Half Way Through the Year

I cant believe we're midway the year, time is surely flying.  We have so much to do before the year is out. In all you do don't forget to stop and smell the coffee , shoot the breeze, chillax or just plain kick back and have some fun.

• Plan a beach day
• visit the zoo
• the park
• visit your grand parents

I know I always enjoy seeing my Grannies, they always have great stories to tell. Sometimes I close my eyes and its like I'm watching an old black and white movie as my Gramma talks about Jamaica of yester year. Never a dull moment with Francis & Esmie.

Luv yu lots 

Welcome 2014

 
What resolutions have you made?
 Personally, I try not to make them for fear of failure but deep down inside I cant help but look back at the past year and go;
 I should have or I could have.
Nevertheless, its never wrong to do a self evaluation and consider the things that you can improve, just dont wait until New Years Eve to do it.  That's the ultimate procrastinators' excuse, "I'll do it next year."

On a lighter note I'm wishing everyone a wonderful year filled with success and fortune.

This is me

The City as a Market Place: A Panoramic View of Kingston

As Old as Time

What are your fondest memories of Kingston or the city you live in?
 Mine are all from Christmas, the decorated stores, the lights strung up in the plazas each competing with their version of the nativity seen or Christmas tree with gifts underneath.  The streets lined with vendors trying to make the last sale before they have to pack up.  The smell of melting cotton candy, roasted peanut, jerk chicken and exploded fire crackers.
How about the smell of fruits soaking in wine, freshly baked Christmas cakes soaked in rum and the sorrel-ginger wine.  I remember the smell of newness; fresh curtains hung at the windows, a new coat of paint or white wash on the wall. Christmas carols playing over the radio or television as early as November, children getting excited for the new toy they will get, the new Susie Dolly or G-I Joe.

But what about those changes over time, have you noticed the changes that are happening in our city over the years? Have those changes eroded your fond memories? Or have you made new ones?

The City as a Market Place: A Panoramic View of Kingston

Work Hard and Play Harder

For a country that has a national debt crisis we surely can party!  Hot Mondays, Bembe Thursday, Weddi Weddi, Dutty Fridays, Wata Party (never mind the water shortage in many rural areas and water restrictions for many of us in the St.Andrew area).  Jamaicans always find the time and resources to enjoy themselves, never mind the cost of it all.  But I will agree that the Jamaican dancehall is a lucrative business and many of our nations children are feed and schooled from earnings in the dancehall. Lets look at the ways people earn through the dancehall.

• The artist who designs the flyers & teasers
• The girl who pose for the photo to go on the flyer (Clears throat)
• The peanut, wrigleys, lighter seller
• The beverage company (truck driver, loader)
• The seller of all things "herbal"
• The store owner who sell the bling bling outfit
• The hairdresser & barber
• The taxi drivers
• The DJ
• The entertainer
• The promotor
• The owner of the venue
• The jerk chicken, soup with roast corn man
• The security 

Me leave out any body? If I did fill it in for me.
      

If we are to explore the various avenues of the dancehall, we have to mension the music, fashion, dance moves and the players of the dancehall.  Kingston is never without entertainment on any given night.  There are many websites dedicated to providing the city dweller with information about the next party and our local newspapers are not to be out done.  Living in the city we work hard and play harder.

The City as a Market Place: A Panoramic View of Kingston

David vs Goliath
Who are the movers and shakers of your city?
I'm yet to figure out who is the Goliath of Kingston and who is David.  As we go about our everyday lives do we consider our position on the ladder? I often wonder if my contribution to the city's life is felt by others.  Like a pebble thrown into a body of water, do I make a ripple or does my stone simply sink to the bottom and the water remains still?

Here in the twenty-first century it is quite customary for the under-dogs of society to be the Davids and triumph over the Goliaths.  But there are those among us who prefer to be Goliath and reign with terror and strength. Making all others around them fear but there is always a revolution a foot.
Bob Marley "Small Axe"

The City as a Market Place: A Panoramic View of Kingston

The Light Within
I can only imagine how some people function in their environment. What are the things that motivate them and give them the push they need to go on.  Quite recently, I have come to make a self assessment in this regard and I will admit that it took me a while to pin point the light within.  It's not that the light was out its really just that there were other things casting a shadow over it.  My will to fight and survive is quite similar to others but my little light flickers differently.

On a daily basis I observe people and wonder if their light is burning and if so do they realise that there is a burning desire inside them.  When do we feel like we have had our moment in time?

The City as a Market Place: A Panoramic View of Kingston

Damian Marley - Set Up Shop [Official Video]
Survival is a must