Robynoratocom’s NewsCloud Journal

These 50 stories represent the jewels in 2008’s crown. Look at them shine!

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Mom had a headache that wasn’t going away. In fact, it was getting worse. Mom never complained about anything, ever. Maybe that’s why my parents got along so well. But now she began to cry about her head hurting and aspirins not helping. Dad took mom to the doctor, who said, "Just a headache. Go home and ride it out."

They were obedient patients that trusted doctors… until mom’s headache got so bad she couldn’t talk or walk. Rushing mother to the emergency room, dad demanded some test that revealed a brain tumor known as a glioblastoma. Two weeks after the surgery dad told all of us to pray for mom.

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There were links to interesting and somewhat strange jobs in my area, not to mention pets and free medical supplies. Also available: one-stop-shopping for the free and willing (Casual Encounters) as well as those who are willing provided there is a donation (Erotic Services). One year and three semi-sexual experiences later I have acquired everything from a stripper pole, to a transvestite pseudo-BFF named Susan.

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The granddaughter of legendary ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau is making her own waves as an environmental advocate, adventurer and marine researcher. She shares thoughts on climate change, Sarah Palin, "green" cosmetics, and her grandpère.

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The truth is, for a growing number of women, pregnancy and birth are emotionally, physically and even sexually fulfilling experiences. This was certainly true for me. In fact, the sensations I experienced in labor can only be described as "orgasmic." This, I believe, was due to the fact that I overcame my fear of birth and refused to believe there was anything wrong with having mind-blowing pleasure in birth!

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"Up until my accident I was in Corporate America for many years. I had never even touched a piano. I still can’t read music or tell you where the notes are. All I know is that the black keys are flat. I don’t even know what I’m going to play each time I sit down…but since my accident, the notes just pour out of me."

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Since its launch in June 2006, Orato.com has given more than 4200 correspondents worldwide a platform in which to tell their stories. Recently recognized as one of the top 12 news websites in the world by the 2008 Webby Awards (which have been called the Oscars of the Internet by the New York Times), Orato.com has attracted up to 100,000 visitors in one day. 

Experience has taught us that the most compelling stories are written in the words of those who experience or witness an event. And so Orato.com is now paying for true, timely stories written through the eyes of those who were ‘there’! It’s our aim to become the world’s leader in unprejudiced, 1^st person story-telling. Building on an annual audience of nearly 4 million visitors, we are taking Orato.com to a whole new level by paying for 1^st person, human interest stories – stories which grip the emotions, challenge reality, and celebrate the resilience of the human spirit.

We want to be a competitive option for anyone with a great human-interest story to tell, and we are giving our correspondents a number of opportunities to earn money. In addition to selling the story directly to Orato.com, correspondents can benefit from a ‘tipping’ function that allows visitors to tip the author. 

As a multi-media platform we put a lot of value on video footage, audio recordings and photos which complement a story. The more compelling the story, the more we’ll pay. If you have a personal connection to an event that’s breaking headlines or an extraordinary event that begs a global audience, send your true human-interest story idea to Orato Pitch  

I can’t imagine what it would be like living in Gaza, Israel, Palestine… what do I call it? This woman writes about the recent ceasefire agreement reached between Hamas and Israel:

“After so many years of kasams, the Gaza ceasefire (or ‘relaxation,’ if I translate directly from Hebrew) is a surprise. We hear a lot of empty words, a lot of threats, and a lot of confusion from our leaders.”

Read her full statement here: An Israeli’s Take On The Hamas-Israel “Ceasefire”

Gazan blogger Heba Z took a break from writing because she was starting to lose faith that it would change anything, and in her words, no one was listening anyway. It was a simple cup of coffee restored her faith in humanity. Read her story - and let her know you’re listening.

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Liverpool will celebrate being awarded European Capital of Culture this year with artwork by one of its most famous sons being shown in the capital. The exhibition, which begins today, will feature the Complete Collection of John Lennon’s artwork for the first time in their entirety in Liverpool.

The exhibition runs at the Liverpool Daily Post and Echo building from 23 May until 2 June, before embarking on a museum tour of Germany.

Here’s a taste: Slideshow of John Lennon’s art

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