Wah Gwan Mon,
It’s Sunday and I’ve actually been able to slow down and get some of my domestic chores done. Laundry…Ugh… I hate Laundry. But I guess it’s a necessary thing. Walking around naked just wouldn’t do, now would it. Boy that’s a scary thought (shudder). Anyway, Things are going OK here. I’m keeping everyone as busy as possible with the reduced volumes, but I fear the operations here will be consolidated soon and I may have to cut staff. Makes a lot of sense doesn’t it, I just hired new people and now I may have to cut them. Well it’s the nature of this business. If volumes are up things are good and if not….well you know. Anyway we aren’t there yet and I still have a few tricks up my sleeve, Abracadabra and all that wrought.
I’ve been busy translating and typing the story I hand written a year or so ago. I already posted the first little piece (See Below) and I’m going to continue to post the rest in pieces as its way too long for one posting. It may take longer than I originally planed as I’m finding it difficult to read my own hand writing. I feel sorry for my assistant. I don’t know how she does it. Anyway as those of you who know me personally are aware, I am a great two finger typist, but because I don’t type the way I’m supposed to, it is going slower than it should.
Wow, I just had a flashback of my dad telling me I should learn to type; that it would come in handy later in life. Thanks dad, good advice. I’ll make sure my own kids don’t make the same mistakes as me. Anyway all that to say, I will post it as I finish each section, and in between, I’ll keep you up to date with the goings on here.
Alright, back to the grind stone, Lata Mon.
About Me
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Ever Wonder?
Wah Gwon Mon?
Have you ever wondered what our lives would be like today if important events in our history had not happened exactly the way did?
What if the Japanese hadn't bombed Pearl Harbour? What if Al Gore had been elected President? What if the Russians had landed on the moon first? What if we hadn't stopped at the moon but continued to have manned space exploration to other planets immediately after the Apollo Missions instead of waiting until today to pursue this?
I've had a series of short stories that I've jotted down over the past two years while I've been here in Jamaica. I did this to get a kick out of myself later in my life and have a few laughs. I made the error of leaving my journal on my coffee table while I had friends over and a few of them have influenced me to publish them on this medium. I've consented to publish the first of these in segments over the next few weeks for your perusal.
Now listen, I'm no professional, I'm an average Joe with an imagination and I get a kick out of writing my thoughts down, but I never intended on sharing them with anyone except maybe my wife, when we were old and gray and board. So if you don't like it, keep it to yourself and don't harass me about it. If you do like it, let me know and maybe I'll try and write more. So.....Look for it in the next few days. Until then....Lata Mon.
Have you ever wondered what our lives would be like today if important events in our history had not happened exactly the way did?
What if the Japanese hadn't bombed Pearl Harbour? What if Al Gore had been elected President? What if the Russians had landed on the moon first? What if we hadn't stopped at the moon but continued to have manned space exploration to other planets immediately after the Apollo Missions instead of waiting until today to pursue this?
I've had a series of short stories that I've jotted down over the past two years while I've been here in Jamaica. I did this to get a kick out of myself later in my life and have a few laughs. I made the error of leaving my journal on my coffee table while I had friends over and a few of them have influenced me to publish them on this medium. I've consented to publish the first of these in segments over the next few weeks for your perusal.
Now listen, I'm no professional, I'm an average Joe with an imagination and I get a kick out of writing my thoughts down, but I never intended on sharing them with anyone except maybe my wife, when we were old and gray and board. So if you don't like it, keep it to yourself and don't harass me about it. If you do like it, let me know and maybe I'll try and write more. So.....Look for it in the next few days. Until then....Lata Mon.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Same Stuff, Different Day!
Hey, it's been a while!
I'd really like to tell you all the exciting goings on here but, alas, there hasn't been anything new (that I can discuss here) happen since the first of Feb.
All in all, shipping volumes are down about 20% from normal across the board. All the forecasts from the industry are dismal, and this country is on the verge of an uprising of the people that will make what happened in Haiti back in 2004 seem like child's play.
My current contract period is over in a few months and I think I'm going to call it quits and head back to the good ole USA, because no matter how bad we Americans think the economy is, the reality of it in a country like Jamaica is much worse. Things are going to get very ugly and extremely dangerous here really fast. We have already seen signs of active corruption in areas believed to be free of this sort of thing, and violence in Jamaica is increasing. People are feeling the economic pinch and falling to the temptation of the easy, fast money of the drug trade.
There are times when I wish I was back in a large tourist community, like Montego Bay, where the economy revolves around the tourist industry. People in those communities are more aware that if visitors (ie tourists) feel uncomfortable or feel like the area is not safe for them, they will tend to pick someplace else (like Mexico, or Europe) to spend their money.
On the bright side of things, the attendance numbers at the churches here in Jamaica is up. Now overall, you would think that this type of thing would be good right? Maybe...maybe not.
I would like to tell you about what was in one of the national papers (The Gleaner) two weeks ago. One of the national denominational leaders here in Jamaica, I won't say which, so as not to offend, stated in a statement to the press, that he thought the average citizens in this country should be given weapons (handguns) with which to use on potential attackers! Now forgive my ignorance, but if this is a supposed man of God telling the people of this nation to use violence against each other, and to take justice into their own hands, this country is doomed. What happened to the peace of God? What happened to love thy neighbor as thyself? What happened to trusting in the everpresent, and all powerful, God? I like to believe that the good in people will be drawn out during hardship and strife, and though sometimes I get disappointed with what I see in people, I have to trust that God knows the big picture, and that he is still in control. I was shocked to read this and worried that all the work of good pastors of this nation would be destroyed. How can one pastor tell his flock that peace is the answer and that forgiveness is the way, only to see another pastor say kill them all and let God sort them out!
OK, I think I've rambled on long enough for this entry. Leave a remark if you want and let me know you where here. Until next time. Lata Mon!
I'd really like to tell you all the exciting goings on here but, alas, there hasn't been anything new (that I can discuss here) happen since the first of Feb.
All in all, shipping volumes are down about 20% from normal across the board. All the forecasts from the industry are dismal, and this country is on the verge of an uprising of the people that will make what happened in Haiti back in 2004 seem like child's play.
My current contract period is over in a few months and I think I'm going to call it quits and head back to the good ole USA, because no matter how bad we Americans think the economy is, the reality of it in a country like Jamaica is much worse. Things are going to get very ugly and extremely dangerous here really fast. We have already seen signs of active corruption in areas believed to be free of this sort of thing, and violence in Jamaica is increasing. People are feeling the economic pinch and falling to the temptation of the easy, fast money of the drug trade.
There are times when I wish I was back in a large tourist community, like Montego Bay, where the economy revolves around the tourist industry. People in those communities are more aware that if visitors (ie tourists) feel uncomfortable or feel like the area is not safe for them, they will tend to pick someplace else (like Mexico, or Europe) to spend their money.
On the bright side of things, the attendance numbers at the churches here in Jamaica is up. Now overall, you would think that this type of thing would be good right? Maybe...maybe not.
I would like to tell you about what was in one of the national papers (The Gleaner) two weeks ago. One of the national denominational leaders here in Jamaica, I won't say which, so as not to offend, stated in a statement to the press, that he thought the average citizens in this country should be given weapons (handguns) with which to use on potential attackers! Now forgive my ignorance, but if this is a supposed man of God telling the people of this nation to use violence against each other, and to take justice into their own hands, this country is doomed. What happened to the peace of God? What happened to love thy neighbor as thyself? What happened to trusting in the everpresent, and all powerful, God? I like to believe that the good in people will be drawn out during hardship and strife, and though sometimes I get disappointed with what I see in people, I have to trust that God knows the big picture, and that he is still in control. I was shocked to read this and worried that all the work of good pastors of this nation would be destroyed. How can one pastor tell his flock that peace is the answer and that forgiveness is the way, only to see another pastor say kill them all and let God sort them out!
OK, I think I've rambled on long enough for this entry. Leave a remark if you want and let me know you where here. Until next time. Lata Mon!
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Super Bowl Sunday!!!
Well it’s Super Bowl Sunday in the USA and things are very quiet here, almost scary quiet. I fear that if business doesn’t pick up soon on the port, and in the whole country for that matter, a lot of people are going starve, or turn to illicit means or violence to survive. Things are very bad here and getting worse.
The world economic crisis is definitely taking its toll on the economy here in Jamaica. One of our cargo terminals here in Kingston laid off 70+ people last Friday because volumes are down and there is not enough volume to keep everyone working. Of course with work scarce and people struggling to make ends meet, it makes our job even tougher.
Organizations and other businesses (and I use the term business losely) who shall remain nameless, are trying every means of transporting cargo, legal and illegal, currently known to man to get their products in and out of this country.
Our port facilities are empty today and normally in Kingston, we would have at least 4 vessels loading and unloading cargo on a weekend. We have had one ship in port for three days due to the captain and crew being arrested and held for smuggling. This vessel has been seized and its cargo impounded, because they found the contraband in a common area on board and it couldn't be pinned on any one person. Normally marine seizures of this type are charged against the captain of the vessle or the owners of the Cargo Line to pay off any fines levied against the carrier. This particular seizure was done to facilitate payment of a multi-million dollar (US $) fine for smuggling drugs. The Jamaican Government could go as far as selling the vessel at auction to pay off the fine. Anyone want to by a used cargo vessel?
However, as generally happens on this type of seizure, the vessel will probably be rented back to the owners of the line and the fine will be paid over a negotiated period of time. They (the cargo line) can’t earn money to pay off the fine if they don’t have a vessel to transport cargo. It’s definitely not a perfect system, but…it’s worked (more or less) for several decades now.
I am really concerned however, that with the economy in the condition that it’s in and everyone saying it will get worse before it gets better, we will surely have a lot more of this type of situation to deal with in the near future.
Bwoy what a downer eh?
OK, on to a more upbeat topic. Who you rooting for in the big game today? Send me a remark and let me know whose colors you’re wearing!!! I’m thinking the Cardinals…. Not that I think they will win, but it’s been so long since they have performed this well through a season, that I just hope they win. I’m a sucker for the underdog.... what can I say!
Anyway, let me know how you stand!!! Come on….write it….get out on that limb and pick one…. and then let me know where you stand and why!!!!
I’m preparing for visitors. I’m making some snacks and preparing varying flavors of wings, and preping chips and dips and all manner of finger foods, as several of my co workers (who BTW really don’t know a lot about American Football) converge on my house here to watch the game and eat!!!!
So until next time. Lata, Mon!!!
The world economic crisis is definitely taking its toll on the economy here in Jamaica. One of our cargo terminals here in Kingston laid off 70+ people last Friday because volumes are down and there is not enough volume to keep everyone working. Of course with work scarce and people struggling to make ends meet, it makes our job even tougher.
Organizations and other businesses (and I use the term business losely) who shall remain nameless, are trying every means of transporting cargo, legal and illegal, currently known to man to get their products in and out of this country.
Our port facilities are empty today and normally in Kingston, we would have at least 4 vessels loading and unloading cargo on a weekend. We have had one ship in port for three days due to the captain and crew being arrested and held for smuggling. This vessel has been seized and its cargo impounded, because they found the contraband in a common area on board and it couldn't be pinned on any one person. Normally marine seizures of this type are charged against the captain of the vessle or the owners of the Cargo Line to pay off any fines levied against the carrier. This particular seizure was done to facilitate payment of a multi-million dollar (US $) fine for smuggling drugs. The Jamaican Government could go as far as selling the vessel at auction to pay off the fine. Anyone want to by a used cargo vessel?
However, as generally happens on this type of seizure, the vessel will probably be rented back to the owners of the line and the fine will be paid over a negotiated period of time. They (the cargo line) can’t earn money to pay off the fine if they don’t have a vessel to transport cargo. It’s definitely not a perfect system, but…it’s worked (more or less) for several decades now.
I am really concerned however, that with the economy in the condition that it’s in and everyone saying it will get worse before it gets better, we will surely have a lot more of this type of situation to deal with in the near future.
Bwoy what a downer eh?
OK, on to a more upbeat topic. Who you rooting for in the big game today? Send me a remark and let me know whose colors you’re wearing!!! I’m thinking the Cardinals…. Not that I think they will win, but it’s been so long since they have performed this well through a season, that I just hope they win. I’m a sucker for the underdog.... what can I say!
Anyway, let me know how you stand!!! Come on….write it….get out on that limb and pick one…. and then let me know where you stand and why!!!!
I’m preparing for visitors. I’m making some snacks and preparing varying flavors of wings, and preping chips and dips and all manner of finger foods, as several of my co workers (who BTW really don’t know a lot about American Football) converge on my house here to watch the game and eat!!!!
So until next time. Lata, Mon!!!
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