The Internet Murder Continues..............http://www.silvaredigonda.ca

"...there’s always that one special guy. In those cases the women don’t come to me for help. Oh, well. I have enough to pay the rent for another month and savings for two more months. Sandra missed being a cop, but after two years with

homicide, she had seen enough for a lifetime. Now, where was she? “I need a coffee,” she mumbled. She didn’t hear anything. She had barely managed to rise from her chair when she felt powerful arms come from behind her, choking her. Automatically, Sandra tucked her chin down, bent her knees, and flung him over her head. She didn’t wait to see if she could take him. She wasn’t stupid, but was fully aware of her limitations. She ran down the stairs, stumbling a few times, but managed not to fall. It had been a long time since she had moved that fast. She almost made it outside. Her hand was on the door that promised her an escape. When she felt the knife slice her arm, she automatically used the force of her entire body to turn and punch him, aiming to kill him by using all her force to strike upward from just underneath his nose. She missed. She dug her diamond ring into his face, hoping to blind him as she rigidly prepared her other hand to pierce his other eye. The ring on her right hand nicked his face before she felt the blow that pushed her out the door she had tried so hard to escape through. Excerpt From: Silva Redigonda. “The Internet Murders.” iBooks.

York University - COVID Lock Down one year anniversary is now live on Facebook

PRESS RELEASE UN and partners release new Research Roadmap to guide recovery from COVID-19 New report puts science focus on equity, resilience and sustainability to leave no one behind. NEW YORK, 17 November 2020— COVID-19 has exposed stark global inequities, fragilities and unsustainable practices that have intensified the impact of the pandemic. According to UN estimates, in 2020, 71 million people will be pushed into extreme poverty. To immediately address the complex health, humanitarian and socio-economic consequences while boosting speedy recovery efforts, the UN has released a Research Roadmap for the COVID-19 Recovery, encouraging targeted research for data-driven responses that focus particularly on the needs of people being left behind. The Roadmap highlights the choice between business as usual, or transformative change that is focused on equity, resilience and sustainability. This transformation requires knowledge of the best way forward, and science represents the world’s best chance for generating that knowledge and recovering better from the COVID-19 crisis. “We have a historic opportunity for change; for macroeconomic choices and fiscal policies that are pro-poor and that place peoples' rights at the centre of recovery. We must focus on gender equity and invest in public services and other measures that will help close the widening gap on inequalities and lead to a greener future,” said United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed in the report. In an interdependent world—shared risk means shared responsibility. Designed to complement the existing UN Framework for the Immediate Socio-Economic Response to COVID-19, the Roadmap identifies 25 main research priorities and key scientific strategies to support a recovery that benefits everyone, everywhere. “The stakes are too high and the opportunity too great to leave the potential of science for a better COVID-19 recovery unfulfilled. The UN Research Roadmap for the COVID-19 Recovery is a commitment and guide to bring the full promise of research to bear on today’s greatest challenges,” said Professor Steven J. Hoffman, Scientific Director of the Institute of Population & Public Health at the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, who led the development of the Research Roadmap. *** Note to editors: The UN Research Roadmap for the COVID-19 Recovery articulates five research priorities for each of the five pillars identified in the UN Framework for the Immediate Socio- Economic Response to COVID-19. Below is one example of a research priority for each of the five pillars: 1. Health Systems and Services: What strategies and financing models are most effective in expanding universal health coverage? 2. Social Protection and Basic Services: What are the most effective and equitable ways of ensuring basic income protection for all? 3. Economic Response and Recovery: How can food supply chains be secured for the world’s most marginalized populations to ensure food security and nutrition in all circumstances? 4. Macroeconomic Policies and Multilateral Collaboration: What lessons from past economic crises can inform the design of national, regional and global recovery strategies? 5. Social Cohesion and Community Resilience: What are the best strategies for building sustainable, inclusive and resilient cities that protect people from future pandemics and climate change? Science strategies into action The Roadmap also details how the implementation of an equitable, resilient and sustainable recovery from COVID-19 will require effective science strategies underpinned by investments in data infrastructure and sound scientific methods. The systems that support societies must quickly adapt to new knowledge and new technologies to recover as effectively as possible. 2 To advance the 25 research priorities identified in this Roadmap, action is needed across the research ecosystem. Researchers, funding agencies, governments and civil society organizations as well as UN entities will need to collaborate and maximize the impacts of investments in research. The Roadmap can guide global efforts, minimize gaps and duplication, and foster partnerships in order to accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals. How this Roadmap was developed The Roadmap was developed in 10 weeks through a global consultative process that engaged more than 250 experts. The process included consultation with five steering groups made up of 38 research funding agencies, consultations with hundreds of policy, research and implementation leaders, and scoping reviews of existing research evidence on socio-economic recovery from health emergencies.

Covid 19 and the Environment, Behaviour, Policy Implications for Sustainability

Last September I attended a webinar at York University with Dr Mark Winfield, Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change. At the time he spoke that one of the benefits seen from this pandemic is a 15% - 20 % global reductions of emissions, an improvement of air quality improvements. We have experienced vulnerability of global supply chains. There was no domestic availability, even though we have manufacturing abilities. This fragility of supplies. He described the government responses as bi-polar - two decisions, a return to normal versus building back better. Exodus from urban core to suburbs and exurbia. Is this temporary or a long term trend? It was at that moment unknown. There was a 50% reduction of TTC use > warning of increasing car use, loss of transit use; post crises. Biking and walking is restrictive by distance - weather - long term - unknown. Low density housing - development vs high density high rise. Elevators - more people. There was an on shoring of critical supply chains. We saw it with 95 masks. Dr Winfield said he wouldn’t be getting into the political division. He believed it is clear who is protecting the environment and who isn’t. The European Union is moving investments into climate change. This was an opportunity to move forward into this pandemic. There has been a dismantlement of any protection for the environment. A lot of the danger before the pandemic is continuing and risk is embedding urban forms - high carbon and high cost which we will be stuck with for a long time. The protection elements in place during 1975 have all be dismantled. Tomorrow I shall be attending another lecture regarding the pandemic provided by York University. Excuse the delay in bringing this to you please.

The Black Family: Representation, Identity and Diversity

This morning I woke up very early, excited to start my day so I thought I would begin with letting you know about the lecture I attended yesterday with the American Association of Family Therapy. It was free and I received an education credit of one hour so how could I resist? As you know if you have been reading my blogs I have attended quite a few lectures about racism in the past year. I really enjoyed this one. The panel consisted of five black men and women, all family therapists, Camille Lafleur, Phd, Dr George James, Joslyn Armstrong Phd, and Dr Michael Lee Cook. It was respectful and in line with my own education. What did I learn? One of the panelists indicated that for the black community they can only trace their roots for about four generations. Of course. I have watched documentaries about this. Recently I just watched a movie about the heroic Harriet Tubman. What an amazing woman who gained so much freedom for slaves, a slave herself who through determination and love for freedom gained it for herself and many others. I think of the amazing woman whom I shall never forget who talked to me for a full day, she on her way to Savanah and me to Disney World via train. Her father was born a slave on a cotton plantation. My thoughts return to another experience while in Savanah myself driving around looking for a plantation which I never found and when I stopped and asked for directions, a man told me there had been no such thing. There were no plantations in the past that had slaves. I wondered if he was embarrassed or ignorant. My studies in my Masters program was very much understanding cultures and religion. It has served me well in my practice. Toronto is very multicultural. I will at times have clients reach out to me because I am Catholic or Italian descent or have a degree in Ministry and Spirituality or just because they like my picture. I grew up in Toronto where my name was very unusual. It was often of interest to my teachers and I would normally be asked what nationality I was. For a while I wasn’t sure. When I was a good girl I was from Switzerland and not such a good girl I would be Italian. Harmless fun, but I would say I was from Switzerland for a few years. I was fortunate that I could go home and be mentored. As a therapist now I see so much struggle in families and couples and within individuals. The panelists focused on the importance of the different cultures. If I have a client from Africa or a client from Jamaica or elsewhere, that is very much what defines the person. What the panelists stated was the importance of food and music. I love food. Even though I have never mastered cooking, I certainly love someone who can cook well. I was raised with that. My mom was an amazing cook. My father loved her food. My mother’s tip to me was to use butter. Butter is the trick. Last night I ordered from the Mandarin and wondered why my vegetables don’t taste as good. What am I doing wrong? What am I talking about? Food is important to me. Music? I like most music. My radio in my car doesn’t work anymore but when it did just before the pandemic, I had it loud and a young black youth, was staring at me, and began laughing his head off and gesturing in amusement. He couldn’t stop laughing which eventually annoyed me. However, it also dawned on me that the music I was listening to, in his mind was not music I should appreciate. He had perhaps labeled it, his music. That had happened to me years ago when driving a convertible (that car died too), a black man driving beside me asked if I really liked that music. I said yes and he shook his head in disbelief. While at Canada Day celebrations, a few brown skinned men sitting together remarked how surprise they were that white people appeared to be liking the music they enjoyed. I share this because it is all bias. There is an assumption from individuals because they are looking out at the world from their own lens. This is very much in line with presumptions about women and their roles and what defines a man. One question from the audience was, if it is ok for a white person to provide therapy to a black person and I was relieved to hear yes. Because, I know there are biases there as well. She said what a white therapist should be is authentic. That is important. I was going to give up AAMFT because it is expensive, especially paying in Canadian money and because I thought it was no longer relevant to me. But it is. Sometimes you need to pay for what you get. I know many cannot afford to remain with them anymore because of all the costs we incur here in Canada. I have been with AAMFT since I was a student in three programs. I was with them, doing my Masters and in the Toronto School of Theology with Pastoral Counselling. That certainly kept me busy. Recently here in one of the areas outside Toronto, what they call the GTA, a city council group I believe of some sort, got into the news because what they had posted trying to celebrate Black History month. Of course I always see the humour and could not help but chuckle as I heard what they were suggesting. The one that had me in hysterics was something like take a black person out to lunch and get to know the person. Really? They also suggesting eating a particular food etc… How condescending can that be? Well think about what I have just said. We each have our own lens. Can we speak for all? Their justification was that they had two people who were black in colour on their board. We need more education for those trying to educate. I need to keep my chuckles and laughter in check, however humour is very good for me and in my practice. One of the panelists remarked having two young children and her daughter has curly hair. She will gravitate towards a little girl who looks like her when choosing a book. This is important. I didn’t think it was a big deal when I was a teen that dolls were all white. I do now. White is not the end all. Educators need to get a wake up call and teach the different religions and experiences and politics world wide. We need to grow. We need to understand who we are as individuals, a reflection of all we have experienced. Recently I also watched the movie Concussion with Will Smith portraying Dr Bennet Omalu, who discovered during an autopsy that a football player had died because of the repeated trauma to his head. This man was/is brilliant, very educated and from Nigeria. He had to use his own money to research this. What did this movie demonstrate to me? Here is an intelligent man who was dismissed because he was a threat to football. People were dying and he took the interest and discovered why. He had to move. Yet, he prevailed and eventually gained the respect he should have received immediately. I am trying not to tell you to much because both movies are worthwhile watching. Why not show a movie a month in school about something similar and have a discussion. Have it be respectful and begin a zero tolerance for any kind of abuse. I remember myself as a child watching documentaries about the concentration in elementary and reading “Black like me.” Seven years later it was gone from the same school. Why? Anyhow, enough for now. Have a good weekend.

The Internet Murders..........continues https://www.silvaredigonda.ca

“What really pissed Paul off was that Robert was good at his job too. “Huh, sure, Friday. Meet you at Chads,” Robert replied casually. Chad was a local pub just off Jarvis, near the station. Many of the coppers went there after work along with some of the paramedics, firemen and one firewoman. She was too tough for some of the guys. The rest were mostly groupies who just wanted to go home with someone who could take care of them. But Paul struck out every time. They figured him for a bus driver more than a cop. *** Sandra was thinking loudly in her head. Friday night and business is slow. Whatever made me think I should get into my own business? Private investigator! All I get are frustrated women wanting to know who their husbands are screwing. The problem is, that’s where I make my money. Men are pigs and can’t say no. Get the right moment, the right time and that’s it. Unless, of course it happens to be fresh – and there’s always that one special guy. In those cases the women don’t come to me for help. Oh, well. I have enough to pay the rent for another month and savings for two more months. Sandra missed being a cop, but after two years on homicide, she had seen enough for a lifetime. Now, where was she? “I need a coffee,” she mumbled. She didn’t hear anything. She had barely managed to rise from her chair when she felt powerful arms

Excerpt From: Silva Redigonda. “The Internet Murders.” iBooks.

Busy, Busy, Busy - Saw two cardinals this morning.

I have a bit of time before working and listening to another lecture - again about racism. I was also invited to a webinar about COVID which I obviously have to keep up with but I was already booked with todays "The Black Family - Representation, Diversity and Identity." As I have mentioned before once I accept an invitation, I have to refuse others. I believe this gives me one education hour. Next week however, I recently accepted an invitation from York University regarding a panel to talk about COVID. Of course as always I shall share my info with you. There are so many hours in a day in which to do that. This morning while having my coffee I was looking out my back window and was happy to see a pair of Cardinals, a male and female. It brought me such joy. I love the snow but watching it melt promised spring. I cannot wait to be vacinated. We haven't had any news regarding therapists being able to get it, but that is ok. Many of us have boarded the web. Before the pandemic I wasn't keen about telephone, or video therapy, but that all changed with the pandemic. The pandemic has divided families but it has also united other families. What has it done to you? There have been deaths and you know I suffered the loss of a very close friend from it. I have also had a relative die from it. For myself, I love life and didn't think I could love or appreciate more, but I do. I am so looking forward to bringing out my chairs outside to sit in the sun. I want to slow down more from work and play more. I want to visit what my city has to offer, while contemplating if I am going to leave it sooner or later. Take a moment to think how COVID has effected your life. I haven't been able to write my book this week but I have about 70 pages so far. I belong to the Sisters of Crime an association of men and women who write books. I shall be attending a webinar from them soon. I am going to post some more of the Internet Murders for you after I finish up here. I have renewed my registration for the college and am now catching up recording my education hours from last year. I always have more than I need. Because of COVID I have been offered so much for free, but only accept what I consider legitimate. You know where that is because I always let you know where the info is coming from. Please keep safe. Feel free to ask a question if you wish. What do you think?

Social Science notes will not be continued from the booklet I provided you with

I was examining my notes and realized that the rest of my notes from this booklet is about culture and dance. I decided not to share it in case anyone found it offensive. Some books that we read were Cracking The Armour by Michael Kaufman. Another from Michael Kaufman was Beyond Patriarchy. Men At Work by Paul Kivel and Anatomy of Love by Helen Fisher. What we examined on this Men and Masculinity course was the origins and dimensions of male power; the social and psychological construction of masculinity; male sexuality and issues such as pornography; men's relationship with women, children and other men; men's involvement in sports, the military and violence; men as fathers, brothers and lovers; and the relationship of men to feminism. I did write a paper I saw the othe day regarding fathers who abuse their sons. It is probably outdated by now regarding the references I provided at that time. I really enjoyed this course by Wally Brant. I did get in trouble every once in awhile for laughing. I want to catch up providing you with notes from my conference. I also want to thank you for reading my blog. Americans are my number 1 readers and I thank you. My time is the States has always been fun. I cannot wait to take a mini holiday there when this COVID comes to pass. I still have obligations here which keeps me firmly on Canadian Ground and in Toronto. Til next week, keep safe.