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.

Competition

The greatest business driver is competition.  This is clearly a different paradigm in an age where access to worldwide information is less difficult.  General Colin Powell spoke in an interview with Tavis Smiley that he grew up in an analog age but is adapting to digital grandchildren.  There was also the statement that education was such a necessity in his household that if he wasn't able to go through, that his parents would probably get another child.  Such is the competition for dollars where there needs to be particular emphasis on positioning and responsibility so that there is a greater and more impactful trenching to prevent other entrants.

While there is a great adage that 'He who has the dough makes the rules', the digital world has resulted in the enabling of independent competition in the form of independent publishing, web content and other similar endeavours.  Due to price scaling, the availability of these resources are different in different places.  The spread of public services to approach more universality is a difficult concept for some to grasp in the age of competition.  The established entrants are the ones who give the greatest exposure to the widest number of people and because the independents often lose traction over time to the established entitties, framing the argument that competition facilitated by more entrants is positive is good, does not necessarily hold water.

One particular agency had a person who decided that approaching a spin-off after being relieved of a position to target underserved communities was an immediate way of promoting competition.  How long will this last is yet to be seen, but there needs to be a concerted effort to approach the point where marginalization of this entity is not promoted to such a degree because of the established entrants reputation of occasionally envisioning dodgy service.

Choosing the right media to get your point across is also a very important mechanism along with timing.   Ingredients to catch one's attention and then satisfy one with useful outcomes is difficult.  To compete or appear to compete over time is a difficult task to be sure, especially when potential apparent conflicts of interest linger.

Compete Compete Compete  - 38 days to London 2012

Ownership

The thrill of youth often involves construction towards either renting an apartment, owning a house, buying a car or some other form of vehicle.  Often youth attempt to solve their transportation issues with the acquisition of a car or bike early and this has been thought to have an interesting.

There are a number of champions who have had car crashes. One into a fire extinguisher and the other into a rail near a major bus park.  Both have relatively good reputations and have excelled in their fields. The vehicles were a Buick and a BMW.  Both situations reflect the interesting situations for positive reinforcement of driving standards and more emphasis on following up on what was the route cause.

Now many youth are trying to find their stake in a world where there is a great pre-ponderance of joblessness, insecurity and uncertainty.  Growth is not as apparent as the 1990's and certainly the pace of innovation has been followed by acquisition and increased understanding.  The status quo is a weird concept to speak about as the seeming static nature of things while there is incredible change in the interim.  The regime changes of the past two years and municipal changes have charted the course of the second decade. Baby boomers are going into retirement and additionally, having just celebrated a long time of service by many heads of states, the status quo has changed to that being set by the youth and how they will use their tools (some new) to operate in the same environment as their ancestors.

The understanding that 50 years of television in most independent countries should change the viewpoint of the locally and internationally and how our individual views (I'd like to call it a vote) relates to us.  What we can see is in the public domain is important but not.  For example, Bill Gates recently went to India and has had appreciation for the eradication of polio among the population to the point where it is possible that it will soon be the case it may be declared that the country is polio free. There has been an increase in the infrastructure being put in so that there are more people with education that is translational and that there is a life-meaning force which translates into better use of basic resources. But I cannot completely vouch for this as this is his opinion. Trains are still crowded going home and there is still abject pollution and poor conditions.

As the youth of this generation attempt to translate how they are going to build their lives in a cross-defined era, it will be interesting to see the changes that are made.  Every-place is different and so are the theories behind it.  How can this translate into a better translation of how you view yourselves to others?