I feature my works, other artists and international news. http://wirequeenjewelry.com
Showing posts with label Africa. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Africa. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Friday, November 30, 2012
Eye Candy Friday Jewelry For Men 11/30/2012
Hi All!
Today's Eye Candy feature is jewelry for Men.
All necklaces are ready to ship. The bracelet is a custom piece. Leave your measurement in the notes to seller at checkout. The pictures and captions link to my Shopinterest.co shop and you don't have to sign up for an account. You can find the same pieces on my Etsy shop by clicking the images below.
Enjoy,
Michelle
Click to Sign up for our free newsletter!
Today's Eye Candy feature is jewelry for Men.
 |
| Add caption |
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| African Bottle Glass and Brass Boulaye Neckace |
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| Braided Sterling Silver Bracelet |
 | |
| Fancy Jasper and Turaeg Necklace |
All necklaces are ready to ship. The bracelet is a custom piece. Leave your measurement in the notes to seller at checkout. The pictures and captions link to my Shopinterest.co shop and you don't have to sign up for an account. You can find the same pieces on my Etsy shop by clicking the images below.
Enjoy,
Michelle
Click to Sign up for our free newsletter!
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Time to Put Africa on Your Business Map
Hi All!
Here's an interesting infographic that I wanted to share with you which gives some of the diversity and factual info about the continent of Africa.
Are you doing business on the continent? Have you considered doing business on the continent? Would like to, but don't know where to begin?
The continent is the new "Gold Rush".
Consider that
1. 53 million of the population is using mobile (cellphones) to access the rest of the world, bypassing energy problems and any other issues that might normally pose a problem on the continent.
2. Many of the economies on the continent will have a higher GDP than the West.
3. Oil is being discovered in many countries.
4. The rate of return in some Africa countries is the highest in the world.
5. China, India and the EU are making major investments on the continent. Just like the American "gold rush" those who get in early have the best chance of succeeding.
Contact me and I'll be happy to assistance you in finding your niche on the continent.
Thanks,
Michelle
Here's an interesting infographic that I wanted to share with you which gives some of the diversity and factual info about the continent of Africa.
Are you doing business on the continent? Have you considered doing business on the continent? Would like to, but don't know where to begin?
The continent is the new "Gold Rush".
Consider that
1. 53 million of the population is using mobile (cellphones) to access the rest of the world, bypassing energy problems and any other issues that might normally pose a problem on the continent.
2. Many of the economies on the continent will have a higher GDP than the West.
3. Oil is being discovered in many countries.
4. The rate of return in some Africa countries is the highest in the world.
5. China, India and the EU are making major investments on the continent. Just like the American "gold rush" those who get in early have the best chance of succeeding.
Contact me and I'll be happy to assistance you in finding your niche on the continent.
Thanks,
Michelle
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Thursday, May 31, 2012
We Hit 20,000 today!!!! Thank You
Thank you everyone who has visited and commented on my blog. Today we hit 20,000 pageviews. Your visits comments and participation is greatly appreciated.
Thank you all. Please share and lets make the next 20,000 happen even faster. Smile
Michelle
http://pinterest.com/wirequeen
http://facebook.com/wirequeen
http://twitter.com/wirequeen
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Doing Business in Cameroon
I visited Cameroon in the late 1980's while on Congressman William H. Gray's Philadelphia Trade Mission. Both Yaounde, the business capital, and Douala, the commerce and port city, were on our agenda.
Cameroon has gone through many changes in the twenty plus years since my visit.
Basic Facts
Some basic facts about reaching Sub-Sharan Africans
1. Smartphones are on the rise. One in five mobile phone users in Sub-Saharan Africa now have a smartphone, with one in three in South Africa and one in four in Nigeria.
2. The mobile phone is the main electronic device used, and hence needs to perform multiple functions. The main other electronic device owned by mobile phone users is a DVD player with 72% of Sub-Saharan Africans having one.
3. There is strong desire to access the internet. The three main reasons to want a smartphone is to surf the internet (38%), to upgrade to a better phone (30%) and to access the latest features and services (26%)
4. Mobile phone users want mobility when accessing the internet, hence a laptop or smartphone are most desired. The device most users are most likely to buy next is a laptop computer (39% of mobile phone users claim they want to do this), followed by a smartphone at 20%. Intention to get a smartphone (most likely) is highest in South Africa (30%), Kenya (27%) and Nigeria (25%).
5. The mobile phone is the preferred device in Sub-Saharan Africa for just about all digital activities, with 43% saying it is their preferred device for browsing the internet. Exceptions are online shopping, viewing and editing documents, reading e-books and downloading or streaming video. For these activities, a laptop is preferred.
6. Nokia still reigns supreme on the African sub-continent. A little over half of all mobile phone users owning a Nokia as their main phone. Samsung is a distant second at 11% and Blackberry 3rd at just under 6%.
7. People stick with the brands they love. When buying a next phone, brand of handset is the most important choice criteria (20%), followed by battery life (15%) and then making voice calls (11%).
8. Battery life is a key need for mobility. The most important accessories mobile phone users are looking for are; a spare battery (64%), an additional memory card (46%) and a stereo Bluetooth headset (35%).
Data used in this article is sourced from TNS Mobile Life survey
http://memeburn.com/2012/05/8-facts-about-mobile-life-in-sub-saharan-africa/
As you can see and I think this holds true for all of Africa that they are accessible through their smartphones.
Many do not realize that Cameroon has oilfields almost as vast as Nigeria. Businesses that supply to the oil industries and those who purchase from the same would do well to look to Cameroon. Cameroon also is a great place for wood handicrafts. Carving is still valued as an art form here.
Cameroon is not a country we hear a lot about. Which is a good thing, since whenever main stream media reports on an African country it is rarely anything positive. Cameroon realizes it has a image problem regarding corruption. The President has taken steps to reduce corruption at all levels. Time will tell how effective his actions are. Yet the Cameroonian people seem full in support of carrying out and enforcement of the President's actions.
One of my favorite performers is Cameroonian. Emmanuel 'Manu' N'Djoké Dibango (born 12 December 1933) is a Cameroonian saxophonist and vibraphone player. He developed a musical style fusing jazz, funk and traditional Cameroonian music. He is a member of the Yabassi ethnic group, though his mother was a Duala. He is best known for his 1972 afrobeat single "Soul Makossa".
New finds in Cameroon
Diamonds have now been discovered in Eastern Cameroon. Oil and now additional new discoveries of hydrocarbon pay have been discovered in quantities sufficient to make exploration profitable.
Cameroon has been described as a "Miniature Africa " because of its diversity in climate, culture and geography. Those who are into eco-tourism should explore how to tap this growing international movement using Cameroon's ecological riches.
I am only skimming the surface regarding doing business in Cameroon, but I wanted to put it on your radar as a country in Africa to consider when you are deciding where you want to expand internationally.
Only you know what your needs are. With a well educated population, a young growing middle class and a stable government, Cameroon deserves a look . If you decide to explore Cameroon further, even as a tourist, come back and share your experience.
Michelle
Cameroon has gone through many changes in the twenty plus years since my visit.
Basic Facts
Capital:
Yaounde
Population:
19,711,291
Conventional Name:
Republic of Cameroon
Local Name:
Republique du Cameroun/Republic of Cameroon
Location:
Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, between Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria
Chief of State:
Prime Minister Philemon Yang
Head of State:
President Paul Biya
Main Resources
Electric power capacity 905000 kW
- Fish catch per year: 111,081 tonnes
- Oil production and reserves: 68,000 b/d (200m barrels)
- Estimated livestock resources: 5.9m cattle, 4.4m goats, 3.8m sheep, 31m chickens
- Main mineral resources: Oil, coal, tin, natural gas, bauxite, iron, uranium, gold
1. Smartphones are on the rise. One in five mobile phone users in Sub-Saharan Africa now have a smartphone, with one in three in South Africa and one in four in Nigeria.
2. The mobile phone is the main electronic device used, and hence needs to perform multiple functions. The main other electronic device owned by mobile phone users is a DVD player with 72% of Sub-Saharan Africans having one.
3. There is strong desire to access the internet. The three main reasons to want a smartphone is to surf the internet (38%), to upgrade to a better phone (30%) and to access the latest features and services (26%)
4. Mobile phone users want mobility when accessing the internet, hence a laptop or smartphone are most desired. The device most users are most likely to buy next is a laptop computer (39% of mobile phone users claim they want to do this), followed by a smartphone at 20%. Intention to get a smartphone (most likely) is highest in South Africa (30%), Kenya (27%) and Nigeria (25%).
5. The mobile phone is the preferred device in Sub-Saharan Africa for just about all digital activities, with 43% saying it is their preferred device for browsing the internet. Exceptions are online shopping, viewing and editing documents, reading e-books and downloading or streaming video. For these activities, a laptop is preferred.
6. Nokia still reigns supreme on the African sub-continent. A little over half of all mobile phone users owning a Nokia as their main phone. Samsung is a distant second at 11% and Blackberry 3rd at just under 6%.
7. People stick with the brands they love. When buying a next phone, brand of handset is the most important choice criteria (20%), followed by battery life (15%) and then making voice calls (11%).
8. Battery life is a key need for mobility. The most important accessories mobile phone users are looking for are; a spare battery (64%), an additional memory card (46%) and a stereo Bluetooth headset (35%).
Data used in this article is sourced from TNS Mobile Life survey
http://memeburn.com/2012/05/8-facts-about-mobile-life-in-sub-saharan-africa/
As you can see and I think this holds true for all of Africa that they are accessible through their smartphones.
Many do not realize that Cameroon has oilfields almost as vast as Nigeria. Businesses that supply to the oil industries and those who purchase from the same would do well to look to Cameroon. Cameroon also is a great place for wood handicrafts. Carving is still valued as an art form here.
Cameroon is not a country we hear a lot about. Which is a good thing, since whenever main stream media reports on an African country it is rarely anything positive. Cameroon realizes it has a image problem regarding corruption. The President has taken steps to reduce corruption at all levels. Time will tell how effective his actions are. Yet the Cameroonian people seem full in support of carrying out and enforcement of the President's actions.
One of my favorite performers is Cameroonian. Emmanuel 'Manu' N'Djoké Dibango (born 12 December 1933) is a Cameroonian saxophonist and vibraphone player. He developed a musical style fusing jazz, funk and traditional Cameroonian music. He is a member of the Yabassi ethnic group, though his mother was a Duala. He is best known for his 1972 afrobeat single "Soul Makossa".
New finds in Cameroon
Diamonds have now been discovered in Eastern Cameroon. Oil and now additional new discoveries of hydrocarbon pay have been discovered in quantities sufficient to make exploration profitable.
Cameroon has been described as a "Miniature Africa " because of its diversity in climate, culture and geography. Those who are into eco-tourism should explore how to tap this growing international movement using Cameroon's ecological riches.
 |
| Ndole the National dish of Cameroon |
I am only skimming the surface regarding doing business in Cameroon, but I wanted to put it on your radar as a country in Africa to consider when you are deciding where you want to expand internationally.
Only you know what your needs are. With a well educated population, a young growing middle class and a stable government, Cameroon deserves a look . If you decide to explore Cameroon further, even as a tourist, come back and share your experience.
Michelle
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Is Nigeria on Your to Do Business List? It Should Be
Let's start with some basic info on Nigeria.
Nigeria
i/naɪˈdʒɪəriə/, officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroonin the east, and Niger in the north. Its coast in the south lies on the Gulf of Guinea on the Atlantic Ocean. The three largest and most influential ethnic groups in Nigeria are the Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba. In terms of religion Nigeria is roughly split half and half between Muslims in the North and Christians in the South; a very small minority practice traditional religion. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigeria
Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa and the most populous country where the people are predominately BLACK.
I attended several meetings in the last month concerning the nations with economies that are growing. The first briefing dealt with the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia,India, China and South Africa). The second focused on the continent as a whole. (I hate when they do that, because it allows speakers to lump the continent as if its one country instead of fifty countries.) Usually when this is done very little positive information is given out. Yet all of the speakers had to give Nigeria its due. It is a rising economy and is a member of OPEC. Nigeria has become a powerhouse in so many areas (Can you say the next Bollywood). That Screen shot on the left of the animation with the woman facing is from a movie won Nigerian animators the United Nations prize for animation.
The Nigeria elite and middle class are income generators and spenders. Internet savvy as any one whose received the scam emails can attest to. Smile. In this country you can find some of the most ingenious scam artists in the world and you can find the most honest, get the job done business people you will ever meet and all points in between. The Nigerians were quick to embrace the internet and many use it to do business, shop and keep in touch.
I used to joke with my Nigeria friends that if I ever visited the North Pole I was certain I would find a Nigerian there. For me their biggest drawback is not getting the word out on the many innovations and opportunities coming out of the country.
I'm including links for various resources for you to consider in determining what countries you consider doing business in.
For my handcraft audience-Nigerians are everywhere and they are good customers if they like what you are doing, so don't rule them out.
The Africa They never show you.
Nigeria
i/naɪˈdʒɪəriə/, officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroonin the east, and Niger in the north. Its coast in the south lies on the Gulf of Guinea on the Atlantic Ocean. The three largest and most influential ethnic groups in Nigeria are the Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba. In terms of religion Nigeria is roughly split half and half between Muslims in the North and Christians in the South; a very small minority practice traditional religion. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NigeriaNigeria is the most populous country in Africa and the most populous country where the people are predominately BLACK.
I attended several meetings in the last month concerning the nations with economies that are growing. The first briefing dealt with the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia,India, China and South Africa). The second focused on the continent as a whole. (I hate when they do that, because it allows speakers to lump the continent as if its one country instead of fifty countries.) Usually when this is done very little positive information is given out. Yet all of the speakers had to give Nigeria its due. It is a rising economy and is a member of OPEC. Nigeria has become a powerhouse in so many areas (Can you say the next Bollywood). That Screen shot on the left of the animation with the woman facing is from a movie won Nigerian animators the United Nations prize for animation.
The Nigeria elite and middle class are income generators and spenders. Internet savvy as any one whose received the scam emails can attest to. Smile. In this country you can find some of the most ingenious scam artists in the world and you can find the most honest, get the job done business people you will ever meet and all points in between. The Nigerians were quick to embrace the internet and many use it to do business, shop and keep in touch.
I used to joke with my Nigeria friends that if I ever visited the North Pole I was certain I would find a Nigerian there. For me their biggest drawback is not getting the word out on the many innovations and opportunities coming out of the country.
I'm including links for various resources for you to consider in determining what countries you consider doing business in.
For my handcraft audience-Nigerians are everywhere and they are good customers if they like what you are doing, so don't rule them out.
Start by checking to find out what individual countries are aspiring to do. Rwanda wants to be an IT Hub. Check to see what regional organizations are focusing on (ECOWAS). Then match your companies strengths to that a regions focus. Once you've determined a region then look for a country within that region to focus on. Now go out and do Business. Smile
If I can be of assistance contact me.
Michelle
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
For the Internationalists The African Network (TAN) Conference 2012
Hi All!
For the internationalists in the audience, especially the Africanists. There is going to be a very interesting conference on Africa in May 2012. Here's the promo.
For the internationalists in the audience, especially the Africanists. There is going to be a very interesting conference on Africa in May 2012. Here's the promo.
Announcement from The African Network, TAN
TANCON 2012 EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION
(SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA.): Early Bird registration has commenced for the 6th Annual entrepreneurship conference hosted by The African Network (TAN). The conference will be held Friday, May 18 and Saturday, May 19, 2012 at the Hilton Hotel, San Jose, California.
Visit the website to see list of recently confirmed keynote and panel speakers and REGISTER today at www.tanconf.org.
==================================
ABOUT TAN ENTREPRENEURSHIP CONFERENCE 2012
TANCon 2012 will showcase leading African and US investment experts, entrepreneurs, global innovators and policymakers such as keynote Speakers
Paul Rice, President and CEO of Fair Trade USA;
Teresa Clarke, former MD of Goldman Sachs and now Chairman and Founder of Africa.com;
Kofi Dadzie, Managing Director, Rancard Solutions, Ghana; notable panel speakers such as Nozomi MizunoWitherspoon of the World Bank Group Private Sector Development Unit; Arjuna Costa, Portfolio Director at Omidyar Network; Niall O'Cathasaigh, Partner, Manocap Private Equity Company based in Sierra Leone; biotech entrepreneur Daniel Laser, CEO of Wave 80 Biosciences; Fred Jordan of African Opportunity Fund and Chairman of FE Jordan and Associates; Bridgette Sexton, Manager of the Google Global Entrepreneurship group; Social Entrepreneur Chid Liberty of Liberty and Justice, Liberia; Teresa Cox of the USA Department of Trade and Commerce; Myles Stevens of Stevens and Associates and host of others.
There will be several panel discussions, including an "Investment Policy in Africa" panel, where information, experiences & opportunities will be shared with attendees.
In addition to the panel sessions, TANCon 2012 will include two
Entrepreneurship Workshops. These workshops, which are described on the conference website (www.tanconf.org), will aim to provide tangible benefits to conference attendees, particularly start-up and existing entrepreneurs. These workshops are: Evaluation of 1-page business plans towards attracting funding AND Professional mentorship for start-up and existing entrepreneurs. TANCon 2012 has confirmed notable venture capitalists, angel investors and social entrepreneurs (incubators) who will be judges as well as mentors at these workshops.
Some companies and corporate organizations that will be present at TANCon 2012 include The World Bank Group; Fenwick and West; Omidyar Network; Imprint Capital; Manocap; Africa.com; Fair Trade USA; Stevens and Associates; Draper Richards Foundation; Google; Silicon Valley Bank (SVB); Xpert Financial, etc. The workshops and discussion panels are aimed at providing more value to the conference attendees during the conference.
================================
Sincerely,
TANCon 2012 Organizing Committee
The African Network (TAN), Inc
Corporate Global Headquarters
PMB 221, 3567 Benton St
Santa Clara, CA 95051
Website: www.tanconf.org
Email: tancon@theafricannetwork.org or events@theafricannetwork.org
(SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA.): Early Bird registration has commenced for the 6th Annual entrepreneurship conference hosted by The African Network (TAN). The conference will be held Friday, May 18 and Saturday, May 19, 2012 at the Hilton Hotel, San Jose, California.
Visit the website to see list of recently confirmed keynote and panel speakers and REGISTER today at www.tanconf.org.
==================================
ABOUT TAN ENTREPRENEURSHIP CONFERENCE 2012
TANCon 2012 will showcase leading African and US investment experts, entrepreneurs, global innovators and policymakers such as keynote Speakers
Paul Rice, President and CEO of Fair Trade USA;
Teresa Clarke, former MD of Goldman Sachs and now Chairman and Founder of Africa.com;
Kofi Dadzie, Managing Director, Rancard Solutions, Ghana; notable panel speakers such as Nozomi MizunoWitherspoon of the World Bank Group Private Sector Development Unit; Arjuna Costa, Portfolio Director at Omidyar Network; Niall O'Cathasaigh, Partner, Manocap Private Equity Company based in Sierra Leone; biotech entrepreneur Daniel Laser, CEO of Wave 80 Biosciences; Fred Jordan of African Opportunity Fund and Chairman of FE Jordan and Associates; Bridgette Sexton, Manager of the Google Global Entrepreneurship group; Social Entrepreneur Chid Liberty of Liberty and Justice, Liberia; Teresa Cox of the USA Department of Trade and Commerce; Myles Stevens of Stevens and Associates and host of others.
There will be several panel discussions, including an "Investment Policy in Africa" panel, where information, experiences & opportunities will be shared with attendees.
In addition to the panel sessions, TANCon 2012 will include two
Entrepreneurship Workshops. These workshops, which are described on the conference website (www.tanconf.org), will aim to provide tangible benefits to conference attendees, particularly start-up and existing entrepreneurs. These workshops are: Evaluation of 1-page business plans towards attracting funding AND Professional mentorship for start-up and existing entrepreneurs. TANCon 2012 has confirmed notable venture capitalists, angel investors and social entrepreneurs (incubators) who will be judges as well as mentors at these workshops.
Some companies and corporate organizations that will be present at TANCon 2012 include The World Bank Group; Fenwick and West; Omidyar Network; Imprint Capital; Manocap; Africa.com; Fair Trade USA; Stevens and Associates; Draper Richards Foundation; Google; Silicon Valley Bank (SVB); Xpert Financial, etc. The workshops and discussion panels are aimed at providing more value to the conference attendees during the conference.
================================
Sincerely,
TANCon 2012 Organizing Committee
The African Network (TAN), Inc
Corporate Global Headquarters
PMB 221, 3567 Benton St
Santa Clara, CA 95051
Website: www.tanconf.org
Email: tancon@theafricannetwork.org or events@theafricannetwork.org
Click http://www.tanconf.org to visit the website.
This may be an event you want to attend. Sharing
As always you can click on the shop button or the title to purchase from my shop.
Michelle
Friday, March 9, 2012
My Birthday Celebration Day 5
Yes, I'm still celebrating. Good thing I don't drink. Smile
Picking up where I left off, I stayed in Houston, Texas for eight years. This is where I was in the second car accident where I was rear ended and the car was totaled. (Atlanta was the first.). Houston was also where I was living when I first traveled outside the country to of all places Cairo Egypt. I loved Cairo. I am/was 5" 10" (I've lost an 1.5 inches since I've been in Arizona) which should have made me an anomaly, but I felt right at home. I was like a kid in a candy store. So many different favors of humankind. I didn't feel like an outcast, not Black enough or white enough. I was accepted for me. The Egyptians laughed at me because I kept asking where is that person from. I was told sister, we know what they do to you in America, Welcome Home. An organization entitled, "World Peace through Law" lead by the legendary jurist Turk Thompson was my ticket to leaving the country. http://worldjurist.net/events-2/past-events/congresses/
I was hooked on traveling after going to Cairo. I went to the Bahamas and Jamaica after that. The trip to the Bahamas was so cheap I was practically living there. Smile. I later went back to Cairo with Congressman William Gray's Philadelphia Trade Mission to Africa. I saw an article in Black Enterprise about the trade mission and called and asked to attend. I was told to send a check for $5,000. I did and I went. How I got the five thousand is a story unto it self. (You'll have to read the book. Smile) We went to Egypt, Ivory Coast, Cameroon and Senegal. I wore heels so it was interesting to see the peoples average height change as we went from country to country. Ivory Coast I felt like Gulliver. Senegal I was short (Loved it.)
Not long after I moved to Washington to find out how things really worked in Washington. I was a beltway bandit for all of two years. My self esteem is much too high for me to survive in such a plantation atmosphere.
I moved back to Detroit and stayed there for 17 years. Marrying twice, having both my girls and divorcing. I went to work for the Detroit City Council in their Research and Analysis Division doing economic and legal analysis. Loved the job, hated my supervisors who were both females, married and closet lesbians. I left City Council during an election year and went out on my own doing international trade.
In 1999 the entire left side of my body began to twist up. My 2000 my left side was twisted up as if I had a stroke. My doctor's assured me it was Arthritis. I didn't believe them. One of the crazy things that happened during this time was the medical professions reaction to my ailment. One ortho would only treat my back, nothing else. The other ortho would only treat my neck, hand and leg. It was at this time I was told my the ortho treating my back that in ten years I would be in a wheelchair with my neck bent on my bosom. I remember calling one facility calling and saying I was being treated like body parts instead of a whole person. The person I was talking to told me, "I'm not supposed to tell you this but call Beaumont hospital." I called still crying and got Julie, an intake nurse. She calmed me down and told me what they were going to bring me in for a complete physical and them determine which specialist to assign me under. I was assigned to rheumatology and Dr. Presvnor became my Jewish Godfather. I credit him with my staying out of that wheelchair. So when he told me my body was no longer able to fight off Michigan's winters. I didn't ask any questions. We left Michigan and moved to Arizona.
When I came to Arizona, if you were walking with me you would ask what was that sound. The sound was my joints grinding against each other. Well its not 2012 and I'm still standing. Wonder where that doctor is. Smile
See you tomorrow
Remember lets keep this party going . You can click on shop and use code "Birthday57 to receive 57% off till March 10, 2012.
Thanks for reading and please share.
Michelle
Picking up where I left off, I stayed in Houston, Texas for eight years. This is where I was in the second car accident where I was rear ended and the car was totaled. (Atlanta was the first.). Houston was also where I was living when I first traveled outside the country to of all places Cairo Egypt. I loved Cairo. I am/was 5" 10" (I've lost an 1.5 inches since I've been in Arizona) which should have made me an anomaly, but I felt right at home. I was like a kid in a candy store. So many different favors of humankind. I didn't feel like an outcast, not Black enough or white enough. I was accepted for me. The Egyptians laughed at me because I kept asking where is that person from. I was told sister, we know what they do to you in America, Welcome Home. An organization entitled, "World Peace through Law" lead by the legendary jurist Turk Thompson was my ticket to leaving the country. http://worldjurist.net/events-2/past-events/congresses/
I was hooked on traveling after going to Cairo. I went to the Bahamas and Jamaica after that. The trip to the Bahamas was so cheap I was practically living there. Smile. I later went back to Cairo with Congressman William Gray's Philadelphia Trade Mission to Africa. I saw an article in Black Enterprise about the trade mission and called and asked to attend. I was told to send a check for $5,000. I did and I went. How I got the five thousand is a story unto it self. (You'll have to read the book. Smile) We went to Egypt, Ivory Coast, Cameroon and Senegal. I wore heels so it was interesting to see the peoples average height change as we went from country to country. Ivory Coast I felt like Gulliver. Senegal I was short (Loved it.)
Not long after I moved to Washington to find out how things really worked in Washington. I was a beltway bandit for all of two years. My self esteem is much too high for me to survive in such a plantation atmosphere.
I moved back to Detroit and stayed there for 17 years. Marrying twice, having both my girls and divorcing. I went to work for the Detroit City Council in their Research and Analysis Division doing economic and legal analysis. Loved the job, hated my supervisors who were both females, married and closet lesbians. I left City Council during an election year and went out on my own doing international trade.
In 1999 the entire left side of my body began to twist up. My 2000 my left side was twisted up as if I had a stroke. My doctor's assured me it was Arthritis. I didn't believe them. One of the crazy things that happened during this time was the medical professions reaction to my ailment. One ortho would only treat my back, nothing else. The other ortho would only treat my neck, hand and leg. It was at this time I was told my the ortho treating my back that in ten years I would be in a wheelchair with my neck bent on my bosom. I remember calling one facility calling and saying I was being treated like body parts instead of a whole person. The person I was talking to told me, "I'm not supposed to tell you this but call Beaumont hospital." I called still crying and got Julie, an intake nurse. She calmed me down and told me what they were going to bring me in for a complete physical and them determine which specialist to assign me under. I was assigned to rheumatology and Dr. Presvnor became my Jewish Godfather. I credit him with my staying out of that wheelchair. So when he told me my body was no longer able to fight off Michigan's winters. I didn't ask any questions. We left Michigan and moved to Arizona.
When I came to Arizona, if you were walking with me you would ask what was that sound. The sound was my joints grinding against each other. Well its not 2012 and I'm still standing. Wonder where that doctor is. Smile
See you tomorrow
Remember lets keep this party going . You can click on shop and use code "Birthday57 to receive 57% off till March 10, 2012.
Thanks for reading and please share.
Michelle
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Africans are enbracing smartphone technology to Shop
Africans are using technology on their smart phones to surf the net and shop. The number is up to 10 % less than the rest of the world at 30%. Yet think about the continent as a whole and you've got a lot of consumers to market your product to.
Is your blog optimized for the smart phones?
What about your shop?
Have you thought about how to reach out to and market to this huge and growing marketplace?
Contrary to popular and news media hype they have a growing middle class across the continent. This middle class whats the same
thing as the middle class in other countries. A better life and an easier way to access it through their smart phones. Smile
You can read the entire article by clicking on the title.
Enjoy.
The Amazon
Michelle
Is your blog optimized for the smart phones?
What about your shop?
Have you thought about how to reach out to and market to this huge and growing marketplace?
Contrary to popular and news media hype they have a growing middle class across the continent. This middle class whats the same
thing as the middle class in other countries. A better life and an easier way to access it through their smart phones. Smile
You can read the entire article by clicking on the title.
Enjoy.
The Amazon
Michelle
Friday, October 21, 2011
Conflict Minerals Yes They Do Concern You
Think conflict minerals don't affect you think again. They are found in everything you use from g4 phones to can openers.
I was invited to attend a presentation on "Conflict Minerals". I went expecting a talking head, instead got an insightful presentation on a very difficult subject. Melissa Miller Proctor. VP at Sandler,Travis and Rosenberg was the presenter. She has that rare quality in a lawyer of taking a difficult subject and making it understandable to the person on the street. If her law firm were smart they would would videotape her presentation, YouTube it and take it viral.
This is the video she used to give basic info on the problem.
I was invited to attend a presentation on "Conflict Minerals". I went expecting a talking head, instead got an insightful presentation on a very difficult subject. Melissa Miller Proctor. VP at Sandler,Travis and Rosenberg was the presenter. She has that rare quality in a lawyer of taking a difficult subject and making it understandable to the person on the street. If her law firm were smart they would would videotape her presentation, YouTube it and take it viral.
This is the video she used to give basic info on the problem.
We have all seen video and programs on the boy soldiers that skim over the fact that its the Congo and why they are being enslaved into these armed bands. Here's where it affects you.
The Congress recently enacted the Frank-Dodd Act which requires that publicly traded companies have to show that their sourcing and manufacturing stream does not include "Conflict Minerals" which are primarily found in the Congo.
Basic stats on the Congo:
Congo then Zaire during colonialism (French) now Democratic Republic of Congo.
Second largest country after Sudan, now largest after Sudan was split in two.
Second largest rain forest in the world. Second lowest GDP in the world in spite of being the most mineral rich country in the world. Breadbasket of Africa. Congo could feed all of Africa, the US and Europe if not in constant war mode. (This fact alone is reason enough to destabilise the Congo).
These are the minerals which make up the so called "Conflict Minerals":
Columerite-tantalite (coltrai)
Cassiterite-Tin
Gold also as we all know is money as well
Wolframite-Tungsten
Dirivates of the above (ie iron)
Major players:
Warlords take minerals to licensed registered European Metal Traders to Refiners in Asia to East Asian Manufacturers to End Users in United States and Europe. Looks familiar think Oona people of Nigeria and the oil being exploited there.
Now to the Frank Dodd Act which requires publicly traded companies to "prove" they are using conflict free minerals in the supply chain of manufacturer. Retailers are supposed to be exempt. If you wholesale to a publicly traded company you may be subject to the Act. The Securities and Exchange Commission is the enforcing body. Major terms and provisions of the Act have not been defined. This Act has more loopholes and exemptions than Swiss cheese.
Apple has gone on record that they will go Conflict Mineral free. Walmart and Target have asked for exemptions.
Why the Frank Dodd Act at all. My spin is there is a growing groundswell against "Conflict Minerals" as people are slowing finding out the horrific human toll to bring them their fast phones and other such items that we use throughout the day. Frank-Dodd is Washington speak to get ahead of that groundswell and say we are handling it.
If they were serious about this Act enforcement would be with US Customs, key provisions would be clear AND defined.
If they were really serious about doing something we would have boots on the ground from the US and the United Nations. Can you say Uganda, Qaddafi, Saddam Hussein and that dictator in Panama we no longer had any use for. Do you really think it would take much effort to rid the Congo of these 'Warlords".
Whose profiting from this modern day colonialism and exploitation of the Congo. Everyone in the world except the Congolese people.
Hope the Congolese people can survive until the groundswell actually arrives.
I took pictures of speaker and head of the organization but decided it was in their best interest that I not put them on here.
The Amazon
Michelle not Smiling
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Africa 3D Animation Wins United Nations Award.
This is so cool I had to share it.
African animation titles claim the United Nations World Summit Award for the use of technology to promote African culture.
http://linkd.in/h3zSWx Pleace click on the link to see this award winning animation from AFRICA. She can't be call the "DARK Continent anymore.
Peace.
Michelle
African animation titles claim the United Nations World Summit Award for the use of technology to promote African culture.
http://linkd.in/h3zSWx Pleace click on the link to see this award winning animation from AFRICA. She can't be call the "DARK Continent anymore.
Peace.
Michelle
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