And Still I Rise

Sometimes the news can be unintentionally amusing.A few days ago I heard about this one time lover of Picasso who was selling sketches done by him. Laporte, now 79, told The Associated Press in an interview this month that she kept the sketches Picasso gave her in a safe because she was worried about thieves -- but now was ready to part with them."I'm at the end of my road," she said.I can't help but wonder why didn't she sell them and spend some of the money before getting to "the end of the road"


I'd be lying if I didn't say how much I enjoyed the recent war of words between Prime Ministers Gonsalves of SVG and Owen Arthur of Bdos.First up was Owen Arthur saying there is a lack of urgency on the part of the Vincy govt in preventing Vincy marijuana from flooding Bdos.He went on to say or imply that due to the failure of the banana based economy Vincies had turned to expanded marijuana cultivation.Then it was Gonsalves turn who responded by saying that the Govt and people of SVG were insulted by the comments etc etc.Then there were some more cross talk across the media waves.As a rule I don't agree with a lot of what Gonsalves has to say but his final succinct comment that it was a case of supply and demand had me in stiches.

And then there was the shark attack in the US.It's really not a funny story but it brings to mind the dog bites man/man bites dog scenario.Every year we eat thousands of fish but when a shark takes a liking for human flesh it becomes big news.You see how life unfair especially when we are the ones who venture into the shark's territory:)

Finally,Whitney and Bobby having a reality show.This one too sad to be funny.

Saturday I went to this wedding and it was beautiful.Everybody was nicely dressed,the service was inspiring and the reception well organised.So what was wrong with this picture? Nothing,except in the back of my mind I was wondering how long will this marriage last.Now,these people have been together for as long as I can remember,so much so that people actually think they are already married.So given that history it was rather "strange" that I should have been even wondering if their marriage would be a success.Or is it?

Well,it seems getting married is not the hard part but rather the staying married.The statistics if you bother to check for them are quite daunting.Some time ago I heard that about 50% of marriages in the States end up in divorce.Not sure what the statistics are for the Caribbean but from an informal study I did(in SVG) it seems that while some couples remain married many have a significant other that is public knowledge.It makes me wonder if monogamy is dead or if people just adopt a businesslike approach to the matter and decide that some things they can live with. On the other hand you see people breaking off marriages that are 15,20 years old only to hook up with a younger new model. Not too encouraging for a young person is it? So much for the happily ever after bit.

It brings me to my next question:Is marriage over rated or have we just lost the respect for the institution? A few weeks back I was looking at CNN and they were doing this feature on Infidelity and it was quite revealing how views have changed with respect to infidelity in marriages.It actually seems to be the norm rather than the exception.So much for the forsaking all others bit.When you think of it marriage is really one huge commitment.Imagine agreeing to stick with this one person through thick and thin for the rest of your life.And because it is natural for people to change overtime the person you married a couple years ago more than likely will be different in many ways.A wise person once told me that if you love enough you will conquer anything but the same wise person also told me that my generation is a selfish one. So maybe we are doomed but I really hope not.

Mas.Action.Thrills and Vibes-that's the slogan that signals the official start of Vincy Mas 2005.Tonight is the Calypsio semi finals where 10 persons will be chosen to come up against reigning monarch Princess Monique.As usual there is the accustomed controversy regarding who should or should not have been selected.I have not listened to much of the songs so am not in a position to really comment.It's definitely not my favorite show because it is really taxing to listen to 20 calypsonians doing two numbers especially as most of them normally have only one song of note.Yes,am getting old because these things interest me less these days.

My carnival,depending on my mood begins next weekend with the Soca Monarch on Saturday,Jouvert and the Mardi Gras
This is a shot of Mardi Gras and yeah am in the picture but you have to figure out which one I am:)

Touching base to say all is well on the home front.My aunt is out of hospital and doing well.Am not doing so well..but that's how I react to illness when it's some one close to me.Let's just say it was a very emotional 4 days but we are going to be fine.It's gonna be more hectic with end of the school year and all that "good stuff".So,this is just my little note to say am alive and well.Will chat more when life gets back to some normality.

I will be away for a while taking care of some family obligations.Will check in when I can. Don't miss me too much,now:)

I know this day does not get as much "hype" as Mother's Day probably because in many instances the mother is the primary care giver.Then there are the absentee fathers who take little or no role in the upbringing of their children.As a consequence, many children grow up with out ever knowing the love or attention of a  father.

On the other hand there are excellent fathers who take an active role in the lives of their children.Kudos to them for taking their role seriously!  Happy Father's Day to all the fathers that pass by this blog and may you continue being the good fathers that you are.

You are at a function or walking down the street and someone comes up to you and starts a conversation.As the conversation progresses you realise that the person knows you.But try as you might you cannot put a name to the face or even remember where you met them.

Such was my fate yesterday afternoon as I was heading home.There were a group of young ladies standing at this pharmacy and I thought one looked vaguely familiar.As I passed by she called me by name and started a convo that left no doubt I knew her in some previous life.So am keeping my end of the conversation as general as possible and hoping she doesn't realise I really do not remember her.Then as we part ways,she says "we should really stay in touch".

And am thinking can my embarrasment get any worse because at this point I can't let on that am totally clueless as to who she is. Then your brain won't let go and hours after you are still trying feverishly to pull something out of the old memory box.Frustrating,ent it? If any of you had similiar experiences,how did you deal with them?

With those words Michael Jackson walked out of court a free man, or free from charges of child molestation. On the other hand he remains trapped in a world of self loathing that saw him mutilate his body and one where he refuses to grow up.

Although freed of legal charges the "victory" comes at a  price. Jackson, now has the daunting task of trying to pick up the pieces and rebuild his life away from the media portrayal of  him as a pedophile.Yet another chapter in a turbulent life.

Love him or hate him there is really no happy ending here.Pretty sad commentary for one  of the musical geniuses  of our time.Nothing else left to be said.

It is amazing how one and their friends can have drama over relatively simple things.My latest drama revolves around a cell phone and credit. I am at home minding my own business when my friend calls out to ask me if I have credit on my phone.Yes, I reply.Post Paid or Flex was the next question.Funny question was my immediate thought but nevertheless I answered.Anyway she asked if she could borrow my phone to leave a message for a friend.That's fine with me so I go get the phone and hand it over to her.

About 30 minutes later she returns with the phone busily trying to see the credit balance.When I look at the phone it cost me $ 6.00 for her to just leave a message and left me little over $ 1.00 remaining.Her excuse was that she was on hold while the other person went to do something.Of course it never dawned on her to hang up,assuming of course that her story is true.Then she decides to take the righteous approach simply because am not at all impressed by her explanation.

Anway,the story gets rewritten and I am cast as the villain which I find to be quite ironic.For my part am just thankful it wasn't post paid.But isn't it funny that sometimes you help persons and end up getting the worst end of the deal? Not that $6.00 is going to kill me but apparently it is too much to expect others to be considerate.

The St Vincent Football Federation has launched a benefit appeal for arguably one of the finest footballers produced by this country.Chang Jack, according to the Federation's release was released from his club Oldham,because injuries he sustained in this country's WC qualifying game vs Mexico prevented him from being available for his club duties.In an interview earlier this year Chang spoke of his frustration

"I damaged the medial ligament in my knee while on international duty with St Vincent for a World Cup qualifier against Mexico in October, and it has been an uphill struggle. The ligament seemed okay, but then I got another injury.Now I'm hoping to play in a reserve team game against Stockport County on Wednesday.After that I will be pushing to get my place back in the first team.I came to Oldham with high hopes and it has been a very frustrating time for me."

So the Federation is promoting the sale of Vincy Heat(SVG football team) shirts with all proceeds going to the now unemployed Chang Jack.I think its a commendable effort and a way of saying thanks to Chang for representing Vincyland well.Vincy people,go out and buy the shirts!

On another note this blog got its 10000th hit today-something I had predicted would happen approximately one year after I started.Well,I got there 2 months earlier than predicted so am celebrating my little milestone.

That was the theme of the National Education Rally held at the Arnos Vale Playing Field on Tuesday.Now,whether or not you are a fan of this country's government( and Dr Gonsalves in particular )credit must be given for the increased emphasis that is being placed on education.Since coming into office in 2001 the Govermnent has been creating avenues for more persons to access tertiary education and come this September all the children who sat the Common Entrance will be placed in secondary schools.Before I forget all students who gain 5 CXC passes-Maths or English must be one and 2 A level passes will get $500 EC compliments the Govt of SVG.I think I was born too early.

Now,the latter is by no means fool proof because God knows that some of the children are definitely not up to the standard and there is no remedial teaching available in the said secondary schools.But five years from now we will see how successful the experiment was,although I think more emphasis should be placed on the primary schools.

Having said that there was much to celebrate at the rally.We all know that the youths get a bad rap,some deservedly, but very rarely are they commended when they get it right.And a lot of them do get it right only to have the deviant ones grab the limelight.

So this blog salutes Shermalon Kirby and Halimah Deshong- 2004 valedictorians at UWI and Cave Hill respectively,Kamal Wood, 2004 top CXC student regionally,Sophia Young,Sancho Lyttle and Kennike Alexander for making a name for themselves in Basketball and Athletics,Geneille Greaves,Alston Bobb and Luke Browne for showing that cricket and higher education are not mutually exclusive,Kiokya for being Miss Digicel Rising star,Bomani,Kevin and all the other youngsters who are being the best that they can.May you all inspire your peers to keep on striving.

This day in Music ::.

Put your birth date and find out what was the no 1 song when you were born.It is supposed to be the theme of your life according to this friend who forwarded it.Mine is Good times by Chic(never heard of the song or artiste) and it definitely has not been the theme of my life.

New age Granny

I dunno if to laugh,cry or say good business sense Gran.

"Sixteen days ago I read an article that said smoking can kill you;

The next day I stopped smoking.

Twelve days ago, I read that too much red meat can
kill you;

The next day I stopped eating red meat.

Eight days ago, I read that drinking can kill you;

The next day I stopped drinking.

Yesterday, I read that having sex can kill you;

This morning I stopped reading."

by Jdid and Dorna,so here goes.

Total volume of music on my PC

Nada,Zilch,None.

The last CD I bought

Bridget Jones:The Edge of Reason.Bought it specifically for Minnie Riperton's Loving you and Marvin Gaye's Sexual Healing.Unfortunately,Marvin Gaye was not on it much to my disappointment but still I consider a good buy.

Song playing right now

Dance with my Father:Luther Vandross

Five songs I listen to a lot,or that mean a lot to me.(well there are much more than 5 songs I listen to a lot)

1.I believe I can fly:R Kelly.Means a lot to me because the message is of self belief which is not something I possess a great deal of.Now you all know something about me.

2.King of the DanceHall:Beenie man.Dunno why but I find myself listening to it a lot.
Pon bed pon floor against wall
We sex dem all till dem call mi
Im di girls dem sugar dats all
Welcome di king of di dancehall

3.Because you loved me:Celine Dion.Means a whole lot to me.Not only was it our graduation song but it describes how I feel about my aunt.

4.Every beat of my heart:Brian Mcknight

5.Pump me up:By the big bad Edwin Yearwood and Krosfyah

Am passing the baton to Nahmix,Devin and Swags

Just as I predicted Casynella Ollivierre was crowned Miss SVG 2005 on Saturday night at Victoria Park.In second place was Shanika Findlay who won best swimwear and tied with Casynella for best evening wear,third place went to Lakeisha Williams who also won best talent and fourth to Cassian King
.

Compared to previous years most patrons seemed satisfied with the results and there was an absence of the ugly scenes as persons showed displeasure at the results.Signs of maturity? I'd say definitely a step in the right direction. The talent section was more interesting than last year's and Lakeisha added a new twist by showcasing her disc jockey skills.Nelisa Rodriquez did a rendition of Kevin Lyttle's "Turn me on" in a jazz version which I thought was pretty interesting.The others did a mixture of drama,creative and popular dance.

One thing that always amuses me about beauty contests is the interview section.Prior to this segment the contestants would appear very poised and seemingly in control of the situation.But the moment the interviews begin they start to unravel before your eyes.So you are left wondering if they were underprepared or they are just dense.I am reminded of Paul Keens Douglas' parody on Beauty Shows where one of the contestants proudly declared that Trinidad and Tobago was discovered by Neal and Massey.Here is a section that carries thirty marks and some contestants answer in one sentence and in some cases wrongly.Makes me very interested in knowing how many marks they would have scored.Kudos to Danielle France for giving the best interview-the others were frankly substandard and in some case downright horrible.

Anyway,congrats to Casynella,make use of that UWI scholarship.