Monday evening chat…
Well, I’m in a pretty good mood. Why? The Accounts Department at work informed me that we were paid from last week Thursday when I called this morning to ask when payday was. I had no idea. However, what is even better is that GRATUITY was paid! AND, when I collected the pay advice, the gratuity was MORE THAN I HAD EXPECTED!
So, I’m quite the Cheshire cat at the moment. I guess that since I’m very generous, Mad Bull can hold a VX outta it!
I scanned through the Gleaner a while ago and saw that there was a fire in one of the hotels in Negril last night. The poor property owner probably just wasn’t able to afford to insure the place against fire with what insurance premiums cost today. I feel for him. What annoys me though, is to realize that a tourist town like Negril has no fire station of its own. Makes me get upset again and ask what the fassyholes in government are doing with public funds? Then again, it should not surprise me as I know what the situation at the hospital is. Aaah bwoy. Let me not put it on mi head, I am supposed to be feeling alright.
I saw another article that I’m going to link. Now, if you haven’t heard that ‘ruption a gwaan inna Haiti, then you must be living under some boulder (or not give a fart ’bout Caribbean news.) Nevertheless, I have a slight understanding of what is happening there, but by no means proclaim to be fully conversant with what is going on in the French speaking country. This Gleaner article entitled, “Why is Haiti cursed?” is a pretty enlightening read IMHO. Now, I can’t vouch for the correctness of what this woman has written, but it does sound pretty convincing. Give it a read and continue to pray for the return of calm to the place.
I suppose that everything in life is relative eh. I know someone who has been there and did mention how barren their landscape was due to the cutting down of trees. He told me that Jamaica was God blessed compared to Haiti. I think that despite the fact that you may hear me lamenting that all is not well in the “Land of wood and water” that we still have to count our blessings.
Finally, I’m going to end with a joke that I received on e-mail. But you’ll have to click on MORE to get it.
It is called Sunday Morning Sex! (I wonder what that will do for Google searches and my hit meter?)
Upon hearing that her elderly Grandfather had just passed away, Katie went straight to her Grandparent’s house to visit her 95 year old grandmother and comfort her.
When she asked how her Gramps had died, her Grandmother replied, “He had a heart attack while we were making love on Sunday morning.”
Quite shocked, Katie told her Grandma that two elderly people almost 100 years old having sex would be surely asking for trouble. “Oh no, my dear,” she replied. “Many years ago, realizing our advancing age, we figured out that the best time to do it was when the church bell would start to ring on a Sunday after morning service! It was just the right rhythm. Nice and slow and even. Nothing too strenuous, simply in on the Ding and out on the Dong.”
Grandma paused to wipe away a tear from her eyes, “And if the damned ice cream truck hadn’t come along, he’d still be alive today!”
(I guess you now know why they ring the church bell on Sundays!) Have a good evening.
February 23rd, 2004 at 5:35 pm Just a V/X, my yute? If you read my post today, you will see that I need some dollars to buy a Pajero, so just give me all the excess you got! I need it! By the way, I found that “Why Haiti is Cursed” article most interesting. I wonder where the writer got her facts. If she is anywhere near the truth, then it raises plenty questions. Firstly, why has Caricom decided to support a man with questionable claim to power, especially when he is said to have such things as teams of enforcers and he is supposed to have been having people killed, left, right and centre… But then again, we know that other members of Caricom are said to use similar tactics, so maybe the old saying IS true… birds of a feather do flock together.
February 23rd, 2004 at 10:51 pm I have reading a lot of your post for amost 2 years now and have resisted the urge to respond until now. I mean you no ill but just wanted to illustrate some observations I have noticed. 1)You got more money than you needed (so you buy alcohol) in your pay from the same government that you chastise for not having fire trucks in negril. Chances are that this hotel owner is behind in his tax payments to the governtment (can you say SEAGA-enchanted gardens). 2)I have read you post when you have discussed your patients aflictions which here in Canada is illegal(patient confidentially and I would bet also in Jamaica.(would you want your history on line?) 3)Read your posts about the young GALs and the disrepect you show towards them.(What if you sister, daughter, mother?) I do not wish to be too long winded or preachy but collegue it starts with you. You are fortunate to be able to take vacations that most jamaicans will never be able to make, drive a nice car, have a house and go out for drinks. Do you not see yourself has a part of the problem? The JA govt is corrupt but no more than any other country (here in Canada they just stole $250 million cdn). Look at haliburton in the US Siemans in Germany or the Italian PM. My point, I guess it is all the bitching and whining and noone doing anything to change the situation. Anyway to Haiti. Did you know that USA does most of is human drug trials in Haiti and AIDS research? Hence the high HIV rate. Look I do not mean to give you a hard time but it is 2004 and we should know better. I was in Antigua in January and there was a uproar because a person of high society claimed that “antigua was only one step ahead of Haiti”. It took a lot of explaining to get over the fact that we all owe Haiti a lot more that any other country and nuff more respect.Where are the CARICOM peace keepers or food aid? Another example, took place in ST Martin also in January, while trying to get to a beach I asked directions from a toilet attendant (not passing judgement but her station is relevant). She explained that I should not go up there because a “bunch of jamaicans are up there and if they surround you there is no escape, they will rob you, cut your throat and not even god could save me”. She did not realise that I am a Jamaican and I made here none the wiser. We went to the beach but saw no Jamaicans only europeans on the beach. In Toronto (check -thestar.ca) things are scary and it is us(Yardies) doing a lot of these shootings but am I going to add fuel to fire. I will explain to the next generation about the Orlando Pattersons, or let them know that the first slave ship to land in North America was named Jesus. I will lead by example by respecting every person as an equal no more no less and act according. I once was called by a rasta man in of all places India. He motioned me over while he smoke the stongest ganga I have ever smelled in my life. He said nothing and we just sat, he smoked (I inhaled and it masked the smell of Mumbai)and we watched the world go funeral/wedding/mini riot, saw it all in 4 hrs sitting with this man. He had collected food and money while we sat there. When he got up to leave he gave me 2 mangoes from a huge pile of food that he (we) had collected. Although I did not need any more, I felt ripped off, how come he got so much and gave me so little. Anyway the old man got up and motioned me to wait while he wrapped up the food in his shirt and disappeared in the crowd. He came back quickly but without the food and bold face reached out for one of my mangoes. I was taken aback but gave him one. Soon after a caravan of mangled bodies came down the street, I mean sores, one leg no hands, you name it was there, human suffering at it worse. They came over towards us and I was thinking that they were going to beg money but instead they thanked me for the food and offered me trinkets that they wore. I felt so small, so guilty, so wrong, so confused, so priviledged, so fucking fortunate. Was it an epihany? No just a sign that I have am very fortunate and I should pass that fortune along. Sorry if it seems that I ranting on you but breathren you are more fortunate than most Jamaicans and even more fortunate than the other 6 billion plus people on this planet. Look at it that way, share the wealth, knowledge and love. Drop down a rope or two and help someone get over the wall.
February 24th, 2004 at 8:11 am To the previous commentor….I’m not sure how you come to your conclusions, but let me just reply…. 1. If I choose to purchase alcohol with my salary, that is my decision and I am free to do with it what I please as I have earned it. 2. I have a great respect for women and have said it many times here on this website. 3. Yes, I know that I belong to a priviliged sector of society, but, this is not something that I go around and flaunt. People who are raised with decent values usually know better than that. I had no control over what sector of the society I was born and raised into…it was no choice on my part. I could easily have been born into a family from one of Kingston’s ghettos. It was a situation that just happened. Life I suppose. Regarding my so called breach of patient confidentiality here…..do you know any of the patients I have ever discussed? Furthermore, I have never discussed the details of any patient’s case at length, hence, as far as I am concerned I am not worried as I have not breached any confidentiality here. You cited a situation when you were in Antigua. You report how you felt guilty. I have no guilty feelings for where I stand in society today. Nothing landed in my lap. Anything I have, I worked hard to achieve (or my parents) for that matter. Despite the fact that I may have been born into a middle class situation, I know many who were raised in similar backgrounds and chose to do nothing with it. They were educated at good schools but decided to just take life as it comes and many today are ganja smoking loafters begging a money to buy food. It is all about choice and use of one’s God given talents. Regarding helping the less fortunate, I do this EVERY DAY at work, and I do so with pleasure. Perhaps if fame and fortune were my sole objective in life, I would have left public medicine long ago and gone full fledged into private practice, or perhaps migrated to the US to practice medicine there where the financial rewards make ours here look anaemic. As a matter of fact, if money was my sole goal in life, perhaps I would not have choosen a career in medicine. I might have decided to become a drug dealer or politician (whom you seem to think I chastise here too frequently with little action.) For most of us, the main method of getting action with poilticians is to exercise our democratic right and vote, which I have done. Finally, you say you are a Jamaican, apparently living in Canada. If you feel so ‘guilty’ about your status in life, perhaps you might wish to return home so that you may be more capable to make a meaningful contribution to the lives of your fellow Jamaicans who are not quite as fortunate as you are….just a suggestion BTW. Life is not fair indeed. There are people in the world who are less fortuante than others. I never made it that way, that is just how it is. It is what we do with our priviliges in life and the people that we help that can make the difference between an obnoxious person and one with some form of social conscience who is aware of the needs of others. Anyway, I don’t wish to offend anyone here, but thought that I would respond to your rather lengthy comment above. Have a good day.
February 24th, 2004 at 10:00 am 106Billion+ has some serious issues… I am in the medical profession here in the US and I can honestly say that Dr. D has not broken any confidentiality act …it is called HIPPA here…so that reader needs to find out the facts before making such statements…that is libel!!! Clearly the reader also has a political bias and is offended when people discuss the happenings under this current government in Jamaica. So what if other countries are currupt? We should have the right the discuss, bitch, moan, and complain about our country. If it was so great, why the hell are you in Canada? Where is your sense to help the poor? What are you doing by building another country? You complain about the Doc taking vacations and drinking V/X and then go off about visiting India and Antigua. You should have spent that money in Jamaica, since you are so much for your country… 106Million+ Get a grip with reality. People have stereotypes and you have to live with it. So the only thing you can do is be the best person you know how to be. Dr. D, I am sorry for the long winded answer and the bitch out at your reader but it upset me this morning to read that comment like you do not know. I hate to see people try to take out their frustrations on the innocent. For the record, Dr. D…I admire you and your love for our country. It takes a lot to do what you have done. You are a dermatologist in Jamiaca. That is one of the highest paid specialists in the US. I am sure you could easily be making 10X what you are in Jamiaca and still you stay, for the love of your people and medicine. You are one of Jamaica’s treausres. Please keep writing as you have been and do not let this one rass reader let you change your blogs… Well a so rass upset this morning, gone to have a shot of V/X and will drink another for you Doc. Cheers!!!
February 24th, 2004 at 11:47 am The ranter needs therapy because he/she has a guilt complex. Why dont you WALK even though you have a car ….because so many millions cannot afford one? Why dont you STARVE….. because so many millions dont have food to eat? Why dont you WEAR SHABBY CLOTHES…even though you have nice ones because other millions wear rags? why dont you DENY YOURSELF GOOD MEDICAL ATTENTION EVEN THOUGH YOU CAN AFFORD IT …because so many millions cannot? Why dont you RESIGN FROM YOUR JOB AND DO VOLUNTARY WORK …because that is the only way you can live with yourself?
February 24th, 2004 at 3:26 pm Whoaaaaaahhhhhh!!! 106millon+ never woke up on the right side of the bed that morning!!! Or at least I hope it’s a one time thing. I too am in the medical field…..here in CANADA!!! In no article that I have read from Dr. D has he ever mentioned a patient by name. Never given physical descriptions or the like….No…after checking my observances of the confidentiality of doctor/patient… I’d have to say that Dr. D. has not abused this at all. I too wonder why 106Million+ would try to abuse Dr. D. about his desire to have a V/X! If they don’t enjoy a drink, well fine. We are certainly not going to jump down his/her throat! Why must people be so judgemental, I ask you? I do not believe he knows Dr.D. personally, I do. He is a kind, considerate friend of my entire family. In fact, when my father was very ill last year Dr. D. was always there for support. He even came to the house to take blood for my Dad. He was there with us when my Dad died and through out that entire time. So, you know what 106Million+ - Dr. D. is a very good person….and you definately should not be judging anyone else, especially people who you do not know personally. As to his comments about women… He is a single male, who enjoys looking at the female of his specie….Big deal…if you will notice…Alot of the blogging going on here is in FUN! Something you should acquaint yourself with from the sounds of it. Never mind Dr. D. Most of us here enjoy your blogs and appreciate them and you.
February 24th, 2004 at 3:29 pm HEY THERE DOC, DONT PAY HIM ANY MIND. KEEP ON DOING WHAT YOU ARE DOING. ABOUT THOSE RED BULL THOUGH, I HEAR THEY GIVE YOU AN IRREGULAR HEART BEAT. YOU KNOW ANY THRUTH TO THIS. I HEARD IT FROM A LOCAL BARTENDER WHO HAS STOPPED SELLING THEM AS WELL AS SOMEONE WHO WENT AWAY ON THE HOTEL PROGRAMME TO THE STATES AND WAS WARNED AGAINST THEM. ITS A PITY ABOUT THE HOTEL AND THE SITUATION ABOUT THE FIRE ENGINES. I WAS JUST AS SHOCKED AS YOU. BY THE WAY WHAT THE HELL ARE THE ENGINES DOING SO THAT THEY ARE ALWAYS OUT OF COMMISSION? APPARENTLY WE HAVE A LOT OF FIRES IN JAMAICA THAT DONT MAKE THE NEW FOR THE FIRE TRUCKS TO BE OUT OF COMMISSION. HEY AND AGAIN WITH THE HOTEL. I GET TO UNDERSTAND THAT ITS THE SAME HOTEL LAST YEAR THAT THEY SHOT A SECURITY GUARD AND ROBBED SOME TOURIST. SOMEONE PUT A HEX ON THE POOR PEOPLE DEM (SO TO SPEAK)
February 24th, 2004 at 6:26 pm Dr. D, you are an insightful, intelligent, and generous man. IMHO
February 24th, 2004 at 6:32 pm Thanks to Tony, Michelle, Ciya, Idontdeserve. Trish, my girl, you nuh easy a rass! I will have a VX for you as well..(two as a matter of fact!) Gwaan my girl!
February 24th, 2004 at 6:35 pm Tony, I don’t know much about this Red Bull drink apart from seeing it in the chillers at a few watering holes. I have never tried it. I would need to check out ’bout the heart problem thing with it. Oddawise me caan comment still. (Drink suppem else to be on de safe side!
February 24th, 2004 at 8:27 pm WOZA!!!! Hit your site this a.m. and read your post before heading off to the doctor, at that time no one had posted a response, return tonight to re-read and add a response only to have my claws come out. So in respect to Dr. D I’ll do the best I can to keep this brief and not half cocked!!! I’ll quote a friend of mine, which personally I think shows his all around true nature, the quote is “education does not always give people insight”. Those words speak it all in my humble opinion!!! It appears that this ranting individual seems to be educated, but if what he/she says is true in reading Dr. D’s blog for two years, insight is not their virtue!!! With my limited knowledge on issues posted I’ll just add my two cents worth: 1. It doesn’t matter how much or how little money you make, once you have earned that money it is yours to do with as you see fit. In what I read, from this individual, he/she was at least implying if not right out stating ~ any extra earnings should not be used as a treat for you and your friends or however you saw fit to spend your money ~ I don’t get that!!!! I’ve never once in all the time I’ve been coming to read your blog read where you have boasted about any financial gain and or limitations. You have been nothing but a peacemaker of issues of how you’d like to see things done and very little talk about your “financial status” other than a no brainer being a doctor. *rolls eyes* 2. I’m not a doctor, but have worked in a doctor’s office, and since you did not reveal anything but items about a case that concerned you, I can not see where you breached any “confidentaility” but that is me, a lowly American citizan who can’t spell, so what do I know
February 25th, 2004 at 4:10 pm …hello, my name is william…just thought i’d pop into the comments box and wish you well with your good luck in receiving the extra gratuity…however, I see that any happiness you had has been well and truly kicked out of you… …I never understand why people bother…if 106billy *hates* your writing so much why does he bother to come back so often… ..never mind, keep a stiff upper, wot-wot…tally ho and all that… …and can you lend me a quid? (at present rates that’s probably the *whole* of your bonus) :^)…
February 25th, 2004 at 4:27 pm So sorry billy….can’t lend you the quid…I spent it buying VX for miself and mi bredren!
March 5th, 2004 at 12:44 am I had read this blog the day or a few days after you did it, and my eyes couldnt take the huge amount of text that that poster said, so i just skimmed over it. Tonight Dr D, I’ve read your response to him and it is exactly as I would have responded. The choices we make in life determine how we live. There have been poor people who are satisfied with their lot in life, and there have been poor people who’ve realized how to get a better lot in life. Sure, I have some sympathy for those kids who are born into adverse situation not by their own choice but by the stupidity of their parents, but it’s up to the state to take care of them.