It's Official

As of Friday, September 1, I will be posting on my new blog,

http://cooldestiny.wordpress.com

It's time for a change and I'm going to see how long I can tolerate wordpress.

So, it's ta ta to blogger for now ... but who knows ........ I might be back!!!

Well ... Whadda Ya Know???

Well, I see a few people have been posting comments over on Wordpress. I changed the template and think it looks so much better. Check It Out!

I really don't want to move from blogger. Blogger has been so good to me. But I'm not averse to change and I like the new look I get on Wordpress. So, guess what? I want to hear the thoughts of the people. Get the input of the masses.

Should CoolDestiny switch to WordPress Hell Yeah! Sure, if it floats your boat Doesn't matter - I'll still read your blog. You're Awesome! Hell No - Wordpress sucks! View Results Make your own poll

Wordpress????

Well, I've been influenced, a hell of a feat to achieve. But with all being said about wordpress, with all the moves to that host, I just had to check it out for myself. It seems nice. I haven't really started to play around with it just yet, but I managed to set up my blog, transfer all posts from blogger, update all links, choose a template all in 22 minutes flat last night. Am I good or what??? And got 1 hit already.

Now, with the help of the techie among us (MB, Mad Bull, MB ... ), I want to do some modifications to the page. For 1, everything is to the left too much, with a big empty space on the right which I'd like to change. The other thing is how do I get the cool stuff, the about me, home, calender, etc.? I might have missed it but .... I still need help.

So, check out http://cooldestiny.wordpress.com and tell me what you think.

Later dudes & dudettes.

Becky, Where Art Thou?

I have been getting "Blogger not Found" when I try to check out Becky Banton. Anybody knows what's up with that????

Travel Disaster Pt. 2

So we get up the next morning, have breakfast, check out, wait for our bus and then travel to the airport. We get there to see an extremely long line for the Air J counter. We wait patiently in line and after 1.5 hrs, we are finally checked in. During the process, we learnt that we would be stopping in Montego Bay but gladly, we didn't have to collect luggage to board the flight to Kingston. We proceed to the departure lounge where we do the dreaded WAITING again. Of course, the flight leaving Antigua was delayed for about 2 hrs, and we had to stop in St. Lucia before heading for Montego Bay. Talk about delays!!!!

So, we board the flight and eventually leave. I started to feel a sense of relief now that the journey has begun to continue and being the ever-optimistic CD, I convince myself that everything is going to go well, no more delays and Iwill finally get home to my family and my man.

We land in St. Lucia. Some passengers including the Jamaica Junior Netball Team boarded the plane in St. Lucia. I watch with anticipation the luggage being wheeled to the aircraft to be loaded, not paying attention to the netballers who had apparently won some competition. I couldn't care less about that. My focus was on all the steps to getting home. After they loaded the luggage, the plane door closes, and we start to taxi down the runway at the usual 10 mph.

Alas!!! Oh No!!! The plane stops ................ for about 10 minutes on the runway. I'm like WTF?????? Before I could finish my thought, the plan starts to reverse back to the gate!!! Why? Why? Why? What forces of evil have laid its ugly hand on my travel plans? Is it me? Is the guy sitting beside me with a glass looking eye? Is it the obnoxious lawyer who in all his rants did not once mention the word sue??? I just couldnt' understand it. The pilot comes on the radio:

"Ladies & gentlemen, we do apologize for this delay in leaving the St. Lucia airport (I didn't even take time to memorize the name of the airport). It seems as if some luggage was not loaded unto the plane and we have to turn back for them. Again, we do apologize and should be on our way in the next 10-15 minutes".

AAAaaaaaaaaaaaagggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!

20 minutes later, we are taxing down the runway (again). This time, we actually take off and head for Sangster International Airport. I was so eager to get home, I did not even sleep on any of these flights. You cna imagine my joy when I look through the window and start to see familiar land ... Jamaica ... Home ... I could hardly wait to land. When we land, it was about 5:45 p.m. Saturday. We were supposed to change aircrafts and join some passengers coming from Atlanta and heading for Kingston. We go through the chaotic excuse for a hub at Montego Bay SIA only to learn that our flight previously scheduled to depart at 6:35 is now scheduled to leave at 8:30. Oh Lord, where does it end? So, I laze around, eat, play solitaire and freecell on my laptop just killing time. And it ticks so slowly I wondered if time stopped a few times.
Then, the announcement.

"Flight JM032 scheduled to depart at 8:30 p.m. to NMI in Kingston has been further delayed and is now scheduled to leave at 10:35 p.m.".

What have I done? Why is this happening?????

10:35 ... flight delayed again till 12:30 a.m. - SUNDAY!!!. We are all now so impatient, frustrated, tired, dirty (at least they gave us dinner) started to enquire if there were any other flights apart from the one we were booked on that was going to Kingston. Oh boy ...... yes, a flight should be leaving at 1:05 a.m. We all changed our flights, after enquiring about our luggage and was told confidently that our luggage would arrive with us at the airport.

Peeps, after all this, we finally boarded a flight, we know not where it was coming from and didn't care because it was going to Kingston, where we wanted to go. The flight left at 1:28 a.m. We arrived in Kingston at 2:08 a.m. My father came to pick me up and I was home at 2:27 a..m. Sunday morning.

My boyfriend left his house and came to mine after I arrived. I was so happy to finally be home.

Travel Disaster Dec. '04 Pt. 1

It all begain on that fateful Friday morning, I rose at 4:30 a.m. to get ready to reach to the Airport at 5:15 in order to leave on my 6:30 flight from the BVI to Antigua on Liat where I would then take a BWee flight to Kingston Jamaica. I had heard horror stories about liat but the flight arrived and left on time so I thought a great start to my trip home. I had been away for 6 weeks and could not wait to get back home.

Ok, so arrive in Antigua at about 8 something I believe it was. Our connecting flight was supposed to leave at shortly after 9 to arrive in Kingston at 12:45 p.m. So, we waited. First announcement is that the flight was delayed. Another announcement - same thing. Another announcement - flight still delayed. At 4 p.m. we were all still sitting in the airport as since about 2 or so, we heard no announcement for our flight. A group of us all heading for Jamaica were sitting together, some reading, some working on laptops, some playing cards to pass the time. Then we heard some women pass us saying that the flight was .......................... CANCELLED!!!! ......................... We were all in shock because no such announcement was made. So, we proceeded to the counter to enquire what was happening. We enquired and were asked "to proceed to the BWee desk at another section of the airport". We were pissed and quite peeved. Thankfully we were provided with a meal as I know it would have gotten really ugly if we were hungry.

When we arrive at the Bwee desk, other irate passengers were already there cussing some claaat and other choice words to the representative citing how disrespectful, irresponsible and disgusting they were. To add insult to injury, they told us that we needed to come around the back and find our luggage ourselves. Of course, this led to further cussing and argument between the passengers and the bwee employees.

After finally receiving all our luggage, we were then carted off in a bus to an ok hotel which would be our home for the night in Antigua and that we would be placed on an Air Jamaica flight leaving the next day. I remember there was a woman with a very young baby with her and she was adamant that she could not wait tomorrow to leave so other arrangements were made for her. The situation was that Bwee does not leave from Antigua on a Saturday, it goes thru St. Maarten hence us being placed on an Air J flight. I think the lady with the baby was flown back to St. Maarten to await the arrival of the Bwee flight from Trinidad.

So, we got our belly fulls and rested our weary heads at the Jolly Beach Resort for the night, preparing for the next day's events and more dramas which were to unfold.

To be continued.

It's A Small World

The world keeps getting smaller every day. Something I find quite amazing happened. About a year in my job, I came across a customer with the same last name as my blog twin Peter - Life's A Trip. I happened to mention this in a comment on his blog, apparently I put the person's name in the comment. I don't even know if Peter remembers this. I searched for the comment all day yesterday till I got tired but didn't find it.

Yesterday I checked my email and saw a message from a similar last name person ... lo and behold, I open the email, and it is the very customer I had interacted with for no more than about 3 - 5 minutes, saying he saw the comment on the blog and just wanted me to know!!!

Now, what are the odds of this? How much smaller can the world get? I guess with the internet and all, it will continue to get smaller and smaller.

This was really amazing.

TGIF

Nothing much to post today so here's a chauvinistic pic to get the ladies angry and make the men laugh or get vex. Enjoy the weekend everyone.

I'm A Little Stealer

Last ...

Last Cigarette: About 15 years ago

Last Alcoholic Drink: White Wine - December 30, 2005

Last Car Ride: Today, from the hairdresser

Last 'Romantic' Kiss: Today

Last Good Cry: Yesterday

Last Library Book: Benji

Last book bought: Animal Farm - have never read it and heard so much about it so I bought it ... still haven't read it yet though.

Last Book Read:The DaVinci Code

Last Movie Seen in Theatres: Bad Boys II - pathetic ain't I?

Last Movie Rented: Who rents movies in this day and age of bootleg???

Last Cuss Word Uttered: Shit

Last Beverage Drank: Homestyle Fruit Punch

Last Food Consumed: Chicken nuggets from Island Grill

Last Crush: I haven't had a crush in such a long time. Last one would be ... ugh ... I don't know!!

Last Phone Call: 30 minutes ago from the BF

Last TV Show Watched: Monk - USA

Last Time Showered: 15 mins ago .... damn it's hot today!!

Last Shoes Worn: blue, white & yellow floral flip flops

Last CD Played: Madonna - Greatest Hits V1 (I still love her)

Last Item Bought: Elidel cream for my Excema

Last Download: Rihanna - Unfaithful

Last Annoyance: My father pulling up his shorts over his belly looking like Steve Urkel

Last Disappointment: My BF leaving my house. I hate it when he leaves :(

Last Soda Drank: Mountain Dew ... it was kinda flat. Think I left the bottle open in the fridge by mistake so all the fizz was gone.

Last Thing Written: My journal entry

Last Key Used: Front door key

Last Words Spoken: Ok, cool.

Last Sleep: last night

Last Ice Cream Eaten: Buckingham's MultiMania

Last Chair Sat In: The chair at my computer

Last Webpage Visited: http://smallislandgirl.blogspot.com

Now that was just fun. Thanks SIG!

And It Continues ...

I got to thinking on Tuesday evening while standing in a line waiting to pay bills ... when will this end? The Jamaican people have failed to take a stand as a people and say enough is enough to the bull shit that happens here. Everywhere has bull shit I know. I speak to the bull I live in.

This rant comes from me standing in a line to pay utility bills for close to 1 hr.

Background: In Jamaica, there are payment agencies authorized to collect payment for bills - light, telephone, water, cell phone, cable etc. etc. etc. In April this year, one of the preferred companies levied a J$35 per transaction to pay bills. The 2nd preferred company instituted a similar levy of J$30 in July.

So, the arrangement for the companies for which the agency accepts payments is that for each payment they collect, the company (light, telephone, water, etc.) would pay a percentage based on volume of transactions done. Do we realize what this means? We are more than likely paying double for the service as the utility companies would have been sure to factor this amount into our billing amount.

The extortion continues, the slavery is being resurrected, the oppression is again becoming a reality.

I have now decided to pay all my bills online. I do this from time to time but I really have better things to do with my time than stand in a line to hand over money to these criminals who call themselves service providers and the government. Every bull shit that is implemented, we take it without a fight. There is no desire to unite as indiscipline will somehow creep in and daunt the work, toil and endeavour of those who really want to make a stand.

And it continues ...

ATTENTION MEN - BE WARNED!!!

If you shop at Sam's Club or Costco, this may be useful to know. I
have become a victim of a clever scam while out shopping. This happened
to me and it could happen to you.

Here's how the scam works:

Two seriously good-looking 19-year-old girls come over to your car as you are packing your shopping in the trunk. They both start wiping your windshield with a rag and Windex, with their breasts almost falling out of their skimpy t-shirts. It is impossible not to look. When you thank them and offer them a tip, they say "No" and instead ask you for a ride to another Sam's Club or Costco. You agree and they get in the back seat. On the way, they start having sex with each
other. Then one of them climbs over into the front seat and performs oral sex on you, while the other one steals your wallet. I had my wallet stolen last Tuesday, Wednesday, twice on Thursday, again on Saturday, and also yesterday and most likely today and tomorrow.

The Belle Has "Tolled"

Today is the official opening of the Portmore leg of Highway 2000 signifying the beginning of one of the worst kinds of oppression and extortion brought to the Jamaican people by the Government - yet again with the imposition of a toll charge of J$60 one way for cars, J$100 for SUVs and $230 for all other vehicles.

For those who may not know, the government, in its road expansion exercise has taken away the main route for Portmore residents, one of the the largest residential community in Jamaica, and created a toll road, hence forcing the residents to pay to enter and exit the community in which they live. In their minds, the alternate route, the Mandela Highway is a suitable alternative, despite the repair and expansion which would need to be made on this road to make it a "suitable alternative". The Mandela is traversed by persons coming from Spanish Town and some Portmore residents resulting in a major traffic job during peak hours. So, in order for persons to reach to work early or on time, it requires leaving home about 6 a.m. or before to achieve this.

Although the government has sought to appease the residents by offering frequent travel discounts with the use of the Toll Tag, it is still an atrocity tantamount to almost slavery by asking persons to fork out anywhere from J$30,000 upwards per year to use the toll. With Memorandum of Understandings with wage freezes, public sector workers taking industrial action because of a wage dispute, how do they expect poor people to survive? It is absolute cruelty and equates to extortion perpetrated by the dons in our society.

When will the Jamaican people realize that we must take a stand? For years, we have just taken what is dished out to us with no retaliation. The Portmore residents (of which I am a part) have proposed a boycott of the toll road for the next 2 months and will be having a vigil service this evening. Although it may not achieve the desired result of a lower toll charge, they should be applauded for the stance they have taken from the beginning until now.

So many ills in our society right now and I wonder if it will ever get better. There is no faith in the government, in the security system, in the justice system (although this has improved somewhat), in the church (don't get me started on the Deacon story), the education system. Where is the hope? We have to find it back somehow. Someway. Somewhere.

If You Have A Dream - For SIG

I don't believe in coincidences. I believe everything happens at the appropriate time and for a reason. I got the below email today and immediately remembered Small Island Girl, who also had a post yesterday entitled Dreams! So, SIG, this one is for you! Enjoy.

If You Have A Dream

Don't wait for some distant day to come,
it may be too late before you've even begun.
Not everyone will agree with all you decide.

Be true to yourself first and foremost.
The only important thing in life is what
you do with the time you spend here on earth.

Don't cloud today with things that can't
be undone. You have no more control over
yesterday or tomorrow, than you do the raging
of your passions.

Do not quiet these dreams
nor quench your desires. For if you do,
your journey is ended.

You have only today to begin anew and
follow your dreams. For in the end all
we have are our memories.

When the twilight comes to us, let there
be, no excuses, no explanations,
no regrets!

[Author unknown]

Oh Well ...

So much for my hopes of England going to the World Cup 2006 finals. Their hopes were shattered today after losing 3-1 penalties to Portugal. Deep down I didn't feel like they would make it but I was still holding on.

On another note, the summer is getting hotter and hotter by the day. I can't belive how hot it is, even at nights when it used to get even a little bit cool. I have to be sleeping in the nude to maintain my sanity at night. I'm also hoping that we do not get a hurricane this year despite the predictions of a very active season.

Anyway, just my usual quick shout out. C ya.

554 Seconds ...

... to the England vs Ecuador match...

Sex and the Church

Fame FM's Uncensored had an interesting topic for their Monday night edition of the program. I did not get a chance to listen to it but captured some highlights from a broadcast the following morning. The topic was Sex and the Church, a debate which sought to establish how "carnal" christians were when it came to sex.

The discussion, from what I gathered was quite an interesting one, with christians and pastors sharing their views on the subject. The findings were as follows:

1. A high percentage of christians are just as carnal as heathens, engaging in sexualy intercourse before marriage;
2. The church places a greater emphasis on sexual sins, while preaching that all sins are equal;
3. The church sometimes influence early marriage in young adults, to escape the sin of fornication;
4. When someone is guilty of fornication, they are "read out" of the church, "back-benched" and become the recipient of "throw-word sermons" metted out by the pastor;
5. There are still christians who believe that sex before marriage is wrong

As someone who grew up in the church, I have personally witnessed all of the above.

My view, the church should not judge a person by their actions and seek to play God. A person who has committed fornication (or any other sin for that matter) should not be shunned and condemned by the church but rather should be embraced and counselled in an attempt to help to bring that person closer to God. In searching for information on the topic, came across another blog with the same title as mine. Read it Here.

Each person should be allowed to have their personal relationship with God as we are accountable only to him for our actions. The church has shirked on its responsibility on many an occasion, passing judgement instead of offering the necessary support. I pray that these things will get better.

Dutty Wine

Jamaicans are known worldwide for the creation of various dance moves for almost every song that is hot on the charts. From the ska to the della move, to the world dance, to the batty rider, to the gangster rock, to the pon di river, pon di bank and now ... the latest dance craze appropriately named, THE DUTTY WINE. As you can see, it takes some amount of skill to do this dance.

One of the cable channels, Juice TV, had a Dutty Wine contest and I was amazed at the extent to which some of these women dutty wined for a T-Shirt, phone credit and a gift basket. It was reported that one woman actually broke her neck doing this dance. The more explicit versions see women going down almost flat on their stomachs with ass (and more) in the air executing the moves with such energy and enthusiasm, that you would think their life depended on it.

I find the dance quite interesting myself and would love to try doing it one day. I really like my neck though :)

More time.

World Cup Fever

Well, the world cup has been extremely interesting thus far to say the very least. A few upsets, a few surprises and a few yawns too :)

I must say big up to T & T's Soca Warriors who have played some very very good football. The other newcomer to the world cup, Ivory Coast have also shown good skill in playing the game. I'm an England fan myself but had to ditch that yesterday when they played T & T. Everyone in my office was quite annoyed at me because although I was cheering for T & T, I was all excited when England scored. All in all, I'm enjoying it so far.

What about you guys? Have you been taking in every single match? Who are your teams? Who is your favourite to win?? Talk to me people!!

What a Week

Well this week on the great rock of Jamaica has been a very interesting one newswise. From motor vehicle accidents to political spats/cat fights, to controversy surrounding the re-instatement to regular police duties for Senior Superintendent Renato Adams, all featured in the Gleaner this week.

Adams' story is the one of great interest to me. Everyone is playing the blame game as to why Adams is still at Desk 13 when there is so much that needs to be done with criminal elements on the street. The police commissioner says he's waiting on the Police Services Commission; the PSC says it's waiting on the Commissioner. Typical. No one wants to take responsibility. No one wants to be viewed as "the bad guy". Adams' style of policing has been frowned upon by the local so-called human rights activists who only make such cries when it suits them. So, the commissioner is under pressure to satisfy these interest groups, his superiors, independent observers such as Amnesty International and the public. Rather than say "No, he will not be placed back on the street" or "Yes, he will resume full duties", everyone is dancing around the issue as if they are doing the tango. When will this type of bureacracy end???

This type of behaviour is demonstrated in so many facets of life that it just drives me crazy. I say to end with this crap! Take responsibility. Be a man/woman. Make a decision. Take a position and stick by it no matter what.

Peace out.

World Cup Commandments

WORLD CUP FOOTBALL - LIST OF TV RULES

Dear Wife, Partner, Girlfriend,

1. From 9 June to 9 July 2006, you should read the sports section
of the newspaper so that you are aware of what is going on
regarding the World Cup, and that way you will be able to join in
the conversations.

2. During that period, DO NOT complain about not receiving any attention.

3. During the World Cup, the television is mine, at all times,
without any exceptions. You will NOT touch the remote

4. If you have to pass by in front of the TV during a game, I
don't mind, as long as you do it crawling on the floor and without
distracting me. If you decide to stand nude in front of the TV,
make sure you put clothes on right after because if you catch a
cold, I wont have time to take you to the doctor or look after you
during the World Cup month.

5. During the games I will be blind, deaf and mute, unless I
require a refill of my drink or something to eat. You are out of
your mind if you expect me to listen to you, open the door, answer
the telephone, or pick up the baby that just fell on the
floor....It won't happen.

6. It would be a good idea for you to keep at least 2 six packs
in the fridge at all times, as well as plenty of things to nibble
on, and please do not make any funny faces to my friends when they
come over to watch the games. In return, you will be allowed to use
the TV between midnight and 6am, unless they replay a good game
that I missed during the day.

7. Please, please, please!! If you see me upset because one of my
teams is losing, DO NOT say "get over it, its only a game", or
"don't worry, they'll win next time". If you say these things, you
will only make me angrier and I will love you less. Remember, you
will never ever know more about football than me and your so called
"words of encouragement" will only lead to a break up or divorce.

8. You are welcome to sit with me to watch one game and you can
talk to me during halftime but only when the commercials are on,
and only if the halftime score is pleasing me. In addition, please
note I am saying "one" game; hence do not use the World Cup as a
nice cheesy excuse to "spend time together".

9. The replays of the goals are very important. I don't care if I
have seen them or I haven't seen them, I want to see them again. Many times.

10. Tell your friends NOT to have any babies, or any other child
related parties or gatherings that requires my attendance because:
a) I will not go,
b) I will not go, and
c) I will not go.

11. The daily World Cup highlights show on TV every night is just
as important as the games themselves. Do not even think about
saying "but you have already seen this...why don't you change the
channel to something we can all watch?" because, the reply will be,
"Refer to Rule #3 of this list".

12. And finally, please save your expressions such as "Thank God
the World Cup is only every 4 years". I am immune to these words,
because after this comes the Champions League, Italian League,
Spanish League, Portugese League, Dutch League, Premier League, FA Cup, etc.

Thank you for your cooperation.