Ode to Frustration - 365 Days

PLEASE SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM, and Read from Day 1.


Day 5.

There exists a friend sticking closer than a brother

Friends and Motivational Baselines, and you are forced to get up again, lets stop being drones
Another day to hold the business together, believe me the power is within your earbud headphones
How its done: put your shades on to block the sun, and ignore all the words to focus on the baseline hum
Allow the words to merge with your soul and let your mind act out all the verbs and listen to your eardrum
Maybe not verbatim, because Lincoln said don't break the law anymore, but its still far from a paradigm
After while you would no longer walk, you will float and the world like a boat that lost its sail
In reality, you are simply thinking faster and paying attention to every last detail
Honestly, I don't see light at the end of the tunnel, but I will light a flambo till then


Day 4.

Exonerated Whiplash

Sirens and slow music, this morning was one of the coldest. Why did Adam listen to Eve
I need some slow motion music, as we play it over in slow motion in my mind.
I said, jump don't shoot! But its hunting season, so 5 shots to the heart. Jah Bomboolart!!!
I say, Stop lets loot! But its too early to riot, so 5 reasons we are apart. Mudda Rasclart!!!
Live Fast, Love faster and then run from the latter. Focus on your bread and butter
It pierces through thoughts and marrow, not like the bible, more like a blunt cutlass
Because at the end of love, there exists the screeching of tires and the exonerated whiplash


Day 3.

Thanks Britney 4 my Sanity

The morning after. Some old school outkast music, and a State of Emergency
A rainy day, gloomy but filled with hope. Her brown skin inspiring me to continue.
808's and Heartbreaks suddenly. Certainly. Evidently. Eventually. Consistently.
Clyde has turned into Mr. Hyde. Dr Jackel would have never seen it coming definitely.
A regular boy only his dreams and determination left, married to them clearly
Enough! the triple refrain reverb hums over the gloomy overtone and back to work
Decisions, public relations, a box of KFC somewhere in between and back to work

Day 2.

Whips, Chains and the gnashing of teeth. The cordial walk into the wall, head first.

The subsequent bleeding, the wheezing, the heavy breathing, the deep sea dive, head first.

That's the feeling which ate away at my subconscious and pumped my conscious into its deepest recesses

Surrounded by pretty girls, but none of them please me, my values, my immunity regresses

My hairline recedes with age, so I look at her brown skin and maybe I want her but something is missing

I miss about 2034 of the pieces for my left atrium and right cerebellum, I am sorry honey, no kissing

At least not until I pick up the pieces, all of them.

All that I could find as whatever I leave behind will be left behind forever

Day 1.

It hits me the hardest every morning, when I wake up and realise that those dreams are over

I am keenest when yawning, as the yawn somehow motivates my senses, it would stimulate

It leaves me cleanest when morning, the interior of my eyes are washed and rinsed till immaculate

Tragedy has been embedded in our lives, and no roller coaster comes with out thrills and spills

But somehow I feel that connectivity could happen wherever electricity is generated by windmills

Sometimes the window simply does not blow, and all the kings horses and all the kings men

Would never be able to put humpty dumpty back together again. Alas, its classic

That story of the victim being victimized and the plaintiff, playing the defendant. Its tragic

Ode to Frustration: Story of my Life

I got 99 problems and all of them bitches, I got 100 solutions and all of them songs
The one thing that never really changes is the music... until I had to face it
Interesting how it sounds so melodious when thumping in your ears
Until one day the music slaps you in the face and says face me bitch and suddenly no one cares
I hope one day to drown my sorrows in the  Chatta Hoochee River and alleviate all fears
This time it may be a little too loud even for my ears, and this time no one else hears
So imagine you sit in a crowded room and only you can hear your life screaming for help
And everyone else watches you cringe and onlookers proclaim that pressure is something you can't take
Meanwhile pressure bus pipes, but this ain't pressure. This is insanity. This is profanity. This is infidelity. This is blasphemy.
This time your mother in law may just put you in jail instead of bailing you out, if you fulfill the prophecy
Ironic that this is not what I expected as Dad made the prophecy once upon a time ago

Blurring out of existence 

Regardless of what I think he has half my genes and can still fit in my jeans
So I did fail at the game of life? I never got Married, I can't find my wife!
I left it all behind and it has lead straight to disaster? Maybe not this life.
Not everything thing that shines will be golden, don't let em fool you
I shout, I explain, I am brazen. Still life teaches lessons and this one is gonna school us.
I miss dreaming till your eyes are beaming and it wakes you up as I understand only time sits between my dreams and reality
I think this is a universal idea however this comes after that the blood sweat and tears of three years
The burning desire to take these three E-s and fly overseas and prosper
Someone shot me! Actually I shot myself. Now I need a doctor!
Calming down riots, standing in court rooms, working in my own sweat shop
Should life dictate for me that disaster looms and all rewards from these efforts must stop
I ask kindly for an opportunity to be Ken Sambury. Truthfully, this is me. Always busy.
I don't want grape juice! Orange, passion fruit, sour sup even. Give the grapes to the duck, I'd take lemonade
Make it extra sour so I can squeeze success into haterade punch and we would all drink to that
I have got some missions that nobody can see, so I ask you please, kindly, believe in me
Just for this moment, I will make the best of this opportunity as I refuse to see it coming
So I may just go crazy so that I would never have to look again and take the strain
Not my strain, but I can't stand that look. That look. The one you are giving me right now.
The one that says, If I only knew, actually If I only know I would change the past for a better future somehow
When in between a rock and a hard place, it will be difficult for the egg to turn into a bird and climb out
But it would be impossible for the egg to learn to fly.

Awesomeness

Haters shake my hands but I keep the sanitizer on deck,
Yesterday the world turned but I stopped turning with it,
Now grinding to a halt is actually harder than you think, when upset
Yesterday the friction under my feet as my legs stood immovable
Lit a fire under between my toes, and is still brewing beneath my feet
I can't stand the rain, but somehow I manage to stand the heat
Managing the pain, I channel this energy from the spontaneous combustion
Nothing done in vain, harnessed properly I have a source of propulsion
I let my arrogance be the steam to power my dream
Its not necessary for you to believe, once I do it may seem
Remember, once I launch you will see it too, and you will also believe
Littered with counter arguments and despair I'd need a last bit of awesomeness
Glittered with bright ideas which shine for all to see, I'd need a last bit of awesomeness

If heaven was a Mile away

Maybe I have been listening to more get up and dance, and less sit down and think music
Maybe I have been caught in a re occurring trance, and my mind is shouting "QUICK, don't LOSE IT"
Whatever it is, I have not done this for a while but in between the nostalgia of 2010 and the hopes of 2011
I remain a student of life, learning how to do this thing, because everyone dies but not everybody lives
So in a quest to maintain this life, I return to my mental fortitude, sitting in my corner house rocking chair
With my right ear pressed firmly against the ground, listening closely for any sound I may hear
This moment is tense, rife with emotion as each passing footstep sends enough echoes to beat my ear drums into a full symphony
As the rhythm of these ear drums relate to my thoughts emotions melt my pride away and leave me in a dull melancholy
Its the pain of seeing the future crumble, but its worse than seeing it falling. It is more than hearing it coming
With my ear firmly transfixed focused on the subterranean sounds, I feel it coming

to be continued....

No More Boring Nightlife!

In a valiant effort to help you guys, I am offering the opportunity to buy a concept, theme or a combination of both for your event. Starting today, Friday 3rd December, 2010. No more bursting your brains and naming your event after a song you heard, for want of a better name. No more wondering how could I possibly attract people to my event. People want more than wine and jam within four walls. People want something different, they want to be wowed, they want to have something to talk about, something to look forward to other than that Mavado they play all the time\everyday. 

For example: Say you have a party called "Bottle and Spoon" with a breakfast, jouvert theme. I will source the paint, relevant decorations, speak to the relevant men of mas, moko jumbies, fire-breathers etc and hire the best mix of these to effectively create your atmosphere of Jouvert.

Prices are negotiable and everything will be done tailored to fit your budget. Upsize your party from as low as $1000.00. No More Boring Nightlife! Please. 

Concept: an abstract or general idea inferred or derived from specific instances. We define concept to be the activity or the action in and surrounding a particular event. eg. Dresscode, Water Trucks with water hoses etc all form parts of the concept. Concepts include: Mardi Gras (beads, masks), Water Party(patrons wear bathing suits and get sprayed with water) etc.

Theme: a unifying idea that is a recurrent element in literary or artistic work; "it was the usual `boy gets girl' theme". We define theme as the general gist of the event. eg. Lighting, Set up, decor, Entertainment all contribute to the theme of the night. Themes include: A Retro Theme, A Carnival Ole Mas Theme etc. 

Basically the concept is the VERB(depicts action, like free drinks before 12) and the theme is the NOUN.

Call 710-4212 explain your ideas and get a quote in 24 hours. PS. You can have NO Ideas, that is the point of calling me. For more info: Check Ken Sambury the Idea Guy on facebook

Learning to Fly

So today was another flight lesson. 
The event this time was Red Bull Air Race, the university series. We sat and planned all evening the previous day, I even meditated over a hearty meal of Japs, but somehow everything didn't flow one into the other on the day itself.

Woke up early this morning, around 5.30am to a nasty alergic reaction to the dust buildup in the carpet. Forced myself up and into the living room for the next half hour of morning rest. Rising simultaneously and gradually with the sun I was able to shake off the sleepy-ness caked on my face. After hygiene-ments, Two ounces of Facebook, Two pounds of that project-which-was-due-last-week and my kid sized Red Bull Energy Shot and I was ready to go and felt like working by 9am.

Stealing my way out of the house, past my sleeping brethren Nesta Boxill, directly to the barbershop. Not exactly the barbershop, the brethren who owns a mechanical trimmer and has some experience as a barber. Here the conversation massaged my head more than the blade as we spoke of diabolical plans to fly miniature planes over people's heads.

One Priority Bus Route to the heart of town, stopping by the doubles man as man must not live by Red Bull alone. A rasta doubles man, a queer sight to say the least, but alas.. lets give him a try. Let the black people strive as they say. Halfway into my doubles and a rasta strand of hair peaked back and me and said "yuh wha some channa or wha?". O.o Well my high spirit was put on pause just long enough for me to show the proprietor the hair in my food. I made sure this was done as conspicuously as possible. Only after walking off, behind the kid cudi still in heavy rotation on itunes, I thought.. wait.. maybe the hair in my doubles came from all the hair on my clothes from the barbershop.. "orrrrrr horrrrr"

In school, and already in my.. I mean the guild's office. Asking Mickel and his VP for the list of Air Race Pilots and Spectators was like asking my mother to find my playstation games. Yes she saw it, and knows what they look like but she never has a clue where I put them. I eventually got the list of pilots when Kristoff the sports representative arrived. With further ado (not without, with) we proceeded to the maxi. Maxi man Bernard a far cry from Bodow, but as Tishana would say... "this works"

Finally in UWI. Puttin up Pylons, looking for my incumbent girl friend, carrying students to the planes and ducking requests for free Red Bull on delivery service .. fun things. Eventually I collected a buff for random in discrepancies in some political issues involving a crazy Valsayn woman. In-between the conversation I took little mental notes on how to fly this thing. I'd try to stay in the air longer next time.

Our Goal is to Fly Not Land!

Red Bull University Air Race 2010 / University of the West Indies St.Augustine, Engineering
Undercroft.

The goal is to fly, not land

The Red Bull Remote Control Air Race University Championship is a miniature version of the
international Red Bull Air Race. The objective is to navigate an aerial race track featuring air-
filled pylons in the fastest possible time incurring as few penalties as possible.

The Red Bull Air Race consists of the following flying sessions; Training, Qualifying and top 5.
In all sessions only 1 pilot races at a time.

There are two categories for the November 2010 University championship, category 1 – Best
Creative Plane – in which students would receive a naked plane in which they would have to
design themselves. Category 2 Best Air Race Flight, in which the students would get to fly
already, crafted planes. But a word of warning: The goal is to fly, not to land.

The University champion will be determined for the 1st time at a location convenient for all University
Students to attend. A selection of students, whose university ID serves as a license to fly, will have the
chance for an unforgettable adventure in aviation.

All it takes is coordination, feeling out your planes, thus the reason for the training rounds and a
determination to win. It’s of secondary importance what form of stance students take when the plane
takes off from the hand. All forms of assistance or devices are allowed.

Meditating, tinkering and testing the aerodynamics are what needs to be done for the creative round.
All forms of assistance or supplementary devices are forbidden in the Best Air Race Flight category.
Solely with the “Creative planes“are the hobby engineers allowed to use scissors, glues and other
materials.

Do you want to take off too? Do you think you’ve know the best way to fly a remote control plane?
Or do you have the creative skill it takes in designing your own plane. If you do, then sign up now.
Registration runs from 10am-12pm Thursday 25th November at The University of The West Indies,
under the Engineering Undercroft. The 1st plane takes flight promptly at 1pm.

Take Flight!!!!

In a Cast

written on November 15 at 3:55pm

Clearly its broken, its past breaking point.
Clearly up I have not spoken, because I do not have a point
Or an argument, or a reason or a remedy or a rational
Although the bone marrow in my bones is out in the open
Because all the kings horses and all the kings men couldnt stop it from being broken

It does not change the fact, or justify the reality
That this is no longer fading but merely a memory
Stuck in this cast, without movement of hands, or any feeling that its real
Maybe I would catch gang green and cut it off, but chances are it would heal
Maybe that is just what the doctors say, because today there is no healer
Maybe its just my health today, because most often I am a believer
And today these beliefs died, maybe this is what it took for me to realize
Too much, too late as little has no jurisdiction here, as and more would be too much to bear
It would render me unable to hear, devoted to the philosophies of my own twisted logic
Look, all I can do is sing. All I can do is sleep. All I can do is run away.
All this I can do in my head, because my body is in a cast.
I do hope to pour all my frustrations into a funnel and see my way out of this tunnel
Just to exclaim.. at long last
But the ghost of Christmas past showed me some things which drive us to anger everytime
Subtle jests seem never enough and overt comments would be way to much
As its now difficult to move I depend on body heat and osmosis for air within my mummified container
Tomorrow and the day after will be brighter and better because I say so !
Maybe this may be controlling but I will force myself to happiness, or sadness, to anything to keep problems on the down low.
Perception is reality so hear no evil, speak no evil, see no evil and evil won't exist.
At long last, my body is in a cast wrapped permanently for better or for worse
Does not matter that more because after you read this verse, and the conversation is reversed
There does exist something else which does matter, and with these thoughts your dreams have been shattered
You want a upright, genuine, honest young man, even thought I may have the plan
And the execution, the solution, the argument and the bribe I think I lack you inside
Everyday I look for ways of imporovement but all fall to the wayside
But now that my body is in a cast, i'd find out what is on my inside
Lets say I didnt behave this way, or I didn't complain or be violent today
And your conscience didn't allow for your insolence anyway
As I am stuck in the fugitive mentality that the overall gravity of gunplay
Is some idle shots, till I grown into an armed killer
And as cool as it sounds, when I heard the death of autotune today
I lost my voice and could not utter a word subsequently
I think you were pleased that I stayed quiet evidently
And uphill battle either way, in great loss or great efficiency
Maybe 10,000 years from now my mummified body would be used to help others, and these titles sucked out my brain
"Love is four letters"
"For better or for nothing" a philosophical piece on the both sides of the coin. The "you are controlling me side." And the "I will ensure at all costs that this relationship works side."
"Shake up and Break up" kinda self explanatory

Documents the story for how we ended up in the infirmary .

Casted, Plastered, Posted, Loaded, Left, Locked, Case Closed 

No one knows how it feels to breathe in these Clothes

WINGS FOR LIFE SOCIAL SPOT WITH DAVID COULTHARD (ENGLISH VERSION)

Baby Fight? Squeezy vs Khari Kill vs Jah Bami

Squeezy Rankin pretending to cut grass in response Jah Bami's claim that he is a grass cutter

So as of 2010, I have heard of this I am local movement. At times passing by a store playing boom champions loudly, or taking a maxi talk of this movement is around. Which to me is the greatest thing for local music, that some movement can be started which will encourage Trinidadians to take pride in their music. Especially so as the reality is that the average youth would gladly listen to Jamaican music as apposed to our own Trinidadian tunes.

Last week, I noticed local music stealing the spotlight in my facebook mini feed. Some local artist dispute, had apparently ticked off enough people for one local artist to produce an original dis track; aimed directly at another artist.

Honestly I applaud the efforts of both parties, for what its worth. I've skimmed through briefly the myriads of facebook comments from everyone from producer, to "Jamaican-Trinidadians" to Squeezy Rankin and Mr. Marvin Walters(Jah Bami) himself. As everyone argues over which side won the clash, who is right and who is following clash rules, who sounds mediocre and who sounds futuristic many fail to realize what's happening before our eyes.

Trinidadian music, for that moment... hour, minute, few seconds has the front and center of our attention on facebook. This is exactly what we want! Is this the correct way to do this, spark enough controversy and depend on the macochious contentious nature of Trinidadians to voice their opinion and share like wildfire whatever bacchanal is at their fingertips?
Honestly we may never know, but I urgently admonish all artist and local industry tycoons involved to take this moment and run with it. On a very basic level this is what we need. Both Jah Bami and Squeezy Rankin boast fan pages which have hardly seen this much attention since its creation. These artiste need to simply record, keep on recording and put it on facebook, youtube, wherever for us to see.

The world is evolving, no longer do you need to wait on the radio to give you airplay, more than half the youngsters do not listen to radio. Give yourself your own airplay. Record your own music, post it for people to see and force yourself mainstream. How many more Soulja Boy\Justin Bieber stories of "discorvery from myspace or youtube" do we need to hear to understand the power of these FREE social media tools?
Facebook,Twitter, Youtube all exist at your service, at your beck and call. Stop running down a "visa" or a Deejay and get your music broadcasted worldwide for yourself!
See the clash videos below, a trend of quick viral upload I hope these artiste continue long after the clash...

These are the clash videos:

If you can't see any videos, see kensambury.com 

Squeezy Ranking Started it!

Jah Bami\Marvin Walters Responded:

Khari Kill Responded:

Actually he responded twice! Khari Kill again..

Squeezy Closed it off: Jah Bami dis

YAWN

Yawn, its 2 o clock in the mornin and I am hardly living
Barely breathing, chest pounding, my earth is shaking
Its no fault of mine, its these damn MOSQUITOES that are biting !!!

WHAT, Whitney Husbands attacked?

-- Stop -- WAIT --

What happened to Whitney Husbands?

Well rumor has it that she was assaulted by several young females in there early and mid twenties during Flight Cruise Landed. On Sunday 4th July 2010.
Details are still scetchy at this time although, Trinidadians have drafted quite detailed rumors as to the events of the night.

According to Whitney Husbands, on her facebook status she said:

Whitney Husbands would like to dispel all rumours: Yes I got attacked last night from 3 girls,Yes I did go to the hospital however I am fine and resting comfortably with just a few minors cuts and bruises.I did not have to perform surgery.Thank you to all my true friends and fans...your love,support and concern is greatly appreciated!!! Always remember be pure and just,and have God in your life!!!

Monday at 1:17pm via Facebook for BlackBerry · Comment · 

You, Shervon Duncan, Elizabeth Guevara, Tenille Greaves and 59 others like this.

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As the above post suggests, due to Whitney's high profile personality, this issue has gained widespread publicity on facebook. Our trusted (used on purpose) social media site. Most people are seen on Whitney's page lamenting the debase state our society is in, condemning the culprits to death and wishing Whitney a speedy recovery.

One could only wonder what if Whitney was in the wrong?

In my personal aspirations I hope not only to get wealthy, but to achieve such acclaim as Whitney so that upon an accident or whenever an attack is made upon myself I can get a similar outpouring of support.

Honestly I am amazed and as Ms Husbands is now the talk of the town, I hope someone tells her about this blog post... where I say:

The attack has shown how prolific and how many people you may have affected influenced or have the ability to touch in someway or the other. Kanye said, no one [person] should have this much power -- Please use this wisely.

But of course I am sure (also used on purpose) she was not wrong and I do wish her as much success as possible.(I do mean this success part -- word for word tho)

So for folks who still waiting, these are the pictures.

-- Whitney Husbands attacked after/during Flight Cruise

the REAL DEAL - Trinidad SOUNDCLASH

I ah man missed  the sound clash days by virtue of being 12 or 13 during its prelevance in Trinidad and Tobago. From my youtube-ing I noticed that these sound men shout on the mic with a passion unparalleled to any party dj. They shout as though the music belonged to them. It amazes me how Chinese, African and English sound men so readily embrace the international Sound clash culture and tout the music they play as t he best music ever. 

With dub plates held close to their hearts and death to the opposing sound system on their minds may the Soundclsh return to Trinidad for one day this Saturday @ St Johns.

Live broadcast by Red Bull Music Academy Radio, the REAL Deal  2010 promises to be as epic as ever.

I for one cah wait. Vibes car done!

Different Strokes

I was about to sleep, all happily singing oh yeah, oh yeah
But even within my relentless yawning and persistent typing
It is my bitter realization that we were sad in the post jail state for different reasons
Or, different strokes i'd prefer to call it, because honestly its less a reason and more a reaction
Which expresses but a fraction of the base, mundane, cultural norms of society, such traction
Which compresses the friction into moments apart. The irony is that these compressed moments
Are spread all over the week, wantonly scattered, 100,000 pieces everywhere
But i'm also convinced that you do not see or understand what I speak of anywhere
And ever since that day their has been this lil void, I imagine that it must be filled somehow
And I guess its my fault, and now its like an astroid from the sky
Hitting and pounding on the trust, sanity and perseverance which act as the threads
Which makes up this rope which ties us together.
Had this been a regular evening i'd have put you to sleep
And apparently in my absence It makes sense to appeal to the world
And get this court case adjourned, because everyone is more than concerned
So they must know, no! They must KNOW!
This longing you feel, this void left by these, by this incident.
Ah, so nieve that I beg; God help me please
The sky will not fall in place randomly, amazing you even thought that was plausible
I really want you to understand that that permanent warm feeling is impossible
But in the absence of this understanding you would remain as vulnerable
To the world as a victim of Immune Deficiency Syndrome, extremely susceptible
Amazing that you still don't know what this is about, but when I wake up probably I may say more
But bah humbug, leave me be.

A Boy and His Spray Paint

He hated the world for it was a crass reflection of his own soul
A thought he was determined to deny entry or exit of his mind, 
But today his mind was too tired, his hands were cold because his zeal had grown old
Wrinkled, his motivation  cramped, his face stamped with disapproval
His thoughts just as cold as his hands, angry at his bitter refusal
He did not want to let himself think, he stormed around the house looking for ink
He needed to release these frustrations, life's lacerations that beat down his back
With a broken expression this search continued for hours, 
A boy relentlessly scouring his back yard undeterred by the rain showers
No rain  in months, but now the drought was over and earth rejoiced
He still was unhappy, and cursed everything that was moist
Unsure if this was the time of his life to experiment with drugs
Unsure if he needed a new girlfriend who will help him out his poverty
His emotional squalor , this debauched lifestyle of mental chastity

I remember the first time I saw him, silhouetted in the distance
Time nor place never stick with me, but I remember in this instance
Standing in the middle of the world determined to find the ink
He moved with such swiftness that my eyes missed him when I did blink
As he drew nearer I noticed it in his hand. The marker
I wondered, what would a man of his stature want with a marker?
For he was a tall, sturdy figure. Full of character
Eventually he tucked his marker in his pocket  when he found what we was looking for
Not a cartridge of ink by now the thought of that soo faint, but now he has his a can of spray paint.
He looked around to see who was looking, because this was clearly his for the taking
Immediately, as if  magically his skin brightened like a white jersey in the sun
He began to shout hysterically:

I feel like Calder Hart now except with out the commission of inquiry

With these powers I will spread my message like rain showers

And what ever I touch will blossom and bloom. Here I come world, give me some room!

I come to Graffiti the world and colour it how I want, sorry to be this blunt 

But what you need is of little importance compared to what I want

This can of spray paint right here will give me the power to overcome what ever tribulation

When I see the poster that says $100 for a shuttle pass, I will spray it with paint

When I see CNC3 owns the media rights to cover mass. I will spray it with paint

When I see Tiger Woods about to leave a voicemail, I will spray him with paint

If a girl coast on me in a dance, I will cut she tail, and then I will spray her with paint

When I see gas eh raise, bread drop but maxi fairs gone up, I will pray the maxi with paint

When I my mark for fundamentals of reporting, It is now self I will spray it with paint

Wether you are or you aint, When in doubt SPRAY IT WITH PAINT.

I will graffiti the world wether you like it or not, come out of the fire If you can't stand the heat

Stay on your toes don't just stand on your feet, come out of the fire If you can't stand the heat.

WOW -- Not as much awe struck as I was star struck; frozen in that moment
Thinking of it now the entire story never dims, although my memory is faint
Thinking of him now, it wasn't a man, but merely a boy and his spray paint

Govt to Make 20 Schools same-sex in five years!

That was the article written by Sascha Wilson in Today's Guardian.

The News is in short:

• The Ministry of Education will convert 20 out of the 90 government owned secondary schools into same sex schools
• This will be done over a five year period of time
• Gradual implementation starting from September 2010
• Students will have the same range of subjects to choose from
• This is done because studies reveal that males perform and learn differently

So wait, wait wait... Firstly I need to address all those individuals who scorned the all boys and all girls schools. Casting down students of these as though passage into such a school meant the automatic disregard of all heterosexual inclinations. I remember vividly Mrs Ornella Mendoza, had not even met me at the time calling me a "bulla" at Net Cafe downstairs Campus House. Probably two years later the same Ornella and I were engaged to be married while she still attended her Bishops, ring exchange and all. But we all know how those teenage relationships went...

SO now that my personal grievances are out of the way, would this solve the problem or create a new problem?

Well I went Hillview College and I honestly believe that my schooling there was second to none. Just in my diction and in my perspectives on life alone, Hillview has done more than I can mention. But ironically I attribute none of this to the absence of girls in my school.

I Imagine the advent of boys schools in the modern Secondary School Era is said to be to help boys focus without the distracting influences of girls during their hormonal changes and issues. But the truth is, if a boy wants to be distracted by a girl he will regardless. At least in my opinion. We live in a real world society and in this real world boys and girls live and work together. So lets say hypothetically speaking boys and girls do have a very different pattern of learning.

How are these boys and girls to function in the same economic climate where each must learn how to live and make ends meet at the same time?

Or more specifically in the job environment, is it unwise to put males and females on the same team for prolonged periods of time?

Should we have a totally male department or a totally female department?

Should university students have gender separation within classes?

Is it not an old english method to have all boys and all girls schools?

Good Questions I know. I know also that inter personal male-female development is impaired when the gender disparity is seen as a norm. I remember in Hillview my friend Stefan Guevera and I secretly taught some of our colleagues how to talk to girls, greet them and not come across as extremely obnoxious. All this in a behind the classroom, lunchtime pimp school. Not that I was any expert at that time, but I understood the basics. Simply be yourself because most girls stopped biting since they came out the crib. So you can maintain conversation with them. Also every girl does not have to be your girlfriend. Imagine these concepts were farfetched for some boys who were doing 11 cxc subjects at the time. It is not some big bang theory, in reality there still exists boys who attended all boys school and continue to have problems talking to girls throughout their life.

Granted, it is always said that it does not matter which school one attends for the brilliant have come from Junior Secondary Schools, the slowest have come from prestige schools, and even the most timid may have attended a co ed school. However we must admit that the direction the majority is thrust in is determined by the school one attends. Actually in Trinidad especially, the culture is so unique to one's alma mater, in Tertiary education many can tell without having prior knowledge which school one attended. Simply from the 'modus operandi' or the "ways" of a person.

When this 'project' is implemented, I do imagine an influx of students at Elders and SACC for evening classes. Mr. Sookhan's Math class may very well spill into the main road because somehow, for me at least, lack of girls in school does leave a kind of emotional gap somewhere there. Boys need to develop and put girls into perspective and learn to concentrate even with these girls around. I remember in Hillview for Convent Sports(which was held next door\over the wall from our school) no one ever heard what Sir said up to this day. All ears were tuned into the whistles and sounds of 1000 girls right next door frolicking in the savanna. I do not believe all Hillview men were thursty men. But simply the wonton deprivation of these girls from us all day put thoughts of doing anything else when they were around entirely out of the question.

Boys and girls live together in society and they must learn to live together in school. Boys must understand that if they learn slower they must step up the pace. Lets NOT slow down the pace because more boys fail in school!

I honestly hope that Education Minister Esther Le Gendre does play her cards right on this one. And to all those children who sat the SEA exam today, including my little sister, I do hope you all know what you all are getting into!