Things I dislike about Jamaica (Jam-ache-r vs. Jah-mek-ya): Sort out yulife Jamaica

Traffic jams – some roads are more tolerable when there are less people on the road. It is amazing how the same journey can be radically different.

      Housing – apart from the fact that people live in the hills (no Valentine’s gift for your car), the houses can be lacking in quality looking terrible from level ground. Various places have irregular housing where everybody wants to do their own thing, especially comes out terrible and tacky. Calling out Independence City, Gregory Park, Cumberland, Greater Portmore. Miley Cyrus’ song ‘Wrecking Ball’ comes to mind. I detest the unpainted houses with steel sticking out the roof. That needs to stop. I am also calling out the new developments for simply not being high quality enough. That’s right New Era, you could have done a better job with Caymanas Estates (whose entry road needs fixing and had too many complaints from residents) and Caribbean Estates (whose entrance is terrible as highlighted by the news). I’d like to see this better regulated. Simply saying all new houses should have rainwater harvesting is not enough. Address the quality issues. I also don’t like the fact that we wait till the night to come home to cover up what we don’t want to face in the days (an issue of Omar Davies vs K.D. Knight). And why do new built houses have proper landscaping, a bigger issue I explain later.

Smoking buses – why does the JUTC buses have to smoke and why are there so many old buses on the road.  Ok, they say ‘Everybody Hates Chris’ but I don’t believe it. Some are cramped, there is this foolishness about the SMART and SMARTER cards and of course naming them “chi chi” doesn’t help.

Narrow, low quality roads – could they have planned it so that the roads are not so narrow (bad town planning), where the houses are so close to the road. Yes Liguanea, I calling you out. Also, the surfaces of most roads tend not be one uniformed tough nut to crack, but a series of patches. You have a small car and you feel it. Sad for the non-SUV owners.  Some roads are not in a line, non-straight or smoothly curved roads making for a terrible driving experience. Some of these terrible roads lead to good places. Is this protectionism? Just because a road is smooth doesn’t mean that when empty all people are going to speed. Most people I observe try to drive at a decent pass although you have to watch out for the swervers.

      Jamaica House not as revered as the White House – I don’t remember growing up and hearing anyone speak about being filming or taking a picture of Jamaica House.  At least no one has made a movie called ‘Jamaica House Down’. Why also does it have to be in a place called Devon.  Does it have the devil in it? Why is the House of Parliament named George William Gordon and why is the place called Jamaica house at a place called Devon (excuse me if your sons have either of those names)? It just doesn’t say positive.  Why not consider at alternate place for the House of Parliament and another place for Jamaica House.  I know I am not scoring any political points but if Devon is a poorer part of England and suggests “the devil is on”, then why are we placing Jamaica House there that should be representative of all the houses. Really can someone explain this to me, seriously?

   
 Businesses not a pleasure to enter – This may come as a surprise, but only the high-end customer can get this pleasurable feel when travelling from home to a business place, but they are often too close to the road, too many long lines (calling out you banks) and too many that don’t say high quality as you enter them. On the last point, note there is a difference between liking the culture and quality and that this should be expounded upon as there are great examples of where the two meet.  I am also calling out the Tastee in Patrick City which is a crisp place beside a dilapidated building, such a turnoff.

Transport doesn’t make sense – An example is travelling on the Nelson Mandela highway.  This may not be a good experience on the bus, cars certainly have a hard time and bikes make their dangerous trecks through traffic. In a idealistic sense, I would see a train going there. Everybody, however wants their own comfort and there is a sense that we’ve tried that and the ‘numbers’ don’t crunch. The toll road in Portmore is often a mess in the mornings, yet another episodic fit of persons going in the same direction.

   
Said to be a country of bad parenting, irregular naming of people, domestic abuse – I would say this is true on some level but this is everywhere.  People get disgruntled with themselves and some can’t seem to figure out they are doing it wrong, whether it is the decision to get married, have children and create a home. I remember going into a church asking to write my name on a piece of paper and not having my name called. I wonder it was a mistake or whether the concept of my name didn’t sit well with them. They say all people want to do is eat a food and them all right.  I think that being honest is important, but don’t degrade the lives of others with you. It is important that we find some way to live with each other, but realize that as difficult as that may be, God made you with advantages and you have to maximize that. A deed poll can fix many a things, just be honest about it and don’t change your name to Anderson as some thought was the way to success.

    

    
Quality of high schools – This starts with the overall look of the buildings. How do the classrooms look, how does the library look (and who it is named after – is it a good name?), does the principal have a nice office and is the staff room up to par? What about the accompanying church, is it up to scratch? I remember loathing going to chapel, but sometimes I sing a chapel song I remember both for fun and seriously. Do they have proper bathrooms which are well treated by the students? We can’t time when we go, but we all have to go. The landscaping, sport facilities top notch. Again, I sound idealistic, but many schools have talent, then why not have good sports facilities. All schools should have some form of sport facility as a decent level.

 
Pursuance of quality/Approach to Technology  –  In general I am upset with the fact there isn’t a free way to watch Jamaican television by iPad (although Flow says this is coming). At least not free in the sense of not having to subscribe and pay a fee. This I feel affects the way the maximum amount of us can see the country and judge what is good and bad. Do the televisions in public establishments have to always be grainy. On an off topic, is it possible to have a better depot for instance. What about the online marketplace to buy and sell goods? Do we structure our houses with mailboxes to facilitate such commerce? Is that feasible and is the current system effective.  Why doesn’t Jamaica have a ‘there is an app for that culture’.

Shopping Malls – I don’t know what it is but Jamaica has yet to build a shopping mall that I love.  This means that there is still the need to ‘fly out’ to get high quality clothes and other items. This is more of a privilege than a luxury.  Economics may prevent this from happening but I think it may be a focal point for people to consider if their homes are high quality enough, is what they are wearing the best and at the best price and if they drive decent cars.  Some malls have terrible roads leading into them (calling you out Boulevard).

     
Energy Prices – Stop comparing our energy prices to Trinidad’s when you are not using some sort of standard of living quotient. That being said, energy prices are too high and it is as if Jamaicans are finding ways to be richer, faster which is why the money is being constantly devalued and prices inflated.  Can we get some growth when it reaches $120 to $1. What about Electricity theft costing us 17 cents out of the 42 cents we pay for. Getting that oil out of the ground doesn’t pay for itself.

     
The ‘if you give them an inch they’ll take a mile attitude’ – I have heard this said, not written, because of course it has been said that black people don’t read. While I don’t remember the context, I am not talking about the patty crumbs in the car. I am talking about things like electricity theft which makes our electricity prices almost twice as high.

Hospitals – after visiting the Spanish Town Hospital, I lament that better care in terms of facilities not the doctoring is being given to patients.  I can’t imagine the conditions a woman has to give her children birth in and this seriously makes me not even want to think about it. Let’s not even start on Kingston Public Hospital and the Bustamante’s Children Hospital where the doctors have to use ingenious methods to make ends meet. If only more places can be like the Tony Twaithes wing. Can this new Health Card (along with the NHF one), help to eliminate clutter in the hospitals.

Improper party culture – Don’t want to expound too much on this but I think the extravangant parties need be private cordoned off affairs that are not televised to the open public. Sort of makes our culture look trifling and unsophisticated. I just think there is no excuse for that.

Sort out yu life Jamaica: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y11vTFrAJeI

Cartoons are from Clovis: Jamaica Observer. All rights reserved.

Verdict & Royal Birth

Having not blogged for a while, I see fit my return given the issuance of the not guilty verdict by the jury of the George Zimmerman case and the birth of the Royal Baby who is male with a high apparent possibility of being called George.

First I will go over the reactions to the verdict.  Outrage, yet expectancy ruled the day as George Zimmerman was set free from manslaughter charges for the shooting death of Trayvon Martin in Sanford, Florida.  His plea of self-defence was accepted as not guilty because the jury felt that 'the prosecution did not sustain its burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt' [Howard University Law Response, Howard Law Student Leaders Response]. Demonstrations or protests, whichever way you may call it, occurred last week into major protests on Saturday, July 20 in the major cities of the United States. Even Beyonce and Jay-Z were part of the protests along with Al Sharpton. Attorney General Eric Holder has apparently promised that the investigation continues and it was reported that there may be civil rights charges brought up against Zimmerman. Whatever the conclusion it is clear that both parents, mother Sybrina Fulton and father Tracy Martin want to keep the case in the public eye.  Also upcoming on July 26, 2013 is the movie Fruitvale Station about the killing of Oscar Grant, a 22-year old black guy in the Bay-area in the United States during the early hours of New Year's Day by local police [Wiki, IMDB].

William and Catherine have been in the public eye as a couple for about six or so years. They married in a televised wedding on April 29, 2011. Today, July 22, 2013 they have had a son, yet unnamed, but the fanfare around the birth has been massive. According to reports from the Guardian, the boy was born at 4:24 pm and weighed 8 lbs 6 oz at St. Mary's Hospital in London in the Lindo Wing . The baby will be third in line to the throne after grandpa Charles and father William. There was much talk about the law having been changed or possibly changed so that a girl being born would ascend to the throne if she was the first born, and not have to be passed over for the throne by any boy who would later be born. There was also a break away from tradition again where in the past the Royal Baby was given birth to in Buckingham Palace. With the birth of William and now the birth of his son both in the Lindo Wing, it looks like the Royals have changed that tradition.  Had a girl been born a couple of things would have happened. The royal line would have been Female-Male-Male-Female meaning that Queen Elizabeth could be Queen or stop being Queen knowing that another King was on the way. It makes it that much more unique Elizabeth II's rise to be Queen. Secondly, it would have meant that the male heirs would have been under a Queen and to their knowledge succeeded ultimately by a Queen. The pomp and circumstance surrounding the delivery of the birth note to Buckingham palace to the Queen first and then being placed on a easel to announce the birth along with celebratory town criers made it an occasion in history.  The Prime Minister David Cameron congratulating the new parents was an added touch in a tradition-filled day [The Guardian Royal Baby Blog].

Celebration

Having a birthday is something that is unique and special. It is a measure of the change of time according to a 365 day calendar. The 27th Birthday in particular has been an important milestone in the lives of many, with the 26th being significantly difficult for some during the progress of their careers.  I liken it to the alphabet, 26 letters, so maybe at 26 there is a full development of the English language in a person (maybe, maybe not).

Silly Season has begun, with presidential candidates apparently having decided on their running mates. The Republican Party under the auspices of Mitt Rommey, former governor of Massachussets has chosen 42-year old representative Paul Ryan to be the next Vice President of the United States.

So significant were the celebrations for Jamaica50 that the events created a sense of euphoria not felt in a very long time. The Digital Generation had the ability to experience it in many ways and many took advantage of the relatively free services on show.  It was indeed special to watch the Olympic events with Jamaica gaining 12 medals (4 gold, 4 silver, and 4 bronze).  That was significant in terms of the simplicity with regard to the year signalling that we were keeping it simple, symmetric and unique.  The timeliness of the medal presentations helped Brand Jamaica capture a great amount of potential tourism possibilities and promotion of national products. Hopefully there are positive ramifications from the event in London.

The landmark African-American sitcom, House of Payne, has apparently finished with 254 episodes and while not the traditional network sitcom, it set records on cable television with shows like For Better or For Worse doing ok.

Jamaica has come up with a number of new shows that maintain their market share on both major local stations and the former third station LoveTV is apparently not broadcasting. There is a sense that the focus has changed to the major economic focuses in the island with respect to education, wellness, tourism and the arts. A particular improvement in Graphic Artists and presence on the internet with a directory focus has made the country better at driving business as necessary.  Hopefully, there is a gain in these possibilities as a number of promises have been kept in terms of improvement in civil works.  Jamaica to the World...it is good that it has collectively caught up to other countries and it is hoped that it improves. One other Caribbean country celebrates 50 yrs in the form of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago on August 31st.  The winning of the Javelin gold medal by Keshorn Walker was of particular significance.  The two countries ceded from the West Indies Federation in 1961 and were among the first to become independent nations, with Jamaica on August 6th. 

Reset

With traning and nutrition being top priorities of athletes for the London Olympic Games, the first games in London since 1948 provide an interesting challenge for the athletes from the various competing countries.

The run-up events have not provided that glitz and glamour tuning up that has previously been felt in the series of sports.  Injuries have plagued a number of athletes and baton dropping in some relays have changed the fate of national pride.  The top four fastest 100m men's runners are from a world-renowned island in the Caribbean (3) while there is one from the United States. The women have improved their times although there have been some changes among the top women from 2004 to 2012.  Other events have gained persons of greater notiriety including swimming and diving with the United States and Britain represented by Ryan Lochte and Tom Daley respectively.

The sport of tennis will be played at the home of the Championships Wimbledon.  There the best in the world should be looking to improve the status of the sport in the Olympics with golf set to be introduced in 2016 as an Olympic sport in Rio de Janiero Brazil.  

The reset button is represented by a still strong media and banking influence present in the United Kingdom. Many of the best scripted shows have been translated for use in other cultures, the exact quality is for others to ascertain.  However, the athletes who are representing their countries must have a sense of decorum befitting the situation as their abilities could be further tested under adverse weather conditions.  The quest for that elusive gold medal does not compare to competing for one's country, an tiring but necessary good performed by some athletes whose natural talents lend to the sport.  The representing is a good thing that stand the test of time and hopefully will be relevant in the very least to the families who have participated.

Much work was done to ensure that the facilities to ensure usability and unlike the Commonwealth Games in India that was poorly attended because the stadium was only built last minute.  The coinciding of many post-colonial country celebrations (as mentioned in previous posts) should only serve to provide a contrast that could make an interesting games.  The book, 'The Power and the Glory' was recently released and hopefully if one display in London should make an interesting read for prospective patrons.  Idyllically, there will be a reset after the games end on August 12, representing a sort of post-colonialism that will have a weird feeling as a senior games or World Cup in Europe is unlikely for some time.  Maybe Madrid 2020 but that is anyone's guess.  The reset approaches.

Movie Stars: Where are you?

This year has seen the passage of a number of stars that have chartered the landscape of cinema.  Ernest Borgnine, that charismatic actor who was awarded in the 1950's.  The multi-lingual speaker, English, Italian and German starred in the film Marty, a film largely based on a man's portrayal of self-image and relationships (as far as I have seen so far).  Andy Griffith also passed and he starred in a number of influential positions including as the Georgia barred lawyer Matlock as well as the famous Andy Griffith Show.  Donna Summer's repretoire was brought to life with songs like the Last Dance and Hot Stuff.  Robin Hugh Gibb of the Bee Gees also passed away contributing to songs like "Lonely Days", "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart" "Boy's Do Fall In Love", and "Secret Agent".

The movie "Sparkle" is set to come this summer starring Whitney Houston, another cinematic wunderkind who featured in the Bodyguard, the Preacher's Wife, Cinderella among other movies.  The controversial death caused massive undertones of evangelical outcry...largely because of her church roots.

The loss of these stars that helped to centralize generations.  That centralization helped to bring together generations interested in the cinematic process that ensues.    The likeability and originality of the characters must be something to note.  Having had a writer's strike over greater remuneration for projects (especially those that are successful), there has been a steady generation of material some of which has done well at the box office.

Link 1 Link 2

Space

An interesting report came out speaking about Nigeria and Ghana entering the space race. Although late, these countries whose population exceeds that of over 250 million, must seek to implement tools to ensure their own protection in years to come.  These countries have implemented educational programs targeted at making their populations the best of the best when it comes to science and technology and have faculty that are pioneers in their fields.

The launching of satellites into space represents the ability to increase the defence mechanisms of both countries and increases their capability to understand their terrain, roads and infrastructure from above.  Particularly, it aid in the defence mechanisms relating to adverse meteorological conditions.   After establishing a new satellite in 2003, NigeriaSat-2 and NigeriaSat-X were released in August 2011 and a 15-yr hybrid geostationary satellite called NigComSat-1R that serves as ideal tool for television and internet services within the region was released in December 2011.

For the purpose of engagement in space exploration with students and young professionals, and Ghana Space Science and Technology Centre (GSSTC) was established in May 2012 and combines with the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC).

The initiatives presented show that there must be real applicabilities to development and protection in two countries so important to the socio-economic backbone of West Africa. Additionally, because Kenya in particular has increased it's use of mobile technology, there needs to be a proactive effort to engage people in the diaspora with technology management with respect to youth and how jobs are provided.

The greatest effort to quell an unemployment rate of 16.5% between 16 and 24 year olds, particularly about 30.2% for African American youth, is unfounded given initiative like the above to establish a space program. A 2.7 million dollar joblessness gap is staggering and continued efforts in the United States through the job corps like Peace and AmeriCorps have enabled students to place particular emphasis on personal development locally and internationally.  Given that fellow collegemates have done this level of volunteer work and have survived, non-aweing initiatives like these should be promoted for personal development.

                                                                 Link1  Link 2 Link 3

Transition

The Anglophonic Youth have reached the stage where a generation has been marked by the arrival to the age of 30 by Prince William of Windsor. The recent healthcare bill has been upheld by the United States Supreme Court in a landmark 5-4 decision as reported on NBC breaking news with respect to issues dealing with the tax penalty.

The summer is now in full swing.  The Championships at Wimbledon are on and going somewhat predictably except for the first round loss by Venus Williams. The Strawberries and Cream are out in full force yet no Bud Collins due to health reasons.

The month of June 2012 marks an important transition in the lives of the generation starting with the 1980's and the rest of the year including the London Olympics, the events in the Europe and the United States will set the tone for the rest of the years.

Tiger Woods has improved to 2nd on the all time list of golfers who have won a title to 74 passing the 18-time major winner Jack Nicklaus and trying to approach Sam Sneed's record of 82 titles.

While major sporting events dictate the proceedings other events that are meant to spark pride are occurring because this year is a marker for a number of events, ranging from the event known as the leap second to the independence movement in the former British West Indies in Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago, marking their 50th anniversary with the other islands in the Eastern Caribbean yet to celebrate.  With Jubilee celebrations drawing to a close, there are many socially sensitive events that are occurring from June to November and as the opening up of business in the former British territory of Burma and the election of the Pro-Democracy leader to the position of Opposition leader having recently visited the United Kingdom including her alma-mater on an official visit.

With new freedoms come new responsibilities.  Get Smart.