I have listed a few of the ways in which Jamaicans say Good Bye without actually using the words bye.
If you think of any, please jot it below.
Since leaving the island many years ago I have not heard these names mentioned concerning furniture in my home.
What are some of the names of furniture that you used to have as a child but it is not mentioned where you are now?
Let me start:
The watnot -
The breakfront -
The Buff-et - although this word may be french and the E-T and the may be pronounced "long A", the Jamaicans pronounced this et...let let. Hence this was called the Buff-et.
This was usually a piece of furnitute which had crockery on display in the home.
Most chess players know that there are three main phases in chess: the Opening, the Middlegame, and the Endgame. But few are aware of a hidden fourth phase known as the After Game. This phase remains largely unknown because it never gained popularity—most players don’t want to risk losing after delivering a checkmate, so it simply didn’t catch on.
Newer players sometimes stumble upon it, often comparing it to checkers without fully understanding what they’re suggesting. Yet, for those curious enough to explore, the After Game offers an intriguing twist on traditional chess. Here’s how it works:
The After Game is an optional extension of chess that continues after checkmate. .
Before the match begins, players must agree on whether the game will include the After Game phase. This agreement must be mutual—both players need to be willing to continue the battle beyond checkmate.
Who Moves First?
After delivering a checkmate, the winning player moves first in the After Game.
Rules and Movements
All standard chess rules apply, with one key exception: Kings are now just regular pieces. They lose their royal status and can be captured like any other piece and removed from the board. There is no check in the After Game.
Objective
The goal is no longer about checkmating the King but about clearing the board of all your opponent’s pieces. As imagined in some instances this may not be possible; which is a draw of the after game.
The After Game introduces a new layer of strategy and prolongs the excitement of the match. It also tests a player’s ability to convert an advantage into complete dominance on the board.
While the After Game is unconventional, it provides a fresh perspective especially for those who have become bored with traditional chess. So next time you sit down for a match, consider asking, “Does this game feature an After Game?” You might just find a new way to challenge yourself.
Blogs in a Video-Driven World
In an age dominated by TikTok clips, YouTube tutorials, and Instagram reels, it’s easy to assume that the written word is becoming obsolete. Yet, amid this vibrant video culture, blogs continue to hold a significant place in the digital landscape. Why? Because even as video takes center stage, there remains a loyal audience that finds comfort, depth, and engagement in the simplicity of written text.
Reading is not just about absorbing information—it’s a mental workout. When you read, you engage your imagination, enhance comprehension, and exercise critical thinking. Studies have shown that reading activates more parts of the brain compared to watching videos, which tend to present information in a more passive manner. In a world constantly vying for our attention, the act of reading allows for focused, uninterrupted thought—a rarity in today’s fast-paced, swipe-happy culture.
Imagine being in a crowded waiting room or commuting on public transport. While videos demand your eyes, ears, and full attention, text offers a more flexible consumption method. You can read at your own pace, pause for reflection, or revisit a paragraph without having to rewind. This control over the flow of information is something video simply can’t replicate.
Just as television didn’t completely kill the radio, video hasn’t entirely replaced text. For some, the bombardment of flashy visuals, rapid edits, and background music is overwhelming. They crave the quiet, thoughtful engagement that reading provides. There’s also a sense of nostalgia linked to reading—like curling up with a good book—that video can’t replicate.
In a digital world of 30-second sound bites and fast-moving trends, blogs provide a sanctuary for long-form, nuanced discussions. They offer context, depth, and detail that are often sacrificed in short video formats. For those seeking to understand complex topics or engage in reflective thought, blogs remain unparalleled.
It’s easy to fall into the mindset that video and blogs are in competition. In reality, they complement each other. Videos are excellent for quick how-to or demonstrations, but blogs are ideal for in-depth analysis, storytelling, and thought leadership. They cater to different moments and moods, proving that one doesn’t necessarily replace the other.
The assumption that “once you go video, you don’t go back” doesn’t account for the diverse ways people consume content. Just as radio found new life through podcasts, blogs are evolving with changing times. They continue to adapt through integration with social media, email newsletters, and even audio versions for on-the-go listeners.
In a world dominated by video, the need for blogs persists because there are still those who crave the power of words, the engagement of thought, and the simplicity of reading. As long as there are thinkers, dreamers, and readers, the written word will never go out of style.
So, while video continues to shine, let’s not forget the enduring power of blogs—a testament to the timeless appeal of the written word.
I'll start.
There was a famous Christmas song. Feliz Navidad - sung by Jose feliciano
More many years as a child we sung "Police a wi God" thinking we were singin the lyrics of the song.
We did not know spanish and what were were singing really sounded like it.
Another is Glasshouse sung by Peter Tosh
We used to sing "If you live a glass house don't throw stones, and if you can't take those then you don't throw those."
Again sounded much like what was actually sung. We only missed the word blows but nevertheless this is what we thought.
"If you live a glass house don't throw stones, and if you can't take blows then you don't throw blows."
Drop the link of a song that you slaughtered below.
In Jamaica most everyone is black, i.e. have dark toned skin.
As contradictory as it may sound, the Jamaican people generally don't love their color. They prefer to be of a lighter complexion.
Consequently why there is a song about "browning" by renown Reggae Artist Buju Banton. However there was a rebellion by the darker toned skin women and Buju Banton made another song about :black women"
Talk about lack of exposure.
Growing up I did not know that all :shh was the same. I thought the lighter your skin the lighter the color of you shhh would be.
Despite the Junirr Reid song, that we are all one blood, and maybe the insides were different I thought.
You can't imagine my surprise when I found out that all shhh is the same color.
What erroneous views did you have as a child, jot it below.
Take the time to jot them here.
I will start with a few of the ones I used to change my life.
1) Avoid anything or anyone that is harmful to your health or well being.
2) I will take a conscious effort to direct my life in the direction I want to go, and not just drift along with the current of life.
These are the most talked about topics that I could find.
Just mention all of these. You are bound to get some clicks.
1. COVID-19 pandemic and related issues such as vaccines, outbreaks, and government responses
2. Politics, including elections, political figures, and policies
3. Pop culture, including celebrities, movies, TV shows, and music
4. Social justice and activism, including racial and gender equality, inclusivity, and current events related to discrimination, human rights, and equality.
Ethan grew up in a small rural town in the north of the island, where the weight of expectations pressed heavily on his shoulders. From a young age, he was taught to follow the path laid out for him: be strong, marry a woman, and carry on the family name.
When he turned 19 however, he moved to the city for work and better growth opportunities. Sine his income was scarce he decided to share a little apartment with an older coworker, Marcus.
Ethan admired Marcus’s confidence and independence; qualities he lacked but secretly yearned for. Having the young man in his care, Marcus showered Ethan with kindness, Marcus’s kindness filled the void of affection Ethan that Erhan had somehow missed, since he was no longer around family.
One night, after a particularly hard day at work, Ethan sought comfort from Marcus. Ethan was confused and vulnerable but found solace in the warmth of Marcus’s embrace. It felt like safety but also stirred a deep conflict within him.
This was only the beginning of a life of conflict for Ethan. Strangers hurled insults, and Ethan’s world shrank into a suffocating bubble of shame and isolation. Rumors spread quickly when others noticed how extremely close Marcus and Ethan seemed. The rumors then reached Ethan's family and rather than confront him, they disowned him, blaming Marcus for “corrupting” their family member.
Ethan wasn’t sure if his feelings for Marcus were love or a desperate attempt to find belonging in a world that had turned its back on him. He felt trapped, not by Marcus but by the labels and judgments forced upon him.
He longed for freedom—not from Marcus, but from the expectations and hatred that had stolen his chance to discover who he truly was.
