Voting Hype

So it’s election fever again and as customary baseless promises and flippant quotes abound from the candidates, prominent citizens, and the ordinary man in the street, in order to influence votes. I have selected some good ones for you, if you are an islander and know your peeps and your 2P’s inside out then you should be able to determine the source or who said what! And too, there has been the usual name-calling. So I have also added a few choice nicknames for you to figure out who’s who. ‘Ah bwoy’ as a people we are too funny. If we could find a way to market and trade our brand of comedy complemented with our entrepreneurial [sic hustling] skills, we would have struck oil!

Quotes:
1. “It’s Christmas, so it’s ‘Party’ time.”
2. “This is a party with a passion for the people, a party that cares about the upper, middle and lower classes, and no class.”
3. "I am going to prove to Jamaican people that they don't have to bleach to reach because I won't have to trim to win."
4. "As your member of parliament, I have been a builder.”
5. "Kibber yuh mouth, don't talk about it again if you talk about it again there is more I have to say."
6. “Them come up and announce Prado, Range Rover, Audi … but we have the keys to the JEEP.”
7. “If anything, the election is a stimulus package. As the holidays draw nigh….those who were not meaningfully engaged have attached themselves to a party or two and are now ‘eating a food’.”
8. “We have earned the vote of the undecided!”

Nicknames:
1. “Holiness”
2. “Man-a-Yard”
3. “Gangs of Gordon House”
4. “Running Man”
5. “Comrade Can’t Lose”
6. “Sister P”
7. “Baby Bruce”
8. “Son of the Soil”

Silly season again...now what

glitter-graphics.com

Been so busy but I have not forgotten about the blog. I keep hoping to find time to update even the template! So I guess that old cliché will be my first of a few messages to you this Christmas 2011:-

1. The more things change the more they remain the same
2. Time waits on no one but remember to hope that maybe love will
3. Reach out to someone in need, true friends are always there
4. Share your knowledge, don’t assume everybody ought to know
5. Stop and listen, everyone has different circumstances in their life
6. Laughter is the best medicine for any misery.

In the true spirit of Christmas, please help others by giving back from the heart. Receiving is just as important too, so learn to accept what is given to you. And above all never give up.

Happy Holidays. Click and enjoy one of my favourite Christmas songs from Luther ... I don't know how love could do this to me ... so much emotion it's driving me mad ... my friends gather round me with holiday cheer ... but I can’t keep explaining what they’ll never understand ... why I take my chances hoping that you will be here ... so here I am ... every year every Christmas.

Coming up 2012 Jamaica titbits

Nation gearing up for Jamaica Village in the London 2012 Games which will present an opportunity for visitors to experience a fusion of the best of our culture, music, and cuisine.

Superstar athlete Usain Bolt is up and running and already off to a great world-leading start. The place to visit is Usain’s Tracks & Records one of a kind premium dining experience and entertainment spot with its flagship position in Market Place, Constant Spring. Amenities include a track designed bar and interactive multimedia menu tables where you can order unique local dishes ‘nyammings’ and ‘big food’. The jerk chicken spring rolls are a must have. And oh yes, plans are afoot to “take it to di world" - London, England and North America.

2012 is also when we will be celebrating Jamaica’s 50th anniversary of Independence. Where did the time go?

Lessons from Adidja di Teacha

Am I the only one who was amazed by Vybz Kartel’s lecture by invitation at UWI on March 10th? One could not help but be impressed by the fact that the famed dance hall artiste turned up quite prepared with lecture notes, PowerPoint presentation, and was totally engaging even witty at times. The major disappointment was the behaviour of the tertiary students, hundreds of them restless, noisy, and apparently also unprepared as during the Q & A session Kartel himself had to ask for anyone with any sensible questions! Some may dismiss the talk as a charade but I would venture to disagree. Indeed there were some vital lessons that we can all learn from Adidja di Teacha even if we may not agree with his approach:-

Style - Regards bleaching as just a style or another cosmetic alteration of appearance not to be frowned on considering convention allows other forms such as use of makeup products, weave, and plastic surgery.
Focus – Does not embrace being symbolized as a role model, just an entertainer out to get his due, that’s his focus.
Family – Introduced himself as having 7 kids and on an afterthought added, “and counting....”
History – Mentioned a number of quotes to provoke thought. Proud of his tattoos, has all of his sons’ names tattooed on, no mention of his daughters’. Says his tattoos although exterior portray a history of his interior.
Self-esteem – Cocky, does not give a hoot about what the average Jamaican thinks. Made the point that late great Bob Marley was adored by foreigners for his talent long before getting acceptance from his own people, in other words, it’s well known that Jamaicans only love ‘foreign tings’.
Goal – Has a goal which he states is to achieve his desired result. When someone actually got around to asking him exactly what his desired result was, his answer though somewhat clichéd was simply, “to do it my way”. And at the end of it all, I think he did just that.

With lyrics aptly put, Addi di Teacha affirmed, “I bask in the controversy with cake soap as my sun tan.” You either love him or leave him. 

Interactive Investor Map

Recently launched by JAMPRO in partnership with Mona GeoInfomatics Institute (MGI), this online Map features 6 different categories of data and pictorial views on infrastructure, projects, lands for development and natural resources in Jamaica. The map has been endorsed as a useful tool to enable prospective investors to consider and evaluate opportunities islandwide. Take a look for yourself and see what you think. There is still some fine-tuning to be done with the site and depending on the browser used, you might have to spend a good while exploring the database and getting the hang of it.

Make it Jamaica

Today, I found myself reminiscing on some old time places and classic commercials and decided to check out some clips on YouTube. Here are a few links for your viewing and listening pleasure.

“Come back to Jamaica”

“Once you go, you know”

“Come to Jamaica”

Also, who can forget Lloyd Lovindeer when he sung of how in the park, a statue was erected to remind us that we are emancipated! His song, a classic tune aptly titled, was a humourous take on the naked statues revealed at Emancipation Park in New Kingston. I have managed to find an audio sample, so listen and enjoy “Happiness in the Park” (pronounced: a penis in the park). Yardies have a wonderful sense of humour, that’s what makes us tallawah. Chee hee.

Lifetime Achievement

The race is on for Jamaica's 2010 Sportsman & Sportswoman of the year to be named tonight at the RJR Sports Foundation's annual awards ceremony to be held at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel. This morning I got a glimpse of the great Merlene Ottey on TVJ Smile Jamaica program. At age 50, she is looking fit as usual and has no intention of stopping. You go girl! Ambassador and sprint queen Merlene along with former world boxing champion Mike McCallum will be presented with two Lifetime Achievement Awards. Special guest speaker will be former Olympic 400-metres hurdles champion Edwin Moses.

“Caribbean Marketplace” – January 16-18, 2011

The 2011 staging of the Caribbean Marketplace will be hosted by Jamaica in our 2nd city, Montego Bay. Over 1500 supplier, buyer, and media delegates from 25 Caribbean nations and 30 countries worldwide are expected at this important B2B tourism event which will take place at the new state of the art Montego Bay Convention Centre in Rose Hall. The Centre is the largest in the region and positions Jamaica as a premier events destination for international meetings and conventions, exhibitions, banquets, weddings, and other special events. The facility boasts a capacity of up to 6,000 people and features 84,000 sq. ft. space inclusive of exhibition, banquet, and meeting rooms. Ideally located 15 minutes from the airport, 5 minutes from major hotels, and surrounded by cultural shopping mecca, championship golf courses, and the north coast with all the splendour and natural beauty that Jamaica offers. If you are in Kingston, no problem, park and the Jamaica Air Shuttle will get you there in 30 minutes. Nowadays, Jamaica means business. After business, then pleasure and visitors can just soak up the Jamaican vibe!

Ian Fleming International Airport

The Island’s 3rd international airport was officially opened January 12, 2011. The original Boscobel Aerodrome in Oracabessa, St. Mary that had been in operation for 30 years as a limited service facility, was renovated, expanded, and transformed into our latest airport renamed after the famed author behind the literary James Bond character and 007 films. The Airport features one runway, modern terminal, customs and immigration services, and luxury passenger lounge. It can handle private and commercial small jets, Caribbean and international arrivals, and is expected to attract the higher end of the tourist market.

Buju Banton & Friends Live Concert – January 16, 2011

This long-awaited “Before Dawn” concert will take place at the Bayfront Park Amphitheatre in downtown Miami. However fans unable to make the trek to Kingston 21 (South Florida) are pumped up as they will be able to watch live exclusively on LIME tv. Yeah you heard me right. LIME is making a telecommunications comeback against the other big players, Digicel and Claro. Crowds have been lining up at LIME stores this week for trade-in deals to purchase their special mobile TV handsets which will allow them to view the concert showcasing Buju and guest Jamaican artistes, Stephen Marley, Shaggy, Freddie McGregor, and Nadine Sutherland. It's LIME on TV aiming to bring the best in entertainment.

Vision 2030 Jamaica

Usually at this time of year, everyone has a vision of how the New Year will turn out. Some create vision boards, others write down resolutions, and some simply adopt a wait and see approach. You might not know it but there is a National Vision for the country, which is, to make “Jamaica, the place of choice to live, work, raise families and do business” by the year 2030. The Planning Institute of Jamaica is the agency responsible for leading the process. Their focus is on four (4) national goals which are:

1. Empowering Jamaicans to achieve their fullest potential;
2. Making the Jamaican society secure, cohesive and just;
3. Ensuring Jamaica’s economy is prosperous; and
4. Guaranteeing Jamaica has a healthy natural environment.

Now, these are all eerily very similar to what I was envisioning as personal resolutions for this new year, that is, to excel and be prosperous while at the same time keeping healthy and safe to enjoy the successes that come my way with my loved ones. So I am thinking I am really going to have to support this Vision. Only problem is we are now at 2011 and these goals will have to be pushed into fast-forward mode in order for me to make it to 2030. Most def!