Flax seed Hair Gel: My notes

Flax seed gel is heralded as a natural alternative to traditional cosmetic holding products with the same gelatine consistency. The main benefits of this do-it-yourself project are : a sense of achievement, cost effectiveness and to reduce the use of products that could be harmful for your hair.

If it is easy, and healthy (not to mention cost effective) who wouldn’t want to? This is a small chronicle of my experience.

Flax seed

First thoughts

I finally found some in Barbados and I am undertaking the journey of making my own hair gel.

Looks like snot doesn't it?

I just watched a very basic video talking about how it is done and my thoughts differ from the original process that

encouraged me to buy the flax seed in the first place. At first, I thought “ hmm that seems cool! That is a must try for me.” However, after watching this video before the final step I am completely grossed out.

Buying the products for any do-it-yourself project is the final step. As I already bought it, why not follow through?

The actual process

At first I thought it would be cute to have a Martha Stewart type video to put on youtube like the most persuasive of the videos but then I was too immersed in reality to stay on that thought too long. In the land of the poor, people actually use their stoves for more than cooking water and doing videos, so it needed to be cleaned. With the kitchen clean up behind me, they were bigger challenges I had to face.

The video instructions I worked with gave measurements of ¼ of flax seed to 2 cups of water. Where  was I going to find a measuring cup? Unlike all of the videos I have watched on the subject, I live in the Caribbean. Rare is the Caribbean household cook that uses measuring cups. I think most people will agree that here in the Caribbean, or at least from my circles of known people, you gauge ingredients by handfuls, and regular cooking utensils. In fact, if memory serves me correctly my mother only bought measuring cups when I was about 11 and started to take over some duties in the kitchen.

The second interesting thing, was that I had to take one pound of flax seed and put it in a measuring cup. Oh yes, I found a measuring cup and not a measuring spoon. This, I noticed would have sped up my efficiency.

Secondly, I recognised there was no clear time to put in the flax seed. I estimated that it was to be put in around the time you start the water (like cooking peas). However, I treated the flax seed more like oatmeal, and just before the water came to a roaring boil, I added them in. In about two minutes I noticed the process starting. It was becoming thicker.

Now this was what became interesting. The lady said she likes her gel to have some sort of watery consistency. I was not sure where to stop. So I just took my flax seed off the stove when I spooned it out and it slid back in without splatter.

The most difficult part was?

The most difficult part of the process was doing it over. This morning I saw something white in the gel I left in the kitchen and automatically threw it in the garbage. This most likely was the coconut oil, rosemary oil and castor oil mixture I put in the mixture before it cooled completely.  In retrospect, this is the third time I did this and I realized why so many people have such a hard time. In the second time around, long story short, I boiled the flax seed too long. I spent four dollars on a pound of flax seed. I can find large tubs of eco styling gel for 5 dollars in cosmetic stores here. Why then would I bother to undertake such a process if it is simply easier and more efficient to buy gel that other naturalistas recommend?

“]

Unlike the flax seed in the video, this is the true color of my hair gel. I have yet to research the meaning of this (because the videos I watched came out clear). I put my good guesses on the fact that the flax seed I used did not say organic or that I left the strainer in the bowl and so it seeped instead. [Image of first batch

It occurred to me that boiling the seeds too thick is a waste of time and money. Although I have not tried it yet, I am sure that the hold should not be as strong as spritz if I want to maintain healthy hair. Also, if I am obligated to moisturize my hair each day I do not want something excessively thick in my hair because I can see it weighing it down more so than keeping down frizz.

Conclusion

So I won’t be in the school of thought that straining it is a difficult process which gives little yield. I will at least try it out on my head first and the only way I will stop is if it gives me less hold than the holding product that I am using now. That by the way, is highly unlikely.

Unlike all when you boil it right down, straining it is a breeze. Simply put it in the strainer and see your results immediately. I had twice the amount of the video I watched and she felt the need to squeeze every last bit out - I did not.

So for my end result, here and ever after, I want to have the gel to be as fluid as the one I had initially. It is not Jell-o so it won’t stay put but it is not water so you have to assist its move. To be more descriptive, I would prefer to squeeze if from a bottle than be obligated to take it out from a tub.

Also, I am considering putting my favorite oil in it. Olive Oil. Will share of that experiment informally so feel free to contact me if you want to know how that worked out.

Are you going to try it? Feel free to share your experience.

Barbados’ Greatests Treasures: Speightstown

Travelling beyond the ever popular scenery of the island’s west coast one will come to visit Speightstown. To say that it is a unique experience in itself is an understatement. This gateway to the north of the island contains within it an enchantment to be lauded.

The experience of being in the town itself must rival visiting the luxury marina to its north. Walking along its interconnected streets it is hard to miss a hint of history that is demonstrated in its architecture.  It would not be appropriate to say this town sleeps. It has a variety of fine dining and fast food experiences, retail clothing stores, antique shops and other specialty items. One can also enjoy the experience of a museum or an esplanade. This is a town of endless wonder where the rum shop and the church yard are proximate neighbours.  The canal that runs down to the fish market will also give you a glimpse of the jetty. Windows to the sea, whether occupied by a business or not, are freely accessible to the public at large.

Speighstown is one of Barbados’s happiest marriages of the old and new. The modern architecture of the Post Office buildings and any other new complex do not stand in sharp contrast to the buildings of living memory or those whose owner or past function lies within the pages of history. The town gives evidence to its constant change and to its beauty.

A short distance from the local art gallery.  The beautiful blue waters and golden sands will invite you to bask in the glory of the sun and therapeutic might of the sea.  Giving in to nature’s request will present you with a future treasure of the art world.

It is hard to miss the cultural significance within this piece because there is so much of it. To view the mural is to start on a journey of identifying the interweaving stories that it presents and the suggestions not out rightly stated. Although the artists’ info could not be sourced for the purpose of this blog it was understood that a local business is in part or wholly facilitating the piece. Whether this is affiliated to the Speightstown Mural Project cannot be confirmed.

I hate Editing

I HATE EDITING.

The reason I have been so slow to post of late is simply because I hate editing. It is the one thing that makes me fear creating any type of work. With my writing, I am in a place of despair because I focus too much on how unfinished it will be when I’m done rather than finishing it. In this way, I do more worrying than working and then I stop altogether.

Has this ever happened to you?

In the end, I would like to encourage everyone who creates music, literary works, film, other visual art and the like to remember that it is your expression; love perfects it. I was once told by a great woman that the only one who can achieve perfection is God, so I will add to that and say that as long as you are confident about what you do, that is usually good enough for most. Truthful, it gets appreciated by the ones who are thankful for being inspired by it and that should be your secondary motivation, the primary motivation should be love.

This month’s theme was supposed to DYI stuff (I mentioned that somewhere, I have a group called I find dis..and that was our theme and I was simply having one big theme but I guess this will be something that will need to be redone or extra’s for other months).

Looking on love

“I love you!”

This statement might come as a shock to those who know me personally – as I am not an overly affectionate (ok, I’m not affectionate 90% of the time to 98% of the people I know) but when I say this to you, my kind and gentle reader it comes from the heart – I love you. I love you because you took the time out to read this. Thank you for all your kind words and other words of encouragement (not to mention, your patience through the month of procrastination that I posted nothing). I appreciate every one of you, and for that reason I have dedicated my first month of themes to love.

So my first article of the month is a collection of thoughts on love. Without further discussion let’s get to it.

True love is not romantic

Look on the love of a mother, who does she love more than her child? Who could doubt that that love is not the strongest here on earth? The love of humanity, although its lack of emphasis exists, is evidenced by the many charities worldwide. True love is not romantic, because true love is not planned, organized or made up. Romantic diners, extravagant proposals, special surprises; are. Some people “love to be romantic” but who in their right mind would say no to that?

 

This looks interesting!

 The people who should know the least about love talk the most about it.

Whoops! This was my failed attempt to sneak this one in. Let’s hope that people don’t get too sidetracked with the talk of race that comes in here.
The African people; the diaspora which was created mainly through slavery and the African continent itself, underminded by western media, history and other conceptions are generally or should generally not be people who should know about love. If there is statistics to show that we have larger divorce rates, single parent rates, out of wedlock births and so on,  then isn’t it ironic that all spheres of our art (music, poetry, visual, etc) demonstrates the concept that we have failed to grasp?  I am not saying that black people are incapable of love or do not know how to love but I am pointing out that, for a people who at one point were programmed to move away mentally from the natural and the standard of a world which we have to exist, it is highly commendable that every day this stereotype is fought by the influences we put out. This is evidence that we as a people can love ourselves. So I ask again, what is love?

 
Love and its true meaning
Love is about perspective, on a day when one’s mind is clear the world is a beautiful place. I have lived through and understood this concept so many times. For example, Yesterday while travelling I found myself amazed by colour, the brilliance of the green grass, the leaves on the tallest trees as they were tickled by the wind, The “sugar cane sweetness” of the sun as it mixed with the island and placed the mind into a sucrose filled reposed. Everything was wonderful, everything was beautiful. On another day, I walked along the boardwalk of the city one evening as the rain fell. It was not a torrent of a shower but more of a sprinkle.  The sprinkles that floated down towards my face comforted my tired skin. They washed my eyes of the endless visions of the day and washed away the pollution in the road so that the air was cleaner, possibly even fresh. As I admired my scenery I saw the stories that were written on the water, many tiny droplets like forming words on a large page. In the air, these droplets welcomed the sun and reflected like crystals and I remembered that every drop was precious.

Life can be love too; and sometimes it’s simple pleasures are the best examples.

I could have complained about the garbage that accumulates on our busy streets at the close of each business day. All this left in plain sight of those remaining pedestrians who are at the mercy of the wind which violently controls the debris. I could have mentioned the homeless people who probably have a hand in dispersing the garbage from their receptacles. The sore of our nation’s inhumanity and our own, as we ignore their harassment for life we are reminded that our entire day’s toil cannot equal leisure time or funds to make that effort worthwhile.
Because once in a while you do give, and the money that leaves your wallet brings with you some indescribable feeling (you showed love) and in turn you loved yourself because you were able to open your mind to other realities of life and deal with them.

 

Love; Unusual
It is said that true love knows no jealousy. I am sure they will be many sermons this month on the fruits of the spirit and other related teachings. However, is the human love really that clear cut? In a world where people have the privilage of choosing how is it possible to love without these “bad” elements? As a person loving someone else, there is always the risk of not loving oneself. To love and loose will be the example I choose. A person who extended love by showing kindness, devotion and the like, to be used, fooled and discarded thereafter would not be showing love for themselves by simply feeling nothing but “forgiveness” on that situation. There is a love for oneself that is necessary, and which cannot be devoid of anger, hurt, disgust and a little jealousy. The person giving the love was not receiving any. Put another way; the one you gave your love to didn’t love you and you didn’t love yourself.
Love has a source
Humans are fascinated with the concept of origin, we constantly seek/revere the first person to create or accomplish, to coin a phrase or to mark a day. We are fascinated with our heritage and managing our associations with the past. We write books, make movies having discussions so that the lessons of old will last. So why not find the concept of love? For me personally, I think it comes from God above. I am ever amazed of the power this knowledge yields. I find a blessing each time his love is revealed. I have my own view of its owner my lovely readers. In my love for you, I would love if you found yours too!

Take the journey

 

Most articles with such a title might have a moral saying don’t be afraid to go the distance or something similar. This article is not so profound. I am simply expressing my new found love for my country.

Over the past year I have been to some exotic places in my island and I have discovered for myself what tourists for many years have known; my country is beautiful. There is much to see outside of going to the Olympus or an attraction and much to learn from the ordinary twists and turns of the country road. If you want life lessons or just need to experience the kindness and friendliness of your own people, simply take a bus somewhere you have never been.

Yes. I said a bus.

Here is why. The last time I went to the crane I did so by car, it was an awesome time and I had wonderful memories. As life would have it, it would be one of the last times that I have ever had an outing with those three friends. Since that experience I always thought I knew where the crane was; right around the bend from that timid Texaco gas station (if you know the area you know the one I mean). So I boldly pronounce this while in public transportation today, that we should get off there and go to crane, but we didn’t. When the van took said corner that I mentioned, it was the first time I realised that the stretch was much much MUCH longer than I ever imagined. Moral of the story is, for some people, you need to take public transport to know the area. For those of you who drive and think you only learn an area by driving, driving gives you one sense of responsibility (the road) and stifles you from guiltlessly and freely enjoying the company of those who you are with. I will ignore all comments to the contrary because I am not trying to endorse the next road accident.

THE ROAD ITSELF

Being on the road often traveled, the commute to work or school makes you impatient and readily conjures that road rage that sets us in a bad mood for the rest of the morning. We often tell our co workers about it and their accent to the foolishness that happen on our roads can continue till lunch time. However, being on a new road can teach us the obvious; we all had our first time. Whether it’s our first time driving or our first time in unfamiliar territory, we have this feeling and hope that if we do make a mistake we will have the protective privilege of those who know better to watch over us and forgive us. It is this open mindedness that we need to take back to our highways and roads and exhibit some patience with other road users.

Specifically with today, they were two experiences that made me applaud our public transport system. The first is that for our ride to, we got a kind ZR man to take us to the destination. This was after the government run transport system was unable to provide the service for two straight hours. Although in a bourgeoisie sense it was illegal, in a humanistic sense it should be recognised and applauded. He helped many people visit loved ones, and many persons get to work on time.

The transport board bus that brought us back down was so kind as to allow us on the bus for the remainder of the trip up and back down. I also had to marvel at the way that all of them make traversing one way road seem so easy. Tonight, this man effortlessly made an S-bend look simple and it reminded me of this life lesson; with practice everything becomes easy.

Taking a journey helps us to appreciate our landscape. A journey into the far reaches of our island always

Like really, who lives in this palace?

amazes me of the huge structures that some people live in! The eyes and the mind is constantly stimulated with the varying styles of architecture that occupy our landscape. What struck me as odd today is that everywhere, regardless of the connotation that stems from a particular address one can always find large estates and more humble dwellings. In this way we should be aware that they will be those who are different.

 

 

The best thing about journeying to unknown destinations is the fact that it is less hassle than say, going to a fete. Also, you get the opportunity to make memories with those you travel with. Today I realised how long it has been since I have seen a cow. The childhood memories of being chased by the one too close to the dunks tree came rushing back. I walked further than I probably ever did in my life. I could say that I got a new appreciating for the sun and took some awesome pictures. Lastly, I had an experience and some food for thought that I could share with you.

Imprint of brain coral. So cool!

Travel.

Town to Town Review

Just outside one of the most celebrated capitals of the Caribbean, a young talented artist takes another step on her journey to the status of legend. Art enthusiasts, friends and family came out for the opening night last Friday evening to get a first glimpse of the much anticipated exhibition; Town to Town by Sheena Rose.

This exhibition, which runs until November 25^th is an interpretation of two towns; Bridgetown and Cape town. The artwork covers a broad spectrum of life and its perception. The silent animation is undeniably captivating. The artist’s statement spent much time on this and for good reason. Interacting with patrons of the show revealed that the animations had a different effect on each person. The artist has also successfully brought an awareness of everyday life. They were several exclamations by patrons relating to the scenes or sharing a personal memory. This artist should be applauded for her effortless ability to make abstract work relatable to both the amateur art enthusiast and the art professional. There is a blend between realism and the abstract that may separate this artist from others or this exhibition from her exhibits to come.

Fashion designer Khala Hurdle Photographer Dondre Trotman came out to opening night of the exhibition.

One of the more interesting things about this work is the artist’s precise use of color. From a general view it helps to make each piece become more unique. It will defy words, this is a must see experience! Sheena Rose is definitely making her mark on history’s page with visual media. She is a celebration of her work and she is very much a product of her. Her unique vision transpires not only in her artwork but in her eye for fashion. I think the most stunning person for the evening was the artist herself, whose wardrobe choices are also gaining the fashion of legend. In this world where so many fear being fashion clones and everyone strives to make a statement with their clothing very few people do it as successfully. Her awe inspiring handbags and other accessories might give Sheena the image of a keen student of fashion and design, but are just another testament to her artistic limits (it’s possible she has none).

The artwork was sold as quickly as an hour into the exhibition.

Town to Town is an art exhibit that poignantly displays the correlation of two cultures which are distant physically and culturally. Bringing their similarities to the fore so much so that these cities are indistinguishable from the other in the perspective that the artist sets. This opens the mind to a complex set of questions and forces us to inspect our cultures a bit differently but overall it, after an answer has been studied, it should give one a better appreciation of life.

Congratulations Sheena! The world eagerly awaits the next exhibition.

Check yourselves. Seriously!

In light of the recent events that will no doubt shock my island (at least for one or two days) I was on my way to writing a usually lengthy article. It then occurred to me that the intended message might not share well if I have paragraph after paragraph of tedious reading and so I simply wrote down my paragraph form in the hope that it will make a bigger impact on those who really need to hear it.

Something is wrong with you if:

You still think “These things don’t happen in Barbados.”

You can use social networking to broadcast news of harm done quicker than you can use it to prevent harm.

You cannot recognise that someone’s life may actually be shortened by the rumour mill you help fuel on said networking sites.

You live in a country where the police can see these rumours but not act on any of them.

You are one of the ones who believe because you are blameless even if you didn’t help in any way you could just because you didn’t actually kill her.

They are people who will sit and look at this entire situation with a blank face and not recognise how God stared their life and avoided them from meeting a similar fate.

 

 

The Dear Letters: Dear Drivers

Letter No. 2

Dear Drivers,

Daily the question of buying a driver’s licence raises its ugly head with almost every driver observed. I know, that for those of you who were involved in the actual learning process will be offended but you must know that your peers who show little regard for commonsense are the ones who are noticed because they make outside a very unpleasant experience. In this article I will try to highlight ten things that pedestrians would like these drivers to know. The onus is on you, my good readers who show the utmost respect for the law and commonsense to pass on this information to the jackasses who control vehicles and maybe we will see less accidents on our roads.

1. Why is that you prefer to drive in the middle of the road until there is a pedestrian?

I have observed countless times, both as a passenger of public and private vehicles and as a pedestrian, persons choosing to drive in the middle of the road until they see someone at the side of the road. It is then and only then that the driver decides to take their side of the road and possibly, the sidewalk. This is particularly disheartening to see if it is the only car on the road at the time. It’s not just men that do it, so the excuse cannot be the men want a good look, many women are very guilty of doing it. This is ignorance in its purest and most inexcusable form.

2. Where do you really expect us to go when there is no sidewalk or it’s overrun by bush?

I know that some people who really have no concern for their own safety and give drivers a fright, I have seen incidents of this and honestly they should be chastised as well. However, I have heard countless drivers and some non drivers say “I have never seen a car in the hospital!” It is true I have never seen a car in hospital but I have seen many people in the hospital with allergic reactions and/or infections and I don’t intend to be one of them. If you are incapable of controlling the vehicle you are in, please park it (in the next appropriate and available space) and call someone who can. Since pedestrians have to be on the road because you or anyone driving didn’t give them a ride, then the onus is on you, in such situations where there is no sidewalk to AVOID them, just like you do polls, other cars and potholes, (the police, road tax and insurance).

3. Your driving slow does not affect me when I am walking, unless I have to wait until you turn.

Let me start this point by giving you a scenario. This evening while I was taking a stroll, this woman was making a right turn. She was met with a steady flow of cars coming toward her and therefore had to wait. However, of the 7 or so cars the third one was at least 3 car lengths away. Yet, she waited. This would have been fine had I not had the decency to wait by said road until she drove through, because honestly she could have made the turn before these cars came up (which is why I stopped) but I could understand that she might want to gauge the speed of the oncoming cars. So she waited for the first 3, saw the next four (no she could only have seen two, on this relatively straight road the cars were that far apart) and decided to wait. I can’t be her excuse because when I had the opportunity to cross while she was waiting on Christmas, I waited with her. Why should I be so stupid to miss Santa’s sleigh rushing back to the North Pole? This woman was even prepared to wait until the last car which was literally minutes away to drive by to make the turn. That is, until I gave her the stare, and she turned because she knew she was being stupid.

The second such incident occurred several minutes and turns away with this old man in what might have been an MTW truck. The first excuse you will give him is that he is old but listen to this. As I was walking, I heard the sound of an engine approaching and came to a halt. Now let me explain the area carefully. To the right, possibly a few feet away there is a corner with lots of bush and any driver would need to make sure that there is no oncoming traffic before bringing out their vehicle. However, there is a pedestrian clearly in need to cross the road you are in and that pedestrian came to a stop for your vehicle. What did father time do? After handling the steering wheel like he was turning right, which caused me to start to walk behind his vehicle (I know, I was putting my life in someone’s hands but now he has nothing obstructing his sight but the corner) he takes a literal minute and a half before he turns right. This would have been ok if;

a)      He didn’t bring his vehicle almost in the road before stopping,

b)      Taking most of that delay time to look at me from head to toe,

c)      Make another stop when most of his vehicle was in the road.

He had no case. Bringing the front end of his vehicle that far out of the gap from which he was exiting meant that he could have been clipped from any car coming around the bend (and down this incline) anyway! He was just an asshole that needed his driver’s licence being revoked.

4.The beeping!

Now this is evidence that the guilty drivers excise no logic. Why are you beeping? If you can blame my behaviour that makes no sense to you on the fact that I have no licence why do you assume that I can understand beep? Honestly cars that honk at me, especially excessively just get on my nerves. It might scare the person into walking under your car when they look up from their phone. It might scare the child doing nonsense. It might cause the elderly to trip and fall in the road just as much as it will cause the driver in front of you to drive slower.

But you want attention, so go on and cause an accident that lands your face and name in the paper.

5. Slowing down and creeping me out.
This point is self explanatory but it needs investigating by an official analyst. Whether it is the driver on the same side of the road or on the other, it’s just scary when someone you don’t know slows down to look you fully in the face for no apparent reason! At any moment you expect a nondescript van to pull up behind that vehicle and to be tossed in the back. I will warn all drivers against it, because one day, a pedestrian is going to greet you with a semi automatic weapon and bring your car to a complete stop for a perfectly good reason. I will warn all of my love ones (and my readers) against it because I really want to agree with you when your life comes to an end.

6.The music is so loud it has you swerving.

Ironically, these are the same people who are quick to note who can’t “walk de road properly.” You know them well, tinted windows, unnecessary noise from the mechanics of the car and a set that could overpower the large ones used for kadooment day. You hear these fools before you can see them and long after they are gone and for good reason too! They are not just taking up the middle of the road but they are on the right and the left. It’s like they learnt to drive from a snake. I would hope that we all learn from the incident in Trinidad where the woman not only lost her life but she was disembodied from a speeding driver. That young man got such a verbal beating from the general public it will scar him for life. Furthermore he took life from a woman who gave life! How will he cope with that? He must think that if  he had not been on the road that morning her children would still have their mother. From all reports, she was one of the good ones. I appeal to all of drivers that get thrills from this type of driving to stop! Speeding is no reason to go to jail and having your life taken by the state is far too kind a punishment for your ignorance. Most of you with hot cars get to f*ck almost any groupie you want anyway! So my advice to you would be to stay home and post pics of your car, the women will still find their way to you.

7. I am like a Deer in headlights because your headlights have blinded me, dear.

This is not just a pedestrian concern but it is something that other drivers complain about. The grievance surrounds these really bright lights that some car owners install as if a football match is going on directly ahead of their moving car. The amazing thing is that these people get upset with both pedestrians and oncoming traffic for the effects of their own permanent hi-beam. For those of you gentle readers who are reading this and are not aware let me be the one to bring to you another form of light. Let me successfully illuminate your mind.  These Musco Luminaire lights you have installed are very disorienting, the reason why pedestrians stand up and oncoming traffic start to drift irractically is because, momentarily they cannot tell what is left or right. I stand up where I am because, since YOU can see and I cannot the onus is now on you to avoid me. I would warn against the continuation of these lights because these bright lights give you plenty of vision ahead of you but it decreases visibility at the side of your vehicle. If I have to explain why that is necessary you shouldn’t be allowed to touch car keys.

8. Yes, I am jaywalking but why speed up asshole?

It happens in Bridgetown and other areas with much activity. It happens anywhere there are no appropriate crosswalks. It happens in your own neighbourhood and anywhere there is a road. You look left, then right, and there is a car approaching but it is very far ahead. So you gauge the distance and the speed and attempt to cross. In the instant that you place your foot in the road you can hear the gears change. Now, instead of a well estimated and mutually beneficial use of time and the road it is now all in fate’s hands as the pedestrian has to get out of the road in time before Ghost rider in his ordained sedan or 4×4 is doing a Paul Bourne to you. The thing is that some of these people have the nerve to slow down directly after you cross safely. Are these the same persons who don’t like stopping at cross walks? I wonder.

9. Speeding on the whole: Pointless

Speeding is entirely pointless. I have seen some truly retarded shit with my own eyes. One night in Hastings, between the area that used to be the boardwalk bar and where the new bar is a friend and I were standing at the sidewalk. The car going to Bridgetown slowed as if anticipating and attempting to facilitate our crossing. In reality it would have taken no time out of him because two cars up ahead would have caused him to stop a few metres away. Before this could register, before we could indicate that we were not crossing Ass’s son Jack in his newly stolen Mitsubishi Raider (or similar vehicle) came down and over took the car, only to come to a screeching halt by the vehicles infront of him. We stopped in anticipation that he fly over the traffic ahead (the brand of vehicle being one of the most respected and all) but alas, no such spectacle, just one nconsiderate human being having to wait.

I know it could have been an emergency he was attending but think about this; in the event he did hit someone, was he going to wait or let the police come knocking at his house for him after having his licence plate splashed across the media airways? More likely than not, he would have waited to prevent the licence being revoked. It is not a catch 22, it is commonsense which clearly isn’t that common.

10. Splashing or attempting to splash…you asking for a big rock.

Today, I realised that some pedestrians have been doing it wrong. If you don’t want to be splashed, simply place your hand or walk really close to the body of water. This will make drivers slow down in an attempt to make you shame and then they will notice the water. The smart ones will not honk their horns.

Unfortunately, the smart ones are very few. Everyone else is constantly sleepy or brain dead when getting behind the wheel and therefore if there is a puddle you will be splashed (see point 1). Let’s not leave out those vindictive, solidified whore piss who splash you for simply walking the road. I have seen some people go out of their way to drive through puddles. The same potholes they would have happily ran over their grandmother to avoid if they had been dry.

In conclusion, I am not saying that all drivers are guilty of each of these points. The article seeks to highlight the fact that they are two distinct mindsets; the mindset of a driver and that of a pedestrian. A driver’s mind is not the same when using the road on foot either. One reason for this is that we are all egoistic, we all expect that we should come first when using the nation’s roads. However, we should all extend a bit of altruism if we seek to preserve our lives or the pain and suffering involved if we continue to push our own needs against common sense and safety.

Let me explain my status

In the time that it will take for me to write this article, edit it and overcome all the obstacles that procrastination throws at anyone with a heartbeat, my status would have been on that particular social networking site for hours. This is what is said verbatim,

Of all the things that happened in my traumatic yesterday there was one thing that stood out with me. It may seem unimportant in the scope of my day but that opening statement of these women’s conversation stayed with me even now as I hear it replay in my head, “He is the last man anybody should ______ for.”

On the bright side tho, makes me glad to be single and celibate, and I guess I could be proud about that. ”

So now I owe you, my sweet readers, preamble to this story. In short, yesterday was for me one of those days where I wished I stayed in bed. Amongst the more traumatic things was a severe headache which progressively got worse. The cause of this headache was the sun’s glare. As I suffered under its full glory commuting through Bridgetown yesterday, I found relief by the seating and shade of a public service vehicle. (I know my readership that drive themselves everywhere are currently laughing at my last statement).  So while waiting to be chauffeured to my destination (ok now I’m giggling) these two ladies began a conversation. The first lady probably mentioned the name of the person in question and her situation (this was done in a whisper). In the early statements of the second lady’s reply was the statement I mentioned in my status “He is the last man anybody should breed for.” It should be noted that this lady at no time mentioned any particulars that could be traced to any one person. She did allude that the man’s character was far from the best and it should have been noticed by the woman at the heart of the conversation.  She also made the comment “I guess when ya don’t know ya don’t know.”

This scenario is not the first time I have overheard such conversations, these conversations occur frequently throughout all classes of our society. Regardless of the language used, I am always amazed at the indifferent scorn coming from the speaker. What is interesting is that persons always seem to know a great deal (whether true or otherwise) about the person in question. One cannot help but wonder what the relationship between the speaker and the subject are in such instances. It first of all scares me that they are so many “backbiting’ people in the world; persons who are so closely aware of another’s situation and yet seek to do nothing positive with it. I like to think that these people spread word in hope that someone of better character will go to the source and help them to correct their ways. (Naive much?) Realistically speaking, how often does that happen? How well do we sleep at night knowing that we aid someone’s long term misery under the guise that it’s “not our business to say”? How do we really look in the eyes of our peers and others around us when we decide to sacrifice someone’s well being, for the sake our own short-term image in the eyes of the person affected and those who wish to see them harmed? I am not advocating the spread of rumours; so presenting hearsay as fact is not what I am condoning. But if a number of people are saying the wrong thing, or something negative about someone so close to you that you know what they are saying then you as an individual should be mature enough to communicate this to the person affected. Let me give you an example,

{insert name here} I hope you appreciate that what I am about to say I am doing in your best interest. I am disturbed by what is being said about you and I thought I be a good enough {insert relationship here} to bring it to your attention. {Explain situation}

There is no need to say who you heard it from. I think that both parties should appreciate that this is what causes friendships to dissolve unnecessarily, moreover they should appreciate that this person was intricate in bringing the view of the outside worldview to the subject and therefore should be thanked by being kept confidential.

It is true, the person who brings such ugly news sometimes has to suffer the backlash rage associated with such shock. Whether it makes this person come to grips with something in their subconscious or helps to confirm what they have suspected a long time. All of this, is on the road to a better place in their life. Would you prefer to shut up and say nothing, let someone else bring them the news only to discover that the person believes (and rightfully so, even without proof) that you knew all along and said nothing? Such a situation creates mistrust, even in the strongest of friendships. What if that person witnessed you doing it to someone else? Do you think your defences will stand up after that? They are those who flat-out would not want to hear such news, they are not mature enough or believe that the world’s standards require them to be unhappy in pretence. The question I pose to you is, if that person is that immature that they cannot respect the good that you represent, do you need them in your life?

Bleach cannot clean up one's character; only actions can.

On the Repeat – Hollywood

It’s ironic how Hollywood takes the same face and applies it to a different name, put them into a fake situation with un-developed philosophies(if any) to be rehashed as entertainment. In turn, parents put their children in front these forms of entertainment for babysitting and we expect our society to come up with something sensible and creative. It was never my intention to have this article go down that nasty line of thought and so with the end of this sentence I come away from that dark road.

The intention of this blog is to be light and cheery and should have more research in the famous than I ever knew about. I do not waste my life watching the lives of these people but when my brain does go to that all time low I still have enough brain cells that I notice trends.

Secret Circle’s star Britt Robertson has an uncanny resemblance to Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. Does this make the acting and storyline seem rehashed? Or did the fact that it’s another show about teenage love drama, the land of the mythical (this time witches), and deceitful people who all think it’s ok to cover up something make the story line predictable? Don’t get me wrong, I love the show and I eagerly awaited its pilot since I saw the preview in the summer.

I have no idea when the video was released but I only viewed part of Lady Gaga’s Alejandro video and it was interesting. If you skip to the end (sorry it started to be too much for me) the last scenes where she is in all black made her look like Madonna. The blonde hair, the flicking of that short hair and the makeup all were essential Madonna components not to mention the dance moves.

Also, I would also like my readers to explore a point that the vbloger who brought the video to my attention was making in one of his other rants. He mentioned the charge that nobody makes happy sitcoms anymore. Reality Television always has this deviant struggle in it. His examples were reality shows like teen moms, where they follow the lives of children who got pregnant to early and do not have a stable relationship. The most popular sitcoms is the one where the star has a deep inner problem. I just thought of World’s Strictest Parents but even that is based on the fact that they are parents who cannot control their children. You would think that most of them are poor but the show has shown that not to be true. However, I cannot think of a happy show that I enjoy watching. I know some of you will say watch Glee but I will reply to you, “What is Glee?” without waiting for an answer. I never loved musicals, they are always annoying and therefore…no.

I guess this is a system that begets itself, this is proof of the idea that the market is rational if only in the sense that it will create what it wants. All in all, for those of you who have this desire like me, to see something different, go watch documentaries! You will at least learn something from the time spent. I also dare you to dare your friends into other activities such as reading(my blog?), writing and picking up other hobbies because they are good ways to get away from the recycled mess streaming into your house from your TV. Go outside and save the planet, pick up garbage, go spread a pleasant word. All in all, if you feel like television is not catering to your needs, go find something that does.

Thank you for reading!