- How Nev Sees It
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- The City That Never Sleeps, But She Does
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Welcome to How Nev Sees It!
In each issue, you can look forward to three engaging sections that offer a glimpse into my world:
Short Story - Dive into the first part of a 4-part reimagining of a classic story or movie, set against the vibrant backdrop of NYC. Get ready for a fresh take that blends nostalgia with modern flair!
My Founder’s Journey - Join me as I document my entrepreneurial adventure, sharing the highs, lows, and everything in between. I’ll open up about my biggest pitfalls, with the hope that my experiences can help you navigate your own path.
Reflections - Think of this as my public journal, where I candidly reflect on the week gone by. It’s a space for me to process thoughts, insights, and lessons learned.
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SHORT STORY
The City That Never Sleeps, But She Does
Credit: AileeMarieArt on DeviantArt
Aurora awoke in a world that was simultaneously familiar and foreign. She was still in her attic, but everything was covered in a thick layer of dust, and cobwebs hung like ghostly curtains from the ceiling. The city sounds she had grown so accustomed to were eerily absent. She felt disoriented and weak, as if she had been asleep for a long time.
As she tried to stand, she realized that her legs were unsteady. She leaned against a dusty old dresser and took a deep breath, trying to make sense of her surroundings. The door creaked open, and Jack stepped in, looking older and wearier than she remembered.
“Jack?” Aurora’s voice was a raspy whisper.
Jack’s eyes widened with shock and relief. “Aurora! You’re awake!”
He rushed to her side and helped her to a chair. Aurora noticed the lines on his face and the gray in his hair, signs that years had passed since she had fallen under the curse. Jack explained that she had been asleep for five years. Malinda had disappeared shortly after Aurora’s collapse, and despite Jack’s best efforts to find a way to wake her, he had been unsuccessful.
The boutique had fallen into disrepair, and the world outside had changed dramatically. The neighborhood had become a hub for technology startups, and the historic charm of the area was fading under the weight of modernization. Jack had stayed, caring for the boutique and Aurora, hoping that one day she would awaken.
Aurora’s heart ached as she listened to Jack’s tale. The world had moved on without her, and she felt an overwhelming sense of loss. Determined to reclaim her life, she insisted on leaving the attic and exploring the city she once loved. Jack hesitated but agreed, helping her navigate the unfamiliar streets.
The city was a whirlwind of new faces, towering skyscrapers, and bustling activity. Aurora marveled at the technological advancements but felt a pang of nostalgia for the simpler times she remembered. She and Jack visited old haunts, now transformed into trendy cafes and boutiques. The city had grown, but it had lost some of its soul in the process.
Aurora’s return sparked curiosity and whispers among the locals. Her story became a sensation, and people flocked to Belle’s Haven, hoping to catch a glimpse of the girl who had slept for five years. The boutique, once struggling, began to thrive again. Aurora threw herself into restoring it, determined to honor her family’s legacy.
Despite the newfound success, Aurora couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing. The curse had been broken, but she still felt the lingering presence of Selene’s malevolence. Malinda’s whereabouts remained unknown, and Aurora feared that the sorceress might still pose a threat.
One evening, as Aurora was closing up the boutique, she heard a familiar jingling bell. She turned to see Selene standing in the doorway, a smug smile on her face. Aurora’s heart raced, but she stood her ground.
“Congratulations on waking up,” Selene said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “But you haven’t truly escaped the curse. Your true love’s kiss may have awakened you, but it won’t protect you from what’s coming.”
Aurora’s eyes widened in shock. “What do you mean?”
Selene stepped closer, her gaze intense. “The curse was only the beginning. You have a choice to make, Aurora. Embrace the darkness and gain unimaginable power, or resist it and watch everything you love crumble.”
Aurora felt a surge of anger and defiance. “I won’t let you destroy my life again.”
Selene laughed, a chilling sound that echoed through the empty boutique. “We’ll see about that.”
With a wave of her hand, Selene disappeared, leaving Aurora with a sense of foreboding. She knew that she had to find Malinda and uncover the truth behind the curse. With Jack by her side, Aurora embarked on a journey to track down her aunt and confront Selene once and for all.
Their quest took them to the hidden corners of the city, from forgotten subway tunnels to abandoned buildings. Along the way, they encountered allies and enemies, each with their own secrets and agendas. Aurora discovered that her family’s history was intertwined with a powerful magical artifact, one that Selene coveted for its ability to control time itself.
As Aurora delved deeper into the mysteries of her family’s past, she uncovered hidden strengths within herself. She realized that her true power lay not in magic, but in her resilience and determination. With Jack’s unwavering support, Aurora prepared for the final showdown with Selene, determined to protect her loved ones and reclaim her life.
Part 3 coming next week…
Read Part 1 here.
Santana
MY FOUNDER’S JOURNEY
Crash
One of my all-time favorite movies is Crash. Here is a summary by Huggo, courtesy of IMDb:
Over a thirty-six hour period in Los Angeles, a handful of disparate people's lives intertwine as they deal with the tense race relations that belie life in the city. Among the players are: the Caucasian district attorney, who uses race as a political card; his Caucasian wife, who, having recently been carjacked by two black men, believes that her stereotypical views of non-whites is justified and cannot be considered racism; the two black carjackers who use their race both to their advantage and as an excuse; partnered Caucasian police constables, one who is a racist and uses his authority to harass non-whites, and the other who hates his partner because of those racist views, but who may have the same underlying values in his subconscious; a black film director and his black wife, who believes her husband doesn't support their black background enough, especially in light of an incident with the racist white cop; partnered police detectives and sometimes lovers, one Hispanic female and the other black male, the latter who is dealing with a drugged out mother that feels he isn't concerned enough about taking care of family; an East Asian man who is run over but who is hiding some valuable cargo in the back of his van; a Persian store owner, who feels he isn't getting satisfaction from American society when his store is robbed time and time again; and a Hispanic locksmith, who just wants to keep his family, especially his young daughter, safe in a seemingly unsafe world.
If you haven’t watched this movie, I strongly encourage you to. It examines race and race relations in very real scenarios that have happened in the past, and most likely still occur in some capacity today.
This movie doesn’t have much to do with my founder’s journey, but I just wanted to share.
REFLECTIONS
Purpose Driven
I got a vote that I should share pics/videos of my journey, so here is the “before” pic.
Challenge Accepted - It’s been 14 days since I stopped drinking alcohol and started working out. I’m determined to lose this belly fat that I’ve put on over the years. Bad drinking and eating habits show up in your body. There is a book entitled “The Body Keeps The Score” and it outlines how your body will eventually reveal the stress you put yourself through. I’ve put my mind and body through plenty of stress over the years, especially when I moved to Chicago. I also like to believe that your body can show your good habits. So I’m using my physical fitness as one of my report cards for better decision-making in my life. Wish me luck!
Purpose - I remember a while back a friend asked if I believed I was living my purpose. I emphatically answered yes. It’s why I constantly wake up at 4am. It’s why I feel so convicted to build what I’m building. I feel blessed to feel so grounded in that belief and I pray that you all find solace in knowing you are living your purpose as well.
7.11 - 1/1/25
Remember, this is the last month of the year. If you set out to do some audacious goals in 2024, I encourage you to do what you can to accomplish them. If it looks like you won’t get to the goal you set out to within the year, then adjust and set an attainable goal that gets you closer.
See you all next week!
