When this is over, I want more...

Lock-down in #NewYorkCity has been both positive and negative, its given us the opportunity to severely appreciate our #frontline #workers (medical professionals, police, ambulance, utilities workers, restaurant, pharmacy and grocery workers, plus) and especially teachers. Its also been frustrating for many and wonderful for others. We’ve read more, studied more, got certified and adopted video chat as our main means of communication. We’ve also watched waaaay too much TV and video on demand. Spent much more time than usual on the toilet (or was that just me!?).

We have also been in touch with friends and family we have ignored for years. #whenthisisover I want to see some sort of continuation of the affects of the #lockdown. Maybe we should all apportion a few hours from our weekly allotment of 168 specifically to continue lockdown activities. Select maybe 12 hours to re-purpose to maintain all the good things we are doing now, adding it to our weekly routines. Decide to be good by doing good weekly, as well as, sharing those experiences with people who are not family. Lets see weekly lockdown parties with friends who spend copious amounts of time together just like we are doing now. I feel like we need a national holiday to showcase our frontline workers and remind us how special they all are, we did not honour them like this before, did we!? I love the idea that whole communities came together for a specific purpose, lets do more of that. Lets understand that together we are more powerful and ignore those who seek to divide us. Ffuck lets Quarantine those fools, permanently.

Original post:  Medium

On Legacy and great exemplary #courage: Muhammed Ali #muhammedAli

The greatest #MuhammadAli has left us a #Legacy of REAL COURAGE, showing #courage when it mattered most and for the benefit of all. To Echo the Obama's "He showed courage when others wouldn't, he stood up for his beliefs"

We are all better off for his being here and for him being himself. He is indeed the greatest example of a #Hero for our children to emulate, regardless of where in the world you are from.

Mr. Ali IS a hero of mine and lived a life I aspire to, in courage, conviction and leadership. Regardless of the consequences, he stood up and spoke out, even to his own detriment, if that is not courage, I don't know what is. During his opposition to the vietnam war, he expected to be executed for his stance, yet he did it, remember, in the 1960s assisination was commonplace, JFK and Martin Luther KIng Jr both fell to assassins plus the US armed forces could have court marshalled him and sentenced him to a firing squad, yet, just like my other hero, Nelson Mandela, He did it anyway. he stood up and spoke out. and famously said "what did those vietcong ever did to me? NO vietcong ever called me #nigga, why should I go over there to fight them." around the same time George W. #Bush was draft dodging, also not wanting to go to vietnam, but for very different reasons, not courageous at all in my opionion.

Would you be willing to put your life on the line for your beliefs? think about that a moment, and now you really begin to see the measure of Muhammed Ali. We all hear horror stories of the way black people was treated in this country, for hundreds of years, right into the 1960s, this aplifies the nature of his stance.

But to be clear, he was #courageous his entire life, it takes courage to aska police officer to train you, at 10 years old anyway, he was courageous when he represented the #USA and won #Gold at the #Olympics, he was courageous and some say outrageous when he decided the fight the toughest heavy weights in the world, from #Frazier to #Forman. He was courageous everytime he lost and came back to win. He spoke like a hero and he fought like alike Hero his whole life, in every arena.

We now must create comics books and videos, and more movies and classroom lessons for our kids about this, the greatest hero of all, a most exemplary of men, Mohammed Ali. #Prophet Mohammad himself, on whom be peace, is looking down and and marveling at the chance to finally meet his namesake. A hero for all, a Hero for all time.

TRINIDAD #DOUBLESDOWN ON #DIWALI WITH 10 DAYS OF CELEBRATION #India

That's Right #India, your #CaribbeanCousins in #Trindad and #Tobago (T&T) have doubled down on Diwali. while in India you celebrate for 5 days, in Trinidad we do 10 days, In 2015 it began with the opening of the of the Diwali Nagar (Diwali village) on November 1st. Today November 7th, 2015 #Diwali is the #1 trending topic on #Facebook. To say that Diwali is big in T&T, is like saying that we need air to breath. Regardless of Race or religion, it's a national event that's become highly commercialized and ritualized. while the Hindu folks still fast and pray and do their Pujas, the entire nation revels in the 10-day "Diwali Season", with both businesses and politicians going nuts to be seen as a supporter of Diwali.

The Diwali Nagar is also the first Diwali Theme park created in the world and is now being "imported" by at least one Indian municipality we know of, Trade missions from India is always brought to the Diwali Nagar, where the T&T Government shows off our massive theme park, which lies dormant during the rest of the year, save for the occasional concert and the annual "Hanuman ChanTTing". Diwali is loved so much by the Indo-Caribbean peoples' of Trinidad and Tobago, they bring it with them whenever they migrate, here in New York City this is evident by the annual Diwali Motorcade in South Richmond Hill, Queens.

In T&T, the 10 days is replete with activities that only happen at this time of year, the creation of Bamboo scapes (using bamboo to make designs and structures to hold and present Deyas), please see photos below. Deyas are the ubiquitous vessel made of clay that holds a wick and a couple ounces of oil, that was used to light the way for Ram and Sita as they return victorious from the forest. In T&T, coconut oil is the most common fuel used for the Deyas. There are competitions that reward winners for their Bamboo Scapes. In most towns and villages, the entire community gathers at the local #Cricket ground to build their Bamboo scapes, It doesn't matter your #race or #religion, in T&T, Diwali is a national event, everyone participates. while only #Hindus go to temple and pray for Diwali, everyone is involved in all the cultural events including plays and skits, singing and dancing and maintaining the Deyas during the night on Diwali day, just as I was when growing up in Trinidad.

In T&T, Diwali has also become very commercialized. Every business worth their salt, advertises extensively during the Diwali season, offering "Diwali specials" and buys a booth at the Diwali Nagar, where you can be fed and entertained exquisitely for 10 days of celebrations. In addition to the cultural and religious programme ever day and night, popular restaurants, and individuals, cook fresh Roti and Takari (vegetable filling) and make local drinks. of-course the big food chains also get in on the act like popular T&T ice-cream maker Willie's Ice cream with coconut usually the most popular flavour requested. Diwali is also as big a revenue stream for both Radio and TV in T&T as Christmas, as advertisers know the value of advertising at this time of year. Of-course the politicians ALL want to be seen celebrating Diwali, regardless of race or religion, political photo-ops and speeches during our 10-day celebration is a nuisance we have to endure.

Like North Americans do for Christmas, in T&T, preparing for Diwali includes fasting for Hindus, most people are also cleaning, fixing, painting and decorating houses and in some cases, making their own Deyas and coconut oil. Tile red is the most popular color of paint used at this time of year, with thousands of gallons being sold during the Diwali season. Many folks install "Christmas lights" to adorn their houses, particularly the ubiquitous veranda, which stays up past New Years day. While it's only Hindus who actually adorn their homes with Deyas, usually the neighbors, and particularly their children, who helps to lay them out and maintain them during the night by refilling with the oil or replacing the wicks, regardless of race or religion.

Migrants from India has been in T&T since 1845, and the Caribbean itself since 1838. With them they brought their Indian Culture, religions, foods, plants, intelligence, innovation, industrious nature and entrepreneurial spirit to the islands of Trinidad and Tobago. Though T&T is a plural multi-cultural society that includes peoples from India, Africa, China, Spain, France, England, Ireland, Scotland, the middle east, the indigenous Amerindians and from across the Caribbean islands, it is quite evident that the migrants from India has had the most impact on society. Innovation by Indians in T&T include the most famous street food known as "Doubles", Buss-up-shot (T&T Paratha Roti), Dhal Puri (very different from Indian Puris), Chutney Music and Chutney Dance.

Diwali, is quickly becoming a quintessential world holiday because as the Original Festival of Lights, it bears meaning to many people, not just Hindus, plus its so much fun to be part of this tradition. If there is no Diwali celebrations where you are, please plan your next vacation in Trinidad during our 10-day festival, it will be the experience of your family's life.

photos via aesthetic.glory.blogspot.com

Ireland beats England ICC Cricket World Cup in India

IRELAND WINS!

Ireland has triumphed over perennial foes England in another exciting match at Bangalore, India. kevin O'Brien scores the fastest century in World Cup history, with 100 off 50 balls, to take Ireland into the winners box, securing a place in history for himself and Ireland.

Many a commentator felt that the last match on this ground, a tie between India v England, would be the match of the tournament, I think Ireland was offended. One thing is certain, there is plenty of exciting, edge of your seat cricket left in this ICC Cricket World Cup with more than 30 matches yet to be played.

This result has thrown this group B wide open and gives Ireland a fantastic chance of moving forward. With this 1st win they get 2 points and sets them up moving forward as each of the other teams in this group has to take them seriously. Other teams in group B are India, West Indies, South Africa, Bangladesh and Netherlands, and India and England with one point each from their drawn match gives Ireland great confidence to fight every ball.

England scored a commanding 327 off their 50 overs and lost 8 wickets during their innings. In reply Ireland were reeling on 113 for 5 by the halfway point, Portersfield lost his wicket with the very first ball!. Kevin O'Brien and AR Cusack then went on to rescue the innings for Ireland with 162 run partnership and in the process has become heroes at home and earned themselves legions of Indian fans.

South Africa to Host 2nd season of cricket IPL-Indian Premier League

Alex Brown and Ajay S Shankar
March 24, 2009

South Africa has edged out England to be named host nation of the 2009 IPL. The decision was made after a meeting between the IPL commissioner, Lalit Modi, and the Cricket South Africa (CSA) chief executive, Gerald Majola, in Johannesburg on Tuesday. The IPL also announced that a final schedule for the 59 matches and the host venues for the eight franchises will be released shortly.

Cricinfo understands that the IPL's opening ceremony will be held in Cape Town, and that the defending champions Rajasthan Royals will play the first game. The tournament will commence on April 18, a week later than initially scheduled, and a day after the one-day series between South Africa and Australia ends. Sources said Johannesburg, Durban, Centurion, Port Elizabeth, East London and Cape Town would be the host venues.

However, it's understood that negotiations between the two boards were not as smooth as it was initially expected with England remaining in contention as an active alternative for hosting the IPL during most of Tuesday afternoon's meeting.


South Africa had been considered the favourite to host the IPL's second season after IPL officials voiced concerns over the effect England's springtime weather might have on the tournament. England also faced issues in the form of cost, scheduling and the likelihood of conflict between television rights holders. South Africa's chances were further boosted after the country's government got actively involved in wooing the IPL, throwing in assurances on security and speedy clearance of visas for players and officials.

"A lot of factors were considered by us while evaluating the final choice for the host venue," N Srinivasan, secretary of the Indian board, said. "However, in the final analysis I think it was the South African weather, which prevailed and tilted the balance in favour of the Rainbow Nation."

David Collier, the ECB chief executive, said he understood the hurdles that would have had to be cleared to stage the tournament in England. "We all recognised the difficulties and logistical issues involved in areas such as security when the G20 is meeting in the UK next week and the climatic challenges," he said.

In the event, the IPL's decision to move to South Africa has been greeted with relief by the league's franchises and players. Muttiah Muralitharan, who plays for Chennai Super Kings, said it was the right decision for the league because "the game must go on, else cricket would die".

Read the full article here