the last man in paradise

Young body with an old man's soul Chock full of education but largely self-taught. Exploring life, love and laughter one foot in front the other

[delinquent-intelectual-blog]

the Cost of being a Boss

I remember reading an opinion/editorial series on AskMen.com called Mr. Mafioso. It was an interesting take on how to live and thrive as told by a “successful anonymous mobster“. I was 19 and just left school. I wanted to make a splash in the world. Curiously, the people I saw around me were not following that advice and were somehow getting through.

It is only now, with the benefit of hindsight, am I aware of how much those people appeared to get through and actually were wallowing in the same sty resin they were always in. So many I knew squandered years, thousands, and opportunities to look coo. So many were balling out their money and have no savings today. So many, still live wit their mom although they are on their 3rd or fourth car.

I am not arguing that I am balling (far from it, I am a pedestrian, who lives with my in-laws), I am just saying that now when I run into these people they always tell me about how well I did and am going; whereas, I am always critiquing myself and wishing that I could have done more/do more to be with my family. False humility aside, I have lived with a halo of deferred gratification over me (primarily).

I was in a maxi, the other day, and saw a lady rocking a pair of Air Jordan VII’s. They were so fresh. You know the ones in Red, White and Blue primarily, with gold highlights. Hers were fresh, you know. My eyes kept being down to them and observing how neat they made her feet look. So engrossed was I, that her 2 children almost didn’t come into focus until they dropped a toy on the floor and we all helped to find it.

The funny thing was that the kids were nice and neat but were scolded about losing things and/or asking for sweets in front of me.I was there in a suit about to go to a cocktail reception; and here I was telling this lady about how fresh her shes were and how I wished I had one as a kid. She was like uh huh, right. Real not on my vibes.

That was a real digression. However, my point is that in spite of not having these trappings of success, I have been able to win some major markers of  of elevation. When I see people I respect coming to me for advice on matters close to them, I feel like I am closer. When I am given the opportunity to work on matters that are difficult, and I get through, I know I am getting closer.

The other thing I am realising is that to be the boss you have to keep paying the cost. The true question is whether I am willing to continue making the payments...

[delinquent-intelectual-blog]

Marketing madness

Todaymeets me in the airport departure lounge stroking the keys ever so gently while I sit next to my testy colleague. Today was whirlwind of meetings, hand shakings, and "team building" as we routed through the sister Island.

 At the same time, my clients have been blinging my hotline to no avail. Hopefully, I can make my way through the new demands of my clients all while zoning out all interruptions. Today had a surprise win though, we got the long debated licence. God is good.

 I'm sorry that this is a bit rambly and without a moral to the story but more on that later

[delinquent-intelectual-blog]

Take your chance and you pay your price

Tonight has been emotional. Today has been emotional really. High pressure at work (of course), and huge sad vibes at home. The missive above is quite true. The price of your chosen opportunity is direct, quantifiable and at times amost too much to bear.

I hope that whatever you choose to sacrifice is worth it...

[delinquent-intelectual-blog]

Inner conversations at Trail’s end

So this is me, sitting with a cold Carib idling next to me tippy tapping on my phone after quite the week of work. Amidst the multiple demands by clients, advice rendered, appearances entered and representations made, the whirlwind of interpersonal drama and (notably loud) calls to action made by my seniors and impertinent interactions with staff - it is done... for tonight.

After all the hullabaloo and hoopl, I gave my best and here I am taking a brief respite before the trudge home. I closed the office AGAIN but I madr the clients happy. This is the life I dreamed, lost sleep and wept for. The life yes! 9:15 p.m. in a dodge bar catching myself.

Things aren’t where I want them... yet. However, I am making steady progress to where I want to be. While my colleagues are wining low, I’m working. While men giving high five and carousing through the town, I’m sharpening the tools of my trade. Look out world, I’m going to make my mark!

Let me spark my cig (don’t tell wifey) and get on my way. For the battle comes with the day. I’m ready to meet it, warts and all.

Grist to the mill for the time that my mark will be made.

P.S. I wrote that a while go (like 2 plus hours). Best I redownload this app to my phone yes!

[did-you-know]

It took a judge’s ruling to settle an argument about whether Snuggies are blankets or garments. Because blankets and clothing are taxed differently, the company objected when its product was placed in a garment category and given a higher tariff. The courts officially declared that, because it opens in the back, has no closures, and is marketed as a ‘blanket with sleeves’, the Snuggie is indeed a 'blanket.’ Source

[delinquent-intelectual-blog]

well blow me down

[delinquent-intelectual-blog]

Millennial, have a seat!

So... today I had the pleasure of receiving the pearls of experience from the lips of one of my senior colleagues. I asked him how I could get ahead considering where I am. He responded by basically saying that I am ungrateful for not realizing the privilege of the position I am in.

The man started the conversation with a discussion of how people in millennial generation only want things instantly and have no appreciation for the time things #payyourdues He then went on to explain to me that now people want to just floss out and have a big house/big car and not work for it (just after he tells me that he earned twice what I do 11 years ago) #bepatient

He then informed me that the competition is greater than ever before (just after telling me that the numbers don’t matter because the cream rises to the top!) #opportunityscarcity. However, to be grateful I am where I am because it is a good opportunity #shutupandtakeit /#holddemandwukfordem

Nevermind getting more money, don’t you know we are in a recession? (he is in the private sector and constantly in demand) #hustlersneverdie but the real kicker is that my generation doesn’t have these values because we got participation medals for everything (never got one of those but ok) #yourenotspecial

All in all, I learned that I have a place and it is in my seat, silently thanking god that I am where I am because I am in the best possible position I can be. I’m grateful that I am where I am in life. However, shouldn’t we encourage each other to become better and do more. Improve your service and skill so that you can earn more?

I’m not saying that everyone should be balling insane. I am saying that if a youth is out here making waves and working well, you should give a little incentive so that he knows it’s worth something. Telling me that I am skilled and saying that the minimum is all you can afford to pay is a surefire example of cognitivie dissonance if I ever saw it. However, whatever, maybe the seat is still warm, let me go wine in it

[localheart]

Blanchisseuse

Boscoe Holder

[delinquent-intelectual-blog]

the legend, the boss

[delinquent-intelectual-blog]

If all else fails, at least you have your priorities

Today  has been... interesting. The mixture of multiple people making demands of me in addition to filtering the essential from the urgent really peaked this rounds. Simple decisions that grant small steps have massive snowball effects throughout the day. The crazy thing about it is that a lot of the time you can’t decipher the forest from the trees.

A lot of may boil down to how good the people around you are and the quality of the communication you give and receive; but today, today was a doozy for me. I go big and proud the other day, coasting a role in the office, feeling like a real boss because I made certain things happen ins a relatively brisk fashion. Only to find out today that I forgot about another thing that was supposed to be done in conjunction with that. End result, I shame!!!

Quick thinking kinda saved me from the shell down of shell downs my direct report will most likely still rain on me when the dust settles. However, the main thing is to ensure that the goal is achieved with the swiftness. If you see me small talking with the different service providers and the officials who make the decisions. I am there fighting the good fight and then someone comes to get advice.

I wanted to run them eh, but I couldn’t do that. I mean I have a number of files to address and settle down, but, I really couldn’t do that. The person looked stressed out and tired; not really about that check me later life then and there. So I took the time to rock back and listen.

I know that what was going to be said was probably not something that I could do something about. I knew that it was something that even if you advised them they would not want to hear. However, I sat down and listened; and after a couple minutes the person was looking a little less grr and more vibesy. So I snuck in a little letter while chatting. (2birds, one stone banton!)

I did’t get all I wanted done but I was able to stop someone from having an epic freak out. So, maybe (at least in my head) that is still a win. The work will always be there, actually there will be more than you think. However, people won’t always be good or bad and we have a responsibility to make sure that we helppeople through the bad and enjoy them when they are good. Or else it’s best we all go climb in a cave (With wifi) and tweet to keep ourselves company.

Maybe tomorrow when my phone won’t stop ringing, I will regret this sentiment but that’s my word for tonight!

[delinquent-intelectual-blog]

Antics for V Day!

Well you should have seen my conduct today. I caught my fair lady with my surprise gift for Valentine’s Day. No doubt, it took a lot of international coordination. However, things worked out for the best. Her smiles (albeit over a screen) was all I needed to make the effort worthwhile.

#meltway

The funny thing about today is that my charm did not extend everywhere I went. I had a bit of a tussle with a lady at work. A lady I usually get along with to boot! If you see wrangling thing. I had to go into total IDFWU mood. The thing was crazy!

I get a dutty steups, phone hang up on me clatang all kinda ting.*Insert proper West man prestige school accent and redials number* “Excuse me, may I speak to your supervisor?” *Scurrying to find supervisor* “What exactly going off with your subordinate. They don’t like employment or what? You want to see them on the streets?” Rant and rave for a 2 minutes to wine on them. Then turn around and hear the bacchannal that caused the person to feel some type a way and feels bad... a little. Coast on feeling too bad and tel them to catch their falling self and buss it.

20 minutes later, we have a conciliatory phone call #letsworkitout and call it george. Trust and believe anything can happen when you see water more than flour and stress take you. Generally, I am a cool fella. Nothing can stress me, but when you see the disrespect starts, I can’t make nah.

This was supposed to be about how smooth I was. However, that silky smoothness was rather temporary. Just goes to show you that it might be better to take that extra breath before you lose it on somebody. Well, you win some and you learn some

[delinquent-intelectual-blog]

First Times at Appellate High

I am so pumped! i appeared for the first time at the Court of Appeal, AND it was in a big matter that I have been reading about for years. Dreams do come true! (insert relevant emotional outbursts) Never mind the fact that the matter was an application in Chamber Court in which, our client could care less. Court of Appeal is Court of Appeal.

The other thing that was cool was that I was before Madam Justice of appeal Pemberton, who is a very good successor to Madam Justice of Appeal Weekes in that she is similarly feared for her strictness. I don’t mind if you are strict and fair. It’s when you are capricious, then the strictness is a problem. When you’re an equal opportunity stickler, you just need your A game.

Maybe, soon I will be on my legs addressing the full chamber as I saw Senior Counsel Martineau do this morning (before the Chief Justice no less!) (did I mention that after Karl Hudson Phillips QC, RIP, he is Counsel goals {I mean the man has done almost every hard matter in this country for what almost 40 years, incredible journey of a career!}) Aside from my major/minor geek out. My boss just walked in and saw me typing this which is a minor burn (he didn’t coast though which is a major win!)

Today’s experience taught me that I can make the steps I want to in order to be and play at the level I aspire to. It just requires the discipline, focus and perseverance to consistently progress and serve more and better over time. Lil Wayne definitely had it right yes - Success is defined by repetition, the ability to consistently repeat execution of a particular quality.

[the-future-now-deactivated20170]

Silicon Valley is the new Wall Street. The third big problem makes Wall Street seem practically woke.

follow @the-future-now​

[delinquent-intelectual-blog]

They are WAY bigger than Wall Street

[for-marginalized-bw-only-deacti]

You can tell black women are the least protected group on the planet. Every time I come across a comment riddled with racism, intraracism, misogynoir, homophobia (especially towards trans black women) or blatant ignorance towards black women the first thing that rolls off the fingertips of many people is “Man it’s just a joke”. A racialized comment towards black men or other POC warrants a CNN special or program. A sexist comment towards a white woman or non-black woman warrants a CNN special or a program. A comment towards someone’s religion or sexual orientation warrants us to have a discussion about discrimination and intolerance, but a racist, sexist, homophobic comment towards someone THAT IS A BLACK WOMAN IS JUST A JOKE? Fuck outta here!!!

[philosophybits]

Well done is better than well said.

Benjamin Franklin (via philosophybits)

Damn right

[queensofrap]

[delinquent-intelectual-blog]

Always reblog the queen

[micdotcom]

Watch: The Young Turks’ Cenk Uygur nailed why millennials get so much sh*t. 

[delinquent-intelectual-blog]

All i see is truth. Except REAL people don't use the net to learn about productive stuff.

If more people would engage with the information that's out there the world would be revolutionized (as if we are in the midst of a revolution already)

[delinquent-intelectual-blog]

Slacking

I had/have a nice post to share with y'all you know! I just was frying some breadfruit to eat with some fish and pigeon peas. That was a meal to remember, man I wish I had breadfruit all the time. However, I will double up the dose tomorrow and leave you with my thoughts. Here's to fitful sleep and flexible fingers!

[saatchiart]

Elisabeth Maille | See more of her work