Ghosts for Halloween!

Michael Jackson's 'Ghosts' 1996 with Greek subtitles. 

This film was Michael 's attempt to create something that can surpass the success of Thriller. The result most artistically perfect, is a short film that ranks and category of the video clip. Filmed and aired in 1996 and released in limited editions along with the film Stephen King "THINNER". A year later released worldwide on video and Video CD. The film was screened out of competition at Cannes in 1997. In 2002 he was honored by the Guinness Book of Records as the biggest clips in the history of music.

Η ταινία Ghosts του Michael Jackson από το 1996 με ελληνικούς υπότιτλους. H ταινία αποτέλεσε την προσπάθεια του Michael να δημιουργήσει κάτι που να ξεπεράσει την επιτυχία του Thriller. Το αποτέλεσμα καλλιτεχνικά πιο άρτιο, είναι μία ταινία μικρού μήκους που κατατάσσεται και στη κατηγορία του βίντεο κλιπ. Κινηματογραφήθηκε και προβλήθηκε το 1996, ενώ κυκλοφόρησε σε περιορισμένα αντίτυπα μαζί με τη ταινία του Stephen King "THINNER". Ένα χρόνο αργότερα κυκλοφόρησε παγκοσμίως σε βιντεοκασέτα και Video CD. Η ταινία προβλήθηκε εκτός διαγωνισμού στο φεστιβάλ των Καννών το 1997. Το 2002 τιμήθηκε από το βιβλίο Γκίνες ως το μεγαλύτερο βιντεοκλιπ στην ιστορία της μουσικής.

On the eve of Halloween I bring you this absolute must to watch 'scary' movie clip. It's genius is unbelievably great! 

And if that doesn't scare you... take a look at this, it is the house where I was born, and my sister five years later. In those days it was a nursing home. Just a little trip down memory lane. I wonder who else was born there. Let me know if you were.

So, have a good Halloween everyone, wherever you may be. London seems to be swimming in big orange pumpkins. When I was a kid in Long Preston, we had to hollow out a turnip - and that was hard going. Ah, the good old days. Of course, there is no 'trick or treat' in Vrahassi.

Maybe my next book will be a thriller!

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'Oxi' Day Remembered

'Oxi' Day - The video says it all.



And in Crete today, I am sure there well have been lots of marching. I am also sure that there is a lot of hope for the future. In my experience, the Cretan people, at least, are not ones for sitting back and allowing injustice to get the better of them. Although the video below was filmed in 2010, this annual event does not vary from year to year.



WARNING!!!!!!!!
ONLY WATCH THIS VIDEO IF YOU a) HAVE A SENSE OF HUMOR AND b)CAN HANDLE BAD LANGUAGE.


Well, that's 'Oxi' Day for you. Of course it is not always the best policy to say no, is it? Get a grip on life and give it a BIG THUMBS UP, YES! CAN YOU DO IT? YES YOU CAN!

Oh, and by the way, I'm not anti Italian, or anyone else come to think of it. I'm just reporting what is.

And, if you would like to look at an alternative way of improving your future, why not start blogging yourself, you will find a link at the top of this page.

You could of course, always write a book, like I did. Tears from the Sun - A Cretan Journey. If you are interested in all things Cretan, then take a look at my book.

I wish you all a very happy 'Oxi' Day,
Love and hugs,
Jane x

Selene - Who was she?

Who was Selene?  When I was born, my grandfather wanted to call me Selena, it was the name of my great grandmother. It wasn't until I traveled to Crete that I realized the significance of that name.

Selene is the moon goddess. She is the daughter of the Titons, Hyperion and Theia. One of her lovers was the mortal Endymion, a shepherd boy. Check out their story here.

A Thing of Beauty (Endymion)

A thing of beauty is a joy for ever:
Its loveliness increases; it will never
Pass into nothingness; but still will keep
A bower quiet for us, and a sleep
Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.
Therefore, on every morrow, are we wreathing
A flowery band to bind us to the earth,
Spite of despondence, of the inhuman dearth
Of noble natures, of the gloomy days,
Of all the unhealthy and o'er-darkn'd ways
Made for our searching: yes, in spite of all,
Some shape of beauty moves away the pall
From our dark spirits. Such the sun, the moon,
Trees old and young, sprouting a shady boon
For simple sheep; and such are daffodils
With the green world they live in; and clear rills
That for themselves a cooling covert make
'Gainst the hot season; the mid-forest brake,
Rich with a sprinkling of fair musk-rose blooms:
And such too is the grandeur of the dooms
We have imagined for the mighty dead;
An endless fountain of immortal drink,
Pouring unto us from the heaven's brink. 

John Keats

For the whole poem click here.

I think I should have liked to have been called Selena, but being a Cancerian, I am ruled by the moon anyway. You can read about the mountain, Selene, in Crete, in my book Tears from the Sun - A Cretan Journey. Another love story between moon goddess and shepherd. Click the link to find out more.

Love and hugs,

Jane x

Please Help if you Can...

The search for the parents of this beautiful little girl continues.

Roma couple to face magistrate as search for 'Maria's' parents intensifies The Roma couple who falsely claimed to be the parents of a 4-year-old child found at a gypsy camp in central Greece are due to face a magistrate on Monday as the international search for the child’s real mother and father continues. Charges of kidnapping and obtaining a false birth certificate will be issued against the Roma couple, who claim that they adopted the baby when it was abandoned by its foreign parents. Police are to publish the photos of the man and woman in the hope that it helps with their inquiries to locate the parents of the girl, who has been nicknamed Maria. Greek authorities have contacted Interpol to help with the search and the children’s organization The Smile of the Child, which is looking after the girl, has received thousands of calls from Greece and abroad regarding Maria. "[Her] reaction was immediate terror: She was terrified because she doesn't know where she goes. She was crying and opposing to go wherever,» said Costas Yiannopoulos, the charity’s director. "As soon as she went to the hospital and had a nice bath, and then the next morning our people looked after her. She immediately changed." Police are also extending their searches to hospitals and registry offices to seek information that may point to systematic child trafficking. The girl was found during a raid on a Roma camp in Farsala last week. Authorities noticed that Maria did not look like her supposed parents and a subsequent DNA test proved that there was no match. Authorities suspect the pair were involved in human trafficking as records show them having a total of 14 children, registered in three different parts of Greece. However, speaking to Skai TV late on Friday, the couple’s lawyer, Marietta Palavra, said that the pair decided to take on the child after feeling sorry for her. She alleged that the girl’s biological mother, a foreign national, wanted to “get rid” of her child. In response to questions about why the couple had registered so many children, the lawyer claimed it was a way of maximizing the state benefits they could receive. The case has received international attention and a spokesman for the parents of Madeleine McCann, a British girl who went missing in Portugal in 2007, said the child’s discovery had given them “great hope” their daughter would be found alive. The family of Ben Needham, a 21-month-old British toddler who was abducted from his grandparents’ home on the island of Kos in 1991, have call for further DNA tests as they continue to search for their missing loved one. “Obviously, it's been a strong belief of myself and all my family that Ben was taken by gypsies for child trafficking or illegal adoptions and this case just shows that they can be found,” said Ben’s sister, Leighanna. “I think that would be a brilliant thing to get our DNA out there, even if it's not actually Ben but any siblings or any children maybe of Ben (that are found) then that could hopefully lead us to him.” Kerry Needham, Ben’s mother, called for the investigation into her son’s disappearance to be reopened. “We have always believed that Ben's abduction was gypsy-related and have had a long ongoing inquiry in Larissa,” she told ITV. “We hope that the investigation into Ben's disappearance will now be looked at again.” Meanwhile, the Roma community in Greece fears that they will be stigmatized by the case of Maria. «We know these cases exist, but they involve Bulgarians, not Greeks like us. There are no transactions involving children here,» the president of the Roma community in Farsala, Babis Dimitriou, told the Associated Press, adding that the 40-year-old woman, who had registered Maria as her own child, «cared for her even better than for her own children." ekathimerini.com , Monday October 21, 2013 (10:16)  Please help if you can. My prayers for all those families who have had their children taken from them. And talking about help, these people could do with your help too, poor souls, sometimes I think life deals out a very bad hand. Immigrants’ interest in repatriations growing fast Almost 2,000 migrants in Greece have applied for voluntary repatriation since the beginning of July, largely due to joblessness. The Greek branch of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said 15,481 people have taken advantage of the European Union-funded program since it started in 2010. Whereas applications mostly came from Africans and Asians, Eastern Europeans are also showing interest now. Since the summer, 832 Pakistanis, 361 Bangladeshis and 142 Georgians have been among those who have chosen to return home. “The people who ask to leave Greece face huge problems,” said Daniel Esdras, the head of IOM in Greece. “Nine in 10 are homeless and have to look for food every day. They have realized they are in a tragic situation, a dead end.” Esdras said interest in the program from migrants at reception centers has also risen. Last year, they only made up 5 percent of those seeking to leave. That figure has grown to 18 percent. ekathimerini.com , Monday October 21, 2013 (10:16) Love and prayers for the homeless, and for all those who are in a position to help, give food, clothing, and to show these people that someone cares. And on a brighter note...  Photograph: Nick Hannes The Guardian Newspaper It's not your typical wedding reception venue, but the warm glow of the petrol pumps, the sturdy dance floor and the soft breeze from the Gulf of Corinth beat a soggy marquee in Surrey hands down. And the view is tremendous: you can just see the spectacular Rio-Antirrio bridge, which links the Peloponnese to the Greek mainland, illuminated in the background.  The groom, Christos, had to hold the reception at his own petrol station to save money. Well done for Christos and his family. Just because we have less, we can still be happy! And I'm talking from experience here. Happiness is in the mind, not in the pocket. Of course, that doesn't stop us wanting as much out of life as we can get. But we do have to live the moment with as much happiness as we can muster. I'm smiling, are you? Great, have a wonderfully happy day, Love and hugs, Jane x And don't forget, that book of mine will bring a smile to your face, even though the title might make you think otherwise. Tears from the Sun - A Cretan Journey Click here for the story line. It is only $2.87 as a Kindle e-book. Download your copy now, or buy a paperback, it will make a great Christmas present! Thanks in advance. Jane x

Chinese scribes date Minoan Distruction

It's all Greek to me! So now we can all speak Minoan if we put our minds to it. lol! Read on to find out what the Chinese had to say about the date of the Minoan destruction.

Linear B

In 1900 the archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans (1851-1941) discovered a large number of clay tablets inscribed with mysterious symbols at Knossos on Crete. Believing he had discovered the palace of King Minos, together with the Minotaur's labyrinth, Evans dubbed the inscriptions and the language they represented as 'Minoan'.

Evans spent the rest of his life trying to decipher the inscriptions, with only limited success. He realized that the inscriptions represented three different writing systems: a 'hieroglyphic' script,Linear A and Linear B.

The hieroglyphic script appears only on seal stones and has yet to be deciphered. Linear A, also undecipherable, is thought to have evolved from the hieroglyphic script, and Linear B probably evolved from Linear A, though the relationship between the two scripts is unclear.

Evans figured out that short lines in Linear B texts were word dividers. He also deciphered the counting system and a number of pictograms, which led him to believe that the script was mainly pictographic. Evans also discovered a number of parallels between the Cypriot script, which had been deciphered, and Linear B. This indicated that the language represented by Linear B was an ancient form of Greek, but he wasn't prepared to accept this, being convinced that Linear B was used to write Minoan, a language unrelated to Greek.

In 1939, a large number of clay tablets inscribed with Linear B writing were found at Pylos on the Greek mainland, much to the surprise of Evans, who thought Linear B was used only on Crete.

Michael Ventris (1922-56) was the person who eventually deciphered Linear B in 1953. His interest was sparked in 1936 on a school trip to an exhibition about the Minoan world organised by Arthur Evans. For the next 17 years, Ventris struggled to understand Linear B. At first he was skeptical that the language of Linear B was Greek, even though many of the deciphered words resembled an archaic form of Greek. Later, with the help of John Chadwick, an expert on early Greek, he showed beyond reasonable doubt the Linear B did indeed represent Greek.

Linear B was used between about 1500 and 1200 BC to write a form of Greek known as Mycenaean, named after Mycenae, where Agamemnon is said to have ruled. It . The Linear B inscriptions, most of which were accounting records listing materials and goods, are the earliest known examples of written Greek.

Linear B syllabary

Linear B logograms

These logograms stand for whole words and mainly represent items that were traded. As Linear B was used mainly for recording transactions, this is not surprising. Some of the logograms resemble the things the represent, so could be called pictograms. Not all the logograms have been deciphered.

Thanks to the website: Omniglot, for the above information.

The following is taken from Charles Pellegrino's Unearthing Atlantis (pages 233-246). 

One other piece of the jigsaw puzzle, only recently brought to light, provides a glimpse of life under the pall of volcanic winter, and can be dated with reasonable assurance to the time of the Thera upheaval.

In China, during the Minoan Linear A Period, records were written on strips of bamboo. Fourteen hundred years later, all such strips that had survived to the reign of Emperor Qin were recognized as priceless treasures and, probably under orders from the emperor himself, were compiled and copied by scribes copied so many times that survival of China's past into its future was virtually guaranteed. The ancient texts state that "in the twenty-ninth year of King Chieh [the last ruler of Hsia, the earliest recorded Chinese dynasty], the Sun was dimmed . . . King Chieh lacked virtue . . . the Sun was distressed . . . during the last years of Chieh ice formed in [summer] mornings and frosts in the sixth month [July]. Heavy rainfall toppled temples and buildings.... Heaven gave severe orders. The Sun and Moon were untimely. Hot and cold weather arrived in disorder. The five cereal crops withered and died."

The bamboo annals further record that floods and ice were followed by seven years of drought lasting into the beginning of the Shang dynasty. A great famine broke out, and in the northern provinces man became a man eater. The Chinese scribes did not provide precise dates for these events; but they did footnote their royal genealogies with listings of eclipses and other astronomical phenomena. During 1990 and 1991, NASA/JPL astronomer Kevin Pang carefully tracked China's dynasties backward through time, using as probes the predictable motions of heavenly bodies to derive such precisely dated events as the lunar eclipse of January 29, 1137 B.C.which, though not dated by the scribes, was said by them to have occurred during the thirty- fifth year of King Wen.

King Chei lived at the same time as T'ang (the first king of the Shang dynasty), which, according to the scribes, was sixteen generations before King Wen. Because the Chinese considered a generation to be thirty years long, one can infer that Chieh ruled about 480 years before Wen, around 1617 B.C., plus or minus a decade or two. Armed with additional eclipse dates for 1876 B.C. (twenty - five generations before Wen) and 1302 B.C. (five generations before Wen), Kevin Pang plotted the eclipses on a graph, fitting a curve through them and locating the point that, according to Chinese history, places Chieh sixteen generations before Wen.
"We find the date is again [in the range of] 1600 B.C.," says Pang, "plus or minus thirty years. Thus the historical records confirm what was suggested by the ice cores, tree rings and older radiocarbon dates that Thera [exploded] late in the seventeenth century B. C. "

Given such evidence, I think the archaeologists will eventually come around. One thing is certain: these are exciting times for astronomers, glaciologists and paleontologists to be poking our noses into the field. Resetting dates tends to ruffle a few feathers, but Cretan and Theran scholars haven't put up any serious resistance. People have not been studying the Minoans for very long: the civilization was only discovered during the past century, and there has not been enough time for opinions to become deeply entrenched.

I think all of this is very interesting. I hope you think the so too. It makes a change from reading about Greek politicians and what they are doing with other people's money. 

Minoan history is very close to my heart. Of course, I have my own theory of how the Minoan Civilization met its end. You can read my theory in Tears from the Sun - A Cretan Journey, which is available from Amazon. Check it out.

And should you have read my book, maybe you would like to follow me on Face Book. Take a look at my fan page, Tears from the Sun - Jane Sharp and please click 'like' if you do.

That's all for today, I'll be back with more Cretan news, tomorrow.
Love and Hugs,
Jane x

The Church of Greece on its Knees

The creation of yet another committee - I think it's time for action, not words!

Church to draft 3-year plan to curb debt, exploit assets The Church of Greece is drawing up a three-year financial plan in a bid to determine the size of its debt and to exploit its assets to secure its autonomy, Archbishop Ieronymos told a session of the Holy Synod on Tuesday. “The situation today is dire,” Ieronymos told clerics, saying that the Church’s debts and the general economic situation “have brought us to our knees.” A three-year program would “present a picture of our debts and our reserves as well as outlining the impact of a new legislative framework on the exploitation of our assets,” he said. Emphasizing that “without assets we will never have autonomy,” Ieronymos also set the scene for a discussion about a possible change in the relationship between the Church and the state. “Will we let events overtake us?” the archbishop remarked and called for the creation of a committee of clerics and independent experts to discuss a likely constitutional revision and its implications for the Church.

ekathimerini.com , Tuesday October 15, 2013 (20:30) Thanks to ekathimerini newspaper for this article. Well, the earthquake didn't rock much, so I guess it is up to Archbishop Ieronymos to do a bit of moving and shaking. It appears that the Church of Greece also has debts. Let's hope the leaders of the Greek church have a bit more savvy than the priest in the following video. I just had to show you this. For those of you who don't speak Greek, the priest is telling his congregation not to buy the 'Furby' cuddly toy, because in his opinion it is the 'Antichrist.' He says it has a microchip inside it which enables it to speak. And that it has the devil inside it. Draw your own conclusions.    And on that happy note, I will bid you a good night. Keep smiling! Love Jane x P.S. Hey! Did you read my book yet? There's a wacky priest in my plot, too! Tears from the Sun - A Cretan Journey. On Kindle at Amazon.

6.3 Earthquake Rocks Crete

Crete was certainly rocking at the weekend, and was even felt as far away as Israel.

Crete rocked by 6.3 magnitude earthquake

An earthquake with a magnitude of more than six degrees struck near the island of Crete, sending items flying off supermarket shelves

This image made available by the US Geological Survey shows the epicenter of the 6.4-magnitude earthquake that struck at a depth of 36.2 kilometres off the western tip of Crete, Greece Photo: EPA

According to the US Geological Survey the quake in southern Greece had a 6.4 magnitude, while the Athens Observatory gave it a magnitude of 6.2.

The epicenter was some 37 miles off the city of Hania in western Crete, the state-run Athens News Agency said.

The earthquake struck at 4:11 pm (1311 GMT) and its epicenter was in the sea, 275 kilometers south of Athens, the observatory said, describing the quake as "strong."

Tremors were felt as far as the Greek capital Athens, some 180 miles away, and across southern Greece, including the Peloponnese peninsula and the Cyclades cluster of islands.

"The quake took place in an area known for its seismic activity. It was strongly felt in Crete but also in the rest of Greece," geology professor Efthymios Lekkas told Skai radio.

• "It was very impressive because the shaking lasted some 40-50 seconds," a woman who identified herself only as Vassia, told an AFP reporter on the island.

According to the Athens News Agency, life in Hania returned to normal a few hours after the quake, which had initially sent people rushing into the streets in panic.

Shops and houses suffered minor damages and local television showed images of items falling off supermarket shelves.

According to Skai radio station, an elderly person was lightly injured while attempting to jump out a window.

Local authorities also rushed to open up roads close to Hania, blocked by fallen rocks.

Greece is one of Europe's most earthquake-prone countries.

On Friday, a 4.4-magnitude earthquake, described as "mild" by the observatory, struck the north of the country causing no damage.

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I am so glad that nobody was seriously hurt. Let's hope that the rattling earth will have settled down for a while. 

That's it for this morning, I have my shopping to do, and a pile of ironing to attack. Then it is choir practice tonight. 

Keep safe dear Cretan friends, and also, dear readers, wherever you are. Have a sunshiny Monday! And if it happens to be raining where you are, you could do worse than curl up with a good book. And you could do a lot worse than to read this one: Tears from the Sun - A Cretan Journey

Lots of love, Jane x

Skyrocketing Unemployment in Greece.

Skyrocketing unemployment, around 27 percent, has led to hundreds of thousands of households and businesses not being able to make good on their financial obligations. 

Number of indebted households turning to courts for a settlement with banks skyrockets According to the latest available data, the percentage of loans that were not being serviced reached 27.8 percent in March, amounting to 64 billion euros, from a total of 228 billion euros owed to all Greek banks in business, mortgage and consumer loans over the same period. By Evgenia Tzortzi Some 80,000 applications have flooded Greece’s justice of the peace courts in the past six months from individuals seeking to ease the terms of their bank loans, with court officials saying that they are assigning hearing dates all the way up to 2025 to deal with the workload. The number of people trying to restructure their debts as they struggle with the crisis and increasing taxation demands has doubled in comparison to the start of 2013 and is growing proportionally to rising unemployment rates, even though the country’s banks have already reached restructuring agreements with over 800,000 debt holders. The justice of the peace courts, meanwhile, have already heard 7,600 applications, rejecting 35 percent and sending the other 65 percent to trial. According to Iakovos Venieris, a lecturer at Athens University’s Law School, the fact that an application is accepted by a justice of the peace court does not mean that a settlement will be reached between the borrower and the lender. It simply means that the court accepts that the borrower meets the requirements of Law 3869/2010 – colloquially known as the “Katseli Law” after the lawmaker who drafted it, Louka Katseli – which is designed to help indebted households compel banks to restructure their loans according to their new financial circumstances. Venieris says that a cursory glance at the decisions issued by Greek courts on debt-restructuring cases reveals that the average reduction of debt granted to applicants is around 35 percent, and while there have been a few rulings whereby individuals have seen their debt written off almost entirely, at 0.4 percent the number is too small to really matter. Skyrocketing unemployment, around 27 percent, has led to hundreds of thousands of households and businesses not being able to make good on their financial obligations. The circumstances that led to households stopping their debt repayments are one of the factors that are closely studied by justice of the peace courts, along with their overall financial profile and assets. According to the latest available data, the percentage of loans that were not being serviced reached 27.8 percent in March, amounting to 64 billion euros, from a total of 228 billion euros owed to all Greek banks in business, mortgage and consumer loans over the same period. Data from the banks suggest that the number of settlements made so far cover 800,000 loans, many of which have been restructured more than once and some of which have been classified as nonperforming. According to the data compiled for the last evaluation of the Greek economy, banks have restructured some 6 percent of their total loan portfolios. This represents 13 billion euros’ worth of debts, 45 percent of which is in the form of business loans, while at the same time write-offs account for 4 billion euros, shooting the total amount owed in problematic loans close to 100 billion euros. Bank data show that by the end of 2012, of the total 1.1 million mortgage loans issued by Greek banks, some 300,000 presented problems in their servicing, while those that are paid regularly dropped from 960,000 in 2011 to 850,000 the following year. One in four mortgage loans were classified as nonperforming in 2012, while consumer loans where installments were delayed for more than three months rose to 710,000 in 2012 from 540,000 the previous year. The picture for the consumer credit market, meanwhile, shows that one in 2.5 consumer loans are on shaky ground and that the number of those that are serviced regularly dropped from 2 million at the end of 2011 to 1.7 million at the end of the following year. Likewise, one in five credit cards has two months of overdue payments, while those that have not been paid for three months rose from 465,000 to 610,000 from late 2011 to late 2012. As far as the number of loan and credit card holders who faced legal action is concerned, this shot up in the period from 2005 to 2012, reaching 1.5 million from 400,000. More specifically, the number of bad loans reached 620,000 in 2012 from 180,000 in 2005 and the number of credit cards shot up to 880,000 compared to 220,000 in 2005. A look at the applications submitted by troubled borrowers reveals that one in three has absolutely no assets whatsoever and just two in three have assets (including those with mortgages). This suggests that the debts arise mainly from consumer and business loans without collateral rather than mortgage loans. Nevertheless, an increasing number of applicants are seeking easier repayment terms even though banks are not entitled to seize their incomes to pay off their debts. Moreover, the flow of applications for the Katseli Law to be invoked does not appear to have been stemmed by a recent regulation that forces applicants to pay at least 10 percent of the amount due according to their last notification. It is worth noting that the law also allows recourse for professionals who are no longer in business, a recent development that has exponentially increased the number of applicants.

ekathimerini.com , Tuesday October 8, 2013 (18:57)

The above article highlights the massive problems that the Greek people are encountering at the moment. 228 billion euros' worth of debt, 27% unemployment, and a big 'no hope' mentality. 

Where do they go from here?

I don't have any answers. I can only show people how to better themselves by becoming empowered. Whatever business you are in, by learning a proven marketing system, you can position yourself to attract success.
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Music - But Not as We Know It!

Oh man! Not music as I know it! But if it gets you rocking - then go with it.




This week Empower Network is launching a brand new product - The env2 mobile phone blogging platform.

CLICK HERE TO GET STARTED

I just had to share this video. I know it's a bit crass, but what the hell, ten out of ten for the singer/songwriter

who is doing what he likes to do best, to get his message out there.

And while we are on the subject of messages, I received a personal message today from Mr Billy Graham. And if you don't know who Billy Graham is then click here.

Here is yet another person in their 90s who is a great inspiration to us all. I was very honored to be able to connect with him.

There are many members of Empower Network who are making a difference in the world. Some work for churches, others donate to charity, others just get off their butt, get their hands dirty, and make sure poor people are fed. I'm working towards the day that I can make a real difference to peoples' lives. You could do that too.

Talk again soon,
Love, Jane x

Jane and David Working in England

David and I got together with members of our team, in London, at the weekend. Our team leader, traveled from USA to give his support to our efforts as we go into the launch of the new product, the env2 commonly known as the Blog Beast. 

Our Mission is Simple.

The word "empower" means to give ability to; enable or permit. This is a key element to Empower Network's mission, dedicated to empowering as many people as possible through the network, training, products, support, opportunities and the honest and authentic message of hope and freedom that Empower Network offers.

Founded on the idea that individuals can build businesses and have personal lives at the same time, Empower Network believes that individuals can use the struggles, hardships and experiences they've had in life and turn them into their most empowering assets.

Since Empower Network's founding in 2011, the company has enabled more than 150,000 people to launch their dreams. People who have struggled for years in business are having success with the help of the opportunities Empower Network provides. Customers searching for simple and honest marketing systems and training programs are having breakthroughs and getting results with Empower Network's products. Most importantly, Empower Network's members are finding purpose in business and life through attending our events and interacting with the Empower Network community and leadership.

The Only Thing Missing is YOU.

I invite you to join our team, you will get all the support we can give. Our new product, the env2 mobile blogging platform is going to take the internet by storm. When you become an Empower Network Affiliate, you become part of our global family. Don't miss this opportunity to change your circumstances. Click the link below to get started. We are here to welcome you to our team.

Love and Best Wishes,
Jane x

Eleutherna, the Heart of Crete

'If you were to imagine Crete as a human being...' Wow! That is a very powerful image. Maybe Vrahassi is part of some geographical ear lobe. It conjures up a very sensual landscape, that can be touched and touches everyone who comes to know it.  

Eleutherna, the heart of Crete By Margarita Pournara “If you were to imagine Crete as a human being, Eleutherna would be its heart.” I am standing with Nicholas Stampolidis, a professor of history and archaeology at the University of Crete, on a small hill overlooking the archaeological site of Eleutherna, some 30 kilometers from Rethymno. From this rise, we can see the entire area of the university’s excavation of the site, which began in 1985. The view is breathtaking, with swaths of olives trees, carobs, oaks, plane trees, laurel bushes and walnut trees across the terraces of the hilly landscape. It is the horizon especially that is most striking. The archaeologist takes me by the arm and turns me 360 degrees so that I can take in the majesty of the peaks of Psiloreitis, Talaia, Aravanes and Tympanatoras, the latter of which took its name from the myth according to which local tribesmen would beat their shields with sticks, making a drumming sound that would cover the sobs of young Zeus so that Cronus would not hear him and devour him as he did his other children. Further away, on the horizon, I can see the sea shimmering in black-and-white tones under the hot, bright sun. I am standing on ground under which one of the island’s most important city-states is buried, between ancient Knossos and Cydonia. The heart of Eleutherna beat for a very long time, from the Neolithic era to the Byzantine period, when it vanished from the map. When the Culture Ministry granted the University of Crete permission to excavate the site, no one could have imagined that it would uncover a palimpsest showing a constant human presence that dates back to 3000 BC, architecture from the late Minoan period, prosperity in Homeric times and a great burst of growth in the Roman era. The decline of Eleutherna was gradual, starting in the 8th century AD and culminating in the 13th century. In the 14th century, the Venetians prohibited the unruly Cretans from living in the fortified city due to fears they would create a rebel stronghold. The excavation has uncovered hundreds of objects and remains of homes, but it has been focused mainly on the rich bounty yielded by a cemetery used from the Geometric period, which, like one end of a piece of string, will lead to more discoveries. Ideal location As we descend toward the imposing yet elegant shelter that covers the excavation site of the cemetery, Stampolidis explains why the ancients chose this particular spot to build their city. “It overlooks the sea, but is also invisible to enemies approaching by boat. It is only one-and-a-half hours’ walk from its port. It is on a hill that can be reached only through a narrow pass, providing excellent natural protection. No weapons during antiquity could shoot this far,” Stampolidis says. “There is fresh running water nearby, as well as woodland that provided lumber, land for farming or grazing, and a quarry. We have found 252 species of herbs and wild greens that were used in many different preparations, and the spot forms a crossroads for those traversing the island either north to south or east to west,” the archaeologist adds. Stampolidis says that there is also ample evidence of lively commercial activity. “Many of the grave offerings we have found were brought from other parts of the Aegean – Cyprus, Asia Minor, Phoenicia and so on – proving that the city had developed commercial ties beyond Crete,” he says. Protecting nature With the modern-day village of the same name behind us, we entered Ancient Eleutherna, which is protected as an archaeological site but also as a natural woodland by law. The excavation teams that have worked at the site have planted rows of trees to delineate pathways, while the site of the museum that will one day house all the finds is just a short walk away, on the other side of the hill. One of the most impressive observations about the site is the care taken by the archaeologists to preserve the natural environment, allowing visitors to take a mental leap back in time and imagine the location as it was when it was first settled – nestled in the protective embrace of the woodland. Stampolidis confirms that preserving the natural environment was one of his team’s biggest concerns. “We are interested in Eleutherna becoming a paradigm of how we can showcase ancient sites. You can’t hear passing cars, and, other than the shelter, all of our interventions are discreet, retaining the purity of the landscape. We used large rocks rather than cement to divert the flow of a stream, the electricity cables are all below ground, thanks to the Public Power Corporation, and all the steps are made of rock and earth. Almost everything here is made by hand, and the best part is that we – the archaeologists and the workers on the dig, which is funded by the University of Crete – did it ourselves,” says Stampolidis. The excavation’s chief archaeologist also explains how the university managed to appropriate the land under which Eleutherna was buried. “I find funding myself by approaching people who love the place but want to remain anonymous. It is thanks to them that we could buy up all the land that comprised the woods in which the site is located,” he explains, adding that the project has also received the full support of the local community. “I think that they have all realized that Eleutherna will never have all the annoyances, say, of Knossos, where there are souvlaki joints and souvenir shops next to the archaeological site. They love the excavation, they protect it and they have supported our work in every possible way,” Stampolidis adds. The Homeric-era cemetery The archaeologist and I walk downhill to the shelter. Nikos Stampolidis knows every rock and tree here like the back of his hand. After all, it was one of the first digs he ever participated in and he was not yet 30 years old when he started. “The broader area of the Eleutherna excavation was separated into three zones. The first picks went to archaeologists Petros Themelis and Thanasis Kalpaxis. I took the zone west of the hill on which the acropolis stood. I had observed that the earth there had a grayish tint unlike the yellow earth in other parts. This often occurs because of rotten leaves, but it could also be attributed to ash from wood fires. The first dig we made revealed finds just a few inches beneath the surface. It was the crematorium. We proved that the ancients used to burn their dead in this spot. We also found that the locals had used a lot of material from the site to build the terraces along the hills,” Stampolidis explains. “Do you need luck in archaeology?” I ask. “Of course. But in which sense? As the piece that completes knowledge. Manolis Andronikos knew where to look for for Vergina, but he was lucky in finding a grave that was intact,” says the professor. We are now standing on a necropolis that dates back to Homeric times, unique in the Mediterranean region. You cannot but feel awed. We see the burial sites, some consisting of large ceramic coffins, funerary monuments and a fascinating maze that goes deep underground, revealing the different chronological periods during which the cemetery was used. “Once the excavation is finished, we will make special cases to house the bones of the dead that are now being examined by anthropologists. They belong here, not in the storage room of some museum. Who am I to disturb their peace?” asks Stampolidis. The archaeologist moves between the graves, talking about some of the most striking finds he and his team have made. The excavation so far has revealed remains ranging from aristocratic warriors to very simple burials. One of his most touching finds was the grave of a 12-year-old boy, whose dog was buried in a small marked grave right beside him. One of the graves that contained the remains of several women from the same aristocratic family also contained ornate jewelry. Prisoners of war The ancient cemetery of Eleutherna also provided the answer to the age-old question that had split Plato and Aristotle – whether the Greeks killed their prisoners of war. “These were not human sacrifices, but the justice of war, ritualistic revenge,” explains Stampolidis. “Beside the funerary pyre of a prince who died in battle, we found the skeleton of another man who we believe had his elbows tied together behind his back. We also found a knife and a whetting stone nearby. Traces of his skull were later found at the prince’s feet and were singed by the fire, suggesting the sequence of events. He was a prisoner of war who was executed in retribution. One of the workers on the dig told me the story of Stefanoyiannis, a Cretan hero who was executed by the Nazis in World War II. His fellow fighters saw who it was who had killed him and stole into the enemy camp at night, kidnapped the perpetrator and killed him on Stefanoyiannis’s grave in revenge,” Stampolidis explains. Every burial site has it own fascinating story. After two hours touring the excavations, we headed back to Rethymno, making a brief stop at the museum, which is currently under construction. In the car, Stampolidis tells me his own story, a kind of epilogue to our tour: “When I first came here as a young man, I told myself that I would dig up all of Eleutherna before I retired. The hill must have heard me and laughed at my plans. Now that I am older, I am better at hearing what the hill has to say.” The museum is a very impressive structure that resembles a shelter of sorts. It is slated for completion in 2015 and so far only the exterior has been completed. It will contain an exhibition hall for the thousands of finds made at the cemetery and in the city so that visitors can see the pieces of the puzzle that compose this fascinating site. From its lofty position atop a hill, it affords a wonderful view of the acropolis and the shelter protecting the cemetery, as well as the entire area where Eleutherna once stood and, of course, Mount Psiloreitis. Plans for the museum include landscaping the surrounding environment and applying some of the latest concepts in museology. The project is moving apace and is expected to be ready on time, while Stampolidis makes certain that, like at the site, every last detail is just right.

ekathimerini.com , Friday September 20, 2013 (11:12)   Thanks to,  Margarita Pournara for this article. And Crete is already beckoning me back. In fact our flights are booked for 11th November, when we shall be looking forward to working from there for a while. Yes, The Blog Beast is coming to Crete. You can find out more about it here. THE MOBILE BLOGGING REVOLUTION 'Watch out for Team Greece - This is the opportunity that you have been waiting for.' Click the link and we'll make sure that you are fully informed. Love Jane x

A Box Full of Cretan Memories

I have only been back in London one day, and already miss Vrahassi. I think it is good, though, to leave the past behind, and move forward into the future. However, by keeping memories within reach, it is possible to open up that box of yesterday, and experience the music and the air of history. Breathe that air with me now as you watch this video, which is a little window on times past.



And looking to the future, I am already planning my return to Vrahassi in November. The pull of Crete is so powerful that I know my destiny is intertwined with the island.

Before I left, I went to the little museum in Vrahassi, and gave them a few copies of my book, 'A Short History of Vrahassi.' I have had it translated into Greek, and one day I will publish it and make it available.

Here in England, I have my Greek music to keep me happy while I create a plan to enable me to fulfill my mission. That mission is to work hard and build my business, so that I can spend more time in Crete, and collect a big box full of Cretan memories.

So, to the future, folks, enough of this nostalgia for one day, I've got things to do, places to go, and a cello that is crying out to be played.

Tomorrow, I'll dip into my memory box and bring you more pictures of Vrahassi.

Bye for now,
Love Jane x

Oh, and for your information, David and I will be hosting a meeting in Heraklion, in November, for all who are interested in joining us at Empower Network. Watch this space for the time and place. 

October Rain in Crete

It's time to go home, it's raining in Vrahassi. Actually, the rain only lasted about 5 minutes, but it was enough to cause us to sit and have another beer before we trundled up the hill for the last time, this trip.

It would have been good for the olives, but apparently there are no olives on the trees this year. Last year there was such a bumper clop, that the trees are resting this time round. Ah well, all the sand that was dumped on the village from a very murky, yellowy sky, this morning, was happily washed away.

The winds have calmed down now, which is a good thing because high winds and airplanes don't really mix very well.


I think water must have got into the works, or maybe the battery was simply knackered, but there was a clicking and a tapping of the engine. Then the guys of the village got into action and solved the problem. The old, beaten up, pick up truck, was towed away in the direction of a downhill slope. I hope they got it going.

 Well that's all for now, from Vrahassi. I won't stop blogging, but I won't be on site for a few weeks. I will have contact with the village, and I will be keeping an eye on things.

And for reading matter on the plane, tomorrow, I have Antony Robins' book, Awaken The Giant Within. I'm reading it for the second time round, and can thoroughly recommend it.

Bye for now, love and hugs,
Jane x