Recession and Redundancy are the buzz words these days and all of us are affected directly or indirectly. While some companies are caught squarely in the economic crunch and have no other choice but to painstakingly part company with some of their workers, there are others no doubt that are using the present situation as an opportunity to let off some workers that they wanted to discharge long ago.

Permanent residency can be granted for retired people and those who have been employed in Jamaica for at least five years.  The process takes three years to complete, but it took five years for me.  This department of immigrations is not the most efficient.  My extra two years was a result of lost paperwork and lack of investigation by the clerks.  Each year you are required to visit the Kingston immigrations office where they will extend your temporary residency for another year. 

A few months ago, some interesting information was posted in our Sports Discussion Forum about new Jamaican sportsmen travelling away from the warmth, sun and sand to participate in a fairly unknown sport, one of man and beast – the Dogsled Race. A couple years ago, while in Edmonton, Canada, Danny Melville from Chukka Caribbean Tours was looking for dune buggies for his business back home in Jamaica. He came across the makings of a rather odd piece of equipment, which not only became the latest addition to the activities offered to tourists at Chukka Tours, but something much bigger! 

All Jamaican crime plans will fail until they recognise that the Jamaican citizens must be empowered to help in the fight against violent crime. It's not the job of the police to prevent armed robberies, burglary, home invasions, rapes and murders and, frankly, no reasonable person could call on the 10,000 police and 3,000 soldiers to be instantly available to protect each of the 2.8 million citizens against these things.

Two months had passed since my near proposal. I will never forget that night. Rosa was visibility upset when we left the restaurant. Our relationship changed after that. She was not around as often as she used to be. Her demeanor towards me changed. When she did come around she hung out most of the time with Sue or spoke to my mother on the phone. I needed some time for things to “blow off” before I tried again. Things were about to get worse.

On Sunday April 15, 2008 I travelled with a friend to Somerset Falls in Portland, Jamaica to attend the Fi Wi Sinting event.  I heard about this festival when Pauline Petinaud (aka Sista P) was being interviewed on Junior Jawara Blake’s 93.5 wvip radio program.  I was so impressed by what I was hearing that I made a promise to attend the culturama in Jamaica