How I Pray

There is definitely no formula to prayer, but I have a simple guideline that I follow. Firstly, I sing the Lord’s Prayer, always right when I get off the bus and walk towards the gates of the garden.

The way I pray is the ASK model. In order to ask for something, however, you first must acknowledge your imperfections.

I Am Flesh

And so I start my prayer by acknowledging that I am flesh, that I cut, that I bleed, that I feel sorrow, pain, and greed, that I lust for the flesh of others. However, despite this nature of flesh, with my roots planted in suffering and strife and hell, I seek to strive upwards like the trees growing towards the light, to seek God.

Forgiveness

I then acknowledge my sins and ask for forgiveness. I remind myself of the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross, the only begotten Son of God who takes away the sins of the world. I simply ask for His mercy.

Gratitude

I then thank God for the simple things in life—for the green grass, for the water in my cup, the breath in my lungs, and my ability to walk. I spend a few moments in silence at this time, thinking of all that I am grateful for, no matter how small, which then puts a deep smile on my face, thanking God for His love.

Ask, Seek, Knock

I then ask God to keep me on the narrow path, acknowledging that I seek His kingdom, knocking at the door of wisdom, and that He may grant it to me.

The Battle Cry

Then, when I approach the gates to the garden, I simply recite the prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel, seeking his protection throughout the day.

Silence

From there, maybe I sing a few hallelujahs, but mostly I will remain in silence for 15 minutes, walking through the garden, thinking of more things I’m grateful for, or simply speaking with God more directly, but within my mind—more like a conversation at this point. At this time, I’m in deep gratitude and smiling, just so eager for the day. There really is a superpower to prayer, and I just wanted to share it with you exactly how I do it, because there is something to be said about this method and how it provides peace and joy in my everyday life.

On Anger

Anger is an emotional state of being that becomes very physical. Your face tenses up, the blood rushes, your muscles twitch, and you may feel like hurting somebody, yourself, or self-destructing in some capacity. While this state of being can be somewhat irrational—considering it typically involves hurting somebody else or yourself—what if we learned to transmit anger into productive force for good?

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Transmutation

One of the most powerful ways to look at all of these ups and downs in life is the way in which you have control over them. The external world is not in our control, but the way we respond to the things that come our way is ultimately what we are putting on display. For instance, something could piss me off, and I could show anger on my face. Or, something could piss me off, but then I show gladness on my face, and I smile in the face of the chaos, because I know that I can transmute that energetic surge that is charging through my body, my bones, and my veins, to create something new.

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It’s Good to Be Jealous

You might hear that jealousy isn’t a good thing because you should only focus on yourself and not compare yourself to others, but why? Shouldn’t it piss you off that somebody else has figured out the successful ways in life that you were desiring all along? If you’ve been striving to achieve a certain goal, but you can’t because of your lack of willpower, doesn’t that piss you off?

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So Be Pissed Off

The more pissed off you become, the better. This is my new unconventional way of looking at anger—considering it a simple fuel to the fire. Anything that excites you, ignites a spark in you, or has you feeling this intense energy, is a good thing, as long as you can channel it to improve, create, or make your world a better place.

Just Do Nothing

In a modern world that constantly wants you striving for more, I say just do nothing. Not out of laziness or lethargy, but because reclaiming your time in the present moment is pretty much all that we have.

How to Change the World

One interesting thought is, we can change the world by actually just doing nothing. I believe the world will be OK, the planet will keep spinning, the birds will keep chirping, the trees will grow, and the water will flow. Maybe humans don’t really need to intervene at all — we can simply do nothing, and the whole natural system would be OK. If anything, the more humans intervene, the more we actually disrupt the natural flow of life and make things more complicated than it needs to be.

Embracing Silence

With all the noise and distractions, silence is bliss. When you do nothing and just turn inward and listen, or simply be, you find exactly what you were looking for with clarity. Because it’s when you’re not looking that you find.

It’s Time to Relax

Reclaiming leisure, contemplation, the simple act of strolling without a destination, reading a good book, or creating art, as a new modern-day luxury. To simply have the sun kiss your skin and to be outside is the new privilege.

We Have Control

The external world may be out of our control. Things will keep moving and evolving, the news is always changing, money is endlessly printed, the purchasing power of your dollar is dwindling, atomization is occurring at scale, the population may be declining, and meaning may be lost due to the materialist worldview. But when you recognize the power of your consciousness, and the control that you have over your internal world, you can find paradise on earth. I think we’re able to do anything we can possibly dream of.

I’ve always known that in terms of my photography, I can essentially manifest any photograph from my dreams. When you think lucky, you actually will be lucky. But you have to be consistent with your mindset and affirm your ability. It’s quite similar to how you treat your everyday life, and your perception of reality being shaped by your internal worldview. When all the distractions are eliminated, and you’re focused solely on what’s immediately in front of you in the physical reality, you have ultimate control and power.

Real Power Is Physical

But the truth is, real power is physical. It doesn’t matter how many books you study, how many things you know about art history, or how to make a good photograph or work of art — if you’re physically not engaging with life, walking, exploring, and creating, it all means nothing.

I’m starting to think more critically about the physical nature of life, because it is real. But at the same time, I know that we have a soul, and that there is something beyond the material plane. The problem, though, is that dwelling on an afterlife, or in metaphysics, can sometimes lead to the degradation of the body. Just look at the painting of Saint Jerome by Caravaggio, as he’s yearning for the afterlife with an old and decrepit body.

When you’re physically strong and capable, with a fortified body with muscles, and a wild garden in your mind, nothing can break your spirit or your love for life.

The Strong Photographer

My simple thought is that the strong photographer will make stronger photographs. The stronger your physical body, the more you can walk, and the more you can walk, the more you will see and photograph. It’s a very simple thought, but I think it carries throughout all of the things that we do in life. When you look at somebody’s physical body, I also believe that it’s an outward reflection of their internal thoughts or their creative abilities. For instance, somebody who is eating Oreos will have Oreo thoughts. But somebody who is eating animal-based protein, and satiating foods that are healthy, will have clean thoughts that are strong.

What You Input Is What You Output

The quality of what you consume will be the quality of what you produce. And so, when you look at somebody and their physical body — no matter how base-level, vain, or material it may be — I genuinely believe that it’s an outward reflection or quality of something metaphysical like the soul.

Open Letter to Mayor Cherelle L. Parker

On Establishing a Philadelphia Bitcoin Strategic Reserve and Mobilizing Our Youth for the Future Financial System

Date: August 11, 2025
From: Dante Sisofo, Concerned Citizen of Philadelphia
To: The Honorable Mayor Cherelle L. Parker
Office of the Mayor
City Hall, Room 215
Philadelphia, PA 19107

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Philadelphia: From Poor to Rich in Four Years

Mayor Parker,
Philadelphia is one of America’s great cities — but right now, we are financially struggling:

• 24.3% of residents live in poverty — the highest rate of any large U.S. city.
• The city’s budget deficit is projected to exceed $400 million in the next fiscal cycle.
• Our median household income is $57,537, well below the national median.
• Nearly 1 in 3 children live in poverty, limiting their future opportunities.

We cannot continue to rely on the same strategies and expect a different outcome.
We need a bold, future-proof solution — one that can move Philadelphia from poor to rich within the next four years. That solution is Bitcoin.

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1. Establish a Philadelphia Bitcoin Strategic Reserve

Bitcoin is the world’s first decentralized, incorruptible, universally accessible monetary network. Over the past decade, it has outperformed every major asset class.

By converting a portion of our non-core city assets into Bitcoin, we can secure a reserve that:

• Protects taxpayers from inflation.
• Appreciates over time instead of eroding in value like idle cash.
• Positions Philadelphia as a financial innovation leader.

Funding the Reserve Without Raising Taxes

We propose an immediate audit of all non-essential city holdings, followed by sales or monetization of:

• Underutilized Real Estate: Vacant lots, surplus municipal buildings, unused industrial sites.
• Naming Rights: Stadiums, public spaces, and cultural landmarks.
• Legacy Investments: Non-core municipal holdings and joint ventures.
• Excess Equipment Auctions: Retired city vehicles, machinery, and hardware.
• Energy Revenue: Sell renewable energy credits or surplus electricity from city facilities.

Example (updated to current price):
If Philadelphia raised $50 million and converted it to Bitcoin at today’s price of ~$121,000 per BTC, the city would hold ~413 BTC.

Illustrative 4-year scenarios for the reserve value (not guarantees):

• If BTC = $150k → ~$61.98M
• If BTC = $250k → ~$103.31M
• If BTC = $500k → ~$206.61M
• If BTC = $1.0M → ~$413.22M
• If BTC = $1.2M → ~$495.87M

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2. Launch the Philadelphia Bitcoin Infrastructure Corps (PBIC)

A reserve alone is not enough — we must also prepare our people to thrive in a Bitcoin-based global economy.

PBIC Core Programs

1. Bitcoin Education & Training Centers

• Wallet security, Lightning Network, node operation, and digital sovereignty.
• Graduates earn a City Bitcoin Technician Certification recognized by fintech/payment companies.

1. Lightning Payment Integration for Small Businesses

• PBIC tech teams help merchants accept Lightning payments.
• Modest city subsidies in year one to drive adoption.

1. Public Bitcoin Nodes & Community Access Points

• Nodes in libraries, schools, and community centers.
• Serve as both infrastructure and educational tools.

1. Renewable-Powered Bitcoin Mining

• Mining powered by city-owned solar/renewables.
• Revenue flows into the Bitcoin reserve; waste heat warms facilities in winter.

1. Annual Bitcoin Civic Hackathon

• Youth and innovators build civic payment tools, transparency apps, and tourism experiences.
• Winning teams receive incubation and city seed funding.

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3. Projected Outcomes (By 2029)

• Reserve Value Scenarios (from ~413 BTC): ~$62M (@$150k), ~$103M (@$250k), ~$207M (@$500k), ~$413M (@$1.0M), ~$496M (@$1.2M).
• Job Creation: 2,000+ young Philadelphians trained/employed in Bitcoin-related roles.
• Business Adoption: 5,000+ small businesses accepting Lightning payments.
• Energy Innovation: 5 MW of renewables powering mining and generating additional revenue.
• Tourism Boost: Position Philadelphia as the U.S. hub for Bitcoin conferences, meetups, and investment.

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4. Immediate Next Steps

1. Commission a 90-day audit of all non-core city assets.
2. Allocate 1% of annual budget surplus to Bitcoin beginning FY 2026.
3. Approve a PBIC pilot in 2026 focused on education and merchant adoption.
4. Launch a citizen advisory board to oversee the reserve and PBIC.

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Closing

Mayor Parker, Philadelphia has always been a city of firsts — the birthplace of American democracy, industry, and innovation. We now have a chance to be the first major U.S. city to secure its financial future with Bitcoin while training the next generation to lead in the digital economy.

This is our moment to act boldly, sell what no longer serves us, and invest in what will define the future.
Let us make Philadelphia not only a historic city — but a wealthy, sovereign, and future-ready one.

Respectfully,
Dante Sisofo
Citizen of Philadelphia

Strong Photographer, Strong Photographs

When I consider street photography, I believe that the factors determining success have less to do with formalities like composition and lighting skills and more to do with how passionately you engage with life itself. The most successful photographers are at the frontlines of life, exuding courage and fully engaging with their surroundings.

Why?

Because you will have more strength, endurance, and longevity to continue walking and moving through the frontlines of life! Perhaps the main thing photographers should focus on is simply lifting weights and walking longer distances.

Photography Has Nothing to Do with Photography

When I first started photographing abroad in Israel, I spent every morning in the gym, lifting weights. I recognized that courage and confidence were critical to moving through the heavily militarized streets. It became clear to me that more than compositional skills or understanding lighting were required to become a strong photographer; it demands real, physical strength.

Train with a Friend

Having a friend who shares similar values and curiosities is a privilege. During my travels, I was fortunate to meet Matthew, who had the same crazy courage as I did to venture into the unknown. After our first experience photographing conflict at the checkpoint of Qalandia, we decided to wrestle in the grass to boost our courage. Knowing that we were willing to confront each other physically increased our trust, enabling us to continue exploring chaotic environments with our lives on the line.

Lift for Leisure

Don’t force yourself to lift weights; think of it as leisure and pleasure. It shouldn’t feel like a chore. I favor exercises like:

• Farmers’ walks
• Push-ups
• Pull-ups

as simple ways to kickstart my day. My goal is to get stronger incrementally over time without the desire to lift heavy weights or become a steroid-raging strongman. Just keep it simple and focus on longevity.

The Goal is Strength and Curiosity

The balance between physical strength and creative curiosity is what all photographers should focus on. The stronger you become, the more you will walk. The more you walk, the more curious you become. The more curious you are, the more photographs you will make!

“Photography has nothing to do with photography; it’s most important to be strong, confident, and courageous.”

I want to explore the unknown without my physical strength becoming a limitation. The ultimate goal is to be strong and fueled with endurance to keep moving onward and conquer the streets!

Embracing the Physicality of Photography

The idea with street photography is that it’s a physical medium. You have to be out there walking endlessly. From the ground up, we should consider how to approach the streets by enhancing our physicality. Think about how we can improve our strength. Wearing a vest while walking for half an hour or longer could be the ultimate test. Can you bear this weight while practicing street photography and remain focused?

“The stronger photographer will make stronger photographs. He who walks the most shall win.”

Photography is not just about capturing images; it’s about being present and engaged with life. The stronger your body, the more opportunities you’ll have to create compelling photographs that reflect your experience and perspective. So go out there, lift, walk, and embrace the streets with curiosity and courage!

The Demigod Diet

1. Ribeye Steak (Grass-Fed, Well-Marbled)
2. Vital Farms Organic Pasture-Raised Eggs (18 count)
3. Bunker Hill A2 Raw Milk Cheddar Cheese
4. Bunker Hill Raw Milk Cheddar Cheese
5. Kirkland Signature Grass-Fed Butter (Salted, Product of New Zealand)
6. Epic Grass-Fed Beef Tallow
7. Pure Indian Foods Organic Grass-Fed Ghee
8. Maldon Sea Salt Flakes
9. Topo Chico Mineral Water (Carbonated)
10. Espresso Shot
11. Oasis Creamery Organic A2 Raw Milk (Grass-Fed, 1 gallon)
12. Harvey’s Honey Pure Natural Raw Wildflower Honey (Jersey Fresh)
13. Kimchi

If you genuinely just listen to your conscience that tells you what’s right from wrong and obey that like a slave to God, you will create paradise on earth.

Essentially, you just have to avoid anything that has you feel fear, guilt, or shame, and obey that gut instinct. You have to remove all of the distractions and noise of the world, and simply listen.

This could look like a lot of different things.

• Quitting your job
• Removing toxic friends
• Stop watching news or social media

Then once you empty yourself, you can align with nature, with what feels good and righteous, and be your authentic self.

Why All Street Photographers Should Adopt Bitcoin

Street photographers live for freedom — freedom to roam and freedom to create, Why not demand the same freedom for our money?

If the goal is to travel the world, make photographs, and live a free and sovereign life, then why stay chained to a system that requires banks, intermediaries, and permission? Bitcoin is a borderless currency — your wealth stored in cyberspace, secured by you alone, ready to take anywhere on the planet.

Still don’t get it? Imagine insisting on shooting film while the rest of the world has moved to digital. Sure, it works — but it’s slower, less efficient, and the returns keep diminishing. Bitcoin is the digital evolution of money, just as digital cameras were the evolution of photography. One gives you speed, flexibility, and global reach. The other keeps you stuck in the darkroom while life passes you by.

You are immortal. Have no fear.

Reject the modern materialist worldview and return to myth and the eternal truth of God

The Ricoh Jihadist

If Bresson was alive today he would be shooting with a Ricoh on a wrist strap. Considering he gave up photography at the end of his life and is no longer alive, maybe it’s time for the next best Ricoh shooter to take the throne?

Ricoh GR IV — Complete Overview

General Information

• Model Name: Ricoh GR IV
• Announcement Date: May 22, 2025
• Launch Schedule: Autumn 2025
• Special Version: HDF (Highlight Diffusion Filter) version coming Winter 2025
• Design Philosophy: Ultimate portable snapshot camera for speed, quality, and simplicity

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Sensor & Imaging

• Sensor: APS-C CMOS, approx. 25.74 MP
• Image Size: Up to 6192 × 4128
• ISO Range: 100–204,800
• Processor: GR ENGINE 7
• File Formats: RAW (14-bit DNG), JPEG
• Special Features: Built-in 2-stop ND filter, AA filter simulator, ultrasonic dust removal

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Lens & Stabilization

• Lens: 18.3 mm (28 mm equivalent), f/2.8–16
• Construction: 7 elements in 5 groups, 3 aspherical elements
• Stabilization: 5-axis sensor-shift IBIS

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Autofocus & Shooting

• AF System: Hybrid AF (phase + contrast detect)
• Extra AF Modes: Face/Eye detection, improved low-light performance
• Exposure Compensation: ±5 EV
• Shooting Modes: Program AE, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, Manual, Snap Distance Priority AE

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Display & Build

• LCD: 3″ fixed touchscreen, ~1.04M dots
• Dimensions: 109.4 × 61.1 × 32.7 mm
• Weight: 228 g (body only), 262 g (with battery + microSD)

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Storage & Connectivity

• Internal Storage: ~53 GB built-in
• Memory Card: microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC (UHS-I)
• Wireless: Wi-Fi 6 (2.4/5 GHz, 802.11ax)
• App Support: Compatible with GR WORLD app

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Video

• Format: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264
• Resolution: Full HD 1080p up to 60 fps
• Limitations: ~25 min or 4 GB per clip

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Notable Improvements Over GR III

1. Higher resolution sensor (25.7 MP vs. 24 MP)
2. 5-axis IBIS (vs. 3-axis)
3. Larger built-in storage (53 GB vs. 2 GB)
4. Wi-Fi 6 for faster transfer
5. Faster boot-up speed
6. New HDF version for creative highlight diffusion

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Release Notes

• GR III production ends July 2025
• GR IIIx remains in production for now
• HDF version will follow several months after the standard GR IV release

Ricoh is the New Leica

I was just checking the Lightroom catalog this morning and discovered these photos were made during Ferragosto

Ferragosto

Ferragosto is an Italian holiday celebrated on August 15th each year.
It coincides with the Feast of the Assumption in the Catholic Church, which commemorates the Virgin Mary being taken up into heaven.

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📜 Origin & History

• Ancient Rome – The holiday traces back to Emperor Augustus in 18 BC.
  It was originally called Feriae Augusti (“the festivals of Augustus”) and marked a time of rest after the harvest.
• Catholic Tradition – Over time, it merged with the Christian feast of the Assumption.

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🎉 Modern Celebrations

• National Holiday in Italy – Most businesses close.
• Travel & Leisure – Italians often head to the mountains, seaside, or countryside.
• Festivals – Parades, fireworks, concerts, and communal meals.
• Family Gatherings – Large lunches featuring regional dishes.

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🌍 Beyond Italy

While Ferragosto is primarily Italian, communities with strong Italian heritage—especially in countries like Argentina, Australia, Canada, and the United States—also celebrate it.

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In short: Ferragosto is a blend of ancient Roman tradition and Catholic feast day, symbolizing both rest and celebration during the height of summer.

SECP256

Go full force, front lines, and blitz
Like a Beyblade—let it rip
Broken system—find a glitch
Mario warp zone—exit the matrix

Why Boredom Is Necessary—and How to Use It to Thrive

Have you ever laid under a tree and simply watched the leaves wiggle up in the canopy?
You could say that this is what it means to be bored—to look at a tree and simply be.

However, through boredom, I thrive.

For when I’m outside, under the sun, embracing the present moment, I find that I exist outside the passage of time.
When you lay under a tree and look at nature’s complexity—through its simplicity (which is actually full of irony, because the thing that is so simple is so complex)—you find infinite novelty within observing a tree.

However, in the modern world, when we feel boredom, we distract ourselves with entertainment—whether social media, movies, TV shows, the news, etc.

But actually, this is a tragedy.

Modern boredom—and the way we fill that void with distractions and noise—might just be one of the ultimate tragedies of modern society.

Why? Because we limit ourselves.
We distract ourselves from what lies within everyday life.

I believe we all have an inner creative spirit that desires to express itself.
Humans are designed to move, to think. We have consciousness and the ability to articulate the world with our hands, our thumbs, our bodies.

We’ve created cities, paths, roads, and highways that stretch across vast lands.
We’ve sailed across the seven seas and conquered the entire globe.
We’ve traveled to space and landed on the moon.

This creative spirit is within each human.
But with this abundance of technology, we distract ourselves from the endless novelty found within the boredom of everyday life.

When you watch a squirrel jump from the bench to the grass, or listen to the birds chirp and the bees hum—
you feel alive.

To me, when you simply be, you are most alive.

But now, we are in a constant state of striving, of becoming, of trying to be somebody, or trying to become somebody—
seeking money, seeking fame.

And most of these material goals and notions of success we seek are vain—
and boring at best.

So I say: thrive in boredom.

Move through the world with wonder and curiosity.
Follow your instincts by living in the present moment with pinpoint accuracy.
Only focus on what is in your control—within your physical, immediate life.

The distractions from the screen, the noise and chatter of the city, may give you a nice dopamine hit—
but the true feeling of bliss is found when you simply be,
and listen to the insects hum and hiss.

So don’t fill the void.
Don’t look at boredom as something you need to overcome.

Look at boredom as something to conquer, something to thrive in,
something to fuel your creativity,
or even simply your sensitivity to life itself.

Through that sensitivity—
that curious state of being—
you begin to live.

DANTE

Maps of Meaning

1. What Is, What Should Be
2. Pathways and Obstacles
3. Sacred Balance
4. Conceptualizing Reality
5. Hierarchies of Being
6. Agents of Transformation