History is indeed written by the winners and sometimes the losers themselves forget.
Most people remember that the 2000 Olympics were in Sydney, the 2004 in Athens and know that the 2008 are currently being held in Beijing. (Most not including me as I actually had to google the 2004 Olympics to verify they were in Greece) but do you remember which other cities bid for these specific games and lost?
Not a clue right?
Well in general me neither except that I do remember that Toronto made an unsuccessful bid for the 2008 games.
Yep it was big news back in those heady days of 2001. Toronto, world class city that we claim to be needs to do more to publicize our greatness and we need to bring the Olympics here said one camp. The games will put us on the map! There was hype, there was excitement, there were waterfront plans and plans for building a new Olympic stadium. There were slogans, there were celebrity endorsements, there were even t-shirts from Roots.
Meanwhile another camp took a different perspective. This Olympics thing is a real waste of time they said. Sure it will or could be an amazing spectacle but at the end of the day events like the Olympics and other major sporting spectacles (read Cricket World Cup) lose money for the host city and then its the poor taxpayers who live there that feel the pinch. Toronto already isn't the richest city so why put ourselves into further poverty to show off to the world for two or three weeks.
But the bid went off with much pizazz and fanfare.
And at the end of the day in 2001 when the votes were counted to choose the 2008 venue we lost. Soundly beaten by Beijing.
Some say it was because Vancouver got awarded the 2010 winter games and the IOC didn't want back to back games in Canada, some blamed Toronto mayor Mel Lastman and his idiotic "I'm not going to Africa because they might put me in a pot of boiling water and eat me" comments, (as if people in Africa so hungry they want dry up, tough meat like he to eat. chupse!) for losing us votes, others just accepted that the Beijing bid was just too strong and we couldn't compete with the overall politics of holding the event in an emerging superpower China.
To be honest most locals were probably a bit let down by the loss, it would have been fun holding the event here, but at the same time we all had mixed feelings because some of us might have wanted the spectacle but all of us sure as hell didn't want to have to pay for it out of our pockets.
Still when I see the Olympics on television this week I cant help thinking what if, what could have been and wondering do Torontonians actually remember that this could have been us?
Oh well, wasnt to be. We weren't the winners but maybe in hindsight we weren't exactly losers either. Still sucks that we've been forgotten by history though.
Still sucks.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Major Explosion!
Huge explosion of a propane facility in Toronto this morning. Video here. It looks almost like a nuclear bomb went off.
12,000+ people evacuated so far. CP24 has become our local version of CNN in terms of the extensive coverage of the story all day, not sure what happened yet or if there were any casualties but it seems pretty crazy.
The area they evacuated is really big in my opinion. Sheppard to Wilson, Dufferin to Keele. Wow!
Don't think I know anyone who lives in that area but some of the folks who are relating stories on tv right now say the explosion was head as far as Aurora, windows and doors were blown out, one woman says she was blown off her bed.
Firemen still battling the blaze almost 12 hrs after the explosion. Will take a while for the smoke to clear figuratively speaking so that we know what really happened at the plant.
Update: heard one firefighter is without vital signs.
12,000+ people evacuated so far. CP24 has become our local version of CNN in terms of the extensive coverage of the story all day, not sure what happened yet or if there were any casualties but it seems pretty crazy.
The area they evacuated is really big in my opinion. Sheppard to Wilson, Dufferin to Keele. Wow!
Don't think I know anyone who lives in that area but some of the folks who are relating stories on tv right now say the explosion was head as far as Aurora, windows and doors were blown out, one woman says she was blown off her bed.
Firemen still battling the blaze almost 12 hrs after the explosion. Will take a while for the smoke to clear figuratively speaking so that we know what really happened at the plant.
Update: heard one firefighter is without vital signs.
Thursday, August 07, 2008
Shame on PETA
Thats why I think these people are idiots. Read this.
Madness! Those PETA people are crazy and sick. How do you compare killing a chicken or cow to killing a man. Ridiculous!
Then there are these morons
This is a comment about the guy who got beheaded up here by some so called Church from the U.S. These people call themselves Christian but only giving Christian bad name.
Shame Shame Shame
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, or PETA, said on its website it would run the ad in the Portage la Prairie Daily Graphic.
However, city editor Tara Seel said the newspaper had no intention of running the ad, which uses imagery of "an innocent victim's throat" being cut, in reference to the slaughter of cows, chickens and pigs on factory farms.
"His struggles and cries are ignored ... the man with the knife shows no emotion ... the victim is slaughtered and his head cut off ... his flesh is eaten," reads the ad, which is posted on the website.
Madness! Those PETA people are crazy and sick. How do you compare killing a chicken or cow to killing a man. Ridiculous!
Then there are these morons
"God handed us a gift," Phelps-Roper said in a phone interview on Thursday.
She said McLean deserved his death by beheading on a Greyhound Bus last week.
"(His death was) supremely unemotional. You got God shaking in rage. There is no emotional component ... He was a rebel against God. He was taught to be a rebel by his parents. He came from a rebel country ... They brought this wrath upon his head. And it sucks to be him and it sucks to be them," Phelps-Roper said.
This is a comment about the guy who got beheaded up here by some so called Church from the U.S. These people call themselves Christian but only giving Christian bad name.
Shame Shame Shame
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
When you least expect
Before I start I found this today and thought I had to share. Classic Satire! I love those guys.
Anyways I had a whole post planned on a different topic to what I'm going to speak on now but sometimes blog posts just fall in ya lap.
I'm on the bus coming home this evening when we stop to let off a passenger at a stop and then I noticed that the bus isnt moving at all. Look outside and some sort of disturbance, disruption thing coming down the road. Now I had noticed the 6 or so youth but just assumed they were playing.
Alas no, looked like a big fight about to break out.
So Bus driver stops the bus to report disturbance. Interesting I thought, disturbance on the street not on the bus, well sidewalk if you want to be more precise so what did he stop the bus for? Maybe its protocol, maybe he was just being a conscientious citizen. I don't know.
Anyway I couldn't hear what was going on so although I could see the actual incident I really don't know what it was about although I can sort of guess it had something to do with ownership of a bicycle.
Then two guys had this one young man, in an Iverson jersey, (henceforth called AI jersey fella) restrained and the bicycle was on the ground where they stopped.
Now by the way, I thought about not mentioning the Iverson jersey just cause it's like hip hop. If I mention that somebody was listening to hip hop when something happen suddenly hip hop going to be blamed so I figure somebody going blame AI for this or the guy will not be as sympathetic or going to get labeled some sort of thug because of the AI jersey but oh well I cant leave out details just so.
Anyway some older folk came down the street including one woman who looked like she should have stayed inside considering the top she was wearing. They pulled AI jersey fella away and then there were two camp on the sidewalk gestering vociferously (but not vociferously enough that I could hear them in the bus).
Now this incident went on for a good 10 minutes all of which we were park off by the bus stop. The interesting thing to me was the reaction of one cat in AI jersey fella's crew. Now there were three young guys in that camp and the two older folk trying to calm down things or at least it seemed that way from my viewpoint.
Now AI jersey fella was at the heart of the incident and he was talking to the older folk while one of the other guys looked like he was ready to rush in the other crowd and share some liks. Then there was another smaller chap with them who ran back inside a house. Now he to me was the person of interest.
Now I dont know about you but anytime something happening so and I see somebody run back to a house I get a lil worried. I could just imagine the conversation outside from the gesturing.
"Oh yea alright then, if you is a man wait dey til I come back"
Now any bajan will tell you that the phrase wait dey til I come back really means you better start running now cause this other person is going do something stupid. They going to come back with rocks or knives or guns or their big brother or father or mother with rocks and guns and knives and then trouble going really start.
So I in the bus imagining these words being exchanged and all sorts of scenarios and wondering to myself why this foolish bus driver don't start the bus and report the incident from someplace safer like perhaps three bus stops up the road. I mean doesnt he have an obligation to his passengers first? Suppose the fella that run back inside come outside letting off shots like he mad and something happen to one a we on the bus?
As it stands if it was me we wouldnt have stopped at all. Sorry but as it stood looked like a fair battle to me, sides were pretty even and I've seen enough crap to know that you dont really want to get into any sort of crew battles. Next thing ya know somebody decide to lik me cross my head or worse so no not I in this one.
But it was interesting because it caused me to ask a couple of questions. What is the bus drivers obligation to report the incident and what is his obligation to the people under his care.
I still waiting on answers on both. What y'all think?
Anyways I had a whole post planned on a different topic to what I'm going to speak on now but sometimes blog posts just fall in ya lap.
I'm on the bus coming home this evening when we stop to let off a passenger at a stop and then I noticed that the bus isnt moving at all. Look outside and some sort of disturbance, disruption thing coming down the road. Now I had noticed the 6 or so youth but just assumed they were playing.
Alas no, looked like a big fight about to break out.
So Bus driver stops the bus to report disturbance. Interesting I thought, disturbance on the street not on the bus, well sidewalk if you want to be more precise so what did he stop the bus for? Maybe its protocol, maybe he was just being a conscientious citizen. I don't know.
Anyway I couldn't hear what was going on so although I could see the actual incident I really don't know what it was about although I can sort of guess it had something to do with ownership of a bicycle.
Then two guys had this one young man, in an Iverson jersey, (henceforth called AI jersey fella) restrained and the bicycle was on the ground where they stopped.
Now by the way, I thought about not mentioning the Iverson jersey just cause it's like hip hop. If I mention that somebody was listening to hip hop when something happen suddenly hip hop going to be blamed so I figure somebody going blame AI for this or the guy will not be as sympathetic or going to get labeled some sort of thug because of the AI jersey but oh well I cant leave out details just so.
Anyway some older folk came down the street including one woman who looked like she should have stayed inside considering the top she was wearing. They pulled AI jersey fella away and then there were two camp on the sidewalk gestering vociferously (but not vociferously enough that I could hear them in the bus).
Now this incident went on for a good 10 minutes all of which we were park off by the bus stop. The interesting thing to me was the reaction of one cat in AI jersey fella's crew. Now there were three young guys in that camp and the two older folk trying to calm down things or at least it seemed that way from my viewpoint.
Now AI jersey fella was at the heart of the incident and he was talking to the older folk while one of the other guys looked like he was ready to rush in the other crowd and share some liks. Then there was another smaller chap with them who ran back inside a house. Now he to me was the person of interest.
Now I dont know about you but anytime something happening so and I see somebody run back to a house I get a lil worried. I could just imagine the conversation outside from the gesturing.
"Oh yea alright then, if you is a man wait dey til I come back"
Now any bajan will tell you that the phrase wait dey til I come back really means you better start running now cause this other person is going do something stupid. They going to come back with rocks or knives or guns or their big brother or father or mother with rocks and guns and knives and then trouble going really start.
So I in the bus imagining these words being exchanged and all sorts of scenarios and wondering to myself why this foolish bus driver don't start the bus and report the incident from someplace safer like perhaps three bus stops up the road. I mean doesnt he have an obligation to his passengers first? Suppose the fella that run back inside come outside letting off shots like he mad and something happen to one a we on the bus?
As it stands if it was me we wouldnt have stopped at all. Sorry but as it stood looked like a fair battle to me, sides were pretty even and I've seen enough crap to know that you dont really want to get into any sort of crew battles. Next thing ya know somebody decide to lik me cross my head or worse so no not I in this one.
But it was interesting because it caused me to ask a couple of questions. What is the bus drivers obligation to report the incident and what is his obligation to the people under his care.
I still waiting on answers on both. What y'all think?
Monday, August 04, 2008
Shame on Owen Sound
By now everyone has heard of the beheading story that happened up here in Canada. As details emerge it gets freakier and freakier by the minute. If you thought the beheading part was bad the details about him eating the victim is like something straight out of Silence of the Lambs.
It'll be interesting to watch the fallout from this because I think the fact that the perpetrator was a recent immigrant will get much play.
I'm just thinking I ain't sleeping on the TTC no more.
Anyway a story that may have slipped under the radar with all this talk of beheading is the stabbing of a black Toronto man up in Owen Sound last week which is being seen as a case of possible mistaken identify and possibly as having some racial overtones.
I guess we all look alike right. Poor dude is in critical condition cause someone accused him of a crime and then beat the crap out of him. Could have happened anywhere I guess so I wont be too harsh on Owen Sound. There are probably people like this crimes perpetrators everywhere.
The ironic part I guess is that Owen Sound marks the northernmost point of the secret route to freedom for American slaves and they were just about to have a big Emancipation day celebration when this incident occurred. Sad. I hope dude recovers from this attack.
It'll be interesting to watch the fallout from this because I think the fact that the perpetrator was a recent immigrant will get much play.
I'm just thinking I ain't sleeping on the TTC no more.
Anyway a story that may have slipped under the radar with all this talk of beheading is the stabbing of a black Toronto man up in Owen Sound last week which is being seen as a case of possible mistaken identify and possibly as having some racial overtones.
I guess we all look alike right. Poor dude is in critical condition cause someone accused him of a crime and then beat the crap out of him. Could have happened anywhere I guess so I wont be too harsh on Owen Sound. There are probably people like this crimes perpetrators everywhere.
The ironic part I guess is that Owen Sound marks the northernmost point of the secret route to freedom for American slaves and they were just about to have a big Emancipation day celebration when this incident occurred. Sad. I hope dude recovers from this attack.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Caribana feva
Caribana in the air and I duz have to laff.
No, I not laffin at the Americun touristes like last year. And to be honest boy I wasnt really laffin nuh laff, just making an observation about dem so doan feel nuh way. How I cud laff at mi Americun friends when is 80% of mi blog visitors from de states. Ya feel I is a eediat? Not I, I not biting the hand that feed me.
Watch all my Caribbean and Canadian people get offended now cuhdear I just joking. Love off all wunnah bad like cook food.
No, what I laffin bout is how the Caribana fever duz ketch everybody. Is like how the spirit duz tek hold a ya in some of dem churches where the people start to speak in tongues and jump bout in the aisles and duz have lil children holin on to dem mudda saying "mummy but is wha wrong wid dat woman? she like she gone mad or something eh he."
Well actually I lie Caribana fever is not really like that but still it duz be a fever and it duz be ketching quick quick by some people.
Make no mistake though. A lot a we doan ketch it, ya must realize dat but what duz be really surprising and laff-able to me is who duz ketch it. If ya ketch me drift.
Cause a lot a we Torontonians from the islands dont ketch it at all. We duz be like:
yea yea yeah Caribana again, I gine to the cottage boy
down the Lakeshore, in this sun, pun foolish TTC uh huh yea you look fa me.
Me, not me, I aint going nowhere to get shoot this year ?
How come the fetes so expensive?
Wha time the police gine shut down big people fete and get people vex,
A wonder what controversy they going have this year?
how many floats ya feel going mek it on the road this time before the police shut de gates
I remember when it used to be on University. Dat used to be good, not like now.
Is how come Caribana duz always dont have money and mek we look so bad year after year begging the Province fa funds? Dem Caribana people too tief-fy!
Boy dem Caribana events expensive nuh lie. I aint paying no 25 dollar to watch nuh poo poo pan playing nor nuh 40 dollar fa King and Queen an dem costume dont be even say nuttin? Is mad ya mad?
Me go down Lakeshore? I going Crop Over instead or I waiting til de parkway Labor day or I gine down Miami carnival. boy dat duz be too sweet.
how come them playing tunes from February carnival and Crop Over last year? Wha happen Crop Over music from Crop-Over this year cant reach here? Dem waiting on steam boat to bring the tunes? Man this is internet era, download man download. we should have plenty plenty new crop over tunes by now. Chupse.
Caribana chupse ya lie boy ribfest cant miss me this year! (that would be me)
Boy dem Trinidad people too confuse I aint want nuttin to do wid dat Caribana ting
Dat duz be we the island people in Toronto when Caribana come...well unless ya under 25 or ya looking fa woman or ya from Trinidad and then well you love off Caribana and every event it have can't miss you. (See I can make fun of the Trinis cause nun a dem dont read mi blog.)
But anyways like I said I laffin at how the fever duz ketch when Caribana week reach. Ad who duz ketch the feva if not the majority of we island people in Toronto?
Well boy that is a very good question and that is what is so funny.
Come Caribana week every lil store suddenly got in a Jamaican and Trini flag. Men dat would follow ya round their store the whole year and give ya dirty looks if ya come in to buy a bottle of water or a pack a gum suddenly got Caribana themed t-shirts in their window and two thousand island flags and hats and belts and rags and banadana and head band and wrist band and musse even underwear and anything wid a Vincy, Lucian, Grenadian, Trini, Bajan, Jamaican, Guyanaese, Dominican, or anybody else in the Caribbean colors item on their shelves and at the doors. And see dem there smiling, standing at the door, grinning, telling you come in and browse.
See cud only be some sort a sickness amm I mean fever mek dem fellas so change. So yes I duz laff my head off when I walk around downtown come Caribana time and watch dem people so change colors and try to mek money off we when I know how things duz be the rest a de year.
Me not me I stanning home an listening me 2008 Crop Over tune, 2007 long gone Toronto dj's. Dem fellas cant mek no money off me. But I will continue to watch and laff.
ps: Dont tell nuhbody but I feel one of them Vincy girls in dat Photo is mi sistren Kami. shhhhh dont tell nobody I say dat.
No, I not laffin at the Americun touristes like last year. And to be honest boy I wasnt really laffin nuh laff, just making an observation about dem so doan feel nuh way. How I cud laff at mi Americun friends when is 80% of mi blog visitors from de states. Ya feel I is a eediat? Not I, I not biting the hand that feed me.
Watch all my Caribbean and Canadian people get offended now cuhdear I just joking. Love off all wunnah bad like cook food.
No, what I laffin bout is how the Caribana fever duz ketch everybody. Is like how the spirit duz tek hold a ya in some of dem churches where the people start to speak in tongues and jump bout in the aisles and duz have lil children holin on to dem mudda saying "mummy but is wha wrong wid dat woman? she like she gone mad or something eh he."Well actually I lie Caribana fever is not really like that but still it duz be a fever and it duz be ketching quick quick by some people.
Make no mistake though. A lot a we doan ketch it, ya must realize dat but what duz be really surprising and laff-able to me is who duz ketch it. If ya ketch me drift.
Cause a lot a we Torontonians from the islands dont ketch it at all. We duz be like:
yea yea yeah Caribana again, I gine to the cottage boy
down the Lakeshore, in this sun, pun foolish TTC uh huh yea you look fa me.
Me, not me, I aint going nowhere to get shoot this year ?
How come the fetes so expensive?
Wha time the police gine shut down big people fete and get people vex,
A wonder what controversy they going have this year?
how many floats ya feel going mek it on the road this time before the police shut de gates
I remember when it used to be on University. Dat used to be good, not like now.
Is how come Caribana duz always dont have money and mek we look so bad year after year begging the Province fa funds? Dem Caribana people too tief-fy!
Boy dem Caribana events expensive nuh lie. I aint paying no 25 dollar to watch nuh poo poo pan playing nor nuh 40 dollar fa King and Queen an dem costume dont be even say nuttin? Is mad ya mad?
Me go down Lakeshore? I going Crop Over instead or I waiting til de parkway Labor day or I gine down Miami carnival. boy dat duz be too sweet.
how come them playing tunes from February carnival and Crop Over last year? Wha happen Crop Over music from Crop-Over this year cant reach here? Dem waiting on steam boat to bring the tunes? Man this is internet era, download man download. we should have plenty plenty new crop over tunes by now. Chupse.
Caribana chupse ya lie boy ribfest cant miss me this year! (that would be me)
Boy dem Trinidad people too confuse I aint want nuttin to do wid dat Caribana ting
Dat duz be we the island people in Toronto when Caribana come...well unless ya under 25 or ya looking fa woman or ya from Trinidad and then well you love off Caribana and every event it have can't miss you. (See I can make fun of the Trinis cause nun a dem dont read mi blog.)
But anyways like I said I laffin at how the fever duz ketch when Caribana week reach. Ad who duz ketch the feva if not the majority of we island people in Toronto?
Well boy that is a very good question and that is what is so funny.
Come Caribana week every lil store suddenly got in a Jamaican and Trini flag. Men dat would follow ya round their store the whole year and give ya dirty looks if ya come in to buy a bottle of water or a pack a gum suddenly got Caribana themed t-shirts in their window and two thousand island flags and hats and belts and rags and banadana and head band and wrist band and musse even underwear and anything wid a Vincy, Lucian, Grenadian, Trini, Bajan, Jamaican, Guyanaese, Dominican, or anybody else in the Caribbean colors item on their shelves and at the doors. And see dem there smiling, standing at the door, grinning, telling you come in and browse.
See cud only be some sort a sickness amm I mean fever mek dem fellas so change. So yes I duz laff my head off when I walk around downtown come Caribana time and watch dem people so change colors and try to mek money off we when I know how things duz be the rest a de year.
Me not me I stanning home an listening me 2008 Crop Over tune, 2007 long gone Toronto dj's. Dem fellas cant mek no money off me. But I will continue to watch and laff.
ps: Dont tell nuhbody but I feel one of them Vincy girls in dat Photo is mi sistren Kami. shhhhh dont tell nobody I say dat.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
A lot to be said
Guyana Girl said typings difficult. Couldnt agree more right now but lets see if I remember anything about poetry. ok freestyle this
There’s a lot to be said
But saying things don’t make things better
A lot in my head
But some thoughts they need an editor
A lot on my plate
But that don’t mean my plate is full
A lot of that stuff
Boils down to simple bull
A lot on my mind but no one asks cause no ones curious
Just grieve and move on
Times wasting, actions spurious
Makes me furious
Or should but then don’t have the strength for anger
Don’t have the strength for laughter
Don’t have the strength for chatter
Don’t have the ….....It don’t matter
When we spiral in that viral
Twisting turning funnel
Wish then that we could pummel
A path, a royal rumble
Through this rubble, mumble, stumble
But I speak in strange tongues so translated sounds grumble, grumble
All a jumble in this jungle over running the ruins
So I fumble while I tumble really don’t know what I’m doing
Worth pursuing is nothing
No point this, not poignant
its pointless, no point gets
made, words disappoint its
a lesson in nonsense
full of sound & fury
told by a fool
who's melancholy and moody
there's a lot to be said
but maybe silence's better than something
a lot in my head
but signifying nothing
oh yea now i remember why I gave up poetry. yuck!
There’s a lot to be said
But saying things don’t make things better
A lot in my head
But some thoughts they need an editor
A lot on my plate
But that don’t mean my plate is full
A lot of that stuff
Boils down to simple bull
A lot on my mind but no one asks cause no ones curious
Just grieve and move on
Times wasting, actions spurious
Makes me furious
Or should but then don’t have the strength for anger
Don’t have the strength for laughter
Don’t have the strength for chatter
Don’t have the ….....It don’t matter
When we spiral in that viral
Twisting turning funnel
Wish then that we could pummel
A path, a royal rumble
Through this rubble, mumble, stumble
But I speak in strange tongues so translated sounds grumble, grumble
All a jumble in this jungle over running the ruins
So I fumble while I tumble really don’t know what I’m doing
Worth pursuing is nothing
No point this, not poignant
its pointless, no point gets
made, words disappoint its
a lesson in nonsense
full of sound & fury
told by a fool
who's melancholy and moody
there's a lot to be said
but maybe silence's better than something
a lot in my head
but signifying nothing
oh yea now i remember why I gave up poetry. yuck!
Thursday, July 24, 2008
People
Now I'm not a people person by any stretch of the imagination. I just am not. Prefer my solitude way too much for that.
Still I recognize the value of communication and of being able to reach out to your fellow man and pass on information, converse or just lend an ear without being an idiot about it. To be honest it really is something they should teach in schools cause so many people don't have a clue how to do this.
Yes some people have no idea how to successfully communicate with others without pissing them off. Lack of people skills you can say. Maybe its that they didn't learn, maybe they are just too set in their ways to change, sometimes sadly its a cultural thing but something as simple as communicating a small problem or concern can get blown up into some huge confrontation if you're not careful.
Hmmm maybe its fear.
Yesterday I was offended. Someone had something to say to me about a matter but the round about way they approached it really pissed me off. Now as much as I wanted to scream on them I remained calm and didn't respond with an "are you a complete ass?" comment cause ya know next thing I would be labelled an angry black man but still.
I mean I appreciated their concern, emphatized with it even but approach and presentation can make a world of difference when you're trying to get some info across to someone else. It was as simple a situation as a hey Jdid I noticed and you might not have noticed but blah blah blah
to which I would have listened and responded with a well thank you for letting me know and I'll see what I can do about that.
But instead it became a whole lotta long talk, a whole round the world thing where one reason was given for the conversation but the main reason for the conversation was hidden and then it was brought out in such a way that it seemed either I was being shown up or the person didn't believe that I would believe what they were saying.
This isn't the first time though. The culprit has done similar with their little passive aggressive speeches before. I take it all in stride but yesterday I was truly offended with way I was approached. Still am to be honest.
Still I chalk it up to one of those we're afraid of speaking our mind to the big black dude incidences. Either that or the person is a complete jackass.
Still I recognize the value of communication and of being able to reach out to your fellow man and pass on information, converse or just lend an ear without being an idiot about it. To be honest it really is something they should teach in schools cause so many people don't have a clue how to do this.
Yes some people have no idea how to successfully communicate with others without pissing them off. Lack of people skills you can say. Maybe its that they didn't learn, maybe they are just too set in their ways to change, sometimes sadly its a cultural thing but something as simple as communicating a small problem or concern can get blown up into some huge confrontation if you're not careful.
Hmmm maybe its fear.
Yesterday I was offended. Someone had something to say to me about a matter but the round about way they approached it really pissed me off. Now as much as I wanted to scream on them I remained calm and didn't respond with an "are you a complete ass?" comment cause ya know next thing I would be labelled an angry black man but still.
I mean I appreciated their concern, emphatized with it even but approach and presentation can make a world of difference when you're trying to get some info across to someone else. It was as simple a situation as a hey Jdid I noticed and you might not have noticed but blah blah blah
to which I would have listened and responded with a well thank you for letting me know and I'll see what I can do about that.
But instead it became a whole lotta long talk, a whole round the world thing where one reason was given for the conversation but the main reason for the conversation was hidden and then it was brought out in such a way that it seemed either I was being shown up or the person didn't believe that I would believe what they were saying.
This isn't the first time though. The culprit has done similar with their little passive aggressive speeches before. I take it all in stride but yesterday I was truly offended with way I was approached. Still am to be honest.
Still I chalk it up to one of those we're afraid of speaking our mind to the big black dude incidences. Either that or the person is a complete jackass.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Free Marion!
Cuhdear man. Ya know I used to like Marion Jones bad bad bad when she was competing. Tall, slim, athletic plus she was fairly good looking and man oh man was she fast. What was there not to like?
Then the bubble burst. Bruggadown! Steroid usage, give back medals, give back prize money, pariah, jail time. Cuhdear.
Well you make ya bed ya got to lie in it the old people would say but still.
Now she's in jail not because she use steroids mind you but because she lied about it. I feel fa she young kids and family.
So the other day I read that she write one letter to President Bush hoping he would commute her sentence. She's been in jail since March or February anyways so yea why not. Its a long shot cause hundreds if not thousands of people apply for a Presidential pardon so chances slim anyways.
But now I read that the president of the US track and field write a letter to Bush saying no dont even think about commuting her sentence. She must be made an example of.
Ya see me. I think that is utter nonsense on his part. The woman aint kill nuhbody. She aint pelt a big rock and lik in nuhbody head, she aint stab nuhbody, she aint shoot nuhbody wid big bazooka, ak-47s and klashnikoffs, she aint rob no bank, she aint steal nuh old woman purse, she aint kidnap nuhbody childrens, she aint do nuttin so. So why you would tell Bush to not even think about commuting the sentence?
Just be quiet and let the man decide fa he self if she worthy of commuting the sentence or not nuh. Chances are he wouldnt commute it anyways but you din have to open ya mout.
Look how many big hardback men do(ing) steroids and get(ting) away scotch free? And you want to set an example with this poor girl. Cuhdear man dat is harsh.
You think her being in jail makes any difference though? Give me a break!
Sometimes these people duz really get caught up in this thing. Its sports. She cheated and she lied. Disqualify her, take back the medals, embarrass her, cast her from the bosom of the athletic Cherubims and Seraphims that you feel must exist even but cuhdear ya mean the man cant even think bout commuting she jail sentence?
Plus its not like she get lock up for doing the actual steroids , she get lock up for perjury aka lying. Wha when it come to lying Bush should be able to emphasise wid dat shouldnt he?
Then the bubble burst. Bruggadown! Steroid usage, give back medals, give back prize money, pariah, jail time. Cuhdear.
Well you make ya bed ya got to lie in it the old people would say but still.Now she's in jail not because she use steroids mind you but because she lied about it. I feel fa she young kids and family.
So the other day I read that she write one letter to President Bush hoping he would commute her sentence. She's been in jail since March or February anyways so yea why not. Its a long shot cause hundreds if not thousands of people apply for a Presidential pardon so chances slim anyways.
But now I read that the president of the US track and field write a letter to Bush saying no dont even think about commuting her sentence. She must be made an example of.
Ya see me. I think that is utter nonsense on his part. The woman aint kill nuhbody. She aint pelt a big rock and lik in nuhbody head, she aint stab nuhbody, she aint shoot nuhbody wid big bazooka, ak-47s and klashnikoffs, she aint rob no bank, she aint steal nuh old woman purse, she aint kidnap nuhbody childrens, she aint do nuttin so. So why you would tell Bush to not even think about commuting the sentence?
Just be quiet and let the man decide fa he self if she worthy of commuting the sentence or not nuh. Chances are he wouldnt commute it anyways but you din have to open ya mout.
Look how many big hardback men do(ing) steroids and get(ting) away scotch free? And you want to set an example with this poor girl. Cuhdear man dat is harsh.
You think her being in jail makes any difference though? Give me a break!
Sometimes these people duz really get caught up in this thing. Its sports. She cheated and she lied. Disqualify her, take back the medals, embarrass her, cast her from the bosom of the athletic Cherubims and Seraphims that you feel must exist even but cuhdear ya mean the man cant even think bout commuting she jail sentence?
Plus its not like she get lock up for doing the actual steroids , she get lock up for perjury aka lying. Wha when it come to lying Bush should be able to emphasise wid dat shouldnt he?
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Yes we can
Breaking News just coming to hand to the staff of Doan Mind Me. Remember we get the news here first so always stay tuned.
Democratic nominee and Presidential hopefully Barack Hussain Obama having sustained some flack over the past couple of weeks is now the subject of a US $1.7 Billion lawsuit filed in federal court today.
The plaintiff none other than popular cartoon celebrity Bob The Builder whose occupation has been listed as construction contractor. In the suit filed today, Bob and his lawyers are suing Mr Obama and his campaign for misappropriating Bob's catch phrase "Yes we can" stating that the phrase is copyrighted by Bob and his construction company and that Mr. Obama has taken it without permission, using it extensively and illegally in his campaign slogans, speeches, buttons, shirts and other paraphernalia.
The suit also claims that Bob has suffered extensive grief, damages and financial misfortune due to the misappropriation of the phrase with some of Bob's erstwhile clients, mainly Republican farmer types, believing that Bob was openly endorsing Mr. Obama's campaign by allowing the use of the phrase, deserting Bob's business. They claim Obama's campaign would be the death of them all and stood to put the average farmer out of business.
Due to this belief Bob has lost a sizable chunk of his business and his once formidable empire has actually in recent weeks been close to bankruptcy with mainstays Dizzy the concrete mixer and Lofty the crane staging a wildcat walkout over bouncing cheques just two weeks ago and JJ of JJ's Parts Emporium refusing to allow Bob further credit at his parts depot. Meanwhile partner and possible love interest Wendy has conspicuously moved her trailer off the lot and down to the other end of town. None were available for comment to this Jdid reporter.
Obama representatives dismiss the suit saying that one of Bob's main clients, Farmer Pickles, a known Republican contributor and superdelegate was behind the whole controversy. Pickles who openly backs the GOP and harbored political aspirations is known to have run for Mayor of Bobsville in 2000 and for a vacant senate seat on the Republican ticket two years later losing in a controversial recount which saw the votes from Bob's machines disallowed once and for all.
Pickles himself is definitely is quite the polemic character. No stranger to controversy he was in fact again embroiled in contentious situations twice last year. Once when acting on a tip off believed to be given by informer Spud the scarecrow INS representatives raided his farm searching for undocumented workers, none were found. Again just three months ago Pickles' prize pig Humpty disappeared mysteriously the day before the Johnson family cookout setting in stage a county wide expensive pig hunt including the use of police helicopters and tracking dogs. No signs of Humpty were ever found. Said Nate Johnson aka Cedric the Entertainer "I don't know nuttin about no Humpty Dumpty but dem ribs from that pig that we "found" up on the road there sure was good. oooh weee! Aint that right Lil Bow Wow?"
After numerous attempts our Jdid reporter finally got a chance to speak to Bob a few minutes ago. "I've got nothing against that Muslim fella Mr Obama" said Bob who curiously refuses to give his last name for the record "but I just don't want him using my catch phrase. He's got the kiddies confused and unless he settles this suit and refrains fro using my catch phrase I'm going to use my considerable influence with the 2-5 year olds to ensure he doesn't win this election. oh and Wendy come back I miss you something awesome fierce."
Other mainstream media have focused on Jesse "The nutcracker" Jackson's recent comments on Obama and the controversial New Yorker Magazine cover portraying Obama as a Muslim and his wife as a black revolutionary complete with urban hairstyle.
This story threatens to be bigger than both those and the Rev Wright story if you ask us.
Speaking to other Obama representatives, in Queens New York today, off the record they said Bob's case doesn't have a leg to stand on and Bob's just trying to get his 15 minutes of fame. "If anyone had the right to be upset and suing it should have been Q-Tip and Phife! Dats words to big bird son!" For the uninitiated Q-Tip and Phife were part of a defunct hip hop group called A Tribe called Quest whose 1990 underground hit Can I kick it? made use of the phrase "yes we can" prominently.
We at Doan Mind Me await the fallout from this suit but it brings to mind another suit filed by another then unknown cartoon character back in 1996 against presidential hopeful Bob Dole for misappropriating his moniker Sponge Bob Square Pants. We all know how that one turned out. Sponge Bob is now a cartoon icon and Bob Dole well lets say he's seen better days.
Reporting live from Doan Mind me this is intrepid reporter Jdid getting down to the facts and saying Doan Mind me I duz talk nuff foolishness.
Democratic nominee and Presidential hopefully Barack Hussain Obama having sustained some flack over the past couple of weeks is now the subject of a US $1.7 Billion lawsuit filed in federal court today.
The plaintiff none other than popular cartoon celebrity Bob The Builder whose occupation has been listed as construction contractor. In the suit filed today, Bob and his lawyers are suing Mr Obama and his campaign for misappropriating Bob's catch phrase "Yes we can" stating that the phrase is copyrighted by Bob and his construction company and that Mr. Obama has taken it without permission, using it extensively and illegally in his campaign slogans, speeches, buttons, shirts and other paraphernalia.The suit also claims that Bob has suffered extensive grief, damages and financial misfortune due to the misappropriation of the phrase with some of Bob's erstwhile clients, mainly Republican farmer types, believing that Bob was openly endorsing Mr. Obama's campaign by allowing the use of the phrase, deserting Bob's business. They claim Obama's campaign would be the death of them all and stood to put the average farmer out of business.
Due to this belief Bob has lost a sizable chunk of his business and his once formidable empire has actually in recent weeks been close to bankruptcy with mainstays Dizzy the concrete mixer and Lofty the crane staging a wildcat walkout over bouncing cheques just two weeks ago and JJ of JJ's Parts Emporium refusing to allow Bob further credit at his parts depot. Meanwhile partner and possible love interest Wendy has conspicuously moved her trailer off the lot and down to the other end of town. None were available for comment to this Jdid reporter.
Obama representatives dismiss the suit saying that one of Bob's main clients, Farmer Pickles, a known Republican contributor and superdelegate was behind the whole controversy. Pickles who openly backs the GOP and harbored political aspirations is known to have run for Mayor of Bobsville in 2000 and for a vacant senate seat on the Republican ticket two years later losing in a controversial recount which saw the votes from Bob's machines disallowed once and for all.
Pickles himself is definitely is quite the polemic character. No stranger to controversy he was in fact again embroiled in contentious situations twice last year. Once when acting on a tip off believed to be given by informer Spud the scarecrow INS representatives raided his farm searching for undocumented workers, none were found. Again just three months ago Pickles' prize pig Humpty disappeared mysteriously the day before the Johnson family cookout setting in stage a county wide expensive pig hunt including the use of police helicopters and tracking dogs. No signs of Humpty were ever found. Said Nate Johnson aka Cedric the Entertainer "I don't know nuttin about no Humpty Dumpty but dem ribs from that pig that we "found" up on the road there sure was good. oooh weee! Aint that right Lil Bow Wow?"After numerous attempts our Jdid reporter finally got a chance to speak to Bob a few minutes ago. "I've got nothing against that Muslim fella Mr Obama" said Bob who curiously refuses to give his last name for the record "but I just don't want him using my catch phrase. He's got the kiddies confused and unless he settles this suit and refrains fro using my catch phrase I'm going to use my considerable influence with the 2-5 year olds to ensure he doesn't win this election. oh and Wendy come back I miss you something awesome fierce."
Other mainstream media have focused on Jesse "The nutcracker" Jackson's recent comments on Obama and the controversial New Yorker Magazine cover portraying Obama as a Muslim and his wife as a black revolutionary complete with urban hairstyle.This story threatens to be bigger than both those and the Rev Wright story if you ask us.
Speaking to other Obama representatives, in Queens New York today, off the record they said Bob's case doesn't have a leg to stand on and Bob's just trying to get his 15 minutes of fame. "If anyone had the right to be upset and suing it should have been Q-Tip and Phife! Dats words to big bird son!" For the uninitiated Q-Tip and Phife were part of a defunct hip hop group called A Tribe called Quest whose 1990 underground hit Can I kick it? made use of the phrase "yes we can" prominently.
We at Doan Mind Me await the fallout from this suit but it brings to mind another suit filed by another then unknown cartoon character back in 1996 against presidential hopeful Bob Dole for misappropriating his moniker Sponge Bob Square Pants. We all know how that one turned out. Sponge Bob is now a cartoon icon and Bob Dole well lets say he's seen better days.
Reporting live from Doan Mind me this is intrepid reporter Jdid getting down to the facts and saying Doan Mind me I duz talk nuff foolishness.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Airline meals
Remember one time we used to laff at those people who walked on the airplane with big set a food in their carry on?
Look at dem people though! Walking around with big, big, heavy bag of roti and rice n peas and meat and whatsnot. They aint have no culture or class though? They dont know the plane duz provide meals included in ya fare? Man duh mek muh shame!
Secretly I think we were jealous though. How dare them people come on the plane with the mouth watering, sweet smelling food. Their home cooked meal vs we with what the airplane people tried to pass off as a proper meal which was usually some mis-identified thing in a plastic plate that they claim is chicken or beef somebody or the other and we sitting there wondering if one of them CSI fellas could do a few tests to confirm if it is what de air hostess say it is before we eat any of it.
Yea boy those were the days. Free drinks and chips and peanuts and thing so too. Well not free cause it was in the price of the ticket but is free cause ya din have to pull out nuh extra money out ya pocket and well ya already pay for it so might as well eat it and enjoy amm I mean experience it.
Not so anymore is it? Now its every manjack bring his own food or pay an arm and a leg for a dry up sandwich on Air Canada and some of them other planes (i believe you still get food provided on transatlantic flights by the British carriers).
Is cheaper to buy at the airport or bring in if ya allowed than spending 6 or 7 dollars on the plane for something that should only cost about $2.50 when it was fresh 5 hours ago.
So now everybody walking with food in dey bag or hand. Even at the airport in Barbados, I went to buy food to eat there in the departure lounge and the fellas wrap it up nice and special like I was taking it on the plane. Dey catering to we needs.
Is a new day boy, new day, new things. Cant laff at nobody carrying food onto the plane no more. Rather they can laff at you.
Wait you aint bring nuh food on this flight and had to buy a 6 dollar dry up sandwich on the plane? whaaaaa, ha ha ha. Boy wha wrong wid you? You aint have no class or culture or common sense? You dont know ya duz pay extra for the plane food? Man ya mek muh shame!
Look at dem people though! Walking around with big, big, heavy bag of roti and rice n peas and meat and whatsnot. They aint have no culture or class though? They dont know the plane duz provide meals included in ya fare? Man duh mek muh shame!
Secretly I think we were jealous though. How dare them people come on the plane with the mouth watering, sweet smelling food. Their home cooked meal vs we with what the airplane people tried to pass off as a proper meal which was usually some mis-identified thing in a plastic plate that they claim is chicken or beef somebody or the other and we sitting there wondering if one of them CSI fellas could do a few tests to confirm if it is what de air hostess say it is before we eat any of it.
Yea boy those were the days. Free drinks and chips and peanuts and thing so too. Well not free cause it was in the price of the ticket but is free cause ya din have to pull out nuh extra money out ya pocket and well ya already pay for it so might as well eat it and enjoy amm I mean experience it.
Not so anymore is it? Now its every manjack bring his own food or pay an arm and a leg for a dry up sandwich on Air Canada and some of them other planes (i believe you still get food provided on transatlantic flights by the British carriers).
Is cheaper to buy at the airport or bring in if ya allowed than spending 6 or 7 dollars on the plane for something that should only cost about $2.50 when it was fresh 5 hours ago.
So now everybody walking with food in dey bag or hand. Even at the airport in Barbados, I went to buy food to eat there in the departure lounge and the fellas wrap it up nice and special like I was taking it on the plane. Dey catering to we needs.
Is a new day boy, new day, new things. Cant laff at nobody carrying food onto the plane no more. Rather they can laff at you.
Wait you aint bring nuh food on this flight and had to buy a 6 dollar dry up sandwich on the plane? whaaaaa, ha ha ha. Boy wha wrong wid you? You aint have no class or culture or common sense? You dont know ya duz pay extra for the plane food? Man ya mek muh shame!
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Food
Food is food is food!
Don't you hate it when a restaurant that has in the past had reliably good quality tasty food suddenly isn't so good anymore?
I mean I wouldn't say I'm extremely picky with restaurants, I'll give most spots a try at least once as long as they look clean and the menu appeals to me. Its the getting me to go back there thing that will be an issue cause if you aint up to par I don't see why I should go back and spend my hard earned money with you.
And with that mindframe it means that aside from experimenting to find new spots that could be good there are very few spots that get my repeat business.
So its sad when one of them has to get cut from my list. Could be a number of things. Cooks change, menu change, size of meal change, price gone up and value for buck just aint what it used to be. But the one that really gets me is when the meal quality changes for the worse.
Woe is me
Today I had a roti from a place that I haven't been to frequently in the past few years but I always thought was one of the better roti places downtown. Dismal! I think its the fact that the staff changed and the old time roti makers aint around no more, instead replaced by cooks that clearly dont know how to make proper roti.
Shame shame shame
Don't you hate it when a restaurant that has in the past had reliably good quality tasty food suddenly isn't so good anymore?
I mean I wouldn't say I'm extremely picky with restaurants, I'll give most spots a try at least once as long as they look clean and the menu appeals to me. Its the getting me to go back there thing that will be an issue cause if you aint up to par I don't see why I should go back and spend my hard earned money with you.
And with that mindframe it means that aside from experimenting to find new spots that could be good there are very few spots that get my repeat business.
So its sad when one of them has to get cut from my list. Could be a number of things. Cooks change, menu change, size of meal change, price gone up and value for buck just aint what it used to be. But the one that really gets me is when the meal quality changes for the worse.
Woe is me
Today I had a roti from a place that I haven't been to frequently in the past few years but I always thought was one of the better roti places downtown. Dismal! I think its the fact that the staff changed and the old time roti makers aint around no more, instead replaced by cooks that clearly dont know how to make proper roti.
Shame shame shame
Monday, July 07, 2008
Welcome back
I'm back. Didnt go straight back to work after I returned home. Took a few days off. Friday decided to go to the mall and whilst there I ended up in Walmart not one of my favorite stores cause its always crazy busy and I aint that big a crowd person.
Anyway as I'm walking through Walmart I end up in the shoe section for no apparent reason. Cutting down one aisle I see this old Indian man calling over to me. Being the ever friendly Jdid plus what can I say I'm a bit slower and disoriented these days all things being equal, I walked over. He was trying to separate a pair of shoes which were connected with a length of slim elastic like black cord. The knot was really tiny and he was trying to alternatively pick out the knot or pop it.
He handed me the shoes and asked for help. Me being my dotish self attempted to assist but my finger nails and fingers in general arent that good at knot picking and since I lost like 20pounds in the past month I too weak to be popping elastic cords. I try for a minute and nuttin a work so I handed back to the shoes to him, said sorry and made ready to step.
Man look at me an ask me for size 11s.
Thats when I clued in. He wasnt asking me to help him as a kind Samaritan walking through the aisles of Walmart he thought I actually worked there. Wha de so n so!
Is not like I was wearing Walmart colors either unless they start wearing black t-shirts with orange splashes on them.
Man I look pun the shelf pull off a pair a shoes plop them in he hand, chupse and walk off. After I left I assume he probably reported my horrible customer service to the manager.
ps: thanks to all you guys who sent condolences. much appreciated.
Anyway as I'm walking through Walmart I end up in the shoe section for no apparent reason. Cutting down one aisle I see this old Indian man calling over to me. Being the ever friendly Jdid plus what can I say I'm a bit slower and disoriented these days all things being equal, I walked over. He was trying to separate a pair of shoes which were connected with a length of slim elastic like black cord. The knot was really tiny and he was trying to alternatively pick out the knot or pop it.
He handed me the shoes and asked for help. Me being my dotish self attempted to assist but my finger nails and fingers in general arent that good at knot picking and since I lost like 20pounds in the past month I too weak to be popping elastic cords. I try for a minute and nuttin a work so I handed back to the shoes to him, said sorry and made ready to step.
Man look at me an ask me for size 11s.
Thats when I clued in. He wasnt asking me to help him as a kind Samaritan walking through the aisles of Walmart he thought I actually worked there. Wha de so n so!
Is not like I was wearing Walmart colors either unless they start wearing black t-shirts with orange splashes on them.
Man I look pun the shelf pull off a pair a shoes plop them in he hand, chupse and walk off. After I left I assume he probably reported my horrible customer service to the manager.
ps: thanks to all you guys who sent condolences. much appreciated.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
One day
said I had a close one yesterday
jah put an angel over me, be strong
hold a firm meditation
one day things must get better
don't you go down
keep your head above the water
say, one day things must get better, be strong
Close one yesterday - Buju Banton
We bonded.
Not friends not even really acquaintances but yet we bonded due to our similarly sad and tragic situation and the waiting.
Yes the waiting, the ever present waiting. Some of us had been here 1/2 hr, some more and still waiting with no explanation. A5, B3, C9 it didn't matter the same scenario played itself out
in the corridor in front of every ward in the Q.E.H almost every lunchtime and early evening but especially at lunchtime.
The official visiting hours were 12 - 1 but we knew we were lucky if we got in before 10 after most days. Quarter after was more likely and most time the delays were enacted with nary a sorry or beg ya pardon by the staff. Its just the way of things.
"I blame all of you. Its your fault!" said one Bajan Yankee man outside with the growing crowd waiting at the ward I was going to. "If you guys don't speak up this will always happen and they will continue to treat us like this." He said in an American accent before flipping into bajan
"Man, I juss cum to drop off someting and I gotta be back in St John by 12:30." Chupse! He fiddled with his watch which by now said 12:15. "You need to complain to the people in charge."
Some murmured in approval, others chupsed not at him but at the situation we were in. Others like me just continued to look at the worn tiles with random thoughts running through their heads.
Who me? Complain officially? Chupse! That gine do something doah ? Wha all that gine do is get my family victimize.
You do know victimization is a bajan tradition right? We aint invent it but we sure as hell perfect it boy. Doan let dem fool ya dat cricket is we national sport ya. Is victimization dat replace cricket long long time.
Wha I got sick family in hayso an de hoggish nurses doan treat dem suh well as is already, ya want dem ta kill my relatives now. Not me an de complaining bosie not me.
I just stood there deep in thought as the mumbles grew louder.
"Looka dat ward down deyso let in 10 minutes ago. Wha wrong wid dese wuns in hayso? Dem like dem playing de tail!" Another lady said as we sweat it out in the hospital corridor, tired from standing cause the bench in front of the ward door only sat 4 maximum and there were about 12 of us waiting.
"dey just cann do things to time and come 1 o' clock dey gine still play they wanta ring de bell too ya know."
That was true sometimes. Sometimes they made up the time lost others well it was mugs game guessing what would happen on which day.
And so we waited.
Two minutes later the door finally opened. A neatly attired nurse walked out, said good afternoon and then closed the door again.
"wait wha happenin in deyso?"
"when dis gine open?"
"I don't know I doan work in dat ward" she said and sauntered away down the corridor, nuff chupses giving her a royal send off.
One minute later the door still closed and thoughts of rebellion creeping into our minds well my mind anyway. Thoughts of knocking down the door with my motley crew of relatives and friends, overpowering the nurses , dropping some hot liks in dey tail and taking over the ward. This is fa all wunna brutes that duz act so unmannerly to de patients! Tek dat wunah wretches! Whapax! Maybe the act of sedition would spread like wildfire from ward to ward until the floor maybe the whole hospital was over run by the fed up family members and finally liberated and secured.
Then what? ummmm. Got to think this through before I make a move.
My thoughts were interrupted as one of the nurses pushed the door slightly ajar.
"Sorry for the delay today, medical emergency." Door closed again.
Well at least for once they gave us an explanation although it wasn't much of one. But then again I've come to expect this from my dealings with the hospital over the past two weeks. Doctors seem purposely vague. When asked for a diagnosis they name body parts.
"Well is the kidney" or "looks like its her heart" or "its his foot".
Yea well ok. But what exactly about the foot is it? Sorry but that's not a diagnosis in my opinion.
What about the foot wrong? Is a toenail want cutting? De foot swell, the arch collapse, ya got to cut off the foot? cause ya know if its one thing they like doing down deyso at the QEH is cutting off people foot quick quick.
Nail juk pun ya toe, foot cut off!
Foot swell up. foot cut off
toe nail want cleaning whoops foot chop off!
Suh much one foot people and no leg people bout the place it look like some sort a bajan civil war brek out like how in Africa ya see all them refugees missing body parts. But it aint no civil war is just Doctor Cutty and Nurse Choppy butchering de people appendages.
Anyway the announcement of a medical emergency send all we waiters into a deep funk. Who family was critical now? Cuhdear! I hope is not mine. Lemma say a prayer quick boy.
Door open again. "Is there family here for Victor Small?"An older lady in a nice cotton dress and a younger voluptuous woman in one of those push up bra too small, cleavage revealing tops that seem to be the in thing in Barbados who I had just been admiring looking nice in her black pants stepped forward.
"Wunnah here for Small? the nurse asked.
"Yes I am his wife and this is he graddaughta." said the older lady.
They were ushered quickly into the room.
I'd be lying if I said I didn't breathe a sigh of relief that it wasn't me that they had called in. I feel for their plight but I also feel for me too.
Time slowly clicked by and three minutes later they came back out looking even more morose than they went in. The older lady was trying to contain her emotions but the younger one couldn't stop crying.
"He gone?" Somebody asked?
No but he like he almost gone the older lady replied while the younger woman rested against a wall as her whole body heaved while she sobbed inconsolably.
Someone in the hallway said "Sit down nuh girl."
"Look gi she a scotch. let she sit down"
Another old lady moved from the bench but the girl stood attached to the wall with a handkerchief to her face, eyes red and cheeks puffy as the tears streamed.
"Sit down nuh"
'Try a sit down before ya fall down"
Some one went over and touched her arm and said something in her ear in an attempt to console her. She cried even more but still refused to sit down. The raw emotion on display had left us silent.
Two minutes later the door reopened. Both sides this time as an orderly pushed Mr Small out on a stretcher. They were taking him to ICU and so the grieving family followed while we all looked on silent, frozen where we were, emotion itching in our throats struggling to be let free.
They took him down the hall to the elevator I presume. And then they finally let us in to the ward. No other comment about the delay.
said I had close one yesterday
jah put an angel over me, be strong
hold a firm meditation
one day things must get better
don't you go down
keep your head above the water
say, one day things must get better, be strong
This one dedicated to pops who died today. I'll be gone for a bit. Rest in Peace. One!
jah put an angel over me, be strong
hold a firm meditation
one day things must get better
don't you go down
keep your head above the water
say, one day things must get better, be strong
Close one yesterday - Buju Banton
We bonded.
Not friends not even really acquaintances but yet we bonded due to our similarly sad and tragic situation and the waiting.
Yes the waiting, the ever present waiting. Some of us had been here 1/2 hr, some more and still waiting with no explanation. A5, B3, C9 it didn't matter the same scenario played itself out
in the corridor in front of every ward in the Q.E.H almost every lunchtime and early evening but especially at lunchtime.
The official visiting hours were 12 - 1 but we knew we were lucky if we got in before 10 after most days. Quarter after was more likely and most time the delays were enacted with nary a sorry or beg ya pardon by the staff. Its just the way of things.
"I blame all of you. Its your fault!" said one Bajan Yankee man outside with the growing crowd waiting at the ward I was going to. "If you guys don't speak up this will always happen and they will continue to treat us like this." He said in an American accent before flipping into bajan
"Man, I juss cum to drop off someting and I gotta be back in St John by 12:30." Chupse! He fiddled with his watch which by now said 12:15. "You need to complain to the people in charge."
Some murmured in approval, others chupsed not at him but at the situation we were in. Others like me just continued to look at the worn tiles with random thoughts running through their heads.
Who me? Complain officially? Chupse! That gine do something doah ? Wha all that gine do is get my family victimize.
You do know victimization is a bajan tradition right? We aint invent it but we sure as hell perfect it boy. Doan let dem fool ya dat cricket is we national sport ya. Is victimization dat replace cricket long long time.
Wha I got sick family in hayso an de hoggish nurses doan treat dem suh well as is already, ya want dem ta kill my relatives now. Not me an de complaining bosie not me.
I just stood there deep in thought as the mumbles grew louder.
"Looka dat ward down deyso let in 10 minutes ago. Wha wrong wid dese wuns in hayso? Dem like dem playing de tail!" Another lady said as we sweat it out in the hospital corridor, tired from standing cause the bench in front of the ward door only sat 4 maximum and there were about 12 of us waiting.
"dey just cann do things to time and come 1 o' clock dey gine still play they wanta ring de bell too ya know."
That was true sometimes. Sometimes they made up the time lost others well it was mugs game guessing what would happen on which day.
And so we waited.
Two minutes later the door finally opened. A neatly attired nurse walked out, said good afternoon and then closed the door again.
"wait wha happenin in deyso?"
"when dis gine open?"
"I don't know I doan work in dat ward" she said and sauntered away down the corridor, nuff chupses giving her a royal send off.
One minute later the door still closed and thoughts of rebellion creeping into our minds well my mind anyway. Thoughts of knocking down the door with my motley crew of relatives and friends, overpowering the nurses , dropping some hot liks in dey tail and taking over the ward. This is fa all wunna brutes that duz act so unmannerly to de patients! Tek dat wunah wretches! Whapax! Maybe the act of sedition would spread like wildfire from ward to ward until the floor maybe the whole hospital was over run by the fed up family members and finally liberated and secured.
Then what? ummmm. Got to think this through before I make a move.
My thoughts were interrupted as one of the nurses pushed the door slightly ajar.
"Sorry for the delay today, medical emergency." Door closed again.
Well at least for once they gave us an explanation although it wasn't much of one. But then again I've come to expect this from my dealings with the hospital over the past two weeks. Doctors seem purposely vague. When asked for a diagnosis they name body parts.
"Well is the kidney" or "looks like its her heart" or "its his foot".
Yea well ok. But what exactly about the foot is it? Sorry but that's not a diagnosis in my opinion.
What about the foot wrong? Is a toenail want cutting? De foot swell, the arch collapse, ya got to cut off the foot? cause ya know if its one thing they like doing down deyso at the QEH is cutting off people foot quick quick.
Nail juk pun ya toe, foot cut off!
Foot swell up. foot cut off
toe nail want cleaning whoops foot chop off!
Suh much one foot people and no leg people bout the place it look like some sort a bajan civil war brek out like how in Africa ya see all them refugees missing body parts. But it aint no civil war is just Doctor Cutty and Nurse Choppy butchering de people appendages.
Anyway the announcement of a medical emergency send all we waiters into a deep funk. Who family was critical now? Cuhdear! I hope is not mine. Lemma say a prayer quick boy.
Door open again. "Is there family here for Victor Small?"An older lady in a nice cotton dress and a younger voluptuous woman in one of those push up bra too small, cleavage revealing tops that seem to be the in thing in Barbados who I had just been admiring looking nice in her black pants stepped forward.
"Wunnah here for Small? the nurse asked.
"Yes I am his wife and this is he graddaughta." said the older lady.
They were ushered quickly into the room.
I'd be lying if I said I didn't breathe a sigh of relief that it wasn't me that they had called in. I feel for their plight but I also feel for me too.
Time slowly clicked by and three minutes later they came back out looking even more morose than they went in. The older lady was trying to contain her emotions but the younger one couldn't stop crying.
"He gone?" Somebody asked?
No but he like he almost gone the older lady replied while the younger woman rested against a wall as her whole body heaved while she sobbed inconsolably.
Someone in the hallway said "Sit down nuh girl."
"Look gi she a scotch. let she sit down"
Another old lady moved from the bench but the girl stood attached to the wall with a handkerchief to her face, eyes red and cheeks puffy as the tears streamed.
"Sit down nuh"
'Try a sit down before ya fall down"
Some one went over and touched her arm and said something in her ear in an attempt to console her. She cried even more but still refused to sit down. The raw emotion on display had left us silent.
Two minutes later the door reopened. Both sides this time as an orderly pushed Mr Small out on a stretcher. They were taking him to ICU and so the grieving family followed while we all looked on silent, frozen where we were, emotion itching in our throats struggling to be let free.
They took him down the hall to the elevator I presume. And then they finally let us in to the ward. No other comment about the delay.
said I had close one yesterday
jah put an angel over me, be strong
hold a firm meditation
one day things must get better
don't you go down
keep your head above the water
say, one day things must get better, be strong
This one dedicated to pops who died today. I'll be gone for a bit. Rest in Peace. One!
Friday, May 30, 2008
I'll be back
but for now juss seccllllleee!
Be back in two or three weeks. Hold down the blogverse for me til then.
One
Jdid
Be back in two or three weeks. Hold down the blogverse for me til then.
One
Jdid
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Pretty ugly
Got permission for this one cause certain people will email me and say I unfairing my wife too much on this blog, especially after I posted this one last year. I'm still am absolutely certain she is trying to bump me off though but that is another story.
Anyway was watching the NBA playoffs the other night and the wife joined me for a few minutes. Conversation swayed towards the NBA and the relative beauty or lack of, of most of its stars.
So I asked my wife her thoughts on one particular player who will remain nameless for now and her response was
"Naa he too pretty. I dont like pretty men like he."
So now I'm sitting there laughing my head off cause I'm thinking well either one of two things. If I good looking then the wife dont like me and if she like me then I musse real ugly.
Its a no win situation. :-)
Anyway was watching the NBA playoffs the other night and the wife joined me for a few minutes. Conversation swayed towards the NBA and the relative beauty or lack of, of most of its stars.
So I asked my wife her thoughts on one particular player who will remain nameless for now and her response was
"Naa he too pretty. I dont like pretty men like he."
So now I'm sitting there laughing my head off cause I'm thinking well either one of two things. If I good looking then the wife dont like me and if she like me then I musse real ugly.
Its a no win situation. :-)
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Foul ....and one
You've got to check out Brother Buck's cartoon.
For a person who claims she has so much more experience and is so much more ready to lead than her primary opponent, Hilary Clinton sure does put her foot in her mouth a lot.
“You know my husband did not wrap up the nomination in 1992 until he won the California primary somewhere in the middle of June, right?” she said. “We all remember Bobby Kennedy was assassinated in June in California.”
I don't know. I mean I sort of understand her point as Wyclef would say Anything can Happen right? Still to bring up the specter of assassination in a race against an opponent who was given secret service protection the earliest any candidate has ever been in the history of US elections has got to be one of the dumbest things you could possibly do.
It shows how desperate and frazzled Hillary really is in my opinion. The race for her is over, she's just shell shocked and refusing to let go of a claim she thought was her birthright.
I know earlier in the campaign I read that certain older black folks were afraid to vote for Obama cause they were afraid that they were putting him in harms way. I don't really subscribe to that logic but every time I see him giving one of those speeches I emotionally brace myself for the possibility that shots could ring out. I hope and pray they don't but as ya never know right. Got lots of folk out there who are not pleased that a black man is this close to the democratic nomination. Its just the reality.
Still you don't want to hear your opponent bringing up that possibility cause it almost seems like they are hoping that that is what happens. Actually its just a poor comment regardless of its intention. A silly silly comment.
Hillary we're tired of your excuses for staying in the race so long. You're just playing the spoiler now. It almost looks like you are trying to muddy the waters for your fellow democrat. But do what you feel to do. All I can say is both you and Bill showed a wicked and dirty side this election so we're taking back our first black president moniker.
For a person who claims she has so much more experience and is so much more ready to lead than her primary opponent, Hilary Clinton sure does put her foot in her mouth a lot.
“You know my husband did not wrap up the nomination in 1992 until he won the California primary somewhere in the middle of June, right?” she said. “We all remember Bobby Kennedy was assassinated in June in California.”
I don't know. I mean I sort of understand her point as Wyclef would say Anything can Happen right? Still to bring up the specter of assassination in a race against an opponent who was given secret service protection the earliest any candidate has ever been in the history of US elections has got to be one of the dumbest things you could possibly do.
It shows how desperate and frazzled Hillary really is in my opinion. The race for her is over, she's just shell shocked and refusing to let go of a claim she thought was her birthright.
I know earlier in the campaign I read that certain older black folks were afraid to vote for Obama cause they were afraid that they were putting him in harms way. I don't really subscribe to that logic but every time I see him giving one of those speeches I emotionally brace myself for the possibility that shots could ring out. I hope and pray they don't but as ya never know right. Got lots of folk out there who are not pleased that a black man is this close to the democratic nomination. Its just the reality.
Still you don't want to hear your opponent bringing up that possibility cause it almost seems like they are hoping that that is what happens. Actually its just a poor comment regardless of its intention. A silly silly comment.
Hillary we're tired of your excuses for staying in the race so long. You're just playing the spoiler now. It almost looks like you are trying to muddy the waters for your fellow democrat. But do what you feel to do. All I can say is both you and Bill showed a wicked and dirty side this election so we're taking back our first black president moniker.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Pink Caddy
She was driving a big mout car. Car mout suh big that is bout three minutes between when you first see the headlights and when you see the driver. A big, big, long pink cadillac!
I wonder how that car mout get suh big though? Must be like when as a chile and ya mudda tell ya doan push up ya mout or it will stan push up for good. Well this car musse push up it mout as a chile car and it just stick so cause the car mout long, long, long like an alligator wun.
Must be one of the first times I ever see one of them on the road too. I thought dem Cadillacs so was Hollywood cars? I didn't know people drove dem in real life. Color remind me of the suit Nas was wearing in the video for Street Dreams. Bright bright so!
So see she turning the corner as I walked through Kensington Market heading back to Spadina.
She? Well she was some hippy looking, notty dread locks want washing, white girl in a tank top dat could barely see over the dashboard properly. So see she turn the corner and driving down the road slow, slow, slow cause I guess if ya driving a pink cadillac its written in within the warranty and license that ya can only go suh fast or ya not doing justice to the vehicle.
As if driving something suh big and suh pink aint gettin' ya enough attention.
Anyways she moseying down the road, peep over the dashboard and notice that a few pigeons was in the road ahead of she. Bout five of them just deyso peck peck pecking away
Ya know what the foolish girl start doing? She start honking she horn. Pramp , Pramp, Pramp, Pramp, Pramp!
At first I thought there was traffic ahead a she dat I din see and she trying to honk at dem but no she honking at birds. chupse!
And she slow down to less than a crawl now and peeping over the dashboard past the car long mout trying to peep at the pigeons. But the pigeons ain't paying no real attention to the Pramp Pramp and she just disturbing the peace cause they still in the road picking at whatever invisible dust it is on the road that duz fascinate pigeons so and dem only backing off slightly when the big wheels of the long mout car get too close.
She couldn't be pramp pramping at me, the pigeons musse was thinking to themselves. She gotta recognize that we dont answer to nuh pramp, pramp, pramp. Maybe she cud get way wid talking to blackbirds or sparrows or wood doves like dat but ya gots to come correct when ya addressing we ...........
So all she doing is peeping and Pramp Pramping, adding to the usual noise pollution of the market instead a driving through the foolish pigeons.
I get a good view a she as I get closer cause she was only bothering my head wid de long lotta loud noise. pramp pramp pramp on the horn like the horn gine outta style. She getting on like she forget that dem is birds and they can fly away if and when they really they want.
She look like one a dem sorta hippy, duz smoke nuff weed, I love the earth and the animals are my brothers and sisters and I wouldn't so much as eat a chicken leg cause it would pain me to think that the one time I eat pieca de colonel's secret recipe I deprive a one legged chicken somewhere in need of a leg transplant of its one chance at lasting happiness types.
You ever meet dem yet? De wuns dat duz dread dem hair cause they feel that locks make them closer to mother earth somehow. Either that or they frighten fa a comb! All dum duz usually end up wid some big, ugly, hardback rasta man dat no decent respectable woman white , black, brown or green wud give the time of day to. Some musty want bathing fella wid a name like I-vexwidsociety or I-cantevenspellmynameproperly or I this that an de third. And next ting ya see two a dum walking de streets wid three or four hard headed pickneys running bout the place............
But anyways she deyso gine on bout the place wid de pramp pramp thing getting people tired enough a de long mout pink car and the pigeons barely egging she on backing back slow slow giving she their best we will move when we good and ready to move intimidatory looks and laughing at she cause they realize how they making she look like a real jackass.
Eventually someone shouted out "Just drive, they will move when they want to." That like that wake she out of she trance cause she look over at the sidewalk to see who had spoken. Was a fella from one a de stores moving some piece of furniture or shelf on the sidewalk. "Don't worry about them, Dem could fly ya kno!"
And it finally clicked with her so she moved on picking up pace again back to her slow I want you to look at me in this pink caddy pace.
As for the pigeons, to be honest to me dem aint worth wha paddy shot at. I think they survive but I couldn't be bothered to look back and see fa true.
I wonder how that car mout get suh big though? Must be like when as a chile and ya mudda tell ya doan push up ya mout or it will stan push up for good. Well this car musse push up it mout as a chile car and it just stick so cause the car mout long, long, long like an alligator wun.
Must be one of the first times I ever see one of them on the road too. I thought dem Cadillacs so was Hollywood cars? I didn't know people drove dem in real life. Color remind me of the suit Nas was wearing in the video for Street Dreams. Bright bright so!
So see she turning the corner as I walked through Kensington Market heading back to Spadina.
She? Well she was some hippy looking, notty dread locks want washing, white girl in a tank top dat could barely see over the dashboard properly. So see she turn the corner and driving down the road slow, slow, slow cause I guess if ya driving a pink cadillac its written in within the warranty and license that ya can only go suh fast or ya not doing justice to the vehicle.
As if driving something suh big and suh pink aint gettin' ya enough attention.
Anyways she moseying down the road, peep over the dashboard and notice that a few pigeons was in the road ahead of she. Bout five of them just deyso peck peck pecking awayYa know what the foolish girl start doing? She start honking she horn. Pramp , Pramp, Pramp, Pramp, Pramp!
At first I thought there was traffic ahead a she dat I din see and she trying to honk at dem but no she honking at birds. chupse!
And she slow down to less than a crawl now and peeping over the dashboard past the car long mout trying to peep at the pigeons. But the pigeons ain't paying no real attention to the Pramp Pramp and she just disturbing the peace cause they still in the road picking at whatever invisible dust it is on the road that duz fascinate pigeons so and dem only backing off slightly when the big wheels of the long mout car get too close.
She couldn't be pramp pramping at me, the pigeons musse was thinking to themselves. She gotta recognize that we dont answer to nuh pramp, pramp, pramp. Maybe she cud get way wid talking to blackbirds or sparrows or wood doves like dat but ya gots to come correct when ya addressing we ...........
So all she doing is peeping and Pramp Pramping, adding to the usual noise pollution of the market instead a driving through the foolish pigeons.
I get a good view a she as I get closer cause she was only bothering my head wid de long lotta loud noise. pramp pramp pramp on the horn like the horn gine outta style. She getting on like she forget that dem is birds and they can fly away if and when they really they want.
She look like one a dem sorta hippy, duz smoke nuff weed, I love the earth and the animals are my brothers and sisters and I wouldn't so much as eat a chicken leg cause it would pain me to think that the one time I eat pieca de colonel's secret recipe I deprive a one legged chicken somewhere in need of a leg transplant of its one chance at lasting happiness types.
You ever meet dem yet? De wuns dat duz dread dem hair cause they feel that locks make them closer to mother earth somehow. Either that or they frighten fa a comb! All dum duz usually end up wid some big, ugly, hardback rasta man dat no decent respectable woman white , black, brown or green wud give the time of day to. Some musty want bathing fella wid a name like I-vexwidsociety or I-cantevenspellmynameproperly or I this that an de third. And next ting ya see two a dum walking de streets wid three or four hard headed pickneys running bout the place............
But anyways she deyso gine on bout the place wid de pramp pramp thing getting people tired enough a de long mout pink car and the pigeons barely egging she on backing back slow slow giving she their best we will move when we good and ready to move intimidatory looks and laughing at she cause they realize how they making she look like a real jackass.
Eventually someone shouted out "Just drive, they will move when they want to." That like that wake she out of she trance cause she look over at the sidewalk to see who had spoken. Was a fella from one a de stores moving some piece of furniture or shelf on the sidewalk. "Don't worry about them, Dem could fly ya kno!"
And it finally clicked with her so she moved on picking up pace again back to her slow I want you to look at me in this pink caddy pace.
As for the pigeons, to be honest to me dem aint worth wha paddy shot at. I think they survive but I couldn't be bothered to look back and see fa true.
Things I learned
last week.
One - I really don't feel like blogging these days.
Two - Burma ie Myanmar has a population of 47 million. I always thought it was pretty small place to be honest. I mean I don't think I've ever met a Burmese yet and this is Toronto where you meet everyone.
Three - There is a thin line between love and hate. Case in point, jilted girlfriend and family hires assassins to knock off ex boyfriend who was going to get married in India.
Four - Marlon Samuels is an idiot.
Five - I'm still hoping for a Spurs vs Pistons finals to drive David Stern to the madhouse.
One - I really don't feel like blogging these days.
Two - Burma ie Myanmar has a population of 47 million. I always thought it was pretty small place to be honest. I mean I don't think I've ever met a Burmese yet and this is Toronto where you meet everyone.
Three - There is a thin line between love and hate. Case in point, jilted girlfriend and family hires assassins to knock off ex boyfriend who was going to get married in India.
Four - Marlon Samuels is an idiot.
Five - I'm still hoping for a Spurs vs Pistons finals to drive David Stern to the madhouse.
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