Monday, July 30, 2007

Changing Of The Guard

So, I had oft heard my Mudda lament that there was nothing on the island for her to do, no form of entertainment where mature women of her age could get all dressed up, look real fine, and go out to shake their tail feathers in a venue fraught with mature and well behaved peoples. The isolated ‘Oldies’ concert did not count, as her peers did not want to be repetitively slapped in the face by a form of entertainment whose primary marketing ploy was geared around the fact that they were catering specifically to the ol’ people.

During the times that Mum would hem and haw about this tragic fact, I never paid she any min’. I of course, was frequenting the clubs, liming and enjoying the fetes where my friends and I would all meet up, have a rollicking good time, then go back to mi yaad, where more often than not, I would often find mi Mudda sitting on the porch, or up reading a book when I would arrive home in the wee hours of the morning. Additionally, if she went out, who would I get to baby sit?? (Lawd, if she eva knew that I said so! One of the joys of anonymity!) Devil

Anyway, after a seemingly long hiatus, I went to the club with DV on Friday night, and for the first time, I now know what mi Mudda was talking about. Whilst sipping a cosmopolitan (elegantly, I might add) an’ taking an objective look around the club, I came to realize that I was probably the eldest person there. The girls were so young and willowy, they almost looked as if they were just entering puberty, and I wondered if they were carded at the door. My peers no longer frequent these establishments. They are married, divorced, getting married, getting divorced, or bogged down with chillum. There has been a changing of the guard, so to speak. Lawd, I felt old. I no longer recognized or understood the music, and I really knew that it was time for me to make my exit when I discreetly assessed the fire exits, and pondered possible violations of fire safety laws. Sigh. Things rough. When DV left me to get a drink, I was approached by an enterprising young man, who called me his “Baby Love”. When he smiled, he had an amazing set of grills that blinded me when the disco lights hit them. They were either grills, or a really bad case of plaque. Teeth

Early into the night, the DJ gave me a frikking false sense of security: he played six consecutive calypso songs. I wuk’d up with JOY, and sang loudly and clearly, thinking that all would be well. Then, I realized that said DJ’s nefarious scheme consisted of playing the ‘old’ stuff that I could identify early into the night, and proceeded to leave the ‘good’ or ‘young’ stuff for the wee hours for the enjoyment of the freaky young whippersnappers, when the arrived en mass at the stroke of midnight. When the clock struck midnight (and I believe that there was a full moon) Mr. Man started to play some bag a’ noise that was full of mere treble, and yet the young populous could all fill in the DJ’s strategically placed blanks! There were rap additives, and lawd, the reggae almost killed me! What the hell is going on with reggae music nowadays??? It almost seems to be fused with a form of heavy metal / pseudo rock, and all I could think about was Red Plastic Bag’s song “Ragga Ragga”. Sigh. It has all come to pass.

So, after such a tragic and somewhat depressing occurrence, I would ordinarily lament at the fact that I am getting old, because I was sleepy and was home by 1:30pm, and a form of fear that I would soon be joining mi Mudda on the porch. But, alas, with maturity, comes truth, or certain factual realizations.

The young whippersnappers are living it up now, but when they reach my age, those young Nubian princesses that are only now only now sprouting boobs and partying all night long – that shit is going to sag and go waaayyy south to their no bony l’il knees. Those smooth and young innocent looking faces are eventually going to be lined and haggard from the cigarette smoke and hard drinking, unhampered by any form of exercise. Ya’ll watch. You read it here first.

Though, when the young Playas’ ripped abdominals are soon overtaken by the solitary barreled keg, unfortunate as it is, they will still get women, only now they will no longer pant after the young nubile princesses (now the battered hags), but will rather yearn for the elder women, or pant after the new flock of princesses, soon to hit eighteen. They will get them too. Thus is the circle of life.

This summarizes my Caymanian sociological study. My contemplation in a nutshell.

On that note, I shall now exit. You will note that there was no apology for the long absence. I was just toooo lazy to blog. I ain’t shame.

Ta ta...


Ginger




Thursday, May 10, 2007

The Nappy-Headed Sonnet

Flowing, soft, billowing waves - crown does not possess,
Gleam the apex coroneted with a kinky, matted, billowed ‘Fro;
Rebelling against synthetically induced soft sheen tresses,
Untamed definitive knotted curls, is the way of its growth;
Skeletal remains of broken combs, strewn amongst defeated hair products,
Destroying commercial promises to soften, moisturize, develop and enhance;
Bristling curly coiffure, despite corporate marketers’ denoted ‘perfect locks’,
Contrary terrorist decision, initiating the first step of resistance;
Symbolic of the resilient nature of my people, the ‘Fro will dominate,
Refusing to be brushed aside, controlled and pressed into subservience;
Methodology of the radical’s need to beleaguer those that legislate,
Exemplification for those who should relax in abject silence;
The stubborn non-conformist ‘Fro. Voluminous and regal throughout life,
Unmoved despite harrowing winds, chemical warfare and hair-raising strife.

****

On that note, I shall now exit.

'Fro

Ginger





Saturday, April 07, 2007

Naughy Nefarious Nemesis!

So, whilst catching up on my very outdated blog reading last night, I took my usual jaunt over to the page of my arch nemesis, the evil villain and obnoxious spammer, Trouble (Insert evil theme song here), prepared to read with a sneer of the upper lip, and to render some insightful and thought provoking comments to his posts. Devil

Whilst there, I encountered the following ditty, composed by the man himself:

Ode to da Fro

Outspoken soul-sista
you had me at “Hell no!”
ranting raving misbehaving
I wax inquisitive,and need to know.
Are you au natural?
A ’60’s kinky curly girl,
Cicely or Pam Grier.
Hendrixonian heteroclite…
Heckler in hedonistic herecy,
with Oxy-cleaning action
you brillo-pad the world,
scrubbing crusty bullshit,
until freshly sparkling,
appears the truth.
Dark and sultry sage,
you are Yin to my Yang…
Not to mention how,
you augment my wang.
Anomalous Momos,
Where were you when
I was making the mistakes of youth.
In my penchant for noodging pixies,
and beer swilling sensualists,
I would have ‘picked’ you Fro.

“’Picked’ you Fro”…Lawd mi’ gut!! Get it!!! "Pick"??? Lol

As I continued to guffaw, tittering and wheezing, I automatically started to compose my poetic retaliation to his arrogant assumptions and presumptions (sneer of the upper lip continues), then realised that such an action could possibly ignite a turf war the likes of which Biggie/Tupac, Paris/Lindsay had never seen. Therefore, for the sake of peace and tranquility in Blogland, I stood down. Hmprh. {Flashing my gang symbol here}. All innocent by-standers, saved by my sacrifice, you may convey your thanks.

Leon, not offended at all. Here is an episode where I can use the metaphoric brillo pad to scrub the crusty and entertaining poetic bullshit, the likes of which can only be coined by such a Trouble-maker. Can you imagine if he was inclined to use his nefarious powers for good???

For those of who are more inclined to prose, and are of a non-poetic bent, check out the hilarious Cliff-Note break down of the Ode here.

On that note, I shall now exit. Sonny has returned home for the Easter hols, and it has been at least fifteen minutes since I harassed him. I need to make up for lost time.

Toodles…
Ginger





Monday, March 26, 2007

Gaea - Goddess of the Earth

Gaea cries, raped and abused,
Forceful penetration impeding her foliage,
Invasive marauders thrusting and pumping,
Emitting lusty, guttural moans as Gaea is used.
No artful foreplay for her pleasure,
Gaea screams - cries remain unanswered,
Her pain disregarded and irrelevant,
As her rapists affirm their existence,
Spewing filth and ejaculating cancerous pollutants,
Seeping through Gaea’s vaginal core,
Decaying and corroding Gaea’s mantle,
Deteriorating her outer crust
Embodying itself through her wounds.
Evident contusions and discolorations
Unrestrained throughout her being,
Gaea’s abrasions and cries for help evident:
Stunted growth and lack of fruition;
Depleted, infertile famine ridden planes -
Charred remnants of her beauty,
Congealing among barren landscapes,
Chaos igniting amidst her foundation
Annihilating Gaea’s peaceful existence,
Depleting her oxygen - the root of her growth,
Eroding and wilting her terrain.
Waste and rot - Gaea’s colourless existence,
Limbs razed for inanimate structures,
As Gaea remains trodden, stampeded,
Scarred, embittered and under siege.
Vengeful, Gaea vows to unleash her wrath,
Dormant power misconstrued and misunderstood,
Rage prominent through her psyche,
Overwhelming emotions to spite invasive species,
As caustic and scarred, she cries.
Gaea cries torrential, monsoon waters,
Breathing, gusting hurricane forced winds,
Quaking and writhing disastrously,
Prepared to reap destruction in her wake.
Gaea cries, emitting torrential gusts
Stabbing and freezing her abusers in their tracks;
Gaea cries until, dehydrated,
Gaea can cry no more –
Barren, arid and desolate emotional drought;
Unforgiving Gaea; abused Gaea;
Emotionally unable to recover from her
Physical and emotional defilement.

**********
‘Fro / March 14th, 2007

Thursday, March 22, 2007

Handicapped Facilities

So, I read this article in the Cayman Net News today, which evoked a sneer of the lip and a flip of the finger in the general direction of the so-called powers that be. And it was not my pinky.

I laud the paper for trying to highlight the plight of the handicapped on our Islands, though they should not limit this outcry to those who are unable to walk, but extend this study and / or commentary to the blind, deaf, and other disabilities. I will keep a skeptical eye out for follow up articles detailing the completion and nature of the improvements, but I will not hold my breath.

When my family realized that my big Sis was slowly losing her ability to hear, we searched high and low for resources that could provide us with sign language classes. I was flabbergasted to note that this was an almost futile endeavor. Begs me to wonder where and what the Islands do with the handicapped, but for the required token handicapped restroom and parking space, especially for those like my big Sis, who were affected later in life. She is not in a position to attend the Lighthouse School to learn the ABC’s of sign with the primary aged kids. There are no TTY telephones for us to communicate immediately via phone, and it seems as if the telecoms companies are not even giving these a second thought, as they are not marketable and expensive to implement. And of course, there is the public sensitivity (or lack thereof) that is also to be dealt with.

I once watched with revulsion as a sales clerk spoke harshly to a patron that could not speak, when she could not understand what the patron wanted. I have watched with disgust as able bodied people have parked in designated handicap parking, running to do their errands with no shame. I can remember back in the day when Caymanian families hid their handicapped relatives away like a shameful secret. I have witnessed more than one occasion when individuals have spoken impatiently and aggressively to my sister when she was unable to hear them, and asked them to repeat their statements. You know that the I and I was not going to tolerate such disrespect to my Sis!!! Hmprh! I am vex again just thinking about it!! We also need to sensitise our children from they are in the womb not to stare and point when they see someone who is different than they are.

Needless to say, my environment needs further education and enlightenment as to the sensitivity and the plight of the handicapped. The fact of the matter is if buildings and sidewalks are not properly outfitted for handicap access (and this includes Braille signage) then we are taking away the ability of those with special needs to be independent. This would do nothing to erase societal misconceptions and prejudices as to the abilities and intelligence of those with special needs.

“We would encourage occupiers of older buildings to modify them to accommodate disabled people,” says the good Minister. What the fcuk??? “Encourage”??? Who the hell wants to voluntarily spend money to outfit a building for those in the minority?? I would think that the government would see fit to provide the occupier of the older business with a mandate to update their facilities within a giving time frame, as a matter of public policy!!! But, I won’t get too stressed, as it is evident that common sense is indeed not common.

Lets see if said government is quick to update the handicapped facilities on the waterfront based on the complaints, interviews and special needs of the transient cruise ship passengers on the waterfront, as opposed to setting island wide standards that will ultimately benefit their people. I wait with abated breath.

On that note, I shall now exit.

Toodles.

‘Fro
Ginger





Monday, March 19, 2007

The Evil Stepmother

[Excerpt from phone call to Sonny in Barbados]

‘Fro: Your Granddad is getting married
Sonny: [Shocked] Really??? To who???
‘Fro: His girlfriend, I guess.
Sonny: Wow! I didn’t know that ol' people were even attracted to each other!
‘Fro: [Brekking up wid laffter] Wha’??? Wha’ kind of thing is that to say???
Sonny: I didn’t mean it like that, Mom!! I jus’ thought they saw each other as we see them, you know, ol’ and wrinkly and stuff…

From the mouths of (obnoxious) babes.

So, my old fart of a father, pushing seventy if there ever is a day, is getting hitched to a young hussy who is more than twenty years his junior. I guess it sounds more scandalous when we mention the twenty year differential, but when I break it down to say that she is forty three, it does not sound as scandalous and illicit.

The news spread amongst his five chillun like wildfire, and immediately, a fambily caucus was convened at the closest house of choice. We had visions of a scantily clad wench donned in blood red lipstick, plotting to milk our father of his Trump-esque fortune, which drove us to immediately research and assess the nature and legalities regarding said holdings. It was so jokey, especially when we realized that the status quo will remain: there are no holdings. But it was the principle of the thing, and the drama was quite exciting.

Anyway, after meeting with Daddy, and organizing a sit down with the hussy…who was not really a hussy after all, but a well meaning woman who is apparently in love with the old fart, I have come to realize how this can now complicate my once relatively uncomplicated life. She is another dynamic that we chillun must now consider, because much as we would like to deny it, she will now become a part of our lives, distant though it may be. I had never factored a possible third party interloper affecting the matriarchal and / or patriarchal standing in my fambily. Us against the world, spearheaded by my divorced parents. Now, another individual has the potential to affect policy and procedures within my family, as they also have access to my Daddy. Sigh.

But, from general observation, it does seem as if the conventional family is almost extinct. Sonny has a stepmother and a ‘half’ sister, and (god forbid!) should I marry and have a child / more children, he will in effect have two families. Sigh. Shifting social conventions and the redefinition of societal norms. A sociological debate that is well served with a cold beer.

Anyway, Dads is getting married in Jamaica next month, and the gang a we is all flying out to wish him our continual love and support, as good chillun do. Coincidentally, the chillun (but for the newly baptized lamb) can also get on wild and wassy and take in some Jamaica carnival festivities. I just hope that I can suitably remove the hangover, mud and paint from J’ouvert, to be able to pull myself together to look suitably dainty and delicate for the wedding. No one should ever critique my ability to multi-task.

On that note, I shall now exit.

Toodles

'Fro

Ginger





Sunday, March 11, 2007

The Ten Commandments

So, I was doing my Sunday reading of Friday's Caymanian Compass, when I came across a small classified ad, listing the Ten Commandments. My initial reaction on seeing the ad was a sneer of the upper lip, and I proceeded to turn the page. Then, intrigued, I paused and made a conscious decision to read, absorb and break down the Commandments from my cynical societal perspective. I wanted to assess each Commandment symbolically, taking into account my relatively limited scope of many of the horrors and evils that pervade many societies, in addition to the positive and wonderful things that happen today that are never worthy of sensationalist press. Now, as an additional disclaimer, it should be noted that formal practiced religion and the concept of blind faith and I have a very distant and pessimistic relationship, but I have a lot of respect for biblical writings and interpretations, and am open to teachings of almost any denomination and faith. I’m just cool like that. I will also write on the premise that the Commandments are still applicable, as some denominations have deemed that they were ‘revoked’ by God, because of the murder of his son.

Now, hereby lies the Ten Commandments as broken down by ‘Fro, standard life teachings - moral and common sense - as taken from Exodus 20:1-7 (drum roll here).

1. Thou shall have no other gods before me.
Note the lower case reference to ‘gods’? This notion in itself is practically non-existent, as money, status and power appears to be the ultimate god, ruling and controlling mans interaction with man. On this note, will later reference the powerful impact that the money god, has on the practice of all other Commandments. Additionally, as we move towards globalisation and there is more interaction with other cultures and religion, societies are continually faced with conflict and confusion surrounding this Commandment. Hinduism, Sikhism, Wicca, Buddhism (some traditions), Agnosticism, Atheism, Humanism, etc. These religions worship many Gods, a different single God, two deities or no God.

2. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in the heaven above (edited for content – look it up yourself)
So, what does this say for all the posters and debates raging about the blond haired, blue eyed Jesus; black Jesus, Jim Caviezel, pictures of Jesus on the Cross, etc? What of the religious bookstores that sell and profit from these items, (tying this back to Commandment #1)?

3. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.
Scrap this one as it applies, as blasphemy is the order of the day. Society has reduced this to a ‘lesser evil’ in the grand scheme of things, something that appears to not even be noteworthy. I can remember as a child, taking the Lord’s name in vain was a HUGE playground transgression, whereby other kids would tattle or threaten to tattle on you if you did. We did not understand the origin or nature of this transgression at all times, but we knew that it was something baaadddd……

There are some things that I just do not mess with, out of some deep internal fear, and respect. I have a co-worker, that continually bellows "Jesus Christ!" each time that she is upset, and I cringe each and every time that she does.

4. Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy
Which one? Religions are in conflict if it should be Saturday or Sunday. The Cayman Islands have enforced a drinking and dancing law and a Sunday trading law that prohibits dancing on Sundays, as a measure of the powers-that-be enforcing Commandment #4 on its society. At 11:45pm each Saturday night, all clubs and bars are to cease and desist with the sale of alcoholic beverages, and all patrons must exit posthaste: Sunday is coming. Therefore, we ensure that we get as many drinks in as possible, when we hear the infamous “Last call to the bar”. Get drunk, drive home, and wake up to go to church on Sunday. On Sundays, we island natives can go to a local bar, and drink to our hearts’ content, to the tune of ‘soft’ background music, which must be played at a certain decibel, so as not to reduce the possibility of conversations while we sip or gulp on our drinks. It is illegal to dance in said establishment. Supermarkets are also closed on Sundays. Therefore, we cannot take or drunken selves to the grocery store after we leave the bar. Go figure.

5. Honor they father and thy mother
But do our fathers and our mothers honour us? Absentee fathers; microwaved babies; baby used as a baseball bat; drowning children in bathtubs; giving toddlers marijuana; murder suicides; incest…and the cycle will perpetuate itself.

6. Thou shalt not kill
Except: when fighting for oil; land; enforcement of religious doctrines; suffering from PMS; self defense; inheritance; eye for an eye. Societies have become so desensitised, that murder and death seems to be the order of the day, even manifesting itself in the games played by our children. Legislation and case law seem to be on a role for excusing every form of murder: they were abused; they are mentally incompetent; they are just children. We seldom weep and mourn, nor lobby and take to the streets for radical change and outcries against the atrocities that we commit against each other, except in the days of old when young and old, male and female used to gather in streets and yards to lynch black people for perceived wrongs, or when village inhabitants gather to stone young women for adultery or if they incited men to lust by showing their eyebrows. Sigh. Oh, for the good old days!

7. Thou shalt not commit adultery
Ha! This is the norm more than the exception! Wedding vows are transient at best, as interchangeable as our shoes or socks. I don’t even need to comment on this one anymore. Refer to Commandment #10.

8. Thou shall not steal
See comment on Commandment #6, and tie this back to Commandment #1 and the worship of money and status.

As a side note on white collar theft or embezzlement from organisations, I was also intrigued by the fact that most published convictions for embezzlement in the Cayman Islands seem to involve single mothers, between the ages of 25 and 35. I would think that this would be worthy of some form of impact study, in order to evidence the wheres and whys. This was further highlighted for me when a young lady was sentenced after embezzling funds to support her on-line gambling addiction (see commandment #10 to follow).

9. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor
Except in instances of false identification, due to the fact that all black and Asian people look alike, or if thy neighbour is taking the fall for breaking commandments #8, 7 or 6; or if you cry out that a random black man car jacked you and drove off with your kids, inciting a possible public lynching of a random black man like in the god ol’ days. Refer to commandment #6.

10. Thou shalt not covet they neighbour’s house. Thou shalt not covet they neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy neighbour’s.
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s oil, and incite war, terrorism and famine by baring false witness against thy neighbour, in a bid to obtain said oil.

Pertaining to the above, I was recently curious as to why gambling was deemed a ‘sin’ as it seemed to be self inflicted harm to the gambler and relatively harmless. I was intrigued to note that gambling was a form of coveting. I will not even mention church raffles at this point, and will have a little talk with DV when he gets back from Vegas next week.

So, in the grand scheme of things, this one can also be tossed out the window with the baby and the bathwater, because coveting is the norm, more than the exception. Newspapers, tabloids and MTV Cribs repeatedly punch us in the face with the fact that we are unworthy and poor in comparison to superstars and mega millionaires, driving us to implants, botox, liposuction, weaves, robbery and pillaging on a daily basis. Coveting thy neighbour’s wife’s ass has led to Commandment #’s 9, 8, 7, 6, 4, 3, and 1 being broken without a second thought.

In conclusion, for those of us with non-spiritual inclinations, even if we should take the religious aspect out of these life rules, they are wonderful guidelines under which we should live our lives. Maybe we should all reassess and reconstruct these moral teachings in order to live good lives and further strive to be good, happy and content human beings.

Therein lies my Sunday sermon. I shall now step down from my soap box, and exit on that note.

Toodles.

Ginger





Monday, March 05, 2007

Excess Baggage

So, I have been contemplating the concept of ‘baggage’ recently, and the extent to which we consider and assess the crap that has somehow managed to Velcro itself onto our souls from the ghosts of relationships past, as we traverse the rocky airports of life.

All we bitter and negative women who have been stepped on, trod upon, shit upon, shall we stand up and say aye? All ye bitter men who have been err….well…you know…whatever, you can stand up and say something too.

As I am contemplating my baggage and what it entails, it also begs me to consider those that I have baggaged against, that is, circumstances where I know myself to be someone else’s baggage. That ex-friend of eleven years who pissed me off in Barbados. The Ex-Boyfriend that I stopped calling and did not give my forwarding address when I did not know how to end it. The list can go on and on…

In order to appease my vapid inner ego, I would like to think that my relationship interactions would classify me as designer Louis Vuitton baggage, rather than a cheap Eastern Avenue suitcase, but, who knows? I have no intention of conducting confirmation research to assess my baggage worth, because the people that I have affected might not give me the answers that would make me feel better. That Ex-Boyfriend might want to bitch slap me right now, for all that I know.

But, as I am considering my inner designer baggage, I must humbly conclude that they might not be too extensive in the grand scheme of things, all things being relative. I may not be charged for over weight. Therefore, good boys and girls traversing this airport of life, the ultimate lesson to be learned is that we must take care in our interactions with one another, because when you step on my foot and I cuss you, we become each other's baggage, and for all that we know, this negative turbulence may result in cancelled flights.

On that note, I shall now exit...
Airplane
Ginger



Monday, February 26, 2007

To Barbados...And Beyond!!

So, I just got back from a brief sojourn in Barbados, to look for my Sonny-Wonny. As his stint in Bim will soon be over, I have decided to insert brief visits between each term, which would make our separation seem shorter until he returns for the term holidays. Sigh. My baby is due to sit the Common Entrance exams in May, and he graduates in July. I can’t believe that the time has gone by so fast.

The boy is a joy. He is such a character. I am continually fascinated by the gradual transition of my baby boy to a little man. Or conversations are more adult, and I have learned not to shudder each time that he asks me an open question. For this trip, he gladly regaled me with the tale of his classmate bringing a pack of condoms to school. When I asked if he knew what they were for, he promptly responded, “…to prevent HIV/AIDS.” The discussion to follow was quite entertaining and amusing, but the long and short of it is, his head is on the right track.

I guess that I can no longer fear the so-called corruption of my youth, because I have realized that outside forces being what they are, I cannot insulate the child at all. The most that I can attempt as a parent, is the continuation of an open line of dialogue, in order to assess and cultivate his decision making process. Things seem to be looking good so far (fingers crossed), because I can honestly say that not only do I love my Sonny, but I genuinely LIKE him. I like his personality, his irreverent sense of humour, his penchant to be somewhat facetious and sarcastic, and the fact that he is a free thinker. He accepts nothing at face value.

Barbados was wonderful as always. When not hanging out with Sonny, I caught up with old friends, and fell in love with the Island all over again. I have always found Barbados to be the perfect compromise: Not too fast and not too slow. The Island is now set to host the finals of the ICC Cricket World Cup, and lawd, after a pass through the refurbished Kensington Oval, I was astonished! It is fabulous!!! (Of course, after the passage of the finals, it begs one to wonder what they are going to do to recoup the costs associated with the stadium. They are ready for the world, but what happens when the world leaves?) Nevertheless, it is fabulous! The beautification projects are well underway, and they are all geared up to aptly display Barbados on the world stage. I just hope that the customer service improves, because between Bim and Jamaica, I have met some of the sourest customer facing people ever! Lawd, the people dem miserable. The norm and not the exception. Would it kill to mumble a simple ‘hello’ when a customer walks into a store??? I do apologise for disturbing your newspaper reading in my attempt to provide you with some added REVENUE!!!

Anyway, that’s a rant for another day. Then, I may get into customer service and race issues in the Caribbean, and the difference that an accent can make when they realise that you are not from their native island.

On that note, I shall now exit.


'Ta


'Fro

Ginger








Monday, February 12, 2007

Born To Hang...Can't Drown...


So, mi Mudda in her infinite wisdom (we will make no mention of her miserableness and contrary personality here), always seh: “If you born fi hang, yu cyaan drown.” Turns out this could apply to the poor Filipino security guard who was shot during the robbery of the Cayman National Bank last year.

The poor fellow, now apparently fully recovered from those wounds, was on duty at the Cayman Islands Port Authority, when some kind of container or crane (facts dependant on who you talk to) fell on the poor fellow and killed him dead.
The rumour mill has the poor man split into two halves; decapitated and / or squashed but the only consistency that I can obtain from the stories, is that a shovel was somehow employed in cleaning up the mess. Of course, this could also mean that a shovel was nearby and somehow fell to the ground. But, who knows.

I was amazed at the power of the Caymanian rumour mill today, as I received three different telephone calls and seven emails about the demise of the poor fellow. By the time the Caymanian Compass is published tomorrow, the news will be stale. I must say, one of my first inclinations was to let out a morbid little giggle, as the entire thing immediately reminded me of the Final Destination series.

The man obviously never had good legal representation after the shooting, or maybe his employer had air tight indemnities built into his work contract, for I cannot begin to imagine why he was back at work and not sitting back at the Ritz Carlton sipping martinis and waiting for a big fat settlement, or claiming some kind of disability. Is this where I say "only in the USA"? I must ask my good pal RI if he ain’t been doing some ambulance chasing to drum up some business, cause I am sure that the prospective fees from the Filipino man’s lawsuit would have been a wonderful addition to his coffers.

Caymanian security guards or policemen are not allowed to carry guns, so they must have expect the poor man fi’ fling he baton or walkie talkie at the robbers, when he did see dem coming. It is a royal fool who will get shot or killed when guarding other people's property for a mere pittance per hour. I know if I were he and I saw the robbers coming, I would’a help them to collect and stuff the money from the Tellers in their get away bags should they become tired and need an extra hand. Those guns are very heavy after all, and I would hate for them to lighten the load by releasing bullets. The bank's gots lots more moneys. I only have one life. A coward man without a gun lives to flee another day.

Makes me wonder about the poor man’s last words when he did see the something falling on him. If I were he, I know that I would have some extra bargaining and begging to do with St. Peter when trying to negotiate my way though the Pearly Gates, cause “Oh Fuck…!!!” more than likely would be my final words.

On that note, I shall now exit.

'Ta.
Ginger





Tuesday, February 06, 2007

Hair Today...Gone Tomorrow

So, the odda night, DV and I dress up in we finery and went out to celebrate the birthday of a mutual acquaintance. After a few Apple Martini’s (hic...hic) and a nice little buzz, we finished the night at a local pseudo-seedy hotspot. We did hol’ we self up in a little dark corner next to the dance floor, and while commencing some discrete bubbling and wukking up (on my part, cuz DV seh bad man doh dance), a heavy set, voluptuous Sistren wearing a little itty-bitty piece’ a some'ting decide she goin’ dominate the dance floor.

Now, from the way my Gal was gyrating and flinging she self ‘bout de place, it did cause me a moment of concern for she overall health and well-being but the I and I figure seh she mus’a know wha’ she was doin’. Foresight, intuition and common sense told me some’ting was goin’ to go bust (pun intended) at some point, ’cause the bikini top that she was sporting was under severe pressure from she Double-D’s, and there was no way that the laws of physics could allow for the itty-bitty piece’a cloth to restrain the busting bazoongas that could possibly hurt innocent by-standers when and if they did decide to blow. When I did see the pending explosion, I turn roun’ to mek a little side bet with DV as to the timing and nature of the explosion, but he nevah tek me on. Chicken.

Anyway, I digress.

So, my Sistren continue wid de gallivanting, and she drop to the groun’ on all fours, and start to rotate she head roun’ and roun’ like the woman from the Exorcist, or like she was in the midst of some kinda epileptic fit. All she needed was a spoon in she mout’ to mek sure seh she nevah bite off she tongue. I jus’ know seh I was quite worried about the state of the Sistren’s health, cuz I could envision the headline:

Dutty Dancer Dominating Dance floor Dead! Spectator Traumatised By the SpectacleNewspaper 2

There would be far reaching consequences to her ill fated demise, as I am sure that I would be called in to testify and to provide witness accounts to the police. All because I was minding my own business, and the wench come an complicate my life by popping she neck and dropping dead at my feet. Yes suh. I considered all of this in a drunken stupor, as she writhed and contorted a few feet away from me.

Once again, I digress.

So, Missy there wukking she self into a frenzy, and I know seh drama comin’. This appealed to my morbid inner demon. But, alas, the entertainment did not take the form that I had predicted. In the throes of the Sistren’s seizure (lawd…mi gut…) she wig fly off she head and slide ‘cross the dance floor Lol . Now, shame for she (and holding mi gut wid the laffter), I turn roun’ and hide mi face in DV’s chest. Being practical (and a coward), mi navah know if she wudda want to retaliate against those who should laff at her expense. Containin’ my mirth, I glance at she to see how she handle the shame, but…Alas! Ms. Ma’am still goin’ wild! She nah shame! After the departure of de wig from she head, she now bus’ the splits and gyrating same way! Some enterprising and helpful individual den pick the wig up (yuck!), beat she crotch wid it two times (I guess to tek out the dust) and fling it at she as she continued with her display, and she jus’ shift it outta she way, and continue wid de show!

What confidence! The show must go on! Devil

Then, jus’ when I thought that it could not get any better, one stick man wid a big Afro (mus’ be her suitor) appeared and jump the Sistren, flinging she on she back on the dance floor, and spring himself between she legs, and start one piece’ a thrustin’ and grinding, wid she legs cock (no pun intended) straight up in de air! Before I could even tek it all in, DV cover my eyes, and said that I was too young to tek in such a display, and by the time I move he hand, I know for sure that I mussa miss something, like if de man did pull out a condom, and continue the safe sex demonstration. Choops!

Alas…it is not to end there!! When the sexcapade was finished, the Sistren pick she self up from the floor dus’ off she clothes, and THEN realized seh one saggy boob did pop out! Did she furtively tuck and attend to said boob? Did she discretely crouch, simper and blush whilst attending to her wardrobe malfunction? Hell No! My gal cup the boob in one hand and the wig in the odda hand, and strut off’ a the dance floor, head held high, nary to be seen again. She came Devil (or did she?). She saw. She conquered.

We can all learn a lesson from this confident and stalwart young lady. When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade. Lol

On that note, I shall now exit.

'Ta

Ginger






Monday, January 29, 2007

School Alone

So, I read this article in the Caymanian Compass the other day, and am still disgruntled by it.

It constantly amazes me as to how some parents can be so clueless and careless with respect to their children, although during my conversation with one of the teachers at the school, she states that we should be somewhat thankful that the chill’un are attending in the first, even if the school and teachers are being used as a glorified babysitting service.

I cannot begin to fathom how a parent(s) can allow a child to remain at school until 7:00PM, and not take safety issues into consideration, coupled with the fact that the child must be tired, smelly and hungry. What about a set routine for a child, which includes bath, dinner, relaxing at home; quality time with family; homework, and an early bedtime in order rinse, lather and repeat? This can never happen if a child is left at school until 7:00PM, and what perturbs me even more, is the fact that there are repeat offenders. Had this been a habitual offender who’s child remained at the school until 7:00PM, Social Services should have been contacted, though I am not even certain how they could posibly this problem, or if the parent(s) would particularly care.

Everything being relative, there are instances of parents fighting with teachers; parents fighting with students; chill'un cussin’ teachers; ganja brownies in schools, and heaven only knows what else. I am too naive to consider the further possibilities. It would be interesting to cross reference the attendance, punctuality, behaviour and grades for the children that are habitually left at the school until the wee hours, in order to asses the possible social concerns that may potentially adversely affect the Islands in the future, and to decide if and when an intervention would be required.

It was also ironic to note that within the same newspaper publication, the Ministry of Health and Human Services announced that it would be hosting a planned symposium to review the points at which young people enter the Criminal Justice System, though the article reads as an extravagant homage to nothingness. There were a lot of words, though nothing was said. I just think that in terms of common sense, the so-called symposium attendees should draw from the Compass’ article about the school pick ups, and this may provide them with a starting point for their sociological, political and economic assessment as to how young people could possibly enter the Criminal Justice System.

On that note, I shall now exit.

'Ta.

Ginger

'Fro








Thursday, January 25, 2007

Children, Race and Self Esteem


Take a look at this video, and lets seriously contemplate the methods by which our children are socialised to feel racially inferior. This should serve as a gruesome wake up call.

It would be interesting to view the results of similar experiments in the Caribbean.

Please be sure to share it with all of your friends and family.

I need say no more.

'Ta

Ginger





Thursday, January 18, 2007

Arthritic Knees and Football Glory

So, glutton for punishment that I am, after our glorious and renowned victory over the evil villains in the indoor five a side football finals, the Lady Lions have once again taken to the battlefield to defend our illustruous title.

Prior to each practice and game, my knees send shock waves through my body by emitting a series of cracks, creaks and aches, blatantly protesting the form of torture that will be meted out when I am running up and down the court seeking to deliver the little ball into the goal. I had previously pledged that 2007 would be the year that I would actually take care of my knees by doing the dreaded surgery, but my modus operandi at this point is to continue with my rabid denials in the hopes that if I should ignore it, the problem will go away Smile . Miracles do happen.

Well, the Lady Lions are back, though I am sorry to say that the team is not the same. Last season we took the field with laughter, jokes, revelry, and an incomprehensible attitude of hope and joviality after each and every loss. Now, our team structure has changed, as some players have left, and new players have joined the roster. Winning seems to be the primary motivation, and the so-called “novice” players are taking a back seat to the more ‘elite’ and "world-cupesque" players. Last season, everyone played, and a good time was had by all. Now, there is cussing (each other and the referees), back door lobbying, sussing and they are all acting like...dare I say it…girls. Once again, I am reminded of why I had decided to discontinue team sports for all time, as I no longer have the patience nor the tact to deal with the foolishness and aggravation that accompanies the diverse personalities. I am just too old for that crap.

Additionally, games are scheduled for Friday nights, and by the time I finish playing, sweating, applying the Tiger Balm and icing the old knees, no dyam happy hour for me, and I am too mash up to go anywhere later! Stoopid season is interfering with my social life. Crap! Mad

On that stinkin' note, I shall now exit.

'Ta

'Fro
Ginger






Monday, January 08, 2007

Weeping For The Willows


So, as I was driving along the coast of South Sound the other day, I was at a loss as to why the usual jaunt along what was one of the most beautiful pieces of coastal scenery on Grand Cayman did not provide me with my usual sense of peace and tranquility. As I snapped out of my revere, turned down my tunes and pulled over to the side of the road, I realized that South Sound as I once knew and loved was no more, and once again, the rabid environmentalist dwelling deep within the recesses of my heart let out an undignified roar for the loss of what was. (Well, sorta, though this sounds more dramatic).

My heart bleeds for the South Sound of old, fraught with the elegant statuesque weeping willows that engulfed the road and invariably hid the skyline from a pedestrian’s view, assisting with the receipt of cool onshore winds, as the needles of the willows made their eerie music whilst swaying in the wind. The flora and fauna of South Sound were abundant and raw, and I can always remember my brothers and I trudging through the boggy surf to go fishing and to get up to all kinds of childhood mischief. I can’t remember when this all changed.

As a child, I can remember driving through South Sound with my Granddad, knowing that he would mischievously turn off the car lights as we were engulfed in total darkness, unable to see our hands in front of our faces. I would squeal in abject terror and plead with him to turn the lights back on. Two minutes later, I would beg him to do it again. This was our game, and regardless of our destination, my Granddad would always make it a point to drive through South Sound, even if he had to go miles out of the way. I can’t remember when this all changed.

As a child, I can remember competing in road races that traversed through South Sound, running barefoot in the early mornings, at one with the winding road, counting trees as a distraction, hearing the wallowing surf breaking through the trees yet unable to see the beach from the road. I can’t remember when this all changed.

Today, I stare in resignation at the bulldozers that are lined up to further render the flora and fauna of South Sound, all in the name of progress and development. The South Sound as I knew it no longer exists. The weeping willows are gone, replaced by towering mansions competing for dominance along the coast, landscaped with imported palm trees strategically placed as a part of the ‘natural’ landscaping .

Today, property values along South Sound are sky high, and Mother Nature in her infinite wisdom, will further continue the developers’ work. The beach has receded after the passage of each tropical storm, and Hurricane Ivan has made it almost non-existent. Advantageous fishing spots are difficult to find without trespassing on private property, most of which are cordoned off by intricate fencing, keeping out the nappy haired people that look like me. Trees and shrubbery are almost non-existent, as the last of the weeping willows hang on pathetically in their solitude, with their roots stretching into the sea. Running through South Sound in the afternoons is a heat stroke induced nightmare, as the lack of any form of foliage provides no protection from the harsh rays of the sun, and the on-shore winds from the rolling surf offer no consolation from the vicious heat of the sun.

I weep for what once was.

On that note, I shall now exit.

'Ta.
Ginger





Tuesday, January 02, 2007

I Want My Baby Back...

So, there are no electronic whirring, buzzes and kebangs resounding throughout the house, as cyber villains are shot, lambasted killed and/or maimed by a weapon of choice, be it karate chops, kicks, ray guns and other assorted weaponry.

There are no longer blasts from televisions throughout the house all constantly tuned to Cartoon Network, for which I dare not change the channel for fear of whiney repercussions and eventual squabbling and justifications of one being able to ‘multi-task’.

The house is clean and I am able to walk unimpeded from room to room without stepping on shoes, games, cartridges, underwear and other randonmly strewn unmentionables, now able to preserve the delicate nuances of my voice as I observe the cleanliness, remembering the bellows of aggravation from having to constantly supervise and monitor the clean up process, or shaking my head in resignation and leaving it alone.

I am able to dive into my bed for a good night’s sleep, without having to play the vicious game of dodge the bony elbows and knees randomly kicking in any direction, as a body is tossed any which way during peaceful, innocent exhausted slumber.

Sigh. Sonny has gone back to Bim and I miss him so much Crying . Two more school terms are left before this aggravating separation will end.

On that note, I shall now exit, with the theme song from the Chili's restaurant chain commercial singing an annoying, repetitive refrain throughout my head: "I want my baby back, baby back, baby back...", and I doh mean ribs.

‘Ta.

'Fro

Ginger







Sunday, December 31, 2006

Family of Supermoggels...

Family Portrait So, the odda night the entire fambily dress we’selves in we finery, and headed on down to the photo studio, to take pictures . My four brothers and sisters, my Mom and Dad, the one grandchild, and our significant others. We went all out. We mixed and matched the moggeling: Chillen only; chillen and parents; parents and grandchild; sisters; brothers; father and sons; father an' daughters…you get the point…

My parents have been separated for over 10 years, divorced for three, and they have never gotten along better. They actually posed for pictures together, as if all was well and hunky-dory. We had a great laugh abut this. My Mudda is gettin’ sexier in she ol' age, and Daddy is jus’ mellowing out. Now that I am older, I can see them for who and what they really are, with a view that is no longer tempered by childhood ideals and prejudices, nor fears of 'taking sides’. I can clearly see their flaws and weaknesses whilst appreciating them for their individuality and the sacrifices that they have made when raising us chillen. My mother is now my friend. She is annoying, aggravating and spoilt, but as I am now an adult and a mother to boot, I can call her on her behaviour. My Dad...well, our relationship is a bit more complex, but we have learned how to deal with each other. I can now dole out hugs and kisses to my Dad, and appreciate the fact that he is a very strong man, with many weaknesses.

Anyway, after we did tek the pics, the whole tribe a we swarmed on a nearby restaurant, where we mixed and mingled some more. My parents commenced with the telling of old childhood tales about us chillen, that we never tired of hearing. We drank wine and champagne, and competed for volume. We were loud and obnoxious, as this was the first time in a long time that we had all gathered, without someone being missing. It was also a tad poignant, as my eldest brother will be moving to Canada in January, so this was also our farewell party for him. Sigh. I am gonna miss him a lot. I am used to having my siblings around me all of the time, and other than college and vacations, we have never been apart like this before. Now, he gone and start a new trend! He will not even be on another Island where I can pop over for a weekend, but all the flicking way in Canada. Crying Cho! Anyway, to put a positive spin on this, I am already planning mine and Sonny’s ski vacation next year, and I know that Caribana will not be missed by the I and I!!!

All and sundry, please have a happy and SAFE New Year! Hold your loved ones close, and treasure them always. My soda drinking days will officially end on January 1st 2007, so in the interim, I am now drinking an ice cold glass of Pepsi, my fifth for the morning. Hear my cyber belch.

On that note, I shall now exit.

'Ta. Ginger

'Fro.





Tuesday, December 26, 2006

Snot Filled Christmas

Merry stinking Christmas to me. Crying Yippee. Here I sit on Boxing Day, stinky and yucky, sniffling, sneezing and with a nasty raucous cough that rolls out of me like a freight train and leaves a hallow and painful feeling in my chest Feeling Blue . I have not showered or brushed my teeth all day, as movement in any form hurts. That, and I jus’ doh feel like it. I ain’t shame.

My Mother’s intricately prepared Christmas dinner was a loss to me, as the gourmet scents and samplings could not penetrate my stuffed up, booger ridden nose, and the dinner that was piled on my plate was tapered with menthol flavoured Halls. I only ate half a round of food, and could not even go back for seconds and thirds. I watched my family of vultures down my Moet champagne with rabid eagerness, and finish off my three bottles, supposedly in my honour, acting on the premise that I was ‘ill’ and could not drink alcohol with my medication. Cho. I missed the rounds of dominos, cards, scrabble and ludo, as sleep was my enemy. My numerous complaints about the noise from the family’s revelry went unheard, as they were obviously unsympathetic for my plight. Hmprh! They nevah had to slam the blasted dominos so hard Depressed !

Just know that I am vex and bitter Sick . Not even my new Subwoofering entertainment thingy from Santa DV could appease my disgruntled status, cuz I jus’ vex and bitter (I reiterate). The noise from the woofering hurt my head and various other body parts. I also missed a great party last night, cuz I had to stay at home in my sick and pathetic state, whereas going out and spreading my germs would have made me feel somewhat better.

Oh, the pain. My head. My chest.

On that note, I shall now exit with a raucous snot ridden cough and sneeze Messy Sneeze .
Watch out for my cyber germs.

‘Ta.

‘Fro.
Ginger