Monday, October 18, 2010
Showing posts with label Updates. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Updates. Show all posts
New Photo Blog!
Opps, I Did It Again!
Thursday, October 14, 2010
It has certainly been a while since I have posted anything here... I seriously think I have lost my Blogging Mojo. I used to be able to write a post sometimes even three or four time a week! but alas, I just can't seem to do that anymore, I'm averaging about one post a month now. I need to get that Mojo back, because it's not even that I am extremely busy to the point where I can't find time to blog. This is very urgent as I am about to launch a brand new blog... yeeesss, I said brand new blog. But this will be different, as it will be totally dedicated to my photography, so no random post about the weather, just pure unadulterated photography. I am hoping to start that blog by as early as next week. I think it will be a good Idea for me to document my journey in my passion, photography. I should have started that blog a long time ago, but procrastination got the better of me. Have no fear Stunner's Afflictions will still continue to be around for all my other useless musings. So you can look out for the launch of my new photoblog in a few days.
Since I am on the topic of photography, let me give you an update on how that is going. Well, I have improved a bit since I last spoke here about my photography, but I am still oh so far away from where I want to be. The journey is long, hard and very expensive, but photography is something I love so I am still walking the perilous journey. I have now done two weddings as a second shooter and have gained enough confidence to take on a wedding of my own, yes a a primary shooter. I have to admit, being a wedding photographer is one of the hardest jobs one can do! One has to be prepared to sweat, put up with pain all over: hands, feet, back etc, organize a chaotic bunch of nervously overjoyed people, get the exposure right, catch every special moment... and the worse thing is, you mostly only get one shot, no retake! And if you think it's finished there, you are wrong, as there are several days of post work in front of the computer to really wow the client. I have a few prospective ones in the wings, so I am looking to getting those contracts and of course the pay! Hehehe...
My passion of photography has cause me to do some really crazy things, get on my belly, climb up on dangerous ledges, venture into secluded places... and it still continues to make me spend money that I don't have! This is still true as it was demonstrated recently with two new major acquisitions. I had been noticing that my Nikon D60 DSLR was somewhat limiting my creativity and had started to toy with the idea of upgrading to a new camera. however, it was not until after my first wedding as a second shooter that I was convinced that if I am going to be serious about photography, I needed an upgrade. With this in mind and a lot of thought, calculations, budgeting and sweating I made a leap of faith, yes went out on a very frail limb and made two major purchases. I sold my Nikon D60 and upgraded to a new Nikon D90. At the time I could only afford the body, thus I was lacking a general wide angle zoom lens as I had sold the one I had with the D60 body. So a few days ago I again sacrificed and bought a 18-105mm lens, which I got just yesterday. Was all that money worth it?
It certainly did! I shot the second wedding as a second shooter and was not disappointed and depressed as when I did my first with the D60! The D90 proved itself at that wedding! I must admit that even though I have not done much shooting with the D90, I am loving it! I did my first model shoot with it a few days ago and the camera was great to use. So I have no regrets making the move to upgrade my camera. Now I need some good fast lens, but that is for the future. Right now I will have to work with what I have and hopefully make some good money to support this expensive addiction. You can take a look at the photos from my first model shoot using the D90 here in the set titled Crissie.
Wow! that was a mouthful and a half! Please make this be the Mojo coming back... please...
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| The bride's shoot shot with my Nikon D90 |
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| My new Nikon D90 and Nikon 18-105 kit lens |
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| A photo from my first model shoot with the D90 |
Wow! that was a mouthful and a half! Please make this be the Mojo coming back... please...
One Year Unemployversay... Not A Yay Moment
Monday, August 9, 2010
I just realized that I haven't posted in quite a while... again. This is not good for someone who is contemplating migrating my blog to its own .com and also thinking of starting a new photo-blog, dedicated to my passion photography. Now I'm wondering it I will be waisting my precious, rapidly dwindling funds on paying for hosting! As a result I am still considering the move. Hopefully I can host two domains on one hosting account. So I am still weighing my options and shopping around, as it would be nice to have my own .com's.
I just remembered that July 31, 2010 made it officially one year since I have been unemployed. The job market here in Jamaica is very rough! I has hoping I would have found suitable employment after my sixth month of unemployment, but I have passed the one year mark and still I have not found any gainful employment. I have searched high and low, sent out countless applications, missed out on one interview, been on one interview and still hunting for that elusive dream called employment.
However, I am still on what seems to be the futile search for gainful employment in these tough economic times. being unemployed and having bills that won't quit can be very depressing at times, trust me it really gets depressing at times. However, I still have a lot to give thanks for as I still am able to pay my bills and eat. I have had to make adjustments to my expenses and what and where I eat in a bid to reduce spending, even though JPS still seems to elude me despite my best efforts. I have also had time to work on my photography which is improving with my somewhat limited photographic resources. So I guess even in the thick gloom of my unemployment there are a few faint rays of light shining through. Now I just hope i can land a few good paying photo gigs to earn some funds.
Nevertheless, with the help of God the Almighty, I am still staying afloat in the turbulent seas. I know there are a lot of persons in my position and also some who are in a worse off position than me, so I still give thanks between my bouts of feeling down. But "where there is life there is hope and where there is God there is help!"... wait, mi just come up with a quote! Brap! Brap!... So I'm holding the faith and taking things one day at a time.
However, I am still on what seems to be the futile search for gainful employment in these tough economic times. being unemployed and having bills that won't quit can be very depressing at times, trust me it really gets depressing at times. However, I still have a lot to give thanks for as I still am able to pay my bills and eat. I have had to make adjustments to my expenses and what and where I eat in a bid to reduce spending, even though JPS still seems to elude me despite my best efforts. I have also had time to work on my photography which is improving with my somewhat limited photographic resources. So I guess even in the thick gloom of my unemployment there are a few faint rays of light shining through. Now I just hope i can land a few good paying photo gigs to earn some funds.
Nevertheless, with the help of God the Almighty, I am still staying afloat in the turbulent seas. I know there are a lot of persons in my position and also some who are in a worse off position than me, so I still give thanks between my bouts of feeling down. But "where there is life there is hope and where there is God there is help!"... wait, mi just come up with a quote! Brap! Brap!... So I'm holding the faith and taking things one day at a time.
Come Back Mojo! Come Back!
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Joel Finnigen Photography
I know it has been a while since I last posted and that my posts have been so far apart, but I am trying to find my Blogging Mojo. It seems I lost my Blogging Mojo and I must find it back! It's not like I have been swamped with work so much that I haven't blogged, but I just can't find that inner blogger, that fire that I used to have, that, that, that Bogging Mojo I used to have. But I will try to get it back and stop lurking in the blogsphere and in the land of tweets.
Apart from that I am here, trying to make it through another day as time goes on. By the grace of God, The Most High I go though each day in my still ongoing unemployed state. Nevertheless, I am still busy with my photography, experimenting (nuff experimenting!!!!) a lot and also doing one and two projects which pays a bill here and there. I have decided to enter the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) Festival 2010 Photography competition. I hope my entry will win, which would translate in a lot of recognition and even some well needed money! I have already received great encouragement as seven of my photographs were selected to be a part of a photography collage. The collage will be displayed at the Jamaica Trade and Invest booth at the World Trade Expo 2010 in Shanghai China. I will not be gaining financially from that, but I would get some exposure as well as it has given me a little more confidence in my work. Now I am currently focusing of getting some great "winning" photos for the JCDC Festival competition as the deadline in just over 2 weeks away. For more of my photos, you can visit my flickr page here http://www.flickr.com/photos/stunnerj/ and you can join my Facebook group Joel Finnigen Photography. I will begin selling prints in a few weeks time so if you see any you like drop me a link.
The next three days are going to be busy for me as I will be going on a shoot with a great photographer, Courtney Chen, to assist him with a shoot on Saturday. On Sunday it will be the Jamaica West Indies/Lovers Of Photography Flickr trip to some attractions in Westmoreland, looking forward to that! And on Monday I will get to relax and be pampered as I won a day at the spa courtesy of Social Lingua! Yay! Will drop a post on those events in the coming week. Then it's back to some more photography for the rest of the week! So even though I am still unemployed, I still have a lot to be thankful for!!! Hey, who would have thunk (thought) that I would be able to post my own eye candy on my blog!
Wow! I said quite a bit more than I thought I would when I just started writing this post! Could this mean my Blogging Mojo is coming back....
Another Wonderful Trip
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Once again I am sending out an "I'm still alive" post, that's what I term it due to my infrequent blogging. It seems Twitter and photography has grown so much that it seems to be crowding out blogging and suffocating my urge to blog. But it still lives one, somewhat.
Just in my previous post I am still unemployed and looking. Finding suitable employment in this hard economic time is like trying to find water in a huge desert as your thirst for life saving water grows exponentially. I am still indulging in my photography too in hopes that I will make some money from it to at least survive. that may be way off from now, but at least for now it helps me to keep my sanity in this challenging time.
Turtle Bay, Portland.
Speaking of photography, I went on one more of the monthly JWI/LOP group trip. this time we went to the easter coast of Jamaica, covering two parishes, St. Thomas and Portland. Once again it was a wonderful trip, which took me to places that I have never been before including Turtle Bay, which in my home parish, Portland. Other stops included Botany Bay, a quarry and a beach in Manchineal where we ate some curried chicken, curried lobster and fish. The fun on the trip was not limited to taking photographs of the scenery and of the beautiful models that spiced up the trip. Meeting up with people who you have become friends with through the common medium of photography and the internet and sharing experiences and jokes certainly add to the good times on these trips. The bus ride itself tends to be very interesting and amusing, to say the least! The conversation on the bust this time peaked when the original conversation morphed into man and woman story and fidelity, when the bus ignited it a combination of laughter and emotional expressions!
Two of our hot models on the trip
Of course the trip did not end without a hiccup, which happened just when we were ready to head back home from our final stop in Manchioneal Portland. One of the photographers who drove his own vehicle accidentally locked his key in his vehicle. Now locking your keys in your car in deep rural Jamaica and not having a spare on your person is not a good predicament to be in! Driving back to Kingston to get the spare key and then driving back to Manchioneal to open the vehicle is a hard reality to swallow. Also, calling wrecker to tow the vehicle back to Kingston would be a financial disaster and made breaking the side window look palatable to the mind! However, the flickr group decided to stick to the code of "never leave a soldier behind" and the decision was made to break into the vehicle, car jacker style. It took two hours and several attempts by several members of the team to get the door open. Now we all know how to break into a Prado!
I am still looking a job but also I am looking forward to the next trip. Food, rent and bills are important when spending my funds is being considered, but I still have to sacrifice some of this scarce funds for these trips. After all, it's one of the few outlets and sources of entertainment for me these days, one still has to try to enjoy life! You can view more of the photos on my flickr page http://www.flickr.com/photos/stunnerj/
Irregular Posting, But Still Around!
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
I have been so busy, and somewhat uninspired to blog lately. Being unemployed gets to me sometimes, but my photography and a website I am building has been keeping me occupied. So for now blogging has been placed a bit on the back burner. However, as I said, my photography has been more constant in my life these days. A part of my photography is the monthly Jamaica West Indies Flickr/ Lovers of Photography Flickr group trips that I look forward to every month end.
The latest trip on Sunday January 31 took me to Black River, infamous for it's crocodile population. It was a fruitful trip as we spotted two crocodiles basking in the midday sun at the very beginning of the tour. At first when we saw the crocodiles basking in the same position on either of two concrete walls we thought they were fake as they both laid there motionless with mouths open. But as we got closer were were totally convinced these were the genuine article as we say their eyes move as the watched us cautiously. One finally moved a bit when the boat got closer making us know they were not comfortable with us getting so close, much to our excitement! We spotted several smaller and even larger crocodiles and various birds along the river tour. These poor creatures were subject of several camera clicks, flashes and the attention of a boat load of excited photographers.
Apart from the wildlife and fun boat ride along the Black River, I also enjoyed a wonderful photo shot with a model who one of the photographers brought along. This young lady was beautiful, great facial features, beautiful skin and a banging body! The other big plus was that she knew how to work the camera and was a natural in front of the lens. It made shooting her fun and exciting, not just for me but for the huge throng of amateur photographers present. It was like a super model surrounded by hungry paparazzi seeking the best shot! We were so serious about getting hot photos of her that we literally stopped traffic, including a huge truck, which we ended up turning into a prop for our shoot!
Traffic Blocking originally uploaded by Stunnerj. Our Model striking a pose in front of the truck we stopped!I am still job hunting and keeping my hopes up, even though it can be depressing at times. But despite the down times, I am glad I have my hobby of photography, photographers like those in the flickr group who make these trips a success and the special persons in my life to keep me going. So have no fear Stunner is still here!!!
So Scarce... Where is My Mojo? Where is Stunner?
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Wow, my posting here has been scarcer than the rain in Jamaica! Well, maybe not as scarce as rain here, considering that the rainy month of October passed without any rain worth mentioning! It seems I have lost my Blogging Mojo, because I have been here so infrequently and the same can be said about me visiting blogs. is it that I have lost that drive to blog and keep up with the posts of other bloggers? Or is it really that I lost my Blogging Mojo and need to find it back? Or maybe it is Twitter to be blamed since I am almost always tweeting away? Well whatever the reason, I hope I can start posting here more frequently. So what has been happening in the Stunner's life?
Well, I wish I could say I am happily employed in a job a love and enjoy and being well compensated for my hard work. But alas, that's just a figment of my imagination as I don't even have a miserable job that can barely pay the bills. Yes my friends, I am still unemployed, still combing the Gleaner for job ads, still sending out applications one after the other, still unemployed and looking. Hopefully I will find something soon, and the searching goes on.
My photography
On a lighter note though, I am still toying with my hobby, photography, and trying to improve my skills in hopes of making some decent money from it. In fact, I have had a few gigs, the money isn't much to talk about, but it can pay a one bill here and there. In fact I have one to work on right now, but this damn place to damn hot to do anything that requires moving from in front the fan for even a second! If you are interested you can check it out here http://www.flickr.com/photos/stunnerj/. Maybe you'll see a photo you like and order a print from me, or like my portraits and hire me for a shoot, right, right, right...
YS Falls St. Elizabeth
My girlfriend was here for a few weeks and that kept me busy, no not in the bed, behind the steering wheel as we were on the road quite often. And I found myself traveling from St. Elizabeth in one end of the island to Portland on the other side of Jamaica. I didn't mind it though, it was great to spend some time and also to get out of this damn hot house and enjoy a bit of Jamaica. I finally made it to YS Falls after being disappointed on so many occasions before. I actually wanted to see this attraction for over four years now and never made it. So getting to go there and see it first hand was a wonderful experience for me. However there is more traveling in store, as this weekend will be the monthly flickr group photography trip and I am looking forward to that!
That's just about it in a nutshell, nothing super exiting and dramatic. Hopefully I will drop a decent post soon and get back that mojo! Come on mojo, you can do it come on...
Well, I wish I could say I am happily employed in a job a love and enjoy and being well compensated for my hard work. But alas, that's just a figment of my imagination as I don't even have a miserable job that can barely pay the bills. Yes my friends, I am still unemployed, still combing the Gleaner for job ads, still sending out applications one after the other, still unemployed and looking. Hopefully I will find something soon, and the searching goes on.
My photographyOn a lighter note though, I am still toying with my hobby, photography, and trying to improve my skills in hopes of making some decent money from it. In fact, I have had a few gigs, the money isn't much to talk about, but it can pay a one bill here and there. In fact I have one to work on right now, but this damn place to damn hot to do anything that requires moving from in front the fan for even a second! If you are interested you can check it out here http://www.flickr.com/photos/stunnerj/. Maybe you'll see a photo you like and order a print from me, or like my portraits and hire me for a shoot, right, right, right...
YS Falls St. ElizabethMy girlfriend was here for a few weeks and that kept me busy, no not in the bed, behind the steering wheel as we were on the road quite often. And I found myself traveling from St. Elizabeth in one end of the island to Portland on the other side of Jamaica. I didn't mind it though, it was great to spend some time and also to get out of this damn hot house and enjoy a bit of Jamaica. I finally made it to YS Falls after being disappointed on so many occasions before. I actually wanted to see this attraction for over four years now and never made it. So getting to go there and see it first hand was a wonderful experience for me. However there is more traveling in store, as this weekend will be the monthly flickr group photography trip and I am looking forward to that!
That's just about it in a nutshell, nothing super exiting and dramatic. Hopefully I will drop a decent post soon and get back that mojo! Come on mojo, you can do it come on...
Still Here... Just A Bit Distracted!
Friday, October 23, 2009
Wait, don't file that missing blogger report! I'm still here, still around and very much still alive! I know I have been a very bad blogger and have been so scarce in the realm of blogging, but I have been somewhat distracted. No I have not found a job as yet, still very unemployed and have unfortunately maintained my bum status. I am still looking though and hoping I will land something very very soon before this money runs out and things get desperate. So what have I been doing to be so distracted?
Well I have been pursuing my photography even more and have been working to improve my skills and trying to be good enough to make a decent change from it. This involves watching several photography courses online and practicing by means of taking lots photographs. I have invested some more money in more photography equipment in hopes that it will improve my photography and start bringing in some form of income if it's even to recover the cost of my investment. You can see mt latest photos here http://www.flickr.com/photos/stunnerj/. Here is just a sample of my photography work.
Apart from photography I have not been doing much, the rest of the time is spent refining my survival budget and job hunting. Going to bed late and waking up late on a regular basis just seem to make the days go by so quickly. I'm so not used to this being unemployed thing, even after almost three months! Still hoping that will change soon.
Speaking of distractions, I have found that a certain ad has been very good at grabbing the attention of a lot of Jamaican men... I bet you can see why! Check out this Mandingo Ad!
But have no fear I am still around, and I should be back on the blogging scene again as of now. Sometimes a little break is good, but I can't just leave you guys out like that, right!
Jobless Photographer
Monday, September 21, 2009
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/It has been one month and 21 days since I have been unemployed and yes I am still a bum! The job market looks barren like a dessert on steroids, some real good links would be like a great shower of much needed rain. Searching The Gleaner for jobs is just a useless waste of my JM$100 and time. Now I have decided to just send out general applications to various companies, while I keep searching for a job. With dwindling funds, I need to find something quick, as the cost of living in Jamaica gets higher with every passing day.
However, despite being pretty worrying, the unemployment status has had a few... very few perks. Apart from getting all the rest and sleep I want, I have had time to experiment more with my photography. I have not been doing the number of photo shoots as I would like to, good models that would work for free are extremely hard to find. almost non-existent. I have had to relay on pouncing on my female friends with camera and umbrella in hand. Nonetheless, I am hoping to do a few shoots to improve my photography and possibly to make a little change from some of the shoots. You can see the latest photos and how much... or how little, I have improved on my photography so far here http://www.flickr.com/photos/stunnerj. I want to get out more to take photos, but gas is pretty expensive, so it's a bit hard to convince myself to just drive out and take photos, especially since I am not making back the money from it so far.
So the job hunt continues, and the photo snapping goes on, day by day...
redundancy,
Updates
It is now officially official, Stunner is now one of the many unemployed in Jamaica. I went in today to do what they call my exit interview which was nothing more than me signing my redundancy papers, and handing in my ID, access and health cards. I am no longer employed to the "sour" company. It was a bit of mixed feelings today as I handed in my particulars and signed those farewell documents, and somewhat surreal, that this was it, the finale.
I will miss my job, even though at times it was a pain in the neck and a source of much frustration. However, I had such good relationships with my coworkers, so that I know I will miss. even though we we will link up every now and then. But it just won't be the same, to in office jokes, no mutual cussing of how the badly senior managers are performing, no communal lamenting about our meager pay and of course no more heated debates about the topic of the day. Those are the things that make work fun.
Of course, I felt a bit of anxiety too while I signed of those papers, as I know this was the end of my stable income as I know it. Even through the pay wasn't much to talk about, at least I knew I was guaranteed a salary at the end of the month. But now, I will have to rely on the little that I have to sustain me until I can find another job and source of income, whenever that is. On the other hand, this is a new opportunity for me to capitalize on, to try something new or to do the something for better pay. Whatever it is, this opportunity presents me with a whole field of potential to make myself better.
These jobless days will be rough though, I will have to find ingenious ways of surviving off my dwindling savings while I try to find or invent a new job. I guess I'll have to settle down and do more stringent budgets and learn to conserve more until better days come in these harsh economic times, At least with this time though, I'll have a lot of time to pursue my hobby of photography and hopefully get better and good enough to start making some money from it.
One thing is true though, the only thing constant in life is change. So changes must come, whether we like it or not, we just need to embrace the change, good or bad, and learn to deal with it.
Officially Unemployed
Friday, July 31, 2009
It is now officially official, Stunner is now one of the many unemployed in Jamaica. I went in today to do what they call my exit interview which was nothing more than me signing my redundancy papers, and handing in my ID, access and health cards. I am no longer employed to the "sour" company. It was a bit of mixed feelings today as I handed in my particulars and signed those farewell documents, and somewhat surreal, that this was it, the finale.
I will miss my job, even though at times it was a pain in the neck and a source of much frustration. However, I had such good relationships with my coworkers, so that I know I will miss. even though we we will link up every now and then. But it just won't be the same, to in office jokes, no mutual cussing of how the badly senior managers are performing, no communal lamenting about our meager pay and of course no more heated debates about the topic of the day. Those are the things that make work fun.
Of course, I felt a bit of anxiety too while I signed of those papers, as I know this was the end of my stable income as I know it. Even through the pay wasn't much to talk about, at least I knew I was guaranteed a salary at the end of the month. But now, I will have to rely on the little that I have to sustain me until I can find another job and source of income, whenever that is. On the other hand, this is a new opportunity for me to capitalize on, to try something new or to do the something for better pay. Whatever it is, this opportunity presents me with a whole field of potential to make myself better.
These jobless days will be rough though, I will have to find ingenious ways of surviving off my dwindling savings while I try to find or invent a new job. I guess I'll have to settle down and do more stringent budgets and learn to conserve more until better days come in these harsh economic times, At least with this time though, I'll have a lot of time to pursue my hobby of photography and hopefully get better and good enough to start making some money from it.
One thing is true though, the only thing constant in life is change. So changes must come, whether we like it or not, we just need to embrace the change, good or bad, and learn to deal with it.
Internal Conflict,
redundancy,
Updates
Before I give you the latest, let me first say thanks to everyone for their words of encouragement and advice, I greatly appreciate it. As I mentioned in my previous post, I was hearing rumors that the redundancy date was being pushed back to July 31, and so, as I am at work this morning, the rumours were true. I found out on Thursday of this week that it was in fact true that we, the unwanted, will be staying until the end of the month. But for me word of mouth had no value and I wanted something in writing. With that in mind, I impressed on my manager the necessity of me receiving something in writing confirming such. And after sternly putting across my concern I got a call from my former HOD and the VP that the redundancy was pushed back until month end and that they will be sending an email to confirm such. The email later followed, so at least now I can start making some initial plans on the way forward, first of which is a well deserved vacation and time to do some reorganizing.
Even though senior idiots... I mean senior management, have made their decision to cut staff the unions have been having meetings with them to at least reduce the numbers being sent home. It seems the company has been cutting staff, despite having contractors doing the same function, which by the union agreement with the company is illegal. Yesterday talks broke down and the non-management staff has been on strike since yesterday. Some interesting things going on, I bet senior management didn't count all this when they devised their devious plot. Well, we'll see how this sour saga unfolds.
One of my theme-songs for this time in my life, check it out. This is one of the few good uplifting songs these days.
Redundancy Update
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Before I give you the latest, let me first say thanks to everyone for their words of encouragement and advice, I greatly appreciate it. As I mentioned in my previous post, I was hearing rumors that the redundancy date was being pushed back to July 31, and so, as I am at work this morning, the rumours were true. I found out on Thursday of this week that it was in fact true that we, the unwanted, will be staying until the end of the month. But for me word of mouth had no value and I wanted something in writing. With that in mind, I impressed on my manager the necessity of me receiving something in writing confirming such. And after sternly putting across my concern I got a call from my former HOD and the VP that the redundancy was pushed back until month end and that they will be sending an email to confirm such. The email later followed, so at least now I can start making some initial plans on the way forward, first of which is a well deserved vacation and time to do some reorganizing.
Even though senior idiots... I mean senior management, have made their decision to cut staff the unions have been having meetings with them to at least reduce the numbers being sent home. It seems the company has been cutting staff, despite having contractors doing the same function, which by the union agreement with the company is illegal. Yesterday talks broke down and the non-management staff has been on strike since yesterday. Some interesting things going on, I bet senior management didn't count all this when they devised their devious plot. Well, we'll see how this sour saga unfolds.
One of my theme-songs for this time in my life, check it out. This is one of the few good uplifting songs these days.
Miscellaneous,
Updates
Ahhhh, it seems God has heard my cries and lamenting and has had compassion upon me! Yes, after enduring several days of mind numbing heat, it has cooled down! It all began with partially overcast conditions, which later blossomed into fully overcast days with blessings of showers to quench and cool the thirsty, sun-baked land.
For the first in many days, I was able to actually sit down without turning on my fan! Last night I even slept in merino (A-shirts) again and actually covered up to my neck under the sheets! Can you believe it? At one point I was going to pinch myself, but I didn't... not just because it would be painful, but because if being so cool in my apartment was just a dream, I wouldn't want to wake up!
I know it will not last for long, as the summer is still not here in all it's roasting glory. But for now I will enjoy the cool and damp outdoors for as long as it will last. Aaahhh, just cool...
After resisting this new fad, this new activity that has swept the entire globe, I have succumbed and have now joined the large throng infected with this new phenomenon... no not swine flu! I have finally joined Twitter and now I'm twittering away! I really didn't have any interest in this Twitter thing, even though I have heard so much about it from many of the bloggers than others. But I finally decided to join Twitter at the constant urging of two of what I think are their marketing agents, the ladies from And Still I Rise and Blah Bloh Blog! Hmm, I have also noticed that Ruthibelle had joined in the "Get Stunner on Twitter Crew"... is this a conspiracy I smell?
I am not too sure what to make of this Twitter thing, as I have only joined today, so I'm a newbie. I guess my fellow "marketing agents" will help me along in this new wonderful world of Twitter. Also I noticed that all the people I have met in Blogland is on Twitter, was I the only one not on Twitter? So just in case you don't hear from me here, I might be busy twittering, and you'll all know who to blame! LOL! Anyway, I gone... gone Twitter!
PS: My Twitter name is StunnerJ... Thanks Blahblohblog!
Just Cool... I'm on Twitter!
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Ahhhh, it seems God has heard my cries and lamenting and has had compassion upon me! Yes, after enduring several days of mind numbing heat, it has cooled down! It all began with partially overcast conditions, which later blossomed into fully overcast days with blessings of showers to quench and cool the thirsty, sun-baked land.For the first in many days, I was able to actually sit down without turning on my fan! Last night I even slept in merino (A-shirts) again and actually covered up to my neck under the sheets! Can you believe it? At one point I was going to pinch myself, but I didn't... not just because it would be painful, but because if being so cool in my apartment was just a dream, I wouldn't want to wake up!
I know it will not last for long, as the summer is still not here in all it's roasting glory. But for now I will enjoy the cool and damp outdoors for as long as it will last. Aaahhh, just cool...
After resisting this new fad, this new activity that has swept the entire globe, I have succumbed and have now joined the large throng infected with this new phenomenon... no not swine flu! I have finally joined Twitter and now I'm twittering away! I really didn't have any interest in this Twitter thing, even though I have heard so much about it from many of the bloggers than others. But I finally decided to join Twitter at the constant urging of two of what I think are their marketing agents, the ladies from And Still I Rise and Blah Bloh Blog! Hmm, I have also noticed that Ruthibelle had joined in the "Get Stunner on Twitter Crew"... is this a conspiracy I smell?I am not too sure what to make of this Twitter thing, as I have only joined today, so I'm a newbie. I guess my fellow "marketing agents" will help me along in this new wonderful world of Twitter. Also I noticed that all the people I have met in Blogland is on Twitter, was I the only one not on Twitter? So just in case you don't hear from me here, I might be busy twittering, and you'll all know who to blame! LOL! Anyway, I gone... gone Twitter!
PS: My Twitter name is StunnerJ... Thanks Blahblohblog!
Quick Update with an Eye-Candy for Dessert
Friday, May 15, 2009
Wait! Don't call the police and file any missing person report! I am still around, very busy, but still hanging in there. I have a series of meetings since last week, combining that with gym, I basically only have a few hours to eat and sleep for the entire week. Today is the last day, thank God, as I am tired of fighting the sleep for hours during these all day meetings. On the plus side the finger food was good. as well as the ample supply of juices, fruits and the much needed coffee.On a different note, my car is looking like new again. The damaged area that was repaired and sprayed was finally buffed today. But that wasn't all, I decided to get the entire care buffed so it would have an even shiny new look. And it did look brand new this evening when I went to pick it up. The entire car was buffed and polished and looks shiny like a car in one of those magazines. Yay!
I haven't posed one of these in a while, so I think I'm going to drop an eye-candy for my fellow male bloggers for the weekend. Don't worry ladies, I'm still working on yours for the summer [wink, wink]. This eye-candy has appeared in Flavor of Love and is the reason why I actually wasted time watching I Love Money 2. Presenting the ever sexy Myammee!
Have a great weekend!!!
Mobile Again!!!
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Have no fear Stunner is here! No I wasn't captured by big breasted aliens from a strange female filled planet, who conducted several pleasureful experiments on me. I just have been a bit busy... and lazy for the past week. But now I'm back and also baring good news.
After waiting for what seemed an eternity, I finally got my new ride! It was like torture waiting to get my car. I felt so immobile, having to rely on public transportation to take me to and fro. But that is no more, the Stunner is back on the road. Even though I wanted to 2005 new shape civic, I had to change my plans and opt for the 2004 Civic. But I'm not disappointed anymore at all. The car does look pretty decent, considering that it is the VTI model. Any shred of disappointment and heartbreak I felt about not getting to 2005 new shape Civic was blown away with the wind when I felt the power as I increased the rev on the engine. It was like music to my ears to hear the VTECH engine roar! I know I make it sound like a formula one car, but compared to the 1998 Civic Ferio, the 2004 is just that. The new ride has much more room than the previous one and offered a whole new level of comfort with stronger suspension, a pretty appealing dashboard and of course the leather interior! So I guess the 2004 Civic VTI is a decent ride after all.
I got Tuesday of last week and drove home in comfort after about 2 weeks of sponging, taking the taxi and bussing it. Then immediately I had to go get an alarm installed for some kind of pseudo peace of mind. The windows were not tinted and it was pretty uncomfortable driving with clear windows. My previous car was tinted... well dark. So this was not something I was used to, so last Saturday I went to the tint shop to have the windows tinted. I didn't get it as dark as my previous car, but just dark enough to have some privacy and to keep the inside of the car somewhat cooler. The only thing I will add to the car next is 2 fog lamps and I'm done, no whole heap of modifications for me at all! The car price was enough to keep me at bay.
So let me not let you wait anymore,
[DRAMATIC DRUM ROLL]
Let me introduce you to the new,
[EVEN MORE DRAMATIC TRUMPETS]
Stunnermobile (aka Stunner II)!!!!
After waiting for what seemed an eternity, I finally got my new ride! It was like torture waiting to get my car. I felt so immobile, having to rely on public transportation to take me to and fro. But that is no more, the Stunner is back on the road. Even though I wanted to 2005 new shape civic, I had to change my plans and opt for the 2004 Civic. But I'm not disappointed anymore at all. The car does look pretty decent, considering that it is the VTI model. Any shred of disappointment and heartbreak I felt about not getting to 2005 new shape Civic was blown away with the wind when I felt the power as I increased the rev on the engine. It was like music to my ears to hear the VTECH engine roar! I know I make it sound like a formula one car, but compared to the 1998 Civic Ferio, the 2004 is just that. The new ride has much more room than the previous one and offered a whole new level of comfort with stronger suspension, a pretty appealing dashboard and of course the leather interior! So I guess the 2004 Civic VTI is a decent ride after all.
I got Tuesday of last week and drove home in comfort after about 2 weeks of sponging, taking the taxi and bussing it. Then immediately I had to go get an alarm installed for some kind of pseudo peace of mind. The windows were not tinted and it was pretty uncomfortable driving with clear windows. My previous car was tinted... well dark. So this was not something I was used to, so last Saturday I went to the tint shop to have the windows tinted. I didn't get it as dark as my previous car, but just dark enough to have some privacy and to keep the inside of the car somewhat cooler. The only thing I will add to the car next is 2 fog lamps and I'm done, no whole heap of modifications for me at all! The car price was enough to keep me at bay.
So let me not let you wait anymore,
[DRAMATIC DRUM ROLL]
Let me introduce you to the new,
[EVEN MORE DRAMATIC TRUMPETS]
Stunnermobile (aka Stunner II)!!!!
Back in the Big Apple from the Sunshine State
Monday, August 11, 2008
My week in Florida came to an end on Wednesday when I headed back to the Big Apple New York! However, I did have a great last few days in Florida, which added a high note to my Florida trip. Here is the recap.Saturday Cookout
On Saturday, the family decided to have a cookout as apart from me, my sis and my nephew, my other aunt and her son was also there as well as other relatives. So we had a grand cookout, with barbecue chicken and spare ribs, potato salad, rice and peas, garden salad, corn, well you get the picture. Well of course you do, they are posted below. Let me just state for the record, "I have gained over five pounds thus far!"
Independence ShowOn Sunday I was off to West palm Beach, to attend a Jamaican Independence show, that was put on by an active Jamaican diaspora group in Florida. The air was abuzz with the chatter of Jamaicans from all over, punctuated with American accents every so often. There were stalls all over that featured various Jamaican dishes to tantalize the appetite. I had myself some fried fish, with escoveitch sauce, festival and some cool Red Stripe beer to wash it down. Then it was time for the stage show, which featured some local upcoming artistes from Florida. But this was just an interlude to the real acts for the night, which included the likes of Wayne Wonder and Freddie McGreggor. Below is a part of Wayne Wonder's performance that I recorded on my camera from some distance away. Hope you can enjoy it.
More Shopping!
Ever couple of days, I went to a mall or two to browse though and also to get some of the items I had on my list. I didn't do a whole lot of shopping, but I did manage to get a few shirts and a jeans on sale, as well as a Sketchers slippers on a clearance sale.
Game Shark!
On Tuesday, the day before I departed I was treated to a night at Dave and Buster! I was like a big excited kid, as I explored wide-eyed, playing game after game, after game, after game! Car race, bike race, ski race, shooting games and even an interactive boxing game, you name it, I play it! It was totally fun for me, as I have never been to a game place of this magnitude, with these types of game before. I guess, one can't get to old for the kid inside!
So that was it in a nutshell, and now I'm back in New York trying to soak up the last week of my vacation. If only life could be a vacation [sigh].Following up on my previous post, the entertainment industry has suffered another loss within a day of Bernie Mac's death with the passing of Isaac Hayes.
A cultural icon like Isaac Hayes will be missed.
Exercise,
Gym,
Kingston,
Miscellaneous,
Traffic,
Updates
Bumper to Bumper Rain, Rain, Rain!
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
My fellow bloggers I have been a bad blogger, all this absence from visiting your blogs and posting regularly. But I can explain... Remember I told you all that I have made my return to the gym? Well I have been sticking to the plan and that is why I have been away from the blog scene somewhat. I have been working the day shifts regularly and after work it's straight to the gym, by the time I get home I'm so tired. Even now I am struggling to type this post, so it wont be long.
On another note, it has been raining like crazy since Sunday afternoon. Not extremely heaving downpours but good long showers punctuated by light drizzle and only a few minutes of just overcast conditions, but for the most part it has been just rain, rain, rain! Monday morning it was so hard to get up out of bed for work, not because I was tired, but because the damn bed feel suh ratid good with the rain falling and the nice cool morning temperature! But I pulled my ass out of the bed yesterday and this morning to face the extremely slow morning traffic in the nice "tan a yuh yard" rain.
On the topic of rain, I can't cant talk about rain without talking about the awful, disgusting, leg numbing, eye closing, miserable, traffic. I think the traffic is my motivation to go to the gym in such cozy weather, one look at the traffic I instantly made a detour to the gym. It's better I spend the time to work out, than make myself miserable sitting in the traffic. Even this evening when I left the gym minutes after eight this evening, and it still took me over half hour to get home and I only live 10 minutes away from the gym. It is crazy in the city of Kingston when it rains especially in the evenings, bumper to pumper traffic, cars stationary for several minutes, vehicles poring out from every crevasse and corner, turning in all kind of directions across the roads! Pure craziness! So just remember this formula when you are in Kingston and you see the rain starting to fall by 3 pm:
From experiments it is proven that traffic varies with the amount of rainfall,
Therefore, in Kinston,
K * r = T
where,
T= Traffic
r = Rain.
K= Kingston factor which is a very large number.
Ok, that's either the engineer in me talking or I'm typing pure foolishness because I'm falling asleep!
On another note, it has been raining like crazy since Sunday afternoon. Not extremely heaving downpours but good long showers punctuated by light drizzle and only a few minutes of just overcast conditions, but for the most part it has been just rain, rain, rain! Monday morning it was so hard to get up out of bed for work, not because I was tired, but because the damn bed feel suh ratid good with the rain falling and the nice cool morning temperature! But I pulled my ass out of the bed yesterday and this morning to face the extremely slow morning traffic in the nice "tan a yuh yard" rain.
On the topic of rain, I can't cant talk about rain without talking about the awful, disgusting, leg numbing, eye closing, miserable, traffic. I think the traffic is my motivation to go to the gym in such cozy weather, one look at the traffic I instantly made a detour to the gym. It's better I spend the time to work out, than make myself miserable sitting in the traffic. Even this evening when I left the gym minutes after eight this evening, and it still took me over half hour to get home and I only live 10 minutes away from the gym. It is crazy in the city of Kingston when it rains especially in the evenings, bumper to pumper traffic, cars stationary for several minutes, vehicles poring out from every crevasse and corner, turning in all kind of directions across the roads! Pure craziness! So just remember this formula when you are in Kingston and you see the rain starting to fall by 3 pm:
From experiments it is proven that traffic varies with the amount of rainfall,
Therefore, in Kinston,
K * r = T
where,
T= Traffic
r = Rain.
K= Kingston factor which is a very large number.
Ok, that's either the engineer in me talking or I'm typing pure foolishness because I'm falling asleep!
Election,
Events,
News,
Politics,
Updates
The preliminary results are in and from all indications Bruce Golding and the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) has squeezed power from the hands of the People National Party (PNP) after some eighteen years of being in power. It seems a certain pastor and self proclaimed prophet will have to think seriously about a career change! I use the word squeeze intentionally as this was indeed a closely contested election. The preliminary results last night announce by the director of elections was a 31-29 match up in the favour of the JLP. Also the margin between some seats were extremely close, withe even once seat being termed by the returning officer of the cluster saying it was too close for him to call.
Sista P, was not in any mood to concede a JLP victory last night due to the close tally and the citizenship issue surrounding one of the JLP's victorious candidate. And has indicated that she and her party will be seeking legal action as well as a magisterial recount. However, I just read on The Gleaner's website, that yesterday evening the PNP and its leader has conceded victory to the JLP. They will still however continue with legal action and a recount but it seems from all indications that the JLP has won the election, however narrow the margin is as The Gleaner indicated a 32-28 victory for the JLP this evening.
Eighteen years has been a long time, and although the PNP has done a lot for the country over their tenure ship, they have also done a whole lot of crap and have wasted a lot of my money...I mean tax payer's money. I guess the majority of the voting Jamaican population thinks it is time for a change and have indicated that from their votes. The JLP has made a lot of promises, and they have a tough job ahead of them to rescue this ailing country. Will they make a difference? Will jamaica be better off under the governance of the JLP? Or will things only get worse? It this the winds of change that Jamaica needs? Only time will tell, only time will tell.
Course Changed!
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
The preliminary results are in and from all indications Bruce Golding and the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) has squeezed power from the hands of the People National Party (PNP) after some eighteen years of being in power. It seems a certain pastor and self proclaimed prophet will have to think seriously about a career change! I use the word squeeze intentionally as this was indeed a closely contested election. The preliminary results last night announce by the director of elections was a 31-29 match up in the favour of the JLP. Also the margin between some seats were extremely close, withe even once seat being termed by the returning officer of the cluster saying it was too close for him to call.
Sista P, was not in any mood to concede a JLP victory last night due to the close tally and the citizenship issue surrounding one of the JLP's victorious candidate. And has indicated that she and her party will be seeking legal action as well as a magisterial recount. However, I just read on The Gleaner's website, that yesterday evening the PNP and its leader has conceded victory to the JLP. They will still however continue with legal action and a recount but it seems from all indications that the JLP has won the election, however narrow the margin is as The Gleaner indicated a 32-28 victory for the JLP this evening.
Eighteen years has been a long time, and although the PNP has done a lot for the country over their tenure ship, they have also done a whole lot of crap and have wasted a lot of my money...I mean tax payer's money. I guess the majority of the voting Jamaican population thinks it is time for a change and have indicated that from their votes. The JLP has made a lot of promises, and they have a tough job ahead of them to rescue this ailing country. Will they make a difference? Will jamaica be better off under the governance of the JLP? Or will things only get worse? It this the winds of change that Jamaica needs? Only time will tell, only time will tell.
Powerless Yet Romantic
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Well one week has past and things are slowly getting back to normal...well at least here in Kingston. The few days after hurricane was rough! No light and for some people no water. These couple of days surely made you appreciate how much we are dependent on the comforts of modern civilization, that we often take for granted. I had water even right after the hurricane, but definitely no light.
It took me about two days to get power after the hurricane, and those few nights were hell. I said nights as things were OK in the days, since I was basking in the fluorescent light and air conditioning at work. But When I got home it was a different story, no power, which means no fan, no lighting, no cool drink, no hot water and no meat! Trying to sleep was not easy at all as I had to endure the heat of my apartment which was compounded by an onslaught of some serious hungry belly mosquitoes! These damn mosquitoes attack you even while you are moving, it's as if Dean had cut off their food supplies.
Cooking was definitely no fun. Trying to cook with candle light is not something desirable, as you can hardly see what you are cooking and the candles take up all the space on the counter top. But I did manage to do some cooking one of the evening though. Oh yes I had a nice romantic setting, dinner by candle light! Of course it was by myself, but the candle light did give a nice feeling as I ate my Grace tin mackerel and flour dumplings, with some syrup served at room temperature. What did you expect? Beef sirloin, creamed potatoes and tossed salad with freshly blended fruit juice? It's post hurricane time! Anyway here is a picture of my romantic dinner for one.
So you can just imagine my excitement when I got home form work a few days later to see the light radiating through out the complex and when I got inside my apartment and flicked the switch! It was such a relief to get back my light, oh yes, my bulbs filled the room with fluorescent light, cable was back, the Internet was sitting and waiting and I dashed to plug in the fridge. Things are certainly getting back to normal as time goes by.
It took me about two days to get power after the hurricane, and those few nights were hell. I said nights as things were OK in the days, since I was basking in the fluorescent light and air conditioning at work. But When I got home it was a different story, no power, which means no fan, no lighting, no cool drink, no hot water and no meat! Trying to sleep was not easy at all as I had to endure the heat of my apartment which was compounded by an onslaught of some serious hungry belly mosquitoes! These damn mosquitoes attack you even while you are moving, it's as if Dean had cut off their food supplies.
Cooking was definitely no fun. Trying to cook with candle light is not something desirable, as you can hardly see what you are cooking and the candles take up all the space on the counter top. But I did manage to do some cooking one of the evening though. Oh yes I had a nice romantic setting, dinner by candle light! Of course it was by myself, but the candle light did give a nice feeling as I ate my Grace tin mackerel and flour dumplings, with some syrup served at room temperature. What did you expect? Beef sirloin, creamed potatoes and tossed salad with freshly blended fruit juice? It's post hurricane time! Anyway here is a picture of my romantic dinner for one.
So you can just imagine my excitement when I got home form work a few days later to see the light radiating through out the complex and when I got inside my apartment and flicked the switch! It was such a relief to get back my light, oh yes, my bulbs filled the room with fluorescent light, cable was back, the Internet was sitting and waiting and I dashed to plug in the fridge. Things are certainly getting back to normal as time goes by.
Dean,
Hurricane,
News,
Updates
Hurricane Dean Video Clip
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Since the approach of Dean Jamaica has been without power and still is in some areas...including mine. I wont be writing much as I have to stay back a little at the office to post this and check up my email. I recorded a few video clips during the hurricane, it's not much...in act they are very crappy... I was working during the hurricane. I have posted them below. The first video has a lot of talking, me and my co-workers. Hope all in the path made it through the hurricane ok.
Dean,
Hurricane,
News,
Updates
Close Shave! (Bye Bye Dean)
Monday, August 20, 2007
The sun is once again shining through the partly cloudy skies here in Kingston, Jamaica and hurricane Dean has passed! We got a pounding by endless rain, lashes by powerful winds but still standing. Thank God Dean changed course and traveled south of the island instead of plowing straight through!
I am not sure of the extent of the damage, as I am still at work and have not ventured out or seen any news updates. But it seems things are not as bad as with Ivan. Now I need to head home after work and examine my place and take a good shower! Yes there is still water in my part of the city, just hope it is clean enough to bathe. This is just a quick post but I hope to post some pics and videos in my next post. I don't have much as I was at work the whole time. Hope all the Cayman posy is hanging in there and will be OK as well as the folks on the Yucatan Peninsula. Thank you all for your best wishes and prayers.
You can still track hurricane Dean on my previous post. I will replace it with a snapshot after Dean dies out.
I am not sure of the extent of the damage, as I am still at work and have not ventured out or seen any news updates. But it seems things are not as bad as with Ivan. Now I need to head home after work and examine my place and take a good shower! Yes there is still water in my part of the city, just hope it is clean enough to bathe. This is just a quick post but I hope to post some pics and videos in my next post. I don't have much as I was at work the whole time. Hope all the Cayman posy is hanging in there and will be OK as well as the folks on the Yucatan Peninsula. Thank you all for your best wishes and prayers.
You can still track hurricane Dean on my previous post. I will replace it with a snapshot after Dean dies out.
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