notes & news, October 2024
9/10/11 October 2024
Today’s notes
For the next days, I will focus on book 3/1, shaping, which I want to publish on 31 October. A few more days and the next draft should be completed, and I can begin with the polishing work. That’s when I’ll set aside some hours for the websites and for making contacts again.
Monday night, I discovered something unexpected that made me both angry and actually opened a few doors.
I slept badly that night and the next day was a bit of a mess, but then I read parts of book 3/2, shaping, the Christmas chapter and the one that follows, and I was again amazed how my work always builds me up, strengthens me and helps me to get focus.
I wonder whether it’s the same for readers. Book 1, beginning, needs a bit of stamina to get into, but once I’m halfway through, it’s hard to put down. In book 2/1, travelling, it’s still possible to put down the book at the end of a chapter, but once I’m halfway through the China chapter in book 2/2, I never want to stop, but that means to read, at least, through one night.
Charlie Alice Raya, 9 October 2024
5 October 2024
Notes on yesterday
The Baltic Sea was great, yesterday, strong winds, foamy waves, first grey then the sky opened, sunshine, expanse. There was walking, waffles, thinking, planning, espresso, fish sandwich, resting, ice-cream, more walking on the beach, video tests, dancing, plunging into the waves, more thinking, some puzzling, relaxing and back to the train station.
A special thanks go to Skillet for their album Unleashed. I had so much fun letting it all out, splashing into the water, dancing with the waves. I probably looked ridiculous, but I loved it.
I played around with video ideas. The wind was too strong for good sound, but I might still upload some of them next week.
Today’s notes
It’s tedious paperwork day today.
With the weather getting predominantly grey here, I’ll be gone again, tomorrow, the last slightly cloudy day for a week, according to my weather app. I still feel hungry for more ocean, though I’m more of an Atlantic person, especially around the Outer Hebrides, but tomorrow I’ll return to my lake. It’s closer, only a two-hour train trip, and I love it there. I’ll test some more video ideas. The sound was good there, last time I tried.
Well, no more putting off the tedious work.
Charlie Alice Raya, 5 October 2024
4 October 2024
Today’s notes
I hope someone from New Zealand or Australia sees this and thinks: Ah, finally someone in Europe remembers that today starts at a different time in most places on the planet.
Well, to be honest, I’m off to the Baltic Sea for a day trip later today, and since I leave at ten to six, there is no way I’ll write a note in the morning.
On the train, I’ll be working on book 3/1, 15 October. It’s the grand opening of the Compound’s Front House. Mudiwa & Rose do their fun live coverage again. Andy tries to be cool with Natasha. Jack is shooting a new movie. And Alice is on the phone with all sorts of people who want or don’t want all sorts of things. The phone calls are fun to write because they allow for short snippets into the minds of very different people: politicians, business people, activists, journalists, lobbyists and other players from outside of the town project.
Once on Usedom, which is an island in the north/east corner of Germany, I will treat myself to soaking up the salty air and to feeding my eyes on the sea’s expanse. Maybe I’ll have a ice cream, too. Oooh, maybe I’ll take a plunge.
I want to test some video ideas while walking from Ückeritz to Zinnowitz, something like fourteen or fifteen kilometres. If it goes well, you might find some of the material late on Saturday (Berlin time).
The last time I did this tour was in the week before my operation (double mastectomy), nearly a year ago.
I actually wanted to go on Wednesday as a treat for my birthday, but the weather wasn’t even a bit inviting. Now I think, this trip will be both a birthday treat and a sort of closing another chapter in the recovery process, maybe even saying goodbye to the island.
Wherever you are on our amazing planet, have a good day and take care.
Charlie Alice Raya, 4 October 2024
3 October 2024
Today’s notes
I’m off to the peace demonstration in Berlin.
Evening note.
(Insert a big sigh.) I am not good with demonstrations, and this one was particularly strange, though I came across some nice people.
Maybe I’ll take some time this winter and invent the kind of peace demonstration I would enjoy and feel comfortable with.
It definitely wouldn’t include shouting, finger pointing, booing, absolute demands or us and them narratives, nor would it be about agendas by specific groups.
It might have some breathing sessions, maybe even some yoga bits, and it would have discourses. Yes, I think it would be a lot about asking questions, about exploring together but also about bonding and making peace there and then. Experiencing and demonstrating what peace and connections can look like. Or something like that.
As I looked at the posters and banners, I was reminded why I chose to write The end of all wars and not something like Making peace.
At first it was a subconscious choice. I wanted to explore the roots of war not the features of peace. But when I noticed that I hardly used the word peace in the story, I gave this point more thought. I realised that these are two distinct ways of approaching the topic of wars. You can demand peace, you can explore what makes a peaceful attitude, you can create a vision for peace or hope for peace. Or you focus on war, what it is, why it is, what makes it attractive, what are the justifications, which are the underlying narratives and how could it be ended once and for all?
Charlie Alice Raya, 3 October 2024
2 October 2024
Today’s notes
Birthday.
For decades I dreaded this day. The day of my birth was not positive. So what is there to celebrate?
Yesterday, I thought: I’m done with dreading this day. I refuse to be dragged down by the past, by the mistakes made by others.
I am.
I am Charlie Alice Raya.
I want to live, love and laugh.
I will remake this day.
This day will no longer be a point of the year where all dark clouds draw together, where the past sneers at me.
It will be a day to be, live, love and laugh.
It will be a day to look ahead, to smile in anticipation, to enjoy the tingle of excitement about all the ideas that are dancing in my mind.
It will be a day to reject the past, the darkness.
A day to embrace life, love and laughter.
And a day to look ahead to another year of exploring, experiencing, unearthing and living.
Evening note.
I smile. It’s been a good day.
I thought earlier, that I am fine and actually happy today is not just the result of a decision I took last night. It’s actually been a long road, which started in 2012, I think.
While I tend to credit the last fifteen month for leaps in healing and strengthening my body and soul, it’s really been many small steps before that which also played a role.
Looking at myself now, I smile. I know that there is still some way to go, and I guess that to some extent there will always be a road ahead. But today, I’m just grateful and happy that I’m finally in a place where I have the strength, peace, love and confidence to be all that I am.
Charlie Alice Raya, 2 October 2024
1 October 2024
Today’s notes
When I opened this website on the 16th August 2024, I wrote that I was almost back after a long period of recovery from overwork, cancer and a double mastectomy. Some time in September, I changed this to about to be back.
Today, I mark as
I am back!
A bit tired after weeks of working to get the new websites into shape, the other websites updated and the first of four books published. A bit thoughtful about some recent events and in view of the several roads I could take. A bit cautious not to expect too much all at once. But
I am back!
And despite a few things, I am curious about tomorrow and every day afterwards, about readers and thinkers and other explorers. And I look forward to every bit of living, laughing, dancing, shaping, unearthing and everything else that’s out there and inside of me.
September 2024
In September I wrote most notes on the The end of all wars website where you can still find them.