Peeling away
The finite layers
Built over the years
Seeking, searching
For the core
The original centre
But what happens
If after the layers
There is nothing
Absorbed, or faded
Just gone

I finally found one benefit to me of this infernal month-long obsession the rest of the World has with football (a.k.a. World Cup). I can walk into my hairdresser without an appointment at lunchtime on a Friday and not have to wait. It seems even the regular ladies of leisure (of which I am not one, I’m just unemployed) with whom I cross paths prefer to stay home and watch football.

The double standards of the U.S. celebrity culture never fails to amaze me. In an entertainment industry where women feel even more pressured to remain youthful, even prepubescent-looking in order to compete with the latest teen queens, the males get essentially a free ride. Older male stars such as Sean Connery are often described as being among the sexiest in Hollywood.

Now while there is possibly some appeal to an older gentleman who may be now “distinguished” in spite of the balding and wrinkles, is it right for a prematurely grey, looking-45-instead-of-29 year-old Taylor Hicks to be chosen as the HOTTEST bachelor by People magazine? Now I am sure their definition of hot includes some non-physical attributes like his talent (for those who don’t know, Mr. Hicks is the most recent American Idol), the continuing rise of his career since winning the competition and his uniquely old-school style which led to his fans being called the “Soul Patrol”.

But still, which woman in that industry can get away with looking years above her age, not to mention going grey before her time (and god forbid, actually keeping the grey)?

Last night I had the opportunity to see some of the fantastic creative talent we have here in JA. The event was the second staging of “I’ll Send You a Postcard”, an event to raise funds for persons looking to go abroad to pursue higher studies in dance. The first one was done back in 2002 for Neila Ebanks now returned here and making her mark in the dance fraternity as a dancer, teacher, choreographer, and producer. This year’s beneficiaries are Shelley-Ann Maxwell and Oneil Pryce.

The show pulled together several dance troupes (Praise Academy, Company Dance Theatre, University Dance Society, L’Acadco) as well as other artistic contributors (ASHE, University Players). The variety of performers led to a superb mix of performances all of an excellent quality since presumably each group put forward one of their best pieces.

Tying the entire show together was a dance in several pieces by Shelley-Ann and Oneil themselves. Creatively and amusingly done, they danced with a globe with LONDON in bold print (the destination for both of them) until their final segment which saw them in warm weather gear bringing a suitcase on stage to collect their gifts (rum, breadfruit, bun and cheese, hardough bread etc.) from all the participants.

On one level it is unfortunate that creative talents like these have to leave to further their studies but luckily, for many of them, their love brings them back home to share their knowledge and experience and to help others achieve similar dreams. Keep an eye out for the I’ll Send You a Postcard Foundation.

Time flies when you’re having fun. That’s what people been telling me my whole life. Is it true? Yeah I guess it kind of is. But even some things that aren’t so much fun can keep you so focused that the time seems to fly just as fast.

My time fliers:

• Reading for fun
• Surfing the net 
• Studying
• Some MSN conversations
• Working on stuff for pan (scoring, arranging etc.)
• Lazing around at the beach

My time creepers:

• Exercising
• Studying
• Time at the hairdresser
• Waiting for food at restaurants

Remember playing games as a child? Stuff like hide and seek and tag? Some of my memories are a little blurry tho I know I played them back in the day. What I do remember is running for home base as if my life depended on it. Wherever you ended up during the course of the game, the second you saw an opening you focused all your energies on getting there safe.

It’s funny how things we did as a child can give glimpses into our future life, how games can mirror real life. As children we raced for home base; to be safe was all that mattered. From then our family served a similar purpose - a safe place we return to from time to time, where we feel protected from the swirling forces out to get us.

As adults we continue striving to maintain a balance between remaining safe and striking out on our own. Family remains an important place of safety, but as we extend our journeys out into the world we search for other shelters. A circle of friends forms a comfort zone. In searching for a relationship we seek a haven where we can be more than comfortable - where we can feel safe.

Just a thought.

(in no particular order) 

• confusing,
• interesting,
• stimulating,
• sexy ,
• fun,
• a bitch,
• a headache,
• uncompromising,
• unfair,
• joyful,
• beautiful,
• creative,
• orgasmic,
• unpredictable

 - List (by no means complete) courtesy of a wise friend

Time is a concept;
Measured in seconds,
Minutes, hours, days -
Can seem like forever.
Carved out in stone?
All relative it seems.
A year or a decade
Can pass with a breath.
Right time, wrong time,
In time, or out of it -
We count out our lives
By well rounded intervals.
Then one day we see
That in everything
Perfection can be found
In the timing

Fuzzy…
Eyes struggle open
Swallowing is difficult
Pain thru my head
Feels like a block
Air trickles in
Even slower out
… Sick

This weekend was the Jamaica Cancer Society’s annual Relay for Life event. We managed to get together a team of 18 persons to go run/walk laps all night from Saturday evening into Sunday morning. Some people needed convincing on the fundraising part of it but overall we did ok with our collections.

The event went smoothly for the most part. A few minor hitches but nothing to throw us off. We actually performed for the event early in the evening which went over ok. Our team put out their all on the field with some people running more laps than I could even dream of at my fittest (what’s the verb for nightmares?).

Between the laps there was lots of sleeping, reading, eating, pan playing (a song being arranged and taught at 1 in the morning), karaoke, socarobics. Definitely gonna be there next year. Will make sure I am fitter tho.