Independence.
Tomorrow is the first of August, our Emancipation Day here. So we have another public holiday. Independence Day is next week Wednesday. Unfortunately, it gets no cheers from me as I am on call tomorrow and the weekend. 
Hence, I will not be going off to the country or anything like that. I have to go to work.
We received our Independence from England in 1962, so relatively speaking we are still a young nation and we have more than our fair share of teething pains. There are some who feel we would be better off if we were still a colony. I’m not sure I agree with that. You see, some of the people who feel this way are comparing our nation to others that have passed through the growing pains of nation building from long ago. But then again, they also remember a time when economically we were enjoying the status that the Cayman Islands enjoys today…… a high standard of living with a dollar that was higher in value than the US dollar!
Yes. The Jamaican currency when I was a child had value!
Anyhow, whatever our present status, this is my country and though all may not be as we would like it to be (for various reasons), let me wish all Jamaicans a happy Independence Day from today.
Having said that, I had another irie night down by Mad Bull’s sharing drinks and jokes, pretty cool. The ‘Bull’ is still on leave, so he’s probably still snoring away (fucky lucker!) while I type this hurriedly as I have to go to work as per this morning. Anyhow, TTYL. Have a nice day.
July 31st, 2003 at 10:06 am you have a good day too…. sounds great, getting together with your friend for some good times. I don’t know how you all do it down there, I’m sure we don’t get as hot, but I did have a heck of a time sleeping lastnight due to the heat! Happy Independence day to you.
July 31st, 2003 at 12:23 pm Happy Independence Day! As I mentioned in a previous comment - that documentary revolves around EXACTLY what you were discussing here. You really should check it out! Have a wonderful day, and I’ll try not to be too terribly jealous at work while you guys get to drink in the sun
July 31st, 2003 at 2:12 pm Happy Independance Day! But beware- when you start sentences with “When I was a child…” you might be percieved as getting old!
July 31st, 2003 at 5:52 pm Happy Independence Day! Hugs, Annie xxx
July 31st, 2003 at 8:50 pm Dr.D - drink the usual and celebrate Independence Day. Lets hope that better days will come for Jamaica.
July 31st, 2003 at 9:25 pm I hope you find a way to squeeze in a celebration! Happy Independence Day!
July 31st, 2003 at 10:30 pm Yeah, last night was Irie, Doc, but it seem I drank too much. I had to get up close and personal with a toilet bowl in the wee hours of the morn… It was not pretty! (or nice)
July 31st, 2003 at 10:32 pm Yes rudes, so I heard. Glad that you’re all cool again.
July 31st, 2003 at 11:36 pm Happy holidays and save some drink for me. I gotta visit the islands. I just gotta.
August 2nd, 2003 at 11:04 am Happy Independence Day…