Sunday, February 27, 2005

It's been a while

Hi...
I have not been around this side for a while. Just put it down to my being lazy.
I spoke about the murder statistics the last time i was here, I really must admit that they were so depressing that i stopped listening. There has been some decline in the weekly figures but it is still hovering in the high 20's weekly. Thank god the promised war for the murdered entertainer did not materialize; I cant imagine what the figures would have been like had that happened. The authorites had promised to bring in cops from Britain to aid us in crime fighting, i think the first set arrived in the island this week, and i know we all will be watching to see if there are improvements.

Life here has been the same as normal for the most. I have gone out a lot more than usual in the last two weeks, dinner dates, movies, sessions (pay parties!!). I am having a blast. Unfortunately, i am not doing so well on the work front. Promise to work harder this week.

Tennis not going so good either. Well thats not true, i am playing twice a week and getting better and better. Unfortunately i play a practice set every saturday and i keep losing that. But there is hope, because i am still playing better every week. For so long my tennis just consisted of just hitting with a partner and not playing any games. That is changing now, and you get to realize that its a whole different ball game. I have also started consistently going to the gym (again!!!). Trying to lose weight....damn its difficult, i want to lose at least 25 pounds eventually. Maybe i will keep you all updated.

Gone for now....and Blessup!!!

Saturday, February 05, 2005

Statistics Statistics Statistics

Good Morning all!

I am up early this morning because i have my tennis lesson at 9!

It's a strange saturday morning, we feel that we are on the eve of something, not because tomorrow is the super bowl but because its the funeral of a dancehall "icon", a dancer called Bogle. He was killed almost two weeks ago at a gas station...and his friends have vowed revenge on all who they think killed him. They said they are just waiting for the funeral!!

The day, February 6, which is also the birthday of Bob Marley, has been designated as Violence Free Day in Jamaica. Ads have been running for the past month requesting that there be no violence on this day. Call me a cynic, but i dont think the people who perpetrate violence are listening. I cross my fingers and hope though...but i don't have much hope!

Now in the period jan 24 - 31, the statistics say that there were 30 people murdered in Jamaica. 30!!! They break it down further to say that like 25 were shot, 4 were stabbed and 1 was killed with a machete!! 30!!!! The week before, i think the statistics said 25. Now we await the start of the new week wondering if the madness is going to continue. A total of 120 people have been murdered since the start of the year!!! Please remember that this is a nation of 2.5 million people.

Gone again!! Hopefully the next time i write, i will have good news instead of bad!