Friday, January 20, 2006
Old-Fashioned Maybe
I must be old-fashioned bad bad!!!
I went into a jewelry store to get a battery for my watch. They tell me they have it, the cost, and took my watch to put it in. So I just stood up by the counter and waited. But while I was waiting I happened to hear the music that was playing rather loudly for all who entered the store to hear. But it wasn't the volume that had my attention (it wasn't louder than a steelband that plays at UWI and can be rather loud sometimes). It was the lyrics (of lack thereof, whichever way you look at it)- vulgar, meaning that it had expletives and lewd sexual content. Now I said to myself that I must be dreaming, because there is no way a store that is opened to the public and can have children walking in at a moment's notice could be playing this music. Few seconds later I realised that hey, I am not dreaming after all! Needless to say I was shocked and appalled!
It gets worse!
The man (who happens to be Indian whether in part or whole and hasn't lost the accent) returns with my watch, now working (whoopee!). I told him thank you. But, as I am one who feels that I should contribute to society in a positive way and the development good morals where possible, I decided to say something to him. I asked the man if he realised what was playing on the radio...I mean, I can't really accuse him if he does not realise that such slackness is occuring (it happens). He says, "yes I do". Ok...slightly more baffled now. So I went further to point out that the contents were lewd and not suitable for a store/place providing a public service children can walk in at any time (I couldn't really assume anymore that he actually knew what was playing or that he was supposed to know better so I had to point that out). So this is the essence of the man's reply- yes the lyrics are nasty, but he can't and wont do anything, simply because it's what the people want! I should mention that the way he said that, the majority of the people he is talking about were his employees! I don't think I was able to hide the shock on my face very well. But that didn't make a difference!
This experience has made me realise just how bad our society has gotten and is getting, and it is really upsetting! How can adults act so irresponsible and LEAD the children astray?! It's bad enough that they have their peers and other things putting strain on their judgement skills, but to have the ones who should be curbing that be the ones adding to the pressure is one on too many levels.
I am now disgusted with the level of responsibility (or the lack of it I should say) that our society, whether locally or internationally, is accepting and embracing where our children are concerned. I am aware that not everyone was literally given the responsibility of raising a child, but goodness gracious- those who weren't need to realise that they are given the responsibility of NOT leading them astray!
"It takes a village to raise a child". I think this is one lesson we should try to learn from our African heritage. Unfortunately, it's wishful thinking!
PS: I have declared I will not ever again support the proprietors of the American Jewellers store (I think that's the name of the place). It's just above the former Kings St. branch of NCB. So I encourage everyone else who reads this to do the same.
I went into a jewelry store to get a battery for my watch. They tell me they have it, the cost, and took my watch to put it in. So I just stood up by the counter and waited. But while I was waiting I happened to hear the music that was playing rather loudly for all who entered the store to hear. But it wasn't the volume that had my attention (it wasn't louder than a steelband that plays at UWI and can be rather loud sometimes). It was the lyrics (of lack thereof, whichever way you look at it)- vulgar, meaning that it had expletives and lewd sexual content. Now I said to myself that I must be dreaming, because there is no way a store that is opened to the public and can have children walking in at a moment's notice could be playing this music. Few seconds later I realised that hey, I am not dreaming after all! Needless to say I was shocked and appalled!
It gets worse!
The man (who happens to be Indian whether in part or whole and hasn't lost the accent) returns with my watch, now working (whoopee!). I told him thank you. But, as I am one who feels that I should contribute to society in a positive way and the development good morals where possible, I decided to say something to him. I asked the man if he realised what was playing on the radio...I mean, I can't really accuse him if he does not realise that such slackness is occuring (it happens). He says, "yes I do". Ok...slightly more baffled now. So I went further to point out that the contents were lewd and not suitable for a store/place providing a public service children can walk in at any time (I couldn't really assume anymore that he actually knew what was playing or that he was supposed to know better so I had to point that out). So this is the essence of the man's reply- yes the lyrics are nasty, but he can't and wont do anything, simply because it's what the people want! I should mention that the way he said that, the majority of the people he is talking about were his employees! I don't think I was able to hide the shock on my face very well. But that didn't make a difference!
This experience has made me realise just how bad our society has gotten and is getting, and it is really upsetting! How can adults act so irresponsible and LEAD the children astray?! It's bad enough that they have their peers and other things putting strain on their judgement skills, but to have the ones who should be curbing that be the ones adding to the pressure is one on too many levels.
I am now disgusted with the level of responsibility (or the lack of it I should say) that our society, whether locally or internationally, is accepting and embracing where our children are concerned. I am aware that not everyone was literally given the responsibility of raising a child, but goodness gracious- those who weren't need to realise that they are given the responsibility of NOT leading them astray!
"It takes a village to raise a child". I think this is one lesson we should try to learn from our African heritage. Unfortunately, it's wishful thinking!
PS: I have declared I will not ever again support the proprietors of the American Jewellers store (I think that's the name of the place). It's just above the former Kings St. branch of NCB. So I encourage everyone else who reads this to do the same.
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Height of Foolishness!!
I was at church on Sunday as I usually am. However, one particular announcement caused me great "upsetment".
The week before that was very heart-wrenching and upsetting for a member of our church. Her son was gunned down. That in and of itself was enough to get anyone raging mad. But what made it worse was that the people who killed the son had the nerve to call the parents and "apologise" because they mistakenly killed the wrong person. How is one to feel after that?!?!?
Just when you think things can't get worse, they up and do!!
The week before that was very heart-wrenching and upsetting for a member of our church. Her son was gunned down. That in and of itself was enough to get anyone raging mad. But what made it worse was that the people who killed the son had the nerve to call the parents and "apologise" because they mistakenly killed the wrong person. How is one to feel after that?!?!?
Just when you think things can't get worse, they up and do!!
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
SLB Again!
So I called the Students' Loan Bureau to find out about trying to pay off my loan by September 2007. I was told that I need to pay a total of approximately $394 000, and that works out to about $19 000 per month. Fine. (Initially the gravity of the situation did not register). I mean, I am pretty much on par with current payments so I would not have to sacrifice a whole lot more to make the monthly payments. Then I looked at the figure again (after hanging up the phone from the Loan Officer), and it hit me- I have already paid over $230 000, and the figure quoted was pretty much the amount borrowed. So, in essence, I have paid the $230 000 as interest and what I would be paying over the up-coming months would be the amount I borrowed in the first place.
I am not rich. If I were, I wouldn't need to be paying off the loan as I am now. Thinking that I have to pay over $200 000 IN INTEREST on a less than $400 000 loan is VERY disheartening. That amount is 1) down-payment on a house, 2) downpayment/purchase cost of a car, 3) money for a very nice vacation, etc etc etc. IT IS WRONG!!! I do not believe that one should be subjected to pay that much interest on a loan that was borrowed to further their education. It is highly wrong and ungodly, and these people need to be stopped, STOPPED I tell you!!! (ok...getting off I bit too much, but sue me!) It is the most unconscionable thing a loan institution, especially one DEDICATED to providing students the opportunity for a higher education, could do. I really wish that somehow they will realise the situation and do something about it, because this is wrong on too many levels! And student's keep getting suckered into the situation not knowing what legal robbery they are getting into!
For now, I will try and find other sources to somehow pay them off so that I will have nothing to do with them. So if anyone has money to lend, or know of option that I may be able to use, feel free to pass it on. 'Til then, May God help me!
I am not rich. If I were, I wouldn't need to be paying off the loan as I am now. Thinking that I have to pay over $200 000 IN INTEREST on a less than $400 000 loan is VERY disheartening. That amount is 1) down-payment on a house, 2) downpayment/purchase cost of a car, 3) money for a very nice vacation, etc etc etc. IT IS WRONG!!! I do not believe that one should be subjected to pay that much interest on a loan that was borrowed to further their education. It is highly wrong and ungodly, and these people need to be stopped, STOPPED I tell you!!! (ok...getting off I bit too much, but sue me!) It is the most unconscionable thing a loan institution, especially one DEDICATED to providing students the opportunity for a higher education, could do. I really wish that somehow they will realise the situation and do something about it, because this is wrong on too many levels! And student's keep getting suckered into the situation not knowing what legal robbery they are getting into!
For now, I will try and find other sources to somehow pay them off so that I will have nothing to do with them. So if anyone has money to lend, or know of option that I may be able to use, feel free to pass it on. 'Til then,
