Thursday, June 25, 2009
RIP MJ
This morning I was in the bank and saw Farrah Fawcett's death being announced. It was not surprising as I knew she was losing her battle with cancer. This evening I turned on the television to see the shocking news that Michael Jackson had died.
MJ made beautiful music and was one of the most talented entertainers ever. From Ben to We are the World, Beat it, Billie Jean, Man in the Mirror he was really the Thriller. With his glove and magical foot work MJ was a man that loomed larger than life. Despite all his fame and the world at his feet he was a tortured soul. We watched him experiment with plastic surgery until his face became a caricature of the young handsome face we saw in his youth.
We watched with confusion as his behaviour became bizarre-walking with a veil on his face,turning himself into Peter Pan and the infamous sleepovers. We got angry with our Prince for hating his black skin and some forgave(even though they weren't sure if it was true) when the news reported he suffered from a skin disease. We made jokes on him but we always respected the music and gloried in the the chart topping feats.
It just doesn't feel right that MJ is no longer with us. I feel bad and I am not even the person who gets bent out of shape by celebrities. I am just shocked. Finally, some peace though for the King of Pop. RIP MJ, the music will live on.
MJ made beautiful music and was one of the most talented entertainers ever. From Ben to We are the World, Beat it, Billie Jean, Man in the Mirror he was really the Thriller. With his glove and magical foot work MJ was a man that loomed larger than life. Despite all his fame and the world at his feet he was a tortured soul. We watched him experiment with plastic surgery until his face became a caricature of the young handsome face we saw in his youth.
We watched with confusion as his behaviour became bizarre-walking with a veil on his face,turning himself into Peter Pan and the infamous sleepovers. We got angry with our Prince for hating his black skin and some forgave(even though they weren't sure if it was true) when the news reported he suffered from a skin disease. We made jokes on him but we always respected the music and gloried in the the chart topping feats.
It just doesn't feel right that MJ is no longer with us. I feel bad and I am not even the person who gets bent out of shape by celebrities. I am just shocked. Finally, some peace though for the King of Pop. RIP MJ, the music will live on.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Silence is not always golden
How many of us grew up hearing "Silence is golden" or that "silence gives consent"? For the past couple weeks, after hearing some horror stories I have had reason to question the wisdom about the first statement. While I agree that there are times when silence is necessary there are some situations where silence is harmful.
Therefore, I want to tell the children who are being sexually abused that silence is not golden. In this instance the silence may very well be mistaken as consent by the sickos. In fact while it may be golden for the abuser it will trap you in a well of despair and self loathing. I know you may worry about getting daddy, uncle, big brother,older cousin or the family friend in trouble but speak you must. Parents,guardians,other adults please do not dismiss the children's stories as lies. Take time to find the truth and then get help for the little ones.Children,it's not your job to protect adults moreso those who have robbed you of your innocence and left countless scars on your being. Your job is simply to be a child.
All is not lost. You are still precious. There could be light at the end of the tunnel but you have to speak.
Therefore, I want to tell the children who are being sexually abused that silence is not golden. In this instance the silence may very well be mistaken as consent by the sickos. In fact while it may be golden for the abuser it will trap you in a well of despair and self loathing. I know you may worry about getting daddy, uncle, big brother,older cousin or the family friend in trouble but speak you must. Parents,guardians,other adults please do not dismiss the children's stories as lies. Take time to find the truth and then get help for the little ones.Children,it's not your job to protect adults moreso those who have robbed you of your innocence and left countless scars on your being. Your job is simply to be a child.
All is not lost. You are still precious. There could be light at the end of the tunnel but you have to speak.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
2020
Twenty 20, are you ready? Not the Stanford version but the ICC's. Despite having lost my enthusiasm for West Indies cricket and being unable to watch many of the games, the tournament is at an interesting juncture.
With West Indies one win away from a finals berth it is inevitable that thoughts of lifting the trophy are taking centre stage. History is also on The West Indies side since the team has won its two World Cups and the ICC Champion Trophy on English soil. South Africa looks as awesome as they did ten years ago in England. Despite looking like champions they faltered at the semi finals and could only watch as Australia lifted the 1999 Cricket World Cup.
Will the West Indies make it trophy number 4 in England? Or, will South Africa lose the choker tag and remain unbeaten? Or will Sri Lanka and Pakistan steal the show and create their own history. So many questions but come June 21st all will be answered.
Update. Poor South Africa,faltering yet again at semi final stage.
With West Indies one win away from a finals berth it is inevitable that thoughts of lifting the trophy are taking centre stage. History is also on The West Indies side since the team has won its two World Cups and the ICC Champion Trophy on English soil. South Africa looks as awesome as they did ten years ago in England. Despite looking like champions they faltered at the semi finals and could only watch as Australia lifted the 1999 Cricket World Cup.
Will the West Indies make it trophy number 4 in England? Or, will South Africa lose the choker tag and remain unbeaten? Or will Sri Lanka and Pakistan steal the show and create their own history. So many questions but come June 21st all will be answered.
Update. Poor South Africa,faltering yet again at semi final stage.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Carnival virus
This H1N1 virus really got a weird sense of humour. Imagine Vincy Mas is practically here and people gearing up for fun in the July sun only to hear the virus done reach Caribbean shores. In hindsight, I won't have minded if there was a quarantine during Miss SVG show cos not only would I be $30 richer but my time would have been better spent elsewhere. Instead, to put it mildly I had to suffer through a borefest.
Anyway, I am sure it is not not just Vincies grumbling under their breath because something tells me that the Bajans, Antiguans, Grenadians and all them other islands priming up for carnival not too happy. Now, when the unknown man try to teef a wine you have to wonder if he infecting you with more than alcoholic breath and sour body odour. Y'all know the type, right?
H1N1 probably does not know that carnivals and masks go hand in hand so the last laugh will be ours. So you know what, we going to do like New Orleans and create some fancy masks. No bland surgical masks for us at all, ours will be ultra modern whilst offering maximum protection. Yes, we shall party in style cos after all no rain, storm , H1N1 or any animal flu stopping the carnival.
Anyway, I am sure it is not not just Vincies grumbling under their breath because something tells me that the Bajans, Antiguans, Grenadians and all them other islands priming up for carnival not too happy. Now, when the unknown man try to teef a wine you have to wonder if he infecting you with more than alcoholic breath and sour body odour. Y'all know the type, right?
H1N1 probably does not know that carnivals and masks go hand in hand so the last laugh will be ours. So you know what, we going to do like New Orleans and create some fancy masks. No bland surgical masks for us at all, ours will be ultra modern whilst offering maximum protection. Yes, we shall party in style cos after all no rain, storm , H1N1 or any animal flu stopping the carnival.
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
Keep Shop open
This is a must read.(Got in my inbox today) Hilarious!! But True!
If you are unmarried, store this as info to use when you do get married. For the married please share with your spouse.
MANY sisters have boasted in my presence of how often they have had to 'lock shop' early, or how they lock shop for weeks, sometimes months, in order to teach hubby a lesson or just to spite him. These sisters are of the impression that they can do as they please, because they have the shop keys. As a result, they lock shop for every little thing, without giving consideration to the 'shopper'.
There are exceptions to every rule, and opinions will sometimes differ. However, where shop-locking is concerned, my philosophy is that shop should remain open at all times. I agree that teeth and tongue will meet, but shop-locking should never be used as a weapon or tool in conflict resolution. Couples should find suitable ways to solve problems.
It is a fact that not all 'shops' have a common closing time. As a matter of fact when one shop door closes, another is usually right around the corner with a big neon sign that blinks 'OPEN FOR BUSINESS'. Be wary of shops that are open late! The goods they stock are usually illegal, contaminated or expired. Ladies, if you or hubby should get sick or go to an early grave, let it not be due to consumption of tainted goods from another woman's shop.
Shop-locking adds fuel to fire in most cases. Women should never be fooled into believing that by putting up a 'CLOSED' sign on the shop door they are on their way to problem solving. Women, a hungry man will not allow himself to starve to death. Some will stop at nothing in their quest to satisfy their seemingly insatiable hunger. They will accept anything, whether hot and spicy or cold and icy. Some men will eat food not for taste, but for mere survival. They eat to live, to satisfy a need. That, my friends, is the nature of man.
When shop locks, who suffers more? In reality isn't it the shopkeeper more than the shopper? Sisters, please, I implore you, learn from the immigrants who come and set up shop on our soil, and keep shop open. Stop closing shop for every little thing. Open shop in shop seasons. Open shop on holidays. Open shop late at nights. Open shop during storm and hurricane. Open shop when shop should be open.
Even the well-bred man who eats out and scrupulously cleans his hands and mouth will bring home even a morsel from his street meal. Visualise what could happen when shop reopens for business as usual and some of his contaminated crumbs fall onto your plate. Imagine that you would have contributed to this scenario by locking shop. A word to the wise is sufficient!
Jacqueline Champier has an MSc in counselling and psychology and writes from Mandeville Jamaica
If you are unmarried, store this as info to use when you do get married. For the married please share with your spouse.
MANY sisters have boasted in my presence of how often they have had to 'lock shop' early, or how they lock shop for weeks, sometimes months, in order to teach hubby a lesson or just to spite him. These sisters are of the impression that they can do as they please, because they have the shop keys. As a result, they lock shop for every little thing, without giving consideration to the 'shopper'.
There are exceptions to every rule, and opinions will sometimes differ. However, where shop-locking is concerned, my philosophy is that shop should remain open at all times. I agree that teeth and tongue will meet, but shop-locking should never be used as a weapon or tool in conflict resolution. Couples should find suitable ways to solve problems.
It is a fact that not all 'shops' have a common closing time. As a matter of fact when one shop door closes, another is usually right around the corner with a big neon sign that blinks 'OPEN FOR BUSINESS'. Be wary of shops that are open late! The goods they stock are usually illegal, contaminated or expired. Ladies, if you or hubby should get sick or go to an early grave, let it not be due to consumption of tainted goods from another woman's shop.
Shop-locking adds fuel to fire in most cases. Women should never be fooled into believing that by putting up a 'CLOSED' sign on the shop door they are on their way to problem solving. Women, a hungry man will not allow himself to starve to death. Some will stop at nothing in their quest to satisfy their seemingly insatiable hunger. They will accept anything, whether hot and spicy or cold and icy. Some men will eat food not for taste, but for mere survival. They eat to live, to satisfy a need. That, my friends, is the nature of man.
When shop locks, who suffers more? In reality isn't it the shopkeeper more than the shopper? Sisters, please, I implore you, learn from the immigrants who come and set up shop on our soil, and keep shop open. Stop closing shop for every little thing. Open shop in shop seasons. Open shop on holidays. Open shop late at nights. Open shop during storm and hurricane. Open shop when shop should be open.
Even the well-bred man who eats out and scrupulously cleans his hands and mouth will bring home even a morsel from his street meal. Visualise what could happen when shop reopens for business as usual and some of his contaminated crumbs fall onto your plate. Imagine that you would have contributed to this scenario by locking shop. A word to the wise is sufficient!
Jacqueline Champier has an MSc in counselling and psychology and writes from Mandeville Jamaica
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
Disappearing Post Offices
About two weeks ago I read in one of the local newspapers that soon several local post offices would be closed. This is due to the fact that the Government is finding it not feasible to maintain them given the diminishing usage and low returns.
Growing up, it was common to hear my Granny marvel at how things had changed from her childhood to adulthood. Who knew in my relatively short life the landscape as I knew it would be changing so rapidly. As a child, being sent to the Post Office was a common feature in my life and one that I looked forward to. Among other things it was an opportunity to meet up with friends and play games whilst waiting for the usually yellow mail van to show up. As you grew older it was no longer games but chatter about boys, music, fashion and whatever else was of interest to the teen mind.
Then there was the excitement when the mailvan appeared. Those of us not yet in the vicinity would race to the Post Office just to make sure you were there before the postmistress opened the mailbag. We would all crowd into the Post Office and watch as the postmistress handed over her bag of outgoing mail and collected the incoming mail from the driver. She(it was never a he) would then go through the ritual of breaking the seal(somehow I remember matches and wax) and empty the contents on the desk.
After this, names of the mail recipients would be called to which those of us on the receiving end would shout "yes". The Postmistress always knew which child belonged to which family and so there was no risk of delivering mail to the wrong hands. We would then make the walk back home carefully holding the precious letter and making plans to meet up again.
Now the Postmistress seems destined to be no longer a person in our neighbourhood. Instead she has been replaced not only by the email but Western Union and Moneygram as well. Gone are the days when a trip to the Post Office meant dreams of crisp notes. However, for many of us the memories still live on.
Growing up, it was common to hear my Granny marvel at how things had changed from her childhood to adulthood. Who knew in my relatively short life the landscape as I knew it would be changing so rapidly. As a child, being sent to the Post Office was a common feature in my life and one that I looked forward to. Among other things it was an opportunity to meet up with friends and play games whilst waiting for the usually yellow mail van to show up. As you grew older it was no longer games but chatter about boys, music, fashion and whatever else was of interest to the teen mind.
Then there was the excitement when the mailvan appeared. Those of us not yet in the vicinity would race to the Post Office just to make sure you were there before the postmistress opened the mailbag. We would all crowd into the Post Office and watch as the postmistress handed over her bag of outgoing mail and collected the incoming mail from the driver. She(it was never a he) would then go through the ritual of breaking the seal(somehow I remember matches and wax) and empty the contents on the desk.
After this, names of the mail recipients would be called to which those of us on the receiving end would shout "yes". The Postmistress always knew which child belonged to which family and so there was no risk of delivering mail to the wrong hands. We would then make the walk back home carefully holding the precious letter and making plans to meet up again.
Now the Postmistress seems destined to be no longer a person in our neighbourhood. Instead she has been replaced not only by the email but Western Union and Moneygram as well. Gone are the days when a trip to the Post Office meant dreams of crisp notes. However, for many of us the memories still live on.
