Gela!

New Blog Alert!

noreply@blogger.com (Gela) — Tue, 17 Oct 2006 00:11:00 +0000

Trafigura Beheer and PNP- Just another scandal

noreply@blogger.com (Gela) — Mon, 09 Oct 2006 02:05:00 +0000

I am gutted. I have never felt such disappointment, such shame, such anger over the People’s National Party (PNP). We are still waiting for Trafigura Beheer to elucidate on its statement that the $31million was in fact part of a ‘commercial agreement’ and not a donation towards the PNP’s election campaign as the party claimed.

Having watched several elections over the years and not participating, earlier this year I took steps to ensure that the coming election I would be able to exercise my franchise. I got myself enumerated. Even though I was not impressed with the PNP and certainly had no desire to see them in power for another 5 years, I was planning to vote for them. Not only did I not want Portia Simpson-Miller to be the PNP Prime Minister with the shortest tenure, I also allowed myself to believe that things would be better under her reign. It’s not even that I believed that she was going to be the panacea for all of Jamaica’s ills. Maybe it is that her fervent speeches about looking out for the poor seem more genuine than anyone else. Hell, maybe I was just desperate to believe that finally there’s someone who will make a difference.

I’ve always believed that a party that’s in power too long runs the risk of believing that they are entitled to this. I have seen evidence of this in the PNP before but never had it been so blatant as is now seen in the Trafigura Scandal.

Let’s assume that the PNP is telling the truth. Let’s assume that the the $31 million isn’t public funds but a donation to the party for its election campaign. Does the PNP really expect the Jamaican people to believe that there is nothing inappropriate in accepting a $31million donation from a foreign company that makes millions of dollars from having a business arrangement with the government. A business arrangement that involves a contract that is renewed automatically each year without tender? Are they so desperate to maintain their 17 year reign that they are willing to hide behind the argument that the arrangement is ‘not illegal’ even if it's highly questionable?. Where is the “larger assertion of moral strength and rectitude in our public and private sectors” that the Prime Minister prayed for during her inaugural speech? Oh my Lord, I actually believed!!!. Seems like it's the usual empty rhetoric that politicians like to utter. You know, I’d be willing to be persuaded by the government that a transaction that appears to be unethical even though quite legal, must be undertaken if the ends justify the means. But the ‘means’ can’t be political party funding! How about alleviating the poverty that plagues our lovely country?

It is so totally reprehensible that there are babies dying in Victoria Jubiliee Hospital because of the lack of proper equipment when it seems that the government just used $31million of the public’s money for electioneering. The country has been besetted over the past few months with long drawn out salary negotiations with public sector groupings, and suffered the inconvenience of industrial actions by these groupings, putting lives at risk and jeopardizing our tourism sector while nurses and police took industrial action. All this has been happening while the government chose to use $31million dollars of what now appears to be public funds to finance its campaign. I’m almost rendered inarticulate with disbelief and shock and outrage.

What gets me even more is the arrogance that has been displayed by the various members of the party, namely that triumvirate of A.J. Nicholson, Colin Campbell and Bobby Pickersgill. Imagine the temerity of these people seeking to chastise other bodies and cast aspersion on their objectiveness because these bodies dared to suggest that the matter underscored the need for proper procedures in place to deal with the matter of campaign financing. Talk about adding insult to injury. How dare them? How dare they once again undermine the trust that the Jamaican people invested in them?

The fact that we’re now hearing that Colin Campbell has resigned as a result has not made me feel better. He was not the only person involved in this subterfuge. The suggestion that he resigned because he had not advised the rest of the government about the true nature of the $31 million is not comforting to me. I never knew the day would come when I would say such harsh words about our new Prime Minister. But am I to believe that Prime Minister Portia Simpson had no idea whatsoever about the source of the funding? A conference to dwarf all previous conferences was being planned and as Prime Minister, she didn’t meet with the relevant parties and find out expected costs, and source of funding? It therefore means that if she’s ignorant of all that as they would have us believe, then she is not the right person to be Prime Minister. It means obviously she’s not capable of asking tough questions and therefore will not be able to prevent a recurrence of a similar situation.

Four days after the situation came to light, we have seen several members of the PNP stumbled over blatant lies after blatant lies trying to explain away the stench that the transaction generated but yet the Prime Minister has not yet addressed the nation on the matter.

Being the Head of a government is no child’s play and certain things cannot be delegated. She cannot expect to continue hiding behind her ministers when an issue of such a magnitude and significance abounds. Tossing out one member of the party in order to appease the public in the hope that its bid to win the next election is not derailed is nothing short of condescending.

In retrospect, it’s a good thing that I did go out and get myself enumerated. Now, I’ll be able to do something about it. I might be the only person in my card carrying PNP supporting family to vote against the party but that’s fine. I only hope others are able to put aside politics and do the same thing.

The world has gone crazy

noreply@blogger.com (Gela) — Fri, 06 Oct 2006 18:21:00 +0000

I just finished reading the news online and I'm convinced the world has gone crazy.

School killing now the norm, children not safe with adults (including relatives) anymore, people having sex with their own sex and animals, Old age pensioners and babies being raped, extremists flying planes into building, people walking in public dressed as the opposite sex, homosexual ordained ministers preaching the word of God, church ministers sexually assaulting children.

I can't make sense of the world anymore. I'm going to hide under a rock. Let me know when it's safe to come out.

Dying is darn expensive!

noreply@blogger.com (Gela) — Sun, 01 Oct 2006 17:47:00 +0000

What!!!! $85,000 for a cremation!!!

Now, I'm a practical person who've never believed in spending a lot of money on the dead. It makes no sense to me. There will other expenses that comes from being alive that will have to be dealt with even after you've lavishly sent off the loved one to the comforting arms of the Maker. It's fine if the deceased had made arrangement (and paid for it) while living. People are free to do whatever they wish with their money. When it's the living who will have to assume that financial burden it's another matter.

So I've been going around saying that I want to be cremated. I figure that with the absence of a casket, no need for a vault to be built funeral cost should be minimal. Right? I'm so darn wrong.

According to an article I just read in the Sunday Observer, it's just as expensive to die as to live. A basic cremation costs $85,000 while the one with frills can be up to $180,000. (US$1 =J$66)

I've said some other seemingly crazy things too. I mean them though. I've said that I'd like to donote my whichever of my organs that are still usable if they can extend/improve the life of someone else. Because really, if I'm already dead what use are they to me?

I don't know though if there's somewhere in Jamaica that will allow me to 'register' my 'offer'. I don't even know if such a facility exists.

Discouraged

noreply@blogger.com (Gela) — Fri, 22 Sep 2006 11:00:00 +0000

I feel discouraged. I haven't studied in three days. I feel discouraged. So I've just been sleeping, waking up in the night to study but watching tv instead.

I've been averaging 60-odd% in the questions that I've been working. That's no good because the passmark is 75%. If I don't finish everything by April next year, I'll lose the other two that I've already passed.

Exam is 2 months away and I don't feel comfortable about any of the subjects.

Maybe I should do one in November instead of two, do the other one in January. But jeez, I wanted to enjoy my December. Who wants to be studying throughout the xmas season? Plus I want to enjoy the three days of Jazz Festival in January. Also, I wanted to avoid the additional plane fare to travel to the USA to do the exams. Oh sh_t!

I'm so scared of failing.

Very scared.

Sigh.

How do we help them?

noreply@blogger.com (Gela) — Fri, 22 Sep 2006 03:01:00 +0000

On my way home today, I decided to stop by Island Grill for some festivals. Before I came out the vehicle I observed that a young fellow who seemed to be selling stuff had moved closer to my door. "Oh Lawd," I thought to myself, "can I get a break from these sellers/beggars?"

"Miss yu can buy a socks from me?" Just as I expected.

"Don't need any socks." Even though I'm tired of them all, the beggars, the windshield wipers, the sellers, I try not to show the annoyance that I feel at not being able to move around without being accosted by one of them.

"Yu can buy me a soup when yu go inside please?"

As a rule I don't give money to anyone on the street. I keep thinking that I don't want to encourage a bad habit, they're young and strong, they're going to use money to buy drugs. However, I'm a sucker for someone indicating that he/she is hungry. So I went inside and bought him a proper meal (chicken sandwich, fries & pepsi and chided myself for not getting him some soup to settle the gas). While I was inside another beggar came up and ask that I put some money on the coins that he had in his hands so he could buy something to eat. So I had to dole out some more money.

I've been wondering these past weeks though, been turning it around in my head, what's the solution? How do we deal with all these sellers-cum-beggars-cum-windshield wipers?

I'm thinking that we need some unskilled work for them because of course they have no training or education. On the surface our construction industry (one obvious source of unskilled work) seem to be booming. You can't drive two minutes without seeing some new apartment building, office building going up. The problem is we don't hear people within the construction industry complaining of a dearth of unskilled labour.

Maybe we should set up some skills training centres so that they can learn a skill (plumbing, tailoring, etc) and create their own employment. The private sector should fund these as its in everyone's interest to have less unemployed young men with too much time on their hands.

Did I single-handedly solve one of Jamaica's problems? I doubt it.

I do wonder though if any serious thought is given by the power-brokers to how to solve that problem.

I hate you Blogger!!!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Gela) — Thu, 21 Sep 2006 04:47:00 +0000

Oh bloody hell!!!! I hate you, you Blogger!!!!

I just did a long post, a really long one. For half hour I waxed lyrical on the subject that I was posting on, only to have the darn post disappear just as I was contemplating what what title I should give it.

Google, if you're reading this, Blogger needs to get a 'recovery' thingy. You know, similar to MS Word, Excel. Damn you Blogger.

I'm going to bed!!!! *storms off in disgust*

Inefficient bank service

noreply@blogger.com (Gela) — Mon, 11 Sep 2006 23:00:00 +0000

Some months ago I went into my bank to get a replacement ATM card since I couldn't locate the one I had. I was sure that I hadn't left it in the machine as usual but still couldn't find it. I got the new card and went home. Later that day when I tried to access my account online, I was having all sort of problems so I called up internet banking customer service people. They told me that the reason I couldn't get online was due to the fact that the I had a new ATM card (which had a different no. of course). So I thought, no problem, she could just fix that right there by me giving her the new number on the card to update her system. Wrong. She said it didn't work like that, the branch would have to contact them and advise them of the change.

Now why the dickans didn't the girl dealing with the replacement didn't say that, I thought irritably. Anyhow, I called the branch, they took the number and promised to deal with it promptly. A week later I tried to get online again. Still no access. Apparently the branch hadn't passed on the info to the internet banking people. I tried a month later. Same thing. Several months passed and during this time I called the branch several times. Each time they took the information and still no internet access. So I visited the branch, they wrote down the new atm #(aren't they supposed to have this info anyway?), promised to pass on the info. All this time, I'm still not able to access my account online.

So last Friday in a fit of rage, I went to the bank's website and typed the following message and sent it off.

Message: (Taken verbatim from the email they sent responding)
"What do I need to do? Who do I need to kill to get the bank to record the fact that I have received a new ATM card so that I can finally start accessing my account online again. It has been several damn months since I have received the card. Customer service rep. advised me that the branch will need to inform them (I can't do it myself!) so that they may update the system. I have requested the branch (New Kingston) to do this by phone (several times), I have gone into the branch itself to request that they do so and they recorded the information. Yet, I'm still unable to access my account online. So again I ask, what do I need to do, who do I need to stalk, in order to have access to my account online. Sheesh!!!

Let's see if this medium is any better!!!!

I got a call while I was at work today. It was a representative from the bank calling the advise that my request via the net has been dealt with and I am now able to access my account online.

Apparently you're not supposed to be polite all the while. I haven't confirmed that I can actually access account online as yet though.

Update: 20/Sept/06

Got in and clear voice mail message. Personnel from the bank calling again to assure me that I'm now able to access my account online and urging me to call if I encounter any problem. I still haven't checked as yet.

Nature

noreply@blogger.com (Gela) — Sun, 10 Sep 2006 20:19:00 +0000

Jamaica is beautiful. So very beautiful. I found myself thinking that (not the first time) as I drove along the road this afternoon. No. I wasn't on my way to or from the country. I wasn't driving through Portland with its lush country side nor was I driving on Spur Tree Hill where you can get the most spectacular view of practically all of Jamaica. I was just driving in good, ole, polluted Kingston.

Maybe because it was overcast and about to rain, but somehow the leaves just looked a little greener, the grass a little more lush. "Ahh, Beautiful," I found myself thinking as I drove along Barbican Road to that big store to see what household goodies they had to tempt me with.

It was a lovely afternoon too. There was a slight drizzle when I was driving back home, a light breeze. Just nice. I actually like when it rains. As long as I'm home with no where to go, it's fine. There's a comforting feel to the sound of heavy rain on your roof during the nights. If you have someone to snuggle up to, it's even better. I don't mind a hurricane every now and then either to stir up some excitement. Unfortunately I live in a country where even a 'mild' shower can cause severe distress to people who live in the more rural areas. I use to be so amazed when we get a regular shower of rain here in Kingston and then watch the news later on and see that houses were under-water, people washed away, while others were left homeless. I wondered how was that possible when it 'just barely rained'

So now, if I hear that a storm is on the horizon, I desperately wish it away like everyone else. I find that now, I even feel guilty if I am enjoying a light shower. As if I was the one who called it. Even while enjoying it, I'm wishing fervently that no one is too negatively affected.

Nature is lovely. Such a pity we don't always take the time to enjoy it. Sometimes in the morning, I hear birds singing outside my window. Absolutely lovely.

Election time again

noreply@blogger.com (Gela) — Tue, 05 Sep 2006 03:38:00 +0000

The politicians are at it again. Election is in the air and the politicians are reeling out the promises like there's no tomorrow. Who knows, there probably won't be any tomorrow for the loser.

I really haven't decided who I'm voting for yet. I'm tired of the PNP and their scandals but feel like I'd like to give Portia a chance to show what she has in store for the country. I'm not yet too impressed, but afterall it has only been six months .

I must confess too that I'm a more than a little curious to see how the JLP plan to execute all these changes that they have been promising. They have promised to roll back the Portmore Highway toll. They've also promised the country free education up to the secondary school level. How do they plan to finance all these I'd love to know.

Election should be anytime soon but of course we don't know the date yet. As our Prime Ministers are wont to do, the polls are being watched and it will be called at a time that's favourable to the party. The time is certainly not now as she's under seige by all these public sector groups demanding salary increases. That's another pet peeve. We need to have a fixed election date and eliminate the games involved in setting one. That way too there won't be need for an unnecessarily drawn out election campaign and the violence associated with it.

Watching the news as I write:

Living here in Kingston and being exposed to the more modern aspect of living in Jamaica, it is sometimes easy to forget that there are several areas of poverty in the country. Recently I mentioned to an expatriate that I worked with that he's not to be fooled by the 'good life' that's evidenced in New Kingston where we both worked because there are pockets of poverty in the country. Another co-worker who was listening insisted that it's the other way around, Jamaica is a poor country with pockets of wealth. Hmmm.

The reason I mention that conversation is this. I'm now watching the news and watching teachers plea for furniture for the students. The camera then focused on students sitting on metal chairs with a long ply board placed on them (I'm assuming because there's no seat where it should be). In 2006 watching the news, I'm watching parents plea for proper 'flush' toilets because the toddlers are in danger of falling into the 'pit' toilets that they have to use. In 2006.

Now those are isssues that need to be addressed by our politicians. Issues that will remain relevant even after the election.

Who do I vote for?

Jamaican terrorists

noreply@blogger.com (Gela) — Wed, 30 Aug 2006 00:26:00 +0000

It's 7:30pm and I'm lying in my living room, watching tv. I should be out of the house and at UWI but I'm tired. Damn tired of studying. I left work a little late today and got in about six bells. I told myself that I'm just going to rest for an hour because it's not a good idea to leave work and get straight into studying. I tell myself that I'm just chilling awhile to unwind so that my brain will be more receptive to what I'm going to put in. In reality I really just wanted to watch the two episodes of KING OF QUEENS that start at 6:00pm and ends at 7:00pm.

Then I tell myself that I have to stay and watch the 7:00 news on TVJ because it's always a good idea to know what's going on in the country. I know it's just finding excuse not to leave. It feels too good just lying here.

Oh Gosh, Iranian President just challenged Bush to a debate on World Issues. Everyday there's another standoff. I can't stand it.

Speaking of Bush, I can't believe that terrorist Sheikh Abdullah El Faisal is going to be deported to Jamaica. Lawdhaffmurcy on us. As if our gun-toting criminals aren't enough, now we have to worry about terrorist threats because we'll have our own soon to arrive, fresh from England, in-house terrorist. Why is it, when the wretched people leave our 'peaceful' isles and go else where and learn their wickedness and get caught, they end up back here. Double damn!!!! Our tourism sector has been benefiting from the terrorist action around the world because the caribbean is still seen as safe. With the caribbean now finalizing preparation to host World Cup Cricket in 2007 what better opportunity to hone the skills he learnt overseas.

And what's with these Jamaica-affiliated terrorists anyway? Before we could even digest the news that fast on the heels of 9/11 there was another plane-related terrorist attempt, we bombarded with the news that the 'Shoe Bomber' was Jamaican. Jamaican by means of a Jamaican father.

Ok, it's 7:54 pm, let me head for UWI. If I wait until 8:00 I might see something interesting about to start on tv.

An Efficient Jamaican Police Force Please?

noreply@blogger.com (Gela) — Fri, 25 Aug 2006 10:10:00 +0000

It is almost 3am but since I'm too worried to sleep I might as well blog. The most worrying thing about living in Jamaica right now is the crime situation. The events of tonight (or rather this morning) speak directly to that.

A little past midnight I was awaken by the persistent ringing of my phones. I checked the number and realized that it was one of my young relatives who was calling so I called her. Apparently, she had been trying to get her mother who had gone down to Montego Bay to visit relatives and wasn't getting through. Finally, at about midnight, her mother answered the phone and in a hushed tone, told her that she can't speak to her because someone was breaking into the house.

Apparently on reaching the house Montego Bay about 11pm, going through the gate with her daughter she was held up by some gunmen who demanded that they hand over their phones and money.

I have not been able to get the entire details but somehow they were allowed to go inside the house safely even though they had seen the faces of the gunmen. It would appear from the events that unfolded later that the gunmen returned to correct that error. The house is situated in one of those crime-ridden areas in Montego Bay so I really don't understand why they even decided to go to the house at that time of the night.

The gunmen returned to the house and made several attempts to gain entry. I was told that they seemed to be hammering the door with something in an attempt to break it down. During this time, my family huddled in terror in one of the rooms in the house. After it appeared that the men were about to gain entry, they started screaming for bloody murder at which point they men left.

After I spoke with my relative (who was apparently too distraught to think straight and call the police before even calling me) I called 119 and reported the situation. Now that whole situation of the police itself needs an entire post. I wonder about the training they receive, if they are coached on how to deal with the public (or their jobs in general), and the procedures/system in place to deal with calls to the emergency number.

The first person I spoke to was ok, asked all the right questions about address, phone number, etc. I called back to provide additional information about the address and was answered by apparently one of the minority that causes the police to get a bad reputation. After relating the situation again because he said he wasn't aware, didn't hear anything about it, I asked if he will be dispatching someone immediately. The man, quite insolently asked me what I thought he should do. Upon answering that I think he should dispatch someone forthwith, he asked "Well, why yu asking then?" and hung up. I thought my question was quite pertinent, since I've heard all these horror stories about calls to the emergency number. You hear of cases where on contacting the police people are told to call back later, no vehicle is available to go to the scene etc. I don't know how true this is but I've even heard of police upon being called, complained that the caller disturbed their viewing of a particular soap on tv.

Well, I called the police station that is nearby the house and spoke to someone who assured me that they were advised and someone had gone by the house. Now, if I explained that the family was holed up in one room, terrified and fearful that the criminals would return, why would the police just cruise past on the road instead of going to the house, looking around, speak to the occurpants to ensure that they were safe?

Jeez, as I said before, I really wonder about the training that they receive. Honestly. On calling back I was told that the patrol vehicle drove past by the house and didn't see anything. If the darn people are inside dead, what would they have seen, just cruising past. I shouldn't be the one to explain all this.

My father lived in Canada all my life. He had diabetis and quite frequently would go into a diabetic coma because sometimes he just didn't take his medication. In addition to hustling to Canada everytime my cousins call me frantically to advise that he's in the hospital, I'd call from Jamaica frequently just to check in. I remember calling one day and couldn't get in touch with him and had worked myself up to quite a state just worrying. I called my mother in the States. I don't know how this work but somehow she was able to contact the police in Canada (she said she called 911 from the States) who at 1:00am went to my father's house, and knocked him up and ensured that he was ok. Why can't I get that type of service here in Ja? People might say, well, that's a first world country, but shouldn't we be making strides in that direction?

I don't need to attend Police Academy to figure that if there are people distressed and fearful for their lives, I can't just cruise past in my patrol car, not see any obvious signs of distress and assume all is well.

Anyway, I insisted that they return to the house. They did, alerted my family that they were outside, looked around the house and ensured that no one was lurking in the vicinity, and promised to patrol the road.

The police is one of the public sector groups who are currently agitating for more pay. I have no quarrel with that, but can we the taxpayers who are funding the salaries see some good service for this. As I said before this really requires another post, but everytime I have cause to deal with the police I wonder is there any serious attempt to effect some changes?

Is this my first blog rant?

noreply@blogger.com (Gela) — Thu, 17 Aug 2006 23:22:00 +0000

I came across a blog called 'On the Verge' Well, I'm on the verge of doing something unpleasant. I feel like hauling some some old tyres and vehicles and blocking the road, walk up and down with placards until the government does something, I feel like starting another gas riot like the one we had here some years ago.

If I have to drive on my road for another week with all those craters (they can't be called potholes anymore) I'm going to do something very drastic. My road has been in that terrible state since Hurricane Ivan (back in 2004). There's not just one, there are several very deep potholes on the road, so I do a motorised version of hopscotch each day. I swear, the only reason I haven't disappeared in one of these craters so far is because I drive a big-ass truck. What galls me is this, every time there's some 'important' person visiting, whether it be the Pope, or the Queen or her relatives, roads that smoother than my balcony floor are overhauled and 'fixed' if the person is going to be driving on it for two seconds. Yet I can't get a decent road to drive on every darn day. It's enough having to deal with high gas prices, why do I have to deal with other unnecessary expenses that comes from driving on these bad roads. You know, the cost of shocks, suspension joints or whatever the hell is affected when your vehicle drops into one of them.

I'm trying to remember if any country that I've visited had holes these sizes or any at all. As a matter of fact, now that I think about it, I don't recall seeing potholes in the other caribbean islands that I visited. I pay my taxes, is it too much to ask for decent roads to drive on?

My rant is over.

More on language

noreply@blogger.com (Gela) — Mon, 14 Aug 2006 02:20:00 +0000

All this recent extended discourse, online and in the local papers about the value of the local dialect and how we can show that it's respectable and an accepted variation of the 'official' language without compromising our children's ability to become conversant with the English Language have me thinking in general about languages and how we communicate (That's quite a mouthful I know).

Is it right then for anyone to denigrate other country's equivalent of our patois? I'm just thinking about the way people communicate globally. If we (quite rightly) conclude that patois should be recognised for its cultural relevance and uniqueness, does anyone then has the right to degrade or speak disparagingly about other country's 'local speak' or variation to the 'official' language?

Just to illustrate my point - let's look at the USA. I know quite a few people regard 'american speak' as the way 'uneducated black americans' express themselves. Y'all (that's an example) know the kind of language that I'm referring to. Afterall some of us are guilty of using it at times. So 'aight'(all right) and 'yo' and 'ho' (whore) and expressions like 'his/her ass had better..........' should just be seen as another way of expressing oneself. Right?

Maybe we really shouldn't put anyone in a box based on how they speak. When you think about it, it really doesn't necessarily indicate level of education nor intelligence. Yet we're all guilty of doing that. I have bloggers in my blog-roll who blog predominantly in patois and they are all are all degreed professionals.

Personally, I alternate between standard english and patois depending on the situation because of the stereotype which I know exists. Example, if I have a complaint to make about the poor service of an organization and I demand to speak to the manager/CEO/Head of Department(as I'm wont to do) I know that the chance of me being referred to the head honcho depends on part how I sound. If I sound reasonable educated, manager will think 'Oh, she's at my level, she might be 'somebody' let me speak to her.' However, if I stop by the roadside to buy a coconut jelly from the goodly rastaman, I might say something "Whappen brethren, yu 'ave any cold jelly deh?" I do wonder now though, if that's not being condescending and just as stereo-typical as everyone else. Truth be told, I don't speak to the roadside rastaman like that because I have doubts of his intellectual capacity, I really do it because I love communicating in patois sometimes (it's quite liberating), I get a better response when I come across as being 'real' which might result in me procuring the product at a cheaper price :-)

We Jamaicans all know that telling a good Jamaican joke has to be done in patois in order to capture and relate the nuance and essence of it. Quite possibly, an American is able to do a rant more effectively in 'american speak' - we all therefore use language to our convenience.

So ah wha we fi do now?

noreply@blogger.com (Gela) — Thu, 10 Aug 2006 22:44:00 +0000

Uhm, ahem, at the risk of being stoned, villified and accused of all kinda bad things, let me ask what ah know dat plenty parents want to ask but not saying anything.

Ah just wondering, you know with this new surge of nationalism and renewed appreciation for de local vernacular in the wake of the passing of the iconic Miss Lou, uhm, when de pickney dem chat bad (beg pardon, ah mean use the local dialect), we nuffi badda correct dem and tell dem fi chat proper Henglish?

Not dat ah don't agree wid what everybody seh, ah tink dere really is a place for we dialect. When me was inna England studying fi mi Masters and haffi chat the Queen's English day in, day out, without a break because the english people and the student dem whose native language wasn't english wouldn't understand, mi happiest time was when mi sistren dem call and bawl out pon de phone "Gal, yu a study? Mek sure yu nuh fail, yu nuh!" What a nice reprieve me get when dem call. Yu wouldn't undastan how good that felt.

But ah just wondering now if we nuffi correct de pickney dem becausen seh ah notice how everybady, from uppa class to middle class to bottom ah de class, all de people dem who usually reprimand de pickney dem (er, ahm, ah kinda including meself in that bunch) to "speak properly", is wha wi mus tell dem seh now? especially the sensible-ish one whe hear we a laud we dialect?

Mi ago feel kinda cute, not to mention hypocritical telling mi God son (as ah usually do) dat him must speak proper when last week me and everybady in Jamaica and de diaspara was saying how is bi-lingual we bi-lingual. Me haffi go whispa tell him to chat good, cause mi nuh waan nubady tek mi hawn.

Jus' kinda wondering still how to proceed hence forth..........

What unnno tink?

Happy Independence Jamaica! A letter for you

noreply@blogger.com (Gela) — Mon, 07 Aug 2006 06:03:00 +0000

Happy Birthday dear Jamaica.

You're certainly getting on in age. Can't believe you're now 44! Wow! For a tiny island, you've made some serious strides boy (or are you a girl? hmm, I wonder). What I like about you is that you put so much energy into things that you get involved in and so you're relatively well-known. Unfortunately, you're known for the bad as well as the good. So yes, you've made your mark in the world of sports and you have the fastest man in the world now (Asafa Powell). You're known for the warmth and talent of your people, your beautiful beaches, and of course the pulsating reggae music. But you're also known for the notorious 'yardie' gangs, and drug mules. I guess I have to take the good with the bad, but it's really not nice being circled by sniffer dogs when I disembark from a plane coming directly from Jamaica. I don't get that treatment when I'm coming from another country. I remember while studying in England, my university mates from the other caribbean islands complained that everytime they tell someone (a non-West Indian) that they're from Trinidad, Barbados (or wherever they're from) the person would enthusiastically reply "Oh yes, I've been there. Isn't that the town next to Kingston?" I remember also while in England, during our independence celebration, BBC Tv did a week long feature on you. I remember feeling so proud, that big, big England rated us so much that an entire week was dedicated to us. It brought tears to my eyes and a big lump in my throat then.

But you know, I wish you'd grow up in other ways too. The other day I was online checking on your literacy rate and was shocked to see that it was among the lowest in the region. If I remember clearly it was like in the high 70's when everyone else seem to be in the 80's and 90's. And shouldn't your leaders get it together by now? Why is it that the people entrusted with your finances squander it so? You're too old to use that old, worn out excuse of 'youthful exuberance.' Why is it that you still do not have enough jobs so that more persons can live in a dignified manner-especially when they have invested much in education?

Oh, I don't know. You're probably going to say that I'm being hard on you - afterall even though you're no longer on the cusp of adulthood, you're still a small, small island. I know you're going to say that other big countries have similar problems. I guess I'm being like my mother. When I was a teenager and pointed out to her that the other parents were allowing their children(my friends) to go partying she'd say "I don't care about what they do, you're my child and I love you." So it's the same thing here, I complain because I care.

Anyway, let me not spoil your special day by giving you a lecture. Like the typical birthday celebration, you put aside the negatives and enjoy the party. Let me focus on the many things that I love about you, the things that I missed and dreamt about during the short period that I was away. The things that make you so very unique, things that us Jamaicans laugh about and say, only in Jamaica. Like the fact that I can pull up to a roadside vendor and get the sweetest jelly coconut in the world and probably some sugar cane to go with it. Or the fact that we turn anything into a profit making business - hence the rise of the 'rent-a-dread' that's so popular among white female tourists. There are so many things to love about you, the vibes, the energy, the language, the people.

Happy Birthday Jamaica.

Miserable

noreply@blogger.com (Gela) — Sat, 05 Aug 2006 02:23:00 +0000

So my blog is back from its wanders and I didn't have to do anything. I hope it noted how the other blogs didn't run off from home without a word, leaving their owners in distress :)

This is the long Independence holiday weekend and I should be thrilled at having several days of not being reporting to work. But that's not the case, spirits are very low. Just last week I was bubbling with anticipation of going to Reggae Sunsplash tomorrow. Now, I'm heeing and hawing and wondering if I should go. One part of me wants to go not just to see Beenie Man, and Junior Gong, Steel Pulse, UB40 and the rest, but also for the lyme. I wanted to see what the new Reggae Sunsplash is going to be like. Plus, I want to be at the first Sunsplash after its 10 years absence. Was also looking forward to climbing Dunns River Falls Sunday after Sunsplash, in addition to testing out my new swim skills outside of a 'swimming pool' environment.

A part of me wants to just vegetate in front of the tv, locked in my house for the whole weekend not speaking to anyone. It's just one of those days where even though I know I have loads of things to be thankful for, that fact is not comforting to me. I'm here, beseted with negative ruminations and introspection. It's one of those nights where I'm bothered by everything, the little guys at the stoplights begging coins (why are they on the streets fending for themselves instead of enjoying their childhood anyway?), why am I not eagerly running home to a loving husband and 4 children (being an only child I've always wanted a big family)? Why do I at this stage of my life feel like I want to go spread my easel by the waterfront and paint the sunset instead of doing the 9-5 routine, why do I want to now throw caution to the wind, give up the the safe and orthodox life and go audition for a play/movie? I wonder if this is mid-life crisis I'm going through. But isn't the 30's too early to be going through a mid-life crisis? Am I being impractical for not accepting the affection of my very patient suitor - he's been waiting 15 years without a sign that he'll be rewarded for his patience (he must be the last of the very patient type). Am I going to grow old alone? Ok, I won't be alone I know but aren't I going to have my own family? Am I being punished for wanting the person to be 'just so?' I'm not being too picky? Or am I? So these are the thoughts running through my mind now - is there any 'right' answer?

So, should I just sulk the long weekend away? Should I put on a happy face and go frolicking on the warm Ocho Rios beach after enjoying a night of pulsating reggae music, feasting on jerk chicken and boiled corn, imbibing the laughter of friends? Let me sleep on it.

Oh, there another grouse. Why can't I win the damn lottery anyway?

Blog gone for a 'walk'

noreply@blogger.com (Gela) — Fri, 04 Aug 2006 09:29:00 +0000

I don't know what's happening with my blog. Apparently I can create new post. I just don't get to view it. I haven't changed anything. I created a new post and went to view other blogs, then my blog decided to go for a 'walk' too. I wonder if it's also viewing other blogs.

TVJ News

noreply@blogger.com (Gela) — Thu, 03 Aug 2006 03:35:00 +0000

I think I should stop watching the news. I can't stand the disparity in how people are treated man. I was so touched by two reports during this evenings news.

Report 1: This poor man was on tv crying and recounting how he and his 12 year old son was in the market selling and in the evening his son went missing. This happened July 21st and he has been searching everywhere since then, not eating, not sleeping. The man was in so much pain. And of course again I was in tears too (yes, I'm an idiot like that). In addition to that, the man kept receiving these calls on his cell, with the caller not saying anything when the phone is answered. One such call was even received while he was being interviewed.

Report 2: This dreadlocks (should I say 'dreadlocked') man reported that police came by his house (not much of a house really) with a warrant and searched it, destroying everything in sight. After they were through and not finding anything, they proceeded to beat him with their guns, as well as administering kicks and boxes. When several people in the community came out and started protesting, police administered kicks and boxes to them too and shoved several of them in the police jeep. These poeple were later released without being charged.

Now as painful to me as these stories were, what hurt even more was that I didn't hear of anything being done. For the first story I didn't hear of police being involved in the search at all. I'm even thinking, dang! we're living in this technologically advanced world, certainly these calls can be traced. I'm very certain that such an attempt would have been made if other persons with 'better' social standing were involved.

For the second story, again I didn't hear of the disciplinary arm of the police looking into this alleged beating. Maybe I'm jumping to conclusion. Maybe the relevant investigations are being carried out. Maybe they just didn't publicise it, but forgive me if I'm a little skeptical because in other situation where it involves individuals who are at a higher level of the societal ladder, you hear of police and the relevant organizations falling over themselves to investigate the situation and you hear promises of no stones being left unturned until situation is sorted out.

Why is it that is no respect for the poorer people in society. I find all this so painful. Anyway, I looked up the number and called Jamaican for Justice to look into Report 2.

On a more positive note, and this shows the redeeming, beautiful side of our people. Last month, a young boy came on tv with his grandmother and pleaded for financial help, in order to do a surgery that will correct some paralysis of the spine (I think that's it). Well, I was so happy to see him walking out of the hospital after undergoing 9 hours of surgery. Thanks to the generousity of our people who watched the report and felt compelled to do something.

Emancipation Day

noreply@blogger.com (Gela) — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 20:27:00 +0000

It's Emancipation Day here in Jamaica. It's also a public holiday so no work, yeah. This holiday leads into Independance Day on August 6th (next week), also a public holiday. This period is also my favourite time of the year in Jamaica because that's the time we get back in touch with our culture and Ole Time Jamaica. So, it's a showcase of old time dancing like brukking, maypole dance, Dinki Mini and some others (names of which have slipped me just now). I love this time of the year because it brings back wonderful memories of childhood days. Memories of waking up to Eric Donaldson's 'Cherrio, cherrio baby' or 'I'll neva leave you again, Jamaica, I'll never leave you again' - was it Tinga Stewart who sang that? Memories of running out unto the main road with the rest of Kingston to watch the Jonkonooo dancers pass by on Independence morning. Now, these were people dressed into some frightening looking costumes and all children were terrified of them. They don't dance Independence days anymore, so it's only when you attend the different events during festival time that you might see them. It's the time of year when we're treated to festival songs of old (meaning from the 70's,) that sounds -to me - much nicer than the present types. Back in the days (Gosh, I'm sounding like my grandmother here) the festival songs had more of a mento beat. As a matter of fact the festival songs contest has been renamed Popular Song Contest, which makes sense since they sound like any regular song on radio and lacks that special element which to me makes it a festival song.

Because today is Emancipation Day, the usual fare of slavery movies is on tv. It matters not how many times I see these movies, and I've seen them all, it's the same movies every year, I still feel angry all over at the injustice of slavery. It's the same movies that are shown during Black History Month. Years ago, I would feel a strong sense of hate for all white people whenever I view these movies and believe me I'm not racist in the least. I'm watching Roots now, and listening to slaves referred to as "Wenches who will breed plenty picanninies" and "young Bucks" and it just grates my soul. Grrrrrr.

On another note, there is a plethora of programme about Miss Lou (who is to get a State funeral). And no, this isn't a second tribute to the great woman even though I could wax lyrical about her for a week. Last night there was another nice little programme with her performing one of her songs with her late husband, Eric Coverley. Well, I'm not quite sure if she was the one who wrote this one, but it's an old time favourite:

It was unda de Coconut tree darling
It was unda de coconut tree,
It was dere dat you promised to marry to me
It was unda de coconut tree. Darling.

It was so nostalgic for me and needless to say, I was in tears. Again. I laid propped up on some pillows in my living room, singing along, amidst the tears and for a brief minute, I imagined that I was 6 or 7 years old again watching Ring Ding on tv and singing along. Oh well. I half expected to hear her shout the usual "Clap Dem" when it was finished.

Oh Well, after Roots (don't know why I'm watching this again) I think I'll go check out Augus' Yard happening at Ranny Williams Centre. They'll be having the usual cultural stuff that I mentioned earlier, Maypole dancing, etc and food (Roast Corn, yum-yum), and later showcase dancing from the different periods of Jamaica - from Ska to our current Dance Hall.

Tribute to Miss Lou

noreply@blogger.com (Gela) — Sat, 29 Jul 2006 13:54:00 +0000

I've been trying to post on Miss Lou's death from I heard the news of her passing, but just could not find the right words. I wanted to write a Miss Lou type poem as a tribute, but alas I'm no poet. As someone who grew up in Jamaica in the 70's it feels like a personal loss. Every single Jamaican child who grew up during that time wanted to go on 'Ring Ding' on tv. I never did go, I think once, arrangements were made but fell through and I remember crying my heart out in disappointment. If a child was in the household it would be mandatory for tv to be on, on a Saturday - Was it midday that the programme came on then? I heard someone on Cool fm saying that they feel like a major part of their childhood has been lost because all the 'Ring Ding' tapes have been lost or erased. I quite understand the feeling. Fortunately though, while we may never be able to recapture those images of Miss Lou saying 'Clap dem' or telling about 'Auntie Roachie' on Ring Ding, we won't forget them because they're etched indelibly in our hearts. We'll also never forget that she inspired pride in our culture and most of all in the local vernacular. While it is accepted that it's important to be conversant with the English Language, the Jamaican patois will always have pride of place. Miss Lou made it acceptable to showcase it beyond our borders, and pave the way for other persons to earn a living from its usage.

As our foremost cultural icon, it feels appropriate that she passed on during the Jamaican festival celebrations when we're in the midst of celebrating our culture. It's especially eerie that she made her transition on the day the the JCDC had its annual SpeechFest, where children from across the nation normally recite the famed Louise Bennett poems. She said once in an interview that her greatest pleasure was hearing the little children recite one of her poems, putting their own spin to it. I like to think that she went off with a smile, with the sound of a child reciting ringing in her ears.

Miss Lou, I'll miss you, thanks for helping to create wonderful childhood memories, as our cultural ambassador and champion of the Jamaican patois, you did a wonderful job. As yu use to love say wen yu deh pon tv, 'Walk good', God bless yu mi chile, and Rest In Peace. We love you.

Non-Jamaican can read about the awesome Dr. the hon Louise Bennett-Coverly and see a sample of her poems here

Blogger Link UP

noreply@blogger.com (Gela) — Thu, 27 Jul 2006 10:22:00 +0000

I did the unthinkable. After much deliberating, doubts about the wisdom of it, I said what the hell and took the plunge. I thought, what's the worse that can happen? Well, I wasn't worried about being kidnapped or anything like that but I was concerned about being busted.

Yep, I went to the much touted blogger link-up here in Jamaica and met eleven other bloggers. Crazy, aren't I? At first I thought, maybe this is not a good idea. What contributes to blogging being so popular is the mystery element. So you know everything about the bloggee's life but that's fine since you don't know who the bloggee is. You have no idea that the respectable, bespectacled neighbor that you bid good morning each day is 'Man out of town' who likes freaky sex.

I wanted to be able to cuss, deride, criticise everyone who got on my wrong side without being confronted some time later about it or putting my job at risk. I wanted to mull about that guy who couldn't get it up regardless of what I did (no I haven't blogged about that yet) without contributing to the poor soul's embarassment. I thought that it was ok for MadBull and Abeni to be all gungho about it, afterall they don't live here. And so I pondered. What if *gasp* I meet up on someone who reported to me in the past, or an ex (or even present) boss. I don't even know which would be worse. My carefully crafted image of the of the confident, young professional would be shattered. The people who aren't my friends may know from a very frank post that I'm not always as self-assured as I like to project. Oh crap, forget this.

However, the bane of human's existence, a combination of curiousity and inquisitiveness triumphed. That same nosiness that cause me to spend countless hours every night reading about diverse lives of the authors of the different blogs that I frequent. My grandmother would say is 'fastness'.

So anyway I pried myself from the house telling myself that I'm just going for icecream by Devon House and depending on how I feel I'll pop in just to peep. While parking, I anxiously looked in and saw a largish group and wondered. Hmmm, they look quite decent from where I'm sitting in driver's seat and most importantly didn't see anyone I know. Ok, maybe I'll just go get a drink from the bar without them knowing who it is. Yeah, that's what I'm going to do. Maybe.

I approached the door, looking for Madbull and KingstonGirl who both have pictures on their sites. Dr.D had indicated that he might not be there so even though he also has a pic on his site, I wasn't looking for him. I paused at the door; I didn't see KG but wow, that handsome guy must be MadBull, he looked nicer in person :)

It was great folks, I put a face to some of the blogs I frequent. I won't mention everyone I meet for fear of leaving out someone. I was quite pleased to meet Francis whose blog got me started. I mentioned him in my very first blog.

I noticed however that I was the only female Jamaica blogger who turned up so I guess that says something about me. It's either, I have too much time on my hand and don't have much to do with it or that I'm just more inquisitive than the typical Jamaican female blogger. Take your pick.

You may curse if you're a Foreign Artiste

noreply@blogger.com (Gela) — Tue, 25 Jul 2006 01:55:00 +0000

I love my country, but damn if it isn't rife with hypocrisy!

Now, a group of really influential companies that are always sponsoring events (think Air J, Red Stripe, C&W, Digicel) formed a Coalition of Corporate Sponsors. Now this so-called coalition's main objective was to encourage/insist on some decency in dancehall events. Any artiste performing in an event that they sponsored was supposed to adhere to certain rules, observe certain code of conduct - no cursing, bashing of gays etc. Beenie Man and Bounti Killer had violated that at a carnival event and they were banned.

Now, can someone explain to me how is it that Fiddy (50c) performed at Reggae Sumfest last week, used a lot of foul language and I haven't heard peep out of anyone about it. Huh? Nada, Nil, zilch from the Corporate sponsors. Does the code only apply to local artistes? I wasn't there but I heard that Dancehall night which is traditionally the rawest night of all was like church service compared to when Fiddy performed.

Now don't get me wrong, I have nothing against Fiddy but what is good for the goose must be good for the gander. I'm not even necessarily against risque performances (I do love Lady Saw) but it's unfair to have separate rules.

My personal view is this, apply ratings to the different events just as there are rating to albums. Therefore, patrons know from beforehand that they are attending an xrated event. I'm not necessarily excited about the cursing during the performance, the occasional or odd expletive I can live with. However, I don't wan't to listen to any performance where the expletives are like punctuation marks. I can appreciate though, that not everyone feels the same way that I do.

We need to level the playing ground though.

Read some more on this here

Swimming, blogging and talent contests

noreply@blogger.com (Gela) — Tue, 18 Jul 2006 23:20:00 +0000

Blogging has become a past-time for me and hoardes of other people people all around the world and it's quite understandable why this is so. I discovered today that there have been cases of people being fired from their jobs because of this pursuit. Well, I found out about two so far. There's Queen of the Sky who was fired from Delta for posing in her uniform and there's Petite Anglaise, the English single mother living in France whose employer fired her for blogging on the job (well, that was the excuse that they gave). Now I know plenty of you are all going to be running scared. Should I think twice about using this medium to cuss out my boss or criticize my co-workers (even when they deserve it).

So is it a case of being no-holds-bar honest and risk being identified and face the consequences or have a no-personality blog that puts everyone (including the writer) to sleep. Censor yourself or be censured?

Rising Star:
Anyway, on the local (Jamaican) scene, just finished watching Rising Stars (Jamaican version of American Idol) and I was quite pleased with the talents on display. Hey at this rate, I'm going to go broke just voting. I have 6 persons that I just have to vote for today and they didn't even show all the competitors (Jeez, what's the right word? Competitors sounds sporty and contestants sounds like beauty queens).

Swimming:
I've taken 6 swimming lessons so far and already I feel discouraged. Now don't get me wrong, it isn't because I haven't seen any progress. It's just my impatience kicking in. It just seems like I have a long way to go before I can swim. When am I going to get to the stage where I can swim the length of the pool. I can't even swim the width without stopping at least three times to rest and breath (in the shallow part). So how on earth am I going to swim the whole length, bear in mind that I won't be able to stop to rest and breathe in the deep side. If only my Mother hadn't listened to my foolish Aunt who advised her to discontinue my swimming lessons while in Prep School because (Now get this people) I was still wetting my bed. Did she think I was soaking up the water in the pool?

Proper way to eat ice-cream

noreply@blogger.com (Gela) — Sat, 15 Jul 2006 03:22:00 +0000

Man. This is the life. Eating ice-cream and muffins while reading blogs. (Said the person with not much of a life :)

By the way, I take it y'all know the proper way to eat ice-cream? Ok, for the unenlightened. Put the ice-cream in the microwave for a few seconds so it's nice and soft. Then, crush some Excelsior (known to us Jamaicans as 'tough crackers') crackers and mix in it so it's nice and slurpy.

Hmmm, deeelicious :)