My Kingston - Peter Dean Rickards

Sunday, April 04, 2010

Film-maker, photographer; creator of The Afflicted Yard; founder and editor of FIRST Magazine

What are your earliest memories of Kingston?

I remember speeding down that curve at the top of Long Lane in the back of my mother Diana's Mini with my two sisters on the way to school or the supermarket. My mother liked to drive fast and it didn't matter if she had an old sideboard or whatnot strapped to the roof. She was always stuffing the Mini with antique furniture she found while tearing around Kingston ...and plants, lots of plants.

I also remember being attacked by about 20 mongrels on Willow Run when I was about five.

What do you miss when you are not in Kingston?

Good barbershops.

What are your favourite home comforts?

Probably my view of Stony Hill and the 25 water tanks on my roof.

What would you do if you were mayor (of Kingston) for a day?

I would take down my picture on that billboard near the airport and replace it with a picture of Sara Lawrence wearing a giant Chiquita-esque fruit hat.

Share with us the title of the last book you read.

I re-read Catcher in the Rye the other day after Salinger died.

What's your middle name?

I just had it legally changed and one of the conditions is that I can't discuss it. Ho, ho, ho.

And the last bit of music that stirred your soul?

I recently discovered a lot of the instrumental music by Keith Jarrett's Köln Concert and Warren Ellis. Their stuff is pretty moody and inspirational; but to be honest, music rarely affects me in that way. The one exception to that might be music at funerals where it acts as a sort of catalyst to wailing. But really, that's more about the death than the music isn't it?

What was your last bit of retail therapy?

Well, I bought a bunch of computer gadgets in the Miami airport a couple of months ago Airports always make me feel like spending money. I love airports.

Which cologne are you currently splashing?

Gucci something.

What is your preferred beverage?

I love coffee but I'm trying to cut back. Not the easiest thing when you can buy the gourmet Jamaican stuff at nearly every supermarket. Then again I know people here who drink Sanka.

What upsets you?

When I take a wrong turn downtown and people in the car get paranoid and start kicking the back of my seat and slicing up the upholstery with a ratchet.

Share your latest projects.

I've been developing a TV series called DiMaggio: The Last Don about the life and work of local Record Producer Josef Bogdanovich. The pilot (which is really a short documentary) was made a year ago and is just now being screened at special events for local audiences. It will be making the international film festival rounds soon.

I'm also plotting my first feature film and the photography archives continue to grow. It might be time to do that book soon. I've also relaunched FIRST Magazine online (www.first-magazine.net) in the form of a single lane blog.

Name your favourite 'chill' spots in the Jamaica.

My favourite place in Jamaica remains Stony Hill. It's where I spent my childhood so it's great to be reconnected with it after nearly 27 years away. It smells pleasantly familiar.

Also, I like Treasure Beach. It's perfectly slow.

What's your advice to a first-time visitor to Kingston?

Scream "FIRE" if you need urgent assistance. If you scream "Teef!" or "Murder" nobody will come.

What's your philosophy?

No dogs in the house.

Do you feel buying into Facebook now is a good investment for the long-run?
	Yes
	No

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Emergency work disrupts water supply in St Ann

My Kingston - Peter Dean Rickards