Tower Of Babel

Well, not much going down today and I really am not complaining. I went by Eye Doc’s brothers new place last night for a few drinks. He is a Pickney Doc. Nice likkle place though he made it quite clear seh is rent him renting. Not much furniture in the home as yet as his wifey hasn’t made the move from States yet….trying to find a suitable work before severing the ties up so…can’t say I blame her. Got home at about midnight.

This morning I passed through the ward quickly and attended to the eventualities. Hoping things remain quiet for the rest of the day. I going St. Thomas again tomorrow, so I must get a good night’s rest.

I am probably boring you, so instead of rambling along with nutten to report, I’m going to link you to T. Rob’s article in the Observer today. It is all about Weapons of Mass Destruction. Now, I am sure you not going to be able to guess what him talking about….de ladies might vex to…but is life. I found it an entertaining read as Tony Robinson usually is. Have a good Sunday.

Well, you may be wondering if this is my little weekend vessel…no sah…..actually, I took this picture when I was in Grenada two years ago. The boat was pretty far out, but on account of the 10X zoom on the Olympus, I could ‘rope it een’.

What actually stimulated me to write this post? It is a bit of a longish story, but ‘low me nuh.

Well, I went to bed at about 10:30 PM last night. Being on call I did not venture out on street in search of a Friday night lime. So, after having dinner and loafing on the computer for a bit, I went to watch the televison for a while with a VX and some honey roasted cashews! Eventually, slumber got a hold of me and I was out. Got up early at about 7:20 this morning. Place is quiet and peaceful, and also quite cool. Daddy pulled out early as he is going to a seminar.

While having my tea and breakfast I was reading Seven’s more recent posts over at the Tower and I started to think and add my own thoughts to her comment box.

I think the feelings that people who have experienced loss of a loved one go through are similar. Seven, I know how you feel, just dwell on the pleasant memories of Sixty five…they will help to take you through each day and give you guidance, just as he did while he was here in the flesh. For me, I try not to remember Mummy’s illness…(not so easy sometimes), but I think of the good years she spent with us, Mothering…or just being the sweet person she was.

Yep, I’m in one o dem deep thought moods, but I am not sad. The house became a bit too quiet, so I tuned the stereo on the patio to 99.1 FM…they play decent soft music…no loud dancehall or soca…..no need for that right now. Suddenly they played a song which I have always liked and in fact had bought the ‘45 years back when it was released…..’Sailing’ by Christopher Cross. I turned the stereo up and listened to it and it made me think and smile. …….”Sailing takes me away to where…..soon I will be free!”

I thought to myself, I wonder if people who are very ill and dying feel this way? If they hear something akin to this song calling them? Perhaps the voice of God.

As I have always said, as much as we as doctors can do to attempt to preserve life, there comes a time when we have to let go and let God. When someone’s number is called, we simply can’t keep them here….and, although it is a sad and difficult thing for us to accept…..there is a certain beauty to passing from this life to the next….Soon I will be free. So, I will end this post with words of encouragement to those who have lost loved ones recently, or even long ago. Your friend or family member is free….sailing! Have a good Saturday.

Addendum….Hear them playing Christmas carols there, “Oh holy night!”…can you believe it?

Hey, I know I must be sounding like a manic depressive cry-baby these days.

So, having read through everybody’s blogs today, especially Sunshine’s and AD’s, I thought I’d end the night on a positive note - for me any way!

Tonight, as we wound down for bed, Midas turned to the satellite music stations we get from our Dish - and he tuned in to some classical music. MB and Ciya - do you want to guess what I left the computer to do immediately? I couldn’t help it, I was drawn to stop what I was doing and start dancing ballet around the room? Do you remember how I used to do that as a child up at Ridgefield? I told Midas (who, btw, just thinks I’m plain crazy) and promised to look up the old photos of me at six or seven in my white “maxi’ dancing abllet around the living room…

The same living room that PB taught us how to double dutch in - remember that MB?

Remember when Saifiyah used to love getting pulled in that little red wagon Dad used to take the trash bins from the back of the house to the front? “I’m a garbage” he used to say!

I remember how Ambi always used to come up with the most fun, creative ways to get through holiday boredom!!! I remeber the Christmas she made us make all those handmade Christmas tree ornaments - I think Mom still has them, doesn’t she? She drew out santas that we cut out, and she made us color them in and glue cotton for a beard, felt for his belt, etc. Ambi is such a true teacher!!!!

I remember when Ciya used to have art classes - do you remember that? I still draw people exactly the way she taught me!!!!

I remember we had a library in that house - seven kids and parents who taught the value of reading… Enid Blyton, Carolyn Keene (Nancy Drew), Franklyn W. Dixon (Hardy Boys) ETC….

I remember that house in Ocho Rios where we went each summer… and that house in New Castle that we went to once…

Do you remember going to Disney - all of us???? Weren’t Mommy and Daddy brave!!!! Taking seven kids at different ages and stages to Disney World all at once! The horror, the horror…

We had alot of things happen in our childhood - and most of them were incredibly, wonderfully happy experiences that make up our memories…

‘No, they can’t take that away from me…’

Well, as the weekend approaches, it is customary to breathe a sigh of relief, stretch and say TGIF. I am actually on call tonight, so I probably won’t be hitting the road. But, nevertheless, I am not on call tomorrow, so as long as things remain reasonably quiet, I have no complaints.

Now, I think I have to mention that Sunshine and Scratchie have added some refreshing ‘new blood’ to the local blogging crew. Scratch is a member of the old rude bwoy posse from George’s so we expect nutten but greatness from him. BTW, Sunshine, did you go to high school in Jamdown? If so which one?

Anyhow, since I’m linking up bredrin’s blogs, let me tell you about the Angry Dog. Seems the mongrel has become a bit thrilled by the vistas of fall in his corner of the blogdom. I suggest you go over to his kennel and have a look at the photos. Dem nice man.

Indeed, we really don’t have the stark changes in season that folks who live ‘up so’ experience. But, the climate does change subtly here as well. We are now out of the rainy season that went by in August-September. In the last week or so, the temperature in the nights has been nice and cool…a drastic change from the sweltering heat we were having in the summer. Soon the red poinsettias and the white euphobia (not sure if is so it spell) that causes asthmatics and people with ’sinus’ to flare up, will start to bloom and herald the Christmas season. Nice. Anyway, as I’m trying to wind the work week down, I have another likkle rude bwoy joke to share. I guess it is too early to buss it over a VX, but if anything, you can have a virtual one on me for now!

A Doctor gave orders to his Nurse, she was to place the patient who just had gallbaldder surgery on bed two ward four. Nursey got the orders mixed up and placed the patient on bed four, ward two. Doc became livid as the treatment orders got mixed up and the post surgical patient developed complications.

Later in the week, a lady was admitted in pain for which the cause was not immediately apparent. The Doc ordered nurse to give the lady two pain killing tablets at 12. Unfortunately nurse got her wires crossed again, she gave the lady 12 tablets at two. She died as a result of an overdose! Again, the doctor was not happy to say the least.

The next day a man was admitted with an infected wound on his penis. The doctor ordered that nurse was to boil the water used to dress the patient’s penis to prevent any further infection. Later in the day while on the ward, Doc saw nurse running behind the poor old man with a pail of boiling water attempting to boil his penis! The Doc looked at nurse and asks her why in the world did she think that he would give orders to her to boil a patient’s penis? At the same time, in walks the grumpy old Matron for the hospital. She overhears what the Doc just said and says to him, “Well Doc, with all due respect, perhaps Nurse thought that his penis was so hard that it needed to be boiled in order to become softer!”

I hope you liked it. Again, that one was shared over liquor and it did good at the time. BTW, this was not by any means intended to diss nurses. Those of you who know me realise that I have a great respect for our nurses who do a hell of a lot for very little. Have a good Friday and weekend.

Well, I must say thanks to all who have been contributing to fatting up the comment boxes here in the last few days. I have enjoyed the interaction after coming home home tired from work etc.

Yesterday, I gave out the Integra again, the rotors have now been skimmed, she needed a new set of disc pads (I told them to go for genuine Honda parts though they are more costly, didn’t want the shitty Japanese ones….dem squeak!) and she has been serviced. Hence, the ride is now pretty damn good. So, when I go to St. Thomas Monday next, I will be happy to press (I will try not to press too hard though!)

Been doing plenty things in addition to my regular work and as a result of that I have really not been in touch with the local (and even worse, foreign) news these last few days. Now last night, after picking the car up at the mechanic, I stopped to put gas in and when I drove up the pump, the price I saw was suppem like $41+ per litre! Mi ra$$!! Now, onoo couldn’t tell me seh dem did have fire a bun down a Petrojam? Anyway, I don’t need to tell you that the thousand dollars basically took the tank up to 3/4 full. It haffi gwaan. Other stories in the news caught my eyes also, but I caan bodda link dem.

Apart from that, next week will be my last at work for a bit….(no, I’m not becoming a bum with medical training…..but, sometimes the thought has crossed my mind… )…I will be going on leave on Monday 8th November as I fly to Tobago on the 9th for a Dermi conference. I am looking forward to the break from the usual routine. I have been told it is very similar to Portland, so, being a Port Antonio/Frenchman’s Cove addict, I should be happy to have my fix. Anyway, I still have quite a bit to attend to between now and then. What a gwaan inna your corners?

Enjoy the day.

God as my witness, I can’t really recall where I first posted this… But tonight as I was wading through blogland, and pondering the reason for my compulsion to be kind, i clicked on this email I had saved on my last birthday - which was a total bust, btw…, and here came the answers pouring forth:

Nibbs – the Lion

An African friend of mine told me a couple of weeks ago,
“You are the daughter of a lion”.
Now to be honest, he wasn’t really referring to my Dad, but since then, I’ve been thinking alot about his comment, specifically in reference to my Dad.
You see, Dad, a.k.a Sixty-Five, was truly a lion of a man.
Along with our mom, he raised seven kids - faced the joys and sorrows of parenthood with all of the challenges life can possibly throw at you - and through it all, he always taught us to be kind to others and to look out for those less fortunate than ourselves - no matter how tight money may have been at a time, he always gave to those who were down on their luck. I remember him telling me once, “If someone tells you they’re hungry, you have to help!”
He taught us that in every circumstance, joy and laughter prevail. He taught us that your family is the most important possession in the world. He taught us to be fearful of God, and he tried to teach us all to practice the faith they raised us to have - even if we all grew to be stubborn on this at some point in our lives…
He taught us how to pick ourselves up and keep going, no matter what, and he taught us to smile and laugh in the face of everything - it always makes things better if you smile…
He was one of the most loving and devoted husbands/fathers I have ever known - we were his world! Literally…
Being the child of a lion like our dad comes with a certain responsibility. We strive to be truly good people, because he taught us that way of living… he taught us to really consider right and wrong, and to consider the impact of our own actions on others… he taught us to be loyal and faithful, loving and generous, caring and compassionate - if I make him sound like a hero - he was mine!
I still feel sad about losing my Dad, because I miss him so much - he and my Mom are the foundation of who I am - they are the foundation of why people think I’m friendly or kind or always smiling or always willing to drop my own pursuits to help - because its how he taught me to be - so I cry.. I feel joy that he is free now to enjoy the fruits of a life well-lived… but I cry… I miss him alot.
And whenever, I feel worried, stressed or concerned, whenever I’m conquering one of my fears, I feel him there… smiling; proud; holding my hand. I can talk to him still, but I can’t hear him respond, I know he’ll love me for all eternity, as I will him - but its still hard, y’know… he’s my Dad!

Q & A time - there’s MORE…
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Fuck the man… and the horse he rode in on!

Who is the man, you ask? The man is every person who fucks with you or f…. you up by being an ignorant, gotta-be-in-charge and gotta-be a-show-off asshole!!! They walk away and you have to pay for their assholeness!

Alright, let me adjust that - you don’t have to pay - you only have to pay if you’re an ignorant, pushover, ‘why don’t you come here and walk all over me’ type of person like me!

Before you make a guess - this is not an at home issue - the only issue at home about this is Midas telling me that I’m 100% an utter imbecile for letting people walk all over me - for volunteering for it, if you will!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have so many instances where I do this - its like I can’t help myself! I always want to be fair and to make other people know I am not taking advantage of them, and that I am always willing to share the burden of the work/expense… whatever it may be! Do you know what happens to me, people??? I end up paying - in full!!!!!!!!!

How come I always want to be so nice and kind and fair - and everyone the fuck else always just wants to fucking nickel and dime me on BULLSHIT!!!!!!!!!!!

Part of it is that I willingly embrace - I gotta admit it - ASSHOLES! Some of these same imbecilianos have actually said, “Girrlfren’, its a good thing you have Midas, the original BADASS
to look out for you - because, Sistah, you’re just TOO NICE!!!!!!!

Ok, so I embrace ASSHOLES! I wouldn’t really say that it is a direct result, but I have to admit that in almost every instance the people I have met and allied myself with since my Dad died have been - no other way to put it - pendejos in almost every f…… way!!! Thinking about it, I really believe that being encompassed in my Dad’s love and goodness to people, I sought others that were good and that truly loved me too!

Since then - and to be fair, partially Midas’ fault too, in that some of these decisons of alliances were not mine to bear alone - I am in league with some real class acts - they’re either totally stupid, totally trying to hang on your coattails, or totally about money! As long as they’re able to manipulate someone’s good conscience, bwoy, dey have found gold with me!

Seriously, I am going to take a page out of many other womens’ books - I’m going to sign up with one for apprenticeship in absolute bitchfulness!

I look at these women everyone loves to hate, and realise the world respects a bitch way more than a teamplayer/caregiver type like myself! I’m fucked in this world if I don’t change!!!

So there you have it - no more mister nice girl (whatever, ok…)

Total Bitch here I come!!!

Bro - change my twenty!!! The new me is….

Biatch!!!!

With the exclamation marks too, ok…

So… Fuck the man and horse he rode in on!!!! Got it?

Oops - I didn’t mean you MB… big brother…

I was just reading a short post that mi bredrin Scratchie did. It had a pretty good joke about age. Now, being forty one years old, I think I am perhaps a bit more experienced on the road called life than some twenty year old who left school only a few a years back. (Why I say this will soon be revealed.) But, despite my greys, I think I’m pretty young at heart as you may perhaps have surmised by the ribbing of bredrins and blog pals that features in my posts as well as comments at other sites.

You may remember that I am not married as yet….(that was for the single females out there who may be interested in a male dermatologist that is half (OK, one third) decent looking, can cook fairly well for a man, hold intelligent conversations (sometimes), and has nuff nuff loving to offer! ) Being an unmarried male I am always on the lookout for potential mates.

A few months ago, I was invited to a birthday lime that one of my medical bredrins was having. I met over drinks and conversation a woman whose physical attributes caught my attention (I’m being decent). The chat went on, and eventually I decided that I was going to put ‘argument’ to this lass. For those who don’t know what ‘put argument’ means, it literally implies that I was going to let her know that I was interested in getting to ‘know her bettter’ shall we say. And I must confess, at the time, the ‘know’ I was thinking of, is in the Biblical sense!

We chatted some more and eventually, a discussion about high school came up. She asked me when I had graduated from high school. I proudly said, “I981.” She looked at me in shock. “1981″??!!

I reply, “Yes, what is so alarming?” She looks at me….”I wasn’t born yet!!!!”

Of course, I suddenly feel like a dirty old man. But, a life. I guess I getting old. Any of you rude bwoys or girls ever have a similar experience? Ting is dat she nuh look her age at all. I was figuring she was at least twenty eight.

…I have mustered up the energy to post suppem. Bwoy, man shouldn’t really haffi buss dem shirt so to mek a money. But, alas, I have heard from I was a yute that it is by the sweat of our brow that we eat bread… (and I suppose, imbibe VX also! )

After attendng to Ward Round changes yesterday, it was time to teach the Physiotherapy students. I was about ten minutes late in starting the little teaching as there was plenty to see to after the round regarding the pateints under my care, including one discharge, from hospital that is…..(just in case the minds of people like Angry Dawg or Mad Bull were straying elsewhere )

While setting up the laptop and the projector, I was chatting with the group of students briefly. There were about twelve of them, three males only. One of the gyal dem did look well still! (Yes, I know I’m supposed to be teaching, but I am and will always be a male! ) Anyway, did the little teaching….seems plenty of them in the class were a bit disturbed by some of the facts about the Herpes virus. Nevertheless, they were pretty attentive and seemed to get all itchy as I did Scabies!

Went to New Kingston during lunchtime to look ’bout some business and eventually, I decided to treat myself to a decent lunch. Had a Special Chow Mein from one of my favourite Chinese spots. Good stuff…did well happy and a bit sleepy after.

Evening into night was private practice…saw nine new patients (no complaints…me need de funds) and was pretty tiyad after. Made it home at about 8:45 PM. Needless to say, while I was eating dinner, I did some blog surfing but just couldn’t get the strength to type. Bed called and I answered but had to hold a fresh first.

Hey, the nights dem a cool down nicely you see. I had dreamed all kinda fart last night still, woke up at about 3:30 AM and found miself a think. Turned on the tele to see if it could help to put me back in slumber and it did… (I woke up this morning with it watching me! )

So, finally, here I am again. Today I don’t have any teaching or such thing to do…(there are bills to be paid though), but as the evening is relatively ‘free’ I think I going try hold a walk later. I haven’t walked since the hurricane and the tool shed naw shock out…it would have been nice if Ivan had blown away the roof of the toolshed and left the ‘tool’ intact! But I guess life does not always happen the way we want it to.

On local news, you may have read about Operation Kingfish, a move by the government to try (again) to target drug related and donman crime here. Seems that they may be facing courthouse and is just a matter of a week or so that the Kingsfish thing was launched. Oh well. We watch and see.

P.S. BTW, I hope I doh vex none of the ladies with my likkle rude bwoy comments….maybe mi mind is deep in….mek me stop yaw! Have a good day.

OK, I got back from a pretty enjoyable day in the country. Now, we did have a few drinks before and after lunch…I was driving so I really had only two Red Stripes. Now, I’m going to post a likkle joke I heard today here. It’s kind of a rum bar male type of joke (meaning better appreciated while unda juice), and I’m not sure how some of the ladies will take it. I will therefore say that if you think it may offend you, then don’t click the “MORE” link…zeen?
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