Brian Lara the Greatest
Brian Lara is not the best captain, teammate or motivator - but he is the best batsman of this generation, inclusive of Sachin Tendulkar. I wish I could have stayed awake as I only got to see the last 50 of what was appararently an absolutely brilliant double century - 202*, his 8th test double century (only Bradman has more, 12) and that leaves him 13 behind Aussie Allan Border as the leading run scorer of all time!!
Lara has been associated with both the best and worst of West Indies cricket - he will end up having the most test runs but also the most test losses of any captain in history.
I personally feel very privileged to have been able to watch many moments of Lara's absolute brilliance, we have truly seen one of the greatest batsmen to EVER play the game and I for one will be a proud purchaser of the 'Best of Brian Lara DVD' with the ability to say, I saw that!
Congrats B.C. Lara!!
Its been a long, kinda tough week at work basically trying to catch up with whats been going on...
I've finished couple of the books I spoke about earlier - and I've picked up another two - The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell and Che Guevara: A Revolutionary Life by Jon Lee Anderson.
Unfortunately I can't give you a book review other than to tell you that I strongly recommend the book "What they don't teach you at Harvard business school" - it does have important information that you only wish more people had straight from birth.
I'll share with you some of the things I've been reading (other than work) - Yes I know, I need to get a life...
I believe we all possess the power to eventually develop telepathic communication - I sometimes find talking laborious, but in the mean time read about some new findings about 'reading minds'
here.
For anyone out there who is running a business, or just wants to know ANYTHING about management, find a book by
Peter Drucker. He died recently, and its a good time to re-read some of his writings...
Two recent things I've read in the Star. First, and most recently, this
bittersweet story about a man who risked his life to save another - I wonder how many politicians will attend his funeral or how much fireworks might accompany the great mourning at his death.
Or is it that we worship a different species of person, one who can lay claim to any one of seven houses, eighty-one vehicles and countless other material things in addition to 'supporting' the community. This
commentary is dead-on and there are so many different sectors than can be blamed, but none more than ourselves...
If anyone wanted to know my thoughts on 9/11, read
here.
And last, but not least, I'm a big fan of useless knowledge - you never know when it comes in handy, so read some
here.
The Full Moon
I love to look at the night sky, especially when its a full moon and I can see many stars. In fact, when I was at my undergraduate school in Philly I had to take a science class and I chose astronomy... unfortunately, I was in engineering school so I ended up doing more calculations that anything else, BUT we did get one session on the telescope and that was unforgettable. I saw the rings of Saturn in fine detail! I eventually bought my own telescope but I think I paid US$29.99 for it so you know how much purpose it served!
I still enjoy looking at the sky without the periscope but its also kinda fun to know what you looking at... for those who can see the night sky clearly tonight, you'll see Mars getting a little cosy with the moon! Fascinating stuff, I like to follow it using this programme... And by the way, the nightsky in Negril is always sparkling, another reason for me to head west!
So Jah Seh
How do u get psyched to do an exam? interview? ask for a raise or promotion? resign?? Ever since about 4th form, I used to listen to music as inspiration to tackle life's major academic and work related crises... but definitely the last song I listen to before shutting down and heading towards my task is So Jah Seh, off the Natty Dread album. The lyrics reveal why its such a great motivator so I will leave them for you to ponder...
Bob Marley Lyrics So Jah Seh Lyrics
So Jah seh,
Not one of my seeds
Shall sit on the sidewalk
And beg bread.
(No, they can't and you know that they won't!)
So Jah seh,
Not one of my seeds
Shall sit on the sidewalk
And beg your bread.
(No, they can't and you know that they won't!)
And verily, verily, I'm saying unto the I,
Inite oneself and love Imanity.'
'Cause puss and dog they get together:
What's wrong with loving one another?
Puss and dog they get together:
What's wrong with you my brother?
So Jah seh,
Ye are the sheep of my pasture;
So verily, thou shall be very well.
So Jah seh - yeah! -
Ye are the sheep of my pasture;
So verily, thou shall be very well, yeah!
And down here in the ghetto,
And down here we suffer.
But I'n'I a-hang on in there
And I'n'I, I naw leggo;
I'n'I a-hang on in there
and I'n'I, I naw leggo.
For so Jah seh - yeah! -
I'm gone to prepare a place,
That where I am thou shall abide, yeah!
So Jah seh,
Fear not for mighty dread,
'Cause I'll be there at your side.
And - and down there - down there in the ghetto -
And down there we suffer
But I'n'I a-hang on in there
And I'n'I, I naw leggo.
But I'n'I a-hang on in there
And I'n'I, I naw leggo;
- So Jah seh.
Golf Courses
I drove up to Manor Park (Kingston 8) today for the first time in months. While passing the Constant Spring Golf Course, I noticed how green the greens were, and how manicured the fairways, and saw quite a few persons playing. All this is to say, that in the midst of poverty and crime there is a beautiful oasis in a central part of the city suburbs. But then, the real question is why does this tribute to wealth exist right here in Kingston? I guess you can call it the suburbs, but a 1.3 mile golf course? What about building some housing?
The real answer is that the Golf Course is owned by the National Water Commission and is protected as a watershed area. As a result, there are few other uses for it, so a golf course is a good idea, especially for the existing home owners as it only serves to increase the value of properties adjoining the course - hence the highly valued Norbrook and Manor Park areas. My problem, however, is in a city starved of open green spaces and beautiful parks for walking or relaxing, or evening a picnic - why is there an amenity which only a few of us can afford to participate in... Please don't get me wrong, I am definitely not hating on golf, but I believe it is a highly inappropriate for public lands!
Most will argue that we Jamaicans don't really like parks and that the fees generated by the golf course takes care of keeping the place pretty and land values high. However, as the experience of large crowds at Emancipation Park shows, we are starving for open spaces to chill! Something we are very good at... Unfortunately, critics will point to Hope Zoo and Hope Gardens as failures of the public park system - and they would be justified in doing so - I can only imagined how spectacular they were at the heights of their popularity!
I say: turn the Golf Course into a pay park, open to all members of the public for a small fee. This solution would have to be closely examined from both a financial and political point of view. Who believes that uptown kingston would facilitate such a change?? And lose their playground?? If you've ever been down Spanish Town Road (the Payneland, Tivoli wing, not the Red Stripe, Toyota Jamaica side of 3 miles) then u've seen places in dire need of greenery. I think the easiest part of the revitalization of downtown is to destroy some of the derelict buildings and turn them into nice green spaces.
Ahh well, we can only dream...
TGIF...
How about a nice sunset to end my first week of work... All in all, I'm glad to be doing stuff again and not home watching the tele, I am very grateful for my opportunity and will strive to make the best of it...
I received some cassettes yesterday from a brederin' of mine - about 10 dances, clashes and juggling from 1994 to 1996 including Stone Love (WeePow, Rory, Geefus, Billy Slaughter), Travelers (Boxer, Juxie Killa, Malcolm X), Kilamanjaro (Ricky Troopa), Renaissance (all have one wid Wendy Bell wid Kid Kurup! - I don't have it on mp3) and King Addies (Matterhorn and Babyface)... Brought me back to the Countryside Club days and the uptown invasion of the 3-sound dance: Stone Love, Travelers, Renaissance - every dance! Had lots of fun though, and I still remembered some of the dubs word for word! Nice reminiscing wid you...
Hmmm, mi nuh know...
| Your Birthdate: June 30 |
You have the type of personality that people either love or hate.
You're opinionated, dramatic, intense, and very outspoken.
And some people can't get enough of you - they're totally addicted.
Others, well, they wish you were a little more reserved.
Your strength: Your flair
Your weakness: If you think it, you say it
Your power color: Scarlet red
Your power symbol: Inverted triangle
Your power month: March |
Hmmmm....
| Your Heart Is Pink |
In relationships, you like to play innocent - even though you aren't.
Each time you fall in love, it's like falling for the first time.
Your flirting style: Coy
Your lucky first date: Picnic in the park
Your dream lover: Is both caring and dominant
What you bring to relationships: Romance |
Bob Marley - Bad Card
Dem a-go tired fe see me face;
Can't get me out of the race.
Oh, man, you said I'm in your place
And then you draw bad cyard -
A-make you draw bad cyard,
And then you draw bad cyard.
Propaganda spreading over my name;
Say you wanna bring another life to shame.
Oh, man, you just a-playing a game
And then you draw bad cyard (draw bad cyard);
A-make you draw bad cyard (draw bad cyard);
A-make you draw bad cyard.
I want to disturb my neighbour,
'Cause I'm feelin' so right;
I want to turn up my disco,
Blow them to full watts tonight, eh! -
In a rub-a-dub style, in a rub-a-dub style,
In a rub-a-dub style, in a rub-a-dub style.
'Cause we guarding the palace so majestic;
Guarding the palace so realistic!
Them a-go tired to see we face (oh yeah!),
Me say them can't get we out of the race;
Oh, man, it's just a big disgrace.
The way you draw bad cyard (draw bad cyard);
The way you make wrong moves (make wrong moves);
The way you draw bad cyard (draw bad cyard);
A-make you draw bad cyard (draw bad cyard);
A-make you draw bad cyard -
In a rub-a-dub style, rub-a-dub style,
In a rub-a-dub style - [fadeout]
I started work yesterday
in downtown Kingston. The area I am in is like an oasis in the middle of the desert (or the deserted area, whichever way you think about downtown). However, there are always things
happening around you of which you must be aware...
These two communities are within a stones throw from here, yet I do not feel unsafe in the least. I really don't have anything doing yet, so I'm jus' twiddlin my thumbs for now. However, when I do get started don't be surprised if you don't hear from me for a little while, I'm not very good at multitasking...
Fun Stuff - Courtesy of deeb
In the 1400's a law was set forth that a man was not allowed to beat his
wife with a stick no thicker than his thumb. Hence we have "the rule of
thumb"
The first couple to be shown in bed together on prime time TV were Fred and
Wilma Flintstone.
Every day more money is printed for Monopoly than the US Treasury.
Men can read smaller print than women can; women can hear better.
Coca-Cola was originally green.
It is impossible to lick your elbow.
The State with the highest percentage of people who walk to work: Alaska
The percentage of Africa that is wilderness: 28% (now get this...)
The percentage of North America that is wilderness: 38%
The cost of raising a medium-size dog to the age of eleven: $6,400
The average number of people airborne over the US any given hour: 61,000
Intelligent people have more zinc and copper in their hair.
The first novel ever written on a typewriter: Tom Sawyer.
The San Francisco Cable cars are the only mobile National Monuments.
Each king in a deck of playing cards represents a great king from history:
Spades - King David
Hearts - Charlemagne
Clubs -Alexander, the Great
Diamonds - Julius Caesar
111,111,111 x 111,111,111 = 12,345,678,987,654,321
If a statue in the park of a person on a horse has both front legs in the
air, the person died in battle. If the horse has one front leg in the air
the person died as a result of wounds received in battle. If the horse has
all four legs on the ground, the person died of natural causes.
Only two people signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, John
Hancock and Charles Thomson. Most of the rest signed on August 2, but the
last signature wasn't added until 5 years later.
Q. Half of all Americans live within 50 miles of what?
A. Their birthplace
Q. Most boat owners name their boats. What is the most popular boat name
requested?
A. Obsession
Q. If you were to spell out numbers, how far would you have to go until you
would find the letter "A"?
A. One thousand
Q. What do bulletproof vests, fire escapes, windshield wipers, and laser
printers all have in common?
A. All invented by women.
Q. What is the only food that doesn't spoil?
A. Honey
Q. Which day are there more collect calls than any other day of the year?
A. Father's Day
In Shakespeare's time, mattresses were secured on bed frames by ropes. When
you pulled on the ropes the mattress tightened, making the bed firmer to
sleep on. Hence the phrase......... "goodnight, sleep tight."
It was the accepted practice in Babylon 4,000 years ago that for a month
after the wedding, the bride's father would supply his son-in-law with all
the mead he could drink. Mead is a honey beer and because their calendar was
lunar based, this period was called the honey month . which we know today as
the honeymoon.
In English pubs, ale is ordered by pints and quarts... So in old England,
when customers got unruly, the bartender would yell at them "Mind your pints
and quarts, and settle down."
It's where we get the phrase "mind your P's and Q's"
Many years ago in England, pub frequenters had a whistle baked into the rim,
or handle, of their ceramic cups. When they needed a refill, they used the
whistle to get some service. "Wet your whistle" is the phrase inspired by
this practice.
...........................................................
Don't delete this just because it looks weird. Believe it or not, you can
read it.
I cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was
rdgnieg.The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid Aoccdrnig to
rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the
ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat
ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can
sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not
raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe.
Amzanig huh?
~~~~~~~~~~~AND FINALLY~~~~~~~~~~~~
At least 75% of people who read this will try to lick their elbow
Graduation
I graduated from the University of the West Indies yesterday with a Master's in Business Administration. Give you a quick rundown:
1. Got there late as usual, without wearing the requisite white shirt or tie so I looked a little different from every other guy there...
2. Took my space in the line and opened up the graduation programme only to NOT see my name listed! As far as I was concerned, the graduation itself was a waste of time compared to seeing my name among the list of graduates - I wasn't even on the addendum...
3. Ahh well, I was assured by an administrator that my name would be called and they double-and triple checked the list so I wasn't worried about that part.
4. So we 'processed' to sit down in the evening sunlight and were quite well seated when a burst from the heavens drenched all and sundry. Thus we were forced inside the admissions hall where we sat in our wet suits and gowns in a cramped hall for 3 1/2 hours!
5. To compound the 'misery', all those who came to see me had to stay outside under the undercroft and watch on a screen! Worse yet, the cameras weren't at the best angles so all they saw was the back of my head!
6. Well, my name WAS called and I strode across the stage took my picture and was ushered to collect my certificate which was evidently NOT THERE!
So I kinda went home disappointed, wasn't even in the mood to take too many pictures - just came home and went to my bed. At the end of the day, however, I can still have at the end of my name: BAS, MBA
One more grievance, my gown looked no different from the undergraduates! That was a major disappointment.
At my previous school, the gowns had stripes: 1 stripe for undergraduate, 2 for masters, 3 for doctoral students. At UWI, there are different coloured hoods, mine was orange, but the doctoral students wore a completely different red gown. I think the 3 stripes is my sole motivation to reutrning to my old school for a Ph.D. although it may be a BIT beyond me right now...
All's well that ends well however, and I was glad to see my classmates together one final time. The whole course was a great experience and I'm glad I did it, no regrets! Congrats to all graduates...
Permit Me Space To Rant
Can anyone tell me why Chanderpaul won the toss and chose to
BOWL first! After watching the incredible Ashes series this summer, and more importantly the innovative and exciting captaincy of
Michael Vaughan, I see that the ineptitude of the West Indies will continue for quite a while. We need a revolutionary captain -
Sir Frank Worrell or
Clive Lloyd.
At the same time, the problems with the West Indies side are indicative of the problems in West Indian society, and it has been this way for
quite a while.... The leaders of today are the products of the revolutions of 30-40 years ago, an intriguing time around the world and a time of rising conciousness. We are again in a time of rising conciousness, and hopefully cricket will act as an indicator.
Looking at the new wicketkeeper
Ramdin and the all-rounder
Dwayne Bravo, I am heartened for the future... however a LEADER is crucially necessary, my money is on Ramdin, but we'll keep on watching, even if we have to
FOLLOW ON!
*Quote from the Michael Vaughn article above - trying to motivate a teammate, his teammate Graham Thorpe says:
"When it rains on one man's house, it rains on all our houses." It sounded profound but I'm not sure if anyone knew what he really meant...
That quote sounds very familiar and is oft used and the first thing that comes to my mind - So Much Things to Say, by Bob Marley, I hope our captain sees the bigger picture so clearly!
Bookshelf
I like to read... but i don't like to read books cover to cover... i will pick up a book and open it to anywhere and just read from there till i feel to stop. For this reason, I don't read novels. I stick to informative books and compilation books with relatively short sub-books. At any time I can be reading from four different books - maybe thats why I can't keep anything straight in my head. Anyhow, lets see what I'm reading this month (and probably next month too):
The Experts' Guide to 100 Things Everyone Should Know How To Do, by Samantha Ettus
I Am Because We Are: Readings in Black Philosophy
The Fortune At The Bottom of the Pyramid: Eradicating Poverty Through Profits - C.K. Prahalad
What They Don't Teach You at Harvard Business School - Mark McCormack (almost done)
Che Guevara: A Revolutionary Life - Jon Lee Anderson
The strange thing is though, books are nowhere near as nice as reading the internet for information. Thats why this
Google Print project is so fascinating - the
potential is mind-boggling...
On another note, I read an interesting
article looking at the evolution in the pricing of lobster. I'll extract two quotes to illustrate the crux of the article:
1. The armour-plated delicacy used to be super-abundant and dirt cheap, he says—so cheap that...Farmers even fertilised their fields with it, and servants would bargain with their employers to be given it no more than twice or thrice a week.
2. By the 1980s, however, abalone was selling for $30-40 a meal.
Demand and supply forces? Or marketing genius? I don't eat shellfish so I can say my opinion is not biased - I believe that to humans almost everything is marketing, we are so focused on images and opinions we forget about the real, underlying value of things. This kinda takes me back to the previous post about the difference between eastern and western religions.
Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated. Confucius
Confucius say:
“What one does not wish for oneself, one ought not to do to any one else; what one recognizes as desirable for oneself, one ought to be willing to grant to others.” Confucius
Been reading about the different religions around the world and the effect that religion has had in the evolution of the world. This passage from wikipedia gives us some insight to the difference between eastern and western societies...
Lead the people with administrative injunctions and put them in their place with penal law, and they will avoid punishments but will be without a sense of shame. Lead them with excellence and put them in their place through roles and ritual practices, and in addition to developing a sense of shame, they will order themselves harmoniously. (Analects II, 3) Confucius
In Jamaica, we do our best to evade and circumvent laws - we call it 'bandooloo'. Unfortunately, this society does not have strength in its moral and ethical fabric to sustain the pervasion of laws. When we break the law, its almost a triumph for some persons - I know of persons who strive to break at least one law each day. This society lacks honour and values and instead relies on fear and manipulation - and of course, money is the root...
"When it's a question of money, everybody is of the same religion." Voltaire
Although Confucianism is not a religion, it contains some key ideas which are consistent with other more popular religions (but they have been obscured by the popularity contest). There is also Jainism, which I find particularly interesting. Alas, no one will ever know the 'correct' religion but by seeking information and knowledge we will be able to form rational opinions and avoid blind faith.
- "I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use."
- - Galileo Galilei
... On a person note, my cousin requested that I partake in a Television Jamaica (TVJ) feature about her. Although I am tremendously camera shy, she's always been one of my favourite people. So anyways, it should be coming on TVJ Morning Time on Thursday, November 3. Please watch for her, don't watch for me - and show ur support with lots of wonderful thoughts when the time comes...
