HELLO again friends, family and fans. Please tell me I’m not alone in welcoming the first waft of what we here in Jamaica like to call ‘Christmas breeze’.

After the stickiness and humidity of the summer, bemoaning my financial deficiency which denied me purchasing an AC unit for my house, I so greatly anticipate the cooling winds. We have been getting a lot of rains too, so hopefully the wetlands and catchment areas were blessed with enough moisture to enable NWC to continue supplying us with that liquid which is life. Jamaica is so blessed with rainfall that sometimes I have to scratch my head whenever we have to experience lock-offs and practise water restriction tactics. My roof leaks, but I’m not watching that, because at least I have a roof to complain about. So let it rain, with mop and bucket in hand, I am thanking the Lord.

Since I’m in the mood to give thanks, let me just say thank you to JPS and the people who participated in the all-island ‘blackout’ party. I may be talking too soon, but prior to the blackout initiative, I would tear into the skin of ‘How come?’. So now that I see a little change, I have to give onto Caesar what is due. I almost suffered a mini stroke when I received my last electricity bill from the company, because my usage had remained the same and yet the cost was down by almost 30 per cent. Your profits may not be in the hundreds of millions come Christmas, but your reward shall be in heaven at your small attempt to quell my rebellion. I hope that the billing department of the JPS is reading this nice ‘butter up’ piece and keeps trending my costs downward, so that I do not have eat these words and walk with a paper bag over my head in shame anytime soon.

Still giving thanks, I wish to ‘big up’ the political arena for keeping me entertained with their jocular bantering as we approach an election. That ‘loader man’ comment, whilst uncalled for, was true genius. I wonder if the quote was pre-meditated or spontaneous, because if it was the latter, I tip my hat. Even though Bredda B has stepped out of the PM’s seat, he still manages to bring a chuckle and let’s not talk about Sistah P and how she successfully pushes everyone’s buttons when she speaks. Say what you want about Sistah P, but when other ministers and ministries have long faded away, generations will still be quoting this legend. It is my hope that they will all campaign responsibly, and remember that irrespective of which side they’re rooting for Jamaica and its future should be the priority.

Speaking of Jamaica, you do realise we live in a tropical paradise that many people would give a left eye to occupy, don’t you?

We have been blessed with the world’s fastest men and women; some of the best tourist spots the world has ever seen; a great, often-copied and sought-after music and culture. We have the title of the most recognisable name in the Caribbean. So please, the next time you think about how much better your life could be without crime, corrupt politicians, simple people, poor customer service etc, here on the Rock, just pause, breathe deeply and bear in mind these problems affect every country at varying degrees, every class and every race.

Cuss the thief, curse the politicians, belt into that surly inefficient clerk and your low wages, but love Jamaica. We are only as strong and invincible as we think we are. Some of the so-called ‘best’ nations in the world are only great because the inhabitants think they are and they spread that word. If every Jamaican would say ‘God bless Jamaica’ like the Americans do about their beloved US, which is also fraught with many problems, we would be unstoppable.

Let us work on Jamaica pride and uplift this mighty nation! Think about this and enjoy your weekend.

elvachatalot@yahoo.com