Coulda, Shoulda, Woulda. Gooda?

The greater good, is there such a thing? Is it actually possible to do something potentially detrimental or that has some negative effect to accomplish a collectively positive result? Tonight I was faced with that dilemma.

My little brother owns some twenty-five dollar toy cars that apparently are collector’s items (clearly upscale pull-back-actions though). He has owned them for some time and I’m not sure but from what I remember the first couple belonged to my older brother and he passed them on to my little bother who then acquired about ten of them I think, I’m not sure. That’s beside the point though, it’s his collection. He also has not looked at or given any thought to them for at least some months and possibly a year and they have been in one of the drawers of my mother’s chest of drawers for some time now. I suggested to my mother earlier that we give our neighbours Keron and Kendel, (eight and six) just two of them because the boys are from a much lower income family. My mother was adamant about not doing so because they’re not mine, they're too expensive and wouldn’t be appropriately cared for and they hold sentimental value to my brother so it would be unfair to just give them away. Of course I argued forcefully and convincingly enough that she agreed to at least let me ask my brother first. I went ahead and asked him as soon as I got home and he said yes and it was all good. Well except for the part where I hurriedly called him on his cell phone and asked “Can I give away two of your cars?” to which he answered “What?” to which I said “The toy cars nah” to which he said “What?” to which I replied “The ones from the computer desk nah” to which he said “Orr Hoor the cars, nah you’ll have to wait till I come home so I can see which ones you giving away” to which I lie…um SAID “I only giving away the ones you have two of nah” to which he said “ Oh the blue and the white, yea yea go ahead.” What happened between the lines was that the ones he had two of were actually a blue and a white car of the same type each of which he only had one, and I gave away both. I know it’s no deadly sin but it was blatant and decisively directed deceit. I’m still trying to figure out whether he knew he only had two different colours of the same car and he thought I was giving away one or he thought he had four of the same car in two colours and I was giving away the duplicates…my brother just got home…. no word about the cars…no questions….nothing. Hmm!

So my brother’s car collection has one less model and two less cars but is still as dusty and neglected as before. I’m a liar and deceiver but the boy’s across the street now have at least one toy each and hopefully will for some time because at twenty-five dollars those mothers better be able to take some throwing around.

I don’t know how the scores are tallied but I’m really hoping that there’s an away-good rule!

Laff At You

I'm so proud of our entire Trinidad and Tobago society. They're so very conscious and kind hearted. At least 90% of our population, including our Prime Minister (I wanna big up meh dorg Patrick), are sporting these ‘livestrong’/breast cancer/colourful rubber/ plastic bands in support of life and wellness for our Universe. Contributing to such a good cause while maintaining one’s keen sense of style is a major fashion statement; it screams “I’m a mindless zombie who can’t resist being part of every fad in our/American popular culture.”

Not only do I applaud our unselfish and trendy taste but it’s even more commendable the commitment with which this drive is sustained. In the US it was just a passing trend where people apparently didn’t care very much or possibly just didn’t get it. Just a selected number ever bought these and they only remained popular for a few odd months. Trinidadians though as usual when it comes to something so serious went the full 900 000 yards. I am sure that as many bands were purchased by our citizens because not only does 9/10 of the population have one but 2/3 of those have two and 1/2 of those have enough to colour coordinate with all of their party outfits. These bands can STILL bee seen on many a wrist about the country. I saw my friend with a glow-in-the-dark green one just Sunday (I am still fascinated by glow in the dark plastic though, how doooo they do that).

I am so moved by our commitment that I’d just like to let everyone know that there’s a new type of band coming next week; the LAY bands. They are a symbol of our dedication to Lead All Youth. You know, away from the sex, crime and drugs toward a better way of conscious-band-wearing-cause-supporting life. I got my very own pair of red and white already and as soon as they officially hit the market next week I’ll be going for the black. TnT!! And just in case you think this is some lame local thing I assure you it’s not. The guy who started it is from America. He lived and went to school there for so long he’s practically a citizen. So look out for them when they come they are fresh and new and soon everyone will have them so move quick before you end up being one of the three people in your area without one. Just so you don’t miss them, they look just like ordinary rubber bands (yea the ones you buy by hundreds in the card board box) but they’re NOT. They come in small clear packages just like the ‘livestrongs’ just they thinner cheaper and the pack says LAY. You get five in a pack so just in case one bursts you have four more. Heck if all burst just buy another pack. Remember they are for a good cause and everybody will have one.

Happy band wearing L. A. Y.!!!