In the beginning was Mapquest....

No excuses but I really was just to busy to do my post yesterday, I had a good one planned too; I'll save it for Monday. In the meantime, I stumbled on this thing and couldn't help but post it:

Back in the day there was mapquest. You needed directions? just type it in mapquest, many people still believe in it and use it exclusively. Me, I got turned on to yahoo maps. It was a phase where I could say "I yahoo": mail, news, chat, weather, music, maps. BUT THEN! then came Google maps, ok I'll try it. What I loved was the uncomplicated layout of the directions and the map alongside, and moreover, the ability to simply drag and zoom the map instead of having to click the desired function and wait for the page to refresh. So I started using google all the time since I'm good with maps and liked being able to browse it in this way.

Now with the advent of google earth, I'm wondering if they got ahead of themselves. Next weekend I may have a clash between playing and coaching. Being in denial that I may not be able to play, I proceed to look at how far it is between the two locations. First I enter Danbury ct (playing) and then drag it around to see for myself how far I might have to go. DAMN it's a long haul.... but still let me see just how long it would take. Search terms now amended to Danbury ct to Colshester. Results are below:

Drive: 3,920 mi (about 29 days 10 hours)

1. Head west on West St toward Deer Hill Ave
2. Continue on Lake Ave 0.6 mi
3. Turn right onto the I-84 E/US-7 N ramp to Waterbury/New Milford 0.4 mi
4. Merge onto I-84 E
Partial toll road
Entering Massachusetts
5. Take the exit onto I-90 E/Mass Pike/Massachusetts Turnpike toward N.H.-Maine/Boston
Partial toll road
6. Take exit 24 A-B-C on the left toward I-93 N/Concord NH/S Station/I-93 S/Quincy
7. Merge onto Atlantic Ave
8. Turn right at Central St
9. Turn right at Long Wharf
10. Swim across the Atlantic Ocean 3,462 mi
29 days 0 hours
11. Slight right at E05
12. At the traffic circle, take the 2nd exit onto E05/Pont Vauban 0.1 mi
13. Turn right at E05
14. Take the exit onto A29/E44 toward Amiens
15. Take the exit toward Dieppe/Amiens/Calais/A151/Rouen
Toll road
---abridged directions---

How intuitive is google?!?! WOW!! just freakin amazing!! Colchester in England. SWIM across the Atlantic and then continue on my merry way taking a slight right onto the E05. THe whole thing shows I'm taking a lil detour through France too! Oh and by the way, I start swimming from New England Aquarium in Boston. How do you like that?

I HAD to go see what happened if I entered the same on Mapquest. Unlike google it gave me a choice of possible Colchesters, all within the U.S. because it simply doesn't have, i suppose, any other directions.

Should I be going back to using Mapquest?

"real" roti

I titled this "real" roti, not that I think Trini roti is fake, but that I have now seen roti being made by Indians from India. THis was pretty much what we would call sada roti in Trinidad and the method was quite similar.

That's one thing about living in such shared housing, and as a matter of fact going to a college with one of the most international student bodies: interacting with other cultures.

There I was minding my own business waiting for my rice to boil when two indian girls come in the kitchen with all their stuff. So I was htinking they were going to take a long time preparing things as they usually do (cooking seems to ALWAYS be quite a social occasion for them) But not this time! The dough was already prepared and one started rolling while the other put what would be equivalent to a tawah on one burner and a wire grill on another. Now the tawah had a handle and was slightly concave. And the bilna was basically a non-descript stick, near uniform thickness throughout, slight taper towards the ends.

The speed of the whole business was what really fascinated me. Each roti (she did refer to it as roti to a friend who came in to look) was only about 6 inches in diameter but still, they must have made 30+ while my rice was boiling and they were still in there when I left. The one girl rolled out the dough, each starting out about golf ball size. Then straight onto the super-hot tawah. That lasted about a minute, including turning. Then it was moved over to the grill, almost touching the burner (we have electric). Immediately it puffed up, the entire thing, like a balloon. It was enthralling, uniform, each one like the one before. And it was at this stage that the roti acquired the colour we are used to. Of course, this demanded the undivided attention of the cook to ensure the initial tawah stage was just right to allow the puffing up stage which also demanded deft handling of the thongs to turn and turn the roti over the grill to avoid burning.

I was thinking they probably making roti like that since they small to be that skilled and nonchalant about it. I guess it's like me making stew chicken now. LOL yeah whatever. I just thought of the fact that I have never made stew chicken in Trinidad hahaha. But here? ooohh there have been a couple that were magic! Could you imagine if I make a stew chicken ONCE home? It would be the end of "eating for free"
;-)

It's late in the day but I really had no time today, still I'm in under the wire: my 4th consecutive day posting! woohoo!

How big is your Carbon Footprint?

In layman's terms, your carbon footprint refers to the amount of stuff or resources you use up e.g. if you have a car, your footprint is bigger than someone without (you use gas, oil etc. AND emit more fumes in the long run) Of course carbon footprints are calculated as a country average.

I thought I would do this post due to all the recent resurfacing of the global warming issue. Is the earth really getting warmer? Is it just a natural cycle? Is human activity really responsible? Time magasine had quite an interesting issue April 9th with a cover reading "The global warming survival guide" and included "51 things you can do to make a difference". The subsequent letters to the editor were varied: some complimentary, and others making you think about the writer "you just don't understand, do you?"

Wikipedia has a nice little entry about carbon footprints along with a world map which gives an overall view of the worst offending countries. Immediately you see North America highlighted. I was a bit surprised to see Australia right up there as well. Guess what? If you click to enlarge the map, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO is also guilty. In fact, according to this Trinidad is worse off than the U.S. However, this map shows carbon emissions per capita, not that that makes it any better but explains why the United States comes under fire from environmental activists. These statistics show the U.S. being way out ahead of other countries in terms of total carbon comsumption. The Kyoto Protocol was drafted in an effort to have governments worldwide take steps towards reducing levels of carbon dioxide, and other greenhouse gases, emitted due to industrial activity. The U.S. has come under fire for not ratifying the protocol but admittedly it isn't as simple as it seems.

Part of the problem is that Americans are perceived to be a [lazy] people who go around using things up without regard to others or the effects of their actions. I always say stereotypes are born out of some grain of fact. Let's go back to those letters to the editor. One person said "...it is not a question of whether we will kill the planet. It is a matter of maintaining a survivable habitat for ourselves." OK so let's just do whatever we feel and if it comes to that we can build a bubble to live in? On the other hand another letter said "We can give up the feeling of entitlement that pervades our society, we feel entitled to use a disproportionate amount of the world's resources...As the greatest nation on earth, we should be leading by example." Some people see a true reflection in the mirror. I will put my own meaning on "greatest": for a country with such international political and economic influence the world community expects the U.S. to "do the right thing" and so far it seems that the policy is to get away with as much as possible until.

THe 51 things suggested by Time included many that we as individuals can do now while the government decides what to do later. I do subscribe to the view that every little helps. Here are a few: ride the bus or carpool - yes some transport systems aren't up to scratch, try carpooling; say no to plastic bags - why do american supermarkets put like 2 things in each bag? you leave with 10 bags carrying stuff that could have fit in 3; and the #51 on the list

"consume less, share more, live simply"

How big is your carbon footprint?

Class etiquette... and other things

I will never forget how teachers in high school in Trinidad would make sure everyone greeted one another at the start of the class. And you better had say "good morning" or "good afternoon" if you walked in late or everything would stop till you did loud and clear. So engrained was it that I used to do it when I just got here 6 years ago until I realised there was a reply only 10% of the time. Also, people come in and have small picnics in class. I can understand having a coffee or a soda etc. but salads and Subway? the class smelling like a food court? I mean jeez.... or how about the continuous chatter when the professor has arrived and is trying to start the class? or worse: the little conversations that pop up DURING the class?! I wouldn't even say these are "pet peeves" in my mind they are simply a matter of respect. I've posted before about a professor who was doing his small bit to improve discipline among students. He greets people if they happen to come in late, and pull up people who start talking during the class. Good for him. At least there are still a few who care.

Which brings me to the "other things": plagiarism. I read somewhere, and can attest to the fact, that graduates plagiarise more than undergrads. Isn't that funny? According to Plagiarism.org:

A national survey published in Education Week found that 54% of students
admitted to plagiarizing from the internet; 74% of students admitted that at
least once during the past school year they had engaged in "serious" cheating;
and 47% of students believe their teachers sometimes choose to ignore students
who are cheating.

The site further states that clearly instructors know what is going on but aren't about to do anything about it. "55% of faculty 'would not be willing to devote any real effort to documenting suspected incidents of student cheating'". So many professors just let things slide. I would love to see comparable statistics for Trinidad. To be honest I think at least people's conscience would kick in, I'm not saying it would stop them but I think Trinis would at least feel bad. On the whole I think the international students really try, but then we get sucked into the culture :-/

You know what? at this point I am just counting down the days, the final I cheated on is in the past. I can proudly say though that I have never done the "cut and paste" bit, that is just plain laziness. I was supposed to have a presentation this evening but my group couldn't get it together in time, I know there's going to be some cutting and pasting for the paper itself which pisses me off but hey, the professor likes me. Just picked up my graduation packet, I was invited based on GPA to join an international Business Society, so now I'm just waiting to see if I graduate with honors.

2 down... till tomorrow!

Radio shows

No I'm not going to talk about Imus or whoever else there is. Fact is I've probably only ever listened a handful of times to any radio talk in this country, even the couple times i've listened to stations from New York or Tri-state area, they tend to be either boring or over-the-top. Thus after I happened to be awake last Thursday to listen, I confirm or re-affirm The Morning Drive with Paul & Nikki on 96.1FM (Trinidad& Tobago) to be my favourite radio show ever!

According to Wikipedia 96.1 is thought of as "young people ting" which may or may not be true since I wouldn't consider the presenters to be of that age group. I must agree with the assessment that they approach all issues with "a level of fairness" and make listeners aware of pressing issues. They have been accused in the past of being partisan; personally I feel this is because of entertaining calls from certain regular callers who were clearly for or against a certain political party.

So since last week I have been inspired to try to get up early and listen in, it was a great start to the day, good laughs. Its great to have a hearty laugh at 7:30am. Reminded me of back in the days at home, getting ready for school, and later getting ready for work, listening in. Then hoping the maxi I got had 96.1 playing (until i got my discman w/ radio hehe) Allyuh remember when Nikki used to just have the lil 5-min "nikki says" thing before the 7:25 news? That was when I started liking her, she seemed to really think through those segments as it was going on national radio lol. She has really matured as a comedienne since (notwithstanding the forays into soca, lawd) and she and Paul make for an entertaining duo.

The day I listened, I'm not quite sure if there was any specific topic: callers talked about Akon of course, the policeman who has missed 25 court dates to prosecute a child abuser/molester/murderer, the widespread water shortages. But for me the hit of the day was the new Prime Minister's Residence which is being constructed at record speed (while the Grand Stand remains untouched) on the grounds of the Botanical Gardens at a cost of TT$148mill. A man calls in and talks about it and requests a song for PM Manning. Well they certainly had it in for him!

"and now we have a special selection for Manning..." Of all the songs to play, they put on "It's my House" by Diana Ross LOL And you bet they are singing along:

It's my house, and I live here
(so hall allyuh tail)
It's my house, and I live here
(one four eight Million)

Cuz it's built with looooooove
(taxpayers money)
An it cuttin thruuuu
De botanical gardennnss

Let me tell you, I had to catch my breath laughing!! That was the funniest thing in a loooong time. I miss listening to them I realise...listening to my own accent, the jokes, the "pong" LOL I just might start getting up a bit earlier to listen and have a pleasant start to the day.

Till tomorrow...

(yes "till tomorro", i have taken a challenge from Lime to post for 5 consecutive days, who tell me do dat :-/)

Trini on wikipedia

Through the maco-machine Facebook, I found this link while browsing some trinidadian groups (i find these enjoyable as many people write almost exclusively in creole, MOST amusing LOL )

List of Trinidadian English Terms

It's quite a long list, some of the definitions I don't quite agree with... but you can draw your own conclusions.

Take a look!

The weather

Unless you really completely outta it, you must know that the Northeast US has had terrible weather the last few days: snow, sleet, rain, flooding. And it was unseasonably cold even before all that started. UUUGGGHHH!!!

Yes I know I've come to enjoy the different seasons and for once I am actually getting out of spring in a good mood which I attribute to changing the clocks earlier than usual so the dark afternoons ended sooner. But now this is getting just a tad annoying. Yesterday I sat here and watched the rain, and along with that, watch the park slowly flood. Couldn't it be like home where the rain is warm? even when its windy as hell?! DAMN! Times like these is when you miss the wet and dry season life. I can't even imagine how those people who are getting snow must be feeling, and is not a lil snow, is PLENTY snow. Meanwhile flood like mad closer to the sea where it is "warmer", and it might go on for a couple days more.

Hear nah, is really time to stop being cold now man, geez. This cold is crippling, I gone with my fas' self and pack up my winter stuff. Now I only have a few long sleeve things, 2 or 3 sweaters, and a light jacket. Thank god I thought about keeping my underarmor for late-evening coaching on those damn windy fields. Why they like to put fields on top a hill in the back of the bush? and when is time to go home and it gettin dark you have to make sure you eh bounce no deer in the road?! Lawd my poor old car if I bounce a deer...

ok clearly I am annoyed and rambling. But seriously is the weather. I didn't even work out today because I was cold. And then to make it worse there was no heat when I came home, better I had go to the blasted gym. Can you picture those people running the Boston marathon today? Torture. Somehow I think it would be easier when it is hot and just keep drinking than having your joints freeze up as you try to run.

For all the times I've said 60'sF (teens celsius) was "nice" and for all those people who were thinking something must be wrong with me as a Trini: I WISH IT WAS WARM!!!!!!!!!!

Everybody pray to the Sun Gods.

Till nex time...

If I get sick...

it is because I ate a whole can of vienna sausages
because I didnt feel for anything else since I am getting a cold
because I didnt want to get up and close the window last night
because the sleep was going sweet at the time.

maybe nex time I will get up an close the window

Pet Food

Sorry to all those people affected by the "national pet food recall" but I couldnt help being a bit surprised by how far-reaching it has become despite knowing how some americans love their pets more than people, having the dog in they bed and kissing them and all that. I see big people come on CNN and bawling down de place cuz they dog or cat dead. I understand it sad and unexpected and is a shitty way to go but oh gosh!

It never crossed my mind how huge the pet food industry must be over here. Now when I tell my friend dogs in trinidad eat rice, she in shock: "it doesnt do anything to their stomachs!?" Well clearly not. And by the way, I see some rice in the supermarket here that eh look too far from trinidad pet rice, probably only one grade better. I swear there are people that would eat what my dog eats, at least it smells REALLY good while being cooked. Usually it's just the rice cooked up with entrails etc from preparing our own meals, but we season it and everything as if the dog cares HAHA. At one point when I was at home, I used to buy packages of chicken liver to cook for the dog (it was dirt cheap). Another time I bought some dry dog food to mix in with the cooked food to make it last longer. Guess what? the dog ate around the pellets! LOL Now bear in mind this is equivalent to eating only the peas out of the peas and carrots. That was hilarious, we were in shock but almost died laughing. I must point out that this is the same dog that would "eat" mangoes (don't ask how he got them) and bananas (again dont ask) Crix is always a hit, and how about some scrambled eggs?

All kicks aside, I wonder how many trinidadians buy the so-called "cuts and gravy" style pet food? It only occupies a small space on the shelves, the dry food seems to be much more popular, and pet rice is always available. One of my cousins used to buy it(dry food), but again, she would mix it with rice. Those Trinis that do buy the "gravy" stuff probably still happy happy buying it cuz who bothering to check labels and dates and all that? If the dog dead it dead.

One more question: what do cats in trinidad eat??

Bus Travel

sorry no pics with this one.

Although we had a couple friends who drove us around a few times, buses were the way to go during spring break especially since students of USF ride for free. So there we were checking schedules and making plans, where to get off, how much time we have in between each bus or even the trolley. Sound like a foreign concept for a Trini doesn't it. Well this is because there are schedules that are actually followed, maybe give or take a couple minutes, as opposed to Trinidad where the bus may or may not come and has now been more or less reduced to rush-hour-only service when everyone is in one place at one time so little can go wrong in terms of being "on schedule", just go at rush hour. Stark contrast with being able to pull up times online and plan a trip. The only bit of hassle was with the Beach Trolley which somehow didnt seem to be on time but we somehow managed not to miss getting back to our bus stop to get home (although there was one VERY close call) Maybe the trolley was a bit lax because of being by the beach? LOL The ultimate in public transport though is in Europe. My trip last year to Norway/Sweden demonstrated an efficiency that must be maintained because of the demand for and widespread use of public transport. You get to the stop one minute late and you literally "miss the bus". The stops for the trams, in addition to having schedules posted, had timers displaying the number of minutes till the next tram arrived, now THAT'S planning.

The other most noticeable facet of bus travel is the demographic. Want to see some wayward or eccentric or MAD people? Those considered to be on the fringes of society, either economically or socially? Take a bus in America. Warning: bus travel is NOT for you if you are in any way skittish. Because when some random person ask you for a light and then strike up a conversation like if they know you for years, you may feel a tad uncomfortable. Me I take it as entertainment. Then there is always the person talking to themselves, nicely dressed, decent looking, and at first you thinking they have a bluetooth on the other side of their head, but no. I have also met some genuine people on buses, nice people who can't afford anything else like myself. Or old people who aren't allowed to drive anymore (that was another time on Greyhound, not this trip) Of course the people-watching starts at the bus terminal/depot, whatever it's called in the U.S. but here you are more vulnerable to unwanted advances from said people. It occurs to me though that bus terminals seem to attract such characters even if they are not there to catch a bus. Is it the public nature of the place? I am open to other theories. No such observations from my time in Scandinavia since it is a preferred means of travel for a mainstream population, so different....

Well I am at the office and keep getting distracted. Thats all for now.

Till nex time...