WorthJourney Volume 10 Peace Sells But... Who's Buying.

worth journey Peace Sells But..... Who’s

Buying?

The Sheep That Did Not Follow Katherin Hervey Hoops ball Sports Royalty with Armir Smith accepted to welcomed

Immigration welcoming mat?

Thank you for taking the time out of interest to read our Volume 10 Edition.

The title of this edition is "Peace Sells But Who's Buying?"

As a massive fan of Megadeth, I am convinced Dave Mustaine and Dave Ellefson of the band had no idea how prevalent that title would be when they wrote the classic metal song. But here we are.

editor letter fromthe

“We heard there was a sale special on peace but the price seems too high”...

No one is buying peace, yet they offer to sell it for convenience.

Instead of arguing with the others involved in The WorthJourney while advocating for a section regarding politics, we collectively agreed on the title. We have a community of readers who interpret the meaning behind a title without being offended.

The remarkable individuals that we are honoured to feature offer peace. Armir Smith makes people laugh, Kathrin Hervey dedicates her films to others' salvation, Bjorn Elgren flies a flag for organic musical chemistry that orchestrates the sell for peace. Something that we all desire.

It is also more rewarding to read comments by some of you with additional questions that perpetuate conversations amongst those with whom you share our publication. We hope the following pages create a civil dialogue worth your time and energy.

Thank you again. I do hope you enjoy this issue just the same.

Until then,

Dr. Jerome Fitts Editor-In-Chief

ALLOWED, ACCEPTED, WELCOMED?

An inside look at various countries' regulations in regard to immigration entry as well as the moral compass of acceptance.

By: Jerome Fitts, Donald Matthew

by Jerome Fitts

Photography

When immigrants on the continent of Africa or Central America make their bodacious and tortuous journey for a better life, they are allowed to pass through neighbouring countries.

Once they reach a considered freedom destination (i.e. Europe or the United States), they go through a worse process while not being allowed unless they complete the mandatory requirements for entry. Rules are rules and should apply to everyone equally.

The immigrants from Europe and invading colonists some five hundred-plus years ago were not only welcomed by the natives but also shown how to survive in the new world. Only to be raped and slaughtered and essentially exterminated.

Why are immigrants allowed to enter certain countries?

First and foremost, illegally, they are not allowed entry. Illegal crossings are at an all-time high due to the continuation of several countries that alter their entry rules.

There is also the case of sympathy from a refugee standpoint. Immigrants who apply for asylum have desires to remain within the country. They are imposing their existence as a new liability to the land.

Is it correct?

Well, here is the irony; Europeans and Americans are allowed to enter any country without a visa and have the opportunity to extend their stay within most countries.

The immigration officials who are qualified to make the entry decision should be qualified to know the difference between individuals. The latter does create a discussion of its own.

Let us be clear here:

"Immigrants that do not abide by the unfair laws should not be allowed to cross illegally. It is not fair to those who go through the process."

Which immigrants are accepted? Without extracting much from the overlooked facts:

Immigrants are allowed to attempt to travel to another country. The travel involved is at their own risk.

If and when immigrants are allowed entry to European countries or America, afterwards they have to prove their value with hope for acceptance.

The question remains; "Is this enough?"

How, where and why are immigrants welcomed in countries they consider will provide a better life?

We all know how and why immigrants embark on their journey to what they think is freedom. Statistics show how they enter countries legally or illegally.

But where are they welcomed to flourish and provide a better life for their families?

The immigrants who work for a living without taking away from the natives also respect the culture and bring value to the prospective foreign land. They are welcome.

Unless there is hatred towards outsiders from the natives, the aforementioned does not apply to race, creed, colour, and religion.

ARMIR SMITH

hOOPBus ARMIR SMITH onthe

There is hope for the score of happiness. The idea is to unify communities via the sport of basketball delivered from a school bus.

When the public reads about the children or siblings of sports royalty figures, the narrative is the continuation of a legacy. It has become accepted as a rule of family traits or a guaranteed blueprint to follow.

Armir Smith, the son of former NBA Number One draft pick Joe Smith, chose a more precarious route. After a dismal college career, Armir played for two years in Macedonia and one year in Sweden before joining the ranks of an entertainment basketball circle.

To Armir's credit, that circle he chose to participate in is the creation of a program that brings joy to the sport via theatrics. It is called Hoop Ball.

Photography Courtesy: Armir Smith All Rights Reserved.2024

"I was more motivated to play because I wanted to achieve, if not exceed, the things my dad was able to achieve."

WJ: Do you remember when you first touched a basketball or played the game?

Armir: “It is hard to remember the first time that I touched a basketball. I remember falling in love with the game at a young age because my dad was a professional basketball player.”

WJ: Did you feel obligated to play basketball based on your DNA?

Armir: “My mother, the only influence in my life, raised me as a single parent. There was no pressure to play basketball.

Instead, I was more motivated to play because I wanted to achieve, if not exceed, the things my dad was able to achieve.

Growing up, I wanted to play professional basketball but was a late bloomer.

When my body transformed at the age of 14, I started to become the athlete that I am today. But once that happened, I took advantage of the opportunities immediately. I put myself in the spotlight and made a name for myself.”

WJ: What are your interests (s) outside of basketball?

Armir: “Outside of the game of basketball, I possess so many other talents. There are so many things in this world that I am motivated by, from photography and videography to art and musical production.”

WJ: What is HOOP BUS basketball?

Armir: “Hoop Bus is a nonprofit organization formed in 2020 at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and created to bring joy and unity to communities from the game of basketball.

In California, basketball courts were closed due to COVID and social distancing. Therefore, the founder of the HoopBus, Nico Gaillard, decided to attach two basketball goals to a school bus. We essentially brought basketball back to the communities.

The event took place at schools, youth centres, and shelters while spending time in the community helping those in need year-round.

We also partner with companies and organizations such as the NBA, WNBA, Gopuff, Google Pixel, and many more to help them bring awareness towards their brands and events.”

WJ: How did it start?

Armir: “From there, it expanded to what it is today. We now have five HoopBus and hundreds of athletes and influencers like myself all across the country who help to keep the HoopBus alive and running.”

My role with the HoopBus is what we call the ‘talent’. As we travel around America, the ‘talent’, put on shows on the HoopBus by showing off our cosy handles and dunks and playing games with anyone who decides to come hang out on the bus.

WJ: Moving forward with HOOP BUS--? If so, where, when and how?

As of now, the HoopBus is growing at an exponential rate. The program has garnered more followers and supporters online, yet we continue to create new ways to give back to the community.

As of February 2024, we are building a HoopBus in the Philippines. The country is one of the biggest basketball-supporting countries in the world.

Our goal is for the basketball community there to experience the same blessings we have here in America.

Eventually, our goals are to establish HoopBus across America and eventually around the world.

Armir is making a difference with actions to complement his words.

www.gopuff.com

By Worth Journey Photography by Jerome Fitts

to visit recommendation

“Within the realms of blood and honey.”

Where:

Skopje is the largest city in Northern Macedonia.

The city is attested for the first name in Geography by Ptolemy ca. 150 CE as one of the cities of Romania Dardania. Ptolemy describes the city in Latin as Scupi and in ancient Greek as Σκοῦποι. Upon the annexation of Vardar Macedonia by the Kingdom of Serbia in 1912, the city officially became "Skoplje". (1)

The photographic city is located on the Vardar River, which runs through the north–south Balkan territory and halfway between Belgrade, Serbia and Athens, Greece.

The best time to visit is in the summer (June to September)

The summers are long, hot and relatively dry with low humidity. Skopje's average July high is 31 °C (88 °F).

skopje, Northern Macedonia

Tourist Attractions:

The Memorial House of Mother Teresa was constructed in 2009 on the original site of the church in which the saint was baptized.

The iconic statue of Alexander The Great

Quality of food and restaurants: Impeccable!

Currency: Macedonian Denar (MKD)

“You don’t have to go nowhere at all not to know where you are at. Welcome to Skojpe!” local Macedonian

The citizens of Macedonia or Skojpe are warm, gentle, curious and welcoming. There are countless restaurants, bars and nightclubs that cater to everyone.

The old town is traditional and charming for the average tourist who desires souvenirs.

Citizens are at a slight disadvantage due to their passports and their system of mobility. They are not a European country. There is, however, a NATO presence due to its most recent conflict history. Neither of which destroys the spirit of Skopje. They have everything that any European country has.

The spirit of the city is a thriving one. There is a strong fashion sense, beautiful faces and the definition of cool people.

The negative side to Skopje is it is still traditional for "outsiders" who would consider moving to Macedonia.

A two to three-day stay would be sufficient time to remember the fantastic city for a future return.

kalamata olive oil

Kalamata olive oil is a pure olive juice extracted from olive fruit for more than 10 centuries.

PDO Kalamata olive oil is one of the best olive oils in the world. As its title advises, it is a Protected Destination of Origin olive oil. And this origin contributes to its quality and its popularity around the world.

HeartAttackandStrokePrevention

01

The Kalamata Olives are full of rich antioxidants. This is due to the presence of hydroxytyrosol in the olives which is an antioxidant that has been shown to decrease LDL (bad) cholesterol and increase HDL (good) cholesterol levels. This prevents Neurodegenerative Disorders and improve our neurological health which is good for the brain.

ProtectionAgainstCancer

02

Protect our cells from free radical damage and minimize the risk of several cancers like colon cancer, abdominal cancer, lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, stomach cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer etc.

Nutritional Value

Calories

Fat

*(1 tbsp of Kalamata Olive Oil)

120 kcal

14 g

of which 10 g is monounsaturated fat (“good” fat)

Vitamin E

9 milligrams (mg)

– 10% of the daily value

Vitamin K

1 microgram (mcg) – 10% of the daily value

A. There are also traces of calcium and potassium and other antioxidants such as polyphenols, tocopherols, phytosterols, squalene, and terpenic acids.

B. Kalamata olive oil is a rich source of polyphenols, which are essential for our body’s defence against cancer. Polyphenols are the reason for the taste and the smell of the olive, this helps as an anti-inflammatory and other benefits.

Due to its high content of vitamins and antioxidants, drinking Kalamata olive oil first thing in the morning is super beneficial for your health. As a result, it boosts metabolism, balances blood sugar levels, and improves the health of blood vessels.

Most important, drinking olive oil in the morning also helps detoxify the body and improves your mood and well-being.

By Jerome Fitts

katherin Hervey

Photography provided by Katherin Hervey. Photo taken by Cara Santina, Elena Ray & Massimo

HValidated

ACTION!

The director with a purpose.

ere is a reminder that art within films created withapurposestillexists.

Kathrein Hervey is an example of a qualified film director who delivers documentaries with a direction. The former trial attorney for the Los Angeles Public Defender's Office has transcended her experience to highlight through the lens of what those who choose not to live within the margins of society want to see.

"I believe we are all on our journey. I strive to find beauty in everyone's path and choices. If people conform more to societal norms, that is their choice. We're all doing our best to find ourway." saysKatherin

The director continued to get her point across by making sure her words were not partofarepeatedphrase;

"My films focus on the criminal legal system and mass incarceration, and one of my current films focuses on female artists and the creative process, so I was referring to these types of marginalization. It was more of an inward expression of my process than an outward expression to push others a certainway."

"I was a trial attorney for the Los Angeles Public Defender's Office in the trenches of our criminal legal system. It was meaningful work, and I respect the people who do the necessary work for the system, but it is complicated."

"At the same time, my body and spirit were screaming at me to create again - to use my experience in the system to shine a light on the ugly parts of it. I stepped away from the lawandintomycreativityagain."

"Ifeltmytimeawaywasoffmycreativepath, but it was part of my journey. My journey into the law led me to create my first feature film, "The Prison Within", which takes place insideSanQuentinPrison."

"The film presents an alternative to our current system through Restorative Justice and is an intimate exploration of the healing and transformation possible when we connect with each other's humanity instead oftheworstthingwe'veeverdone."

When asked to elaborate on why she felt there was an audience for her films, Katheringobligedbyelaborating;

"Honestly, I try not to think about the audience. We create things to figure something out about ourselves or the world. Even if we don't know this when we begin a project, it always comes back to some pain, joy and curiosity inside of us and how we relatetotheworldaroundus.”

“The Prison Within came from my experience working in the justice system and as a volunteer prison college instructor. I worked weekly with men who had committed acts of violence and were sentenced to die in prison. The film also delves into intergenerational trauma and violence, which I didn't know at the time, helped me process my own. I wanted to create a film that asked viewers to set aside what they think they know about incarceratedpeople."

Most people in prison are the first victims. Anger and violence stem from untreated trauma. When our justice system excludes the notion of redemption and healing by taking accountability that comes from within,itperpetuatesthecyclesofharm.

That is a mouthful after a question to open up the interview. However, the thing is, with the obscure title passion, one has to express themselveswithvalidatedaction.

Self-titled filmmakers, please take note. Katheriniswalkingthewalk.

THE PRISON WITHIN- DOCUMENTARY

“Anger and violence stem from untreated trauma.”

"The Prison Within" is a documentary acquired by Gravitas Distribution and is available on streaming channels in America. Based on the collection of Criminal Justice Awards and registered film festival awards thus far, there is no debate that this is a remarkable feat for a market entry to what is yet to come.

Bjorn Englen

Speaking to musical legends these days is rare. They can be the perfect example of what to do or a horrible warning to those venturing into the entertainment business. Then again, in 2024, new artists cannot handle direction without criticism or rejection.

We can learn from both. Why not listen to someone who knew what they wanted and went for it while accepting whatever the outcome would be?

Bjorn Englen, the industry-recognized and proven music community accepted legendary bassist, who has appeared on 60 plus records, scoured the earth playing live with over 2000 shows and toured with major artists such as Yngwie Malmsteen, Quiet Riot, MSG/Survivor vocalist Robin McAuley, Scorpions guitarist Uli Jon Roth and Tony MacAlpine.

"I started playing music at 13 years of age. Two years later, I knew my future was in music. It took several more years before I gained more momentum."

The bass virtuoso did not add water and started sharing the stage with the legendaries of music. It was an organic process of time to get to the point of being recognized as a professional musician. More importantly, it was a matter of trust over skill. In any case, Bjorn is hired as a trusted professional who knows the instrument he plays to complete an organic sound.

I was not one of those kids who sat alone in a room and played music all day. I benefited from playing live in bands while attempting to write new songs. It's where I think the development of any instrument is."

"I left my hometown and Sweden at age 21 (1993) because of the limitations of musicians and record labels. I wanted to come to Los Angeles, so I packed and left. If I had hesitated then I would have become comfortable and would never leave."

"I expected the scene to be a little more happening even though I knew Grunge had already hit the market. For the most part, Los Angeles met my expectations. I enjoy getting to know different musicians while constantly playing

live.”

The nineties were brutal here because of the grunge scene, so I started working as a session player and learned more from the different genres."

"I think there are bands that have the drive, but I do feel they would not have gone through what my generation of musicians went through to learn our craft."

"We had to work harder and learn through our musical instruments."

"On a record player, when moving the needle or rewinding a cassette tape, there was no instant placement of where a particular song was being played or which instrument it was."

"We had to figure it out ourselves due to a genuine interest in the sound. This was a healthy and organic process of learning the style of music being played, as well as, which instrument was being used in the recording."

"I use my years of experience when I teach. Every student is different there are various ways I instruct individuals. I give students advice by serving them what I know and what I have benefited from. I do not want them to make the same mistakes I made."

"I believe in building it from the ground up with whatever tools you have, and not necessarily financial tools. Playing live might be the best way to build a following."

rn's credit, he is correct. The re that there are some apps and ms that cost the same as a pack rettes that cheat or rob original ans.

e can buy chords and song ssions from apps via YouTube sements. There are also master g courses for a price, which may dividuals the confidence to label elves as experts.

ars in heaven for those who d song progressions by playing nstruments are flooding the f the skies. It is pointless to the evolution of technology, but very least, we should applaud who are still creating the sound nality.

ad reality, but let us thank the s that the Bjorn of the world ists. It is a matter of choice if we o them and follow their example of what to do and what we should avoid. Or the Karaoke machine sales will continue to boom.

For Additional Info Follow Below:

Thank you, Bjorn.