Playing Around with the New Blogger Features

Although I no longer post here I really don't want to lose the account and besides I find it interesting how changes and development in one market player influences changes in the others. So many of the features that have been added here mirror those available on other hosts. Good things because I believe the consumer should have choices (even if the service is free). I'll keep watching to see what happens next.

Hibernation

Well this blog officially goes into hibernation today. I have decided that I will start posting at my new abode which is linked here: http://scratchiesworld.wordpress.com Please change your links or you can simply come here and click the one above and it will take you there. I may return here in the future since I had no real problems here. But I do like some of the features of my new blog and the transfer was painless. Keep visiting.

Crocodile Hunter

This blog pays tribute to Steve Irwin who is better known to us as the Crocodile Hunter. If you ask most Jamaicans who he was they probably would not be able to tell you but mention the crocodile hunter and it would be as if an epiphany had ocurred.

Mr. Hunter was killed while filming a programming near the Barrier Reefs. He was stung by a stingray. He is survived by his wife and two young children.

I recall about two years ago when a crocodile was seen living in the drains near my home. The men went to remove it. when they had caught it the man who was interviewed by the media said that he was not afraid because he knew what to do. When asked how and if he had done this before, the man responded by saying that he had not but "mi watch Crocodile Hunter on TV so mi know what fi do"...(translation: he had watched the programme "Crocodile Hunter on television so he was quite aware of what to do).

I don't think the programme producers nor Mr. Irwin realises the number of lives he impacted even in Jamaica.

Rest in Peace Mr. Irwin and we will remember "Crocs Rule!!!" (If only in your heart since this blogger will not try to prove or disprove your theories. )

Just Another Post

Well people Monday started my final year at school. I have officially only three semesters to go before I graduate and put another chapter of life behind me. My course load this semester is pretty good. I will only have one final exam as all the other courses are graded on projects and in class presentations. It willbe an intense semester but I will manage as always. Wifey is elated as all her students that sat CXC were successful in the Language exam and only three failed at Literature. This is her 1st year teaching CXC level and it has proven to her that she is among the best out there. The return to my old desk is as frustrating as I expected but my focus is on August 2007. I have decided that on completion of my studies I am going to look outside for opportunities. Don't worry no rash moves just need a change. I think my present employer puts too uch emphasis on paper qualifications and ignores the qualities of the incumbent. That cannot be the way to go. I fact it goes against my very course of study which emphasizes the best candidate. The result of their choice of hiring has resulted in many frustrated employees who stay for relatively short stints. Well Ernesto decided to run away and hide in the US. After being on direct course for Jamaica that sent many people scrambling for emergency supplies, Ernesto turned and tackled Cuba instead. Can't say that I'm complaining too much. My fight with my ISP continues. I made some headway last week but I am still unhappy with the volume of dropped signals when I am on a DSL connection which is to be always on. As usual the C&W people obviously have not a clue about how to fix the problem. I have little or no faith in their expertise. Well excitement loomed as night before last a group of gunmen stole a motor vehicle in Mona and went on a robbery spree. They went to Harbour View and held up a fast food business. They then drove into downtown and were accoste dby police on patrol. A gun battle ensued and the gunmen were shot and killed. Frankly speaking I have no sympathy for them. As a matter of fact I wish more crimes would end this way since it is the only way we seem to be able to cure the island of this problem. I say well done without apology. Anyways, I was just doing a short post but guess my mouth has the runs. Take care all.

Morning Laugh

I was feeling kinda out of it this morning and I tell you honestly, if it wasn't for commitment and lack of leave I would have stayed home today. Well on the way to work I was listening to FAME FM and the two morning host were up to their usual very entertaining chatter and then decided to play a song. It is a spoof of James Blunt's "You're Beautiful" entitled "My Cubicle" I never stop laughing for quite a while. How many of you 9 to 5' ers can relate to this song? Go have a listen and brighten your day a little by clicking the link I made. Have great day all.

I Don't Understand Lawmakers

Strange people these lawmakers. There is an article on the front page of our local newspaper that indicates that a Jamaican-born Islamic cleric who was linked to the July 7, 2005 bombings of London's transportation system is slated to be deported to the island in a matter of weeks. Now you tell me... the man commits a crime in England where he resides. gets involved in terrorism there and you do what....send him to Jamaica where he has done nothing and is essentially a free man to do whatever he feels like. That has been the history of the stance taken on deporting persons. My take is that if the man do something in your country then deal with him there. This stupid policy in my opinion, especially when you are dealing with terrorism make absolutely no sense whatsoever. Maybe my take on the issue is simplistic. Maybe I am totally misinformed but what I see happening to deportees is based on the final statement of the media article " the security forces will determine how he will be treated", my guess is he will simply be released to do whatever he feels like doing. Read the article here. Remember you have double duty...check here and comment at Scratchie at Wordpress.

Maybe...?????

Well maybe I'll switch, maybe I won't. I have been toying with Wordpress for a few days now. I have been trading my links and stuff to see if I can get a feel for something new. One good thing so far is that I had a time out from my connection and didn't lose my post. The back button was pressed and walla there was my post. Navigating around is a little harder than blogger. It has it's features. Main drawback is that blogger allows you to play around with your templates if you are so inclined. Wordpress does not allow this. What you see is what you gotta take. Fine by me since I wasn't fassing wid that html stuff anyway. Hardest part to date was the one by one transfer of my links but some work had to go on.

Maybe what I will do is post the next few posts on both sites and ask you guys to play the site reviewers role. So go check out my maybe to be new home and tell me what you think. Scratchie at Wordpress

Happy Birthday

Well today is a Caribbean Blogger's birthday. In fine Scratchie style....I refuse to tell you who it is. So here is the game....guess whose birthday it is and go wish them Happy Birthday. Well since I know whose Birthday it is...Happy Birthday to you from Scratchie!!!! :D (Ain't I just idle)

Updating you All

Well many things have come and gone since I last posted. I decided to grace here with my presence before I get struck off some people's reading list. :D Well the Caribbean travelling blogger is back home and I gather that her trip was good. School is officially on holidays for me. I will be off for a whopping 9 days. :( Not much of a break is it? On a better note the exams came and the exams went. I think I managed to get by in both so I can rest easy until the next salvo of schoolwork hits in my direction.

During the 1st week in August my graduating class from high school had a week of activities to mark the 25th anniversary of our graduation. Damn, I'm old!!!! Grandpa is officially in the house. No none of my children have had any kids so I am only being figurative here. Although it is quite possible. The Tall One is actually 18 and is starting his college programme in the same year that I am finishing mine so we will see each other at school for this year. The reunion went well and unlike what you would expect it was about meeting old friends rather than "where we are in life". Why am I not surprized since this group of guys have always been different. We even have a mailing group so we are in touch quite a bit. The activities went well and the activities were well planned. Thought is for the next one to be in Florida. We'll see...

Well I see that one of my old blog reads is back. Welcome back Melody. Don't know if she will stick around but I do hope so. Her posts have always been exciting to read and so much of her goes into them. I guess only time will tell. In the mean time I will continue to stop by.

I haven't been doing much reading myself...not to mention posting but I have 9 days to catch up. I will most certainly do so.

Well I checked my laptop in light of Dell's recall of some 36 series of batteries. Mine is thankfully not among them. Not that I wouldn't want a new battery, but at least mine shouldn't do any crazy stuff on me. BTW have you noticed that I haven't mention anything else about my computer build? It is still in the making. I have most of the parts but just have not gotten the case as yet. I was actually awaiting a used machine to do some scavenging of keyboard, monitor and case but I am still waiting. My source is tied up and so I will wait some more especially since the quoted price is next to nothing so wait I shall.

What are my plans for my short break?....the bed sounds exciting at this point.

We'll see though. Right now though I need to go do some work so till later....

Addendum: I did some long outstanding linking of some blogs. If I've still missed out people please don't get upset, just drop a line saying..."Hey what about me?" and I'll do the necessary.

Weekend

Well the week has come to an end and I am actually looking forward to the rest that Saturday and Sunday and Monday will bring. This week is a fantastic week here in Jamaica since we celebrate Emancipation Day on the 1st of August and our Independence Day is on 6th but since it is a Sunday we get the Monday off. Thiss week has been not bad. I am actually spending some time with the guys from school for our 25th year reunion. On Tuesday I decided to take on young boy sports in old age body. Football!!!! Nearly passed out after an hour of play.

Well a little bad news. Condolences to my friend T who lost her grandmother this week. I spend a good while with her last night and she is really taking it hard so keep her in mind. She is a victim of the Caribbean phenomenon of being raised by her grandmother after her mother's death at about age 5. She has therefore lost the only mother she has known. Remember her for what she means to you T and try not to focus on the pain of her not being there. Another friend M lost her father this week as well. She is on the mend but I figure that she will have a harder time at the funeral. So I have 2 funerals scheduled for next week.

On another note, I got some grades and I am happy. I will be going into my Global Marketing exam with an excellent grade. As a matter of fact if I fail this course you have all permission to call me an idiot. I also handed in two other projects this week which I am awaiting results for. I am officially worried about only one course this semester but hey I am hoping for the best.

Got the car fixed. do it yourself work. Thought I would have to give the mechanic but it turned out to be the end result of water getting into a bearing and rusting it. New bearing and $700 or just about US$11 later I am again running smoothly.

I have again been reassigned to my old job. My acting appointment stint has officially ended so I am back to the old boring job I was doing last year at this time. I actually am missing the acting job but .......

Other than that things are reasonably good.

Bloggers Link and other stuff

Well, we had our little link up on Wednesday night and a good time was had by all I would think. We missed a few of those especially the ladies but it went well none the less. My main objective was to meet Kami with whom I have been chatting with online for quite a while. No disappointment there. She is indeed a very beautiful person. Her personality is contagious. Her aunt who accompanied her is quite interesting and I am happy to have met them in person FINALLY. Gela is certainly a fun person. Full of life and a personality that draws you to her. Francis is a character of laughter. I won't try to call all the names lest I forget someone but save to say they were a great group of Caribbean people. Talk and laughter ranged from travelling, to blogging to you name it we talked about it. The venue was nice but a little taxing on the pockets but we'll live. I can safely say that KFC it is not. Well you know how my blog goes at this time of the year....school takes over my life and until exams are over you don't see me. That cycle continues I'm sorry to say. This summer we are cramming 14 weeks worth of work into 10 weeks. And cramming in this case is an understatement. I had 2 presentations this week and after many sleepless nights (and I am being very literal here) they were both made last night. I think they went well but only the lecturers will know for certain. I can safely say "relief". I haven't done as well as I would have liked this summer. I was ill for quite a bit of the time and I know that the poor old body is saying, quite emphatically I might add, that I need to slow down a bit. I actually was on sick leave for a while so my grades suffered. I haven't failed anything but I certainly won't be the head of the class in these courses. I did receive good grades in the latter part of the courses but I don't know if it will be enough for my covetted "A's". Can't make blood out of stone can we.... I am to be reassigned next week so I am not sure where I will be or if I will have access but all in due course. Well the old car is acting up again. Nothing serious but I long for the day when i can get a new one. That seems to just get further and further away. My son starts college in August and fees have to be paid so no resources for any new car now. The plan was to get one after I finish in 2007 but that may have to wait a little longer. Oh well. Whatever will be will be. Cable and Wireless is trying my last nerve. I think I may have to finally get rid of them and resort to using only their home service (and I am considering getting rid of that too in favour of cell phones. It makes no sense having the phones and service if you can't access them. All I get when I call the office is a 15 minute hold some elevator music and promises to address the matter which usually amount to naught. Tired of the crap!! I think they may be over-extending themselves in the shadow of the fear of Flow. Whatever they are doing is only serving to term people off. Short term lock in to a contract with poor service = long term lost customers. Learn from your cellular experience C&W. Other than that I am getting ready for my semester finals which will run from next week till 14 August so if you don't see me you know why.

In closing, this blogger says thank you and pays credit to a fantastic Jamaican who lived her life for the things she thought were important to us as a people...Jamaican, Trinidadian, Bajan, Vincentian, Caribbean people all. Miss Lou, walk good and Rest in Peace. Clap har!!!!!!!!! Have a great weekend all.

Idle Chatter

I saw someone's MSN name this week and it said that in a few years Italy's win at the recently concluded World Cup will be forgotten but Zidane's head butting will be remembered forever. I won't pass any judgement on the man since I don't know what would drive his actions in this direction. I have not walked in his moccasin, as my old English teacher would have said. The NBC news this morning showed the many games and video clips that have been made surrounding this incident. It make you wonder how so many people have so much idle time on their hands. Then again I called this an idle chatter post so I guess I am a part of that group too....

Suffering in Silence

I can't help but feel distressed every morning when I pass the American Embassy here in Kingston. Jamaican's have a saying that "If yuh want good yuh nose haffi run" roughly translated that if you want something in life you must be prepared to work/undergo stress for it. The Embassy is located on a major thoroughfare and each morning those persons who have "appointments" are made to stand outside on the sidewalk until they are allowed inside. I find this a most demeaning and inhumane way of dealing with people, especially in their own country, all for the sake of an opportunity to live, visit or work somewhere else where things may seem better. I just see it as torture. I have no problem with operating a system but you would think that somewhere as advanced as the US Embassy could come up with a better way of dealing with applicants. I have not addressed the issue of the roaring business opportunities that have been created surrounding the rules that one must abide with when visiting the Embassy. There are cellphone holders and baggage handlers and.......... I know there isn't any immediate solution that can be put in place but really now.......this has been going on for decades and it really not good for us as a modern society.

A Bit of Lite Humour

My Dad Is A Father A little boy got on the bus, sat next to a man reading a book, and noticed he had his collar on backwards. The little boy asked why he wore his collar that way. The man, who was a priest, said, " I am a Father." The little boy replied, "My Daddy doesn't wear his collar like that." The priest looked up from his book and answered, "I am the Father of many." The boy said, "My Dad has 4 boys, 4 girls and two grandchildren and he doesn't wear his collar that way." The priest, getting impatient, said, "I am the Father of hundreds" and went back to reading his book. The little boy sat quietly thinking for a while, then leaned over and said, "Maybe you should wear your pants backwards instead of your collar."

The Dilemma of Nationality

Twice this week I have heard statements, though quite innocent, are loaded with racist slur or maybe I should say nationalistic slant. One was "Despite the love-hate relationship between our countries I still bringing Trinidad because they are Caribbean." This was said when discussions were going on prior to the recent Trinidadian World Cup match. Sadly Trinidad was defeated. Well done guys. I think you are winners whether you have won a trophy or not. You have again shown the world that Trinidad and the Caribbean are World Class and not Third World. The other was a discussion about two educators one obviously not liking the other. The reason...one was from Guyana and the other from Trinidad. I find it so interesting that we despise the US and UK for racism exhibited in these countries and right here in our region we have the same thing going on. Some may argue that it not as overt and that is a different thing etc. In my mind I am unable to distinguish between the two.

Why is there a love hate relationship between the Jamaicans and Trinidadians? Why do Guyanese and Trinidadians dislike each other? Yes I am generalizing a bit but I do so against the background that these discussions are on the road. Jamaicans have a saying "If a nuh so, a near so it go". Translation: What is said and heard about a situation is not usually far from the truth.

I find it interesting against the background of the Carib bloggers. Can you imagine me disliking SmallIslandGirl simply because I know she is from T&T and vice-versa. I've never met the lady. From her writings she seems to be a pretty decent and interesting person. On what basis could I dislike her? Let us move therefore to a national level...Jamaica has a population of 2.5 million. Trinidad has a population of about 1.1 million. Most Jamaicans have never been in contact with a Trinidadian and vice versa. So what propels us to this negative view of persons simply because of nationality?

I can say quite confidently that I have had a cultural enlightenment by my treks around the Carib blogs. I have read about food and drinks that are still a vague concept but one day I hope to sample simply because I have had this limited interaction with other persons from our region. Maybe we need to educate our countrymen some more...

Remember that what we see of each other does not represent the whole. We may dislike things about the persons we meet but that does not provide just cause for us to dislike their nations people.

Later all.

Just a Pop In

Just a "Howdy" to the blog world. You know my story by now so I won't bore you with the details. I'll just sum it all up in one word....SCHOOL. 14 weeks of work is done during the summer in just 10 weeks so yuh know seh crammin haffi gwaan. The assignment schedules don't change so we are still required to submit the same volume of work. Not nice. On a better note it seems as if the research proposal that we had done last semester was better than we expected and so we should have no problems in the actual research. On an even better note I am officially starting my countdown (humour me..it keeps me sane), we have only 3 semesters remaining till the end of my programme. OK...so it is a whole year but it sound shorter when we say it in semesters.

Rest assured I still read a bit but it has become very sporadic. So you'll see a comment here and there but until otherwise advised, I am very much alive.

There's nothing worse than a Doctor's Receptionist who insists you tell her what is wrong with you in a room full of other patients. I know most of us have experienced this, and I love the way this old guy handled it. An 86-year-old man walked into a crowded Doctor's Waiting Room. As he approached the desk, the Receptionist said, "Yes sir, what are you seeing the Doctor for today?" "There's something wrong with my dick," he replied. The Receptionist became irritated and said, "You shouldn't come into a crowded Doctor's Room and say things like that." "Why not? You asked me what was wrong and I told you," he said. The Receptionist replied, "You've obviously caused some embarrassment in this room full of people. You should have said there is something wrong with your ear or something and then discussed the problem further with the Doctor in private." The man replied, "You shouldn't ask people things in a room full of others, if the answer could embarrass anyone." The man walked out, waited several minutes and then re-entered. The Receptionist smiled smugly and asked, "Yes?" "There's something wrong with my ear," he stated. The Receptionist nodded approvingly and smiled, knowing he had taken her advice. "And what is wrong with your ear, Sir?" I can't piss out of it," the man replied. The Waiting Room erupted in laughter. That's it for a Friday post guys. Enjoy the weekend.

A Gay Batwoman?!!?!!!!!!?.....Alrighty Then :-S

Quite interesting. I think even our comic book super heroes or heroines or somewhere in-between have jumped on the "I am gay and loving it" bandwagon. This actually made NBC news this morning. that Batwoman is to be re-introduced into the DC comic lineup as a lesbian crime fighter. I guess they need a counterpart so I figure that catwoman will soon come out of the closet as well......

What has our world come? Really now.....leave the comics out of the sexual revolution nuh.........

Frankly, I find this ridiculous :(

(oh before I forget the photo is from the BBC web site see the story here or the other stories here or maybe here)

Monday Humour

Three bulls heard via the grapevine that the rancher was going to bring yet another bull onto the ranch, and the prospect raised a discussion among them. First Bull: "Boys, we all know I've been here 5 years. Once we settled our differences, we agreed on which 100 of the cows would be mine. Now, I don't know where this newcomer is going to get HIS cows, But I aint' givin' him any of mine." Second Bull: "That pretty much says it for me, too. I've been here 3 years and have earned my right to the 50 cows we've agreed are mine. I'll fight 'im till I run him off or kill 'im, but I'M KEEPIN' ALL MY COWS." Third Bull: "I've only been here a year, and so far you guys have only let me have 10 cows to "take care of." I may not be as big as you fellows (yet) but I am young and virile, So I simply MUST keep all MY cows." They had just finished their big talk when an eighteen-wheeler pulls up in the middle of the pasture with only ONE ANIMAL IN IT: the biggest Son- of-Another-Bull these guys had ever seen! At 4700 pounds, each step he took toward the ground strained the steel ramp to the breaking point. First Bull: "Ahem ... You know, it's actually been some time since I really felt I was doing all my cows justice, anyway. I think I can spare a few for our new friend." Second Bull: "I'll have plenty of cows to take care of if I just stay on the opposite end of the pasture from HIM. I'm certainly not looking for an argument." They look over at their young friend, the 3rd bull, and find him pawing the dirt, shaking his horns, and snorting. First Bull: "Son, let me give you some advice real quick. Let him have some of your cows and live to tell about it." Third Bull: "Sh*t, he can have ALL my cows. I'm just making sure he knows I'm A bull!!

Bikers get Targetted

No the image above was not taken by me. I borrowed it off the net so credits to the photographer (who I have no idea who it is). No I do not own one of these things, nor do I hope to. I kinda have this thing called a brain and I add two thoughts to it...All the heroes here in Jamaica have one thing in common, they all died years ago. I do not wish to join them. The other is that " there is a very thin line between bravery and foolhardiness". See me in my prime of life tearing around the place and doing 0 - 60 in 3 seconds....rooooight!!!!!!!

Seems the police here have been doing some homework. Apparently in order for you to have one of these machines with cc ratings above 600 you need special permission which is rarely granted I understand. (Don't quote me on that one.) But there are quite a few of these with 1000 and 1200 cc engines parading around the island and are the mode of transport of choice for some of the nations undesireable. We tend to find ways to beat the systems here so of course importation rules are no exception. According to last night's news report the bikes are sent in barrels in pieces and then reassembled when they get to their destination. Papers are then "worked up" for them.

Well the police have started a clamp down on the activity since the bikes are more powerful and easier to deal with traffic than anything the police can throw at them and have featured in several crimes from hold ups to murders. Last nights newscast showed a seizure of some 60 bikes. Well I will not be a naysayer. I hope the initiative works. We have reached a point here where anything to have one less crime is a good thing.

Anywayz, I was just writing a thing....we'll chat some more later.