[NEWSFLASH] KANYE WEST & MOBY x NIKE+ HUMAN RACE!

Music takes center stage on the heels of the official registration opening for the Nike+ Human Race, the world’s biggest one-day running event taking place on August 31, 2008.  The race brings together the power of sport and music to inspire and connect runners from every corner of the planet.  Participants in this unprecedented event will experience an exclusive music performance by some of today’s top artists in each of the 25 designated race cities.

In Los Angeles, nine-time Grammy Award winning artist Kanye West will headline the run’s post race concert for the grand finale of the 25-city Nike+ Human Race.  Runners will take to the streets passing the city’s most famous landmarks before ending at the LA Coliseum to see West take the stage.  
“I’m hitting the stage in Los Angeles for the Nike+ Human Race, Nike's dopest 10k run ever. This race is bringing together hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world to run and listen to some great music while serving a higher cause, and I’m excited to perform in L.A. as part of the grand finale.”
West’s performance will bring to a close, an unprecedented day of races and activities around the globe starting in Taipei, ending in LA and including cities across Europe, Asia and North and South America. 

In London, runners will be treated to an exclusive performance by world-renowned American DJ, songwriter, musician and singer Moby in the city’s famed Wembley Stadium.  Other all-star artists confirmed to play at the Nike+ Human Race include chart-topping rock band All-American Rejects in NY; hometown favorite Fall Out Boy in Chicago; R&B songstress Kelly Rowland in Paris; dance-electro-pop duo The Pinker Tones in Madrid, Turkish pop sensation Kenan Dogulu in Istanbul; the Fantastic Four in Munich; Beijing-based singing duo Yu Quan in Shanghai and American rock band Boys Like Girls in Singapore.  

Beyond running and music, the Nike+ Human Race is also an opportunity to give back. Participants will be able to run for a worthy cause and support the three official Nike+ Human Race charitable partners: the Lance Armstrong Foundation – uniting people in the fight against cancer; WWF - the global conservation organization addressing the causes and impacts of climate change; and the UN refugee agency's ninemillion.org campaign – bringing sport and education to refugee youth.  Together, Nike and runners will raise funds to donate at least USD $3 million to the Nike+ Human Race charities.  Money will be raised via givebacks from registration fees, a percentage of Nike+ Human Race t-shirt sales and a donation of USD $1 million from Nike.
The Nike+ Human Race will also feature an online pledge tool so individual runners can donate additional funds to the cause of their choice and invite friends and family to contribute on their behalf.

“As a committed runner and a cancer survivor, I’m proud to be participating in the Nike+ Human Race,” Lance Armstrong said. “The race offers the best of both worlds by bringing together a global community to run together and support worthy causes like the Lance Armstrong Foundation, the UN refugee agency’s ninemillion.org and WWF in our combined efforts to have a positive impact on the world.

Other Nike athletes will also be joining the movement to run with the world and for a cause.  Like Lance Armstrong, they will serve as honorary athlete ambassadors for the charities and join in Human Race activities.  Six-time marathon winner and current NY Marathon Champion, Paula Radcliffe and middle distance runner Kara Goucher will be running to support WWF, while marathoner Meb Keflezighi will be representing ninemillion.org.

Nikeplus.com will be the official destination for the Nike+ Human Race and for all pre-race training needs. Here, runners can create a personal profile page or stay motivated by sampling and downloading the latest in Nike+ Sport Music offerings. Sport Music offers runners the best in original Training Run and Coaching Mixes designed specifically for treadmill and road runs.  Beginning June 15, runners will also be able to visit Race City pages covering local race info and news, Training pages for information and links to in-city training runs, events with official race partners including 24Hour Fitness and Starbucks and Nike+ Coach training.  Gear pages covering the latest in Nike performance training gear and Nike+ product will also be offered.

About Nike+ Human Race
On 08.31.08, Nike hosts a run like no other before with the Nike+ Human Race - the World’s Largest One Day Running Event.  Nike’s first global race will take place over the course of one day, with a goal of one million runners, across 25 cities and featuring 25 top musical acts.  The 10k event celebrates runners and their sport, offering participants across the globe the chance to run and compete together in an unprecedented race experience.  Spanning multiple continents, Nike+ Human Race cities will include LA, New York, London, Madrid, Paris, Istanbul, Melbourne, Shanghai, São Paulo and Vancouver among others.  Following races in each city, participants will be treated to an exclusive music concert featuring one of today’s top artists.  Participants will be able to run for a cause as a portion of funds raised will be donated to three Nike+ Human Race beneficiaries: WWF, the global conservation organization, Lance Armstrong Foundation and UN refugee agency's ninemillion.org campaign.  The race will be open to anyone, anywhere. Runners outside of the 25 race day cities can join by logging into nikeplus.com.  With the help of Nike+ and the Nike+ SportBand, every city and every road can become a race-day course.  For more information, visit nikeplus.com.  

Do you think you could you resist a special invitation to a magickal gathering under a full moon in Hawai'i? I certainly could not. And in this story, I invite you along to a chance to wish for what you want, a chance to explore new mystical territory, and a chance to learn how to expand our own boundaries.

There are many magicks in The Islands, but a special few know the truths of goodness and light. Sacred are certain sites in this land of aloha, and respect is paid in full by we the people... Thus I share with you this virginal experience - a night sure to be magickally remembered by us all...

When our close friend, DJ, asked my wife & I if we would like to document an assembly of white witches under a sky of stars, we jumped at the opportunity. This monthly meeting of a coven (congregation) is called an Esbat, and is usually held when the moon is full.

DJ was raised in the Wiccan religion, and continues to observe those traditions. Wicca is a religion of the Earth, and its followers honour the earth, planets & stars, along with Goddesses and Gods. Because of past harassment from others who wouldn't understand, many of the Wiccan practices and philosophies are passed from generation to generation by word of mouth teachings. Since Wiccans believe all earth is sacred, there is no need for churches. This is why worship and rituals can be performed anywhere.

When DJ advised us of the location, she informed us that we should be clothed in white. Though Barbara & I had a dinner party planned for that evening and did not have the appropriate attire, we quickly rearranged our evening's itinerary with just a phone call.

Our next challenge was to find a friend to transport us there. (Our mopeds were not suitable for this journey around the Island!) A close friend was very eager to accompany us and participate as well. She, too, looked forward to this new experience and thanked us for the unusual distraction. Everything fell into place so easily, as if we were meant to be there.

The ride to this gathering featured clouds oozing slowly down the mountains. The peaks of the valley were lost within a thick billowyness of 3-D giant puff clouds, floating over all. Hawai'i skies possess powers all their own. Dusk was upon us, and beckoned were we by the enticement of the evening.

Approaching the location, we weren't quite sure exactly where we should be meeting our friend. It was now dark and eerily quiet, with nary a soul in sight. We drove back & forth on the dirt road a couple of times... Even my wife, who has a built-in compass and can find her way anywhere, began to doubt our direction.

"This is the right place, isn't it?" we were asking ourselves. After all, we did not expect to see signs on the road "This Way To The Coven Gathering"! And, this was a unique location, so we were certain that we followed the directions. Still looking, still searching...

Wait! There she was, up ahead now. We were greeted by a lovely vision of swirling white - lighting our way in the darkness. While we were being introduced to the others, they were advised of our mission there. If anyone had an objection to this article or the taking of photos, they were to let us know. But no one did offer resistance.

About a dozen people were ready to participate in this evening's rituals. There were a couple of people we already knew, which enhanced our gathering. Everyone seemed inviting & comfortable with our presence, so we were completely at ease. The group shared pleasantries and wine while The Magick Circle was being created. The Circle is where the celebration and practice of magick occur.

We commence these rituals with purpose, curiosity and enchantment. Tonight Barbara and I are historians. Documentarians. Witnesses to Magick. We're invited to participate if we wish. To enter into The Circle Of Magick.

The ground was nearly as dark as the sky - beginning with the making of the white circle was first, in white powder; then the pentagram was drawn inside.

Four Swords of Strength were planted into the dirt, grounding The Circle in all four directions: North, South, East & West. Each of The Corners has a corresponding candle colour. The Gathering of the Graces would now be underway.

A small table was put into the center of The Circle. On this table were flowers placed; many candles of various colors for many wherefores; a koa wood bowl containing water, and another bowl with salt for purification. Elements represented on the altar were Earth, Fire, Air and Water. There was also a golden goblet of wine to share within The Circle, and incenses & oils for consecration. There was also a cauldron of charcoal. I would learn the reason for this later during the ceremony. A large blue glass jar held water for blessing and cleansing. Mystic music played as soft bells were chimed. Slowly but surely, the altar was formed as the centerpiece of The Circle.

Before entering The Circle, you are invited to write your wishes. Magick paper was distributed - small beige squares with large gold, solid circles. Each wish must be written out on separate sheets; then folded. You must write out exactly what you wish for. Negative or vengeful wishing is duly warned against. Wiccans are very aware of how to properly use their magick.

As with everything else in life, there are some basis philosophies to remember: "Be careful what you wish for." "Do not use your magick for bad purposes." "What you give, you get back threefold."

I wish for success in business. I wish good health for my family and I. I wish to find true love. I wish to buy a dependable car. I wish for a good grade on that last report. These, I'm certain, were some of the wishes written out by group members. This was my favorite part, and I had many wishes!

The High Priest and High Priestess invite members into The Circle. The following words are posed to each individual: "It Is Better For You To Fall Upon The Sword Than Enter This Circle With Fear In Your Heart. How Do You Enter?". Each answer is the same: "With Perfect Love And Perfect Trust". One by one, each person accepts the invitation into The Circle and to The Watchtowers.

The group forms a circle within The Circle, and the High Priestess begins the ceremony. This writer's eyes close, and I am surrounded by the soft music and her soft words. I am in my own Magick Circle right now...

My eyes open to wishes that are placed one sheet by one sheet into the cauldron. The coals have been lit. Fire leaps up, almost mischievously - then, as quickly, settles again with its offerings. The cauldron accepts all requests. The High Priestess asks for all wishes to be recognized and acted upon.

A late arrival stands out once he has entered The Circle. Bobby is a handsome young man, stunning in black, and adds drama to our white contrast. I learn that he is a warrior, as well a healer. I read humbleness and warmth in his eyes. His face is very kind and gentle, and I see a serene blue aura, with flashes of a dark power, surrounding him.

A goblet of wine is passed from person to person so you may never thirst. Cookies are distributed so you may never go hungry, as the rite of communion was originated by The Pagans. I like this thoughtful & compassionate remembrance.

The High Priest and Priestess utter special incantations, and begin to close The Circle. They ask that good forces remain strong so that evil shall not prevail. Again, directions and elements are beckoned and thanked by the High Priestess. The group leaves The Circle, with the altar intact, and cauldron & candles still flickering.

I stay a seated observer. I ponder. I watch. I hear. I absorb. I write. But I have not yet placed myself within the circle.

A light has drawn me into its hypnotic glow. I gaze into a glass hurricane, and the candle seems to become a golden saber. My visions are in full force tonight.

Champagne is served in the spirit of love and trust. A sense of unity is felt. Laughter and stories fill the night air. I learn the High Priestess is not feeling well, so she is clothed in black as a form of invisibility, protecting The Circle from illness and negativity. The illness I felt from her I learn is deep within, and incurable. She remains realistic and tries to live her life "normally" - whatever that word is supposed to mean. She maintains her inner strength, though at times her physical body is in turmoil. I immediately feel more respect for her, and wonder if I could be as strong faced with her situation.

Anyone is now able to enter The Circle; but The Dark-Robed One remains alone in there. He exudes a contagious inner peace. His disciplined motions are slow, calculated, and languid. His eyes remain closed as he moves inside The Circle. His balance never falters. He and his mighty sword are one.

He is one of the people we already knew before this night, and now I know my intuition about him was right. I had always felt the extremes within him, like goodness & sincerity, along with everything else. I watch in amazement and bewilderment. Upon completion of his ceremonial tasks, he turns to leave, pays his respects to the altar and exits The Circle.

DJ gifts me with yet another honour: I can wear one of her bewitching capes. This is a magickal experience in itself. The writer adorns it as if she were born to it. I am now completely cloaked in magick's embrace.

Spreading my wings of white, I take this opportunity to finally enter The Circle, sans quill. My eyes take in every item, on and off the altar. I study the swords planted in the ground. I close my eyes to further absorb the intensity of The Circle and its elements so that I, too, would be filled. I add one more wish to the cauldron and leave The Circle, already eager to attend the next gathering...

The remainder of the night proved to just as mystic as the evening, and we just couldn't go right home... Looming everywhere over us, the night sky now manifested great strength. So on the ride back, we park at Makapu'u Beach, walk along cool sands, and see a lone lighthouse standing out on its darkened cliff dwelling. Personal reflections abound, and we are hypnotically drawn to the moon.

Visions in the sky are definitely dramatic and distracting. The creamy clouds seem to enhance our mood by mightily sweeping across the sky, as if to show the true force of nature. Standing so small, we are evermore spellbound by the magick of the night and the magick of the Islands...

SHERRI LAURIER

The QuillMistress