenty students, it formed alliances and friendships and this is my quest – love, synergy and commitment. In Ugreen Foundation, we believe that this second edition of the Creative Wings Short Story Prize will bring in wonderful stories that delves into the nooks and crannies of African society and the world at large, helping us learn more about our environment and the people in it.’

2012 PRIZE

1. Ugreen Foundation will give out twenty (20) books for the 2012 edition of the contest. First Prize winner will receive a total of fifteen (15) books and the second Prize winner, will receive five (5) books. The books will be couriered to the winners anywhere they are in the world.

2. If the winner(s) resides in Nigeria, he gets an opportunity to attend in March, 2013, as special guest, the ‘Sen. Chris. Nwankwo Youth Creativity Class,’ a program of Ugreen Foundation that trains and empowers twenty young people economically, and intellectually in the field of writing and oratory.

Ugreen Foundation will cover transportation costs (round trip), accommodation for five nights and meals, including N30, 000 honorarium, (including tours round the state and evenings of cocktails).

If the winner(s) resides outside Nigeria and wants to attend, Ugreen Foundation will provide all of the above mentioned, excluding cost of air-travel into and out of Nigeria. The program holds annually in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi state capital.

ENTRY RULES AND GUIDELINES

1. Entry is free.

2. Entries must not be more than 600 words long.

3. Entrant must not be more than 40 years old.

4. Entrant must be a writer of African origin living anywhere in the world. (Once an entrant is shortlisted, Ugreen Foundation will need evidence identifying the entrant as African and evidence showing date of birth).

5. Only one submission per entrant is permitted.6. Stories must be original work of the entrant and previously published works will not be accepted for the Prize.

7. Only online submissions are acceptable.

8.Entries should be emailed to creativewingscontest2012@gmail.com. Paste story on the body of the e-mail. Use ‘Creative Wings Contest’ in the subject line. Entries with attachments will be disqualified.

9. The email must contain the entrant’s name, the title of story, and the entrant’s physical address, a brief bio of NOT more than 50 words, Date of Birth, and contact phone number.10. Simultaneous submissions are NOT acceptable.11. Writers are not restricted to any theme.

12. Entries must be in English ONLY.

13. Previous winners are eligible but must apply with a different story.

14. Shortlisted entrant must agree to provide us with his/her photograph and agree to allow Ugreen Foundation and all the Prize publicists use the photograph for publicity.

15. Entries are open from June 1st to 12 Midnight July 31st.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

For queries/ submissions: creativewingscontest2012@gmail.com

Website: http://www.ugreenfoundation.org

 

Now Open for Entries:

Nova Short Story

Competition 2012 (South Africa)

Deadline: 30 September 2012

The Nova Short Story Competition is our annual competition for budding writers of science fiction and fantasy short stories. Usually contested in two categories, General and South African, the competition is open for entry from April until 30 September annually. Winning entries and finalists are published in Probe.

The Nova Short Story Competition for 2012 is now open for entries, and will close on 30 September 2012. Please start thinking about your stories, thinking about writing the stories, and writing the stories. September is a lot closer than you think.

The South African section of the competition is sponsored by Arthur Goldstuck of WorldWideWorx

Please note that we reserve the right to determine if a story meets our criteria for a South African story. If we judge that a story is not South African, we will judge it as a General section story.

2012 RULES

There are two sections which may be entered with prize money as follows :

• General section : 1st - R 750.00 2nd - R500.00 3rd - R250.00
• South African section : 1st - R1000.00 2nd - R600.00 3rd - R400.00

The SA section prize is sponsored by World Wide Worx (http://www.worldwideworx.com)

1. By submitting to the competition, the entrant agrees to abide by all Competition Rules.

2. The judge's decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

3. Prizes will be awarded in two categories: a General Section, and a South African Section.

4. Should, in the opinion of the judges, an entry submitted for the South African Section not qualify as a South African story, it will be judged in the General Section.

5. Short stories in both sections must be in the genres of Science Fiction or Fantasy. If, in the judges’ opinion, the short story is not written in these genres, the entry will be disqualified and the entry fee will be forfeited.

6. Should there be enough entrants under 18 with a suitable quality of work, an additional award may be made to the best author in this category.

7. SFFSA reserves the right not to award prizes if, in the opinion of the final judge, the standard does not warrant it.

8. All entries must be in English prose, and must be between 2000 and 5000 words.

9. SFFSA reserves the right to publish any story free of charge in the club’s magazine “Probe”, or in the club’s “Best of…” short story collection, but the copyright will remain with the author. (If possible, please keep the electronic version of the entry, as entrants may be asked to send this to SFFSA for publishing.)

10. There is no age restriction.

11. The competition is open to professional and amateur writers.

12. All entries must be the original, unpublished work of the author, and not may not have won a prize in any previous competition.

13. There is no limit to the number of entries submitted by the author.

14. All entries must be accompanied by a completed entry form.

15. No hand-written entries will be accepted. All entries must be printed or typed (hardcopy). Alternatively (for an additional fee), entries in PDF or DOC format (softcopy) may be sent via email, and will be printed by SFFSA.

16. Typed, printed or printable entries must be double-spaced and single-sided. Typed and printed entries must be bound (with staples, paperclips, folder, etc.). Printable entries must be in ready-to-print form (i.e. page numbers, page layout, font, etc will NOT be modified before printing).

17. The author’s name must NOT appear on the manuscript.

18. Entrants will be judged on:

• Presentation
• Characterisation
• Dialogue
• Plot
• Grammar & Spelling
• Writing Quality & Style
• Appeal.

19. The closing date is midnight of 30 September 2012 (envelopes postmarked before this date and time will be accepted).

20. Entrants will be notified of the results of the competition approximately 5 months after the closing date, provided that a second self-addressed stamped envelope (or an e-mail address) is enclosed for this purpose.

21. Printed or typed entries must be posted to:

SFFSA Short Story Competition
c/o Gavin Kreuiter
P.O. Box 8022
Edenglen
1613

No registered letters will be accepted.

22. Electronic entries must be emailed to: nova.sffsa@gmail.com

23. If acknowledgment of receipt of entries is required, include a stamped, self-addressed envelope, or provide an email address and request a receipt.

24. SFFSA does not accept liability for entries lost in the post.

25. No manuscripts will be returned so please do not send originals.

26. If the full entry fee has not been received by SFFSA before the closing date of the competition, the entry will be disqualified.

27. Fees.

The total fee comprises an admin fee of R15.00, PLUS an entry fee for EACH story entered, PLUS a printing fee (for electronic entries) of R20 per story, PLUS a critique fee (optional) of R25 per story.

The admin fee of R15.00 is paid only once per author, no matter how many stories are entered. For members, the entry fee is R5.00 per story submitted; for non-members, the entry fee is R10.00 per story submitted. If a short, written critique is requested, an additional fee of R25 is charged for EACH critiqued story.

The fee is only payable in cash, S.A. cheque (made payable to “Science Fiction South Africa”, not SFFSA), or internet transfer (see our web site under “Join Us” for details. Please provide proof of transfer).

THE GENRES OF SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY

Because the term Science Fiction often encompasses more than some strict definitions would allow, some authors prefer to expand the acronym SF to the term Speculative Fiction (coined by Robert A. Heinlein),which is an umbrella term that includes Fantasy, Horror, Supernatural and Alternative Histories, as well as highly specialised genres like dystopian or apocalyptic fiction. Some stories fit neatly into these categories, while others can be classified into two (or even more) genres. As a rule, Nova stories should be either Science Fiction or Fantasy (SF or F). This explicitly excludes stories that are retold myths and horror stories (with no SF or F elements). Sub-genres such as apocalyptic fiction – while rather overdone - do, usually, fall into the SF category, Alternative Histories, stories of the supernatural (ghost stories, or stories exclusively involving daemons, etc), have to be written extremely well to impress the judges.

While the Fantasy genre is sometimes understood to include myths and legends, they do not apply to Nova. For us, Fantasy stories usually involve magic or magical creatures (unicorns, trolls, etc, but not tokoloshes). Talking rabbits and furniture may make good stories, but don’t really qualify as Nova Fantasy.

And if “I woke up and it was all a dream”... then it IS a dream, not Fantasy.

Nova SF expects stories that have a scientific or technological basis, usually with a plausible (even if it does require suspension of disbelief) plot or premise.

While it can be either SF or F, it may be difficult (but not impossible) to write a South African Fantasy story. Expectations of what makes a story South African can be found in the next section.

Finally, these are general guidelines. The best authors of the world have been known to break “rules of good writing”, but they do it well. Extremely well. A winning story can bend the guidelines above, as long as it is well written and well received.

Download: entry form

CONTACT INFORMATION:

For queries/ submissions: nova.sffsa@gmail.com

Website: http://www.sfsa.org.za

 

Zimmerman Admits

Lied to Court,

Lawyer Suggests

Blame Lies with Public 

 

by Patriot Daily News Clearinghouse

Judge Lester revoked Zimmerman's bond last week because Zimmerman and his wife lied to the court about their financial status during a bond hearing, claiming he was indigent and without funds for the bond while they both knew website donations were over $150,000 at the time, or the amount of his bond.  Zimmerman's lawyer, Mark O'Mara, responded that he realizes that Zimmerman's "credibility has been tarnished, and he will have to rehabilitate it."

O'Mara first stumbled, saying he wants a do-over bail hearing so he can "explain why what happened seems to have happened." Today, O'Mara realizes that Zimmerman and his wife must make some sort of admission in order to obtain bond for him and to try to avoid perjury charges for his wife. O'Mara's blog writes that "Zimmerman acknowledges that he allowed his financial situation to be misstated in court."  O'Mara is forced to make this partial admission due to the prosecution's evidence:

The audio recordings of Mr. Zimmerman's phone conversations while in jail make it clear that Mr. Zimmerman knew a significant sum had been raised by his original fundraising website.

O'Mara realizes that both Zimmermans must apologize to the court. But, it's not really Zimmerman's fault that he and his wife lied to the court. Nope, O'Mara suggests the blame lies with the public who believe that Zimmerman hunted down and murdered an unarmed teenager:

We feel the failure to disclose these funds was caused by fear, mistrust, and confusion. The gravity of this mistake has been distinctly illustrated, and Mr. Zimmerman understands that this mistake has undermined his credibility, which he will have to work to repair.

At the point of the bond hearing, Mr. Zimmerman had been driven from his home and neighborhood, could not go to work, his wife could not go back to a finish her nursing degree, his mother and father had been driven from their home, and he had been thrust into the national spotlight as a racist murderer by factions acting with their own agendas. None of those allegations have been supported by the discovery released to date, yet the hatred continues.

This is not the first time that O'Mara blamed the public. Days after the bond hearing, when Zimmerman told O'Mara that his donation website had raised over $200,000 while Zimmerman claimed in court he was indigent, O'Mara stated that this was not deceit but an "oversight" given "everything he is going through over the past few weeks."

Blaming the public does not explain the evidence of lies against the Zimmermans. Blaming the public does not show Zimmerman accepting responsibility for his lies that did not happen by mistake, but were coordinated in recorded conversations with his wife.

 

The test that Judge Lester used to revoke bond requires that "all information" provided by Zimmerman "shall be accurate, truthful, and complete, without omissions, to the best knowledge of defendant." This test is based on a Florida rule on pretrial release:

All information provided by a defendant in connection with any application for or attempt to secure bail, to any court, court personnel, or individual soliciting or recording such information for the purpose of evaluating eligibility for or securing bail for the defendant, under circumstances such that the defendant knew or should have known that the information was to be used in connection with an application for bail, shall be accurate, truthful, and complete, without omissions, to the best knowledge of the defendant. Failure to comply with the provisions of this subdivision may result in the revocation or modification of bail. However, no defendant shall be compelled to provide information regarding his or her criminal record.

The judge explained that he revoked bond because the Zimmermans were aware of the amount of money available, as evidenced by 4 conversations by the Zimmermans before the bond hearing. The Judge stated how Zimmerman cannot sit in court silently while his wife testifies falsely to the court and his attorney makes false representations to the court, and then revoked bond based on those "material misrepresentations that the court relied upon."

While O'Mara sets out to rehabilitate his lying client, he should remember that Judge Lester is not just concerned with express lies, but also lies by omission:

"Does your client get to sit there like a potted palm and let you lead me down the primrose path?" he asked Zimmerman's lawyer. "That's the issue."

The judge also stated that if Zimmerman wants another bond hearing, it would be important for Zimmerman to testify to explain to the court what happened:

"If he wants to explain subsequent to that, you may reset this for a bond hearing to give him an opportunity to explain to the court what happened and at this time, it would be important for him to testify about what transpired."

The prosecution's evidence of lies and misrepresentations was so strong that the judge also was surprised that the State had not yet filed charges against Shelly Zimmerman.

The prosecution's evidence included Shelly Zimmerman's testimony at the bond hearing under oath that she was not aware of any financial means that could be used to assist in paying the bond cost. She also testified that to her knowledge, it was correct that she and her husband did not have money to make a bond amount. Shelly Zimmerman also testified that she did not have an estimate as to how much money the donation website had collected. The prosecution's evidence shows her statements to be lies and potentially a conspiracy between the two to have a secret stash of cash to pay the full amount of bond should Zimmerman skip town. Even if skipping town sounds unreasonable as Zimmerman was monitored after he was released on bond, Zimmerman's two prior lawyers dumped him because they did not know where he was, and maybe he believed that he could pull that trick again.

The prosecution also recorded phone conversations between Zimmerman and his wife while he was in jail before the bond hearing showing that Zimmerman was supervising the deposit and transfer of money from the donation website to various personal accounts:

During some of the calls to his wife, Shelly Zimmerman, Defendant discussed the amount of money sent to PayPal through the website, which was deposited into Defendant's Credit Union account, and at Defendant's direction transferred into his wife's Credit Union account. Even though Defendant was in jail at the time, he was intimately involved in the deposit and transfer of money into various accounts. Defendant was directing the show and used his wife, who willingly participated, to complete the transfers. During two of the calls, Shelly Zimmerman is at the Credit Union, and in one Defendant speaks directly to the Credit Union official.

The prosecution stated that the Zimmermans used a code to discuss how much money was available from the donation website, where $8.60 equals $86,000 and $155 equals $155,000:

George Zimmerman: "In my account do I have at least $100?"

Shelly Zimmerman: "No."

George Zimmerman: "How close am I?"

Shelly Zimmerman: "$8. $8.60."

George Zimmerman: "Really? So total everything how much are we looking at?"

Shelly Zimmerman: "Like $155."

The Zimmermans also discussed how to pay the bond using coded language to hide the true amount of money:

George Zimmerman: If the bond is more than 15, pay the 15. If more than 15 pay 10 percent to the bondsman.

Shelly Zimmerman: You don't want me to pay $100.

George Zimmerman: I don't know.

Shelly Zimmerman: All right just think about it.

George Zimmerman: I will.

Shelly Zimmerman: That's what it's for.

In addition to the prosecutor's evidence of coded chats between the Zimmermans, the smoking gun reported last month that it obtained a letter that Zimmerman wrote to a "supporter" while he was in jail before his bond hearing. Zimmerman wrote:

"My attorney seems cautiously optimistic about me receiving bond tomorrow and I will put funds received through my website towards my bond."

If this letter is authenticated, then Zimmerman is stating his plans to use website donations for his bond the day before his bond hearing.

O'Mara also stated that the recorded phone chats were not an effort by the Zimmermans to deliberately hide money but "more of an innocent misunderstanding" because Zimmerman was "hesitant to use a bondsman to secure his release, due to the fear of an outsider knowing his whereabouts." O'Mara continues that Zimmerman and his wife did not use the money for anything and that indicates "there was no deceit." No, it does not prove the absence of deceit, and it's also not true.

That oversight of website donations that the Zimmermans did not use for anything paid for part of Zimmerman's bond.  The Zimmermans paid bond by using $5,000 from website donations and the rest from a second mortgage on a family home.

Zimmerman is "frustrated because he now has to come out of hiding," but at least he's making more money:

Mark O'Mara said Zimmerman's online defense fund has been receiving about $1,000 a day in donations, but the pace picked up after a judge required Zimmerman to return to jail.

__________________________

Zimmerman’s lawyers

delay request for

new bond hearing

Sneak Peek:

Eminem freestyle from

Ice-T’s

‘Something from Nothing:

The Art of Rap’ [Video]

Max-El June 6, 2012

As anticipation builds for O.G. Ice-T‘s directorial debut, Something from Nothing: The Art of Rap, we’re given a peek at a brief clip from the film featuring Hip-Hop behemoth Eminem in the studio kicking a few of his usual complex-yet-superb bars.

I can’t wait to see this thing, but unfortunately I don’t have a choice. It doesn’t hit theatres until June 15th. (July 20th in the UK)

 

 

__________________________

And the snippets keep coming.

After being treated to an Eminem freestyle just a couple hours ago, we now get a look at portions of Kanye West and Nas‘ appearances in Ice-T‘s forthcoming documentary on the craft of MCing, Something From Nothing: The Art of Rap. 

In the clips, ‘Ye talks about his non-writing process while Nasty addresses Hip-Hop’s lack of respect before kicking a few bars for the camera.

All this is doing is making me more anxious, but I guess that’s the point. June 15th can’t get here fast enough.

Sourced From: http://www.soulculture.co.uk/culture-2/film-tv/documentaries/sneak-peek-nas-x-kanye-in-ice-ts-something-from-nothing-the-art-of-rap-video/#ixzz1wyw8kAJv

| Film Trailer

NBA TV’s

‘The Dream Team’ 

Max-El June 6, 2012

 

Back in 1992, something amazing happened.

FIBA, the governing body of international basketball, opened the Olympics to professional players and the United States sent a team boasting 11 of its finest basketball players to Barcelona to compete — and I use that term loosely — for a gold medal at that year’s Summer Games.

That squad, dubbed the “Dream Team” because of its otherworldly level of talent — absolutely dominated the opposition, annihilating opponents by an average margin of 44 points as they cruised to the gold medal and recognition as the greatest basketball team ever assembled. Some would even argue they were the greatest team in the history of all sports.

To mark the team’s 20-year anniversary, NBA TV presents The Dream Team, a 90-minute look inside the squad’s historic run. Featuring never-before-seen footage and insider stories from the men who lived them — including Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and every other player on the roster (coaches, too) — the film offers a truly one-of-a-kind perspective of the practices, off-the-court issues, competitions between teammates and the entire Dream Team experience.

If you’re a basketball fan who’s old enough to remember the ’92 Olympics, you’ll surely appreciate this film. And if you were too young to remember or weren’t even alive when the Dream Team shook up the basketball world, let this film serve as an educational tool about a squad whose brilliance will never be matched.

NBA TV’s The Dream Team premieres June 13.