Yes I have to cutback on shoes but the world won't end

Off the top of my head:

I really wish people would stop being so dramatic.

At the most basic level government had to boost revenue while reducing expenditure since they were spending more than they were earning.

I believe they should’ve taken action sooner and the reason they lagged was that they expected the global economy to recover sooner and/or put too much emphasis on the tourism sector pulling the island out.

That being said, the major economies continue to struggle and as much as our economy depends on theirs, we have to implement our own measures.

The options are few and increased taxation in some form was therefore a given. So yes, VAT was increased by 2.5% which means everything will go up. And yes, this will hit people really hard. So too will the increase in bus fare.

It’s fine to say you don’t like this. It’s fine to say you will have to take a second look at your budget. Of course you don’t want a reduction in your disposable income. But stop acting like government simply decided they wanted to make life hard. Cut and contrive like the old people would tell you they used to do.

Be thankful there were no cuts in social spending and primary school children will benefit from a textbook loan scheme. That will save some parents hundreds of dollars per year especially if they have more than one child going to one of the schools with extensive booklists.

Also, I know a lot of the people who are complaining aren’t the worst off and this is targeted at them, not the people who were genuinely struggling despite their best efforts.

 Most of us have simple things we can cut out or cut back.

Show some industry. Be innovative. Find (honest) ways to get by.

October-y Goodness

So my month is almost over. I haven't posted at all and so much has been happening :-(

In my defense I've been busy but I'm here now.

For the most part it was a fabulous month given the challenges of September. I got to celebrate my 22nd birthday and graduate from that place where i spent the last three years of my life.  I think this was one of my better birthdays in recent times and in some ways served as an indicator of my growth and progress. It was also an indication that some things never change since a pretty cake from a secret bakery was totally necessary lol. BTW I'm liking the idea of a pre-birthday from now on. I had one in 2008 but skipped last year. This time it wasn't planned but I ended up at Champers on the 19th. I was working but it was fun anyway. So next year Prelude to a Birthday will be a fixture on my calendar.

Anyway to all October borns: Happy October! May the rest of this year be as awesome as this month was.

Now on to graduation. I wish i could talk about the sacrifices I made and the midnight oil I burned but in reality i did all the things i wanted to and worked late at night on occasion. Yes, I worked hard but I won't pretend UWI nearly killed me. Still I was very happy to walk across that stage and get my certificate which signifies that I've completed another phase of my academic journey. There's still a lot to learn and achieve but no more pointless tutorials or schizophrenic lecturers who can't stay on topic (Yay!)

So congratulations to all graduates! We made it.


Finally, unfortunately the celebrations of October were marred by the passing of our Prime Minister The Hon. David Thompson. While we mourn this loss, we must continue in the positive spirit of this month. So celebrate each day, follow your dreams and chase success because time waits for none of us.

Am I really not my hair?

Early this week I attended a regional workshop on banking, finance, consumer protection etc. and I couldn't help but be pleased at the number of women there with natural hair. Locks, twists, in one, whatever. 

Often at these events of this type its all "relaxed" hair or "human hair". Apparently what grows naturally out of our heads isn't "human" enough. Sometimes it's no hair at all because that's easier for "professional women" to maintain. 

But looking around that room, I felt happy that we have come so far. Yes, there were women with chemically altered hair and that's their right but it's important for those of us who exercise the right to be natural to feel comfortable. 

I know there are pockets of opposition in some quarters and some offices who still think straight is best but we have made great strides in accepting ourselves the way we are made. I know each of these women, myself included, have had someone question their choice but  they've satisfied the person most important in this case: themselves.

So as weird as it sounds, in a country with an African-descended majority, the ability to wear our hair the way we see fit  is a victory. Even if the woman isn't deeply Afro-centric, even if she didn't have a deeply spiritual reason for choosing her hairstyle, the fact that her decision can be accepted by a growing number is a positive sign.

There's still a long way to go of course. And while one may argue "I am not my hair", I think our attitude towards our hair can say a lot.

*I can take this further but i'll wait for a few responses first :)

Missing in action: Academics

Ok this one is going to be short (I think). It's driven somewhat by some reactions to the Tudor Street tragedy but it's also an ongoing concern of mine.

We've all heard discussions among random people on the street about how and why people would commit such crimes. These sidewalk and rum shop experts have "solutions" to the crime problem and they know just which punishment should be meted out and to which degree. And this is all well and good. Everyone has the right to discuss what is happening in their country.

But where are our academics? The people with informed opinions. Why does it seem like they stay in their offices at UWI or where ever and neglect to apply theory to all the things that are happening around us on a daily basis?

In my mind times like these give academics a chance to show that what they do has value. But instead we hear from politicians, a handful of economists and (usually) one political scientist. Psychologists and sociologists are hardly ever heard.

However, I think there is a role for them not just on issues of crime but on most, if not all, of the issues our society faces.

In short, who better than the "learned" among us to bring some rationality to highly emotional and/or volatile events and circumstances?

Welcome!

Well hello there! Welcome to TWIST (The Way I See Things). 

It has been on the horizon for a long time but now it’s finally here. This is my space to share my thoughts on many of the happenings in Barbados and the world at large. 

My initial thought is that it’s going to be somewhat academic and thought-provoking at times but who knows. My mind takes all sorts of TWISTS and turns and strange things (and people) happen to me so we’ll see. 

It’s also your space. So give me some feedback, raise your own issues, whatever. I’m open to suggestions. Let’s just enjoy it!

Once again, welcome and thanks for joining me on TWIST.