Quote of the Day x 2: Rashid Khalidi and Obama

The McCain campaign seems desperate. Another day, another attack on the alleged terrorist tendencies of Obama. Now, apparently Obama has ties to a 'radical' professor who according to Palin, was a "former spokesperson for the Palestinian Liberation Organization." The McCain campaign forgot to mention that McCain gave $500k to Khalidi in the '90s.

First Quote of the day goes to Khalidi in his response to the media on the latest controversy: " I am not speaking to the media at this time, and certainly not until this idiot wind passes."

Second Quote of the day goes to Obama, who when speaking at an event in North Carolina referred to McCain's latest tactic: "I don't know what's next. By the end of the week, he'll be accusing me of being a secret communist because I shared my toys in kindergarten. I shared my peanut butter and jelly sandwich."

Different World

I am ready
Engines are revved
Experience has bred wisdom
Got a new attitude
Mold me, make me
We got our conquer on
Courage, Discipline, Anticipation, and Faith are all in the mix

There is much to do
And blessings galore
No more waiting
Trash the excuses
Here I am
Leverage me

Answer The Call

He said you were special
You were His
He told you how to succeed
How to stay blessed
He blessed you
He loved you
You listened
You didn't fully understand
You rebelled
He warned you what would happen if you did
You were glib, immature, blind
A reckless fool
You rebelled some more

And He loved you
He reached out
He encouraged
Shared role models
You ignored Him
He disciplined
You were stubborn
He disciplined some more - made sure you heard this time
You were humbled
You listened
His Word helped you understand
In tears, you finally saw the mess you had made
How did this happen? This was not you
Even as you regretted it, the pull was still there

Just stop please
Aren't you tired of being here?
This is not you

Believe Him
What would happen if you truly believed what He said?
He wants to give you more than you could ever imagine
Do you get that?!
Allow Him to bless you
He's been reaching out
Aching for you
Allow Him to love you
You don't need to settle for the short-term rush
Don't insult Him
Don't insult yourself
He is always right
Don't pretend otherwise
You'll get hurt

Just Be patient
You know hard-work is required
But you've worked hard before
Remember Him, you and where you want to go
Resist the folly
You can do this
He will always help you
Such strength and power are yours for the taking
If you follow the plan

The stakes are high
Stay strong, beautiful
He's rooting for you


Keri S. Smith

NightmAIRs - Another Airline Fiasco

How much frustration can you bear before you totally lose it? Thankfully, I am yet to find out.

After an exhausting few days, I was looking forward to getting back home. I arrive at the airport and am told that I have been re-booked on a later flight, with a connection on a different airline. I think "no problem", I have a lot of things I can do as I wait for the plane. I check my bags, go through security and use my laptop until it is time to board. When I land I walk over to the service agent and ask where I need to go for the connecting flight. It wasn't within walking distance. I have to take a bus. Fine. I still had 1 hr and 20 mins. before my flight was scheduled to depart. To be on the safe side, I ask the agent to re-confirm my reservation, especially since it was on a different airline. After I get the OK, I head for the shuttle.

Twenty minutes later, I find the stop and board the shuttle. At the connecting airline location, I walk to the kiosk and swipe my credit card. The only reservation that shows up is for "Ken Smith". Didn't I ask the agent to ensure I was on the flight?

Sigh. I join the line to speak to the counter clerk. An airline rep approaches me and asks me why I am in the line. I tell her I can't find my reservation. She smiles at me and tells me that sometimes the machines don't work so I should try again. I leave the line and she accompanies me back to the kiosk. I swipe the card. No reservation. Duh. She smiles and laughs sheepishly. I try to smile, but can't. I walk back and re-join the line.

At the counter I explain my story to the clerk. She checks the system. She sees my name. Eureka! Wait, I hear her telling me that she sees a reservation but no ticket. She can't let me board the plane without a ticket. Fair enough. However, since I paid, I would like to board the plane. Pretty please. She tells me that the other airline made an error in the ticketing process and I don't have a ticket. She calls the other airline. No answer. She calls again. No answer. After the third try she gives up. She tells me she can't help me. "Go to the ticketing line please."

Sigh. I walk to the ticketing line. There is no one at the counter. I turn around. Yes, the sign says "Ticketing." I ask a nearby rep if I am in the right place, she says yes. She tells me to wait for the appropriate rep who is now on break and will be back in 10 mins. OMG.

I wait. After 8 mins., Mr. Break returns and keeps his head down as he focuses on his computer screen. Hello?! I am the only person in his line, and did I mention that I have less than half-an-hour to catch a flight that I-don't-have-a-ticket-for? He still doesn't look up. I decide to make him. I walk closer to the counter and say hello. He tells me to wait because he needs to first log in to his computer.

I wait. He asks how he can help me. I tell him the story. I am becoming sick of this story. He tells me the same thing as the counter clerk, ticketing mistake, no ticket, blah, blah, blah. He calls the other airline. They put him on hold. They return and acknowledge the mistake. He tells me I need to go back to their counter for them to resolve it. Yes - the counter in that distant land - a bus ride way. I ask about my bags, he doesn't know where they are, but the other airline should be able to help. He says sorry. At this point I wonder if it is the right time to dissolve into a noisy, messy, completely gratifying and totally useless hissy fit. I consider trying out for the first time my Incredible Hulk routine. I am ultra frustrated. Then, I remember that God said that He doesn't give me more than I can bear. I hold on to to that passage...squeeze tight...pulverize it...and then embrace it. I tell the agent thanks and leave.

When I get back to the original airline I am greeted by a line. I wait. Is there any other option? Out of the corner of my eye, I spot a woman trying to cut the line. I give her a hard stare. She misses it as she never looks in my direction. Doesn't matter - I know that there is no way Ms. Line Cutter is getting ahead of me. And she doesn't.

Finally I get to speak to the agent. I repeat the story. I might gag on this story. She starts to tell me that it was because I was late that I missed the flight. I think about what it would be like to leap over the counter. I calmly tell Ms. Jump to the Wrong Conclusions that it was her airline error that caused the issue. She gets it and tries to help. Somehow during the process I get passed over to a young and personable guy. I tell him the story. Sigh. It's OK though because he seems more on top of things. Mr. Young and Personable tells me there are no more flights for the day. I had already assumed that, and knew that later I would have to manage the impact on scheduled activities, but for now I just wanted a new flight booking and a place to stay for the night.

Mr. Young and Personable re-books me and gives me a hotel voucher. I ask for a meal voucher. No, they don't have those anymore. I look at him incredulously and say nothing. He prints out the relevant documentation for the flight. I ask him to guarantee that there will be no more errors. He walks me through the documentation. I ask him again to ensure I won't have any problems tomorrow. I think he feels my pain as he goes to the back room and returns with his supervisor. She tells him to give me a 2-night stay at the hotel vs. 1 so that I would not be homeless during the day while I waited for the next flight. True customer service rears its head and I was surprised and touched. I thank them. They apologize for the mess - it took them 1 hour to say sorry - but it is exactly what I need to hear. After the supervisor leaves, I look at Mr. Young and Personable and decide to tell him something. Although I didn't go all Big Green Hulk on him, I know and have seen other customers do that. I tell him that he has the right attitude and calm personality that will work very well with frustrated customers. He beams, smiles and then laughs with me.

I leave in search of the hotel shuttle. I wait. I hear screaming. I look down - it's my feet. Trudging to and fro in high heels is brutal. I wait. A driver pulls up and asks me what I am waiting for. This is his third time around the circle and has seen me standing there for a while. I tell him what hotel shuttle I want. He proceeds to describe how the shuttle would look- the color and exactly where on the shuttle the sign with the name of the hotel would be located. How nice of him. Wait. Do I seem mentally challenged? After giving his description, he smiles and leaves. As soon as he drives off, the hotel shuttle I need arrives. How ironic or funny. Maybe later I will figure out which one and give the appropriate response.

The shuttle doors open, and I limp inside. I collapse on the seat and lean my head on the railing. I can't wait to get to the hotel room and finally eat dinner. Oops - no meal voucher. I guess I will snack on my crushed banana.

I am tired, hungry and feeling beige, but I know I am blessed. I have a place to stay, a flight confirmation, my Bible, my laptop, one outfit (I am wearing it), and a dented banana. There are others worse off. I think.

I pray that I never repeat this day.

Is Anderson Cooper's laugh that bad?!

Open It Up

Self-sufficient
Independent
Reticent about asking for help
Not wanting to bother people
Preferring to give than to receive
Sometimes in the extreme
Priding yourself on that
Relishing the joy associated with helping others
But stubborn about reaching out and asking for help
Denying them that same pleasure
Until you are forced to
You become so weak, you can hardly speak or move
You are in so much pain
When there is no possible way that you can do it alone
Where without them, without them...you are not sure what would have become of you
And the kindness
The loving caress, word, gesture
Brings tears to your eyes
And you are overwhelmed by the generosity
It feels awkward, but you embrace the rawness of the emotions
You marvel at how easily strangers have become your best friends
How much friends really love you
And how your acceptance of their kindness blesses them as much as you are blessed by them


Keri S. Smith

I am Not a Guinea Pig

I think I am pretty patient
I try to show mercy, so that the same can be shown to me
But every now and then
Every now and then
Someone or Something just makes me want to lose it
Fine, everyone needs to learn
How can we get better if we don't practice?
I get it, and am OK with it
But, when it is late at night, and I am quite unwell
Please, I beg you, please
Do not wake me up to practice
I empathize that you didn't get what the more experienced people saw
I get that you want to see it
To improve, to be the best you can be
But right now, right now
I don't have the patience to be your guinea pig
And after you tried for a long time and weren't successful
I wasn't mad, I was just tired
My head was killing me, I just wanted a break
But did you have to ask the one who was successful for pointers while you were still in hearing distance?
Yes, you want to learn, you want to improve
But it's not just about you
And while I work to be patient, and kind
Can you please at least pretend that I am more than a test case for you to learn?
That you are not just using me to fine-tune your skills?
That you care about my well-being
And I in turn will be more than happy for you to leverage me to enhance your knowledge


Keri S. Smith

I Am Nothing, He is Everything

You really don't know anything
You speak as if tomorrow is a given
As if you have any clue about what the future days will hold
As if you are in control of life, health, strength
And then you are humbled
You recognize the arrogance
And you still think you know something
That you can predict some of the basics about tomorrow
And again you are humbled
And you realize that you know nothing
That everything is a gift
That you have been richly blessed
That you have taken much for granted
That the only thing that is sure is Him and following His Word
That when all is stripped away, it's only His love that sustains you
And you cry as you learn the lesson...as you try to get all that He is teaching you
As you recognize how gracious He has been
And experience that all other foundation is sinking sand
You begin to see that you really can do nothing without Him
And through the tears, you understand that bread alone will not sustain you
But every word that proceeds out of His mouth provides life
And you embrace peace, because worrying will do nothing, planning can be futile and prayers work wonders
He's in control of all
And all things work together for good to those who love Him


Keri S. Smith

Hats Off to Senator Hillary Clinton - Great Speech at the Democratic National Convention (DNC)

Hillary aced it.

Excellent speech. Classy. Poignant.

Senator Clinton had the right words for her die-hard supporters via a loving, heartfelt thank you, while expertly directing them to move beyond personalities to the real issues. "Were you in this only for me?", she asked the crowd. She also complimented her husband and herself by highlighting the fact that Obama can do this - why? - well, because it has already been done before, during the Bill and Hill years. Clinton was very bullish about Michelle Obama - and Michelle's great opening night speech - and about Senator Biden and his wife Jill.

Clinton also incorporated the right amount of content on key issues - she had good messages on universal health care, the war in Iraq and women's rights.

The Senator was chockful of wonderful quotables: "No way, No how, No McCain." "Keep going, if you want a taste of freedom, keep going. I have seen it. Keep going." "We don't have a moment to lose or a vote to spare. Think about your children and grandchildren on election day."

My LOL moment of the speech was when Hillary defined herself as a proud mother, proud American, proud NY Senator, proud supporter of Barack Obama....a proud everything except for a proud wife!

Much respect to Senator Hillary Clinton. Great unifying message. Well done. Well done.

Obama Picks Harshest Critic as Running Mate - Welcome Sen. Joe Biden!

And he has chosen...

It's not Hillary. Not Evan. Not Tim. Joe got the #2 spot.



The Obama campaign announced that Senator Joe Biden from Delaware has been selected as his running mate. Joe beat the other contenders, NY Sen. Hillary Clinton, Indiana Sen. Evan Byah and Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine.

Joe brings major credentials to Obama's run for Presidency. The Senator - 65 - was elected to the senate in 1972, is currently serving his sixth term and wears the proud title of Delaware's longest-serving senator. Not only that, but he has a reputation as one of the best on foreign policy and currently heads the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Biden recently returned from a two-day trip to the Republic of Georgia after the invasion by Russian troops.

Not a bad resume, Biden. Actually pretty good...and definitely throws a punch at the McCain campaign's argument that Obama is weak on foreign policy. It also helps that Biden has strongly criticized Obama in the past. I think it adds credibility to the Obama ticket, because if a critic as strong as Biden has now deemed it worthy to join Obama and - in himself - addresses Obama's perceived gaps, that certainly erases some of the concerns persons have voiced about Obama's inexperience.

Here's what Joe has said about Obama:

In a debate during the democratic primary contest:

*Who among us is going to be able on day one to step in an end the war? Who among us understands what to do about Pakistan? Who among us is going to pick up the phone and immediately interface with Putin and tell him to lay off Georgia because Saakashvili is in real trouble. Who among us knows what they're doing? I have 35 years of experience"

During another debate, when moderator George Stephanopoulos referred to some of Biden's comments on Obama, Biden reconfirmed them:

* "You were asked, 'Is he ready?' You said, 'I think he can be ready, but right now, I don't believe he is. The presidency is not something that lends itself to on-the-job training,'" Stephanopoulos said. "I think I stand by that statement," Biden replied.

However, Senator Biden was quick to note in July that Obama's wisdom was better than McCain's war record. Biden said, "But 20 years of experience that has not been very solid in terms of projecting what was going to happen just doesn't make you a better commander-in-chief. We don't need as a commander-in-chief a war hero. John's a war hero. We need someone with some wisdom."

Of course the GOP will be digging up the dirt on Biden (as Obama's camp will do when McCain announces his running mate). But for now this is what Ben Porritt, McCain's campaign spokesman, had to say: "There has been no harsher critic of Barack Obama's lack of experience than Joe Biden. Biden has denounced Barack Obama's poor foreign policy judgment and has strongly argued in his own words what Americans are quickly realizing -- that Barack Obama is not ready to be president."

Again, I think it strengthens Obama's campaign that a former critic, and a very experienced and respected foreign policy veteran, has accepted Obama's offer to join as running mate.

What do you think about the Obama-Biden ticket?

*********

Quick Stats on Biden (courtesy of CNN)

*Candidate status: Dropped out January 3, 2008

*Filed a statement of candidacy with the FEC on January 31, 2007

*States won: None

*Current job: U.S. senator from Delaware

*Birth date: November 20, 1942; Scranton, Pennsylvania

*Family: Married Jill Tracy Jacobs (1977-present); Neila Hunter (1966-1972, died). Children: Joseph "Beau"; Robert; Amy (1971-1972); Ashley (1981). Five grandchildren

*Religion: Roman Catholic

*Education: University of Delaware, B.A., 1965; Syracuse University, J.D., 1968

*Campaign Web site: http://www.joebiden.com/

Jamaica's Men Relay Team Wins Gold in 4x100m Final

Another day, and there are some more medals for Jamaica in the Olympics!

Congratulations to our 4x100m men's relay team: Nesta Carter, Michael Frater, Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell. The men won gold and broke the world record with a time of 37.10 seconds. Bolt ran the third leg of the relay and passed the baton to Asafa who took it home for the team gold. I am so happy Asafa got his first gold!

Apparently Bolt kept running after he passed the baton to Asafa and ended up beating one of the team's competing in the race. LOL!

Congrats also to Trinidad and Tobago who won the silver in 38.06 seconds and Japan who took the bronze in 38.15 seconds.

LOL Read of the Day: Usain Bolt and Michael Phelps

I really enjoyed reading the following article by Tim Dahlberg for the Associated Press entitled "First Phelps, then Bolt in Olympic greatness". Please see below:

----------------------------

BEIJING -- First the fastest man in the water. Now the fastest man on Earth.

The Chinese are having themselves quite the Olympics.

Michael Phelps gave us something we'll probably never see again. Usain Bolt followed with something we had to see to believe.

He ran like Secretariat on two legs, blew away the field like Tiger Woods playing in a club championship.

It looked easy because it was. His fellow sprinters looked befuddled because they were.

No one was ever supposed to be this fast. No one was ever supposed to be this good. A few days earlier Bolt clowned around on his way to a world record in the 100, toying with the other runners as if asking them why they had even bothered.

For his encore, he kept running all the way to the finish line to smash a world record in the 200 that had stood the test of time.

He did it while Phelps was jetting off to London, his eight gold medals safely stored and his place in this Olympics assured. These were always Phelps' games, at least as far as NBC and its American audience were concerned, but Bolt reminded us that television doesn't always dictate who is the star of the games.

The numbers can be debated, and they certainly will in the rural Jamaican parish that grows yams and sprinters. Two gold medals (with a possible third still to come in the 400 relay) against eight hardly seems a fair fight, but this was dominance as utter on land as it was in the pool.

Bolt did what no one thought possible, not only winning the races that define human speed but setting world records in both. He was so far ahead in both races that he could have turned around and run backward the last 30 meters and still won.

Then he did something Phelps always looked uncomfortable doing.

He celebrated.

Not just a little wave to the crowd, quick hug to a teammate kind of celebration.

A real celebration.

Bolt kissed the track and draped himself in the Jamaican flag. He danced and preened, showed everyone his golden spikes, and watched himself on the giant video screen at the end of the stadium.

He might still be dancing had they not needed to clear the track for Melaine Walker to add to Jamaica's track treasures with a gold medal of her own in the 400 hurdles.

We watched last week as Phelps gave his mother flowers after all of his wins, a nice touch that NBC wasn't shy about showing. Bolt gave his country -- and a sport that was badly in need of a boost -- an even bigger present with his startling run into history.

"He's a bad mamma-jamma," said silver medalist Shawn Crawford. "The guy came out and made this the best Olympics of my lifetime."

Actually, what Bolt did was wrap a bow around these games as almost certainly the best Olympics of anyone's lifetime. What else could they be when a man in the water did such astonishing things the first week and a man on the track did equally astonishing things the second.

Phelps started it all by thrilling everyone in his relentless -- and ultimately successful -- bid to break a 36-year-old record held by Mark Spitz.

And Bolt? All he did was bring down Superman.

"He's Superman 2," said Michael Johnson, who got his nickname after shocking the world with the 19.32 he ran in the 1996 Olympics.

No he's not. He's so good he deserves a nickname of his own.

"My name is Lightning Bolt, not Flash Gordon," Bolt said.

On this sultry night in the Bird's Nest, the Lightning Bolt struck quickly, with Bolt coming out of the turn with a big lead on his way to a 19.30 that will stand until the next time he wants to beat it. While other runners pump their fists and grind down the track, the 6-foot-5 Bolt seems to glide above it as if he's wearing a cape of his own.

He runs for fun and he runs for glory. Then he runs for a microphone to tell the world all about it.

"I blew my mind," Bolt said. "I blew the world's mind."

Yes he did, because the world didn't see this coming. While Phelps was a known commodity after winning six golds in Athens, Bolt was untested on the biggest stage and had to talk his coach into letting him enter the 100 as well as run his favorite 200.

He ran both so fast that the whispers were beginning before Bolt even draped himself in the flag. That's the way things are in track, where three of the last five Olympic 100 winners eventually tested positive for performance enhancing drugs and where startling times are greeted with suspicion.

But Bolt has been tested four times in the past few weeks, three of them blood tests, and come up clean. His coaches insist it's raw talent and hard work that makes him so fast, and we might just have to accept that he's a freak of nature.

It's not fair to question Bolt, and it wouldn't be fair to question what makes Phelps go so fast.

Just sit back and appreciate the magical moments two great athletes gave us when it mattered the most.

Jamaica Got Gold, Jamaica Tied for Silver...But U(SA) were Technically Fourth. What to do??

P.S. Thanks Chrissy Jackson for the photo shopped version. Black, green and gold all the way!

Jamaica does it again...Gold and Bronze in the Women's 200m Final!! I feel good...nahnahnahnaha...so good...so good (sung like James Brown)

Another day, some more Olympic medals for Jamaica.

Is it possible to burst with pride? I hope I don't find out...but I am getting really close.

Our very own Veronica Campbell-Brown won gold in the women's 200m final in Beijing. Veronica - 26 -ran her personal best at 21.74 seconds. Thank you, Veronica. We are very proud of you.

Veronica was thrilled about her victory. She had this to say: "I am very happy. It's great to come out and defend my gold medal. It's been great to see Jamaica get a clean sweep of the sprints. Now I have to concentrate on the relays." That's right Veronica, stay focused!

Wait! We aren't done yet.

Not to be left out, Kerron Stewart, fresh off of her silver victory in the 100m final, got bronze in the 200m with her time of 22.00 seconds. Congrats, Kerron!

Now many have been wondering, how can such a small island nation dominate the world stage in such a phenomenal manner. Well, our Jamaican Track and Field Authorities have said it is because Jamaica is now "looking after its own" and refusing to let Jamaica's best young athletes be poached by U.S. colleges and naturalised in the U.S. Asafa is a great example of this strategy. He did not accept the many offers to move to the U.S. and instead remained in Jamaica and was coached by Jamaicans. According to the Australian Herald Sun, this has "helped stimulate passion about the sport in Jamaica with young prospective runners seeing their heroes stay at home and then dominate the world - this year like never before." Thank God for wisdom!

OK, back to our latest medal winners - Veronica and Kerron. Ladies, let me know when I can join you in the victory dance! Nuh Linga? Gully Creepa? Or as my friend Donald says, maybe an old school Bogle? I hope to partake in our soon-to-be (please Senor Bruce G!!) National Holiday to honour our team's mind-blowing performance in the 2008 Olympics.

Proud to be....every time.

Happy Birthday, Usain Bolt!

Happy Birthday to you

Happy Birthday to you

Happy Birthday, dear USAIN

Happy Birthday to you!!!!!!!!

Congrats on making Jamaica so proud...and oh, also congrats on your 2 Gold medals.

How does it feel to be the fastest man in the world, Usain??

God is fabulous.

Proud to be a Jamaican...every time

Looks Like Bruce Golding Heard Us - National Holiday for Jamaica May Soon Be A Reality to Celebrate Olympic Victories!

We have all been clamoring for a National Holiday to celebrate our historic Olympic wins...and now it seems that our Prime Minister may heed the call.

According to Reuters, Bruce Golding said he hoped to declare a national holiday after the Olympics to celebrate Jamaica's magnificent wins. Bruce also said that, “Usain Bolt is a super human being. The world has never seen anything like him."

Source: Yahoo! Sports

This is Wonderful Madness...Another Gold for Jamaica....Melaine Walker Breaks Record in 400m Hurdles!!

Wow!!

I don't know what to do with myself. Back-to-back gold medals for Jamaica.

Melaine Walker won the gold in the 400m Hurdles finals. Her time of 52.64 seconds is an Olympic record.

OK - Isn't it time for a National Holiday now???? Come on, Bruce!!!

I AM SO PROUD OF MY COUNTRY!!!! GOD IS GOOD!!!

YAYAYAYA!!!

Usain Bolt Wins Gold...AGAIN....in the 200m Finals

Congrats again, Usain!!

Bolt won gold in the 200m finals and broke the "unbreakable" world record with a run of 19.30 seconds.

Tomorrow is also Bolt's birthday. He will be 22. Happy Birthday, Usain. The crowd sang Bolt Happy Birthday in celebration today. How magnificent. Usain, you are making us so, so proud!!

Go Jamaica!! Proud to be...every time :)

Instant Gratification Sweetly Sucketh

I want it NOW!
Gimme MORE!
Entertain me, Feed me, Pamper me, Relax me, Reward me
X-me
You won't? It can't? Wait?
No!

She always tries to remind us of the promises, the better we have planned
And we block her out
Why won't she just shut up? Doesn't she know that we are on a mission to satisfy the want now and nothing will ruin our fun?
Me-now, Me-now, Me-now

Yes...in the moment...it feels...good
Admit it
And in the next, as the happy quickly transpires, that me is again left to clean up the mess
Admit it
Oh, how she wishes she were heard before the moment, so that she could strangle some sense into us
And makes us see that a little patience, a little faith, will lead us to a more permanent joy


Keri S. Smith

Does Opportunity Really Need To Smack You in the Face Before You Step Up and Take It?

LOL Sighting of the Day: Save the Planet T-Shirt

I saw a pretty cool t-shirt today - on the body of a teen male - it read:

Keep the World Clean. It's not Uranus.

Jamaica Did It Again - Our Women Won Gold, and TWO Silvers in the 100m Finals. I am tingling!!

Wow. Jamaica did it again.

Our women made history in the 100m final in Beijing. For the first time in Olympic history a country - Jamaica - has taken the first three positions in this event. Shelly-Ann Fraser (21) won gold in 10.78 seconds - her best time to date. Then, Sherone Simpson and Kerron Stewart both tied for second place in 10.98 seconds. Both Sherone and Kerron collected silver medals.

Man, I always knew Jamaica was special. We have had so many greats over the years across sports, music, politics...everything. This is just more of the same. Thank you God.

Jamaica is now officially the world's fastest nation!! YES WE CAN!!



Proud to be a Jamaican...every time!!!

For more on Jamaica's wins in the Beijing Olympics see:
http://kerijam.blogspot.com/2008/08/usain-bolt-wins-gold-in-olympic-100m.html

Note: Jamaica has also achieved the first sweep of men's and women's 100m golds in any Olympics since 1988

Usain Bolt Wins Gold in the Olympic 100m Final in Beijing AND Sets a New World Record!!

Congrats, Usain Bolt!!

Usain won the 100m men's final in 9.69 seconds, beating his own world record. He more than left the other men in the dust.



Jamaica has much to be proud of here. We had 3 athletes competing in the finals: Usain Bolt, Asafa Powell and Michael Frater. All 3 train in Jamaica with Jamaican coaches. Also, kudos to the Caribbean in general - as a region we had six men competing in the 100m finals. Congrats to Richard Thompson from Trinidad and Tobago who came in 2nd!

Very impressive Jamaica and the Caribbean...but, back to Usain...because who could really take their eyes off of his awe-inspiring performance? As the BBC commentators said, "how can you even talk about the people who were second and third when you've just seen something like that...the greatest performance of the 100m...new superlatives are required."

http://www.sportstrick.com/play.php?vid=1213 (Replay of the race on BBC)

Go Usain!! Go Jamaica!!

I am so proud to be a Jamaican...every time!!

P.S. Happy Birthday, Usain. His birthday is on August 20th :)

P.S. #2 Here's a write-up on Usain's performance in the Jamaica Gleaner: http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20080817/cleisure/cleisure1.html

Update: Usain's Birthday is actually August 21st. Thanks!

Hold Up - Quick Fixes Don't Work?

Let's Not Get Cocky...Remember it's All Him...Humble Ourselves and He will Lift Us Up :)

Psalm 75

1 We give thanks to you, O God,
we give thanks, for your Name is near;
men tell of your wonderful deeds.

2 You say, "I choose the appointed time;
it is I who judge uprightly.

3 When the earth and all its people quake,
it is I who hold its pillars firm.
Selah

4 To the arrogant I say, 'Boast no more,'
and to the wicked, 'Do not lift up your horns.

5 Do not lift your horns against heaven;
do not speak with outstretched neck.' "

6 No one from the east or the west
or from the desert can exalt a man.

7 But it is God who judges:
He brings one down, he exalts another.

8 In the hand of the LORD is a cup
full of foaming wine mixed with spices;
he pours it out, and all the wicked of the earth
drink it down to its very dregs.

9 As for me, I will declare this forever;
I will sing praise to the God of Jacob.

10 I will cut off the horns of all the wicked,
but the horns of the righteous will be lifted up.

Also see:

http://kerijam.blogspot.com/2008/02/relax-hes-got-it.html

Practice Makes Perfect

Fly Much?

You know you are a very frequent flier when on Sunday you get to church extra early and have your pick of seats, and the usher asks you where you want to go, and you say "I'd like an aisle seat, please".

Quote of the Day: Wickedness

"Wickedness, when you examine it, turns out to be the pursuit of some good in the wrong way. You can be good for the mere sake of goodness: you cannot be bad for the mere sake of badness. You can do a kind action when you are not feeling kind and when it gives you no pleasure, simply because kindness is right; but no one ever did a cruel action simply because cruelty is wrong - only because cruelty was pleasant or useful to him. In other words badness cannot succeed even in being bad in the same way in which goodness is good. Goodness is, so it speak, itself: badness is only spoiled goodness. And there must be something good first before it can be spoiled."

~C.S.Lewis, excerpt from What Christians Believe

Quote of the Day: The Best

It's a funny thing about life; if you refuse to accept anything but the best, you very often get it.

~W. Somerset Maugham

When Your Anger Doesn't Have that Ummph

Prices at Parkington Pharmacy, Kingston, Jamaica

Persons have come to me in outrage over some of the prices at Parkington Pharmacy in Kingston, Jamaica. For example, customers were shocked to find that a package of wheat biscuits, which cost J$12 at the local supermarket, were being sold for J$30 at the pharmacy. Held hostage by hunger, some patrons still bought the biscuits, but were steaming mad as they chewed their expensive cuisine.

Jamaica Observer Website Down

The Jamaica Observer website is down. It appears parties may have hacked the website earlier. Stay tuned.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/


Update:

The website earlier showed a link stating "hacked by Adanali" in the Related Articles section of the page. Here's the page view that was up:
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/html/20080723T020000-0500_138189_OBS__DAVID_SMITH_ALIVE_AND_KICKING_.asp

The website is now back up and running.

Quote of the Day: Willpower

"Willpower by itself is not enough. If we want to achieve lasting change, we must have an effective strategy."

~Anthony Robbins

When the Brat Attack is Justified...

*Almost every week for several months, you travel with the same carry-on luggage. You stow it with no problems in the overhead compartment of the plane. This week...this week!...they decide to tell you that the bag is too big to go on the plane and that they have started charging people for bags. You politely explain that you have been travelling with their airline for what seems like forever with no issues. They still ask you to put your bag into the silver grilled case to test if it can actually fit on the plane.

DOES ANYONE'S roller bag EVER PERFECTLY fit into those things?



You are obedient and proceed to put your bag - yes, the same one you carry every week - into that silver thing. It fits half-way. They start to tell you that you need to check your bag. That if you force your bag into the overhead compartment on the plane the same way you are forcing it into that silver thing, you will scratch the plane. You look at them - long and hard. You mumble something about never scratching their plane.

You check your bag and the inner brat THREATENS to come out. But you are silent and play it cool. You are just so annoyed with these jokers and their policy and wonder to yourself what on earth is the value of the elite status you hold on their airline, if you can't even carry a simple roller bag onto their plane.


------


*You browse the store and select 2 magazines. You hear a noise from the cashier that sounds something like $11.95. You look up at the register. You heard right. $11.95 for 2 magazines. You return one of them. That day has come. You can no longer casually buy magazines. Rationing is in effect.

Paging A Barf Bag: Juici's Vegetarian Patties Contain Kidney Fat!!

Someone I know was happily chowing down on their Juici Vegetarian Patty when they were asked, "Why are you eating beef suet?". I am not sure what happened immediately after the question was asked, but I assume shocked expressions and some gagging ensued. A little while later a call was made to Juici to find out if beef suet was indeed included in patties that catered to the vegetarian/vegan crowd. The surprising answer was that all Juici Patties contain beef suet.

Oh no they didn't!

Hordes of us have been innocently licking our lips after many a Juici veggie patty and now we are racing to the loo as we imagine how much kidney fat we have unwillingly ingested over the years.

I am queasy as I type this, but I must go on.

So, as the story continues, a complaint was then made to Jamaica's Consumer Affairs office, asking them to contact Juici and have the company make it clear for all customers that even their veggie patties contained non-veggie items. As of the time of this report, the CAC has stated that

1) the Juici patty crust does have kidney fat, and that this ingredient is noted if you purchase a box of patties, but not a bag
2) Juici tried using non-animal materials in the crust, but the taste was not up to par
3) Vegetables and soy are the only fillings
4) Customers should buy the veggie loaf if they don't want any animal fat

First, thanks to the CAC for following up and for their timely response. Secondly - LOL! Who buys a box of patties for lunch? Most consumers use the bag. Most vegans/vegetarians do not want to consume meat, and would like to be told if a vegetarian meal includes meat, because that would never be the expectation. Finally, buy the veggie loaf instead? LOL! Seriously? I bought a patty, because I wanted a patty.

Discussions are still underway. Resolution is quite simple though - Juici, just let your consumers know about the kidney fat. And please, please, find a non-animal alternative - it can be done and still taste yummy.

What a sad day it is. No more Juici veggie patties for now - until the meat is removed. *Sob* Come on, Juici. Do better for your loyal customers. We know you can!

Update - July 23, 2008

The Management of Juici Patties, based on conversations with the CAC, has decided to put up signs in their branches advising customers about the ingredients contained in their veggie and soy patties.

Yay-progress. Let's see how soon these signs will be posted. I also hope the company tries to find a non-meat alternative for the crust, because those patties - and the customers - are worth it!

LOL Comment of the Day: Matthew McConaughey's kid

"McConaughey baby born wearing more clothes than Daddy"

~Pop Chart, Time Magazine

Gov. David Paterson is not Feeling Spitzer

NY Gov. Paterson was at Russell Simmons' Art for Life Benefit at Simmons' home in the Hamptons last Saturday when he took a couple of jabs at dah Spitz.

Here's what went down according to the NY Post:

GOV. David Paterson has little love for his predecessor, Eliot Spitzer - and isn't above taking a few pot shots at him. At Russell Simmons' Art for Life Benefit at Simmons' Hamptons home Saturday night, Paterson received a standing ovation when he was introduced. He cracked, "You can slow it down; I get paid by the hour" - an obvious dig at Spitzer's call-girl fiasco. He later highlighted the importance of art education and said, "I'm not sure if you all got the memo, but there's a new sheriff in town," again bringing the crowd to its feet.

10 Questions with Tim Gunn via Time Magazine

Tim Gunn is the host of Tim Gunn's Guide to Style. He currently mentors designers on Project Runway. Here are his answers to 10 Questions courtesy of Time Magazine.

---------

With which designer, dead or alive, would you like to spend a lunch dishing fashion ideas?
Oh, the first really seminal designer of the 20th century: Coco Chanel. That would be some lunch. If it were a living designer, there's no one more fabulous to have lunch with than Diane von Furstenberg.



Michelle Obama or Cindy McCain?
Michelle Obama. Absolutely. She looks so comfortable and relaxed in her style, in her fashion, and she exudes that. She has a presence that gives you confidence in her.




What's the worst fashion trend you've ever seen?
Well, sandals with socks are certainly up there. Generally speaking, it's footwear trends. I mean, the Croc - it looks like a plastic hoof. How can you take that seriously? I know it's comfortable; I understand that. But if you want to dress to feel as though you never got out of bed, don't get out of bed.





How can I look as stylish as you on what is probably a lower budget?
The key to getting your fashion right is the same for men and women. First of all, know who you are and how you want the world to perceive you. Understand what colors, what patterns look good on you and the whole interaction of silhouette, proportion and fit. If you can get that right, you'll look great in anything.

What would be the most important pieces to invest in now that won't go out of style?
A classic blazer or jacket would be a wonderful purchase. I have my 10-essentials list for getting your wardrobe right. It's the blazer, the classic white shirt, a skirt, a day dress, a basic black dress, black pants, jeans, a sweater of some kind and a trench coat - you can wear it to the grocery store or the opera. The last one is a sweat-suit alternative - something that you feel good in and look good in and that you can go out and walk the dog in.

Is there anyone whose fashion choices you always love?
Angelina Jolie. She knows what's occasion-appropriate. She knows what she looks good in. She's sexy without ever being remotely vulgar. I think she has a fabulous sense of style and a fabulous sense of who she is.





What is your favorite decade of fashion?
The '60s. I don't think we've ever seen in any decade as much of a transition in how people dress. From the Kennedy years - very polished, very sophisticated - we go to Woodstock and hippie-dom and Carnaby Street and Twiggy and the mini. Quite a lot of drama happened.

What factors help determine tomorrow's fashions?
I'm frequently asked where fashion is going, and my response is, if I knew or if the industry knew, we'd already be there. There are so many things that can trigger a trend. It may be something from the street - witness hip-hop. It may be something from a fashion show.

What movie or TV cast has had the biggest impact on fashion?
Sex and the City. Absolutely, hands down. Thank you, Sarah Jessica Parker.

What is your favorite thing to wear?
There is no better feeling for me than to go to a black-tie event in a classic tuxedo. Every man looks great in a tux.

Quote of the Night: The Key To Mandela

"Ultimately, the key to understanding Mandela is those 27 years in prison. The man who walked onto Robben Island in 1964 was emotional, headstrong, easily stung. The man who emerged was balanced and disciplined. "

~Richard Stengel

Source: Mandela - His 8 Lessons of Leadership, Robert Stengel, Time Magazine

Quote of the Day: Mandela on Fear

"I can't pretend that I'm brave and that I can beat the whole world." But as a leader, you cannot let people know. "You must put up a front."

~Nelson Mandela


Source: Mandela - His 8 Lessons of Leadership, Richard Stengel, Time Magazine

Quote of the Hour: Nelson Mandela's Light

"In the 1990s I worked with Mandela for almost two years on his autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom. After all that time spent in his company, I felt a terrible sense of withdrawal when the book was done; it was like the sun going out of one's life."

~Richard Stengel on Nelson Mandela

Source: Mandela - His 8 Lessons of Leadership, Time Magazine

OMG - Can I get a tissue? How inspiring. I still have the chills...WOW

I was touched after I viewed the following:

http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=8cf08faca5dd9ea45513


Here's the transcript that accompanied the video:


A Father's Love

A son asked his father, 'Dad, will you take part in a marathon with me?' The father who, despite having a heart condition, says 'Yes'. They went on to complete the marathon together. Father and son went on to join other marathons, the father always saying 'Yes' to his son's request of going through the race together. One day, the son asked his father, 'Dad, let's join the Ironman together.'To which, his father said 'Yes' .For those who didn't know, Ironman is the toughest triathlon ever. The race encompasses three endurance events of a 2.4 mile (3.86 kilometer) ocean swim, followed by a 112 mile (180.2 kilometer) bike ride, and ending with a 26.2 mile (42.195 kilometer) marathon along the coast of the Big Island

Father and son went on to complete the race together. View this

http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=8cf08faca5dd9ea45513

The View: Discussion on the "N" Word

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwFUY3s-w-s&feature=email


What say you?

I thought Elisabeth Hasselbeck was brave to speak her mind without being intimidated. While she did come across as defensive, young and could definitely work on her listening skills, overall I give her major brownie points for sticking it out.

Using Hello as an Attack

Yo!
I know you know me
I know you saw me
I know you are trying to avoid me

FORGET THAT - "Hello! YOU HEARD ME?! HELLLLO!"
Your mama or someone taught you manners
Whatever is bugging you
If you have ought against me
If you just don't feel in the mood
Doesn't matter
Open your mouth and say something - doesn't even have to be "Hello"...I'll take a "Hi"
You know what? You can even shut your mouth and just nod in my general direction
BUT don't act like you didn't see me
Especially since you almost knocked me over in your hurry to look the other way

Consider yourself notified
Malice and bad manners are just so last season
I promise you this
I will see you
AND I will tell you "Hello"...as loudly as is required

Keri S. Smith

That Place

It doesn't really qualify as a happy place
But it is where you sometimes go when you want to suspend reality, to be comforted, to pretend
You created the oasis
The different scenes, multiple plots
Characters change with the seasons of your emotions and experiences
And overtly or not, you always have one of the starring roles

This place is not for kids
It is never illegal
It is a bit of wishful thinking
And in some cases, it is something you hope never, ever comes true
Can't call it ugly
But when you are honest, you admit that sometimes it is not truly good

The place serves some purpose...it continues to exist
And every now and then
You re-enter, play your part, and play it well

Keri S. Smith

Stay True to the Purple, Darling

It's part of the process
The yucky part?
Wading through the seas until you again find that special magic
Self-coaching is involved
Because you remember that whenever you shut that door, or ignored it
Life was good
You had fun
You conquered
You were satisfied
But you are an all-rounder, and want to experience all He put out there
So, you self-coach to make it a big party
To smile through the mistakes, the unknowns, the disappointments, the smacks
And you stay open, remembering your core
and living it all like there was no tomorrow
Sans resentment
Sans fear
NEXT-ing quickly through the toxic thems
And just being you - bright, lively and loving, purple brilliance

Keri S. Smith

Fake It Till You Make It...Just Do Your Research First!

Jesse to Obama: I want to cut your %%$ off!!

Ouch! *Cringe*

This one won't die down for a while.

Reverend Jesse Jackson made the mistake of voicing some very crude comments about Obama into a hot mic, before he was set to be interviewed on health care on Fox News. Jesse, very upset with Obama for "talking down" to black people, whispered "see, Barack [has] been talking down to black people . . . I wanna cut his nuts off", accompanying his statement with a cutting motion using his hand.

Goodness gracious! Jesse - really?

When the Reverend heard that Fox News planned to air his comments on Bill O'Reilly's "The Factor" show, he came out quickly apologizing and reiterating his support for the Obama campaign during a news conference yesterday.

Jesse's son is more than embarrassed - he's a key Obama supporter and had this to say about the controversy surrounding his dad: "I'm deeply outraged and disappointed in Reverend Jackson's reckless statements about Senator Barack Obama."

The Obama camp was gracious as usual. Bill Burton, Obama's spokesman, said that Obama, "of course accepts Reverend Jackson's apology."

I think Al Sharpton's reaction summarized it all very well. Al said that Obama "is running for president of all Americans, not just African-Americans. We must be careful not to segregate Senator Obama and impose some litmus test that is unfair and unproductive."

Reverend Jesse is now apologizing all over the place. I am sure he's also a bit nervous. Fox News said that they decided not to air all of Jesse's comments, because that would have been even more damaging to Jackson. Even more damaging that what we heard? Oh, Jesse!

Did Mr. Taxi Read My Mind and Punish Me For It?

Man, I really didn't want to sit in a sauna, especially not in a business suit. I guess the taxi driver doesn't get that it is summer, and that a little AC could help the situation tremendously. Well, I for sure won't be asking him for anything. He has been scowling all night and is built like the Incredible Hulk.



A few minutes post-this thought, magic happens and the AC is turned on. Yay! Or so I thought. I then felt like a penguin lounging near the Arctic circle. Who me? No way, I am not asking him to make it warmer - Incredible Hulk with a scowl, remember? I really hope that he doesn't hear my teeth chattering or see that my window is still sort of open, even though he has the AC blasting. Oops.

You know what? I am pretty sure that Mr. Taxi read my mind and decided to freeze me out. Sorry, sir. I will try not to be so mentally sarcastic next time. Just please, give us passengers a little coolness in the summer heat. Thanks so much!