Kingston 6

Yeah, I'm a Cubs fan! (since 1989)

2007-10-03T16:34:00.000-05:00

Baseball season's underway
Well you better get ready for a brand new day.
Hey, Chicago, what do you say
The Cubs are gonna win today.

They're singing ...
Go, Cubs, go
Go, Cubs, go

Hey, Chicago, what do you say
The Cubs are gonna win today.

Go, Cubs, go
Go, Cubs, go

Hey, Chicago, what do you say
The Cubs are gonna win today.

They got the power, they got the speed
To be the best in the National League
Well this is the year and Cubs are real
So come on down to Wrigley Field

We're singing now ...

Go, Cubs, go
Go, Cubs, go
Hey, Chicago, what do you say
The Cubs are gonna win today.

Baseball time is here again
You can catch it all on WGN
So stamp you feet and clap your hands
Chicago Cubs got the greatest fans.

You're singing now ...

Go, Cubs, go
Go, Cubs, go
Hey, Chicago, what do you say
The Cubs are gonna win today.

Regina Spektor - Fidelity

2007-03-17T21:04:00.000-05:00

I never loved nobody fully
Always one foot on the ground
And by protecting my heart truly
I got lost in the sounds
I hear in my mind
All of these voices
I hear in my mind all of these words
I hear in my mind all this music

And it breaks my heart
And it breaks my heart
And it breaks my heart
It breaks my heart

And suppose I never, ever met you
Suppose we never fell in love
Suppose I never, ever let you kiss me so sweet and so soft
Suppose I never, ever saw you
Suppose you never, ever called
Suppose I kept on singing love songs just to break my own fall
Just to break my fall
Just to break my fall
Just to break my fall
Break my fall
Break my fall

All my friends say that of course it's gonna get better
Gonna get better
Better better better better better better better

I never love nobody fully
Always one foot on the ground
And by protecting my heart truly
I got lost
In the sounds
I hear in my mind
All of these voices
I hear in my mind all of these words
I hear in my mind
All of this music
And it breaks my heart
And It breaks my heart

I hear in my mind
All of these voices
I hear in my mind all of these words
I hear in my mind
All of this music
And it breaks my heart
And it breaks my heart
It Breaks my
Heart
Breaks my heart
when it breaks my heart
it breaks my heart
it breaks my heart
it breaks my heart

Nina Simone - Baltimore

2007-03-11T01:07:00.000-05:00

Beat-up little seagull
On a marble stair
Tryin' to find the ocean
Lookin' everywhere

Hard times in the city
In a hard town by the sea
Ain't nowhere to run to
There ain't nothin' here for free

Hooker on the corner
Waitin' for a train
Drunk lyin' on the sidewalk
Sleepin' in the rain

And they hide their faces
And they hide their eyes
'Cause the city's dyin'
And they don't know why

Oh, Baltimore
Man, it's hard just to live
Oh, Baltimore
Man, it's hard just to live, just to live

Get my sister Sandy
And my little brother Ray
Buy a big old wagon
Gonna haul us all away

Livin' in the country
Where the mountain's high
Never comin' back here
'Til the day I die

Oh, Baltimore
Man, it's hard just to live
Oh, Baltimore
Man, it's hard just to live, just to live

Astronomy Picture of the Day

2006-10-15T19:45:00.000-05:00

http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/archivepix.html

One of my favourite websites is the Astronomical Picture of the Day, I am also a Star Trek fan. Here are some of my favourites, fortunately the website also gives you a short explanation of what you are looking but really I just love to look...

My First Poem

2006-09-24T12:46:00.000-05:00

The sun awoke me
Its light peering through
Forcing me to open my eyes
And look what was new

Behold a beautiful fruit,
Ripe and fresh as could be,
But how is that possible you ask!?
Simple... I live in a tree.

Heaven and Hell

2006-08-26T21:13:00.000-05:00

Two Views:

1. A belligerent samurai, an old Japanese tale goes, once challenged a Zen master to explain the concept of heaven and hell. But the monk replied with scorn, " You're nothing but a lout - I can't waste my time with the likes of you!"
His very honor attacked, the samurai flew into a rage and, pulling his sword from its scabbard, yelled, "I could kill you for your impertinecnce."
"That," the monk calmy replied, "is hell."
Started at seeing the truth in what the master pointed out about the fury that had him in its grip, the samurai calmed down, sheathed his sword, and bowed, thanking the monk for the insight.
"And that," said the monk, "is heaven."

- Extracted from "Emotional Intelligence" by Daniel Goleman

2. To see love amongst my friends,
To sizzla that is heaven,
None of us can run from the truth

Oh yes
To war with whom we dwell
To I man that is hell

- From "To see love amongst my friends" by Sizzla Kalonji.

All-World Cup 2006 Squad

2006-07-06T12:52:00.000-05:00

GK - Buffon (italy), Lehmann (germany), Kinson (ghana)

RB - Miguel (portugal), Sagnol (france), Zambrotta (italy)

LB - Lahm (germany), Grosso (italy), Abidal (france)

CB - Cannavaro (italy), Juan (brazil), Lucio (brazil), Thuram (france), Marquez (mexico)

Defensive MF - Makelele (france), Ze Roberto (brazil), Xabi Alonso (spain), Essien (ghana), Mascherano (argentina), Gattuso (italy), Yorke (trinidad)

Wingers - Ronaldo (portugal), Joe Cole (england), Robben (holland), Rodriguez (argentina)

Attacking MF - Muntari (ghana), Appiah (ghana), Riquelme (argentina), Fabregas (spain), Vieira (france), Ribery (france), Zidane (france), Ballack (germany), Figo (portugal), Pirlo (italy)

Strikers - Torres (spain), Klose (germany), Saviola (argentina), Messi (argentina), Drogba (cote d'ivoire)

New Jamaica coach?

2006-07-05T19:03:00.000-05:00

Sven Goran Eriksson to join Jamaica? According to this Independent (UK) Online article - at 3 million pounds a year. Can u imagine, paying this man J$300,000,000 a year! to have Jamaica look as sorry as England did!?

Jamaica has enough problems, don't you think?

Although the World Cup officially ended July 1, 2006...

2006-07-04T23:28:00.000-05:00

And no I'm not an England fan (how dare you!)...

Just a quick note, lets look at the French national side according to Wikipedia:

No. Name

2 Jean-Alain Boumsong	Cameroon
3 Eric Abidal	Martinique
4 Patrick Vieira	Senegal
5 William Gallas	Guadeloupe
6 Claude Makelele	DR Congo
7 Florent Malouda	French Guiana
8 Vikash Dhorasoo	Indo-Malaysian
9 Syndney Govou	Benin
10 Zinedine Zidane	Algeria
11 Sylvain Wiltord	Guadeloupe
12 Thierry Henry	Guadeloupe / Martinique
13 Mikael Silvestre
14 Louis Saha
15 Lilian Thuram	Guadeloupe
16 Fabian Barthez
17 Gael Givet
18 Alou Diarra	Senegal
19 Willy Sagnol
20 David Trezeguet	Argentina
21 Pascal Chimbonda	Guadeloupe
22 Franck Ribery France
23 Gregory Coupet France

A little birdie

2005-12-16T10:55:00.000-05:00

Just called and said... "Kassim there's gonna be a gas strike today!"... Guess what I fully believe her cause she was absolutely spot on last time... So here's me passing on info to y'all.

Regards

2005-12-07T20:53:00.000-05:00

So who hasn't heard Bob Marley's "new" song, Slogans. can I tell u its excellent - sound sweet and the lyrics even sweeter. u can tell he was under a deep meditation when droppin this tune.

Can't take your slogans no more,
can't take your slogans no more,
can't take your slogans no more,
can't take your slogans no more.

Wipe out the paintings of slogans
all over the streets (ooh, ooh, ooh),
confusing the people
while your asphalt burns our tired feet.
I see borders and barriers,
segregation, demonstration and riots (ooh, ooh, ooh),
a-sufferation of the refugees,
oh-oh, when, when will we be free?

Oh-oh-oh, we can't take your slogans no more,
can't take your slogans no more,
can't take your slogans no more,
no more sweet talk from-a pulpit,
no more sweet talk from the hypocrites.

/guitar solo/

So we know we can't take your slogans no more,
can't take your slogans no more,
can't take your slogans no more,
no more sweet talk from-a pulpit,
no more sweet talk from the pulpit.

No more sweet talk from-a pulpit,
no more sweet talk from the hypocrites (oh, no hypocrites!),
no more sweet talk from-a pulpit (wo-ah yeah),
no more sweet talk (no-no-no-no sweet talk) from the hypocrites (hey!),
no more sweet talk from-a pulpit,
no more sweet talk (no-no-no-no sweet talk) from the hypocrites (no-no-no-no hey!).

He's talkin directly to both Madison Avenue, Pennsylvania Avenue, Wall Street and to their equivalents all around the world, not to mention talking directly to the preachers out there who tell us what we want to hear...

And just to put the icing on the cake the guitar solo is brilliant! Makes me hate the keyboard synthesizer music even more.

- "deceiving the people continually"
Slogans Video (mine didn't work but the song played)

Sizzla - Love amongst ma friends

2005-12-07T20:35:00.000-05:00

Love Amongst My Brethren - Sizzla
Love love love mmmmm yeah
Unu seet chu
Love love love mmmm

To see love amongst my friends to sizzla that is heaven
None of us can run from the truth
Oh yes
To war with whom we dwell
To I man that is hell
Can't live so fi ghettoyouths
To see love amongst my friends to sizzla that is heaven
None of us can run from the truth
Oh yes
To war with whom we dwell
To I man that is hell
Can't live so fi ghettoyouths

I wonder how dem look pon life
Every day dem get up inna war an strife
hurting you own brothers and rejoice
Don't you know sey dem de kind a livity no right
Fi show the little loving it no hard
For the things you do you see the reward
Watch the dirty things and step towards
How you must mek the devil tek charge

Oh yes
To see love amongst my friends to sizzla that is heaven
None of us can run from the truth
Ohand to see war with whom we dwell
To I man that is hell
Can't live so fi ghettoyouths
To see love amongst my friends to sizzla that is heaven
None of us can run from the truth
Oh yes
To see war with whom we dwell
To I man that is hell
Can't live so fi ghettoyouths

I went around the corner
To my surprise what is this I encounter
One more a me bredda just a falter
Pon the floor to the lead and the copper
I halla
Don't mek the wealth get to you
This is a world of substantial value
I enjoy it you can enjoy it too
If yu destroy it who jah a blame but you

To see love amongst my friends to sizzla that is heaven
None of us can run from the truth
Oh yes
To war with whom we dwell
To I man that is hell
Can't live so fi ghettoyouths
To see love amongst my friends to sizzla that is heaven
None of us can run from the truth
Oh yes
Killing those with whom we dwell
To I man that is hell
Can't live so fi ghettoyouths
Oh yea yeah
Oh lord lord mmmmm yeah
Oh love love

Don't you see that harmony
It surround me as the children pass me by
One God one aim
The destiny is for I an I
The persons I see as me go me hail dem eye
Unity alone we a apply

Oh yes
To see love amongst my friends to sizzla that is heaven
None of us can run from the truth
Oh yes to war with whom we dwell
To I man that is hell
Can't live so fi ghettoyouths

I wonder how dem look pon life
Every day dem get up inna war an stride
Don't you know the livity no right
When ye hurt ye brothers alla rejoice
Fi show the little loving it no hard
For the things you do soon you'll see the reward
Keep on guide me my lord
Cau ye know sey dis ya journey ya it hard

Oh yes
To see love amongst my friends to sizzla that is heaven
None of us can run from the truth
Oh yes killing those with whom we dwell
To I man that is hell
Can't live so fi ghettoyouths
To see love amongst my friends to sizzla that is heaven
None of us can run from the truth
Oh yes
To war with whom we dwell
To I man that is hell
Can't live so fi ghettoyouths

Brian Lara the Greatest

2005-11-25T02:59:00.000-05:00

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!!

2005-11-20T20:23:00.000-05:00

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

2005-11-13T23:02:00.000-05:00

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

2005-11-13T22:34:00.000-05:00

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

2005-11-13T18:30:00.000-05:00

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...

2005-11-11T23:59:00.000-05:00

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...

2005-11-11T23:45:00.000-05:00

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

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

Hmmmm....

2005-11-11T23:37:00.000-05:00

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

What Color Heart Do You Have?

Bob Marley - Bad Card

2005-11-08T09:43:00.000-05:00

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

2005-11-08T09:32:00.000-05:00

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

2005-11-08T09:13:00.000-05:00

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

2005-11-06T13:08:00.000-05:00

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

2005-11-04T21:46:00.000-05:00

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

2005-11-04T11:20:00.000-05:00

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:

2005-11-02T09:36:00.000-05:00

“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...

News Round Up

2005-10-31T19:42:00.000-05:00

Good Afternoon, today is Monday 31st October, 2005 - how about some interesting news from JA and around the world:

1. big news - Clansman Gang leader dead, Spanish Town in war

2. a serious man has taken over in Iran, he's upset at the capitalists and the Jews. plus some more information about Iran.

3. the leadership race is still on for the president of the PNP, lets look at the candidates one more time: Philips, Portia Simpson-Miller, Davies, Blythe

4. us supreme court, bush pulled the old switcheroo, by accepting Miers' resignation and now nominating Alito - well this is more like we expected, Miers' was too moderate... oh dear what a world we have evolving...

5. someone say something bout cricket? west indies about to play the aussies down under, we just drew the opener, here are some photos, and a good blog on west indies cricket all around...

6. last but not least, the wave of the future: social entrepeurship, read about it here, here and here.

until next time... hasta la victoria siempre

2005-10-31T10:25:00.000-05:00

Bob Marley Lyrics

Real Situation Lyrics

Check out the real situation:
Nation war against nation.
Where did it all being?
When will it end?
Well, it seems like: total destruction is the only solution
And there ain't no use: no one can stop them now.
Ain't no use, no one can stop them now.

Give them an inch, they take a yard;
Give them a yard, they take a mile (ooh);
Once a man and twice a child
And everything is just for a while.
It seems like: total destruction the only solution,
And there ain't no use: no one can stop them now.
There ain't no use: no one can stop them now;
Ain't no use: no one can stop them now;
There ain't no use: no one can stop them now.

Check in the real situation (check it out, check it out):
Nation fight against nation
Where did it all begin? Wo-oo-o-o-oh!
Where will it end?
Well, it seems like: total destruction the only solution.
Mmm, no use: can't stop them;
W'ain't no use: ya can't stop them;
Ain't no use: no one can't stop them now;
Can't stop them now (no one can't stop them now).

There ain't no use: no one can't stop them now.
Everybody strugglin': ain't no use - ain't no use -
Ain't no use you even try;
Ain't no use: got to say 'bye-'bye!
Ain't no use! Ain't no - ain't no use: no one can stop them now
(No one can stop them now) [fadeout]

Hey Lover - LL Cool J

2005-10-31T09:28:00.000-05:00

"Hey Lover"

I've been watchin' you from afar,
for as long as I can remmeber
You are all a real man can need
and ever ask for
this is love
this is more than a crush

It was all ....(up at Rutgers)
I saw with your man
smiling, huh, a coach bag in your hand
I was laying in the coup with my hat turned back
we caught eyes for a moment, and that was that
so skated off, as you strolled off
looking at them legs, god damn they looked so soft (so fine)
I gotta take ya from your man that's my mision
If his love is real he got ta handle competition
you only knew about 5 months (that's right)
besides he drinks too much and smokes too many blunts
and I've been working out everyday thinking bout you
looking at my own eyes in the rear view
cathchin flash backs of our eye contact
wish i could lay ya on your stomach and caress your back
i would hold ya in my arms and ease your fears
I can't believe it, I hadn't had a crush in years

[Chorus]
[2x] hey lover, hey lover, this is more than a crush
Lover, hey lover, this is more than a crush
hey lover, hey lover, this is more than a crush

I see you at the bus stop waitin everyday
your man must think its safe for you to travel that way
but i don't want ta violate your relationship
so i lay back in the cut with a crush that'a trip
still he can't stop me from having day dreams
tounging you down with huh vanilla ice cream
kissing on your thighs in the moonlight
searching your body with my tounge girl all night
I wonder one day could it be, simple dreams turnin into reality
Our love would come down so naturally
we would walk down the isle of destiny
what your man got his hustle on gotcha type scared
break ya off a little chump change to do your hair
that seems to be enough to satisfy your needs
but there's a deeper level if you just follow my lead
Hey lover

[CHORUS]

Last week I saw ya at the mall
standing at the pay phone bout to make a call
I had a vision it was me on the other end
telling you come by and then you walked in
I touched you gently with my hands
we talked about traveling the distant lands
escaping all the madness out here in the world
becomin my wife no longer my girl
then, you let your dress fall down to the floor
i kissed you softly and you yearned for more
we experienced pleasure unparallel
into an ocean of love we both fell
swimming in the timeless, currents of pure bliss
fantasies interchanging with each kiss
undying passion unities our souls
togehter we swim until the point of no control
but its a fantasy it(that,you) won't come true
we never even spoke and your man (still) love you
so I'm gonna keep all these feelins inside
keep my dreams alive until the right time

[CHORUS]

Sports Teams

2005-10-30T23:48:00.000-05:00

My favourite teams / players by sport and the years I've been watching them:

Basketball - Chicago Bulls, 1989 -
Magic Johnson, 1989 - 1991
Lebron James, 2004 -
Dwayne Wade, 2004 -

Baseball - Chicago Cubs, 1989 -
Barry Bonds, 1991 - 2003
Frank Thomas, 1993 - 2002

Football (American) - Philadelphia Eagles, 1994 - 2002
Indianapolis Colts, 2002 - Barry Sanders, 1994 - 2002

Ice Hockey (Yes, Ice Hockey) - Pittsburgh Penguins, 1990 - 1996
Wayne Gretzky, 1990 - 1994

College Basketball - North Carolina, 1989 -
University of Pennsylvania, 1990 -

Now for the real sports:

Football (Soccer although i hate that word) -
Barcelona, 1992 -
Liverpool, 1985 - 1989
Jamaica (OF COURSE)
Brazil (OF COURSE)
Maradona, Socrates, Platini, Tigana, Robinho, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Rijkaard, Gullit, Van Basten, Blacka Boyd, Bibi Gardner, Okocha, Zidane

Best Goals Ever - Maradona vs. England, 1986 World Cup (2nd of 2 goals)
Zidane, Real Madrid vs. don't even remember who, 2002 Champions League Final

Cricket - West Indies, 1988 -
Lara, Ambrose, Bravo, Walsh, Richards, Hooper, Haynes, Greenidge

Other than West Indians - Ponting, Warne, Flintoff, Ntini, Gilchrist, Pietersen, Tendulkar, Dravid, Sehwag, Muralitharan, Vaughan

Tennis - Federer, Agassi, Edberg, Seles, Kournikova (den nuh mus)

Boxing - don't like boxing

Athletics - I only like Olympics and I only cheer for Jamaica
If I was forced to watch an out of season race it would be a 200M and it would involve Michael Johnson...

Golf - still don't like golf, regardless of Tiger Woods

Best Scrimmage Players (at Campion) - Itana Henry, Jamie Lue

There is actually a method to this madness:
1. There was only one television station, JBC between 1980 and 1990 (I think) and most of my generation grew up on one channel that would sign-off each night at midnight! There was little american sports on JBC at that point, it was mostly football (soccer) and the most famous Jamaican playing abroad was John Barnes (even though he played for England) and he played for Liverpool. They also had Ian Rush and Bruce Grobbelaar but we all watched for super winger Barnes.

2. I got a satellite dish in 1989, after Hurricane Gilbert. And so my world of american sports opened up - first the Bulls, who were at that time losing to the Pistons (I hate the pistons, old and new) and then late nights with the Lakers...

3. Two of the most prominent channels were WTBS and WGN-9, the former based in Atlanta, the latter in Chicago. So it ended up that probably you either followed the Braves or Hawks of Atlanta, or the Blackhawks (Ice Hockey), Cubs, Bulls, White Sox (baseball) of Chicago - I stuck with Chicago...

4. My sister went to school in Philadelphia, hence my fascination with the Eagles, or more importantly their black quaterbacks - Randall Cunningham and today, Donovan McNabb...

5. Jordan retired and i went away to school (in Philadelphia) in 1998 so most of my tv watching habits changed dramatically, esp. with basketball - I have found post-Jordan NBA to be IMMENSELY boring - people shooting 42% getting $50M contracts, ridiculous! Until LeBron James and Dwayne Wade, anyhow...

Thats my sports affiliations history, so now you know (and knowing is half the battle)...

Give Thanks and Praises

2005-10-28T22:07:00.000-05:00

Give Thanks and Praises to the Most High
Give Thanks and Praises So High
He will not deceive us my brethren
He will only lead us again
Oh take that veil from off of your eyes
Look into the future of realise

Noah had three suns, Ham, Shem and Japhet
And in Ham is known to be the Prophet
Glory to JAH the Prophet is come
Through all these ages
Glory to JAH the Prophet has come
Through all these stages

When my soul was hurtin deep within
And I'm worrying to be free, desperately, Yeah
So guide and protect I and I Oh JAH, JAH
Through all these ages
Guide and protect I and I Oh JAH, JAH
Through all these stages

Rastafari is His Name, JAH Rastafari is His Name, JAH
If JAH Didn't love I, if I didn't love I
If JAH Didn't love I, if I didn't love I
Would I be around today
Would I be around to say

Give Thanks and Praises, Give Thanks and Praises
Give Thanks and Praises, Give Thanks and Praises
Give Thanks and Praises, Give Thanks and Praises

Storm Season Doesn't End Till Nov. 30

2005-10-27T08:34:00.000-05:00

Just when you thought it couldn't get any worse with the weather - its supposed to be easing up around this time right?

That little circular one all the way on the bottom left is now known as tropical storm beta, can you believe that!! This has been a record setting year, really ridiculous if you think about it, but it has happened before when there were 12 hurricanes in 1969. What's really bad though, is that Jamaica has not suffered one direct hit in the last 2 hurricane seasons, yet we have been left with millions in flood and water damages from these storms.

Now if you look at the map, you'll see we are in for more rains over this weekend. I don't think this country can absorb another drop, worse if u been following the news you'll see that the west, southwest, south, and east are all inundated with water.

This country is in deep, deep trouble if the weather continues at this pace for consecutive years - Ivan derailed the budget last year and now these floods have done as much damage as the much vaunted Ivan with not nearly as great a response from the private sector. We'll have to wait and see what happens with this latest storm, lets hope some wind shear will chop it up before it gets here. Otherwise keep us in your thoughts cause things going to get worse (if that's possible) before they going to get better...

Oh and by the way, the next storm is gamma so for all those who don't know their greek alphabet:

Glaucoma

2005-10-26T10:37:00.000-05:00

What is glaucoma? One things for sure, its not just a disease for old people. How do I know? I have glaucoma, and although I'm old in my mind, I'm not old physically.

Glaucoma is the name given to a group of diseases of the optic nerve that causes the destruction of cells in the retina causing loss of vision and eventually blindness. One of the major indicators of the disease is your pressure goes up... but not your blood pressure, your intraocular eye pressure. Think of it like the rains we had in JA recently - the rain fills up the streets and sits certain places and eats out the road, causing major potholes - the harder and more sustained the rain, the bigger the potholes. In my case, if I don't take my eyedrop every night its like the rain would keep falling.

Now don't get me wrong, I don't feel pain or pressure its like a thief in the night. The experts say that after 35 one should start doing the test for glaucoma regularly - my grandfather and grandmother had it, so I was immediately tested as there is a 6% chance of hereditary passage - in the medical world 6% is quite a bit so I strongly recommend checking it out.

Furthermore, recent studies show that staring at your laptop screen or monitor for prolonged periods can cause intraocular pressure to rise. This I feel accelerated my glaucoma to the stage it is now...

So I take my eye medicine every night - its called Xalatan and it only lasts 4 wks, furthermore it is quite expensive. But I'm sure you've all heard the song by Peter Tosh - Bush Doctor, that the herb cures glaucoma. Firstly, glaucoma has no cure, it cannot be reversed, but if the pressure is relieved the damage is reduced (Pothole Free by 2003!) and one can live a full life.
According to numerous sources I've read on the web, Tosh was correct in one respect - the herb does help to lower intraocular pressure. Although Wikipedia.org mentions it, it notes that widescale studies have not been done - in America that is...

Two Jamaican scientists Professor Manley West and Dr. Albert Lockhart, created Canasol - glaucoma medicine based on cannabis in 1983 - it actually goes beyond just lowering intraocular pressure but does something else I can't remember right now, yet no eye doctor that I have seen in Jamaica and mentioned it to, has recommended it to me.

Whats the point of having all these natural resources if we don't utilize them? Research and development is the key to the advancement of society and we are more than capable of innovating with the best in the world. But thats another entry for another day. Hasta la victoria siempre.

Thought for the Day: Coming in From the Cold

2005-10-25T12:34:00.000-05:00

In this life, in this life, in this life,
In this, oh sweet life:
We're (we're coming in from the cold);
We're coming in (coming in), coming in (coming in),
coming in (coming in), coming in (coming in),
Coming in from the cold.

It's you - it's you - it's you I'm talkin' to -
Well, you (it's you) - you (it's you) - you I'm talking to now.
Why do you look so sad and forsaken?
When one door is closed, don't you know another is open?

Would you let the system make you kill your brotherman?
No, no, no, no, no, no! No, Dread, no!
Would you make the system make you kill your brotherman?
(No, Dread, no!)
Would you make the system get on top of your head again?
(No, Dread, no!)
Well, the biggest man you ever did see was - was just a baby
In this life (in this life),
In this (in this life, oh sweet life):

Coming in from the cold;
We're coming in (coming in), coming in-a (coming in),
coming in (coming in), ooh! (coming in)
Coming in from the cold!

It's life (it's life), it's life (it's life), it's life (it's life):
it's - wa - well! - coming in from the cold!
We're coming in (coming in), coming in (coming in) -
ooh (coming in), hey! (coming in),
Coming in from the cold!

It's you - you - you I'm talking -
Well, yes, you, bilyabong! (it's you);
ew! - you I'm talking to now.
We-e-ell, why do you look so - look so - look so sad -
look so sad and forsaken?
Don't you know: When one door is closed - when one door is closed,
many more is open?

We-e-e-ell, would you let the system get on top of your head again?
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, Dread, no!
Would you let the system make you kill your brotherman?
No, Dread, no!
We-e-e-ell, would you make the system get on top of your head again?
(No, Dread, no!) No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no!
Well, the biggest - biggest man you ever - ever
Did-a see was-a - was-a once a baby.
In this life, in this life, in this life,
In this, oh, sweet life,

We're (coming in from the cold) from the cold!
We're coming in (coming in), coming in (coming in),
coming in (coming in), wo-o! Yea-ea-eah!
Coming in from the cold

We're coming in-a, coming in-a, coming in-a, coming in-a!
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yea-ea-ea-eah!
Coming in from the cold
Coming in (coming in), coming in (coming in) -
(coming in) (coming in)
(coming in) from the - from the cold! - /fadeout/

So simple yet so profound, would you let the system make u kill your brotherman?? i only hope the answer is as Bob said it should be...

OK I'm Back

2005-10-23T12:58:00.000-05:00

Had a bit of a blogging meltdown - I can't gather my thoughts for even one post so I just deleted all of them. A bit rash I know, and that is not usually my personality, but it felt good to delete it. Well, a little birdie came to my window and told me that I should follow myself and continue this experiment. I've never kept a journal or anything like that, so more often than not unless its a direct question it is difficult for me to post anything thats on my mind cause there are a million things at once!

Ahh well, maybe this is the way I will get my thoughts clear, so once more welcome back to kingston 6...